CUPID’S TARGET
A popular song of long ago declared that “Love is a many splendor thing” and indeed it is. It is also a many confusing promises and a many lamentable disappointments. Love, in fact could be anything or perhaps plain nothing as good poet clearly established.
February is considered and accepted as the month of love. It is when Valentine’s Day is celebrated supposedly for lovers following all the puzzling stories behind it. It will also be the start of the Chinese Year of the Tiger.
Love is generally a romantic relationship though it could sometimes be a mathematical problem. One plus one is two but in love one plus one is one or sometimes three since love could result to a triangle or a square or a rectangle but rarely is it a straight line. Love could be a dot as a dating spot or a circle like an engagement ring.
I cannot see up to now the rationale why the month of February is celebrated as the month of love. This month is always lacking even when it is sometimes added with another day. Is it because in fact love is always lacking?
The old poet noted that Love is almost always on fire but it is never burning; It is much in winning supposedly but more often loosing; it promises to be true but most of the time end up lying; at times it is sick but seldom is it dying; love can actually be anything but generally it is actually nothing.
Who is he who says? Love is like a cup of coffee. When it is hot we want it cool, when it is cool we want it hot, always wanting what is not. The color red claims the color of love as shown by a fresh red long stemmed rose or merely a red heart shaped piece of paper. It is commonly represented by a heart because it is as fragile, as sensitive and as hard working as the heart.
But most of all love is symbolized by Cupid because It is as innocent, as naked as it is also as courageous as a warrior ready to release his arrow to win a fight.
Love promises the stars and the moon, the rainbow and the honeydew, the bed of roses and the happy times but you will wonder why love is never at peace with itself. To many Valentine (LOVE) is just a day but I don’t mean it that way.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
THE ANTIQUE BELLS RING AGAIN
THE ANTIQUE BELLS RING AGAIN
The disturbing noise of the busy afternoon was suddenly subdued by the peculiar joyful ringing of the antiquated church bells. They were playing the old familiar “iskela” that I used to hear during happy occasions like when there were “fiestas” or wedding celebrations.
The bells were silenced last September 17, 2009 when the repair of the belfry was started. Exactly four months later, on January 17, 2010 the precious bells were again hanged and yesterday January 20, 2010 they were ‘singing’ again to announce the 149th anniversary of the establishment of the Parish of St . John Nepomucene.
Many anecdotal stories have been told about those priceless bells. Old folks used to discuss about the giant bell, so big that ringing it could cause a pregnant woman to abort her baby because it sounded so loud to be heard clearly to as far as Nasugbu, Batangas. Legend says it was buried.
There was the story about a certain Parish Priest who planned to sell one of those bells to be used in repairing some damaged portion of the old convent. The whole community united to oppose the plan that never materialized.
There were times like during the first and second world wars when these bells were effectively used as alarms to notify the people when there were dangers. For many, many years these bells were instruments to announce certain time of the day as well as important events in the community.
Now that they are ringing anew, many new stories shall happen; many new important events shall be experienced by the people. With the united effort and concern of everyone to rebuild the old belfry structure, the regular melody of the ever efficient “carillon” of the town shall continue to alert the people of various events.
As time moves on the peaceful community shall be evolving with the new technologies, with the new way of life of the puzzling new generation. The church bells shall remain the active witnesses of all that shall come. Things shall change drastically from the way of life to the political practices but the antique church bells shall remain the same.
The disturbing noise of the busy afternoon was suddenly subdued by the peculiar joyful ringing of the antiquated church bells. They were playing the old familiar “iskela” that I used to hear during happy occasions like when there were “fiestas” or wedding celebrations.
The bells were silenced last September 17, 2009 when the repair of the belfry was started. Exactly four months later, on January 17, 2010 the precious bells were again hanged and yesterday January 20, 2010 they were ‘singing’ again to announce the 149th anniversary of the establishment of the Parish of St . John Nepomucene.
Many anecdotal stories have been told about those priceless bells. Old folks used to discuss about the giant bell, so big that ringing it could cause a pregnant woman to abort her baby because it sounded so loud to be heard clearly to as far as Nasugbu, Batangas. Legend says it was buried.
There was the story about a certain Parish Priest who planned to sell one of those bells to be used in repairing some damaged portion of the old convent. The whole community united to oppose the plan that never materialized.
