Greetings and Messages - 1st Quarter, Year 2013

March 29, 2013

Once More with Feelings

THE CROSS OF CHRIST

What is the Cross of Christ? What do love and compassion and salvation mean for which it stands?

Maybe, it means creation itself. It is the dazzling radiance of brother sun and the soft beam of sister moon; it is the twinkling lights of the shining stars that make one wish for a bright tomorrow. It is the refreshing drops of rain and the dry lands called earth; it is the trees of the forest whose long arms reach out for the sky. It is the birds in the air, the fishes in the seas and the wild beasts that roam the mountains; it is the enchanting beauty of the flowers in the field and the green grass thereon.

It is the Garden of Eden and the first bite of Adam and Eve; it is paradise lost and the promise of redemption. It is the call of Abraham and his act of faith that justified, the covenant with Noah and the ark which survived the storm. It is the charismatic leadership of Moses and the hard road to glory that was the Promised Land; it is David's throne and his courage that slew the terrible giant. It is Solomon's wisdom and the sweet songs of the psalmists for the Great Composer; it is Isaiah's messages on God's Holy Servant and the power of love to fulfill the prophecy. It is the Virgin's womb that bore the Wonderful Child, Just Joseph who was standing by and angels singing praises to the Star of Bethlehem and the lovely Lamb of Calvary. It is a promised fulfilled and the Light shines on.

It is St. Peter to whom the keys of the gate of heaven was entrusted and St. Paul's conversion which inspires us all. It is St. Jerome's Vulgate and the wisdom of the ages; the Word is passed on and reason is crowned with faith.

That there are children in bright-colored dresses with their cheerful smiles and churches where they come to pray. The church opens its door and a faithful gathers, singing hymns and chanting praises. The dusk sets in, and a man takes his wife and child home; the door closes and a family unites in love.

These are the Cross of Christ ----- each of us and all of us together with the true and triumphant God forever.

March 29, 2013

Notes about My Country

This is the Holy Week, and many Filipinos are observing Christian practices such as worship services and retreats associated with it. The Holy Week is also one of the four long vacation periods in my country, and many use this time to attend to personal things often neglected during regular working days. It also coincides with the beginning of summer vacation. Millions of Filipinos are going back and have gone back to their provinces.

PS: Congratulations to my little angel, Gabby, for receiving two medals: one for academic excellence, the other for excellence in reading. I always pray for good health for her.

March 18, 2013

Two Changes in Philippine Elections

Perhaps the best thing that has ever happened in Philippine elections for the past 25 years was the computerization of the electoral process. Votes were counted using computers. The process was quick and very effective. It eliminated massive electoral frauds which were often reported and sometimes verified. The elections of 2010 were the cleanest ever.

Another ugly feature of these elections which must be eliminated is the killings of political candidates. Philippine elections of 2013 have already started, and I’ll assume there is at least one candidate killed because of the elections. (I have not heard yet from the news.) There must be a way to solve these political killings during elections.

A lot of goodwill is always generated by these elections, and an overwhelming majority of the voters are honest people who join, happily, the electoral process because they want their voices to be heard. They cast their ballots on voting day and they want their votes to be counted. What is lacking, it seems, is the political will from the leaders and elders of our society to condemn and vilify the perpetrators of such actions to the point that everyone realizes that such actions are useless and unwanted by our society.

For me, the killing of just one candidate during elections in order to win is not acceptable. It is not acceptable at all.

March 17, 2013

Notes about Philippine Elections

Today, I visited the website of NEDA-Philippines (National Economic and Development Authority of the Philippine Government) and went to look at the statistics on the 2003-2011 GNP (Gross National Product). The numbers available were quite confusing insofar as I was concerned but this was what I thought they meant in relation to Philippine elections.

The gross national product during election year, particular during the second quarter when election campaigns are in full swing, was relatively higher than the gross national product during non-election year.

