Kanina naglakad kami ni Odra para maghanap ng murang makakainan, 1:30pm na nun (2:55 pm na ngayon) kaya tabingi na ang tingin ko sa kalsada, as usual ang usapan namin ay tungkol sa Pinas, wala ng iba pa. Siyempre understood na intellectual lagi ang usapan namin.
Tanong ni Odra sa akin na parang nababagabag ang damdamin: "Bakit kaya may mga taong mali-mali? Eh wala namang taong tama-tama." Nabagabag din ako. Gusto kong maiyak...
***
Umiyak. Napatunayan ko na iyakin pala talaga ako pag mag-isa lang akong nanunuod ng tv o pag-nagbabasa ako ng malungkot na novel. Last Tuesday nasa bahay ako ng ate Marsha ko; sinusulit ang Filipino Channel nila at ang kanilang bagong plasma widescreen tv. Late na ako nagising nung umaga na iyon dahil late na ako natulog (simple logic). Kakain na sana ako nang bigla kong maalala na libing nga pala ni Cardinal Jaime Sin ngayong umaga. Dali-dali kong binuksan ko ang tv, sakto live coverage ang funeral rites ni Cardinal sa ANC!
I-soshorcut ko na ang kwento... Nang makita ko palang ang dami ng tao sa labas ng Manila Cathedral ay nalungkot na ako, iba talaga ang dating. Maalam akong nakinig sa homily ni Bishop Villegas kahit na alam ko na isang kontinente ang layo ko sa Pinas. Gayunpaman, ramdam na ramdam ko ang atmosphere of grief and sadness by the lost of own prelate. Binanggit ni Bishop Soc na ang huling pananalita daw ni Cardinal Sin sa kanyang deathbed ay "Vamos (Let us go)". Ang salitang "vamos" ay laging sinasabi ni Cardinal nung kalakasan pa niya bilang paanyaya; "vamos a Edsa", "vamos a Luneta", "vamos a comer"...etc. "As we walked through the uncertainties of life, he came with us everytime," patuloy ni Bishop Soc. "Vamos" ang muling sambit ni Cardinal..."but did not take anyone with him." Sa puntong ito nag-cracked ang boses ni Bishop Soc at pilit pinipigil ang kanyang emotion sa pag-iyak. At dito sa pagkakataong ito ako naiyak muli, ang huli ko'y nuong araw ng libing ni Pope John Paul II.
Sa labas ng Manila Cathedral ipinokus ng kamera ang mga taong hawak-kamay habang kumanta ng Ama Namin. Apat na estudyanteng babae ang magkakawak ang kamay. Iyon lang at tumulo ang luha ko... Ang larawan ng pagdalamhati ni Dr. Ramon Sin (kapatid ni Cardinal) ay nagpaiyak muli sa akin. Kapansin pansin na habang ibababa ng sa crypt ang mga labi ni Cardinal Sin ay humahagulgol si Bishop Soc na parang bata. Nagaya ako sa kanyan ng kaunti. Nakakaantig din ng emosyon kahit na yung mga simpleng bagay na nakita ko tulad ng mga kalapating puti na sabay sabay na pinakawalan, mga taong nakaluhod, kanta ng choir, mga madre, mga umattend na goverment officials, iyong pag-ulan pagkatapos libing, atbp. Simple lang pero powerful ang dating para sa akin-- Pilipino kasi ako. Marami mga simpleng bagay sa Pilipinas na ngayon ko lang na-aappreciate kung kelan nasa ibang bansa na ako.
At isa na rin sa mga dahilan kaya madaling nahulog ang emosyon ko ay siguro dahil sa pakiramdam ko parang nanduon ako mismo sa loob ng Manila Cathedral (salamat sa widescreen plasma tv ng ate Marsha ko. Bili na rin kayo!). Ilan sa mga personal kong kakilala ay nakita ko sa tv ay sina Fr. Aries Reyes, Bishop Tirona, Bishop Alamario at pari na nagmisa sa Megamall nung magsimba ako dun last January.
Ilang linggo bago mamatay si Cardinal Sin ay paulit-ulit kong pinapanuod ang biography niya (A Guide to: Orginal Sin. Pari, Pilipino, Propeta) at binabasa ko naman ang libro ni Bishop Socrates Villegas (Always Jesus, Only Jesus). Fresh pa rin sa ala-ala ko nung dumalaw ako sa House of Sin nung January 2003 kasama ang Rector at Tito ko. Very accomodating at hospitable si Cardinal Sin kahit na may sakit na siya nuon. Hindi ko makakalimutan pinainom pa niya kami ng masarap at mainit na cappucino. End of story.
