nella's journeys

An exhortation

2011-07-06T09:50:00.002+08:00

The Father's Exhortation to His Children

Ye are the temples of the Lord,
for ye are dearly bought;
and they that do defile the same,
shall surely come to nought.

Possess not proud in any wise,
build not your house too high,
but have always before your eyes,
that ye be born to die.

Defraud not him that hired is,
your labor to sustain;
but give him always out of hand,
his penny for his pain.

And as you would that other men
against you should proceed,
do you the same to them again,
when they do stand in need.

And part your portion with the poor,
in money or in meat;
and feed the fainted feeble soul,
with that which ye should eat.

Ask counsel always at the wise,
give ear unto the end;
refuse not you the sweet rebuke
of him that is your friend.

Be thankful always to the Lord,
with prayer and with praise,
Desiring him in all your works
for to direct your ways.

- a poem by Robert Smith

Sunday at UP

2011-04-05T10:48:00.004+08:00

This is how it looks like on Sundays at the University of the Philippines (UP), Diliman, Quezon City. Leisurely walk, jogging without the fumes, isaw at the side, no vehicular traffic amidst acacia trees that shelter the ground.

Me and my niece, Rae, walked from the house to UP for an hour, then another hour around UP. Our walk ended at the school's shopping mall where creamy shakes and Rodic's Tapsilog felt tempting. It would have defeated our purpose of shedding off some weight if we succumbed to it. I guess fresh fruit shake of mango and lychees was okay. Anyway, i will just get myself bigger pants next time. :)

theotokos

2011-01-16T22:19:00.001+08:00

(My first icon paintwork).

I went to a place that felt like home
to learn and discover something new.
I did not realize that the process would challenge me
to face my own fears, limitations and insecurities.
With the fellowship of those others who journeyed with me,
I learned to muster myself
and just did what I had to do.
Thanks, guys.

just thinking...

2010-06-30T10:17:00.000+08:00

missing trees

2010-06-10T21:53:00.000+08:00

a rare saturday afternoon

2010-06-07T23:56:00.001+08:00

One day mama told me to plan and prepare lunch in celebration of the feast of San Isidro Labrador which we believed was also the fiesta at Coob. She said it was a good time to eat lunch with those who have been helping us at the farm all these years.

That Saturday we went to the farm and placed all the food and stuff on an improvised table. The people came. They wondered and asked what the occasion was. We told them: it's the fiesta of Coob!

They laughed and told us that it was four days ago.
Hehehe.
An honest mistake.

Anyway, we all ate and had a relaxing afternoon that day. A rare day.

autos

2010-04-08T23:26:00.004+08:00

This was at the school's car show. There were other cars there, as well as monster trucks. I don't know which vehicle won but that Spongebob cutie caught my eye as it's one of the favorite cartoon characters of my baby nephew, Yo.
That's Fr. Benigno Benabare, O.S.B. from the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, Mendiola. A witty ninety-ner. :)

a quote

2010-04-08T23:01:00.001+08:00

"I expect to pass through this life but once.
Therefore, if there be any kindness that I can show,
or any good thing that I can do (to another human being),
Let me do it now
for I shall not pass this way again."

- William Penn

... thank you

2010-01-24T18:02:00.007+08:00

Early morning walks with papa at the pacific side of Leyte.

Little did I know that summer of 2009 would be the last series of walks I would have with papa before his stroke last July. I am truly grateful for his passion for the serene beach of Tolosa that makes us spend most of our vacation hours there rather than inside the secure and comforts of home. We practically grew up along that beach.

Little did I know, too, that those walks would make me become more aware of the moods of the pacific ocean that is calm in the morning, moderate in the afternoon and turbulent at night.

When Orvill Raines wrote about his impressions of the early morning mood of the pacific in Leyte, he never knew that the few marvelous glimpses of the calm pacific would just be a fleeting moment in his life as he would later fall victim of an air attack in 1945. The way he described it made me feel I was actually looking at what he was seeing that time.

