Pictures from our duty in Calamba

Today was the last day of our "community duty" for Health Care 2. We were assigned in Calamba Health Center in Labangon. We did not do house visits or assessed families. We only stayed in the health center the whole day listening to our CI's discussion on Family Planning and the Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI). EPI has become a very tiresome topic for us because it has been discussed to us countless of times.


My duty mates strike for a pose. 


The gang up close (minus me, Ranel, and Ronald). 


The class is about to begin... 


Break time. Reyan shows us his talent for playing the guitar while Charyn displays her talent in dancing. At the back, left to right, Ate Neyla, Ronald, and Ranel. 


Can you guess what the lady in the photo is holding? Can you tell why most of the class is smiling? Yup, that's a condom. We were having a discussion on Family Planning. 


... And can you guess what our CI is holding in his hands? 


We rushed immediately to the nearest carenderia after the morning's health teaching. We were starved. (L-R: Disney, Charyn, Noel (partly hidden), Ronald, me (in the mirror), Ranel, and Ate Neyla) 


Group picture nasad! (L-R, standing: Ranel, Mischerie, me, Charyn, Reyan, Ate Neyla, Noel, Erma; seated: Ronald and Disney) 


Together with the CI, who was my school mate in high school... :) 

I really enjoyed my time with my duty mates. They were so much fun to be with. I'm so blessed to have been part of the group. I will surely miss these guys...

Pictures from our "community duty" in Banilad

(Clockwise: Disney, Ranel, me, Ronald, Mischeria, Ate Neyla, and Charyn) 


Getting ready for the 3 kilometer hike to Sitio Calubihan in Banilad. 


We're almost there... we're almost halfway through the walk... It's not exactly a walk in the park, is it? 


After about 45 minutes of walking, the group reaches Sitio Rotunda, where everyone takes a break from the scorching noontime sun. A sign board hung on the tree/ waiting shed behind the group interestingly reads: "Ger-ger not allowed (in this area)". Hmmm... 


We did an ocular inspection of Sitio Calubihan when we arrived in the area. Some of the houses were located at the side of a mountain, so we had to climb up to them. Erma is obviously out of breath, while Disney urges her to keep going. 


A view from the top. 


The class getting ready to leave. 


Lunch at Chowking, Gaisano Country Mall. (L-R: Mischerie, Erma, Charyn, Reyan (standing), Disney, Noel, Ate Neyla, and Ronald) 

Callousness of a network

"ABS-CBN will launch on March 15 the controversial Wowowee noon-time show hosted by Willie Revillame, a program that promotes mendicancy and dependency of the poor, all anticipating rich prizes and rewards doled out by program organizers.

"It would seem that ABS-CBN is out to prove something, unmindful of that tragic stampede that killed 71 elderly women and a four-year-old child, and scores of others injured. I call it utter insensitivity of the ABS-CBN to resurrect Wowowee, since that program has become the badge of shame and monumental embarrassment of the Lopez network.

"At a time when government prosecutors are still trying to pinpoint responsibility for that tragic incident because of the shortcomings of the network’s program organizers and management itself, to foist Wowowee and its program host on the public exhibits gall and temerity."

-- Emil Jurado, Manila Standard Today

Strong words there, and I agree with him totally. Resurrect "Wowowee"? That's the height of insensitivity. What is "Wowowee" all about anyway? It's mainly a mindless, stupifying TV show that caters to the public's irrationality and exploits the poor's hopes and dreams. Apparently ABS-CBN cannot just let it die, perhaps because it is very profitable for the network...

Show Us Edsa

An eloquent and moving essay by Carmen Diokno, widow of Senator Jose Diokno:

Show Us Edsa

On July 2 last year, the Jose W. Diokno Foundation called on Mrs.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to step down from office. Today, on the 84th
birth anniversary of Pepe, we no longer address Mrs. Arroyo, who heeds
no one but herself and her coterie of advisers, and needs Proclamation
1017 to prop up her flagging government. We prefer to address our
people, whom Pepe so loved and with whom he struggled for a better
life.

On the matter of leadership, we say: Out of 80 million Filipinos, Mrs.
Arroyo is not the best we can produce. She does not even come close to
the best. But Mrs. Arroyo’s display of arrogance is not what disturbs
us, though I must admit it is irksome. It is, rather, the implicit
assertion that we deserve her kind of leadership—for our people do
not—and that there is no alternative to her, when there are. Remember
that martial law lasted as long as it did in part because some
accepted the notion of a so-called ‘lesser evil’.

We who have asked Mrs. Arroyo to resign from office are often
criticized for being disunited. So let us examine the sources of our
disunity. Clearly there is an element of distrust, that some in the
political opposition are out for their own ends just as some among
organized groups are perceived to have their own agenda. Suppose we
accept this to be a fact of our present political life. Is it
nonetheless possible for us to come together on the basis of certain
principles? I believe it is.

For example, we all want our elections cleansed of corrupt election
officials, cheating and other corrupt practices. We desire an
electoral process and system that will bring out new, good leaders who
have a fair chance of winning.

