CHRISTMAS: A BEGINNING AND AN END

I have to make this one short. I was bowled over to notice that it is only two days left before Christmas. Worn out and heavy eyed after my daily routine, I twisted my own arm to get up from bed and pick up pen and paper to jot down this article. My thinking was expeditious and my writing was swift for this blog before I forget to make it done or else the season will outdate this one for publication. Well. . . Christmas has different connotations to different people. It actually means everything. Most of us think this season as jovial exultations where gifts, cash incentives, clothes, foods, new stuffs, etc. etc. surfeit. But Christmas is more that these things. It is a time of remembering. Celebrate Christmas by remembering that a baby was born in extreme poverty and loneliness only to be mocked, rejected and crucified afterwards. The stable where He was born seemed almost as cruel and painful as a place as the cross. Remember the solitude of Bethlehem and the anguish and torture of the Hill of Golgotha outside Jerusalem. Remember Christmas for a Savior is born amidst the stinking and filthy dung of the animals just to die later nailed on the cross. Remember the desperate cry of an infant seemed no less frantic than his final cry, and no less deserted and disowned. Celebrate Christmas to remember that it is the beginning for Jesus to carry out a worthy end for humanity ; it is a scenario of darkness and inexpressible light to remember Christ for it is the time of sanctified relief as a final point of seeing all God’s promises to us come true. Celebrate Christmas to remember these . . . Merry Christmas to all!


And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth
Luke 1:14

PHWE!...NIX TAYM DAY, MAGENG GUD KA NA HA?

Nabalitaan ko lugmok ka na, naghihingalo at pilit isinasalba ang sarili. Ano na nangyari sa iyo? Maraming nagsabi nanghihina ka na, hukab na ang likod at malaki ang itinanda. Kabayaran na kaya iyan? Akala ko ba magaling ka? Akala ko ba matatag ka? Hindi ba lagi kang nagmamalaki na matalino ka? At laging sinasabi na ang kayamanan moy hindi mauubos? Bakit nagkakaganyan ka ngayon? Hindi ako nahahabag sa iyo dahil alam ko kahit papaano mabubuhay ka at maaring magpatuloy pa ang maling ugali at gawa mo. Nahahabag ako sa mga taong kinawawa mo. Napag isip-isip mo na ba? Bakit mo sila ginanuon? Sa mahabang panahon ,binusog ng mga taong ito ang sikmura at bulsa mo. Pinagsilbihan ng buong sipag at tapat. Pero ang masama walang nangyari. . . Nalungkot ako ng mawalay ako sa iyo, akala ko katapusan na ng mundo ko, yun pala akala ko lang yun. Dahil ng mangyari yun lubos kong nakilala ang sarili ko at kahalagahan ng pamilya ko . Naisip ko nag aksaya lang pala ako ng oras at galing ko sa iyo katulad din ng iba na lumayo at pinilit iahon ang buhay sa paghihirap na dulot mo. Higit na nakakaawa ang mga taong nagtatago sa palda mo. Andiyan pa ba sila? Ay naku! mga kaibigan hindi ba kayo nahihiya sa mga sarili nyo? O sadyang wala na kayong kahihihiyan at di makagawa ng paraan sa buhay nyo? Naaatim nyong ipakain sa pamilya nyo ang bunga ng pagpapahamak nyo? Sana naman maging makatao kayo. Mag-isip kayo hangagang hindi pa huli ang lahat! Makisama kayo sa tunay at matuwid na nakakarami. Siguro nga hindi na kayo makalalabas sa palda ng pinagtataguan nyo dahil lagi nyong iniisip na hindi kayo mabubuhay ng wala siya. Tsk! Tsk! kawawa naman kayo. Asan na kaya ang mga kasama ko nalalamn nyo ba? Alam ko nasa higit na magandang kalagayan na sila ngayon. Hindi ba kayo nagsisisi? Siguro kung sinimulan nyo ng maaga naroon na rin kayo. May oras pa. . . hahantayin mo pa bang tuluyang kayong tumanda at mapag-iwanan ng panahon? Huwag na sana. . kumilos na. May magagawa ka! Sabagay malapit na malapit na. Sa ayaw at sa gusto nyo talagang mapipilitan kayong lisanin ang kinalalagyan nyo. Totoo nga na ang lahat ng bagay ay may katapusan . mabuti man o masama. Pero ang kabutihan kahit magwakas ang sarap alalahanin at balik-balikan. Huwag kayong malungkot at matakot dahil higit na makabubuti sa inyo. Ayaw nyo bang magbago ang buhay nyo upang umasenso? Huwag kayong magagalit sa akin ha? Concern lang naman ako sa inyo eh! Hindi ba matagal din naman ang mga pinagsamahan natin ? Alam ko namang wala akong masamang tinapay sa inyo at pinilit kong makisama ng buong husay.Nakita nyo naman kahit sa blog na ito naalala ko kayo. Kahit nuong kailangang- kailan ko kayo . . .ay tinalikuran nyo lahat ako. Sabagay ang tao, minsan naduduwag sa sarili nyang kahinaan at pangangailangan. Naiintindihan ko naman kayo, kahit papaano namimiss ko rin kayo. Huwag kayong mag-alala di masama loob ko dahil sa pag-iwas nyo lalo nyo kong pinalakas at pinatatag. Naaalala nyo? Nakipaglaban ako. Kahit mag-isa binangga ko ang pader na di pa nagawang banggain ng sinoman sa atin. Hindi ako nagmamayabang, sana tignan na lang itong nangyari sa akin bilang isang magandang halimbawa na dapat kapulutan ng aral. Huwag matakot kanino man lalo na kung nasa tama at katuwiran. Hindi naman ako nabigo sa ginawa ko dahil alam ko na alam nyo kinatigan ako ng tadhana dahil nasa matuwid ang ipinaglaban ko. Wala na yun, past is past.Pero huwag nyong isiping pinahihina ko mga kalooban nyo. Gusto ko lang sabihin ang katotohan hanggan di pa huli ang lahat. Bago mapunta sa wala ang mga panahon ninyong lumipas.

Isa lang naman ang may kasalanan nito hindi ba? Uy IKAW! Oo ikaw nga! nababasa mo ba ito ito day? Ikaw ata ang may kasalanan ng lahat ng ito e? Hay naku, nagkakasala na naman ako ng dahil sa iyo..LORD patawarin NINYO po ako … pero hindi ko po talaga mapigilang masuka sa tuwing naiisip ko siya.

PHWE! NIX taym mageng gud kana nga DAY. . . para naman maganda ang naeesep ku kung papasok ka sa alala ku. . . Huwag kang mag-alala matagal na kitang pinatawad. . .

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15

THE BEST FOR YOU . . .FRIEND!

