LIHAM NI EGIE

Nais kong humiyaw ng pabulong at gisingin ang inyong mga mahimbing na antok. Nagbubulag-bulagan ang mga hindi makakita at ayaw makinig ang mga bingi sa akin. Ayaw n'yo ba akong pansinin at mga sarili lang ang inaatupag? Mga abala kasi kayo sa inyong mga katamaran habang binubusog ang katakawan. Lagi na lang akong nagsasasalita gamit ang pipi kong wika, pilit tinatatas ng utal kong dila ang kaligayahan ng aking kalungkutan. Ninanamnam ko ang tamis ng pait na dulot ng aking pagtitiis, gusto kong liparin ang dagat o languyin ang himpapawid, ipahihiram n'yo ba ang inyong damot sa bagay na nais kong ipaabot? Minsan ako ay nag-iisip kung mangyayari ba ang imposible? Kakayanin kaya ang mahirap? O mamatay na lang sa pagkabuhay? Gusto kong lumaban gamit ang aking karuwagan, ngunit akoy tinatakot ng sarili kong katapangan. Humihingi ako ng kaunting tanggi na sana ako ay tulungan. Samahan n'yo ako sa aking pag-iisa upang makabangon sa aking pagtumba. Natutuwa ako sa kalungkutan at kahit papaano hindi ako pinababayaan, nakakaraos sa kakapusan, at sa kayamanan ng kahirapan. May gagaling pa ba sa malala ? O matutuwa sa hinagpis? Piliin n'yo ang inyong mga ibig at itapon n'yo ang inyong itatabi. Ayun ! Nagkakagulo ang mga tahimik at nag-uunahan sa pagbibigayan. Mananalo ba ang talunan ,? O mabibigo ang magwawagi? Ito ang mga bagay na lagi kong iniisip habang ako ay nakaupo sa aking pagtayo, o himbing sa aking pagkagising sa araw man hanggang sa gabi. Naglalakad ako habang nakahintil, sa maliit na hawla na malawak ang sakop. Nakatingin habang mata ko ay pikit sa mga taong sa akin ay umuusig. Magagalit ba ako sa tuwa? At iiwanan ko sila upang samahan? O talikuran na lang ang aking harapan ng ganap akong maunawaan? Pinupuri nila ako ng kutya, pinag-uusapan sa pagbabalewala, nilalait ng pang-aaba, nililimot ng pag-aalala. Malayung-malayo ako sa malapit kahit isang dipa lang ang aming agwat. Tulungan n'yo akong makawala, ng maging malaya sa kasarinlan. Kailan aalis ang pagbabalik? At isasama ako sa kanilang pag-iwan, sapagkat ako ay nalulungkot sa kaligayahan at hanap ko ay kapayapaan sa kaguluhan. Hindi nila ako maunawaan dahil magulo daw ang malinaw kong sinasabi, binabaligtad ang matuwid, at inililiko ko raw ang deretso. Kahit malalim ang mababaw sa mga bagay na aking sinasabi, mauunawaan mo ang di mo maintindi samahan mo lang ako dito sa aking tabi. Diyos ko bakit mo ibinagay sa akin ito? Biyaya ba? Parusa o ganti ng kapalaran ? Lapatan n'yo muna ako ng lunas at ang isip ko ay kumakawala, ibalik n'yo at isauli sa akin kabaliwan ng aking katinuan. Hinahanap ko ang aking sarili naitago n'yo ba at naitabi? Ipahiram nyong muli sa akin at sa inyo ay isasauli rin.. Ayokong manatili sa silid na ito at bingihin ako ng katahimikan, iparamdam sa akin ang kaunting pagmamahal, palayain na ako at kalagan. Nanaisin ko pang mabuhay sa daigdig na magulo at malupit, kaysa mag-isa sa dilim ng katahimikan at maghintay ng matagal sa kawalan. Putulin n'yo na itong mga tali, buksan ang rehas na bakal at ako ay uuwi. Ibalik ako sa mahal kong tahanan at naghihintay sa akin si nanay . . . .

CLOSED FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

Last night I was listening in the news while trying to patch up something for tomorrow. Actually it was from the TV I was pinning my ears back for the late night reports because I was too occupied to only manage a peep on the boob tube. One news got my attentiveness. I broke off what I was doing for a moment and took a pew in front of the TV. Wyden King has ultimately closed down the last in the group of 14 of the Philippines largest short time sex motels - the Anito. King who had turned Born Again said the closure was not his but of God's will. King's business which many people thought to have caused despairs for countless marriages, inopportune pregnancies of minors, sanctuary for taboo love affairs have finally ceased venture after many generations. He said he cannot figure out how inexplicably the Lord ways are of letting go of his business. Some people considered King's act as a mere duplicity while most others extolled him for his courage and deed of repentance. Whatever it is the good thing is that . . . it is now closed. King gave up his millions of takings from Anitos for his new found true God who moved in the most bizarre way for him.

SI TATAY BEBANG AT "ANG PASKO AY SUMAPIT"

Magandang umaga sa inyo! Kanina ay napabalikwas ako at napabangon kaagad ng makita ko sa aking cell phone na July 23 na pala. Hindi naman sa nagmamadali ako kanina pero sadyang ganuon yata talaga kapag very busy ka hindi mo na namamalayan ang paglipas ng araw. Nuon naikwento ko sa inyo ang aking tatay at ang tungkol sa butas. Maraming nakabasa at natuwa at kahit papaano ay nakapagbigay ng magandang aral. Pinipilit kong alalahanin ang lahat ng mga nangyari ng nabubuhay pa si tatay ng maibahagi ko naman sa inyo. Ngayon ay may naalala ako at ikukuwento ko sa inyo.

Tuwing sasapit ang Pasko, lalung-lalo na kapag ako ay nakakakita ng mga batang paslit na ngangaroling at ang kanilang inaawit ay ang "PASKO AY SUMAPIT" hindi ko maiwasan na sumagi si tatay sa aking alaala. Minsan kasi ay may mga bata na nanapatan sa amin. Nanduruon ako nuong nangyari iyon . Umawit ang mga bata ng ANG PASKO AY SUMAPIT habang si tatay ay nagkamasid sa kanilang harapan at nakangisi. Ang pasko ay sumapit . . . tayo ay mangagsi-awit. . . Natapos ang awit ng mga bata at lahat sila ay nakatingin sa tangan-tangan na mga barya ni tatay na waring hinihintay na iabot sa kanila. "Ulitin ninyo ang inyong awit” sabi ng tatay. Sa pag-aakalang naibigan ng aking tatay ang kanilang awit ay walang tanung-tanong na inulit ang kanta at natapos. Umiling-iling si tatay habang hinithit ang sigarilyo at sinabi “ Ulitin ninyong muli". Inulit nilang muli . . . ang pasko ay sumapit . . tayo ay mangagsi-awit… at natapos. Nagtanong ang isa “ bakit n'yo po pinauulit-ulit ang aming awit? Nakikinig ako at waring interesado sa isasagot at ikakatuwiran ng aking tatay. " Kasi mali!" Sabi ng tatay ko. "Mali????" sabay-sabay nilang sagot "Oo Mali!!" "Saan po kami nagkamali sa tono? Sintunado po ba kami ? ang tanong ng isa . Hindi at sabay inawit ni tatay ang carol - - "Ang pasko ay SASAPIT, tayo ay mangagsi-awit . . .Ayan! dapat ganyan ang pagkanta ninyo! Sabi ni tatay. Bakit po??? Sabay-sabay na tanong ng mga paslit. "Bakit mga bata sumapit na ba ang pasko? ""Hindi pa po!" "O dapat SASAPIT hindi SUMAPIT"mabilis na sagot ni tatay. Sumagot ang isa, "Pero yun po ang turo sa amin at yun po ang naririnig namin kapag inaawit ng iba". "Alam ko" . . . sabi ni tatay . . . Nakangiting iniabot sa isang bata ang mga barya. "Ok ! Ok! sige na at mangaroling na kayo sa iba ng makarami kayo at maraming salamat sa inyong awit." Tumalikod na ang mga bata habang ang isa ay nakalingon sa amin papalayo at tumapat sa aming kapitbahay . . . umawit silang muli "Ang pasko ay sumapit . . .tayo ay mangagsi-awit . . . ."

