Water - My Basic Human Right

Today is Blog Action Day-Write a Post for Clean Water! The National Water Resources Board created in 1974 to manage the country's water resource sadly failed in past administrations. Five cabinet secretaries are part of the board. Waterless communities like Bagong Silang learn alternative ways of getting water. BF Homes Paranaque only had access to 24/7 water supply in 2009. In 2004 PGMA through her Patubig task force identified 300 waterless communities in Metro Manila alone (from the Philippine goverment website). Do they have water now? UN has declared access to clean water a human right. PNoy, the ball is now in your hands.

Is God in My Workaday World?

Lately, I had been so busy with work that even if I was singing with a choir on Sundays, I always felt like an automaton. Taking quick stock of my situation proved fruitful. I realized that I was about to experience a major burnout. I'm reminded of a lesson I learned as a Psychology student - admitting that you have a problem is already halfway towards solving it. I ACCEPT THAT MY LIFE IS STRESSFUL RIGHT NOW AND I BELIEVE THAT GOD WILL HELP ME DEAL WITH IT.

Weeks ago, my inner self must have been the first to recognize my deep need for some sort of stress debriefing, not unlike that which is administered to soldiers returning from war. I brought two little images and set them on my office desktop. One is of St. Raphael, the archangel of healing, the other is The Infant Jesus of Prague. I have yet to meditate on the meaning of The Holy Child's intervention in this very difficult and trying time.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." - Matthew 11:28

Choral Singing and Songs

Choral singing reminds you of the heavenly choir of angels. Choirs are an important part of the liturgy. They move the massgoer to pray to God in song.

Back in the 1980s when I used to sing with Barangay Choir, there were many songs that were taught us that varied according to the liturgy of the particular occasion when the song would be sung. Thus, during Lent, the Gloria and the Alleluia were not sung, as in the present time, but rather songs that reminded one of the passion and death of Jesus. On Good Fridays the song usually sung was God So Love the World while during the Easter vigil and the whole of Easter Sunday, Handel's Hallelujah Chorus would reverberate inside the church.

In 1990, when I left the choir, I had never thought that I would one day go back and decide to stay not in the same choir but with the former parish choir of Our Lady of Grace Church.

The first time I joined this Choir again as a singing member was this Sunday morning at 11 A.M. There were just eight of us, two basses, two altos, three sopranos and a sole tenor in the person of my friend Herbert.

It had not crossed my mind that the feast that we were celebrating today was the Conversion of St. Paul. I nearly fell off my seat because I am a Paulinian and the Mass was held at the clubhouse of Don Antonio Royale Estate, a part of St. Michael the Archangel Parish. St. Michael is also one of my patrons. I was confirmed on the feast of St. Michael in San Miguel Church, San Miguel, Manila.

I had thought that the two saints were conspiring against me. What a happy conspiracy!

I made up for with enthusiasm what I lacked in technique. I had the tendency to sing without using head tone, the tone that was needed to be able to sing liturgical songs well. During choir practice, Herbert was so patient with me and told me to practice by bending from my waist down and then singing. I tried it and my head started to ache. The headache meant that I was succeeding. Using head tone hurt.

The songs we sung may be old but the singer's heart that is filled with love for the Lord never grows old.

The Entrance Song was Lift Up Your Hearts. Then Glory to God by Manoling Francisco was sung and before the Gospel was read the Aleluya was also sung.

The Offertory Song was Take and Receive, O Lord. We also sung Amen, Santo, Santo, Our Father and Kordero during the part of the Mass where the bread and wine became the Body and Blood of Christ. Communion Song was Awit ng Paghahangad. The last song, which was the Recessional was All the Ends of the Earth.

I am now a part of a choir again and I am awed by the grace that God is making use of my voice again to sing songs of praises for Him, no matter how imperfect my technique is. I am slowly being refined in order to please Him more.

written on Jan 25 2009, lifted from Translucence by Mae Ann, my friendster blog

I just came from a night out with my choir friends. It was a belated celebration of Jonavie's birthday on Jan. 16. Our shared interests? Choral singing, good food and reminiscing 'bout old times.

We go a long way and we hope to go a longer way still. Earlier this evening in one of the biggest malls in Asia, five of us met again. Alex could not come for some reason and for a

Herbert, Naomi, Jonavie, me & Bong

moment that was a damper. We had fun taking pictures of ourselves together though. Some of us heavier, all of us definitely past our thirties but just the same, we gamely posed for photos to treasure.

