Tuesday, April 28, 2009

MYCOTIC SMILE

MYCOTIC SMILE

I woke up with a mild mycotic infection near my upper lip. It hurts a little especially when my lips move. In order not to touch the sore I lifted my upper lip a little upwards just enough to avoid the infected portion.

I continued my daily chore including my daily visit to my favorite Netcafe to establish connection with my children and other friends. (My computer at home is not on line or I won’t leave the home and get paralyzed in due time).

On my way many people greeted me good morning or hello just to express something. Meantime I just kept my upper lip a little lifted to prevent the pain brought about by contact with the mycotic infection.

Little did I know that by doing such a stanch I accidentally created a kind of smile that encouraged all those people that I met or encountered to smile back at me. I never in my wildest imagination thought that such a forced smile could do so many people’s morning so bright and enjoyable

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

HERE IS PARADISE

HERE IS PARADISE

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During the last three consecutive days there was a generous downpour of rain late in the afternoon ‘till early night. The climate was suddenly converted into a comfortable and refreshing experience for everyone.

The flowers sang, the fields rejoiced and joy was definitely all around. Sleep seemed like a slumber on a bed of roses and dreams were experiences in the fantasy world.

Come morning time with the ground still wet while the sunshine was almost a beatific glow. If it could only be this way everyday, life would have been a paradise. This, of course was only for those like me who need not do anything or go anywhere at night .

For those who need to work or go some where or just do anything at night, there must be some kind of paradise too. Thinking about it I realized that paradise mean different thing to different people. There could never be a true paradise for everyone here on earth at all time. Paradise is a personal creation of each and everyone.

Paradise, after, all is only a state of the mind. Any situation or experience that makes us feel good and contented is our paradise. That way paradise could easily be created even if only in our minds. A mind that thinks positively is a mind that lives in paradise.

Let us create our own paradise by deleting all the negative vibrations and substituting it with positive thoughts. Let us convert negative posters and signs to something positive without necessarily deviating from the intended meaning. Instead of writing “NO Parking on this side”, let us scribble “PARK on the other side PLEASE”. Instead of saying “NO littering” let is say “CLEANLINESS is next to Godliness”. Better than putting a sign, “DON’T throw your garbage here”, is a sign “Please use the garbage can”.

By practicing positive conversion, you’ll find it very easy to love than to hate. It is only when we finally learn to really love that we can really claim paradise here on earth.

Monday, April 20, 2009

TUPIPEL

TUPIPEL

If the word sounds new to the reader it is because it is in fact, new. Coined from Tagalog words, TUPI (fold) and PAPEL (paper), it is simply and literally referring to the act of folding a piece of paper.

Unlike ORIGAMI, the Japanese art of paper-folding, TUPIPEL is not strictly a genuine form of art. It interestingly evolved as a therapeutic hobby when I first used it as an easy substitute for cigarette and something to hold on during the period of withdrawal when I finally quit the habit after having been smoking four packs (80 sticks) daily for about twenty years. Almost as addicting as cigarette smoking I was hooked to it and the results were artistic creations that attracted some art lovers. More than a work of art, however, TUPIPEL serves many useful purposes.

It serves as a good companion during moments of solitude and loneliness. As such it is more comfortable than playing solitaire; a very effective cheerer in time of boredom, an instrument for expressing different emotions; a security blanket during moments of fear and apprehension. As a toy it could be more interesting, more enjoyable if not more challenging as the more expensive and more sophisticated electronically controlled ones. It is safer too. As decorative pieces there are endless possible forms and shapes.

The unique artistic results of TUPIPEL are difficult to duplicate so that each finish item has its own unique characteristics and “personality” that more often reflects that of the TUPIPERO or TUPIPERA.

Yes, TUPIPEL is something new, something good, something useful and something also for you, whoever you are and whatever you are doing. Indulging in it is like being in constant period of honeymoon. Like in honeymoon a lot of common sense is needed plus a good sense of humor and some amount of resourcefulness to enjoy it and for it to be fruitful. The beginning, like during honeymoon is a period of adjustment and interesting discoveries, both pleasant and unpleasant. One has to do a lot of stretching, of pressing, of creasing and careful caressing most of the time while folding and unfolding in every possible directions. All the while, just like during honeymoon, there is a need for utmost care and tenderness in order not to beak it. Even real honeymoons are sometimes spoiled and broken for the simple lack of tender loving care.

