My Sister, Beth

                           
                        My  Sister, Beth

You are peaches and cream personified
Since childhood, a beauty, pleasing to the eye
In school programs, you were a dancer bona fide
The Fandango you gracefully twirled with a sigh.

Your singing voice is like a nightingale's
So sweet to hear, so moving and caressing
Often wondered how many you have bewitched
Through God's gift to you who is so deserving.

You are one who is always so kind and thoughtful
Someone so admirable to emulate and praise
No one's important event is left unmindful
A birthday or any of life's momentous days.

Someone said that of all the virtues there is one
So often neglected and put on the run
To many, gratitude has the shortest memory
But to you, Beth, it is top priority.

The appreciation of the good things in your life
Our Lord has bestowed on you is ever on your lips
In your daily prayer of thanks and delight
A grateful heart is your identity for keeps.

Like all mothers your children are a a source of pleasure
Made more deep by the grandchildren they give
Your concern for their welfare goes far beyond measure
Even through the independent life they now live.

I praise and thank God for giving you to me
A sister worthy of admiration and love
The treasure I have I embrace with care
Simply because for me you are always there.


                   XXXXXXX

My Sister, Ding

            
                My  Sister, Ding

Dearest Ding, this tribute is so long overdue
To one who was our mother-figure through and true
Someone from whom we sought guidance and help
Always willing to give time, treasure and self.

Totally committed, unselfish beyond words
Firm and constant as the umbilical cord
Seamless bond which ties siblings in the womb
To be loving, loyal to each one till the tomb.

So patient were you in helping us study
Develop good habits of work in life early
Your discipline for us was of a special tie
We knew what you meant by the look in your eye.

Some thought you so strict in training young minds
As a teacher in school and at home by design
Yet your heart was soft, tender to those who came
For help, service or monetary gain.

It was not your nature to turn a deaf ear
To a pleading voice you allay all fear
You often told us about God and His grace
We grew up seeing Him through your daily ways.

You stayed close to me at my darkest hour
When I came to America stripped of all power
The abiding gift of love, concern and provision
You poured lavishly on me and family with attention.

Time and time again you reminded us often
Be alone with the Lord each day as a token
To honor, adore Him with praise and thanksgiving
For His merciful love, protection and blessing.

You fulfilled your Big Sister role to the extreme
When you decided on your "stay single" scheme
To help our widowed mother send us all to school
And finish college, enjoy life to the full.

The sacrifice you rendered to us, your siblings
Was immeasurable, beyond words, so heart-rending
Like that of someone totally surrendering
His  penultimate love that equates "heavenly blessing."

Now you sing with the angelic choir in heaven
Enjoying your well-deserved blissful haven
Our thanks to you are in our supplication
That God's face shine on you in your heavenly mansion.


                      XXXXXXX

MAY 2nd IS SPECIAL

 MAY  2nd  Is  Special

May 2nd is special because it marks the day my husband, Rey, entered the pearly gates of heaven! Thoughts of more than four decades of marital union especially of the many happy times of our togetherness kept me from having my much-needed sleep. I decided to sit before my laptop and the result is the ff:

Dear Papa,

Today, May 2nd, my thoughts were centered on you since this is the 13th anniversary of your passing the threshold into God's warm embrace. While a part of me rejoiced over your well-deserved rest to enjoy the blessings of heaven, a greater portion of me languished over the grief and emptiness you left in my heart. The void has been irreplaceable and beyond cosmic repair through all these years! As a Christian, I have tried so many times to completely surrender to the will of God, in whatever comes my way. However, I have failed miserably, time after time, to do just that in regard to your passing - a loss which has been ingrained in my being. I must admit that for so long I have worn a mask of serene acceptance and total surrender before family, relatives and friends, alike. Only in times of my "alone-ness" have I shed off the mask of extreme grief and longing nestled in the bosom of my heart. After a while, moved by the futility of it all and the sin of not trusting in God, I would resolve to be a better Christian in this aspect of my life. Through the passing years, this interplay of conflicting emotions plagued me in almost sequential pattern. In every instance of its occurrence, I sought God's help only to be trapped within the tentacles of misery.

Then last Good Friday, in God's mysterious ways and in His own time, I felt the "peace beyond human understanding" envelop me as I let go of this dimension of my life - your passing away. I let go of the sadness that had lain moored in my heart for years. I was endowed with a wonderful feeling of peace that I believe could only come from the Holy Spirit! How true are the words of St. John Paul II when he said, "The Holy Spirit inspires, purifies and strengthens those noble longings by which we strive to make earthly life more human." 

Papa, you have been a loving and sincere husband, a solicitous father and grandfather, a responsible provider, a singer entertainer, a man with a green thumb, a jack-of-all-trades and most of all, a family chef, all rolled into one! What remarkable qualities few men can equal! In fact, the comments of relatives and friends who have witnessed your versatility attest to their admiration which sometimes had a tinge of envy. I know that I had many times expressed my appreciation and thanks to you but I feel that I have not adequately said nor done enough to drive home this fact more deeply. Therefore, here and now, I say, "Thank you so much for being the husband you had been to me and please forgive me for being less of the wife you would have wanted me to be."


 I dedicate these lines to you:

  To  My  Husband - REY

I celebrated the Liturgy of the Eucharist today
In your honor to Almighty God I prayed
"Thank you, Lord, for the life you have given me
Largely due to my husband you have sent from Thee."

To me, you personified the "man of all seasons" 
Truly because of a multitude of reasons
First and foremost was your love so sincere and true
Was untarnished in the years we've been through.

Like an invincible steel tower you stood upright
Against the wind of temptation, wayward sights
Empowered with a Faith which you had held strong
Since your childhood as an orphan struggling along.

"Common traits and interests are good," said a sage,
"to achieve maximum compatibility in marriage."
But God's sense of humor undefined such notion
He gave me a man of few words but one of action.