Yes I know you love him. You adore him more than anything else in this world and there is nothing that you would like better than to embrace on to him eternally. Maybe its not for the best. Real love doesn't have to be on a cloud 9 conclusion, because true love never ends. Letting go is one way of saying I love you. Sometimes we are petrified of ourselves, of our own experience and reality; our own sentiments most of all. People talk about how great love is. Love wounds. Emotions are upsetting. We are taught that pain is wicked and treacherous. How can we cope up with love if we are scared to feel? Pain is meant to revive and wake us up. But we sometime try to hide our pain. But we are wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a heavy bag. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It's all in how we carry it. That's what matters. Pain is a feeling. Our feelings are a part of us. Our own reality. If you feel mortified of them, and hide them, you're letting yourself wreck your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your agony. So no matter how much your heart is going to break, You have to let him go so he can know just how much you love him. By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning. Maybe if you are fortunate, he'll come back, but if not, you can make it through this.

The best for you. . .friend!

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

SI TATAY BEBANG AT ANG BUTAS

Isa sa mga katangian ng aking tatay na hindi ko makakalimutan ay ang kanyang “sense of humor”. Kahit sa kahuli-hulihang sandali bago siya namatay ay nagawa nya pang magbiro sa mga nurse na nuon ay nag aasikaso sa kanya sa hospital. Marahil, ito rin ang isa sa mga katangiang namana ko sa kanya. Ang pagiging palabiro. Kadalasan nagugustuhan ako ng tao dahil sa aking sense of humor. Ayon sa kanila nakakatawa raw ako at masayang kasama katulad din ng mga sinabi ng mga tao tungkol sa tatay ko nuong siya ay nabubuhay pa. Maraming jokes si tatay pero may isang joke siya na tumanim sa aking isipan at hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko makalimutan. Bagaman isang biro lamang, sa pagdaan ng panahon ay unti-unti kong naisip na may katuturan at katotohanan. Ito noon ang narinig ko na sinabi niya sa kanyang kaibigan habang sila’y masayang nag-uusap sa bahay “ Pare, ikaw ay galing sa butas at nabubuhay sa butas “ at sabay naghagalpakan sila ng tawa. Kung sasabihin mo sa isang paslit na kagaya ko nuon, hindi nga maiintidihan o maaring nakakatawa lang para sa kanila. Paano nga naman mangyayari iyon ? E alam ng mga bata na silay nagmula sa sinapupunan ng kanilang mga ina. Sa isang banda kung iisipin mo, may kalaswaan ang dating kung ito ay hahaluan mo ng malisya. Pero kung iisipin mong mabuti at lalaliman ang pag-aanalisa ay may katotohanan at katuturan. Ipapaliwanag ko. . .

Sa ating katawan ay may tinatawag tayo sa wikang Ingles na body orifice . Ito ay isang bukana o butas o bukas na bahagi ng isang tao. Ito marahil ang mga butas na tinutukoy ni tatay kung bakit tayo nabubuhay. Hindi nga naman tayo makahihinga kung walang butas ang ating mga ilong . Bukod sa paghinga, ang ilong ay ginagamit din natin sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa ating pang-amoy. Hindi ba napakahirap kung ikaw may sipon at barado ang mga butas ng iyong ilong? Buti na lang to the rescue ang mga bibig na kaagapay ng ilong kung siya ay barado at di makalanghap at makapagbuga ng hangin para sa ating katawan. Bukod sa paghinga, gingamit din nating ang ating mga bibig sa pagsasalita , pagtawa at pagngiti, pagkain at pag-inom. Ang lahat ng ipinapasok sa bibig ay tumutuloy sa ating mga bituka papunta sa tiyan at nilalabas sa butas ng ating mga puwit o mga ari sa pamamagitan ng pag-ihi o pagdumi. Kadalasan gingawa natin ang pagbabawas sa butas ng inodoro, butas ng arinola o sa isang butas na hinukay lang sa lupa kung wala ang dalawang nauna (hehehe). Napakalungkot at walang kulay siguro ang buhay kung tayo nga ay may mga mata at walang namang butas ang mga ito. Hindi natin makikita ang bawat isa at tayo mababalot ng kadiliman. At paano natin mariririnig ang magagandang musika, o halakhak ng mga batang naglalaro o ng ibat-ibang tunog at ingay kung hindi dahil sa butas ng ating mga tenga? Napakatahmik at napakalungkot siguro ng mundo. Magpapatuloy kaya ang buhay kung walang butas? Siguro alam nyo na ang iniisip ko. Seryosong tanong lang po at wag lagyan ng malisya. Huwag na nating masyadong ipaliwanag at alam ko naming alam nyo kung paano tayo nabuo. Ito marahil ang ibig ipakahulugan ni tatay na tayo ay nagmula sa butas. Ang maliit na butas ng pagkalalaki(urethra) ay gingamit sa pag-ihi, paglabas ng semilya (ejaculation) sa oras ng pagtatalik. Ang butas naman ng pagkababae (urethra at vagina)bukod sa pag-ihi at pagtatalik ay gingamit din sa “menstruation” at pagluluwal ng sanggol. At kung lumabas na si baby, paano na lang kaya mapakakain at mapalalaki sila kung walang butas ang mga suso ni mommy?(O ng tsupon?)

Hindi lang naman sa tao may pakinabang ang butas. Maging sa lahat ng uri ng hayop, halaman at halos lahat ng nilalang na may buhay . Isipin mo na lang , kung walang mga “stomata” ang dahon ng mga halaman, makapagbibigay kaya ito ng oxygen sa atin at malilinis kaya ang carbon dioxide na inilalabas natin sa ating paghinga? Malalason tayo at masusufocate hindi ba? Lumingon nga tayo sa ating paligid. Alin-alin ba ang makikita nating walang butas? Maaring mayroon pero nakakasigurado ako na ang karamihan na makikita mo ay mayroong butas. Paano na lang kung walang butas ang ating mga kabahayan? Makapapasok at makalalabas kaya tayo dito? Ang mga sasakyan at mga gulong? Uusad kaya ang mga ito patungo sa ating paroroonan? Ang mga gamit, appliances, electronics, musical instruments, ang mga damit at sapatos na isinusuot natin, ang computers at cd’s? Mapapakinabangan kaya natin ang mga ito? Ang mga sisidlan tulad ng bote, garapon, plastic bag o kahon? Ano ang saysay ng mga ito kung walang mga butas? Kadalasan pa nga inaakala natin na perwisyo, problema o trahedya ang butas. Katulad na lang kung nabutas ang bubong natin, butas na mga lansangan, butas na tangke ng tubig o na-flat ang gulong ng ating sasakyan dahil nabutas ito. Ang pagsabog ng mga bulkan at pagbuga ng abo at lahar buhat sa bunganga nito? Pero kung iisipin mo ang butas ay may hatid na biyaya at pakinabang din sa mga taong gagawa o gagamit ng mga bagay na inilalabas nito. Ito ay nagbibigay kabuhayan at bagong pag-asa sa kanila lalung-lao na sa mga mahihirap at naghihikahos. Ngayon ay nasagot ko na ang palaisipan sa biro ni tatay (oo nga pala Apolinar ang tunay na pangalan ni tatay, “Pang” "kung siya ay tawagin ng mga kaibigan. Siguro nagtataka ka kung bakit “Bebang” ang ginamit ko sa pamagat ano?,Sasagutin ko kung itatanong mo.) dahil ganap na ang aking kaisipan. Nalaman, napag-isipan at nabigyan ng katuturan dahil katotohanan na marami sa atin ang hindi nakakapag-isip o nagbibigay ng pansin sa kahalagahan ng butas. Huwag nating maliitin ang butas malaki man o kakarampot sapagkat sa isang abang butas maaring maglagos ang liwanag upang magbigay ng tanglaw sa ating buhay at kasagutan sa ating mga suliranin at katanungan. Kung tayo man ay nagmula sa butas, siguradong dito rin tayo magwawakas . Kapag tayo ay mga nangamatay, ilibing man o sunugin upang maging abo , butas ang huli nating hantungan at himlayan .Kaya lagi tayong maging mabuti at gumawa ng tama sa ating kapwa. Ang butas ay isa lamang biyaya na dapat pasalamatan, nagmula sa Kanya na Siyang tunay na may likha ng ating mga buhay.

