Saturday, August 26, 2023

WHERE TO FOCUS OUR MINDS AND HEARTS

(NOTE:  This is a repost.)

Yesterday, October 7, 2014, I attended mass at Our Lady of Victories Chapel at Harbor Point Mall in Subic.  The Gospel Reading was taken from Luke 10:38-42.
 
In his homily, the priest said that the Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples went to Jerusalem, the place where He would later encounter sufferings and eventually meet His death.  They were welcomed by Martha to her house.   
 
Martha was busy preparing foods for Jesus and His companions.  But what all Mary did was sat beside Jesus and listened to Him.  When Martha complained to Jesus about doing the serving all by herself, the Lord told her that she was so busy and worried about so many things when only one thing is needed.  Mary chose the better part because the Lord Jesus Christ may not be with them again so she took that rare opportunity to listen to Him.
 
In our present world, we have so many concerns and are engrossed with so many activities that seem trivial and not really important.  As a consequence, we live stressful lives that oftentimes lead us to useless anxieties.
 
We should learn how to simplify things.  We should free ourselves of enslaving activities and interests that lead us away from God.  We should focus our minds on what really matters in life.

Sunday, July 30, 2023

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT CORY!

(NOTE:  This is a REPOST. Originally published on August 2, 2009)

Corazon C. Aquino, 1933-2009
(Photo from Nueva Ecija Journal)

August 1st is a marked date in my calendar. That is the death anniversary of my mother, Urbana Ayroso-Ramirez (March 19, 1921 - August 1, 1987)

Yesterday, August 1st, 2009, another great personality (and mother, for that matter) passed away—former President Corazon C. Aquino, the mother of Philippine Democracy. Being a democracy icon not only of the Philippines but of the whole world, President Arroyo has aptly referred to her as a “national treasure”.

I was doing some household chores early yesterday morning when I heard the song “Magkaisa over the radio or on TV. That song will remind one of EDSA… of People Power Revolution. And the People Power Revolution will always come in close association with the name Cory Aquino.

Being aware of the former president’s health condition, I became apprehensive and worried about what could have happened to her. My inquisitive mind and restless feet brought me to a neighbor’s door where I learned about the sad news that the former president has passed away.

I was emotionally affected. My voice trembled as I continued to ask and talk to my neighbor. And as old and familiar footages and videos of Cory were shown on TV, something started brewing in my eyes.

Many may not know it, but I was a Cory sympathizer during the turbulent period of our nation’s history when the political situation was very, very unstable. Because of the many sufferings, pains, and sacrifices that she had gone through, she easily won the hearts and sympathy of many Filipinos, myself included.

Cory fought with the dictator and it was a David-versus-Goliath-like fight with herself representing David and emerging as the victor in the end.

I remember the mammoth crowds or rallies, the Cory! Cory! Cory! chant, the flashing of the "L" or Laban sign, the yellow ribbons and confetti, and the ticker-tape parade on Ayala Avenue that characterized the political atmosphere of our country during those times.

I had a more-than-a-meter-high pile of Malaya newspaper and another more-than-a-meter-high pile of Mr. & Ms. magazine/newspaper that had accumulated in my living room from the day those “mosquito press” started their publication until the time of, what seemed to me, their "mission's accomplishment".

I had a collection of various foreign broadsheets such as Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Asian Wall Street Journal, and Stars and Stripes that some fleet shore patrol and stationed American servicemen gave me or inadvertently left in our office (U.S. Naval Base). Those broadsheets carried news and stories about the political turmoil and unrest in our country that couldn’t be read in the local dailies especially when the “mosquito press” were not yet in existence.

After the EDSA Revolution, I also had a collection of various magazines that featured Cory, like the Time Magazine where she graced the cover being its Woman of the Year

But transferring from one house to another in Olongapo made it impossible for me to keep all those things intact. I could have boasted of such collections now with their great historical value had I not lost or misplaced them. Living all alone by myself and doing everything all by myself, I have lost track of them and really forgotten what I did with them.