Ano ang ibig ipakahulugan ni tatay sa kwentong ito.? Bilang pag respeto kay Mr. Levy Celerio na siyang may likha ng awit na ito, hindi ko sinasabing mali ang awit. Ngunit kung pagbabatayan mo tamang panuntunan sa "grammar" sa pagkakalikha sa awit na ito sasabihin mong may katwiran si Tatay Bebang. Huwag na tayong magpaikot-ikot pa at alam ko namang hindi talaga ang awit na ito ang nais niyang tumbukin. Marahil ay may mas malalim pa siyang mensahe na nais ipabatid. Sa buhay ng tao kasi ay mayroon tayong mga kinamulatan at kinagisnan na mga mali. Ito marahil ang nais ipakahulugan ni tatay. Maaring itong mga maling bagay na ito ay ipinamulat ng ating mga magulang o natutunan natin sa kapaligiran na atin ginagalawan. Ang ating daigdig na ginagalawan ay sumasalamin sa kabuuan ng ating pagkatao, sapagkat kung ano ang naririnig o nakikita natin dito ay siyang nagiging batayan ng ating prinsipyo at pangangatuwiran. May mga bagay na alam nating mali sa ating buhay ngunit patuloy nating ginagawa dahil iyon ang itinuro sa atin at tila napakasarap para sa atin na ulit-ulitin. Minsan sadyang matigas ang ulo ng iba kahit pa nga marami na sa kanilang nagsasabi na mali ang ginagawa nila ay patuloy pa rin sila sa ganitong uri ng sistema at ito ang nakikita sa kanila at ginagaya lalung-lao na ng mga kabataan. Marami sa atin ang hindi umuusad tungo sa tunay na pagpapayaman ng ating pagkatao dahil ayaw nating talikuran ang mga mali sa ating buhay at bigyan ng pagkakataon ang pagbabago. May kasabihan tayo na ang yantok raw ay mahirap ng tuwirin kapat naidarang na sa init. Kung bubuksan lamang nating ang ating mga puso at pang-unawa hindi malayong mababago natin sa ating mga sarili ang mga mali at talikuran ang mga ito ng panghabang buhay. Tulad ng isang awit na mali ang mga panitik, maari nating isulat muli ang ating mga buhay upang higit na maging tama at kaayaya sa makaririnig nito. Ang pagbabago tungo sa kabutihan at kagalingan para sa sarili at sa karamihan ay bukas para sa lahat. O ayan, naibahagi ko naman ang isang magandang kwento. Hayaan n'yo at pipilitin kong alalahanin ang lahat upang mai-share ko at kapulutan ng aral. Oo nga pala kaya pala ako napabalikwas ng gising kanina ay kaarawan ngayon ni tatay, Tay! Happy Bithday itong blog na ito ang gift ko sa iyo saan ka man naroroon. O giliw koho . . . miss na miss kita hahaha . . . BEBANG!

ANGER VS. UNDERSTANDING

Last Thursday, July 17, I received a message. It was actually a reply to my e-mail and the sender was enraged against me. I was dumbfounded when I read the message and the first thing I did is go over my sent messages to see if I have written something that burst someone's bubble. I did not see anything, the fact that our conversation was not of quarrelsome issue but was rather a seek- help- support tête-à-tête regarding an approaching project. I just thought I was slapdash with my writing and I realized people are different in comprehension and it is a natural feedback for someone to react on something he feels to be wrong. But with all honesty my reply meant not to cause offense to anybody nor do I have any intention to insult or explode somebody's feeling. I always make it a point to keep rather unspoken or not write something to anyone because I am scared that I may utter something I will regret afterward. I believe in the old Chinese proverb that never write a letter when you are angry.

Jesus Christ also got angry when He squeezed out His outburst in the temple. But His anger was more of a "righteous indignation". Although everybody knows that anger is a sin it is an innate behavior of human being to get indignant. We rage at different intensities and anybody can become mad. It's no hard, but to be angry without basis and justifications, that is not within everybody's control. That is not easy. When anger escalates reflect on its aftereffects. It's like grabbing a hot coal with the intent of tossing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned or booting a stone harming your own foot. When I was still in my corporate life, when my daily routine involves the everyday toil of pressures , anxieties and squabbles with workmates and bosses I used to be angry almost everyday. I have learned through bitter experience that sometimes anger should be delayed in almost every possible way and situation to uphold relationship and friendship and let understanding sets in to takes its own course. I thought I was certain I understand what I thought somebody said, but I realized that what I heard is not what essentially what they meant. Sometimes I feel I am so intelligent but every so often I get the wrong end of the stick on what people are saying. I just thought I have the knowledge a lot about something and not really understand it. How many friends have I lost because of anger? How many times I made myself smaller than the things that made me angry? Of course we need sometimes to be angry especially so not to allow evil to be victorious or inequality and brutality to thrive. These things happen because many believe the world is not angry enough. But more than anger love and understanding can take its place to vanquish them and leads everything that hurt us to a better awareness of ourselves. Anyone can find faults, disparage, and attack anybody when he is angry but it takes understanding to take somebody's self control. We do not need power to let go of something. Or entombs anger to our inside and stock pile tensions for later implosion or explosion to offend ourselves or the others. What we really need is to understand. Anger destroys thing. It's an external manifestation of pain, trepidation and disappointment and the termination of struggle for the truth. When someone is angry he talks articulately as if he makes the best oration of his life. Anger makes someone clever but it keeps him poor- poorer in happiness because for every minute we are angry we lose 60 seconds of it. It is the air which puffs out the lamp of the mind, how can you think unmistakably when your knuckles are clamped and your teeth are crushing? Things will indeed seem different to us if we can only say "I am hurt" and opted to keep quiet and calm down and escape many days of sorrow rather getting angry so sudden. Understanding is the first step towards recuperation from anger. It appeases hurt and enraged feelings.

When Jesus blew up with rage that day in the temple. His indignation was up front. He reacted to the situation swiftly, optimistically, and fittingly then went on his business. His anger is right and justifiable. It's not easy to be indignant with the right person, and to the right extent, and at the right time, and for the right intention, and in the right way just as Jesus did.

My bitter experience of anger, tantrums and poor temperament being a moody artist then urged me to explore the beautiful gift of understanding. I still get angry but I have learned to control it; and I still try to yearn not to feel it. Now I do not easily get angry when a person gets mad at me, I always thought I cannot please everybody nor can I make a day in the sun for all. Instead, I never forget what somebody says to me when he is angry. Somehow I will be able to learn from it to become a better person. It made me believe that he who is slow to anger has great understanding. Anger and narrow mindedness are the enemies of it. A person who holds on to hasty mood leaves him less than he had been before while the calmness of the person on whom he wish to expel his ill temper conquers him... Sometimes you become great when a person misunderstood you. The most splendid pleasure is the joy of understanding . . .

LIFE IS A RACE . . .

As life goes harder and harder for most of us, everyone seemed to race in chase for the good life. Some race for the elusive money, material possessions, some for blind pursuit of career success and others for personal fulfillment. Whatever it is money always stood alone as an issue. The way in which we quantify the echelon of our contentment or the norm of living we want to savor indicates the race we want to run. We race in pursuit of a good life, for our self and our dear ones. There were instances envy, conceit, and material lust compelled us to race or people tend to compare their lives with their neighbors. They leave their home and bear the agony of solitude counting the days and the nights away from what they called their comfort zone - home. Some wins and most not. The repercussion of running the race and failing take a heavy price. When we choose to race the breakage lines soon to come into sight on the path we take and collapsing is not far behind. It's like doing a balance sheet it has two sides and the other side of it is relationship. We may opt not to take the race, and not love this world of materialism and just walk with perseverance, hope and faith because all too frequently and regrettably, in pursuit of a good life most leave a footpath of a wrecked relationship. Uncurl perverted priorities. Guidance, concern and relationship every so often take second place to the material and financial emphasis of so many of us. People with broken relationship chatter with little indignity about their flops in home but in quick-witted contrast are quite self-justifying if they fail in their careers or business undertakings or blow their own trumpet about their material and financial attainment. Success and wealth are sometimes acquired at the expense of closeness with our family.