In your obscure, quiet and inimitable way
You put to naught and defiantly held at bay
Popular belief that a man with interest in many trades
Could not be a "master" of any chosen shade.

But you proved to all beyond a shadow of doubt
You excelled in carpentry, gardening, electric route
Car repair, in fact, a handyman through and through
And above all these, an excellent cook, too!

A "Thank you, Lord," will always be on my lips,
"For my husband, one of your magnanimous gifts."
 Our one-of-a-kind marriage lasted forty-seven years
All in all, gold-encrusted, despite occasional tears.

I know that now in your eternal home in heaven
You regale God with your songs sometimes shaken
With a plea that He guide and lead each one of us
To you, when "The End" comes to our earthly task.


I   LOVE   YOU,

Darling    ( to you )

March 13, 2016 Birthday Anniversary Reflections

                               Birthday  Anniversary  Reflections


                    Birthday anniversaries are opportune times to reflect on one's life - what has been and possibly, envisioning what is yet to come. Some people say it is not good to indulge in the past. "Forget
the past," they admonish. But I feel that it is an important phase in one's life to consider if one is to channel energies toward a better, happier and hopefully, a brighter future. While birthday anniversary reflections are especially necessary for the young who are endowed with greater stamina, wider field of action and the universally-accepted norm of much more time at their disposal to achieve goals, I still hold the idea that even those in their "twilight years" benefit from such deliberations once a birthday page is torn off the calendar.

          On the eve of my 85th birthday anniversary, I have done some of my own reflections. The series of flashbacks of my life from as far back as I can remember brought moments of joy and triumph intermingled with times of disappointment, helplessness and sorrow. But isn't that the tapestry of everyone's life?

          My introspection revealed two valuable insights:

          Firstly, that God gives His love and care to everyone, but especially to those who seek Him, stays close to Him, trusts and depends on Him and also "cooperates" with Him every time He opens doors of opportunity and growth. This aspect of cooperating with God is, perhaps, least understood by people who misconstrue
the Bible passage which says that God is our "Jehovah Jireh," our Provider. While our Lord provides for our needs - both basic for existence and also for pleasure and achievement, in His own time, it is imperative for us to accept and respond with dedication and effort. In all honesty, I can say that I exerted my level best every time an opportunity or challenge presented itself. In so doing, I believed that I have achieved the pinnacle of success I was capable of in my whole life - both in my family and in my career I had never dreamed of or dared to fantasize! 

          Secondly, that if I were to live my life all over again, I would not aspire to change anything. After all, I have been the recipient of  so much blessings from our Lord so that I can say with utmost conviction, " It has been a good life!  Thanks be to God! "


                           IN  RETROSPECT

A journey starts with the first step, so they say
Beneath those words lie an unmistakable tone
That the initial step is the hardest one to take
It takes "courage" to leave the comfort zone.

On the eve of my 85th anniversary year of birth
My thoughts flashed back to my San Francisco hearth
When on the seventh month, 22nd day in 1979
I came to settle in my second homeland berth.

Full of excitement and high hopes for a future bright
The tomorrow would bring to my children's sight
True, I hurdled heartaches which caused so much pain
Yet bubbled with glee at the thousand joys gained.

The years have taught me precious lessons to impart
To my children and my children's children all smart
First and foremost is to stay close to Jesus and Mary
To keep your Faith vibrant, persevering and holy.

 Know Jesus so as to keep your Faith strong
His Word you should read, meditate on and believe
Then being a Christian unfolds in the way you live
That every aspect of life, the Bible guides all along.

Another precious gem I learned from an ancient mind
Is that the secret of the universe is within you
Because what you give away comes back in kind
Seek love, give love and you will reap affection, too.

One's "word of honor" is always to be treasured
Which makes up your identity as "the" person
Be careful what you promise to do or not to measure
Your "word," a covenant to honor with pleasure.

My mother personified love and generosity
It was her second name friends teased incessantly
I learned wisdom from the example she wrought
Than from the lessons her lovely lips taught.

Our nightly devotion to the Family Rosary
Was as constant as the Angelus prayer key
"Padre Nuestro" and "Dios te Salve" I learned first
Before Our Father and Hail Mary in English verse.

My mother reminded us all since we were small
To practice the Golden Rule with every living soul
And live a life of "granite-like integrity."
So as to look at anyone in the eye with sincerity.

Her advice about marriage, you should all know
The fifty-fifty proposition is much too low
Marital bliss requires you give 70 percent no less
To enjoy happy, golden years of togetherness.

So I have tried to follow my mother's steps firm
To be a pulsating example of what I preach
I hope that by this time my loved ones affirm
The values I hold sacred to learn and to teach.

I have no regrets for all with God's grace I've done
Have accomplished much more than I have planned
My good Lord has decreed that I relish the thought
What I have achieved are what I have really sought.

Now on bended knees I reverently pray,
"Thank you, Lord, for your guidance along the way
Thank you for being in control of my life
Which has helped me through all the strife."

As I stand on the stage of my life this day
With open arms and wild enthusiasm I face
The future, new beginnings, even painful thorns
With God, I will conquer all till I greet my New Morn!










             


         

March 12, 2016 MEMORIES

                                       
                                       MEMORIES

Silently, I sat by my bedroom window
As I watched the beautiful sunset unfold
Its blend of orange, white and yellowish glow
Scattered streaks of color on clouds that rolled
Only Divine Hands can really paint
Such artistry unequalled by any saint.

My heart swelled with joy and thanksgiving
For the wonders God in abundance has given me
The breath of life and awareness of receiving
His manifold blessings in Mother Nature's sea.

Deep in my heart I have known, Oh, fully well
That I have enjoyed through all these wondrous years
The lion's share of God's mercy won't fit in a shell
Too many to mention - much more than my peers.

Born to a family closely knit with love
Woven by a mother's devotion sky-high
Accepted and cared for by siblings who rubbed
The ambition to achieve not just to get by.

