A COMMENTARY
I would like to congratulate the efforts of the Alfonso Eco-Tourism Development Management, Inc. (AETDM), a private organization, for launching WELLNESS IS THE NEW ALFONSO, in cooperation with the Alfonso Municipal Government.
It is enigmatically termed SANGHIYANG FESTIVAL. A bold attempt to modernize, glamorize and even globalize a centuries old Thanksgiving Ritual known as ‘Sanghiyang’, believed to be an offshoot of the Thanksgiving Ritual performed by Noah’s family after they were saved from the Universal Deluge.
It is being introduced as “a state of Wellness attained when the mind, body, emotion and spirit are well and true acts of worship happens”.
I feel good that at last Alfonso has its own Festival that Alfonsinos everywhere could brag around as its own. Although I think massive information dissemination is necessary for all concerned to be aware of the new concept. As it is now even the original ‘magsasanghiyangs’ are confused and unable to comprehend what is going on.
It could be more relevant if the complete original Sanghiyang Ritual is reenacted in a grand scale with symbolic offerings of the different Baranggays at a giant ‘dulang’ with the usual crude ‘altares’ and participated by all the available ‘magsasanghiyangs’.
At any rate considering that this is the first attempt, much could yet be done to improve the Festival and again I thank the AETDM for the inspired effort.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Good Aphogenics 11-11-11
GOOD APHOGENICS 11-11-11
It was a simple skin itch that I enjoyed scratching with my bare hand. As a result a little wound was created that I didn’t even considered treating with anything as wounds like that were usually self healing.
The following day the minute wound began feeling painful then later, projected sharp penetrating pains to different parts of my back, chest and arm. I was scared a bit when the pain projected to my heart area, aware of my long standing myocardial ischemia.
The radiating pain got worse on the third night to the point that little movements in bed could be excruciating. I requested my helper to look at my back wound. He saw a bigger circular wound with little pus with three new pointing areas. I suspected it was carbuncle, a staphylococcal infected that could last for two weeks if uncomplicated.
Because lying on bed somehow always traumatized the wound, it got worse that now I have to do a daily dressing and a regular antibiotic therapy. When it was at its worst I thought the penetrating pain could cause me sudden heart attack which I fatally welcome since I really wanted to die of heart attack to avoid prolong suffering and agony.
True enough I thought I could die that night and was pretty ready about it. I even thought of texting the Parish Priest to invite him to pay me a visit so I could confess, be administered with the Sacrament of the Sick. On second thought I said it was possible I could survive this event and no need to hurry. It was the third week now and the daily cleaning and antibiotic therapy was doing good. The radiating and penetrating pains were gone and there were no new pointings. So I was nt going to die yet and yes, I am very much alive happy as Budoy.
It is now 11-11-11 and I found a new life, new mission, new challeng
It was a simple skin itch that I enjoyed scratching with my bare hand. As a result a little wound was created that I didn’t even considered treating with anything as wounds like that were usually self healing.
The following day the minute wound began feeling painful then later, projected sharp penetrating pains to different parts of my back, chest and arm. I was scared a bit when the pain projected to my heart area, aware of my long standing myocardial ischemia.
The radiating pain got worse on the third night to the point that little movements in bed could be excruciating. I requested my helper to look at my back wound. He saw a bigger circular wound with little pus with three new pointing areas. I suspected it was carbuncle, a staphylococcal infected that could last for two weeks if uncomplicated.
Because lying on bed somehow always traumatized the wound, it got worse that now I have to do a daily dressing and a regular antibiotic therapy. When it was at its worst I thought the penetrating pain could cause me sudden heart attack which I fatally welcome since I really wanted to die of heart attack to avoid prolong suffering and agony.
True enough I thought I could die that night and was pretty ready about it. I even thought of texting the Parish Priest to invite him to pay me a visit so I could confess, be administered with the Sacrament of the Sick. On second thought I said it was possible I could survive this event and no need to hurry. It was the third week now and the daily cleaning and antibiotic therapy was doing good. The radiating and penetrating pains were gone and there were no new pointings. So I was nt going to die yet and yes, I am very much alive happy as Budoy.
It is now 11-11-11 and I found a new life, new mission, new challeng
Monday, November 7, 2011
A VISITING GHOST?
A VISITING GHOST?
This is not a horror story… the reason why I am posting this many days after All Souls’ Day. It all started after my children grandchildren, wife and guests all left in the afternoon of All Saints’ Day. I was again left alone in our old ten bedroom ancestral home. My gardeners stay at their quarter behind the old house.
