Are you gonna finish strong?

I just did a corporal work of mercy two days ago, remeber when Jesus spoke in the bible saying I was sick and you visited me?

Fr. Vester Casaclang SDB is a priest who is very dear to me. When i was down he was the one who really encourages me to go on and move forward. Now that he is the one in pain, I spent some of my time with him.

As I arrived in Don Bosco Makati I saw the same father Vester. As I approached him I felt the same fatherly love that he would use to show me. He entertained me and had some chat. He asked me to watch a very inspiring video. The video that you have watched is the one I am talking about. Every time that I would feel very tired and would feel that I am a failure I would like to give up. But when I saw this very inspiring video, I realized the importance of getting up on my own and not relying on others. Life might be so miserable at times, but it' s up to us on what to do. Like what the man on the video told us. He would stay on the floor and ended up with nothing if he didn' t try to do something.

Fr. Vester challenged me and asked me if i would end up strong. I grabbed his hands and took the challenge. I am very happy to be surrounded with people like him. I realized that I am really blest and I still have a lot of things to cherish.

Thanks to Fr. Vester!

Inspiring?

Deo Gratias!

24th of the month

Good Evening!

How important is Mary in your life?

For me and for my family she is very important. And I guess, this is also true for each one of you.

But how can I explain to you how generous and charitable she is. Maybe I’ll just share with you a part of my simple life.

I was not born in a manger but I was so blest to have three Marys in my life. One is Mary Marlowe, the other is Mary Michelle and the last is Mary Mariel. They are my 3 lovable sisters. “Coincidence? More likely providence.”

Ever had the experience of praying for someone or something and you never knew whether your prayer would be answered or not? Good thing she gave me a clue and perhaps, she really answered my prayers. “Coincidence? More likely providence.”

When my father died I was only six. When he left us we only had 200 pesos cash in hand. And up to now I am still wondering how my sisters and I were able to study and eventually graduate from prestigious schools in Manila. “Coincidence? More likely providence.”

Ateneo, UP, St. Scholastica’s College , Manila Science and Don Bosco. We would not have afforded these schools if weren’t for my mother and her prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Coincidence? More likely providence.”

I remember when I was still a kid we used to pray the rosary as a family. Young as I was, I slept and did not participate in the recitation of the rosary. For me it was just a waste of time and in our family every activity stopped when it was time for rosary. It meant we should stop from playing, watching the television or even doing our requirements. And after the rosary my mom would start to cry, she would always share to us her difficulties, her struggles, her day to day experiences when she came to our different schools to beg for our scholarships. But for me, Young as I was it didn’t mean anything to me.

After our rosary everything went back to normal. And if it was already late and time for me to sleep I would see my mom before she goes to bed say her personal rosary. With her eyes closed her tears flowed. And every time I see my mom; little by little my attitude towards prayer is changed. “Coincidence? More likely providence.”

Having been in a tough situation like that, I saw in her the best and perfect example of what a mother really is.

Mary Under the name of Mary Help of Christians brought me to Don Bosco she has become a part of my prayer life, and she has been helping me and my family right from the start. Now April 24, 2008 is an avenue for me to thank her and to share to you the miracles she had been doing to every family or individual who asks for her help.

A Coincidence is a small miracle where Mary prefers to be anonymous

“Coincidence? More likely providence.”

Thankyou and once again Good evening.

My Funny Academic Paper

Could Beowulf be a Filipino?

There are so many articles that would be found on the web that says something about the positive and negative traits of a Filipino. There are some who uses it as an excuse or blame these traits for the weak character of the Filipino; they also use it as scapegoats of our failures, or at least to explain why we are lagging behind our neighboring countries in Asia.

I would invite everyone to look once more and see the other side of the coin of these so-called “negatives” in a Filipino personality. I would initiate this step so as to prove to something to my self and to double check whether there might be some positive points present or a saving face for the Filipino people.

