Best Part lead by Katha Amiel

To Chona

My dearest Chona,

I cannot tell you, "andito lang ako..."

I've been told that many times during my husband's wake.

I know their intentions were good... They just wanted to cheer me up, comfort me, and assure me that I don't have to go through life alone. That they will be there for me.

Two years after my husband died, I realized
People will not be there for us... especially during times when we needed someone the most.

How many occasions,
I've drank coffee alone, in an attempt to drown my tears and sadness
I've walked alone, talking to myself because there was no one to talk to

Yes, there were well meaning friends who've committed to be by my side
But I also realized that they have their own lives to live
They have their own struggles to contend with
They have their own monsters to beat
And hurdles to overcome.

I cannot promise you, "andito lang ako."
I cannot even tell you, "just call my name, and I'll be there."
maganda lang syang kantahin, but don't believe it.

As I left you last night in your mother's wake
I know, after your mother is buried
And all your families and friends back in their daily grind
You will be faced with an empty space you used to call home
The deafening silence can be overpowering.
And the reality of life will hit you bad.

Yet, I am assured by your bravado, "kaya ko to."

I wish I can tell you, "andito lang ako, ha! Just call my name and I'll be there."
But Chona, andito lang ako.
When you need a friend, just call me, and I'll be there.

Sino bang magtutulungan kundi tayong mga iniwanan.

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION...

This line in the Lord's Prayer has taken a personal meaning for me...

this is not based on exegesis
nor is based on theological reflection
but personal...
based on my current experience.

While riding the jeep from a meeting, I whispered a prayer... and I was even surprised that the prayer went, Lord, lead me not to temptation..."

The temptation is not even sinful...
A possible writing project...
A possible teaching post...
A possible further study opportunity.

The temptation really is in accepting opportunities out of financial need instead of really doing the Will of God in my personal life and ministry calling.  It's the temptation to address the need of the family over the struggle to do God's Will...
It's being tempted to prioritize family over call at which one or the other is sacrificed.

Lead me not to temptation...

This line is preceded by "and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors..."

I loaned some moneys to some friends...
To one, I lent to him what should be payment for the children's books because that time he needed money for his mother's hospitalization.  I trusted his goodness and that he understands our own financial limitations. But at that time he needed the money while the textbooks can be paid much later.

But now, it is enrollment and we need to pay our dues before we can enroll our children.
I asked my husband to collect what we lent our friend...

I also lent money to a friend to help her in her medical and family needs.

Whatever we can loan has been used because of the tragedies that struck our family: Yolanda, the hospitalization and subsequent death of the husband of Ruel's sister, the hospitalization and subsequent death of Ruel's father.

Now I am in my last thousand...

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors...

If I am unable to do this... I will indeed be tempted to forgo God's Will.

When I lent our moneys, I trust that that was God's Will trusting too that God will supply our needs according to His riches... in the right time.

Now, I am tempted to work things out to meet our needs instead of waiting for God to supply our needs.

And so I pray

Lead me not into temptation... which means,

Lord let me trust you more to supply the needs according to your riches and right timing.  Let me wait for you. Don't let me act impulsively simply because I have gotten desperate. Increase my faith in you. Amen.

expectations

Expectations

"nanay, anong alam mo gawin?" tanong ng anak ko hanggang iniintay namin ang pagkain na niluluto ni tatay.

"Well, marunong akong magpiano

Magsulat

Magturo

Magsalita (speaker/preach).

"Hindi!"  dugtong ng anak ko. "Anong alam mong lutuin? Di ba dapat marunong ang mga nanay magluto?"

Expectations…

Our children have expectations of who and what we are as parents. As my daughters expressed, she expects that mothers are good in the kitchen.

As parents we have our own expectations for our children.

We expect them to be

Good in school… even make it to the honor roll and get awards

Hindi muna mag bf/gf

What happens if

We were called to report to school because our child got him/herself involved in an act that merited suspension

Our child was  not able to graduate because he/she failed big time!

And Worse…

What if one day our daughters comes home confessing she is pregnant! (buti nga sana kung magtapat sya… e pano kung madiskubre mo at nung kumprontahin mo di pa nga aamin!)

Usually, in the family, it is always the parents who set expectations for which the children should obey and meet.

Ang hindi natin napapansin, children have their own expectations of us, their parents:

Sana nanjan ang parents lagi, nanunuod ng presentation sa school…

Sana my parents are home we I get home…

Sana I can tell my parents about my crush…

If we live by expectation, we fail to appreciate what each member can offer into the family relationship… we then end up frustrated

Disappointed

Unhappy.

"Mga anak, di ba dapat kayo ang maghugas ng plato! Ako pa din ba ang maghuhugas nan!"

Hay.

FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

Friendly Communities

carmel villar

It’s a woman’s world at Woman’s Crib®, a company that provides services and products for women of all ages in all stages of her life.  And because it is a company for women, about women, it is expected that the work force would be women.  Well, yes, in a way.  Most of the staff is women.  But the administration is made up of all men! A male owns the company, the Chief Operating Officer is a male as well as the Chief Executive Officer.

In one of the conversations among women staff, Glaiza asked, “do the bosses really understand what women need?”

