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Friday, February 04, 2005
Thursday, February 03, 2005
THE HEART
"Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..."
"You'll find Jesus there," the boy interrupted.
The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll cut your heart open," he continued, to see how much damage has been done..."
"But when you open up my heart, you'll find Jesus in there," said the boy.
The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly.
"When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up, and I'll plan what to do next."
"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."
The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart.
I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well."
"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives there."
The surgeon left.
The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:" here he paused, "death within one year." He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"
The Lord answered and said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."
The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"
The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for He has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."
The surgeon wept. The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?"
"Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.
"I found Jesus there," said the surgeon.
Author Unknown
My dearest,
Let me say these two beautiful words forever
For they aren't mere letters
They are my emotions...
Let me love you like this, my way.
You are such a wondeful person to deserve such wonderful feelings...
I trust that you keep it in you with utmost care.
And when i'm old and you are around
May you be beside me in my death bed.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Datu Lapu-LapuThe hero in the great "Battle of Mactan", Datu Lapu-Lapu was the ruler of the tribesmen in that same island he once lived when the Spaniards came to the Philippines. At present, his statue stands proudly near the shores of Mactan together with another marker (Magellan Monument) in the modern city now called "Lapu-Lapu" as a reminder of that great battle. Lapu-Lapu City today surely has grown into a modern bustling metropolis,with an international airport centraly located,and has emerged at par with rest of the world. A brief history goes like this: Lapu-Lapu City: The story behind.
Introduction
For centuries, there have been more than a couple of accounts about a small land mass in Asia, under the Philippine archipelago, near its center, which is now called: Mactan Island. This is under the province of Cebu in the Visayas (one of the three major island groups which compose the Philippines).
Few conflicting historical data about this island have now been sprinkled around like pollen grains carried about by the butterflies all over the country, spreading views pertaining to the actual and the almost perfect truth of this island’s history. I said conflicting due to differences in the dates and varied descriptions of location for the exact landing site made by the Spanish fleet. As a result, a number of researchers have gone out of their ways to explore the reality about the discovery of this petite but significant islet. And within this bulk of information, are various theories as to how, when and why this little island came to be magnificent!
Since I am not exactly from this place (I was already on the fifth grade when we transferred here and established a new habitat), I can only narrate some of the accepted facts, maybe enumerate more data based on research and hope to attain the nearest appropriate truth. Allow me to go back in time, when the Philippines were still on the verge of discovery.
The town
A chapter in Philippine history deals with the migration of the early inhabitants, which were thought to have come from the different regions of Asia who settled during the 3rd century A.D. Others followed suit in the later years more specifically on the 5th century A.D. Emerging as the new Filipino people; they were a mixture of Negroid Aetas, Mongolians, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Malays and Indonesian cultures. These people brought along iron tools and technologies for glassmaking and weaving including seafaring skills.
Forwarding on to the 15th century, it was learned that more traders came in from the far stretch of Asia and the Middle East. They introduced their Islam religion spreading it across the Visayas (central island group of the Philippines) down to the Southern parts of the country. By this time, Chinese merchants of the Ming dynasty were in full trading with the Filipinos.
Then came the Spanish conquistadors (conquerors) headed by Ferdinand Magellan (Fernando Magallanes), who denounced his nationality as a Portuguese and convinced the King Charles I of Spain to find Moluccas islands for spices and herbs, which is in the east, by way of sailing to the west.
According to the manuscripts on March 16, 1521, Magellan, carrying the name of King Philip II of Spain with five (5) Spanish ships landed on the shores of Homonhon, an islet near Samar, an island in the Visayas. The main thrust of their arrival was actually colonization of the Filipinos into Christianity. But these navigators failed in their mission when they came to a neighbor island called Maktan.
