An Endangered and Angry Nature

The intensity and magnitude of the aftermath of Typhoon Sendong in Negros Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City showed us the rage of nature.  I associate it with “Rage of an Angel”, the bestselling suspense novel by Sydney Sheldon.  Synonymous terms as anger, wrath or rage mean the same but the magnitude or the severity of the disaster vary.  The Golden Rule is designed for a harmonious relationship between human beings.  It is likewise applicable between man and nature as we recently experienced. 

Last December 16, 2011 at about 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon, we  were all set to join Kuya Cipring/Ate Mary Lauron in Liloan, Cebu on our way to Panalipan, Catmon, Cebu to express our empathy to the Manalili Family for the death of Ate Vangie‘s mother, Mana Gorgonia Cole (with 3 years more to become a centenarian).  The BCBP Consolacion group consisted of Ate Norma Caminade, Ate Erma Sangco, Kuya Gad/Ate Carmen Macasero, and my wife, Judy with me driving. Along the way still in Tayud, Consolacion (the alternate road for a lighter traffic), we encountered the heavy downpour of rain with a very low visibility that I had to drive at 20 – 30 km/hr following the car ahead with the same speed with full lights on.  Judy led the group in prayer and we contemplated on the Sorrowful Mysteries.  Instantly, I recalled the BCBP Mactan Mission Team for Ormoc City being caught in a typhoon at the beach house in Albuera, Leyte owned by the family of Ate Carmen L. Sto. Domingo.  Like sus (the local term for the fresh water, black, spirally elongated shells approximately 4-5 cm long distinctly characterized to be grouping together in clusters), we recited the Holy Rosary led by Ate Litz Tan.  In those similar situations, our prayers were answered.  The latest encounter was quite scary and life threatening.  In Compostela, I sensed the explosion of lightning and thunder as if we were hit head-on so that in a quick response, I had to step heavily on the brakes unexpectedly hard-pushing my passengers forward.   But, it did not deter us from praying that we eventually reached our destination safe and sound with the food for us waiting prepared by Ate Vangie and Kuya Maning.  The sumptuous dinner relieved us from fear recharging ourselves to celebrate and continue living our respective lives.

During the Holy Mass and Novena for the dead thereafter, I pondered on the opportunity to die naturally at a ripe old age leaving behind a legacy of good deeds.  The 116 years old Japanese, Shigechiyo Izumi advises, “… the best way to lead a long life is simply, ‘not to worry’ (Mike Parker. The World’s Most Fantastic Freaks.  p. 136)”.  But, how can we be worry-free looking at the most recent effects of an endangered and angry nature?  The joy of the Christmas Season this year is coupled with sadness especially to those directly affected.  


Some may have abstract ideas of what is going on with the world.  Bob Hope claims, “It’s a wonderful world.  It may destroy itself, but you’ll be able to watch it on TV.” (In: Charles Swindoll’s Favorite Stories and Illustrations. p. 622).  We saw the destruction of tsunami in Japan last March 2011 through the television.  The TV and video footages of the actual events of Typhoon Sendong surely touched all of us.  Personally striking was the footage of the 24 minutes rising water in Cagayan de Oro City showing evacuees moving-in to a safer house.  That time span submerged the gate and house that ended the documentation.  It brought me to a similar incident many years back.     

Forty (40) years ago (December 1971), I experienced the same scenario.  As a graduating and working student in high school, I lived nearby the campus of the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception (FCIC), Baybay, Leyte.  During that heavily raining afternoon, we observed that water was flowing and rising.  The house where I lived was located at the southern side of Dungcaan Bridge.  Accordingly, the overflowing river resulted from the clogging of the bridge by a high volume of debris that consisted of logs, timber, lumber and possibly a number of animals and human beings flushed from the mountain. (That extremely large volume of materials were later seen deposited in the beaches covering at least 5-6 kilometers from the town towards the north excluding the southern side.)  We vacated our place when water rose from knee-high to hip-deep.  I held and guided 2 children of the household towards higher grounds at the Convent of the Franciscan Sisters.  Fortunately, the bridge broke astonishingly wiping the flood water that allowed us to return safe and secured. 

