Yuletide Message

Yuletide Message

Before 2014 ends we would like to give our heartfelt gratitude to all the people who made this passing year really beautiful. No amount of words can express our gratefulness to all of you for making 2014 a great and meaningful year for all of us.  

From our family…to our relatives, friends and mates, members and associates at the church, fellow constituents in the community, colleagues in the academe and fellow members in organizations and associations, other unnamed special people on the sidetrack watching and lifting us, offices and agencies which are channels of our cause…it was great having spent another year with you.   

Our lives met, crossed, intertwined, and you chose to be involved with our cause for all, some lightly, and others deeply involved in one way or another. It was a tough year, yet we stayed together though the sailing was rough. Thank you very much for all the courage and determination, for standing firmly with us, not for ourselves but for a nobler cause.   

As Martin Luther King says...

More than our thankfulness, we salute you with our highest and immeasurable regard for joining us in our tough journey... 

We look forward to reaping the sweet fruit of our bitter labor come 2015. All of these will not be possible without your unfailing support.

More power to all of you. God’s grace and abundance be upon you, and your family. 

Peace be with us this 2015.

And All Things Shall Come to Pass…

                                                                            Photo credits  from the Internet

Not just for children, but for adults as well. In life, it is painful to see many blinds are misled by equally blind others into the pitfall. Though we have the moral obligation to campaign for the truth but many are deliberately resisting to accept it, sometimes it is better to stop and watch for a while, and let all things be. All these things shall come to pass…

In the end, it is the Truth that will always prevail…

More than ever, now I understand why we should love our enemies, and why is so that our enemies are said to be our best friends. 

It is because our enemies bring out the best in us, the real in us, really! When our opponents try to dispute our side of the coin and insist their side, they are actually and unconsciously shedding the light on  both sides for others to see the comparison, and if we are on the right side then the favor is done unto us, and not on them. Enough reason to love our enemies?

And when all things have come to pass, and the truth have prevailed, everybody will savor the  sweet fruit of triumph, including opponents who will eventually convene. And for those who will stubbornly opposed?  Surely they will reap the consequences of their evil deeds. 

Now, time to rest for a while, enjoy watching our blindfolded opponents and see where they are going. It's a free country, everybody has the liberty to do what one pleases to do, as long as it is not unlawful. My prayer and affirmation: After the turmoil, it is the Truth that will prevail.

And it is getting nearer...   

Thank you for bringing the best in us, and giving us reasons to love you... 

Fellow folks, enjoy watching...

All it takes is just an ounce of courage...

    Photo credit to the internet 

Care-free living there’s no such, for anyone with an eye within the heart. We must not get tired of doing what is supposed to do, cleaning the terrible mess and shit dropped by some callous passers-by in front of us and of other’s too, and almost everywhere, and rallying on everybody to be equally vigilant, for love of the future.

Tired we will be, yes; rest if we must, sure; but never ever stop, even if it will mean a life of all sacrifice and no pleasure, all for the love of the next generation.

For who would want a future generation cursing us on our graves for inheriting an abode they can’t live on happily, and will take them a lifetime to clean?

Making today a little better for our children’s tomorrow is the best legacy we could give them. 

Roses are red and thorns are sharp...

I’m not really fond of roses. Flowers like sampaguita, orchid, sunflower, magnolia, etc. specially golden showers and dragon fruit flowers got  a whole lot of my admiration, but roses have not, ever since, for reasons that it is not fragrant and I don’t find it really attractive with its thorns. I was just wondering why on many occasions roses were given as token of endearment, and became the flower that symbolizes love. I was thinking that there are many other flowers more beautiful than rose.  What made it so special?

Ang tawag sa aking mother-in-law sa aming church ay flower girl. Iyon ang kanyang katungkulan, dahil every Sunday ay gumagawa siya ng bouquet para sa altar, at hindi kami bumibili ng mga flowers, kinukuha niya ang mga kailangan niyang bulaklak at dahon sa paligid-ligid, na garden ng pamilya, iba-ibang bulaklak naiipon niya at ginagawa para sa altar, pero wala lagi isa mang rose. Bakit nga ba wala pala kaming tanim isa mang rose?

On many occasions ay tumatanggap kami ng roses, sa mga programs sa church, school and community, pag Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, at iba-iba pang okasyon. Of course I appreciate the gesture very much if I am given a rose (yes the gesture and not the rose itself).

Just recently, one of the organizations where I belong had a great dilemma, to terminate a member whom we found will ruin our system, or retain his membership. Actually  it is not really a dilemma, if we will be consistent with our rules and policies, and with the principles why our organization was established in the first place. Any member who violates this has no place in our system. No dilemma at all if the decision is based on rationale and no compromise. 

In making tough decisions specially with fellow people, it is a culture of Filipinos that we tend to involve our compassion in whatever decision we make, and that is where the dilemma lies, and compromise set in (which should not be, of course).  