An acceptable truth portrays that on April 27, 1521- a little over a month after these Spaniards arrived in the Philippines, they were driven off the island by Datu Lapu-Lapu, a chief of one of the three tribal settlements, who was in control over the other chiefs of Cebu. His soldiers composed of 60 men fought over Magellan's forces. It was learned that Magellan was killed in that battle, as a result of Lapu-Lapu's rage over his refusal to be converted to Christian religion. It was a fierce battle against the Spanish Colonizers, which became famous as: Battle of Mactan, honoring that fearsome incident, and in turn Datu Lapu-Lapu was named the first Filipino hero. It was not until fifty years, or so later that Spain sent another set of warships to the east.
More written documents stated that the Spaniards went back to the Philippines on 1572 (although some manuscripts stated 1565); opposing natives still showed dislike over the conquest, some minor cannon blasts were still heard here and there. But after constant pursue by the Spaniards, eventually they became successful in their colonization and finally established Christianity in Luzon (northern part of the Philippines. They expanded their colony down to the central part reaching eastern Samar. Still further down they reached Sugbu (old name of Cebu). During this period, Spanish colonial settlement was established in the Cebu-Maktan area and named it Santissimo Nombre de Jesus, forming one encomienda system of government together with Camotes Island. Political moves were not fully pronounced yet due to the hefty leadership of the friars who ruled the government at that time.
Then more documents revealed further that more than a century after, specifically June 17, 1690 the town of Opon was born. It was said to be the first town created in the island of Maktan and the seventh town founded by the Augustinian Monks in the province of Cebu, which was called Sugbo then.
The word "Opon" presumably came from the name of the grass, which grew lavishly in the open fields at that time. It was a quiet town with few bad elements or none at all. Most of the parishioners were focused mostly to the teachings of the church. The proliferation of the Catholic religion was of much emphasis, which served as the guiding force for the Spanish colonizers to pursue more on their continuing effort to convert everyone completely into Catholics.
Moreover, it was told that the parish priests played a great role in the encomienda (old government) system in all pueblos (towns) including Opon. Almost all administrative records were kept in the parroquia (parish). Improvements at that time, whether civic in nature or not at all like the construction of structures: casa municipal (municipal hall), school building, military defenses, and the like- were undertaken by its own cura parroco (parish Priest), including of course the church itself and the convent. Some important government positions or leadership like cabezas (governors) and/or Kapitanes (captains of barangays) were given to Opon residents as appointed by the parish priest, with special importance to those affluent natives, who spoke the Spanish language.
For over three centuries, Spain took hold of the Philippines, governing the people and the influencing Filipino culture. That explains why a number of Spanish-speaking in higher echelon of society of Filipinos can be noticed upon on almost every Philippine city in these modern days.
The City
More history books revealed Spain's conquest over the Filipinos lasted three centuries. Series of revolts were continually arising expressing reforms for the Filipino people. It was not until three Filipino priests namely: Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were executed, that revolts fired up forcefully led by reformists group and started a propaganda movement all throughout the archipelago including Opon with issues against the Spaniards. These revolts continued further, which led to a major uprising: Philippine Revolution. This was around the 1800s.
In the local scene, local historians described Opon at that time to be equally sharing revolting chaos more so that a certain Fr. Jose Baztan, an Augustinian priest of Cordova was killed in the town plaza of Opon. It was a horrible incident. The story continued to be gruesome one that it was told the body of the said priest was thrown out in the sea. The reason for that execution was said to be corruption of the clergy, predominant during that time. It was said to be a violent version of the tres de avril incident.
A similar episode relating to the revolution was written about a directorcillo of Cordova (Juan Nunez) for suspicion of conspiracy with the revolutionaries in the printing of the cedulas (residence certificates) in Maktan, which was Opon then. Chaos after chaos sprung up in that particular region.