After 4 decades, we continue to experience the rage of an endangered nature because of our irresponsible environmental management.  In addition, there is global warming, climatic change and more. In our own small ways, as a family, we seriously consider the ethics of permaculture.  In April 2011, Judy and I met a septuagenarian green-thumbed woman who shared with us several planting materials.  I gained from her the insight to plant, plant and plant regardless of the distance and method of planting.  She owns and operates a nature’s park and mountain resort overlooking Cebu City.  

Lately, before 2011 ended, I joined “Love or Above” through the world-wide web.  I attempted to attend the online event but due to technical inability and the very slow flow, I discontinued in the meantime.  This is the first time I encountered the term webinar which means a seminar in the web or internet.  For me, the www or the 3w is not just info dissemination but strengthening of the "web of life". 

Appealing and strongly attractive is the invitation of its founder, “… to become a force for planetary shift….. turn on your spiritual gifts fully to make your inner light brighter ….. a life filled to the brim with love, abundance, joy, pleasure and fun.”  


For 2012, I go the extra mile to attain financial abundance and freedom and attract all good things, keeping in mind my personal mission statement ("Holistic being and living" posted Jan 25, 2011 in my website).   With me in my pilgrimage and life's journey are life coaches, Christie Marie Sheldon and her “Love or Above Team” and the "Life Optimizing and Strategic Business Coaches": Dr. Rubino, Ms. Henson and Ms. Mulac, www.support@cprsuccess.com.  


I invite you to open or visit www.loveorabove.com/special to raise our individual vibrations and increase our respective energetic frequencies. nmg    

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[1] A reflection of the CDO, Iligan and Negros natural disasters caused by Typhoon Sendong (Dec.  16-17, 2011).

Significance of the Insignificant

Opening the facebook last December 6, 2011 impressed me with the message from my natural and organic farming friend, Rev. Fr. Domingo Saladaga, OAR. It is about "blessing and missing".  Accordingly, we should have a big and open heart to appreciate the blessings to celebrate life and eyes to see what are missing.  Sorry, I miss the whole quotation.  Anyway, I responded with, "The message is rhythmic, poetic and realistic that makes you an effective pastoral poet. Certainly, I am applying it in my daily living". In fact, I have posted last December 2007 the following article with a parallel message.


When I was still connected with an agricultural state college, I was involved in a trilogy of functions.  I was engaged in 50% instruction, 30% research and 20% extension.

Using an appropriate experimental design, we conducted agricultural researches or field trials as part of my research activities.  I did these projects together with my research assistants.  Data gathered were analyzed following the procedure of the analysis of variance (ANOVA).  Test results varied.  One could be not significant (ns) or insignificant.  Sometimes, variations were significant at 5% level of significance or simply significant (with a single asterisk*) or significant at 1% level of significance meaning highly significant (with a double asterisk**).  As the results and discussion were documented and presented, we were obliged to support, explain and point out implications and reasons of the insignificance or significance of the outcome.  These explanations and discussion eventually supported our conclusions and recommendations.

That was in the academe and research institution.  Now, with a different perspective and dealing with the realities of life, I find “significance of the insignificant” striking and thought-provoking.  This is a section of Chapter 7, “Mary’s little lamb” in the book, “Growing Deep in the Christian Life: Essential Truths for Becoming Strong in the Faith” by Charles Swindoll (pp. 121-133).

I find it most appropriate and fitting to stress the “significance of the insignificant” this Christmas season.  Are we aware that, “every Christmas season, the significant seems to get lost among the insignificant?”  We can cite situations as presented by Kuya Benson Tompong in his talk on the “Christian Personal Relationships” last December 7, 2007 teaching night.  Technological advancements, the quest for comfortable, easy and entertained lives associated with a lifestyle of vanity are among the many factors that lead us to selfish motives.  Being selfish and self-centered blind us that the non-essentials or insignificant things in life are given priority.  I agree that indeed, “our world continues to be caught in the web of insignificant things like busy commerce, the profit-and-loss issues of life”.

Are we wise enough to see the significant in the midst of the insignificant?  Let us ask the grace of aiming for God’s wisdom (1 Kings 3:28) in this age of materialism.

During the time of Augustus Ceasar, tax collection was considered a significant event when he ordered a census to strengthen his Roman Empire.  However, “the most significant thing happened in a manger” in Bethlehem (Bethlehem meaning the “house of bread” in Hebrew).

Have we asked Jesus Christ to be born and occupy our insignificant manger, our respective hearts? Let us give Him the first place of honor and authority in our lives!.