Herbert and Bong, whom the former brought along to our group years ago as its latest member, and Jonavie are all from the Our Lady of Grace Choir, the parish choir of Our Lady of Grace for decades before its members left to serve in another church.

Our neighbor in Caloocan, Mrs. Dely Zubieta, asked me to join the parish choir when I was about thirteen. She sang with the group and I went to audition one night. After my rendition of Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal, I was accepted as a member. I looked around me and felt daunted by the strange faces before me. I looked for someone about my age but found none. The choir consisted mostly of married people and college-age kids. So even with the encouragement of Mrs. Zubieta, I left the rehearsal that night with the certainty that I would never come back. I was too shy and had felt so awkward before the more sophisticated older girls I had seen there.

Years later, I would regret that decision. By then, I had joined Barangay Choir, that was touted to be one choir to beat in the barangayan, a chorale contest among the barangays. Most of its members were offshoots of the parish choir like Mrs. Zubieta. This choir sang every Sunday at 6 P.M. at the Our Lady of Grace.

My voice joined others in singing liturgical songs for nine years. And when I left the choir because I was experiencing a personal crisis, there was a void that was left in my soul that only songs of praise and thanksgiving to God could fill. Later, when I was already married, I had joined other choirs but stayed rather briefly for various reasons. I had started serving as lector and commentator in another church, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Project 4, Quezon City but the times as a commentator when I led the congregation in singing could never compare to the joy I had felt when my voice was soaring on a choral high note.

When I got home, it was about midnight. One of the first things that I told my partner Tony was that I would be singing with a choir again. Herbert, as the incumbent president of Our Lady of Grace Choir, invited me to sing with them regularly at Saint Michael Church at Don Antonio Royale near Commonwealth. I said yes after Herbert assured me that I could sing most of their songs. Jonavie who used to sing with the choir at Our Lady of Grace Church sings with the altos for them and Omie occasionally lends her voice to the sopranos. Omie is from the Fugue Antiphony Choir that Ronnie Pasajol formed in 1986 with me and Jimmy Chua in tow to assist in the auditions.

I love hearing chorale singing and I love singing in a choir. On Sunday, around 10 A.M., I will be singing with Our Lady of Grace Choir again. Though most of the original members have moved on to other things and only about nine are regularly serving now, Herbert's presence is a sign that the choir is as solid as ever. The Carlos' and Anupols' contribution to chorale singing is the legacy that he will pass on to others who are willing to serve God in song.

As for me, I have assured Tony, that it would only take a few hours off of my Sunday. Besides, the church was not very far. How could it be far when I know that when I go, I would be home at last...singing in a choir.

written on Jan 19 2009, lifted from Translucence by Mae Ann, my friendster blog

The Philippines is Praying in Action for the Elections

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPRCRV) has been chosen as the Citizen's Arm of the Commission on Elections on the national and local elections on May 10, 2010.

On the General Assembly of the PPCRV Cubao Diocese Chapter at St. Paul College Quezon City Auditorium, it's Spiritual Director, Rev. Fr. Arnel Recinto gave an inspiring message. Being for God means being for country, too. They go hand in hand. He salutes all the volunteers as heroes for our God and country.



In spite of the threat of a failure of elections because of rumored coups, probable failure of the PCOS machines, our history of dirty politics, tyranny and voting on the basis of popularity, Filipinos continue to pray the rosary everyday for clean, honest and peaceful elections.

God continue to pour abundant graces and mercy on the Filipinos in spite of our seeming stubbornness to learn from our mistakes or our ignorance that we have made them. In your mercy, Lord, forgive us and may the chosen ones of Your perfect will be our chosen candidates also.

EL NINO OF THE SOUL

It's scorching hot outside. El Nino in the Philippines started in February and has been predicted by the country's weather bureau as moderate to strong only compared to the phenomenon that hit our shores in 1997 to 1998.

Our souls, too, suffer from aridity when we are far from God, the Living Water. The Lenten season calls on us to go back to Him, again and again, no matter how many times we have fallen, to repent and drink of water from eternal springs and never be thirsty again.

Psalm 63 and 42:1 speaks of ardent longing for God. It is but proper to acknowledge our own thirst for God for He said on the Cross, "I thirst"...for you and me. He longs for us to be with Him in heaven for all eternity.


