A futuristic infographic maps time pressure, uncertainty, resource constraints, decision branches, and stakeholder impacts around a central clock.
Have you ever experienced a last minute scenario? Definitely, almost everybody had experienced a last minute scenario regardless of sex, age, and socioeconomic status. This last minute scenario might be your Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve or someone’s birthday, couple’s wedding, a dying person or even certain situations like last minute decision or action; last minute question, statement, proposal, plan, program, project, etc. These are some examples of a last minute scenario.
Here is a thought-provoking question that you have to answer wisely, “If you have given a one-minute opportunity to change you or your decision for better, what is that thing and why? Another critical question is “If you are given a chance to live for one minute, what is the last minute that you shall do?” How and why shall you do it?
You can ask such kind of questions in less than one minute but your answers for that questions might be one-minute or more. Definitely, the actions with that answers are more than one minute. Would it be one-minute enough for you? The time cannot tell you but you can tell the time.
A multigenerational family shares a joyful meal beneath glowing lights at an outdoor night market.
Nanaginip ule ako ngayong madaling araw. Napanaginipan ko na isang gabi ay may malaking handaan. Mahaba ang isang lamesa na yari sa kahoy na walang sapin at may dalawang mahabang upuan na yari sa kahoy din sa kabilaan ng lamesa. Maraming kumakain at naroon ang kapatid ko na si Ca Let na nakaupo na malapit na sa dulo ng lamesa. Hindi pa raw ako nakaupo dahil pinapauna ko muna ang mga bisita na makaupo at makakain. Maya-maya ay dumating si Ca Lolly, pinsan namin, na umupo halos tapat ni Ca Let. May dala siyang mga ulam na gulay at isang balot na isda na mga maliliit na tinapa na kasinglaki lamang ng mga toyo pero tinapa ito. Nakabalot ito ng malinaw na plastic sa isang itim na styrofoar. Sabi daw ng kapatid ko na si Ca Let kay Ca Lolly ay “Luma na yan.” na ibig sabihin ni Ca Let ay hindi na ito ligtas kainin dahil luma na yung pagkain. Hindi sumagot si Ca Lolly at inilapag na lang sa lamesa yung ulam na gulay at yung nakabalot na tinapa. Pakiwari ko ay ayaw na niyang ibalik sa kusina at nagugutom na rin siya. Nang makita ni Ca Let ang paglapag ng ulam sa lamesa ay nabanggit niya na lamang na “Bahala ka.”
Nung nakaupo na si Ca Lolly ay umupo na rin ako sa tabi ni Ca Lolly para kumain na katapat sa pagitan naming dalawa si Ca Let na nakabistida ng puti na bagay sa kanya, naka shaggy ang buhok na hanggang leeg niya haba sa likod at may hikaw na ginto sa magkabilang tenga niya na may dangling pa na lumalaylay at kumikinang. Medyo malusog pa si Ca Let at mababanaag sa kutis niya ang kaputian niya.
Katabi ni Ca Let ay may mag asawang Pinoy na bata sa kanya na kumakain din. Hindi sila masyadong marunong mag-Tagalog kasi lumaki sila sa ibang bansa. Habang kumakain si Ca Let ay gusto niya ng bagoong na isda na malapit sa mag-asawa yung sawsawan na nasa platito. Gustong ipaabot ni Ca Let pero mahihiya niya itong sabihin at hindi niya maisalin sa salitang English yung “Bagoong”. Sinabi ko daw kay Ca Let na “Salty fish sauce o Bagoong.” Natawa daw si Ca Let sa akin nung nasabi ko ito ay inabot sa kanya yung sawsawan na bagoong para sa inihaw na bangus na nasa plato niya.
Dahil halos maubos na ang pagkain sa lamesa at ayaw kainin ni Ca Let yung nilapag ni Ca Lolly sa lamesa. Nainis siya sa mga katabi niya na kumakain din na sinandok lahat at inubos ang ulam sa gitna ng lamesa na hindi siya tinirhan. Kaya tumayo si Ca Let at nagpasyang kumuha ng ulam sa kusina.
