Saturday, November 26, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011, November 24

Our hearts replete with thankfulness. With gratitude for all blessings and mercies, not only today, but each day of our lives.

For this Thanksgiving and future Thanksgivings to come, a 13 minute video essay by Matt Zoller Seitzcalled “Feast." He selected “images of food—and the preparation of food” from movies old and new. How many can you identify?
Credits at end of the video.

http://www.movingimagesource.us/articles/feast-20091124

Friday, November 18, 2011

The Varsity Year by Sister

My younger sister Soki's post on her cross country HS senior runner son.

The Varsity Year

They did it! When all of New York's professional football teams bowed and lost to their rivals in the league one Fall weekend, our local cross country team stepped forward and scheduled a Recognition Night for our teenagers. It was a wonderful thing. It was a night when teachers, siblings and parents came to give sixteen happy seniors a standing ovation. These teenagers deserved it for not giving up on the running program facilitated by their coach, mentor, and adviser whom they call "Coach Raff". They ran together for four years! This last one, being the varsity year when schedules had to be tweaked, race courses diverted, summer and fall practices shortened caused by two hurricanes, rain, more rain, and snow. And yet, they were all there.

As a novice runner, we signed him up in 7th Grade for modified cross country under Coach White. She nurtured each of her runners under her wing. (The goal of the sport is to eventually be finishers of a 5K race, or 3.1 miles). Every year, he improved. He grew taller, stronger, and healthier. He never mentions his past accomplishments. He never mentions the disappointments either.

So here is where I come in. There were many mementos: NY Public High School Scholar-Athlete award, Varsity letter Certificate, "goldified" medals with inscriptions, apples, T-shirts, ice cream, and bragging rights for the Boys team as they finished first, second, third during various Mid-Hudson Athletic League (MHAL) races. (This is the local championships held at the end of a cross country season). Looking back, this also included a memorable experience as a freshman. He was lucky to be part of the cross country team that retired the "keg" for successfully winning the MHALs for four straight years under their winningest coach, “Coach Raff”. What an honor!

Still there is one award he cherishes more than any prized hardware which he keeps on his bookcase: The “Most Improved Runner" trophy he attained as a beginner, five years ago, exploring the road. If you talk to him now, he will tell you that apart from the sport requiring discipline, good work ethic, pacing, Tiger Balm, ice pack, and endurance, he soon figured out that to succeed, he had to motivate himself to work on his speed and mental toughness, so he can sprint and finish strong --with a good kick in the end! He gained a wider perspective too. That's what kept him going.

Contrary to any other sporting event where the arena is contained and one gets instant gratification as an athlete performs in front of a cheering crowd, this sport is run quietly when no one is looking. For signing up, showing up, and finishing a race is satisfaction unto itself. This is why it means a lot to him when coach congratulates and says quietly: "Thank you for sticking with the program, Anthony."

Warm regards,
~ S
11/15/2011

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Thank you, maraming salamat po, dacal a salamat, mabbalo, muchas gracias, Dios ti ag-ngina.

Monday, August 1, 2011 at 10:44am

Dear Family and Friends,

I resisted joining Facebook or any other social network for the longest time because emails, e groups, and the blogs were enough to keep me busy and abreast of my community of family and friends. My brother Dodo got me going as he was planning early (just the way he is) for Mama's 85th and Papa's 84th birthday bash in Singapore last year. He said, you can limit this to family, so we can share photos and videos, etc.

I relented, and little did I know what was ahead once I joined FB! I found a lot (really!) of family, friends and classmates from long, long ago. (Yes, I am a baby boomer.) Friends of family, friends of friends, classmates of my siblings, a wide web of community from far and near. We are connected because we were once together.

Here is a song I cherish, I'd like to dedicate to you, as a thank you. This is by Florante, an original Pinoy music (OPM), Handog, Offering. With English translation. I see it meant for parents, mentors, helpful friends - aren't we all to one another?

Tatanda at lilipas din ako
Nguni't mayroong awiting
Iiwanan sa inyong ala-ala
Dahil, minsan, tayo'y nagkasama.

