CHILDHOOD FRIEND
We were bloodily related because her father was my second cousin but because we were of the same age she was my friend since our “cartilla” days (the early Spanish version of kindergarten). She was my classmate until high school though she finished her fourth year in Manila.
Seldom do we meet except during wakes or on occasional class reunion. Now after 66 years we met again. I invited her to our house the day after Christmas because she couldn’t do it on Christmas day. She was now a widow and free to do what she wishes. Her children were grown ups now and were on their own.
While discussing about our nostalgic childhood memories my wife prepared her own version of fine dining. She offered as appetizer mixed peanut and raisin on a round table for four with candle glowing and scented by the smoke of slowly burning sandalwood. Unlike other senior gatherings we didn’t talk about our ailments and problems. We instead exchange positive events and happy moments that passed-by.
Meantime my wife offered beef bulalo soup followed by rice, turbo -grilled chicken and fried bangos with fresh tomatoes and onions that we cherished in between gulf of Chilean red wine. Our dessert was banana cake with cinnamon flavor followed by Japanese tea and perfectly ripe punkan fruit. It was indeed a fine dinner for the three of us.
I remember that time when we were in grade one. To prevent too much noise the teacher seated a boy and a girl side by side because during those days a boys and girls were shy of each other. But not Luz and me because as I said we have been friends since “Cartilla” days.
There was nothing like meeting an old friend after 66 years specially when you both realized that you have been successful in your endeavors, family life and other important ventures. One time we had a chance to be together climbing the Ifugao Rice Terraces. Then that night there was strong earthquake and knowing that we were on top of the mountain made the experience scarier. I remember praying my mother’s prayer in time of danger: “Sanctus Deus, Sanctus Potes, Sanctus Immortalis, Misererenobis”. Thank God nothing bad happened.
If we didn’t stop it would have been an endless night of nostalgic memories but she had to go back to her provincial home so I accompanied her home while we both were still recalling old memories as we walk slowly.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
CHRISTMAS DINNER DATE
CHRISTMAS DINNER DATE
After experiencing so many Christmases with all the joys brought by them, this was the first time I have a Dinner Date with my wife. The reason was simple: We were left “alone” by our children and grand children because they were either out of the country or incapable of coming for varied acceptable reasons.
So we spent Christmas “alone” and away from our direct family but not alone truly and socially. With my prepared raffle Christmas gifts that I do annually, nephews, nieces, secondary grand children, plus god children and other carolers came-by happily anticipating valuable gifts out of the wrapped rewards.
Late in the afternoon we were brought by our driver to the popular Antonio’s in Tagaytay City. It was a great venue for fine dining. We came elegantly dressed. My wife, in her golden brown winter coat while I sported my new black leather jacket for it was really cold with added rain drizzles.
The place was quite far from the National highway. About two kilometers of narrow Barangay road but once inside we felt we were dating in a dream in one chapter of a fairy tale. It was really worth it… a very special Christmas gift.
Wooded doors ushered us inside in an ambiance of romance, exacerbated by the soft music. We choose the table near the fishpond where we could view the lower level. But it was past twilight and the view was already hazy though made even more romantic by the cold glow of the petroleum lamp.
The service was good; the food was great and the experience, greater. From the fresh Meclan Salad with raspberry vinaigrette followed by the soup of the day and the main course of grilled prawns with all the trimmings, the red wine and the light but very inviting dessert which was finally punctuated by brewed coffee, it was indeed a fine dinner worth coming back again and again.
What a way to spend Christmas without them all…
After experiencing so many Christmases with all the joys brought by them, this was the first time I have a Dinner Date with my wife. The reason was simple: We were left “alone” by our children and grand children because they were either out of the country or incapable of coming for varied acceptable reasons.
So we spent Christmas “alone” and away from our direct family but not alone truly and socially. With my prepared raffle Christmas gifts that I do annually, nephews, nieces, secondary grand children, plus god children and other carolers came-by happily anticipating valuable gifts out of the wrapped rewards.
Late in the afternoon we were brought by our driver to the popular Antonio’s in Tagaytay City. It was a great venue for fine dining. We came elegantly dressed. My wife, in her golden brown winter coat while I sported my new black leather jacket for it was really cold with added rain drizzles.
The place was quite far from the National highway. About two kilometers of narrow Barangay road but once inside we felt we were dating in a dream in one chapter of a fairy tale. It was really worth it… a very special Christmas gift.
Wooded doors ushered us inside in an ambiance of romance, exacerbated by the soft music. We choose the table near the fishpond where we could view the lower level. But it was past twilight and the view was already hazy though made even more romantic by the cold glow of the petroleum lamp.
The service was good; the food was great and the experience, greater. From the fresh Meclan Salad with raspberry vinaigrette followed by the soup of the day and the main course of grilled prawns with all the trimmings, the red wine and the light but very inviting dessert which was finally punctuated by brewed coffee, it was indeed a fine dinner worth coming back again and again.
What a way to spend Christmas without them all…
Friday, December 19, 2008
FAMILY METAMORPHOSIS
FAMILY METAMORPHOSIS
Years pass-by, time travels and life seem to move even faster. My recollection is still very active, images are still vivid and feelings are all still intact. I am the youngest in a family of ten. I am the overall errand boy. When everybody needs to blame somebody I am always the end point when no one is anymore left to be blamed.
Now I am only the living “lolo” of the clan because all my elder brothers and sisters are gone. I am just beginning to enjoy my authority as the most senior of the family branch of our heritage… but, as if suddenly, new events are surfacing; a new phase of history is unfolding; a new generation is forming.
My eldest is now a father of two, enjoying his stint in Australia. Fresh as if it happened only yesterday, he met a bad bicycle accident that brought him to the hospital unconscious. I was the attending physician who needed to do everything in precision because a head injury is always under time pressure for the patient to be saved. A wrong and untimely decision could mean the life or lifetime suffering.
Also in Australia is my youngest son, seemingly enjoying his single-blessedness, “but not for long”, he explained to me. His athletic involvement makes him busy most of his spare time. When he was a little boy he accidentally fell from the fourth step of our concrete stairs that badly wounded his nose. Its mark still stays.
My second child is now also a mother of two – her eldest, already a full blown pretty lady while her second daughter, young as she is, already shows qualities of a politician – a trait inherited from her Congressman grandfather. I can still feel the shock and the helplessness that I experienced when while their mother was learning to walk, her walker (the local “andador”) accidentally tilted bringing her down to a greatly traumatized mouth.
My middle daughter is now also a mother of two, based in Canada where they are happily establishing their family in that land of wild hope and big promises. I cannot forget the days when I was always monitoring her playtime because she always chooses the role of a housemaid, laundry woman or any lowly role until I interrupted and suggested better roles for her.
My youngest daughter also turned to be a mother only a few days ago after giving birth to a healthy cute little girl. How could I forget her courageous stanch, singing the “Ama Namin” while a teacher was pricking into her ears her first pair of ear rings.
Gone are the days but not the memories. A new beginning is here -
to continue the lineage, to go on with the cycle of life but I will never forget when every afternoon, together with my youngest son we would go biking around town while singing a Christian song: "With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm, smile at the storm, smile at the storm...With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm... until we come back home. Sailing and sailing home, sailing and sailing home... With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm... until we come back home".
Years pass-by, time travels and life seem to move even faster. My recollection is still very active, images are still vivid and feelings are all still intact. I am the youngest in a family of ten. I am the overall errand boy. When everybody needs to blame somebody I am always the end point when no one is anymore left to be blamed.
Now I am only the living “lolo” of the clan because all my elder brothers and sisters are gone. I am just beginning to enjoy my authority as the most senior of the family branch of our heritage… but, as if suddenly, new events are surfacing; a new phase of history is unfolding; a new generation is forming.
My eldest is now a father of two, enjoying his stint in Australia. Fresh as if it happened only yesterday, he met a bad bicycle accident that brought him to the hospital unconscious. I was the attending physician who needed to do everything in precision because a head injury is always under time pressure for the patient to be saved. A wrong and untimely decision could mean the life or lifetime suffering.
Also in Australia is my youngest son, seemingly enjoying his single-blessedness, “but not for long”, he explained to me. His athletic involvement makes him busy most of his spare time. When he was a little boy he accidentally fell from the fourth step of our concrete stairs that badly wounded his nose. Its mark still stays.
My second child is now also a mother of two – her eldest, already a full blown pretty lady while her second daughter, young as she is, already shows qualities of a politician – a trait inherited from her Congressman grandfather. I can still feel the shock and the helplessness that I experienced when while their mother was learning to walk, her walker (the local “andador”) accidentally tilted bringing her down to a greatly traumatized mouth.
My middle daughter is now also a mother of two, based in Canada where they are happily establishing their family in that land of wild hope and big promises. I cannot forget the days when I was always monitoring her playtime because she always chooses the role of a housemaid, laundry woman or any lowly role until I interrupted and suggested better roles for her.
My youngest daughter also turned to be a mother only a few days ago after giving birth to a healthy cute little girl. How could I forget her courageous stanch, singing the “Ama Namin” while a teacher was pricking into her ears her first pair of ear rings.
Gone are the days but not the memories. A new beginning is here -
to continue the lineage, to go on with the cycle of life but I will never forget when every afternoon, together with my youngest son we would go biking around town while singing a Christian song: "With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm, smile at the storm, smile at the storm...With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm... until we come back home. Sailing and sailing home, sailing and sailing home... With Christ in our vessel we can smile at the storm... until we come back home".
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A CHRISTMAS GIFT
A CHRISTMAS GIFT
A most valuable and most important gift for us parents this Christmas is the live and healthy 7th grandchild born on December 17, 2008.
She is the first by our youngest daughter and the first too in the family of her in-laws. She is so much cherished by everyone for sure but the little angel cannot be with us come Christmas day in the province. She is too young and too fragile to travel in the coldness of the season. As a result this is also the first time my wife and I shall be celebrating Christmas “alone” together.
I cannot imagine how it would be for us on Christmas Eve. My wife and I shall be experiencing Noche Buena without any member of the family for the first time. There shall be no noise during exchange gifts after the Noche Buena meal that we used to enjoy together.
Come Christmas Day we already have a reserved Dinner Date at Antonio’s in Tagaytay City, courtesy of our youngest son. I cannot wait for this exhilarating new experience.
The coming Christmas is entirely different form all the other Christmases we’ve before. Perhaps this is God’s way of giving both of us a chance to be with each other as we have never been before even outside Christmas time.
Anticipating the moment creates in me a feeling of unexplained uneasiness very similar to what I felt when we first had our “proposal date” that ended into our whirlwind wedding the following day. That was thirty eight years ago.
The memory of our Romantic Escapades is suddenly awakened by the birth of our newest grandchild, Ma. Chiara Veronica. I know I new chapter in our life is mysteriously unfolding.
Merry Christmas to all the absentee members of our family. May we all have a genuine peaceful and blessed Holiday.
A most valuable and most important gift for us parents this Christmas is the live and healthy 7th grandchild born on December 17, 2008.
She is the first by our youngest daughter and the first too in the family of her in-laws. She is so much cherished by everyone for sure but the little angel cannot be with us come Christmas day in the province. She is too young and too fragile to travel in the coldness of the season. As a result this is also the first time my wife and I shall be celebrating Christmas “alone” together.
I cannot imagine how it would be for us on Christmas Eve. My wife and I shall be experiencing Noche Buena without any member of the family for the first time. There shall be no noise during exchange gifts after the Noche Buena meal that we used to enjoy together.
Come Christmas Day we already have a reserved Dinner Date at Antonio’s in Tagaytay City, courtesy of our youngest son. I cannot wait for this exhilarating new experience.
The coming Christmas is entirely different form all the other Christmases we’ve before. Perhaps this is God’s way of giving both of us a chance to be with each other as we have never been before even outside Christmas time.
Anticipating the moment creates in me a feeling of unexplained uneasiness very similar to what I felt when we first had our “proposal date” that ended into our whirlwind wedding the following day. That was thirty eight years ago.
The memory of our Romantic Escapades is suddenly awakened by the birth of our newest grandchild, Ma. Chiara Veronica. I know I new chapter in our life is mysteriously unfolding.
Merry Christmas to all the absentee members of our family. May we all have a genuine peaceful and blessed Holiday.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
STREET DANCING GALORE
STREET DANCING GALORE
Behind two low pressure areas warning to become typhoons, the weather cooperated. She skies spontaneously cleared and the awaited Street Dancing Competition was completely presented to the public.
It was performed by students from the different schools in Alfonso, Cavite. In all fairness it was obviously well-rehearsed and the participants were disciplined. In fact, it was very, very colorful. Too colorful to the point that many of them have to be painted black.
I wondered if it was only coincidental or it was meticulously planned by the organizers that the participants be dressed like primitive people in their uncivilized costumes.
All the time that I was watching it, I couldn’t find any relevant connection of the dancing and the costumes with any historical or cultural heritage of Alfonso. It didn’t go well too, with the celebration’s slogan: “Bayan ko , Patuloy sa pag Asenso” because what was shown was a nostalgic travel to the past before civilization during the early days of the Aetas and other Filipino aborigines.
To the thousands of curious watchers and uneasy onlookers that included many visitors from other places and some foreigners, the Street Dancing parade was a very welcome treat in the midst of crisis.
Behind two low pressure areas warning to become typhoons, the weather cooperated. She skies spontaneously cleared and the awaited Street Dancing Competition was completely presented to the public.
It was performed by students from the different schools in Alfonso, Cavite. In all fairness it was obviously well-rehearsed and the participants were disciplined. In fact, it was very, very colorful. Too colorful to the point that many of them have to be painted black.
I wondered if it was only coincidental or it was meticulously planned by the organizers that the participants be dressed like primitive people in their uncivilized costumes.
All the time that I was watching it, I couldn’t find any relevant connection of the dancing and the costumes with any historical or cultural heritage of Alfonso. It didn’t go well too, with the celebration’s slogan: “Bayan ko , Patuloy sa pag Asenso” because what was shown was a nostalgic travel to the past before civilization during the early days of the Aetas and other Filipino aborigines.
To the thousands of curious watchers and uneasy onlookers that included many visitors from other places and some foreigners, the Street Dancing parade was a very welcome treat in the midst of crisis.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
MURDEROUS COLOR
MURDEROUS COLOR
The whole month of December was supposed to be a community celebration for thanksgiving and rejoicing specifically from the 11th to the 13th day.
A “Tiangge” was opened on the first day of the month. Green was chosen as the color motif to signify the concern for nature. A slogan,
“Bayan ko, Patuloy sa Pag-asenso” was proclaimed to emphasize the supposed continuous progress of the whole town.
There was a Mass followed by a Parade, Ecumenical Prayers, Medico-Dental Mission, and Singing contest. The parade was dominated by the ‘loud’ green colored T-shirts marked with undecipherable pictures of different flowers. Included in the program of activities were Parlor Games, Zero Waste Art Competition, Beauty contest and “Gawad Pagkilala” which should be called “Pinaka Award”. There was also Mass Dancing by Senior Citizens plus “Harana kay Lolo at Lola”. The culminating activities included Street Dancing and Coronation Night of Miss Alfonso 2009.
The whole activity was good enough for a small upland town trying to make a name but what confused many people was the color changes all over the Municipal Park specially the public stage. I was aware that each color has its own significance, like Blue was associated with knowledge, relaxation, and health as it also represents heaven. Indigo was associated with intuition, imagination and understanding, while violet was associated with creativity, wisdom and inspiration.
But people are not used to seeing a violet fountain and the stage with color combination of blue and purple that looked more like a mausoleum especially during this Christmas season when red, yellow and green are everywhere.
In my very own personal opinion I think the color changes murdered the expected joyful celebration of this Community Day. What a poor cemetery taste…! As a result the mood was dampened greatly, exacerbated by the continuous drizzle of fine rain.
Can we blame heaven if it poured its solemn showers?
The whole month of December was supposed to be a community celebration for thanksgiving and rejoicing specifically from the 11th to the 13th day.
A “Tiangge” was opened on the first day of the month. Green was chosen as the color motif to signify the concern for nature. A slogan,
“Bayan ko, Patuloy sa Pag-asenso” was proclaimed to emphasize the supposed continuous progress of the whole town.
There was a Mass followed by a Parade, Ecumenical Prayers, Medico-Dental Mission, and Singing contest. The parade was dominated by the ‘loud’ green colored T-shirts marked with undecipherable pictures of different flowers. Included in the program of activities were Parlor Games, Zero Waste Art Competition, Beauty contest and “Gawad Pagkilala” which should be called “Pinaka Award”. There was also Mass Dancing by Senior Citizens plus “Harana kay Lolo at Lola”. The culminating activities included Street Dancing and Coronation Night of Miss Alfonso 2009.
The whole activity was good enough for a small upland town trying to make a name but what confused many people was the color changes all over the Municipal Park specially the public stage. I was aware that each color has its own significance, like Blue was associated with knowledge, relaxation, and health as it also represents heaven. Indigo was associated with intuition, imagination and understanding, while violet was associated with creativity, wisdom and inspiration.
But people are not used to seeing a violet fountain and the stage with color combination of blue and purple that looked more like a mausoleum especially during this Christmas season when red, yellow and green are everywhere.
In my very own personal opinion I think the color changes murdered the expected joyful celebration of this Community Day. What a poor cemetery taste…! As a result the mood was dampened greatly, exacerbated by the continuous drizzle of fine rain.
Can we blame heaven if it poured its solemn showers?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
THE SLITHERING DEVIL
THE SLITHERING DEVIL
I was about to brush my teeth early this morning. I opened the overhead shelf where I kept my toothbrush and toothpaste. A dark brown snake with the circumference of the big toe suddenly fell in front of me and proceeded crawling here and there.
I must have shouted so nervously for help that my two helpers came like lightning but the fear all over me was even magnified.
Still very vivid in my mind was the show on Television about “Pinoy Fear Factor” when one of the “participantes” named Jose was bitten twice by snakes floating on a giant glass jar where Jose dived for the coins as part of the contest.
Snakes always scared me since time immemorial. Possibly it was imprinted in my mind that it was the animal first used by the devil to manifest itself in successfully tempting the first woman created by God.
Ever since, snakes with their deadly venom has always been associated and connected with something bad, scary and deadly. My most recent experience with the serpent still carries a memory that always reminded me of the slithering devil.
Our provincial house was directly connected to a mini forest which in turn was connected to a live brook, the reason why there were many small animals such as snakes, lizards, wild cats, etc. Nature’s beauty and splendor was forever wonderful if only there were no serpents roaming too.
I was about to brush my teeth early this morning. I opened the overhead shelf where I kept my toothbrush and toothpaste. A dark brown snake with the circumference of the big toe suddenly fell in front of me and proceeded crawling here and there.
I must have shouted so nervously for help that my two helpers came like lightning but the fear all over me was even magnified.
Still very vivid in my mind was the show on Television about “Pinoy Fear Factor” when one of the “participantes” named Jose was bitten twice by snakes floating on a giant glass jar where Jose dived for the coins as part of the contest.
Snakes always scared me since time immemorial. Possibly it was imprinted in my mind that it was the animal first used by the devil to manifest itself in successfully tempting the first woman created by God.
Ever since, snakes with their deadly venom has always been associated and connected with something bad, scary and deadly. My most recent experience with the serpent still carries a memory that always reminded me of the slithering devil.
Our provincial house was directly connected to a mini forest which in turn was connected to a live brook, the reason why there were many small animals such as snakes, lizards, wild cats, etc. Nature’s beauty and splendor was forever wonderful if only there were no serpents roaming too.
Monday, December 1, 2008
My Favorite Christmas Story
ANG HARING NAIWAN
Ni: Jett E. Aviñante, M.D.
Desiyembre 7, 1962
Kasabay ng malalambing na awit ng mga anghel,
Isang talang maliwanag ang sa langit ay nagningning ;
Pawang nangagbabalitang doon sa bayan ng Belen
Ay sumilang ang dakilang sasakop sa sala natin.
Samantala sa Silanga’y may mga haring nag-usap
At nagbalak na dumalaw sa sumilang na Mesiyas.
Naghanda ng mga handog ang mga haring magilas;
Nagkasundong magtatagpo sa takdang araw at oras .
Si Haring Melchor at Gaspar at gayon din si Baltazar
Ay nagkita’t sama-samang sa Betlehem ay naglakbay.
Samantala, ang mabunyi’t matulunging si Shellimar –
Sa kaniyang dinaana’y sawing-palad na naiwan.