Orvill wrote about the calmness of the early morning pacific in one of his letters to his wife which is now compiled into a book titled Good Night Officially. He spoke of the pacific as something that looks like a mirror in the morning, very pacifying. No wonder it is called Pacific.
When I came to know that through Orvill, I became more aware of the moods of the pacific that I would often just sit on the fine sand and watch it especially in early mornings and late afternoons. Images of naval fleets darkening the horizon, the bloody beach of 1945, the campsite of the American troops, people waving happily at those foreigners who freed them, my mama (in her early childhood years then) and her sisters hoarding chocolates given out by the troops, especially from someone called Dale Thornton, one of the American soldiers serving in Tolosa, Leyte, would come alive as I linger at the seaside. Somehow spending quiet moments at the beach of Tolosa brings me back to those people who struggled for freedom, living uncomplicated lives and being very much grateful to those who have helped them.

This may seem late but I would like to thank Mr. Thornton for taking care of mama especially at that time when she was very sick. We really do not know much about him but mama's fond memories of him gives a picture of a kind person who missed his family, especially his sister who seemed to resemble mama at that time. Most probably he may be dead by now but still we extend our gratitude to him for his kindness. He's a true hero for us. Thank you.

Daghang salamat.

life never ends

2010-01-24T07:29:00.000+08:00

getting a closer look

2010-01-18T11:29:00.003+08:00

Taking time out to see more closely some of the little things that I oftentimes overlook.

Kalinga

2010-01-10T07:21:00.014+08:00

These pictures were taken from inside the bus while going to Tabuk, Kalinga. Kalinga is a northern province of the Philippines that is known for its rice terraces. Even if we did not go to the rice terraces, we got to taste its organic brown rice that was locally grown and manually milled.

Kalinga in tagalog refers to caring like how a good parent takes care of a child. Its meaning is so endearing that its root word was adapted to name a government center that caters to the problem or problematic Filipino youth: Lingap.

Growing up with this definition of kalinga, it may come as a surprise to you that the meaning of kalinga (pronounced as kaling-ga) in the mountain province means the exact opposite. It refers to head hunters.

The people in the northern province of Luzon used to be warring tribes that went after each other's heads, literally. For this, the Igorots, who were enemies of the Kalingas gave them that name.

So, kalinga up north means head takers, while kalinga down south means "head keepers."

untitled

2010-01-10T06:38:00.001+08:00

another year

2010-01-03T15:17:00.001+08:00

frying

2009-12-31T22:26:00.001+08:00

My sister asked me to fry the luncheon meat as the kids will not eat the paksiw na isda. When the kids saw I was opening a can of Spam, they gave me an ear-to-ear grin and waited eagerly for me to finish frying. If there is anything I detest about cooking, it is frying. It's like there's a missile attack from the hot cooking oil that sends me cowering off for cover. Also, after frying, there seems to be more oil out of the pan than in it which means more time for cleaning is needed before I get my own dinner. I forgot that Spam is already oily and can be fried in its own oil. That way, I wouldn't have been under attack.

Budbod

2009-12-31T22:09:00.003+08:00

Budbod: glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves. The process for making this is quite tedious but it's worth it. From cutting, cleaning and heating the banana leaves; selecting, hacking, grinding and pressing the coconut; cleaning, soaking and cooking the pilit or malagkit (glutinous rice); to its scooping, wrapping, tying and recooking until done... yes, it takes hours but as I said, it is worth it.

By theory, I know how it is done. But by practice... I can help. But as to actually making it myself... it's bound to be a disaster.