NO AMOUNT OF SUCCESS . .
Many believes by working away from home they can furnish more things or lavish their children with gifts to bring happiness to their homes but in real sense it doesn't satisfy and compensate for the real gift of personal association and the empty longing in the abyss of our soul, the longing for home and family - a true place where love grows well, verdant and fragrant. I have seen and watched some people cry their eyes out as they recounted to me their tales of being away from home. Some with personal life blown apart others with families in muddle . . . none of their financial accomplishments are of the slightest help. Others rose from rugs to riches then back to rugs again . . . They were the race's losers. I also respect the fact that the same thing can happen to me as to anyone. I thanked their stories somehow made me think what contentment is all about. Several times I was tempted to take this sort of race, but every time I dare I think of my family, then my will power seemed all to fade. This world is full of hazards how many young lives have gone extremely far wrong without the fatherly guidance at home. I cannot afford to lose even a single second without them. As said, no amount of success can compensates for failure in home. I am by no means neither perfect nor faultless father, in fact I always feel culpable to my family that I can only give as much and only just can offer the life we have now. But I always thought that my daughters and my wife want me to be the chief executive of the house so it can run efficiently and embrace up the family in the most paternal ways. I realized I am the most important man in their life and my children would be able to put up their lives according to what they see in me. Can I show these aspects of a good father even if I am not with them? Perhaps yes but not absolutely. I know a father's physical presence is invaluable to them as it is with other children. It is also priceless to my wife as it is too with other spouses. Problems and trials come in, but the happiness of being together fortifies my spirit and belief with God that I can deal with it. Love makes a family and a family in harmony will prosper in everything. Life is a race . . . we want the best for our family but sometimes the best turns out to be the worst. We make our own choice; the burden to make the wrong choice is tempting and powerful and should not be underrated. We can just walk . . . slowly and patiently through God's help, we shall reach our desired destination safe and successfully or we can choose to sprint but we cannot choose the aftermath. The reason and the consequence kind of our choice labels us.


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Hebrew 12:1

GENTLEMANLY DEFEATED

By nature , and nearly in all instances in the show ground of sports or any other field of battle for prowess, the winning challenger exults and rejoice before the multitude as he keeps an eye on his fallen adversary . More than what Manny Pacquiao demonstrated to the millions of watching around the world to see his notably proclaimed challenge to David Diaz was not only his boxing preeminence as the no. 1 pound for pound fighter of today but his kindness and compassion that is embedded and natural spirit of a true Filipino. As Pacquiao unveiled his warrior instinct that sent Diaz in stupor face down to the canvas, instead of vaulting or summer saulting for celebration, Manny showed the compassionate and helpful edge of a true sportsman when he moved toward and made an effort to help David Diaz get up. Concern was on his face for the fallen Diaz he trounced into flesh. As a matter of regulation , Referee Vic Drakulich warded off Manny's showing of his spontaneous worry over his fallen rival while the crowd reacted riotously, screeching and applauding as it seems they saw Diaz end came. According to reports, Pacquiao even asked the referee to halt the fight much earlier when he sensed there was no way Diaz could endure the later rounds. Diaz's was bleeding profusely with deep cuts on his right eye and a nick on the bridge of the nose, and Pacquiao kept pounding them at will, most likely in anticipation that Diaz would quit, but did not until the 9th round when he was whacked in the mandible by a ferocious left hook, and plummeted kissing the canvas. David Diaz had the perplexed encounter of fighting the fastest man he had ever seen in the ring but experienced being defeated in the most gamely and gentlemanly manner. Dangerous David Diaz tamely capitulated himself to Manny Pacquiao and gave all his respect for his subjugator's humility, sportsmanship and humanity.

ATTAINED!

When Gabriel Flash Elorde defied fellow Hall of Famer Carlos Ortiz in 1964 and 1966 for his lightweight world title he was stopped both times by the latter in the 14th round. 40 years has gone by since Elorde missed the mark of outspreading his boxing kingdom , Randy Suico took a crack to become the First Filipino lightweight world champion by challenging unconquered WBA lightweight title holder Juan Diaz. Referee Joe Cortez made his mind up to end the bout after Suico had enough in the 9th round. In Mandalay Bay, history was unsuccessful to replicate itself when Manny Pacquiao became the first ever Filipino boxer to catch the lightweight title by knocking out Dangerous David Diaz with a blitzkrieg left cross to the jawbone in the 9th . The bout which many people thought as a "No-Match" fight for Pacquiao against the former Champion Diaz, interspersed added piquancy to his many boxing accolades. Pacquiao unify himself with the lofty and glorious list of quadruple boxing champions of the world in the persons of: Thomas " The Hitman" Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Pernell Whitaker, Oscar dela Hoya, Leo Gamez, Roy Jones , Jr. and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. He made a momentous achievement by becoming the first Filipino and Asian Boxer to dominate such feat and recognition. Mabuhay ka Manny!

ANG BABAE AT ANG BALIW

Isang babaeng baliw, ang pinagtitinginan ng tao, malapit sa isang guard house sa Forbes Park. Madungis, nakahubad at wala sa katinuan. Maya-maya, isang babae ang dumating sa lugar. Kinausap ang isa sa mga guwardiya. “ Boss, wala ba kayong lumang T-shirt diyan na hindi na gingamit? “ “Mam, wala na po eh”, sagot ng isang guwardiya.” Baka Mam sa guard office mayroon”. Pumunta ang babae ngunit wala rin nakuha at bumalik sa guard house. “ Hindi ba tayo pwedeng humingi diyan sa katapat na bahay maski luma?” Tumalilis ang isa at pagbalik ay may daladala ng 2 pirasong lumang T-shirt, ibinigay sa kasama at akmang ibabato sa babaeng nakahubad. Pinigil siya ng babae at kinuha ang kamiseta sa kanyang mga kamay at lumapit ng walang takot at binihisan ang nakahubad na babae. Nakatingin ang mga tao at lalong dumami ang nag-uusyoso. Tamang tama lamang ang T-shirt na isinuot para matakpan ang kanyang kaselanan. “ Ate pahingi ng kanin” ang wika ng baliw. Iniisip ng babae na nagugutom ito kaya inakay niya at isinama sa malapit na karinderiya upang pakainin. Nagmamadaling nagtayuan ang mga katabi, halatang nandidiri sa kararating pa lamang na baliw. Ng dumating na ang pagkain sinabihan ito ng babae na maghugas muna ng kamay. Sagot ng baliw “ Hindi na ate magtitinidor at kutsara na lang ako” bahagyang nangiti ang babae sa kanyang isinagot. Nagkatinginan ang nasa paligid ng mag-sign of the cross ito at umusal ng maikling panalangin bago sinumulan ang pagkain.

Bago nagpaalam ang babae ay kinausap pa ang baliw na huwag huhubarin ang kanyang isinuot na T-shirt at sabay inabot ang mga barya at nakalamukos na pera sa kanyang kamay. Umalis na ang babae patungo sa MRT Station at duon ay may nadaanan siyang mga nagtitinda ng panty at mga tsinelas sa bangketa. Naalala niya ang iniwan na baliw at dali-daling bumili ng tatlong pirasong panty at isang pares ng tsinelas at mabilis na binalikan ang karinderiya. Wala na ito ng siya ay makarating duon at itinuro na lamang ng tindera kung saang direksiyon ito patungo. Nakita niya ang baliw na naglalakad sa hi-way medyo may kalayuan na din, kaya siya ay dali-daling pumara ng bus at sumakay. Ng maabutan niya ito ay hinatak sa likod ng poste at isinuot ang panty at tsinelas. “ Nasaan ba kasi ang mga damit mo?” sabi ng babae “Tinapon ko kasi madumi na” sabi ng baliw. "Alam mo ba na nakahubad ka kanina?" “ Hindi” Tugon naman ng baliw.. "Bakit ka ba napadpad sa Forbes Park?” tanong ng babae “ Hinahanap ko ang kapatid ko sa Binangonan” sagot ng baliw. "O sige huwag mo ng huhubarin lahat ng isinuot ko sa iyo ha?" Hindi na muling sumagot ang baliw.