In trying to see these objects in our traits I might as well use a measuring device. That measurement device should be a Filipino standard to measure success or failure for it would be unfair for us if I would use a Western standard to evaluate our Filipino traits. For example:

Is the Image of Juan Tamad really a picture of a lazy person? Is waiting for a guava to fall right? Does it sound scandalous? What was its difference with Sir Isaac Newton? He also has that same image, also under a tree, resting and waiting for the apple to fall.

It is very true to us Filipinos to stress and to pin point our negative points. We are used to find fault in our behavior. We are used to compare ourselves with the Westerners by using Western Standards. It is so common to us to hear the names as, “Juan Tamad” or “Bertong Toothpick” or “Ate Gay”. It seems that we enjoy in underscoring our weaknesses, faults and defects and our standards are smallness and mediocrity that grandeur or grandness is absent in our Filipino vocabulary.

The west in contrast evokes Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Elizabeth Regina. We seem to enjoy being humble, meek or what the famous Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche called “the morality of slaves.”

There is something strange we Filipinos view success. We use to mock a person who teaches himself how to think. We usually put it into joke that one may be like Jose Rizal and be executed.

Filipino traits must be understood in the above context. Hence, they are considered negative only according to the Westerner standard.

I have ten traits to be discussed. Both the negative and positive side of these traits are given. I have this question in my mind. Could Beowulf be a Filipino?

The following shows the positive and negative aspects of the Filipino traits.

Hiya “shame”

Negative: It limits the range of one’s action. This trait reduces one to smallness, making him timid, meek and weak.

Positive: It contributes to peace of mind and lack of stress by not even trying to achieve.

I don’t think Beowulf would have this trait, for if he would be ashamed he could not slay all his foes. He might lose all his battles if he would stay timid meek and weak.

Ningas-Cogon “procrastination”

Negative: Because it dies down as soon as it begins. It limits perseverance.

Positive: In a way it is positive because it makes a person detached and indifferent.

Procrastination was not seen in Beowulf in the text. He was consistent in fulfilling his goal.

Pakikisama “group loyalty”

Negative: because one closes one’s eye to evils like graft and corruption in order to preserve the friendship and to have harmony in the group.

Positive: one lives for others; there is peace and harmony.

Beowulf has this group loyalty. He was a hero in the story and I believe he used this as a strategy to be a good leader and a good king.

Patigasan “test of strength”

Negative: It is stubborn and resists all efforts at reconciliation. This trait makes us childish, vindictive irresponsible, illogical and irrational.

Positive: It is a sign that we know our rights and we are not easily being defiled into submission.

We can see in Beowulf this trait in his battles with three different monsters. He didn’t give up even though his life was at steak knowing that he is too old for battle.

Bahala na “resignation”

Negative: One leaves everything to chance and trusting in Divine providence.

Positive: Humility, modesty and lack of arrogance are required because one relies on a superior power rather than his own.

We can see resignation in Beowulf in his battle with the dragon. He risked his life slaying the dragon in his old age. For sure he said; “Bahala na” it’s for the people.

Kasi “because, i.e., scapegoat”

Negative: One disowns responsibility and makes a scapegoat out of someone or something. One is never to blame.

Positive: One can see both sides of the picture.

This is not for sure a trait of Beowulf. I can’t see any proof in the text that he disown responsibility, in reality he took all the responsibility.

Sakop “inclusion”

Negative: One never learns to be one’s own.

Positive: One cares for the family and clan; one stands or falls with them.

Beowulf cared that is why he became a hero, a good king and a leader.

Mañana “procrastination”

Negative: One constantly postpones action and accomplishes nothing.

Positive: One is relaxed, tension and stress free.

Maybe Beowulf should have this trait for him to extend his life. For if he delayed things he might not be poisoned by the dragon.

Utang na loob “indebtedness”

Negative: One overlooks moral principles when one is indebt to a person.

Positive: Recognition of one’s indebtedness.

Beowulf did a favor for King Hrothgar because he has this debt. And he just recognized it by helping the kingdom slay Grendel and his mother.

