NEW YEAR AS WE DEFINE IT

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(View)

For some, new year is a season of new beginnings. They say that this is the perfect time to start with fresh ideas, to embark on new experiences and to embrace surprising opportunities.

We agree on this statement with profound understanding. All of us wants to begin the year with a new look, with a clearer picture compared to the previous year that had gone in our long-life existence. But aside from this, I believe that it's equally important for us to take a glimpse on what had happened in the past year and appreciate the memories filled with life lessons that molded us on what individual we are now. Let's carry the good deeds we've done and continue to share this to everyone. Let's eliminate the mistakes that we had and learn the lesson out of it. Through this, we will be able to catch all the good vibes in the coming year!

The new year may speak in different languages: Feliz ano nuevo in Spanish, Buon anno in Italian and Manigong Bagong Taon in our native tongue, but for some, new year means change. That's why we have this seasonal new year's resolution in which everyone has in store. They could even prepare a long list on what are the things they will change, improve and avoid in the coming year. This resembles our eagerness to make a difference out from our old self, as one famous line describes it: "Out with the old, in with the new!".

Tonight, as we bid farewell to year 2011, let's also remember the One who written our story for the past year. The One who continue to write unconditional stories for us. The One who will give us again another chapter that is full of hope and love. He is none other than...our God Almighty!

Let's welcome the Year 2012 with the definition of HIM! Happy New Year to all of us!

Photo credits: http://forum.xcitefun.net/happy-new-year-wallpapers-2012-new-greeting-cards-t69842.html

ANIMA CHRISTI AND EID’L ADHA

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(Feature)

If someone will ask me what’s my most wonderful song of praise ever written under the Catholic Church, I will choose Anima Christi. Everytime I sing this song during the sacred mass, I just can’t help but to feel the holyness of the song. I am moved by every bit of its lines, appreciating the sanctity of its meaning.

And the lines that really catches my inner being are : “From all the evil that surrounds me, defend me. And when the call of death arrives, bid me come to thee.”. The lines reminds me that it’s HIM is the only saviour of all human beings and it’s us, His sons and daughters are His prime importance that He’s willing to sacrifice all the things after us. Let me also take this opportunity to share the below song of praise:

Soul of Christ

Sanctify me

Body of Christ save me

Water from the side of Christ

Wash me

Passion of Christ

Give me strength

Chorus:

Hear me Jesus

Hide me in thy wounds

That I may never leave thy side

From all the evil that surrounds me

Defend me

And when the call of death arrives

Bid me come to thee

That I may praise thee

With thy saints forever

On this day, the Feast of Sacrifice or Eid’l Adha is being celebrated by our Muslim brothers and sisters. The feast commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham in his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened to provide him with a sheep – to sacrifice instead.

To our Muslim brothers and sisters, we share our deepest regards with the Feast of Sacrifice. We believe that it’s not the religion that differentiates us, but it’s our Faith to our God that binds us all.

Happy Eid’l Adha!

Photo credits:

http://cakirosman.wordpress.com/2005/11/20/abraham-ishmael-sacrifice-and-about-kurban-bayrami/

PITCHER OF HAPPINESS

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

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We are bound to create our own destiny as a person, from the time we are brought to existence until this moment we spend our life breathing. But amidst all the experiences that life brought to us, have we ever asked ourselves if we already spent a life worth meaningful in the eyes of God?

The answer may be indefinitely a yes or a no. But believing that we are doing our best to become worthy in His eyes..I believe it’s enough.

As I look at the pitcher remotely laid on top of the table, I noticed that it is already half full of water. The half of it I suppose, was already drank by some members of the family. It’s the water that has been consumed by someone, is the thing that makes the pitcher worthy.

Just like us, we are like pitchers that has been proven by time. We are pitchers that carries values, talents, and wisdom that are being shared with others in the form of blessings. And through this, we are able to create a life that is meaningful. As we continue living under His grace, the pitcher will never get emptied, for others will also be sharing their waters on us.

And the cycle goes on.

Photo credits: http://www.tradeshowpewter.com/Malays_Water_Pitcher.html

MAKULAY ANG QUIAPO

Ni Jeffrey R. Ballares

(Feature)

Isang salita ang maibabansag ko sa Quiapo.

Makulay.