I can still hear my mother's sweet advice
"Stay close to our Lord and our Blessed Mother
You will be properly directed by Christ
Focus on education and no other."

Thus stirred by a passion to explore the unknown
Went to night school though seven months on the way
Through higher education, I soared to the dome
Achieved a career money couldn't buy not even today.

My parents' burning desire for us not to falter
To have a college education for us all
A brood of eight to feed, to clothe and to shelter
Through times of deprivation, they still stood tall.

With grateful hearts, I know we kids remember
The enormous sacrifice our parents did
And now with God's help we affirm to render
The same hard work and lasting love to our seed.

"In sickness and in health till death do us part"
Papa and I proclaimed our matrimonial vows
Day before Christmas 1955 clearly marked
Our voyage began, a family to start.

A husband who pampered me in so many ways
I found myself undeserving of such praise
Though at times his concern put me in a maze
My mind could not fathom nor unravel his pace.

But through the four decades of marital tales
The "ups" far outweighed the heartaches that came
We continued our course promised not to fail
The test of time, bond of love, we vowed to tame.

Dewdrops from heaven blossomed in our midst
Bobby, Marissa, Noel and Cielo galore
They all tightened the knot, helped deepen the love
Made family life merrier, secure ever more.

Each one is a shining jewel in the family
Always a cause for joy and pride I can share
With friends and relations, to all, so easily
Strength of character and faith few can compare.

So it isn't surprising for you to know
Our Lord gave each a loving, kind, sincere mate,
Carla, Barney, Valerie and Brian saw
A partner complements life at any rate.

Seven tiny feathers from the wings of love
Dropped on the welcoming lap of parenthood
Like royalty each child came as a white dove
Fragile in form but strong to always be good.

Diana, Joshua, Christina, Michael, too
Christian, Tiffany Anne and Melanie, too
Loud "ohs" greeted them when they came
To the excitement about them, they still coo!

I used to tease our friends and relations
Papa and I were of an "endangered" kind
For in this tech age such is a flitting notion
Nowadays, to part ways, many won't even mind.

March 10, 2016 GALILEE

                               
                                            GALILEE


The Gospel today recounts the appearance of Jesus after His resurrection to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee. The all-night fishing adventure of Peter and his friends was not rewarded by a single catch. But when Jesus told them to lower their net on the right side of the boat, they caught 153 fish. Some theologians claim that the number of the fish was significant since there are 153 species of fish in the world. Hence, since Jesus said that they are to be "fishers" of men, then their catch should be universal encompassing the world.

During their breakfast, Jesus asked Peter, "Simon, do you love me?" three times. Note that Jesus used Peter's old name which represented "weakness." Because Peter's denial of Jesus - his declaration that he did not know Jesus was a manifestation of his weakness. Peter's proof of his "agape" love for Jesus restored him to his position among the disciples and more importantly, the trust and love they had for each other.

In my visits to the Holy Land, the Sea of Galilee (actually a lake) had an special appeal, an undefined hold on me. The gentle ripples of turquoise water shimmering under the noonday sun against the greenery of the Golan Heights present a picture- perfect setting! A boat-ride in a replica of the ones that ply between its shores during the first century makes the Galilee experience all the more unforgettable. And a fitting climax is the sumptuous lunch in the shoreline restaurant of its best cuisine - St. Peter's fish - the "tilapia."

Inspired by the surroundings of Galilee, I attempted to write these lines :

How beautiful you are, Oh, Galilee
The serene waters that abound in Thee
St. Peter's fish swim with their young in tow
Amidst the swaying plants so green below.

How I love to be in charming Galilee
In the place where our Lord Jesus walked with glee
Teaching His apostles, Peter, James and John
To love everyone with the love He has sown.

The trees and boulders that line your rugged shores
Heard the tales Jesus told with such awesome force
That He would lay down His life to save the world
From sins of the flesh, corruption and the sword.

That to know Him means to study His Word
Reflect on Jesus' parables we won't get bored
Instill in our minds and hearts the way of life
Willing to serve others always without strife.

Eager to help those who knock at our door
For food, for shelter, for counsel and much more
We can never fathom the power of prayer
Each time we seek God for someone else's welfare.

Oh, Galilee, how you marvelously display
Mother Nature in kaleidoscopic display
The changing colors as the seasons roll by
Complement the fragrance of the breeze coming nigh

A chosen place you are, Oh, Galilee
From time immemorial to eternity
Oh, Lord, in your mercy and love let me be
In the bosom of your heart, your own Galilee!

.

October 13th - Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

Fatima, Portugal, like Lourdes, France is among the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. As you all very well know, the prominence it enjoys is due to the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin to three children, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta in 1917 at the Cova di Ira, Fatima, Portugal.

Despite the few times of our Lady's apparitions, October 13th is the designated feast of our Lady of Fatima because it was on this date that the Miracle of the Sun happened. You will recall that it was raining hard in Fatima when our Lady appeared and the miracle happened. This deepened the faith of believers and inflamed the hearts of the lukewarm as well as dried the soaking wet clothes and three-inch mud in the area. Tradition has it that since then, it always rained in Fatima on October 13th.

I had the privilege of visiting Fatima in October 1988,1992 and in 1994. During those times, the weather was always warm and sunny. But storeowners and people at the hotel concierge commented that on the 13th of October there will always be rain. I thought that if what they say is true, then tradition claim would be right. But how was I to know since I was never there on the specified date?

Then it happened. I joined a 1995 pilgrimage which included a stay in Fatima from October 12th to the 14th. I was excited over my participation in the exact feast of our Lady which I never experienced in my previous visits. But I was more thrilled with the thought of finally witnessing the authenticity of tradition which claims that rain will fall on the 13th of October. Just to compare notes, I asked several people what the weather has been in the past weeks. The solid answer from all was the sun's shining all the preceding weeks. What amused me was the added note that it would rain on the morrow - the 13th.