There was even a time when, after Cory had peacefully relinquished the presidency to her successor, I tried to contact her by phone to ask about some matters of importance to me but Ms. Deedee Siytangco, her secretary, told me she had a meeting with foreign journalists. Instead, it was Ballsy, her eldest daughter, who entertained me on the phone. Oh, how pleasant and very accommodating Ballsy was to me!

I also loved listening to Cory’s speeches my most favorite of which was that one she delivered before the joint session of the United States Congress. That particular historical speech made me truly proud to be a Filipino. 

I have read much and widely about Cory Aquino—a plain housewife who suffered much under Martial Law and who was destined to liberate (as she indeed liberated) her countrymen from an oppressive and tyrannical rule, an honest public servant, a woman of Great Faith, and a President known for her simplicity and well-loved by the people. Despite all the pains she suffered in her earthly life, though, history will be kind in judging her. Cory Aquino has already earned a prominent and an enviable place in history. In fact, with the kind of life that she had lived, even sainthood won't be far from her.

Thank you, Tita Cory! Leaving the world of the living may sometimes be sweet especially so when your beloved Ninoy just cannot wait to be with you again. You may now rest in peace.

WE LOVE YOU!

Goodbye.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

AN ENCOUNTER WITH A FAMILIAR FACE

AEC members inspecting Hanjin Condotel in Subic 

On November 22, 2019, at about 2:00 pm, I went to Landbank Subic to make a deposit. 

As I was filling out a deposit slip, a lady, probably in her late 40s, came in and greeted me with a smile as though we had frequently met before.
 
Her face looked familiar but I could not remember her name.
 
As I sat on a chair at the waiting area, I tried to reach back hoping to remember her name.
 
Could she be Gina Agustin, then the Chief of Staff of a former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and whom I approached for help in my desire to be reassigned to another SBMA department?
 
Since the lady sat in front of me at the waiting area, I politely asked her if she was Ma’am Gina.
 
She turned her face to me then replied, “Ako si Karen. Si Gina, nasa McDo.” (“I am Karen. Gina is at McDo.”)

I weighed things. Did I offend her? Was she insulted by my question? Was I wrong? Was the lady a total stranger to me?
 
But why did she greet me with a smile?
 
After some ten or fifteen minutes, the male bank teller called, “Miss Karen…” The lady stood up then went to the male bank teller who called.
 
So, she must really be Miss Karen as she had told me. As her transaction was over, she headed for the door, looked back and smiled at me again.

 

After the lady exited the door, the middle aged man sitting beside me smilingly looked at me then commented, “Parang McDo a!” (Looks like McDo, huh!”) referring to an old McDonald’s commercial.
 
After I had exited the bank I was still thinking who that lady could be and where I had interaction with her. Until I accidentally came across Ying, a former co-employee.

I narrated to Ying my story and asked her where I could have met Karen and she replied, “Could she be Karen Magno of the Business Center? She’s now Officer in Charge of the Manufacturing Group.”
 
“Oh, yes! She’s Karen Magno!” I exclaimed.

I knew Karen. She was then Account Officer and we often met at the Account Evaluation Committee (AEC) meeting when I was our Office’s representative to the AEC. But that was more than five years ago.
 
And my mind was back to peace. 

Sunday, June 11, 2023

EVERY TIME IT RAINS

A heavy downpour

As I was writing this piece, there was a heavy downpour.  While watching the raindrops fall and listening to the sound they created, a familiar scene suddenly flashed across my mind bringing back some poignant memories. 

In my teens, someone gave me a card where the lyrics of the song "I'll Be Back" by The Beatles were printed. As though making a promise, he wrote at the back of the card an excerpt  from a poem written by Angela Manalang Gloria. And it went like this: 

"You shall not forget
For I am past forgetting
I shall come to you again
With the starlight
And the scent of wild champakas
And the melody of rain." 

Such a very eloquent and deeply moving piece of poetry! 

