To Lionel Messi from an Old Fan Girl.

My daughter subscribed to a new feed for my viewing, Still, the internet traffic jammed my humble connection. In a country not gaga over soccer, the World Cup isn’t a thing. Except for me, all because of Messi.

The brilliance of this wonder boy from a barriotic hometown in Rosario, Argentina oozed like crazy that when I chanced upon the display of his amazing skills in a news tidbit way back over a decade ago, I couldn’t help but search and follow. In fact, I even made an album on facebook to make my friends aware that there is a genius amongst the millennial generation who is creating a sensational script for a life story. Only one fb friend noticed. Which means my friends on fb are preoccupied with trivial matters.

My googling gave me a good background of Lionel Messi. It’s a bio coupled with challenges in the beginning. The little boy was inflicted with growth deficiency condition the treatment of which was beyond the family means. The tiny frame could have impeded the psychomotor genius from playing football but like in all good scripts, some form of divine intervention happen.

In little Lionel’s case, he had a grandmother who believed in him. And she aptly described the intelligence of her grandson in a simile: dribbling the ball with his feet is like singing to him.

Thus the tiny tot was pitched in – in a field where strength, stamina and speed define the name of the game – soccer.

Oh well, as I’ve known soccer only because the name of Pele always popped in crossword puzzles, I had to learn more. And learn did I when Pope Francis of the Vatican City sat Pope Benedict for a match between Argentina and Germany. The latter won but the crazy Argentina fans were wild with frenzy – totally frustrated the defeat failed to glorify a Maradona World Cup triumph back in 1986.

Sigh!. That was the year my own country was in turmoil – the EDSA Revolution and the succeeding coups that crippled our tiny nation. But yes, I heard Maradona in the news.

Yet Lionel Messi wasn’t even born then. His birthing came a year later, on the 24th of June, 1987, the feast day of my favorite Saint John the Baptist.

Perhaps little Leo, as he then came to called, is a precursor of good things to come. too. Like John the Baptist though, he had to suffer a tat more than the others.

Well, his journey has been well accounted for, his life an open book. But his script is unique in the sense that none compares to the the perfect beginning, rising, the climax, and the beautiful ending of a career. It’s like our God provided us of a truly wonderful story in the person of Lionel Messi.

Thank you, Lionel Messi, for the superb entertainment you provided us this World Cup 2022 month. I woke up midnight just to see you play. You are the athlete. The only athlete.

(credit pictures from the internet)

A Love Story.

At the rustic San Roque Parish Church, aka the Shrine of Nuestra Senora de Porta Vaga. in Cavite City, 15 December 1930, the nuptial of Porfirio Caraos and Natividad Manalac, took place. ‘Twas the eve of the traditional novena called Misa de Gallo, or the nine-day rooster’s crow Masses celebrated at four o’clock in the cold December mornings that started 16 December.

Thus the people were surprised when they heard the tolling of the bells that announced the wedded union of my beloved grandparents, they thought the church was beckoning them to come for an anticipated novena. Ha ha

Of course time has changed things a bit as the laity grew in numbers and necessitated more Masses for the workforce who can attend Masses only in the evenings. Now the Simbang Gabi commences 15 December, at eight or ten pm.

Just fascinating to muse upon that my grandparents foreshadowed a new tradition.

Here’s a picture of my debonair of a grandpa who swooned and swept my grandma off her feet. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of my beautiful grandma when she was young.

Addendum: Beginning of the love story. Periong waited daily after the break of dawn and greeted Naty good morning as she opened her variety store. He claimed he needed a pencil every day. He was a merchant who scribbled a lot.

Positive Thoughts

Years ago, I was asked by a college mate to come up with a positive thought to share, so we could uplift the spirit of our friends. These are what I came up with.

1. If you see a feather floating, that’s your guardian angel saying he’s guarding you.

2. If you see a butterfly or a bee kissing a flower, it’s God’s way of reminding He loves you.

3. If you receive a hashtag #, that’s me missing you.

4. People undergo many challenges, the brave emerge victorious.

5. People with pure hearts do naturally devote themselves for the welfare of others.

6. People who has love in themselves wear the aura of beauty.

7, Family makes the heart warm.

8. Family gets us going with anything.

9. Family is our life.

10. Your thoughts create your emotion, so it’s always good to think good things,

11. Each new dimension in life presents extra life defining challenges, so good men who endure are tested and proven.

12. The cricket is a fascinating creature, that is why Pinocchio has Jiminy and Mulan has one, too, for a good luck charm.

13. Life is dull without music.

14. Laughter is essential to every day existence, so laugh even if you are by your own lonesome self,

15. Take time to pray to God, that is where you will succeed in any endeavor.

A Troubadour’s Song.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through all that you have made.

And first, my Lord, through Brother Sun,

who brings the day, the light you give to us through him.

How beautiful he is, how radiant in all his splendor.

Of you most high he bears the likeness.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Sister Moon and Stars

in the heavens you made them

bright and precious and beautiful.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Brother Wind and Air,

and fair and stormy,

all the weather’s moods by which you cherish

all that you have made.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Sister Water.

She is so useful, lowly, precious and pure.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Brother Fire,

through whom you brighten up the night.

How beautiful he is, how joyful.