****
Nasaan ang bloopers? Kahapon ng gabi ay nag-offer ang Archdiocese of Melbourne at Filipino Community ng Misa para sa kaluluwa ni Cardinal Sin. Pagpasok ko sa car park ay nakita ko namataan ko ang mag-asawang Pilipino sa loob ng kotse, kaibigan ko sila na taga Deer Park. Excited ako ng makita sila. Hangos akong lumapit, nagmano, at masayang nakipagkumustahan. "Tita kumusta na po? Ay, buti naman po at nakarating kayo." "Uy, Tito kumusta na po, batang bata po tayo ngayon ah." (normally may bigote siya)
Nag-simula na ang Misa. Mula sa altar napansin ko ang dalawang mag-asawang binati ko kanina. Habang tinititigan ko sila narealised ko na hindi pala sila yung couple na kaibigan ko na taga Deer Park. Kamukha lang pala! Nung mga sandali na iyon gusto ko na lang na maging bula na biglang mawawala sa kinatatayuan ko. Pilit ko itong kinakalimutan pero habang kinakalimutan ko lalo ko lang naalala. Hanggang ngayon kino-convince ko pa ang sarili ko na panagip lang yun!
Pahiram ng expression na lagi kong nababasa mula Pinas -- "wakoko":(
*****
Maglilipat na nga pala ako ng blog napansin ko kasi na pag-ina-update ko ang blogs ko ay automatic na nag-papadala ang friendster ng blogs announcement sa lahat ng contacts ko. Kaya nag-evacuate na ako ng mga entries ko sa http://www.tukayo.blogspot.com/
******
Nakakahiya, may ilang nagsabi sa akin na binabasa daw nila ang blogs ko, at may Australian pa na nagrerequest na isulat ko daw sa Ingles ang mga entries ko dahil hindi niya naiintindihan ang Tagalog. Muli hihiramin ko expression ng ilang Pilipino ngayon tulad ng kapatid kong si Cune, "wakoko":(
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Silence in Eucharistic Adoration
(This is a short talk I gave this evening in St. Peter's Parish in Clayton)
An American tourist hired a driver in Italy to show her the country. On the first afternoon out, the driver began to identify some of the antiquities and she said arrogantly, “I hired you to drive for me, not to talk to me.”
An American tourist hired a driver in Italy to show her the country. On the first afternoon out, the driver began to identify some of the antiquities and she said arrogantly, “I hired you to drive for me, not to talk to me.”
The driver remained quiet for the rest of the week. When he presented his bill, there was one item the lady did not understand.
“That’s for keeping quiet,” the driver said. “I don’t like doing it, but when I do, Signora, I have to charge.”
Like the Italian driver in the story we sometimes find it hard to remain quiet. Sometimes we find silence a frightening and uncomfortable experience. So we turn the radio on or make a telephone call just to break the silence.
But like Jesus who went up to the mountains and desolate places to be alone in prayer, we also need to distance ourselves from the distractions of the world and our noisy cultures. Jesus teaches us that constant prayer, reflection and silence are vital for our spiritual growth as Christians.
I am going to talk about the importance of silence in Eucharistic Adoration. Silence and contemplation are our response to this mind-blowing reality of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist. Don’t you know that we also receive payment, like the Italian driver, just for being quiet before the Blessed Sacrament?
Sense of Presence
First silence allows us to have a sense of the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. When we are quiet and still our attention to God becomes greater and much more focused than if we are thinking of other things.
Yesterday I went to St. Francis’ Church in the city to pray and to ask for guidance about what I would say tonight. As I knelt down looking at the Blessed Sacrament on the altar I said to Jesus, “Lord please tell me what it means to have a sense of your presence if I remain quiet.” So I tried to concentrate in silence as much as I could and I started to realise that Jesus’ body, blood, soul and divinity were really there inside the monstrance.
I felt so relieved but not for long. There was this young Asian lady sitting not far from me who started to talk to her friend on the phone. She said, “Oh, I am here inside St. Francis Church…don’t worry it’s alright...hey how are you…no, it’s alright.” I talked to her in my mind, “It’s alright for you to speak to your friend inside the Church. But it’s not ok for us! Can’t you see us praying?”
I completely lost my attention to the Lord because of this girl. Then I realised that God has just taught me the importance of silence to have a sense of his presence.
Intimacy
Secondly our response to God in silence draws us into intimacy with him in contemplation. As we enter into silence before the Blessed Sacrament we intimately enter into a deep relationship with Christ.