St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775), founder of the Passionists, strongly encourages us to “celebrate the feast of Christmas everyday, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit, remaining like a baby in the bosom of the heavenly Father, where you will be reborn each moment in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ” (Misyon, Nov-Dec, 2007). nmg

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[1] Featured in SIDLAK, BCBP Consolacion Quarterly Magazine, Oct – Dec 2007.

Tragic faces of death

This Halloween feature is triggered by Jeje Caintic, my niece now based at Italy when she shared the meaning of the occasion.

Pamilya gimasaker sa amahan was the October 17, 2011 headline of Sun.Star Super Balita.  I paid a total of two thousand seven hundred pesos for obstruction of traffic and towing.  I am not used to buy newspaper but that Monday morning intrigued me with what I heard about a parricide and suicide in Talisay City, Cebu of the Ponce family.  I was driving our ISUZU Elf loaded with 2 cu. m. of gravel when I bought the newspaper.  The truck engine stopped and did not start allowing the Mandaue City's towing business make money as quick as lightning inconsiderate of the less than a kilometer towing.  Those incidents were horrifying! Two (2) years earlier, I have documented the following tragic faces of death:

The incident that happened after our breakfast fellowship at San Narciso Parish Pastoral Center in Consolacion, Cebu last October 24, 2009 reminded me of several ways how physical life is terminated.  A relatively old man committed suicide by nose-diving from the skywalk near the venue like he was plunging into a swimming pool.  It was an awful and pitiful sight for all of us in the Community who saw his fresh and bubbling blood oozing from his nose and mouth with his face flat on the cemented road.  His shoulders jerked for a few moments for his last breath.  In the afternoon, the intercessory group prayed for his eternal rest and for his family’s relief from their grief.

That tragedy brought me to vividly fearful flashbacks.  When I was still a kid at 8 years old, I spent sleepless nights being haunted with the imagery of the bloated boy floating nearby.  In Mantahan, Maasin, So. Leyte, we were living near the seashore and during high tide, sea water was under our rented house.  The poor boy drowned a day before while together with his elder brother, they were fishing with the hook and line.  I saw that freak accident.  He was caught by a huge wave and was not found that fateful afternoon.

I was a witness to a revengeful murder when I was still in College.  I was among the crowd of onlookers standing around the basketball court where the benefit dance of our barrio was held in Kilim, Baybay, Leyte.  A neighbor who was a ‘dirty’ basketball player was stabbed to death.  It was very frightening and terrifying because he was only an arm away in front of me.  His basketball opponent that afternoon who was the murderer ran from the other side of the road towards his victim thrusting the 2 feet long and sharp bolo.  It is still fresh in my mind how the pointed tip of the murder weapon stroke his back piercing through his abdomen.  It sounded like the bolo forcefully penetrated into a soft banana trunk.  Tsakk!!  It happened at about midnight right after the music ended and everyone dancing was seated.  Dramatically, the victim was able to walk toward the center of the dance ground with the weapon stuck in his body until he collapsed to his death.  I trembled with the afterthought, “What if I was a mistaken target?” I could have been classified “being in the wrong place at the wrong time”.  I was so horrified that we kept discussing about it until morning without sleep.

One early bright morning on our way to a field trip to visit an “integrated farm” in Tacloban City to enrich the theoretical and classroom instruction of my students (Dept. of Horticulture, ViSCA, Baybay, Leyte), we were shocked to see an able bodied and robust man on top of his pedal operated cab newly killed. Our school bus was the first to arrive at the ”scene of the crime” (SOC).  Everyone of us in the bus had a strategic view of the man heinously gunned down point-blank at the head.  There was no blood but a clear sticky fluid with his saliva dripped from his mouth like a slaughtered pig.  Later, we learned that the casualty was a rebel returnee salvaged by his “comrade in arms”.    

The foregoing tragic faces of death are contrasted with the peaceful death of my mother-in-law (1996), my father-in-law (1999) and my own mother (2007).  Accordingly, “death can be seen as birth”.  “At the end of the birth canal, it seems fierce, portentous and full of pain.  Similarly, death is a scary tunnel and we are being sucked toward it by a powerful force” (Philip Yancey, Where Is God When It Hurts?).