There were times like during the first and second world wars when these bells were effectively used as alarms to notify the people when there were dangers. For many, many years these bells were instruments to announce certain time of the day as well as important events in the community.
Now that they are ringing anew, many new stories shall happen; many new important events shall be experienced by the people. With the united effort and concern of everyone to rebuild the old belfry structure, the regular melody of the ever efficient “carillon” of the town shall continue to alert the people of various events.
As time moves on the peaceful community shall be evolving with the new technologies, with the new way of life of the puzzling new generation. The church bells shall remain the active witnesses of all that shall come. Things shall change drastically from the way of life to the political practices but the antique church bells shall remain the same.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
THE MAGIC OF NEED
THE MAGIC OF NEED
Early in the morning, a Ruby Crystal year ago, during the New Year’s mass, I uttered a very short and simple prayer: “Lord, this year I am planning to marry. If it will be good for me and if it will be for the greater glory of God please send me the right woman”.
The day after, God sent her to me. She was not the maiden I wanted in my mind but she must be the Eve I needed in my life. After three short meetings in a period of eleven days and forty five minutes of informal but sincere courtship, we married in a whirlwind manner. We hurriedly made our vows before the altar of the Lord not because we were being chased by anyone but simply because we were old enough to do so.
It turned out that I was also the man she needed. Our mutual need for each other became the strongest string that bound us tightly together.It also took us a long period of confusing and troubling adjustment but gradually we discovered our individual needs. Through trial and error we slowly found the way to fill those needs until we both realized that the magic power of a successful relationship is simply filling each other’s needs.
Even since that matrimonial power of needs and our improved method of filling them remained our miracle potion that brought us five healthy children. Two boys and three girls who were all healthy and not one ever brought home a grave problem.
We considered ourselves billionaire in that sense. Now, those billions of blessings have attracted three healthy, kind and roundly qualified sons-in-law, one pretty, healthy and very capable daughter-in-law, all on them instrumental in bringing us five pretty angels, two handsome warriors and another wonder child coming soon.
As we celebrate separately (because that is the need of the moment) our Ruby Wedding Anniversary, we thank, praise, adore and glorify God for all the wonderful graces. He taught us that the secret of a lasting and harmonious relationship is nothing but the magic power of filling each other’s needs. In the final analysis, the magic of need is the needed magic.
Early in the morning, a Ruby Crystal year ago, during the New Year’s mass, I uttered a very short and simple prayer: “Lord, this year I am planning to marry. If it will be good for me and if it will be for the greater glory of God please send me the right woman”.
The day after, God sent her to me. She was not the maiden I wanted in my mind but she must be the Eve I needed in my life. After three short meetings in a period of eleven days and forty five minutes of informal but sincere courtship, we married in a whirlwind manner. We hurriedly made our vows before the altar of the Lord not because we were being chased by anyone but simply because we were old enough to do so.
It turned out that I was also the man she needed. Our mutual need for each other became the strongest string that bound us tightly together.It also took us a long period of confusing and troubling adjustment but gradually we discovered our individual needs. Through trial and error we slowly found the way to fill those needs until we both realized that the magic power of a successful relationship is simply filling each other’s needs.
Even since that matrimonial power of needs and our improved method of filling them remained our miracle potion that brought us five healthy children. Two boys and three girls who were all healthy and not one ever brought home a grave problem.
We considered ourselves billionaire in that sense. Now, those billions of blessings have attracted three healthy, kind and roundly qualified sons-in-law, one pretty, healthy and very capable daughter-in-law, all on them instrumental in bringing us five pretty angels, two handsome warriors and another wonder child coming soon.
As we celebrate separately (because that is the need of the moment) our Ruby Wedding Anniversary, we thank, praise, adore and glorify God for all the wonderful graces. He taught us that the secret of a lasting and harmonious relationship is nothing but the magic power of filling each other’s needs. In the final analysis, the magic of need is the needed magic.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
THE FIRST DAY of the Rest of my LIfe
THE FIRST DAY
Of the Rest of my Life
The day was the Feast of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo. To me it started at 1:00 a.m. when I was greeted by a Congressman, the father-in-law of my daughter who happened to be celebrating his birthday too. After that I no longer slept deeply as I was anticipating excitedly the appearance of Sunrise of my new day.