Sa kusina ay may mga pininsan kami nandoon. Nandoon sa kusina si Ca Bing at napansin ni Ca Bing na parang naiinis na nagsasandok ng ulam si Ca Let na mula sa banga mula sa puting plato na babasagin. Yari sa kahoy ang pinapansandok niya sa ulam sa kusina. Nang makabalik na siya sa upuan at kumakain ay konti na lang kami kumakain. Wala na doon si Ca Lolly.
Nang kumakain na muli si Ca Let ay katapat ko na siya at katabi ko naman ay 2 babae na mukhang mag-ina na Pinoy. Yung ina ay bata sa akin na mga nasa 20’s Ang edad niya at batang babae ay mga walong taong gulang seguro ang edad niya. Pareho silang mahaba ang buhok at nakabistida din na dirty white. Habang kumakain kami ni Ca Let ay lumapit daw si Ca Bing na nagmula siya sa kusina kay Ca Let. Nakangiti si Ca Bing habang nakatayo sa tabi ni Ca Let na nakaupo at kumakain pa. Ang sabi daw ni Ca Bing kay Ca Let na “Napansin ko sa kusina na mukhang galit ka habang nagsasandok ka ng pagkain.” Ang sagot sa kanya ni Ca Let ay “Sukat ba naman sinabihan ako ng katabi ko kanina na, “Ang tanda tanda mo na, nakabaston ka pa.” Tapos nakita ko na nagtawanan na lang silang pareho ni Ca Let at Ca Bing.
Habang kumakain ako ay konti na ang ulam pero maraming kainin. Kumakain daw ako na naka-kamay lamang. Bago ko isubo yung puting puting kanin ay hinuhulma ko muna ito sa aking mga daliri. Masarap kainin yung kaning puti kahit na walang ulam kasi parang malagkit ito. Habang kumakain ay gusto ko uminom ng tubig pero walang tubig sa lamesa at walang malinis na baso sa lamesa puro nagamit na. Kumakain daw ako na walang tubig akong iniinom.
Napansin ko lamesa kahit kami na lang kumakain na apat katao ay walang nagliligpit pa kahit nasa gawing dulo kami ng lamesa. Nandun pa ang mga nagamit na mga malalaking plato na babasagin at kulay puti at baso na babasagin din at malinaw na walang kulay.
Nagising ako ng 5:34 ng umaga ng August 13, 2026. Naalala ko na si Ca Let at Ca Lolly pala ay iisang buwan na kamatayan, Agosto din. Bale namatay sa buwan ng Agosto si Ca Let, August 24, Si Indo Simay, August 25, hindi ko tiyak kung anong eksaktong araw si Ca Lolly, kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay parang last week din siya ng August namatay.
Ipagdasal natin ang kanilang mga kaluluwa. Minsan ang panaginip natin ay nagsisilbing paalala sa atin na hindi natin sila nakakalimutan habang buhay.
A person stands on rocky cliffs watching a vibrant sunset over the ocean
Pip: Life ends. That much is settled. What’s less settled is what we’re supposed to do with the time between now and then — which is, inconveniently, the part that matters most.
Mara: That’s exactly the territory masmeron maps out in this episode’s central post. We’re looking at how to live well given that the clock is running — health, planning, goals, and faith as practical orientations, not abstractions.
Pip: Let’s start with what it means to take the end of human life seriously, right now.
The End of Human Life
Mara: The post opens with a useful comparison: an inspiring speech ends, a great movie ends, and human life ends too. The question it presses on is what that fact should change about how we live today.
Pip: And the post doesn’t treat that as a reason to panic — it treats it as a reason to organize. Four areas, four orientations.
Mara: The first is health, and the framing there is direct: “Neither a selfish act nor lack of empathy instead a must if you will take good care of yourself first.”
Pip: So self-care isn’t indulgence — it’s the precondition for everything else. You can’t sustain care for others if you’ve neglected the infrastructure.