I Seek You For I Thirst

Though many times I run from You in shame
I lift my hands and call upon Your name
For underneath the shadow of Your wings
My melody is You.

O Lord I seek You for I thirst
Your mercy is the rain on the desert of my soul.

O Lord I raise my lifeless eyes
And see Your glory shine, how Your kindness overflows.

O Lord Your sanctuary calls,
I yearn to be with You in the rivers of Your love.


As The Deer
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee

Chorus:
You alone are my strength, my shield
To you alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship Thee

You're my friend and you are my brother
Even though you are a king
I love you more than any other
So much more than anything
Chorus:

I want you more than gold or silver
Only you can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye


videos from youtube courtesy of josemariacheska
and WorshipVideo

End of Time: The Second Coming of Jesus - Today's Gospel

Earthquakes in the last month in many places of the world, strong typhoons that brought about flooding, and in the last few days, ashes spewed forth from Mt. Mayon in southeastern Luzon - is this time part of the end times?

I haven't seen the movie 2012 yet. I've been planning to. Movies on the end of the world hold a fascination few people can resist. Books are no different. They are lapped up as soon as they are sold in bookstores. Angels & Demons, a book written by Dan Brown before he penned the Da Vinci Code, tells the possibility of ending the world using antimatter. The book was made into a film that was shown worldwide in May 2009. I tried to watch it online but felt that the movie started too slow and quit a few minutes into the film. Not having given up on the story, I am now on the 14th chapter of the book and have been acquainted with the dead scientist Leonardo Vetra, his daughter Vittoria, the hassassin and Maximilian Kohler who brought the protagonist Robert Langdon into the picture. Dan Brown has been accused of being a Catholic-basher because of the controversial The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. And this is probably why people who never meant to see the film versions of the books in the first place ended up watching them.

I don't know if I could survive if The Day After Tomorrow became a reality. I saw 10.5, a film about an earthquake that made most of the West Coast in the USA disappear and most recently I came across Haeundae, a Korean film I had been searching for for months. I am grateful to jaguarlampungY who first uploaded it on youtube. Haeundae beach attracts thousands of tourists yearly. It was the setting of the first ever disaster film of South Korea. The story was about a tsunami that hit Haeundae and the lives of the people who were affected by it. The story is not improbable. South Korea is in eastern Asia while Indonesia, where thousands were killed by a tsunami on the day after Christmas 2004, is in southeast Asia.

For a Catholic, the end times signify the 2nd coming of Jesus. No one knows the day or the hour, said the Lord.

Must we scare ourselves? Catholic or not, no one knows the day or the hour. If anything good comes out of watching films and reading books on the end of the world, it is that we stop for a few hours and think about the end, about the world's temporariness and then we return from them grateful for life and the blessings that God continues to pour on us; that we decide to stop being apathetic and start caring about the world and the people around us before it is too late.

We do not know the day or the hour but it is certain that the world as we know it will end and that Jesus will return. It is also certain that my borrowed life will come to an end. If I live everyday as if it were my last, I will not be afraid of the end times.

A prayer apt for the parousia is this : Make me ever ready to meet you, My Jesus, now and until the end of time.

Haeundae photo from hancinema.net.

THE FAITHFUL RECITES THE ORATIO AS ANOTHER TYPHOON LOOMS

Last Sunday, the diocese of Cubao, where my parish, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal belongs, included the Oratio Imperata in all the Masses on that day.

Typhoon Ramil has been a threat to Northern Luzon for days and the faithful rallies against it through prayers including a special prayer in times of natural calamities.
Northern Luzon was hit by two successive devastating typhoons on the last week of September and the first week of October. Many lives and homes were lost.

May people in other parts of the world join us as we pray that we be spared from yet another inundation.

The Oratio:

Almighty Father, we raise our hearts to You in gratitude for the wonders of creation of which we are part, for Your providence in sustaining us in our needs, and for Your wisdom that guides the course of the universe.

We acknowledge our sins against You and the rest of creation.

We have not been good stewards of Nature.

We have confused Your command to subdue the earth.

The environment is made to suffer our wrongdoing, and now we reap the harvest of our abuse and indifference.

Global warming is upon us. Typhoons, floods, volcanic eruption, and other natural calamities occur in increasing number and intensity.

We turn to You, our loving Father, and beg forgiveness for our sins.