We do not want the constitution changed at any and all cost, in the
manner that Mrs. Arroyo and Speaker de Venecia know best. They make no
effort at subtlety in their attempt to subvert elections and remain in
power in the name of constitutional change.

Most of all, we reject the social inequity that our political system
feeds on. Using the poverty of the people against the people is the
worst, most painful crime of all.

So what is to be done? First and most immediate, we must not surrender
our civil liberties. Sometimes I think that martial law was effective
because it didn’t hurt enough people; the dictatorship selected its
targets skillfully and then isolated these targets from the public
view. A false sense of comfort thus resulted. Let us not allow
ourselves to be fooled again. One act of suppression, if unopposed,
makes possible other acts of suppression.

Second, let us seriously work out the bases of our unity and agree
that we cannot have all that we want now. This is a difficult task—I
know how hard Pepe worked to bring the opposition together during
martial law. But try and try again we must.

In all this I ask that we think of our youth and consciously cultivate
young leaders. We widows and veterans of martial law have reached the
pre-departure area; our knees do not allow us to line the streets and
march in protest. This is not just a world we are about to leave, but
one we will bequeath to our children, grandchildren and, in my case,
great grandchildren. Listen to 17-year old Jose Miguel Bermudez, a
freshman studying in Las Pinas, who wrote in the Inquirer’s ‘Young
Blood’ column. “Everyday of my life,” he says, “my teachers and my
parents admonish me to shape up. I think it is now my generation’s
turn to tell my parents and those who run this country that it is time
for them to shape up. They are being selfish and myopic when they
complain about the inconvenience and disruption caused by people
protesting against lying, cheating and stealing. They would rather go
about their regular business even if that means leaving many
fundamental and moral issues unresolved.” Talking about how these
issues will haunt the next generation, Jose Miguel asks: “Guess who
will be left to deal with this ghost when it returns? Guess who will
be left to deal with the ugly litter of an irresponsible and apathetic
generation that would trade their children’s future for short-term
convenience?” (7 February 2006)

My own grandson, Jose Lorenzo—we call him Pepe for short, who was born
a little over a year after Edsa, wrote in yesterday’s Inquirer: “We
relegate Edsa to these four days, we remember Edsa only when we feel
the need to and we kill Edsa…. It makes me angry that the revolution
to most of us has become a set of dates and actions that little
children memorize for Sibika. And I’m angry that most of what we’ve
read so far is about the events that transpired, and the generals and
politicians ‘who made Edsa happen’. Edsa is not about them. Edsa is
also more than the people who were there. It’s even more than the
leaders it ousted.” My other Pepe ends with a request: “I’d like to
ask a favor from you who were lucky enough to have felt the joy of
revolution. Don’t tell us about it. Show us Edsa. A lot of us don’t
even know what it looks like.”

So we who know, must show Edsa. But in this process of showing, I
advise our youth: do not be passive onlookers. Your job, like that of
my generation that is about to pass, is to constantly improve upon
what is shown and to never give up. This was Pepe’s dream of a nation
truly for our children, and it remains ours.

(Via MLQ 3's blog)

Why GMA Must Go

WHY GMA MUST GO
By Yoly Ong

Like the rest of the ABC+ ECO classes, I figured we should just ignore GMA and go about our lives. After all, there's no acceptable alternative on the horizon. Better the devil we know than the one we don't, right?

I even said she was most likely the real winner in the 2004 elections. After all she had the incumbent’s advantage. She spent billions of pesos for her campaign. The P800M fertilizer fund and P500M health insurance budgets were diverted to buy votes. Then to ensure a convincing victory she topped it off with Garci. You see, the little woman vowed she would get a lead of at least 1M votes over FPJ. That way, even if the Opposition cheats, she would have a buffer. Her other ambition was to get more votes than Erap, partly to thumb her nose up at him and his loyalists. Mostly so she would feel the love of the people because in truth everything she did was really for love.

She wasn't always a cheat and a liar. In fact there was one moment of epiphany when she actually had the decency to say she wasn't going to run because she was such a polarizing and divisive personality. Alas the Holy Spirit left too soon. And her broken promise became yet another one of many more to come.

Since the Hyatt 10 resigned, the dark side has completely taken over. Like the votes she bought, she systematically bribed cronies and critics alike. When position and money didn't work, fear and intimidation was the alternative mode of persuasion. Instead of capable men and women, she filled up critical government positions with loyalists whose self-interest hinged on preserving her own.

And so she has slowly corrupted everyone and everything she has touched. The military. The judiciary. The businessmen. The church. The police. If the soldiers are restless--- give them a house and an increase. If media cannot be co-opted, threaten them with PP1017. It’s actually PP1081 all over again. Arrest all who speak out against her. Commies or Professors, it doesn't matter. You’re invited for questioning if you’re not for her.

Now she wants the charter changed in order to perpetuate herself. Using tried and tested methods she tried to use No-EL to suborn Congress.