To a man who has not lived nor died, it is declared: “There was a very cautious man, who never laughed nor played.  He never risked, he never tired, he never sang or prayed.  And when one day he passed away, his insurance was denied.  For since he never really lived, they claimed he never died.” nmg 

A eulogy for Kuya Paskie

“Kuya Paskie, ang imong mga buluhaton ug responsilidad sa imong pamilya, sa Philippines Network of Rural Development Institutes (PhilNet) ug sa Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) naputol sa imong hinanaling kamatayon apan ang atong relasyon ug ang imong mga maayong binuhatan magpadayon. ‘Your earthly life ended not our relationship’ (Mitch Albom , Tuesdays with Morrie).” 

Brothers and Sisters, are you familiar with the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr. Stephen Covey? To begin with the end in mind is the second habit that struck me that keep ringing in my mind.  In fact, I have written my personal reflection about my own death 3 years ago.  Recently, I have posted it in my website in honor of the meaningful and fruitful memories I have with Kuya Paskie.

On occasions like this, the Celebration of Life through the death of our dear, worthy and respected brother and friend, let us be reminded that “God does not tell us when we are going to die because He wants it to be a big surprise”.   Indeed, Kuya Paskie’s untimely death is a big surprise and a great loss for us in the Brotherhood (BCBP).  We in the BCBP Community share the sorrow that the family experience.  In behalf of the BCBP Consolacion Chapter and in my capacity as the Mission Director, I am tasked to deliver this eulogy expressing our common feeling of an intimate personal relationship with him.  This is also an acknowledgement of a valuable legacy he left behind.  Certainly, this relationship and legacy keep him alive in our hearts and minds.

Allow me to reveal a brief inside story with the hope that this revelation will lead us to know God more and see Christ being alive in each one of us.  Ate Pureza and my wife, Judy were high school classmates (Class ‘74 in St. Joseph’s Academy, Mandaue City). It was easier to convince Ate Pureza to join the Community but not with Kuya Paskie.  He had reservations and doubts regarding the sincerity of the renewal with his negative impressions from his hometown in Tacloban City.  I learned and understood how engrossed he was with his official duty as the regional coordinator of PhilNet.  He was too busy with his official and work-related trips that he had lesser time with his family and no way to spare with the BCBP.  You know?  God works in mysterious ways!  Through our fervent prayers and his exposure to the BCBP way of life, he attended the Christian life program (CLP) for the second time and finally committed after he declined and stopped with his first attendance.  In our intimate and personal interactions through our action group or prayer meetings, he used to express that his marital status lacked moral ascendancy.  He was an ex-Redemptorist missionary priest.  We prayed for his dispensation from Rome. 

           

With God’s Grace and upon special consideration or dispensation, Ate Pureza and Kuya Paskie singled out Judy and me as the second couple to serve as their wedding sponsors among the 2 couples they had fondly chosen.  Filled with thanksgiving and excitement, our BCBP unit and action group where they belong decided not to join the 27^th BCBP National Anniversary in Cagayan de Oro City because it coincided with their scheduled Church wedding.  We supported and celebrated with them the Solemnity of their Marriage Vows at the Holy Family Retreat House, Nivel Hills, Cebu City last April 28, 2007.  I remember the envious opening comment of the Solemnizing Redemptorist priest, “Paskie, how do you feel being there to be married? …. You have almost completed all the Sacraments of the Catholic Church!!.”

After that, they qualified to participate in the marriage retreat by November of the same year. Basically, he regained his moral ascendancy.  In one of the Novena Masses during his wake, Fr. Emy Maningo, a Redemptorist priest claimed that “Kuya Paskie has a vocation within a bigger vocation”.  

We in the BCBP Consolacion Chapter can testify his all-out commitment to support the vision and mission of the BCBP through his unconditional services being the Breakfast Head.  The regular Saturday breakfast fellowship is our venue to introduce and acquaint new comers and prospective members of the Community.  Being able and capable to respond to multi-tasking, he also acted as our deeply-spirited Intercessory Head.  Kuya Benson Tompong finally accepted the task of being the Chapter Head with the personal commitment and assurance of Kuya Paskie’s moral, physical and spiritual support.

Along with his zeal to serve, Kuya Paskie was our model who taught us the virtues of humility and simplicity being down-to-earth.  He was very diligent, prompt and orderly in managing or administering his duties and responsibilities being a reliable and dependable brother in the service of the Lord.