Kanya-kanya “self-centeredness”

Negative: Self-centered; one has no regard for others.

Positive: Some can do their job well if they are on their own.

Beowulf never thought of himself in the story, all he did to his people was so heroic that is why he became a good King and leader.

With the ten given traits as a standard in measuring, Beowulf got 5 out of 10 Filipino traits. He could be a Filipino! For he got at least 50 % of our traits, he could be a Filipino at least by trait, but still Geatish blood runs within his veins.

At the end of this compilation of the positive and negative aspects of the Filipino traits, one may ask the question: What are Filipino’s ideal personality, activity and achievement?

Regarding achievement, if the ideal is that one must achieve an earthly goal, then the Filipino, as a race, will occupy a low rank. But again, is this ideal not more Occidental or Western, according to which one must always set a goal and accomplish it? For the two letters of the word Goal is go. So let’s work! Setting a goal is not wrong in any culture or country, but the manner of achieving it can be questionable. If for the Filipino smallness, meekness, and humility are ideals, could it not be that he is not this good? Could he not be goal oriented? Like what the passages in the bible would always say, the last will be the first, the weak will be strong, and the small will be great?

We don’t need Beowulf or any other figure from the Western Cultures for us to change and be successful. We Filipinos should have start on our very own self. If we start to plant the seed now, we would reap what we sow someday. This change won’t start only with reading this article, it requires action! I guess I did my part. And I will just continue to do what I suppose to do to be the best of who a Filipino really is.

PURITY

My Sermonette, given during the first day of novena in honor of the Virgin Mary, December 8, 2007 Immaculate Conception.

A Spoonful of Purity

(UNCUT)

I am nineteen years old and in my last year of teenage life, purity is a struggle for me. I believe even at the age of some of us here who are older than me it is also a struggle. Purity is a challenge for me and for you; for purity of thoughts, words and actions is very hard to be attained.

Can I see with the raise of hands who in this group is as pure as the Virgin Mary? I believe none of us. I guess this is not a coincidence that this virtue was assigned to me not because I am pure as she was but because I am here to share and to pour to you guys a spoonful of Mary’s purity.

Many of us here are teenagers and some of us have passed thru this stage. And I hope I am not barking at the wrong tree.

I know so many people who got pregnant at an early age, got their girlfriends pregnant and made an abortion. I know a girl who after her abortion flushed her baby down the toilet of the girls comfort room at their school. (sighs, haaaay…) Good thing I have a biological mother at my side. I lost my father at an early age of six, and my mother has always been there to be a father and a mother at the same time.

I am so thankful that she armed me and my sisters with values and principles that would be our guide and shield in times of danger and temptation. I am so grateful that I haven’t got any girl pregnant or did an abortion, I am also thankful that my sisters didn’t get pregnant at an early age. Thanks to my mom because like Mary, she poured to us a spoonful of Purity.

In my high school life I can’t say that my biological mother could always be at my side. Of course sometimes as a naughty boy I would forget my mother’s words to me and commit some mistakes but, a spiritual mother like Mary would always be present. She was my saving grace; she was a shield and my armor in times of danger and temptation.

Up to now that is still applicable to me. My biological mother cannot really be present for me this time, but I believe that the Virgin Mary took her place and I know she is always there to guide me and set a good example for me.

I guess my devotion; my connection to the Blessed Virgin Mary helped me a lot every time I need her, she would always remind me and protect me when the time comes.

I hope you guys have seen some kind of purity in me or even in my sharing, because I believe Mary is so pure that her purity is like a perfume that you cannot pour onto other with out getting a few drops of it on you.

That is what Mary is asking from me and from you. The challenge now is to pour a spoonful of purity to our neighbors! Thank you and Good Evening!

Sermonette is a mini sermon given during Special Feasts and Solemnities.

"im this guy"

To every guy that's said, "Sex CAN wait"

To every guy that's said, "You're beautiful."

To every guy that was never too busy to drive across town to see her.