“Perhaps,” answered Vienne. “Look at the company! It seems to be doing well.”

The company is doing well, indeed.  It is a young company of two years so far, the company is earning far beyond their expectation. 

At Christmas time, Glaiza and Vienne were assigned to organize a Christmas party for the company.

“Is the Christmas party for regular employees only? asked Glaiza.

“We should include everyone, including the casual and the contractual employees.”

“As well as our contractors?”

“Let’s take this time to thank everyone involved in the company.”  Having agreed on the concept for the company’s Christmas celebration, they presented the plan to the bosses who approved the plan.

Christmas season is the busiest time for the company.  It is the season where demand for women things is at its peak.  Although Glaiza and Vienne were busy with the preparation for the Christmas celebration, they never skipped a beat in their office workload and responsibilities.

By the time the Christmas celebration took place everyone in the company heaved a sigh of relief that they were able to meet the quota sale for the year.

“Does that mean we have a bigger bonus?” asked one of the staff jokingly but half meaning it.

“Maybe the bosses will be more generous and give us a 14^th month!” another staff mused.

After the usual festivities, the exchanging of gifts and after everyone was full, the Executive Officer stood up and announced, “We have reached our quota!” Everyone cheered. “We even surpassed our quota by 250%!” Above deafening cheers, he said, “Because of all you efforts and our unexpected performance, you will get not only your bonus, but half of your 14^th month pay!”

But no one heard the announcement. Ely, the company’s secretary-receptionist cried in pain, “I think the baby’s coming out!”

“What? But you’re not due until first week of January!”

“Oh. no! I think the water bag has burst!” This set all the girls in hysteria. Even the three male bosses just stood transfixed in their position.  Then Ely gave a piercing scream, “the baby’s coming out. Ohhhh!” The COO jumped and ran out of the office. He fetched his car.  The Executive Officer carried Ely out of the office into the COO’s car.  Vienne and Glaiza accompanied Ely in the car.  The COO drove them to the hospital.  The Christmas celebration was put to a halt when everybody followed to the hospital on board the cars of the other two bosses.

They all paced at the hospital waiting room as they waited for news.  Glaiza realized that Ely’s husband had to be notified.  Soon Ely’s husband joined them.

“It’s a baby girl!” the doctor announced as soon as Ely’s husband approached the delivery room.  Everybody cheered, even the hospital staff on duty. Ely’s husband couldn’t believe what he heard.  He came to the hospital fearing the worst for his wife.  He didn’t expect that the news of the birth of his first born child would greet him as he entered the hospital.

“What are you waiting for?  Go to Ely?” prodded the owner of Women’s Crib.

They all waited until Ely and the child were brought to the room.  Glaiza and Vienne arranged for her room and her admission. Another staff arranged for the Ely”s and the baby’s clothes and things be brought to the hospital.

When Ely could see them, they all trooped to Ely’s room.  They greeted her, mushed over the baby and congratulated the father.  Meanwhile, Ely was apologetic, “Sorry for ruining our Christmas celebration!”

“Oh, there’s no need to apologize,” said the owner of the company.  “In fact, it’s been said that the birth of a baby almost always bring good luck.”

“Oh, like when a baby is born in an airplane!”

“Exactly.  And because of that, your bill is on the company,” declared the owner.

“Wow!” There were more cheers and congratulations.

“You will all stand as sponsors,” declared Ely’s husband.

“I think Ely and the baby need to rest,” the executive officer announced.  They all bade their farewell.  At the door, the CEO said, “see you after 45 days?” He gave Ely a salute before closing the door.

Dare To Dance With Me

Would you dare come with me

Even if you know

I come from the South

And you are from the East.

Would you dare play with me

Even if you live

in a beautiful house

and I in lowly shanty.

Would you dare dance with me

You with fair, smooth skin

Would you dare dance with me

with skin darkened with sun’s scorched.

I dare you come with me

you who come from the south.

Walk with me in this road we call life

And learn from each other.

Play with me

you who live in lofty house.

Learn the games that make us happy

Who live in lowly shanty.

I may dance to my music

And you dance to your music

But I can dance to your music

And You can dance to my music

Despite our diff’rence

We can be together

We can dance to each other’s music

Come let us dance and be one.

MISSY MUSES

Missy Muses

carmel villar

Missy is sulking. She does not want to spend summer in Zambales.  She wants to spend summer with her friends in the village. They plan to go on swimming in a resort hotel. But there is nothing to see but trees in this village.  She can get lost in this maze of trees. 

And what makes matters worse is that they are living now with the Aetas, the Negritos of Zambales.   All of a sudden she remembers the song about Negritos:

“Negritos of the mountain what kind of food do you eat?

What kind of food do you eat, Negritos of the mountain?”

Then she smiles as she remembers this song.  She knows what food the Aetas eat. She has been eating with them for days now. 

“Hi Missy,” an Aeta girl calls out.  “Would you like to come with us to the woods?  We will pick guavas.”  Missy looks at the girl. “My name is Layos.”

               

                “Layos? What kind of name is that?” Missy asks.

                “I was born during a heavy rain. So I was named Layos, meaning flood.”

                “Oh,” was all Missy was able to say.