Chak-chak's pix

2009-12-31T21:54:00.002+08:00

at home

kids

2009-12-31T21:40:00.003+08:00

Kids grow up so fast. The last time I saw these kids, they all seem to look so chubby. That was about 5 months ago. Now, home for the holidays, they look leaner and taller. But they are still the mischievous, naughty, playful yet sensitive kids that I know. I sometimes wonder if the next time I come to visit home, they will all look so grown up and act like grown ups - being more shy and "diplomatic" as they become more sensitive to grown-up moods. It is evident that we do need to grow up. But still, life would be more interesting if we nurture that child-like character in us that never ceases to wonder and embrace life with open arms.

This reminds me of a story I heard back in my high school sophomore year.

There were three friends who won a free Safari trip. Upon reaching Africa, the first one complained of the heat, the smell and the sight. The second took a glance, shrugged her shoulders, yawned and said, "Ok, this is Africa." The third, upon seeing Africa for the first time, exclaimed, "Ahhhh! I am finally here! I can't wait to see what is in Africa!"

Throughout their 5 day stay, the first one kept on complaining about the services, the people, the facilities and anything that came across her way. The second always looked around with an air of indifference, not minding about what was going on, not caring to know more, thinking that everything is the same and uninteresting. The third, on the other hand, was always curious to find out more about the land and its people, their ways and preferences, their music and everything else. She knew that this trip was a once-in-a-lifetime offer and may not be duplicated anymore. She talked to the people, tasted their food, observed attentively the animals in their habitat, learned simple survival rules in the wild. But in spite of her lively and ever-curious attitude, she remained polite and good natured. Because of her goodness, she was well liked by those who met her.

Finally their 5 day stay was over. They went back to their homes and were met by their friends and family.

Each was asked a similar question, "How was the trip?"

The first complained endlessly. The second let out a yawn, shrugged her shoulders and in an uninteresting tone replied, "It went well." The third smiled broadly and described with much gusto her experiences in Africa. Everyone listened attentively to her and they felt alive and interested to visit Africa upon hearing her.

After we heard the story, we were asked, "Which character do you like best? Why?"

Definitely, most of us liked the third traveller. Later, I came to realize that the three characters are in us. But I wonder which among these three characters are more evident in us.

a flower in mama's garden

2009-12-30T09:57:00.002+08:00

Mama likes to see flowers in her garden. When we were young and had no garden hose yet at that time, we would run to and fro from the faucet to the garden with our pail of water and watering cans. The garden was too spacious for me that I would often detest "watering time." Because I did not like the job, I did not appreciate the garden that much. It's different now that I am older.

Breakfast in Tolosa

2009-12-30T09:45:00.004+08:00

This is a typical breakfast venue at the house of my aunt where everyone goes out to the garden and eat. Here you see mama, auntie meling, uncle sixto and papa. That unused plate is mine.

ang pagluto og paniudto

2009-12-29T13:48:00.002+08:00

Dili lalim magluto og 3 ka putahe sa sulod sa 2 ka oras lang labi na kung kana siya dinuguan, eskabeche og linat-an nga ribs. Samut na kung ang tinae limpyohanan pa, ang bukog frozen pa ug ang isda nga lutuonon wala pa miabot.

Mao na na ang nahitabo gahapon. Pero maski sa sobrang kapuliki, mihunong sa ko para pagkuha og picture. Hehehehe. Pilipino jud: picture-picture.

Dili ko mosuwat og recipe diri. Basaha nalang ninyo sa recipe book.

sally's pix

2009-12-29T13:08:00.002+08:00

playing with waytee

2009-12-28T09:05:00.006+08:00

Before Papa had his stroke last July, he used to play with Waytee.

Five months later, I still find him and Waytee getting along pretty well.
There has always been a dog in the house ever since I can remember.
Each dog having a character of its own, just like people.

Home for the 2009 Christmas holidays

2009-12-28T08:28:00.002+08:00

It is fun to spend Christmas with the children as you get to do a lot of fun stuff like filling up stockings. My parents never had this tradition during their childhood days but they made us believe in Santa Claus and his reindeers. Now we are passing this tradition to the younger generation. Hearing their comments on Christmas morning is always amusing. For me, that is my Christmas surprise.