Oo, makulay ang Quiapo. Kung hindi mo naitatanong, matagal ko nang matalik na kaibigan ang lugar na ito. Ang lugar na ito...na ipinakilala pa sa akin ng pinsan kong matagal na ring naninirahan sa ibang bansa.

Mabalik ako, alam mo ba kung bakit Quiapo ang napagdiskitahan kong gawan ng kwento ngayong araw na ito?

Eh kasi, nagtatampo na raw siya sa akin. Matagal na raw kasi akong humahabi ng kung anu-anong kwento pero ni hindi ko man lang daw siya maisipang gawan ng isang katha ukol sa kanya.

Kaya heto, nakaumang na ang mga daliri ko sa pagtipa ng keyboard para ilarawan siya sa abot ng aking makakaya.

*****

PAGSASALARAWAN – UNA

Linggo, alas 9:00 ng umaga. LRT Carriedo Station.

Eeskapo ang aking mga paa mula sa loob ng tren. Dala-dala nito ang aking katawan patungo sa simbahan ng Poong Nazareno na nasa pusod ng Quiapo.

Lahat ng aking mga kasabayang tao ay nagsasalimbayan ng agos. Lingid sa kaalaman kung saan ang daan patungo. Tila mga langgam na may kanya-kanyang sandatahan patungo sa kani-kanilang kolonya.

PAGSASALARAWAN – IKALAWA

Nagsimula akong sumabay sa agos ng tao sa gitna ng kalyeng puno ng kung anu-ano. Sa aking paglalakad, iba’t-ibang senaryo ang pumupukaw sa aking diwa.

Nariyan ang manong na nagwawasiwas ng mumurahing damit pambata sa bawat taong dumaraan. Mababanaag ang sigla sa boses niya habang inilalako ang sando at shorts. Sa pagwagayway niya ng damit ay masisilayan mo ang pag-asa niyang makakarami siya ng benta sa araw na iyon.

Nagpatuloy pa ako sa pag-usad sa gitna ng mga nag-uunahang tao. Sa tabi ng kalye, naroon si manang na nagtitinda ng mga prutas na nakahilera sa kanyang munting kariton. Mayroon siyang dalandan, mangga, ubas at papaya. Napakalamig sa mga mata ng mga inilalako niyang prutas.

Hahakbang sana ako para magpatuloy sa paglalakad ng biglang sumambulat sa aking harapan ang mga batang kalyeng naghahabulan! Walang pakialam ang mga ito kahit pa walang suot na tsinelas ang mga paa. Sige-sige lang sa pagtakbo habang pumapangibabaw sa kanilang mga bibig ang walang humpay na halakhakan.

Sa isang sulok ng kalsada nakita ko naman ang isang paslit na nag-iihip ng mga bula. Ang mga bulang iyon ay inihele ng hangin at nagtungo sa aking direksiyon. May bumangga sa aking katawan at tuluyang pumutok, ang ilan naman ay pinutok ng aking mga daliri. May ilang bula rin na nakawala at pumainlalang sa kaitaasan. Ito ang panghalina ng batang paslit para bilhin ang kanyang inilalakong mga botelya na naglalaman ng likidong bumubula kapag hinipan.

Lakad pa.

Sa paglinga-linga ko sa magkabilang daan ay kapansin-pansin rin ang mga gusaling niluma na ng mga taon. Laman ng mga gusaling ito ang mga nagtitinda ng appliances, naglalakihang tela, makikinang na alahas at aksesorya, iba’t-ibang klaseng bag, mabebentang fast food chains at kung anu-ano pa.

At bago ako pumasok sa simbahan, nariyan bubungad ang mga naglalako ng simbolismo’t imahe ng Poong Nazareno. Mayroong panyo, kuwintas at mga santong yari sa kahoy. Naroon din sa gitna ng mainit na sikat ng araw ang mga namamalimos na kapuspalad.

PAGSASALARAWAN – IKATLO

Sabay-sabay na aawit ng papuri ang mga tao sa loob ng simbahan habang naglalakad patungo sa pedestal ang pari na nakasuot ng nakabibighaning abito. Sa likuran niya makikita ang walang katulad na altar ng Mahal na Poong Hesus Nazareno. Naiilawan ito ng kulay pula, asul at dilaw upang lalong tumingkad ang kaanyuan sa harap ng mga deboto.