The government of Opon was said to have patterned after President Aguinaldo's decree providing for the reorganization of its local government. But it didn't last long because Spanish-American war broke out which ceased the leadership of the Spanish government giving way to the Americans establishing a military rule in the entire Philippine archipelago. These Americans did well in their conquest complete with a Constitution to follow, with Manuel L. Quezon as the first commonwealth president, the name given to the civil government during that time.With these new developments, it was told industrialization flourished in the town of Opon. Few factories settled in, town plazas were developed and commerce greatly expanded. Roads were built; with the construction of the Muelle Osmena, a wharf was operational right at the back of the Virgen de la Regla Parish, serving the community. Waterworks system was also built to supply safe drinking water. Inland fishing was taught and encouraged. Records showed that in 1903, Opon became a municipality and eventually was classified as a third class municipality as a result of all these advancements.
Then came the Japanese occupation, 1941 - 1945. It did not last long either because the Americans had a much stronger forces thus Japan surrendered to America after only a swift four-year term in the Philippines. But with that brief moment in time with the Japanese, their army constructed the first airfield on the island of Opon, of course for their own fighter planes to land on. At this time, Americans reacquired the Philippines. But not later than a year after that and when World War II ended, the Philippine Government was granted its political independence. During these times, the economic growth in the municipality of Opon was advancing with the fast establishments of various oil depots around the area.
Then came the most important event of all; Opon Municipality became a city as it was inaugurated formally on June 17, 1961, with Carlos P. Garcia as president of the Republic of the Philippines, under the Republic act 3134, and renaming Opon into Lapu-Lapu, in honor of the first defender of Filipino democracy "Lapu-Lapu" the mighty son of this island who killed Magellan and drove his fleet out of Philippine waters as written in the manuscripts.
After the proclamation of Lapu-Lapu City, on that same year more major developments took place; like the inauguration of a new Mactan Alternate International Airport on September 1. Then came General Milling Corporation, a huge flour company and a grand Supermarket was built to serve the fast growing community. Soon after a few more advancements in this newly proclaimed city, Lapu-Lapu linked vigorously with the rest of the world by erecting the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, a landmark which made it possible to enhance the high speed trading across the other cities of the Cebu province.
Today, Lapu-Lapu City is a high-speed modern metropolis, proudly imposing its grandeur equally if not highly to its contemporary cities and to rest of the technical world, but still holding on to its rich culture and deep heritage ripened through time attained from its gaudy but heroic past of the forefathers. more
Cebu ProvinceBeautifuly located near the center in the Visayas Islands proudly spreading its fertile soil from up north the Bantayan island group down to the south tip (Santander) in this radiant archipelago. It holds the record as the "Queen City of the South". This is my very own birth land, that is the very reason why i call it mine, and besides it is where the city (Lapu-Lapu)which i am now residing rests proudly.
Within this province, up north lies a beautiful municipality which is : Bogo. It sits alomost at the tipmost part of the island province and is the turning point in going back to Cebu City as a detour. Neat huh. With this route, the travel wouldn't be as pleasing compared to the main thougroughfare. It leads to another point - Tabogon-which is nearer to the coast but still has high mountains surrounding it.
But before we make this detour, allow me to go back a few kilometers and witness one of Cebu's pride- Bogo Municipality.
Ok, going further down, we come into another municipality called Tabogon. It is the my Dad's place. I have my parental roots there. Fiesta time is celebrated every April 21st in honor of San Vicente de Ferrer. I can still remember when i was a little girl, i used to be crowned princess with my two (2) brothers as my personal escorts, one after the other. I think it happened three years in a row,which then my elder sister followed suit as princess too. My,my! those were happy days on my childhood. But i think i didn't enjoy it much as my Mom and Dad did, because, everytime i was princess, i get tobe made up from head to toe. That means, i get to wear a very shiny, shimmery and elegant gown complete with head dress plus a thorough make over my face!
Now that i've grown up, i want to go back there as often as i can. I'm now excited to knowing i didnt get to be that adventurous back then.
some snapshots:
more...
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
My homeland...