How do I say this in a more picturesque manner? Well, during election years in the past (2003-2011), "Santa Claus came to town" twice in the Philippines: one during the second quarter of the election years for the "main gifts"; the other time, during the fourth quarter of the election years for the "additional gifts."

March 15, 2013

Notes about My Country

The schoolyear 2012-2013 is now over and preparations are under way for graduation exercises and moving up programs. Lots of cheers for students who have accomplished their job. As for my little angel, Gabby, she did exceptionally well this year, although her final grades have not been released officially. I was and am a witness to her industriousness, willingness to complete her tasks as a pupil, good behavior and kindness.

The Philippines Elections of 2013 has started. I hope I'll be able to write an article about Philippine elections. Many bad things have been said about them, but there are lots of good things about them, too. For one, these elections often help improve the economy of my country. They are also --- under normal situation --- a clear manifestation of the power of the people to decide the fate of the nation, for better or for worse, in the next few years. And most of all, these elections are proof of how strong the people adhere to democratic processes, and in this regard, there's nothing quite like them in Asia.

Summer has started, too. Flowers are in full bloom and beaches will be full of local and foreign tourists. There is the "Lenten Season." It will be celebrated in various ways by Filipino Christians. The Philippines is the only Christian country in Asia. Finally, all over the country, many towns will hold their fiesta and the local people look forward to these small or grand celebrations.

February 11, 2013

Notes about My Country

March is the graduation and "moving-up" month in the Philippines. My little angel, Gabby, is doing quite well in school. Summer will start in April and there will be the Philippine Elections of 2013 in May.

PS: From Gabby - Congratulations to all graduates and all pupils who will move up to the next higher level.

February 11, 2013

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all who have truly loved and continue to do so.

PS: From Gabby - Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

February 11, 2013

Website Update

More items will be added anytime in March. If it is possible, I'll add some materials this month and more items will be added to "A Tribute to Andres Bonifacio." I hope you are enjoying this website on the Philippines. If you are visiting my country, do not forget to visit this website.

In addition, I wish Jimdo.com all the best, which is also good for me. From Gabby - Good luck to Jimdo.com.

January 20, 2013

Tributes

Last Sunday, one of my uncles died. His name is Joselito or Tiyo, who served as mayor of Baler for a good number of years. He is the younger brother of my mother, who served as undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare during the late 1980’s, and the son of Juan Angara, the former governor of the sub-province of Aurora during the 1950’s. May Tiyo’s soul find peace with God.

Today, I am publishing my work, entitled, “A Tribute to Andres Bonifacio.” This year, the Filipino nation commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of this great Filipino. And for me, this year is a great time to be a Filipino.

January 12, 2013

Notes for Today

The fourth quarter of school-year 2012-2013 in the Philippines has begun. In about two and a half months, the school-year 2012-2013 will be over. March is moving-up month and graduation month in my country. Summer begins during the last week of March or first week of April.

As of this time, I can say, fairly, that my little angel, Gabby, is highly qualified and prepared for the next higher level. Thank God.

If I may add: The website, "Hearts Philippines & Then Some," is currently and continuously being improved. I invite all the members of JIMDO to visit my website on the Philippines. The site contains a lot of information on and photos of my country. If you are going to visit this part of the world, make sure you visit "Hearts Philippines & Then Some". It is also a good reference material for Filipino students and researchers as well to people who are interested in the Philippines.

January 8, 2013

A Premium Gift

Last December (2012), I participated actively in the Decemberfest of Jimdo.com, and I won again. This time, the gift is a one-year, US$45 premium subscription at evernote.com. The other time (December, 2011), I won a very beautiful wallet with an environmental design, which I gave to my little angel, Gabby. And she uses it on a special occasion. She had already used it 3 or 4 times.

Jimdo's Decemberfest was (and is) really lots of fun.

January 1, 2013

A New Day, A New Year

It's the first day of the New Year!

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