Ang dahilan ay sapagka’t sa landasing tinatahak…
Isang pulubing maysakit ang nakitang naghihirap.
‘Pagka’t likas na malambot yaong pusong binusilak,
Ay huminto’t pinagyaman ang pulubing napahamak.
Ginamot at pinakain ang maysakit na matanda;
Ni Shellimar na sa kanya’y naghatid at nagkalinga.
Sa ganitong kabutiha’y nalimot ang panukala
Na dadalaw sa Betlehem na sinilangan ng Bata.
Ng lumakas ang katawan ng pulubing tinulungan;
Si Shellimar ay saka lang nagpatuloy na maglakbay.
Dapwa’t sadyang sawing-palad, noon naman ay lumisan,
Ang Mag-anak na dahila’y lumipat sa ibang bayan.
Ito’y dahil sa pag-iwas sa utos na ipapatay,
Ni Herodes ang lahat na mga batang bagong silang .
Kaya naman ang humabol at naiwang si Shellimar,
Halos dibdib ay magputok sa tinamong kabiguan.
Kaya’t kanyang naisipang ang Mag-anak ay habulin
At kahit na saang sulok, Sila’y kanyang hahanapin.
Nguni’t tuksong kahit sino ang lapitan at tanungin
Ay walang makapagturo sa Mag-anak na butihin.
Si Shellimar ay patuloy na naglakbay at naghanap,
Lalo’t higit sa maraming mga pook ng mahirap
‘Pagka’t nalalaman niya na ang Banal na Mag-anak
Ay hindi makikihalo sa mayaman at mapilak.
Subali’t sa tuwing siya’y sasapit sa isang pook,
Si Jesus na hinananap laging hindi inaabot.
Lagi siyang naiiwan, dapwa’t wala siyang pagod
At patuloy na susundan ang Dakilang Mananakop.
Sa kaniyang paghahanap sa maraming mga bayan,
Lahat ng uri ng tao ay kaniyang nasilayan…
Kaya naman ang maraming dala niyang kayamanan
Sa maraming mahihirap ay unti-unting nabigay.
At maraming mga taon ang patuloy na lumipas…
Si Shellimar ay patuloy sa kaniyang paghahanap;
‘Pagka’t siya’y buong pusong umaasa na sa wakes
Ay makikita rin niya ang nawaglit na Mesiyas.
Tatlumpo’t tatlong taon na ang matuling nakalipas,
Hindi pa rin nakikita si Jesus na hinahanap.
Kayamana’y naubos na’t nabigay sa mahihirap…
Ang kawawang si Shellimar sa Jerusalem napadpad.
At sa nasabing bayan, bigla siyang kinabahan
Ng makitang may’rong isang taong pinarurusahan.
Tila may‘rong nagbubulong at sa kanya’y nagsasaysay
Na iyon nga si Jesus na matagal ng sinusundan.
Kaya’t siya ay humabol sa taong may pasang kurus
Na noon ay pinapalong patungo sa isang bundok.
Nguni’t sa daan ay isang alipin ang napalugmok
Sa harapan ni Shellimar at umiyak sa himutok.
Isang aliping babaeng pinalo ng panginoon…
Lumuluhang humingi kay Shellimar ng munting tulong .
Ang tanging natirang sinsing sa mga paglilimayon,
Sa daliri ay kinuha’t inihandog niya noon.
Isang sinsing na d’yamanteng ihahandog sa kay Jesus
Ibinigay sa alipin upang ito ay matubos.
Sa gayon ay naubos na pati huli niyang handog,,
Sa Mesiyas na noon ay nakapako na sa Kurus.
Si Shellimar ay patakbong sa kalbaryo ay sumugod
Upang makita’t mamalas si Jesus na Mananakop…
‘Dapwa’t huli na ang lahat ng sumapit s’ya sa bundok
Si Jesus ay namatay na sa saliw ng kidlat-kulog.
Hanggang sa huling sandali’y naiwanan si Shellimar
Ni Jesus na batang musmos ng simula niyang sundan.
Sa malaking pagod niya at matinding kalungkutan
Lumuluha at pasising kinausap yaong bangkay.
“Oh Diyos ko ano baga ang aking pagkakasala
At sa aking paghahanap ay ‘di ka na napakita?
Simula sa kamusmusa’y sinundan-sundan na kita,
Bakit Ikaw’y nagmaramot , ano’t ako’y inulila?”
Isang tinig na tila ba sa langit pa nagbubuhat
Ang tumugon kay Shellimar at malakas na nangusap:
“Ako’y iyong nakasama, nakita at naka-usap
Sa maraming pagtulong mong ginawa sa mahihirap”.
-wakas-
MALIGAYANG PASKO SA LAHAT!!!
Ni: Jett E. Aviñante, M.D.
Desiyembre 7, 1962
Kasabay ng malalambing na awit ng mga anghel,
Isang talang maliwanag ang sa langit ay nagningning ;
Pawang nangagbabalitang doon sa bayan ng Belen
Ay sumilang ang dakilang sasakop sa sala natin.
Samantala sa Silanga’y may mga haring nag-usap
At nagbalak na dumalaw sa sumilang na Mesiyas.
Naghanda ng mga handog ang mga haring magilas;
Nagkasundong magtatagpo sa takdang araw at oras .
Si Haring Melchor at Gaspar at gayon din si Baltazar
Ay nagkita’t sama-samang sa Betlehem ay naglakbay.
Samantala, ang mabunyi’t matulunging si Shellimar –
Sa kaniyang dinaana’y sawing-palad na naiwan.
Ang dahilan ay sapagka’t sa landasing tinatahak…
Isang pulubing maysakit ang nakitang naghihirap.
‘Pagka’t likas na malambot yaong pusong binusilak,
Ay huminto’t pinagyaman ang pulubing napahamak.
Ginamot at pinakain ang maysakit na matanda;
Ni Shellimar na sa kanya’y naghatid at nagkalinga.
Sa ganitong kabutiha’y nalimot ang panukala
Na dadalaw sa Betlehem na sinilangan ng Bata.
Ng lumakas ang katawan ng pulubing tinulungan;
Si Shellimar ay saka lang nagpatuloy na maglakbay.
Dapwa’t sadyang sawing-palad, noon naman ay lumisan,
Ang Mag-anak na dahila’y lumipat sa ibang bayan.
Ito’y dahil sa pag-iwas sa utos na ipapatay,
Ni Herodes ang lahat na mga batang bagong silang .
Kaya naman ang humabol at naiwang si Shellimar,
Halos dibdib ay magputok sa tinamong kabiguan.
Kaya’t kanyang naisipang ang Mag-anak ay habulin
At kahit na saang sulok, Sila’y kanyang hahanapin.
Nguni’t tuksong kahit sino ang lapitan at tanungin
Ay walang makapagturo sa Mag-anak na butihin.
Si Shellimar ay patuloy na naglakbay at naghanap,
Lalo’t higit sa maraming mga pook ng mahirap
‘Pagka’t nalalaman niya na ang Banal na Mag-anak
Ay hindi makikihalo sa mayaman at mapilak.
Subali’t sa tuwing siya’y sasapit sa isang pook,
Si Jesus na hinananap laging hindi inaabot.
Lagi siyang naiiwan, dapwa’t wala siyang pagod
At patuloy na susundan ang Dakilang Mananakop.
Sa kaniyang paghahanap sa maraming mga bayan,
Lahat ng uri ng tao ay kaniyang nasilayan…
Kaya naman ang maraming dala niyang kayamanan
Sa maraming mahihirap ay unti-unting nabigay.
At maraming mga taon ang patuloy na lumipas…
Si Shellimar ay patuloy sa kaniyang paghahanap;
‘Pagka’t siya’y buong pusong umaasa na sa wakes
Ay makikita rin niya ang nawaglit na Mesiyas.
Tatlumpo’t tatlong taon na ang matuling nakalipas,
Hindi pa rin nakikita si Jesus na hinahanap.
Kayamana’y naubos na’t nabigay sa mahihirap…
Ang kawawang si Shellimar sa Jerusalem napadpad.
At sa nasabing bayan, bigla siyang kinabahan
Ng makitang may’rong isang taong pinarurusahan.
Tila may‘rong nagbubulong at sa kanya’y nagsasaysay
Na iyon nga si Jesus na matagal ng sinusundan.
Kaya’t siya ay humabol sa taong may pasang kurus
Na noon ay pinapalong patungo sa isang bundok.
Nguni’t sa daan ay isang alipin ang napalugmok
Sa harapan ni Shellimar at umiyak sa himutok.
Isang aliping babaeng pinalo ng panginoon…
Lumuluhang humingi kay Shellimar ng munting tulong .
Ang tanging natirang sinsing sa mga paglilimayon,
Sa daliri ay kinuha’t inihandog niya noon.
Isang sinsing na d’yamanteng ihahandog sa kay Jesus
Ibinigay sa alipin upang ito ay matubos.
Sa gayon ay naubos na pati huli niyang handog,,
Sa Mesiyas na noon ay nakapako na sa Kurus.
Si Shellimar ay patakbong sa kalbaryo ay sumugod
Upang makita’t mamalas si Jesus na Mananakop…
‘Dapwa’t huli na ang lahat ng sumapit s’ya sa bundok
Si Jesus ay namatay na sa saliw ng kidlat-kulog.
Hanggang sa huling sandali’y naiwanan si Shellimar
Ni Jesus na batang musmos ng simula niyang sundan.
Sa malaking pagod niya at matinding kalungkutan
Lumuluha at pasising kinausap yaong bangkay.
“Oh Diyos ko ano baga ang aking pagkakasala
At sa aking paghahanap ay ‘di ka na napakita?
Simula sa kamusmusa’y sinundan-sundan na kita,
Bakit Ikaw’y nagmaramot , ano’t ako’y inulila?”
Isang tinig na tila ba sa langit pa nagbubuhat
Ang tumugon kay Shellimar at malakas na nangusap:
“Ako’y iyong nakasama, nakita at naka-usap
Sa maraming pagtulong mong ginawa sa mahihirap”.
-wakas-
MALIGAYANG PASKO SA LAHAT!!!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
DAILY DRAMA
DAILY DRAMA
While waiting for the Net Café to open, my attention was focused on the entrance of the Mini Galeria where I was sitting alone on a wooden bench. The entrance was about 8 meters wide. At the center was a circular concrete flower “pot” half full of weeds with some violet blossoms peeping out.
In front of it was parked a red van almost covering the Drug Store on the other side of the road. To the left of the Drug Store was a Rice Store where a young man was patiently waiting for costumers.
It was like a stage setting where activities kept on going. Bus, jeepneys, tricycles and people were passing–by. I saw a big truck delivered several sacks of rice. Nearby was a Barber Shop which was idle at the time. Next to it was a newly opened Lotto outlet.
When the delivery truck left I saw the boy in front of big boxes of rice with different price tags. He was just standing alone staring at nothing. I wondered what that boy was thinking but my curious wondering was quickly interrupted by a boy who came-by dribbling a basketball ball.
I realized I was watching a mini-drama in real life happening right in front of me. Stretching my imagination further I saw so many other small live stages showing their own presentations in different manners. These were all happening simultaneously on every spot on the surface of the earth. The earth was alive and the earth was tired. Other planets must be tired too after existing for so many millions of years. There must be an end to everything but it didn’t mean I was anticipating my end. In fact I was enjoying every bit of what remained.
Ohs! Here comes the Net Café operator. I shall be very busy surfing, chatting and e-mailing… my after breakfast routine to monitor my far away children. The drama must continue not only among planets in our Solar System but also in other galaxies far beyond the endless space we know as the Universe. The infinitesimal cosmic impact of the “big bang” still goes on… when it will stop, God Only Knows.
While waiting for the Net Café to open, my attention was focused on the entrance of the Mini Galeria where I was sitting alone on a wooden bench. The entrance was about 8 meters wide. At the center was a circular concrete flower “pot” half full of weeds with some violet blossoms peeping out.
In front of it was parked a red van almost covering the Drug Store on the other side of the road. To the left of the Drug Store was a Rice Store where a young man was patiently waiting for costumers.
It was like a stage setting where activities kept on going. Bus, jeepneys, tricycles and people were passing–by. I saw a big truck delivered several sacks of rice. Nearby was a Barber Shop which was idle at the time. Next to it was a newly opened Lotto outlet.
When the delivery truck left I saw the boy in front of big boxes of rice with different price tags. He was just standing alone staring at nothing. I wondered what that boy was thinking but my curious wondering was quickly interrupted by a boy who came-by dribbling a basketball ball.
I realized I was watching a mini-drama in real life happening right in front of me. Stretching my imagination further I saw so many other small live stages showing their own presentations in different manners. These were all happening simultaneously on every spot on the surface of the earth. The earth was alive and the earth was tired. Other planets must be tired too after existing for so many millions of years. There must be an end to everything but it didn’t mean I was anticipating my end. In fact I was enjoying every bit of what remained.
Ohs! Here comes the Net Café operator. I shall be very busy surfing, chatting and e-mailing… my after breakfast routine to monitor my far away children. The drama must continue not only among planets in our Solar System but also in other galaxies far beyond the endless space we know as the Universe. The infinitesimal cosmic impact of the “big bang” still goes on… when it will stop, God Only Knows.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
OIL PULLING THERAPY FOR EVERYONE
OIL PULLING THERAPY
It all started as a forwarded message to me by a friend. I was intrigued so I surfed the internet and ever since I have propagated it to every one I know. It is so simple; all you have to do is swish oil for about twenty minutes before meals. This is best done on waking up in the morning before brushing your teeth.
Sunflower Oil and purified Sesame oil are best although any vegetable oil, as claimed by some, also does wonders. Roasted Sesame oil is not recommended but the purified version is. You are not supposed to swallow the oil. Spit it out after twenty minutes swishing, not gargling. Then clean your mouth with ordinary tap water. It sounds so simple because it really is that simple. In fact it is the simplicity of this healing method that effectively treats various diseases.
According to Dr. Karach who introduced this method of healing in 1992, the healing process is accomplished by the human organism on its own through the aid of its natural healing power. By swishing or moving oil slowly inside the mouth, it mixes thoroughly with saliva which in return activates the enzymes that draws or pulls toxins out of the blood. You will notice that as you keep on swishing the oil gets thinner and white, almost like evaporated milk. If pulling is not enough the oil remains yellow.
Since you are not supposed to swallow the oil there is no danger of any side effect except probably allergy to the oil you are using which could be prevented by simply changing the oil. Swishing oil stimulates the excretory system of the body so that it heals individual or group of cells like in a lymph node or even the more complex organs. Oil swishing prevents intrusive elements like toxins, pathogenic micro organisms such as bacteria and fungi from entering the body.
I am not exaggerating when I say that testimonials from all over the world claim that so many ailments are completely eliminated from the human body such as migraine headache, lung problems like asthma and bronchitis; arterio-thrombosis, leukemia arthritic diseases, neuro-psychological paralysis, eczema and other forms of itchiness, gastro enteritis, heart and kidney diseases, meningitis and hormonal disorders.
The mucous which is a poison that must be removed as well as the toxins and the bacteria are pulled by the oil pulling process. It most of all purifies the taste buds and the entire body system. Dr. Karach warned that symptoms may worsen or maybe a few that you never had before maybe felt but should this happen do not stop Oil Pulling, it is the very sign that your body is healing.
Oil Pulling also prevents growth and increase of cancer cells. It also cures Kidney, Liver, Pancreas, Heart and other diseases of the internal organs. It is not a magic cure but it prevents activities of body intruders like pathogenic micro organism, bacteria, fungi, toxins, etc.
Oil pulling is very cheap; you only buy the oil. It is easy; you simply swish oil in your mouth. It is an effortless form of detoxification. It is completely harmless and most of all it is also effective against stress so you sleep more comfortably and even dream pleasant dream. There is no harm in trying and if you need more information just surf for Oil Pulling Therapy at google.com
It all started as a forwarded message to me by a friend. I was intrigued so I surfed the internet and ever since I have propagated it to every one I know. It is so simple; all you have to do is swish oil for about twenty minutes before meals. This is best done on waking up in the morning before brushing your teeth.
Sunflower Oil and purified Sesame oil are best although any vegetable oil, as claimed by some, also does wonders. Roasted Sesame oil is not recommended but the purified version is. You are not supposed to swallow the oil. Spit it out after twenty minutes swishing, not gargling. Then clean your mouth with ordinary tap water. It sounds so simple because it really is that simple. In fact it is the simplicity of this healing method that effectively treats various diseases.
According to Dr. Karach who introduced this method of healing in 1992, the healing process is accomplished by the human organism on its own through the aid of its natural healing power. By swishing or moving oil slowly inside the mouth, it mixes thoroughly with saliva which in return activates the enzymes that draws or pulls toxins out of the blood. You will notice that as you keep on swishing the oil gets thinner and white, almost like evaporated milk. If pulling is not enough the oil remains yellow.
Since you are not supposed to swallow the oil there is no danger of any side effect except probably allergy to the oil you are using which could be prevented by simply changing the oil. Swishing oil stimulates the excretory system of the body so that it heals individual or group of cells like in a lymph node or even the more complex organs. Oil swishing prevents intrusive elements like toxins, pathogenic micro organisms such as bacteria and fungi from entering the body.
I am not exaggerating when I say that testimonials from all over the world claim that so many ailments are completely eliminated from the human body such as migraine headache, lung problems like asthma and bronchitis; arterio-thrombosis, leukemia arthritic diseases, neuro-psychological paralysis, eczema and other forms of itchiness, gastro enteritis, heart and kidney diseases, meningitis and hormonal disorders.
The mucous which is a poison that must be removed as well as the toxins and the bacteria are pulled by the oil pulling process. It most of all purifies the taste buds and the entire body system. Dr. Karach warned that symptoms may worsen or maybe a few that you never had before maybe felt but should this happen do not stop Oil Pulling, it is the very sign that your body is healing.
Oil Pulling also prevents growth and increase of cancer cells. It also cures Kidney, Liver, Pancreas, Heart and other diseases of the internal organs. It is not a magic cure but it prevents activities of body intruders like pathogenic micro organism, bacteria, fungi, toxins, etc.
Oil pulling is very cheap; you only buy the oil. It is easy; you simply swish oil in your mouth. It is an effortless form of detoxification. It is completely harmless and most of all it is also effective against stress so you sleep more comfortably and even dream pleasant dream. There is no harm in trying and if you need more information just surf for Oil Pulling Therapy at google.com
Saturday, November 15, 2008
LIMPING MY WAY TO CHRISTMAS DAY
LIMPING MY WAY TO CHRISTMAS DAY
Yes, I am still limping as a result of an accident that I incurred recently (Pls. read "The Moral Lesson"). I will not be surprise if I shall still be limping by Christmastime. As I said my left leg was badly traumatized.
Perhaps this is God’s way of reminding me to be a bit humble. For quite sometime I have always been bragging among senior citizens that though I am not taking any medicine I am not experiencing any kind of pain such as that resulting from Rheumatism, Arthritis, etc.
I am not very strict with my diet and I exercise very little aside from walking. Maybe it is my positive mental attitude that really keeps me healthy. I strongly believe in the Principle of Mentalism. The power of the mind is so strong that what we think eventually turns to reality and that is how I always deal with my health.
I am suffering from mild Diabetes however, since I came from a family of Diabetics but it is easily controlled by a mild anti-diabetic. Talks about wounds of diabetics not healing scares me a bit but with the power of my positive thinking plus the application of Oil Pulling Therapy (I will write about this sometime), I am pretty sure my left leg wound will heal completely.
Now I know how it feels to have Arthritic and Rheumatic pains. People afflicted with them exhibit a very special kind of walking that reveals their ailment to one and sundry. In my case although with a mild pain I can still walk straight completely concealing the pain emanating from my traumatized leg.
The accident actually taught me many lessons. First, as my son said I must be careful in whatever I am doing as I am no longer very young. Second, I must practice what I have been telling people to keep my emotions under control. Third, I must not brag around about my health for I am not immune from all ailments, including traumatic accidents that can happen at the most unguarded moment.
Yes, I am still limping as a result of an accident that I incurred recently (Pls. read "The Moral Lesson"). I will not be surprise if I shall still be limping by Christmastime. As I said my left leg was badly traumatized.
Perhaps this is God’s way of reminding me to be a bit humble. For quite sometime I have always been bragging among senior citizens that though I am not taking any medicine I am not experiencing any kind of pain such as that resulting from Rheumatism, Arthritis, etc.
