LakbaySining- J.F. Lacaba #3

It's been raining heavily as of late. Summer's over here in our part of the globe. And to us here at the lab, signals the beginning of intermittent power interruption as our power source continually trips as electricity sparks start flying (as in, literally) when rain drops start kissing the cables. Whoa, whenever would engineering be able to solve this problem, i can only wonder.

I'm back here at the lab listening to Sitti's soulful voice while the rains keep pouring outside. Might as well post another Pete Lacaba work. This time a translation of a well-known poem describing how to attain one's desire for happiness adding a few advise on all things most essential in this life. I memorized this way back in high school and thought the author was anonymous. But now when I surfed the web i found out that this was actually penned by Max Ehrmann. The poem is Desiderata.

DESIDERATA (“Minithi” in Filipino)

Lumakad nang mahinahon

Sa gitna ng ingay at pagkukumahog, at alalahanin ang kapayapaang maaaring makuha sa katahimikan.

Walang isinusuko hanggat maaari, pakitunguhan nang mabuti ang lahat ng tao.

Sabihin ang iyong katotohanan nang tahimik at malinaw; at makinig sa iba, kahit sa nakayayamot at mangmang; sila man ay may kasaysayan.

Iwasan ang mga taong mabunganga at palaaway, yumabang ka o maghinanakit; sapagkat laging may lilitaw na mas mahusay o mas mahina sa iyo.

Ikalugod ang iyong mga tagumpay at saka mga balak.

Manatiling interesado sa iyong hanapbuhay, gaano man kaaba; ito’y tunay na ari-arian sa pabago-bagong kapalaran ng panahon.

Maging maingat sa iyong negosyo; sapagkat ang daigdig ay puno ng panlilinlang. Subalit huwag maging bulag sa kabutihang makikita; maraming nagsisikap na makamit ang mga adhikain; at sa lahat ng dako, ang buhay ay puno ng kabayanihan.

Maging tapat sa sarili. Higit sa lahat, huwag magkunwari.

Huwag ding libakin ang pag-ibig; sapagkat sa harap ng lahat ng kahungkagan at kawalang-pag-asa, ito’y lagi’t laging sumisibol, tulad ng damo.

Tanggapin nang mabuti ang mga payo ng katandaan, buong-giliw na isuko ang mga bagay-bagay ng kabataan.

Pag-ibayuhin ang lakas ng loob at nang mayroon kang pananggalang laban sa biglaang kasawian. Subalit huwag ikaligalig ang mga haka-haka.

Maraming pangamba ang likha ng pagod at pangungulila.

Bagamat kailangan ang sapat na disiplina, maging magiliw sa sarili. Supling ka ng sandaigdigan, tulad din man ng punongkahoy at bituin; may karapatan kang manatili rito.

At malinaw man sa iyo o hindi, walang dudang ang sandaigdigan ay bumubukadkad na tulad ng nararapat.

Kung gayon, pakisamahan ang Panginoon, anuman ang pananaw mo sa kanya, at anuman ang iyong pinagkakaabalahan at minimithi, sa maingay na kalituhan ng buhay, pakisamahan ang iyong kaluluwa.

Sa kabila ng lahat ng pagkukunwari, kabagutan at gumuhong pangarap, maganda pa rin ang daigdig.

Mag-ingat. Sikaping lumigaya.

HaloHalo Thoughts

I got to work yesterday just in time to see my colleagues going out for lunch. So I placed my things in the lab and headed towards the canteen, too.

We were having a relatively light moment when suddenly 5 orders of halohalo were set before us. Halohalo is a favorite of mine, a Filipino dessert made up of an interesting mix of sweetened ingredients like ube halaya, leche flan, sago, sweetened banana, kamote, monggo, kaong, nata de coco, milk and more. It is gastronomically tantalising during the hot months of summer. There were 5 who ordered beforehand. Seeing that I'd be left without one, I also signaled for an order of the same. That left Malou halohalo-less so she ordered one, too. Somebody exclaimed, "Yehey, Halohalo Festival ito." What's there for us to celebrate? That got each one of us into wondering what could it be. There must be a reason. Then suddenly I remembered something. I softly whispered to my seatmate, "I know. I remember today is someone's birthday."

"Huh? Who?", asked my sis Meanne. To which I answered, "Si XXXX."

"Aaah! Sigh. okay, I'll celebrate with you."

Donna, who was seated beside Meanne asked "Who?" Then everyone wanted to be in on it. We got into one of those charades type of guessing game. Boy, it was fun! Finally, everyone got it. His name starts with the letter of my favorite number. Hehe...

They say time heals all wounds. I say, love and acceptance healed mine. With the passage of time, yes, but most especially due to God's all-loving grace.