We ask that we, our loved ones and our hard earned possessions be spared from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.

We beseech You to inspire us all to grow into responsible stewards of Your creation, and generous neighbors to those in need.

Amen.

A Filipino Catholic's Take On Climate Change (My Piece For Blog Action Day)

For Blog Action Day, I am suggesting that for us all to be united regardless of everything that divide us, let us concentrate on what we can do for earth, our home. Climate change is virtually on everyone's mouth nowadays. Quakes on this part of the world, flooding on that part. Anyone who would mistakenly admit to not thinking of climate change at least once this last week alone would probably be regarded as a relic who must have come from some ancient civilization.

In my corner of the world, the Philippines, where people died, lost their homes, loved ones and pet animals because of flooding, people are looking for someone to blame. Dam engineers, weather experts, the government, expert city planners all give Filipinos and those who care to know about happenings in my country , some things to think about. Debates on what should have been done and who was/were responsible are filling up TV screens. But the root cause of the problem, sad to say, is not adressed - climate change. It is as if people have resigned themselves to accepting that a terrible catastrophe has occurred. It was an act of nature - the rains that poured all its fury in just six hours (in the process exceeding a 1967 twenty-four hour rainfall), could only be understood as such. For a country steeped in Catholicism, God willed what had happened.

We have abused nature to the extent that nature could have filed a case against us in a court of law and won. God promised to Noah that never again shall He destroy mankind through flood. That is very reassuring to think about. Nothing happens on earth and in heaven that is not God's will. But there is also free will. He cannot stop you or me from polluting an entire city or province with our waste because of free will. But He does give us something along with free will - a choice. I choose to say my piece today on climate change because something that will impact the future of mankind is of great concern to me.

Thirty years from now, if I would still be alive (chances are, I would probably live past eighty just like almost all my relatives), I would like to be able to look around me and thank God for the trees and flowers (all natural), the chirping birds (not mechanical/electrical), for the food on the table, and for my long life. I really pray that The Day After Tomorrow and Waterworld remain just what they are - movies.

We have come together, participating in Blog Action Day, from all over, from all walks of life. Inspite of our differences, we dare talk about climate change. Can we unite for one lasting and lifeworthy cause and do our little share for planet Earth by giving pledges? Say you are a smoker, my friend, for you to give up right now is an awesome pledge. Think what a difference it makes if all smokers pledge to subtract three sticks from their regular pack. Or if one decides to walk the less-than-a-mile distance to and from the library or the church rather than bringing the car. Or if one becomes friendlier with the neighbors and starts a carpool. Or if one joins an organization like Greenpeace (like me) and find out more about how he can help our Home, that is giving a clear statement that you care about climate change. Later, the three sticks will be four, five, and the walk becomes longer. If one joins an organization like Greenpeace and is able to influence more people to the cause, we may yet save planet earth from destruction.

Today I pledge that I will go back to running as a sport before the year ends. Running from my house to the banks of Marikina River used to be a fond memory. In the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy, from the news broadcast, I saw the banks where I used to run. Dead bodies, debris from homes washed away at Tumana, dead pets, fish were found on the banks.

I will go back to running. And while running, I will think of climate change, and I will not treat it as natural. I will always feel that I am partly responsible and so I will do my part. It is essential to my existence to believe that people in all parts of the globe are doing theirs.

Riverbanks photo on Flickr courtesy of Dan Saavedra
Submerged house and cars photo on Flickr courtesy of Edward Allen L. Lim

FINDING THE ONE TRUE GOD

When I was younger and unwise, I looked for answers and solutions to my problems in all the wrong places. Astrology, faith healing and fortunetelling are just some occult practices that I had tried. I spent countless hours reading about astrology from magazines my mother bought and from books. I even went as far as going to Bulacan to attend a local healer's sessions. This healer was famous in the '80's for having a dwarf as a friend. He chronicled his life with the dwarf in magazine articles and through a book. My father had that book and I borrowed it one day. Soon curiosity gave way to an overpowering impulse to meet the man. I was attracted by the supernatural. I went to see him on the very day that Mount Pinatubo erupted. The wind carried the ashes far and wide. The healer invited all of us present in the session to bring with us displaced dwarves from Pinatubo. Without thinking I silently communicated to them to come with me. One day, a friend who was staying then at my house told me that a dwarf manifested itself to her as she lay on her bed. It was evening and the room was darkened because she was about to sleep but there was light from a lamppost outside and through the door that was left slightly ajar there was light from the living room . It scared the wits out of her that she grabbed for her rosary that she kept under her pillow and started praying. The dwarf was so near her that she could feel the air coming from a little fan that it was waving to and fro. It did not talk to her but left through the barely open door into the living room where I was watching TV. The door creaked a little when it passed. My hair stood on end when my friend recounted her story. My friend was not the flighty or imaginative type. She was simple and not given to theatrics and I believed her. She never slept with the lights off since then. For my part, I came so close to another supernatural experience that I started to regret my decision to invite the dwarves to live with me the moment I heard my friend's story. I had not wanted anything more to do with them.