There can also be period of boredom at times but boredom that also challenges the wisdom of the TUPIPERO very similar to the challenges encountered by honeymooners that eventually matures the mates. Then the triumphant moment of compatibility when the folder and the paper being folded becomes blissfully adjusted. From then on you are totally married to the hobby and there is no stopping. Every new creation you make shall give birth to more artistic creations unless, of course, you are artistically impotent or infertile.

Give a crying child a fluffing bird and see how his face brightens; offer a Japanese young lady with a paper crane and she will fall in love with you. Create a paper trash disposal container during picnics and notice how other picnickers are amazed at your creativity. Propose your love by offering paper roses or make your prayer request by offering paper rosary to a nun or a catechist.

As therapeutic tool it is more useful. It helps revitalize fingers weakened by arthritis and paralysis. It gives way to one’s destructive tendencies and sadistic leanings by merely breaking it, as it also becomes a vehicle of one’s “hot” temper or “burning” anger by actually burning it. For children it is an endless source of toys. Try TUPIPEL. It could change your entire life style.

I won’t forget what once happened inside an airplane up in the air. A young girl passed-by my side. I gave her a paper tulip. She quickly called her brother whom I offered a paper frog. It was seen by other children and one by one they approached me. I, in turn offered them different folded items. It didn’t take so long when I found myself surrounded by the mothers of the children who were curious why their children were all coming to me. At this point the stewardess commented: “Be careful so that the airplane don’t tilt on that side”. I gave her a small garland of paper 'sampagitas'.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

POST HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS

POST HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS

Gone is the Holy Week. Gone are the “Holy Parties”. Gone are the “sacrificial beach funs”. Gone are the “colorful” processions. Gone are they all, leaving behind much confusion in the minds of the new generations.

My grade one grand daughter asked me so many questions during the Holy Week celebrations. Questions I didn’t mind asking during my childhood days and are now giving me some kind of reflective interpretations.

She asked me: “Lolo is St. John a male?” Confidently I said “Yes, he is one of the apostles”. My grand daughter continued: “Why does he look like a woman with long hair and shiny face?” I thought for a while before I replied: “Well, because he is the youngest apostle that is why he doesn’t have beards like St. Peter and St. James”. I don’t know if my answer convinced her but she asked another one: “Why is St. Martha dressed so beautifully, is she not supposed to be cooking? And why is she holding a key, did she lock the cabinets?” Those and many other questions that challenged what I thought before was my ‘encyclopedic’ intelligence.

While my grandchild kept on asking questions and while I continued answering her with childish emphasis, in my mind I myself was stimulated to ask so many queries. After the procession I went around visiting different Saint Owners who were all offering so many foods, never mind the ‘fasting and abstinence’ rule of the Roman Catholic Church.

It was while doing those rounds when a heard another child asked: “Why are they putting plastic flowers?” Casually I said: “To keep them fresh ‘till Sunday morning during the Salubong”. “How can they be fresh if they are plastics?” continued the child. I quickly countered: “For those flowers to look fresh at all time”. The child shake her head while protesting: “They are cheating the Saints?” Another child joined us with her own questions: “Why are the people getting the flowers?” Her brother called her and so the “interview” was ended.

Come to think of it. We are doing this celebration supposedly to perpetuate the story of salvation. But as it is, the correct story is not properly perpetuated. No wonder, many Catholics are already turning to other sects for their spiritual guidance.

Is it not a practice of idolatry to kiss the cross during the Veneration of it? Why are the Apostles included during the “Salubong” when they are supposed to be hiding because the people are mad at them? I think it is very important that things be clearly explained so that the new generation will find it more relevant than going to the computer to play or chat happily even during the Holy Week. Gone really are those days when Holy Week was Holy and people were pious. Come Holy Spirit, enlighten us all…

(Note: The above article was published last year and this year it is good to note that there was an exhibit of the different Saints at the Church Plaza with little explanations about the Saint or image on display. The display was only from 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. Many didn’t have a chance to see it as it was so hot the whole. It would have been better if the exhibit was extended for two days up to around 10:00 pm.)

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

EASTER SUNDAY (?)

EASTER SUNDAY (?)

After Holy Friday and Black Saturday it will be Easter Sunday again.

It is too unfortunate that Christians are celebrating Easter Sunday without a vague idea of its satanic origin. “Easter” is only one of the many names of a woman who greatly deceived the world. Her religion caused mightily untold suffering and misery during her time and up to now. Many priests seemingly are not aware of this pagan practice that was given a Christian connotation that made Satan very happy.