This is my beautiful country Philippines! My birthplace. Philippine history goes back more than a hundred fold for the whole archipelago was subdued by foreign power specifically the Spaniards for more than three hundred years... followed by a variety of other rulers, one after the other.
But today, it is emerging into the world boastfully as the only Catholic country in South East Asia ! And im proud to be one of the few who resides permanently within.
Friends we are, you and me
Today, as always been
Was such a fulfilled day for me
So I asked myself, why?
Is it because...I got high grades?
Or because...I saw the latest movie in town?
Or might be because... I have bought new things?
No, I guess not.
I realize I am happy not because of so many things
But because of one single but very important reason...
I'm glad because...
I came to know you, and you came to know me!
Yes, we are but FRIENDS.
“That Cold -Moonlit-Night”
It was a summer night, when dusk was but softly creeping in. The breeze was no longer warm but not too cold as to freeze one out. The moon started to eek out from its circle, slowly risingÂ…up high to space, to merge with the evening clouds. It was on its fullest shape, its glaring brightness enough to cover the rest of the stars.
The night was still young, and so was sheÂ…
Everyone was smiling, with their silvery white teeth exposed up to their ears, filled with that gladness inside their hearts. There is a celebration... It was Fiesta time! Some were dancing, others were eating, laughing, conversing. Most of the kids were around running, playing. Merriment clothed them all! It was almost the same as those ordinary parties, but something made it different. It was not the fiesta, nor the full moon. But it was ‘The night’ of all nights!
Indeed it wasÂ… Something very special happened on that particular full-moon nightfall.
After dinner, the music went so loud, it could be heard a mile away. She almost danced. Oh, she did! She felt the songs inside her, giggling and summoning her frail muscles, trying to persuade her to glide with the beat, to the rhythm and so there she was! Sliding to and fro in the room, breaking one step at a timeÂ… she was doing the waltzÂ… her passion.
Moments passedÂ… Even hours. He then took her out for a walk. They went out of that fun-filled excitement. The music was not as loud as it was. Or maybe because they were far out that it would just fade away in the thin cold air. They were somewhere in an open field. The moon shone so bright, they could see each otherÂ’s eyes sparkling with content. They were in love!
Or was it just lust?
Then he held her hand, tightly gripping, sending jerks of electricity through her veins from the fingertips up to her heart. She felt love. It was loveÂ… It must be love, or what else could it be? She ignored the confusion. Why fuzz around with that thought when there is something weird but so good to be felt now?
She looked at him and smiled. A smile that could launch more than a million ships! Suddenly, he leaned over and kissed her! That kiss made the difference. It was that kiss which made that evening special.
Yes, it was love!
WHY? WHAT? HOW?
For some time now i kept thinking why:
- why on earth did our paths crossed?
- why did i get to meet you?
- why did you become close to me?
- why did i see you the way i do now?
- why are these happening to me?
- why are we friends today?
- why ?
And for what unfathomed reasons:
- what made me feel this way?
- what made you decide to become close to me?
- what did i do to deserve such a true and gorgeous friend like you?
- what made all these possible now?
- what have you been thinking when you met me?
How may one understand ?
- how did you react when i said you are one great creation?
- how are things with you before you met me?
- how come you did not resent my friendship?
- how mad did you get knowing i like you?
- how easy could you ignore me and forget about me but didnt?
- how are things with you now that i keep flashing into your life?
i hope you have answers for all these inquiries because i don't. I only have thoughts and feelings and cares and dreams and hopes and wishes and prayers for you forever!
Today...
I made a promise to myself
Not to cry for any reason but Love
It seemed impossible a task to keep.
So I made another promise
To love and be loved for love's sake
Then it seemed worthwhile to feel.
So I loved and still love
And will continue to love
To my heart's content until I can
Then I did no promise.
For what good does promises bring
When all you can do is feel and care and love... Always.
About Ms. B
- Ms.B
- Hi! your friendly neighbor Architect who loves ART eternaly... and poetry is my PASSION!