"I will grow old and will be gone. but there is a song I will leave for your memories, because there was a time we had been together."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9dFAhYRhuU&feature=share

Thank you, maraming salamat po, dacal a salamat, mabbalo, muchas gracias, Dios ti ag-ngina. God bless you all.
Guia

The Grandeur of the Rockies, His Grandeur

Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 11:50pm

C. completed a week's bicycling up the Colorado Rockies with the Colorado Rocky Mountain Bike Tour. The 250 hard core bicyclists biked through Grand Junction to Hotchkiss, to Gunnison, to Buena Vista, to Glenwood Spings, to Hotchkiss, then back to Grand Junction. They climbed through several mountain passes: the scenic Grand Mesa (elevation 10,000-11,000 feet), Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Forest, Cottonwood Pass and Independence Pass on the Continental Divide (elevation 12,126 Feet). A day's ride and drive was typically about 80 miles.

The Continental Divide, the "Great Divide" of North America, is a high point that separates major watersheds and river systems. The southeastern side of the divide flows down to the Arkansas River, to the Mississippi River, and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. The northwest side would lead to the Gunnison River, the Colorado River and finally into the Pacific Ocean.

The weather was mild and pleasant; cold, especially in the mornings. One appreciated the cool mountain breezes after coming from a hot, humid summer and RAGBRAI in Iowa (elevation 1000-2000 feet).

Maia and I were C.'s support staff, his groupie, his sherpas, although we camped comfortably in hotels while some toughed it out with nature around the towns' high schools. We did a lot of reading, Zumba dancing, TV time, singing and dancing in the car with the long rides (particularly the 2 day trek from Iowa to Colorado), movies (Captain America and Rise of the Planet Apes), and preparing our sandwiches when not on the road. We appreciated City Market's deli and ice cream as we only had two restaurant meals while in CO (Mother's in Buena Vista, Ribs in Glenwood Springs).

Maia and I will not forget our trek of 25 miles through Gunnison National Forest, a narrow two lane gravel road climbing up to 10,00+ feet above sea level, where we were at the ravine side (!). I inadvertently followed the GPS' directions and not the bicyclists' route through paved, regularly traversed roads from Hotchkiss to Paonia, despite C's advice. I didn't listen and did not think through the route. I, the driver, not particularly fond of heights (discovering this through trips to Sta Fe Mountains in the Philippines, the Banaue Rice Terraces, the Empire State building, the St. Louis Arch, and paragliding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico), was the responsible adult (!). Maia was the able navigator, but I sensed a hint of anxiety. There were scant vehicles passing through, there were no homes because it is a national forest. We saw cattle and forest mice by the road, waiting to cross. I was grateful we were in the U.S. of A., and not through the mountains of South America; that afforded me a great sense of security. The vistas were grand and beautiful, though. C. called it an "adventure." I call it a "lesson" learned, to use one's brain and not totally rely on the computer.

The Rocky Mountains is composed of several ecosystems. The towering peaks and deep valleys are made of igneous (from fire) and metamorphic rock. The mountains were sculpted by glaciers of yore. The riparian (wetland) ecosystem have 150 lakes and 450 miles of streams with lush plant life. Forests of pine and grassy hillsides dominate the montane (mountain) ecosystem. As one gains elevation, the subalpine (below the alpine) ecosystem will have bent and gnarled bodies of spruce and fir trees, indicative of hard summers and harder winters near the mountain tops. The alpine tundra is the highest, as in the Independence Pass. This land is too harsh for trees and appears barren, but there is dense carpet of plants with areas of snow (even in the summer). There is a wide variety of fauna, but we only saw deer, cattle and mice, since we stayed on the roads.

We were "assaulted" with vistas and vistas of beautiful grand views of forests of pine, aspens, grassland, rocks, rivers and streams with each turn. It was truly grandeur, grandiose. The quiet and serenity afforded one to delve in prayer, reflection, meditation and gratitude. It is a beautiful place; it is a beautiful world. God is gracious; God is good.


Ref: National Park Service, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm

Sunday, May 8, 2011

The First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, and Motherhood

C. and I were among the throngs who were at the University of Northern Iowa Spring Commencement yesterday.

We were guests of Douglas, head of Mathematics, and wife Prescilla. Prescy is our classmate Christopher's sister. It is indeed a small world to unexpectedly find a family of your friend and classmate in a distant city you're settling in.