Personally, our partnership, brotherhood and friendship went beyond BCBP.  We shared the same passion.  He and I love farming.  Through him, I met and increased my circle of friends with whom I share the common advocacy on the virtue of honesty and the spread of our desire for natural, organic farming.  In a seminar/workshop with PhilNet way back in 2008, he introduced me to Tatay Lolong Alfar and Sir Bob Bajenting (who are retired employees with the Department of Agrarian Reform Reg. 7, the latter being the President of the Cebu Coalition for Food Security); Mr. Claro Deguit of PhilNet; Rev. Fr. Domingo Saladaga, AOR (Parish Priest of La Consolacion Parish, Laray, Cebu City); Sir Bimbo Fernandez of Panagtimbayayong (an NGO for the urban poor in Cebu City) Dr. Margallon, MD who spearheads natural, organic farming activities in Alegria, Cebu and many more.

 “Kuya Paskie, thank you very much for connecting me to these valuable people who are my allies to care for the earth, care for the people and care for the future. You have gone ahead of us and we will definitely follow but as to when and how, only God knows.   Your family, relatives and friends; brothers and sisters in the Community and all co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord keep you alive in our hearts and minds.  We ask you to prepare a place for us being our intercessor at the highest heavenly level in the bosom of our Almighty Father.  In faith, we believe to see you again and be reunited with you in Heaven.  Amen.” nmg     

Begin with the end

Note: Being assigned to deliver the eulogy on October 14, 2011 in behalf of BCBP Consolacion Chapter for our late and dear brother, Kuya Paskie, a.k.a. Pascual Tabuac, Sr., I am posting what I have written 3 years ago.


 “To begin with the end in mind” is the second of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” that Dr. Covey conveys to us.  I am stuck up with this especially on visualizing what my family, relatives and friends, brothers and sisters in the BCBP and my farm workers have to say during the eulogy as to who I was in my lifetime.  Indeed, death is the ultimate example of an “end”.  However, we have many “ends” which we can possibly do while still alive.

In September 2004, I was requested by the widow of my cousin to say something during his wake.  Unprepared, I pointed out a few things about our relationship.  I focused on his desire to serve the Lord full-time because he contemplated to avail of an early retirement.  His brothers and sisters in the Couples for Christ (CFC) were delighted to know his plan but the Lord took him instead in his golden age.

Lately, I dreamed that he readily lent me his clothes to keep me from nakedness.  I realized I forgot to reveal the secret of his conversion.  His elder son was responsible for influencing and bringing him to his spiritual renewal.

Another of my lapses was during the eulogy of the late Kuya Pete Boqueren, an air force colonel and a dear brother of BCBP Mactan.  I should have saluted like the others who paid tribute and thanked him for his admirable gesture when he was still alive.  In spite of his throat cancer, he managed to escort a priest who officiated one of the nightly Masses for my father-in-law.

Last July 4, 2008, the topic for the teaching night was about “attitude towards work” delivered by Ate Girlie Ang.  I was struck when she stated that “many died without utilizing their full potential”.  I assume it was her mere perception.  I believe that God is always giving us the opportunity to live life to the full.  “We cannot choose how many years we may live but we can decide to put life into those limited years”.

I was overwhelmed by the comprehensive presentation of Kuya Butch Gomez on the topic, “attitude towards money and wealth” during the August 8, 2008 teaching night assembly.  Both speakers shared their personal experiences related to their respective topics, the keyword of which is “attitude”.

A personal mission statement is suggested by Dr. Covey regarding our relationship with all persons we love, everyone and everything that surround the ‘circle of our influence”.

To all men of vision and mission, Charles Swindoll lays down the  a, b, c, d and e as our guide.

“[Attitude (a) is more important than facts, the past, education, money, circumstances, successes, failures, what other people say or do, appearance, giftedness or a skill.  The only thing we can do is play on the only string that we have, that is our attitude.  Life is full of surprises and the adjustment of our attitude is a lifelong project or “end”.

Belief (b) is having confidence in the power of God, confidence in others who are in similar battles with us and most especially in having confidence in ourselves by God’s grace.

God says, “You have to allow your capacity (c) to be invaded by My power.”

Determination (d) is hanging tough when the going gets rough.  It is the constant focus on God who is watching and smiling at us.

Enthusiasm (e) is a Greek word, the origin of which is entheos meaning “God is in”.  It is our ability to see God in all situations that makes all events in life exciting.]”