At 5:00 a.m. I was gifted with a tight embrace by my wife who seemed to be more excited to kill the old chicken given to me by a previous housemate in ‘exchange for my life’. I thought it was unfair to the chicken that did nothing but laid eggs. She also wanted to cook a noodle recipe so that I may live longer life. I chided her if she didn’t realize that I already have lived long enough.
We heard mass at the chapel of the Little Souls located at Tagaytay.
It was a solemn experience with only few in attendance and everything was done in almost heavenly manner. While the mass was going on, my youngest daughter, with her husband and only daughter arrived to join us.
A sister –in-law of mine who came from Bohol with her husband was scheduled to leave for America the following day was invited by my wife to meet and join us for lunch at Josephine’s. Her other sister with the husband also were invited to be with us. The fair of couples came pretty early so they proceeded to the next town where their two brothers were based and invited them too. One came with a lady friend.
There, at Josephine’s, an 87 year old Grandmother was also celebrating her birthday at a very long table. I noticed that some of them were glancing at me interestingly. I decided to stand up, went closer to them and greeted the celebrating Grandmother.
As it turned out one of the granddaughters of the celebrant was my ‘godchild’ during her baptism. It has been many, many years ago. The tiny pretty girl who used to see me on Christmas Day was now married to a successful businessman. They have three children and were based in Dubai. What followed was a lively nostalgic revival of the by-gone days.
Sooner my sisters and bothers-in-law said good-bye to go back home.. The whole experienced turned out to be an unusual but differently enjoyable birthday celebration not at all planned. More interestingly, the waiter was somehow stunned when I handed to him 9 senior citizen’s card during payment.
My especial guest turned out to be my charming grand daughter who was the only available projection of the latest generation of my clan. The whole event made my day after I attended the anticipated mass that afternoon.
Of the Rest of my Life
The day was the Feast of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo. To me it started at 1:00 a.m. when I was greeted by a Congressman, the father-in-law of my daughter who happened to be celebrating his birthday too. After that I no longer slept deeply as I was anticipating excitedly the appearance of Sunrise of my new day.
At 5:00 a.m. I was gifted with a tight embrace by my wife who seemed to be more excited to kill the old chicken given to me by a previous housemate in ‘exchange for my life’. I thought it was unfair to the chicken that did nothing but laid eggs. She also wanted to cook a noodle recipe so that I may live longer life. I chided her if she didn’t realize that I already have lived long enough.
We heard mass at the chapel of the Little Souls located at Tagaytay.
It was a solemn experience with only few in attendance and everything was done in almost heavenly manner. While the mass was going on, my youngest daughter, with her husband and only daughter arrived to join us.
A sister –in-law of mine who came from Bohol with her husband was scheduled to leave for America the following day was invited by my wife to meet and join us for lunch at Josephine’s. Her other sister with the husband also were invited to be with us. The fair of couples came pretty early so they proceeded to the next town where their two brothers were based and invited them too. One came with a lady friend.
There, at Josephine’s, an 87 year old Grandmother was also celebrating her birthday at a very long table. I noticed that some of them were glancing at me interestingly. I decided to stand up, went closer to them and greeted the celebrating Grandmother.
As it turned out one of the granddaughters of the celebrant was my ‘godchild’ during her baptism. It has been many, many years ago. The tiny pretty girl who used to see me on Christmas Day was now married to a successful businessman. They have three children and were based in Dubai. What followed was a lively nostalgic revival of the by-gone days.
Sooner my sisters and bothers-in-law said good-bye to go back home.. The whole experienced turned out to be an unusual but differently enjoyable birthday celebration not at all planned. More interestingly, the waiter was somehow stunned when I handed to him 9 senior citizen’s card during payment.
My especial guest turned out to be my charming grand daughter who was the only available projection of the latest generation of my clan. The whole event made my day after I attended the anticipated mass that afternoon.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
CRAWLING TURTLE
CRAWLING TURTLE
So the story goes that once upon a time the life span of both men and animals are the same. Both men and animals die at the age of forty.
One day the Committee of the Dogs had a meeting. The ‘Chairdog’ suggested that “Since we are the best friend of men we could show more our friendship and loyalty to them if we could give ten years of our lives to men so that men will live up to fifty while we, dogs, live only up to thirty”. It was unanimously carried.