My introduction to fortunetelling came from a lady whom I had helped. She was partially crippled. She thought that she was returning the favor when she predicted that I would be a dishonorable woman upon seeing the scar on my forehead. She was actually cursing me. That curse would overshadow my relationships until I finally married. A friend's mother would tell me my fortune for free. She made a living telling fortunes through palm reading and tarot cards and I often saw her at it whenever I dropped by their place. I had not wanted to offend her so I accepted her offer. She also did a ritual where she pricked my hand with something like a thorn to remove bad fortune. It was scheduled on a Friday. She said that for the ritual to work it had to be done on either a Tuesday or Friday. My mother had her fortune told months before her death. The fortuneteller who was popular among her friends had predicted the death of her friend's daughter. That time, it was my mother's turn to hear her death being foretold. She was to die before her 55th birthday on May 17, 1987. She felt relief when she reached her birthday with nothing unusual happening. A month later, she boarded a plane for Baguio with 48 others and they were never heard from again. Rescuers had a very difficult time recovering the remains of the victims of the crash.

Recently in the Philippines, a scandal broke involving a celebrity medical doctor through videos that showed each of his sexual trysts with different women. He was born on May 20. My attention was caught by a new search engine, mysandbox.com when I read my favorite broadsheet last Sunday. I browsed through their pages and came across Ramon Bautista, who has gained a loyal following in the few years he has been in showbusiness. He teaches film at the premier state university and is a man of varied talents besides - a radio dj, actor, commercial model and rapper. Many of his fans greeted him online when he celebrated his birthday on the 20th of May. One is being much ballyhooed while the other is tauted as one of the best comedy acts ever. They are leading very different lives.

This is just to illustrate how different two people sharing the same birthday can be. Justifying these differences by the different hours, years and positions of the planets and signs at the time of their birth as an astrologer would, precludes the existence of God, the Divine Being, whose perfect will rules over all but whose permissive will shows His love for us. Our desire to rule over time, people and events around us make astrology and other occultic practices very appealing to us. It had given me a false sense of security and confidence. I was fooled for a time but now that I know that God gave me the freedom to choose between right and wrong, I will try to do as He wills.

It is not God's perfect will for me to experience misfortunes. His love for me has no bounds and He would not wish ill against me. But His love allowed free will and when something bad happens to me because I used my will in the wrong direction or other people used theirs going the wrong way, too, these wrong turns lead to consequences that may be either good or bad. Speculations as to what caused my moher's plane to crash still remain just that - no blackbox surfaced. People say that the pilot was a veteran pilot of international flights but not local ones. Although he had known that there were two creeks along the way, fog hid one creek from his view. He thought that he had passed only one of the creeks and so made a wrong decision that cost him his life and that of others. Somebody took the wrong turn and others suffered. Somebody listened to a false god and gambled with others' lives and it was not just the pilot.

To find out what He wills for me, it is necessary to be silent and listen to His voice in the depths of my soul. I need to call on His Spirit to guide me in discerning, to find Him amid the false gods of this world, to find His Truth behind the lies and to find Him in spite of myself.

photo by Radrice on flickr

ENTRUSTING EVERY SECOND OF MY LIFE TO JESUS FORSAKEN

On Jan. 25, when our call center president announced that our team needed to reapply with our non-life business partner, whose account our team had been handling, I felt fear because of the uncertainty. We were nine in the team. Only eight slots were available. Whoever applied and eventually got rejected by the non-life company would be left with the call center but there would be no account to handle anymore. I held on to Jesus Forsaken and let him lead me through that uncertain time and the time of pain and bereavement that immediately followed when my partner, Tony, died.