To every guy that gives her flowers and a card when she is sick or down.

To every guy who has given her flowers just because thats how he rolls.

To every guy that said he would die for her.

To every guy that really would.

To every guy that cried in front of her. ....

To every guy that she cried in front of...

To every guy that holds hands with her.

To every guy that kisses her with meaning.

To every guy that hugs her when she's sad.

To every guy that hugs her for no reason at all.

To every guy who would give their jacket up for her.

To every guy that calls to make sure she got home safe.

To every guy that would sit and wait for her for hours just to see her for ten
minutes.....

To every guy that would give his seat up...

To every guy that just wants to cuddle.

To every guy that reassured her that she was beautiful no matter what.

To every guy who told his secrets to her.

To every guy that tried to show how much he cared through every word and
every breath.

To every guy that thought maybe this could be the one.

To every guy that believed in her dreams.

To every guy that would have done anything so she could achieve them.

To every guy that never laughed at her when she told him her dreams.

To every guy that walked her to the car and opened the door.

To every guy that gave his heart.

To every guy who prays that she is happy even if you are not with her.


Not many girls appreciate nice guys anymore...
And because of this, there are not many left out there...

I guarantee 90% of the men on your page will not repost this cuz they care more about their image


***

If you are a nice guy repost this with:
"im this guy"

If you are a girl that thinks every guy should treat a girl this way
repost this with: "To Every Guy"

the monster in us

Everyone has the tendency to create a monster within himself. And it's our choice if we decide to kill or keep that monster in us. Sometimes it could lead us to misery, sometimes it could harm ourselves or even others. The power of this monster in us is not a joke. So far, only those who have weapons are the one who are left standing and wins the battle. I am not talking of weapons like sword, arrow and shield here. I am talking about the weapon that led a thousand battles to victory. I am talking about the weapon that is not visible, a weapon that is not harmful. I am talking about LOVE. Love that is not like what we see in the movies, Love that is not like what we see in the park.(a boy and a girl) Most likely a love that is not composed by the birds and the bees.
The world needs full of love A love that is full of compassion. A love that is full of trust. A love that is full of room for changes. A love like what the Savior had set for us as an example. It was the best example. And it was the best picture of what victory was; the victory against sin.
Together we can eliminate that monster if we allow Him in our hearts. If we only allow LOVE to prevail in our hearts, you now have in your hands the best and most powerful weapon on earth. It is the only way to eliminate the monster in us.

a subversive text

Class Prophecy

By: Wilhelm L. Orozco

Dalawangput isang taon na ang nakalipas buhat ng magkahiwa-hiwalay ang labing-isang magigiting na mangdirigma. Itago natin sila sa mga pangalan Clemens, Del, Jerome, Aries, Enzo, Chino, Kerwin, Elijah, Joseph, Rondick at Whil.
Maraming taon na ang nakalipas at marami na ang nangyari na hindi mo mawari na malalampasan ng labing-isang mandirigmang ito. Matagal ng panahon ang nakalipas at kanya-kanyang buhay na ang ating mga bida sa kwentong ito.

Ay! Ikinalulungkot ko man sabihin pero kailangan, ammm! (Pause for a while) Ako nga pala ang isa sa mga bida sa kwentong ito. Ako si whil ang isa sa mga tinuturing na low profile ng batch kasi wala akong ibang kayang gawin kundi ang mga ito. Ammmm! Ako lang naman ang Bassist ng batch, football player, basketball pa, at volleyball na din, medyo magaling magswiming, ammm nagdradrawing din, guitarista pa at medyo may-alam magdrums at gwapo sabi ng mama ko, well yan lang naman at kung may gusto pa kayong ilagay sa low profile ko, huwag kayong mahiya o mag-atubiling ilagay sa space na ito. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Anyway, ako rin pala ay isang lalaki, so far normal naman ako at nagtratrabaho bilang isang tagapagsilbi sa palasyon ng aking Panginoon.