But it was heard by the Horses and they too gathered into a meeting. The President of the Horses proposed that “Because we are the best helper of men we could best help men by also donating ten years of our lives to men so that men will live up to sixty while we live only up to thirty like the dogs”. Again the proposal was unanimously approved.
The two important incidents reached the Kingdom of the Monkey. The King ruled that “In as much as we are the nearest relative of men, we could share ten years of our lives to men so that men will live up to seventy and we die at thirty like the dogs and the horses. No monkey objected to the rule.
When we say life begins at forty it is because we only live normally up to forty years of age. From forty to fifty men starts ‘howling like a dog’, from fifty to sixty we begin ‘working like a horse’ and from sixty to seventy most men just ‘monkey around’.
There is no anecdotal record of what other animals donated some years of their lives to men that surpass the age of seventy but I will not be surprised if the turtle decide to also give ten years or more of their lives to men so that men live a little more longer. After all at the end of it all the turtle shall still live more than a hundred years. It will be carrying its home wherever it shall go but it shall continue crawling strongly around. Tomorrow and days later I will not be astonished if I wake up feeling like crawling on my way to the comfort room. Then I know that the turtle have decided to share with me a few of its crawling years.
So the story goes that once upon a time the life span of both men and animals are the same. Both men and animals die at the age of forty.
One day the Committee of the Dogs had a meeting. The ‘Chairdog’ suggested that “Since we are the best friend of men we could show more our friendship and loyalty to them if we could give ten years of our lives to men so that men will live up to fifty while we, dogs, live only up to thirty”. It was unanimously carried.
But it was heard by the Horses and they too gathered into a meeting. The President of the Horses proposed that “Because we are the best helper of men we could best help men by also donating ten years of our lives to men so that men will live up to sixty while we live only up to thirty like the dogs”. Again the proposal was unanimously approved.
The two important incidents reached the Kingdom of the Monkey. The King ruled that “In as much as we are the nearest relative of men, we could share ten years of our lives to men so that men will live up to seventy and we die at thirty like the dogs and the horses. No monkey objected to the rule.
When we say life begins at forty it is because we only live normally up to forty years of age. From forty to fifty men starts ‘howling like a dog’, from fifty to sixty we begin ‘working like a horse’ and from sixty to seventy most men just ‘monkey around’.
There is no anecdotal record of what other animals donated some years of their lives to men that surpass the age of seventy but I will not be surprised if the turtle decide to also give ten years or more of their lives to men so that men live a little more longer. After all at the end of it all the turtle shall still live more than a hundred years. It will be carrying its home wherever it shall go but it shall continue crawling strongly around. Tomorrow and days later I will not be astonished if I wake up feeling like crawling on my way to the comfort room. Then I know that the turtle have decided to share with me a few of its crawling years.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
SYMBOLS
SYMBOLS
Symbolically the Feast of the Epiphany is the official end of Christmas. After today it is the time to remove all symbols: the manger, the Christmas tree, the lanterns, the poinsettias, Santa Clause, the reindeers, the snowman and the most important and most relevant symbol, the star.
We shall be discarding Christmas in our lives until another year. But no matter what we the do the star shall remain. It may no longer be visible at daytime but during dark, dark night the star is most bright.
Christmas is our light, our hope, our guide so that when we are in the dark all we need to do is look up and we shall be properly guided by the twinkling star for Christ shall be born again in our hearts.
As the feast of Saint Valentine approaches we shall be creating new symbol – the heart which in turn becomes the symbol of love. If Christ is symbolized by the star then we can say that the star also is the symbol of love because as we all know Christ is love that we must focus our lives on Christ.
The heart as a symbol of love is important too because the heart brings about trust. If you don’t trust the one you love, your heart shall be beating erratically. Love is also symbolized by a fresh red rose to show the fragility, the sensitivity and the freshness of love to keep it alive and healthy.
A ring also symbolizes love because the ring has no beginning or end. It is just a continuous circle that goes on and on without obstacle as love should be. A more popular symbol of love is Cupid for his youthfulness as love should never grow old; for his nakedness since love should be truthful and covers nothing; for his valor as shown by his bow and arrow, to face life’s challenges.
After Valentine’s Day is the Holy week with all the interpretations of God’s love in the way of the Cross. First, the love of Jesus is remindful. During the Last Supper He told His disciples “Do this in memory of Me”. Second, the love of Jesus is obedient. He said “Thy will be done”. Third, The love of Jesus is courageous. He accepted the verdict of death at the Sanhedrin. Fourth, the love of Jesus is persevering. He persevered the scourging at the pillar and crowning with thorns.
