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Easter Sunday

16 Apr

The days of sorrow in the Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday had ended. Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the tomb after the death of His physical body.  Easter Sunday also celebrates the joyful meeting of the Lord Jesus Christ with His loving mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. How could you imagine how happy they are.

In the Philippines, the Easter Sunday tradition started as early as 4 o’clock in the morning of Sunday.  There was a separate processions of the all the saints of the Catholic church together with the veiled Blessed Virgin Mary in one procession and the Lord Jesus Christ in another procession wherein people in both processions play sorrowful music. In one point of the crossroad in the community, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Lord Jesus Christ will meet each other in that particular place which starts the unveiling ceremony.  A young girl, dressed up like an angel in the air will unveil the Blessed Virgin Mary in order to see her beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Then, after the unveiling ceremony, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Lord Jesus Christ go back together into the Roman Catholic church. The people in the procession will sing together with happy church songs during the unveiling ceremony and while going back to the church.

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Good Friday: A Day of Sorrow

14 Apr

When was the last time that you had visited your mother or your child? When was the last time that you had spent time to talk with your mother or your child? When was the last time that you had served foods and spoon fed your mother or your child? When was the last time that you lifted up your mother or your child? When was the last time that you had changed the diaper and dressed up your mother or your child? Maybe your answer varies from one another. Your answer might be a few minutes ago, a few hours ago, a few days ago, a few months ago, a few years ago, a number of years ago or it never happened.

Good Friday is a day of sorrow. This was the day when the Blessed Mother, Virgin Mary, cried over the death of her beloved Son, Jesus Christ. This was the same day when the Lord Jesus Christ tearfully seen His loving mother crying continuously until no more tears came out from His mother’s eyes.  The truth behind this was the moment of dying brings out pains physically, mentally and emotionally particularly between the mother and child. Sometimes, the bonding break up may lead and result into a severe depression if not properly managed by concerned individuals.

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Holy Week

10 Apr

People in the Philippines went to their provinces on Holy Week.  They visited several churches or so called “Bisita Iglesia” to offer prayers. Every province had unique practices in observing the Holy Week. The Lenten season initially started at Ash Wednesday. It was followed by a number of bible readings that narrate the life of the Lord Jesus Christ commonly sung in traditional tune by the elderly citizens once a week in their respective homes or churches or so called “pasyon”.  Starting Ash Wednesday, fasting and abstinence practices were observed. In the Roman Catholic practices, Holy Week started in the Palm Sunday wherein people come together to greet and welcome Jesus Christ with the Palm leaves. Then, comes the Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday. During this period, Filipino families were mostly observed silence which means no disturbing noise anytime and anywhere.  They were just reflecting, meditating, fasting and praying in silence at home or in the church.  In the Holy Wednesday, the Holy Images of the apostles or disciples including Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ were shown to the people or so called “prusisyon” with candles and people walked together along the street to offer prayers to the Holy Saints and to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday were a three-day of reflection, meditation, visitation and prayers wherein silence is properly observed. People reflected the sacrifices of our Lord Jesus Christ together with her blessed mother. Christian people remembered the physical and emotional pains of the Lord Jesus Christ which He had experienced together with His sorrowful mother that bring them into tears. The Easter Sunday ended up the Holy Week wherein the Christian people remember how the apostles witness the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ which bring back absolute happiness to His mother, the blessed Virgin Mary.

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Christmas Wishes

22 Dec

 

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What are your wishes this Christmas? Is it the Christmas gift or Christmas bonus? Is it more than Christmas gift and Christmas bonus? Definitely, people have so many wishes this Christmas. Let me cite some of these wishes.

LOVE is the greatest wish this Christmas. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day, being the core of Christmas celebration worldwide. Jesus Christ serves as our symbol of love. The genuine love that He wants us to spread out across the nations. The genuine love that He wants us feel free in our own family.  The genuine love that He wants us to share with the less fortunate citizens, sick people, poorest ones and persons with disabilities. How can we do that? So simple, provide them what they need and what they deserve to receive without biases, inequality, discriminations, abuses, frauds, overpowering system and  taking their rights, privileges and opportunities for granted.