It was not easy to say I didn’t feel lonely because honestly, somehow, tinge of unexplained loneliness stated creeping all over me and so I quickly introduced my antidote by singing a happy tune.
I slept alone in my room after closing the lights and the doors of the other rooms. I hated being disturb by closing and opening doors caused by the blowing of the wind through the windows.
In the middle of the night I was awakened by the strong urge to urinate. I simply rose from my bed to go to the bathroom which was adjacent to mine. Immediately I was temporarily stunned when I noticed the door of the opposite room was open while the light was brightly opened as if someone was inside. I was frozen for a moment. Who could have opened the room and its light? I presumed my wife returned and I didn’t noticed or felt her coming up… maybe to surprise me or whatever. I was sure any of my gardeners would have the guts to even attempt to play that kind of trip on me.
I honestly believe that ghosts maybe true but they were supposed to be simple entities incapable of opening doors and switching lights. So, not finding any plausible reason for the ghostly event I went directly to my desk to record the details about my feelings and analysis.
Though unconvinced that a ghost was doing tricks on me, I prayed surrounding myself with the white light of Jesus so that nothing could hurt me as I then proceeded to my room to continue my interrupted sleep. It was when I entered my room that I suddenly realized that when I entered my room earlier I felt the colder climate that I decided to change to a thicker blanket which I took from the room that I just found opened and lighted as I forgot putting of the light and closing the door before I wrapped myself in a thick blanket to prevent shivering.
What took place was not an eerie ghostly experience but just a simple, ordinary senior moment of lapses enough to keep doors and lights open.
This is not a horror story… the reason why I am posting this many days after All Souls’ Day. It all started after my children grandchildren, wife and guests all left in the afternoon of All Saints’ Day. I was again left alone in our old ten bedroom ancestral home. My gardeners stay at their quarter behind the old house.
It was not easy to say I didn’t feel lonely because honestly, somehow, tinge of unexplained loneliness stated creeping all over me and so I quickly introduced my antidote by singing a happy tune.
I slept alone in my room after closing the lights and the doors of the other rooms. I hated being disturb by closing and opening doors caused by the blowing of the wind through the windows.
In the middle of the night I was awakened by the strong urge to urinate. I simply rose from my bed to go to the bathroom which was adjacent to mine. Immediately I was temporarily stunned when I noticed the door of the opposite room was open while the light was brightly opened as if someone was inside. I was frozen for a moment. Who could have opened the room and its light? I presumed my wife returned and I didn’t noticed or felt her coming up… maybe to surprise me or whatever. I was sure any of my gardeners would have the guts to even attempt to play that kind of trip on me.
I honestly believe that ghosts maybe true but they were supposed to be simple entities incapable of opening doors and switching lights. So, not finding any plausible reason for the ghostly event I went directly to my desk to record the details about my feelings and analysis.
Though unconvinced that a ghost was doing tricks on me, I prayed surrounding myself with the white light of Jesus so that nothing could hurt me as I then proceeded to my room to continue my interrupted sleep. It was when I entered my room that I suddenly realized that when I entered my room earlier I felt the colder climate that I decided to change to a thicker blanket which I took from the room that I just found opened and lighted as I forgot putting of the light and closing the door before I wrapped myself in a thick blanket to prevent shivering.
What took place was not an eerie ghostly experience but just a simple, ordinary senior moment of lapses enough to keep doors and lights open.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A TIME TO BE HAPPY
A TIME TO BE HAPPY
It was not an ordinary thunderstorm for it was also raining angry elephants and tigers. Typhoon Pedring was pouring terror and suffering to Northern and Central Luzon.
Sudenly, there was power failure which I suspected must have been purposely done to prevent electrical accidents especially to flooded areas. In moments like this I always try to shield myself from attacks of loneliness and fear by singing a happy song.
“ A time to be happy is now…” But how could be happy when I was fully aware that many were suffering, even dying in affected areas? “ A time to be happy is here…” Yes, it was easier to be happy where I was but I couldn’t imagine the feelings of those caught on rooftops specially the infants and the old folks.
“And the way to be happy is to make others happy…” How can I help make others happy where I was when I was confined solitarily in a darkened house that the wind was trying hard to forcibly destroy?
“ And to build a little heaven down here…” At the moment I was aware of all my heavenly virtues but I was simply trapped in my haven… helpless. So, I fervently prayed: “Powerful Father in heaven, Your Will! Nothing more, nothing less and nothing else”.
Then I went to be and slept peacefully knowing thAt God was in full command.
It was not an ordinary thunderstorm for it was also raining angry elephants and tigers. Typhoon Pedring was pouring terror and suffering to Northern and Central Luzon.