Mrs. Obama encouraged the young graduates as they forge into their future. She spoke about family values, service to the community, finding one's passion, and openness to ideas as essential to one's future. We delighted in her references to Iowa - the viral interlude dance, Ali Farokhmanesh of the 2010 basketball team which beat Kansas, memories of the presidential campaign days. She seemed to have memorized her speech.

Mrs. Obama graduated from Princeton and Harvard, presitigious, elite, universities; became a high powered lawyer, but eventually decided to work for the community. She has hence stopped working as a lawyer (also because her spouse is now our President). Her passions are now in preventing childhood obesity with her "Let's Move!" program, supporting military families, promoting the arts, and of course, being the loving and caring mother to their daughters, Malia and Sasha, and wife to President Obama.

I thought I saw a little glimpse of me in her, albeit in the most miniscule way. A demanding, stressful career to be, education in a highly selective university, was not for naught, because a more important task of taking care of the family was at hand. C. wanted me to be home for our 2 daughters, who surprisingly have similar names with the 2 first daughters, Maia and Issa, or am I stretching it a bit too much? The family's visa was guaranteed through my work in physical therapy also. He says one should not be defined by one's profession. I am busy enough, with my work and the home. I keep the fire burning. He did not want me stressed. O sige na nga (yes). All mothers are working mothers. The family is my center. Happy Mother's day! Love and prayers to all.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Easter Sunday 2011

The sun was shining today after weeks of bleak, cold, rain and a snowfall last week. It is Easter! Christ has risen, allelujah! Warmth and light has come.

Easter, like Christmas, fills the Church to the brim with parishioners celebrating Christ's rising from the dead. Everyone in their Sunday best, the little girls in pretty spring dresses, little boys in suits and shirts, celebrating this most auspicious day, second only to Christmas. The Altar was adorned with pink and purple hydrangea and white tulle, ethereal by itself, was draped by the altar.

The Service of Light, Baptism and Confirmation of new adult members were held at the Easter vigil. Our friend Felipe was instrumental in preparing the candidates, inactive Catholics or non baptized candidates, through the process of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

The Paschal candle was blessed and lit at this Easter vigil, from which all of our candles were lit. This is the candle that will be used for all services, baptisms, funerals to remind us that "Christ is light and life."

We renewed our Baptismal vows and were sprinkled with the Holy Water. The fonts are now filled with holy water.

The Gloria in Excelsis Deo was sung for the first time since before Lent except on Holy Thursday, and the church bells rang.

I remember being part of little angels growing up in Tuguegarao, as organized by Sr. Felici du Rosaire of St. Paul College, with the choice angel taking the veil off Mother Mary. We celebrated this at midnight and being about 7 years old, you can see that the excitement and anticipation of being raised up to lift Mary's veil or simply being part of this angelic group, would keep all of us awake.

Where there was silence during Lent, now there is music and gladness.

Happy Easter - peace, joy, light and graces to you all.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Holy Thursday 2011

Today at sunset of Holy Thursday, Lent ended and the Triduum began, the three days of Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday that commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Tonight's Holy Thursday Mass, a celebration of the Lord's Last Supper with His apostles, was beautiful, solemn and touching; a feeling I've always felt each time at this service. The beautiful songs sang by our Celebration Singers enhanced the solemnity of the service. The Mass is rich in symbolism and meaning. It is held in the evening because Passover began at sundown.

The presentation of the 3 holy oils previously blessed by the Archbishop started the service: the Oil of Chrism (used in confirmation), Oil of the Sick, and Oil of Catechumen (used in baptism and ordination).

The altar servers rang the bells continuously during the Gloria, as the bells will then be silent until the Easter Vigil. There is no Mass celebrated until Easter.

The washing of feet of 12 apostles was performed after the Homily. In John 13:1-17 Jesus instructs his apostles, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet." We are commanded to serve others humbly according to His example.

Father Kopacek, with his beautiful voice, sang the Consecration, where our Lord Jesus at the Last Supper, changed bread and wine into His most holy Body and Blood, and offered them in sacrifice to all. This is the essence. The Last Supper was also when Jesus instituted Priesthood.

The service concluded with a procession around our church, with the Blessed Sacrament brought to the altar of Repose (where the consecrated hosts are kept for Good Friday since Mass is not celebrated that day). A light shone from above, illuminating the Blessed Sacrament at the altar of Repose. The church's altar was later stripped bare. The holy water fonts were empty.