                “So are you coming with us?” Layos asks again.  Missy looks around her and she sees 10 Aeta children.  They are looking at her with expectation. With nothing to do for the rest of the day, she decided to go with them.

                Along the trail, they come across a grove of guava trees full with ripe fruits.  All the children rush to the trees and each one picks guava fruits.  They eat guava with joy.  Missy just looks at the children.

                A child approaches Missy with 2 guavas.  “Have some,” the child offers.   After their fill of guava, the children move on along the trail.  Layos walks besides Missy.  “Layos,” Missy calls, “why don’t you bring more guavas with you?”

                “There is no need,” Layos answers. “If we get more guavas, there will be nothing left for others. Anyway, there are more guavas along the road.”

                Missy looks at Layos.  She does not seem to mind about what she does not have.  Instead, Layos could still look after the welfare of others.  Then Missy remembers the child who gave her guavas.  They who lack so much by her standard are able to give more.

                Missy joins the children in their trek to the woods.  She smiles as she listens to the children singing and exchanging jokes. 

This could turn out to be a very interesting summer, Missy muses.

JUST CALL HER "PANGGA"

Just Call Her “Pangga”

by Carmel Villar

 “Pangga, go get the door,” a voice said from inside the house, as I knocked on the door.  I was about to knock again, but the door opened.  Behind the door was a lovely young lady.

Could she be Pangga?  I stared at her.  Her smile bids me inside. She motioned me in as she opens the door.

“Where’s Ma’am?” I asked. She pointed to the direction of the house where I presumed to be the kitchen.  She pointed me to a wooden chair. I thought she wanted me to sit, so I sat.  Then she showed me photo album. She opened the pages and pointed a picture.  “Is that you?” I asked her.  She just answered me with a smile.  By the look of the picture, Pangga is the youngest, and may I say the most beautiful among the three sisters.

As I looked at the rest of the pictures, I did not notice that her mother has joined us.

“O Pangga, so you’ve shown Ate Nery our picture!”  Ma’am Inday offered her hand, “Nery, meet Pangga.”

Then Pangga spoke in a language I did not understand.  She motioned with her hands and spoke with excitement.  But sad to say, I did not understand a word she was saying.  I looked at her mother for an explanation.

“Pangga is special.  Her mental age did not grow with her body,” Ma’am Inday explained. I was pleasantly surprised.  If just by looking at her I wouldn’t have any clue that she is special.  Yes, she is special.  She welcomed me, a stranger, a new “kid” in the block.  Others have looked at me with hesitation, sizing me up from head to toe.  But with Pangga, there was nothing like that.  She just welcomed me without sizing me up.

“Just call her Pangga,” Ma’am Inday said.  “She is our beloved. Our Pangga.”

Yes, she is “Pangga.” She is beloved.  She is special.

Monday, July 29, 2013

9:25:17 PM

Bethesda Cottages

Tagaytay City

PUHON

“Puhon”

(“Puhon” is a Visayan term for “God willing”)

“Wake up,” Dodoy shakes Merto’s frail body. “It’s time to get up! We can’t have the sun catch us under the blanket. Come on!” This time Dodoy pulls Merto’s legs. 

Merto complains, “it’s still dark!”

“But if we linger some more, it will be hot by the time we reach the field,” Dodoy insists.  This time he pulls the blanket off Merto’s body.  Merto gets up as he forces his eyes to open. He slowly makes his way to the kitchen.  There Dodoy has prepared coffee made from roasted rice grain.

They make their way to the field.  They sing a lively tune as they climb a hill.  Soon they cross a brook.   They climb another hill.  Before long they see their field. The sky was already bright. In their language, they say “it is bright enough to see a louse in one’s palm.”

Before setting foot on the rice field, Dodoy looks up to the sky. After a moment of silence, he says, “God is good to us.  Today will be a hot day.”

“How did you know today will be a hot day?” Merto asks.

“Just look at the sky.  You can’t see any cloud,” Dodoy explains.  “So we have to hurry. We have to work fast and hard.  Or else we will get burned up by the heat of the sun.”

And so Dodoy and Merto started to work on the rice field. 

“Merto, you go check the water source. Make sure the water is able to irrigate the field. I will begin to pull out the weeds.  When you are done, come help me pull the weeds out.”

Dodoy and Merto worked side by side. Before long, they finished weeding the field.

“Look! The rice is pregnant!” Merto joked. “You mean, the palay is full!” Dodoy corrects.

As they stretch their bodies upward, they wished,  “Puhon! If God wills it, we shall have a good harvest!”

“May God have mercy.” Dodoy and Merto whisper.

After a long silence, Dodoy says, “Come, let’s get home. Maybe mother has prepared our breakfast. We have to get home before the sun gets so hot.”

WHY THE SKY IS BLUE

WHY THE SKY IS BLUE

carmelvillar

Gigi Perez, Evelyn Santos, Dina de la Cruz and Mae Corpuz have been classmates and neighbors since they were born.  They are not related but they call each other’s parents Tito and Tita.  They grew up sharing tables, beds, secrets and clothes.  They went to the same school from preschool to high school.  Their high school graduation was the saddest part of their lives.  After their graduation, each one left their hometown, Visares, in pursuit of their college degree and their dreams.