Sometimes when we pray we run out of words and we don’t know exactly what to say. It seems that we are just wasting our time and not praying at all. But that is not true! Jesus who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament is very interested about us even when we sometimes mumble or don’t know what to say.
Intimacy means having a close relationship with the Lord even in silence. I think this is very true even in our human relationships. When we know someone intimately, for example, our own mother, we can instantly judge her feelings simply by looking at her eyes or listening to the sound of her voice.
Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus. St. John Marie Vianney described his prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in a very simple words, he said, “I look at him and he looks at me.”
Listening
Spending time in silence before the Blessed Sacrament enables us to listen or hear more clearly the voice of God who is mysteriously working in our lives. We often hear the saying “God speaks in silence.” I think the great challenge for all of us today is to find a peaceful quiet place where we can sit down and listen to God.
Silence is a rare thing in our life. We are surrounded by televisions, radios, cars, fire alarms (especially if you live in the seminary:). Even in the Church, we hear people chatting, mobile phones and other forms of distraction.
But we listen to the voice of God not only in external silence, even though that is very important; God speaks to us more intimately in the silence of our hearts. I remember the homily of a Filipino priest. He said, “to listen deeply is to listen using not our ears but using our hearts.” Very interestingly he explained, “If you cut your two ears and put them together, a heart shaped is formed. In the middle of the word heart is ‘ear’ and the first four letters of the word heart form the word ‘hear.’"
Thus, when we spend time in silence before the Blessed Sacrament, we listen and wait attentively to what God is going to say to us, not through our ears, but really with our hearts.
Emptiness
Silence before the Blessed Sacrament brings us emptiness. But this emptiness is not something negative. Interior silence before the Lord creates more space in our hearts so that his Spirit can fill us up with his love, mercy and healing.
As we enter into contemplation we leave not only the hustle and bustle of the outside world, but we also leave behind our pride, selfishness, lust and complacency, we empty ourselves of all the negative things that blocked up the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. So in front of the Blessed Sacrament we let ourselves be like an empty bucket in order that our Lord may graciously pour out the love, mercy and healing we all need.
John the Baptist says it beautifully, “He must increase, but I must decrease." [John 3:30]
Nourishment
We need silence in order to come close to our true selves and to God. The silence of Eucharistic Adoration allows us to meditate on the words of Jesus. “I am the bread of life.” Entering silence helps us to recognise Jesus as the nourishment of our soul. His flesh is our daily food and sustenance. “What material food produces in our bodily life, Holy Communion wonderfully achieves in our spiritual life. Communion with the flesh of Christ preserves, increases and renews the life of grace we received at Baptism. Eucharistic Communion is the bread for our pilgrimage until the moment of death.”
Peter Ferwerda mentioned in his talk yesterday the importance of spending an hour before the Blessed Sacrament no matter how busy we are because God in his mysterious silence can give us fulfillment and satisfy our inner hunger. Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, in prayer and devotion, is spending time before the living God.
Confidence
The purpose of adoration is to highlight the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist.
If we really believe that the Jesus is in the Blessed Sacrament, then we can speak to him full of confidence and certainty. If Jesus is really there present, in the fullness of his humanity and divinity, then we can share our joys with him; and we can cry all our tears to him; we abandon our hopes and fears, our worries, family problems, financial difficulties, health problems into his hands.Inasmuch as we believe in the Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament we also trust his invitation: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” [Mt 11:28-30]
Silence in Eucharistic adoration is an act of confidence in God. In front of the Blessed Sacrament, we see ourselves like little children sleeping peacefully within the arms of the Father.
Exaltation
The sign of “silence” in a hospital shields the quiet mysterious knitting up of bodies and nerves. In a library, “silence” whispers of the deep communion of mind with mind, the calm flowering of thought. Silence before the Blessed Sacrament takes us to exaltation or adoration of the Lord. Thus silence does speak of healing, of stillness and of the distilling of wisdom and the wonder of God’s glory.
*******
As you may notice we form the word “SILENCE.” Let us always remember that silence in Eucharistic Adoration gives us “a Sense of presence”, “Intimacy”, “Listening”, “Emptiness”, “Nourishment”, “Confidence” and “Exaltation.”
*******
Prayer to the Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
“O heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, overflowing with gentleness, tenderness and charity. My sweet Lord, Saviour and Spouse let me lay at your sacred feet my daily share of joys, struggles and sorrows, my hopes and fears. And in the stillness of your sanctuary do tenderly gather them into your Sacred Heart. Solace my doubts, calm my fears. And grant that day by day I may become more united to you. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen.”