Kinawayan ng babae ang ang paparating na bus. Inakay ang baliw at sabay na sumampa sa estribo. Kinausap niya ang driver at kunduktor habang nakatingin lahat ng mga pasahero sa kanila. “Mama pakibaba nyo lang po itong babae sa Crossing pakituro na lang po ang sakayan papunta Binangonan at ito po ang bayad. ". "Ate salamat” ang mahinang usal ng baliw. Ngumiti ang babae , bumaba na ng sasakyan at sinundan ng tingin ang papalayong bus. Kinagabihan, bumisita ang babae sa kanyang mga apo at ikinuwento sa anak ang nagyari. “ Si Mama, hindi ka ba natakot kung ano ang gagawin sa iyo nuong babae ng lapitan mo?” tanong ng anak. “ Hindi!” Mariin na sagot ng nanay. “ Hindi ko maatim na makita ko ang isang babae na ganuon ang kalagayan, kahit pa nga sabihin mong wala siya sa katinuan”. Ikinuwento ng anak sa kanyang asawa ang nangyari . . .

Mahigit 20 taon na kaming nagsasama ng aking may-bahay at sa awa ng Diyos bagaman paminsan minsan ay may alitan at di pagkakaunawaan ay napapanatili pa rin naming matatag ang aming pagsasama. Isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit patuloy na nagiging matatag ang ang aming relasyon ay magandang samahan namin ng aking biyenan.. Karamihan sa pagsasama, ang mga biyenan ang itinuturing na kontrabida ng buhay may asawa at kadalasan ay nagiging sanhi pa nga sila ng paghihiwalay . . Maniniwala ba kayo na sa loob ng mahabang panahon ng aming pagsasama ni Eva ay wala pa kaming hindi napagkasunduan ng aking biyenan? Isa siguro ako sa may pinakamabait , pinakamaunawain at pinaka- supportive na biyenan. Nabasa ninyo bang mabuti ang aking kwento? Sasabihin n'yo bang di ako masuwerte? Ganito ba kabait ang biyenan n'yo?

DRAW THE LINE: "No Story Is Worth Dying For"

"I always go after the story sometimes not thinking my love ones, my mom, my kids and this time I guess you know, kailangan maisip ko din na may mga nagmamahal sa akin na nasasaktan sila. It was so unthinking and irresponsible in that way to my children, my mother , my sisters and brothers who I put them in an ordeal like that."

This was the emotional words of ABS CBN Ces Drilon-Orena hours after she was emancipated from a nine day breath-taking encarceration from the notorious Abu Sayyaf. Ces, a veteran broadcast journalist who has been at the focal point of many and unfolding news stories, frequently under extreme circumstances found herself in the unpopular position of being in the news herself while they were on the way to interview a top commander of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.

LESSONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEARNED

Ces is the third local journalist abducted by the ASG, the first being another ABS-CBN staff who were paid up for a few millions during the Sipadan crunch and Inquirer reporter Arlyn dela Cruz. Vice President Noli de Castro and his team of media people were almost seized captives by the ASG when they called on the campsite when he was still a broadcaster. In this day of tight TV network competition between ABS-CBN and GMA7, media personalities seemed to come hell and water for stories . Despite the fact that the country has the disgraceful reputation of having the fifth-highest number of journalists killed and high incidence of kidnapping, media take these risks as part of their job and responsibility for these networks and consequences have to be accepted even if unpleasant. With the "NO RANSOM POLICY" of both government and TV stations , media men going to bandit territory found themselves bearding the lions in their own den. Sad part is, journalists today give much attention to these outlaws by making interviews, news, and documentaries in pursuit of shining the light of exposure in broadcasting. These seemed to justify and spotlight the banditry of these terrorists instead of a help to wipe them out and put an end to all their ill doings. Media men without adequate training on international war correspondence are sent to Sulu and Basilan as baptism of fire. When was Press freedom has gone so free, irresponsible and careless like this?

Media should get off and pay no attention to this terrorists because all they do is terrify and create panic to the public , and thats not what the people want. It's their destruction and total eradication that interests us most. We easily fail to recall-or do not reflect about until tragedy and misfortune wallops. Even the dog in the streets know how dangerous and treacherous to confront these people. Media should draw the line and set boundaries for themselves with regards to covering of stories. Entering the den of these radicals are just like crossing the Rubicon or facing your own demon.

Ces Drilon said: " I though I was so reckless I did not think of my family, that I put them in a really terrible ordeal in the past, then it made me realized the value of life, my family, and my colleagues." Another abject lesson for journalists not dare a challenge that the result will not be worth the effort put in to achieve it. Ces admittedly disregarded some cautions and put the lives of her team in danger because of her stubbornness. We should not throw warnings to the air and sacrifice ourselves , our love ones and others in a blind pursuit of self-fulfillment through career success. As one journalist said: " No story is worth dying for."

HABANG HUMIHIRAP... LALONG TUMITINGKAD, PATULOY NA TUMATATAG

Si Anne Marie Jarvis ang nagpasimula sa pagdiriwang ng Mother’s Day bilang pagdakila sa yumao niyan ina nuong 1905. Ito rin ang nagbigay ng inspirasyon kay Sonora Smart Dodd na ipagdiwang ang Father’s Day bilang pagkilala sa kanyang katangi-tanging ama na mag-isang itinaguyod silang anim na magkakapatid. Animnapu’t pitong taon pa ang lumipas upang ganap na kilalanin ng buong mundo ang pagdiriwang ng Father’s Day.

Mahirap ang buhay sa panahon na ito. Halos lahat ng aking nakakausap ay dumadaing sa taas ng mga bilihin lalo pa nga’t walang puknat ang pag alagwa ng presyo ng krudo at iba pang produktong petrolyo. Isali mo pa ang tustusin sa pagpasok ng pagbubukas ng eskwela. . . Grabe! Kaya karamihan sa atin lalung-lalo na ang mga tatay ay dinodoble ang kayod para matugunan lamang lahat ang panganagailangan ng pamilya. Maraming pagbati ang aking natanggap nuong Father’s Day. Personal, texts, phone call, e-mails, pm’s, friendster widgets. Nakakatuwa at nakaaalis ng pagod. Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga pagbating ito . Sa lahat ng mga greetings natanggap ko , higit kong ikinalugod ang mga pagbating nagmula sa aking asawa at mga anak. Para bang humulas lahat ng pagod, stress at puyat na naranasan ko sa mga nagdaang araw. Pakiramdam ko habang humihirap ang buhay lalong tumitingkad ang kulay ng ang aking pagiging tatay at lalo kong nararamdaman ang appreciation kapalit sa lahat ng aking pagsusumikap. Ang buhay daw ay isang hamon at pagsubok at ito ang araw-araw kong sinasagupa para lalo akong maging matatag para sa kanila. Dinadakila ko ang aking asawa at ang bawat ina ng tahanan (lalo at higit sa mga nanay na sabay na ginagampanan ang tungklin ng isang ama at ina) sapagkat buo ang aking paniniwala na walang hihigit sa kanilang pagkalinga at pag-aaruga at isa ito marahil sa mga katangiang nagpapalakas ng loob kung bakit marami ring mga tatay ang napipilitang maghanapbuhay sa ibang bansa at mapalayo sa kanilang mga minamahal. Napakahirap na desisyon ito at iniisip ko pa lang ay parang hindi ko na kaya. Ayokong lumipas ang kahit isang segundo sa aking buhay na malayo at wala sa piling ng aking mag-iina. Kaya kahit mahirap ang manatili at maghanapbuhay dito, buong sikap kong pinipilit at hindi naman ako pinbabayaan ng Diyos. Malaki ang paghanga ko sa mga tatay na OFW (sa mga nanay din) sa kanilang tapang at tatag.Wala siguro kahit sinuman ang magnanais na mapalayo sa kanyang asawa at mga anak, pero mahirap ang buhay sa Pinas kaya masakit man ito para sa isang ama, pagtitiis at kalungkutan ang nagiging kabayaran kapalit ng isang magandang buhay. Sino bang matinong tatay ang nagnanais na magutom ang kanyang pamilya? Ang responsableng ama ay laging nag-iisip na maibigay ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya materyal man o imateryal para sa lubos na kasiyahan ng kanyang mga mahal sa buhay. Dahil sa hirap ng buhay, marami rin sa mga tatay ang di makatugon sa kani-kanilang responsibilidad na nagiging sanhi ng pagkasira ng kani-kanilang pamilya kasabay ng pagguho ng kanilang mga pangarap. Hindi siguro mangyayari ito kung hindi natin aalisin ang tiwala natin sa atin mga sarili at ang pagsisikap sa abot ng ating kakayahan. At higit sa lahat ang paniniwala sa Diyos na hindi Siya magbibigay ng anumang alituntunin o pagsubok sa ating mga buhay ng hindi natin mairaraos at magagampanan. Mahirap ang maging isang ama pero katulad ng pagiging ina ng isang babae, ito rin ang nagbibigay ng tunay na katuturan sa pagiging ganap ng isang lalaki. Marami sa kalalakihan ang hindi nabiyayaaan ng pagkakataon na maging isang tatay sa kanilang mga buhay .Kaya huwag nating sasayangin ang pagkakataong ito na ibinigay ng Poong Maykapal sa atin dahil isang banal at dakilang gampanin ang nakaatang sa balikat ng bawat nilalang na mga ama. Isipin na lang natin na ang pagiging isang tatay ay kahalintulad ng pagpipintura ng isang mataas at malaking gusali gamit ang napakaliit na brutsa na habang natatapos ay naiibsan ang ating mga lula dahil unti-unti nating nakikita kung gaano kakulay ang ating ginawa o maihahambing natin sa pagtatayo ng isang konkretong pundasyon sa ilalim ng matindi at nakakapasong init ng araw na nilalagyan at pinatitibay ng mga kabilya upang sa paglipas ng maraming panahon ay manatiling nakatayo ng buong tatag. . .

