Biyernes, Hulyo 27, 2012
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MY BROTHER...THE MEMORIES....THE REGRETS...THE LES...
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MY BROTHER...THE MEMORIES....THE REGRETS...THE LES...: MY BROTHER...THE MEMORIES....THE REGRETS....THE LESSONS.....THE LOVE My brother, Daniel de Guzman was a very good man, he was also well ...
MY BROTHER...THE MEMORIES....THE REGRETS...THE LESSONS....THE LOVE
MY BROTHER...THE MEMORIES....THE REGRETS....THE LESSONS.....THE LOVE
My brother, Daniel de Guzman was a very good man, he was also well liked and loved.
Just now I read a message from my sister-in-law, who told me that she dreamed about my brother, and in that dream he was already dead, but still kidded her about taking a diet. I told her not to be afraid, and she said she wasn't....
My parents-in-law says that every time they visit our house, it is my brother who greets them and spends time talking with them.....
A cousin says everyone will miss my brother, most esp. their family....
....there are several other stories, all in the same mode....simply put, my brother was always accommodating, warm, down to earth and simple....everyone feels special as he makes them feel that way....
During our first morning at the wake, while there were yet no visitors, I, and my sister Adeline were talking about our memories as young kids with my brother. Addie says she's having a hard time recalling anything, as I was the one so close to her.....but during the eulogy that I made about my brother, I suddenly recalled that yes, he took care of he as well, and was indeed very fond of her.....I, on the other hand recalled times when we would play with our "Match Box Cars.".....
During most of our adult life, we were at odds with each other, mostly because being a non-drinker, I could not comprehend his need / addiction to alcohol. I saw it destroy his dreams, his looks, his life....it destroyed our relationship and to a great extent our family.....but every time I would scold him about drinking, when he became sober, we'd patch things up and he'd go out with me, my wife, and my kids.....it was only this last year....when he was seldom sober, that our relationship took a turn for the worst.....but like I've said before, he was sick...his addiction to alcohol had affected his mind, that was a valid excuse.....I, on the other hand, was not sick.....I just couldn't fathom why he allowed himself to be destroyed and to a certain extent, I became arrogant about my stand....so he had an excuse, I didn't....so he was indeed a better man than I ever was.
My children all have good memories about him....but it's probably Niccolo who spent the most time with him....They would play toy guns together, they would put up his basketball ring together....and he proudly displayed some of Niccolo's toys in his room. Several months ago, when he was sober, he spoke to Niccolo and said....."This room will be yours some day, put a fresh coat of paint on it, and draw some awesome dinosaurs on the wall. The past few days, I would find Niccolo in my brother's room, just sitting there....I know he misses him terribly.....When my kids found out that their A-pe or uncle had died, they cried uncontrollably, but a few minutes before the cremation, it was Lizzie who cried the loudest and the longest...as she suddenly recalled their moments together, coloring and watching cartoons....my brother was the most patient when it came to watching cartoons with Lizzie....so when Lizzie was crying she was also saying..."I suddenly realized, that he's not going to come home with us anymore, we're not coloring together anymore.".... Whatever my brother had become due to alcohol, he was always good and caring to my kids.....he was a great and loving uncle.
During this last year, my father had become thinner and weaker, he admits to having a hard time sleeping, because he did not know how to handle my brother's sickness and the effect it had on all of us. He was the one person who never gave up on him....he was the perfect example of the father in the parable of "The Prodigal Son", a father who would never stop loving and accepting his child. ......I know he suffered every time I and my brother would fight....He cried, non-stop, for over an hour when he saw what alcohol had done to my brother.....he tried to find a solution, but..........so during the second night of the wake, right after my eulogy where I cried unabashedly while talking about my brother, my father approached, put his hand on the urn where my brother's ashes were, cried and told me..."Salamat anak!" (Thanks son!) He was probably happy to know that I kept my brother in high regard and that I still loved him.
My brother's threshold for pain was never high. Last year, he was the one who pleaded with us, to bring him to the hospital as he couldn't breath, an apparent hart attack......this time around, we asked him several times, my father even pleading with him, that we would bring him to the hospital, he refused....When I relayed this story to a neighbor, who was very close to my brother, during the wake....he said it must have been due to what he had said to my brother, when he saw him a week before his demise.....he scolded him saying...."You're drunk again, and you have become so thin and you're face is all swollen, and then you're going to brought to the hospital again. Don't you pity your dad and your brother?" Our next door neighbor said, my brother just bowed his head and turned away, and that was the last time he saw him. Perhaps..no, I'm sure, that this time around he decided he was going to be brave and not bother anyone anymore....He truly was my father's son.....his brave and courageous first son.
During the last Mass for my brother celebrated by Father Bernie, Father Bernie said...."Tell your loved ones of your love and express them while they're still alive." That struck all of us....so painfully and so truthfully, me in particular....for just the previous morning....while alone at the wake, I held on to the urn containing my brother's ashes and I spoke to him and said...."If I could only turn back the time.....I wish we hadn't fought so much.....I wish I had been more patient....I wish I had been wiser....I wish I had been more sensitive.....I wish I had told you that no matter what, we'd be brothers.....I wish...I wish.....now, I could only wish!
I have apologized to my brother when he was still alive and even now, I say sorry every day...but I still feel guilty....and this guilt has manifested itself as a lingering back pain....while going down the stairs one day, I spoke about this guilt with my daughter Mary Nicole, and she said..."Dad, it's God's will...He has taken away all of his pain."
I have been saying a Novena and the Rosary for my brother's soul every day...and I don't let a day pass by when I don't whisper "I love you Ahia!"