Lakbay Sining- J.F. Lacaba #2

nothing much to blog right now.

here's another Jose F. Lacaba work. i'm afraid i haven't been doing justice to the man by not putting in a word or two about him. JFLacaba is well-known in the world of filipino literature, having penned famous works as: Orapronobis, Sister Stella L, Kapit sa Patalim, Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage, Sa Daigdig ng Kontradiksyon, Ang mga Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Juan de la Cruz, among others. he was one of the first quarter storm's journalists who sought refuge in the arts to regain his voice (as UST's The Varsitarian described him, a journalist-turned underground writer). a screenwriter/poet/ journalist/translator and self-proclaimed college dropout, he is now vice-chair of MTRCB and writes for Pinoy Times. below poem is already a translated (tagalized) version of the original, done by Alcidez Iznaga. this speaks of the plight of a Cuban revolutionary.

Kabiyak at Kasama

Kasama, ikaw na aking kabiyak,
higit sa iyo, ang minamahal ko lamang
ay ang Rebolusyon;
nagpapagod ka, nababalisa
nauunawaan ko,
dahil sa mga bata,
dahil sa mga baryo ng karton,
lata at basura
dahil sa mga maysakit at nangamamatay

Naririto ka ngayon, malapit
sa mga mata kong nagmamasid;
bukas-makalawa, ika’y nasa Santiagoo
sa Pinar del Rio
o inaabot ng madaling-araw
sa pagtutuwid ng tiwali
at pagwawaksi ng bulok,
sa pag-alo sa mga api.
Ika’y hardinera, karpintero;
Tulad mo’y hangin, nagpupunla’t sumusulong…

Hindi ka maigugupo
ng Playa Giron
ni ng mga dayuhan at taksil,
hindi ka matitinag ng paninikil
ang buong buhay mo’y nakalaan
sa pagbabago ng mga bagay-bagay,
sa bagong kaayusan.

Pinay Traveller

I have just been browsing through the web, searching for places to visit when suddenly i chanced upon an ad warning on malaria hotspots. gosh! i just found it cool.

there was this mosquito gobbling up red (blood, perhaps) and as the red background drops down, appears this line: is travelling in your blood? cool... of course, that drew my attention!! (it was an ad by a pharma company or something, i think).

the thing is... yes, travelling's in my blood. as i may have mentioned in my posts here somewhere, i have been travelling ever since i can remember. and that's all thanks to my lola susing and my mom and dad for allowing me to trudge around with lola back then.

and i am still travelling.

and perhaps forever will be, in this lifetime and the next.

Election Returns

Tally sheets are still being completed. As of this evening, canvassing is still on-going in several areas within the country.

Some names are already very strong in their position among the dozen senators-to-be. Although there are still some that have yet to be watched closely as the final slots will be the most vied for positions. It seems that media is being reprimanded(?), if for lack of a better word, for excessive transparency (is there really such a thing?) which they say could well start a trending (but that which is actually appearing to be very evident, as of now).

Personally, I think, media does have to push their right in this arena. Even though they are being harassed as of late from powers that be, they really do have to maintain a vigilant stance especially during these times when nobody knows for certain how tables can turn.

Philippine Election 2007

I swear I had more fun when I was a kid! Those were the days when I'd just run around and goof around with the teeniest bit concern about the world and its politics. Now I'm weighing lots of stuff on my mind and pondering heavily on the senatoriables and local leaders running for office this term. And it's not like we've got a lot of choices before us, really.

In my not so many years of witnessing leaders rise, then fall, and others grapple at straws to grab or remain in the seat of power, I reckon I have seen only a handful worthy of being called respectable leaders. There have been leaders who promised and there were those who delivered. There were leaders who spoke lengthy speeches and there were those who performed. There were leaders who planned and there were those who implemented. There were leaders who put ethical values where their mouths were and there were those who stood their ground and lived by principle and integrity. And with the outpouring of campaign propaganda in the streets and media boards, few could only be seen as potentially appealing for my taste. Candidates have travelled the thousands of miles spanning tip-to-tip of the country but only a few have just about shown promise for the tasks at hand. Oh no,no,no... Much to my dismay, I fear popularity might just sway votes around.

However lowly the seat or small the role to be filled, I will be voting for leaders who will be my voice in the senate, my casting hand in the congressional house and my visionary for the future. One who will fight for my and my fellow countrymen's right to human life. I don't want any more empty promises, inaction and stale breaths.

With merely one and a half day before casting my ballot, I raise all hope to whoever will get elected by the people. May you all be true champions and servants of the people who placed you in your seat.

=========================

Meantime, might as well quote a poem by Jose F. Lacaba which was interpreted by Armida Siguion-Reyna last month at Korina Sanchez's anchor in ANC and later aired at their Tambalang Korina at Ted Failon AM radio show.