AIMING FOR PERPETUAL GLORY

When Lehlohonolo "Hands of Stone" Ledwaba (35-2-1- 22ko's) was scheduled to make a routine defense against Mexican Enrique Sanchez in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao ( 46-3-2 35ko's) was working out in LA for an upcoming bout. Two weeks prior to Ledwaba - Sanchez fight the latter withdrew due to injury and Pacman stepped in as a last -minute proxy. Most of the fight spectators who witnessed the bout had no clue who Manny was . He was not given the probabilities to beat Ledwaba, but Manny proved them wrong and showed himself as he annihilated and crashed then sent to stupor the former champion. After this bout, Manny's boxing career blossomed with resounding stoppage triumphs over Jorge Eliezer Julio, Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym, Serikzhan Yeshmagambetov, Emmanuel Lucero, Fahsan 3k Battery, Hector Velasquez, Oscar Larios, Jorge Solis, and his memorable and impressive conquests against Mexican boxing icons and future Hall of Famers Marco Antonio Barerra, Erick Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao holds the title as the first Asian Boxing Champion in three different weight categories. He is the current WBC Super Featherweight Champion, and the former World Champion at IBF Super Bantamweight and WBC Flyweight Division. Recently, after Floyd Mayweather official announcement of his retirement, Pacquiao added another momentous feats to his long list of boxing honors when he was named as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

On June 28 at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Pacquiao will have a crack to become the first Asian fighter to win sanctioned world titles in four different weight divisions when he throws down the gauntlet against WBC lightweight champion David Diaz. Pacquiao considered as a " National Treasure" by the entire Filipino people will make an effort to put up an eternal podium of boxing immortality for the country and the Asian region. Whatever maybe the aftermath, Pacquiao, will most likely be assured of a pew in the prestigious and exalted International Boxing Hall of Fame in the future.

PATIENCE - THE GREATEST PRAYER

A man was standing in a bus waiting station for a ride. He was getting too impatient for he thought he had waited too long. Then he saw a bus already full of people coming. He waved his hands and yelled at the driver but the bus did not stop. So he ran after the bus thinking the driver might have a second thought of giving him a hitch but was ran over by a speeding truck instead and died instantly. Momently, a new bus with few people aboard stopped at the station.

What can we take from here? Some people think waiting is a waste of time . Patience does not come innately in a person nor it can be developed instantaneously. Its just like building up a puzzle, you have to work on every pieces of it. Truly, patience is waiting but not inactively and unresponsively . That is laziness and inadequacy of self control. The art of patience is doing something else in the meanwhile to practice ones concentrated strength and prevent boredom and anger to set in. Can you just imagine if the world lives without it? Humanity will be in total chaos and anarchy will rule . One minute of patience they say is worth ten years of peace. Our world will be in total darkness if Edison lost his patience in inventing the light bulb. Would the summit of Mt. Everest be reached or the depth of the Mariana Trench fathomed? Would the English Channel be crossed or Neil Armstrong set his footsteps on the moon? Would every great dreams come true for impatient and anxious dreamers and achievers? Patience serves as a fortification against wrongs as hat do against the heat of the sun. For you wear a thicker hat on your head the heat has no power to harm you. Patience is like waiting an egg to be hatched. You cant get a chick by simply crunching the egg. Or a woman waiting for her baby who sleeps for nine months in her womb to be born. Patience is unpleasant, it is self- suffering for others, but it is a fortitude that sustains things with tranquil but mighty HOPE. Patience is the art hoping, that life is all about timing and waiting. To reach the out-of-the way, to make the unavailable obtainable, or to accomplish and conquer the unattainable. All human understanding and knowledge are summed up in two words - wait and hope and the key to patience are acceptance and faith. Take things as they are, and look sensibly and rationally at the world around us. Believe in ourselves and in the direction we have chosen. All nice things come to he who waits. If you are lured to lose patience in yourself and with others; stop and ponder how patient God has been with you and all of us. Gautama Siddharta Buddha, Hindu Prince and founder of Buddhism quoted: " The greatest prayer is patience". Patience is a virtue not found in most of us but if we can just follow our hearts through God's will, everyone can possess it and make beautiful and happy faces!

ACCEPTING REJECTION WITH KINDNESS ( The Beginning of Renaldo Lapuz Mania )

With the last remaining money in his pocket, Renaldo Lapuz on his friends' urging and motivation flew from Reno, Nevada to Dallas,Texas to audition at the 7th Season of American Idol . He was 44, and 16 years over the ceiling age limit of 28 and the contest organizers were so pleasant to let him still try it out upon knowing he had just paid a one-way ticket with his last dollar.

He knew it was like going through a pin hole to move to Hollywood because of his age but as soon as he went into the audition room attired in a dress to impress flashy silver cape, furry white embellishments, and feathery white hat that had Simon's name printed on it he was given his moment in the glare of publicity to sing his self composed contest piece " We're Brothers Forever"

Simon Cowell known for his incautiously straightforward and often provocative critiques, slurs, and witticisms about contestants and their singing abilities was unimpressed at first but later on requested Renaldo to sing anew and waved his hands as fellow judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and host Ryan Seacrest joined singing amusingly all together with Renaldo on stage.

After Renaldo's number Simon commented: "I'm going to make a prediction here. I have a horrible feeling that it's going to be a hit record. You are very entertaining. I actually like you but it's going to be 'No.'" Renaldo without second thought smiled and moved toward to Simon to shake his hand. Simon hugged him while patting his back. What can we take from here?

Some people think what Renaldo did was appalling and shameful . But few people realized what important values Renaldo have partaken to the whole world. He merely wanted to imply the lyrics of his song that we are brothers regardless of belief, race and ethnicity. When Simon eliminated him , he accepted it with grace and smile on his face and acknowledged Simon's kindness for giving him the chance to finish his song in front of millions of people watching. He said: " Simon, you are a great person. You give chance for people to sing for the whole world. You are Heaven's chosen to give chance to any talent FREE OF CHARGE . Even if there are many people who throw you negative words, there are many people who like and admire you. You are a great person Simon." Unlike other American Idol aspirants who trash talked after being rejected, Renaldo did the other way and earned the peoples' respect and admiration. Chris Tyler said : "How you react to rejection is important. It is not the rejection of others that truly affects us, the problem occurs when... that rejection by others causes us to "reject" ourselves." On Renaldo's part, whole heartedly he accepted it, showed his gratitude, kindness , humility and the courage to try . . . and he smashed it big!