I am not very strict with my diet and I exercise very little aside from walking. Maybe it is my positive mental attitude that really keeps me healthy. I strongly believe in the Principle of Mentalism. The power of the mind is so strong that what we think eventually turns to reality and that is how I always deal with my health.
I am suffering from mild Diabetes however, since I came from a family of Diabetics but it is easily controlled by a mild anti-diabetic. Talks about wounds of diabetics not healing scares me a bit but with the power of my positive thinking plus the application of Oil Pulling Therapy (I will write about this sometime), I am pretty sure my left leg wound will heal completely.
Now I know how it feels to have Arthritic and Rheumatic pains. People afflicted with them exhibit a very special kind of walking that reveals their ailment to one and sundry. In my case although with a mild pain I can still walk straight completely concealing the pain emanating from my traumatized leg.
The accident actually taught me many lessons. First, as my son said I must be careful in whatever I am doing as I am no longer very young. Second, I must practice what I have been telling people to keep my emotions under control. Third, I must not brag around about my health for I am not immune from all ailments, including traumatic accidents that can happen at the most unguarded moment.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
THE MORAL LESSON
THE MORAL LESSON
Christmas was just around the corner. The urge to put up Christmas decor was getting stronger and stronger but the conscience was feeling guilty to bring out multi-colored lights and tinsels while the whole world was in crisis.
It was like this during the first Christmas if we remember…but the heavens opened and lights flooded the universe while the angels were singing to welcome the Messiah who was born that day.
I found it not illogical to retrieve old decorative Christmas materials to finally welcome Christmas with joy and hope. I thought it wouldn’t be difficult as It has been my habit to put all Christmas needs at one particular area in our storage room for ease in finding them when needed.
But the constant change of helpers lately in attempt to find a better one also changed the storage routine. Now I couldn’t find the multi-colored lights; the tinsels were not where they should be; Christmas trees, angels , reindeers, santas and even the Manger characters were nowhere to be found.
I was greatly upset that when I finally found the twinkling set of angels, stars and Christmas trees I hurriedly started hanging them while the helpers were still trying to find the other items. I was in that high-tempered mood when I climbed a round table in attempt to reach the hook to hang the angel. Because I was a bit irritated I didn’t realize that the foot of the round table was centrally located so that when I stepped on one end it immediately tilted and faster than the Rudolf’s sleigh the table tumbled down in loud crackling sound bringing with it the glass flower base, the big brass candle holder the thick glass on top of it and of course the whole of me.
I felt pains here and there all over my body and after a while I noticed a strong oozing of blood down my left leg. I didn’t know what actually hit me but I probably hit the concrete side of the terrace that badly wounded my left leg.
It was now a few days ago and I was still limping, hopingly not until Christmastime. I told my experience to my children abroad and my youngest son in Australia told me the moral lesson. “Be careful in what ever you are doing… you are not very young anymore”.
Christmas was just around the corner. The urge to put up Christmas decor was getting stronger and stronger but the conscience was feeling guilty to bring out multi-colored lights and tinsels while the whole world was in crisis.
It was like this during the first Christmas if we remember…but the heavens opened and lights flooded the universe while the angels were singing to welcome the Messiah who was born that day.
I found it not illogical to retrieve old decorative Christmas materials to finally welcome Christmas with joy and hope. I thought it wouldn’t be difficult as It has been my habit to put all Christmas needs at one particular area in our storage room for ease in finding them when needed.
But the constant change of helpers lately in attempt to find a better one also changed the storage routine. Now I couldn’t find the multi-colored lights; the tinsels were not where they should be; Christmas trees, angels , reindeers, santas and even the Manger characters were nowhere to be found.
I was greatly upset that when I finally found the twinkling set of angels, stars and Christmas trees I hurriedly started hanging them while the helpers were still trying to find the other items. I was in that high-tempered mood when I climbed a round table in attempt to reach the hook to hang the angel. Because I was a bit irritated I didn’t realize that the foot of the round table was centrally located so that when I stepped on one end it immediately tilted and faster than the Rudolf’s sleigh the table tumbled down in loud crackling sound bringing with it the glass flower base, the big brass candle holder the thick glass on top of it and of course the whole of me.
I felt pains here and there all over my body and after a while I noticed a strong oozing of blood down my left leg. I didn’t know what actually hit me but I probably hit the concrete side of the terrace that badly wounded my left leg.
It was now a few days ago and I was still limping, hopingly not until Christmastime. I told my experience to my children abroad and my youngest son in Australia told me the moral lesson. “Be careful in what ever you are doing… you are not very young anymore”.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL
Black, I insist, is beautiful but someone commented that though it is beautiful it symbolizes darkness. We always associate darkness with evil or something negative since it is actually the absence of light but let us not forget that it is only during dark, dark night that we can really appreciate the stars.
Darkness is signified by black which scientifically is the absence of all colors. When all colors are gone we see nothing and when we see nothing we, literally is groping in the dark. However, it is when we see nothing that our creative minds see beautiful color-combinations in its full grandeur.
Love is the positive emotional counterpart of Light or of all the colors that combined to create white. White on the other hand is the presence of all colors. When all colors are active there is more glare that is why we speak of ‘blinding bright ness’ if not ‘whit e lies’.
Come to think of it… White represents Light and Light symbolizes Love but what happens when love is lost? What positive thing can we do in blackness or in the midst of the Dark? If Love is not enough, let us make use of Hate (or black or dark).
We are against Terrorism, let us hate the Terrorist. We oppose Drug Addiction; let us hate the Drug Addicts. We are afraid of ailments, let us hate diseases. These are only some of the negative realities that we have to face in life. By hating what we cannot love we create a double negative that turns thing to positive.
As I mentioned in the beginning, black is beautiful, darkness is challenging, hatred is sometimes necessary in order to convert nothing into something and from that something all good things may eventually come out.
We need the darkness of the night to appreciate and understand fully the twinkling of the stars. Who knows? In the huge black hole, billions of light years in diameter, existing in the vast universe among galaxies and quasars may yet lie hidden the most significant mystery that God reserves for us to discover…
Black, I insist, is beautiful but someone commented that though it is beautiful it symbolizes darkness. We always associate darkness with evil or something negative since it is actually the absence of light but let us not forget that it is only during dark, dark night that we can really appreciate the stars.
Darkness is signified by black which scientifically is the absence of all colors. When all colors are gone we see nothing and when we see nothing we, literally is groping in the dark. However, it is when we see nothing that our creative minds see beautiful color-combinations in its full grandeur.
Love is the positive emotional counterpart of Light or of all the colors that combined to create white. White on the other hand is the presence of all colors. When all colors are active there is more glare that is why we speak of ‘blinding bright ness’ if not ‘whit e lies’.
Come to think of it… White represents Light and Light symbolizes Love but what happens when love is lost? What positive thing can we do in blackness or in the midst of the Dark? If Love is not enough, let us make use of Hate (or black or dark).
We are against Terrorism, let us hate the Terrorist. We oppose Drug Addiction; let us hate the Drug Addicts. We are afraid of ailments, let us hate diseases. These are only some of the negative realities that we have to face in life. By hating what we cannot love we create a double negative that turns thing to positive.
As I mentioned in the beginning, black is beautiful, darkness is challenging, hatred is sometimes necessary in order to convert nothing into something and from that something all good things may eventually come out.
We need the darkness of the night to appreciate and understand fully the twinkling of the stars. Who knows? In the huge black hole, billions of light years in diameter, existing in the vast universe among galaxies and quasars may yet lie hidden the most significant mystery that God reserves for us to discover…
Thursday, November 6, 2008
BLACK AND WHITE
BLACK AND WHITE
Now the White House in America will be occupied by a Black man. There shall be many Black Propaganda and many shall be Blacklisted. Blackmail shall be a common practice and many shall even resort to Black Magic.
For the gamblers they shall continue enjoying Black Coffee while playing Black Jack with their ladies who shall be happy eating Blackberry ice cream. Who cares if there is Blackout all over, let us all rejoice for Black is forever Beautiful.
Now the White House in America will be occupied by a Black man. There shall be many Black Propaganda and many shall be Blacklisted. Blackmail shall be a common practice and many shall even resort to Black Magic.
For the gamblers they shall continue enjoying Black Coffee while playing Black Jack with their ladies who shall be happy eating Blackberry ice cream. Who cares if there is Blackout all over, let us all rejoice for Black is forever Beautiful.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
ROAD REPAIR
ROAD REPAIR
Tempers will rise again and many quarrels will come out as traffic will again be crowded not only because there are already too many vehicles but because there are so many roads under repair. Like here in our town, roads are still relatively good but giant mechanical drillers came and destroyed the roads.
They could have been improved easily by use of asphalt overlay but instead they decided to pulverize the cemented road in preparation for new cementing and they have chosen this time of the year when many people will be coming home for the All Saints Day celebration. I cannot find any logical explanation except plain political stupidity.
Some roads are already in desperate condition but they do nothing to make them better and now they are breaking better roads supposedly for repair. They say they are repairing the National Roads and the funds are from the National treasury. Smaller roads should be attended locally and never mind if local officials are as dilapidated as their road counterparts.
This kind of problem is all over the country and like the roads that they are repairing there must be a way to repair the mentality of the local officials together with all their bosses up there for the sake of our only country. There must be a Committee or a Team or whatever they want to call it to look at this matter.
As I said in the beginning tempers are rising and heaven knows how simple misunderstanding can sometime result to bigger havocs. Commuters are stressed resulting to many different kinds of ailments afterwards. All these things could have been prevented had people in authority made more logical decisions.
Looking at it positively I am just hoping that said road repairs shall be finished before Christmas to prevent more hot tempers. If roads are good visitors won’t be discourage from coming to our town. Even Tourists shall discover and enjoy our sceneries, our culture and traditions that we could all be proud off. After all our town have so many good things to offer.
Tempers will rise again and many quarrels will come out as traffic will again be crowded not only because there are already too many vehicles but because there are so many roads under repair. Like here in our town, roads are still relatively good but giant mechanical drillers came and destroyed the roads.
They could have been improved easily by use of asphalt overlay but instead they decided to pulverize the cemented road in preparation for new cementing and they have chosen this time of the year when many people will be coming home for the All Saints Day celebration. I cannot find any logical explanation except plain political stupidity.
Some roads are already in desperate condition but they do nothing to make them better and now they are breaking better roads supposedly for repair. They say they are repairing the National Roads and the funds are from the National treasury. Smaller roads should be attended locally and never mind if local officials are as dilapidated as their road counterparts.
This kind of problem is all over the country and like the roads that they are repairing there must be a way to repair the mentality of the local officials together with all their bosses up there for the sake of our only country. There must be a Committee or a Team or whatever they want to call it to look at this matter.
As I said in the beginning tempers are rising and heaven knows how simple misunderstanding can sometime result to bigger havocs. Commuters are stressed resulting to many different kinds of ailments afterwards. All these things could have been prevented had people in authority made more logical decisions.
Looking at it positively I am just hoping that said road repairs shall be finished before Christmas to prevent more hot tempers. If roads are good visitors won’t be discourage from coming to our town. Even Tourists shall discover and enjoy our sceneries, our culture and traditions that we could all be proud off. After all our town have so many good things to offer.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
TOMB PAINTERS (Oct. 229, 2008).
TOMB PAINTERS
They suddenly surrounded me when I entered the gate of the Memorial Park. They were of all ages, from as young as seven to as old as seventy years old. Each one was showing his painting paraphernalia complete with paints, brushes, sandpapers, metal polishes and rags. This was an annual scene at the Cemetery, days before All Saint Day.
I didn’t know to whom to listen first as each one was offering his price for the job, some of them bragging about their supposed know-how, specialty or experience. Basing on my past experience I announced the amount I was willing to offer for the cleaning of the four marble slabs of my parents and sisters.
They all wanted me to double or at least add more to my offer and when no one accepted my price I decided to move to the Municipal Cemetery to visit my other relatives there. I was followed by three young boys who said they were willing to do the job for the price that I offered.
Aware of the possibility that these inexperienced kids would have very little chance to be hired in the midst of so many others I decided to award to them the job as I also decided to personally supervise them. When they started working the envious bigger boys came around to discourage them to the point of making insulting comments. But I encouraged the kids to go on to show the bigger boys that they cannot just go on bullying the little ones. In the process I somehow taught them important lessons. I let them realized that they cannot easily get what they want in life by bragging and bullying.
The teacher in me was again awakened and I did what I thought was the right thing to do at the moment while hoping that somehow someone would change his attitude in life for that unexpected experience.
It took the three kids a long time to finish the job so I had the chance to visit an old friend nearby. When I returned to supervise the boys with the finishing touches the older bullies were still there obviously repenting why they were outsmarted by the little boys. At the end I could feel the sense of victory felt by my young tomb painters. They became more inspired to work and I knew they would be doing better while I fervently hope that they would become better citizens.
At this point a relatively more decent big boy came-by reminding me that he was the little boy I hired last year and that he was so thankful because last year I also supervised him and that he learned a lot from me.
I was sure even my parents and my sisters who were buried there must also be very happy watching from where they were how little boys were learning while cleaning and painting their graves.
They suddenly surrounded me when I entered the gate of the Memorial Park. They were of all ages, from as young as seven to as old as seventy years old. Each one was showing his painting paraphernalia complete with paints, brushes, sandpapers, metal polishes and rags. This was an annual scene at the Cemetery, days before All Saint Day.
I didn’t know to whom to listen first as each one was offering his price for the job, some of them bragging about their supposed know-how, specialty or experience. Basing on my past experience I announced the amount I was willing to offer for the cleaning of the four marble slabs of my parents and sisters.
They all wanted me to double or at least add more to my offer and when no one accepted my price I decided to move to the Municipal Cemetery to visit my other relatives there. I was followed by three young boys who said they were willing to do the job for the price that I offered.
Aware of the possibility that these inexperienced kids would have very little chance to be hired in the midst of so many others I decided to award to them the job as I also decided to personally supervise them. When they started working the envious bigger boys came around to discourage them to the point of making insulting comments. But I encouraged the kids to go on to show the bigger boys that they cannot just go on bullying the little ones. In the process I somehow taught them important lessons. I let them realized that they cannot easily get what they want in life by bragging and bullying.
The teacher in me was again awakened and I did what I thought was the right thing to do at the moment while hoping that somehow someone would change his attitude in life for that unexpected experience.
It took the three kids a long time to finish the job so I had the chance to visit an old friend nearby. When I returned to supervise the boys with the finishing touches the older bullies were still there obviously repenting why they were outsmarted by the little boys. At the end I could feel the sense of victory felt by my young tomb painters. They became more inspired to work and I knew they would be doing better while I fervently hope that they would become better citizens.
At this point a relatively more decent big boy came-by reminding me that he was the little boy I hired last year and that he was so thankful because last year I also supervised him and that he learned a lot from me.
I was sure even my parents and my sisters who were buried there must also be very happy watching from where they were how little boys were learning while cleaning and painting their graves.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
CHURCHGOING ON SUNDAY
CHURCHGOING ON SUNDAY
Every Sunday if I can, I always attend the 6:00 a.m. Mass and like me there are other habitual Churchgoers on that time. We are supposed to be those who are “seeking first the Kingdom and Justice of God, hoping that everything shall be added unto us”.
Almost all of us are regularly occupying the same pews as a force of habit or for what ever particular reason as if they are our own territories. I always go to the area near the frame of the 10th Station of the Cross depicting the touching drama when Jesus told Dismas: “Today you will be with me in Paradise”. It is the only area where I could clearly hear but not necessarily because Dismas is my favorite Patron Saint.
A few seats in front of me is the choice of a white-haired octogenarian because it is near the side door of the Church where she ‘could easily exit should an emergency occur’, she told me one time.
I observed that she is the most greeted churchgoers. So many younger ones approach her to kiss her hands or just to whisper something. When she is not there I know she is either not feeling well or brought by a son to Manila for whatever reason.
Immediately in front of me a young man, always in old white T-shirt occupies the pew. There is always a small towel inside his back, one end of it is folded backwards to keep in place. It probably protects him from cold or absorbs his sweats.
One day I saw him wearing an oversize checkered polo shirt. It must be a hand-me-down of his employer or was bought from a cheap “ukay-ukay” store. But I could sense that he was feeling so happy with his new attire. It must be his birthday…
Another regular is the old spinster with her unusual style of dressing accentuated by a matching umbrella and a dangling something from her carefully gathered hair. She always leads the praying of the “Oracion” but for two Sundays she was absent. Somebody took over. When she came back the “Oracion” was not prayed anymore. Something interesting must have happen.
From where I sit I can always feel the passing of a limping lady carrying a guitar hurrying to join the choir. On other days a lady senior citizen is the one passing-by, this time carrying a mini electric organ to lead her own choir.
The late comers are almost, always the same person. One middle-aged lady always arrive at the height of the “Gloria” while another lady comes usually after the first reading and then tries to “insert” herself at the most crowded pew.
I never miss the routine of one tall, humpbacked, white-haired, Lay Minister who always come early, sometimes to do the Station of the Cross or at other time to approach one by one the displayed images of Saints ending at the Blessed Sacrament where he stays a little longer.
While everybody is waiting for the start of the Holy Mass, the Power Point screen is continuously showing different rules to follow, schedules to remember or a review of the catechism played repeatedly to the point of boredom. Same things are again verbally announced before the end of the Mass.
Meantime, 'lectors' and collectors come in uniform with their own peculiarities. There is that one who keeps on going to different parts of the Church as if so busy doing something aside from disturbing the concentrations of those doing their personal morning prayers. There is that one who comes often not in uniform but in her own special fashion so everybody would notice how different she is from everyone else. Together with the visual activities happening inside the Church are the very loud and disturbing conversations of the candle vendors with their equally noisy costumers.
This experience is not exclusive in our Parish. It also happens, sometimes even worse, in other parishes in the Philippines. The Church is alive. In European countries, Churches are seldom that active on ordinary days because many Churches in other countries are “dying” already.
Every Sunday if I can, I always attend the 6:00 a.m. Mass and like me there are other habitual Churchgoers on that time. We are supposed to be those who are “seeking first the Kingdom and Justice of God, hoping that everything shall be added unto us”.
Almost all of us are regularly occupying the same pews as a force of habit or for what ever particular reason as if they are our own territories. I always go to the area near the frame of the 10th Station of the Cross depicting the touching drama when Jesus told Dismas: “Today you will be with me in Paradise”. It is the only area where I could clearly hear but not necessarily because Dismas is my favorite Patron Saint.
A few seats in front of me is the choice of a white-haired octogenarian because it is near the side door of the Church where she ‘could easily exit should an emergency occur’, she told me one time.
I observed that she is the most greeted churchgoers. So many younger ones approach her to kiss her hands or just to whisper something. When she is not there I know she is either not feeling well or brought by a son to Manila for whatever reason.
Immediately in front of me a young man, always in old white T-shirt occupies the pew. There is always a small towel inside his back, one end of it is folded backwards to keep in place. It probably protects him from cold or absorbs his sweats.
One day I saw him wearing an oversize checkered polo shirt. It must be a hand-me-down of his employer or was bought from a cheap “ukay-ukay” store. But I could sense that he was feeling so happy with his new attire. It must be his birthday…
Another regular is the old spinster with her unusual style of dressing accentuated by a matching umbrella and a dangling something from her carefully gathered hair. She always leads the praying of the “Oracion” but for two Sundays she was absent. Somebody took over. When she came back the “Oracion” was not prayed anymore. Something interesting must have happen.
From where I sit I can always feel the passing of a limping lady carrying a guitar hurrying to join the choir. On other days a lady senior citizen is the one passing-by, this time carrying a mini electric organ to lead her own choir.
The late comers are almost, always the same person. One middle-aged lady always arrive at the height of the “Gloria” while another lady comes usually after the first reading and then tries to “insert” herself at the most crowded pew.
I never miss the routine of one tall, humpbacked, white-haired, Lay Minister who always come early, sometimes to do the Station of the Cross or at other time to approach one by one the displayed images of Saints ending at the Blessed Sacrament where he stays a little longer.
While everybody is waiting for the start of the Holy Mass, the Power Point screen is continuously showing different rules to follow, schedules to remember or a review of the catechism played repeatedly to the point of boredom. Same things are again verbally announced before the end of the Mass.
Meantime, 'lectors' and collectors come in uniform with their own peculiarities. There is that one who keeps on going to different parts of the Church as if so busy doing something aside from disturbing the concentrations of those doing their personal morning prayers. There is that one who comes often not in uniform but in her own special fashion so everybody would notice how different she is from everyone else. Together with the visual activities happening inside the Church are the very loud and disturbing conversations of the candle vendors with their equally noisy costumers.