Can you imagine the damage she can wreak till 2010 and beyond? All this while the First Gentleman amasses a fortune from all government deals and the son smuggles racehorses and God knows what else.

But who will replace her? Even Noli has been persuaded to remain loyally supportive. All trapos are the same. We replaced an incompetent plunderer with a diabolical one. What’s to assure us it won't be from “the pot to the fire” again?

And with this unanswered question we go about our own business. Irritated at the inconvenience caused by street protests. Disdainful of Cory, Hyatt 10, Civil Society and the whole sanctimonious lot for trying to get us back to the streets and pricking our conscience. We couldn’t possibly link arms with Ping Lacson and Jinggoy and God help us, the Reds! Why even Winnie Monsod said so! And she’s credible isn’t she? She even wonders what the fuss is about a state of emergency!

Hold on a second. We are now questioning even the basis of democracy. Has the little despot insidiously corrupted us without our knowing it? We are actually making excuses to help her stay in power, even if we don’t really like her and we all know she and her husband are corrupt beyond belief.

We close our eyes to the horde that surrounds her. One adviser operates big time illegal logging. Another “owns” the entire pier and the multi-million smuggling operations that go with it.

Now with PP1017, we have another reason to pay no heed to politics. After all we don’t want to be invited for questioning, do we? In fact, we don’t want to be questioned by anyone. We’ve put our conscience on sleep mode.

What is the life span of a tyrant? History will tell us that they will reign while good men do nothing. But one thing is sure: A leader who does not possess the “friendship” of the people CANNOT lead. Even Machiavelli knew that. Well Madam, you will go down in history as the most UNLOVED president this country ever had. Poor Little Rich President!

I am going back to the streets and anywhere else where I can shout my disgust in the most powerful way I know how. GMA has to know that there are some Filipinos who cannot be bought or frightened.

(Via The Black And White Movement)

Is Gloria Macapagal Arroyo actually more corrupt than Erap Estrada?

From today's PDI Editorial:

IF THE Arroyo administration had hoped to cover the trail of the P728-million fertilizer scandal by barring top government officials from testifying at the Senate, then it hoped wrong. True, the Senate blue ribbon and agriculture committees couldn't get the full story, with Executive Order 464 getting in the way of the fact-finding inquiry. And because of the proclamation of a state of national emergency, they even had to call off the last hearing scheduled last Monday for fear that witnesses might be arrested for being a party to alleged destabilization moves in that legislative body. Still, this did not keep the Senate from laying the blame right on the doorstep of Malacañang.

Mozart CD from Reader's Digest

I'm so delighted to find a CD of Mozart's music from Reader's Digest at our sala tonight (The title is "Getting Smart With Mozart"; very clever). For that reason, I love Reader's Digest so much! (I rarely read the magazine, hehe). They always send their subscribers quality music. The previous CD they sent us was "The Best Beloved Classical Melodies". I really like classical music, especially Mozart, since it's said to have a beneficial effect on the intellect (I've read before of a research that was conducted on the positive effects of classical music, particularly Mozart, on the intellectual faculties of the brain). I have a cassette tape of Mozart that I used to listen to often. Now we have a CD copy! Wow!

Silver Wedding Anniversary

My parents will be celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary this Thursday, 23rd. I am so excited for them. Oooopsss... I am dating myself... Hehehe. Yup, I'll be a quarter century old this November...

We (or more appropriately, they, my mother and female cousins, since I haven't really been helping out with them) have been quite busy with all the preparations: Booking the reception, which will be in Chateau de Busay (A very beautiful garden restaurant which sits atop a mountain in Busay. It's perfect for wedding receptions and romantic dates!), preparing the invitation cards, the souvenirs, organizing the program, etc...

25 years... That's a very long time. Now that's true love. I also pray that my relationship with my Pangga will be as lasting and as strong as my parents' relationship. :)

Psalm 32: Remission of Sin

Today's Psalm reading is so beautiful:

Of David. A maskil.

Happy the sinner whose fault is removed,
whose sin is forgiven.
Happy those to whom the Lord imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no deceit.

As long as I kept silent, my bones
wasted away;
I groaned all the day.
For day and night your hand was
heavy upon me;
my strength withered as in dry
summer heat.
Then I declared my sin to you;
my guilt I did not hide.
I said, "I confess my faults to the
Lord,"
and you took away the guilt of my
sin.
Thus should all you faithful pray
in time of distress.
Though flood wasters threaten,
they will never reach them.
You are my shelter; from distress
you keep me;
with safety you ring me round.

I will instruct you and show you the
way you should walk,
give you counsel and watch over you.
Do not be senseless like horses or
mules;
with bit and bridle their temper
is curbed,
else they will not come to you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but love those surrounds those who trust
in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
you just;
exult, all you upright of heart.

(The New Catholic Translation)

I don't know what "maskil" means. In the New Advent online Bible the beginning of the first verse is translated as "To David himself, understanding..." I wonder why the two translations differ in the numbering of the chapters. In the NCT it's chapter 32, in the New Advent version, it's chapter 31.