Full of power and strength.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Sister Earth our Mother,

who feeds us in her sovereignty

and produces various fruits,

colored flowers and herbs.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through those who grant pardon for love of you,

for those who endure sickness and trial,

may they endure in peace.

By you most high they will be crowned.

All praise be yours, my Lord,

through Sister Death

from whose embrace no mortal can escape.

Happy are those she finds doing your will.

The second death they need not fear.

Praise and bless the Lord,

and give him thanks

and serve him with great humility.

This canticle was dictated by St. Francis of Assisi during his dying hours, much like the song of a troubadour. When he died at the age of 44, a lark was seen ascending to heaven.

On this beautiful day our Lady was born.

The Christian world celebrates today the nativity of a Woman Who gave birth to the “Son of Man.” The Woman’s Name is Mary. In Hebrew, it is Myriam, in Aramaic, Maryam, and in Greek, Mariam or Maria. The name simply means beloved.

Why is Mary beloved?

Because Her ‘fiat’ provided the human image of the invisible God in the Person of Jesus, our Lord.

Our Lord, according to scientific validation of miracles of the Holy Hosts, has only 23 Chromosomes which, of course, came from His Mother Mary.

And our Lord’s favorite attribute to His Self – “Son of Man.”

Just fitting that we must be grateful to the gentle Woman Who gave birth to our Lord.

Totus Tuus, my Queen, my Mother.

A St. Luke’s Virtual Graduation

A bouquet of Roses from the OB-GYNE Department

It’s a virtual graduation for the residents and fellows of St. Luke’s Medical Center but that did not in any way diminish the achievement of the graduates but rather made more meaningful and relaxing after the harrowing pandemia that besought the world.

A screen shot of the virtual attendees.

Just like in actual rites, my family stood up for the singing of the ‘Lupang Hinirang’, the Philippine National Anthem. We listened to the messages that bade the graduates ‘Godspeed.’ My daughter kept her oath to serve sacred,

Thank you, dear God, for this blessing.

A Country’s Ray of Hope.

Leni’s Love

The meme translates:

Love is measured not just by enduring sacrifice but also in the readiness to fight, no matter how punishing, in order to end the suffering.

The one who loves must fight for the one he/she loves.

Leonor Gerona Robredo, a gentle lady who epitomizes all Christian virtues: humble, obedient, patient, punctual, kind, honest, courageous, respectful, responsible, thoughtful, helpful, with self-control, and all heavenly virtues: faith, hope, charity, fortitude, justice, temperance and prudence.

Is she for real?

Yes. Yes.

Pinch your self.

Such a person exists this time and age.

She is a Filipino.

On My Way to the Miting de Avance!

Garlic M

Rosas ng Buhay Profile Pic

It’s Miting de Avance, the climactic rally culminating the three-month long campaign of the ‘Rosas ng Buhay,’ in support for Leonor Gerona Robredo for the presidency of our island nation, the Philippines.

It had been a joyful ninety day party all throughout the archipelago, no matter it be on thoroughfares or markets or even the lakes where the fisherfolks gathered their boats for a fluvial rally. Each person to his own contributing what one can. My former student Debbie initially brought six sorbetes carts (street ice cream) for the rallyists. She figured everyone would like something cold under the heat of the afternoon sun. The crowds did gather even before noontime in every event. For the miting de avance today, she has secured, as of last night, fifteen carts! And counting, I think…

That’s beside the bottled water that was generously given to anyone who needed thirst quenching. For those who were hungry, there was a bevy food to nibble on: puto, kutshinta, turon, mani, chicharon, kwekkwek at tusok-tusok fish and squid balls, taho, at siyempre may lugaw, at iba pa, all for free!

I watched all these from my monitor in the comforts of my home. But today, I had to be in the area where the people are and see for my self the actual jubilation of a campaign that defied political tradition.

The Rosas ng Bukas is a celebration of grace and happiness, of peace and love.

The garlic bread was supposedly my ‘baon’ to the occasion but I gobbled it up already. Ha ha. Excited!

My father fought for my country in WWII.

A Blessed Day for Christendom

Tuned in on television soon as I arrived home at one o’clock in the morning, hoping to see white smoke come out of Sistine Chapel’s chimney. Alas, after exactly an hour, I had to sleep, for I have to rise again in a couple of hours, and little did I know that just a few minutes after my head lulled to deep slumber, the white smoke I had been waiting for would bring good news, a new Pope has been elected.

Pope Francis, a humble Argentinian, advocate of the poor, a Jesuit, breathing at 76 years with only one lung, is now the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and of course, deep in the hearts of every Catholic, that includes everyone who calls himself a Christian.

The great command is evangelize, bring the good news to people who do not know our Saviour,Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Most High.

And with glad tidings, we obey, and are ultra excited, for now we have Pope Francis, the 266th Pope, in the line of Peter, the Rock to whom our Lord Jesus built His Church.

By the way, Pope Francis, am sure, is dedicated to my favorite saint, Saint Francis of Assisi, the rich lad who turned himself away from material wealth and embraced the poor, the sick, the hungry, and loved the animals and nature. Rumor has it he run with the deer and flew with the eagles. Ain’t that saying something? Pope Francis is sending us a message, let us listen and heed.