note: This story is from an email circulating in the internet passed on by a friend. I just wanted to share this poignant story so that it may touch more people.
Indeed, we find love in the most unexpected places.
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.
"Your son is here," she said to the old man.
She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened.
Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the
young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his
hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp
ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.
The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All
through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward,
holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength.
Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest
awhile.
He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious
of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen
tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the
cries and moans of the other patients.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said
nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.
Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless
hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she
had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the
Marine interrupted her.
"Who was that man?" he asked.
The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.
"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."
"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"
"I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his
son, and his son just wasn't here.
When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son,
knowing how much he needed me, I stayed."
I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey.
His Son was Killed in Iraq today, and I was sent to inform him. What
was this Gentleman's Name?
The Nurse with Tears in Her Eyes Answered,
Mr. William Grey.............
The next time someone needs you ..... just be there. Stay.
WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
HAVE A GREAT DAY AND BLESS SOMEONE ELSE IN SOME LITTLE WAY TODAY!
GOD IS SO GOOD.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
A Priceless Joy
We often find joy in the most unexpected places. I found mine last Jan. 30, 2009, on the barren Bellarmine field.
That day, I impulsively decided to join the Kite Flying event of Kythe, an organization in school dedicated to helping cancer patients. Although I know cancer is a fatal sickness, its weight never made sense to me until that moment. I arrived in the middle of a mass. I was overwhelmed by the number of children, parents and volunteers who attended the event. I didn’t quite prepare myself in meeting these children all diagnosed with cancer. My eyes wanted to shed tears during the priest’s homily telling about his own encounter with the sickness when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. His mother asked him, “What could I have done which brought this suffering upon me?”
What really? Why do these children have to battle with cancer when, instead, they should be enjoying their youth? Yet, the priest helped me find the answers to my question. Everything happens for a reason. It may not make sense to us but it does for the One who created all of us.
Instead of feeling down, I decided to use the opportunity to, at least, make a child happy. The program did part of that task by entertaining the children with a wacky play by the Kythe officers and a dance number from the Gabay dance troupe. These lifted up everyone’s spirit including mine.
After a short snack (meal!), the kite flying activity finally commenced. (Yippee!)
I had the chance to assist one boy named Benjie. Upon getting the kite, he taught me how to assemble it. It turns out he knows how to fly kites. He was a very hyper and active boy. He was the one running around tugging on his kite while I was running after him far behind. I became his assistant; bringing him water and helping him fly the kite. (hahaha!) It was a really tiring (means I’m getting old already!) but really enjoying experience. It was poignant at the same time. Here I am, sometimes complaining about my problems in life while someone with a much bigger burden, enjoys life by flying a kite.
His mother came to us and made him rest for a while noting that he turned a bit pale. She shared that on Monday, Benjie has to undergo his “chemo”. “Chemo” as in chemotherapy! That caught me off-guard for a second. It took a while for me to process the word and absorb it. All my life, the idea of cancer seemed so surreal to the point that I didn’t expect chemotherapy to exist in my own tiny, limited world.
Yet, that didn’t deter him from flying his kite and playing more games. I discovered that he wanted to color. He also wanted to have tattoos. (I had one of those stick-on tattoos too!) And he wanted to ride the fire truck carrying the participants around Bellarmine field.
Throughout the entire activity, he acted just like any ordinary child would. He enjoyed every moment of it. He laughed and smiled.
At the start of the event, my only goal was to make a child happy. And I hope, his laughter and smiles were evidences of happiness. In the process, I gained a lot more. I learned lessons in life from a child. I was more than contented with the time and the part of himself that he shared with me. I became more joyful in the process of sharing my time and myself to the child.
In time, the memory of that day may eventually blur. Yet, I’ll never forget Benjie, that hyper and strong-willed child, and the joy he has brought into my life even for a short time.
That day, I impulsively decided to join the Kite Flying event of Kythe, an organization in school dedicated to helping cancer patients. Although I know cancer is a fatal sickness, its weight never made sense to me until that moment. I arrived in the middle of a mass. I was overwhelmed by the number of children, parents and volunteers who attended the event. I didn’t quite prepare myself in meeting these children all diagnosed with cancer. My eyes wanted to shed tears during the priest’s homily telling about his own encounter with the sickness when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. His mother asked him, “What could I have done which brought this suffering upon me?”
What really? Why do these children have to battle with cancer when, instead, they should be enjoying their youth? Yet, the priest helped me find the answers to my question. Everything happens for a reason. It may not make sense to us but it does for the One who created all of us.