Matapos ang pagbabahagi ng salita ng Diyos at sermon ng pari ay sabay-sabay namang magsasalo ang mga tao sa katawan ni Kristo. Sa saliw ng musika ay isa-isang tumatanggap ng ostiya ang mga ito na susundan ng taimtim at taus-puso nilang panalangin.

Sa pagtatapos, hindi makukumpleto ang misa sa pagbabasbas ng agua bendita bilang bendisyon sa mga deboto. Kasabay ng bendisyon ang pag-awit ng mga tao sa himig ng “Nuestro Padre Hesus Nazareno...”. Matatapos ang misa sa isang masigabong palakpakan na kumakatawan sa pagpupugay sa Kanya.

Lahat ng senaryong ito...ay naglalarawan sa walang katulad na mukha ng Quiapo.

*****

O hayan, sana naman napagbigyan ko ang kahilingan ng aking matalik na kaibigan. Hanggang sa muli naming pagkikita!

Photo credits: http://traveleronfoot.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/carriedo-street.jpg

FORGIVE & FORGET

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(Poem)

Listening to nostalgic melody of the harmonica

Gives us a feeling of priceless euphoria

We thanked the times we said hellos

We shared gentle tapping of shoulders as great fellows

Remembered the morning that greeted us with a warm embrace

T’was when the day conspires; bestowing us another space

Additional grace...could this be a sign?

Hopes the entire day shall be in align

And when the sun sets in the West

We finished each others company with a remarkable jest

Smiles that’s drawing in our faces

Will take us surely in far away places

PALIMOS

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(Feature)

Makulimlim ang araw na iyon. Tinatakpan ng makakapal at nangungutim na ulap ang disinsana’y maliwanag na araw. Sumasabay rin ang malamig na simoy ng hangin sa kalungkutan ng kapaligiran.

Sa tabi ng kalsada naroon ang isang batang paslit na tila kanina pa may hinihintay. Suot ang gusgusing damit na gula-gulanit, nanlilimahid na rin pati ang balat ng bata sa sobrang dungis. Hawak-hawak niya ang isang munting basahan na kinukulapulan na rin ng karumihan ng buong maghapong alikabok mula sa usok at dumi.

Broooooooommmmmmm! Broooooooooooooom!

Agad na tumalon mula sa gutter ng kalye ang batang lalaki at nagmadaling tumakbo. Nakita na niya ang pakay. Tila isang kidlat na bumulusok ang bata papunta sa gustong patunguhan.

Sa isang jeep.

Dinaklot ng kanan niyang kamay ang hawakan sa may entrada ng sasakyang pampasahero. Sisimulan na niya ng ritwal na makalibo rin niyang ginagawa sa bawat araw.

Ang ritwal na bumubuhay sa naghihingalo niyang araw.

Buong hiya siyang pumasok sa loob ng jeep at lumuhod sa harap ng mga pasahero. Muli na naman niyang kaharap ang maruming sahig ng sasakyan. Gamit ang bilog na basahan, inisa-isa niyang pinunasan ang kasuotang pampaa ng mga pasahero, mapa-sapatos man ito, sandalyas o tsinelas.

Unti-unti siyang umusad mula sa labasan ng sasakyan hanggang makapasok sa unahan nito. Napagtagumpayan niyang kahit papaano ay maalis ang dumi sa pambabang kasuotan ng mga niluhurang tao.

Kapagkuwa’y tumayo naman siya at itinihaya ng isang palad. Hindi man mamutawi sa kanyang labi ang salitang nais sabihin, alam na ng mga kaharap ang kanyang gustong ipahiwatig. Bakas na sa mukha niya ang pagod at gutom...kailangan na niya ng limos.

May ilang nag-abot ng kumakalansing na barya. May ilang hindi naman siya pinansin. Sa sampung pasahero, tatlong tao lamang ang nangahas magbigay ng abuloy.

Bababa na sana ang gusgusing paslit sa sasakyan ng biglang nag-alburuto ang kalangitan kasunod ng pagbagsak ng nag-uunahang ulang tikatik na gustong halikan ang uhaw na uhaw na lupa. Minabuti na lamang niyang umupo sa may entrada ng jeep at doon maghintay ng pagtila ng ulan bago siya bumaba.