DAPITHAPON NG ISANG AGILA

Sa kalawakan ng langit, malayang lumilipad ang isang nilalang na animo’y kanyang-kanya ang kawalan. Kinatatakutan ng karamihan ng mga hayop na nabubuhay sa lupa, tubig at himpapawid. Ito ang Agila. Sinasabing ang ibon na ito ay sumasagisag sa kapangyarihan at lakas. Matipuno at matikas na pangangatawan, malapad at mahabang bagwis, matutulis na tuka, matatalim na kuko, at malilinaw na mga mata. Nangangaso ito at lumalamon ng mga kauri ng kanyang laman. Angkin ang mga katangiang ito, sa mahabang panahon ay namayagpag ang agila . Naghari-harian sa kinalulunanan ng kanyang pugad at sa mga lugar na abot ng kanyang pakpak at pananaw. Nagpakabusog sa mga laman ng walang kalaban-laban na mga hayop. Nagpasasa sa kanyang sarili at sa sa kanyang mga inakay. Sa pagdaan ng panahon, unti-unti ng nangaubos ang mga hayop at ang iba’y nagpakalayu-layo na upang malayang makapamuhay ng walang takot laban sa mga kuko ng agila. Mga insektong makukupad gumalaw at mag-isip ang natira at pilit na isinasalba ang mga sarili sa anino ng panganib ng gutom na agila. Makalalayo pa kaya sila habang lalong nagngangalit ang gutom at kahayukan ng kanilang kintatakutan? O hihintayin na lang ang kapalaran na isang araw sila ay dagitin , lamunin at lulunin?

Lumipas ang maraming araw ay unti-unti na ring naubos ang mga insekto at mga kulisap. Wala ng matanaw na mga hayop ang nanlalabong paningin ng agila. Kumupas na ang dating kisig ,liksi at galing sa pandaragit. Gusto niyang lumipad at humanap ng makakain , kakayanin pa kaya ng kanyang lakas? Nag-iiyakan ang kanyang mga inakay sa gutom at uhaw. Nagdadalawang isip ang agila na lisanin ang pugad at baka hindi na siya makabalik at tuluyang lumagapak habang nasa himpapawid. Bulok na at inaamag ang mga sangang pinaglalagyan ng kanyang pugad at ang punong tinutungtungan niya ay nilalamon na rin ng mga anay. Ang mayabong na puno ay unti-unting namamatay at nangangalagas ang mga dahon. Tumingala ang Agila at nakita ang mga maliliit na ibon sa langit na malaya at masayang naglalayag sa hangin. Mahina na ang kanyang mga pakpak at hindi niya na kayang lumipad ng ganuon kataas . Humigpit ang pagkakapit ng mga kuko ng agila sa sangang kanyang kinatatyuan at sinipat ng mga mata ang papalubog na araw. Malamlam ang liwanag ngunit nakasisilaw ito sa kanyang nanlalabong pananaw.Sisikatan pa kaya siya ng liwanag kinabukasan at hahayaang mamatay sa gutom ang mga nag-iiyakang inakay? O sisilaban ang pugad at sarili upang maging abo at magharing muli bago maunahan ng kamatayan?

Ang kahihinatnan nila ay kapahamakan. Ang Diyos nila ay ang kanilang tiyan. Ang kanilang kaluwalhatian ay ang mga bagay na dapat nilang ikahiya. Ang kanilang kaisipan ay nakatuon sa mga bagay na panlupa.

Mga Taga-Filipos 3:19

THE WALLS

I've been trying to write a new blog for several nights now but it seemed nothing really emanates a good topic from my mind to jot down. The last time I published a blog was almost three weeks ago. I wrote this one at spur- of- the moment but with brilliance and creativity . Openly, after this last blog I was struck with some personal drawbacks and life's questions . I simply not willing to live with questions for it leave me vulnerable . It caused my enthusiasm and energy for blogging to fall off. Last night thinking I have given fairly enough time for myself to pull through from strains and emotional angsts, I switched on my PC ready to make up something new for my readers . But no matter how I tried , my wits just does not want to verbalize anything my fingers can encrypt into the keyboard to put it into writing. My mind was totally empty and torpid. I bent my head down , sealed my eyes off and slowly as I lift my head up I gaped at the wall in front of me without flickering my eyes.

I took a deep breath, turned my head and look around the walls. . . I asked myself " How can these walls withstand the weight of my home?" The roof, the beams , trusses, the floor, and everything?" Can this house stands alone without these walls? The walls are intricately, basically attached to the foundations. The walls can sustain the weight of my home because of these solid groundworks. For a moment I had an unfathomable contemplation . . . I felt a prick in my heart as if I was hit by a lightning from the blue sky. Why do I have to worry?. Why do I let anxieties jolt and petrify me where there is nothing I can do about it? How can I have less faith that God wont give me anything I cant handle when He evidently lay these simple signs of assurance in my own dwelling ? Will I sustain the weight of my problems, my adversities and my tribulations if I will not connect my life to the rock? Life is a question but asking can put us back on track with Him.Then clearly I realized that God sometimes answers us in questions.

God gave me walls in my life it would not be a sustaining walls unless I connect it inextricably to Him . But then I created my own middle wall ... it is there because doubt is there ...animosity dwells there...stress and worries are there. I can move this middle wall and my home will still stand but how am I going to have these broken down ? I know I am not more than anyone else and that there is nothing to conceal and no middle wall can secure and fortify me. Lord let me acknowledge my humanity so that this middle wall be broken down. Make me as confident in Your power as You are in Your own. I do not want these middle wall crash my life. I know You will never leave me inside. It has door and please help me open it up so I may be liberated from every burden, anxiety, torture that afflicts my whole being.


For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 3:11

MGA LATANG WALANG LAMAN

Lata. . . yari sa manipis na yero, mayroong may laman ay mayroon ding wala. Latang walang laman,pagulungin mo sa lansangan mas maingay pa daw sa batingaw . Sipatin mo ng iyong mga mata , puso man at utak ay wala kang makita. Latang may laman nahihiya at ayaw kumibo, ayaw ipakita at isiwalat talino niyang itinatago. Kaibigan , ano ka ba dito sa dalawang ito? Kanino ka ba pwedeng ihalintulad? Sa latang may laman ba o sa wala?

Ang galing mong magsalita, hindi ka nauubusan ng kwento, napapabilib mo ang mga tao - doble kara pala ang etiketa mo. Maingay kung tuktukin ka, waring nagmamalaki tuwina, ngunit pag ikaw ay sinalat na , butas pala ay iyong bituka. Para kang isang laruan, sa isang paslit ay pang- aliw, sandaling kasiyahan na pahiram mo ay isang malaking hiwa ang dulot mo. Ganyan din ang ibang tao akala mo kung sinong matalino, ngunit kung iisipin mo ang mga sinsabi , wala naman kwenta at silbi. Ang ingay ingay nila, akala mo ay lagi silang bida. Lahat ng pakinabang gusto nilang kamkamin ni ayaw magtira kahit kaunti sa amin. Para kayong mga latang walang laman! Nasa labas at wala sa taguan! Lungayngay ang inyong mga takip,matalim at nakakasakit. Kayong mga latang walang laman, naubos na ang pakinabang, ano’t nakakalat pa rin at naghahari-harian ? Bakit hindi ninyo tularang itong mga latang may laman? Nakakubli sa kanilang taguan, tuktukin man o alugin ay hindi pa rin umiimik? Ayaw nilang kumibo at baka sila ay makasakit, pag sumabog nga naman ang galit matatapon ang laman nilang kipkip. Sasayangin ba nila ang laman na matagal ng iniingatan sa mga latang walang laman lamang? O patuloy na iingatan at sarili’y bubuksan lamang para sa mga taong nangangailangan? Tunog nila ay karimpot tuktukin man ng kutsara ay hindi masakit sa tenga at buong-buo kung uulinigin. Katulad din ng isang tao, na makatuwiran at may talino,madalang man kung umusal may laman at katuturan. Pakikipagkapwa tao ang iniingatan niyang laman, makasakit ng damdamin kanya laging iniiwasan. Alin ka ba dito kaibigan? Sa meron ba o sa wala? Mag-isip ka at tignang mabuti baka dindaya mo pati ang iyong sarili. Kung lata kang may laman ikaw ay biyaya ng langit. Kumakalam naming sikmura, sa gutom at uhaw ay palalayain. Baka naman ikaw ay kabaligtaran? Isang taong nagdudunung-dunungan. Katulad mo ay isang latang walang laman, perwisyo sa kapwa ang nalalaman. Hayyyy..... Ano ba talaga ang iyong pakinabang? Talian kaya kita ng pisi at ipahila sa sasakyan? Tapakan ,sipain at ihulog sa imburnal? O akin kitang pipitpitin at itatapon sa basurahan?

