Caped wonders with super powers have been created throughout history during times when people were in dire need of "heroes". They could fly or do a Houdini from the arch-rival's snare. But, these heroes stay on the comic book (or the silver screen). Hence, we in the real world face challenges ourselves--sans super powers. Whether it's families breaking apart or declining literacy in the country, it is we who answer the call from where we are, with what we have.
Well, hello! This is the longest I've been away from blogging and actually typing something to be published in a while is giving me some sense of accomplishment already. That's not to say that I've been idle and watching the grass grow all this time -- though the latter sounds like somewhere in the vicinity of my latest preoccupation. More than watching grass grow, I have been finding joy in taking care of succulents. Container gardening is something I have come to appreciate, with cacti and other succulents being my focus.
I thought I'd share two videos from gardening enthusiasts who know their business. One is from Laura of Garden Answer which shows her making a fairy garden, while the other provides some wonderful ideas for mini-cactus gardens courtesy of Christine Kobzeff. I stumbled onto Garden Answer about a year ago in one of my link-hopping sessions on YouTube and simply loved Laura's way of explaining how to go about creating floral arrangements, some of which include succulents. The videos -- particularly the "speedy" versions -- are fun to watch! As for Christine Kobzeff, I think I came across her cactus how-to's when I was trying to learn more about succulent care, and her simple and minimalist dish gardens made me want to try them myself (I haven't yet).
Now that I'm looking at that title up there with (almost) undivided attention, I'm certain it's more the result of too much viewing of zombie-ghost-vampire-murderer fare than a manifestation of what I actually think of the people responsible for the bullet-planting happening in Manila's main international gateway (and for the lack of action being taken to deal with the situation).
This post isn't to provide updates on the situation, but to share a couple of articles that may prove useful to anyone passing through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while the situation is still basically the same. It pays to be informed and prepared. Go ahead and read, and feel free to share with others who may need this information:
And here's something posted by a Persida Acosta on Facebook on Nov. 2, 2015 which may just come in handy (you'll never know!):
Attention OFWS/ Travellers: Re: Laglag Bala in Airport Please call PAO hotline 929-94-36 or 029299436 in case you are being charged of alleged "laglag bala". Any
incriminatory act of planting evidence can be criminally charged of
"incriminatory machinations" under Article 363 of the Revised Penal Code
(arresto mayor) and Section 38 of the Comprehensive Firearms Act R.A.
No. 10591 Re- planting of ammunitions punishable of the penalty of
reclusion perpetua(30yrs).
If you'd like an article to give you the lowdown on the issue, I believe this one dated Nov. 2, 2015 is exhaustive enough.
I've been spending a couple of hours a week with some college students lately, and it's fun to chat with them. Well, I also got to talk with a few girls in their early 20s in a seminar I attended in September, and listening to them reminded me of just how fast I used to talk and how much I jumped from one topic to another when I was around their age. Conversing with dudes who have lived for half a century or more does have its striking moments, primarily because the wisdom they've acquired over the course of decades is evident. There's much to learn from them; the perspective they present, even from brief remarks they make about seemingly superficial topics, can make one reconsider previously held opinions.
Hanging out with fellows who are at the stage of pursuing formal education in their chosen field, on the other hand, has been delightful as well. We spent a good deal of time talking about movies and what we thought of them. I found it amusing that many of the titles they mentioned were unheard of as far as I was concerned, and I listened fondly as they gushed over what was a superb flick and why it was so, or lamented over some disappointing film that was a mistake to give the time of day.
Who's your favorite actor? What are your top movies? Such questions came up when we first delved into
the subject of the celluloid world, and just like when I'm asked what restaurant I'd like to go to, I was at a loss. It's funny, because movies are something I consider essential in life -- in a manner of speaking, of course, and not to be mistaken as being placed on the same level as food, clothing and shelter in the hierarchy of needs -- and there I was, drawing a blank when asked for my favorites. Why is that?