This experience is not exclusive in our Parish. It also happens, sometimes even worse, in other parishes in the Philippines. The Church is alive. In European countries, Churches are seldom that active on ordinary days because many Churches in other countries are “dying” already.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
UNITY IN DISPARITY AND DIVERSITY
UNITY IN DIVERSITY AND DISPARITY
Books on partnership, relationship and marriage are many. But in spite of the volumes of guidelines, suggestions, formulas offered by various authors we are still surrounded by partners quarrelling, relationships breaking and marriages failing or going to the rocks… all resulting to broken homes and rotten ties among people.
Priests, Nuns, Pastors and Preachers of different religious sects as well as psychologists and guidance counselors seem to be unsuccessful in really keeping intact the unity of many couples. This is a reality that is in our midst.
In one study group a question was asked: “What is the most important factor in a successful marriage?” Different opinions were heard. There were animated discussions and heated debates until one participant aired his thought. “I think the most important factor in a successful marriage is longevity. Any relationship that lasts long for what ever reason is successful”.
There was temporary silence as if everybody agreed to that idea. Longevity is the important factor, yes, but then what contributes to longevity in a relationship? This triggered a new subject of much discussion and more confusion.
There is nothing more relevant and more tangible than actual personal experience. It is not enough that couples promise “To love and obey each other for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘till death do them part”. There must be a valid way, a working formula. This is different in different cases. As one intelligent author very aptly say in his very popular book. It is difficult because Man is from Mars and Woman is from Venus who meets and lives together on Earth.
As such there is no general rule of thumb that could be applied to all cases equally. Each couple must discover for themselves what in their own particular case could lead to longevity in their partnership.
A friend asked me one time. “What is your secret that your relationship seems to be very harmonious and successful though you married in a whirlwind fashion?”
I calmly answered him. “We don’t follow the standard rule in standard book of guidelines. We don’t follow hook, line and sinker what unmarried people like Priests, Nuns and Pastors are saying because though they are very good in their books, most are simply not applicable in real life of real people.
If we find it more practical that we don’t always go together, we go separately. If it is good that we don’t eat at the same time for what ever reason or don’t sleep together and do things together, we then do them on our own way as long as they are done within the legal and moral boundaries.
Her needs are entirely different from mine. Her joys are not necessarily my happiness. My interests are far different from her interests. So we agreed to disagree on many points and we matured romantically that way.
What is important is that we are aware of each other’s needs; we are capable of filling each other’s needs and that we are always willing to fill each others needs. The secret of a lasting relationship is simply filling each other’s needs. That way we can be happy united even in disparity and diversity.
Books on partnership, relationship and marriage are many. But in spite of the volumes of guidelines, suggestions, formulas offered by various authors we are still surrounded by partners quarrelling, relationships breaking and marriages failing or going to the rocks… all resulting to broken homes and rotten ties among people.
Priests, Nuns, Pastors and Preachers of different religious sects as well as psychologists and guidance counselors seem to be unsuccessful in really keeping intact the unity of many couples. This is a reality that is in our midst.
In one study group a question was asked: “What is the most important factor in a successful marriage?” Different opinions were heard. There were animated discussions and heated debates until one participant aired his thought. “I think the most important factor in a successful marriage is longevity. Any relationship that lasts long for what ever reason is successful”.
There was temporary silence as if everybody agreed to that idea. Longevity is the important factor, yes, but then what contributes to longevity in a relationship? This triggered a new subject of much discussion and more confusion.
There is nothing more relevant and more tangible than actual personal experience. It is not enough that couples promise “To love and obey each other for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘till death do them part”. There must be a valid way, a working formula. This is different in different cases. As one intelligent author very aptly say in his very popular book. It is difficult because Man is from Mars and Woman is from Venus who meets and lives together on Earth.
As such there is no general rule of thumb that could be applied to all cases equally. Each couple must discover for themselves what in their own particular case could lead to longevity in their partnership.
A friend asked me one time. “What is your secret that your relationship seems to be very harmonious and successful though you married in a whirlwind fashion?”
I calmly answered him. “We don’t follow the standard rule in standard book of guidelines. We don’t follow hook, line and sinker what unmarried people like Priests, Nuns and Pastors are saying because though they are very good in their books, most are simply not applicable in real life of real people.
If we find it more practical that we don’t always go together, we go separately. If it is good that we don’t eat at the same time for what ever reason or don’t sleep together and do things together, we then do them on our own way as long as they are done within the legal and moral boundaries.
Her needs are entirely different from mine. Her joys are not necessarily my happiness. My interests are far different from her interests. So we agreed to disagree on many points and we matured romantically that way.
What is important is that we are aware of each other’s needs; we are capable of filling each other’s needs and that we are always willing to fill each others needs. The secret of a lasting relationship is simply filling each other’s needs. That way we can be happy united even in disparity and diversity.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
COMING HOME FROM NIGERIA
COMING HOME FROM NIGERIA
(Excerpts from my Nigerian Diary)
27 February 1979: This is now the 15th day since I filled my application for Emergency Home Call.
Yesterday my file was misplaced and it took almost the whole office hours for the clerk to find it. Then the two sentence letter by the Executive Officer, Mrs. Balogmi, took the typist about an hour to type.
So it was already closing time when I had the chance to bring my paper to the Ministry of Establishment. I was told to come back at 1:00 p.m. today and I hope that God will make it easy for me this time.
I have nothing to do this morning because all the other things I need to do have to depend on the outcome of my application.
I am no longer on the duty rooster of the hospital, one consolation at the moment but my air-con is again out of order.
28 February 1979:
6:30 a.m. – Ash Wednesday: Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
2:20 a.m. - Breakfast at JA’ International Hotel.
7:45 a.m. – To Ministry of Finance to see Mr. Adesina at room 28.
8:00 a.m. – Room 5 for Air Warrant.
8:15 a.m. – Back to LSHM for Xerox copy of the letter from the Ministry of Establishment. Bidemi helped me again.
8:50 a.m. – Warrant signed at last.
9:00 a.m. – To Tapawa Balewa – Nigerian Airways. Told to go back to the Ministry of Finance for the original specimen signature.
10:30 a.m. – Back to Tapawa Balewa – Nigerian Airways. Was told to come back next day but I pleaded and I waited.
2:30 p.m. - Lunch at Tapawa Balewa with Fatayih.
3:00 p.m. – Got the ticket .
3:15 p.m. – At Philippine Embassy for Balikbayan Stamp.
5:oo p.m. – Alitalia Office to exchange ticket. Ok but office closed to CBT.
2-March, 1979: I just realized how things are so uncertain in this world. I experienced everything lately when I started applying for Special Leave following my receipt of a telegram from my wife saying that my father was ‘very sick’.
That was last Feb. 12th, 1979. The following day I quickly made inquiries to Mrs. Ayelera of the Health Management Board, she being the project officer of Massey Street Children’s. She advised me to write an application for Special Leave to the Board Secretary thru the Chief Consultant, which I did immediately.
I was given endorsement but the Secretary was then busy attending meetings. My application was not given any action for several days. I was still relaxed because I really wanted to delay my leave so I could receive first my salary for the month of February. (Note: Very much earlier I had an agreement with my wife that she would send me a telegram saying that my Father is sick so I can file a Special Leave. So when I received the telegram I even answered her back complaining why she telegram me so early when I am still waiting for my February salary). If possible I also wanted to bring home my HB (Hanap-Buhay ) from Skyline Hotel.
On February 19th, 1979 I received a second telegram which was as urgent as the first. I called up my cousin Gelis, who confirmed that my father indeed was very sick and is confined at the hospital
At the Health Management Board I met a certain Bidemi Tijarni who tried his best to help but he got so excited to the point of irritating the Executive Officer, Mrs. Bologan who endorsed my application to the Ministry of the Establishment. I was told that that I was not eligible for the Special Leave because in as far as the Nigerian Government was concerned my father was not my relative.
At any rate I was successful in convincing the Administrator, Miss Young, who taught me what to do. So I submitted a second application, now for free passage which I should have included in my first had someone advised me what was right to do.
It was again frozen at the Secretary’s office for a few days and this time I was getting really impatient. I already wanted to take Mr. Owolabi’s offer to pay for my ticket. At about this time I was also trying to convince Mr. Odunsi, the Manager of the Skyline Hotel to lend me money so I could go. After several days he gave me but only 200 Naira.
On February 23 I was able to sweet talk the Secretary who listened to my problem. He endorsed my second application to Mrs. Bologan who was still annoyed so I was told to come back Monday, February 26th.
That Monday I was full of hope but my file was misplaced and it took Mr. Lawal more than three hours to locate it. When finally Mrs. Bologan made the endorsement to the Ministry of the Establishment it was already 3:15 p.m., closing time. I was told to come the next day.
February 27th was fruitful because Miss Young quickly endorsed my application back to the Health Management Board. The Secretary’s receptionist whom I earlier fascinated with my origami art, helped me and in the absence of the Secretary it was endorsed for processing by the
Assistant Secretary.
This time the Executive Officer was calm and helpful because earlier in the morning I placed some origami art on her table. Letters to the following were finished this day.
1. To the accountant General for Air Warrant.
2. To the Immigration Office for re-entry permit.
3. To the Central Bank for foreign exchange.
The things that followed were tiresome (see February 28 Diary).
On March 1st, while Noriel was booking my flight I did the following :
1. Immigration Office
a. Met Olu Owosiyan who brought me to
b. Joel Allebo – who took my file then to
c. Mr. Mohamed Bello who stamped the re-entry permit.
2. Nursing School to endorse my Salary to my bank but I was a day too late. It was endorsed yesterday for the month of March.
3. To Standard Bank of Nigeria to buy Traveler’s check just to be told that I was not eligible because I was not a Nigerian resident.
4. Back to the Immigration for confirmation but Mr. Bello said GO means Government Official and the lady in the bank should know this. It was already closing time when she finally made it just after I presented her several origami pieces.
March 2, 1919: Today that I am writing this I am scheduled to leave thru Alitalia at 11:30 p.m. but look at what happened.
1. Morning I went to Standard Bank of Nigeria. I got the traveler’s check at 9:00 a.m.
2. Went to Alitalia for confirmation, just to be told that Italy was on strike and ”the flight tonight is cancelled”.
3. Went to Vic who accompanied me to Tapawa Bolewa.
4. Met Engr.Villaneva who helped me book my ticket to Nigerian Air ways scheduled to fly on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
5.
March 3, 1979: Fred Flores broke to me the sad news that my father died already last February 21st and was buried last February 25th.
I pray to God for his soul and also that I be allowed to go home smoothly as scheduled, tomorrow.
Another interesting thing happened last night. While I was packing my things I accidentally broke the arm of my eye-glasses. I recalled that I brought with me one extra pair of eye-glasses but it went with the air cargo I sent yesterday so I had to go and look for a new frame. The cheapest costs me 40 Naira, which is exactly the amount left in my wallet because I was told I should have from 40 to 50 Naira in my pocket before I go for airport expenses. So I paid for the new frame the last Naira I have and resort ed in borrowing 50 Naira from Dra. Gillego.
I just hope that these uncertainties will all end up tonight as I am writing this so that tomorrow when I wake up I will be feeling good until I arrive home.
Mach 4, 1979: Today, I am scheduled to fly to Rome at 12:30 p.m. I almost didn’t sleep last night, apprehensive about my trip. The thought of seeing Rome and then going home to my love ones makes me restless.
Last night, Dr. and Mrs. Tunggol (Joey and Dinah) visited me. They requested that should I chance to meet any of their relatives “Please don’t tell the truth about life in Lagos because they will surely worry”. The couple is also planning a way by which they can leave the country.
My going home, according to Dra. Dionisio is very demoralizing, because she knows that I am not coming back. She also wants to leave Lagos but as of now cannot yet find a way out. Everybody wants a way out but no one is really telling the truth to their relatives just the way I also didn’t tell the truth in my letters. I just wrote the good news.
I attended the Holy Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral at 6:30 a.m. At 7:30 a.m. when I arrived at JA’ International Hotel, Engr. Villanueva, Dra. Nazaretbh and Vic Matunding were there already because they thought I was leaving at 10:30 a.m.
After breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Engr. Villanueva, Dra. Nazareth and I went directly to the airport. Vic couldn’t join because of a very important appointment.
When we arrived at the airport, Dr. Nestor Reyes was there as well as Dra. Gallego and her brother Tikboy’s family. Then came also Dr. and Mrs. Tunggol.
I was almost apprehended by the police when we had picture taken because I didn’t know that it was prohibited to take pictures.
At 11:00 a.m. I was completely checked-in. Thanks to Engr. Villanueva’s help.
I felt somewhat lonely traveling alone and thinking of my father’s death but just the thought of home gives me strength and hope.
The plane was delayed. Take-off at 1:14 p.m. It was a lonely flight. Most of the passengers were Nigerians and very unruly. I wasn’t feeling so good either with diarrhea, headache due to so many sleepless nights plus the efforts I exerted in following my papers.
Break was served at 1:30 p.m., 2:25 p.m. – touch down at Kano Airport, 3:07 p.m. left Kano Air port. Thanks God I saw a Filipino. He is Dr. Ison from Baudin State, also going home to the Philippines. 7:20 p.m. arrived at Rome Air port. It is good that Dr. Ison was with me because without him things would have been so hard for me.
I recalled that portion of the song I Believe which says: “I believe for anyone who goes astray, someone will come to show the way”. That “someone” came to me in the persons of Engr.Villaneva and Dr. Ison.
We were accommodated at Satelite Hotel in Rome. Me, at room 303 and Dr. Ison at room 304. The Hotel is ok. 4 Stars by Philippine standard except that my room was not furnished with television set…
Tomorrow I am going to the air port to confirm my connecting flight to Manila then I am planning to join a guided tour in the afternoon so that on Tuesday I could go around to buy souvenirs and other “pasalubongs”.
I was told that it is not safe to roam around this city at night so I just stayed here in the hotel.
March 5, 1979: This morning I went to the Airport and confirmed my flight tomorrow. It is also good that I inquired about my baggage because all the time it was checked in Lagos direct to Manila but I saw the tag in my ticket is only up to Rome. I was able t o get my luggage.
This afternoon I toured the Vatican City in a Limousine car. I have pictures taken at St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, The Church of St. Paul, the ruins of the Coliseum and the famous “3 coins fountain”
I bought some souvenir items and chocolate for the children
People here are very pleasant to look-at. They are like living mannequins and walking dolls. But the new City of Rome outside the Vatican is not as clean as Paris. I am thankful I have this chance to see Rome.
March 6, 1979:
Wake up early because I am scheduled to fly at 7:50 p.m. I am so eager to be back home. The winter cold that I am experiencing at the moments reminds me of Tagaytay.
I’ve got to check-out before 12:00 noon or I’ll be charge $33.00 more. As of now I am already paying extra $33.00 because the 24 hour free hotel accommodation c/o Nigerian Air ways is al ready consumed.
Life her is very expensive but it is worth experiencing and worth remembering for a life time. Back home I don’t know yet what I will do but I am not planning to return to Nigeria for the following reasons:
1. The income and the inconveniences are not worth leaving the family behind.
2. The attitude of the Nigerian Doctors towards the Expatriate medical officers is not very encouraging.
3. The possibility of being afflicted by the Nigerian (African diseases) is not very remote.
4. The possible side-effects of the return to the Civilian Rule is not a joke. It is very real.
5. What happened in Iran may also happen in Nigeria.
I wonder why so many delays have to happen during my trip home. I was at t he airport at 2:00 p.m., checked in at 5:00 p.m. just to be told that PAL will be delayed until 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Dr. Ison was able to fly by Singapore Airline. At the Airport I met Josie Borbon, wife of an Italian who is coming home to visit her family; two Baby Sitters from Barcelona and a Seaman from Yugoslav, Ferdie. We became instant “barkada” when stranded.
I paid another $75:00 for extra baggage. Now we are accommodated at Midas Hotel c/o PAL. This Hotel is much better than Satelite Hotel and I was surprised to find so many Filipinos.
The room is bigger and fully carpeted but also not provided with T .V. set. We were served Hamburger, mashed potato plus fruits: bananas, apples, pears and oranges,
I pray to God that tomorrow things will go on smoothly. I did not do an overseas call because I know my wife would inquire from PAL and she would be told of the delay.
(Excerpts from my Nigerian Diary)
27 February 1979: This is now the 15th day since I filled my application for Emergency Home Call.
Yesterday my file was misplaced and it took almost the whole office hours for the clerk to find it. Then the two sentence letter by the Executive Officer, Mrs. Balogmi, took the typist about an hour to type.
So it was already closing time when I had the chance to bring my paper to the Ministry of Establishment. I was told to come back at 1:00 p.m. today and I hope that God will make it easy for me this time.
I have nothing to do this morning because all the other things I need to do have to depend on the outcome of my application.
I am no longer on the duty rooster of the hospital, one consolation at the moment but my air-con is again out of order.
28 February 1979:
6:30 a.m. – Ash Wednesday: Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
2:20 a.m. - Breakfast at JA’ International Hotel.
7:45 a.m. – To Ministry of Finance to see Mr. Adesina at room 28.
8:00 a.m. – Room 5 for Air Warrant.
8:15 a.m. – Back to LSHM for Xerox copy of the letter from the Ministry of Establishment. Bidemi helped me again.
8:50 a.m. – Warrant signed at last.
9:00 a.m. – To Tapawa Balewa – Nigerian Airways. Told to go back to the Ministry of Finance for the original specimen signature.
10:30 a.m. – Back to Tapawa Balewa – Nigerian Airways. Was told to come back next day but I pleaded and I waited.
2:30 p.m. - Lunch at Tapawa Balewa with Fatayih.
3:00 p.m. – Got the ticket .
3:15 p.m. – At Philippine Embassy for Balikbayan Stamp.
5:oo p.m. – Alitalia Office to exchange ticket. Ok but office closed to CBT.
2-March, 1979: I just realized how things are so uncertain in this world. I experienced everything lately when I started applying for Special Leave following my receipt of a telegram from my wife saying that my father was ‘very sick’.
That was last Feb. 12th, 1979. The following day I quickly made inquiries to Mrs. Ayelera of the Health Management Board, she being the project officer of Massey Street Children’s. She advised me to write an application for Special Leave to the Board Secretary thru the Chief Consultant, which I did immediately.
I was given endorsement but the Secretary was then busy attending meetings. My application was not given any action for several days. I was still relaxed because I really wanted to delay my leave so I could receive first my salary for the month of February. (Note: Very much earlier I had an agreement with my wife that she would send me a telegram saying that my Father is sick so I can file a Special Leave. So when I received the telegram I even answered her back complaining why she telegram me so early when I am still waiting for my February salary). If possible I also wanted to bring home my HB (Hanap-Buhay ) from Skyline Hotel.
On February 19th, 1979 I received a second telegram which was as urgent as the first. I called up my cousin Gelis, who confirmed that my father indeed was very sick and is confined at the hospital
At the Health Management Board I met a certain Bidemi Tijarni who tried his best to help but he got so excited to the point of irritating the Executive Officer, Mrs. Bologan who endorsed my application to the Ministry of the Establishment. I was told that that I was not eligible for the Special Leave because in as far as the Nigerian Government was concerned my father was not my relative.
At any rate I was successful in convincing the Administrator, Miss Young, who taught me what to do. So I submitted a second application, now for free passage which I should have included in my first had someone advised me what was right to do.
It was again frozen at the Secretary’s office for a few days and this time I was getting really impatient. I already wanted to take Mr. Owolabi’s offer to pay for my ticket. At about this time I was also trying to convince Mr. Odunsi, the Manager of the Skyline Hotel to lend me money so I could go. After several days he gave me but only 200 Naira.
On February 23 I was able to sweet talk the Secretary who listened to my problem. He endorsed my second application to Mrs. Bologan who was still annoyed so I was told to come back Monday, February 26th.
That Monday I was full of hope but my file was misplaced and it took Mr. Lawal more than three hours to locate it. When finally Mrs. Bologan made the endorsement to the Ministry of the Establishment it was already 3:15 p.m., closing time. I was told to come the next day.
February 27th was fruitful because Miss Young quickly endorsed my application back to the Health Management Board. The Secretary’s receptionist whom I earlier fascinated with my origami art, helped me and in the absence of the Secretary it was endorsed for processing by the
Assistant Secretary.