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Goodbye Cardinal Sin
Benedict XVI said he was "deeply saddened" by the death of Cardinal Jaime Sin, the retired archbishop of Manila who died at the age of 76.
The Pope relayed his sentiments in a message of sympathy to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Manila, which the Philippine cardinal headed for almost three decades. The archdiocese noted that Cardinal Sin has been described as "patriot and prophet."
In a telegram to the prelate's successor, Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, the Holy Father recalled "with gratitude Cardinal Sin's unfailing commitment to the spread of the Gospel and to the promotion of the dignity, common good, and national unity of the Philippine people."
"I join you in praying that God our merciful Father will grant him the reward of his labors and welcome his noble soul into the joy and peace of his eternal Kingdom," said Benedict XVI. He imparted his apostolic blessing to those gathered in Manila for a Mass for the cardinal's eternal rest.
According to the Archdiocese of Manila, the cardinal was hospitalized on Sunday and succumbed today to multiple organ failure related to sepsis.
His delicate state of health -- he suffered from kidney problems and diabetes -- had prevented him from taking part in the conclave that elected Benedict XVI.
With his death, the College of Cardinals now numbers 181 members, including 115 electors.
Evangelizer and pastor
One of 16 siblings, Jaime Lachica Sin was born in New Washington, in the Diocese of Kalibo, on Aug. 31, 1928. He was educated in the faith by his mother, a woman of great religiosity who converted her husband to the Catholic faith before their marriage.
In 1941 he entered the Minor Seminar of St. Vincent Ferrer in Jaro, where he stayed for only a few months as the War of the Pacific and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines forced him to seek refuge with his family in the mountains for three years.
When he returned there as a priest -- he was ordained April 3, 1954 -- his first pastoral endeavor was to visit each one of the hundreds of small widespread parishes and to inspire vocations for the new St. Pius X Seminary.
At the end of this work, which lasted three years and bore considerable fruit, he was appointed rector of the seminary in 1957. He served there for 10 years as principal, dean of studies, professor and diocesan consultant.
He was consecrated bishop at age 38 on March 18, 1967, and named auxiliary of Jaro and eventually coadjutor with the right of succession. He succeeded the archbishop of Jaro in 1972, when he was 44.
Pope Paul VI named him archbishop of Manila on Jan. 21, 1974, where he pursued his pastoral work courageously despite the dangers and difficulties of the country's situation. The Pope elevated him to cardinal two years later.
He was the youngest member of the Philippine bishops' conference, over which he presided from 1977 to 1981.
Helped topple 2 presidents
He received Pope John Paul II twice in his pastoral visits to the Philippines -- in 1981 and 1995. In the second apostolic trip, to close World Youth Day, 4 million faithful attended the Mass in Rizal Park in Manila.
The cardinal was a great defender of democracy in the Philippines and of peaceful political transition, becoming famous for his commitment to the Filipinos against the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos and the corruption of the Estrada government.
In 1986 he headed peaceful protests which led to the fall of President Marcos. He played the same role in 2001 when he appealed to the people to put an end to the corrupt government of Joseph Estrada. The AsiaNews agency highlighted the cardinal's capacity to have people follow him, which won him the nickname of "divine commander in chief."
After his retirement in September 2003, Cardinal Sin gave his support to the current president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Arroyo, lamenting his demise, described him as a "blessed man who never failed to unite Filipinos during the most crucial battles against tyranny and evil." She declared seven days of national mourning for the cardinal.
Cardinal Sin insisted that religion had a role to play in the affairs of the state, a conviction he summed up at his retirement ceremony: "My duty is to put Christ in politics. Politics without Christ is the greatest scourge of the nation."
The cardinal also organized protests against the state's attempt to curb population growth.
"A brother"
Bishop Socrates Villegas of Balanga, the cardinal's longtime private secretary, and Father Rufino Sescon Jr., his present secretary, were with him at the time of his death.
According to the Communications Office of the Archdiocese of Manila, Archbishop Rosales visited Cardinal Sin on Monday afternoon. The archbishop said the cardinal received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. The prelate said he gave him a "farewell blessing."
With Cardinal Sin's death, the bishops of the Philippines have lost "a friend and a brother," said Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao, president of the country's episcopal conference, on behalf of all its members.
"Cardinal Sin was a great man, a great Filipino, a great prince of the Church," wrote Archbishop Capalla in a statement. "We are saddened that he left us, but we rejoice that he has entered into Real Life -- one that never ends."