Now I understand why the rose is the flower that symbolizes love. It is the very thorn that made it so special, it represents the unacceptable and unlovable part of others, for when we love anybody, we also accept and love the unacceptable in them.   

And so, roses are red and thorns are sharp. When it is given to you, the giver is expressing that he is accepting even the unlovable in you,  or vice-versa.  

Now I'm beginning to appreciate the rose.   

But, no matter how I'm beginning to like it now, sad to say that the rose is not for everybody. 

It is not for organizations. No thorns please...sorry! 

     

                        

Blessings of fruits...

Aug. 9, 2014 am -  learned that our Ism ( my husband's 1st born nephew) undergone operation                                                due to pancreas failure at 3:30 am that saturday morning...

Aug.10, 2014 @ 6:50 am - Ism passed away leaving us all in a state of shock...

Aug. 16, 2014 - Ism's funeral...

Dear Ism,

         At this time tanggap na namin na wala ka na nga. Ano pa nga ba ang dapat gawin kundi tanggapin nga? Pero let me say this...grabe ka talaga, ang daya mo! Para kang nakipaglaro ng Taguang-Pung sa amin at sa mga pinsan mo, nung ikaw na ang taya at siguro nahihirapan ka sa laro at maghanap ng mapupung ay amayaw ka na, alam namin nandiyan ka lang pero yun pala nawala ka na.   

        Sa ngayon parang we are not yet back to our senses. Iniisip ko kung nagkakain ka kaya ng madaming madaming afrut naisalba kaya ang pancreas mo? Si Honeybet mo kasi four years back puputulin na sana ang isang paa hanggang middle thigh, pero he never give in sa gusto ng doktor na mula pa hanggang ankle lang sana ang puputulin, hanggang umabot ang infection sa hita he never gave up, ayaw nya talaga ipaputol, he waited sa pamumunga ng afrut, at nang meron na bunga yun ang pinagkakain nya day in and day out, and your Honeybet with his strong will survived it, gumaling sya at hindi naputol ang paa nya. kung nakatulong sa Honeybet mo ang afrut nung 56 yrs old sya, siguro higit na nakatulong sa iyo ito sa edad mong 34 pa lang. Pero madaya ka nga kasi, hindi ka nakipaglaro ng matagal sa taguang-pung at sa buhay, nagpatalo ka kaagad, umayaw ka kaagad, or lumaban ka nga ba silently? and you died silently? Nalulungkot kami sa pagkawala mo, na parang gusto magalit kasi umalis ka kaagad. Ewan ba, ang daya mo nga ba?

        Ism...ang ikli ng ibinigay sa iyong pangalan, ganun kaya yun? pag maikli ang pangalan maikli rin ang buhay?. You are the first to go, sa side ni Honeyam mo nandiyan pa si Mimay, at age 84 malakas na malakas pa rin, and not taking any calsibloc or neobloc, sunblock lang ang kanya for her pretty face. Sa mga tito at tita kumpleto pa lahat, at mga pinsan mo. Napakabata mo to go at 34...

          Ism pag nagkita na kayo ni Diday kiss us all to him...

       and don't worry, we got your message, we'll take care of our health more, with afrut na blessing in the family... 

                      

Thank you Lord for the fruits so big and sweet,

Helping in keeping us well and fit,

We pray for longer life, more years to serve Thee,

and bless my man whose hands tend these plants,

       always keep him and make him healthy. 

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Glenda's Whip

   Rain is nature’s gift, nourishes the farmers’ toil;

       typhoons are brats of nature, destroyer and spoiler...

  

sinira ang favorite outdoor bonding spot ng mga apo ko, buti ang see-saw nilang kakaiba hindi nadale... 

   pati amplalayang naisakatuparan ng nangarap na farmer-farmeran            dinale...tsk! 

Looking for the lyrics of "The Lord is my True Shepherd"

Had this sudden longing to sing the song we used to sing in high school, kept singing and trying to recall the lyrics but failed. Texted a friend and classmate in high school for help, but sent me a song with the same title but different lyrics...

Anyone? Please help!  Just want to teach the song to my grandkids. 

The Lord is my shepherd

The Lord is my true shepherd

He is Lord and I’m His guest

He guides me on the safe path

Where He leads me to my rest.

Chorus:
If I should ever walk,

     in this valley of darkness

No evil would I fear,

    You are there to show the way.

Surely goodness and kindness 

     will cheer up my cheerless heart

He cools my head with oil,

       ………………………………………..

Repeat Chorus 

...................................................................

Virus proof?

May ipipirint ang isa naming teacher na pictures na idadaan sa aking laptop to the printer. I worry so much sa aking dear old laptop na isinalin lang sa akin at dalawang beses na nareformat, na ayaw na tumanggap ng ibang usb.  