Gigi left for Cebu to take up medicine; Evelyn to Dumaguete to take up Pre-Law, Dina to Davao to take up Architecture and Mae to Manila for her first step to fulfilling her dream of converting their beach front property into a resort and tourist destination in their town. 

That they are rich and famous in their hometown is an understatement.  The Perez family owns vast tract of land that span three municipalities.  Most of their land is sugar plantation and is the typical hacienda complete with tenants and sugar plantation workers. The Santos family owns the only private school in their town, the school where the four girls got their diplomas. Dina’s family, on the other hand, is into construction business. Their company has developed the first exclusive village in their area. Their company expanded to hardware, grocery, drugstore and appliance stores.  Mae’s family has been into politics for the longest time.  Her great grandfather was the first mayor when their town moved from being a barangay to municipality. This position has been passed on from one generation to the next.  And now her father is the mayor of their town.  It was her father’s utmost disappointment when Mae decided to take up Hotel and Restaurant Management instead of Law.  What made her father more uncomfortable was the fact that Evelyn was taking up Pre-Law.  “You should be taking up Pre-law instead of Evelyn,” her father appealed.  But Mae was set on her plan.  She already brought up the idea that Dina will design and build the resort, Evelyn will take care of all the legalities. “And I will be your loyal guest,” contributed by Gigi.  “I will hold all medical seminars in your resort, Mae. Don’t worry.” 

So it was set.  They will go each their different ways but agreed to reunite every semestral break, Christmas break and definitely summer break. “We have to come home for the town fiesta!” the four chorused.

But while they were geographically separated in pursuit of their dreams, their families were slowly being separated by politics.  On the second term of Mayor Corpuz, Mae’s father’s mayoralty post, his bid for reelection was being challenged by Dina’s father.  He is being supported by Gigi’s family in exchange for assurance that their land will not be claimed by Department of Agrarian Reform.   Evelyn’s family stayed loyal in support of Mae’s family.  Rumor has it that Evelyn’s family is financing Mae’s father’s reelection bid in exchange of getting all construction work and project in the municipality.  Their friendship for so long has not been spared by

The campaign period has become vicious.  The friendship shared by the four families which they had kept for the longest time has not been spared from gossips, innuendos and accusations.  Even the girls who were away from home were not spared from political related attacks.  All of the sudden the text messages they sent to each other lessened until one day, as the campaign was nearing its end, simply stopped.  They stopped communicating with each other.

The four friends were polarized depending on the political poles in which their parents subscribed. Gigi and Dina exchange messages but mostly on campaign matters, so did Evelyn and Mae.  Gone were the intimate messages, comforting words, inspiring quotes they loved to give each.  But their silence over the political landscape in their hometown felt like an ominous cloud that loomed over their homecoming to celebrate Mae’s graduation from college.   And of course, their summer vacation will be marred by intense campaign onto the final election exercise.  Not one of them was excited to go home, to have the reunion they all looked forward to, to do the groundbreaking for Mae’s resort.  The election scenario oppressed them all.  They all thought that this election has changed them, sadly, not for the better. Not one of them knows how to save their friendship.

“We can always forge another friendship.  What was the saying, “Meet new friends?” Mrs. Santos comforted Evelyn.

“But keep the old.  That’s the end of the saying, Ma.” Evelyn answered sadly.  “I don’t know how to keep our friendship anymore. So much damage has been done all for a position that won’t even last.”  There was so much pain in her voice, so much reproach.

Mae came home with her diploma.  Evelyn’s family joined them in the celebration and of course, the entire political party came.  Her graduation celebration turned out to be a grand political bash.  Mae and Evelyn were all smiles, greeting the greeters, partying with the people who wished her well.  But deep inside something was missing.  Mae would glance at the pavilion’s door wishing that Gigi and Dina and their family would walk in.  Evelyn stopped her wishful thinking, “They are not coming Mae. Stop glancing at the door. Try to enjoy your party as much as you can.”

“How can you be so level-headed?” Mae asked in frustration.

“There’s nothing to do but to be level-headed about this.  We can’t be emotional and dramatic. It wouldn’t help us get over this…” she was trying to find word to fit what happened to them. “… mess! Oh, what a mess this is, isn’t it?”

“Now you’re getting dramatic.  Let’s get back to the party.” Mae said.

Summer ended so swiftly. They moved from one campaign sortie to another. At the end of the campaign period, Mae’s family and Evelyn’s went scuba diving.  When they surfaced from their vacation, they were ready for the election.

Mae and Evelyn served as watchers for Mae’s father’s political party.  Gigi and Dina also served as watchers for Dina’s father’s political party.  On electionday, Gigi, Dina, Evelyn and Mae met for the first time since the election separated them.  They greeted each other civilly while the town folks watched them surreptitiously. Mae and Evelyn saw the under the hood looks of the town folks.  “Are they expecting cat fight among the four of us?” Evelyn commented slyly.

Mae looked back as they walked towards their precinct assignments.  As Mae looked back she caught Gigi and Dina looking back at her.  Was there pain in their eyes?  Are they hurting as I am? Mae could hardly hold back the urge to run to them and hug them.  But the eyes of the town folks stopped her from giving in.