Father Bernard ended his Mass by asking everyone to bow 3x in honor of my brother. When I thanked him about this, he said..."Everyone deserves to be respected and honored." My brother certainly did deserve it!
DANIEL DE GUZMAN---I have only good memories about him.....I have a lot of regrets.....I learned a lot from him, his life and my life with him.....and I learned about true love from my father's love for him...and I know now in my heart that as brothers, wherever we are...we will always love each other!
My brother, Daniel de Guzman was a very good man, he was also well liked and loved.
Just now I read a message from my sister-in-law, who told me that she dreamed about my brother, and in that dream he was already dead, but still kidded her about taking a diet. I told her not to be afraid, and she said she wasn't....
My parents-in-law says that every time they visit our house, it is my brother who greets them and spends time talking with them.....
A cousin says everyone will miss my brother, most esp. their family....
....there are several other stories, all in the same mode....simply put, my brother was always accommodating, warm, down to earth and simple....everyone feels special as he makes them feel that way....
During our first morning at the wake, while there were yet no visitors, I, and my sister Adeline were talking about our memories as young kids with my brother. Addie says she's having a hard time recalling anything, as I was the one so close to her.....but during the eulogy that I made about my brother, I suddenly recalled that yes, he took care of he as well, and was indeed very fond of her.....I, on the other hand recalled times when we would play with our "Match Box Cars.".....
During most of our adult life, we were at odds with each other, mostly because being a non-drinker, I could not comprehend his need / addiction to alcohol. I saw it destroy his dreams, his looks, his life....it destroyed our relationship and to a great extent our family.....but every time I would scold him about drinking, when he became sober, we'd patch things up and he'd go out with me, my wife, and my kids.....it was only this last year....when he was seldom sober, that our relationship took a turn for the worst.....but like I've said before, he was sick...his addiction to alcohol had affected his mind, that was a valid excuse.....I, on the other hand, was not sick.....I just couldn't fathom why he allowed himself to be destroyed and to a certain extent, I became arrogant about my stand....so he had an excuse, I didn't....so he was indeed a better man than I ever was.
My children all have good memories about him....but it's probably Niccolo who spent the most time with him....They would play toy guns together, they would put up his basketball ring together....and he proudly displayed some of Niccolo's toys in his room. Several months ago, when he was sober, he spoke to Niccolo and said....."This room will be yours some day, put a fresh coat of paint on it, and draw some awesome dinosaurs on the wall. The past few days, I would find Niccolo in my brother's room, just sitting there....I know he misses him terribly.....When my kids found out that their A-pe or uncle had died, they cried uncontrollably, but a few minutes before the cremation, it was Lizzie who cried the loudest and the longest...as she suddenly recalled their moments together, coloring and watching cartoons....my brother was the most patient when it came to watching cartoons with Lizzie....so when Lizzie was crying she was also saying..."I suddenly realized, that he's not going to come home with us anymore, we're not coloring together anymore.".... Whatever my brother had become due to alcohol, he was always good and caring to my kids.....he was a great and loving uncle.
During this last year, my father had become thinner and weaker, he admits to having a hard time sleeping, because he did not know how to handle my brother's sickness and the effect it had on all of us. He was the one person who never gave up on him....he was the perfect example of the father in the parable of "The Prodigal Son", a father who would never stop loving and accepting his child. ......I know he suffered every time I and my brother would fight....He cried, non-stop, for over an hour when he saw what alcohol had done to my brother.....he tried to find a solution, but..........so during the second night of the wake, right after my eulogy where I cried unabashedly while talking about my brother, my father approached, put his hand on the urn where my brother's ashes were, cried and told me..."Salamat anak!" (Thanks son!) He was probably happy to know that I kept my brother in high regard and that I still loved him.
My brother's threshold for pain was never high. Last year, he was the one who pleaded with us, to bring him to the hospital as he couldn't breath, an apparent hart attack......this time around, we asked him several times, my father even pleading with him, that we would bring him to the hospital, he refused....When I relayed this story to a neighbor, who was very close to my brother, during the wake....he said it must have been due to what he had said to my brother, when he saw him a week before his demise.....he scolded him saying...."You're drunk again, and you have become so thin and you're face is all swollen, and then you're going to brought to the hospital again. Don't you pity your dad and your brother?" Our next door neighbor said, my brother just bowed his head and turned away, and that was the last time he saw him. Perhaps..no, I'm sure, that this time around he decided he was going to be brave and not bother anyone anymore....He truly was my father's son.....his brave and courageous first son.
During the last Mass for my brother celebrated by Father Bernie, Father Bernie said...."Tell your loved ones of your love and express them while they're still alive." That struck all of us....so painfully and so truthfully, me in particular....for just the previous morning....while alone at the wake, I held on to the urn containing my brother's ashes and I spoke to him and said...."If I could only turn back the time.....I wish we hadn't fought so much.....I wish I had been more patient....I wish I had been wiser....I wish I had been more sensitive.....I wish I had told you that no matter what, we'd be brothers.....I wish...I wish.....now, I could only wish!
I have apologized to my brother when he was still alive and even now, I say sorry every day...but I still feel guilty....and this guilt has manifested itself as a lingering back pain....while going down the stairs one day, I spoke about this guilt with my daughter Mary Nicole, and she said..."Dad, it's God's will...He has taken away all of his pain."
I have been saying a Novena and the Rosary for my brother's soul every day...and I don't let a day pass by when I don't whisper "I love you Ahia!"
Father Bernard ended his Mass by asking everyone to bow 3x in honor of my brother. When I thanked him about this, he said..."Everyone deserves to be respected and honored." My brother certainly did deserve it!