During one of our ‘action group’ meetings, we visualized a harmonious, united, active and spiritually growing BCBP Consolacion.  This is our goal or ‘end’ in mind.  Believing in God’s grace and providence, the group is confident that we will reach our expected ‘end’.

Our Community is one of the many ‘circles of our influence’.  Basically, we have our respective families, our workplaces or marketplaces and so forth.

Going back to Dr. Covey and still dealing with habits 1 and 2 (being proactive and beginning with the end in mind), I appreciate and admire him when he declared that, “the entire body of literature and other materials in visualization and affirmation (Habit 2) appears to have originally come out from the study of the Bible by many individuals”.  This simply means that to be effective in any of our endeavors and relationships, the Holy Bible is our basic guide and enlightenment.

Let us search, research, study and practice the remaining five (5) habits.  In the meantime, we continue to read, reflect and be guided by the Holy Bible.  nmg

Important but not Urgent

Note: Due to the sudden death of a very dear brother in the BCBP Consolacion Chapter, I recall and I am posting what I have written 5 years ago about death.


During our January 2006 Worship Assembly, I declared that one simple but important thing I asked God for this year is to be ready to meet Him when death comes.  Inspired by the perfectly attended and grace-filled “Mesa del Gallo 2005” with our only son, I resolved to actively participate in the early morning (5:30 am) Holy Mass daily for my own spiritual preparation and my loved ones especially my parents who are now in the “departure area”.

The underlying circumstances of world, national, community and personal events in life are horrifying.  We learn from the UNICEF data that the number one cause of death among 1 – 18 years old children and adolescents is vehicular accidents.  The ABS-CBN stampede claimed over 70 lives (Feb. 4, 2006).  Jake, the only son among the 4 children of Kuya Maning and Ate Miriam Conejos is in the ICU (as of this writing) because of a reckless driver (Jan. 27, 2006).  As committed and united BCBP Community, let us empathize with the family and pray for Jake’s complete healing and fast recovery.  With expectant faith, we praise and thank the Greatest Healer for restoring him back to his normal, active young life.

What personally shocked me is the delayed news about the instantaneous death of Kuya Totoy when the car he was driving was pressed, squeezed and flattened against two (2) large buses.  I only learned about it during the weekend with Fr. Herb Schnieder, SJ through the chapter head couple of BCBP Calbayog City who attended the teaching sessions (Feb. 3-4, 2006).

Consider this a tribute to a highly regarded brother who is now with our Creator.  Engr. Manuel “Totoy” and Ate Marietta Espiña are both professors of the Tiburcio Tancinco Institute of Science and Technology (TTMIST).  They were our generous hosts when Judy and I were invited to share in the BCBP Breakfast Fellowship years ago in Calbayog City.  We met again during the 24^th BCBP National Anniversary in Dipolog City on April 2004.  I am sad realizing that it turned out to be our last encounter.  That final meeting was filled with active interaction, enlightenment and consolation.  I openly made known to him my guilt feelings when I failed to prevent the suicide of Kepner, a young BCBP brother under our unit.  That timely and opportune morning until noon dialogue from Dumaguete wharf to Dapitan was uplifting because I was talking with a true and faithful messenger of God.  He unburdened me when he related and vividly recalled how he attempted to kill himself when he was only 21 years old. I opt to keep the details of his story between ourselves.  However, I wish to express my sincere admiration for his openness (although he was hesitant at first), his courage and his noble accomplishment of a holy mission that was to be reconciled with his father and mother before his parents eventually died.  The healing of relationship happened when the couple joined the BCBP.  To Ate Marietta, I offer a special prayer for spiritual strength and endurance being untimely left by Kuya Totoy childless.

Why the unexpected and tragic death?  Instead of questioning God, let us pray with humility the following personal prayer (Fr. Orbos, SVD. Inquirer Moments. Cycle B. p.8):

“Lord, when my time comes, do not call me by sudden death; not by accident that tears the body apart; not by illness that leaves my mind confused or senses impaired; not by the mercy of evil forces; not with a heart filled with hate or body racked with pain; not abandoned, lonely, without love and care; not with my own hands in moments of despair.  Jesus, let death come to me as a gentle friend to sit and linger till You call my name. Amen.”