This time the Executive Officer was calm and helpful because earlier in the morning I placed some origami art on her table. Letters to the following were finished this day.
1. To the accountant General for Air Warrant.
2. To the Immigration Office for re-entry permit.
3. To the Central Bank for foreign exchange.
The things that followed were tiresome (see February 28 Diary).
On March 1st, while Noriel was booking my flight I did the following :
1. Immigration Office
a. Met Olu Owosiyan who brought me to
b. Joel Allebo – who took my file then to
c. Mr. Mohamed Bello who stamped the re-entry permit.
2. Nursing School to endorse my Salary to my bank but I was a day too late. It was endorsed yesterday for the month of March.
3. To Standard Bank of Nigeria to buy Traveler’s check just to be told that I was not eligible because I was not a Nigerian resident.
4. Back to the Immigration for confirmation but Mr. Bello said GO means Government Official and the lady in the bank should know this. It was already closing time when she finally made it just after I presented her several origami pieces.
March 2, 1919: Today that I am writing this I am scheduled to leave thru Alitalia at 11:30 p.m. but look at what happened.
1. Morning I went to Standard Bank of Nigeria. I got the traveler’s check at 9:00 a.m.
2. Went to Alitalia for confirmation, just to be told that Italy was on strike and ”the flight tonight is cancelled”.
3. Went to Vic who accompanied me to Tapawa Bolewa.
4. Met Engr.Villaneva who helped me book my ticket to Nigerian Air ways scheduled to fly on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
5.
March 3, 1979: Fred Flores broke to me the sad news that my father died already last February 21st and was buried last February 25th.
I pray to God for his soul and also that I be allowed to go home smoothly as scheduled, tomorrow.
Another interesting thing happened last night. While I was packing my things I accidentally broke the arm of my eye-glasses. I recalled that I brought with me one extra pair of eye-glasses but it went with the air cargo I sent yesterday so I had to go and look for a new frame. The cheapest costs me 40 Naira, which is exactly the amount left in my wallet because I was told I should have from 40 to 50 Naira in my pocket before I go for airport expenses. So I paid for the new frame the last Naira I have and resort ed in borrowing 50 Naira from Dra. Gillego.
I just hope that these uncertainties will all end up tonight as I am writing this so that tomorrow when I wake up I will be feeling good until I arrive home.
Mach 4, 1979: Today, I am scheduled to fly to Rome at 12:30 p.m. I almost didn’t sleep last night, apprehensive about my trip. The thought of seeing Rome and then going home to my love ones makes me restless.
Last night, Dr. and Mrs. Tunggol (Joey and Dinah) visited me. They requested that should I chance to meet any of their relatives “Please don’t tell the truth about life in Lagos because they will surely worry”. The couple is also planning a way by which they can leave the country.
My going home, according to Dra. Dionisio is very demoralizing, because she knows that I am not coming back. She also wants to leave Lagos but as of now cannot yet find a way out. Everybody wants a way out but no one is really telling the truth to their relatives just the way I also didn’t tell the truth in my letters. I just wrote the good news.
I attended the Holy Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral at 6:30 a.m. At 7:30 a.m. when I arrived at JA’ International Hotel, Engr. Villanueva, Dra. Nazaretbh and Vic Matunding were there already because they thought I was leaving at 10:30 a.m.
After breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Engr. Villanueva, Dra. Nazareth and I went directly to the airport. Vic couldn’t join because of a very important appointment.
When we arrived at the airport, Dr. Nestor Reyes was there as well as Dra. Gallego and her brother Tikboy’s family. Then came also Dr. and Mrs. Tunggol.
I was almost apprehended by the police when we had picture taken because I didn’t know that it was prohibited to take pictures.
At 11:00 a.m. I was completely checked-in. Thanks to Engr. Villanueva’s help.
I felt somewhat lonely traveling alone and thinking of my father’s death but just the thought of home gives me strength and hope.
The plane was delayed. Take-off at 1:14 p.m. It was a lonely flight. Most of the passengers were Nigerians and very unruly. I wasn’t feeling so good either with diarrhea, headache due to so many sleepless nights plus the efforts I exerted in following my papers.
Break was served at 1:30 p.m., 2:25 p.m. – touch down at Kano Airport, 3:07 p.m. left Kano Air port. Thanks God I saw a Filipino. He is Dr. Ison from Baudin State, also going home to the Philippines. 7:20 p.m. arrived at Rome Air port. It is good that Dr. Ison was with me because without him things would have been so hard for me.
I recalled that portion of the song I Believe which says: “I believe for anyone who goes astray, someone will come to show the way”. That “someone” came to me in the persons of Engr.Villaneva and Dr. Ison.
We were accommodated at Satelite Hotel in Rome. Me, at room 303 and Dr. Ison at room 304. The Hotel is ok. 4 Stars by Philippine standard except that my room was not furnished with television set…
Tomorrow I am going to the air port to confirm my connecting flight to Manila then I am planning to join a guided tour in the afternoon so that on Tuesday I could go around to buy souvenirs and other “pasalubongs”.
I was told that it is not safe to roam around this city at night so I just stayed here in the hotel.
March 5, 1979: This morning I went to the Airport and confirmed my flight tomorrow. It is also good that I inquired about my baggage because all the time it was checked in Lagos direct to Manila but I saw the tag in my ticket is only up to Rome. I was able t o get my luggage.
This afternoon I toured the Vatican City in a Limousine car. I have pictures taken at St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, The Church of St. Paul, the ruins of the Coliseum and the famous “3 coins fountain”
I bought some souvenir items and chocolate for the children
People here are very pleasant to look-at. They are like living mannequins and walking dolls. But the new City of Rome outside the Vatican is not as clean as Paris. I am thankful I have this chance to see Rome.
March 6, 1979:
Wake up early because I am scheduled to fly at 7:50 p.m. I am so eager to be back home. The winter cold that I am experiencing at the moments reminds me of Tagaytay.
I’ve got to check-out before 12:00 noon or I’ll be charge $33.00 more. As of now I am already paying extra $33.00 because the 24 hour free hotel accommodation c/o Nigerian Air ways is al ready consumed.
Life her is very expensive but it is worth experiencing and worth remembering for a life time. Back home I don’t know yet what I will do but I am not planning to return to Nigeria for the following reasons:
1. The income and the inconveniences are not worth leaving the family behind.
2. The attitude of the Nigerian Doctors towards the Expatriate medical officers is not very encouraging.
3. The possibility of being afflicted by the Nigerian (African diseases) is not very remote.
4. The possible side-effects of the return to the Civilian Rule is not a joke. It is very real.
5. What happened in Iran may also happen in Nigeria.
I wonder why so many delays have to happen during my trip home. I was at t he airport at 2:00 p.m., checked in at 5:00 p.m. just to be told that PAL will be delayed until 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Dr. Ison was able to fly by Singapore Airline. At the Airport I met Josie Borbon, wife of an Italian who is coming home to visit her family; two Baby Sitters from Barcelona and a Seaman from Yugoslav, Ferdie. We became instant “barkada” when stranded.
I paid another $75:00 for extra baggage. Now we are accommodated at Midas Hotel c/o PAL. This Hotel is much better than Satelite Hotel and I was surprised to find so many Filipinos.
The room is bigger and fully carpeted but also not provided with T .V. set. We were served Hamburger, mashed potato plus fruits: bananas, apples, pears and oranges,
I pray to God that tomorrow things will go on smoothly. I did not do an overseas call because I know my wife would inquire from PAL and she would be told of the delay.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
THE EYO MASQUERADE FESTIVAL
THE EYO MASQUERADE FESTIVAL
(From my Nigerian Diary: 16 Dec. 78)
Today is the beginning of Christmas season way back home. It will be announced by the peeling of church bells and the marching of brass bands around town to start the nine days “misa de aguinaldo” or 9 days dawn masses. I’ll surely miss it but here in Lagos Island, Nigeria in Africa another thing is going on right before my eyes. The EYO Masquerade Festival.
This used to be an annual festival called the ADAMO ORISHA PLAY
in memory of the late chief AMODO TIJANI OLUWA. This is a traditional honor to the worthy departed citizens of Lagos, Nigeria but lately it is being celebrated only once every three or four year s since there was an incident of tragic death resulting from the beatings incurred in connection with the ritual.
From random interviews that I conducted and from personal observations, I was able to fish out some stories about the festival. I was on duty last night and from the windows of Massey Street Children’s Hospital I keenly observed the activities that went on.
ASDAMA ORISHA, the Premier Eyo celebration is supposed to leave the tradition AGODO by 6:am for the OBA’s Palace to pay homage there but as early as 11:00 p.m. last night groups of young boys were already noisily walking down Massey Street with sticks about as big as a regular coconut stalk. They were all preparing for the festival. It seems that they didn’t sleep last night at all for I could hear the marching, the chunking and the shouting till I got out of bed at 4:00 a.m.
I was greatly fascinated when I saw them coming out from all corners dressed in immaculate white from head to foot with hats like the ones used by cowboys, covered by thin, soft-flowing veils in order to hide their faces. They were all carrying big sticks that they used in beating passers-by. Some beatings are friendly but others really hurt .
Someone told me that they were supposed to beat or whip only those who are wearing shoes and hats but another say it is the other way around, meaning those who are not wearing shoes and hats. A lady reminded me not to smoke as they would beat me even inside the ambulance if they see me. I haven’t talk to any true authority on the matter but I saw several people barefooted while holding their shoes.
I was scared when someone from a moving taxi shouted “Doctor, go far away quickly”. Whoever he was must have been my patient and wanted to protect me from harm. Every now and then when the Ambulance slowed down they will surround us while shouting words and pointing their sticks to my face as if ready to break the window glass of the ambulance.
In fairness, in big groups the EYOS are a sight to behold. They look like a mob of Virgin Marries with St. Joseph’s sticks. I noticed two pictures on their hats. One is that of the Festival President while the other one is that of Lagos’ Chief according to Dyango, the ambulance driver who continuously provides me with information along the way.
Their uniforms costs 50 Naira each and some has as many as four pieces because the moment the uniform gathers dirt the participant has to change as he has to appear pure and clean during the day.
I was told that no less than 20 Chieftaincy families are participating. I wish I could take pictures and make more observations but for fear of being beaten accidentally or purposely by them I decided to stay at the Hotel and wait for news items the following day..
Surprisingly not even a line was written on the news about the Big Eyo Festival the following day.
At Casualty Hospital alone, 2 persons were bought in dead as a result of severe beatings, two had their hands amputated and around 30 are seriously affected, all victims of EYO beaters.
At Massey Street even children and pregnant women were beaten as well as nurses crossing the street from the out-patient to the in-patient department .
(From my Nigerian Diary: 16 Dec. 78)
Today is the beginning of Christmas season way back home. It will be announced by the peeling of church bells and the marching of brass bands around town to start the nine days “misa de aguinaldo” or 9 days dawn masses. I’ll surely miss it but here in Lagos Island, Nigeria in Africa another thing is going on right before my eyes. The EYO Masquerade Festival.
This used to be an annual festival called the ADAMO ORISHA PLAY
in memory of the late chief AMODO TIJANI OLUWA. This is a traditional honor to the worthy departed citizens of Lagos, Nigeria but lately it is being celebrated only once every three or four year s since there was an incident of tragic death resulting from the beatings incurred in connection with the ritual.
From random interviews that I conducted and from personal observations, I was able to fish out some stories about the festival. I was on duty last night and from the windows of Massey Street Children’s Hospital I keenly observed the activities that went on.
ASDAMA ORISHA, the Premier Eyo celebration is supposed to leave the tradition AGODO by 6:am for the OBA’s Palace to pay homage there but as early as 11:00 p.m. last night groups of young boys were already noisily walking down Massey Street with sticks about as big as a regular coconut stalk. They were all preparing for the festival. It seems that they didn’t sleep last night at all for I could hear the marching, the chunking and the shouting till I got out of bed at 4:00 a.m.
I was greatly fascinated when I saw them coming out from all corners dressed in immaculate white from head to foot with hats like the ones used by cowboys, covered by thin, soft-flowing veils in order to hide their faces. They were all carrying big sticks that they used in beating passers-by. Some beatings are friendly but others really hurt .
Someone told me that they were supposed to beat or whip only those who are wearing shoes and hats but another say it is the other way around, meaning those who are not wearing shoes and hats. A lady reminded me not to smoke as they would beat me even inside the ambulance if they see me. I haven’t talk to any true authority on the matter but I saw several people barefooted while holding their shoes.
I was scared when someone from a moving taxi shouted “Doctor, go far away quickly”. Whoever he was must have been my patient and wanted to protect me from harm. Every now and then when the Ambulance slowed down they will surround us while shouting words and pointing their sticks to my face as if ready to break the window glass of the ambulance.
In fairness, in big groups the EYOS are a sight to behold. They look like a mob of Virgin Marries with St. Joseph’s sticks. I noticed two pictures on their hats. One is that of the Festival President while the other one is that of Lagos’ Chief according to Dyango, the ambulance driver who continuously provides me with information along the way.
Their uniforms costs 50 Naira each and some has as many as four pieces because the moment the uniform gathers dirt the participant has to change as he has to appear pure and clean during the day.
I was told that no less than 20 Chieftaincy families are participating. I wish I could take pictures and make more observations but for fear of being beaten accidentally or purposely by them I decided to stay at the Hotel and wait for news items the following day..
Surprisingly not even a line was written on the news about the Big Eyo Festival the following day.
At Casualty Hospital alone, 2 persons were bought in dead as a result of severe beatings, two had their hands amputated and around 30 are seriously affected, all victims of EYO beaters.
At Massey Street even children and pregnant women were beaten as well as nurses crossing the street from the out-patient to the in-patient department .
Friday, September 19, 2008
SA HARDIN GAUDOM
SA HARDIN GAUDOM
Uwak ang sigaw
Uwak din ang tugon
Nagkaunawaan
Ang dalawang ibon
Kulay dilaw kulay pula
Kulay puti
at iba pa
puro sila gumamela
bulaklak na
magaganda
Rosas at bongabilya
Cactus na iba-iba
Puro tinik
Ang kasama
Bantay nila tuwina
Matatangkad na puno
Walang mga sanga
Mataas ding puno
puro naman sanga
May marupok may matibay
Lahat namumunga
Bakit kaya bawa’t puno’y
Ibang-iba sa iba?
Masasayang maiingay
Minsan nama’y nag-aaway
Mga ‘driver’ na naghihintay
Ng pasaherong sasakay
Sa harap ng hardin ko’y
Mga bantay
Araw-araw
Kakainip ang mag-hintay
Ang hintayin ay hirap din
Naghihintay at hinintay
Sa wakes
Ay nag katagpo rin
Amoy ng tao at hayop na mabantot
At maangot
Sinasamyo ng halaman
Upang sila
Ay lumusog
Mga singaw ng halaman
Ay sinasanghap ng hayop
At ng tao
Upang manatiling
malusog
isang uri ng bigayang
tunay na nakalulugod.
Humihiging ang bubuyog
Humahalinghing ang langaw
Tuko’y humuhuni
Na tila nagsasagutan
Tumitilaok ang manok
Aso’y nagtatakinan
Iba’t ibang tunog
Masarap pakinggan
Pumapatak ang ujlan
May bugso ng hangin
Parang may bantang bagyo
Ay darating
Marami na naman
Ang kalat
Sa hardin
Tumataba naman ang
Lupang nasiil
Umiirit sumisigaw
Tumatakbo
Masasaya
Mga batang sa hardin ko’y
namamasyal
masisigla malilikot
kay sarap
ng buhay
Salamat po
Paalam na
Meron kaming natutuhan
Sa inyong hardin
‘di namin malilimutan
Halaman hayop
tao’t Diyos
sama-sama
isa lamang
Uwak ang sigaw
Uwak din ang tugon
Nagkaunawaan
Ang dalawang ibon
Kulay dilaw kulay pula
Kulay puti
at iba pa
puro sila gumamela
bulaklak na
magaganda
Rosas at bongabilya
Cactus na iba-iba
Puro tinik
Ang kasama
Bantay nila tuwina
Matatangkad na puno
Walang mga sanga
Mataas ding puno
puro naman sanga
May marupok may matibay
Lahat namumunga
Bakit kaya bawa’t puno’y
Ibang-iba sa iba?
Masasayang maiingay
Minsan nama’y nag-aaway
Mga ‘driver’ na naghihintay
Ng pasaherong sasakay
Sa harap ng hardin ko’y
Mga bantay
Araw-araw
Kakainip ang mag-hintay
Ang hintayin ay hirap din
Naghihintay at hinintay
Sa wakes
Ay nag katagpo rin
Amoy ng tao at hayop na mabantot
At maangot
Sinasamyo ng halaman
Upang sila
Ay lumusog
Mga singaw ng halaman
Ay sinasanghap ng hayop
At ng tao
Upang manatiling
malusog
isang uri ng bigayang
tunay na nakalulugod.
Humihiging ang bubuyog
Humahalinghing ang langaw
Tuko’y humuhuni
Na tila nagsasagutan
Tumitilaok ang manok
Aso’y nagtatakinan
Iba’t ibang tunog
Masarap pakinggan
Pumapatak ang ujlan
May bugso ng hangin
Parang may bantang bagyo
Ay darating
Marami na naman
Ang kalat
Sa hardin
Tumataba naman ang
Lupang nasiil
Umiirit sumisigaw
Tumatakbo
Masasaya
Mga batang sa hardin ko’y
namamasyal
masisigla malilikot
kay sarap
ng buhay
Salamat po
Paalam na
Meron kaming natutuhan
Sa inyong hardin
‘di namin malilimutan
Halaman hayop
tao’t Diyos
sama-sama
isa lamang
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
BABEL TOWER'S CONFUSIONS
BABEL TOWER'S CONFUSION
One day in Paradise while Adam was busy naming the animals, Eve suddenly inquired: “Why did you call that one hippopotamus?” Adam quickly replied: “Because in every way it looks like a hippopotamus, don’t you see?”
Since then aside from animals, things and all that they saw around were given names. There was a term for everything. People learned to understand one another but up to now the hippopotamus is still called as such but the new technology and the new generation are forcing the terms to be very confusing.
It seems as if both the new technology and the new generation are so mad at those who lived earlier like the senior citizens that even those considered intellectuals are suddenly considered illiterate. I was somehow hurt when my son told me I was computer illiterate.
Of course I was and who senior citizen won’t be illiterate? He told me to see the Menu, so I thought he wanted to eat as it was only in eating places where I saw Menus. He laughed as if I was the funniest joke.
Hardware to me was the corner store for construction materials and I thought software referred to plastic wares. I used to prescribe drugs during my halcyon days but now drugs are confiscated and people using drugs are imprisoned. I realized a bit too late that drugs now mean another thing and are always associated with addicts.
While my mother used pot for cooking, now they have pot sessions without my old mother’s soothed pot.
PC to me was Philippines Constabulary but they borrowed it to own a Personal Computer. So, fluffy disc, flash disc and other discs are not discs after all.
There used to be a time when OK meant all right and all right meant correct. This day ask a boy who failed the exams how he feels and will proudly say “OK lang”. Ask a girl left by his boyfriend how she is and with bright smile she will respond “Ok lang”. So OK now means it is all right t o fail or it is correct to be abandoned.
It was not too long ago when only women wear earrings but now take a good look at our young men. They decorate not only their ears but also their noses and their tongues. Never mind the maze of tattoos all over their bodies.
Rock then describes a kind of stone, not the kind of “noisy music” we now have. Trip then was when we go outing, unlike now when it means drugging.
This time a good father could be lecturing to a son about entering a relationship while the son is already bragging coming out again from his latest relationship simply because they didn’t like the same soup or the same drink.
I wonder what else are coming to town other than Santa Clause. There are already too many beauty creams and hair shampoos to make women beautiful. Every popular star is endorsing her favorite. Plastic surgeons are left and right but wrinkles are still common and so are forcibly stretched skin making the “lady” look like a wax statuette with a permanent smile. Boobs are now like inverted buttocks planted on a woman’s chest… and they are proud of them or else they won’t keep on protruding them more and more
Drug supplements are all over all kinds of counters and shelves claiming no approved therapeutic use, yet, they sell like hotcakes. Giant Tarpaulins are exhibiting so many exhibitionists endorsing this and that along highways and avenues and ‘callejons’. I first thought that Tarpaulin was a pretty girl’s name.
Cremation is not only ordinary practice now for ashes are now converted to pendants and other forms of jewelries to be divided among the heirs of the diseased.