At the end of the day the town folks were living in the edge waiting for the result of the election exercise.  Evelyn and Mae’s family stayed in Mae’s house as they await the result.  Mae and Evelyn decided to retire for the night, at Mae’s room.  For the first time since they left for college, Mae and Evelyn shared a bed.

“I could only pray that no one will get hurt from this election,” Evelyn wished.

“My prayer is that whoever wins, whether Dad or Dina’s, I just hope we can all get back from what used to be,” Mae uttered.

“That’s wishful thinking,” Evelyn said matter-of-fact.

Before midnight, a messenger came to announce the result of the election. Neither Mae nor Dina’s father won.  A black-horse candidate, a farmer leader, won the mayoralty position. In the most bizarre response, Mae laughed until tears fell down her cheeks then she cried.

Even before the sun could hit the horizon, Mae and Evelyn were already in the site of Mae’s dream resort.  They sat facing the horizon, Mae engulfed in her dream while Evelyn was busy texting.

“C’mon, let’s enjoy the beach,” Evelyn offered her hands to Mae which she took.  They strode playfully, like high school girls, playing with the waves until they were stopped at the sight of two figures from a distance.  Without so much as a word, just a gasp of pleasure and pain, Mae and Evelyn ran to meet the two figures.  Just like in the movie they met and hugged, cried and laughed.

Gigi, Dina, Evelyn and Mae met again in the place where they wove their dreams. And Mae’s dream is about to come true. 

“I wonder why the sky is blue?” Mae wondered.

“Oh, I love it when the sky is blue,” the three echoed.

Winning Hearts and Minds

“Must we sacrifice what we hold precious in the name of development and progress?” Lily argued passionately. The debate remains a stalemate. No one on either side of the issue wants to give in. Each holds on to their position strongly.

“But this development and progress, my dear,” and there’s sarcasm in Leon’s voice, “will bring employment to many of our people!  This moment, that is uppermost in their mind. Not your “Save the Environment” advocacy! That advocacy will not bring food to their mouth. This will!” He then pointed vigorously to the development plan laid out before the Town Council.

Leon Guerrero (yes, his parents named him after that movie character because he is going to be the defender of the oppressed) and Lily Bombay are members of the Municipal Council.  Now Lily became a member of the Municipal Council by virtue of being elected President of the League of Barangay Captains.  She is the Barangay Captain of Hill Spring, the barangay that hosts the contested spring.

The council has been debating all day long for the approval of the proposal to convert their natural spring into a tourist destination. The two represented the two opposing positions. Leon is for the approval of converting the natural spring into tourist destination while Lily opposes it quite vehemently.

“Is that all you think of? The money that this project will bring into our town? What about the destruction of our natural habitat? What about the pollution? Noise pollution! Garbage! The traffic. Not to mention the possibility of subjecting our women and children to trafficking!” Lily argued.

“Oh, stop that melodrama!” Leon pounded on the table.

Vice Mayor Santi Santisima pounds on the gavel.  “I think let’s take a break. An hour or so, until we gain cooler heads?” Even before he could pound on the gavel to adjourn the session, Leon and Lily rush to the door out of the Assembly Hall and into their own offices.  Both of them fuming.

While in their own offices, both send their staff on an errand.

“I need the PENRO’s opinion on this matter, Shirley.” Lily sends her secretary to the provincial capitol.  “The PENRO has to certify that opening the spring to the general public may endanger our natural habitat.”

“Get the provincial’s Budget and Management people.  We have to prove to these people what huge income will this development project bring not only to our town but to the entire province,” Leon directed his staff.  Then he gulped a glass of cold water which was handed to him by his staff.

Leon could not understand why his proposal is being met with solid opposition. How could Lily oppose the development of her barrio! It would be to her credit if this project pushes through during her term as Barangay Captain. And it would be good for her political career.

On the other hand, Lily was fuming mad that all Leon could see is profit on this development proposal.  Oh, she knows the business associates Leon have.  Did it just happen that these business associates are behind the development proposal?

Thinking aloud, her staff heard her say, “For all I know that Leon wanted to push for the approval of that development proposal because he is going to get a kick back!”

After an hour of recess, the councillors are back in the session hall.  The Vice Mayor expected cooler heads with the resumption of the session.  To his surprise, the contenders came back fully loaded with ammunition.  Each one threw facts, figures and personal attacks at each other.  Until they were halted by a small voice.

“Mr. Vice, may I speak?”  Everyone in the session hall stood still.  Literally, it felt like a bucket of freezing cold water was poured on them. In a tentative manner, an aging woman, bent from a lifetime of hard labor in the field says, “I am a resident of Hill Spring.  I think you should hear what an old woman has to say over this issue.”

In deference to her age, perhaps, or because the Vice Mayor just wants to dissipate the tension, he gives the woman the floor.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I heard about the development plan for our beloved hill spring.  As you can see, I am old.  That hill spring has been part of my life even before I was born.  I was told that my umbilical cord was buried by the river bank.  I was first bathed in that spring.  I have bathed my children and their children in that spring.  The old narra tree that provided shade stand witness to countless love that bloomed in that spring. 

“So when I heard that plans are on their way in developing the spring, I cried.  I cried for a desecration of the place where many placentas were buried. I cry of the commercialization of the sacred spot where the seed of love has been planted and bloomed.

