A date with the Lord

Maybe God has something in store for me to express my feelings of gratitude for all the blessings received in Davao City. (It is because the Microsoft Word shut off while writing with what I am experiencing today from the boarding house to the airport.)

It gives me the opportunity to recall how God has been good to me despite of all the problems and trials I have gone through. Of course it also includes the bunch of philosophical papers during the last semester that has given me much headache. Thanks God and I am through with it. There are so many Filipinos in our country are suffering greater or that much compared to what are mine. With the televisions around this terminal airport producing so much repeated noise of the political candidates doing some attractive modes in their campaign tricks to solicit precious votes from the electorates, I try to calm down and said, ‘Hey, Arnel, give yourself a break.’ Yes, indeed, it is a break for me to look on what is ahead of me – to be with my family! I miss them so much especially my dear mother. As I am awaiting the plane for Zamboanga, mixed feelings arouse in me. I know these are the excitements and surprises.

There are so many things awaits me there. But this does not stop me from looking back to what I have been through during the school year. There are ups and downs, but one thing for sure is that there is someone who has been faithfully with me. Even though sometimes or most of the times I failed him to spend some time with him, he does not leave me. That is why, as I board the plane few minutes from now, I will dedicate this time to him. And I want to thank him for all the things he has given to me. This is my expression of gratitude. Thank you Lord. Adios for the meantime Davao and Bienvenidos a Zambaonga.

Knowledge of the Experts

This area of concern is what I call Doing Epistemology. It is a field in philosophy wherein the manner of knowing something or of one’s concern is being investigated. There are many ways of getting to know things or realities that attract our interest. However my article focuses on one certain area which is somehow related to our traditional way of life.

In matters of life’s concern, nowadays, seldom do people take a serious step with it. As some would say ‘life is so short’ so live life to the fullest with wise decision and discernment. In life it does not matter only the ‘what is’ but it’s the ‘what there is.’ It is a kind of knowledge that only few wants to possess it, learn from it, and perfect it. There are only few because it seems to be old-fashioned, obsolete or non-modern. But the fact is, it is more than knowledge; it is wisdom. But people in our day would resort for some pieces of advice from their friends, closed buddies and other figures who they regard as ‘knowledgeable’ in any particular field. Yet the questions remain: are they enough, or suffice for what they seek for in life for improvement?

Knowledge derive from them may be considered skin-deep. They may have read some good books, be specialists about the subject matter but this seems to be inadequate. They may have collections of theories, tested with scientific procedures but if it is with plain experience is still consider implausible. Our Filipino tradition tells us that we should learn to take good care of the old people in our society for their physical presence doesn’t indicate that they are weak and inutile, but since they have been here in this world for a long time before we came into existence, they would have possessed, perhaps, some varying degree of wisdom.

The wisdom that they have possessed and experienced could not be exchanged with multi-awarded royalty of publishing books. Theirs are real praxis who dwelt, felt the pain, stayed through thick and thin, and lived with all the hassle on subject about life for such a long time. Thus if we want to know the wisdom of celibacy, go to the religious people; if the subject is about teaching, see a teacher; or about love, consult one’s parents who happen or about to celebrate and renew their love and commitment for each other. Wisdom with long lived experience could not be compared to wisdom acquired through a lot of reading materials. The pragmatic adage experience is the best teacher sums the thought of this insight. Use our judgment when we seek for knowledge from the experts who are but successful in particular field or aspect of life.

Marie Rivier...Gabay ko

I. Sa simula ang buhay ay parang kulang
Wari ay wala itong patunguhan
Naghahangad mabigyan’g kahulugan


II. Ngunit nang nalaman ko may sandigan
Maningning na buhay may kahulugan
Kagit’ngan, kapayapaan at saya
Marie Rivier, dakila kong gabay


Chorus 1:
Salamat O Dios na ako ay nagabay
(salamat aking gabay)
Salamat Kristo’t Maria, mahal ng bayan
(salamat kristo’t maria)
Salamat O Marie Rivier
Sa n’yo ang buhay ko ay sumigla


III. Dahil sa ‘yo kami’y umaasa
Kabutihan mo’y laging nasa diwa
Buong mundo’y masigla’t magkaisa


IV. Kaya, dito na,tayo na at sumaya
Ang bawat buhay ay laging mahalaga
Huwag sayangin bigay na biyaya
Maria Rivier, ang buhay ng madla
(repeat chorus)


Chorus 2: (2 notes higher)
Salamat O Dios na ako ay nagabay
(salamat aking gabay)
Salamat Kristo’t Maria, mahal ng bayan
(salamat kristo’t maria)
Salamat O Marie Rivier
Sa n’yo ang buhay ko ay sumigla
Sa n’yo ang buhay ko ay sumigla


Coda:
Sa n’yo ang buhay ko ay ... sumigla




Lyrics: Mrs. Marichu Eva and Mrs. Rosario Pagalan
Music: Mr. Arnel Morte
Interpreters: Mr. Arnel Morte, Mrs. Bernadette Vitor
Guitarist: Mr. Elijah Ogario

This is my first music composition I have ever made as an official entry to the 60th anniversary of the presence of the PM Congreagtion in the Philippines. We were five finalists presented our piece last February 3, 2010 at the SPCT AVR, and we bagged 3rd place. Thanks God for the gift of music!