Random stuff

I just got back from the Department of Health blood bank in Jones Avenue with my mother, brother, cousin Lorianne (who recently became a registered nurse), and Tita Indang. My brother and I were to donate blood for my Tita Epil, who has cancer. But the guy there said I couldn't donate blood because my left ear have a pierced mark. Yeah, I had my ear pierced when I was in high school (I was young and naive). That was many years ago, but they still wouldn't let me donate. I really felt sad because I realized I wouldn't ever be able to offer my own blood to help those who need it, like my Tita. Offering one's blood is such a privilege because you help save peple's lives, and I will forever be exempt from that great privilege! (In some hospitals, though, they do allow male donors with ear-piercings; I've tried it before in Cebu Doctors').

Tita Epil's cancer is terminal. She has been suffering for many years already, had several surgeries, been admitted to hospitals countless times. And now her time is seem to be drawing near. We her family seemed to have accepted the reality that she may no longer remain with us in this world for very long.

I realized also tonight that my driver's license has already expired and since November last year pa lang. So I've been driving with an expired license for three months! Maayo na lang wala ko madakpan, kay they said driving with an expired license is a criminal offense, which means I can go to jail!

We had our hospital duty today at the Talisay District Hospital. It went well. We were assigned in the OPD, so all we did was interact with the patients and took some vital signs. Some of us did skin testing and removed sutures. A lot of the patients were infants, and I liked it because I got to hold some babies... :)

Sassy Lawyer on "entertainment" shows

Connie Veneracion, aka Sassy Lawyer, in her Manila Standard column a couple days ago had a very interesting critique of "entertainment" and "game shows" like 'Wowowee'. Reading her article is such a delight for me because I've always shared the exact same thoughts about "entertainment" shows. Very eloquent article.

I have one question...

What the heck is Budoy (of Junior Kilat) doing in Pinoy Big Brother????

I was shocked when I read about it in SunStar the other day.... Hahaha.. Budoy on TV? So, meaning, "celebrity" na jud diay siya...

So I'm watching PBB tonight just to see Budoy... I can't believe my eyes. This is actually just my second time (the first was last night) to watch the show (I've said before I don't watch it and I've stated my reasons). I am just curious this time...

How was your Sinulog?

Mine was fine, spending it with my Baby, of course... :)

It has been years since I actually watched the Sinulog. We in our family don't usually go to the city and out in the streets because, although it's fun, it's so stressful, to be with literally a sea of people, under the scorching heat of the sun, with all the noise and all the walking involved (because all means of transportation is grounded)... True enough, after watching Beautiful Boxer in Ayala the night of the Sinulog, we walked all the way to Foodland in Talamban (Or is it Banilad?) because, although the streets were opened again, most of the jeepneys couldn't pass because of the sheer number of people congregating in the Ayala area (there were three simulataneous gigs that evening, one sponsored by Levis, the other by San Miguel, and the third by Globe; and there was a fireworks show -- we saw it too, and man, was it spectacular! It lasted for 30 minutes. The crowd was "ooooh-ing", "ahhh-ing", and "wowwww-ing" the whole time. It was amazing, and it probably caused Ayala a million bucks! But what is a million pesos to the Ayalas, right?).

From Ayala to Foodland. It was a nightmarish experience. We couldn't believe we walked that far. But many people were walking with us, and some of them were very unfortunate because they had with them children. Poor kids, it must've been doubly nightmarish for them. Gisapot nako nadugay, but I had to maintain my cool because there's no use going insane in the middle of the desert (I imagined the experience to be so), plus I don't want to be an added burden to my Baby.

But, minus that last part of our day, Sinulog was fun. We had a good time together.

Stephen Ray in Cebu

Stephen Ray is in Cebu today. Pangga and I were in the CCTN (Cebu ? Catholic Television Network) station this afternoon to hear his talk. We got there just as the program was about to end, though (Sayang!). He's in the TV again tonight in a forum called "Katin-awan sa Pagtuo" with Socrates Fernandez (still in CCTN), where he is guest, along with a priest whose name I forgot. He discussed apologetics.

Stephen Ray is a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church.

He will be visiting other places in the country in the next two weeks to give talks on his conversion to Catholicism (He wrote a book about it, "Crossing the Tiber"). Check his website at catholicconvert.com to see if he will be visiting your area. On Friday he will be in Manila together with Bo Sanchez for another speaking engagement called "Why I Am Catholic".

My first post for 2006

It's already 12:40 AM in my watch. The time that appears below this post is not the actual time I'm writing this. The option that allows me to select the time of posting for my posts has disappeared from my Blogger Dashboard.