Sudenly, there was power failure which I suspected must have been purposely done to prevent electrical accidents especially to flooded areas. In moments like this I always try to shield myself from attacks of loneliness and fear by singing a happy song.
“ A time to be happy is now…” But how could be happy when I was fully aware that many were suffering, even dying in affected areas? “ A time to be happy is here…” Yes, it was easier to be happy where I was but I couldn’t imagine the feelings of those caught on rooftops specially the infants and the old folks.
“And the way to be happy is to make others happy…” How can I help make others happy where I was when I was confined solitarily in a darkened house that the wind was trying hard to forcibly destroy?
“ And to build a little heaven down here…” At the moment I was aware of all my heavenly virtues but I was simply trapped in my haven… helpless. So, I fervently prayed: “Powerful Father in heaven, Your Will! Nothing more, nothing less and nothing else”.
Then I went to be and slept peacefully knowing thAt God was in full command.
Friday, September 30, 2011
A BABY WAS BORN
A BABY WAS BORN
Our farmer’s wife gave birth to a child, a baby girl. It was not unusual. She was brought to the Municipal Health Center at around 2:00 a.m. She quickly delivered her baby at almost about the coming of the midwife. Again it was not unusual and thanks God, everything happened quickly and smoothly except that at 6:00 a.m. she was already being discharged.
The father was told about ...the Center’s rule not to keep patient more than four hours if there were no complications. Again it was not unusual to follow the rule except that the husband didn’t have money to pay the “package amount” of Php 4,000.00. He didn’t know what to do so he approached my gardener trying to barrow said amount.
My gardener in turn told me the farmer’s predicament and I immediately went to withdraw from my ATM account which happened to be out of order that moment. I went to the Center to request that the woman be allowed to go home while I promised to immediately give the payment once the ATM got on line. My request was granted.
I advised the mother to undergo ligation as they already have three children. It was now very expensive to get pregnant considering all the collateral expenses before and after a child’s birth. Reflecting on my suggestion I wondered allowed “What if our parents underwent ligation after three children during our time?” I was the youngest in the family of ten while my wife was the 10th in a family of thirteen. The Reproductive Health Bill should really be debated intelligently and an intelligent decision must be arrived at.
Our farmer’s wife gave birth to a child, a baby girl. It was not unusual. She was brought to the Municipal Health Center at around 2:00 a.m. She quickly delivered her baby at almost about the coming of the midwife. Again it was not unusual and thanks God, everything happened quickly and smoothly except that at 6:00 a.m. she was already being discharged.
The father was told about ...the Center’s rule not to keep patient more than four hours if there were no complications. Again it was not unusual to follow the rule except that the husband didn’t have money to pay the “package amount” of Php 4,000.00. He didn’t know what to do so he approached my gardener trying to barrow said amount.
My gardener in turn told me the farmer’s predicament and I immediately went to withdraw from my ATM account which happened to be out of order that moment. I went to the Center to request that the woman be allowed to go home while I promised to immediately give the payment once the ATM got on line. My request was granted.
I advised the mother to undergo ligation as they already have three children. It was now very expensive to get pregnant considering all the collateral expenses before and after a child’s birth. Reflecting on my suggestion I wondered allowed “What if our parents underwent ligation after three children during our time?” I was the youngest in the family of ten while my wife was the 10th in a family of thirteen. The Reproductive Health Bill should really be debated intelligently and an intelligent decision must be arrived at.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
A SIMPLE REQUEST
A SIMPLE REQUEST
One day my gardener verbally told to me his long time dream. He wanted to learn how to drive. Realizing his simple ambition I immediately gave him permission to go to the Department of Science and Technology in Tagaytay where, someone told me they were offering driving lesson together with trouble shooting for Php. 300.00 only.
Accompanied by my regular driver the two went to Tagaytay just to discover that the said Php 300.00 was only the “entrance fee” and that at the end of the course he would spend almost Php 4000.00. So, they moved to a regular driving school where he was charged Php 2,900.00 and was told to start the following Monday.
Monday came so, my excited gardener woke up so early with the enthusiasm of a newly enrolled high school student on his first day of school. He went there at 1:00 p.m. for the starting lesson at 3:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m. he was back unable to begin the driving lesson. Birth certificate and a personal Identification card were required. But since he didn’t have those credentials he requested for his money back to him but no refund was made.
My poor gardener had to call his family in the province for the Birth certificate while I told him to request for a Postal I.D. at the local Post Office. There was a wrong letter in his birth certificate and an affidavit had to be made to correct that. Meantime to get a Postal I.D. he was required to produce a Community Tax Certificate and a Baranggay clearance.