Instead of feeling down, I decided to use the opportunity to, at least, make a child happy. The program did part of that task by entertaining the children with a wacky play by the Kythe officers and a dance number from the Gabay dance troupe. These lifted up everyone’s spirit including mine.
After a short snack (meal!), the kite flying activity finally commenced. (Yippee!)
I had the chance to assist one boy named Benjie. Upon getting the kite, he taught me how to assemble it. It turns out he knows how to fly kites. He was a very hyper and active boy. He was the one running around tugging on his kite while I was running after him far behind. I became his assistant; bringing him water and helping him fly the kite. (hahaha!) It was a really tiring (means I’m getting old already!) but really enjoying experience. It was poignant at the same time. Here I am, sometimes complaining about my problems in life while someone with a much bigger burden, enjoys life by flying a kite.
His mother came to us and made him rest for a while noting that he turned a bit pale. She shared that on Monday, Benjie has to undergo his “chemo”. “Chemo” as in chemotherapy! That caught me off-guard for a second. It took a while for me to process the word and absorb it. All my life, the idea of cancer seemed so surreal to the point that I didn’t expect chemotherapy to exist in my own tiny, limited world.
Yet, that didn’t deter him from flying his kite and playing more games. I discovered that he wanted to color. He also wanted to have tattoos. (I had one of those stick-on tattoos too!) And he wanted to ride the fire truck carrying the participants around Bellarmine field.
Throughout the entire activity, he acted just like any ordinary child would. He enjoyed every moment of it. He laughed and smiled.
At the start of the event, my only goal was to make a child happy. And I hope, his laughter and smiles were evidences of happiness. In the process, I gained a lot more. I learned lessons in life from a child. I was more than contented with the time and the part of himself that he shared with me. I became more joyful in the process of sharing my time and myself to the child.
In time, the memory of that day may eventually blur. Yet, I’ll never forget Benjie, that hyper and strong-willed child, and the joy he has brought into my life even for a short time.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
I Want to Watch Sarah Geronimo Invade Gensan
Young superstar Sarah Geronimo is invading my hometown, General Santos City, on December 11, 2009. The Dreamwork Ventures of Mr. Michael Wee is bringing her The Next One concert at the cavernous Gensan Gymnasium.Along with this, Mr. Wee and my multi-awarded blogger Tito Avel of Gensan News Online Mag are once again sponsoring a one helluva blogging contest. It is tagged as 5 Reasons why you should watch "The Next One" concert.
I may not be around during the concert because the christmas break here in ADMU starts on December 20 yet but, nevertheless, I still have my reasons why Sarah G's concert is a must watch for everybody. Here it goes. . . we are all in for a good show because -
. . . the concert sponsor is known for its penchant of bringing to Gensan world class artists whose shows boosted the Generals' morale because of their spectacular performances (indeed, only the best for the generals!);
. . .the performer tops it when we talk of versatility - at her age, she has already proven that she's got what it takes to be a total performer;
. . .the co-performers Jay-R, Mark Bautista, Simon Wood, Jimmy Marquez and Billy Joe Crawford are also known in the music arena and for sure - what we're paying for will be worth it with all these talented guys around our Popstar princess;
. . .the venue is cool - it is comparable or even very much better than several concert venues here in Manila; and
. . .the opportunity to watch a good show without boring a hole in your pockets is already here so why waste it... you need not travel far, no need for expensive accommodations - because this one of a kind invasion is coming right here in our beloved hometown!
We have shown our support to foreign artists who visited our place,
this time let us support our very own!
this time let us support our very own!
By the way, this concert is made possible in cooperation with Cebuana Lhullier, Jollibee, Sony Ericsson, Belo Essentials, Magnolia Fruit Drink, Skechers, Sunsilk, Vaseline, Ladies Choice, Careline and Charmee
and
Local Government of GenSan, Grab A Crab Restaurant, Coffee Club 101, East Asia Royale Hotel, Giacomino’s, Gregoria Printing Press, New York Fries and Dips, Gaisano, Miso Hardware, Skycable and High Frequency Productions.
For ticket inquiries, you can call (083) 554-5430, 301-5555, 0917-3639191, 0932-3433794 or
feel free to contact my Mom Jinky!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
What Air Supply Song Am I?: Making Love Out of Nothing at All
Dreamwork Ventures will be treating again the Generals to an unforgetable night of immortal love songs by bringing to Gensan world class singing icon Air Supply!