Well, happy new year! =) I had a nice Christmas and New year vacation, and I hope you guys had one, too. :)

I just came from the city with my Pangga. We watched Narnia. And I tell you, it's a beautiful movie! Go see it! :) Despite its many flaws, as what some very good movie reviews have pointed out, I still say that it's a very beautiful movie, not just because of the cinematography and the great acting (particularly of the adorable little Lucy), but also and most especially because of the story itself, which is rich in meaning (of the story of Christianity). I wasn't able to appreciate it when I read the book a long time ago, but now, with the passing of time, and because I have understood a bit more the story of Jesus' coming into this world, His death and resurrection, etc., I was really fascinated and awed by the significance of the story of Narnia. It is humanity's story, too. It is the story of Original Sin and God's great love and sacrifice for us.

*****

Yesterday Pangga and I watched Exodus. I couldn't believe we actually went to see the movie. I'm not much of a fan of Tagalog movies, you see. I rarely watch Pinoy films, and rarely come across ones that are of good quality (to mention just a couple, "Magnifico" -- the best Pinoy movie I've ever seen; a truly moving and profound film; and "Milan" -- Hehe, I can't believe myself either. Me, watching a Pinoy love story? I've never imagined I'd do it because ever since I reached adolescence I've sworn to myself never to "stoop so low" [I was young and so elitist, you see] as to watch a Tagalog love story... Milan is truly beautiful though heartbreaking. I guess that's what makes a Pinoy movie good, when it has social relevance, or when it has something truthful to say about our times, particularly as modern-day Filipinos). We were amazed by how much our movies have improved on the "special effects" side. In Exodus you can really see the progress we've made. Of course, it is far from perfect, or far from Hollywood, but at least you can really appeciate the improvements. The meat of the film though, or the story itself, is not very good. There are many flaws and lapses.

*****

I'm not looking forward very excitedly at my health center and hospital "duties" in the coming weeks (my first duty in Tisa Health Center went fine, by the way). I don't know why. Perhaps because hospitals and health centers are such dark and dismal places to look at. But of course pud, how do I expect hospitals and health centers to look like, right? Why am I complaining? I've never should've taken nursing in the first place if that is my attitude... Well, I don't know. I don't know why I've developed this kind of negative mentality.

But I find consolation every time I remember that ever since I was very young, I've always liked the atmosphere of an hospital. I've always loved that distinct smell that hospitals have. I've always loved walking in the hospital corridors exploring the hallways, the rooms, the wards, etc. Come to think of it, I've always liked watching the health care staff while they work to and fro the hospital... Maybe... I'm quite embarassed to say this... nursing is my calling? Hahahaha.... I surely, surely hope I have what it takes to become a nurse. =)

You know, before I enrolled in nursing, I've always had this impression that nurses are glum people (Part of the reason why I hesitated to take nursing). Maybe because I rarely see nurses who smile, who laugh, who at least appear to enjoy or love their work. (But of course, no one can ever measure a person's happiness or satisfaction by merely observing his appearance). But who can blame them, right? Nurses, by the very nature of their work, are always exposed to the most serious facts that all of us have to face sooner or later -- the reality of suffering and death. That's why nurses are serious, because their work is no laughing matter. Their job is not to be taken lightly. But... ideally, isn't there joy involved in the caring of the sick and dying? Because there is the opportunity to practice the human capacity for love. That's a most wonderful gift, when we are given the chance to concretize or make visible the non-visible mystery that is love to people who need it the most. That's why, ideally, to serve as a nurse, or any caregiver for that matter, is such a privilege. It's beautiful, if you think about it, although nurses get discouraged very often because of the stress of their work (or the sheer weight of their work load) and because it's not always or often that your efforts at caring are appreciated.

My impression of nurses has changed quite a bit.

The Pope's message to young Dutch Catholics

This message was delivered by the Pope last November 27 in the Netherlands. It is beautiful, simple and direct. (Via the Zenit News Agency)

"True Happiness Is Much Deeper: We Find It Only in Jesus"

Dear young Friends,

I would like to send my cordial greetings to you all, gathered in Nieuwegein for the First National Day of Young Catholics of the Netherlands. I greet Cardinal Adrianus Simonis, archbishop of Utrecht and president of the Bishops' Conference, and all the Dutch bishops, expressing deep appreciation for the organization of this propitious initiative. I would then like to thank the Werkgroep Katholieke Jongeren for its work in these years and the priests and lay people involved in the pastoral care of youth, who are following you in your reflection.

With this message, dear young people, I wish to make myself spiritually present among you and to assure you that I accompany you in prayer. I know that a great many of you took part in the world meeting at Cologne and it therefore gives me great joy that you now want to continue the experience that began with World Youth Day, involving others of your age who did not have the grace to take part in it. Holding today's meeting at the invitation of your bishops is a very beautiful sign for Dutch society: It means that you are not afraid to say that you are Christians and want to witness to it openly.

In fact, the deepest reason for your gathering together is to encounter the Lord Jesus Christ. This is how it was for those who took part in the recent World Youth Day, whose theme was: "We have come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2). In the footsteps of the Magi, impelled by the yearning to seek the truth, young people from every corner of the earth met in Cologne to seek and worship God made Man, and then, transformed by their encounter with him and illumined by his presence, they returned to their country, like the Magi, "by another route" (Matthew 2:12). So it was that you returned to Holland, eager to communicate to one and all your rich experience, and today you want to share it with your peers.