My gardener had already spent another thousand pesos before he could start his driving lesson. That was after requiring him to pay for his student’s permit. But that was not the end of the story as his Birth Certificate with affidavit correcting the wrong letter wouldn’t be accepted for the issuance of a student’s permit. My poor gardener haven’t started his first driving lesson yet.
One day my gardener verbally told to me his long time dream. He wanted to learn how to drive. Realizing his simple ambition I immediately gave him permission to go to the Department of Science and Technology in Tagaytay where, someone told me they were offering driving lesson together with trouble shooting for Php. 300.00 only.
Accompanied by my regular driver the two went to Tagaytay just to discover that the said Php 300.00 was only the “entrance fee” and that at the end of the course he would spend almost Php 4000.00. So, they moved to a regular driving school where he was charged Php 2,900.00 and was told to start the following Monday.
Monday came so, my excited gardener woke up so early with the enthusiasm of a newly enrolled high school student on his first day of school. He went there at 1:00 p.m. for the starting lesson at 3:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m. he was back unable to begin the driving lesson. Birth certificate and a personal Identification card were required. But since he didn’t have those credentials he requested for his money back to him but no refund was made.
My poor gardener had to call his family in the province for the Birth certificate while I told him to request for a Postal I.D. at the local Post Office. There was a wrong letter in his birth certificate and an affidavit had to be made to correct that. Meantime to get a Postal I.D. he was required to produce a Community Tax Certificate and a Baranggay clearance.
My gardener had already spent another thousand pesos before he could start his driving lesson. That was after requiring him to pay for his student’s permit. But that was not the end of the story as his Birth Certificate with affidavit correcting the wrong letter wouldn’t be accepted for the issuance of a student’s permit. My poor gardener haven’t started his first driving lesson yet.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A TYPHOON VISIT
A TYPHOON VISIT
There was power failure the whole night. The rain was non-stop and the wind was crazily blowing hard while typhoon Pedring was devastating many regions of the country.
I woke up feeling good after a pleasant night sleep in the cold of the storm accompanied by the lullaby of the raindrops. I was trying to dramatize in my mind what was best to do in this kind of situation. But first I wanted to know the news of the day. While scanning the pages of a broadsheet the lights went on. The power was back.
I quickly went to my favorite Netcafe shop just to be told that there was no internet on line so I went directly to the nearby eatery where I ordered my second cup of coffee for the day. I noticed that Typhoon Pedring was not kidding. It was producing whizzing, rumbling and every kind of sounds along its way which was all direction in a whirling manner.
I was waiting for the period of calm while taxing my mind with various thoughts. What could President P-Noy be thinking now while state-visiting Japan? What could the care takers of Malacanang be doing now that everybody was asking what to do next? What could affected people in affected areas be feeling during this time of uncertainty?
As far as I could remember this was the first time that what they call typhoon surge attacked like a tsunami reaching higher than coconut trees along Roxas Boulevard, drowning the U.S. Embassy compound.
Thousands of Whys and Whens and Hows were playing in my mind preventing “Alzheimer’s poison” to have a chance to enter my system. Typhoon Pedring left though Typhoon Quiel was not far behind.
There was power failure the whole night. The rain was non-stop and the wind was crazily blowing hard while typhoon Pedring was devastating many regions of the country.
I woke up feeling good after a pleasant night sleep in the cold of the storm accompanied by the lullaby of the raindrops. I was trying to dramatize in my mind what was best to do in this kind of situation. But first I wanted to know the news of the day. While scanning the pages of a broadsheet the lights went on. The power was back.
I quickly went to my favorite Netcafe shop just to be told that there was no internet on line so I went directly to the nearby eatery where I ordered my second cup of coffee for the day. I noticed that Typhoon Pedring was not kidding. It was producing whizzing, rumbling and every kind of sounds along its way which was all direction in a whirling manner.
I was waiting for the period of calm while taxing my mind with various thoughts. What could President P-Noy be thinking now while state-visiting Japan? What could the care takers of Malacanang be doing now that everybody was asking what to do next? What could affected people in affected areas be feeling during this time of uncertainty?
As far as I could remember this was the first time that what they call typhoon surge attacked like a tsunami reaching higher than coconut trees along Roxas Boulevard, drowning the U.S. Embassy compound.
Thousands of Whys and Whens and Hows were playing in my mind preventing “Alzheimer’s poison” to have a chance to enter my system. Typhoon Pedring left though Typhoon Quiel was not far behind.
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