The captions in the picture are some of those I heard on the night before Christmas and Christmas morning - from my own brothers and sisters during our younger years, and from my young nephews and nieces as they checked what Santa has given them.

Ping's pix

2009-12-28T08:15:00.001+08:00

arise

2009-08-08T10:48:00.005+08:00

This is the view seen on top of Osmena bridge in Ormoc. It looks great on a weather like this. But if this river could speak, she may most probably talk also of what she had gone through. Not just of events from centuries past but from the flash flood that happened some 18 years ago where about 8,000 perished in just 30 minutes or so.

Now she looks quite a beauty with her verdant greens and clean running water.

Often, something good comes out of tragedies as we gradually feel the urge to build on it rather than leave it to decay.

move on

2009-07-07T11:22:00.004+08:00

Browsing through old pictures.
Looking at how we were and realizing how we are now.

Just can't help being grateful to two great persons who made life easy for us. Papa, now 80, just had his third stroke today. He's in the hospital while I'm miles away. I was able to talk to mama who assured me that everything is taken cared of and papa is stable.

These two persons, in their seemingly frail bodies have weathered many storms in their life. Always, they tell me: move on.

...

2009-07-03T13:32:00.001+08:00

Reach!

2009-06-30T12:14:00.001+08:00

etched in time

2009-06-27T22:20:00.003+08:00

A friend's passing

2009-06-27T11:29:00.003+08:00

The pen has fallen
the last page remains unwritten.

Neither one of us expected that it would be sooner than soon. Both of us knew that you were sick. Complicated diabetes, you said. But you always had your way of lightening grave matters and your sense of humor was an unfathomable abyss.

You were writing a book then. The real world of a jester. You said it's unfinished, but unfolding nicely and then....
__________________
For whom the bell tolls.

You once read that to us, years and years passed. Now the bells' tolling for you. I won't be there, you know. But I will pray for you.
_____________________
Thank you, dear and trusted friend
for everything.

the tri-sikad

2009-06-26T10:36:00.010+08:00

Tri-sikad...
so-called for
how it looks - it has three wheels;
and how it works - it is foot-pedalled.
(To pedal in our dialect is sikad).

This is common in the province
where life is not a rat race
and traditions are remembered and repeated
as they evolve in time.

I find travelling by tri-sikad interesting
as it enables me to:
- savor the view of the countryside
- relax as the gentle breeze beats on my face
- recognize a red, black or blue ant that crosses my way
- greet unhurriedly a cousin or friend on the road
- watch amused at the face of the kids
as I smile and wave hello.

The tri-sikad goes slow
a reflection of the life here in the province.
Even its people don't age fast
as they take life in stride
laughing off life's worries
living one day at a time.

The tri-sikad drivers I've met
were simple, honest people
who would patiently wait
as I drop or pick up something
en-route to the house of a friend.

If I don't know how to get to a place
I just give them the name
and they'd bring me there

If it is beyond their bounds
I'd have to make a square deal
and settle with a price
that is no longer the regular fare.

If weather permits
it's a door-to-door delivery
for the tri-sikad driver has a code to himself:
deliver the package
as-is-where-is
in fit shape
or he'll lose face.

If you'll give a tip
to the weather-beaten man,
you'll be making his day
under this heat of the sun.

It is not really easy
to pedal around
and be drenched by the rain
burned by the sun
all these and more
just to earn a living
for his family and all.

i'm home

2009-06-25T20:56:00.002+08:00

When the kids come running to you
and your dog, too
you know you are home.

transforming fire

2009-06-25T18:45:00.008+08:00

Once again I find myself in this kitchen,

cooking rice for the day's meal.

I don't mind staying here

as yaya (nanny) has provided a table and chair

and has kept the place clean.

Idly, I watched the fire die down.

I know I have to keep it burning as the water has yet to boil

or else the rice will spoil.