If I were an Air Supply Song, I would be the song, "Making Love out of Nothing at All". This is my little story inspired by my all-time favorite song.
Concerts of all artists are so near my vicinity here in Quezon City. Shows by local and foreign artists are advertised ever so often. Yet, I never attempted to watch any of these even if I had the money or the time. However, it would take only one condition to send me running to the concert venue; that is, if the Air Supply were the ones having a concert.
The Air Supply. They're a legend for me really. To hear them sing live would be a childhood dream come true. I never thought that there would be that one little chance that I could be as close to them as a part of an audience in a packed concert venue. Yet, miracles do really happen!
I grew up with their songs though I was born only in the 90's because my parents, aunts and uncles had a knack for their songs. I don't even know how to express just how great the influence of their music was in my life. My love for music was brought about by my love for Air supply.
During my much younger years, I would be contented to sit down on the floor at the dead of the night with my homework and the radio playing Air Supply songs. Years later, I would begin to analyze the lyrics of their songs and thank them for having created such beautiful melodies with lyrics that made so much sense.
It was when I tried to learn how to play the guitar that made their impact in my life deeper than ever.
I had nothing that time. No experience in playing the guitar. No teacher to teach me except for the few pointers of my father. I had no other source for songs and chords except for two old Compilations of Songs which are my father's. How am I supposed to start? I asked myself.
I started flipping through the old compilations. I didn't recognize any of the songs mainly for the reason that I was not familiar with the titles of the old songs I heard often. It was then that I came upon the title, "Making love out of nothing at All".
I always heard it and i always sang along during the chorus part (since the verses seemed so fast!). I have long memorized its melody by heart even before I read the words which composed it.
From the moment I played and sang that song, armed only with a guitar, a compilation of old songs and a courage do something I've never done before, sprang a greater love for music.
As the song goes, "making love out of nothing at all....".
It was and still is my song. It is a memorable song which opened up a whole new world for me.
"I know just how to whisper and i know just how to cry... i know just where to find the answers.."
Going through its lyrics in my mind, I remember the second-year high school student who thought she knew a lot. She was humbled by the fact that she couldn't even play that one song, 'Making love out of nothing at All".
It's a reflection of myself, a person who somehow knows a lot. At the same time, I'm a person who still knows nothing of everything. I just know that I love music. I don't exactly know why or when or how. All I know is there wasn't much to begin with. There was only the music of Air Supply.
The Dreamwork Ventures who's producing Air Supply Concert in Gensan is headed by the Mr. Michael Wee of Grab A Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101.
This Platinum Concert Series 2009 of Air Supply is brought to us by Dreamwork Ventures in cooperation with the City Government of Gensan, Gensan City Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. and ABS-CBN
co-sponsors :
Grab a Crab Restaurant, MISO Hardware, San Miguel Corporation, Coca Cola Bottlers, Inc., East Asia Royale Hotel, Coffee Dream, Giacominos, NY Fries and Dips, Gaisano Mall of Gensan and Gregoria Printing Press
If I were an Air Supply Song, I would be the song, "Making Love out of Nothing at All". This is my little story inspired by my all-time favorite song.
Concerts of all artists are so near my vicinity here in Quezon City. Shows by local and foreign artists are advertised ever so often. Yet, I never attempted to watch any of these even if I had the money or the time. However, it would take only one condition to send me running to the concert venue; that is, if the Air Supply were the ones having a concert.
The Air Supply. They're a legend for me really. To hear them sing live would be a childhood dream come true. I never thought that there would be that one little chance that I could be as close to them as a part of an audience in a packed concert venue. Yet, miracles do really happen!
I grew up with their songs though I was born only in the 90's because my parents, aunts and uncles had a knack for their songs. I don't even know how to express just how great the influence of their music was in my life. My love for music was brought about by my love for Air supply.
During my much younger years, I would be contented to sit down on the floor at the dead of the night with my homework and the radio playing Air Supply songs. Years later, I would begin to analyze the lyrics of their songs and thank them for having created such beautiful melodies with lyrics that made so much sense.
It was when I tried to learn how to play the guitar that made their impact in my life deeper than ever.
I had nothing that time. No experience in playing the guitar. No teacher to teach me except for the few pointers of my father. I had no other source for songs and chords except for two old Compilations of Songs which are my father's. How am I supposed to start? I asked myself.
I started flipping through the old compilations. I didn't recognize any of the songs mainly for the reason that I was not familiar with the titles of the old songs I heard often. It was then that I came upon the title, "Making love out of nothing at All".
