Ondoy

It’s been all over the newspapers and television.  What happened to Philippines ’ NCR (national capital region) last weekend was so unanticipated.  We all actually have our own story/ies to tell.

 Yes, we probably all know there’s a storm coming, but never did we expect that it would bring so much rain that eventually led to flash floods and super heavy traffic that ultimately caught a lot of people stranded, major cities flooded, and worst, thousands of people homeless and helpless, several lives lost and a multitude of properties devastated.  Cainta, Marikina and Pasig areas were said to be hardly hit by Bagyong Ondoy.  In some areas, the floods haven’t even subsided up to now (4 days has passed).  Some are yet to be rescued.  A lot of relief operations are on-going but still is not enough.

 We are thankful that our place was not affected.  The rain waters flooded our street but that’s just about it.  Water level soon went down as the rains stopped earlier in the evening.  Otherwise, it could have been a different story.  We are indeed blessed that we’re safe and prayers truly work wonders.  I don’t know what I would do if I’m the one there, knowing fully well I have a son less than a year old.  Just thinking of him getting soaked in the rain and experiencing a horrible flood scene, I’m already “Praning”.  What more if I’m there!  But we can’t help but feel bad at the same time when we turned on our TV and saw what was happening.  We have relatives and friends too in the affected areas and we can’t help but worry for them too.   

 My personal learnings:  1. We could never ever hold on to material things.  It wouldn’t even matter when you’re in a life and death situation. But we need not fret when we’ve lost it all.  We’ll be able to earn and save up for it again.  Although rebuilding is as hard as it gets, life still goes on!  2. We all have to be vigilant and prepared for whatever life may bring.  We’ll never know what’s in store for us tomorrow.  We just have to embrace it, be it beautiful or horrible.  At least we’re alive and have the capacity to make life better.  And at the end of the day, we all have a merciful ‘God’ who knows why.

 

Goodbye Mr. Moonwalker

Michael Jackson is a legend. He is truly an icon that brought zest to today’s music. Controversial even to his time of death, MJ made it big for a fact! Though I’m not a big fan, his hit songs were songs that I like to listen to. Some of it, I even know and memorize by heart. ‘She’s Out of My Life’ and ‘Heal the World’ are personal favorites. His dance moves were to scream for. The crotch-grabbing “you know I’m bad” step and the moonwalk were a blast!

The King of Pop

To the King of Pop, may you rest in peace as you are welcomed by God’s loving embrace. Thank you for bringing “Thriller” to the world. A lot of people mourn your death but a lot more believes in your music that brought magic. Forever your music will live on!

 

Panatang Makabayan

Didn’t get to memorize this when I was a kid.  It wasn’t required in school so I didn’t mind not until the question came, “Are you a Filipino?”.  Actually, I am a Filipino but what’s my commitment to the country?  It’s all summarized in this “PANATANG MAKABAYAN”.  It says it all but it’s only words. If only all Filipinos know this by heart and practice it, especially the ones serving in the government, the Philippines could have been more thriving in it’s economic state, could have been more successful in conquering corruption and red-tape and could have been more contributory to a better world.  But why look at others, it should start with me and others may follow suit.  I’m doing my part as a contribution.  Be a responsible and disciplined Filipino citizen.

 Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas
Ito ang aking lupang sinilangan
Ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi
Ako’y kanyang kinukupkop at tinutulungan
Upang maging malakas, maligaya at kapakipakinabang
Bilang ganti, diringgin ko ang payo ng aking mga magulang
Susundin ko ang mga tuntunin ng aking paaralan
Tutuparin ko ang mga tungkulin ng isang mamamayang makabayan at masunurin sa batas
Paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan nang walang pag-iimbot at ng buong katapatan
Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa.

English translation:

I love the Philippines.
It is the land of my birth;
It is the home of my people.
It protects me and helps me to be strong, happy and useful.
In return, I will heed the counsel of my parents;
I will obey the rules of my school;
I will perform the duties of a patriotic, law-abiding citizen;
I will serve my country unselfishly and faithfully
I will be a true Filipino in thought, in word, in deed

 

JOHN 3:16

Familiar with the verse? 

I heard mass today and the priest had mentioned this verse in his homily.  I guess most Catholics or should I say most believers, know this by heart:  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.”

It all begins with LOVE.  Because of love, God made an absolute sacrifice of sending one of his finest treasures and yet, not everyone appreciates it.  Not everyone is grateful for the fact that He cares for us so much.  And that probably hurts God. 

Let’s just look at our society and our government.  Admit it or not, it has changed.  For the worse, I don’t know.  Maybe, maybe not.  Morals and values have changed.  Many may have gone fierce and crazy probably because of the lack of love and the presence of greed, hatred and personal interest.  Corruption is just everywhere.  But we need not look that far, let’s just look at ourselves, our families, our personal relationships.  Has our acts been showing signs of gratitude for the love God has shown? 

God has always been faithful to us from the start, even if sometimes or most of the time, WE ARE NOT.  Let’s return the favor by showing respect and being kind to our families, by being more compassionate to our neighbors, by being more concerned of our country and our countrymen’s welfare, and most importantly by being plainly nice to our selves in a way the God has been genuinely nice to us.  In this way, we give back to God, in our little way, the love He has always made known to us thru His one and only begotten Son.

 

April Fool’s Day?

I hav always wandered why Apr1 have been cold april full’s they?  Is afril a month for jokings?  Or is it more logical thinking dat its jazz a dey for fools?  Id’ always remembers my mummy saying not to let anyones barrow moeny from me: otherwises I will not get the pay-off!  There were even an instant when my collage friendship called me on April morning saying she had a freaking car accident, that she’s lying in the hospital, and I should come and visiting her together with our other friendships before she passes away.  I were already excitedly nervous, only to hear her saying:  “Happy april full’s they!”.  Nothing hill, no good joking!  I’m not happy, I’m sad!

 

Hahaha.  Spelling and grammar, a joke!  Just wanted to make a fool out of myself, just for today!  Had a hard time doing this ha!  Here’s my serious version:

 

I had always wondered why April 1 has been called “April Fool’s Day”.  Is April a month for jokes?  Or is it more logically just a day for fools?  I would always remember my mom saying not to let anyone borrow money otherwise I won’t get paid.  There was even an instance when one of my college friends called me one morning of April 1 saying that she had a car accident, she’s in the hospital severely hurt and that I together with our other friends should come and visit her before she dies.  I was so nervous already, only to hear her say:  “Happy April Fool’s Day!”  Well, it’s no good joke and I wasn’t really totally happy about it. 

 

 

HOLY WEEK

Roman Catholics have been celebrating the Lenten season for more than 2000 years now and with the passing of each Good Friday, it somehow brings back to memory how Jesus has given up His life for the salvation of His people.  Well, for most people it means “holiday” especially for those in the workforce.  It’s a time for relaxation and repose.  It’s a time to clean up, time to get some sleep which most of us desperately want and lack in this fast-paced world, but it’s also a time to be at peace with yourself, with the world and with God.  One has to ponder over what life has been for the past year.  Meditate and thank the Lord for whatever has come.  It’s not that easy to do considering that there are lots of other things that keep us busy as well. The electronic world has produced so many “techy” products like the Game Boy, PSP, DVDs, Internet surfing, etc.  Look at what I’m doing right now: writing a blog.  Hahaha.  Well, it’s a matter of prioritizing.  I still have a few more days to do that, right?  I can start now. 

Happy Easter!