I took a paper for burning

and saw it slowly devoured by fire.

Fire has transformed it into its own.

No longer the paper I once held in my hands

But a fire now among fires.

This made me wonder

if there is anything

that is not transformed by fire.

They say it's plastic.

I say, "Maybe."

They say it's bricks, granite, diamond...

Maybe.

But all these have also been transformed by fire.

Are we not also transformed by fire?

Call it deadlines, crisis, rifts...

Those that cause turmoil within us

that make us cringe and struggle

Like the paper that writhed and cringed

as fire consumed it to its core.

The paper nourished the fire

as it helped keep it burning.

It has served another purpose

as it adapted to a new environ.

Like the paper that consumed

the all-consuming element of of its environ,

we, too, consume

the all-consuming elements in our environ

as these strongly influence us:

the philosophies, attitudes, beliefs;

culture and traditions.

We do not totally become

as we adapt what for us is applicable

and set aside what for us is not.

But still we change

only to adapt ourselves to a new environ

and nourish those around us

as we nourish ourselves in turn.

What happens to the paper?

As it turned to ash among embers,

come cleaning time

it's thrown in the garden

and becomes the 'transforming fire'

as it nourishes others

and help them live on.

Like the rest of us,

wherever we are,

we continue to transform

and be transformed

as we are consumed by our fires

and become a fire for others in turn.

solitary life

2009-06-22T09:31:00.004+08:00

Even if we work as a team,
there are times when we feel we are working alone
as we focus on the task
that is especially given to us
and each is on his/her own.

It makes me think of what a mother once said.
She has nine children, same as ours
and not one is left especially on working hours.

I realize that even as we live with so many
we have this solitary life.
We make decisions,
we do our share of work
alone.

i'm ok

2009-06-21T04:08:00.005+08:00

flowers

2009-06-20T00:57:00.005+08:00

Fresh flowers have a magical way of lifting up the human spirit.

When the father of a very good friend was confined in the hospital, my sister who works as a doctor there advised me to bring flowers when I go to visit. I asked why. She confided that flowers seem to have a magical effect on most of her patients as they responded positively to these, often enabling a speedy recovery.
I told her that flowers have pollen and they might not be good for people who are sick. She said, yes. But still she continues to notice how a room with flowers changes the otherwise dreary atmosphere of a hospital room, mysteriously lifting up the spirit of the melancholic or ailing person.

No wonder flowers are used for special occasions like birthdays, valentine's day, anniversaries, and most rites as they do not just show how we appreciate the person, or reveal how we try to beautify the room, but I guess it's more on hoping that something positive will come out of the occasion.

Just don't overdo it. The room might look like a funeral parlor. Or otherwise make the person feel that he/she should open a flower shop.

holding on

2009-06-19T05:54:00.002+08:00

When we sense we are threatened, we instinctively hold on to something or someone that will make us feel secure.

waiting

2009-06-12T19:34:00.001+08:00

Time seems too slow when we wait
Sometimes, we do not really know what we are expecting when we wait
I often tell myself that I will not wait anymore
But still, I end up waiting
Just waiting

a dream

2009-06-05T00:22:00.008+08:00

My country is undeniably a third world country, surviving in the midst of warring political factions, corruption and exploitation.
In spite of this, I still hope for a better tomorrow as I ponder on how Europe survived its own dark years.
It must have been due to the vigilance of its people to minimize corruption (as it never seems to be totally eradicated).
As long as there will be people who will clamor for justice and peace...
as long as there will be those who will choose to naturally respond to their inner stirrings of compassion, prudence and truth...
as long as there will be those who will remain faithful to their nature as HUMAN PERSONS...
there is still hope for a better tomorrow...
for a dream of a new heaven and a new earth to truly exist.