THE REAL WHOLENESS OF US

( I dedicate this blog to my loving wife Eva, my lovely daughters Jessieca, Jessmirah, Jessel and Jessreel and to my good Friendster FD from Paris)

There was this TV commercial how a vitamin supplement can make a man complete. For some reasons the product perhaps can make those who take it feel healthier and better, but not actually make their whole being complete. Definitely (for me) the ad message was purely marketing persuasion but it strokes me hard and left a big question mark in my wits. How can a man be perfect? Is there really a way for a man to be? Is it possible? Egotism, self glorification, and conceit with our masculinity are some of the pretexts why most of us seek ourselves to be complete. A man can be good-looking, strong and tall, rich and famous, can chase women, intelligent and powerful or has a good business mind but still he remains incomplete. Humanity has a mistaken characterization of the modern “macho” men and its requirements and obligations of us are so heavy that we can hardly cope up with it. For this reason I have so many times asked my self what real men supposed to be, and I think . . .

We can be real men by looking with our wives with the right standpoint and to be solicitous to them and not just look at them as people who amuse us and meet our sexual cravings, or supervise the homes we built, or some ones who produced kids for us to be our inheritors. Men are extremely unresponsive; we fail to see their needs, the deep hurts and intense fears of our wives. It is true that most of the times our wives are miserable because they are captives of the responsibilities and characters defined by us. They go around our orbits, they are in second place. Treat our wives right, and be willing to be servants rather than masters. Seek to serve and sit down with them and honestly look to live up to their needs. Our wives are our co-heritors of the blessed gift of life so we must accord them with great respect, concern, fidelity and love.

We can be real men by nurturing and devoting great deal of time and energy with our kids. Although most of us need to work outside our home to raise the family, maintaining a positive nurturing relationship with our kids is a paramount importance. Real men support their kids in all their needs, in their chosen careers, understand their ambitions (even if they contrast from our own) and appreciate and value their achievements. Real men are proud to be identified with their kids and the family as a whole. One day our children will be gone to build homes and raise families of their own and as a result of this investment, our kids will be among the well-adjusted and peaceful husbands, wives, mothers and fathers in the future.

I must admit that I am very much far-off with the definition of what a real man is. I am not ashamed to say it! It is not bad and not to be considered as Achilles' heel to acknowledge my inadequacies and transgressions. In fact there was so many times I fallen short of what my wife, my kids and the other people expect of me. I upset them and did things I shouldn’t suppose to. I was careless and negligent with my promises and often times breached my own credibility. With the last remaining chapters of my life I want to do the right thing because it is the right thing, I want to be the best I can be before it’s over and with God’s help I am trying to work on it.

Imperfection is one of our natural attributes and no matter how hard we try to be complete we would always fall short because the truth is, we can’t really be. Men, just like women are not made perfect and that’s how God wanted us to be. BUT we can make ourselves as closer as we can be to become one. Rather, we can be real men if we become real people to our friends and neighbors, real citizens to our nation, real lovers to the ones we love, real sons to our parents, real husbands to our wives, real fathers to our kids, and real sons of God. These are the real wholeness of us.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

(Romans 12:1-2)

BOKSING NGA LANG BA ANG MAKAPAG-IISA SA ATIN?

Nanalo na naman si Pacquio, tuwang-tuwa ang sambayanang Pilipino ng talunin niyang muli ang “People’s Champion” ng Mexico na si Marco Antonio Barrera. Napawi lahat ang agam-agam tungkol sa lahat ng mga dahilan ni Barrera ukol sa una niyang pagkatalo kay Pacquiao. Napatunayan sa labanang ito na higit talagang mas malakas, matalino at mahusay na boksingero si Manny Pacquiao laban sa Mehikano.

Sa tuwing lalaban si Pacquiao animo ay tumitigil ang ikot ng mundo para sa mga Pilipino. Walang traffic sa lansangan, walang kriminalidad, tigil ang bangayan ng mga politiko, tigil din ang mga intriga sa showbiz. Lahat matiyagang naghihintay sa karangalang muling ihahatid ng “Pambansang Kamao’ . Nakatutuwang makita na sa oras ng mga labang ito ay panandaliang naguguho ang pader na nakaharang sa pagitan ng mga mayayaman at mahihirap, sa mga magkakagalit sa personal na buhay at sa politika, ang iringan ng gobyerno at ang mga militanteng grupo , at debate sa ibat-bang paniniwala at relihiyon. Sa ganitong pagkakataon umiiral ang tunay na pagkakaisa ng Pilipino. . . kahit man lang sa labindalawang rounds ng boksing ipinakikita natin sa ating mga sarili ang tunay na “concern” at suporta sa isang kapwa Pilipino. Sana araw-araw ganito, kahit walang laban si Pacquiao, ipakita natin sa bawat isa ang pagkakaisa natin bilang mga Pilipino. Sabagay, kung babalikan natin ang ating kasaysayan, meron ba talaga tayong ipinagkaisa? Sa panahon ng Kastila, Amerikano at Hapon, isama mo pa ang lahat ng bersion ng People Power sa EDSA talaga nga bang nagkaisa tayo ng mga panahong ito? Ang atin bang pagpapakahirap at pagpupunyagi na makamtan ang nilalayon natin sa ating mga buhay at para sa ating bayan ay tunay kayang nakamit natin? O naging pakitang tao lang tayo, at karamihan sa atin ay may pansariling nilalayon para sa kani-kanilang pansariling kapakinabangan? At paglipas ng mga taon ang mga ipinaglaban natin at ang tunay na adhika ng mga panahon na ito ay unti- unti ring nawala?