LakbaySining - J.F.Lacaba #1

Tagubilin at Habilin

mabuhay ka kaibigan!

yan ang una't huli kong tagubilin at habilin: mabuhay ka!

sa edad kong ito, marami akong maibibigay na payo

mayaman ako sa payo

maghugas ka ng kamay bago kumain

maghugas ka ng kamay pagkatapos kumain

pero huwag kang maghuhugas ng kamay para lamang makaiwas sa sisi

huwag ka maghuhugas ng kamay kung may inaapi

na kaya mong tulungan

paupuin mo sa bus ang mga matatanda at ang mga may kalong na sanggol

magpasalamat ka sa nagmamagandang loob

matuto sa karanasan ng matatanda pero huwag magpatali sa kaisipang makaluma.

huwag piliting matulog kung ayaw dalawin ng antok.

huwag pag-aksayahan ng panahon ang mga walang utang na loob

huwag makipagtalo sa bobo, at baka ka magpagkamalang bobo

huwag bubulong-bulong sa mga panahong kailangan mong sumigaw

huwag kang manalig sa mga bulung-bulungan

huwag papatay-patay sa ilalam ng pabitin

huwag kang tutulog-tulog sa pansitan

umawit ka kung nag-iisa ka sa banyo

umawit ka sa piling ng barkada

umawit ka kung nalulungkot

umawit ka kung masaya

ingat lang,

huwag kang aawit ng 'my way' sa videoke bar, baka ka mabaril

huwag kang magsindi ng sigarilyo sa gasolinahan

dahan-dahan sa matatarik na landas

dahan-dahan sa malulubak na lugar,

higit sa lahat, inuulit ko: Mabuhay ka!

maraming bagay sa mundo na nakakadismaya

mabuhay ka

maraming problema ang mundo na wala na yatang lunas

mabuhay ka

sa hirap ng panahon, sa harap ng kabiguan,

kung minsan ay gusto mo nang mamatay

gusto mong maglaslas ng pulso kung sawi sa pag-ibig

gusto mong magbigti kung napakabigat ng pasanin

gusto mong pasabugin ang bungo mo kung maraming gumugulo sa utak

huwag kang papatalo. huwag kang susuko

narinig mo ang sinabi ng awitin

"gising at magbangon sa pagkagupiling,

sa pagkakatulog na lubhang mahimbing"

gumising ka kung hinaharana ka ng pag-ibig

bumangon ka kung nananawagan ang kapus-palad

ang sabi ng iba: "ang matapang ay walang takot lumaban"

ang sabi ko naman: 'ang tunay na matapang ay lumalaban kahit natatakot'

lumaban ka kung inginungudngod ang nguso mo sa putik

bumalikwas ka kung tinatapak-tapakan ka

buong tapang mong ipaglaban ang iyong mga prinsipyo

kahit hindi ka siguradong agad-agad kang mananalo

mabuhay ka kaibigan, mabuhay ka

Silly Me

"At the end of the day, there are some things you just can't help but talk about. Some things we just don't want to hear, and some things we say because we can't be silent any longer. Some things are more than what you say, they're what you do. Some things you say cause there's no other choice. Some things you keep to yourself. And not too often, but every now and then, some things simply speak for themselves." - from "Grey's Anatomy"

again on a night shift, i'm much too groggy to offer better fare than this silly and mundane quote. yep, seemingly silly and mundane, but it speaks so much of how i feel right now.

No Ordinary Life

I got a message from friend Lene about my god-daughter Cyg's bday celeb at Los Baños. she was finally able to locate me thru Glo's blog. I have recently gone to visit Glo off the southern tip of Luzon. went there with another friend, Gems, and had fun time with our inaanak (godchild) Raine. see my friend Glo's account of our happenings there at Pinoy Travel Blog.

Just a few minutes before boarding our flight back to manila, i got a text message from another friend asking me to accompany her that afternoon. i slept about a couple of hours upon getting back to the staffhouse and then got ready for the afternoon. i was once again reunited with three other sis. we talked about old times and ate our baon of lotsa pizza at the minute burger stand. thanks to the kindness of the tindera. buti pumayag! bumili na lang kami ng mountain dew, hehe... sayang, i wasn't able to see my other godchild (Cath's daughter). she was still enjoying her afternoon nap then.

a pose at friend Cath's bookshop (from left: Arlene, me, Cath & Joan).

last friday was the 10th birthday of my first ever godchild, Malynn. my, my, how fast time flies! received invites from Marvz and Jing so i dashed out there right after work and managed to watch Malynn (together with siblings Neo and Mikki) give alay (flower offerings) at the church. Anna and Louie were also there with their kids Kyla and Robby. Kyla is also my inaanak. grabe, mayaman ako sa inaanak ha!

my one other precious inaanak, niece Nicole arrived this morning from her vacation at the province. she looks so much like me now. nangitim nang todo sa pagbibilad sa araw at kaka-swim. but of course, mum's the word. she doesn't like being told she's dark-skinned. nasa denial stage pa kaya sige pagbigyan. she came with my younger bro Esmond who forgot to drop off my lechon, cheding's and pinakurat from Iligan. huh, mukhang may balak ipangpulutan ang padala ni mommy for me. just he wait till he hears from our big bro. hehe, lagot ang cellphone niya, ha! i was able to talk to my mom and dad and thanked them for all the trouble. naku, panahon na naman ng bayaran ng tuition....

i attended the How to be Truly Rich seminar by Bo Sanchez last saturday. hmm, kailangan ko ng malaking paradigm shift on my money comfort zone. went to the Feast yesterday at The Arena. and shared a few minutes of heartfelt talk with my sis-in-law and got some tips on living life the best way we know how. realized that dreams need not be put aside. but friends and family will continue to keep me standing strong against any or all of life's surprises.

my friends and my family, they are God's most precious gifts to me in this not so ordinary life.