lunch

2009-06-04T11:11:00.003+08:00

It's almost lunch time here and there's a storm outside.
I am confined in this office, seeking protection, comfort in this warm, dry office. The canteen is two buildings away from where I am. I don't like to go out and get wet. For now, this office is my comfort zone.
I am thinking of lunch, especially the lunch fare (seen in the picture) served to us some months ago by Fr. Epoy who loved to feed us with loads of food.
Dreaming... savoring... hmm... I hear my stomach growling. Hehehe.
For the vegetarians, this may not be palatable for you. But for my stomach which can take anything and everything (LOL!), this is really good.

vauxhall 1960's

2009-06-04T06:43:00.003+08:00

This was a time when vauxhall was worth PHP 12,000; when peso:dollar rate was PHP 3:USD 1; when we did not think of global economic crisis yet but just dreamed and lived life to its fullest. I was but a tyke then and papa just bought a new car.

tolosa

2009-06-03T23:40:00.005+08:00

Tolosa.
Hometown of my mom.
Second hometown of my childhood.

We used to play along this beach.
We still do.
Even helping the fishermen pull their nets
was a game for us, too.

We thrilled ourselves on playing tag
with waves that lap on the shore.
Or simply stood still
waiting for the waters
to gently submerge our feet
in its fine sandy floor.

I lost a cousin in those waves.
He was never found.
We still remember him especially on stormy nights
when the waves explode like canonballs
furiously hitting on the shore.

Too many good memories of Tolosa.
Not so good memories, too.
But she always leaves a place for me
to find myself,
linger a while
recharge
then move on.

two couples

2009-06-01T00:04:00.006+08:00

Honestly, I am amazed at how these two couples are gifted each with 9 children.
Justina & Enrique has 9 children: 7 boys and 2 girls.
Simeon & Rosita also has 9 children: 7 girls and 2 boys.

Rosita and Justina are sisters.

Rosita is my mom.

untitled kuno

2009-05-31T23:41:00.004+08:00

Waking up everyday at the sound of church bells ringing.

Walking hand in hand with Papa each nippy early morning.

Sitting on the first bench,

Waiting for the priest.

The commentator reads the day's intentions.

The first prayers are said.

I look around and see the same faces.

Mostly at eveningtide of their life's years.

I see myself as one of them.

Among those who know that life is fleeting:

"Too short to hold grudges," as someone said;

"Too long for those who are waiting;"

and a "blink of an eye between two eternities."

Borrowed words

Borrowed time

Your life is borrowed

and so is mine.

ormoc pier

2009-05-31T23:03:00.004+08:00

One of those mornings when the sea looks calm and inviting
When Mt. Magsanga at a distance seems to call the climber to scale its heights
And the sky reveals the promise of a beautiful day
On this hot, humid, summer day of May 2009 in Ormoc.

toil under the sun

2009-05-31T22:42:00.004+08:00

We toil under the sun
Not for ourselves
but for our loved ones.

touch... then go

2009-05-31T22:25:00.009+08:00

Two motorcycles
going in opposite directions
They merge, seemingly one.
In a blink of an eye
they disengage
On to their respective destinations...
or destiny

"Touch... then, go."

Is it not the same with us?

There are millions and billions of people in the world
We do not meet all
We meet only a few
And these few are able to touch us
even as they go.

The intensity may not be the same
Some leave an impressive imprint
Others, merely a feeling of deja vu
But whatever impression there is
It was a meeting of
Touch... and go.

No sooner than our next hello
We go
Separately
Wondering if our next meeting will be
another case of touch and go.
Or forever gone.

Whatever reason there is
why cosmic energies brought us together
I cannot clearly tell
But I am grateful that we met
For I am enriched by that meeting
Hoping that I, too, have become a blessing
In this life's journey of touch and go.

one summer day of long ago

2009-05-15T16:20:00.003+08:00

My mom rarely takes pictures for us.
In fact, as far as I can remember, she never did took pictures except this.
She couldn't say no that time when I just handed her papa's camera and jumped into the parched riceland.
"Pinduta lang ang shutter, ma! Andam na na! (Just click the shutter, mom! It's set already!)"
She was surprised and made a lot of excuses, profusely claiming that she doesn't know how.
But she clicked it anyway.
I'm glad she did.
Now I have something to remember by... of that one windy summer day of long ago...