Ang boksing ay tulad ng laban sa hamon ng buhay nating mga Pinoy. Kung saan sinusukat ang tatag di lamang sa lakas, talino, bilis kungdi higit sa lahat ay sa disiplina sa sarili. Kung lahat lamang ng mga katangiang ito ay nasa bawat isa sa atin ay di malayong marating nating ang ninanaais nating patunguhan . Maging halimbawa nawa si Pacquiao sa atin. Sa paglipas ng panahon ay maraming darating pang mga boksingerong tulad ni Pacquiao . Maaaring mas higit pang magagaling . Tayo’y muling magkakaisa, magbubunyi upang ipagmamalaki ang bawat nilang pagwawagi. Kahit man lamang sa ilang oras ng bawat nilang pakikipaglaban sa ibabaw ng ring ay napag-iiisa nila ang mga Pilipino. Mabuhay ang boksingerong Pilipino. Mabuhay ka Pacquiao. Boksing nga lang yata ang makapag-iisa sa atin . . .

GOD SAVE THE BABIES! ( A Ride Away From Death)

Jeepneys used to be called the King of the Road but not these days anymore. With traffic getting more infamous in the Metropolis despite of the many programs to decongest it such as flyovers and underpasses, MRT’s and LRT’s, skyways and color coding, motorists and commuters still unable to cope up with this seemingly unsolvable problem.. Easy as a pie to drive, the motorcycle has taken the title that jeepney has long kept to its name. As one of the few options that seem to address the traffic menace, motorcycle population is growing incredibly and with this fad everyone seems to climb on the bandwagon. It is a common view when traffic builds up bikes slithering through vehicles larger that its size. Sometime they may even get jammed in front of you while you are sitting in your car before a slit opens up and with a blink of an eye they are gone. What is disappointing with the other drivers is that while they are trapped in the congestion and amidst the earsplitting noise and hooting of horns around the place, bikers just slip through and drive away.

Most of motorcycle riders enjoy their transports by being able to avoid stagnant traffic, aside from being practical and swift in long distance travel, they can also handle pot holes and bad road shells of Metro Manila. This is why most developed countries actively endorsing motorcycles in reducing traffic cramming and air pollution while freeing up parking spaces. But just recently, news advisories were flashed on different networks because of the rise in the incidence of road mishaps involving this two-wheeled vehicle. Some drivers would curb the sidewalk, and just turn sharply anywhere they want to and crisscross their way through traffic then burn up the road. Others use it for bet racing while some just for kicks. Some bikers have even back rider cuddling baby or young kid(s) between them. For God’s sake! Infant aboard motorcycle?! Are these motocyclists bird brained to put kids on the verge of peril?? This is the most terrifying motorcycle scenario I often see in the streets! Everytime I see people aboard motorcycle with kid as young as an infant I can’t hold on my gaze on them for too long. “Pag naiisip ko pa lang kung ano ang mangyayari kinikilabutan na ako eh!” It’s just like a ride away from death. Nobody can tell that he has the bit between his teeth when driving, anything can happen. “Sabi nga mismo ng mga drivers pag nagmamaneho ka ang isang paa mo ay nasa hukay na”. This is why some bikers are branded as lesser beings because of their undisciplined and irresponsible attitudes in using this sort of transport in the streets. Authorities should set a stern rules against riding babies and kids on motorcycles to look after their safety and health. Kung maari talagang ipagbawal. Parents should NEVER ride their kids on this transport and travel them on main thoroughfares .If they care enough for them and want them to enjoy life and live long, four wheeled vehicles are safer and more convenient rides for them. “Huwag na nating panghinayangan yung kaunting baryang pamasahe natin”. There are so many misconceptions about bikers; some are mistaken as drug addicts, thugs, and even bank hold uppers. ... these fallacies will vanish if discipline and sense of responsibility is shown by people who use this transport. It is true that motorcycle is the most practical and convenient motorized wheel today as far as traffic in the Metropolis is concerned. They say more bikes would mean less traffic for everyone including those who will still steer their cars. It is also a fact that the motorcycle offers the least protection for its riders and once involve in a mishap the rider escapes death by a hair’s breadth. Motorcycles have a far higher percentage of crippling and fatal accidents per unit distance than automobiles. Motorcyclists can do much to foresee and stay away from these crashes by getting proper training, wearing protective helmet, increasing their exposure to other traffic, and separating alcohol and riding. So dear motorcyclists, don’t bury your heads in the sand, the next times you use your bikes - - - PLEASE don’t ride the babies. They are angels and God’s blessing, so let them live to grow to enjoy their infantile lives.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

—Psalm 127:3-5

WHEN GOOD MEN DIE . . .

Death is one thing we unwillingly think and talk about. Although we all know that someday we are going to die this certainty does not pat our hearts, giving much meaning with the things of this world, such as money, possessions, reputation, fame and power and all the good things that appease our consciousness . . . as if we are going to live forever.

Only this month two people close to me passed away. Pilo Abrugena and Meng De Dios. It was a bolt of lightning from the blue sky upon learning the deaths of these two good men. I was asking myself why good people die so sudden where a lot of bad ones out there can die in place of them. The words may sound unfair . . . Am I God who can tell which individual I want life to end first?

I faced a stressful legal suit against my hard as nail employer, when I was illegally dismissed after a quarrel over some bitter pills to swallow. During this time I was left high and dry by my officemates for fear that they might got involved. Pilo was beck and call for me by providing me someone who can defend and fight for my labor rights and later on won the case. I wouldn’t be able to grasp the nettle if not for him. Pilo was a happy man, a good father, someone who knocks all your worries down with his one man comical show. He called himself “Gagambang Lalaki” which in my personal interpretation is synonymous to “Magandang Lalaki” (until now I am contemplating what he really meant with this words). He was always willing to give, to listen and ready to throw a line to all he knew. After this depressing part of my life, Pilo helped me to go back in the drawing board again. He died of cardiac arrest.

Three days after I attended Pilo’s wake I received a text message from Menchie de Dios, my co-artist for 10 long years and one of the few people I can bear my heart out. The message went like this: “ Kuya . . . si Meng comatose na.” For a moment my feet seemed to sink where I stood I could only grip my phone harder as I read the message over and over again. I felt remorseful not to be able to see her husband Meng during his long confinement in the hospital, the least I could do then was to send comforting messages that will boost her morale and cheer her up. That night I called Menchie up. The conversation was gloomy marked with hopelessness and low-spiritless. She was blubbing while talking and asking many questions which I myself don’t know the answers. I just told her to just cling to hope although in my mind the situation was chance against chance the fact that Meng was brain dead. It was past 2 a.m. when we ended the phone chat. 7 hours later someone informed me that Meng was clinically dead. After learning the sad news there was dead air for a moment, I felt sorry for one of my dearest friends who lost her most precious possession. Just like Pilo, Meng too died of heart failure. Meng was a good husband who looked always after the sake of his wife. I have seen how he coddled Menchie. He drove her to the office and fetched her up after work as if he was one of the employees of the company. He was generous and soft hearted. A good provider and a person neat as a pin. He would be an ideal father if he was just given a chance to be . Although they were not able to have kids, he acted as a father figure the same way Menchie acted as a mother with children around them. He was meek and unpretentious and a God fearing man .
I have a bleeding heart with the demise of these two good men, but in my mind I know their good deeds have prepared them to their journey’s ends to meet their Maker.