I always heard it and i always sang along during the chorus part (since the verses seemed so fast!). I have long memorized its melody by heart even before I read the words which composed it.
From the moment I played and sang that song, armed only with a guitar, a compilation of old songs and a courage do something I've never done before, sprang a greater love for music.
As the song goes, "making love out of nothing at all....".
It was and still is my song. It is a memorable song which opened up a whole new world for me.
"I know just how to whisper and i know just how to cry... i know just where to find the answers.."
Going through its lyrics in my mind, I remember the second-year high school student who thought she knew a lot. She was humbled by the fact that she couldn't even play that one song, 'Making love out of nothing at All".
It's a reflection of myself, a person who somehow knows a lot. At the same time, I'm a person who still knows nothing of everything. I just know that I love music. I don't exactly know why or when or how. All I know is there wasn't much to begin with. There was only the music of Air Supply.
This is my take for the ongoing blog contest of the famous Bariles of Gensan News Online Mag.
I hope you too would get to share your ideas on the songs of Air Supply.
I hope you too would get to share your ideas on the songs of Air Supply.
The Dreamwork Ventures who's producing Air Supply Concert in Gensan is headed by the Mr. Michael Wee of Grab A Crab Restaurant and Coffee Club 101.The concert is on October 2, 2009, 8:00 P.M. at Lagao Gym, General Santos City.
See you there! :)
Friday, September 4, 2009
Rediscovering my First Love
It was a sunny summer morning. I was greeted by a kind face. He led me to that small, blue room with that black piano. Right there and then, I knew that one - the one I would like to spend the rest of my life with.
Music.
I don't know when I exactly fell in love with music but I knew even before I joined that fateful singing contest when I was in grade two, that I had a passion for it. I have this longing to hear and make music.
When I was still much, much younger, what I would remember about my afternoons is the radio playing 90's music as I sing along with it though I can't remember if I can even mutter a word.
As time passed by, I joined that fateful singing contest just for the fun of it. I won once and I never won again for the next few years.
There was one summer when I was supposed to just bum around, when my mama suggested that i take on classical voice lessons in this studio that she knew of. I was joyful. It was something I knew would be worthwhile.
That morning finally came. That small, blue room with that black piano became the playground of my being. Being there raised up all kinds of emotions in me. I would be worried about not getting the notes right. I would be glad every time I was able to make my teacher smile. I guess there was always that innate desire in me to touch people with music - to use this talent to reach out to others.
Everyday, I would go home with the new lessons that I've learned. I would tell my papa all about it on the way home and he would listen to my endless chatter.
Eventually, the summer came to an end and so did my voice lessons. It was capped off with a recital. It was the first time that I've witnessed such a wonderful display of music in its many forms. I admired the people who played and sang and hoped for one moment that I could be like them one way or another.
It wasn't until a year later that I've decided to pursue my voice lessons again. Yet, from that time when I set foot on another more spacious room with another black piano, I began to feel that desire to learn more- to hone this talent of making music. The music school was near our home and so I would walk down the street every Sunday with a smile on my face carrying my song pieces. It eventually ended with another recital. That recital was another milestone. It signified the end of my beginner's voice lessons.
I was not able to pursue it further though. As the years went by, I spent more time on my academics and less and less time for music. I would join choirs once in a while. I joined choirs for the mass or for competitions. Each time I practiced, the passion just continued to burn, only slightly dimmer. I wanted to reach out with music but desire proved to be not enough.
Eventually, we arrive at the present. I'm a college freshman trying to adapt to the demands of University life. I've decided to join the dorm choir initially because it was my habit to join whenever there is a choir in my midst.
This choir proved to be an eye opener. It broke the state of ennui of my existence. I just realized that I was half-dead all along, going wherever the winds take me. I was not living until I rediscovered the passion I have lost. I began to get to know music all over again. I remembered the times when I had less things to worry about. I remembered that summer when talking with my Papa about my voice lessons was enough to complete my day. I remembered the times when I made my Mama proud every time I sang. I remembered the times when I made people smile and praise God every time we sang during the mass. There were so many memories of music and joy in the early years of my life. It was then that I knew that I was capable of touching others with that music all along.
These realizations just happened on the most typical Thursday evening. A practice session with the choir. Right there and then, I saw that this music has hands of its own, touching those who opened themselves to it. This Music is always willing to love if only we allowed ourselves to be loved by it.
Music.
I don't know when I exactly fell in love with music but I knew even before I joined that fateful singing contest when I was in grade two, that I had a passion for it. I have this longing to hear and make music.
