MGA KOLEKTOR NAGING JANITOR AT KARGADOR, BISOR GINAWANG TAU-TAUHAN, MGA AMUYONG NAGING MGA ADMINISTRADOR (Isang Kwento Mula Sa Telepono)

Tikatik ang pawis ko, galugad ko ang Metro Manila, umaabot pa nga ako ng Cavite, Pampanga, Batangas at Laguna. Kung makapagsasalita lang ang bulok kong motorsiklo matagal na sana itong nagreklamo. Pero wala kami parehong magagawa , kailangan makapaningil sa mga tao sa produktong matagal ng inaayawan at isinusuka, dahil kung hindi baka magalit ang amo kong walanghiya. Sige lang kayod lang, ginagawa ko naman ito alang-alang sa aking mahal na pamilya . Minsan kinakapos, nagagamit ko ang perang ibinayad sa akin ng kliyente, kahit alam kong mali ang mahalaga makakaraos kami sa maghapon at bukas ko na lang iisipin kung kailan at paano maibabalik ang pera sa opisina. Ilan na bang kasamahan ko ang natanggal ng trabaho dahil sa ganitong sistema? Ganuon din naman kasi, gumawa ako ng masama o mabuti, masama pa rin ang iniisip nila dahil sadyang mapaghinala ang tao. Akala mo ba lagi kang nangdaraya? Huwag sana akong matulad sa aking mga kasama, dating kolektor aba’y ginawang janitor at kargador. Yung una kong kasama, dati-rati manibela ng motorsiklo ang hawak-hawak , ngayon maghapong walis at basahan ang tangan-tangan ng pobre. Kung malas-malas pa, haharapin ang masangsang na kasilya, luluhuran at animo’y dinadasalan mapawi lang ang dumi at baho nito. Nakainitan kasi dahil wala ng makolekta sa mga “account” na pinagsawaan ng mga naunang kolektor at matagal ng nilalangaw. Nakalulungkot kung iisipin mo. Sa hinaba-haba ng panahon ganito lang and sasapitin niya. Ito naming ikalawa, nahuling nandaraya sa oras, imbes na mangolekta ay umuuwi daw ng bahay upang mamasada ng tricycle. Hindi ko alam kung totoo o hindi basta ang alam ko ginawa na lang siyang kargador at itinapon at ikinulong sa madilim na bodega. Naging tagasalansan ba ng mga encyclopediang inaamag at nabubulok na? Ito namang dati naming Bisor, nahuling nang-uumit inalisan ng katungkulan at ginawang tau-tauhan. Pero nuong araw akala mo kung sino, laging mainit ang ulo at paangil kung kumausap ng tao.Pero kapag andiyan na ang amo , hindi alam ang gagawin isang sutsot lang akala mo ulol na aso. Nabababahag ang buntot at takot na takot dito. Nakalkal kasi ang gawang multo, pilit mang ikubli hindi na nagawang itago at inamin na lang ng tuluyan. Ayaw mang lisanin ang pwestong noon ay pinamayagpagan at pinagsasaan, pero ano pang magagawa kung pinagtatabuyan na at inaayawan? Ang sakit naman! Parang sasabog and dibdib niya, pakiramdan ko pati mundo niya gumuhong bigla. Wala na ang dati kong Bisor pero alam ko nakatatak na sa kanyang isip at puso ang mapait na alaala, na kahit sino man ay hindi na nanaising balikan pa. Dalangin ko lang huwag sana maulit ang nangyari sa mga taong humalili sa kanya dahil pakiwari ko tila isang sumpa ang pwestong nilisan niya. Kung kamalasan ang inabot ng mga nabanggit ko, aba'y may mga kasama rin naman akong tila jackpot sa lotto ang tinamaan. Utusan dati,tagatipa ng makinilya, taga timpla ng kape, tagasulat ng dikta at yung isa imbestigador ng mga bagay na walang kakwenta-kwenta . . .abay akalain mong naging mga administrador? Kung dati-rati hindi sila pinapansin ngayon sila na ang tinitingala at kinatatakutan ng marami. Sumbong dito, sumbong doon, memo dito at memo duon, ito ang kanilang sandata at sikreto kaya mahal na mahal nga naman ng amo, animo sila lang ang tao na gustong mabuhay sa mundo. Walang pakialam kung nakakasakit o nakapeperwisyo at tila nawala na ang habag sa puso at katinuan ng pagkatao. Eh, ano ba sa kanila kung magsabi sila ng kasinungalingan? Maniniwala ba sa katotohanan at katarungan ang kanilang pingsisilbihan? Pilit silang nilalayuan dahil pakiramdam ng karamihan sila ay dinadarang ng mga katawan nilang nagniningas. Hoy! Nakakaawa kayo! Kahit man lang sa mga anak ninyo mahiya kayo!Namnamin ninyo ang kasarapan dahil ngayon ay malapit na kayo sa tuktok at pag naabot nyo na ang tugatog may masusulingan pa kaya kayo? Paghandaan lang ang pagbulusok dahil kung ano ang ginawa sa kapwa ay siya rin ang aanihing tama at sabay ang galabog. Ito namang mga kasama ko tila mga pipi pa rin at mga bingi. Gumuguho na nga ang templo ng Diyablo ayaw pa ring kumaripas ng takbo.Ngayon pa ba tayo mahihintakutan? Matagal din tayong nagtiis. Inalila at inalipusta. Bakit hindi tayo magsama-sama at ipaglaban ang nararapat? Huwag nating daanin sa kapusukan at galit dahil lahat naman ng bagay ay may kaparaanan at maaaring makuha sa hinahon. Kung may katuwiran bakit hindi natin ipaglaban at panindigan ang prinsipyong ipagmamalaki ng ating mga anak? Huwag tayong panghinaan ng loob dahil humuhupa ang bawat unos na nagdaraan sa ating mga buhay. Patawarin natin ang sa atin ay mga nagkasala , bigyan sila ng mga aral at kalimutan ng ganap. Manalig lang tayo sa ating mga sarili at higit sa lahat sa ITAAS . . . at tinitiyak kong hindi-hindi NIYA tayo pababayaan.