Cardinal Sin's mortal remains were taken to the Cathedral of Manila, where he will lie in state until his burial, tentatively scheduled for June 28.
Archbishop Rosales presided over the first Mass for his eternal repose together with about 100 priests and numerous faithful, including former President Corazon Aquino.
source: zenit.org
The Pope relayed his sentiments in a message of sympathy to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Manila, which the Philippine cardinal headed for almost three decades. The archdiocese noted that Cardinal Sin has been described as "patriot and prophet."
In a telegram to the prelate's successor, Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, the Holy Father recalled "with gratitude Cardinal Sin's unfailing commitment to the spread of the Gospel and to the promotion of the dignity, common good, and national unity of the Philippine people."
"I join you in praying that God our merciful Father will grant him the reward of his labors and welcome his noble soul into the joy and peace of his eternal Kingdom," said Benedict XVI. He imparted his apostolic blessing to those gathered in Manila for a Mass for the cardinal's eternal rest.
According to the Archdiocese of Manila, the cardinal was hospitalized on Sunday and succumbed today to multiple organ failure related to sepsis.
His delicate state of health -- he suffered from kidney problems and diabetes -- had prevented him from taking part in the conclave that elected Benedict XVI.
With his death, the College of Cardinals now numbers 181 members, including 115 electors.
Evangelizer and pastor
One of 16 siblings, Jaime Lachica Sin was born in New Washington, in the Diocese of Kalibo, on Aug. 31, 1928. He was educated in the faith by his mother, a woman of great religiosity who converted her husband to the Catholic faith before their marriage.
In 1941 he entered the Minor Seminar of St. Vincent Ferrer in Jaro, where he stayed for only a few months as the War of the Pacific and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines forced him to seek refuge with his family in the mountains for three years.
When he returned there as a priest -- he was ordained April 3, 1954 -- his first pastoral endeavor was to visit each one of the hundreds of small widespread parishes and to inspire vocations for the new St. Pius X Seminary.
At the end of this work, which lasted three years and bore considerable fruit, he was appointed rector of the seminary in 1957. He served there for 10 years as principal, dean of studies, professor and diocesan consultant.
He was consecrated bishop at age 38 on March 18, 1967, and named auxiliary of Jaro and eventually coadjutor with the right of succession. He succeeded the archbishop of Jaro in 1972, when he was 44.
Pope Paul VI named him archbishop of Manila on Jan. 21, 1974, where he pursued his pastoral work courageously despite the dangers and difficulties of the country's situation. The Pope elevated him to cardinal two years later.
He was the youngest member of the Philippine bishops' conference, over which he presided from 1977 to 1981.
Helped topple 2 presidents
He received Pope John Paul II twice in his pastoral visits to the Philippines -- in 1981 and 1995. In the second apostolic trip, to close World Youth Day, 4 million faithful attended the Mass in Rizal Park in Manila.
The cardinal was a great defender of democracy in the Philippines and of peaceful political transition, becoming famous for his commitment to the Filipinos against the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos and the corruption of the Estrada government.
In 1986 he headed peaceful protests which led to the fall of President Marcos. He played the same role in 2001 when he appealed to the people to put an end to the corrupt government of Joseph Estrada. The AsiaNews agency highlighted the cardinal's capacity to have people follow him, which won him the nickname of "divine commander in chief."
After his retirement in September 2003, Cardinal Sin gave his support to the current president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Arroyo, lamenting his demise, described him as a "blessed man who never failed to unite Filipinos during the most crucial battles against tyranny and evil." She declared seven days of national mourning for the cardinal.
Cardinal Sin insisted that religion had a role to play in the affairs of the state, a conviction he summed up at his retirement ceremony: "My duty is to put Christ in politics. Politics without Christ is the greatest scourge of the nation."
The cardinal also organized protests against the state's attempt to curb population growth.
"A brother"
Bishop Socrates Villegas of Balanga, the cardinal's longtime private secretary, and Father Rufino Sescon Jr., his present secretary, were with him at the time of his death.
According to the Communications Office of the Archdiocese of Manila, Archbishop Rosales visited Cardinal Sin on Monday afternoon. The archbishop said the cardinal received the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. The prelate said he gave him a "farewell blessing."
With Cardinal Sin's death, the bishops of the Philippines have lost "a friend and a brother," said Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao, president of the country's episcopal conference, on behalf of all its members.
"Cardinal Sin was a great man, a great Filipino, a great prince of the Church," wrote Archbishop Capalla in a statement. "We are saddened that he left us, but we rejoice that he has entered into Real Life -- one that never ends."