DANIEL DE GUZMAN---I have only good memories about him.....I have a lot of regrets.....I learned a lot from him, his life and my life with him.....and I learned about true love from my father's love for him...and I know now in my heart that as brothers, wherever we are...we will always love each other!
Sabado, Hulyo 14, 2012
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: SCOLDING OUR KIDS...LOVING OUR KIDS
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: SCOLDING OUR KIDS...LOVING OUR KIDS: Scolding our kids....Loving our kids! Last night, I tried teaching Lizzie her Chinese assignments...not feeling so well, my patience was...
SCOLDING OUR KIDS...LOVING OUR KIDS
Scolding our kids....Loving our kids!
Last night, I tried teaching Lizzie her Chinese assignments...not feeling so well, my patience was quite limited, and Lizzie was having a problem writing one of the chinese characters, and I raised my voice to her, and she cried and hugged me and said " I love you daddy." ...Then Achie Nicole took over teaching her.
Afterwards, I took a book and I called her over and I said..."Time to read a book baby!" ..and she went to me excitedly, I read to her until she fell asleep with her head on my shoulders and with a lovely smile on her face.....I could not allow the day to end with my baby feeling that I don't love her anymore....
Each time I have to scold my kids, I feel very bad afterwards....I know it's necessary to correct them and lecture them, sternly at times, but I still feel bad, and I make it a point to remind them about how much I love them......
That is why I am appalled at stories of parents beating their children black and blue...sometimes just for being noisy and curious.....
I can understand the occasional spanking ( I don't do it, but I understand parents who do it), but the beating, sometimes even with the use of objects, and the swearing and the cursing....how can some parents talk to their kids that way? .....
A reminder to all parents....we can scold our kids, but they are supposed to be curious, they can be noisy, they can even be naughty at times, but whatever it is...they do not deserve to beaten and please do not swear or say "bad words" to them....your children will be a member of the society, and if they are to be useful, decent and respectable members of society, we have to train them and show them the way.....it will be extremely difficult for a good fruit to come from a rotten seed or a broken tree!
So when you've scolded your child....make sure you make them feel that you love them still....don't let your day end without a hug, a kiss and words of encouragement and love...do it for yourself....do it for your kids!
Again...God bless all parents....and God bless our kids!
Last night, I tried teaching Lizzie her Chinese assignments...not feeling so well, my patience was quite limited, and Lizzie was having a problem writing one of the chinese characters, and I raised my voice to her, and she cried and hugged me and said " I love you daddy." ...Then Achie Nicole took over teaching her.
Afterwards, I took a book and I called her over and I said..."Time to read a book baby!" ..and she went to me excitedly, I read to her until she fell asleep with her head on my shoulders and with a lovely smile on her face.....I could not allow the day to end with my baby feeling that I don't love her anymore....
Each time I have to scold my kids, I feel very bad afterwards....I know it's necessary to correct them and lecture them, sternly at times, but I still feel bad, and I make it a point to remind them about how much I love them......
That is why I am appalled at stories of parents beating their children black and blue...sometimes just for being noisy and curious.....
I can understand the occasional spanking ( I don't do it, but I understand parents who do it), but the beating, sometimes even with the use of objects, and the swearing and the cursing....how can some parents talk to their kids that way? .....
A reminder to all parents....we can scold our kids, but they are supposed to be curious, they can be noisy, they can even be naughty at times, but whatever it is...they do not deserve to beaten and please do not swear or say "bad words" to them....your children will be a member of the society, and if they are to be useful, decent and respectable members of society, we have to train them and show them the way.....it will be extremely difficult for a good fruit to come from a rotten seed or a broken tree!
So when you've scolded your child....make sure you make them feel that you love them still....don't let your day end without a hug, a kiss and words of encouragement and love...do it for yourself....do it for your kids!
Again...God bless all parents....and God bless our kids!
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: THAT WOULD BE A GREAT LEGACY
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: THAT WOULD BE A GREAT LEGACY: THAT WOULD BE A GREAT LEGACY My son, Niccolo told this story to my wife Dinah several days ago.... He and some of his classmates were ha...
THAT WOULD BE A GREAT LEGACY
THAT WOULD BE A GREAT LEGACY
My son, Niccolo told this story to my wife Dinah several days ago....
He and some of his classmates were having an animated discussion and one of his classmates said....
"Swerte ng tatay nito, kasi ang gando ng nanay nito eh" (His dad is so fortunate because Niccolo's mom is so beautiful)....
apparently, this was Niccolo's answer....
"Swerte din ng nanay ko, kasi sobrang mahal siya ng tatay ko." (My mom is fortunate as well, because my dad loves her so much.).....
both statements are quite accurate.....
I've always believed that one of the very first lessons we can impart to our children,...and this can only be done through actions....is to show them how much you love their mother....
I think I've done this and Niccolo has seen it...
I hope Niccolo remembers to love his wife in the same way and with the same intensity, that even without lecturing them, his kids will also know how much he loves their mother...
and they too will love their spouses with the same intensity....
and it'll be passed on through generations...
a family whose love for each other is just overflowing!
That would be great legacy!
My son, Niccolo told this story to my wife Dinah several days ago....
He and some of his classmates were having an animated discussion and one of his classmates said....
"Swerte ng tatay nito, kasi ang gando ng nanay nito eh" (His dad is so fortunate because Niccolo's mom is so beautiful)....
apparently, this was Niccolo's answer....
"Swerte din ng nanay ko, kasi sobrang mahal siya ng tatay ko." (My mom is fortunate as well, because my dad loves her so much.).....
both statements are quite accurate.....
I've always believed that one of the very first lessons we can impart to our children,...and this can only be done through actions....is to show them how much you love their mother....
I think I've done this and Niccolo has seen it...