BLOGS CAN CHANGE LIVES

Josie: kuya ad mo nman ako sa YM mo...josie_pretty17@yahoo.com, tnx
jessie landingin: o ano na?
josie: hi, kuya.
jessie landingin: hallow
jessie landingin: musta na?
josie: ok nman, wla na ko sa pesi.
jessie landingin: o bakit naman?
jessie landingin: natauhan ka na rin?
josie: natauhan na kaso medyo l8 na. nbasa ko yung blogs mo, tama ka nga, mas masuwerte ka kpg wla ka sa pesi.
josie: sobra gulo na don.
josie: ang yabang ni dagul.
jessie landingin: heheheh. . . . tama yang desisyon mo bata ka pa wag ka manghinayang
jessie landingin: huwag mo na intindihin yun. . . . dapat maawa pa nga tayo sa mga tao na nanduon pa at patuloy na nagpapabusabos at hindi makita ang tiwala sa sarili. . .
josie: kalo mo kung sino siya.
jessie landingin: heheheh. masama ata loob a?
josie: di ah... hapi ako nakaalis na don.
jessie landingin: right!
josie: im here now, Philippines Airlines my future d2...
jessie landingin: i think so. ano ang work mo jan
josie: bngyan mo kasi ng lakas ng loob.
jessie landingin: ganuon?
jessie landingin: in what way na man?
josie: circulation assistant / billing section.
jessie landingin: thats good! happy to hear that
josie: dhil s blogs mo.
jessie landingin: heheheh. salamat naman at binabasa nyo blogs ko
josie: ngkaron ako ng lkas ng loob....tama ka tlga kuya, thnks ha!
jessie landingin: lalo tuloy ako ginaganahang magsulat
jessie landingin: u deserve that
josie: oo nman.
jessie landingin: matagal na hindi lang sana ngayon
jessie landingin: basta learn the lessons
jessie landingin: patawarin mo kung sino man ang may mga kasalanan sayo sa pesi
jessie landingin: forgive , forget and start a new life . . .
josie: kya nga cnsbi ko sa knila wag cla mtakot mag start new life, ganun tlaga sa umpisa medyo mhirap pero yung result ok nman. my good things silang ma22nan.
jessie landingin: tama. .. .
josie: dhl s gnwa nila sa mga tao....my bad karma rin clang marrcvd....
jessie landingin: let them know to express ur concern to them
jessie landingin: hahahahah!
jessie landingin: pabayaan mo na sila heheheheh
josie: yes...nakaaawa lng sa mga tao up to now inaabuso pa rin cla....
jessie landingin: basta magwork ka. focus mo yung mga disappoinments mo sa bago mong work
josie: hapi n tlaga ko d2...e2 na ang new life ko.
jessie landingin: congrats! and I hope u'll succeed
josie: kuya...try to help them, para ma realize nila my magandang buhay pa.
jessie landingin: thats what im trying to do
jessie landingin: kahit man lang sa blogging
josie: tama ka....
jessie landingin: i can only say or write my opinion
jessie landingin: its up for them to act
josie: i know mrmi nakakbasa sa blogs mo. and i suggest them to read ur blogs.
jessie landingin: ty! ano ba sa blog ko ang nabasa mo at nainspire ka?
josie: mrmi...sympre ung about P-nix.
jessie landingin: salamat naman kahit man lang sa pmmagitan ng blogs ko I can change somebodys life . . .
josie: pwde nman tlga yun...if youre willing 2 do sumthing new in ur life....di ba! ka2lad ko, feeling ko nun ganun kaliit lng ang mundo ko. And start reading ur blogs, mali pla ako....
jessie landingin: salamat! Salamat! ok i really want to talk to u more. bago ka ngayon jan. pag wala ka sa work mo usap tayo. I wish you good luck n your new work. Strive hard for success. I know u can make it. Thanks for reading my articles and God Bless you!
josie: thank you very much. I do!
jessie landingin: . . . over n out