Cardinal Sin's mortal remains were taken to the Cathedral of Manila, where he will lie in state until his burial, tentatively scheduled for June 28.
Archbishop Rosales presided over the first Mass for his eternal repose together with about 100 priests and numerous faithful, including former President Corazon Aquino.
source: zenit.org
Friday, June 17, 2005
Mixed Entry
Sa wakas natapos na rin ang exams! 11:am to be exact. Matapos ang ilang linggong pag-cacram ng mga assignments, revisions at pagrereview kahit na ilang minuto na lang exam na ( sa ganitong situwasyon ako biglang gumagawa ng instant resolution, sasabihin ko sa sarili ko na ito na talaga ang last, magiging on time na ako sa next time. Para na akong politician na nangangako sa taong bayan bago mag-election).
Magaan ang feeling kapag napagdaanan mo rin sa wakas ang bagay ni sa isip ay ayaw mong gawin pero no choice ka. Ngayong tapos na ang first term ay para may naririnig akong background music sa isip ko. Kanta ito ng Eraserheads na di gaanong sumikat: Sa wakas ay nakita ko na ang aking hinahanap sa wakas ay nakuha ko na ang aking hinahangad kay tagal ko ng naghintay at nagsunog ng kilay ngayon ay masasabi ko na ang matamis na tagumpay. Basta okay ang kanta na ito para sa akin...lalo na kung adik ka:)
Dahil nga natapos nang maluwalhati ang examination week namin. Binigyan ko ng reward ang sarili ko. Ititrit, ulet, itinrit, isa pa, itinirit, (yung bang "inilibre" o sa English "to treat") iyon, inilibre ko ang sarili ko na manuod ng sine. Matagal ko ng gustong panuorin ang Star Wars Episode III. Matagal na panahon na din ang lumipas na di kami nagkikita ni Natalie Portman. Maganda ang pagkagawa ng pelikula at lalo na ang computer graphics nito para talagang totoo. Ang galing din ng twist ng story. Kahanga-hanga si George Lucas. Siguro isa siyang Jedi.
Two-weeks ko ng pinapanuod ang Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Napanuod ko na ito dati pa pero nakalimutan ko talaga ang lahat ng nangyari kaya parang first time ko palang ito pinapanuod ngayon. Ito na yata ang pinakamatagal na pelikula na hindi ko matapos-tapos. 10-15mins lang ang viewing time ko at every other day pa. Depende sa availability ko. Kaya para na rin akong nanunuod ng soap opera ni Marimar. Suspense ito at talagang martial arts, bakbakan ika nga. Isa pa maganda pa yung isang bidang babae si Jen. Minsan pinapatay ko kaagad ang dvd pag-alam ko na maganda ang susunod na scene para may suspense. Next week ko na uli siya itutuloy siguro 15 minutes na lang tapos na. Kakaexcite!
Two weeks ko ding binasa ang libro ni Nick Joaquin na pinamagatang "Cave and Shadows." Tungkol ito sa cave..at sa shadows. Unpredictable din ang twist sa huli ng istorya at parang nanunood ako ng pelikula sa galing magsulat ni Nick Joaquin. Kaya nga siya nahirang na National Artist for Literature. Lahat ng libro, essays at poetry niya ay sa wikang Ingles. Napakalaki ng contribution niya sa Philippine Literature in English kaya naman malaking kawalan ang pagkamatay niya last year. Nakakalungkot isipin kung hindi siya kilala ng mga Pilipinong estudyante ngayon. Susunod kong basahin ay "The Woman Who Had Two Navels" na isinulat niya nuong 1991. Sana makuha ko rin ang skills niya sa pagsusulat pero malabo iyon!
Nabasa ko ang ilang jokes tungkol sa wiretapped conversations 'daw' ni GMA at Garcillano. Ang bilis talagang mag-isip ng mga Pinoy updated kaagad ang jokes at may 'Hello garci" ringing tone pa daw! Nakuha ko ito sa pcij na nakalink sa blog ni Cyril.
Latest news update: Iggy Arroyo is now practicing the voice of GMA. A longer version: News: Nakatakdang aminin ni Iggy Arroyo na siya ang babaeng boses sa tape. Napabalitang bumalik siya sa kanyang bayan para pag-aralan gayahin ang boses ni gma.
Woman: Garci, dy, pasahan mo naman ako ng load, este, ng vote….
==
Garci: Hindi ako nagtatago noh! Nakikipag-phonepal ako kay Saddam!
===
Opposition: Why can’t GMA come out and say ‘i’m not the ma’am in the tape’?