Nasa malayong lugar ako, sa Papua New Guinea (PNG), kasama ang mga taong nagpapasaya sa araw-araw kung anung buhay ang dapat tahakin.

Ngayon na kilala n’yo na ako ikwekwento ko naman ang naging buhay ng mga kasama ko noon – ang mga magigiting na mandirigma (cheeeh).

(1,2,3, silent in the set…action)

--=@=--

Naglalakad ako sa kalsada ng Papua at take note ang kalsada nila ay tiles na ngayon, ibang-iba na ito gaya ng dati, maraming mga high tech na kagamitan, tulad ng mga lumilipad na sasakyan at sa katunayan -1, 000th world country na sila sa sobrang advance ng mga kagamitan nila at most powerful pa sa lahat ng bansa. Grabeee! ibang-iba sa kwento ni Fr. Noel noong seminarian pa lamang ako.

Lakad ng lakad, lingon ng lingon, lakad ng lakad “hay! nakakapagod” ang tanging wika ko. Napa-upo ako sa isang tabi at feeling ko nasa Rome ako dahil sa ganda ng view. Namahinga ako at pinagmasdan ang mga naggagandahang likha ng Panginoon, kung anu man yun! sekretong malufeeet na yun.

RINGGGGGGG “may tumawag” at agad kong kinuha ang phone ko

“yess!?” sabi ko sa kabilang linya, napatigil ako ng mahigit 1 secondo at pinagpatuloy ang nasa-isip ko sa pamamagitan ng mga katagang “teka, ammm! I know you” kilala ko ang boses niya.

“Aries is that you?” naks!

“Yup” sagot ni Aries, wow hindi ako nagkamali for the first time.

Nagkakumustahan kami sa phone at napag-alaman kong nasa Rome na pala siya. As usual nag-aaral siya at tinatapos niya ang 2nd degree niya hindi sa pag-aaral kundi sa sunog, kasi nasunog daw siya sa isang bahay at di malaman ang kadahilanan, pero at the same time thesis na lang ang kailangan n’ya para sa kanyang 5th Doctoral Degree sa larangan ng Edukasyon Ang dami-dami ng pinag-usapan naming, mga experience noong nasa Canlubang kami at iba pa. Ganado pa naman ako mag kwento ng biglang…

…tinkkkkk!

“naku na lowbat ako sayang! Asar!”

Nalowbat man ako pero masaya pa din ako kasi nakumusta ko ang isa sa mga kaibigan ko at masaya ako sa kanyang narating ngayon.

Sa pagpapahinga ko, bigla kong naisipan na bumili ng maganize. Medyo mahal kaya nagdalawang isip ako. Sa tapat ng tindahan, hinawakan ko ang magazine at nagglance-glance ako. Masama na ang tingin ng nagbibinta nito at ng hindi pa makatiis na-upo na sa tabi ko. Sa pagglance ko ng magazine, pumunta ako sa showbiz section na paborito kong basahin kahit noong seminarian pa lang ako.

“Wow! I know this person” nabiglang reaction ko

“Really?” singit na boses mula sa katabi ko

“Yes! Because he is my batchmate go back then in the Philippines”

Binasa ko ang section at nabigla ako ng malaman kong si joseph ang batchmate ko na taga Cebu ay makikipagdivorce na sa kayang asawang hollywood artist, dahil sa third party? Pero hindi rin ako maniniwala sa nabasa ko dahil showbiz lang naman ito...chika ba. Naghanap pa ako ng naghanap at napunta naman ako sa Sports section ng magazine

“Wow! I know this person” nabiglang reaction ko nanaman

“Really?” singit na boses mula sa katabi ko

“Yes! Because he is my batchmate go back then in the Philippines”

Binasa ko ang section at biglang napasigaw ng malaman kong si Rondick ang kababayan kong mula sa malayong lugar ng bicol the best at naging batchmate namin sa seminaryo sa loob ng anim na araw ay naging MVP ng NBA. Kina-usap ko ang magazine at itinuro sa malaking picture niya.