He was the guy I used to call my best friend. That was when he was still his old authentic self -- kind, humble, refined, timid, soft-spoken, very thoughtful! We had many things and traits in common. I'd say, apart from my mother's unconditional love, his friendship was the best thing that ever happened to me. 

True enough, whenever it rained, he had always come back. Equipped with an umbrella, he would come and ask me to roam around with him. And, despite the weather, it was a most exhilarating experience. Because he made me feel wanted... and needed. He made me feel so very important. 

Sadly, though, with the passing of days (and years), my friend radically changed. The change in his economic status likewise changed his character and the way he dealt with me. 

Even though he's no longer around now, and as if to fulfill the old promise he made, every time it rains, he always comes back. 

But only in my memory. 

Thursday, June 1, 2023

MOVIE REVIEW (HINDI TAYO PWEDE)

(NOTE: This is a late blog entry. On March 4, 2020, my close friend, Belen Crescini, called me up and told me she and Nelia were going to see a movie and asked me if I'd like to go with them. I said yes so  we went to the Ayala Malls Cinema.)

Gaudz, Belen and Nelia inside Ayala Malls Cinema

THE MOVIE

"Hindi Tayo Pwede" starred Marco Gumabao, Lovie Poe and Tony Labrusca.

The movie was about lovers Tony and Lovie and best of friends Marco and Lovie.

When Tony met a car accident that took his life, his ghost kept on following Lovie. Lovie was the only person who could still see, touch, feel and talk to him. 

Marco then had the chance to express his love for Lovie whom he had secretly loved for so long. Lovie eventually fell for Marco, too, but the jealous ghost interfered and would not let go of Lovie. 

On one occasion, while Lovie was driving, Tony's ghost kept on nagging her until she lost control of the car and met an accident. Lovie, however, survived the incident. 

When Lovie was rushed to the hospital, Tony felt guilty and sorry for what had happened. 

As Marco was attending to Lovie, he sensed the presence of Tony's ghost and pleaded with him to just forget about Lovie since they now belonged to different worlds. And Tony obliged. 

MY REACTION 

Love can sometimes be fleeting. Short-lived. 

But love can also be so enslaving that it becomes a controlling spirit that interferes in unhealthy ways in our lives. If this is the case, we should try our best to free ourselves from this irrational force so as to be guided by reason. 

There are also other things and persons that control and lead us to living miserable lives -- traumatic past experiences, an oppressive leader or boss, a domineering parent, or even customs and traditions that no longer apply to the present. We MUST break away from these controlling spirits in order to keep our sanity intact. 

But, of course, this is easier said than done. 

Friday, August 26, 2022

MATULUNGING ANAK

(Ang joke na ito ay inimbento ko lang. Hindi tunay na nangyari o hindi true-to-life.) 

Sa isang malayong probinsiya (hindi sa amin sa Nueva Ecija, huh!) noong hindi pa uso ang cell phone, nakatanggap ng sulat mula sa isang postman si Aling Elsa habang nagwawalis sa harapan ng bahay nila. Kaagad naman siyang nilapitan ni Aling Myrna na noo’y nagwawalis din sa tapat ng bahay nila. 

MYRNA: Uy, Elsa! Mukhang may sulat ka na naman sa anak mong nasa Maynila, a! 

ELSA: Oo nga, Myrna. Siguro ibabalita sa akin yung bago niyang hinuhulugang appliances.

MYRNA: Ang dami na niyang nabili para sa ‘yo, a! TV set… cassette… VCD… washing machine... electric fan... Kulang na nga lang yata sa inyo e... electric chair!

ELSA: At kaya pala matagal na siyang hindi nakakauwi at hindi nakapagpapadala ng pera dahil may bago raw siyang hinuhulugan. 

MYRNA: Ano naman daw ngayon? 

ELSA: Ano nga ba yun? Tila… SLOT MACHINE daw yata! 