Money, happiness and other desirable things are often here today, gone tomorrow. To most of us they are dominant significance, so we dedicate almost all our time and momentum to get hold of them and engross ourselves in many negative exploits for their sake. We are so concerned with the worries of this life that there is only tiny space in our mind for real spiritual living. When the time of passing actually comes we find out and realize that by having paid no attention to death all our life we are totally unready.

Salamat Pilo. . . salamat Meng sa lahat ng kabutihang ginawa at ipinakita nyo nuong kayo ay mga nabubuhay pa. . . You breathe your lasts but all your goodness will not perish . . . but will live though you are gone. . .

The righteous shall go into life eternal.
Matthew 25:46

OPEN CONVERSATION WITH CECILE TRINCHERA

Jessie wrote:
hello classmate!??? musta na? At first i wasn’t able to recognize you buti na lang narecall ko yung surname mo hahahah! Hope not a sign of mental deterioration . Can you join our group? Please help me too in my earnest aspiration to reunify all ERESian more specifically our section. Kindly tell about this site to all concern.

Regards to the family and God bless u!

Cecile wrote:
Well welll.. Mr Landingin... I seem to remember the last time i saw you when we were organizing sort of a reunion or what do you call it a drinking excuse..lol (things you do when you are younger) you were sitting on your front stairs...hahahaha.. Yeah I kept my maiden name.. my hubbys name didn’t seem to match my name.. jk... I will do that.. I will join the group.. I guess now I am more resilient when you guys tease.... I am glad to hear from classmates.. sharpens the memory..lol

Jessie wrote:
I guess you said that right! As we age we tend to become more flexible and shyness lessens . Hayaan mo wala ng manunukso sa iyo hahahahah!Anyways, thanks for joining and enjoy the group!

Cecile wrote:
I don’t really care if I get teased... I have my thing now.. i don’t get upset i just get even.. see the thing is with working with men is you tend to think like one.. Like a trailer trash..lol

Jessie wrote:
Teasing back then were part of our young & playful years - a representation of our innocence and immaturities . We epithet somebody to be like this or like that but not necessarily to make insults or rub things the wrong way. We were infantile and we were guiltless. We said something about somebody without due consideration because we are slapdash. Without these experiences and attributes our elementary memories would be lackadaisical. I also got teased then (many times). But now that i matured a lot, I dig up all these stuffs as bits of chronicles of my young years. And who cares about those teasing right now?

Cecile wrote:

Well. it didn’t really bother me, that was just a joke. I have three older brothers and one sister and i am the youngest, my brothers were really bad at that and we use to joke about who ever gets upset first is the one that loses.... so the more you get upset the more they tease. I was resilient then and i am pretty sure i did a lot of infantile things..OH YEAh.. It is funny now, but then was serious. I miss those days the innocent life, with no worries, no responsibilities and our most major job is drive our parents insane, spend their money (lol).

You were cool though, I have always find you hilarious, love those one man show moment- when you stand in front of the class and just make us laugh.. always thought.. not bad.. the smartest in the whole school with a good sense of humor. And then when the teacher comes in -- sit like an angel... We were in class for one year but it was really great.
So how is life in PI.. the last time i was there was 99..and boy I drank a lot.. partied hard ..// now I am too old for it..lol

So how many is in the group that is our batch mates?

Jessie wrote:

Did I ever tease you somehow? hahahaha! In my anamnesis, Ace Villareal and Alexander Domingo were the ones who peeve you most of the time and every time they do, you would just sit still and blub in your armchair as you slightly grazed away the tears in you cheeks. These rascals were too scared when the compassionate girls threatened them to tell the teacher what they did to you..(lol) while I, busy entertaining the unmindful others with my shaggy dog stories hahahahah! Ace and Alex were my closest buddies among the boys and I was the heritor of some of their roguish tricks. Back then, our classmates, especially the girls found me comical and entertaining but I am a bit precarious if my wittiness will still work once I get to meet all of you again. Already enlisted here were Jesusa Suyat, Emily Magalong, Dennis Quimora, Rio Bautist, Felix Jun Asilum, Malou (forgot her surname) . I still have to dig net to find Rowena Fermin, Marciana Yuzon,
Lailani Granada, Esmeralda Manlapig, Belinda Potente, Maevelyn Serrano, Guizella Paulino, Yvonne Delfin, Agnes Lopez, Arlene Pescasio, Rowena Teruel, Carina & Loida. Serafin Quintana, Rommel Eugenio, Bernardino Vicencio, Eliseo Vengco, Ace & Alex. Whew! See? I remember them all! Girls for sure will be harder to find (unless all of them are old maids lol) unlike the boys who kept their surnames. Please help!

Cecile wrote:

I don’t seem to remember you teasing me.. you were fun. I guess you are right Alex and ace are the bullies of our class.. I don’t remember the tears but I do remember the teasing a bit.. Not all of it... I guess I have to give them credit for that because I became strong.. and very resilient to things.. and working for a waste management company I have to grow balls because most of my co managers here are all male and I cant afford to be a cry baby.. plus all of them are white people so I really have to suck it up and be a b..itch or an a.. ss/ excuse my French..

So as far as I remember I don’t remember anything about you crossing me.

Well anyways those are bridge over the water.. and can't be changed..
You know what the funny part is... I think I had blocked that off and just remembered bits and pieces of elementary.. c'est lavie.. part of growing up.

It is good that u guys found me.. then I have more time to play at work..lol j.k.

Keep me posted

Jessie wrote:

Ay salamat naman! There was one time they teased you and I was the one cheering you up to stop from crying and asked them to stop their josh. Honestly, Mrs. Morales commented to get away from them . . nothing more than just an honest concern about my class standing. Remember, Loida and I was in race neck and neck for the honor and I thanked God I won that sprint nip and tuck. Ace and Alex were really mischievous then but they were nice guys. Their parents and siblings were receptive and kind to me. Their impishness was not to hurt but more of a playful mockery while you were too thin- skinned and easily got upset with it. They were guiltless and you were sensitive. The good thing is that these people that hurt you were the ones who taught you somehow to be tough and flexible. Now we have matured we understand these portion of our young lives. . . Comprendre, c'est pardoner. Memories stay with us forever and are important part of who we are. . but become less accurate as we age. . . lol.

Prenez! Bonne journée!

Cecile wrote:
Well, looking back it is really funny.. see when we were young we dont really worry and not really think of the consequences of your action... i guess i had changed a lot- taking psychology made me understand more of the growing pains and how we learn from it. i am sort of glad that i did take that course.. and sometimes apply it.. it is really handy with a teen ager.. i have learned to let go of the things that i cant control and things had changed a lot comparing to us.. looking now to what the teenagers do now.. omg we are angels..lol..