“I’m proud of you man” sabay napansin kong medyo hindi na masaya ang mukha ng katabi ko kaya tinanong ko siya

“Is there something wrong?”

“Yes!”

“What? Tell me?”

“The magazine”

“What about the magazine?”

Nag-amok ang mokong at kinuha na lamang ang hawak kong magazine at sabay putak… “If you want to read this, buy this!” sabay alis

“Thank you and I’m so sorry” napakaway at ngiti na lang ako

Umalis na ako sa lugar, kung saan ay nakaupo ako ng matagal at nagbasa ng magazine na libre. Umalis ako sa takot na baka bumalik ang nagbibinta ng magazine dahil sa asar nito.

Naglakad-lakad ako at tumingin-tingin muna sa paligid ng tindahan, at bigla kong maisipan na umalis patungo sa aking bahay. Nag-abang ako ng bus at ng may dumating na bus bigla akong sumakay. Manghang-manghang ako sa nakita ko, dahil pati sa dagat ay dumadaan ito. Sabi nga ng katabi kong foreigner “In Papua nothing is impossible”.

Nakauwi na ako sa itunuturing kong bahay. Pag-apak ko sa gate, biglang sumalubong ang mga kabataang naglalaro ng football kasama ang aking partner.

“Pre! Musta?”

“Ok lang tumawag pala sakin si Aries”

“oh! Talaga? Di ma-aari yun!”

“eh! Bakit naman?”

“Pius Exhortation yun”

“Ganun ba? Bahala ka nga sa buhay mo! Siya nga pala kumain kana?”

“tapos na! ikaw kain ka na pre”

Naglakad ako kasama siya at ibinalita ko din ang mga nabasa ko sa magazine tungkol sa ibang kabacthmate namin.

“naks! Achiever na talaga ang mga yun ha?”

“Well! Ganyan talaga ang buhay”

Ay! Nakalimutan ko… at kinalulungkot ko man sabihin, pero kailangan sabihin siya pala si Del partner ko sa Papua as of now. Kasama din pala namin sa Papua si Enzo at ang leader naming na si Clemens, pero nasa ibang bansa sila pareho para dumalo sa General Chapter Meeting.

RINGGGGG

“Pre! Sagutin mo naman yung telepono ohh!” wika ko kay Del

Pagkatapos kausapin ni Del ang taong being sa kabilang linya, sumigaw siya patungo sa direksyon ko “Pre! Si Clemens hanap ka!”

“Ok, paki hintay lang”

After ng limang Segundo

“Oh! Master, kumusta meeting?”

“Ok lang to’l”

“ganun? Si Enzo”

“Ok lang din kasama ang provincial ng Philippines north-west province”

“talaga? Ay matanong nga lang, sino na nga pala ang provincial ngayon ng Philippines north-west province?”

“ahhh, teka lang uhh? magbibilang muna ako ng kamay huh!? Ahhh..ayun! The one and only smile and love, si chino to’l!”

“huhhh!?” nabigla ako at napa-ubo, parang may bumarang kung anu sa aking lalamunan…whatta!

“Oo nga, ikaw para kang ano eh”

“Ok!fine, Regads mo nalang ako kay ngiti! Huh?”

“Ok sige, no problem”

“siya bye na kakain pa ako eh! Ingatz na lang mga pre!”

Matapos ang mahabang paguusap sa phone ipinagpatuloy ko na ang aking kinakain at pinagnilayan ko na si chino naging provincial? Eiwww!, pero of course proud ako sa kanya, kasi bagay naman sa kanya eh!

Matapos akong kumain ay binuksan ko agad ang T.V, nanood ako at inalok si Del na manood din. Palipat-lipat ng channel hanggang makarating sa MTv live.

“pre! Ano na kaya ang top 1 ngayon?”

“ano pa eh! Di pretty woman or my way”

“poink! Pusaaaaaaaaah! ang tagal na nun huhhh!”