The thought of the possibility of rain in an atmosphere that created beads of perspiration intrigued me. I looked at the sky with nary a sign of cumulus clouds or at least a tint of darkness. I was puzzled and beset with nervous anticipation and expectation what tomorrow would bring. Before going to bed that night, I looked out of the window trying to find a trace of the awaited rain. The sky was a canopy of stars!

R..A..I..N  pounding at the window panes woke me up the next morning. I lay mesmerized, immobile for a long time while my eyes devoured the furious raindrops and my heart marched to the rhythm of martial music. When the realization of the truth of tradition sank into my psyche and my whole being, I uttered, "My God, it is true! Thank you, Lord, for bringing me here."

We had to buy plastic raincoats from our Hotel Cinquentenario to go to the basilica grounds for the feast-day Mass. I noted the fact that the hotels were ready  with the raincoats for the expected rain on October 13th. The rain was still strong as we made our way and positioned ourselves amidst the thousands of devotees of our Lady. Multicolored raincoats and umbrellas were the fashion call of the day. Then just a few minutes before the 9 o'clock morning Mass when the image of Our Lady of Fatima would make the procession from the Chapel of Apparitions, several hundred yards away from the improvised altar in front of the Basilica, the rain started to slow down. It was a fast slowing down until the raindrops completely stopped as the image emerged from the sanctuary.The Liturgy of the Eucharist was concelebrated with the full glory of the sun in the heavens!

It was a most wonderful experience I will forever remember!

Jan. 6, 2016. A. Stroll Down. Memory. Lane

                           A. Stroll  Down  Memory  Lane


Today, the Christian world celebrates the Feast of the Magi or Epiphany. It commemorates the visit of    three wise men who travelled from the East to pay homage to the newborn King. Since it also signifies the " manifestation" of Jesus to the world, this day is also referred to as "Epiphany."

As I pondered on the long journey of the distinguished visitors to Bethlehem and the inevitable hardships along the way, my thoughts meandered to the many travel experiences, both heart- rending and heart-warming, that I had met so far.


I remembered my visit to Nazareth when a most dramatic event happened to me. We were booked at the St. Gabriel Hotel on top of a hill which used to be a monastery. The full moon shone through the window while I was having dinner so that I decided to go out to the hotel grounds right after my meal. Usually, I would share beautiful things or  events with others but for some reason, that night I wanted to be alone basking in the glory of God amidst the splendor of the moonlit sky- undisturbed with any chatter at all. Instead of sitting on one of the chairs on the lawn, I was enamored by a stump of a tree right at the edge of the cliff. There I was enjoying the view of the village below with the Basilica of the Anunciation and its majestic dome glistening in the moonlight. My prayers of thanksgiving were profuse for the signal privilege of a never-to-be- forgotten moment!


The beauty of the star-studded sky with the full moon and the scenery below enveloped me with deep joy that time stood still. Then the breeze that fondly caressed my brow became threads of wind that gradually gained strength and cold. Hastily, I tried to turn around to take a step to lift myself up the cliff. But alas! The electric-pleated silk long skirt I was wearing caused my shoes to slip against the cliff. Within seconds my arms were around the tree stump while my legs hang loose. I called aloud "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" for help and also invoked our Bllesed Mother and my patron Saints and Angels.The fact that I would eventually lose my grip on the tree stump and that no one ever knew where I was also caused great fear.


The gush of wind became stronger! Then an exceptionally strong wind which I felt like two open palms against my butt pushed me up gently throwing me forward towards the hotel. I lay motionless for a minute or so with eyes shut trying to figure out where I was. With some courage and caution, I slowly opened my eyes to see that I was lying a good safe distance from the cliff! I purposely laid in the same position for some time as I poured out a litany of  "Thanks" .for my life! Truly, the Word of God says,  " In the Name of Jesus, you shall be saved."

 Then there was my trip to the Holy Land with some members of my prayer group when an experience lay indelibly etched in my memory.

Adriatic Travel announced a tour of Israel including the highlights of Egypt, Jordan and the Sinai Peninsula. While I had been to the Holy Land four times before, I decided to join the pilgrimage because it included Egypt and Jordan, places I had not seen. My desire was intensified by the fact that Africa would culminate my setting foot on six of the seven continents of the world. Anyway, I never dreamed of taking a trip to cold, cold Antartica.

The itinerary in the brochure stated the visit to Israel first followed by Egypt, Jordan and the Sinai Peninsula. A week before departure, the tour agency made a reversal of the visits putting the Holy Land last in the trip.

To see the Giza Pyramids, the city of Cairo and its environs including the house where the Holy Family stayed in Egypt days after the birth of Jesus to escape the wrath of Herod were touching 
moments. It was incomprehensible to see the perfect symmetry of the pyramids constructed more than four thousand years ago with ancient tools by men, mostly slaves whose concept of mathematics could be considered nil. The same was true of the famous tourist site in Jordan called Petra which is referred to as the "sandstone city half as old as Time." It was in existence during Biblical times as Edom where the remnants of Israelites stayed during the Babylonian Exile. The native Nabateans carved temples, tombs,, arena and buildings like the Treasury with magnificent columns and artwork out of the mountains/rocks themselves. I was mesmerized by the awesome beauty of the structures that my jaws simply dropped with wonder. The whole scenery was a fitting tribute to man's ingenuity!

To set foot on the environs of Mount Sinai was an experience I never imagined in my wildest dreams! But there I was enveloped by an immense feeling of mystic awe and reverence before the holy mountain where our Omnipotent God gave the Ten Commandments as the pillar upon which peoples' lives should be bound. It was a sacred moment for me! I felt unworthy yet uniquely blessed to be in the place where the spirit of our living God seemed to permeate every mountain crag and whisper of the air that surrounded me refusing to rise above a gentle breeze. I concluded that even Mother Nature had an intimate knowledge of the holiness of the place. With shut eyes, I bowed my head in fervent prayer  and envisioned myself prostrate before the throne of our Loving and Merciful God! My thanksgiving prayers were invariably mixed with those of repentance and resolve to be a better version of myself.