Mara: The second orientation is planning, and the post is pointed about why plans fail. People skip the step of weighing pros and cons before acting. The post calls anticipating consequences “not merely a scientific prediction but a gift of attitude to ponder.”
Pip: That’s a reframe worth sitting with — foresight as character, not just technique.
Mara: Goals come third, and the diagnosis is sharp: most people carry goals in their heads without the focused action to move them forward. The post asks directly whether you’re living by others’ expectations rather than your own benefit.
Pip: There’s a pointed rhetorical question in there — “Are you sure they always think about you?” — which is a quiet way of saying the audience you’re performing for probably isn’t watching.
Mara: The fourth area is faith, and here the post widens the frame. It argues that success is not constant — life moves up and down — and the only stable thing across a whole human life is faith: in something larger, yes, but also in yourself.
Pip: Faith in yourself that “everything in this world is not a permanent condition even your own life.” That’s the anchor the other three orientations hang from.
Mara: Health, planning, goals, faith — not as a checklist, but as a way of taking seriously that time is finite.
Pip: Finite time, four orientations. The uncomfortable part is that none of them are complicated — they’re just easy to defer.
Mara: Which might be the point. Next time, we’ll see what else is on the horizon.
Illustration showing the genetic code of memories linking human, animal, and plant knowledge and experience.
Death is the ultimate destiny of any living thing on Earth. Bacteria, protists, algae, fungi, plants, animals and human beings died at certain place and time. These living things eventually exist then suddenly disappear afterwards. They grow and develop for a certain period of time. All these things are biological in nature. Several biological factors may help them to survive as well as affect them to die.
Death comes in human’s life whether you are poor or rich; illiterate or well-educated; unemployed or employed; unpopular or well-known; male or female; single or married, light-skinned or black-skinned; non-believer or believer; lowest status or highest status, and so forth. Thus, whether you like it or not, death leaves up a blueprint in one’s memories.
Certain people mark blueprint memories on you such as your loving parents, siblings, close relatives, friends, classmates, neighbors, colleagues, co-workers, teachers, administrators and even animals like your favorite pets. It is a blueprint memory in the sense that you’ve got personal, lifelong experiences being associated and directly interacted with these people and other living things. These relevant experiences and significant teachings serve as lifelong learning and create a strong foundation on you, being who you are right now.
Therefore, in order for a person to leave blueprint memories in the future, the person should have build up brighter and brilliant memories when he/she is still living on Earth.
In the middle of pandemic due to several variants of covid19, people easily get sick tremendously. Many people are still recovering from sickness. Some of them are still in the worse medical condition due to complications. Most of the time, these people are bedridden and helpless in the hospital, quarantine facility or home quarantine.
Do you know the feelings of the patient being isolated, bedridden and helpless? Do you know also the feelings of the bedside caregiver monitoring the 24-hour medical condition of the patient? It is very tough to become a patient or a caregiver. Patients and caregivers are really experiencing physical, mental, emotional and financial pains.
Physical Pain
Medical patients are experiencing physical pains. They cannot turn over their bodies by themselves because they are so weak. Their blood cannot circulate well which may turn into bedsores and develop into skin wounds that prone to infection. They cannot open their eyes to see everything around. They cannot open their mouth to say something what they need. They cannot eat well using their mouth. Instead, they eat through nasal tubing that brings out physical discomfort. They can sense the pain while injecting the needles on their bodies. They cannot move their bodies voluntarily. They stay on their body positions for several hours.
Likewise, caregivers of these patients have physical pains too. They stay with them most of the time and monitor their health condition. They patiently lift up the patient’s body when needed. They patiently feed them and allow them sip some liquids in order to prevent dehydration. They quickly respond to the patient’s needs like changing diaper, cleansing the whole body and changing clothes.
Mental Pain
Medical patients are experiencing mental pain. They have many thoughts. They think negatively most of the time. Thoughts like what if they cannot survive. What will happen to them? Who will take good care of their families? Where are my children? Do they come?
