E.E. Cummings

By E. E. Cummings

somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond

any experience,your eyes have their silence:

in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,

or which i cannot touch because they are too near

your slightest look easily will unclose me

though i have closed myself as fingers,

you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens

(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose

or if your wish be to close me, i and

my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,

as when the heart of this flower imagines

the snow carefully everywhere descending;

nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals

the power of your intense fragility:whose texture

compels me with the color of its countries,

rendering death and forever with each breathing

(i do not know what it is about you that closes

and opens;only something in me understands

the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)

nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands

The First Time I Loved Forever

The first time I loved forever

Was when you whispered my name

And I knew at once you loved me

For the me of who I am

The first time I loved forever

I cast all else aside

And I bid my heart to follow

Be there no more need to hide

And if wishes and dreams are merely for children

And if love's a tale for fools

I'll live the dream with you

For all my life and forever

There's a truth I'll always know

When my world divides and shatters

Your love is where I'll go

Sung by Lisa Angelle

Lyrics by Melanie Safka

Melody by Lee Holdridge

Christmas Day Heat Wave in LA

When the NBA released the schedule for this season, one game that EVERY FAN highlighted was the new-look Miami Heat's visit to Los Angeles and the defending champion Lakers on Christmas Day. To many, it was the preview to the Finals in June of 2011, but to most people, it was the ultimate test for the Three Kings of Miami. It was the most anticipated match of the season.

Philippine time, the game started at 6 AM today. When the dust cleared 3 hours later, it was clear as crystal that the Miami Heat may have started the season slowly (growing pains), but they're now here to fight for the Larry O'Brien trophy. The score? Heat 96 - Lakers 80. Just another day at the office for King James with another triple double, with ample support from D-Wade and Bosh, and the rest of the team from South Beach.

Yes, it was just one game, but it was a game where the Lakers were complete (yes, Bynum and Gasul were healthy) and the Heat dismantled them. It was a statement game for both teams. Yes, the Lakers are still the champs - for now. They have to get back to their winning ways or else there will be another heat wave in Los Angeles in June - that is if the Lakers can survive the playoffs in the Western Conference.

Welcoming Christmas

Merry Christmas, World!

I'm making this blog at almost exactly (strictly speaking, the seconds are always running so there's no exact time) 12 midnight. Yes, my Christmas is that lonely and boring that I'm welcoming it making a blog. I got home a couple of hours ago to a silent house with my parents sleeping and my wife and daughter in Davao.

Adding to my loneliest Christmas is my asthmatic cough and slight fever. No traditional Noche Buena for us tonight, and I'm gonna hit the sack after I'm done writing.

Sorry Lord, I know Christmas is your birthday, not mine, but people around the world are so used to celebrating your natal day that even though we've never had big celebrations in the past, we would always welcome Christmas together. Oh well, I still have 23 hours left of Your day.

Happy Christmas, everyone 

and Happy Birthday again, Papa Jesus!

Christmas 2010

Let's not forget what CHRISTmas really is.. ♥

CHRISTmas is Coming

Let us not forget what CHRISTmas really is.. ♥

Don Bosco in Cebu

Last night and tonight, I went back to my alma mater to visit the relic of our Patron Saint, Saint John Bosco, more popularly known to the world as Don Bosco. The relic consists of St. John Bosco’s right hand carefully preserved inside a sealed case and inserted in the chest of the life-like wax replica of the saint. His face was from his actual death mask. The relic left Valdocco, Italy on April 25, 2009 is on a world tour in 130 countries as pilgrimage in preparation for the saint’s 200th birth anniversary on Aug. 16, 2015.

Yesterday, I went with the L3nians, my former classmates, forever friends, brothers and team mates, and tonight, I went with my wife, daughter and sister, Khai. I was in tears during the Holy Mass because I again heard the mass songs sung only in Don Bosco schools. Last time I heard those songs was during my high school graduation 14 years ago.

It was a spiritual and a once in a lifetime experience since no one knows when the relic of Don Bosco will again tour the world, and if ever, if it'll again drop by the Philippines. It's also a dream come true because I remember looking at the picture of the relic when I was in Grade 5 at Bishop Patrick Buzon's office, wishing that I can someday go to Italy to see the real one. Don Bosco made sure I needed not to leave Cebu to see him.

Thank you, Don Bosco.

Thank you, Mary Help of Christians.

Sometimes

Sometimes..

we wish were better,

wish we were somewhere,

wish we had that something,

wish we did something else..

But sometimes..

We wish too much that we miss to enjoy who we are,

where we are,

and what we have...

A Glee Christmas

The 5th season of Dexter ended beautifully again yesterday, no wonder the series is getting a lot of awards including the Emmys. Supernatural, Smallville and Glee also had their final episodes for the year, and will be back by the end of January 2011.