I hope Niccolo remembers to love his wife in the same way and with the same intensity, that even without lecturing them, his kids will also know how much he loves their mother...
and they too will love their spouses with the same intensity....
and it'll be passed on through generations...
a family whose love for each other is just overflowing!
That would be great legacy!
Martes, Hulyo 10, 2012
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: THE BEST OF THEM ALL
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: THE BEST OF THEM ALL: THE BEST OF THEM ALL Yesterday evening, we lost a legend. But he was a legend who never thought of himself as one, and neither did he ev...
THE BEST OF THEM ALL
THE BEST OF THEM ALL
Yesterday evening, we lost a legend. But he was a legend who never thought of himself as one, and neither did he ever act like someone who believed he was one. Oh he was indeed worthy to be thought of as a "legend", a "King".
For more than 6 decades, he sang, he danced, he made us laugh and he made us cry.....but what he kept hidden, was that for more than 6 decades he had extended enormous and unquantifiable help to the small people in and out of the movie industry. This he never bragged or even talked about...he just went on his merry way, spreading laughter and putting a smile on everyone's heart, by his words, by his actions in front of the camera and by his actions when there were no cameras.
Bibeth Orteza, the writer of his biography, marveled at how this superstar would wake up for a fan who wanted his autograph, because he did not want to hurt anybody's feelings. Ms. Orteza asked him..."Bakit po hindi kayo yumabang?" His answer..."I travel a lot, nakita ko and mga nilikha ni Michelangelo, sino lang ba ako?"
This, in my mind added to his greatness, his absolute humility about everything he has achieved.
When asked several years ago, why he did not want to enter politics, his answer was...."Madaling tumakbo...papaano kung manalo?" There he showed his brilliance and again his humility.
I have met him, fleetingly, when I was a medical intern, and what I felt from that very short moment was warmth, kindness and humility.
Again, for more than 6 decades, more than 200 films and several tv shows and specials,'he made us sing with him, dance with him, laugh and cry....he was Jill in "Jack en Jill", he was Facifica Falayfay", he was "Captain Barbell", he was even "Darna Kuno",....but the roles that would define him and imprint him in every Filipino home was as John Puruntong in "John and Marsha", and for another generation, as Kevin Kosme in "Home Along The Riles"....he was the father who loved his children above all, and he never allowed his financial conditions to prevent him from always being honest, principled and God-fearing....in his own way, he was advising every Filipino father to act that way.
Last night, must have been a special night in heaven...a reunion of sorts....for I am certain that a welcoming committee was waiting for him...composed of....Panchito, Babalu, Bayani Casimiro, Teroy de Guzman, even Chiquito, and, of course, his "Marsha", Ms. Nida Blanca.
With all the problems of the world....heaven must have needed a great show....and the Lord decided to call on the best of them all....The King of Comedy....DOLPHY!
GOD BLESS YOU MANG DOLPHY! GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY!
Yesterday evening, we lost a legend. But he was a legend who never thought of himself as one, and neither did he ever act like someone who believed he was one. Oh he was indeed worthy to be thought of as a "legend", a "King".
For more than 6 decades, he sang, he danced, he made us laugh and he made us cry.....but what he kept hidden, was that for more than 6 decades he had extended enormous and unquantifiable help to the small people in and out of the movie industry. This he never bragged or even talked about...he just went on his merry way, spreading laughter and putting a smile on everyone's heart, by his words, by his actions in front of the camera and by his actions when there were no cameras.
Bibeth Orteza, the writer of his biography, marveled at how this superstar would wake up for a fan who wanted his autograph, because he did not want to hurt anybody's feelings. Ms. Orteza asked him..."Bakit po hindi kayo yumabang?" His answer..."I travel a lot, nakita ko and mga nilikha ni Michelangelo, sino lang ba ako?"
This, in my mind added to his greatness, his absolute humility about everything he has achieved.
When asked several years ago, why he did not want to enter politics, his answer was...."Madaling tumakbo...papaano kung manalo?" There he showed his brilliance and again his humility.
I have met him, fleetingly, when I was a medical intern, and what I felt from that very short moment was warmth, kindness and humility.
Again, for more than 6 decades, more than 200 films and several tv shows and specials,'he made us sing with him, dance with him, laugh and cry....he was Jill in "Jack en Jill", he was Facifica Falayfay", he was "Captain Barbell", he was even "Darna Kuno",....but the roles that would define him and imprint him in every Filipino home was as John Puruntong in "John and Marsha", and for another generation, as Kevin Kosme in "Home Along The Riles"....he was the father who loved his children above all, and he never allowed his financial conditions to prevent him from always being honest, principled and God-fearing....in his own way, he was advising every Filipino father to act that way.
Last night, must have been a special night in heaven...a reunion of sorts....for I am certain that a welcoming committee was waiting for him...composed of....Panchito, Babalu, Bayani Casimiro, Teroy de Guzman, even Chiquito, and, of course, his "Marsha", Ms. Nida Blanca.
With all the problems of the world....heaven must have needed a great show....and the Lord decided to call on the best of them all....The King of Comedy....DOLPHY!
GOD BLESS YOU MANG DOLPHY! GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY!
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: A REAL THREAT FROM THE PSG
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: A REAL THREAT FROM THE PSG: A REAL THREAT FROM THE PSG (Presidential Security Group) (I will be sending this letter via PM to the following respected and credibl...
Lunes, Hulyo 9, 2012
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: A REAL THREAT FROM THE PSG
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: A REAL THREAT FROM THE PSG: A REAL THREAT FROM THE PSG (Presidential Security Group) (I will be sending this letter via PM to the following respected and credibl...