> You were nice when we were young, and i do remember that.. and i do remember you making it easy for everybody by your jokes.. and believe me i took that with me through my whole life.. that when everything gets wrong you make jokes.. and i just laugh... you werent just the smart boy in the school but you were cool at the same time. i do thank you for that :)

Merci Beaucoup... Prendre le bon soin

so how are the kids.. how old are your kids?

Jessie wrote:

Yeah right, we were carefree, cheerfully and playfully irresponsible then, but much easier to restrain compare with teenagers now. I can see that your boot is on the other side now. . and I’m glad you have changed for yourself. I think we were all nice. It was that young age is always associated with naughtiness more particularly with the boys and some were really hard to discipline. And I found all of us hilarious too; I remember you exchanged jokes with me and some of the girls. Perhaps you guys found me more entertaining because I got more barrels of laugh than the others. Girls were easier to please and more receptive so I preferred to do my one man show in front of them. hahahaha! I must say this, that you and the rest of our grade school classmates had partaken me some of the joyous and most unforgettable chapters of my young life and these memories will not be sealed with oblivion. Thanks to all of you!

Got 4 kids. . . all daughters. My eldest still has a year to finish her college, the other two are still in grade school while my youngest just turned 6 months old.

I PROMISE TO SEE YOU

Green with envy and strapped with a guilt trip - - these were how I felt not to be able to come on Melanie'sArrival and Despedida shindigs. I was just an arm span away from these special occurrences but time really seemed to be unkind to me. We all find ourselves full of activities, hectic, and tiring for ourselves and most especially for our dear families, because of this we commit our schedules one at a time giving each one a different degree of primacy. I wish I have the magic potion to be at separate places of two distinct occasions of same importance. Sayang talaga! Melanie has traveled too far to live through again and take a stroll down memory lane of our high school days only to find out only few of us could come and share the good times with her. Just like Alona, I remember Melanie as one of the "mahinhins" in our section. Still fresh in my mind, these two beautiful ladies would park themselves with me on school bounganvilla plant boxes and requested songs while I twang my guitar. Annie, I remember you very well, aside from being sporty and "alaskadora" you were the only one who knows how to strum the strings among the ladies. Do I really have that sinister beam? Ha!ha!ha!ha! (not anymore) You and Portiabeth were too closed because you shared almost the same interests and curiosities. Everytime I hear the Nolan's "If You Ever Change your Mind" always reminds me of her. She sang this song during a school program and I did the accompaniment ( Ala pang KTV nuon e). Riza, Cecile, Eliza, Imelda, Arlene. Elenita and Amalia was the troupe who epitheted me as "Mr. Executive" because I never bring school bag with me – and why should I? I only got two notebooks then(History & Journalism) and everytime I have to jot down something from the other subjects or take quizzes and exams, these generous ladies supplied me all the cut sizes of pad paper (heheheheh) . And what about Ellen, my dear Medic Commander who always got peeved with my mulishness and Raymundo's insubordination? lol. Perhaps these were the attributes why I seemed less liked by our girl classmates (aside from my insidious grin heheh) it was pretty palpable they seemed to find more pleasant guys like Ferdie,Lowell, Ramon, Henry, Carlo, Leonardo, Demet and the late Danilo who were more studious and better behaved than myself or the shy type class of Antonio and Edgardo? "You're making fun of my name!" Do you remember this scandalous line? hahahahah! It was election for class officers and I remember Raymundo tirelessly proposed Ronald to all positions (from presidency down to escort and finally to muse lol!) but never won a seat! Sensing Dilag's ridicule Ronald screeched the phrase, collapsed and rushed to the nearby clinic after this drollery. Crushes and hates were bits of high school experience. I have a lot of crushes rather than hates . Back then , I must make a clean breast and admit to all of you that Riza was my crush all throughout high school years. Girlfriend(s)? Syempre naman… I had a short lived relationship with one of our classmates, yes, short as blink of an eye . I rather not mention her name… I can only describe her . . . she was sexy (wow)! Yung iba secret na lang ( better ask Annie D. she knows some) hahahahahah!
My memories of Bobby, Lito & Raymundo will never be in oblivion. I agree with Anna Marie that there are distinct memories with certain friends. . . In and out of school, these guys shared me some of the happiest and most unforgettable fraction of my youth. Have you heard carolers singing the tunes of Beatles and Everly Brothers instead of yuletide chorus? During Christmas seasons, Lito, Dilag and I would go house to house to croon our carol pieces of "Please Please Me" and "Wake Up Little Sussie" hahahah!. Bobby, is my only Kumpare among our classmates and I remember often times we sneaked his father's bike going to Dalin or Imelda Pascual's place. Ewan ko ba sa kumpare ko na to, Ang gandang lalaki nerbyoso sa babae . When he got tired wooing a girl and he sensed that his courting was getting hard and had taken too long , (he was too impatient) ako na ang pinapagtuloy niya! (lol) Minsan naman sinama ko siya sa nililigawan ko, aba'y kinabukasan binasted ako nung girl only to find out the next day that she and Bobby were already on? hahahahah!

Hayy. . . its nice to dredge up all these fragments of high school stories. It makes me feel young. High School is really different, its the representation of our youth. It's like carrying all its memories for lifetime. My appreciation to Ferdie, Leni, Amalia, Cecil, Ed, and all the rest who give their undying support, time & effort to supply more cinders to woeful flame of our alma mater's flambeau in hope of giving it a newer and livelier blaze.
Melanie. . . I promise to see you!

"COOL AS CAT" - An E-mail from ANNA MARIE S. AGUILAR GIRDNER

Jessie, I was compelled to write you after going through some of the postings in the Batch 83 website.

I HAVE BEEN absent a while...how did I miss
these?Anyways, I was laughing my ass off
(excuse me).You saved ALLLLL those pictures
and ALLLL thosewritings - oh my God!  You can't
imagine how thosememorabilia made me feel.  
I smiled and laughed through most of them and shrieked through some of them - especially of
Mr. Albea's. Remember that notorious head bashing party?  I must say this to you though. 
I've always admired your writing style and  looked up to you  as the "cool as cat" dude.
One distinct memory I had of you was your natural ability to make people laugh.   You don't
even have to try to be funny - you reinvented funny! yeah, and you and Bobby were always after
 Jocelyn - I remember you guys. Anyways, I thought I'd let you know that you, along with others
have occupied the "good memories chapter" in my book of life. Thanks for saving those pics.
 Any BTW - I penned that Marijuana article as a sad tribute to 2 brothers whose lives were
hallmarked with the sad influence of the weed. You can tell the writing was definitely "uck" 
but who cares right? Listen, you keep the boys in line and keep the ladies laughing and please,
 please, let them know I miss everybody.