“But if this honourable body can assure me that the old narra tree remains untouched so it can continue to witness the development of many relationships...

“...if this body can assure me that those whose placentas were buried in the river banks are given honourable employment so that they can provide for their family ...

“... if this body can assure me that families are valued so that husbands and wives do not have to be separated in order to provide for their family; children do not grow up without the loving personal care of their parents...

My dear councillors, I am an old woman! Before I die, I’d like to experience to bathe in a swimming pool. I’d like to hear the laughter of the children as they slide down into the deep pool.  I’d like to see young people tease each other in a well lighted park. Thank you.”

The session ends.  One by one, debaters, audience, and preside leave the session hall.  But before Leo could enter his office, Lily pulls him, “That was a cheap trick you pulled there, Bro. Bringing an old woman!”

“All for the best, Sis. All for the best!” Leo smiled impishly.  “Oh, by the way, may I remind you, dinner at 7pm. The Gov will wait for our report.”

“Oh, yeah, I forgot,” Lily said.  “The traditional family meeting!”

“See you there! Make sure Jun and the kids are present.” Leo waves.

What Profit Selflessness

What Profit Selflessness

carmel villar

It’s just another summer vacation for Ilaw V. Dia. But it was a vacation like no other she ever had.

“Why were you named Ilaw?” She would often be asked whenever she introduces herself or when she is introduced.

“Because I was born in daylight,” she would reply hoping that they will catch the humor in her name.  She has gotten used to being teased because of her name.  Like when lights suddenly go off because of brownout, her classmates or friends would call her, “Ilaw! Ilaw! Where are you hiding! Show yourself!”  Now this is really a joke, because you see, Ilaw does not possess a fair complexion.

“And you still want to spend your vacation in the province?” Her friends teased her. “You’ll get even darker.”

“Can I get any darker than I am now?” she shrugged off their concern.

The vacation was actually a mission trip to a remote barrio in Leyte. In Sambulawan, Villaba, Leyte Ilaw went to spend a two-week vacation as part of a reading-literacy outreach program.  Their team of ten young professionals were distributed to ten different villages. This means, Ilaw was left by herself to integrate and adjust to the village's way of life.

She came to Sambulawan equipped with books and lots of teaching aids for the class.  The Barangay Captain has already toured her around the barangay and assigned to her a place where she will hold class. 

She woke up early and went to the classroom as she waited for her students.  She has scheduled her classes as such: in the morning, she holds reading augmentation program.  In the afternoon, the class will for out-of-school youth and adult literacy class.  So there she was waiting for her students, but minutes passed to hours until it was already noon.  But no children came to her class.  She felt the frustration rising up.  Where are these children, she wondered.

She went to her host family.  On her way, she saw the field was bustling with activity.  It was only then that it sunk-in: she came to Sambulawan on harvest season.  And on her first day, her host family was having their field harvested.  Did they just miss to inform or warn her? Or was she  so dense she missed all the signs that people were busy for harvest? She tried to keep her cool as she put reign on her thoughts. She saw the children in the field helping in the harvest. What are they doing in the field? Shouldn't they be in class instead of under the heat of the sun? Whew! She could feel her blood boiling with the heat of the sun.

"Here's Ilaw," Ya Vencia called from the window as if giving a signal to somebody inside the house.  As Ilaw entered the house, the long table was already set for lunch.  She counted the plates and there were more than a dozen plates set.

"Is there a feast here?" she asked Jocelyn, Ya Venciang's daughter, who was setting the table. 

"We have to feed those working in the thresher and the winnowing machine." Jocelyn replied. "You may eat first, Ma'am."

"No, I'll wait. We can all eat together."  Ilaw scanned the field around the cogon thatch that is the house of Ya Vencia and Jocelyn.  There is no "man" in the house.  But Jocelyn's older brother,  Roberto, manages the 1.5 hectare of ricefield for the family.  She saw Roberto walking between the thresher and the winnowing machine. She saw men and women, young and old bringing piles and piles of palay to the thresher.  The thresher operator feed stalks after stalks of palay into the thresher. The thresher threshes the grain from the stalk.  The machine spits out the stalks while the grains go straight to the pail.  Then the operator carries the pail full of palay grain to the winnowing machine where the fine palay stalks are blown-off.

Ilaw noticed that there are older women and children gathered around the pile of stalks blown off by the thresher and another group around the pile from the winnowing machine.  “What are those children and women doing around the pile of palay stalks?” she asked Jocelyn.

Jocelyn looked at the direction where Ilaw was pointing, “Oh, they are the manghahagdaw. [1]”

“Manghahagdaw?” Ilaw asked confused.

“They are farmers here who have no ricefield to work on.  They are neither sa-op or tenants nor do they have prendes.[2]  In order for them to have rice during harvest, the men are taken as laborers and the women and children glean.  They pick rice stalks that fall on the ground during harvest.  Then they sift through from what is left of the thresher and winnowing machine.

“Is this customary here?” Ilaw asked.

“I guess so.  I grew up with this practice.  Some prendes would intentionally leave behind stalks for the manghahagdaw. It’s our way of taking care of those who are very poor, the widows and orphans.  Other manghahadaw come from places where there are no ricefields.  They come here during harvest time to glean.”