A REAL THREAT FROM THE PSG
A REAL THREAT FROM THE PSG (Presidential Security Group)
(I will be sending this letter via PM to the following respected and credible people ....Mr. Antiporda, Mr. Raffy Rulfo, Mr. Julius Babao and Mr. Edwin Lacierda....I hope they give my letter some notice....it may also serve as my insurance.)
Just this afternoon, while picking my kids from school (Saint Jude Catholic School [SJCS] ) , I was threatened by the PSG, not my life( not right now )...but most certainly, my rights.....and in a democracy when your rights are threatened..it's almost the same as your life being threatened....I am writing about it, because assessing these current people of PSG, a threat to my life may not be far behind.
Let me give you a short back ground of the events leading to the threat that I am talking about.
About a week or 2 ago, while parking at Saint Jude Shrine, to bring my kids to school, I saw a certain man in a barong ordering the drivers, not to park and to leave immediately. I was shocked as the said parking space was almost empty at that time...I was also surprised upon knowing that he was an officer of the PSG. So I spoke to him and I admit to having raised my voice in irritation because I couldn't understand what power they had inside the Saint Jude Shrine which happens to be private property...and at that time, I was still under the notion that the students were the priority of everyone involved.....the Church Hierarchy, the SJCS School Authorities, PAG (Parents Auxiliary Group), and yes, even the PSG and the MMDA....I think this is where my first mistake was, believing that like me...they would prioritize the well being of the students....but let me be clear....I never cursed or used bad words, and I never belittled them...I don't do that!
That same afternoon, I had the same discussion with a member of the MMDA, because again they were driving the cars away from the gates of the SJCS Shrine, who had diligently waited for the gates to open, because they had disallowed us to park there earlier....and so we wait for them to open the gates.
My wife upon hearing about my discussions with the PSG and the MMDA from my kids, admonished me to be careful....she said this people belonged to the military, and they may decide to silence me in a most violent manner.....Now it was my turn to admonish my wife, I reminded her that we were living in a democracy, and the current president, who I strongly support, is the son of our country's foremost symbol of freedom and democracy. So I should not be afraid to express my views as I am within my rights. I said I'm sure PNoy would not allow this!
Then fast forward to this afternoon, please bear with me, as a threat was indeed made.....we were not allowed to go inside the Saint Jude Shrine again.....so I didn't force the issue....I walked....but on my way to church, I was approached by several drivers and they said, the MMDA were listing the plate numbers and threatening to get their licenses and car passes.....I found this reprehensible and an obvious attempt at a show of unreasonable force......So I spoke again to the PSG man in the white barong, and I said...."I'd like to know the name of the new PSG head, I'd also like to get your name." He asked why, and I said...."I am going to write about this in whatever medium it can be accepted." He became agitated. So I proceeded to explain....."I have been coming to SJCS for a little more than 40 years, and we have never had this kind of problem with the parking. I thought it was elementary that during school time, for 30 minutes every morning, from 6:30 - 7:00 a.m. and for another 30 minutes every afternoon, from 4:15 - 4:45 p.m. there would be traffic along JP Laurel esp. in front of SJCS and SJ Shrine...and I believed, we had, over the years accepted this, because the same thing happens in front of every school where a lot of parents own cars....so I don't understand why you can't accept it, and why you feel the need to do something...something so inefficient and something so insensitive...why insensitive? If you were the parent of a nursery or a kindergarten student, and had no driver, and were not allowed to park, what are you supposed to do....open the car door and tell your 4-6 year old kid to go down and walk on his own to school? Is that what you are suggesting?"....I also asked him about what the MMDAs were doing, I asked...."What are our rights as parents and what are your powers? Do you have the right to get our license plates? Can you confiscate our driver's license and our car pass?" He never answered me. This was the only answer he gave me....."Father Vic Rayco has agreed to all this." I couldn't say anything after that..but I was saddened and I was so very disappointed...again...I really believe and will always believe that the children should be the priority.
Now the threat.....as I was about to ride my car with my kids....the head of security of SJCS approached me and very respectfully told me....that the man in the white barong had a message for me, he said...."If I persist to question them and argue with them, he will get my car pass and never issue another one to me." For me this was a threat... pure and simple. It's important to mention that the man in barong was actually the brains behind the traffic scheme...he is the head. Remember I asked him to give me the name of the head...he never mentioned that it was him....so that gives the threat more gravitas. This was my answer to the head of security...."Tell the PSG that I have no intentions of quarreling with them...I was just explaining, and anyway my wife has prohibited me to even talk to them, she has asked me to think of my children, as she is genuinely concerned for my life....but....and this is very important.....if he confiscates my car pass, just for having discussions with him or even arguing with him....I will do whatever I can to fight him...I will write, I will speak, I will knock on doors of radio or tv stations....I will fight for my rights."
I am truly devastated that under this administration, such a threat can happen....just for arguing.....not for violating any laws.....and if we follow his course of action....this show of force....is it really that far fetched that I could be harmed physically...is it totally impossible for them to imprison me and to hurt me? A threat is a threat and I have been threatened!
A reminder to the President, to all the political leaders and law makers, to the military, to the PSG, to the school and church authorities.....our kids always take priority, over anything and anyone, including the president....the situations, the conditions, the place, the time...may vary....but that is constant....Children, students, in particular, take center stage...anytime, anywhere!
God bless our country! God bless Saint Jude Catholic School!
God bless the president! God bless all parents!
God bless the PSG and the MMDA and the hard working security force of SJCS!
Most of all....God bless our children!....and God bless those who would be good and generous to them!