"Leave nothing but footprints...

2009-05-07T16:23:00.003+08:00

On moving on:
discard or
keep properly
those
skeletons
in the closet;
understand in another angle
those unresolved issues;
close amicably
those hanging conversations
to prevent the accumulation of litter and instead, leave imprints that give peace and life to the soul.

"take nothing but pictures...

2009-05-07T14:55:00.002+08:00

... and make them perfect in your mind."

Many times I hear myself and my friends mutter,
"Aaaahhh... I forgot to take pictures again!"

But later I realized that it doesn't really matter as long as I learn to capture and store the images in my mind and in time, make them perfect.

If perchance I will lose my memory, then it will be just like losing my pictures as if they were burned, stolen or simply misplaced.
Then live on...

"kill nothing but time...

2009-05-07T14:28:00.006+08:00

There are times when we find ourselves standing once again at some crossroad. We do not know if we are lost, or will be lost.
Then we ask ourselves,
"What to do?"

Often, some find this boring, frustrating, depressing.

This could also be a time for hybernating...
regathering energy...
as we we teach ourselves to
watch...
wait...
ponder...
kill time... (not ourselves).

Journey within...

2009-05-06T16:10:00.004+08:00

"Nurture the child within"
I first heard this years ago from Sr. Celine, O.S.B. who allowed me to borrow her elf books. It was from those little books where I learned more about the child in us that needs to be understood, cared for, and be healed. Some years later, while studying at CeFAM, I met Sr. Geraldine, a Singaporean sister who became my partner in one of our counselling classes. She helped me see and accept my childhood issues which I realized were hampering my development as a person. It was an arduous task as I tread on the longest journey within.
Today, while reading retold stories of Lise Lunge-Larsen on Trolls, I came across her 15 basic lessons which affirmed what I thought I already knew, but needs to be reminded lest I forget. Now, I am sharing this with you hoping that this may shed light to some dark path as you take your own journey within.

Remember who you are.
Be true to your own nature.
Follow your dreams.
Every action has consequences, so be attentive, be kind, and always do what is right.
Your life is a journey; nobody else can do that journey for you.
Your journey will unfold according to a pattern. The pattern is a guide.
Use your gifts.
Help will be offered when you most need it and least expect it.
Despite the odds, good will triumph over evil, love over hatred.
Don't ever give up.
Be careful in what you wish for.
Things are not always as they appear.
Everything you need can be found inside yourself; it is always there.
Miracles happen.
There is magic in the world.

Paltik

2009-05-06T07:01:00.001+08:00

Paltik is not an extraordinary dog that does tricks. He's no showbiz. But what makes him standout is that he is our dog. He belongs to the family.
Society may see us as ordinary, even non-existent. But we are extraordinary to those who care about us. We matter.

Broken

2009-05-05T13:33:00.002+08:00

pasta!

2009-05-04T12:47:00.004+08:00

This dish was prepared for us by Fr. Epoy, a superb cook in all respects. It's pasta with prawns, mozarella cheese, olive oil and spices. Pasta is al dente. Just perfect!

If you are the kind who likes vegetables more than meat, try cooking pasta with squash. hmmm... Doesn't sound so tasty to some, especially to my siblings. LOL!

I served it one time during my birthday. I knew my brother who abhors veggies would be coming for lunch. Since a squadron would be eating for lunch that time, I cooked a kilogram of pasta - al dente, of course - added ground lean meat, lots of tomatoes, then onions, garlic, cheese and not-so-favorite veggie: squash. I added it for its nutritional value, and also to make the kids eat vegetables.

