Category: Life

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Dedicated to Our Youth (Love the Philippines!)

Today, Feb. 25, 2008 marks the 22nd anniversary of Philippine PEOPLE POWER.

I dedicate this post to my children who are part of the youth — the hope of our land. May these graphic images burn in your hearts and remain there always. I pray that the spirit of EDSA 1 will always be the inspiration of our youth to give of themselves and make this country better for all its citizenry.

This beautiful YouTube video (thanks to elcid624) was a video done for a Boston culture show in 2004. It encapsulates the spirit of EDSA and shows highlights of those days. For our youth who were not born yet or were too young to remember, this video says it all.

And what would EDSA 1 have been without music? After all, music is in the heart of all Filipinos. Our culture is filled with music that speaks from our hearts.

The songs below were written during the EDSA 1 People Power days. They remain relevant until today.

This YouTube video (from jsoria30ver2‘s YouTube channel) is a song entitled “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” written by Jim Paredes of Apo Hiking Society. In a recent ANC interview, Jim said that he wrote this 6-minute song in 2 minutes. Talking of inspiration!!!!

“Magkaisa” was written by Tito Sotto, arranged by Homer Flores and rendered by Virna Lisa Mananzan. Lucky I found this YouTube video (thanks again to jsoria30ver2):

And who can forget “Bayan Ko” written by Freddie Aguilar. Almost like a national anthem, this song has been sang in many different situations to symbolize love of country. (thanks to pnaymommy3)

I previously blogged about how I felt as a mother whose kids are exposed to all these scandals these days. Three of them are so much more aware of what is going on as they discuss these events in class and among their peers. I continue to pray that they will look at this anniversary not just as a historical event but a shining moment when the Filipino’s true heart and spirit shone forth to teach the world a lesson. It is not too late for our youth to transform this country. I have faith that where we have failed, they can succeed.

Blogger Links

Following are links to blogger friends who have likewise written posts relevant to this day in our history. I will update this list as I come across new posts.

Dine’s Tomorrow’s Leaders, our YOUTH: What if they suddenly want to do it their way?

Noemi’s Modern Day Moms and Truth, Accountability & Reform

Noemi’s Push for Change, BE the Change

Annamanila’s Taking Responsibility

Cathy’s What IS $130 Million To You?

MLQ3’s An Immoderate Threat when Representatives Fail the People

Mayi’s A Call for Prayer For This Country

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Has Crime Become THIS BAD?????

I had not walked home in a while so today, as I was coming from the boys’ school, I saw this new sign on one of the trees along our street.

We have had a spate of robberies around our area. Some houses have been burglarized, motorcyclists riding in tandem have snatched bags and cellphones around our area. We have actually been quite concerned about the rise in such incidents and have brought this up with our barangay heads. But this sign is something else!

Do you think this is a genuine MMDA sign?

(WARNING: Robbers or those who swipe side mirrors attack at dawn. They ride motorcycles in tandem or go back and forth before attacking. If any of you see or catch them, please beat them up first before putting them in jail – MMDA)

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Our Youth Are the Hope of This Land

I have tried to make this blog as apolitical as possible as my theme is about LIFE and all its many facets as it affects me. But I cannot help but blog about the impact of our youth on me, especially during this time when we are once again faced by a scandal of humongous proportions. This post is not a political one. Rather, I believe that this represents our HOPE for a BETTER LIFE.

In my younger days, I was no activist. I was never in political rallies during martial law days. I chose to just focus on my studies and I must say I was a pretty good student and made good grades. But when I went for graduate studies to the States, I became aware of many things. My loneliness, being away from family, made me keenly appreciate my country even more (this is really cheesy but I would get teary-eyed whenever I would hear Lupang Hinirang). I realized I was part of a few who were given a chance for a better life when many back home could not even get to eat 3x a day. I was there when Ninoy Aquino was exiled, got invited along with some friends to a party hosted in NY for the Marcoses during their state visit (we were appalled by the excessive show of opulence that we left soon after dinner and chose to walk around NY for a change), was among Filipino students who met similarly-exiled Charito Planas during her school visit and got a personal view of what the country was facing then. I was absorbing all these, and without realizing it, this was to be my big step to a more active participation ahead.

When Operation Quick Count of NAMFREL was set up, I got involved. Without going into more details, suffice it to say that my love of the Philippines was heightened all the more during those days. We worked long, long hours in LSGH in the aftermath of the presidential snap elections of ’86. I was there when Card. Sin and Senator Lugar of the US, among other dignitaries, paid a visit to the LSGH gym where we were based. I was one of those who broke out cheering and applauding when they announced that the PICC tabulators had walked out. And during EDSA 1, I was one of the millions who found ourselves in EDSA. My heart was bursting with love for my country and hopes for the future.