(I will be sending this letter via PM to the following respected and credible people ....Mr. Antiporda, Mr. Raffy Rulfo, Mr. Julius Babao and Mr. Edwin Lacierda....I hope they give my letter some notice....it may also serve as my insurance.)
Just this afternoon, while picking my kids from school (Saint Jude Catholic School [SJCS] ) , I was threatened by the PSG, not my life( not right now )...but most certainly, my rights.....and in a democracy when your rights are threatened..it's almost the same as your life being threatened....I am writing about it, because assessing these current people of PSG, a threat to my life may not be far behind.
Let me give you a short back ground of the events leading to the threat that I am talking about.
About a week or 2 ago, while parking at Saint Jude Shrine, to bring my kids to school, I saw a certain man in a barong ordering the drivers, not to park and to leave immediately. I was shocked as the said parking space was almost empty at that time...I was also surprised upon knowing that he was an officer of the PSG. So I spoke to him and I admit to having raised my voice in irritation because I couldn't understand what power they had inside the Saint Jude Shrine which happens to be private property...and at that time, I was still under the notion that the students were the priority of everyone involved.....the Church Hierarchy, the SJCS School Authorities, PAG (Parents Auxiliary Group), and yes, even the PSG and the MMDA....I think this is where my first mistake was, believing that like me...they would prioritize the well being of the students....but let me be clear....I never cursed or used bad words, and I never belittled them...I don't do that!
That same afternoon, I had the same discussion with a member of the MMDA, because again they were driving the cars away from the gates of the SJCS Shrine, who had diligently waited for the gates to open, because they had disallowed us to park there earlier....and so we wait for them to open the gates.
My wife upon hearing about my discussions with the PSG and the MMDA from my kids, admonished me to be careful....she said this people belonged to the military, and they may decide to silence me in a most violent manner.....Now it was my turn to admonish my wife, I reminded her that we were living in a democracy, and the current president, who I strongly support, is the son of our country's foremost symbol of freedom and democracy. So I should not be afraid to express my views as I am within my rights. I said I'm sure PNoy would not allow this!
Then fast forward to this afternoon, please bear with me, as a threat was indeed made.....we were not allowed to go inside the Saint Jude Shrine again.....so I didn't force the issue....I walked....but on my way to church, I was approached by several drivers and they said, the MMDA were listing the plate numbers and threatening to get their licenses and car passes.....I found this reprehensible and an obvious attempt at a show of unreasonable force......So I spoke again to the PSG man in the white barong, and I said...."I'd like to know the name of the new PSG head, I'd also like to get your name." He asked why, and I said...."I am going to write about this in whatever medium it can be accepted." He became agitated. So I proceeded to explain....."I have been coming to SJCS for a little more than 40 years, and we have never had this kind of problem with the parking. I thought it was elementary that during school time, for 30 minutes every morning, from 6:30 - 7:00 a.m. and for another 30 minutes every afternoon, from 4:15 - 4:45 p.m. there would be traffic along JP Laurel esp. in front of SJCS and SJ Shrine...and I believed, we had, over the years accepted this, because the same thing happens in front of every school where a lot of parents own cars....so I don't understand why you can't accept it, and why you feel the need to do something...something so inefficient and something so insensitive...why insensitive? If you were the parent of a nursery or a kindergarten student, and had no driver, and were not allowed to park, what are you supposed to do....open the car door and tell your 4-6 year old kid to go down and walk on his own to school? Is that what you are suggesting?"....I also asked him about what the MMDAs were doing, I asked...."What are our rights as parents and what are your powers? Do you have the right to get our license plates? Can you confiscate our driver's license and our car pass?" He never answered me. This was the only answer he gave me....."Father Vic Rayco has agreed to all this." I couldn't say anything after that..but I was saddened and I was so very disappointed...again...I really believe and will always believe that the children should be the priority.
Now the threat.....as I was about to ride my car with my kids....the head of security of SJCS approached me and very respectfully told me....that the man in the white barong had a message for me, he said...."If I persist to question them and argue with them, he will get my car pass and never issue another one to me." For me this was a threat... pure and simple. It's important to mention that the man in barong was actually the brains behind the traffic scheme...he is the head. Remember I asked him to give me the name of the head...he never mentioned that it was him....so that gives the threat more gravitas. This was my answer to the head of security...."Tell the PSG that I have no intentions of quarreling with them...I was just explaining, and anyway my wife has prohibited me to even talk to them, she has asked me to think of my children, as she is genuinely concerned for my life....but....and this is very important.....if he confiscates my car pass, just for having discussions with him or even arguing with him....I will do whatever I can to fight him...I will write, I will speak, I will knock on doors of radio or tv stations....I will fight for my rights."
I am truly devastated that under this administration, such a threat can happen....just for arguing.....not for violating any laws.....and if we follow his course of action....this show of force....is it really that far fetched that I could be harmed physically...is it totally impossible for them to imprison me and to hurt me? A threat is a threat and I have been threatened!
A reminder to the President, to all the political leaders and law makers, to the military, to the PSG, to the school and church authorities.....our kids always take priority, over anything and anyone, including the president....the situations, the conditions, the place, the time...may vary....but that is constant....Children, students, in particular, take center stage...anytime, anywhere!
God bless our country! God bless Saint Jude Catholic School!
God bless the president! God bless all parents!
God bless the PSG and the MMDA and the hard working security force of SJCS!
Most of all....God bless our children!....and God bless those who would be good and generous to them!
Biyernes, Hulyo 6, 2012
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MY STRENGTH
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: MY STRENGTH: MY STRENGTH Today my wife had to leave early for a VTR and to have our computer checked...so I came home from bringing the kids to schoo...
MY STRENGTH
MY STRENGTH
Today my wife had to leave early for a VTR and to have our computer checked...so I came home from bringing the kids to school alone.....