Malacañang: She doesn’t want to lie.
===
Ang mga nangyayari sa ating bansa parang teleserye:
Yung jueteng scandal ang title "Mga anak ng jueteng."
Yun namang gloriagate scandal "Tap si glo!"
===
Babae: Lahat ng mga Arroyo ay magnanakaw.
Lalaki: Ang sakit mo namang magsalita.
Babae: Bakit? Isa ka ba sa mga Arroyo?
Lalaki: Hindi. Magnanakaw ako!
===
Aba naman Gloria napupuno ka ng grasya.Ang kayamanan ng tao ay sumaiyo na,Bukod ka pinagpala sa babaeng lahat.Pinagpala rin ang iyong angkan. Wala nang natira saAMEN.
===
Q: What special feature is added in the cellphones of Mike and Mikey Arroyo?
A: Call Jueteng.
Ssssshhhhh! Naka-wire tap, si Gary ito huh
Yun lang. Happy holidays to me! But not really. May parish mission kaming senior year next week sa St. Peter's Parish, Clayton. I will be speaking about silence in the Eucharistic Adoration. I pray that this activity will be a successful one. Sana.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Big hands
A long time ago, when I was little, I used to come along with my mother every Sunday to the town market to buy our week’s supply of food. I really enjoyed the atmosphere at the market – vendor shouting out loud advertising their goods, big and small fish, butchered animals (I’m weird!), different kinds of vegetables, etc. There was always a big crowd in the market so that my mother was very mindful of me. It is so nice to remember how mother would hold my little hand very tightly so I would not get lost from her sight.
In my spiritual journey, God is like my mother who was leading me and holding my hands firmly so I would not get lost in the market place. There are many things in this world that excite my curiosity, and if God would let go me from his firm hold, I might escape to wander and explore the world, go to places I would love to go, and then get lost in end. In trying to search God’s will, there many are times I find his ways too difficult to understand and find them very different to what I want. But I said to my self, "I have no choice but follow Him" for I know I will just place myself into danger by going on my own.
St. Bonaventure in his writing seems to be giving me a warning that, “unless accompanied by divine aid” I will not come to the final end of my soul’s journey-- a perfect place of eternal peace. This is the stage in which the disturbances of my “market place” can no longer exist because in this stage the illumination of God’s presence is so immense that I will never get lost again forever.
I pray for God’s “grace not instruction, desire not understanding,” so my searching will become a soul’s journey of prayer and contemplation with Jesus Christ.
In my spiritual journey, God is like my mother who was leading me and holding my hands firmly so I would not get lost in the market place. There are many things in this world that excite my curiosity, and if God would let go me from his firm hold, I might escape to wander and explore the world, go to places I would love to go, and then get lost in end. In trying to search God’s will, there many are times I find his ways too difficult to understand and find them very different to what I want. But I said to my self, "I have no choice but follow Him" for I know I will just place myself into danger by going on my own.
St. Bonaventure in his writing seems to be giving me a warning that, “unless accompanied by divine aid” I will not come to the final end of my soul’s journey-- a perfect place of eternal peace. This is the stage in which the disturbances of my “market place” can no longer exist because in this stage the illumination of God’s presence is so immense that I will never get lost again forever.
I pray for God’s “grace not instruction, desire not understanding,” so my searching will become a soul’s journey of prayer and contemplation with Jesus Christ.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Independence Day
I am not very good in history but I am aware that today is the 107th anniversary of Philippine Independence from the bondage of Spanish colonization. It was in 1898 when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippine Republic, declared the country’s liberation from the shackles of foreign rulers. This is the only detail I can give as I do not want to mislead people, I am afraid to present false facts and figures about today's historical celebration. But I do remember someone who argued that the real independence of the Philippines was not its liberty from the Spaniards. It is rather when the country became independent from the Americans that the Philippines gained its real freedom and self-governance. I would say the demise of Japanese occupation in the Philippines although brief but cruel, can be seen as well as a celebration of independence.
Philippine history sometimes left us good humour. How interesting it was for Filipinos to live for 300 long years inside a Spanish convent and then 40 years in American Hollywood! (Plus 4 years with the ancestors of Japanese anime!)
Today I would like look at bigger picture of the dark history of Spanish colonization. History tells us that there were many good things thrived out from bad circumstances, or should I say because God is powerful that he can make good things out of evil. The “good” that I am talking about is the Christianization of the Philippines. Thanks to the Spanish missionaries who diligently converted my ancestors to Christianity.