Nagpatuloy kami sa panonood at nagulantang ng biglang……..(tadadadannnnnnn) Nagpupunas-punas ng mata at napatanong...

“pre nakikita mo ba ang nakikita ko?”

“Oo! Pre hindi ka nanaginip”

“si Eli..eli…Elijah yan diba” nanginginig na golden voice ko

Akalain mong si Elijah ang pinakamagaling na musikiro ng batch ay parecord record na la-ang ngayon, samantalang noon ni pang bili ng string wala!hehe buhay nga naman! Pero bilib ako! Saludo ako…idol kahit noon pang mga seminarian pa lang kami. Di’ nga lang halata!hehe

Nagpatuloy kami sa panonood ng bagong music album ni Elijah at ng kanyang banda. Ang ganda ng kanilang video, featuring Paris Hilton at 3 months na silang top 1.

“wow! Achiever na din yun huh” ang tanging reaction ko pagkatapos ng palabas.

Pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng palabas ay nilipat ni del sa TFC channel. Ang TFC ay ang tanging tulay namin dito sa Papua para makita ang palabas ng mga pinoy. Tawang-tawa kami sa bagong palabas ng kafamily ang “bomtarat, game ka na ba?”. Palabas ito tuwing tanghali.

Nakakaaliw ang palabas at nakakatuwa, tiyak na mawawala ang problema mo pero minsan, eh medyo may drama scene din.

“Welcome to bomtarat, game ka na ba? May bagong laro po tayo ngayon mga kafamily ang - will of fortune” sabi ng host sa T.V sabay pasok na ang mga contestant at pumapalakpak pa ang mga ito habang tumatakbo. Mga lalaki sila at mga volunteer ng mga organization.

“Wow! I know this person” nabiglang reaction ko nanaman

“Really?” singit na boses mula sa katabi ko

“Yes! Because he is our batchmate go back then in the Philippines”

“si kerwin ba yan?”

“sino pa ba! Siya lang naman ang gwap’s jan eh!”

“oo nga noh?”

Nagpatuloy ang panonood namin at napagalaman namin na volunteer pala siya sa isang Salesian Organization at may planong pumunta sa Papua. Nagpatuloy ang show at nakakatuwa man isipin nanalo si Kerwin at may pamasahe na siya para pumunta ng Papua.

“astig talaga yan si Kerwin noh” sabi ko

“Oo nga eh! Sana matuloy siya dito”

“oo para at least mabuo ang batch natin once in a blue moon”

“mabuo ba kamo?”

“oo! Bakit ayaw mo”

“hindi may naisip ako”

“ano yon?” nag-iisip ka pala self-delusion ko

“what if magreunion tayo dito sa Papua”

“oo nga noh, nice idea!” Pagsasangayon ko

Nagisip-isip ako sandali at naisip ko na oo nga tama si del kailangan na naming magkita-kita dahil mahaba-haba na rin ang panahon buhat ng magkita-kita kami kaso may isa kaming ka batch na wala na kaming balita, tama si Jerome! Asan na kaya siya.

RINGGGGGGGGG! RINGGGGGGGG

“yessss?” tanong ko sa kausap

“Si Aries toh Whil”

“ahh yeah! May tanong ako sayo pre!”

“ano yun? Problema sa pera ba yan?”

“toink! Hindi huh! About kay Jerome, may balita ka ba sa kanya?”

“ahhh! Ammm! I’m not sure, but alam ko basurero na siya ngayon”

“talaga?” pagtatakang tanong ko, sa loob-loob ko yung taong yun magiging basurero!? Whatta… buti na lang at sinabi n’ya na…

“Joke lang nasa Philippines siya ngayon Formator ng Seminary” tumatawa-tawang sagot ni Aries

“Wow! Akalain mo!” napatawa na rin lang ako

Tumahimik muna ang usapan na para bang may dumaang anghel, ngunit nabasag ito ng mabasag ni Del ang pingan kong kinakainan.