CARE and CONCERN is a great wish this Christmas. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, came into our lives because He has the great care and concern with us. He is always there and ready to help us in times of difficulties. How about us? Do we show care and concern with ourselves? Do we show care and concern with others? Do we show care and concern with our environment where we live in? How can we do that? Perhaps, it is the best time for us to reflect things this Christmas. We may ask our self, “What I had done this year that something worthwhile and humane?” and “What are my plans to improve those things better?”

PEACE is the ultimate goal of every citizen of the country this Christmas season.  Christmas signifies birth and not death. How can a person be happy if someone whom he/she loves much lost? How can we attain world peace if they are currently doing violence? How can we do that? Perhaps, a person should have a peace of mind. He/She should have a peaceful relationship with his/her own family and the people around him/her. Always remember that a mistake cannot be corrected by another mistake regardless of whatever laws that prevail in the country.

HAPPINESS is an absolute dream of everyone. Happiness never relies on the acquisition of the worldly things. It does not measure alone one’s education, achievement or success in life. But rather, if love, care, concern and peace are completely present in every individual then absolute happiness follows. Did you know that these are the wishes of God for us this Christmas?

HAPPY CHRISTMAS to all

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Happy Thanksgiving Day

25 Oct

How often do you celebrate Thanksgiving Day, once a year or every day? Whom do you celebrate with the Thanksgiving Day? Do you celebrate it with your family, with your close friends or with God? Why do you celebrate Thanksgiving Day? These are some questions in mind that require definite answers.

Many Faces of Thanksgiving Day

In the United States, Thanksgiving Day in November signifies family reunion.  The family members are usually reunited in their ancestral house.  They prepare and cook delicious food in the morning until afternoon.  They have family dinner with a whole-oven Turkey dish on the table. They pray and give thanks to God and to one another. After the dinner, they have some fun too. The following day, most of them go into shopping malls because of item sales.

In the Philippines, Thanksgiving Day in December falls at Christmas Day.  It also signifies family reunion. Filipinos attend the Holy Mass first in the early morning. Like American people do, Filipinos are reunited in their ancestral house. All family members from great grandparents to great grandchildren as well as extended family members  are present in the house. They prepare and cook Filipino foods as well as other foreign foods. They happily singing and dancing too. Other families prepare some fun games. They also pray and give thanks to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They exchange Christmas gifts with one another.

In some Muslim countries, Thanksgiving Day falls after the end of Ramadan. It also signifies family reunion. Muslim people prepare and cook foods too. The family members stay together for a dinner. They give thanks to Allah for everything. They celebrate it after a 40-day of fasting and abstinence. They also give gifts to others.

Significance of Thanksgiving Day

Whoever we are, whenever the day and whatever our traditions, Thanksgiving Day has significant role in one’s life. It does not only signifies strong family ties. It does not only describes unique cultural heritage. Thanksgiving Day interactively links us to the Almighty Creator who provides us everything that we need because of unconditional love and incomparable care to us. This is the real essence and the true meaning of Thanksgiving Day in the heart of anyone.

http://www.LiveGood.com/hasmore

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November First (Nov. 1)

1 Nov

Candles and Flowers

Candles and Flowers

All Saint’s Day

It has been a Filipino tradition to celebrate All Saint’s Day or All Soul’s Day at the cemetery.  Members of the family, relatives and close friends place on fresh flowers or customized basket of flowers at the tomb of their departed love ones. They also lit up candles and pray together silently for the souls of their relatives. They really miss their love ones who were already rested in peace and trying to accept the fact that their love ones will never come back again to see them.

Socialization

Aside from Christmas Day, the first day of November sometimes serves as reunion of family members, close relatives, friends, classmates and schoolmates. They bring something to eat like lunch meals and snacks. They talk about anything that sounds interesting to them. They talk about family matters, personal issues, childhood memories, school memorable moments, work experiences and success stories.  They enjoy their company and have some fun.