One of the Spanish saints that became so intimately related to the Filipinos is St. John of the Cross. St. John was a small man ( not as short as 'Minime' though!) with a big heart, who was longing for intimacy and love for God along with the poorest people at his time. His spirituality is in fact the traditional imagery of Filipino poverty and meekness. His figure appears as an old Filipino farmer wearing a salakot (a hat made of nipa leaves), bare-footed and wearing worn-out clothes by the name of Juan de la Cruz. Juan de la Cruz is a common baptismal name amongst Filipino male. The "Cruz" in his name represents many impoverished Filipinos who are carrying the cross of all sort of sufferings. They those Filipinos who are the victims of the corrupt government, natural disasters, children who were deprived of education, sick people and the poverty of the country as a whole. This is the dark night of human suffering and spiritual longing which St. John of the Cross himself had experienced.
But in this darkness, we can find God’s gentle hand purifying the souls: “clearing away the debris of attachment and making room for the divine light.” St. John’s spiritual courage and endurance in suffering, is what really make the Filipino to be associated with him. Despite of material deprivations, Filipinos are happy and religious people. Poverty and hunger instead turn them to prayer, hope and confidence and greater communion to God. Inspired by the spiritual longing of San Juan dela Cruz in midst of the dark night, he said, “I abandoned and forgot myself, laying my face on my Beloved.”
Now, I look at myself in Australia, one of the richest countries in the world, I could not imagine why there are many cases of suicide among young people in this beautiful and affluent country? I do not know the answer. Perhaps, if I examine my own self and become more aware about my own spiritual poverty then I will begin to understand.
But one thing I am sure of, it is not the country or nation alone that needs liberty. Whatever our nationality or whatever country we may be, we all need freedom and liberty, most of all from our sins that stop to be good human persons that God is are calling us to be.
May we all live neither in Spanish convent nor in the grandeur of Hollywood and Disneyland but may we find ourselves in the God’s Heavenly Kingdom – a place where we can be truly free.
Philippine history sometimes left us good humour. How interesting it was for Filipinos to live for 300 long years inside a Spanish convent and then 40 years in American Hollywood! (Plus 4 years with the ancestors of Japanese anime!)
Today I would like look at bigger picture of the dark history of Spanish colonization. History tells us that there were many good things thrived out from bad circumstances, or should I say because God is powerful that he can make good things out of evil. The “good” that I am talking about is the Christianization of the Philippines. Thanks to the Spanish missionaries who diligently converted my ancestors to Christianity.
One of the Spanish saints that became so intimately related to the Filipinos is St. John of the Cross. St. John was a small man ( not as short as 'Minime' though!) with a big heart, who was longing for intimacy and love for God along with the poorest people at his time. His spirituality is in fact the traditional imagery of Filipino poverty and meekness. His figure appears as an old Filipino farmer wearing a salakot (a hat made of nipa leaves), bare-footed and wearing worn-out clothes by the name of Juan de la Cruz. Juan de la Cruz is a common baptismal name amongst Filipino male. The "Cruz" in his name represents many impoverished Filipinos who are carrying the cross of all sort of sufferings. They those Filipinos who are the victims of the corrupt government, natural disasters, children who were deprived of education, sick people and the poverty of the country as a whole. This is the dark night of human suffering and spiritual longing which St. John of the Cross himself had experienced.
But in this darkness, we can find God’s gentle hand purifying the souls: “clearing away the debris of attachment and making room for the divine light.” St. John’s spiritual courage and endurance in suffering, is what really make the Filipino to be associated with him. Despite of material deprivations, Filipinos are happy and religious people. Poverty and hunger instead turn them to prayer, hope and confidence and greater communion to God. Inspired by the spiritual longing of San Juan dela Cruz in midst of the dark night, he said, “I abandoned and forgot myself, laying my face on my Beloved.”
Now, I look at myself in Australia, one of the richest countries in the world, I could not imagine why there are many cases of suicide among young people in this beautiful and affluent country? I do not know the answer. Perhaps, if I examine my own self and become more aware about my own spiritual poverty then I will begin to understand.
But one thing I am sure of, it is not the country or nation alone that needs liberty. Whatever our nationality or whatever country we may be, we all need freedom and liberty, most of all from our sins that stop to be good human persons that God is are calling us to be.
May we all live neither in Spanish convent nor in the grandeur of Hollywood and Disneyland but may we find ourselves in the God’s Heavenly Kingdom – a place where we can be truly free.
Midyear
June na pala..middle of year 2005...kanina dami kong ideas ngayon di ko maisip kung ano isusulat for this entry...hehe...midyear na.
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