Ang inyong mga kayamanan ay mga bulok, at ang inyong mga damit ay nginangatngat ng mga tanga.
Santiago 5:2

ARE MARRIAGES MADE IN HEAVEN?

One time I had a brief but worthy of note conversation with Emy, one of my friendsters and schoolmates from MHS. The talk was casual and relaxed until we turned up to love life discussion. The happy tête-à-tête suddenly altered its mood and tone, for a moment I felt apologetic for asking the trigger question? How is your husband? It all fired up here and off-the-cuff, uninterruptedly she spoke about without any qualms as if we were best of friends her love and marriage life torments and trials . She talked more than I as if she really wanted to squeeze out everything hurting her inside , not minding giving me a chance to respond. I understand . She said..." I really need someone to talk to".... I replied : "go on... I am listening".. .

In a relationship women are usually the "little guys" and end up the losers. Men's infidelity and irresponsibilty are the primary culprit in a relationship split up. I am not saying that men are responsible and are to to be condemned for all the relationship break ups nor am I am saying that women are perfect and impeccable . Men and women are human beings with chinks in their armors and capable of making mistakes. And because the world is imperfect too, we cannot survive without it. Men easily get lured and tempted with these imperfections than women. Women experienced rage when their sense of rights are disregarded. They will feel aggrieved and offended at the persons who have violated their trusts. These wrongful doings create sticking points between couples and their relationships are ruptured. Women cant go on living even if desired to live as if the sins are not perpetrated .They call for justice. When husbands treat their wives unjustly, the pain and anger pull a longing for fairness and a desire for compassion. Justice does not typically fix up relationship although for a moment it may bring satisfaction. Temporary relief from pain and miseries that infidelity, incompatibilities, dominance, physical and mental abuse, and disrespect brought into their hearts. And what justness do they expect? . . . It's a simple " I am Sorry". They say the more intimate the relationship, the more the longing for reconciliation is. The reason most marriages are bitter and aloof is because we have failed to ask for forgiveness. Men's sincere apology makes a genuine reconciliation possible. It can even change the sad outcome of a bitter separation. Without apologies resentment builds up and pushes on to claim justice or take matters onto their wives' hands and seek retribution. Wrath intensifies and end up in violence or self destruction. Apology enables forgiveness and reconciliation. Wife can forgive her husband without apology but it darkens the chance of reconciliation. The problem is most erring husbands do not bother to make apologies for their misconducts and seek behavioral corrections for their offended wives. Apology and forgiving is a two party deal towards settlement and reconciliation.

My stand is unyielding that men cheat more than women. They are innately polygamous. But God gave them the power choice and self control. I believe that we all have the sense of morality and conscience that God has imprinted in the hearts of every human being. Apology can appease a guilty conscience. The only way to relieve effectively our fell and disgraced conscience is to apologize to God and to the ones we offended. But if apology is no where to be found to attain reconciliation we can do nothing less than to forgive. Forgive even apologies do not have to be at stake. Remember, the person who gets the benefit of forgiving is always the person who does the forgiving. Why do we have to put our future and happiness in the hands of those who hurt us? When you forgive you have to forget to be healed of the rotten memories and the pain we never should have felt in the first place.When you forgive you set a PRISONER free and then you discover that the prisoner you set free is YOU!

They say marriages are in from heaven and unholy to break it, while others say that it's easy to walk out of a marriage than actually dealing with it and working it out. But a simple "I am sorry" and "I forgive you" can lead a way towards restoring marriages and goodwill. These are "magic words" that have made reconciliation always possible. When these words are uttered, we can look God in the face, look ourselves in the mirror, or look the other person in their eyes . . . straightly without a blink; not because we are faultless but because we have been willing to take accountability for our limitations and failures.


Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

(Colossians 3:19)

KAPAG SAGAD NA ANG SALOP

Bigas – "staple food" ng Pilipinas, sa mga nagdaang araw laman ng mga diyaryo at balita sa television at radio man ang napipintong global rice crisis at isa tayo sa mga apektado . Nakakatawang isipin ang mga pangyayaring ganito. Iniisip ko tuloy sino ba talaga ang may kasalanan tao ba? gobyerno ? o ang kalikasan? Nuong araw natatandaan ko pa ang mura ng bigas, nuong mga panahong namamayagpag tayo bilang pangunahing producer at exporter nito. Hindi pa kinikilo ang bigas noon , salop ang panukat at supot na papel ang lalagyan. Makabibili ka nuon sa halagang 25 centavos kapalit ng isang salop at may dagdag pang isang dakot kung madaling pakiusapan ang binibilan. May mga nagdaang krisis din nuong mga panahon na yaon at natatandaan ko pa nga na inirarasyon pa ang bigas para mapag-abot lang ang supply. Pero pag dumarating ang ganitong problema mabilis ang aksiyong ng gobyerno . Ngayon P30-P35 at aabot pa raw ng P45 a kilo susmaryosep! Excuse me po!. Kawawa naman tayong mga mahihirap lalo na yung mga walang hanap buhay. Kanin na nga lang ang kinakain nila kahit idildil sa asin o toyo na may mantika at kamatis mawawala pa? Palubog ng palubog na nga ba tayo sa kahirapan? Ang mga magsasaka natin ayaw na kasing magtanim kulang daw ang supportang ibinibigay ng gobyerno. Ang mga lupang sakahan lalo na sa Central at Southern Luzon ay paliit na ng paliit dahil gingawang residential subdivisions at commercial districts ng mga kapitalista. Kulang din tayo sa irigasyon at post harvest facilities. Malaking impact din ang trade liberalization policy ng gobyerno sa ating mga magsasaka. Isa ring dahilan ay ang kawalan ng mga Pinoy ng disiplina sa pagkain. Ilagay lang natin sa ating plato ang kaya nating ubusin. Kung ano lang ang kaya nating kainin yung lang ang orderin natin sa Jolibbe man o Mcdonald. Sayang ang mga kaning naitatapon lang sa basurahan. Nakakalungkot isipin na naungusan na nga tayo ng mga kapitbahay nating mga bansa sa larangan ng pagsasaka ng bigas. Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar - - hindi ba dito sa Los Baños Laguna nagpakadulabhasa ang mga iyan? Tayo pa nga ang mga nagturo? At ngayon tayo ang nagmamakawa sa mga bansang ito na makaangkat ng bigas na ating isasaing? Tsk!Tsk!Tsk! Kawawa naman tayo. Kailan tayo matuto? Kailan tayo magbabago?

Oo nga pala inaanyayahan ko kayo na muling panoorin ang “Kapag Puno Na Ang Salop” ni Da King. Medyo may pagbabago nga lang dahil pinalitan na yung title siguro nabasa mo na? Yung mga famous lines ni FPJ at Eddie Garcia inedit na din:

Eddie Garcia: “Marami ka pang kakaining bigas”

FPJ: “ Di na ako kumakain ng bigas” “ Mahal na kasi” “ Kaya ikaw Judge...mag-noodles ka na lang!”