Fifth, the love of Jesus is strong. He carried the heavy cross. Sixth, the love of Jesus is patient. He fell down with the heavy cross, stood up again and continued walking with it. Seventh, the love of Jesus is helpful. He allowed Simon Cireneo to help him carry the cross. Eight, the love of Jesus is understanding. He told the women of Jerusalem:”Don’t cry for me, cry for yourselves and your children”.
Ninth, the love of Jesus is truthful and forgiving. During the Crucifixion He allowed Himself to be stripped naked to bare the truth then He shouted “Father, Forgive them for they know not what they are doing”. Tenth, the love of Jesus is caring. Before He died He told Dimas: “Today you will be with me in Paradise”. Eleventh, the love of Jesus is trusting. From the cross He said: “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold Your mother”.
Twelfth, the love of Jesus is redeeming. He died to save the whole world. Thirteenth, the love of Jesus is peaceful. He allowed His holy and blessed body to be laid peacefully in the tomb. Fourteenth, the love of Jesus is triumphant. He resurrected from the dead.
The whole year round is an expression of God’s love for us symbolically expressed in different manners. But God is expecting us to love Him in return not symbolically but truthfully and genuinely.
Symbolically the Feast of the Epiphany is the official end of Christmas. After today it is the time to remove all symbols: the manger, the Christmas tree, the lanterns, the poinsettias, Santa Clause, the reindeers, the snowman and the most important and most relevant symbol, the star.
We shall be discarding Christmas in our lives until another year. But no matter what we the do the star shall remain. It may no longer be visible at daytime but during dark, dark night the star is most bright.
Christmas is our light, our hope, our guide so that when we are in the dark all we need to do is look up and we shall be properly guided by the twinkling star for Christ shall be born again in our hearts.
As the feast of Saint Valentine approaches we shall be creating new symbol – the heart which in turn becomes the symbol of love. If Christ is symbolized by the star then we can say that the star also is the symbol of love because as we all know Christ is love that we must focus our lives on Christ.
The heart as a symbol of love is important too because the heart brings about trust. If you don’t trust the one you love, your heart shall be beating erratically. Love is also symbolized by a fresh red rose to show the fragility, the sensitivity and the freshness of love to keep it alive and healthy.
A ring also symbolizes love because the ring has no beginning or end. It is just a continuous circle that goes on and on without obstacle as love should be. A more popular symbol of love is Cupid for his youthfulness as love should never grow old; for his nakedness since love should be truthful and covers nothing; for his valor as shown by his bow and arrow, to face life’s challenges.
After Valentine’s Day is the Holy week with all the interpretations of God’s love in the way of the Cross. First, the love of Jesus is remindful. During the Last Supper He told His disciples “Do this in memory of Me”. Second, the love of Jesus is obedient. He said “Thy will be done”. Third, The love of Jesus is courageous. He accepted the verdict of death at the Sanhedrin. Fourth, the love of Jesus is persevering. He persevered the scourging at the pillar and crowning with thorns.
Fifth, the love of Jesus is strong. He carried the heavy cross. Sixth, the love of Jesus is patient. He fell down with the heavy cross, stood up again and continued walking with it. Seventh, the love of Jesus is helpful. He allowed Simon Cireneo to help him carry the cross. Eight, the love of Jesus is understanding. He told the women of Jerusalem:”Don’t cry for me, cry for yourselves and your children”.
Ninth, the love of Jesus is truthful and forgiving. During the Crucifixion He allowed Himself to be stripped naked to bare the truth then He shouted “Father, Forgive them for they know not what they are doing”. Tenth, the love of Jesus is caring. Before He died He told Dimas: “Today you will be with me in Paradise”. Eleventh, the love of Jesus is trusting. From the cross He said: “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold Your mother”.
Twelfth, the love of Jesus is redeeming. He died to save the whole world. Thirteenth, the love of Jesus is peaceful. He allowed His holy and blessed body to be laid peacefully in the tomb. Fourteenth, the love of Jesus is triumphant. He resurrected from the dead.
The whole year round is an expression of God’s love for us symbolically expressed in different manners. But God is expecting us to love Him in return not symbolically but truthfully and genuinely.
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