MYRNA: Naku, ang suwerte mo, Elsa! Nakakainggit ka! Kaya pala mahigit nang isang taon siyang hindi nakapagpapadala ng pera sa iyo! 

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

SEEING WITH THE EYES OF FAITH

Gaudz sees with eyes of faith

Have you ever encountered a life situation that is somewhat mysterious? An experience raising a question that seems to have no answer?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you pinned  your hope only on your Faith in God? 

A VERY TRYING TIME 

Last April 2022, I brought my younger brother to the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (PJG) in Cabanatuan City for medical attention. He had many health issues. 

He had high blood sugar. He was anemic. His hemoglobin was low. He had urinary tract infection (UTI). His blood pressure was 90/60. 

Due to the above condition, he collapsed a number of times hitting his head on the ground.

What alarmed me most was his not being able to move his body, could not eat and had to be personally attended to in every activity he had to do. 

Laboratory tests were done and results of the CT scan showed there was bleeding in his brain and needed to be operated. 

The Hospital has very strict policy on visitors and persons attending to the needs of patients.  Only one person is allowed for every patient leaving my brother only to the care of his 17-year old daughter while I stayed at the waiting area outside of the hospital compound provided for visitors. 

I was very much worried then and prayed almost nonstop. I remember during the time the operation was being performed on him by the neurosurgeon, I said the rosary as I walked along all four streets surrounding the vast PJG compound. That was past midnight when I could not sleep a wink due to anxiety. 

After the operation, his daughter was asked to stay at the waiting area where I was staying as my brother would be placed at the ICU for three days leaving me even more anxious. 

I brought my novena booklet with me and made a novena to the Sacred Heart for nine consecutive hours. I solemnly prayed that my brother’s operation be successful and to bless and guide the neurosurgeon and other medical personnel attending to my brother. 

Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center


WANING ENERGY 

Staying at the waiting area thinking about a loved one placed at the ICU could drain one emotionally as well as physically. But I had to take care of myself, too. As my physical energy was waning and needed replenishment, I went out of the waiting area to have my lunch. 

I found a canteen on Quimson Street in the vicinity of PJG. I ordered my favorite sinigang na bangus and a ripe banana for my dessert. 

When I was done eating and about to pay for what I had ordered, the cashier told me that it had already been paid by the guy who had just left the canteen. 

Greatly astounded, I asked her who that guy was. She said she didn’t know and that she thought he was my companion. 

Lest it later turn out to be some kind of a prank, I insisted on paying. But her two food servers confirmed my order had, indeed, already been paid by that guy they thought was a friend of mine. 

I told them I am not from Cabanatuan and have no known friend in that city. I insisted on paying but they refused to accept my money since my order had already been paid and that that would be alright with them. 

Trying to further convince me, the ladies rationalized that I might have had done similar good thing in the past and that I was then rewarded for my generosity by someone I didn’t know. 

Being a religious person and likewise believing in what they reasoned out, I was convinced. So, I just asked the ladies if they knew the guy and if they had any idea where I could find him so I could at least thank him.  They told me they didn’t know him but that he’s probably in his mid-20s and that he oftentimes takes his lunch at their canteen. They further stated that he works at a computer store beside a tailoring shop just before the highway as they pointed to that direction. 

ACTS OF GENEROSITY 

As the ladies’ words were still ringing in my ears, I tried to reach back. What act of kindness had I done in the past that deserves a reward such as this? 

I am basically a good person and have  remained good despite some cruel people's distorted opinion of myself. There are countless instances that can attest to that. 

Upon request, I tutored many students in our neighborhood and helped many schoolmates of all year levels make their school assignments. When I was already working, I helped many find jobs and lent money to those who needed same not even asking them to pay me back. Not only did I help them find jobs but even offered my place where they could temporarily stay while in a place far away from their homes. 

HOSPITAL RELEASE 

After the very successful operation (Thank God! And thanks to Dr. Charlene Mercado, the Neurosurgeon--we love you, Doc!) and having been confined in the hospital for nearly a month, my brother finally got out of the hospital but scheduled to come back the following month for the follow up checkup and removal of the staples on his scalp. 