Doing New Year’s Resolution

I used to remember when I was still a student that when I reported on the first day of the year to school, our teachers in English and Values Education would usually asked us to write a short composition about the favourite theme My New Year’s Resolution. We were told that it is time to change ourselves for the better during New Year to have new life. And so went with the lists of resolutions we wanted to make. And it’s not a guess anymore that some of them failed and others fulfilled. Why is it so? I may say, maybe, or perhaps, it’s not yet time to have what we wished for ourselves, or maybe we lacked some strategies to do it. Making resolutions is not a bite of hotdog without exerting any effort.

But I would like to share that it’s not that easy to get what we dreamed for ourselves. Perhaps to help us better understand why it is so, let us try to look into the etymological meaning of the word January, which is the first month of the year. The word ‘January’ derived from the roman god Janus with two faces – looking forward and backward. He was known to be the god of the beginnings, of the past and the future, of gates, doorways, and bridges and of peace (Encarta Dictionary). The very definition could give us a very good suggestion that when we make resolutions such as to change our old ways or stop old vices and the likes, I think one have already forgotten to look back at the past but instead headed forward with the speed of 150 kph. And along the intersections or crossroads we lose our way where we are heading to.

The two-face-image of Janus is somehow teaches us that we must take some time to look back and to look forward. To look back is to learn tremendous lessons such as our past mistakes and achievements we could get and bring them along with us in our journey. This is an effective way to help to know ourselves better and somehow change our old ways. Then, with this ingenious strategy it would usher us to the gate of new life with full of peace with ourselves and others.

Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year to all!

Phenomenological Attitude

I would like to throw out some questions to inquire about ourselves that would lead to the topic. How do you see other people – as an object available to be used anytime or as another self like you and me? How do you treat him or her – as an enemy that ready to devour your comfort zone so that respect on you may be out of the way or as a person that lets you to take the risk of invading your being a person?

This topic is relevant in enhancing one’s relational skill. Everybody needs to be connected in a positive way to yield a good relationship – in the family, friendship and other identified groups of people.

Our times is being bombarded with negative thoughts, prevailed to put up barriers so as others may not have the chance to interact with each others as fellow human beings as another image of God. Or maybe a pre-conceived ideas and experiences that hinders us from having an authentic relationship with others, and that is tantamount to commit a wrong attitude of being biased and prejudiced. What would be the alternative to the problem of relationship so as to create a healthy, humane and value-oriented environment?

It’s the perspective of phenomenology. By this it allows other person to be as he is and to grow without being ‘boxed in’ in the first place. Through it there is no place for bias, prejudice or pre-conditioned generalization to protect our comfort zones or personality but a place for fraternal correction for one’s growth without sarcastic remark, professionalism, respect and appreciation for the giftedness of that person. This is especially true for all followers of the Master and Teacher, and even He himself welcomed, entertained and mingled with prostitutes, tax collectors, zealots and criminals to realize the plan of his Father

We our not in total control of all the events in our daily lives, for there is many worlds that exists aside from our own world. As Maurice Mearleau-Ponty, a French existentialist philosopher said that the world is not what I think, but what I live through. Another injunction would suffice his thinking the 'sane' man is not the one who has eliminated all contradictions from himself so much as the one who uses these contradictions and involves them in his work.

My final remark to this is coming from a text message sent by one of my friends. It goes this way: our feelings come from our thoughts. Then what is the conclusion? We can control our feelings by learning to change one thing: the way we think.

Many Thanks Ate Norma Sakin

When we enter into a relationship like friendship, we experience a very wonderful existence in this tiny and temporal world. And when such relationship ends, we feel at lost, grieve and die a part of our self. This is exactly what I feel up to this very date when my friend ATE NORMA SAKIN passed away more than a month ago. I least expected such a fate to happen to her who was so generous, understanding, God-fearing, a devoted legionary of Mary, a wise counsellor, a sister, and a buddy. Though we did not anymore spent time together in every weekend with our usual circle of friends, since I started working in Davao City, we still keep on communicating through texting and e-mailing.

There is one thing that I would like to be grateful to you, ATE NORMA SAKIN, is whenever you come to DAVAO CITY for a recollection in your aspiration to be part of the SERVITIUM or attend an important meeting to preside over as the highest officer of LEGION OF MARY in Mindanao, you always see to it that in your itinerary you would not miss to make an appointment with me. With that gesture, I could not refute the reality but admire your sincerity and firmness of what you say that WE ALWAYS REMAIN FRIENDS WHETHER YOU ARE TO BECOME A PRIEST OR A SIMPLE LAY PERSON. Ate, you are really a wonderful person because your commitment of concern and care is not conditional. You possess the character of a true CHRIST patiently, hopeful and positive in bringing out the best in me. Though we did not have the chance to share our deepest secrets and successes in life, but our absent presence to each other is surpassed the expectation.

Although it has been almost 2 months ago [September 2009] since you left us, my heart is still grieving for your lost. You have taught me to be strong enough to go on with life ahead to discover the future what God wants me to be, and hold on to our blessed mother as our faithful intercessor. I know there is always one thing that you would like to make a request as part of your missionary journey – to pray for the spiritual growth of the legion of Mary and to pray for the beatification of the Servant of God, Frank Duff. As an auxiliary legionary, I will include your intention in my prayer. In my heart I do not want to let you go, but I am sure you are at peace and enjoying the presence of our creator and our blessed mother. Always remember me and Fr. PI to ask our brother and friend Jesus to keep us from evil and temptation as we trudge the path of this earthly life. I will always keep our memories as I remember you. I’ll be missing you my friend ATE NORMA SAKIN. Adios!