This was the actual transcript of my YM natter with Josie, I deliberately modified some of the typescripts to camouflage her real character for security concern .This is one of the best recompenses I received from my blogging. It feels like drifting on Cloud nine to know you have touched someone's heart and changed life. People blog for different reasons. Some people blog for commentaries and analysis, others for their personal online diaries. Others blog for media and business purposes .Many professional writers monetize their blogs. Blogs are even used by some people to express their bitterness, rancor and antipathies against somebody. I take pleasure and joy of my personal blog because it was a fruit of forgiveness. My very first blog post entitled FORGIVE was the tiny glint that started this all. After publishing this article I felt a tremendous load off my chest. My wish that one day all people that had transgressed against me will traverse on this publication of my personal thoughts for them to know that I have forgiven them and my hope that I could change them for better. Blogging is more than a habit to me, it is a commitment and calling for everyone to know the truth because the truth is the grasp that will set us unbound, to trigger off and embolden people and rise above stumbling blocks so they can live their hopes and dreams, to share fancies and share the goodness of life for its real positive reception and enjoyment and to express endlessly my faith, gratefulness, my love for my family and above all to My Creator who gave me this endowment. Now, I guess I cannot live my life . . . without blogging.

"DREAM AS BIG AS YOU CAN DREAM AND ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE”

When Mark Andrew Spitz won seven gold medals in swimming and setting word records in each seven events at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympic Games no one ever envisioned it could be equated nor outshone by any Olympian. For nearly four decades, his incredible achievement stood as a benchmark. It was a humongous task for any athlete to break this iconic attainment in the field of sports. On August 17, 2008, Michael Fred Phelps outstripped Spitz's legacy and went for the historic eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympiad. His victories set an Olympic record and seven world records. Phelps also became the first person to win ten gold medals exceeding nine-gold-medal of Olympians Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi, Ukrainian gymnast Larysa Latynina, US swimmer Mark Spitz and sprinter Carl Lewis. Phelps 16 medals ranks second in total career Olympic medals, after Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina, who won a total of 18 medals (nine gold) spanning three Olympic Games.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Phelps in his youth was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention- Deficit hyperactivity Disorder) He started swimming at an early age of seven. By the age of 10, his superiority in swimming climaxed his many feats in the sport. At the age of 15, Phelps contended at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, becoming the youngest American male swimmer at an Olympic Games in 68 years. He won six gold medals and two bronze in Athens Olympics. After the Beijing Olympics Phelps momentous feat will go down memory lane forever and what makes him the greatest Olympian of all time? Phelps - known as the Baltimore Bullet worked out hard at an early age and maintained his unbending focus in the pool to realize his dream. He was inspired what Mark Spitz has done 36 years ago. Phelps said "Dream as big as you can dream, and anything is possible". In Beijing, Phelps finally harvested the fruits of his adversities and hopes and concluded his enthronement not only to become the best swimmer and Olympian of all time, but the greatest athlete of all time.

"Practice means to perform over and over again in the face of all obstacle, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. It is a means of inviting the perfection desired. Dreams come true if you survive the hardest time"

LAUGH YOUR HEADS OFF

I am a little bit late about this. Last Thursday my daughters Days and Pau were yelping and giggling in front of the computer while watching a video from YouTube. “ Ano ba yan, ang iingay ninyo!” I screeched. “Pa, tignan mo ito!” said the two. I drew near them and see what stuff was making them crazy. Pau put on the headset above my head. “ Pa, pakinggan mo at panoorin mo iyan ha?!” said Days. When Pau rolled the video we laugh our hearts out as we watch two lip-synching guys do their acts.