Speaking of Glee, their last episode was very beautiful, and was summarized beautifully in this Glee-wind.

It's a very Glee Christmas indeed! ♥

I Appreciate You

What's a Trash Can?

to a toddler, it's just a shelf of his ugly toys..

to a student, it's where he throws his bad scores..

to a teenager, it's a basket case for the letters of an ex-lover..

to a writer, it's a file of rejected drafts..

to a street child, life goes on with a trash can..

This Christmas season, let's count our blessings and be thankful for all the good and the not-so-good things that happened to us for it made us who we are now..

Just want to let you know that I truly appreciate you. ♥

Concert King & the Sessionistas

The ASAP Sessionistas' tribute to the Concert King last Sunday was simply amazing, at the same time, touching to hear Martin's greatest hits sung by such beautiful voices. Yes, a lot of great singers nowadays, but no one still comes close to the King - my greatest musical influence.

Going into his 29th year in show business next year,

the Concert King still reigns supreme!

DB Relic Sked in Cebu

The Schedule of St. John Bosco's Relic in Cebu:

December 12, 2010 (Sunday) Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic will be inside the Church

4:00 AM - Morning prayer service in honor of SJB - Relic to be brought to Tampi

5:00 AM - Crossing of Relic f to Bato, Cebu

6:00 AM - Convoy to Lourdes Parish

10:00 AM - Welcome Procession from McDonalds

10:30 AM - Holy Mass, Lourdes Parish, Punta Princesa

1:00 PM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

7:15 PM - Parish Procession of Relic

10:00 PM - Youth Vigil / Overnight Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

December 13, 2010 (Monday) Don Bosco Technology Center Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic will be in the Jesus, the Adolescent Chapel

5:30 AM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

8:00 AM - Lourdes Kinder Honors St. John Bosco

9:00 AM - Procession to Don Bosco Tech. Center

10:00 AM - Holy Mass Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

5:00 PM - Holy Mass sponsored by Salesian Youth Movement

6:30 PM - Salesian Youth Movement Activities

10:00 PM - Vigil sponsored by Salesian Youth Movement Activities Overnight Veneration

December 14, 2010 (Tuesday) Don Bosco Technology Center

5:00 AM - Veneration is closed for cleaning

8:00 AM - Student Pilgrims (BED) Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

10:00 AM - Mass in Honor of SJB Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic continues

5:00 PM - Mass in Honor of SJB Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic continues

10:00 PM - Salesian Youth Movement -- Vigil Overnight Veneration

December 15, 2010 (Wednesday) Don Bosco Technology Center

5:00 AM-8:00 AM - Veneration closed for cleaning and maintenance.

8:00 AM - BED Schools Pilgrims’ Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

10:00 AM - Mass in Honor of SJB Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

5:00 PM - Mass in honor of SJB Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

6:30 PM - Youth Prayer Rally open to covenanted organizations Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

10:00 PM-3:30 AM - Youth rally open to covenanted organizations Overnight Veneration

December 16, 2010 (Thursday) Don Bosco Technology Center

4:30 AM - Misa De Gallo for the youth with Fr. Lan Guiao, SDB

5:03 AM - Veneration is closed for cleaning

8:00 AM - Student Pilgrims (BED) Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

10:00 AM - Mass in Honor of SJB Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic continues

5:00 PM - Mass in Honor of SJB by Bishop Precioso Cantillas offered by the Alumni Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic continues

6:30 PM - Farewell tribute to SJB; Fireworks Overnight Veneration

December 17, 2010 (Friday) Don Bosco Technology Center & Don Bosco Boys’ Home Veneration of the Relic will be at the Papal Hall

4:30 AM - Misa De Gallo with SJB by the Chapels with Bishop Precioso Cantillas

5:30 AM - Veneration is closed for cleaning

8:00 AM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic by Alumni families and walk-in pilgrims Farewell Para-liturgy for SJB

9:00 AM - Convoy to LILOAN

10:00 AM - Grand Welcome in Don Bosco Boys Home, Liloan

1:00 PM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

7:00 PM-12:00 MN - Youth Vigil Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

December 18, 2010 (Saturday) Don Bosco Boys’ Home Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral Veneration at the St. Vitalis Chapel Don Bosco Youth Center, Pasil Veneration will be in the DB Youth Center Gym

4:30 AM - Misa de Gallo with Bishop Julito Cortes Veneration continues after Holy Mass

8:00 AM - Motorcade to Cebu Cathedral Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

4:00 PM - Arrival of Relic from the Cathedral

5:00 PM - Welcome Ceremonies in DB Pasil

5:30 PM - Holy Mass

6:30 PM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

7:00 PM - Taize Prayer by the DBYC

8:00 PM - Start of Prayer Vigil by clusters Overnight Veneration

December 19, 2010 (Sunday) Don Bosco Youth Center, Pasil DBFC Lawaan Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic will be at the Social Hall