THE POWER OF CHOICE

Men are sexual beings and it has long been disputed if they are really polygamous or not. Although some people to a certain extent believed both men and women are polygamist, men in general desire more sexual partners as possible. This is why males' double-dealing rate is far higher than that of the females'. Secondly , the difference between reproductive mechanisms of each sex why most women would be likely to prefer a commitment to specific sex partner. Men can permeate as many women at the same time without having troubled about pregnancy. Men can love one person but their "inborn sexual impulses" drive them to seek newness elsewhere even though love does not have to be involved.

Since God at one time called us to multiply, polygamy has its historical evidences in biblical era. Moses had two wives , Zipporah and an Ethiopian woman, Abraham got three, Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah while David at least had 18 wives - Michal, Abigail, Ahinoam of Jezreel, Maacah, Abital, Haggith, Bathsheba and ten women/concubines. Other biblical polygamists were Abdon 70 wives, Abijah 14, Gideon 70, Jair 30, Rehoboam 18 and King Solomon 700!. It has also traces in other faiths such as Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Mormon.

Christianity have a great impact on the transformation of men's sexual activities and morality. It changed the rules. And most of us are trying to conform ever since. What limits man's sexual tendency is morality. A person with little or no ethical values or who supports the belief of " moral relativity" has little to ward them off from acting on urges. All that thwart them from cheating is the apprehension of getting caught. While a truly moral person does the right thing even no one is looking. Not all achieves this echelon of maturity and a lot of people still continue to hop from one bed to another . Sex is gratifying and stimulating and a lot of people get addicted to it and keep on jumping from one lover to another seeking new pleasure and excitement. My two pennies worth , men are naturally polygamous. If one tells me he never bothers to look at other women , it's a complete duplicity( its ok to look at unless you do not act). We have animalistic instincts, when God called us to multiply He made sex as a medium for the purpose for any animal's life including mankind to ensure the continued existence of every species. But do not get me wrong , I am not advocating polygamy in this article. When God gave the divine gift of sex it was integrated with the "power of choice". Some people are easily satisfied and gratified while some are not.We were given choice and the capacity to control.There are hundreds of thousands or more men who have the ability and power to stay monogamous. That what makes us superior beings. We can opt to be polygamous or choose not to have multiple sex partners or choose not to let our eyes and mind run wild whe we see someone kindles our urge. Contentment is all in the attitude of the person. Both men and women have urges . We have choices. To do what is right or to do what is wrong. If you opt for the latter, the price is to be paid - broken hearts,broken marriages, broken families and broken children. Men are capable of being monogamous but it does not come innately. It takes a lot of courage to be faithful. A lot of personal reminders to oneself, a constant practice of discipline and self control ,developing good relationship with the ones we love and above all - a personal relationship with the Lord.

God has designed sex for us, for procreation and expression of affection and dashed it with the "power of choice" . Rules and laws has been made for the protection of rights and goodness of all. Sex is like a fire, burns vivid and hot, it starts that way but then as the fire calms down then we start to think if we have really made the right choice. Human beings were crafted as the highest form of life. Capable of controlling ourselves but then if we do not know how to suppress our urges, we are nothing more than an animal. . .

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure,
for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
HEB 13:4

NAGSASAWA RIN ANG MGA TAO

Sabi nga ng karamihan gaano man kasarap ang pagkain kung araw-araw mo naman itong kakainin ay pag sasawaan mo rin. Isipin mo na lang na isang Linggo kang mag-ulam ng menudo hindi ka ba mauumay? Makita mo pa lang sa hapag kainan siguradong alam na ng dila mo kung ano ang lasa nito. Hindi lang sa pagkain , may mga bagay tayong ginagawa o ninanais sa ating mga buhay na sa una ay nakakapagbibigay ng ibayong kaligayahan at inaakala nating makabubuti sa atin o sa karamihan ngunit kabaligtaran pala at paglumaon na ay pinagsasawaan na din. Maraming dahilan, maaring ningas kugon lang tayo, kawalan ng determinasyon, nahihikayat lang o maling pagdedesisyon at sa bandang huli ay nagbibigay sa atin ng aral upang matuto tayo at huwag na muling maulit ang mga bagay na ito sa ating mga buhay. Ang tao nga daw ay madaling magsawa lalo pa nga at nakikita niyang wala namang pagbabago at pinatutunguhan ang kanyang pinaghihirapan at pinagpapaguran . Gawin nating magandang halimbawa ang People Power. Ang ganda, dakila ang adhika, hinangaan ng buong mundo pero may nangyari ba? Naalala ko nuon isa ako sa milyong-milyong tao nagpunta sa EDSA para makibahagi sa mahalagang kasaysayan na ito. Ang mga eksena nakakaantig ng mga puso at sa mga oras na yaon proud na proud akong maging Pilipino. Watawat ng Pilipinas iwinasiwas, mga higanteng tangke pinigil ng mga tao, naglipanang mga imahen ng santo, magkakapit kamay na mga madre at pari, halos lahat animo’y magkakilala, mayaman man o mahirap, lalaki man o babae, bata at matanda. Yung iba ay nag-iyakan pa nga at di mapigil ang mga sarili na madala ng kani-kanilang mga damdamin ng ganap na mangyari ang kanilang ipinaglaban. Pansamantala yatang nawala ang galit sa mundo ng Pilipino ng mga oras na yaon. Nasundan pa ito ng dalawa pang People Power , bagaman higit na mababa ang tension ay halos may pagkakahawig din sa nauna ang mga eksena pero siyempre may tatalo pa ba sa original? Nuon ko pa naiisip , ewan ko kung kayo ay sasang-ayon sa akin. - - kagustuhan ba ng Diyos ang People Power o isinasangkalan lang lagi natin ang pangalan Niya sa mga pagkakataon na kagaya nito? Ng pumutok ang ZTE Scandal maraming atat na atat na maulit ang People Power. Wala akong kininkilingan, administrasiyon man o oposisyon dahil sa nakikita ko pare-pareho naman tayong may kasalanan at pagkukulang. Nuong una napakaaalab at umaaso ang isyu akala ko may People Power na namang manyayari, ngunit kahit anong pagsusumikap at pagkukumahog ng iba na masidhi ang pansariling interest na maulit ito tila ata iniisnob na ng karamihan na muling may mangyari pa habang abala ang Malacanang kung paano mapananatiling nakatulos ang bandera nito laban sa mga kaaway. Naalala ko tuloy ang isang "quotation" na natutunan ko nuong ako ay nasa grade school , “One is enough, two is to much and three is poison” . Kumbaga , para itong isang kandila na naupos at sa kalaunan ay mamamatay ang apoy sa mitsa at mababaon na sa limot. Sino ba ang ayaw ng pagbabago? Lahat naman tayo nais ito, lalo na at alam mong makabubuti ito hindi lang sa iyong sarili kungdi sa karamihan. Pero pagod na siguro ang tao at sawa na sa ganitong uri ng pagbabago. Wala namang kasing nagyayari eh! Naghihirap pa rin tayo at patuloy na napag-iiwanan ng ating mga karatig na bansa. Ang "corruption" patuloy pa ring nananalasa sa halos lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno. Lagi kasi nating inuuna ang ating mga sarili.Sawa na nga yata tayo sa People Power at ginagawa na lang natin itong panakip butas sa mga kahinaan at kasalanan nating mga Pilipino. PAGKAKATAON – ito ang tunay na kagustuhan na ibinibigay ng Diyos para sa atin. Ang People Power ay isang pagkakataon na ipinangyari ng Diyos upang makabangon tayo at muling maging dakila ang bayan at lahi na ito . Pero sa tuwing ibinibigay niya ang pagkakataon na ito lagi nating sinasayang at napupunta sa wala. Madali tayong magsawa pero hindi tayo natuto sa ating mga pagkakamali. Alam ko na laging may laang pagkakataon ang Diyos para sa atin, kung hindi man sa People Power maaring sa ibang kaparaanan. Hindi nagsasawa at napapagod ang Panginoon katulad nating mga tao, pero kailan kaya tao matuto at magpapahalaga sa mga pagkakataon ng pagbabago na ibinibigay Niya sa atin? Mag-isip isip tayong lahat. . .

“Dumating nawa ang iyong kaharian. Mangyari nawa ang iyong kalooban, kung paano sa langit, gayundin sa lupa.”
-Mateo 6:10