Well, at the risk of sounding like a page from those old slum books where you're asked about favorite food, favorite song, favorite singer, favorite everything... there really are too many to mention when it comes to movies. Of course, there are the critically acclaimed blockbusters such as Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, unforgettable ones that somewhat "define" your decade (Back to the Future, among several), and the much-loved or funny but not really awards-material (for me that would be You've Got Mail, and some films that I wouldn't broadcast being a fan of due to the absolute lack of substance). And, though I don't think I've met any other fan of movies about hijacking, I thoroughly enjoy watching the likes of Air Force One, Executive Decision and, more recently, Non-Stop.
In one of our conversations, though, I remembered Argo and told my young companions how I found it to be immensely engaging (I even blogged about it here, if you'd care to read what I wrote).
Lest this becomes an enumeration of favorite movies, let me go to the point that got me started on this whole post: when I mentioned what a great team-up Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were in a lot of their movies, the girl I was chatting with was unfamiliar with Meg Ryan. I was positively amused by this and realized how old the movies I had in mind were! Well, Meg Ryan is not among your multi-awarded actors, and comical though she is in her rom-com films, she doesn't have the same caliber and/or high-profile blockbuster resume as, say, Meryl Streep, Robert de Niro or Tom Cruise. So, come to think of it, it should hardly be surprising that today's teens and twentysomethings have never heard of her.
Okay, that was the first thing that stunned me about our celluloid tete-a-tete. The other one was when I mentioned The Karate Kid, and the girl said something about Jackie Chan, so I realized she had the post-2000 version in mind. Danny LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi are it for me, and though I'm sure the movie's newer version has its merits if considered more closely, the original will always be the only one for me.
I caught the second half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on TV recently. And just like what happened after I had watched Into the Storm not too long ago either on HBO ( I went link-hopping for materials on Richard Armitage and ended up watching The Hobbit clips and Thorin interviews), I spent a good deal of time watching old interviews with cast members and some other decade-old materials. I harkened back to the years when the Gryffindor kids were just that -- kids -- and the three lead actors were just giving their first interviews as mere 11- or 12-year-olds.
One of the videos I came across was a 2001 BBC Christmas special for which author J. K. Rowling was interviewed. This is particularly interesting to me because rather than being some kind of promotional material for the books and movies, it clarifies -- in Rowling's words, no less -- the truths and falsehoods reported in the media about her and about the process of coming up with the books. It sure is fascinating, too, to see the notebooks and tons of notes she has accumulated in the course of doing her work.
There's a place for everyone under the sun -- that much I have accepted. Each of us has a role to play, each of us has the freedom to realize our potential, to pursue our dreams, to make the world better. One day, however, I was wondering what could possibly be the role of ants in the grand scheme of things. Why in the world did God create ants? They are indeed amazing creatures as anyone who observes their behavior can arrive at. Systematic, hardworking, can even lift and carry around things that are bigger than them -- who wouldn't find them fascinating? It's no wonder these tiny creatures are the stuff of inspirational anecdotes. I'll admit, though, that at the time the "why-on-earth-did-God-make-ants?" question, admiration was not what I was feeling for the tiny ones. They were annoying, always quick to appear only moments after bread crumbs dropped on the dining table or a drop of gravy spilled near the kitchen sink. There they were, arriving in single file and circling the potential loot, then minutes later it was like an entire battalion had gotten wind of the news and was ready for battle or whatever it was they were programmed by nature to carry out.
Some friends have wondered out loud, too, what could possibly be the reason for cockroaches' existence. Well, to this I have no answer and I don't exactly spend time thinking about it. But after watching the short video below, I have no doubt that God -- in his infinite wisdom and goodness -- created these seemingly useless creatures with a clear purpose in mind. They, too, have a place under the sun, and I will probably understand the big picture only when all is revealed at the end of time. Meanwhile, the following shall suffice in putting in the proper perspective the workings of the natural world:
The following contains testimonies from men who, at one time or another,
engaged in homosexual activity and who know well the struggles that
come with being attracted to persons of the same sex. There may be
cultural differences (two are from the Philippines while the other two
are in the West) but amid all of these and amid the experiences they
have gone through, the one thing that led them to seek the truth and,
inadvertently, to a joy and freedom they did not know before then, was
the choice to love God. As one of them put it, "I'm attracted to men,
but I love God more."