I felt tired from last night's work and lonely.....
my parents were at home...but I tend to worry a lot about their health these days, their advancing age (84 and 76) is fast catching up with them...
so I tried to get some sleep, but I couldn't, so I just read today's evangelical readings and then just moved on to a novel.....
then it was time to pick up Lizzie from school....I was still tired but felt an energy surge, because I still get excited about getting the tightest and sweetest bear hugs from Lizzie every time I pick her up.
So I came home with Lizzie....we talked and laughed all the way home...I was a little bit energized.
My wife wasn't home yet and she informed me, that she may not get home before the dismissal time for Niccolo and Mary Nicole , so I had to bring Lizzie with me to pick them up from school, with the bad weather and bad parking conditions in school....
Lizzie was excited, however, to show off her new raincoat....
In about 30 minutes, all of my kids were in the car.....then I treated them all to Pizza....
and each of them told me about their day in school....
with Lizzie telling them how she got her star,....she said her teacher asked all of them this question...."What do you do when you're reading a book, and you have to stop, but you don't want to forget the last page you've read?"...and Lizzie answered...."You use a book mark!"...hence, the star....
her achie and ahia were both so proud of her....
we were all laughing as we were eating.....
I could feel my energy coming back......
Then when we got home, my beautiful wife was already here.....
and I am whole again.
I don't take any pills or capsules for supplement...
my wife and my kids...they are my vitamins....
I get my strength from them....
Together with my parents, Dinah and our kids...they provide me with my best reasons....
to stand up after every stumble...
to trudge on amidst heavy difficulties....
to welcome and fight each struggle.....
I cherish life because of them.....
I want to be better because of them!
I gather my strength from my family and from my faith in a loving God who will always be here!
We end today...the way we end each of our days....together...and there is no greater reason to be thankful to the Lord.
God bless all families!
Today my wife had to leave early for a VTR and to have our computer checked...so I came home from bringing the kids to school alone.....
I felt tired from last night's work and lonely.....
my parents were at home...but I tend to worry a lot about their health these days, their advancing age (84 and 76) is fast catching up with them...
so I tried to get some sleep, but I couldn't, so I just read today's evangelical readings and then just moved on to a novel.....
then it was time to pick up Lizzie from school....I was still tired but felt an energy surge, because I still get excited about getting the tightest and sweetest bear hugs from Lizzie every time I pick her up.
So I came home with Lizzie....we talked and laughed all the way home...I was a little bit energized.
My wife wasn't home yet and she informed me, that she may not get home before the dismissal time for Niccolo and Mary Nicole , so I had to bring Lizzie with me to pick them up from school, with the bad weather and bad parking conditions in school....
Lizzie was excited, however, to show off her new raincoat....
In about 30 minutes, all of my kids were in the car.....then I treated them all to Pizza....
and each of them told me about their day in school....
with Lizzie telling them how she got her star,....she said her teacher asked all of them this question...."What do you do when you're reading a book, and you have to stop, but you don't want to forget the last page you've read?"...and Lizzie answered...."You use a book mark!"...hence, the star....
her achie and ahia were both so proud of her....
we were all laughing as we were eating.....
I could feel my energy coming back......
Then when we got home, my beautiful wife was already here.....
and I am whole again.
I don't take any pills or capsules for supplement...
my wife and my kids...they are my vitamins....
I get my strength from them....
Together with my parents, Dinah and our kids...they provide me with my best reasons....
to stand up after every stumble...
to trudge on amidst heavy difficulties....
to welcome and fight each struggle.....
I cherish life because of them.....
I want to be better because of them!
I gather my strength from my family and from my faith in a loving God who will always be here!
We end today...the way we end each of our days....together...and there is no greater reason to be thankful to the Lord.
God bless all families!
Martes, Hulyo 3, 2012
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: ROCKY BALBOA
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: ROCKY BALBOA: ROCKY BALBOA I have always been a great fan of "Rocky Movies".....you don't need to think a lot....but it gets your blood pumping, an...
ROCKY BALBOA
ROCKY BALBOA
I have always been a great fan of "Rocky Movies".....you don't need to think a lot....but it gets your blood pumping, and your heart beating,....melting....just feeling! It's one simple man, perhaps even below average, who rose against the odds and gets to say those great lines that just gets you where it matters...like I said....you don't think a lot...but you feel the movie and it really gets to you.
Yesterday, as I was watching my Lizzie running in the playground after school, I was approached by another parent...and we got into a conversation about life....Like my clinic and drug store, a fire burned down his first business venture and like me, he was never totally able to recover financially. We also talked about my wife's past illness, and about our present financial woes. He said he would be okay one moment, then just suddenly get blindsided by typhoon "Ondoy" and other forms of typhoon. I related my problems with dirty politics intervening with my work and other storms as well...he said, sometimes he would ask God, "why?".....but we both agreed, that every time we get knocked down, we get back up, we shake it off, and continue to move and hope...for ourselves and for our family.
Then later that day...I chanced upon my son Niccolo, watching "Rocky Balboa" or "Rocky 6", the last installment, or the latest installment...you can never tell with Sly.....Niccolo has also become a fan of Rocky, having seen all of the 6 films.....I, unabashedly, admitted to him that I cried when I first saw this latest installment....and still gets teary-eyed each time I watch it. I am most affected by the scenes with his kid, and every time Rocky remembers his dead wife Adrian....Then I was struck by a particular scene...it was very reminiscent of what I and the other parent just talked about......