Let us reflect and take into account a happy death to live life to the full.  The weekend teaching about the 5 moments of truth in “interpersonal relationships” by our BCBP National Director taught and guided me to seriously deal with our mortality.  How do we like to be remembered by our family, relatives and friends when we are gone?

This is an important matter but not urgent.  However, let us “do something about it” now! nmg

An added note: “In our death-denying and youth-worshipping culture, we go to great lengths to avoid facing even the smallest reminders of death.” (Peck, M.S. 1997. The Road Less Traveled and Beyond: Spiritual Growth in the Age of Anxiety. Simon & Schuster. p. 86).

    

True wealth and true life

Together, we shine with the light from the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy saying, “Let us do good, be rich in good deeds and generous sharing with others.  In this way, we shall pile up a sound capital for the future and gain true life” (1 Tim 6:18-19).

Who wants to be “truly rich” and “perfectly wealthy”? This is the same awakening and striking question I threw to the 14 couple participants during the marriage retreat last June 24-26, 2011 at Betania Retreat House, Lahug, Cebu City.  I raised this question during the exhortation when I led the opening prayer for the afternoon session during the second day.  I aimed to arouse their interest trying to inject a lively, attentive and an undivided mind.  I noted that only Ate Marie Esparcia raised her hand.  After a brief explanation, everybody was united with the same goal.

This afternoon, being tasked to set the tone of our Brotherhood Christian Business Retreat (BCBR) specifically on “goal-setting and house rules”, allow me to point out 3 important areas or components to make this overnight retreat wholesome and nearly perfect.  First and foremost is ourselves, as proactive and interactive participants. Second are the topics, presenters/speakers or resource persons and the facilitators.  The third is the venue including the food they serve, the comfort of the living quarters and session facilities.

As proactive and interactive participants, we are directly responsible for the attainment of our intentions, goals and objectives of this retreat.  In behalf of the BCBP Consolacion Chapter, I congratulate all of you who unconditionally decided to join.   Your being one with us simply shows how you “use your power of choice wisely”.  Being mature businessmen and professionals, we consider ourselves learned and experienced in our respective fields of endeavor.  However, from time to time we need realignment, reconditioning and refinement.  Let us consider this time as an “appointment for an executive check-up” with the Lord how “perfectly wealthy” we are and how “truly we live our lives”.

As we go along, let us examine and look at the different areas in our life.  From the seminar on “How to become a money magnet?”, John Calub pointed out 5 areas in our life to be wealthy: financial, physical, relational, intellectual and spiritual.  From the Catholic Serendipity Bible for Personal and Small Group Study (M 49), 6 areas are included: spiritual, physical, vocational, emotional, relational and volitional (from the noun volition meaning, the act of flying or the power of flight as in birds).  I think volitional life may refer to our desire for financial abundance, financial freedom and power. 

       

Gleaning from these areas of our life, as proactive and interactive participants, we can come up with our respective personal goals and expectations.  You may jot them down in your notebooks so that later on we may be able to reconcile whether our expectations are met.

Brothers and sisters, during this “God-appointed time” (September 10-11, 2011) , we have “God-appointed topics” to be delivered effectively by “God-appointed speakers” reflected in our schedule of activities.  Our worthy resource persons do not need formal introduction but for record-purposes, for posting in my website for the world to know and to show their experiential fitness to the assigned topics, we have:

• The renowned and fulfilled architect and interior designer, Archt Germain “Girlie” Maraya-Ang to talk on, “The Proper Attitude Towards Wealth and Money”;
• A compassionate educator and honorable President of Southwestern University (SWU), Dr. Elsa A. Suralta on, “The Christian Boss and Employee”;
• The PAL Sales Executive and our Chapter Head, Kuya Joseph Benson Tompong on, “Relating to others in the Marketplace” and the last but definitely not the least,
• A self-made man and successful real estate developer, Kuya Butch Gomez on, “Building Our Business for God”.

We have high expectations from them to do the “hard things” for God’s glory. Definitely, they also expect from us our undivided attention and cooperation. We pray that we attain our common goal, “to gain insights for our individual application on how to uphold being Christian businessmen and professionals with God as our business partner ultimately bringing honor and glory to our Rich God.”

As mature and responsible businessmen and professionals, I forego the house rules. The Sto. Niño Spirituality Center of the Augustinians here in Tolotolo, Consolacion, Cebu is an ideal venue for this retreat. From the previous retreats we held here, no one is dissatisfied unless somebody will voice out.