This morning, I received formal notice from the non-life company that I was now hired together with six others. They were still choosing between the two other applicants. I felt relieved that I would not be losing my job, after all. But I felt bad for the two whose fate, with regard to their employment, was up to now still uncertain. I felt bad because I knew that somehow because I was accepted into the company, there was one less slot to fill. I felt helpless because it had to be one or the other colleague. There was nothing I could offer except prayers and good will.

PRAYER FOR MY TWO COLLEAGUES

A and C, I want you to know that I am lifting you up to God. He knows what is best for both of you. He alone knows what is going on deep inside your minds and hearts right now. I hope that you have left your fate in God's hands. You may not realize it right now but He has good plans for both of you and those plans will never be for naught. Just entrust everything to Him. Remember that when God asks you to close a door, it is because He wants you to open another. He only asks that you believe, that everything will be for the good of your souls. Please do not think that He does not shower favors upon you or that He is punishing you for things that you did or did not do. He allows things to happen for a purpose. Through prayer and if He wills it, you will understand everything that is happening and also those that do not happen in your life.

Use this opportunity to reconnect with Him, it is never too late while you are still alive to make of your life a constant prayer to Him. Be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in every moment in order to discern God's will for you in that particular moment.

I am at peace, now that I have lifted you up to God for He loves you much more than I could ever do. Be at peace, A and C and be secure in His love for you.

Your colleague,

Mae Ann

***********

I pray that I may learn to deal with people of different temperaments. May I be more patient and kind to them and offer them service borne out of genuine love for Jesus Forsaken.

Image by kuyura in photobucket

FROM A PARISHIONER'S EYES

Barely three weeks ago, I received a call from a friend I met through a parish group. She wanted us to meet because she just heard from our common friends that my partner, Tony, had died. We agreed to meet on Feb. 12 after the 6:30 P.M. Mass. She looked so happy to see me and asked me how I was. I said I was doing okay but that I was still grieving. Then, while we were seated on a wooden bench, she casually dropped something on my lap. I was caught by surprise and I tried to return the paper bills. It was by any standard a big amount of abuloy or cash dole out.(Pag-aabuloy is a custom where those who visit a dead person's wake give cash dole outs to the departed's family to alleviate financial woes brought on by the event of death.) But my friend would not take it back. I had been so worried about making our finances last till the next monthly payday and here was the answer to my prayers. But I told her that I did not spend a cent for Tony's burial and cremation. It was Tony's children and ex-wife who spent for everything. The urn with his ashes, though, were with me. But my friend reasoned out that I had been the one who was financially burdened by Tony's sickness and so we let it go at that. A little later, she took me out to dinner at Banapple, a cozy little restaurant along Katipunan Road just outside Proj. 4 where I lived. It seemed as if she wanted to assure herself that all was well with me. Over a meal of chicken, beef and rice, we agreed that I should go for a massage with a therapist she highly recommended. This therapist happened to be a trainor of the vocational center, a joint project of CWL, a parish organization that my friend headed, our parish priest Fr. Arnel Recinto and TESDA. My friend wanted to cheer me up and she succeeded.

This morning she called to remind me about my appointment with the therapist after lunch time. She said that I could invite others to come with me. I brought along one of my sons, who had complained of a runny and stuffy nose in the mornings. The massage therapist, Betty Esguerra, received her accreditation from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. She was promoting natural methods of healing and combined Shiatsu, Thai massage, Ventoza and Swedish massage when she massaged my son and I. Ampy, another TESDA licensed massage therapist massaged me first while Betty massaged my son as shown in the photos above. Betty later finished off the whole body massage on me. She advised me to check my posture. Years of a bad habit of slouching and of feeling inferior in my youth probably caused my poor posture. It was not fair to feel that way at present when God had showered tremendous graces on me through the years and made it clear to me that I had been bestowed the dignity of being His child just like all His children.

I felt better after the massage. My body felt lighter and I could feel that its circulation was also better. I had not felt that way for many months. Tony had been sick for five months and while we were in that situation, it seemed like forever to me. I had expected Tony's eventual healing but God had other plans for him and me. Now, with friends like this gracious lady who even offered the services at just half their price, I could feel myself relax at the idea of closing the door I had opened with Tony and opening a new one without him.