Significance of November First

November First does not only signify prayers in remembering our departed love ones.  It does not only remembering their heroism, legacy, advocacy, integrity, attitude and personality but also remembering them as greatest people in their own ways leading them towards eternal life.

November First does not only signify reunion or social gathering of all the people that are closed to us. It does not only mean of getting together for a purpose but also remembering those people who are still alive by showing our concern, love and care to them. Some of them are facing certain life challenges. Some people are living in poverty. Others are suffering from severe illnesses or diseases. Some of them are elderly people or persons with special needs. Those concerned citizens of the world have urgent basic needs which every person should pay more attention and able to respond as quickly as possible to their needs. These people need our help and attention more than those people that were rested in peace.

This is the true meaning of November First.  This is what our departed love ones wish and want for us to do. Life is too short for people who are doing great things than those who are doing nothing.

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Turuan Mo Ako

31 Jan

Himig Handog Entry

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Turuan Mo Ako

(Originally composed by Renato Mas Meron)

Intro:

Hah, hah, hah,hah, hah, hah  (3x)

I

Bata man ako sa iyong paningin

Boses ko sanay iyong dinggin

Alam mo bang minahal kita ng lubusan

Pagmamahal ko na di matumbasan,

II

Ngayon na muli tayong nagkita

Masayang araw ang ating nadarama

Titigan mo ang aking mga mata

Makikita mo ang ningning at sigla

Ng aking mga mata

Chorus

Bakit hindi mo ako turuan na iwasan ka

Bakit hindi mo ako turuan na limutin ka

Upang hindi ako maghahanap pag mawalay ka

at hindi labis masasaktan pag mawawala ka

 

 

III

Hanggang kailan tayo pwedeng magsasama

Hanggang kailan tayo maging laging masaya

Unawain mo sana ang aking damdamin

Wagas na pag-ibig koy iyong pansinin.

IV

Ngayon na muli tayong nagkita

Masayang araw ang ating nadarama

Titigan mo ang aking mga mata

Makikita mo ang ningning at sigla

Ng aking mga mata

Chorus

Bakit hindi mo ako turuan na iwasan ka

Bakit hindi mo ako turuan na limutin ka

Upang hindi ako maghahanap pag mawalay ka

at hindi labis masasaktan pag mawawala ka

 

Fading

Hah, hah, hah, hah, hah, hah (3x)

 

 

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Para sa Dakilang Nanay

16 Oct

Hangarin ko po na mabigyan kayo ng kaginhawaan

Adhikain ko po na kayo ay matulungan

Pinasasalamatan ko po ang iyong pagigigng huwarang ina

Pinagbubunyi ko po ang inyong kadakilaan

Yaman kong taglay ang mga payo po ninyo at pangaral.

Butihing ina ko na walang katulad

Ipinagmamalaki ko po kayo sa buong mundo

Responsableng nanay na hindi matutumbasan

Tama at tuwid lagi ang pinaninindigan at katwiran

Handa ninyo pong harapin ang mga unos sa buhay

Di po kayo sumusuko sa anumang balakid na nararanasan.

Alamat po kayo ng isang lahing Pilipino na makasaysayan

Dakilang ina ko na sadyang mapagmahal, masipag, maunawain at makatarungan

Kaya sampu ng inyo pong pamilya at lahat ng mga nagmamahal sa inyo

Kami po ay buong puso at wagas na nagpapasalamat po sa inyo, Nanay

sa inyo pong kadakilaan bilang isang mabuting ina sa aming lahat.

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Aging Mother

3 May

Our mother is the greatest person that we ever known in the world. She is our role model of traditions, family values and love.  Our mother devotes her entire life and sacrifices many things for the welfare of her family.  Our mother makes sure that all of her children are always in good condition with or without her husband’s support.  But what if our mother is getting old now, does she deserve to be cared for her needs? Absolutely Yes, it is our obligation as her children to take good care of her to the rest of her life.  What does an aging mother need?  Just like what a baby needs, let us consider the most essential things below.