Nowadays hunt for Easter eggs are practiced even inside the Church. How ironic. There are certainly better ways of celebrating Jesus Christ’s Resurrection as it is the most important of all Christian holy days.

By adopting and Christianizing some pagan celebrations we also adopted Easter (the pronunciation of “ISHTAR”, the name of the pagan Mother Goddess). In other countries she was called Eostre, Astarte, Ostera, and Eastre. She who was also called Semiramis, Wife of Baal, Ashtaroth or Ashtoreth and Queen of Heaven.

Her power started when she married King Nimrod, the great grandson of Noah who rebelled greatly against God. When Nimrod died she turned adulterous and idolatrous and when she gave birth to an illegitimate son she said that her son, Tammuz, was the reincarnation of her husband King Nimrod claiming that he was supernaturally conceived and that he was the promised seed, the ‘savior’.

Tammuz was worshipped with various rites at the spring season. Legend says that after he was slain by a wild boar, he went into the underworld but through the weeping of his mother…he mystically revived in the springing forth of the vegetation – in spring! Each year a spring festival dramatically represented this supposed ‘RESURRECTION’ from the underworld.

The rabbit is a well known symbol of fertility. It also symbolizes the Mother Goddess (Easter).Annual Spring fertility rituals are associated worship of the Mother Goddess and Tammuz, the reincarnation of her husband Nimrod.

The egg on the other hand was a sacred symbol among the Babylonians. They believed on old fable about an egg of wondrous size which was supposed to have fallen from heaven into the Euphrates River. From this marvelous egg – according to the ancient story – the Goddess Astarte (Easter) was hatched. And so the egg came to symbolize the Goddess Easter.

The seductive symbol of ancient ungodly religions inspired by Satan have been incorporated into people’s everyday lives, even to this day – continuing to obscure the truth of God. Jesus has been obscured by painted eggs and bunnies. Attention has been shifted away from the truth. Materialism prevailed (clothing, products and candies with the wrong symbolism). Stores merchandise the name of Easter (not “Resurrection Sunday”) and sell goods that have nothing to do with Christ’s death and resurrection. Christians naively use symbols and practices that unknowingly perpetuate ancient anti-Christ traditions – symbolic customs followed by the same religious cults that inspired the destruction of great numbers of Christians and Jews. Satan is laughing at us. Hahehihohu!!!
-(Quoted from the internet)

Sunday, April 5, 2009

CHAIN REACTION (Abuse of Goodness)

CHAIN REACTION
(Abuse of goodness)

It all started when I offered my home as a shelter near the school of an “honest boy”. He found a wallet with bunch of money but instead of keeping it he tried to find the owner whose I.D. was in the wallet. His act impressed me that was why I helped him.

He must be so gratified by the way I treated him that after a few days his mother and an auntie came-by to apply for work in my home. Since they couldn’t be accommodated they applied their children to “do any job” there was available.

I hired the 17 year-old girl cousin of the boy for my daughter in B.F Homes to help with the needs of my grand daughters. Now the Auntie told me about her 17 year-old daughter and 15 year-old son who cannot continue their studies due to poverty. She pleaded to me to accommodate them for whatever they could do. But they were in Bicol so the woman asked for P1,500.00 for the bus fare to Manila with promise that the two would arrive the following day. The money was given but the two didn’t come as they needed to finish their school activities. The woman must have purposely lied to me. The money sent was quickly spent. The poor liar requested for additional P800.00 this time promising very firmly that the two would arrive soonest. Only the 15 year-old boy came but the original ‘honest boy’ that I offered shelter was now telling me he was going home to help his parents and siblings. That was after he had broken a giant century old Dama Juana bottle; after I have given him a pair of imported shoes and several T-shirts and shorts.

After a few more days the 17 year-old girl cousin finally arrived accompanied by a friend who was also looking for a job. The sister of my boy helper would be given to my daughter in Caloocan while her friend would replace the one who was hired first but already went home after less than a month.

Now, the woman came to me very early the following day (Monday of Holy Week) requesting for advance payment for her daughter. I was beginning to feel irritated and impatient. I didn’t give her the advance. It has always been good to be good but when one’s goodness was already being abused, one must set a limit. Poverty was most of the time being used as an excuse for dole outs and was wrongly turning out to be a choice. Let us help them help themselves too.