Years ago, this vocational training center was not producing graduates who were up to the standards set by the government through TESDA. Students would come for class but spend most of their time chatting with friends outside the classrooms. There were many days when the trainors themselves were absent. Still they allowed the students to graduate without any real practical learning. When my friend volunteered her time, talent and treasure to the cause of these students out of compassion for them, she was able to train them herself. Often, she bought materials that they would use in their classes out of her own pocket. In September 2008, the students started to take the exams given by TESDA. There were two who failed to make the grade but she would not allow that. She insisted that instead of a three-day class week, they should come to class Mondays through Saturdays. They did just that until everyone passed National Competency Level 2 or NC2. They were now being trained for NC3. Cerna Velasco and Betty Esguerra were sent by TESDA to help the students achieve high levels of competencies.

At present, the training center was giving parishioners, most of whom belong to the poorer sections of the parish, hope for a better life. Massage therapy, Beauty Care and Dressmaking were the courses it was offering. At the center, the students themselves were sometimes treated to free quick massages, facials, hair care and the like. This, along with their newly acquired skills helped them grow more confident. From my point of view, the center had been doing a great job, ministering to people, inside, by its assistance to the less privileged and its course on therapy, and out, by its courses on beauty and dressmaking. It would be helping more and more people in the years to come.

THE CROSSES WE BEAR

Many Christian religions all over the world use the symbol of the Cross to foster their faith but it is only in Catholicism that the Cross is venerated and embraced. I believe like some of my church friends do that the Cross reminds us of a God who became a fool for love of us and when he said "Come and follow me" he meant that we should bear our crosses as He did, for love. What we should bear, though, is the Cross, and not "crosses" of our own making. The True Cross of Jesus was made holy by His suffering and death on it. The True Cross was different from the crosses of the thieves crucified alongside Jesus. Theirs was of their own making and so the two crosses could not heal the sick and wrought no miracles when they were uncovered together with the True Cross.

In this new millenium, suffering for love seems strange to the younger generations. Theirs is a world where married couples do not remain married "till death do us part", where being rich, powerful and popular are what they are taught to strive for and continue to be the measure of their success. There is nothing wrong in being rich for as long as we have charity and do our best to alleviate the sufferings of the poor. To be in power either through the church, business or government hierarchy should not make one feel as if he holds the world in the palm of his hand. Jesus Himself said to Pilate that he has no authority except that which has been given to him from above. Popularity is not wrong in itself but it should be tempered with humility.

Everything had been given from above and we are merely stewards.

When we experience trials, difficulties, oppression and apathy while being faithful to Jesus, those are crosses meant to purify us and in the end save us. Little crosses are part of that one big Cross on Calvary borne to save us. The saving act of Jesus continues to this day and we celebrate it in all our Masses. When we carry our crosses out of love for Jesus and our neighbors, we unite these sacrifices to that of His.

Yesterday, I went home a bit later than usual because I had to pay some utility bills. As I opened the front door, the smell of something burning engulfed me. I hurried to where the stove was located and saw to my horror that there was a pot on it that was now blackened with soot. I turned off the stove immediately and looked for my children. No one seemed to be home except for my second child, John, who was lying down in bed and who seemed to be sleeping. I woke him up and asked him if he was the one who left the rice burning. He left the rice to boil but he felt drowsy and forgot about the rice. He left the kitchen to lie down on the bed till he fell asleep. I told him that he almost burned the house down by what he did. I also admonished him to never repeat the same mistake again. Next time, if he feels unwell, he should never attempt to cook anything. He may ask his siblings to assist him in cooking.

I keenly felt that our family was blessed by God in that moment. An accident nearly happened but it did not. Had I arrived a little later, our house, that was mostly made of wood, would have been burned to a crisp. A little later, I went to Mass. It was Ash Wednesday. What nearly happened made me feel vulnerable but I knew that I had to cling to God even more. That was a cross and God made no promises that there would be no more. When my partner Tony died on Feb. 6, 2009, his death became a cross, too, that I carry to this day. Jesus promised though that He would be with us always till the end of time. I will hold on to that promise and remember the words of Ash Wednesday as a guide to my own resurrection someday: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return." "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,  the emblem of suffering and shame;  

and I love that old cross where the dearest and best  for a world of lost sinners was slain. 

Refrain:  So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,  till my trophies at last I lay down;  

I will cling to the old rugged cross,  and exchange it some day for a crown.  