Aging mother needs daily basic needs.

Our mother needs nutritious foods to sustain healthy life.  She needs clean clothes, bed sheets and blankets.  Our mother needs a family home and living together with her own children.  She feels happy with her own children and grandchildren.

Aging mother needs medical help and healthy habits.

Our mother needs the help of a medical doctor to monitor her health regularly as she gets older.  She needs to practice healthy habits like personal hygiene, enough sleep, getting fresh air and does simple physical exercises daily.

Aging mother needs our time.

Providing the basic needs for our mother is not enough, she needs also our precious time with her.  No matter how busy we are, no matter how poor or wealthy we are, we as her children should provide a quality time with her.  Our mother wants us to listen to her stories frequently.  She also listens to the stories that we want to share with her.  Quality bonding time is necessary to cherish the good memories with our mother as she lives with us.  Try to take a walk with her in a very awesome and wonderful environment.  Talk to your mother with all your heart and let your mother feels that you really love her very much.

Aging mother needs you

Do you know how important you are to your mother? You are so important to her.  Do not ever leave the opportunity to take good care of your mother.  Because if you will ignore this kind of opportunity to your mother, you do not know what will happen next.  Time comes that you cannot ever hear her voice and stories.  You cannot ever hear her advises.  You cannot ever see her smiling and laughing with your funny jokes. No more mother to receive your Mother’s Day greeting card.  No more mother to wake you up in the morning.  No more mother to prepare your favorite meals. You cannot ever hug and comfort her with your loving arms. You cannot ever go together again to the church, shopping malls, birthday parties, beaches, fiestas and other special occasions.  Definitely, you will really miss her presence.

Therefore, what are you waiting for? It is not too late. Act now.  Wherever you are, always remember your dearest mother.  Have a “Happy Mother’s Day!”

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What is Love?

3 Feb

Love is only a four-letter word but can describe more than four hundred words. It is a simple word but meaningful to everybody. Love is a kind of feeling just like other feelings which manifests by one’s emotion, gesture or action towards a person, certain thing, work or a place and even uncertain thing brought about by the person’s beliefs, attitudes and practices. Love is not only celebrated during the month of February but it should be shared throughout the years.

Love is a Feeling

Love is said to be a feeling in the sense that there is an inter-relatedness of cause and effect.  It is more than an attraction. Sometimes you deeply in love because there are certain attributes or characteristics which you love most rather than like it. For instance, you love that person regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status, cultural background or sometimes your relationship because you perceive that person unique and stands out among the rest as far as good personality is concerned. The cause in this sense is the qualities of this person that you perceived while the effect is the love that gradually developed on you.  Your Divine love to the Almighty One is also developed because of your faith.

God’s Love

God’s love is incomparable and unconditional one.  God created the world for His people.  God created you for a purpose. That is to take good care of His creation and be responsible to it.  He gave you life that you enjoy now.  He provided you things that you need. God shows His love not only for a few of us but to all of us.  He said “Whatever you do to the least of my brother, you do it unto Me.”

People’s Love

People love shows in various types and levels.  People love their families .  They do whatever the best that they can for their family. Different countries have their own legal laws in recognizing a family.  Various debates and protests have been going on in some parts of the world for family issues and concerns.  Other government and non-government agencies come up with a long-term plan or possible alternative solutions.  However, this scenario happens may be because of love that exists on them.  It is common to them to love one another.

Love of Other Things

People love other things such as their pets, work or job, money, house, business, cars and innovative gadgets like smartphones, places that they had visited and important events in their lifetime.  We know that these things are important to you. However, have extra-careful because you can only owe these things temporarily.  You have to use them wisely and learn to share your blessings to less fortunate ones who do not have these things that you really enjoy at present.

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