“And the farmers allow those from other village to enter their ricefield?”

“Well, I’ve never heard any one prevented to enter the field.  Harvest is a happy occasion.  At the end of the day, when shares are divided, all the workers, prendes and manghahagdaw get drunk.”

“Who’s sponsoring the feast and celebration?” Ilaw asked.

“Well, at first, the farm-owner buys food and drinks.  But later, anybody can pitch in until almost, even the women, get drunk.”

“What about the women, the children, the elderly?  What do they get to eat?”

“Of course they eat whatever is there. As for the drink, the women can drink tuba and the children, softdrinks.  The farm-owner makes sure that everyone gets something to eat and drink. It’s our way of thanking those who worked and helped so that they get bountiful harvest.”

Somehow, Ilaw now had an idea.  There will be no classes until perhaps the end of her stay here.  Will she ever accomplish what she came here for?  She watched the farmers, women, children and farm workers sweat their way through their work under the heat of the sun.  Nobody seemed to mind the heat.  They didn’t even take refuge under the shade.  While they were working, they were laughing as jokes and anecdotes are passed around.

At the end of the day, while the men and women were laughing and reveling, five children and 3 youths approached her.  Tentatively the older one said, “Ate, is it ok if you teach us now?”

Ilaw could not believe what she heard.  The sun has started to go down.  But she could smell that the children have freshened up.  She looked for a place where they can have their class.  As if on cue, Jocelyn cleared the table and the children took their place around the table.

Into the night, Ilaw taught the school children to read while the older children copied words and sentences written in Manila paper. 

All of a sudden, the children laughed.  Ilaw wondered why they were laughing.  They just pointed at each other’s faces.  Then they all pointed at Ilaw. Then she looked closer at her students.  She burst into laughter.  They doubled-up until tears fell down their cheeks. Ilaw wiped her face and her hands turned black from the soot caused by the gas lamp. After a while, they settled for serious reading and writing.

Ilaw knew this is some vacation like no other she ever had.

---

[1] Gleaner

[2] Prendes are farmers who have claimed a portion of a rice field. The prendes is in charged with planting, weeding and harvesting their claim.  The prendes is not paid for working in the field.  But he gets a share of the harvest. The prendes gets the 7^th part of the harvest.

Rural Life Emphasis Sunday Liturgy

This Sunday is designated as Rural Life Emphasis Sunday.  Rural life reminds us of our rootedness to the earth.  The tillers of the soil and the fishers of the seas are recognized and acknowledged.  We are reminded that Jesus started his ministry with rural folks: the fishermen, shepherds, and farmers from a small farm town: Nazareth.

TALAMDAN SA PAGSIMBA

PAGTAWAG SA KATAWHAN

Ø  Pagtunog Sa Budyong

Ø  Pagsindi sa suga

TAWAG SA PAGSIMBA                                                             Salmo 24:1

Iya sa GINOO ang tibuok kalibotan ug ang tanan nga anaa niini,

ug ang yuta ug ang tanan nga nagpuyo niini.

†AWIT SA PAGDAYEG                                               ♫ “Sa Katahum sa Yuta Mo” ASP #35

Sa katahum sa yuta Mo ug sa langit man usab

Sa gugma Mo nga nag-uban gikan pa sa sinugdan.

Koro:

O GINOO sa tanan salamat sa buhat Mo.  Amen.

Sa katahum sa panahon, sa gabii, sa adlaw.

Bungtod ug kahoy, bulak pa, adlaw, bulan, bitoon.

Sa katahum sa gugma Mo, ug sa paghigugmaay

Sa ginikanan ug anak, ug kahigalaan pa.

Sa Imong gasa nga hingpit kanamo gipadala

Ang kaayohan sa yuta, ug sa langit gihatag.

Imong Iglesia padayon sa pag-ampo Kanimo

Maga-alagad sa tanan, lunsay gugma halad N’ya.

PAG-AMPO PASALAMAT

Pangulo:            Ang among pulong dili arang makatukib sa gibati namo kanimo, O GINOO.  Bisan pa niini, isulti gihapon namo ang kalipay ug pagpasalamat tungod sa dakong buhat mo, O Dios.

UCM:    Adlaw ug gabii, ang kinaiyahan mo nagpakita sa katahum.  Ang nagkalainlaing bulok sa kabulakan ug mga langgam, ingon man ang huyuhoy sa hangin ug kinanaas sa balud, uban ang kabugnaw sa ulan nakahatag ug kalipay sa kinabuhi.  Ang pagsubang sa adlaw ug bulan, ingon man ang pagsalup niini ug ang mga bitoon nagpaila sa imong gahum.        

Tanan:                               Salamat, O Dios.

CWA:    Gihatagan mo kamig higayon sa pagpuyo ning kalibotan mo.  Ang pagmata namo inigkabuntag nagpaila sa pag-uban mo kanamo bisan sa madulum nga takna sa gabii.  Gipatunhay mog hatag ang kusog nga among gikinahanglan alang sa mga kaakohan adlaw-adlaw.  Gitultulan mo kami sa dalang matarong. 

                Tanan:                                Salamat, O Amahan.