Dear friends, Jesus is your true friend and Lord; enter into a relationship of true friendship with him! He is expecting you and in him alone will you find happiness.

How easy it is to be content with the superficial pleasures that daily life offers us; how easy it is to live only for oneself, apparently enjoying life! But sooner or later we realize that this is not true happiness, because true happiness is much deeper: We find it only in Jesus.

As I said in Cologne, "The happiness you are seeking, the happiness you have a right to enjoy, has a name and a face: it is Jesus of Nazareth" (Address at the Poller Rheinwiesen Wharf, Aug. 18, 2005; L'Osservatore Romano English edition, Aug. 24, p. 4).

I therefore invite you every day to seek the Lord, who wants nothing more than for you to be truly happy. Foster an intense and constant relationship with him in prayer and, when possible, find suitable moments in your day to be alone in his company. If you do not know how to pray, ask him to teach you, and ask your heavenly Mother to pray with you and for you.

The recitation of the rosary can help you learn the art of prayer with Mary's simplicity and depth. It is important that you make participation in the Eucharist, in which Jesus gives himself for us, the heart of your life. He who died for the sins of all desires to enter into communion with each one of you and is knocking at the doors of your hearts to give you his grace.

Go to the encounter with him in the Blessed Eucharist, go to adore him in the churches, kneeling before the tabernacle: Jesus will fill you with his love and will reveal to you the thoughts of his Heart. If you listen to him, you will feel ever more deeply the joy of belonging to his Mystical Body, the Church, which is the family of his disciples held close by the bond of unity and love.

You will also learn, as the Apostle Paul says, to let yourselves be reconciled with God (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:20). Especially in the sacrament of reconciliation, Jesus waits for you to forgive you your sins and reconcile you with his love through the ministry of the priest. By confessing your sins humbly and truthfully, you will receive the pardon of God himself through the words of his minister.

What a great opportunity the Lord has given us with this sacrament to renew ourselves from within and to progress in our Christian life! I recommend that you make good use of it all the time!

Dear friends, as I said to you above, if you follow Jesus, you will never feel lonely because you are part of the Church, which is a great family in which you can grow in true friendship with so many brothers and sisters in the faith scattered in every part of the world. Jesus needs you to "renew" contemporary society.

Take care to grow in the knowledge of the faith in order to be its authentic witnesses. Dedicate yourselves to understanding Catholic doctrine ever better: Even if at times in looking at it with the eyes of the world it may seem a difficult message to accept, in it is the answer that satisfies your basic questions.

Trust your pastors and guides, bishops and priests; become actively involved in the parishes, movements, associations and ecclesial communities to experience together the joy of being followers of Christ, who proclaims and gives truth and love. And truly impelled by his truth and love, you will be able, together with other young people who are seeking the true meaning of life, to build a better future for all.

Dear friends, I am close to you with my prayers. May you generously accept the call of the Lord, who holds up to you great ideals that can make your lives beautiful and full of joy. You can be certain of it: Only by responding positively to his appeal, however demanding it may seem to you, is it possible to find happiness and peace of heart.

May the Virgin Mary accompany you on this journey of Christian commitment, and may she help you in all your good resolutions.

With these sentiments, I cordially impart a special apostolic blessing to all of you who are gathered in Nieuwegein, as well as to those who accompany you with love and wisdom on your path of human and spiritual growth.

From the Vatican, Nov. 21, 2005

[Translation of the Dutch distributed by the Holy See]

The Theology of Kneeling

I just read this interesting article on the significance and necessity of kneeling in prayer by the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Now, of course, our Pope Benedict XVI :) ). It is taken from his book Spirit of the Liturgy.

A Christmas message

Merry Christmas everyone! =) I just want to share with you this Christmas message from Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio. May we all have a blessed Christmas day. May the true meaning of Christmas enter our minds and hearts and inspire us to live like Christ in everything that we do every day of our lives.

The Meaning of Christmas
Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio

In the days of Caesar Augustus, an era of peace was established in the Mediterranean world after centuries of strife. But this peace was forged by the proud ambition of emperors and the edge of their armies’ swords.

Upon this stage appears a baby acclaimed as king by eastern dignitaries. Neither Caesar nor Herod will brook any rivals. So brutal hordes are sent to slay Him at birth, though He himself comes unarmed. The thugs are thwarted, but only for a season. For the royal child is laid in a manger, and the wood of the manger foreshadows the wood of the cross.

Caesar and Herod were bound to misunderstand Him. They climbed their way to the top, stepping on all who stood in their way. He emptied himself and plunged to the bottom, from the glory of heaven to the squalor of a stable. Pharaohs and Caesars strained towards immortality. Yet He who was Immortal by nature embraced mortality. The great ones of the world took every opportunity to exalt themselves. In the very act of being born, He humbled himself.