“wooooooopsss! Pakalatkalat eh!” sinisi niya ako

“abahhh! Ikaw kaya ang maykasalanan” pangangatwiram ko nmn

Sumabat ang tao sa kabilang linya “Whil? Still there”

“ay sorry Aries huh?”

“ok”

“ay! May plano pala kami na magkaroon ng reniunion ang batch natin ok lang ba?”

“kalian yan”

“bukas na maggagabi na eh! Joke kalian ka pwede?”

“next month ok lang?”

“sure ikontak mo nalang ang iba nating ka batch ha?”

--=@=--

Makalipas ang isang buwan ng paghahanda at umuwi na rin sina Clemens at Enzo sa Papua. Nagging busy ang bawat isa sa amin, ibat-ibang mga gawain para sa darating na muling pagkikita at muling pagtutuos. Ginawang over-all chairman si Enzo sapagkat bihasa na siya pagiging leader dahil sa naging class president siya ng frat simula 3rd year college hanggang perpetual proffesion. Si Clemens naman ang ginawang contact person dahil mayaman siya sa load at siya rin ang leader sa bahay namin.

Dumating na ang takdang araw at handa na ang lahat. Handa na ang banda ni del para salubongin ng magandang musika ang mga kasapi sa batch, parang fiesta ag dating ng drum and lyre n’ya. Super ganda at handa na rin ang design ko, tangin ito lamang ang papel ko sa salo-salong ito, at higit sa lahat isusubo na lang ang pagkain na handa ni Enzo. Naunang dumating si Aries dala ang malaking malita at mga kakaibang pagkain pangdag-dag sa handa pangalawa si chino na maykasama pang mga batang salesiano, at wala siyang dalang pagkain, at isang malaking ngiti lang ang tanging pangpalobag ng loob namin, ang kanyang dinala. Limang oras ang nakalipas dumating na si Jerome mag-isa lang siyang nagbyahe, wala siyang dala kundi ang limpak-limpak na pera dahil bibili daw siya ng mga high tech na gamit dito sa Papua. Kasunod ni Jerome at limang apak lang ang pagitan ay si kerwin, hindi man sila nagkasabay sa sasakyan pero magkasabay naman silang pumasok sa harap ng pinto ng bahay namin.

Ang mga sikat naming katropa ay mukhang hindi makakarating kaya na-isipan namin na ma-unang kumain. Nagimbal ng malakas na hangin ang aming kasarapan sa pagkain, bagay na kinainis ni Del.

“putik naman oh! Hindi pwede yun” wika niya

“(ngiti)” obvious ba? eh! Di’ si chino

“ok lang yan pre, sige magpatuloy na tayo sa kinakain natin” sabi ni Enzo

Nagpatuloy kami sa pagkain at biglang natigilan ulit ng maykumatok sa pinto

“pre buksan mo” utos ni bosing Clemens

“ok” naglakad ako at binuksan ang pinto

“woppppssss” nabiglang reaksyon ko

“kumusta mga pre” sabi ni mr. MVP kasama ang dalawa

“ok lang, tuloy kayo (5x)” sabi ko dala ng pagkabigla

Tumoloy ang tatlo at pagpasok na pagpasok nila sa refectory nagpalakpakan ang mga membro ng frat.

Kumaing masaya ang lahat, nagkalokohan, at tila binabalik ang mga ala-ala noong nasa Seminaryo pa lang at nagpapakamatay para matupad ang kani-kanilang pangarap. Natapos ang pinakamasayang araw sa bawat membro ng frat at oras na para magsibalikan sa kanikanilang tungkulin, magpapasalamat ang bawat isa ng biglang.

“whil! Gising na” sabi ng katabi ko

“ay! Nanaginip nanaman ako anong oras na?” tanong ko

“11:24 na tanghali na wala pa tayong kakainin”

“Sorry pagod lang” ang tanging sagot ko

“anong pagod? Magtrabaho ka nga…ala bangon d’yan”

Napakamot na lamang ako sa ulo!whatta…life is parang buhay lang…hehehe