St. Catherine's Monastery, constructed in the 3rd Century and
the oldest monastery in the world sits at the foot of Mount Sinai. It has been saved from destruction during the years of Turkish invasions and other Islamic war attacks because of a document (on display) written and signed by Mohammed invoking that no harm should befall the monastery. A small mosque lies within its walls because those who serve and help the monks are Bedouins who are Muslims. They are at liberty to stop work and do their prayers five times a day. An enviable relationship has existed among the monks and their Muslim helpers for centuries. 

Two significant things are in St. Catherine's Monastery- the oldest icon of Jesus called the "Pantocrator" and the living plant of the "burning bush."

The Pantocrator shows the face of Jesus with two different sides. The right side shows calm, gentle features of Jesus' merciful nature  while the left side shows a piercing eye, stern lips and raised crooked eyebrow depicting Him executing Justice.

In the middle of the monastery ground is a luxuriant plant that is taller than the usual bush, more of a tree, for me. It is said to be the "burning bush" in which God talked with Moses. I looked at the tree in bewilderment trying to question how such a plant could survive the centuries. Then I remembered the " biblical passage, 
"With God, nothing is impossible." Yes, our Omnipotent God makes all things possible!

The last week of our trip would be in Israel. Though I had previous visits there, I was beside myself with excitement to walk where Jesus walked and once again enjoy the boat-ride on the Sea of Galilee. We arrived late afternoon in Nazareth, the first stop in our Israel sojourn. But at 2 AM, I was awakened by my cousin Tina Dizon about her roomate, Fil. who had a stroke. I called the Tour Guide and together brought patient to the hospital. Fil lost her speech and the use of her arms and hands, a paralysis of sort.

The Tour Guide decided to leave the patient in the hospital while the pilgrimage continue its itinerary. He felt that since Fil's family has been informed and there was insurance to pay hospital bills, everything would be all right. I cringed at the thought of "abandoning" a helpless person in the hands of foreigners in a strange place. I volunteered to stay with Fil for the remaining days of the trip. I was given the privilege of sleeping in the hotel while helping her during the day. Oftentimes, I stayed till early evening hours because of the long stretch of time consumed in spoon-feeding her who had much difficulty in eating.

One evening, while riding a taxi back to the hotel, I noticed that we were passing unfamiliar streets going up a hill where houses were gradually becoming fewer in number. I felt a sudden impulse of danger so that in a stern commanding voice I told the driver to go back to the hospital and told him that it was not the way to the hotel. In a feat of anger out of extreme nervousness, I shouted, "Go back, go back!" When the driver reasoned that it was a shortcut, my fear of possible danger caused me to shout all the more that he go back while grabbing my handbag and lurching forward closer to his head. In an instant, the taxi made a quick U-turn back to the city streets. Despite the tremendous anxiety that crept through my innards because of being alone and a foreigner at that, I presented a serious, strong straightforward face which the driver could see through the visor before him. All through the ride, I was praying for God's help and claiming for His promise of being with me always and my rock of refuge at all times and in all places. True to His promise, I was brought to my hotel safe and sound. I was in tears as I offered my thanksgiving prayers! In the days after that incident, I requested the hospital security guard to conduct me to the taxi, ask and write the driver's name and the plate number of the vehicle as a precaution for any similar temptations that may lurk around. 

Per itinerary, Jerusalem was the departure city for our tour group's return to the United States. Fil's condition was such that the attending physician refused to give orders for her release after her hospital stay for five days. I was concerned about her but was also worried whether my own 77 yr-old health and stamina could continue a prolonged service. In fact, I was several years older than the patient! I was embroiled in the cliche, "The spirit is strong but the flesh is weak." So, I tried to let the doctor give a positive decision and sought the help of the Tour Guide through phone calls. My heart bled at the thought of leaving an almost completely paralyzed person alone in a strange place! I knew that as much as I would like to help her, my own health/strength would deteriorate under the circumstances and stress I was in. My constant prayers were more than doubled! 

Then on the day we had to leave Nazareth so as to be able to join the group in Jerusalem, the doctor announced that he would give the "Go" signal if Fil's blood pleasure would somehow go down by 2 PM. But when the time came, her condition was not stabilized enough to warrant the signal. A new time frame was set - another four hours which did not satisfy doctor's analysis. Finally, we were allowed to leave the hospetal at half past 7 PM for the more than four hours drive from Nazareth to Jerusalem.

The taxi ride at night through the rugged terrain of hills and rocks of the Judean wilderness littered with military outposts and their obligatory interrogations and inspections will require a whole blog by itself. 

Suffice it to say, that God's protective and loving Presence was with Fil and I every step of the way!












                                                   

NOV. 1, 2015 JOURNEY WITH THE SAINTS

Today, the Catholic world celebrates All Saints' Day. We pause from our daily routine to honor the Communion of Saints who play an important
 role in our lives. The saints who are our "intercessors" in heaven are an integral part of our Catholic tradition since its its beginnings. So, I have a set of  favorite ones to whom I entrust my innermost desires for help and fulfillment.

The many years of travel have enriched my life with invaluable information and appreciation of the peoples who inhabit the earth. I have rubbed shoulders with highly esteemed members of the diplomatic corps in international forums in Geneva, London, Tokyo,etc., have conversed with farmers in the rice fields of Thailand and have walked side-by-side with waist-down-only dressed women of Papua New Guinea. Barefoot and completely covered with a long black wrap, I have joined members of Islam inside the Dome of the Rock down to see the huge marble-like rock on which Abraham laid Isaac to be sacrificed. I have stood before the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain enveloped with breathtaking awe no structure I have seen can equal in grandeur and style and have been mystified at the foot of the majestic Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.