CYAF AND CYF:              Gitugahan mo kamig mga hiyas ug himan sa lawas  alang sa kaayohan sa among kinabuhi. Ang among utokan nakahatag pagsabut sa mga butang sa kalibotan.  Ang kusog sa among mga bukton gigamit sa nagkalainlaing buluhaton.  Ang pagbati sa kasingkasing nakadugang sa kahulogan sa kinabuhi.  Ang pagkatawa ug pagsulti, ingon man ang pag-awit ug ang lawum nga pagpamalandong nakadugang sa katahum sa pagpuyo.

                Tanan:                                Salamat, O Ginoo.

TANAN:  Ang pagpasalamat sa among baba kawang kon dili kini makita sa among kinabuhi.  Himoa, O Amahan, nga ang among panulti ug pagbati, ug ang panghunahuna mahiusa sa kinabuhi nga kahimut-an Mo.  Kining kalipay nga gibati sa pagpasalamat, maangkon namo pinaagi lamang kang Cristo nga nagtudlo sa pagpasalamat.  Amen.

PAGSANGYAW SA PULONG SA DIOS

PAGBASA SA DAANG TUGON                                                               2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10

PAGBAS SA TUBAG-TUBAG                                                  1Corinto 3:1-11

MENSAHE NG AWIT                                                                   Koinonia

†ANG MAAYONG BALITA                                                        Marcos 6:1-13

♫Gloria Patri

ANG WALI                        

ANG PAGPAHILUNA SA MGA BAG-ONG OPISYALES

v  CMOS: CYF, UCM, CWA

v  Board of Christian Educators

v  Board of Deacons

v  Board of Elders

v  Church Officers

ANG PAG-ILA ug PAGHALAD

Pangulo:  Atong ilhon ang mga gasa nga madagayaon nga gipakig-ambit sa Dios kanato.  Kining tanan nagpadayag sa himaya sa Dios ug gihatag kanato aron sa kaayohan sa katawhan ug alang sa himaya sa Dios.

OFFERING:

(Dad-on uban sa offering ang mga gasa gikan sa yuta, sa dagat)

ANG GASA SA YUTA UG KATUBIGAN                                                                                              UCM

(Dad-on sa mga UCM ang mga pagkaon, mga lagotmon, ug abot sa dagat)

                Ang gasa sa yuta ug katubigan gihatag sa Dios alang kanato aron matubag ang gikinahanglang pagkaon ug panginabuhian.  Ang mga mag-uuma ug mga mananagat kauban sa Dios sa pagsangkap ug pagtubag sa tanan natong gikinahanglan.

ANG GASA SA KINABUHI                                                                                                         CWA

(Dad-on sa CWA ang usa ka bata)

                Gihatagan kitag mga kabataan aron mapadayon ang pagbuhat ug ang kinabuhi sa kalibotan.  Mapahinumdom unta nato sa atong mga kabataan nga sila ang tinugyanan sa tanang kabuhatan ug naa sa ilang mga kamot ang pagpatunhay sa kinabuhi.

ANG GASA SA KAUTOKAN                                                                                                      CYAF

(Magdala ug mga libro uban ang Biblia)

                Kining mga libro uban ang Biblia nagpakita sa pila sa kinamaahuyan nga hunahuna.  Ang kinamaalamon ug  madagayaon nga hunahuna miabot sa hunahuna sa mga tawo nga nakigdugtong sa kabuhatan sa Dios.  Ang mga pagtulun-an ni Jesus gikutlo sa mga kasinatian sa kaumahan ug kadagatan,  Kung atong pasagdan ang kaumahan ug kadagatan, unsa pa man ang kuhaan sa mga pagpamalandong?

ANG GASA SA KATAHOM                                                                                                        CYF

(Magdala ng nindot nga mga bulak)

                Ang katahom sa kabuntagon, ang katumanan sa pagsalop sa adlaw, ang kalipay nga dala sa matahom nga kabulakan nakapahinumdom kanato sa katahom sa binuhatan sa Dios.  Apan ang labaw nga matahom mao ang

Pakig-uban nato sa Dios sa pag-atiman sa kabuhatan aron kini mapahimuslan pa sa sunod nga kaliwatan.

†AWIT SA PAG-ILA                                      ♫“Ang Buhat Mo, O Dios”  ASP #36

Ang buhat Mo, O Dios, dili ikasaysay,

katinmgalahan ang tanan pagkagamhanan Mo

Koro:

Tanang binuhat Mo, gugma nagpaila ug sa kalooy Mo, O Dios, karon pagdaygon Ka.

Ang kalangitan Mo, kawanangan usab, bisan sa tawo giabut, di matugkad gayud.

Adlaw nga nagsiga, bulan, bitoon man, sa ilang dapit pabilin, sila gigamhan Mo.

Katubigang tanan, dagat, kasapaan, nagatubod sa kanunay, Sundong balaod Mo.

Mitubo sa yuta tanaman nga tanan alang man sa katawhan Mo,

pagdaygon Ka, O Dios.

Bililhon sa tanan katawhan Mo, O Dios, gihatag kinabuhi Nya ug gugma Mo usab.

†HINAPOS NGA PAG-AMPO

          ♫Tubag sa Choir