Similarly, caregivers have mental pains too. They are worrying about the patient’s severe condition. They are thinking about what will happen next. Thoughts such as what they will tell to their families and how they will tell it. Do they feel sorry about it or just listen to what the family will say? Most of the time, caregivers are confused mentally. They cannot decide wisely on certain things.
Emotional Pain
Medical patients are experiencing emotional pain. They can only hear the voices around. They feel very sad that brings out unstoppable falling tears from their eyes. Patients know that they will die anytime. With their conscious mind, they pray silently. It is really difficult for them to leave their families, relatives and friends. It is very tough and heartbreaking process of separation in their entire life. They want to win the fight for life but they are helpless to do it.
Caregivers have emotional pains too. It is hard for them to look at the patients who are suffering from severe illnesses. They can feel the deep pain internally. They also cry and feel sad. They try to comfort the patients by all means.
Financial Pain
Medical patients and their families are experiencing financial pain. They spend much money and have developed huge debts from hospitalization costs, medical procedures, professional fees and medicines. They spend from hundreds to millions value amount of any currency. The outpatients incur medical expenses, food supplements and other necessary materials such as diapers, alcohol, bath soap and wipes.
Sometimes, caregivers are experiencing financial pain too. Most of the time, the caregivers are close relatives of the patients. If the family has poor economic condition, the caregiver usually provides the needs of the patient unselfishly. Being front liners, caregivers provide their humane services to the patients unconditionally.
In times of sorrow, can you still remember the last few words of a dying person that you love most? I would like to share with you the last few words and cries of my loving mother that might break your heart and bring your eyes into tears.
10. While on her bed, my mother said with eyes closed, “Catawan, engangaro wan Mo cami. Pano na cami a pinalsa Mo?” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Diyos ko, Kaawaan Mo kami. Paano na kami na nilalang Mo?”
(English) “God, have mercy on us. How about us of your creation?”
At the age of 94, my mother still remember the Almighty God who created everything. In her entire life, she frequently prayed to God and attended the Holy Mass regularly.
9. On her bed, my mother said with her eyes closed, “Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co. Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co.” “Takpan! Takpan!”(Zambal)
My mother was a good helper. She was very kind to children and elders.
2. Still on her bed, my mother said softly with eyes closed, “Abuloyon moyo co.” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Tulungan ninyo ako.”
(English) “Help me.”
My mother helped her family. She really loved them so much.
1. Still on her severe body condition, my mother uttered softly, “Ya.” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Oo.”
(English) “Yes.”
My mother had strong influential words that anybody should decide and follow. She disciplined, guided and mentored us appropriately.
My mother just nodded her head when I talked and asked her until her complete consciousness had gone.
Yes, my mother was gone but her legacy, advises, courage, greatness, kindness, faith, laughter, memories, dreams and so forth remain in our hearts as we live.
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.
Some people have the battle to win against their opponents or competitors. Athletes in boxing, basketball, volleyball, baseball, soccer and other sports want to win in a battle. Sport’s fans also want their idols to win. Contestants in singing, dancing or talent competition show their best performance to win the battle.
The Battle to Change
Some people have the battle to change. They want to change the society where they belong. Some people want changes in the government system that offers public services. Some people change as they grow and develop. These changes in various ways can be obviously observed by anyone. They might change physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, economically and spiritually.
The Battle to Heal
Some people have the battle to heal. People with sickness or illness want to be completely healed. They ask for medical help from the professional doctors. They ask for spiritual help from the Almighty One. People who got in despair or broken-hearted need emotional recovery or fast healing.
The Battle to Live
Some people have the battle to live. Victims of crime like in drug-trafficking, human-trafficking, homecide and other crimes who were sentenced by the highest court with death penalty or capital punishment need the battle to live. These people need your prayers to save them from execution. Pro-life supporters pursue and promote their advocacy for rights to live of every citizen of the world and have a quality, peaceful and happy life.
“I am telling you. Be kind to others. Help others who need your help. God bless you.”