In this scene Rocky is talking to his son...and he says....this is a direct quote, so pardon the slang, because well, you know how Rocky talks....."The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place.....and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently, if you let it. You, me, or nobody, is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit...it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth....but you gotta be willing to take the hits and not be pointing fingers, saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that, and that ain't you....you're better than that!"
There's a heap of brilliance in this simple champion with the big heart.
Truly, this is what life is all about....there will always be struggles....but our life should not be about the struggles....it should be about our willingness to face those struggles, to stand up every time we stumble,......and continue to fight...not just for ourselves...but for the people we love, the people who mean everything to us......It should also be about our FAITH, and our belief in a loving God who will never let us down.
Rocky and I have another thing in common....the very last scene in the film has Rocky visiting his wife Adrian in the cemetery and he ends the film with these words....."I could never have done anything without you. We did it Adrian!"...then he walks away!
I, too, am nothing without my own Adrian....my wife Dinah.
I have always been a great fan of "Rocky Movies".....you don't need to think a lot....but it gets your blood pumping, and your heart beating,....melting....just feeling! It's one simple man, perhaps even below average, who rose against the odds and gets to say those great lines that just gets you where it matters...like I said....you don't think a lot...but you feel the movie and it really gets to you.
Yesterday, as I was watching my Lizzie running in the playground after school, I was approached by another parent...and we got into a conversation about life....Like my clinic and drug store, a fire burned down his first business venture and like me, he was never totally able to recover financially. We also talked about my wife's past illness, and about our present financial woes. He said he would be okay one moment, then just suddenly get blindsided by typhoon "Ondoy" and other forms of typhoon. I related my problems with dirty politics intervening with my work and other storms as well...he said, sometimes he would ask God, "why?".....but we both agreed, that every time we get knocked down, we get back up, we shake it off, and continue to move and hope...for ourselves and for our family.
Then later that day...I chanced upon my son Niccolo, watching "Rocky Balboa" or "Rocky 6", the last installment, or the latest installment...you can never tell with Sly.....Niccolo has also become a fan of Rocky, having seen all of the 6 films.....I, unabashedly, admitted to him that I cried when I first saw this latest installment....and still gets teary-eyed each time I watch it. I am most affected by the scenes with his kid, and every time Rocky remembers his dead wife Adrian....Then I was struck by a particular scene...it was very reminiscent of what I and the other parent just talked about......
In this scene Rocky is talking to his son...and he says....this is a direct quote, so pardon the slang, because well, you know how Rocky talks....."The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place.....and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently, if you let it. You, me, or nobody, is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit...it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth....but you gotta be willing to take the hits and not be pointing fingers, saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that, and that ain't you....you're better than that!"
There's a heap of brilliance in this simple champion with the big heart.
Truly, this is what life is all about....there will always be struggles....but our life should not be about the struggles....it should be about our willingness to face those struggles, to stand up every time we stumble,......and continue to fight...not just for ourselves...but for the people we love, the people who mean everything to us......It should also be about our FAITH, and our belief in a loving God who will never let us down.
Rocky and I have another thing in common....the very last scene in the film has Rocky visiting his wife Adrian in the cemetery and he ends the film with these words....."I could never have done anything without you. We did it Adrian!"...then he walks away!
I, too, am nothing without my own Adrian....my wife Dinah.
Lunes, Hulyo 2, 2012
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CONCERNS
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CONCERNS: There will always be concerns......I tell myself that God will provide....but the worrying manages to creep in.... But at the end of the da...
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CONCERNS
There will always be concerns......I tell myself that God will provide....but the worrying manages to creep in....
But at the end of the day....
when I can have dinner all together with the people I love so much, and who support me and love me unconditionally,
my wife Dinah, my kids Mary Nicole, Niccolo and Lizzie and my parents.....
then end each day with them......
in peace.....
in harmony...
and in the purest form of love.....
then I know I've been blessed...
and I can only close my eyes and say...
"Thank you dear Lord!"
My friends...nothing beats being with your family...there is nothing more beautiful and nothing more natural than being with your family!
To all my friends and those I cherish......An abundance of blessings for you and for your family...for tonight and for each day and each night of your lives.
But at the end of the day....
when I can have dinner all together with the people I love so much, and who support me and love me unconditionally,
my wife Dinah, my kids Mary Nicole, Niccolo and Lizzie and my parents.....
then end each day with them......
in peace.....
in harmony...
and in the purest form of love.....
then I know I've been blessed...
and I can only close my eyes and say...
"Thank you dear Lord!"
My friends...nothing beats being with your family...there is nothing more beautiful and nothing more natural than being with your family!
To all my friends and those I cherish......An abundance of blessings for you and for your family...for tonight and for each day and each night of your lives.
Linggo, Hulyo 1, 2012
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: TO MY FB FRIENDS
My Life....MY Heart....My Thoughts: TO MY FB FRIENDS: To everyone who have been so good and so generous to my family..... to all of you, who have continued to inspire me with your "likes" and y...
TO MY FB FRIENDS
To everyone who have been so good and so generous to my family.....
to all of you, who have continued to inspire me with your "likes" and your comments.....
my family has been blessed with your presence in our lives....
I am a better person for having had the pleasure of your friendship.....
and the world reeks of so many wonderful and imaginative possibilities, because you guys are in it!
GOD BE WITH YOU IN ALL OF YOUR JOURNEYS!
GOD BLESS ALL OF US!
GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE!
to all of you, who have continued to inspire me with your "likes" and your comments.....
my family has been blessed with your presence in our lives....
I am a better person for having had the pleasure of your friendship.....
and the world reeks of so many wonderful and imaginative possibilities, because you guys are in it!
GOD BE WITH YOU IN ALL OF YOUR JOURNEYS!
GOD BLESS ALL OF US!
GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE!
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