True, I have climbed up, on foot, both the Tower of London and the Dome of Sacre Couer in Paris and have enjoyed the trolley ride  up the Eiffel Tower and the one to the hallowed grounds of Masada in Israel. I remember my strong legs then leading me back and forth the hazardous Bridge of the River Kwai in Thailand/Burma and the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco during its 75th Anniversary in the 1900's. And not to be forgotten were the reception committees that met me at the airports of countries of site conferences which sometimes included ambassadors who have become my friends and the stark contrast of the surge of a crowd of beggars that greeted me outside the airport of Dacca, Bangladesh. Another milestone in my travels was the tour through the magnificent intricately embellished artwork which represent the penultimate of the ingenuity of men in the walls, ceilings and furniture of Versailles, considered the most beautiful palace in the world and the heart-rending walk through the grim bunkers and gas chambers which killed millions of people during World War II in Auschiwtz, Poland.

But through all those encounters, my journey to the Shrines of Saints had been the most impressive and rewarding. This is so because the saints, their lives and work, specially of my favorites, are   fully integrated within the fabric of my Catholic Faith. Among the ones I have visited are the ff:

1.  St. Bernadette
          The incorrupt body of St. Bernadette lies in the Convent of St. Gildard in Nevers, France. After having been entombed for 35 years, her remains were exhumed and found "intact." It was re-buried and when exhumed again after 30 years, her body remained incorrupt and thence put on a reliquary in the chapel where she still lies today.

2.   St. Vincent de Paul
          The incorrupt body of St. Vincent de Paul lies high above the altar of the Mission Lazarite Church on Rue de Sevres, Paris. He was so well-known and loved during his time because of his philanthropic work so that when he died, the cortege passed through almost all streets in Paris and later enthroned in his mission church. He was never buried.

3.   St. Catherine Laboure
          The incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure with her blue eyes open lies at the chapel of the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris. While still a novitiate, our Blessed Mother appeared to her several times and instructed her re the medal which has become known as the Miraculous Medal.

4.   St. Jean Vianney
          The incorrupt body of St. Jean Vianney lies in the high altar of the church of Ars, France. He struggled in his studies and was ordained priest without the faculty of hearing confessions. When he was granted the privilege, he stayed in the confessional from 9 to 12 hours a day. People all over Europe came to him for confession and is now known as the Patron Saint of Priests.

5.   St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
          The incorrupt body of St. Margaret Mary is on the side wall of the Visitation Chapel in Paray-le-Monial, France. Jesus appeared to her several times and showed His heart thirsty for the love of men. She worked for the start of the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Hour. Through her initial effort, the Sacre Couer (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) was built in Montmartre, Paris, centuries later.

6.   St. Claude de Colombiere
          Just around the corner of the Visitation Chapel in Paray-le-Monial is the Church of St. Claude de Colombiere, the Jesuit priest who helped propagate the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Church history records that there was so much opposition and controversy surrounding the institution of the Sacred Heart devotion by St. Margaret Mary. The incorrupt right arm of St. Claude de Colombiere is in a reliquary.

7.    St. Francis of Assisi
          The bones of St. Francis are entombed in the basement of the basilica named after him in Assisi, Italy. I sat there so disturbed by the question, " Why is St. Francis who is well-known by both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, who founded the Franciscan Order and who suffered the Stigmata (five wounds of Christ) in his body not among the Incorruptibles? "

8.    St. Clare of Assisi
          The incorrupt body of St. Clare is in the Basilica of Santa Chiara at the far end of the hill in Assisi. She abandoned her noble birth to follow the spirituality of St. Francis and founded the Community of Poor Clares at San Damiano where the miracle of the "hot cross buns" happened.

9.    St. Padre Pio of Pietrelchina
          Forty years after his death in 1968, the body of St. Padre Pio was exhumed and found to be "incorrupt." The Church allowed public veneration for a whole year in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy before being entombed again for another 30 years. Seeing him like one who had just died minus the "stigmata" which he bore for 50 years will forever be etched in my memory. The priests present during his last hours attested that on breathing his last, the wounds on his body disappeared instantly without leaving a mark.  

10.   St. Anthony of Padua
          Though born in Lisbon, Portugal in the 12th Century, St. Anthony is as popular today as he was during his time because of the many miracles attributed to him. Hence, he is called the "Miracle Worker." His tomb is in the magnificent multi-domed Basilica of St. Anthony in Padova, Italy where he spent most of his priestly life. He was a prominent preacher and his incorrupt tongue which appears to be moist is in a reliquary. 

11.   St. Faustina
          "The Apostle of Mercy" is the title given to St. Faustina to whom Jesus entrusted the devotion to His Divine Mercy in Warsaw, Poland. Aside from the visit to the chapel where Jesus visited St. Faustina, I had the privilege of stepping inside the house of the family of the saint who had been entrusted the Devotion to Jesus' Divine Mercy.


12.   St. Maximilian Kolbe
          He is the saint referred to as "The Martyr Saint of Auschwitz" because while imprisoned in the concentration camp of the infamous Auschwitz, he volunteered to die in place of another prisoner. He was among the ten prisoners sent to the "starvation bunker." When I saw the bunker where he died, goosebumps all over me took some time to wear off as I continued to see the gas chambers and barracks of the camp where reportedly 6 million Jews were killed in World War II - 1939 - 1945.






 

OCTOBER. 4 - FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS

                   OCTOBER  4  - FEAST  OF  ST. FRANCIS

It has been some time since I posted a blog since I deliberately decided to attend to my health and regain the many hours of lost sleep which was the offshoot of my writings. Despite my effort to discipline myself in regard to my needed sleep, I often let go and continue writing my blog into the wee hours of the morning. It got to the point that I was no longer sleeping at night such that it triggered my failing health. Hence, early this year, I decided to give up blog-writing! 