We had zero billing. Many thanks to former Congresswoman Josie Manuel-Joson who fortunately called me on my phone the moment we stepped on the hospital ground not knowing we were there. That helped ease the burden of my stress-laden heart. 

Ma’am Josie is a good friend of mine and a former classmate (our valedictorian) in grade school, and whose staff helped facilitate in the processing of my brother’s Philhealth. Many commented that had the operation been done at a private hospital, it would have cost us million pesos. What’s more, the thought of having someone I can turn to on a trying moment like this helped diminish my anxiety. 

FOLLOW UP CHECKUP 

As scheduled, on May 31, we went back to the PJG for my brother’s follow up checkup. There were many patients on the hallway waiting for their respective doctors. 

As we waited for the neurosurgeon, and as if to provide the necessary segue to the mystery I was trying to solve, I happened to sit beside a young guy who likewise was there for the same purpose as mine. To beat boredom, I talked with him. I asked him who the patient he was with. He said it was his aunt whom he accompanied for medical checkup. He said they are from Cabanatuan. 

He asked me from where we are to which I replied from Gapan. 

When he mentioned that he works at a computer store beside a tailoring shop on Quimson Street, I asked him if he’s familiar with the canteen on Quimson Street near the hospital. He said yes and that he oftentimes takes his lunch there. 

I took that opportunity to narrate to him my story and asked him if he has a co-worker who is in his mid-20s and who mistakenly paid for my meal. He said he’s 20 years old but wasn’t the one I was referring to. But he confirmed his co-employees usually take their lunch in the said canteen. He further said that there was only one employee in their store who matches the age of the mystery guy and that he must be 23 years old. 

I requested him to ask that guy if he was the one who paid for my lunch so I could thank him. And I left my number to him. 

A couple of days later, in a phone conversation with him, he told me that he asked his co-employee if he was the right person I was talking about but that his co-employee said he could no longer remember the incident. 

WHAT’S IN A NAME? 

Darniel Piad. That was what the young guy said was the name of the only person working in their computer shop matching the age of the person who paid for my meal. 

The last name sounds familiar. Suddenly, an incident of long ago went to a replay in my head. 

During my teens, as I was taking a bath in the river, I rescued a young lady from drowning. That act of heroism saved someone’s life. The young lady’s name was Nilda Piad. And I was able to document that incident. Please click this link:  AN UNTOLD STORY OF HEROISM. 

Darniel Piad. He has the same surname as Nilda's. And all the letters of Nilda’s first name could be found in the former’s first name. 

It may seem illogical and absurd, but I tried to connect that incident of long ago to what the ladies in the canteen told me—that I “might have had done some acts of goodness in the past and now rewarded for that”. 

Paying for the less-than-a-hundred-peso meal I ordered may be but a trifling thing. But the experience was so full of meaning to me for not only did it replenish my waning physical energy then but, more importantly, it nourished my spirit. 

But, so as to spare myself from having some kind of intrusive thoughts and thinking too much about an incident that raised questions providing no answer, I meditated on the words our Theology teacher had taught and imparted with us. 

She said, there are times that we have to see things with the eyes of faith. Or words to that effect. And that we have to reflect and ask ourselves what it is that the Lord wants to convey to us; what He is telling us by way of incidents coming our way. 

Yes, for things that offer no explanation, we just have to see them with the eyes of faith. God works in mysterious ways! 

There are biblical passages that will complement what our teacher had taught us. 

Matthew 25:35-36 states, “…I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me into your house. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you went to see me.” 

In Matthew 25:40, the Lord also said, “…Truly, I say to you: whenever you did this to one of the least, to my brothers, you did this to me.”  

We do not see God. But we feel Him. 

We feel Him in life situations and occurrences that inspire us... inspire us to do good. 

We “see” Him in life situations and occurrences that further strengthen our faith. We see Him through the eyes of Faith.