Kung ako lang ang masusunod, gusto ko rin sanang mag-asawa ng kapwa ko
lalake kasi 'yan ang hilig ng katawan ko at ilang beses na rin ako
nagmahal ng kapwa ko lalake. Umabot pa noon sa puntong nangarap kaming
magpakasal kahit bawal pa noon. Pero kumilos ang Diyos sa buhay ko
hanggang sa natunton ko na mas mahal ko ang Diyos kaysa sino mang lalake
na dumaan sa buhay ko. At ayon sa banal na kasulatan, hindi ang
makiapid sa kapwa ko lalake ang gusto ng Diyos para sa buhay ko. May
dakila Siyang plano para sa buhay na ibinigay Niya sa akin. Kaya pinili
kong sundin ang Diyos imbes na ang sarili ko. Ang plano Niya ang
perpekto. Ngayon, mayroon akong kapayapaan at ligaya sa buhay na hindi
kayang tumbasan ng anupaman. Salamat sa pagpapatawad mo o Diyos!
Alleluya! (If it were up to me, I would like to marry another man because that
would be following the dictates of my body and I have loved men several times. It even reached a point in which we dreamed of going
through with a wedding despite its being prohibited at the time. But God
worked in my life until I realized that I love God more than any man
who had entered and would enter my life. And according to sacred
scriptures, to fornicate with other men is not what God wants for me. He
has a great plan for the life he has given me. Hence, I chose to
follow God rather than my own desire. His plan is perfect. Now, I have
peace and joy that nothing whatsoever can equal. Thank you for your
forgiveness, oh God! Alleluia!)
- Cesar Evangelista Buendia, from a post on his Facebook account (set to public)
* * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * *
According to [Jovi Atanacio], while many members of the same sex desire union
with their romantic partners because of love, Atanacio believes true
love desires more than just physical and emotional union. “It wishes the good of the other. It wishes the good of the other
person, encouraging him or her to embrace the virtue of chastity,” he
explained. He clarified, however, that chastity does not mean turning one’s back
on love, pointing out it is but a profound and courageous expression of
that same love. Single and chaste, Atanacio, who also maintains the Facebook group
“Wanted: Filipino Saints”, underscored the need to grow in the
understanding of what love really means. “If two members of the same sex profess love for each other, they
will strive to do what is best for one other. They will encourage one
another to identify themselves as beloved children of God who happen to
experience same-sex attractions, rather than people who are defined by
their sexual urges and happen to believe in God.”
The other day, I was joking with someone about smoking crack, like
you do because people make jokes about using hard drugs with the
understanding that, ‘oh, nobody I know deals with that.’ And then
literally the day after I made that joke, I found out that somebody who
I’ve known for a very long time has been smoking crack for months and
months. And that is exactly the sort of situation I dealt with growing up, which
is where it was sort of standard to make jokes, ‘ha ha, gay people’
because nobody we know is gay – and of course if you hear that sort of
thing all the time, you begin to think of yourself as outside of the
realm of normal human experience.
Is that how you felt growing up? Absolutely. Do you think that that actually pushed you more outside ‘the
realm of normal human experience,’ because you perceived it to be that
way? Very much so. It sounds cliché to say it, but your perception really
does become your reality. If you believe yourself to be of such a nature
that you don’t actually belong in society with most other people, then
you begin to interpret small thoughtlessnesses as large exclusions, and
so you become less able to interact with your actual peers. And then
they see you beginning to draw back, and start to think of you as
someone who doesn’t really want to be part of their group anyway. How have you managed to overcome that in adulthood?
Partly through therapy; partly through the group, People Can Change;
partly through friendship; and partly through my spiritual director.
Well, what do you know? I was all set to write "Whoever came up with this awesome invention is a genius!" And then a comment below the video I'm sharing here led me to the website that gives the lowdown on how the ingenious ball launcher came to be. It's called the iFetch and, like many other tools and gadgets we easily take for granted nowadays, it was invented out of pure necessity -- in this case, a schoolboy needed a solution to his dog's incessant barking which was keeping him from getting his homework done. With the help of his grandfather he came up with one! You can read the rest of the story plus other details on the iFetch website.