But today, October 4, 2015, after participating in the blessing of the new statue of St. Francis in the grounds of the Holy Spirit Church in Fremont, California, something awakened in me the desire to write about Assisi, Italy. Thrice have I visited Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis whom I have considered my "guardian angel" and one of my favorite saints. His spirit lives on in the unassuming medieval atmosphere of the village not tainted by even neon store 
signs nor graffiti of any sort. The cobblestone streets of yore still record the simple life of the people there who, to me, talk in whispers, as if afraid to disturb the solemnity with which St. 
Francis blessed the town. His biographers claim that he bestowed 
special blessings to Assisi before he met his Creator. 

It was in Assisi that I learned from Sister Lu, a fellow pilgrim during my first visit in 1996, that we should give a name to our 
Guardian Angel. Hence, I named my Guardian Angel, Francis, which eventually became personified in St.Francis, himself.

It was in Assisi that I fully realized the great difference between reading about the life of a saint and "experiencing" a bit of the life of a saint in the very place where he was born and lived his saintly existence. It emphasized the enormous insight and value of a pilgrimage to me.

It was in Assisi that the Lord showed me again, as in other times, too, what being close to Him really means...because in my third visit there, our tour bus was delayed for hours by a freeway construction along the way to Assisi. We arrived at night when the Basilica of St. Francis was already closed. The tour guide was adamant in not changing the departure time at 8:30 the next morning. I argued with him about the necessity of extending the stay for another hour since the Basilica of St. Clare which lie at the end of the hill need to be visited, too. While he relented in extending the time, he completely disregarded the itinerary re St. Clare's basilica. But I knew that an Assisi would be incomplete without a trip to 

DEC. 31, 2014 YEAR-END REFLECTION

Life is wonderful! The Lord has showered me with countless blessings throughout the 83 years of my life which far outnumber the disappointments and heartaches that came my way. A grateful heart is a mark of a Christian and so as this year comes to an end, I take time to say my profound thanks to God for being the recipient of a lion's share of His favor and blessings!

By design, He willed that I be born in a family where Faith was the axis on which all aspects of life revolved. My childhood years were marked by a deep-seated devotion to God and our Blessed Mother manifested in the lives we lived under the example of my parents specially my mother. The Family Rosary, Angelus and before/after meals prayers were a daily constant as the rising and setting of the sun. Even our regular Confession, which nowadays is known as Sacrament of Reconciliation, was a family affair. Discipline, gentle and fair, was administered by our parents with military precision. In all honesty, my climb up the educational ladder from elementary, secondary and college level was nothing short of outstanding. The forty-seven years of togetherness with a "soul-mate" cum jack-of-all-trades was the envy of many. 

With the distinct pride inherent to parents, I have my children-Bobby, Marissa, Noel and Cielo who pursued and finished their college education and are gainfully employed. More importantly, by living their Faith, they are exemplary, characterwise, since their early and teen years when some families are torn by their children's behavior influenced by wrong friends or bad company or addiction of any form. The flow of love and understanding between siblings and spouses has dominated our family life unlike tragic circumstances in families where some members are not on speaking terms. Hence, family gatherings to celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, graduations, dramatic performances, recitals,  etc. are a source of unspeakable joy and fond memories. 

 My most rewarding career in a male-dominated field of Shipping with a job description of being the Director of Overseas Shipping at the Maritime Industry of the Philippines caused a lot of applause. Having been the only woman among the eighteen awardees of the United Nations Scholarship Program on Shipping during the decade of the 1970's was heartwarming. Four plaques of appreciation including one from the President of the Philippines meant for me a vote of confidence. The apex of my career was representing the Philippines in more than fifty, yes, 50 international conferences of  the United Nations (UNCTAD) and the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) which were held in different countries of the world. The opportunity to visit foreign shores developed in me the "love" for travel which keeps alive my unceasing desire for learning.

 With God's help, I have visited as of this date, thirty-five (35) countries. Of the seven continents, I have wandered the byways and highways of Asia, North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Africa except Antartica which never graced my mind to see. What  is more, I  have managed to open new vistas of learning to my children and grandchildren by taking them along in my travels. I adopted a policy of giving a trip to Paris, Lourdes and Lisieux (France) as gift to my grandchildren finishing Grade VIII and a visit to Rome, Venice and Florence (Italy) for graduating from high school. Six of my seven grandchildren have enjoyed the two trips except one who is still in grade school who has not been to France yet though was with me to Italy last year. God willing, I hope to fulfill my promise to Melanie in the very near future.

The legacy of Faith to my family and loved ones has been the primary focus of my life both by word and example. I am convinced that I have done my level best and will continue to do so, to make God the very center of their lives. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I pray that our Catholic Faith be ingrained in their  being as long as they walk this earth!

Aware that some knowledge of  investment tools had assisted my husband and I to enjoy their fringe benefits, I launched a project on "Stocks" among my grandchildren as I did with my offsprings. I felt that having a portfolio of "forever" stocks at their teenage years will give them the insight and the discipline of "the power to prosper." In my talks with them, I emphasized the need of having a investment fund in their monthly budget and the rewards of investments during their retirement years. Four of my grand- children do part-time work while studying. To encourage and to help them in this new venture, I helped and will continue to share in their monetary needs as long as I am able. In addition, I do the research for them yet but checking on the stocks performance is their responsibility. I beamed with happiness as I took them to a brokerage office, see them fill up their application forms and witness them listen intently to a Scottrade broker's commentary. Their investment portfolio for this year included the following: Berkshire Hathaway B, Apple, Intel, and Costco.These stocks are not to be "touched or sold" till my grandchildren will be 60 or 62 years old.While we shall continue to look for other promising "legacy or forever stocks," we shall be dealing with Mutual Funds later since these funds are less risky than stocks as part of an Investment Portfolio.

The bonanza of blessings that I have received especially this 2014 from our all-powerful, all-merciful God has been magnanimous. To you, O Lord, goes my unending Praise and Thanksgiving!