Believe it or not, they licked the plate clean! And my brother asked for a second serving. It was then when I told them what they had just eaten. My brother turned green. LOL!

for the love of eric

2009-05-03T16:28:00.002+08:00

Okay, Eric, you are finally here. hahahaahha. Thanks for sharing your talents and for being patient with me and melyn. You are indeed one of a kind. Gabo, wherever you are, always remember that we keep you in our prayers.
Thank you all for giving me that "pat on the shoulder" when things seemed impossible to do or undo. Hmmmm... ok, let's pat each other's shoulder. :)

hugging trees

2009-05-03T06:36:00.002+08:00

There is something about hugging that heals the human spirit as it somehow gives you an affirmation that you are okay, that you are accepted as you are, that you are loved. Same goes with hugging a tree. It's like releasing your negative energies and taking in the positive energies that you need to live on. Now, what about the crawling insects and the itchy catterpillar that also thrive on trees? Well... they, too, have the right to live and hug your tree. :)

coffee break

2009-05-02T15:24:00.003+08:00

In the middle of all the discussions, finding other options, arguments and finally coming to a dead lock, somebody finally says, "I need coffee."

I am not a regular coffee drinker. In fact, I personally prefer milk and tea. But working with people who are coffee lovers who can't continue work without it somehow has made me change my opinion about coffee.

I can't exactly remember when I first tasted coffee. Who can anyway? But I remember drinking coffee for breakfast when I was in second grade. I was about 7 years old. It was an enticing aroma served together with the fried eggs, fried dried fish and the never missing rice on the breakfast table. I had a teacher who would sometimes ask us about what we had for breakfast. All my other classmates would say milk, rice, eggs, hotdog, luncheon meat.... etc. but never coffee. I remember feeling nervous when it was almost my turn to speak. I started to sweat at that time, thinking that I might give a wrong answer because noone had mentioned coffee yet. Then one classmate, I forgot who it was, mentioned that he had coffee for breakfast. My teacher was shocked. I remember her opening her mouth, and closing it again without saying anything. Then after some minutes of ackward silence, she told the class that it is not good for us to drink coffee at our age. That really made me feel like going under my desk. I felt like omitting coffee in my answer. In my mind, I started to practice what I'd say. Then I heard my classmate who was sitting in front of me starting to recite his answers. I started having strange sensations in my stomach. Yes, I can still vividly remember that morning session with my teacher for it left a strong impression on me. Finally, it was my turn. With cold, sweating hands, I blurted out my answer and said, "I had fried egg, fish, rice and..." I remember she patiently waited for the next word as she looked at me intently. Just then, my other classmates started to show their restlessness as a group started talking in hushed tones which sounded like buzzing bees to me. In what seemed like a split of a second, my teacher looked at the "buzzing bees" and without hesitation this time, I said very softly and very fast, "coffee." Phew! I believed she missed the last word for she finally acknowledged all of us for our answers. It was a relief for me and I kept my little secret until just a few years ago when my brothers, sisters and I related our elementary years to our young nephews and nieces who are not encouraged to drink coffee at their young age.
Of course they clammored that it's unfair. After some cajoling and clear-cut answers coming from my sisters in the medical field, they finally agreed not to touch coffee for now. Then somebody said, "Can I drink coffee when I'm 16?" It was our 5 year old tyke.
Now she has something to look forward to.

Baguio

2009-05-01T12:48:00.004+08:00

I spent a week's respite from the gruelling demands of school work in the highlands of Baguio.
This is the quaint chapel of the Benedictine monks, built on this holy ground where we stayed.

beginnings

2007-10-29T10:57:00.000+08:00

I am starting on this blog not knowing what will happen next. I guess this is another sort of "leap of faith" that I am doing here.
How does one get started? Lucky for me I have my sister to sort of "show the ropes." But even if the ropes are before you, sometimes you wonder which to pull or how to pull it. But I guess I simply have to "just do it!"
What next? Heaven knows. I've done it, now we will see...