But with scandal after scandal coming out, I fear for my kids and what future they will have in this country. There is so much for them to be proud of. The countryside is beautiful. Whatever is left of our rich, natural resources (depleted by greedy moneymakers) is still a sight to behold. The simple folks in the provinces show us what the real heart of Pinoys are. Opportunities abound to give and to receive — within moral and economic boundaries.

But what values are my kids picking up? Will they continue to be principled, fight for what is good and right, put country over personal interest? Will they want to stay in this country and put their talents and skills to use here rather than dream of working abroad? How do I teach them that money in itself is not bad if they can put it to use to make lives better? When they look at TV, hear the Senate investigations, and study current events in school, how do these scandals impress their young hearts?

I worry.

These days, I am just an ordinary wife and mother. My days are humdrum, revolving around planning the kids’ schedules, trying to earn a decent living, and enjoying yoga with friends.

But last night, my good friend Dine told me about her son Vince who, at the Ateneo mass at Gesu for Jun Lozada, gave up his St. Ignatius pin (which was given to him just a week ago) in order to fulfill the wish of Lozada to come out of Ateneo with a blue pin.

Vince earned that blue pin. It was a pin given in recognition of his school leadership. But in giving that pin to Lozada, Vince symbolized all the youth behind him who were in effect entrusting their future in the hands of the likes of Lozada. Here was a youth leader telling an adult that there was hope for our land and this was an encouragement for Lozada and others to likewise stay the course and let the TRUTH come out.

If our youth, like Vince, continue to love this country and feel deeply for it like I remember feeling years ago, there is hope for this country. If they can discern what is NOT right in the actions of my generation, there is a chance for them to rectify these in their generation. They are the hope of this land.

(Vince with Sumilao farmers at the Gesu Mass for Lozada — photo courtesy of Dine)

Vince, you do your family proud and I am happy to have met you through your mommy. Be assured that we are all behind you and your generation and will always pray that you all stay in the light. As for me, I continue to be a proud Filipina.

To view a short video of Vince (also taken by Dine) giving his pin to Lozada, click HERE and HERE.

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A Personal Encounter with Fr. Fernando Suarez

Our community had a chance last Jan. 31 to attend a healing Mass with Fr. Fernando Suarez, the healing priest, whose healing Masses have been attended by thousands seeking healing for ailments and other afflictions. About 600 of us attended with our sick loved ones.

Ever since Fr. Suarez returned for a visit from Canada where his congregation, Companions of the Cross, is based, his schedule has been gruelling and exhausting. But he has always managed to smile through it all. He never takes the credit to himself and always does healing sessions only AFTER he celebrates Mass. He makes it a point to remind people that God heals but not always in the form we expect, which is usually physical. We also need healing on the spiritual and emotional aspects and there are times when that is what the Lord heals.

He said Mass at the Main Hall of our Center on the 3rd floor. I was assigned to a room on the 2nd floor that had a live feed from the cameras so we were able to follow everything going on. After Mass, we waited our turn as he began with those in wheelchairs. I saw him make several of them stand from their wheelchairs and walk a few steps. Many were “slain in the Spirit” (a term for what looks like fainting but is a response to the Holy Spirit enveloping you upon the touch of a holy person).

When it was our turn to go up to the Main Hall, I reviewed silently what I wanted the Lord to heal in me. I was thinking whether I would specifically ask that my episodes with kidney stones and dizzy spells are what I want Him to heal. But on second thought, I decided to leave it in God’s Hands and told Him that He knew best what needed healing in me.

When Fr. Suarez came to me, he gave this really huge smile and called me by name: “Hi, Jane!”. And when he touched my forehead, I too fell backward and rested on the floor for several seconds. It was a very peaceful feeling.


This phenomena is something I want to do more research on and maybe I will post about it sometime. But for now, I know I should not put too much stock in the extraordinary, outward events I have witnessed and experienced. What is really important, as pointed out to me by a Jesuit priest friend, is that whatever Fr. Suarez does makes me closer to God…and might I add, change me for the better.

I was never aware of the huge plans Fr. Suarez has to build an oratory to the Blessed Virgin Mary on a large tract of land overlooking Batangas Bay (and eerily, the name of the place is MonteMaria or “mountain of Mary”). Based on the plans I saw in their website, Mary Mother of the Poor Foundation, it will be even larger than Jesus’ statue in Sao Paolo, Brazil and about as high as the Statue of Liberty. It is meant to be a beacon for sea travelers plying the Philippine seas. Many are speculating whether this is part of the Marian message at Medjugorje that the Philippines is to become a global spiritual center.

