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.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
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.
Friday, September 16, 2011
JUST ANOTHER DAY
JUST ANOTHER DAY
It was already in the morning… supposedly the start of the working hours but at the Glorieta where I go daily to do my internet chatting, all the stalls were still closed. I wanted to take my second cup of coffee but Saddle Rance was also closed like the Beauty Salon at the opposite side and the “Ukay-Ukay” store nearby. The Money Changer was still inactive including the Netcafe Shop where I was supposed to begin my day.
I wonder where everyone was though I was sure it was not a holiday and it was pretty unusual for this place to be like this. The unruly students that used to gather very early where nowhere to be found. Vehicles were busy at the front street but where was everybody to activate the Geleria?
An American national who also frequent the Netcafe came by so while waiting we had a long personal chat on various matters of interest. At the end of our animated conversation we both agreed that Alfonso was indeed a paradise considering everything that happens everywhere.
It was already 9:30 a.m. when the young woman on duty to open the Netcafé shop arrived. She immediately started unlocking about 9 padlocks securing the shop. The last one couldn’t be opened even with the assistance of the other stall owners.
I decided to go home and discovered that the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant was being aired on Television. Miss Philippines was already among the 16 semi-finalist. Then she was chosen among the Five finalist and eventually chosen third runner up. Everytime her name was called she would exhibit that tsunami walk that only she could do gracefully. It was not too bad considering that she was one among the 89 contestants from all over the world. It made my day.
It was already in the morning… supposedly the start of the working hours but at the Glorieta where I go daily to do my internet chatting, all the stalls were still closed. I wanted to take my second cup of coffee but Saddle Rance was also closed like the Beauty Salon at the opposite side and the “Ukay-Ukay” store nearby. The Money Changer was still inactive including the Netcafe Shop where I was supposed to begin my day.
I wonder where everyone was though I was sure it was not a holiday and it was pretty unusual for this place to be like this. The unruly students that used to gather very early where nowhere to be found. Vehicles were busy at the front street but where was everybody to activate the Geleria?
An American national who also frequent the Netcafe came by so while waiting we had a long personal chat on various matters of interest. At the end of our animated conversation we both agreed that Alfonso was indeed a paradise considering everything that happens everywhere.
It was already 9:30 a.m. when the young woman on duty to open the Netcafé shop arrived. She immediately started unlocking about 9 padlocks securing the shop. The last one couldn’t be opened even with the assistance of the other stall owners.
I decided to go home and discovered that the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant was being aired on Television. Miss Philippines was already among the 16 semi-finalist. Then she was chosen among the Five finalist and eventually chosen third runner up. Everytime her name was called she would exhibit that tsunami walk that only she could do gracefully. It was not too bad considering that she was one among the 89 contestants from all over the world. It made my day.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
PROCRASTINATION
WHAT TO DO WHILE RAINING
To procrastinate, according to the dictionary is to delay or put off to a later time. It means postponing a decision or simply forgetting about it. It is considered the thief of time. Yes, it robs our time resulting to so many important things left undone. It is most practice during rainy days when we don’t want to do anything that we usually do.
Rainy days do change our attitude and disposition that is why procrastination during this time is more common. In fact it is turning to be a hobby that is not so interesting to do.
But if we study carefully we shall discover that procrastination could be converted positively like for instance fixing or putting into order the contents of your cabinet while the rain is pouring on; cleaning your books and bookshelves in time with the thunderstorm.
How about checking your files or just finding out if your hanging clothes are in good order? This is also the best time to clean your shoes to wash away the growing fungi in preparation for the sunny days. There are a lot of simple things we could do while procrastinating.
Ok, it is raining almost continuously. Let us procrastinate but let us procrastinate positively.
To procrastinate, according to the dictionary is to delay or put off to a later time. It means postponing a decision or simply forgetting about it. It is considered the thief of time. Yes, it robs our time resulting to so many important things left undone. It is most practice during rainy days when we don’t want to do anything that we usually do.
Rainy days do change our attitude and disposition that is why procrastination during this time is more common. In fact it is turning to be a hobby that is not so interesting to do.
But if we study carefully we shall discover that procrastination could be converted positively like for instance fixing or putting into order the contents of your cabinet while the rain is pouring on; cleaning your books and bookshelves in time with the thunderstorm.
How about checking your files or just finding out if your hanging clothes are in good order? This is also the best time to clean your shoes to wash away the growing fungi in preparation for the sunny days. There are a lot of simple things we could do while procrastinating.
Ok, it is raining almost continuously. Let us procrastinate but let us procrastinate positively.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
QUEEN OF THE BLOSSOMS
QUEEN OF THE BLOSSOMS
Typhoon Juaning was angrily pouring buckets of rain from the skies. I was making my regular brewed coffee. It was twilight time.
My attention was easily caught by one glamorously attractive giant flower daintily glowing in the dim of the moment. It was about 1x1/2 foot in size showing its magnificence in the midst of tiny Japanese Bougainville and multi colored cactus blossoms.
It was indeed a dominant garden queen getting my full concentration while I was greatly wondering how it was formed. While I was continuously appreciating it I was also trying to make plans in my mind what I would do with it come morning time. It was so beautiful that I thought it should be seen and appreciated by more flower lovers.
While watching TV and sipping my hot brewed coffee the image of that dark pink giant blossom was still lingering in my mind. I started wondering how it was formed. What is a result of the heavy rains? I have never seen something like it before. It must have emitted its own special scent that I didn’t smell during that rainy night. I promised myself to do something with it earliest in the morning.
I planned to cut it so I could put it in a unique porcelain vase for my visitors to appreciate. It will surely be a good conversation piece. So, while I was drinking my first cup of brewed coffee in the morning I took a careful long look at the Queen of the blossom and behold! It was not a magnificent Queen of Flower I thought it to be. The brightness of the sunrise exposed its reality.
It was just a medium sized, dark pink plastic bag flown by the breath of Juaning on top of a big, thick cactus leaf. Yes, it was plastic and like many plastic things including plastics persons it deceived me completely. It taught me a big lesson: Be careful not to be deceived by plastic, be it a flower or a person.
Typhoon Juaning was angrily pouring buckets of rain from the skies. I was making my regular brewed coffee. It was twilight time.
My attention was easily caught by one glamorously attractive giant flower daintily glowing in the dim of the moment. It was about 1x1/2 foot in size showing its magnificence in the midst of tiny Japanese Bougainville and multi colored cactus blossoms.
It was indeed a dominant garden queen getting my full concentration while I was greatly wondering how it was formed. While I was continuously appreciating it I was also trying to make plans in my mind what I would do with it come morning time. It was so beautiful that I thought it should be seen and appreciated by more flower lovers.
While watching TV and sipping my hot brewed coffee the image of that dark pink giant blossom was still lingering in my mind. I started wondering how it was formed. What is a result of the heavy rains? I have never seen something like it before. It must have emitted its own special scent that I didn’t smell during that rainy night. I promised myself to do something with it earliest in the morning.
I planned to cut it so I could put it in a unique porcelain vase for my visitors to appreciate. It will surely be a good conversation piece. So, while I was drinking my first cup of brewed coffee in the morning I took a careful long look at the Queen of the blossom and behold! It was not a magnificent Queen of Flower I thought it to be. The brightness of the sunrise exposed its reality.
It was just a medium sized, dark pink plastic bag flown by the breath of Juaning on top of a big, thick cactus leaf. Yes, it was plastic and like many plastic things including plastics persons it deceived me completely. It taught me a big lesson: Be careful not to be deceived by plastic, be it a flower or a person.
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