Cancer is fast becoming a status symbol, so much so that everybody who is somebody has a diagnosed cancer in some parts of the body and who cares about the cost of treatment? While anybody who is nobody died of malnutrition if not victim of calamities after selling their organs for transplantation to the rich and famous.
If you are old and well-to-do you will soon be afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease because they cannot afford to be “uliyanin” or be back to their childhood.
Worst of all the new cell phone lingo and text grammar could be a modern Tower of Babel confusing language that will eventually break nations when different nationals can no longer LOL or ROFL coz dey smply cnt w8t a bit l8tr or hv 4g10 to say muwah n BTW I wl TTYL-
One day in Paradise while Adam was busy naming the animals, Eve suddenly inquired: “Why did you call that one hippopotamus?” Adam quickly replied: “Because in every way it looks like a hippopotamus, don’t you see?”
Since then aside from animals, things and all that they saw around were given names. There was a term for everything. People learned to understand one another but up to now the hippopotamus is still called as such but the new technology and the new generation are forcing the terms to be very confusing.
It seems as if both the new technology and the new generation are so mad at those who lived earlier like the senior citizens that even those considered intellectuals are suddenly considered illiterate. I was somehow hurt when my son told me I was computer illiterate.
Of course I was and who senior citizen won’t be illiterate? He told me to see the Menu, so I thought he wanted to eat as it was only in eating places where I saw Menus. He laughed as if I was the funniest joke.
Hardware to me was the corner store for construction materials and I thought software referred to plastic wares. I used to prescribe drugs during my halcyon days but now drugs are confiscated and people using drugs are imprisoned. I realized a bit too late that drugs now mean another thing and are always associated with addicts.
While my mother used pot for cooking, now they have pot sessions without my old mother’s soothed pot.
PC to me was Philippines Constabulary but they borrowed it to own a Personal Computer. So, fluffy disc, flash disc and other discs are not discs after all.
There used to be a time when OK meant all right and all right meant correct. This day ask a boy who failed the exams how he feels and will proudly say “OK lang”. Ask a girl left by his boyfriend how she is and with bright smile she will respond “Ok lang”. So OK now means it is all right t o fail or it is correct to be abandoned.
It was not too long ago when only women wear earrings but now take a good look at our young men. They decorate not only their ears but also their noses and their tongues. Never mind the maze of tattoos all over their bodies.
Rock then describes a kind of stone, not the kind of “noisy music” we now have. Trip then was when we go outing, unlike now when it means drugging.
This time a good father could be lecturing to a son about entering a relationship while the son is already bragging coming out again from his latest relationship simply because they didn’t like the same soup or the same drink.
I wonder what else are coming to town other than Santa Clause. There are already too many beauty creams and hair shampoos to make women beautiful. Every popular star is endorsing her favorite. Plastic surgeons are left and right but wrinkles are still common and so are forcibly stretched skin making the “lady” look like a wax statuette with a permanent smile. Boobs are now like inverted buttocks planted on a woman’s chest… and they are proud of them or else they won’t keep on protruding them more and more
Drug supplements are all over all kinds of counters and shelves claiming no approved therapeutic use, yet, they sell like hotcakes. Giant Tarpaulins are exhibiting so many exhibitionists endorsing this and that along highways and avenues and ‘callejons’. I first thought that Tarpaulin was a pretty girl’s name.
Cremation is not only ordinary practice now for ashes are now converted to pendants and other forms of jewelries to be divided among the heirs of the diseased.
Cancer is fast becoming a status symbol, so much so that everybody who is somebody has a diagnosed cancer in some parts of the body and who cares about the cost of treatment? While anybody who is nobody died of malnutrition if not victim of calamities after selling their organs for transplantation to the rich and famous.
If you are old and well-to-do you will soon be afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease because they cannot afford to be “uliyanin” or be back to their childhood.
Worst of all the new cell phone lingo and text grammar could be a modern Tower of Babel confusing language that will eventually break nations when different nationals can no longer LOL or ROFL coz dey smply cnt w8t a bit l8tr or hv 4g10 to say muwah n BTW I wl TTYL-
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
WHEN A DAY MOVES AHEAD
WHEN A DAY MOVES AHEAD
When tomorrow becomes today, today becomes yesterday and yesterday becomes part of history… things go on in a very different manner.
A day passes-by, a new day is born, and life suddenly turns very, very interesting. We regret for the things we failed to do, for the things we didn’t learn, for the things we forgot to share. They are all gone now. There is no miraculous way of retrieving them back.
The new days are offering new gifts, new visions, new ideas, and new blessings. Let us not be tied to the past. Let history be a dignified record of our unintended follies and accidental successes, for the new day is inviting us to new challenges, new ventures, new missions, new pictures to paint to become new memories and new pages in history when the present tomorrow again becomes today for a new cycle when everyone again leaves a yesterday to history.
Come to think of it. The cycle of life is so intriguing but so real that must be respected. Everything else on life has a cycle. Water flows, evaporates, condenses, solidifies, liquefies, fall as rains and flows again no matter how devastating it does along the way.
Plants are living, animals are living, humans are living so, what makes them different? Plant lives but is fixed to its place. Plants die in the spot where they live. Animals eat them – from their fruits to their roots they are eaten. Then they are digested to become nutritious parts of the animals that ate them. That way plants become free and can now move through the animals that digested them.
Animals live and move and so are the human beings. What makes them different? Animals only move around their pastures or when they are guided and only humans who are rational can effectively guide them.
Like the animals that eat plants, humans also eat cooked or uncooked animal meats. They are digested and become nutrients that support the metabolisms of human beings to continue existing. Now with the human being, both plants and animals still live and can now move and reason out through man.
We all know most of all that God lives and moves and reasons but God doesn’t eat man the way animals eat plants and man eats animals. He is All Powerful, All Knowing and for man to be like Him, man must die and his soul returns to God who gave it to him anyway.
Now, everything… plants, animals and humans all live and move and reason and turn all knowing through Him who started it all when He first said: “There must be light!" And that light reminds us that we must live today since yesterday is gone and tomorrow is still nowhere. Let us cherish today before it becomes yesterday…
When tomorrow becomes today, today becomes yesterday and yesterday becomes part of history… things go on in a very different manner.
A day passes-by, a new day is born, and life suddenly turns very, very interesting. We regret for the things we failed to do, for the things we didn’t learn, for the things we forgot to share. They are all gone now. There is no miraculous way of retrieving them back.
The new days are offering new gifts, new visions, new ideas, and new blessings. Let us not be tied to the past. Let history be a dignified record of our unintended follies and accidental successes, for the new day is inviting us to new challenges, new ventures, new missions, new pictures to paint to become new memories and new pages in history when the present tomorrow again becomes today for a new cycle when everyone again leaves a yesterday to history.
Come to think of it. The cycle of life is so intriguing but so real that must be respected. Everything else on life has a cycle. Water flows, evaporates, condenses, solidifies, liquefies, fall as rains and flows again no matter how devastating it does along the way.
Plants are living, animals are living, humans are living so, what makes them different? Plant lives but is fixed to its place. Plants die in the spot where they live. Animals eat them – from their fruits to their roots they are eaten. Then they are digested to become nutritious parts of the animals that ate them. That way plants become free and can now move through the animals that digested them.
Animals live and move and so are the human beings. What makes them different? Animals only move around their pastures or when they are guided and only humans who are rational can effectively guide them.
Like the animals that eat plants, humans also eat cooked or uncooked animal meats. They are digested and become nutrients that support the metabolisms of human beings to continue existing. Now with the human being, both plants and animals still live and can now move and reason out through man.
We all know most of all that God lives and moves and reasons but God doesn’t eat man the way animals eat plants and man eats animals. He is All Powerful, All Knowing and for man to be like Him, man must die and his soul returns to God who gave it to him anyway.
Now, everything… plants, animals and humans all live and move and reason and turn all knowing through Him who started it all when He first said: “There must be light!" And that light reminds us that we must live today since yesterday is gone and tomorrow is still nowhere. Let us cherish today before it becomes yesterday…
Monday, September 15, 2008
LOCAL TERMINOLOGIES IN ALFOSNO
N. LOCAL TERMINOLOGIES IN ALFONSO
1. AHOY – a very common expression used in ordinary conversation. Ex: “Ikaw
ahoy…”
2. KATALAMITAM (also KAALIASUD, KAAL-AL, KAMATI-MATI, KADAKDAK, KAALAM) – always
involving oneself.
3. TUGA (also GIGI, GALGAL) – very lousy; stupid
4. PANDARAWISAW – pertaining to the male sex organ
5. AMPIYAS – rain showers entering windows
6. SINSAY – to change route and stop-by for a while.
7. PANGHILOD – rough stone used when taking a bath.
8. SINGKARA – an expression of superlative.
9. BASAYSAY – slang of bahay, meaning house.
10. HIRAT – an expression of joy upon others misfortune or failure.
11. KABALYAS - a kind of shoulder bag used by farmers.
12. PIRAIT – pressed between two hard objects.
13. HALARUKAY – carelessly roaming around.
14. KATINGOT – a very small piece.
15. BUYANGKAD – careless sitting position.
16. SAMUUL – to put a big thing in the mouth.
17. PURUNGGO – broken pieces of glass or porcelain.
18. BARAKA – a market place.
19. BUSILIG – slang for the eyes.
20. GULAMUT – slang for the hand.
21. KUKUTI - slang for the head.
22. ALIK-IK – a funny suppressed laughter.
23. MATANGAS – sarcastic.
24. ALIBUYBUYIN – attracts many lovers.
25. LATOK – low-legged table.
26. KARIMUT – running very fast.
27. BURARA – messy.
28. ALIPARU – butterfly.
29. PIRINGKUT – crushed.
30. ARMITI – to take care.
31. TUKATUK – sleepy.
32. SIG-IK – pressed in a crowd; very limited space.
33. KALAY – very lazy.
34. ALIBADBAD – nauseated.
35. GURDU – to disturb.
36. HILIM – seriously ill.
37. NATALDAHAN – gratified with shame.
38. HILATA – lying down.
39. BURA – a wedding.
40. ULBU – pig case.
41. BALANGAW – rainbow
42. GUYAM – ant
43. SWIKOS – wooden shoe
44. ALIPORES – follower
45. BULINDASIN – temperamental
46. UKUYABIT – to climb
47. SAGUNSUN – to fetch
48. DUSUNG – coward
49. PUSAW – stagnant water
50. BULIGAW – confused
51. PANSAW – to wade
52. PULAW – vigil
53. TIBAW – 9t day of death
54. ISTIMA – entertain
55. GARUTAY – flirt
56. HINAW – to wash
57. BAYNAT – recurrence of illness
58. MATUBAL – very dirty
59. ANTIWAS – dangling
60. HIMAD – slow moving
61. ADA – lousy/stupid
62. BURINGO – earthbound entity
63. PIRITAY – a fairy wearing red
64. BIBINGA – broken pieces of porcelain
65. PULI – insistent (makulit)
66. NAKAKAANI – expression of dissatisfaction
67. KASILYAS – toilet
68. ‘SANG KATERBA – big quantity
69. MIL-AK, MIL-AK – millions
70. LIBAN – to step over; pass through
71. TAGULAYLAY – scandalous act of crying
72. TALANDI – flirty girl or woman
73. HALIPAROT – jerky and flirty woman
74. BISA – to kiss the hands the Alfonso way
75. KILO (LIKO) – curved
76. UTO (BILYON) – easily fooled, deranged
77. ALAK-ALAKAN – back of the knee
78. KABILANIN – cannot easily adjust
79. BUGNOT – hot-tempered
80. HINTUTUBING – dragon fly
81. TULIRO – dizzy
82. BARIBAT – mentally unstable
83. TUNGGO – doing nothing
84. KALIKAW – uneasy hands
85. TALAK (ARAK) – talking very loud
86. BUTURIN – distended belly
87. ULILI – dizzy
88. INGOD – to pout
89. HAGUNOT – loud whizzing sound
90. URIKIT – nervously confused
91. URIPOL – spending unreasonably
92. KADAMPILYAN – same company
93. LAPANAT – shouting forcibly
94. BANDOY – moronic
95. HANGOS – rascal
96. BARASUBAS – bad man/swindler
97. AY AWAN – I don’t know
98. NAKAKAANO – who cares
99. NAKAKASORA – disliking someone
100. TINGKAYAD – squatting position
101. NGIMAY – numb
102. MAALIS-IS – warm and humid
103. SIKMAT – scolding style
104. BALISBISAN – side of the house
105. SANGKALAN – low stool/chopping board
106. SARAMPIYON – measles
107. TUNGAYAW – cursing
108. BUNGISNGIS – laughs easily
109. KALAARAT – forceful talking
110. ULAHIPAN – centipede
111. KAURUPUT – in company
112. KAPIRANGGOT – very small
113. SUMISIBOL – finger infection
114. SINISIRINGGI – convincing forcibly
115. KAM-AW – a clay container
116. BANG-AW – out of his mind
117. BALISAWSAW – dysuria
118. HIMIMINGOT – an insect that stings
119. SILAB – fire/burning trash
120. KURKULA – estimate
121. IYAIS – infection of the underarms
122. PURIL – stunted growth
123. LASMID (ISMID) – frowning
124. MINAMANTAK – can you imagine/
125. ISISI (ISALYA) – pushed quickly with force
126. MALAROY – very soft
127. KAAPUNGOT – included in talks
128. KAHALIDUTDUT – including oneself
129. AGIHAP – mycotic facial infection
130. NANGANGAPA-NGAPA – trying to find the way
131. BARAMBAW – a fool
132. ANTAY – wait
133. HIYAW – shout
134. NAPAGDISKITAHAN – a suspect
135. ANDUT – offering forcefully
136. TUNGKAB – removed badly from
137. UG-UG – to shake a branch
138. SINGAW – mouth sore
139. KARIPAS – running very fast
140. SAGALSAL – noisy flowing
141. ULA (WALA) – NONE
142. TINGKORAW – let me see
143. MATUMAL – few buyers
144. KULINGGI – to play with
145. PUGALSAK – carefree
146. HITAD – flirt
147. SANDUNDU – under the care of
148. URABA – to climb (UKUYABIT)
149. BIYABIT – carrying carelessly
150. LABINIT – using strong force
151. TAGUKTUK – sounds of walking
152. KUNSINTI – tolerate
153. SAGUNSUN – to fetch
154. KULUNTOY – dehydrated looking
155. HIRIKLAT – strectched outwards
156. SUKANOT – frowning
157. LAPIRAT – too soft and spreading
158. LAHIHI – irresponsibly shy
159. LAIRA – tolerating a mess
160. UGAGA – incapable of order
161. URIRAT – inquiry
162. SINAMBARGA – quickly carried away
163. SAMPILONG – slapping the face
164. ARINGKING – thrown farther away
165. TAYUD – square cloth for wrapping
166. NILAMIRAT – softened by hands
167. HALUNGKAT – finding between files
168. HALIKWAT – same as halungkat
169. BULATLAT – to search (BUTADTAD)
170. SAGISUD – heavy dragging walk
171. HILAHUD – one leg lagging behind
172. LAHOY – weeping of lesion
173. KUYAKOY – alternate leg movement
174. BUTIKTIKAN – too crowded
175. MAASKAD – unpalatable
176. ATUGAK – a loud crying
177. BINUBULYA – driving away
178. KINAKANTIW – prompting
179. KISIG – cramps
180. PUPULA-PULANDIT – jerky and carefree
181. SANG-UD – obstructed
182. HALIHAW – carelessly moving around
183. HAGUPHUP – swallowing with sounds
184. LUPALOP – slang for land
185. KURIRIT – very small, dwarfed
186. BUTINTING – toying on objects
187. HAGIKHIK – giggling
188. IRIT – panickly shouting
189. HINGASING – tired and panting
190. HARUBA – going around foolishly
191. KUBABAW – to on top
192. KUTABTAB – chilling
193. HIBAHIB – dead-tired
194. PILANDUT – comes out suddenly
195. PAGUKPUK – hammering sounds
196. SAGITSIT – frying sounds
197. YAMUYAM – the left over
198. LAGIBAS – no longer fresh
199. NGASAB – unethical chewing
200. KINUKURIBDIB – nervous
From the book TINGKORAW: Alfonso's History and Legend by jett e. avinante m.d.
1. AHOY – a very common expression used in ordinary conversation. Ex: “Ikaw
ahoy…”
2. KATALAMITAM (also KAALIASUD, KAAL-AL, KAMATI-MATI, KADAKDAK, KAALAM) – always
involving oneself.