Fr. Suarez’ website describes the entire place as follows:

As high as Statue of Liberty
Soon to become the center of Suarez’s healing ministry is Montemaria (Matuko Point) in the outskirts of Batangas City. Set on a hill on 20 hectares of land, the center of the Oratory of the Blessed Virgin at Montemaria will have chapels, prayer gardens, Stations of the Cross, retreat houses, campsites, lodging houses, a center for the poor and even a replica of Mary house in Ephesus (ancient city in Turkey). The place is meant to draw pilgrims who want to renew their faith.

I got this video from YouTube. It shows some testimonials on Fr. Suarez’ healing as well as plans for Montemaria.

This other video is a cyber healing prayer from Fr. Suarez. May you be blessed by his prayers for spiritual and physical healing.

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‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (our family’s version)

“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”

Hubby would recite this poem from memory during many Christmases and I learned that when they were small, he was always tasked to recite this poem by his aunts during their Christmas program. No wonder!

Well, I did not know that this poem had so many more stanzas to it than the often-recited intro. Turns out, it has about 56 lines to the poem.

My BIL Gerard decided to revive their old family tradition with a twist. He divided up the lines into about 27, made us all draw lots to see who gets which lines, and we had to deliver them in the most creative way possible during our Christmas program.

I drew #22 and my lines went this way: “He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his nose,…”

Just 3 lines. Yet as soon as I said the 3rd line, I promptly forgot the 1st line. So tell me, when was the last time I had to memorize anything? What with my handy PDA and computer and cellphone to keep track for me? I had no need to commit these things to memory!!!

But we all tried our best (the family spirit of healthy competition kicked in!). It was a real contest, after all. Gerard set up a mock stage complete with drawn curtains. My MIL was a judge and so was another family friend. And there were prizes to be won too!

Curtain time!!!

Greg, one of my 5 BILs, opened the show with an introduction about the poem’s history in the family.

Then one by one, we came out of the curtains, delivered our lines, complete with whatever props we could rustle up at the last minute, and were cheerfully applauded by everyone else.

Some highlights:
* Goko (Aunt Luding) and Gilbert were dressed in actual PJs for their part;

* The throw pillows in the den were nowhere to be found because each one of us playing Santa had stashed 1 under our shirts;

* A niece, Steffy, cut out red circles for her face;

* The part with Santa and the reindeer were aptly played by Gabby’s kids. They used a chair on wheels as sled, had 2 kids as reindeer (using the cardboard antlers they made earlier) tied to the chair with straw. Eugene played Santa;

* Marisa caught everyone’s attention because during her part, she ended by throwing chips into the audience. Of course all the kids had loads of fun catching them as they were thrown;


* Gabby came all dressed up in a nightcap and borrowed nightwear, with a woolen scarf to boot;

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* For my part, I got a blanket from our room and put in some gifts to make it look like Santa’s knapsack. And borrowed one son’s black socks for the “stockings” part.

The judges chose the top 10 performers. Since some were tied, 7 awards were given out all in all though prizes were awarded only to the top 3 places.

M2 took 3rd place, Marisa placed 2nd, and guess who tied for 1st place…

My dad in-law and I!

Hehehehe…surprise, surprise.

After the show, we played “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”. I tell you, it was a retro afternoon with parlor games dating back to the 70s!!

Greg played Santa later, announcing the names of the gift recipients. Each kid had a trash bag handy to store all his/her gifts in it (we learned from past Christmases when gifts would get all mixed up!).

What an afternoon!

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Sending You Peace and Love for Christmas

I am now taking my Christmas break in the province of my in-laws where the entire side of this island is surrounded by the sea. It is a wonderful place to do yoga. Quiet, countryside home. No sounds of traffic. Just the birds, trees abounding, and the honking of geese, neighing of horses, and other animals that wander freely around the manicured lawns of our family home. It is a great time away from the frenetic pace of Manila. It is becoming my own individual yoga retreat.

Today, I did some yoga in our room which overlooks the greenhouse. No distractions. Just myself and nature. Wonderful!

As the time for Christmas draws near and the New Year is just around the corner, I would like to wish all my yogi and yogini friends as well as all of my blog readers…

a SERENE CHRISTMAS and a PEACEFUL NEW YEAR AHEAD!

Namaste!

(photo courtesy of CardsDirect)