The Church was open till late for Adoration. By staying in prayer with the Lord, we joined others and the disciples who tried, but were unable to stay awake in Jesus’ hour of need. In the Philippines, the Visita Iglesia (Church visits) is practiced, where seven churches are visited It is said that this practice probably originated in Rome where seven pilgrim churches are visited for penance.

We all left in silence, contemplative.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Ash Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs 40 days before Easter.

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of forty day liturgical period of prayer and fasting, just as Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert before his public ministry, where he was unsuccessfully tempted by Satan.

The priest, minister or officiating lay person, marks the forehead of the participant with black ashes in the shape of a cross, which the worshiper retains until it wears off, considered a sign of the faithful. The priest or minister says this as ashes are applied to the forehead,
Remember that thou art dust, and unto dust thou shalt return.
—Genesis 3:19
I find these words very strong and meaningful, and try to live my life guided by this powerful message. What is essential to me is invisible to the eye - not attached to material goods, goodness and kindness is what constitutes my sense of peace and accomplishment.

Ashes on the foreheads of the faithful is a sign of mourning and repentance to God. Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance. The ashes used are the previous year's burned Palm Sunday.

In the Catholic Church, ashes, being sacramentals, may be given to anyone who wishes to receive them as opposed to Catholic sacraments, which are generally reserved for church members. I missed receiving the the ashes this year because I still have not fully recovered from my flu yet. This is 'another' first day where I feel strength and comfort, hopeful that it lingers on.

The Lenten season is here, a time of reflection, prayer, and service, contemplating the Lord's 40 days of prayer and fasting before He embarked on his life's work. Let us immerse in it.

Let us also offer our prayers to those affected by the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, that the may suffer no more, that they may receive the help they need to recover and be comfortable. We also offer our prayers in gratitude for sparing us. Amen.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The Martha Graham Dance Company in Des Moines

The Martha Graham Dance Company, accompanied by DSM Symphony, was enjoyed by all. We, with Issa's friend Suzanne, were entertained by quintessential Graham ballet pieces.

Appalachian Spring, "Ballet for Martha," 1944, is a classic, with my favorite heartwarming folk song Simple Gifts by Aaron Copland.

I did not fully get the story of Cave of the Heart, 1946, until I read the program notes. Yes; love, betrayal, vengeance - so sad.

Diversion of Angels, 1948, was love in colors: white as mature love, red as erotic love, yellow as adolescent love. I enjoyed this best because it was more classical ballet, instead of modern American dance which confuses me.

The dancers were all beautiful - toned, strong yet graceful, well trained in their craft.

Joie de vivre's back

I was ghastly sick for 3 days last week, downed with a virulent case of flu. Fever, chills, body aches, a hacking cough, colds, weakness - delirious. I could hardly press Maia's speed dial from being so weak. Maia was home because of school conference. I quarantined myself because I did not want her to get sick right before a big state dance performance in DSM, 1 of 2 girls in her HS chosen to the All State Dance Honors Team (240 of 500+ who auditioned). I longed for the evening when my C. would come home & take care of me, and all is well with the world again.

I am thankfully well now, several pounds lighter, feeling much better. Joie de vivre back. Giving thanks to the good Lord.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Sacrament of Confirmation,02-27-2011

Today, 87 junior HS Catholic kids, Maia among them, along with 11 adults, received the sacrament of Confirmation, officiated by the most reverend Archbishop Hanus, along with parish pastors Rev. Juhl of Blessed Sacrament, Rev. Jaeger of Sacred Heart, Rev. Kopacek of St Edward, and Rev. Comparan of Queen of Peace. Deacons Herman, Larsen, Real and Weber assisted in the celebration. John Angotti, along with the Columbus Catholic Choir and Katherine Loher, provided the beautiful music.

The candidates spent many hours preparing for this day, reflecting, praying, doing community service, and finally receiving the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. As Archbishop Hanus said, Confirmation makes them full fledged members of the Catholic Church, thus needing special graces to be able to fulfill their roles and responsibilities as members of the Church. They received the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit when they were anointed with the oil of Chrism. The gifts are: the spirit of [I] wisdom and [2] understanding,the spirit of [3] right judgment and [4] courage,the spirit of [5] knowledge and [6] reverence.and the spirit of [7] wonder and awe in His presence.

God bless thee young soldiers of our faith.