English Words As Told in the Philippines

The Philippines is known as the third largest English-speaking country after United Kingdom and the United States. But that is not to say that we are the only ones in Asia who has adapted to the said language. It just so happened that the country was once under the US control from 1898-1946, including the years when WWII broke out. That's a long time! And the people adjusted fairly well when English became more mainstream as opposed to the Spanish language. 

You gotta know that although the Americans did not stay as long as the Spaniards to fully integrate their culture to the Filipinos, they have made their influence on the Filipinos just the same and their language was no different. In fact, they made it more accessible to the natives than what their predecessor ever did in the 333 years they were in the country. Also, the education they provided was quite liberating and progressive than what the people of that time were used to.

Unsent Letters

I wrote a letter to a friend as if time and distance didn't happen;

I wrote a letter to a friend as if I was just talking to him.

I wrote a letter to a friend detailing how my days went,

I wrote a letter to a friend with all the joys and tears 

                                                         I wish I could have shared with him.

I wrote a letter to a friend about the new friends and faces I've seen,

I wrote a letter to a friend gushing of all the places I've been;

I wrote a letter to a friend lamenting of my sorrows and woes,

I wrote a letter to a friend and imagined myself in his shoes.

I wrote a letter to a friend whilst tears streamed down my face,

I wrote letters to a friend and wondered if I sent them would he feel less betrayed?

I wrote these letters to a friend while imagining his replies;

I wrote these letters to a friend but I didn't know it was going to be our goodbye.

Lenten Season 2017

We're just a few days away from the Lenten Season or more commonly referred as "holy week". Like last year, I'm going to share the schedule of activities of our local parish which is the National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Orense Street, Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City (near MMDA office).

April 9 PALM SUNDAY

          8:00 AM Blessings of Palms

                  Procession starts from MMDA

*Regular Sunday masses follow

April 10 HOLY MONDAY

           6:30 PM Holy Mass

           7:30 PM Lenten Recollection by Rev Fr. Christian Emmanuel Gabinete

April 11 HOLY TUESDAY

           6:30 PM Holy Mass

           7:30 PM Lenten Recollection by Rev Fr.Raymund Cruz

April 12 HOLY WEDNESDAY

           5:00 PM Procession of the Passion

           5:30 PM Kumpisalang Bayan

           6:30 PM Holy Mass

          

April 13 HOLY THURSDAY

            6:00 AM Chrism Mass at the Manila Cathedral

            5:00 PM Mass of the Lord's Supper, 

                        Washing of the Feet, 

                         Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament

                         Vigil at the Altar of Repose

April 14 GOOD FRIDAY

            4:30 AM Parish-wide Station of the Cross

         12:00 NN Seven Last Words

            3:00 PM Veneration of the Cross

            6:00 PM Procession

            9:00 PM Procession of the Mater Dolorosa

April 15 HOLY SATURDAY

           8:00 PM Easter Vigil with Adult Baptism

April 16 EASTER SUNDAY

            4:00 AM Salubong in front of Guadalupe Nuevo Barangay Hall

            4:30 AM Easter Dawn Mass

* Regular Sunday Masses follow

Every Fridays of Lent the Subparishes of Barrio Visaya (6:30 PM), San Jose (6:00 PM), South Cembo and Centro (7:30PM) and Pinagkaisahan (8:00 PM) observe the Station of the Cross.

An Open Letter to those who are Feeling Blue

Hey you,

How have you been these days? Are things going well? Or are you feeling a bit unwell? You see, Ive been feeling blue just recently but through some encouraging words and some distractions, I got over it and now I'm writing this... 

I figured there may be someone who was feeling the same as I did but has no one to turn to. So, I'm writing this for you. I want you to know that everything's gonna be alright, it may sound trite but it's true.  Do know that what you're feeling is fleeting; no suffering is unending. 

You may be feeling so alone right now, detached from everything that's happening around you. You may be feeling so out of touch with certain things, out of place with your family and friends... Regardless of what the cause of your loneliness is, I hope that you can keep in mind that you are loved, you are important and you are not alone.

If you want to cry your eyes out, go ahead. If you are sad then so be it. I'm not gonna tell you to suck it up or say that you're just being overly dramatic. There are certain times in our lives that one who'd just feel lost, tired and blue. It may be that time for you. Don't worry, I certainly wouldn't judge you. In fact, I feel you. 

You know how they say that there's always a rainbow after the rain? I've been fond of that saying, I appreciated it's message, I hope you can too. Also, it's an earnest hope you wouldn't be sad for long. I don't want you to miss out on things. More than ever, I want you to go out there and realize that you are fortunate, you are blessed. 

What I say may not make much difference with your current state of mind, but if there's anything that I'm pretty sure of it's that I know you're gonna be just fine, just as I am now. 

                                                                                                               Someone who understands you,