You would think that He would have chosen Rome or Athens as the place of his appearance. But He selects an obscure desert town in a dusty provincial outpost. Even in this humble spot, not even a seedy inn would make room for Him. So they had recourse to a cave, welcomed only by the animals. Isaiah said it well: “an ox knows its owner, and an ass its master’s manger; but Israel does not know, my people has not understood” (Is 1:2).

Everything was in fulfillment of Scripture. He was born in Bethlehem, a town whose name means “house of bread.” His crib was a manger, a feeding trough. But they did not understand that He was the Bread of Life. He was wrapped, like Solomon, in swaddling clothes (Wis 7:4-5), but they did not recognized him as the new King and embodiment of divine wisdom.

The only people who recognized Him were shepherds, the humblest in society, and Magi, the wisest. But most Israelites, like us, were neither very humble nor very wise, so they missed it. They especially missed this–that one of the birthday gifts was incense, used in the worship of gods. He was not only king, wise man, messiah, and savior–he was God incarnate.

How could Jews have believed this? God is infinite, invulnerable, omnipotent. What is more vulnerable, fragile, and helpless than an infant? Can the Eternal be born in time? Can the Divine Word be a child at the breast, incapable of speech? Can a mere teenage girl be the Mother of God?

It was just as hard for the pagans to believe it. For their philosophers had taught that God is spirit and the body is a prison. Salvation means liberation from the confines of the physical body. So the idea that a divine Savior would embrace human flesh just did not compute.

Love sometimes does strange things. It takes great risks and goes to extreme lengths that many would call foolish. On that first Christmas day, God’s foolishness was wiser than men, and his weakness was stronger than men. It took them all by surprise.

But this, of course, was part of God’s strategy. The element of surprise is critical in warfare. And Christmas was an act of warfare. In fact it was D-Day, the day of deliverance. The preparation had taken centuries, but now it was time for the Conqueror to land on enemy occupied territory. He came in humility, and would finish the conquest thirty years later by the greatest act of humility the world had ever seen.

“Peace on Earth, Good will towards men.” True peace can never be forged by steel, but only by love. It is the humble babe in the manger, not Caesar in his chariot, who is the real prince of peace.

My baby's got a blog!

I'm very much delighted because my Pangga has just started blogging: Free Spirit.

Nice kaayo imu blog Ga! =) I hope you will go beyond your first post, hehehe.. =) I love you! =)

Pero I'm sad because she's leaving for Davao tonight to come home to her parents.... :( I'll miss her dearly. Pero sige lang baby, dali ra nang 10 days... =) I wish I could come with you. You know how much I would want to be with you, especially on Christmas day. =) And you know how much I love and miss Davao... =) Pwede isulod lang ko nimu sa imu bag? Hehe... I love you... =)

C S. Lewis quote

I really like this quote by C. S. Lewis:

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

From the C S. Lewis Institute.

On a related note, I found this interesting review of the upcoming film Narnia from Decentfilms.com ("A site of film appreciation, information, and criticism informed by Christian faith.
").

Thomas Merton's Prayer of Abandonment

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Blessed Charles de Foucauld's Prayer of Abandonment

Father,
I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.

Matisyahu

Have you heard of this amazing new (?) artist named Matisyahu?



His music is a fusion of rap and reggae, and his message is spiritual (He's Jewish). This particular song of his, I've been listening to for the nth time already. It's explosive, and the lyrics is especially beautiful:

King Without A Crown *

You're all that I have and you're all that I need
Each and every day I pray to get to know you please
I want to be close to you, yes I'm so hungry
You're like water for my soul when it gets thirsty
Without you there's no me
You're the air that I breathe
Sometimes the world is dark and I just can't see
With these, demons surround all around to bring me down to negativity
But I believe, yes I believe, I said I believe
I'll stand on my own two feet
Won't be brought down on one knee
Fight with all of my might and get these demons to flee
Hashem's rays fire blaze burn bright and I believe
Out of darkness comes light, twilight unto the heights
Crown Heights burnin' up all through the twilight
Said, thank you to my God, now I finally got it right
And I'll fight with all of my heart, and all a' my soul, and all a' my might

Chorus:
What's this feeling?
My love will rip a hole in the ceiling
Givin' myself to you from the essence of my being
Sing to my God all these songs of love and healing
Want Mashiach now so it's time we start revealing

Bridge:
Me no want no sinsemilla.
That would only bring me down
Burn away my brain no way my brain is to compound
Elevated my soul you're a flying my sound
Like the sun of a sun ray burning up through a cloud
Torah food for my brain let it rain till I drown
Thunder!
Let the blessings come down

Strip away the layers and reveal your soul
Got to give yourself up and then you become whole
You're a slave to yourself and you don't even know
You want to live the fast life but your brain moves slow
If you're trying to stay high then you're bound to stay low
You want God but you can't deflate your ego
If you're already there then there's nowhere to go
If you're cup's already full then its bound to overflow
If you're drowning in the water's and you can't stay afloat
Ask Hashem for mercy and he'll throw you a rope
You're looking for help from God you say he couldn't be found
Looking up to the sky and searchin' beneath the ground
Like a King without his Crown
Yes, I wanna get down
A King without his Crown
Yes, you keep fallin' down
You really want to live but can't get rid of your frown
Tried to reach unto the heights and wound bound down on the ground
Given up your pride and the you heard a sound
Out of night comes day and out of day comes light
Nullified to the One like sunlight in a ray,
Makin' room for his love and a fire gone blaze

Chorus

Reelin' him in
Where ya been
Where ya been
Where ya been for so long
It's hard to stay strong been livin' in galus (exile) for 2000 years strong
Where ya been for so long
Been livin in this exile for too long

* To listen to King Without A Crown and to some of his other songs, visit this website: Live Music Archive

Visit also the official website.