Laters,

Annie

Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the moon; Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first mountaineers to reached Mt. Everest Summit; Pancho Villa was first Filipino and Asian Boxing Champ.

There is always a FIRST for everything! I wouldn’t have even the most trivial tip-off in my wits to craft a link for MHSians if not for this lady - Anna Marie S. Aguilar Girdner . She is the forerunner of Batchof83 E-group , a site that serves as the milieu for MHSians at Yahoo more specifically for batch of 1983 where she and I belonged.

Maraming salamat Anna Marie for appreciating everything that I posted there. I always make it a point to cherish everything that will jogs the memories of my youth and my happy and blissful past. I don’t lob or lose something that I’m sure I’ll regret afterwards. Yan din and sinsabi ko sa mga kids ko na maging masinop. Do you believe that their first cut hair and fingernails, bellybuttons and preganacy dip strips urine test, letters to Santa Clause , old school ID's tinatago ko pa? Parang ako ang babae sa bahay! Ha!ha!ha! For me, these are simple life’s treasures. One day when old age would thwart me from telling my life’s chronicle to my kids and grand children(if God permits me to live that long) at least I have something to get from my cabinet and show a good time to them. I like to be a paragon to my kids. I must admit that I’m not really that good in writing. Its just that I really like to write and express my mind and views. Nagtataka nga ako bakit ako ang naging Editor- in -chief ng MHS Journal where anyone from you, Melanie Mabini Mayr and Erlinda Ferandez (I think) could best fit in for the position. Maybe totoo nga yung sinabi mo….nadaan sa sa pagpapatawa! ha!ha!ha!. Si Bobby magandang lalaki yun e. Crush ng bayan ika nga , yung hindi nya mga gusto yun ang ibinibigay nya sa akin, kaya mas maraming napupunta sa akin (joke) ha!ha!ha! Where is he now? Namimis ko rin itong kumpare ko na ito ( he’s Caca’s ninong) You were the first person I knew(Section 1) when I enrolled at MHS. You were a member of Mauway Elementary School Softball team I was from the ERES Baseball team then. Both teams competed in Marikina. Nagulat ka pa nga nuon ng nagkita tayo sa room. Magiging magkaklase pala tayo. Sure hope so you still remember this. You and the rest of our classmates has been a fraction of my life and without that portion it will never complete my youth and my life story .

Thank you again for starting it all, you can count on my loyal and constant support for the group and I promise you for more postings of any sorts in the future. As you said, I will let them know how terribly you miss them. . . but am a bit doubtful if my sense of humor will still work on them! ha!ha!ha!

God Bless!

MELANIE'S WELCOME & DESPEDIDA PARTY

Melanie Mabinie Mayr Welcome Party at Aberdeen Court, Makati & Despedida Party at Music 21, Jupiter. Present were: Ferdie Gonzales, Leni Lantin, Ellen Fernandez, Cecille Capili, Ed dela Cruz, Annie Diaz, May Lomarda-Diongco, Alona Balatbat-Lim, Imelda Apostol, Orly Omaga, Jessie Colili, Lito Lumabas, Crispin Vertudez, & Nelzon Quizon.




Sayang! Nakakainggit to see these pictures without me. Perhaps I'm a lot busier than you guys and I wasn't able to beat the time.Di bale I know all who attended have a wonderful time with Melanie. Next time hindi na pwedeng kayo lang. . . sasama na talaga ako!
See you Melanie in December!

FASTER BOAT TO CHINA

My appreciation to Anna Marie Aguilar Girdner for initiating the brain wave of having a site for Batch ’83 in the expansive world of internet. When I joined Batch of ‘83 at Yahoo Group last year I pondered with another brainchild of creating a faction not necessarily outlined for our own batch alone but for all the MHSians of all peer groups, and at this point I started the MHS Alumni Batch 80-Present Friendster Group last December of 2006. In my recollection, Jacqueline Dela Cruz Batch ’83 and now lives in Minatoku, Japan was the very first MHSian to sign up in the group. To date, after a span of merely 7 months the group has 141 adherents from different batches in different parts of the globe and still growing. Freshly, Henry Angeles(Vietnam), Carlo Corpuz(USA), Ramon Magbanua(Middle East) Orly Omaga have also joined. Early bird members from Batch ’83 are Leni Lantin, Dalin Zuasola (Australia), Raymundo Dilag (Hong Kong) & Pol Enriquez. Most of Batch of ’83 Yahoo group members were already enlisted here.

What can you take from this? Just like Anna Marie, my earnest aspiration why I created this group is to join up all MHSians and to keep everyone in touch whether for business, scholarly or pure nostalgic reasons. Friendster on my personal point of view, as one of the top line internet social network service will best serve this purpose. Although it was overtaken by Myspace in terms of pageview, the Philippines has the most number of Friendster members worldwide. Our kababayans prefer Friendster more than any other public or community site. As such, Friendster is a fraction of Filipino cyberculture and present-day popular culture. Because of its unique profile setup and features, members also participate more actively compare to other networks. Although it is true what Melanie Mabini (former classmate and she'll be returning here for a vacation this August 3) said that it might take some detective and leg work to find the girls/ladies in the net as their last names would have changed if they are married unlike for the boys/gentleman who have kept their family names, every Friendster members and their list of friends are your leads for those people you wish to find. I would have not found Dalin Zuasola (Ojales) in the net if not by chance I crossed upon on Jay Ojales’ (her pamangkin) name on gallery section where profiles of Friendster users are arranged according to search preferences.He gave me Dalin’s e-mail add. I invited her to join the Alumni then add her up on my Friendster list of friends. Social networking was a big dotcom bubble that blew up in the internet, and Friendster is the bubble engine. Figures from Internet World Stats pegged the number of online Filipinos at 7.82 Million in 2005 (compared to only 2 Million in 2000). That means a little over 3 out of every 5 people who have access to the internet have a Friendster account! Our vision of having the grandest reunification MHS could ever have will be achieved if we all sail with a faster boat towards our destination. Thank you to all the members of Batch of ’83 Yahoo Group and MHS Alumni Batch 80-Present Friendster Group for keeping the spirit of our Alma Mater burning.

God bless you all at mabuhay ang MHSians!

" I LOVE YOU BECAUSE I NEED YOU ; I NEED YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU"

Just wanted to know hu's really active members of the group..ptambay lng.. if u hav tym time kindly answer n rin my quest...
WHICH ONE YOU WANT TO CHOOSE??
I LOVE YOU bcoz I NEED YOU or I NEED YOU bcoz I LOVE YOU...

This is a very interesting topic to discuss, but first let me thank Rebecca Sia, one of the pretty faces of MHS Friendster Alumni Group from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada for posting such attention-grabbing subject matter in the group’s discussion board. And I thank her also for giving me a subject to pen here on my blog.