3. TUGA (also GIGI, GALGAL) – very lousy; stupid
4. PANDARAWISAW – pertaining to the male sex organ
5. AMPIYAS – rain showers entering windows
6. SINSAY – to change route and stop-by for a while.
7. PANGHILOD – rough stone used when taking a bath.
8. SINGKARA – an expression of superlative.
9. BASAYSAY – slang of bahay, meaning house.
10. HIRAT – an expression of joy upon others misfortune or failure.
11. KABALYAS - a kind of shoulder bag used by farmers.
12. PIRAIT – pressed between two hard objects.
13. HALARUKAY – carelessly roaming around.
14. KATINGOT – a very small piece.
15. BUYANGKAD – careless sitting position.
16. SAMUUL – to put a big thing in the mouth.
17. PURUNGGO – broken pieces of glass or porcelain.
18. BARAKA – a market place.
19. BUSILIG – slang for the eyes.
20. GULAMUT – slang for the hand.
21. KUKUTI - slang for the head.
22. ALIK-IK – a funny suppressed laughter.
23. MATANGAS – sarcastic.
24. ALIBUYBUYIN – attracts many lovers.
25. LATOK – low-legged table.
26. KARIMUT – running very fast.
27. BURARA – messy.
28. ALIPARU – butterfly.
29. PIRINGKUT – crushed.
30. ARMITI – to take care.
31. TUKATUK – sleepy.
32. SIG-IK – pressed in a crowd; very limited space.
33. KALAY – very lazy.
34. ALIBADBAD – nauseated.
35. GURDU – to disturb.
36. HILIM – seriously ill.
37. NATALDAHAN – gratified with shame.
38. HILATA – lying down.
39. BURA – a wedding.
40. ULBU – pig case.
41. BALANGAW – rainbow
42. GUYAM – ant
43. SWIKOS – wooden shoe
44. ALIPORES – follower
45. BULINDASIN – temperamental
46. UKUYABIT – to climb
47. SAGUNSUN – to fetch
48. DUSUNG – coward
49. PUSAW – stagnant water
50. BULIGAW – confused
51. PANSAW – to wade
52. PULAW – vigil
53. TIBAW – 9t day of death
54. ISTIMA – entertain
55. GARUTAY – flirt
56. HINAW – to wash
57. BAYNAT – recurrence of illness
58. MATUBAL – very dirty
59. ANTIWAS – dangling
60. HIMAD – slow moving
61. ADA – lousy/stupid
62. BURINGO – earthbound entity
63. PIRITAY – a fairy wearing red
64. BIBINGA – broken pieces of porcelain
65. PULI – insistent (makulit)
66. NAKAKAANI – expression of dissatisfaction
67. KASILYAS – toilet
68. ‘SANG KATERBA – big quantity
69. MIL-AK, MIL-AK – millions
70. LIBAN – to step over; pass through
71. TAGULAYLAY – scandalous act of crying
72. TALANDI – flirty girl or woman
73. HALIPAROT – jerky and flirty woman
74. BISA – to kiss the hands the Alfonso way
75. KILO (LIKO) – curved
76. UTO (BILYON) – easily fooled, deranged
77. ALAK-ALAKAN – back of the knee
78. KABILANIN – cannot easily adjust
79. BUGNOT – hot-tempered
80. HINTUTUBING – dragon fly
81. TULIRO – dizzy
82. BARIBAT – mentally unstable
83. TUNGGO – doing nothing
84. KALIKAW – uneasy hands
85. TALAK (ARAK) – talking very loud
86. BUTURIN – distended belly
87. ULILI – dizzy
88. INGOD – to pout
89. HAGUNOT – loud whizzing sound
90. URIKIT – nervously confused
91. URIPOL – spending unreasonably
92. KADAMPILYAN – same company
93. LAPANAT – shouting forcibly
94. BANDOY – moronic
95. HANGOS – rascal
96. BARASUBAS – bad man/swindler
97. AY AWAN – I don’t know
98. NAKAKAANO – who cares
99. NAKAKASORA – disliking someone
100. TINGKAYAD – squatting position
101. NGIMAY – numb
102. MAALIS-IS – warm and humid
103. SIKMAT – scolding style
104. BALISBISAN – side of the house
105. SANGKALAN – low stool/chopping board
106. SARAMPIYON – measles
107. TUNGAYAW – cursing
108. BUNGISNGIS – laughs easily
109. KALAARAT – forceful talking
110. ULAHIPAN – centipede
111. KAURUPUT – in company
112. KAPIRANGGOT – very small
113. SUMISIBOL – finger infection
114. SINISIRINGGI – convincing forcibly
115. KAM-AW – a clay container
116. BANG-AW – out of his mind
117. BALISAWSAW – dysuria
118. HIMIMINGOT – an insect that stings
119. SILAB – fire/burning trash
120. KURKULA – estimate
121. IYAIS – infection of the underarms
122. PURIL – stunted growth
123. LASMID (ISMID) – frowning
124. MINAMANTAK – can you imagine/
125. ISISI (ISALYA) – pushed quickly with force
126. MALAROY – very soft
127. KAAPUNGOT – included in talks
128. KAHALIDUTDUT – including oneself
129. AGIHAP – mycotic facial infection
130. NANGANGAPA-NGAPA – trying to find the way
131. BARAMBAW – a fool
132. ANTAY – wait
133. HIYAW – shout
134. NAPAGDISKITAHAN – a suspect
135. ANDUT – offering forcefully
136. TUNGKAB – removed badly from
137. UG-UG – to shake a branch
138. SINGAW – mouth sore
139. KARIPAS – running very fast
140. SAGALSAL – noisy flowing
141. ULA (WALA) – NONE
142. TINGKORAW – let me see
143. MATUMAL – few buyers
144. KULINGGI – to play with
145. PUGALSAK – carefree
146. HITAD – flirt
147. SANDUNDU – under the care of
148. URABA – to climb (UKUYABIT)
149. BIYABIT – carrying carelessly
150. LABINIT – using strong force
151. TAGUKTUK – sounds of walking
152. KUNSINTI – tolerate
153. SAGUNSUN – to fetch
154. KULUNTOY – dehydrated looking
155. HIRIKLAT – strectched outwards
156. SUKANOT – frowning
157. LAPIRAT – too soft and spreading
158. LAHIHI – irresponsibly shy
159. LAIRA – tolerating a mess
160. UGAGA – incapable of order
161. URIRAT – inquiry
162. SINAMBARGA – quickly carried away
163. SAMPILONG – slapping the face
164. ARINGKING – thrown farther away
165. TAYUD – square cloth for wrapping
166. NILAMIRAT – softened by hands
167. HALUNGKAT – finding between files
168. HALIKWAT – same as halungkat
169. BULATLAT – to search (BUTADTAD)
170. SAGISUD – heavy dragging walk
171. HILAHUD – one leg lagging behind
172. LAHOY – weeping of lesion
173. KUYAKOY – alternate leg movement
174. BUTIKTIKAN – too crowded
175. MAASKAD – unpalatable
176. ATUGAK – a loud crying
177. BINUBULYA – driving away
178. KINAKANTIW – prompting
179. KISIG – cramps
180. PUPULA-PULANDIT – jerky and carefree
181. SANG-UD – obstructed
182. HALIHAW – carelessly moving around
183. HAGUPHUP – swallowing with sounds
184. LUPALOP – slang for land
185. KURIRIT – very small, dwarfed
186. BUTINTING – toying on objects
187. HAGIKHIK – giggling
188. IRIT – panickly shouting
189. HINGASING – tired and panting
190. HARUBA – going around foolishly
191. KUBABAW – to on top
192. KUTABTAB – chilling
193. HIBAHIB – dead-tired
194. PILANDUT – comes out suddenly
195. PAGUKPUK – hammering sounds
196. SAGITSIT – frying sounds
197. YAMUYAM – the left over
198. LAGIBAS – no longer fresh
199. NGASAB – unethical chewing
200. KINUKURIBDIB – nervous
From the book TINGKORAW: Alfonso's History and Legend by jett e. avinante m.d.
ANO, BAKIT, SAAN ANG PAG-IBIG?
ANO, BAKIT, SAAN ANG PAG-IBIG?
Ang pag-ibig ay mainit nguni’t laging nanlalamig;
Ang pag-ibig ay panalong laging talo’t nagigipit;
Ang pag-ibig ay totoong sinungaling na malimit;
Ang pag-ibig ay may sakit na lagi ring masigasig.
Ang pag-ibig ay matayog, abot ito hanggang langit;
Kapag bumagsak na tunay, sayad-lupa sa pagsisid.
Ang pag-ibig ay malawak kasing lapad ng daigdig;
‘Pag lipas ay kumikitid, kasing nipis ng sinulid.
Ang pag-ibig ay matapat na sa bulaan ay galit;
Pag-ibig ay kabuuan nguni’t saan ang pag-ibig?
Ang pag-ibig ay mainit nguni’t laging nanlalamig;
Ang pag-ibig ay panalong laging talo’t nagigipit;
Ang pag-ibig ay totoong sinungaling na malimit;
Ang pag-ibig ay may sakit na lagi ring masigasig.
Ang pag-ibig ay matayog, abot ito hanggang langit;
Kapag bumagsak na tunay, sayad-lupa sa pagsisid.
Ang pag-ibig ay malawak kasing lapad ng daigdig;
‘Pag lipas ay kumikitid, kasing nipis ng sinulid.
Ang pag-ibig ay matapat na sa bulaan ay galit;
Pag-ibig ay kabuuan nguni’t saan ang pag-ibig?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
BATANG DAMDAMIN
BATANG DAMDAMIN
Sa isang Botika, tindera’y maganda,
May binili ako’y mura ang halaga…
Aking itinanong kung bakit nagmura,
Sagot niya’y dahil ako’y matanda na.
Doon sa McDonald ako ay kumain,
Malaki ring bawas sa aking bayarin,
Bakit? Ang tanong ko, at sagot sa akin:
Kabilang na kayo sa “Senior Citizens”.
‘Di ako matanda, medyo ma-edad lang,
At may pagbabago na nararamdaman.
Ang binabasa ko’y lumiliit minsan;
May mga salitang ‘di maintindihan.
At natitiyak kong ang ngipin ko’y akin;
Mga salamin ko’y malinaw itingin.
Nagbawas na ako sa mga pagkain,
Nguni’t ako nama’y hindi uliyanin.
Ang dati kong buhok nalagas na tunay
Kaya’t ‘di na dapat lagyan pa ng kulay.
Ako nama’y hindi matandang hukluban,
Bagama’t nakalbo’y nagka-edad lamang .
Kung nagsasalita’y ipinauulit
Ang aking sinabing tila ‘di narinig;
Maraming ang bintang… ako ay makulit,
Gayong hindi naman ako naminmilit.
Maraming higit pang mas bata sa akin,
Kulubot ang mukha’t hindi makakain.
Gayong mas higit pa kung pagpaparisin
Ang bilang ng taon na aking narating.
Bakit mga baytang sa mga tahanan,
Tila matataas ang mga pagitan?
Minsa’y hinihingal kapag humahakbang,
Gayon din ang kalyeng, matarik, maluwang .
Hindi ako huli sa pamangki’t apo,
Kasama ko sila’t tanggap nila ako.
Mga kabataa’y napapatawa ko...
‘Di ako matanda, gumulang lang medyo.
Kaya wag sabihing ako’y matanda na.
Isip ko’y sariwa’t puno ng ideya.
Buhay ko’y payapa, masaya’t masigla...
Iyan ang sekreto upang lumigaya.
‘Di baleng humina ang aking pandinig
Basta’t ang isip ko ay nasa matuwid.
Kaya lamang tao ay nagkakasakit
Ay kung laging ito ang laman ng isip.
Isiping malusog ang ating katawan.
Damdamin at puso ay masisiyahan.
Kahi’t maragdagan, araw, linggo’t buwan
Lagi tayong batang masigla ang buhay.
Sa isang Botika, tindera’y maganda,
May binili ako’y mura ang halaga…
Aking itinanong kung bakit nagmura,
Sagot niya’y dahil ako’y matanda na.
Doon sa McDonald ako ay kumain,
Malaki ring bawas sa aking bayarin,
Bakit? Ang tanong ko, at sagot sa akin:
Kabilang na kayo sa “Senior Citizens”.
‘Di ako matanda, medyo ma-edad lang,
At may pagbabago na nararamdaman.
Ang binabasa ko’y lumiliit minsan;
May mga salitang ‘di maintindihan.
At natitiyak kong ang ngipin ko’y akin;
Mga salamin ko’y malinaw itingin.
Nagbawas na ako sa mga pagkain,
Nguni’t ako nama’y hindi uliyanin.
Ang dati kong buhok nalagas na tunay
Kaya’t ‘di na dapat lagyan pa ng kulay.
Ako nama’y hindi matandang hukluban,
Bagama’t nakalbo’y nagka-edad lamang .
Kung nagsasalita’y ipinauulit
Ang aking sinabing tila ‘di narinig;
Maraming ang bintang… ako ay makulit,
Gayong hindi naman ako naminmilit.
Maraming higit pang mas bata sa akin,
Kulubot ang mukha’t hindi makakain.
Gayong mas higit pa kung pagpaparisin
Ang bilang ng taon na aking narating.
Bakit mga baytang sa mga tahanan,
Tila matataas ang mga pagitan?
Minsa’y hinihingal kapag humahakbang,
Gayon din ang kalyeng, matarik, maluwang .
Hindi ako huli sa pamangki’t apo,
Kasama ko sila’t tanggap nila ako.
Mga kabataa’y napapatawa ko...
‘Di ako matanda, gumulang lang medyo.
Kaya wag sabihing ako’y matanda na.
Isip ko’y sariwa’t puno ng ideya.
Buhay ko’y payapa, masaya’t masigla...
Iyan ang sekreto upang lumigaya.
‘Di baleng humina ang aking pandinig
Basta’t ang isip ko ay nasa matuwid.
Kaya lamang tao ay nagkakasakit
Ay kung laging ito ang laman ng isip.
Isiping malusog ang ating katawan.
Damdamin at puso ay masisiyahan.
Kahi’t maragdagan, araw, linggo’t buwan
Lagi tayong batang masigla ang buhay.
Friday, September 5, 2008
SANGHIYANG
“SANGHIYANG”
“Sanghiyang” is coined from two Tagalog words, “Isa” (one) and “hiyang” (compatible), meaning, compatible whole or “nagkakaisang kabuuan”. In Alfonso, “Sanghiyang” is a cultic ritual preparatory to the rite of Ancestral Offering, Mediumistic Healing, Ritual House Blessing (Basang-Gilagid), and Dance on Fire (Sayaw sa Apoy).
As noted by Alejandro Roces, “it used to be a Pagan rite but was later imbued with Christian connotations and biblical justifications” as it is claimed to be a hang over of Noah’s offering of Thanksgiving after the Universal Deluge (Genesis: Viii:20).
As a prelude to the Thanksgiving Ritual, “Sanghiyang” is usually performed during the month of January by different families. There used to be so many “magsasanghiyang” who can perform the ritual but many of them have already died and only a handful of their descendants inherited the capability to do the ritual.
In every “Sanghiyang” ritual there is always an “altares” where they arrange statues of Saints, Angels and the crucified Christ together with whatever religious icons they can still add.
In front of the “altares” is a low-legged table locally called “latok” where they arrange the different offerings that they call “dulang”. The “dulang” is full of foods, such as “pinaupong manok, suman, maruya, boiled eggs, rice and other goodies and drinks with their confusing symbolisms either from the Old or New Testaments. A very eye-catching offering are the “Tau-tauhan” biscuits of 7 “tao”, 7 “kabayo” and 7 “kumpay”. These are for the elementals which are generally represented by the 7 dwarves.
The biscuits are made out of ordinary flour and water without any added ingredients. At the end of the celebration they are buried together with pieces of the other offerings.
The more affluent the sponsor of the “Sanghiyang “ the more offerings there are and the more “magsasanghiyang“ join the ritual with their own style of chanting and dialoguing with the Superpower through the use of a pendulum usually made of necklace that hangs one or more antique medallions serving as their “agimat “ or amulet.
Sumptuous foods are offered to everyone but first initiated by the “Walong –Gulang” who represents the family of Noah who where saved during the Universal Deluge.
A very simple “Sanghiyang” could also be performed preliminary to mediumistic healing with only a little rice, one boiled egg and “maruya”.
Among articles and write-ups coming out of books and magazines, I often encounter that “SAYAW SA APOY” is also called “SANGHIYANG”. This is wrong because based on what I have personally seen and according to those who are involved in doing them, “SANGHIYANG” & “SAYAW SA APOY” are two distinct rituals.
“Sayaw sa Apoy” is only a part or additional show to glamorize the performance of the “Sanghiyang” which could be performed separately. “Sayaw sa Apoy”, however, cannot be done without first doing “Sanghiyang” as preliminary ritual.
“Sanghiyang” is actually a preliminary ritual for Ancestral Offering based on the Old Testament. This is always done in preparation for other rituals such as Fire walking or Fire Dancing. “Basang-Gilagid”, guiding to eternal rest one who died, or healing someone bewitched.
It is also performed before searching for a lost item, such as jewelry and other valuables. After it, the “Barka” (or Magsasanghiyang) dialogues with the Superpower through her “Timbangan” (pendulum).
From the book TINGKORAW: Alfonso's History and Legend by jett e. avinante, m.d.
“Sanghiyang” is coined from two Tagalog words, “Isa” (one) and “hiyang” (compatible), meaning, compatible whole or “nagkakaisang kabuuan”. In Alfonso, “Sanghiyang” is a cultic ritual preparatory to the rite of Ancestral Offering, Mediumistic Healing, Ritual House Blessing (Basang-Gilagid), and Dance on Fire (Sayaw sa Apoy).
As noted by Alejandro Roces, “it used to be a Pagan rite but was later imbued with Christian connotations and biblical justifications” as it is claimed to be a hang over of Noah’s offering of Thanksgiving after the Universal Deluge (Genesis: Viii:20).
As a prelude to the Thanksgiving Ritual, “Sanghiyang” is usually performed during the month of January by different families. There used to be so many “magsasanghiyang” who can perform the ritual but many of them have already died and only a handful of their descendants inherited the capability to do the ritual.
In every “Sanghiyang” ritual there is always an “altares” where they arrange statues of Saints, Angels and the crucified Christ together with whatever religious icons they can still add.
In front of the “altares” is a low-legged table locally called “latok” where they arrange the different offerings that they call “dulang”. The “dulang” is full of foods, such as “pinaupong manok, suman, maruya, boiled eggs, rice and other goodies and drinks with their confusing symbolisms either from the Old or New Testaments. A very eye-catching offering are the “Tau-tauhan” biscuits of 7 “tao”, 7 “kabayo” and 7 “kumpay”. These are for the elementals which are generally represented by the 7 dwarves.
The biscuits are made out of ordinary flour and water without any added ingredients. At the end of the celebration they are buried together with pieces of the other offerings.
The more affluent the sponsor of the “Sanghiyang “ the more offerings there are and the more “magsasanghiyang“ join the ritual with their own style of chanting and dialoguing with the Superpower through the use of a pendulum usually made of necklace that hangs one or more antique medallions serving as their “agimat “ or amulet.
Sumptuous foods are offered to everyone but first initiated by the “Walong –Gulang” who represents the family of Noah who where saved during the Universal Deluge.
A very simple “Sanghiyang” could also be performed preliminary to mediumistic healing with only a little rice, one boiled egg and “maruya”.
Among articles and write-ups coming out of books and magazines, I often encounter that “SAYAW SA APOY” is also called “SANGHIYANG”. This is wrong because based on what I have personally seen and according to those who are involved in doing them, “SANGHIYANG” & “SAYAW SA APOY” are two distinct rituals.
“Sayaw sa Apoy” is only a part or additional show to glamorize the performance of the “Sanghiyang” which could be performed separately. “Sayaw sa Apoy”, however, cannot be done without first doing “Sanghiyang” as preliminary ritual.
“Sanghiyang” is actually a preliminary ritual for Ancestral Offering based on the Old Testament. This is always done in preparation for other rituals such as Fire walking or Fire Dancing. “Basang-Gilagid”, guiding to eternal rest one who died, or healing someone bewitched.
It is also performed before searching for a lost item, such as jewelry and other valuables. After it, the “Barka” (or Magsasanghiyang) dialogues with the Superpower through her “Timbangan” (pendulum).
From the book TINGKORAW: Alfonso's History and Legend by jett e. avinante, m.d.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
EXTENSION GUEST ROOM
EXTENSION GUEST ROOM
Years ago when we renovated our provincial home we saw to it that each of our five children would have a room where they can do what they wish and enjoy the needed privacy. Aside from the four bedrooms already existing at the ground floor the new additional six that included one for us, their parents, we thought our house was roomy enough for the satisfaction of everyone. For the helpers we added a stockroom spacious enough for three persons plus the nearby nipa hut that could accommodate four persons, for the drivers of our children.
We did not foresee nor imagined that our children would eventually look for their partners in life, then have children of their own who would be needing yaya’s and other helpers too. One special occasion for gathering we suddenly found our ten bed rooms too crowded for comfort.
Hurriedly, we built an extension guest room in a small separate building. We modernized it somehow for our grandchildren to appreciate. Complete with Air con units , TV set , Refrigerator, Coffee maker, CD player, hot and cold water supply, bath tub and multiple showers it turned out very attractive enough not only to our family but more so to our guests as well. Friends suggested that we offer it for overnight lodging for a certain donation since we didn’t want to make a business out of it. A great idea quickly clicked on our minds.
For the reason that most of the time our children are in the city and do come home only on special holidays, we decided to offer our extension guest room for bed and breakfast service and ever since it was never idle. Small families, Friendly groups, Honeymooners do come and go. Now many are suggesting that we expand it or build additional units as people are getting more practical now.
Instead of crowding in the house during wakes, homecoming relatives (the Balikbayans) prefer to avail of a bed and breakfast service. Some are planning to hold small meetings and conferences.
Preparing and attending to guest could be very tiring but easily compensated by the joyous experience. Those who had a chance to stay in our extension guest room always want to come back. They are the ones who relay to other people about our accidental but very special service at a very affordable donation.
Now with two of our children based in Australia, one in Canada and two in Manila with their respective families, my wife and I are more often than not “alone” in our ancestral home. One room at the first floor formerly used by my sister who died lately was converted into a Biomat and Hypnotherapy Clinic. Another one was made a computer room while still another was being offered for rent for pre-wedding photo sessions. The idle Sala is also offered as a quiet and private area for amicable settlements.
The challenges of the activities we are doing at our old ancestral home and the extension guest room are like a potent potion as if taken from the fountain of youth that keeps us young and energetic at an age when others of our ages are either already dead or dying.
Years ago when we renovated our provincial home we saw to it that each of our five children would have a room where they can do what they wish and enjoy the needed privacy. Aside from the four bedrooms already existing at the ground floor the new additional six that included one for us, their parents, we thought our house was roomy enough for the satisfaction of everyone. For the helpers we added a stockroom spacious enough for three persons plus the nearby nipa hut that could accommodate four persons, for the drivers of our children.
We did not foresee nor imagined that our children would eventually look for their partners in life, then have children of their own who would be needing yaya’s and other helpers too. One special occasion for gathering we suddenly found our ten bed rooms too crowded for comfort.
Hurriedly, we built an extension guest room in a small separate building. We modernized it somehow for our grandchildren to appreciate. Complete with Air con units , TV set , Refrigerator, Coffee maker, CD player, hot and cold water supply, bath tub and multiple showers it turned out very attractive enough not only to our family but more so to our guests as well. Friends suggested that we offer it for overnight lodging for a certain donation since we didn’t want to make a business out of it. A great idea quickly clicked on our minds.
For the reason that most of the time our children are in the city and do come home only on special holidays, we decided to offer our extension guest room for bed and breakfast service and ever since it was never idle. Small families, Friendly groups, Honeymooners do come and go. Now many are suggesting that we expand it or build additional units as people are getting more practical now.
Instead of crowding in the house during wakes, homecoming relatives (the Balikbayans) prefer to avail of a bed and breakfast service. Some are planning to hold small meetings and conferences.
Preparing and attending to guest could be very tiring but easily compensated by the joyous experience. Those who had a chance to stay in our extension guest room always want to come back. They are the ones who relay to other people about our accidental but very special service at a very affordable donation.