When I was still much, much younger, what I would remember about my afternoons is the radio playing 90's music as I sing along with it though I can't remember if I can even mutter a word.
As time passed by, I joined that fateful singing contest just for the fun of it. I won once and I never won again for the next few years.
There was one summer when I was supposed to just bum around, when my mama suggested that i take on classical voice lessons in this studio that she knew of. I was joyful. It was something I knew would be worthwhile.
That morning finally came. That small, blue room with that black piano became the playground of my being. Being there raised up all kinds of emotions in me. I would be worried about not getting the notes right. I would be glad every time I was able to make my teacher smile. I guess there was always that innate desire in me to touch people with music - to use this talent to reach out to others.
Everyday, I would go home with the new lessons that I've learned. I would tell my papa all about it on the way home and he would listen to my endless chatter.
Eventually, the summer came to an end and so did my voice lessons. It was capped off with a recital. It was the first time that I've witnessed such a wonderful display of music in its many forms. I admired the people who played and sang and hoped for one moment that I could be like them one way or another.
It wasn't until a year later that I've decided to pursue my voice lessons again. Yet, from that time when I set foot on another more spacious room with another black piano, I began to feel that desire to learn more- to hone this talent of making music. The music school was near our home and so I would walk down the street every Sunday with a smile on my face carrying my song pieces. It eventually ended with another recital. That recital was another milestone. It signified the end of my beginner's voice lessons.
I was not able to pursue it further though. As the years went by, I spent more time on my academics and less and less time for music. I would join choirs once in a while. I joined choirs for the mass or for competitions. Each time I practiced, the passion just continued to burn, only slightly dimmer. I wanted to reach out with music but desire proved to be not enough.
Eventually, we arrive at the present. I'm a college freshman trying to adapt to the demands of University life. I've decided to join the dorm choir initially because it was my habit to join whenever there is a choir in my midst.
This choir proved to be an eye opener. It broke the state of ennui of my existence. I just realized that I was half-dead all along, going wherever the winds take me. I was not living until I rediscovered the passion I have lost. I began to get to know music all over again. I remembered the times when I had less things to worry about. I remembered that summer when talking with my Papa about my voice lessons was enough to complete my day. I remembered the times when I made my Mama proud every time I sang. I remembered the times when I made people smile and praise God every time we sang during the mass. There were so many memories of music and joy in the early years of my life. It was then that I knew that I was capable of touching others with that music all along.
These realizations just happened on the most typical Thursday evening. A practice session with the choir. Right there and then, I saw that this music has hands of its own, touching those who opened themselves to it. This Music is always willing to love if only we allowed ourselves to be loved by it.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
My first recruitment week (day pala)
Recweek last week. kaya nga lang, naospital ako for four days so I only got to sign up for organizations on Friday. Rec week was very fun! Kasi ang daming freebies! The organizers were fantastic because they were able to have Ipanema, Magnolia, Nestea and even Biogenic alcohol as sponsors. However, it was not just the freebies that I was after. After all, it was recruitment week. It was fun to really get a chance to sign up for the various organizations. I decided to join three this semester just to test the waters. I joined my home organization, Ateneo Chemical Society or ACheS and two others, Youth for Christ and Gabay.
I am taking up BS Chemistry and Material Science Engineering so I guess joining ACheS would be Big help. I joined YFC because I think it would help me stay grounded (hopefully....). Gabay, on the other hand is an organization aiming to help scholars in public schools near the Ateneo. I think working for that cause would be fulfilling enough.
I was thinking that I had too many orgs already. Pero may classmate nga akong 9 yung orgs nya!! Fantastic! I just hope to balance everything out. Our load is a bit heavy compared to thers- 22. Sana nga kayanin ko.. Aja!!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
I thought Father's Day was last Sunday
MyHotComments
I really thought Father's day was last Sunday!!! That must have been the reason why my classmates' fathers were asking them if they wanted something that day. That was my wrong.
Still, there were a few lessons I learned from the incident.
It doesn't really matter what day is Father's Day for everyday is a reminder that we have a father who unconditionally loves us, who provides for us and who constantly forgives and understands us for the wrongs we have done in the past.
For this, I would like to greet my beloved Papa Arnel, a happy, happy Fathers' day for being the best father in the whole wide world!!!
I'm grateful to our Almighty Father above for blessing me with such a great father.
Happy Fathers' Day to all the Fathers in the world. Stay the best for your children!
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