Sabi ng aming teacher yun daw celfon nya ang gagamitin nya at wag daw ako magworry dahil wala virus yun. Talaga, how sure kako? Kasi daw ang apple celfon ay hindi tumatanggap o nakakatanggap ng virus, therefore walang ililipat na virus.

Galing naman sabi ko. Sana ganun din ang tao, magkaroon ng feature na hindi tatablan ng virus, para wala din mailipat na virus. 

Morning greeters...

Scene that greeted me as I opened the window this morning…mga dragon fruit flowers na bumuka kagabi, at pag nasilayan ng init ng araw sa umaga ay magsisisara na rin, para maging dragon fruit na pipitasin in a month time.

Hopefully next fruiting season wala na ang tall and unwanted grasses, puro carabao and peanut grass na sana lahat, para sa mga apong mahal and diwata (diyata?)....

A Dance with Nature Tonight...

   Dragon Fruit Flowers to bloom this evening, around a hundred of them…

Invasion on-going, there's no stopping...

      Operation Peanut Grass & Carabao Grass 

                  Sprawling On-Going 

Malapit na, malapit na madominate ng carabao and peanut grass ang mga unwanted grass, invasion on-going, there's no stopping. Ang Jeranse Dragon Fruit Farm malapit na rin tawaging Peanut Grass Farm, just one square meter a day soon this will be a peanut grass lawn para sa aming mga apo, no more tall unwanted grass to hurt and itch their legs…soon! 

  

Flowers everywhere to greet us every morning, thousands and thousands of bright little yellow flowers.

...and the flowers are there the whole day, closes at sunset, opens again at sunrise, everyday...!

Pati ang bunso naming diwata (diyata?) ay mag-eenjoy sa pictorial sa peanut grass lawn ng mama pag uwi nya...

Not what we gain, but how did we live...

The World really needs...

Just pondering...is the Phil. Govt. ignoring this?

Reposting here some previous reports: 

75 concrete blocks spotted in Panatag Shoal

By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) | Updated September 5, 2013 - 12:00am

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MANILA, Philippines - More concrete blocks have been spotted in the disputed Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal.

At least 75 concrete blocks were seen around the shoal by an aerial surveillance team last Monday, defense department spokesman Peter Galvez said yesterday.

“Each block (measures) two feet by two feet,” he said.

Galvez said it is possible that some of the concrete blocks were not seen during the surveillance conducted on Aug. 31. Officials reported that they then monitored 30 concrete blocks.

“These (blocks) can be easily dropped off from any platform,” Galvez said.

He said the blocks could be used as foundation for a structure and a prelude to construction activity.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Concrete blocks in Panatag 'not new,' Defense chief admits

October 25, 2013 2:33pm

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Tags: Scarborough Shoal

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Friday admitted that the Defense Department had erred in describing the concrete blocks seen in the disputed Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal as new, which almost drove the Philippine government to file a diplomatic protest against China.

“They (concrete blocks) have barnacles already, meaning they are old but that was new to us because we saw them only then,” said Gazmin in an ambush interview in Camp Aguinaldo. “It's possible that it was low tide when the photos were taken and it was high tide during the previous missions."Gazmin was referring to the photos taken during reconnaissance flights in August and September showing 75 

concrete blocks scattered within the vicinity of the Panatag Shoal, which is being claimed by China.

 

It’s not really all fun in Palawan…

Not really all fun in Palawan...?! 

I was blessed to go to Puerto Prinsesa this May 11 to 15, 2014 to attend the 3^rd Annual Regional Conference of AIMP (Ang Iglesia Metodista ng Pilipinas) Palawan Conference and after the said conference had the chance to visit other beautiful places of Palawan, my gratitude to our newfound friends and brethren. Words are not enough to express our deepest appreciation.

While our main purpose to go there is to attend to the conference, what I am going to talk about here are my personal experiences in the beautiful land, waters and stones of Palawan.   

The places we were able to visit were the Crocodile Farm, Mitra’s Mansion, Baker’s Hill, Baywalk, El Nido, Fuerza de Sta. Isabel, and commercial centers where we bought pearls to bring home to our love ones. In all of those places, we marveled at the wonders of nature and landscape craft of artistic people of Palawan. We literally sang and shouted “How great thou art!”

My great fascination on our island hopping at El Nido. How would I describe those mountains of stones on the sea? At first glance and going around them they looked like solid mountains of stones at approximately the height of a 15 to 20 storey building, but upon entering a certain secret hole on one side (that can only be seen on low tides) going inside you'll discover that it is like a huge hollow volcano. According to our host, there is no trace of fault line in Palawan and it is safe from earthquakes. I just wonder if this gigantic hollow mountain of stone was then a volcano that erupted when there was not yet any inhabitant in Palawan. It's like a wide wide round swimming pool surrounded and walled by high stones, or like a giant well and we were like tiny frogs inside the well that what we can see outside was only the skies above us. How I shouted as if trying to be heard in the skies, only to hear the echo of my own voice!