Erich Pinchas Fromm (March 23, 1900 – March 18, 1980) an internationally renowned Jewish-German-American social psychologist, psychoanalyst, and humanistic philosopher, authored this quotation “I love you because I need you; I need you because I love you”. Fromm said immature love says, “I love you because I need you”. Mature love says, “I need you because I love you.” Immature love is failing to understand the true essence and nature of love which always had the common component of care, responsibility, respect and knowledge. Some people love because they want their love to be reciprocated. This is reciprocal love. You may want to love somebody because of what you receive in return. Your partner bequest you companionship, you adore his/her physical and emotional assets, you cherish the food & the gifts, the prudence, the service and benevolence offered to you. These things aren’t unpleasant at all. You will be as cold as a stone if you don’t love the person. Though this sort of love maybe favorable to you, it is uncertain and impermanent. What if these qualities fade? Or he/she no longer appealing to you ? Or you find someone who seems to own better qualities? Or he/she can’t no longer afford to give what you need? Often, this scenario marks the end of a romance and begins to feel the remorse of falling in love with each other. When this happens,nagsisimula na tayo maghanapan, magsumbatan at magsisihan . At duon natin nakikita ang kapintasan at kahinaan ng bawat isa when all the things and qualities you once praise on him/her gradually ebb. Reciprocal love maybe mighty and successful but it doest preserve the full dignity of the human spirit. It only gratifies the basic self-esteem, our needs for survival and selfishness, and fails the higher spirit of man created by God.

To say: “I need you because I love you” is an expression of unconditional affection – Mahal kita hindi dahil sa kahit ano pa mang rason o bagay o katangian na nakita ko sa iyo, Mahal kita dahil ikaw ay ikaw. I love you and I am willing to commit myself without any guarantee, but only hope that my love will produce love. I love you not because you benefit me but the very inner of you. It is not I love you because you are pretty, but you are beautiful because I love you. It is not I love you because I need you but rather I need you because I love you!

This does not mean not to treasure and value the good qualities of someone we love but it means that our love is not restricted or outlined by a specific endearing qualities. “I may never get anything from you in return but I will still love you because you and I are inherently one. Unconditional love is just like a parent’s love to their children, or the immeasurable God’s love for all of us . Sana lahat tayo ganito magmahal. If we carefully learn our ourselves and come out with a relationship, let us love as we love ourselves, it is an act of faith and whoever has little faith has little love. As said, love, had the common elements of care, responsibility, respect, and knowledge and above all put God in every relationship. From here we will come to the point where each partner feels a fraction of the other, where each partner can no longer see in their mind’s eye an existence without each other.

" ... Let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not the power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

~1 Corinthians 7:2-4~

EDORFEMANAC

EDORFEMANAC which composed of 6 handsome guys from batch '83 namely:Ed Feruelo,Darius Peralta,Orly Omaga,Ferdie Aungon,Eman Ambalada and Crispin Vertudez , after a long long years of no communication is going to meet again! courtesy of this friendster Group by Jessie Landingin,thanks bro! kung wala 'to 'di ko sana makikita at makakausap man lang ang mga dating tropa na matagal ko na rin namang na Missed!

Orly Omaga . Batchmate and long lost pal posted this announcement at MHS Alumni Group. Nakakatuwa naman! We are growing! MHS friendster group isnt mine, ako lang po ang nag start to create this group. This belongs to all MHSians of all generations. I just wish all the members will help me promote this link and make it known to all concern. Let this be the home for all MHSians in the internet where each one of us can be able to relive those good, old days and keep in touch whether for academic, career or pure nostalgic reasons. To all the group members and all the new members to come. . . MABUHAY tayong lahat! Orly, sama ako jan ha! hahahaha!!!!

. . . WALANG NAMAMATAY SA DUMI

This is a forwarded e-mail from Jacqueline Dela Cruz, a former schoolmate and choirmate from MHS. Jacky now lives in Minatoku, Japan.

For Parents/Grandparents With Small Children~

Please re-post to make everyone aware of the dangers of hand
sanitizers with young children. Ok. I don't know where to begin
because the last 2 days of my life have been such a blur. Yesterday,
My youngest daughter Halle who is 4, was rushed to the emergency
room by her father for being severely lethargic and incoherent.
He was called to her school by the school secretary for being
"very VERY sick." He told me that when he arrived that Halle was
barely sitting in the chair. She couldn't hold her own head up
and when he looked into her eyes, she couldn't focus them.
He immediately called me after he scooped her up and rushed
her to the ER. When we got there, they ran blood test after blood
test and did x-rays, every test imaginable. Her white blood cell count
was normal, nothing was out of the ordinary.

The ER doctor told us that he had done everything that he could do
so he was sending her to Saint Francis for further test. Right when we
were leaving in the ambulance, her teacher had come to the ER and
after questioning Halle 's classmates, we found out that she had
licked hand sanitizer off her hand.

Hand sanitizer, of all things. But it makes sense. These days
they have all kinds of different scents and when you have a curious
child, they are going to put all kinds of things in their mouths. When
we arrived at Saint Francis, we told the ER doctor there to check her
blood alcohol level, which, yes we did get weird looks from it but
they did it. The results were her blood alcohol level was 85% and
this was 6 hours after we first took her. There's no telling what it
would have been if we would have tested it at the first ER.
Since then, her school and a few surrounding schools have
taken this out of the classrooms of all the lower grade classes but
what's to stop middle and high schoolers too? After doing research
off the internet, we have found out that it only takes 3 squirts of the
stuff to be fatal in a toddler. For her blood alcohol level to be so high
was to compare someone her size to drinking something 120 proof.

So please PLEASE don't disregard this because I don't ever want
anyone to go thru what my family and I have gone through.
Today was a little better but not much.

I did a personal research regarding this e-mail and I found out that
this letter was written by Lacey Butler of Oklahoma and published at
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/sanitizer.asp. Although hand sanitizer is being endorsed to improve hand hygiene , consumers should be alert of the possible risks of using this product most especially in our homes. Hand sanitizers contain 63% v/v of isopropanol which is higher in alcohol content in vodka and it’s the same ingredient used in E-85 gasoline, making the product highly igneous too! Kaya mga parents don’t put hand sanitizers kung saan-saan especially kung mayroon tayong mga kids sa bahay..They can not understand the cautionary labels on hand sanitizers . Kids are basically explorative and inquisitive and may even try to lick and ingest it because of its eye-catching colors and sweet-smelling scents . If they lick up, or if they start drinking directly from the bottle they could get drunk." Gulping down about 200 millilitres of isopropanol can be deadly because it depresses the central nervous system and the heart!

Hand sanitizers are still safe for our children to use if used according to the directions and properly. Sa mga can afford , its a great alternative when they can't wash their hands with soap and water pero sa karamihan ng mga naghihirap sa atin, sabon at tubig lang. Ipangbibili na lang nila ang kanilang pera ng ilang kilong bigas kaysa ipambili ng hand sanitizer, katuwiran ng Pinoy wala naman daw namamatay sa dumi. . . (Ha! ha !ha! ha!)