I’m talking about Moymoy Palaboy. This two Pinoy lip-synching siblings is the latest YouTube marvel. Lip-synching isn’t new in Youtube, in fact the first time I saw one was several years ago when two Chinese teens made it first, doing a lip synch of Backstreet Boys’ “ I Want It That Way”. But honestly, Moymoy Palaboy do it better and funnier. Using a Sony Ericsson W810i cell phone with a 2-megapixel camera and an HP laptop, the innovative music video act of brothers Ronald and Rofil Obeso debuted on the Internet in 2007 last February. Their first lip-synch video was NSync’s “Dirty Pop “and the following videos were sensational. Their “Wannabe” by the Spicegirls is currently registered at 1.3 million views and their 22 uploaded videos so far have 7.12 million hits all in all! Although the “Wannabe” is the video to beat I find the Lion King’s “In the Jungle” and “Marimar” the funniest. The very simple dramaturgical parody of Moymoy Palaboy has earned them buffs here and around the world. Out of fancy, their hilarious clowning were shot in a stark environs, in the poky living room of their Pasay City apartment, with “Mama Auntie “, their Tita nonchalantly strolling in and out of the picture. Their videos have ordinary and basic allure to the millions of YouTube viewers. These guys are making fun out of themselves to give joy to others and lighten people’s problems. They say they enjoy it too while making it big now. Watch out for more rib-prickling videos of Moymoy Palaboy. But for now let’s just show samples of cool and stimulating revisions of lip-synching spoofs and laugh your heads off!

SACRIFICE OWN HAPPINESS AND SEE IT IN THE END

I had an unfathomable reflections last night about what Carlo Corpuz, my high school classmate posted in Batchof83 e-group days ago. He has the point when he uttered these words "ang pag isipan na lang nating lahat ay kung papaano natin matutulungan ang mga kabatch natin na walang- wala sa buhay" During the past years some of us has been very occupied getting off the ground for meetings, parties, outings, reunions and the likes but have we thought on what Carlo was trying to hint at? I do not see any wrong giving precious time starting up these concerns because our school somehow benefits from it and give us the chance to re-unify with one another but have we really achieved something out from it? Or we really just want to relish the sweet savor of gaiety and cheer of missing the good old days of our youth? Or kick around our triumphs and showcase our attainments to blow our own trumpets in front of the less successful? Or the zeal to see someone how he/she looks like after 25 years? Or to think that our batch is the best amongst MHS? Have we made endeavors to ferret out and uncover those less known names of Batch '83 and see how they are doing? Or we really did nothing for them and sealed them off to oblivion because we think they cannot be of help? Tama si Carlo, sometimes people act and talk out of duplicity and egocentrism. Last week I have the chance to talk with a female classmate and we talked a lot of things regarding our batch and some of the unattended problems arising from within us. It was open and poignant, I tried to mollify her. I have one important watchword I left her . . . . "REACH OUT" . . . Try to reach out everyone, because they are all apart of us. If there is one undertaking that will genuinely give us the real significance of accomplishment it is none other than helping our less fortunate batch mates as what Carlo said and making worthy projects for MHS, and all MHS Alumni as a whole. Batch 83 is not MHS, there is a lot of MHSians before us and even a lot more after us. Though first and foremost our trust is on our own peer let us not curb the boundaries of ourselves to our batch alone. REACH OUT and sacrifice our own happiness for the happiness of others and lighten our minds to give us the real sense of peace, joy and fulfillment. You can break a strand of broomstick easily but when you put each strands together it becomes stronger and resilient. Everyone has his own role and responsibility to make this a reality. If Christ died for us, then no sacrifice is too great for each one of us to make for Him. God Bless MHSians!!!!

GOLD . . . HOPEFULLY. . .

If Victoria Manalo Draves and Natalie Coughlin only decided to compete for the Philippines in the 1948 London and 2004 Athens Olympics or if only someone put forward this choice we would have won four Olympic gold medals in both diving and swimming. If only Arianne Cerden~a played bowling as regular event in 1988 in Barcelona or boxer Anthony Villanueva and Mansueto "Onyok Velasco were not pick pocketed of the decisions during the 1964 Tokyo and 1996 Atlanta Olympics, we would have counted our gold harvest to seven. These historical facts will always remain as probabilities for our ardent ambition to win the Olympic gold. Our dreams and hope of winning our first ever Olympic gold medal always turned out into frustrations. Since the Philippines joined the Olympics in 1924, Filipino athletes have only won a total of nine Olympic medals. Seven bronze medals and two silver. It is nearly nine decades our athletes went home empty handed of the sneaky mint. Yesterday, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the most spectacular, marvelous and extravagant in history unlocked the door for the entire Filipino to renew once again our united visions and optimisms in prayers to wind down the 84 long years of Olympic gold medal drought and defeats. The Philippines has produced some of the finest athletes in the arena of amateur and professional sports but yet has to ascertain our prowess in the Olympics. Jeff Fenech, International Boxing Hall of Famer said "An Olympic medal is the greatest achievement and honor that can be received by an athlete. I would swap any World Title to have won gold in the Olympics" Will our athletes this time bring home the gold? With a bit of luck . . .

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