Can you blame me if I consider myself as " One of God's Favorites?

Dec. 1, 2014 FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION TO THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS

Today, I would like to share with you the promises of our Lord to those who are devoted to His Sacred Heart given to St. Margaret Mary. They are the following:

1.  I will give them all the graces necessary in their  state of life.
2.  Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
3.  I will establish peace in their homes.
4.  I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
5.  I will be their secure refuge during life, and all in death.
6.  I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
7.  Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
8.  Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
9.  I will bless every place in which an image of  My Heart is exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out, nor without receiving their Sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their refuge.   
12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant to all those  who receive Holy Communion the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final  penitence; they shall not die in my disgrace.

On the first Friday of the month,  we remember to pray the special First Friday devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. In my blog last June, the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart, I related my visit to Paray-le-Monial, France where our Lord Jesus appeared to a nun who has become St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

My mother was a devotee of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus so that it naturally followed that her children developed such love and esteem, too. We always had the icon of Jesus pointing to His Heart in a place of honor in our home, in fact, right at the entryway. It was the first thing that any visitor saw in our place. 
During my growing-up years, I did not know that by having our icon of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus exposed and honored in our home fulfilled one of His Promises. I even doubt whether my mother ever knew of Jesus' Promises. I think she just wanted to manifest her love for Jesus as well as to share that love with others. In my first home and in the succeeding ones, the image of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus had a special place of honor since both Rey, my husband, and I were devotees, too. In fact, his favorite prayer was one addressed to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. And do you know something? My husband died on May 2, 2003, a First Friday. Coincidence? No! I believe that Jesus welcomed him home on a day special to both of them!



              Prayer to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus:

Oh, Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee
Whatever may befall me, Lord, though dark the 
       hour may be
In all my joys, in all my woes, though naught but
        grief I see
Oh, Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.

When those I love have passed away and I am
       sore distressed
Oh, Sacred Heart of Jesus, I fly to Thee for rest
In all my trials, great or small, my confidence shall be
Unshaken as I cry, "Dear Lord, I place my 
        trust on Thee."

This is my own sweet prayer, dear Lord, my faith,
        my trust, my love
But most of all in that last hour when death points 
        up above
Ah, then, sweet Savior, may Thy face smile on
        my soul set free
Oh, may I cry with rapturous love, "I have placed
        my trust in Thee."

Nov. 30, 2014 COLOSSEUM OF ROME

The Colosseum is the iconic symbol of Rome, Italy just as the Eiffel Tower is of Paris, France, Big Ben is of London,  England, the White House is of Washington D.C., United States of America and The Golden Gate Bridge is of San Francisco. The elliptical building was built by Emperor Vespasian in 70 A.D. and finished in 80 A.D. by his son Titus. The  Colosseum was the first structure to use "arches" as a Roman engineering phenomenon for strength and beauty. There was the "hypogeum" which were the underground passageways, tunnels and cages beneath the arena where gladiators and animals were held before the contests began. The base area of the arena was equal to 6 acres. It was so constructed that it could hold 50,000 to 80,000 spectators but could be vacated in 8 minutes flat. It was inaugurated by a series of shows, admittance free, which included gladiatorial contests and mock sea battles that lasted for 100 days. The Colosseum served to satisfy the insatiable desire for entertainment of the people of Ancient Rome. This seeming un-quenchable thirst to be lifted up from their mundane everyday existence was somehow capitalized by emperors in their scheme to subdew their subjects so they would regard them as deities or gods.


At the height of the persecution of Christians in the early centuries, the arena became  the hallowed ground for the blood of the martyrs of "The Way" who were fed to lions, tigers and trained gladiators amid the incomprehensible shouts of joy and triumph of the emperor, his court and his people.

The Catholic Encyclopedia records that St. Ignatuis of Antioch (Syria), a disciple of St. John, the Beloved was condemned to the beasts at the Colosseum by Emperor Trajan in 107 A.D. The Church calendar has October 17 as the feast of St. Ignatius of Antioch.

In 1749, Pope Benedict XIV declared the Colosseum sacred site having been sanctified by early Christians who were martyred. He dedicated it to the Passion of Christ and installed the 14 Stations of the Cross which by now are gone having been taken by bounty hunters. Nonetheless, a large Cross has been erected at the Colosseum where the yearly celebration, "Good Friday Stations of the Cross Procession" is held with the Pope as principal celebrant.

Having had the opportunity of visiting the Colosseum before, I decided to stay by "The Cross" while Bobby, Carla, Michael and Christian went around and up to the second and third tiers of the amphitheater considered the largest in the world. In addition, the Colosseum has been declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and as of 2007, officially listed as one of the "New Seven Wonders Of The World."

After some time devoted to prayer, my attention got caught by the variety of visitors around who must have come from four to five continents of the world. Tour groups came in succession with commentaries in different languages of various tour guides holding their short sticks with an identifying banner. Chit-chats of admiring/puzzled visitors and feeble cries for food or rest of tired three or five-yr. old children filled the air. Then there was the temptation to look at the shorty-shorts and outrageous low cleavage of wearing apparel of those who gave justice to them and those who justly "hurt" the eyes of onlookers due to factors as heavy body mass or clearly defined chronological age. I surveyed my surroundings  and the people, like us who are on a Roman Holiday and smiled at the thought that "freedom of choice" was the norm of the day! True to its essence, "freedom"gives every  person unspeakable joy....to the extent that one's freedom does not encroach upon another's right or property.

Our walk outside the Colosseum included the Arch of Constantine which was/is a monument to his conquest of Jerusalem in 70 A.D, the Arch of Titus and the short "climb" up the Via Sacra ( Sacred Way) with its large stones, several sizes bigger than those on ordinary cobblestone streets which form the thoroughfare leading to the Forum. We decided to just take a look at the huge complex of the ruins of ancient government buildings and temples which comprise the Forum.

That was a wonderful day spent at the Colosseum of Rome!