7:00 AM - Holy Mass for the sick in the GYM

8:30 AM - Children’s Mass

10:00 AM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

2:00 PM - Holy Mass

3:00 PM - Send Off Ceremonies, Procession

4:00 PM - Relic proceeds to DBFC Lawaan

5:00 PM - Welcome ceremonies DBFC Lawaan

6:00 PM - Aspirants Sunday Mass

7:00 PM - Holy Mass sponsored by ADMA

8:00 PM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic till 10:30 PM

December 20, 2010 (Monday) Mary Help of Christians School, Minglanilla DBFC Lawaan Convoy

7:30 AM - Convoy to Mary Help School, Minglanilla

8:00 AM - Welcome, Holy Mass

9:00 AM-1:30 PM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

3:00 PM - Para-liturgical Celebration / convoy back to DBFC Lawaan

4:00 PM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

6:00 PM - Holy Mass sponsored by Association of Salesian Cooperators

7:00 PM-10:30 PM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

December 21, 2010 (Tuesday) DBFC Lawaan

8:00 AM - SDB Cebu cluster Christmas recollection (viewing is closed to the public)

12:00 PM - Public Veneration resumes

6:00 PM - Holy Mass sponsored by Alumni

7:00 PM-10:30 PM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

December 22, 2010 (Wednesday) DBFC Lawaan

8:00 AM - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

8:00 PM - Holy Mass

9:00 PM-12:00 mn - Veneration of St. John Bosco’s Relic

December 23, 2010 (Thursday) Send-off Lourdes Parish

7:30 AM - Farewell Ceremonies in Lawaan

8:30 AM - Arrival in Lourdes Parish

9:00 AM - Holy Mass / Commitment & Farewell Ceremonies of SDB, FMA, ASC, ADMA, VDB, DAMAS, Alumni & Alumnae, Caritas, selected youth, Benefactors & Friends

11:30 AM - Convoy proceeds to the Airport Lunch by invitation

Proud Bosconian

The relic of Saint John Bosco will be here in Cebu from December 12 to December 23, 2010, and if I have to be absent from work just so I can experience it, I definitely will. I am proud to be a Bosconian, and just hearing this song composed by one of my closest Salesians, brings me to tears.

Old Meets New

An old photographer, still bringing his antique camera and his camera bag, using his new digital camera to take a picture of his customers on a lazy Sunday afternoon at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. It's such a joy to know and watch photographers of yesteryears embracing the technology of tomorrow.

Return of the King

The city that loved him and supported him in his 7 seasons there has turned against him when he decided to sign up with the Miami Heat before the season started. Yesterday, King James returned to Cleveland as the city's number 1 villain. Security was tight and he was booed from the moment he entered the arena, and every time he touched the ball. Just like when playing with other opposing teams, he silenced the crowd with his performance. He sat out the whole 4th quarter. He didn't need to play. After just 3 quarters, Lebron compiled 38 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal and 0 turnovers.

It was mostly the bench players of Miami playing in the 4th quarter where the Cavaliers tried desperately to catch up. Final score? 118-90.

King James just proved how much the Cavaliers miss him.

Mom's Miracle

I've always believed in miracles, and we experienced one just last night when my mother fell from the stairs leading up to our house. After 14 x-ray's so far, there's no serious damage found, and to think that she fell head first. Yes, she has abrasions all over her body, but we're still thankful that there's no broken bone or worse, head trauma. As you can see, the stairs is made of concrete and it has 18 steps. Mom was already in the 15th step when she became dizzy. And because she was holding her bag on one hand, and a Pomelo on the other, she forgot to hold on to the hand rail. Her arms, back, side and legs got the abrasions from being bounced from step to step until she landed on the small drainage below.

Thank you Lord, for carrying my mom.

Miracles happen to those who believe in them.

- Bernard Berenson

Sa Araw Ng Pasko

Di ba't kay ganda sa atin ng pasko

Naiiba ang pagdiriwang dito

Pasko sa ati'y hahanap-hanapin mo

Walang katulad dito ang pasko

[Refrain:]

Lagi mo na maiisip na sila'y nandito sana

At sa noche buena ay magkakasama

[Chorus:]

Ang pasko ay kay saya kung kayo'y kapiling na

Sana pagsapit ng pasko, kayo'y naririto

Kahit pa malayo ka, kahit nasaan ka pa

Maligayang bati para sa inyo sa araw ng pasko

Sa ibang bansa'y 'di mo makikita

Ang ngiti sa labi ng bawat isa

Alam naming hindi n'yo nais malayo

Paskong pinoy pa rin sa ating puso

(Repeat Refrain)

(Repeat Chorus)

[Bridge:]

Dito'y mayro'ng caroling at may simbang gabi

At naglalakihan pa ang christmas tree, ang christmas tree

(repeat chorus except last 4 words)

(repeat chorus)