Ngayon ay hawak niya ang mga nakalap na barya. Apat na piso. Pinagmasdan niya iyon kasunod ng pagngiti ng mga labi.

GO LOCKO WITH CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(Movie Review)

It was then when my colleagues were starting to talk about this Thailand sleeper-hit movie Crazy Little Thing Called Love. At first, I was a bit curious as to what is the story plot, but soon interest settled in my burning curiosity when I read the positive reviews of the teen flick.

Yup, a so high school teen flick and hell yeah...a feel-good movie! It gave me the nostalgic feeling of falling in love the high school way (aaawww, that’s embarassing)!

The rom-com (romantic-comedy) movie stars one of the hottest stars in Thailand today BaiFern Pimchanok and Mario Maurer whose loveteam chemistry was well-acknowledged by moviegoers! The concept of the flick falls on a high school love story of a bug-faced teenage girl (BaiFern Pimchanok) whose secretly inlove with an older “crush-ng-bayan” stud (Mario Maurer). The movie is not just about romance as it also teaches everyone on how to reach your goals no matter how impediments try to intrude you.

A story of teenage love, dreams, friendship and transformation. The movie depicts vibrant hues of scenes that makes us laugh and be a total tearjerker! And lo, a mystifying twist will turn your mind in the end!

Some have watched it twice, thrice and even more than that! Well, I could not blame ‘em by doing so. It just started to swept away Asian countries by storm!

KAMSA HAMNIDA (Thank You)

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(View)

Being a true blood Filipino, appreciating everything associated in Korea is not a question of patriotism to me. I’m always proud and love being a Filipino, but once I heard a thing about Korea, one thing always comes to my mind that is...DEBT OF GRATITUDE.

It just started when I enter college.

I was taking a college scholarship examination in PUP Manila that time when I heard from the proctor that if I’ll gonna pass the exam, my sponsors will be Koreans. Actually, I wasn’t expecting that there were Korean sponsors in the university for I think only establishments from the government sectors are the sponsors of the school. Surprising indeed!

The moment of truth came, from batch of examinees only five successful persons were called. I was very thankful that I’m one of them! Few hours later, we’re in front of five Koreans who were all donned in black coat, delivering us the magical words that they will support us in our educational needs for the entire four-year course! Great!

The rest is history, Koreans done a wonderful part in our lives by supporting us not only in financial matters but also influencing us in improving our personality. They taught us on proper behavior, discipline, and love to family and neighbors. I admire their sensibility and passion at work, hoping that I can master their attitude at the right time. In return, whenever we have our annual meetings, we are showing them our achievements in school which they truly appreciate too. The twinkle in their eyes whenever they see our achievements in various competitions until the time they see us graduating with flying colors..it was priceless!

That’s why Koreans has special part in my life, I’m always thankful to them.

Sarang heyo Koreans! Kamsa hamnida!

TICK TOCK

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(Poem)

T’was all fixated in my mind

Let the time fly, my eyes will be blind

“Tick...Tock...Tick..Tock”, hand of clock will say

I beg your pardon, and lemme stay this way

Looking back at times

Holding off the grimes

The choice of seeing your departure

Should I have to treat with all grandeur?

I was dominated by unreasonable silence

Hoping you’ll understand and foresee some patience

For once you’re the protagonist of my play

“Tick...Tock...Tick..Tock”, hand of clock will say

1.1.11

By Jeffrey R. Ballares

(View)

What a year it has been!

Yesterday’s the last day of 2010 and today is the commencement of the new beginnings. A new chapter has been opened for us to write down our unfathomable destiny. There may be pivotal roles to look forward, life-changing events, never-ending opportunities and unpredictable discoveries to note. The good thing is, we are willing to embrace all of these with arms wide open.

Let’s entitle the first chapter as a feel-good chapter. Of course, who wants to begin the year with a rough start? We will write down all the positive vibes that will contribute to our wellness. This chapter will talk about all ourselves and who we are. It will tackle our new year’s resolutions, our plans, our visions. And we are hoping that these will be realised at the right place and at the right time.

As for the next chapters, let’s write down all the desires of our heart. Let’s be strong to face the struggles and unexpected impediments that will lurk our way. Most importantly, always put God on top and surely He’ll give us a picturesque view of the year 2011.