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,  has a wondrous attraction for me;  

for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above  to bear it to dark Calvary.  (Refrain)  

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,  a wondrous beauty I see,  

for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,  to pardon and sanctify me.  (Refrain)  

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,  its shame and reproach gladly bear;  

then he'll call me some day to my home far away,  where his glory forever I'll share.  (Refrain) 

music and lyrics by George Bennard (1873-1958)

image from photobucket by PumpkiinBabii313

LOVING JESUS FORSAKEN IN MY WORK EXPERIENCE

Yesterday could have been the bleakest day of my life. The President of  our company called our Call Center Team to a meeting. At the call center, we handle four different accounts. One of the accounts is handled by our team.  Our company has been in the news lately. The parent company has decided to divest itself of its other businesses and concentrate on its non-life arm. Non-life includes fire, auto, travel and more. The President explained to us who were gathered in his office a situation that is unique only to the Philippine region. It is only here that the non-life company is owned by the company that is to be divested rather than owned by the company that would do the divesting. Its life insurance firms would be divested also but not before the life insurance firm has sold its Philippine non-life arm as per agreement between the two parties.

The Call Center Team braced ourselves for the worst. Finally the President dropped a bomb. Since the  Call Center will also be divested, we as part of it will no longer have an account to handle once the non-life arm is sold to the parent-company. We have to resign from the Call Center and reapply with the Philippine non-life arm.  Deadline for submission of our resumes and letters of intent will be this Wednesday, Jan. 28. The catch is this, only 8 positions are available. There are11 of us. Three of us will be left with the Call Center until they find something for these three to do.

If we pass the job interview and get hired by the non-life arm, we will start all over again. We will only be entitled to the benefits if we become regular employees and to leaves after a year from the date of hiring.

I have thought about how this event would affect my family. At first, there was a great deal of uncertainty and I was tempted to cry out and despair but I remembered Jesus Forsaken and lifted all my fears to Him and my soul was at peace once more. In the darkest of nights, I hold on to Jesus Forsaken and let Him guide me and my family until we see the break of dawn.

How I love Jesus Forsaken!

Original written on Jan. 25, 2009 5:44 a.m.

Healing the Old with the Renewing Love of Jesus this New Year

I welcome 2009 with a prayer written and composed by Rev. Fr. Manoling Francisco, S.J. and interpreted by Bukas Palad Ministry. The melody and the message are quite moving but do not drive me to overemotionalism. Healing is what we all need, after all. We need to be healed from the pain caused by various hurts from people and events around us. People who hurt other people are people who have been hurt themselves and are hurting still. I own up to pain, layers of pain piled on through years of being hurt and hurting in return. This is one vicious cycle that needs to stop. If you find yourself hurting someone, think back. Recall what and who may have caused the pain and pray for the gift of forgiveness and healing. Only Jesus can take away the pain of a troubled past even if it was repressed or consciously forgotten. Pray to Jesus now with me even if the person that you are hurting most is yourself. Heal the past with the renewing power of Jesus' love. Happy New Year!!!

Isang magandang pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon!!! Susubukan ko lang pong isalin sa Ingles ang napakagandang awiting ito.



video courtesy of artzone

O HESUS, HILUMIN MO (OH, JESUS, HEAL)

O Hesus, hilumin Mo
(Oh, Jesus, heal)
Aking sugatang puso
(My wounded heart)
Ng aking mahango
(So I can redeem)
Kap'wa ko kasimbigo.
(My equally wounded neighbor.)

Hapis at pait
(Sorrow and bitterness)
Iyong patamisin
(May You sweeten)
At hagkan ang sakit
(And kiss my suffering)
Nang magningas ang rikit
(To enkindle its beauty even more)

O, Hesus, hilumin Mo
(Oh, Jesus, heal)
Aking sugatang puso
(My wounded heart)
Ng aking mahango
(So I can redeem)
Kap'wa ko kasimbigo.
(My equally wounded neighbor.)

Aking sugatang
(My wounded)
Diwa't katawan
(Spirit and body)
Ay gawing daan
(May You use as instruments)
Ng 'Yong kaligtasan.
(Of Your salvation.)

O, Hesus, hilumin Mo
(Oh, Jesus, heal)
Aking sugatang puso
(My wounded heart)
Ng aking mahango
(So I can redeem)
Kap'wa ko kasimbigo.
(My equally wounded neighbor.)

Originally written on Dec. 31, 2008 at 9:12 pm