And here is the cute little dog having some serious fun with the automatic ball launcher:
On the personal level, one thing that hampers fruitful discussion and clear understanding where the matter of homosexuality, same-sex "marriage" and "gay pride" are concerned is, disagreement seems to be interpreted as hate by quite a few people. Emotions really do get in the way many times, so dealing with people -- loved ones especially -- who wrestle with same-sex attraction and are emotionally entangled in a relationship requires a considerable degree of tact. It is possible to maintain good friendships and to stand by your deeply held values simultaneously, and it goes without saying that regular prayer and allowing grace to nourish your life of faith will see you through.
On the level of society, here is something you will want to watch as it presents the issue with eye-opening facts -- all in 5 minutes. No mental gymnastics required :-)
It's not only in the United States that bakers are being forced into closing their businesses and being threatened with lawsuits if they refuse to extend their services to some clients. An incident involving another wedding cake and a same-sex couple happened in Ireland, and Jean-Luc Picard a.k.a. Patrick Stewart stated his position on the matter. Find out why he took the side of the bakers.
And do you equate tolerance with never disagreeing with others? Do you lose your cool because other people seem to be full of bigotry? You may just learn a thing or two from the stuff Chris Stefanick says here:
Now here's a place whose beauty will soon be discovered by more and more people the world over -- and I'm not even just referring to the picturesque scenes one can enjoy here. Cebu -- located in the central-southern part of my country, the Philippines -- has among the most captivating beaches on the planet (even international travel publications have attested to this) but the province's charm goes way beyond these. It's the people, the food, the fiestas, the history, and a whole lot more. Nevertheless, the captivating sights and sites of Cebu are truly something, as shown in this short video.
And now that major refurbishment on the Mactan-Cebu International Airport will soon be underway, that means more travelers discovering the place and probably wanting to go back again and again.
That is how some have regarded the raising to the altars of Alvaro del Portillo, a Spanish priest and the successor of St. Josemaria Escriva as the prelate of Opus Dei, a Personal Prelature of the Catholic Church. He was beatified on Sept. 27, 2014, with more than a hundred thousand from around the world trooping to Madrid, his birthplace, for the ceremony.
Blessed Alvaro del Portillo
Fr. Francis Ongkingko, a priest of the Prelature, pens a reflection of his encounter with the recently-declared-Blessed Alvaro:
“A Teacup without Tea”
By Rev. Father Francis Ongkingko*
“You are, as
we say in Spain,
like a teacup without tea!” remarked Bishop Álvaro del Portillo. This was his
amusing reply when he learned that I didn’t really know a single Chinese word
despite my very Chinese-sounding family name.
Back then in
1992, this sounded like a mere passing remark by Bishop Álvaro, or “the Father”
–as we familiarly and fondly call him– to lighten the conversation for his
Filipino son who was nervously wrestling with the vocabulary and grammar of
spoken Spanish.
It would only
be years later, after reading a more recent and detailed biography of Father
Álvaro, that I would realize how intensely he had set his heart and mind on the
expansion of Opus Dei in Asia. Knowledge of either Mandarin or Cantonese was indispensable to begin and incorporate oneself in that vast continent thirsty
for God. Thus, his passing commentary was something both serious and urgent.
It wasn’t
actually my first time to meet Father Álvaro. I was fortunate enough to greet
him personally when he visited the Philippines in 1987. I had just known Opus Dei then.
Listening to him opened many horizons, especially the mission that we, his
children in the Philippines,
had in the whole of Asia.
He also
reminded us about our role in the Church, as we had to be vital supports for
the Pope, the Bishops and our other faithful. His personal meetings with then
Pope John Paul II helped us to pray more and accompany closely the Holy Father.
I remember
one particular anecdote about a late afternoon audience he had with Saint John
Paul II. Noticing that the Pope arrived very tired and was dragging his feet,
Father Álvaro said with filial concern, “Holy Father, you are very tired.” John
Paul II promptly replied, “If I’m not tired at this hour of the day, then I’m
not doing my job.” This and many other stories from Father Álvaro filled us
with a richer outlook in our faith and also with greater optimism to carry out
our apostolic mission.