Now with two of our children based in Australia, one in Canada and two in Manila with their respective families, my wife and I are more often than not “alone” in our ancestral home. One room at the first floor formerly used by my sister who died lately was converted into a Biomat and Hypnotherapy Clinic. Another one was made a computer room while still another was being offered for rent for pre-wedding photo sessions. The idle Sala is also offered as a quiet and private area for amicable settlements.
The challenges of the activities we are doing at our old ancestral home and the extension guest room are like a potent potion as if taken from the fountain of youth that keeps us young and energetic at an age when others of our ages are either already dead or dying.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
HONEYMOONER'S WORLD
HONEYMOONER’S WORLD
My 19 year old pretty neighbor got married to a Syrian national. It was a simple wedding officiated by a Judge in Quezon City. The reception that followed was simple too: Beef, chicken and ‘no pork’ please. It was complete with fruit salad and other desserts.
As a gift to them my wife and I offered our extension guest house for their honeymoon. My newly married neighbor who is also my niece hesitated first but later realized it’s practicality considering that it was located just at the other side of the fence from her house.
As I am writing this, it is now 11:45 a.m. and the newly weds have not shown signs that they needed breakfast. I don’t know if I will prepare lunch as honeymooners are unpredictable. They could stay together for a whole day without being affected by their other biological needs such as their primitive urge to eat or to drink. Those are not important to them.
What only matters to them actually is their newly found world. A world without food, a world without water, or without other amenities… just a mystical world with each other. Honeymooners must be deaf too, because the Karaoke is playing deafeningly loud from the bride’s house and they seem so unconcerned as if they hear nothing at all. Meantime I don’t know what to do. I cannot go to the Netcafe to open my internet accounts, I don’t know what to prepare. I wonder if they would even need to lunch.
Honeymooners are interesting people. They seem to be out of their minds and out of this world, yet their world is celestial in nature, never mind if the groom is a Muslim and the bride, a Christian – they are enjoying a kind of heavenly bliss, seemingly endless, simply eternal.
Any body who could invent a chemical or a drink concoction that when taken could keep a honeymooner’s feeling for a long, long time, that there would no longer be war or misunderstandings as every one has only to take the honeymooner’s pill to feel perpetually in honeymoon even with his enemies, would easily be very rich.
As I am contemplating on the honeymooners now in my extension guest house I am beginning to experience a nostalgic memory of my own honeymoon. No one offered us a guest house honeymoon gift because ours was a whirlwind wedding… we simply and quietly eloped. That was long ago… thirty eight years to be exact. We didn’t experience the ecstasy of a honeymooner’s world but our own created world was like a very different kind of galaxy uniquely different from anyone’s experience in the past, in the present and possibly in the future.
My 19 year old pretty neighbor got married to a Syrian national. It was a simple wedding officiated by a Judge in Quezon City. The reception that followed was simple too: Beef, chicken and ‘no pork’ please. It was complete with fruit salad and other desserts.
As a gift to them my wife and I offered our extension guest house for their honeymoon. My newly married neighbor who is also my niece hesitated first but later realized it’s practicality considering that it was located just at the other side of the fence from her house.
As I am writing this, it is now 11:45 a.m. and the newly weds have not shown signs that they needed breakfast. I don’t know if I will prepare lunch as honeymooners are unpredictable. They could stay together for a whole day without being affected by their other biological needs such as their primitive urge to eat or to drink. Those are not important to them.
What only matters to them actually is their newly found world. A world without food, a world without water, or without other amenities… just a mystical world with each other. Honeymooners must be deaf too, because the Karaoke is playing deafeningly loud from the bride’s house and they seem so unconcerned as if they hear nothing at all. Meantime I don’t know what to do. I cannot go to the Netcafe to open my internet accounts, I don’t know what to prepare. I wonder if they would even need to lunch.
Honeymooners are interesting people. They seem to be out of their minds and out of this world, yet their world is celestial in nature, never mind if the groom is a Muslim and the bride, a Christian – they are enjoying a kind of heavenly bliss, seemingly endless, simply eternal.
Any body who could invent a chemical or a drink concoction that when taken could keep a honeymooner’s feeling for a long, long time, that there would no longer be war or misunderstandings as every one has only to take the honeymooner’s pill to feel perpetually in honeymoon even with his enemies, would easily be very rich.
As I am contemplating on the honeymooners now in my extension guest house I am beginning to experience a nostalgic memory of my own honeymoon. No one offered us a guest house honeymoon gift because ours was a whirlwind wedding… we simply and quietly eloped. That was long ago… thirty eight years to be exact. We didn’t experience the ecstasy of a honeymooner’s world but our own created world was like a very different kind of galaxy uniquely different from anyone’s experience in the past, in the present and possibly in the future.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
LIFE THAT WE NEVER LIKE
LIFE THAT WE NEVER LIKE
We never desired to be born but we were born. It was not our wish to die, yet, surely we are going to die. In between this undesired birth and unwished death is what we call life that we are supposed to enjoy.
How can we actually enjoy what we never wish nor desire? Life is that difficult to comprehend and there are those who get so lost in the jungle of unlike experiences that they decide to commit suicide.
Life’s maze is never easy to fathom. In our desire to find the end to successfully get out, we bump left and right, turn around or change route many times. Those who walk the path calmly finds the way easily and triumphantly.
Life’s maze, however, is not only a path to walk because along the pathway are concave and convex mirrors that confusingly reflect your image to turn either too large or too small, not to mention that mirror images are the reverse reflections of yourself. What is left turns out right and what is right turns out left.
Added to this puzzling maze and dizzying mirror reflections are many different kinds of obstacles that puff-up at no particular point and time. If you are not smart enough those obstacles will greatly make your course many times more difficult.
The secret is to keep your focus. Keep your head up since when you lose your head, you lose your senses and your target which is to get out of life’s maze not necessarily unhurt but whole.
Successfully getting out of the maze gives you a tremendous sense of victory and a feeling that after all the things you don’t like in life are the things that makes your life worth living and desirable. You now feel fulfilled and wish to die with dignity.
If you shall be given another chance to live again you shall still desire to be who you are because your life has been wonderful. Whoever said that “Life is what we make it”, must have succeeded in coming out of life’s maze.
We never desired to be born but we were born. It was not our wish to die, yet, surely we are going to die. In between this undesired birth and unwished death is what we call life that we are supposed to enjoy.
How can we actually enjoy what we never wish nor desire? Life is that difficult to comprehend and there are those who get so lost in the jungle of unlike experiences that they decide to commit suicide.
Life’s maze is never easy to fathom. In our desire to find the end to successfully get out, we bump left and right, turn around or change route many times. Those who walk the path calmly finds the way easily and triumphantly.
Life’s maze, however, is not only a path to walk because along the pathway are concave and convex mirrors that confusingly reflect your image to turn either too large or too small, not to mention that mirror images are the reverse reflections of yourself. What is left turns out right and what is right turns out left.
Added to this puzzling maze and dizzying mirror reflections are many different kinds of obstacles that puff-up at no particular point and time. If you are not smart enough those obstacles will greatly make your course many times more difficult.
The secret is to keep your focus. Keep your head up since when you lose your head, you lose your senses and your target which is to get out of life’s maze not necessarily unhurt but whole.
Successfully getting out of the maze gives you a tremendous sense of victory and a feeling that after all the things you don’t like in life are the things that makes your life worth living and desirable. You now feel fulfilled and wish to die with dignity.
If you shall be given another chance to live again you shall still desire to be who you are because your life has been wonderful. Whoever said that “Life is what we make it”, must have succeeded in coming out of life’s maze.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
JOHN OPUTA OTUTU
JOHN 0PUTA 0TUTU
Excerpts from my Nigerian Diary
6 November 78: I was off duty and have nothing to do, so, I decided to pay John Oputa Otutu a visit. John was a 23 year old Nigerian Male who was then studying at a London University. He was afflicted by a kind of depression and according to his mother Mrs. Cole, he was at times not himself. He was referred to psychiatrists who declared him physically and mentally fit.
The mother feared that her son was being possessed by the devil so he consulted Rev. Fr. Dennis Slattery for possible exorcism but the priest referred him to me for possible Hypnotherapy. That was how I came to know Mrs. Cole and her son John.
In short John became indirectly my patient and by all indications he was already showing signs of improvement (without hypnotherapy yet, which I thought was not at all necessary). All he needed was an understanding friend that he found in me).
This afternoon I also decided to say hello to Prince I.J. Obadia whose son was treated by me twice at Massy Street Children’s Hospital. The Prince was not here so to kill time I talked to his boss, Theo O.B. Owolabi, the Managing Director of the Blessed Owo Group of Companies. Theo was friendly and very accommodating like managers should be. He liked my sense of humor so we immediately clicked. While I was there, came a lady selling writing pens made in England, complete with stamping pad, etc. I was not interested because it cost 25 Naira, equivalent to 250 pesos. So while the two were talking I just started folding papers creating a Christmas lantern through origami.
Theo noticed what I was doing and asked what it was. I said I was creating something for him. He looked fascinated specially when I hang the lantern under his electric fan with a suggestion never to remove it as it was my “trademark”. He became more interested in me and the next thing I knew he was ordering one 25 Naira worth of pen for me. Indirectly I sold my paper lantern for 25 Naira. This gimmick of mine was always very effective and I have been doing this for more than a month now. I found it to be a perfect way of persuading taxi drivers and making friends with the other Nigerians because they were easily fascinated. Indirectly I have been selling these lanterns to taxi drivers at an average of one Naira each. I have earned and save a lot of money for that. When I left Nigeria there were about 200 taxis hanging my paper lantern and none of them charge me when I hired a taxi. Even the car of the Minister of Health was decorated with my lantern that I gave him when I followed up something at the Ministry of Health one time.
Excerpts from my Nigerian Diary
6 November 78: I was off duty and have nothing to do, so, I decided to pay John Oputa Otutu a visit. John was a 23 year old Nigerian Male who was then studying at a London University. He was afflicted by a kind of depression and according to his mother Mrs. Cole, he was at times not himself. He was referred to psychiatrists who declared him physically and mentally fit.
The mother feared that her son was being possessed by the devil so he consulted Rev. Fr. Dennis Slattery for possible exorcism but the priest referred him to me for possible Hypnotherapy. That was how I came to know Mrs. Cole and her son John.
In short John became indirectly my patient and by all indications he was already showing signs of improvement (without hypnotherapy yet, which I thought was not at all necessary). All he needed was an understanding friend that he found in me).
This afternoon I also decided to say hello to Prince I.J. Obadia whose son was treated by me twice at Massy Street Children’s Hospital. The Prince was not here so to kill time I talked to his boss, Theo O.B. Owolabi, the Managing Director of the Blessed Owo Group of Companies. Theo was friendly and very accommodating like managers should be. He liked my sense of humor so we immediately clicked. While I was there, came a lady selling writing pens made in England, complete with stamping pad, etc. I was not interested because it cost 25 Naira, equivalent to 250 pesos. So while the two were talking I just started folding papers creating a Christmas lantern through origami.
Theo noticed what I was doing and asked what it was. I said I was creating something for him. He looked fascinated specially when I hang the lantern under his electric fan with a suggestion never to remove it as it was my “trademark”. He became more interested in me and the next thing I knew he was ordering one 25 Naira worth of pen for me. Indirectly I sold my paper lantern for 25 Naira. This gimmick of mine was always very effective and I have been doing this for more than a month now. I found it to be a perfect way of persuading taxi drivers and making friends with the other Nigerians because they were easily fascinated. Indirectly I have been selling these lanterns to taxi drivers at an average of one Naira each. I have earned and save a lot of money for that. When I left Nigeria there were about 200 taxis hanging my paper lantern and none of them charge me when I hired a taxi. Even the car of the Minister of Health was decorated with my lantern that I gave him when I followed up something at the Ministry of Health one time.
Friday, August 15, 2008
FRUSTRATION
FRUSTRATION
I hate to think negatively but I am surrounded by many frustrations. I think I am a frustrated teacher. The urge to teach is so deeply ingrained in my system, always trying to find an outlet. Whenever I have a chance, and the occasion permits, I teach whether in a restaurant or inside the bus or at the malls. I felt very good whenever I have a chance to impart or share what I think is correct or right to any body that needs it.
I believe I am also a frustrated patriot. My Boy Scout instinct is always ready to be shared. I used to bring a tiny bottle with cotton buds soak in spirit of ammonia just in case anybody faints or collapses in any place where I also happens to be around. I am often misunderstood by people who do not know me.
What I really feel so revolting though is when I see wrongly displayed Filipino Flag whether on the wall of a big building or on top of a Veteran’s coffin. I am nauseated by parade of beauties with their escorts on the wrong side. But most especially I hate to see historically erroneous landmarks.
To give way to my obsessions I have a ready lecture on Love and Relationship that I always share to young boys and girls whenever I have time. I also have ready data about history and culture of my town ready to share to students, researchers and writers.
That way I keep myself busy while enjoying what I am doing. For a while I had a chance to teach in high school and in college. Those were my most enjoyable and memorable experiences more so when I meet former students telling good things about me.
But I am also a frustrated healer. Eaten by the system of routine medical practice I also indulged in the regular textbook approach in the treatment of ailments until I realized too late that I should have attended more thoroughly in the treatment of the person as a whole and not just the complaints. In the later part of my medical practice I did not follow the routine approach to suffering patients. I saw to it that I treat the person as a person and not only a sick part of his body. Before prescribing drugs left and right I always consider the possible side effects on the patients which usually are worse than the original complaints.
I am against heroic measures and dramatic treatment results if I know that in the end the wholeness of the patients is jeopardized.
As a consistent patriot, teacher and healer, I am greatly misunderstood. But I am not complaining, though I am greatly frustrated. But this kind of frustration never lured me into leaving my country. What is greatly lamentable is my being frustrated as a Filipino who is unable to do anything to correct the wrongs that many Filipinos are doing. Behind all these frustrations is a very special kind of victory that I can enjoy and be proud of for the rest of my life
I hate to think negatively but I am surrounded by many frustrations. I think I am a frustrated teacher. The urge to teach is so deeply ingrained in my system, always trying to find an outlet. Whenever I have a chance, and the occasion permits, I teach whether in a restaurant or inside the bus or at the malls. I felt very good whenever I have a chance to impart or share what I think is correct or right to any body that needs it.
I believe I am also a frustrated patriot. My Boy Scout instinct is always ready to be shared. I used to bring a tiny bottle with cotton buds soak in spirit of ammonia just in case anybody faints or collapses in any place where I also happens to be around. I am often misunderstood by people who do not know me.
What I really feel so revolting though is when I see wrongly displayed Filipino Flag whether on the wall of a big building or on top of a Veteran’s coffin. I am nauseated by parade of beauties with their escorts on the wrong side. But most especially I hate to see historically erroneous landmarks.
To give way to my obsessions I have a ready lecture on Love and Relationship that I always share to young boys and girls whenever I have time. I also have ready data about history and culture of my town ready to share to students, researchers and writers.
That way I keep myself busy while enjoying what I am doing. For a while I had a chance to teach in high school and in college. Those were my most enjoyable and memorable experiences more so when I meet former students telling good things about me.
But I am also a frustrated healer. Eaten by the system of routine medical practice I also indulged in the regular textbook approach in the treatment of ailments until I realized too late that I should have attended more thoroughly in the treatment of the person as a whole and not just the complaints. In the later part of my medical practice I did not follow the routine approach to suffering patients. I saw to it that I treat the person as a person and not only a sick part of his body. Before prescribing drugs left and right I always consider the possible side effects on the patients which usually are worse than the original complaints.
I am against heroic measures and dramatic treatment results if I know that in the end the wholeness of the patients is jeopardized.
As a consistent patriot, teacher and healer, I am greatly misunderstood. But I am not complaining, though I am greatly frustrated. But this kind of frustration never lured me into leaving my country. What is greatly lamentable is my being frustrated as a Filipino who is unable to do anything to correct the wrongs that many Filipinos are doing. Behind all these frustrations is a very special kind of victory that I can enjoy and be proud of for the rest of my life
Friday, August 8, 2008
THE CHURCH BELLS OF ALFONSO
THE CHURCH BELLS
These church bells are in many ways unique.They always catch the attention of visitors coming to town. Nowhere else in the Philippines could one find or hear as loud and penetrating sounds as those emitted by the bells of Alfonso. It was Rev. Fr. Candido Valles who first called the attention of the town people to the need for having bells. He called the prominent parishioners, some of whom were ex-town officials, and they agreed on a plan to raise funds.
As planned they invited musicians and some known singers in the municipality to go serenading around town. The serenader went from house to house followed by a cart. While the musicians and singers sung and played, the priest and a group of prominent citizens entered the granary (kamalig) of each house to haul sacks of coffee. These were loaded in the cart. Everybody gave his share. The collections were placed in a big “kamalig” in the churchyard and were later sold. A big amount was realized from the sales, which was used to buy the best bells from Spain.
At one time a certain priest planned to sell the small bells in order to earn money for the repair of the Church but the people protested. The plan had to be scrapped. At present the historical bells still hang on the tower, as mush a part of the town as the people themselves. The unique sounds are heard daily at 5:00 in the morning to announce the first mass; then at 10:00 a.m. to remind the housewives that it is time to cook. The next is at 12:00 noon to announce lunchtime; then at 2:00 p.m., bells ring again indicating siesta period of break from work, then at 6:00 p. m., the bells sing their final songs reminding the faithful to go into a minute of silent prayer (oracion or angelus). Formerly, bells also rung at 8:00 p. m. to remind the Christians to pray for the departed but when the “campanero”, Mang Juan Varias got blind, he was not allowed to climb the tower to ring the bells at night.
On joyful occasions or celebrations, one can hear the bells tingling with their own kind of laughter, as they “iskela”. But on sad occasions as when someone dies, one can also feel the crying and the moaning of the bells as the “agunias” and the “plegaria” are being played.
Old folks love to tell the story of a legendary bell which was so huge that the sounds could create vibrations enough to a cause a pregnant woman to abort. The bell was said to be buried somewhere in the vicinity of the present Church. However, no one can pinpoint the supposed location; it could be a very useful aid in the control of population explosion.
An old woman told the author though, that there was no such big bell for if there was why should it be buried when it could easily be ordered not to ring it if causes abortion.
From the book TINGKORAW: Alfonso's History and Legend by jett e. avinante, m.d.
These church bells are in many ways unique.They always catch the attention of visitors coming to town. Nowhere else in the Philippines could one find or hear as loud and penetrating sounds as those emitted by the bells of Alfonso. It was Rev. Fr. Candido Valles who first called the attention of the town people to the need for having bells. He called the prominent parishioners, some of whom were ex-town officials, and they agreed on a plan to raise funds.
As planned they invited musicians and some known singers in the municipality to go serenading around town. The serenader went from house to house followed by a cart. While the musicians and singers sung and played, the priest and a group of prominent citizens entered the granary (kamalig) of each house to haul sacks of coffee. These were loaded in the cart. Everybody gave his share. The collections were placed in a big “kamalig” in the churchyard and were later sold. A big amount was realized from the sales, which was used to buy the best bells from Spain.
At one time a certain priest planned to sell the small bells in order to earn money for the repair of the Church but the people protested. The plan had to be scrapped. At present the historical bells still hang on the tower, as mush a part of the town as the people themselves. The unique sounds are heard daily at 5:00 in the morning to announce the first mass; then at 10:00 a.m. to remind the housewives that it is time to cook. The next is at 12:00 noon to announce lunchtime; then at 2:00 p.m., bells ring again indicating siesta period of break from work, then at 6:00 p. m., the bells sing their final songs reminding the faithful to go into a minute of silent prayer (oracion or angelus). Formerly, bells also rung at 8:00 p. m. to remind the Christians to pray for the departed but when the “campanero”, Mang Juan Varias got blind, he was not allowed to climb the tower to ring the bells at night.
On joyful occasions or celebrations, one can hear the bells tingling with their own kind of laughter, as they “iskela”. But on sad occasions as when someone dies, one can also feel the crying and the moaning of the bells as the “agunias” and the “plegaria” are being played.
Old folks love to tell the story of a legendary bell which was so huge that the sounds could create vibrations enough to a cause a pregnant woman to abort. The bell was said to be buried somewhere in the vicinity of the present Church. However, no one can pinpoint the supposed location; it could be a very useful aid in the control of population explosion.
An old woman told the author though, that there was no such big bell for if there was why should it be buried when it could easily be ordered not to ring it if causes abortion.
From the book TINGKORAW: Alfonso's History and Legend by jett e. avinante, m.d.
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