On our last day before going to the airport, our generous host took advantage of the spare hours to bring us to Speaker Ramon Mitra’s tomb overlooking at the sea where he survived from drowning when he was young. We were told that while still alive, the late Speaker Ramon Mitra made a will(?) that when he dies he’ll be buried there.

The last stint was Plaza Cuartel…

When we reached the place I thought that it was just one of the historical places of Palawan where a first-time visitor would have a fond taste of its rich heritage, but the ambiance here was much different…our moods shifted…

From the very entrance where the marker was/is, we were first told about what Plaza Cuartel was/is all about. I literally felt some pinches and squeeze in my heart. We knew it from our history, but reading and learning about it is very much different from actually setting foot on the ground and being a part of that history. 

And here is the façade of Plaza Cuartel…

And this is/was the tunnel leading to the sea where the American POW soldiers entered upon their escape from the Japanese soldiers, where the Japanese soldiers poured drums and drums of gasoline and burned around 150 American soldiers alive…

My hands were trembling while I was taking pictures of this. I felt that pain and sorrow for the American POW soldiers burned alive inside the tunnel and hatred for the Japanese soldiers who burned them alive on December 14, 1944. This is history, part of World War II, one of the many tragedies of war, all for the liberty we Filipinos are enjoying today.

Inside the compound of Plaza Cuartel was cool, and cooler upon approaching the Massacre Monument where the names of the American POW soldiers burned alive were written. While reading their names and taking picture of the Massacre Monument I felt that sadness for their family. And I wondered, if it is actually a kin of anyone of those whose name was written on the monument, I wonder how would they actually feel if they are in my place looking and taking picture of it?

Many thanks Manang Delilah Casabar Lodor for touring us in your place, as I have said words are not enough to express our deepest gratitude. Intentional or not, thank you very much that the last place where you brought us was at Plaza Cuartel. Imagine if we visited this first or at the middle of our tour, how would we enjoy Palawan the way we did? Sakto ka talaga manang, kaya sa iyo kami e. Ikaw na! (that’s one of the endearment phrases of gratitude and compliment our brethren used to say).

My reminder to everyone who would visit Palawan, if you want to really enjoy then visit all the places you want to and have fun, but put Plaza Cuartel the last in your list, because it is no longer all fun and merriment when you are in Plaza Cuartel…surely you'll have your own fair share of pain too when you set foot on it.  

Honorable Beggars?

May 6, 2014 in a bus to Manila...

Nang may bumabang pasahero sa Balintawak biglang may umakyat namang dalawang binatilyo, taka ako dahil binawal at pinabababa ng kundoktor, akala ko pasahero yun pala hindi pasahero...

Ang isa ay nanatiling nakatayo sa gawing unahan at nag-umpisa ng litanya habang ang isa ay apura ng pagpapamudmod ng sobre sa mga pasahero. Ang katabi ko ay binigyan at ako na nakaupo sa gawing loob sa tabi ng bintana ay hindi binigyan ng sobre. 

Ang litanya ng nasa unahan...

"Magandang araw po sa inyo mga Sir, mga Ma'am. Hindi po kami masasamang tao, hindi kami nagnanakaw, hindi kami nanghoholdap at hindi nang-iisnatch, hindi rin kami nagtutulak ng droga para kumita. Mahirap po kami pero kami ay marangal din na tao.

Sa lugar na pinanggalingan namin ay magulo, sinisira ang aming mga tanim at pinapatay ang mga alaga naming hayop, pinagnanakawan kami at sinusunog ang bahay namin, sinasaktan kami at ang iba ay pinapatay, kaya umalis kami doon sa aming lugar at nakarating kami dito sa Maynila, sa awa ng Diyos at kabutihan ng mga nasa barko, libre kami hindi siningil ng pamasahe. 

Hindi kami humihingi sa inyo ng malaki. Barya lamang po o piso ang hihingin namin sa inyo upang hindi makabigat sa inyo. Sa piso o barya na maibigay ninyo ay ipapanalangin namin kayo na sana ay lalo pa kayong pagpalain ng Diyos sa kabutihan ninyo. 

Maraming salamat po sa inyong kabutihang-loob at Diyos na ang bahala sa inyo. Lagi namin kayong ipapanalangin na higit kayong pagpalain."

Ang litanya ay naideliver ng maayos na maayos sa paraang madamdamin na may pahinto-hinto at parang maiiiyak ang nagsasalita.

Ang katabi ko ay malutong na papel ang perang isinilid sa sobre.

Reflection: Hindi ko makapa sa aking sarili ang "paniwalaan" ang dalawang                        binatilyo. Ako kaya ang may problema o sila?