I now return
to my story about the empty teacup. Not only because that was perhaps my last
encounter with Father Álvaro, but because it now affords me with a new lesson.
Indeed, it
would have been wonderful if my ‘teacup had some tea’ but learning Mandarin may
not be one of the chapters in my life. I realized, however, whether one knows
Chinese or not, we all have –as Father Álvaro had taught and lived all his
life– the serious obligation to fill ourselves to the brim. This is by carrying
out the simplest duties at hand, where God expects us to serve him, with
constant love and sacrifice.
-----------------------------
*Father Francis Ongkingko is a priest of
the Prelature of Opus Dei who resides in Manila.
St. John Paul II and Blessed Alvaro during the latter's episcopal ordination
And here's a short video about the miracle concerning a Chilean baby, attributed to Blessed Alvaro's intercession and which led to his beatification. The boy -- now 11-year-old Jose Ignacio Ureta -- was at the beatification rites with his parents.
A lot of women the world over give birth, and while the transmission of life is a marvelous phenomenon to contemplate from time to time, it happens quite often that it has somewhat been taken for granted.
A couple of weeks ago, however, had me -- and countless others -- overjoyed over a piece of news about the birth of twins, primarily because their dad was tennis great Roger Federer, and also since these were the younger siblings of twin sisters. How amazing is that? I was amused by a comment below one of the articles I read -- imagine if all four kids grew up to be legendary tennis players as well, and all you'd see in the Grand Slams are "Federer vs. Federer" or "Federer/Federer vs. so and so" (a doubles team is not unlikely), said the commenter. Then of course on the sidelines would be, who else? Dad and Mom Federer!
Well, I'm just heartened by the Swiss Mister's sense of priorities, as shown in the story.
Meanwhile, below are some videos that reveal more about the World's current number 4. Enjoy!
You can watch a better-quality version of the video right on the website of the Foundation for A Better Life, which produced it and other great materials. Plus, the lyrics of the accompanying song are included in that version.
Another video -- titled Dishes -- that points out something easily taken for granted in relationships is here
Sometimes it takes a while to see the big picture. But basically this is what this virtue is anchored on:
Seeing this reminded me of a fascinating video called "The economics of sex" which, apart from pointing out some ideas about relationships and sex worth considering, features awesome artwork (to me it looks like doodling because the artist makes it look so easy). Check it out in this previous post.
Who's your favorite "superhero" among the crime-fighting crusaders that pop culture has entrenched into the consciousness of pop culture-watchers? You know, among those who fly, don form-fitting costumes (usually caped and usually made of spandex), and have super-strength? Mine isn't Ironman, though I do find the character's wit funny. I suppose it's because my idea of a superhero since being a child involves clearer demonstrations of virtue than what this Marvel hero normally shows in the movies.
But in the short video below, I don't see Ironman in the actor who plays him. Witty he definitely continues to be, but Robert Downey, Jr. does much, much more here than spice up a speech with his humor. The event happened several years ago and, thanks to a friend who posted the video on Facebook, I got to see it and thus acquired a new perspective on the actor, on the other actor (the subject of his words), and on the twists and turns that life puts us through.
Below the video is another piece of material that I found myself reading voraciously till the end. Yet another source of points and discoveries to ponder.
It might sound naïve after 20 years writing about celebrities, but my
friendship with Gibson made me reconsider other celebrities whose public
images became tarnished by the media’s rush to judge and marginalize
the rich and famous. Whether it’s Gibson, Tom Cruise or Alec Baldwin,
the descent from media darling to pariah can happen quickly after they
do something dumb. I was part of that pack of journalists paid to
pounce, so I know. I consider myself intelligent, someone who makes up
her own mind, but just like readers do, I have accepted some reports at
face value. The press said that based on Gibson’s statements, he was a
homophobe, a misogynist, a bully, an ant-Semite, so he must be. What he
was, I discovered, was an alcoholic whose first outburst was captured
after he fell off the wagon. What the later release of audiotapes showed
was a man with a frightening temper, capable of saying whatever will
most offend the target of his anger.