Update on moi

I have many pictures to post but our memory card reader (in case you're not familiar with the thing, it's a hardware used for transfering pictures from the digicam to the PC) is not functioning... About two weeks ago my friend Alvin and I went to the Archbishop's Palace because he wanted to show me his painting. He's an artist. He showed me his painting on Blessed Pedro Calungsud's martyrdom. It was a graphic portrait of Blessed Calungsud's death. The painting was huge, and very beautiful. I wish I could show it here someday.

I took photos too of the beautiful Blessed Pedro Calungsud Memorial Chapel...

Before going there we went to the San Carlos Theology Seminary because I wanted to inquire on the seminary's MA Theology program for laymen. Nagplano man gud ko nga magstudy ug theology. Pero inig human na lang sa nursing... :)

Alvin once commented to me nga buotan kuno kaayo ko nga pagkatawo. He's a drinker (pero dili pud siguro maingun nga palahubog siya, hilig lang jud siya muinum...hehe), and he invited me once for a round of Red Horse. Unfortunately, I don't drink. Ingun siya nga kana kunong mga buotan mao na silay sayo panguhaun ni Lord. Hehehe. I told my Pangga about it and she wasn't amused at all... =)

It's our preliminary exam on STS tomorrow. I still have to study tonight. I've been sleeping for only 4 hours on the average the past two days, so I've been a bit groggy the whole day today. And I still have to stay up late tonight to do some reading...

Next week is our last week before Christmas vacation. Ah, Christmas vacation... :) We may go to Leyte to visit my Lolo Pedring's resting place. He died almost 3 years ago.

Come January next year, on the first week, the folks from the DOH will be orienting us on Community Health. Then two days after that we will have our duties in the different health centers. My assignment is in Tisa Health Center. Hmmm, my very first duty!... Wish me luck! :)

To prepare myself for the duty, I plan to read on the essential lessons we've discussed in Health Care. I particularly direly need to read on Vital Signs. So my Christmas vacation will be spent partly savoring the free time I have and the fun of the Christmas season, and partly reading on the important things I need to learn in order that I may not appear unprepared when I start my duties. :)

Looking for drugs

I'm listening to Dashboard Confessionals while I...

am pressured because it's so late in the night
and I am yet to make
a drug summary
for our return demo on
medications
tomorrow....

I am browsing through
the pages
of MIMs Online
looking for certain
drugs...

The music is what's keeping me calm and sedated right now... (plus the caffeine)... :)

Lola's birthday

Talagsa na lang ko naga-blog kay wala na kaayo koy time mag-internet. Whole day ko wala sa balay: In the morning I dress up for an hour or so, then I travel for about 2 hours to Banilad to go to school, then I have my classes, then go to the library and study for a few hours, travel again to the uptown area to meet my baby after her work, eat, spend a short quality time together, then travel home for another 2 hours (We live that far away from the city!), find the time to be alone with myself for at least 15 minutes when I can for some "Indispensable Quiet Time" (a suggestion I got from The Examined Life), study or review my notes, pray, then sleep.... I'm very busy, and to think that I only have a very light study load this semester! Unsa na kaha next year when I proceed (hopefully) to my third year? Hahaha...

So, gamay nalang kaayo ang time for surfing the net and blogging... And grabe kaayo ko mu-waste ug time kung maka-atubang ko ug computer... Precious time flies swiftyly by whenever I am in front of our PC.

Sigh. Anyway, I'm posting a few pictures from my Lola's birthday last week... :)


We invited a few relatives over 


A bouquet (Sorry, wala ko kaila unsa ni nga flower) 


Up close, but a bit blurry 

We've prepared a few foods, courtesy of my cousin Ate Lorianne. She's a very good cook (She's good with cross-stitching, too. She's good with many things, she's talented... :) ).


Beef and veggies 


Sea food curry (Murag Thai nga dish) 


Spag 

Of course, dili complete ang meal kung walay fruits...


Banana, papaya, and pineapple 


The pineapple up close 

I have a few pictures of our school building, but I have to be somewhere in the next few minutes, so later na lang nako i-post. :)

PS

I totally missed posting about the SEA games... It's totally uplifting, to see our athletes excel in almost all of the sports. It boosts up your sense of country, something which we certainly need in these difficult times. Kung dili lang sa controversies...