Integrating all concerns, goals and expectations to ”gain true wealth and true life”, let us ponder on the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, “We warn and teach everyone true Wisdom, aiming to make everyone perfect in Christ” (Col 1:28). nmg

An Assessment

The business retreat was nearly perfect. The attendance was significantly high but we missed a good number of brothers and sisters who did not make it. We, certainly, learned a lot through the spirit-filled, joyful and stress-relieving “adult-learning” exercises to uphold being Christian businessmen and professionals. The energy-filled and proactive participants from BCBP Consolacion consisted of service providers, traders, government/private employees, educators and homemakers.

Acting like little children, we enjoyed the bonding, camaraderie and informal, adult-learning experiences. Expectations were met and everybody was satisfied. All praises and glory to the Lord who is the primary object and focus of our weekend retreat. Worth documenting is what Ate Girlie Ang said, “I always have a healthy and wealthy attitude towards life. I have been through tough times when huge losses confronted the business but I remained calm, sane with my normal composure and perspective. I am a worthy daughter of God who is aware that my extremely Rich Heavenly Father who is perfect supplies me with whatever I need whenever needed. So, in any adversity, life for me is constantly perfect. I am full of hope for a brighter future to look forward to.”

Overly thrilled and excited for another weekend retreat, the Chapter decided to convene again by November 26 -27, 2011.

An afterthought

The TV documentation of the “The day the world was changed” (9/11/2001) ten (10) years ago reminds me of that weekend when our action group conducted our retreat at the St. Francis Seraph Convent, Maghaway, Talisay City, Cebu. Judy and I were the action group leaders when we were still with the BCBP Mandaue Chapter. Our goal was to heal spouse relationships. 

Stolen shot by Kuya Robert Lim, DDM (Unit Leader) while I delivered the talk.

Linking with the old and new

The following are possible answers to a “life study” question, “How receptive are you to new wine?” (Catholic Serendipity Bible for Personal and Small Group Study. Lk 5:36-39. p. 1589):

· I like things as they are.

· I accept change slowly but with God’s help, I can handle it.

· I’m all for change if I’m sure it’s God’s doing.

· I’m a revolutionary – let’s turn the world upside down.

From the Christian Community Bible, “New wine, new skin” is the caption of the Gospel according to St. Mark (Mk 2:21-22) with the same message in the Gospels of Sts. Luke and Matthew (Lk 5:36-39 and Mt 9:16-17). Literally, I view these verses remembering what Dr. R. M. Santiago (“Why do I write?” www.nestofglory.blogspot.com Jan 31, 2011) told me, “Loy, ayaw na kay bag-ong dawat. Let’s drink bahal.” He cautioned me never to drink too much from the ‘line of different wine’ for tasting in the winery as we visited a vineyard in upstate New York, U.S.A. (1984). According to him, they were comparable to the newly tapped ‘toddy or tuba’. ‘Bahalina’ is better like the aged liquor.

Anyway, I consider and analyze the above “life study” question in a different perspective. I consider myself the link (whether weak or strong) for the old and the new generation. 

I was filled with awe last August 20, 2011 as the sharer for the men’s breakfast fellowship at the BCBP Cebu Central held in Casino Español, Ranudo St., Cebu City. I was amazed and grateful because I did not expect 4 “first timers”. One of them was a sugarcane planter in Negros, the other one was an OFW broadcast engineer working in Saudi Arabia with 2 younger gentlemen. It was amazing to remember that in November 15, 2008 at the same venue and among the same group of businessmen and professionals, I invited and brought with me 4 guests. They composed of a banana planter from Davao, a new-found Singaporean friend and 2 trainors on natural, organic farming.

I was thrilled, inspired and motivated from the introduction to the less than 20 minutes witnessing, handing of the token, closing and final informal interactions among some of those interested in natural, organic farming. I was impressed and grateful to the significant introduction of the Breakfast Head (Bro. Jun Jabatan) that I’m a “man who keeps on talking about God”. I was deeply touched by the Responsorial Song and the lively closing/final song about “calling” that I heard for the first time. From the many opportunities I’ve been sharing my life story whether alone or together with my wife, this is the first time that I was handed a book as a token through Bro. Ani Serato.

I am greatly moved and disturbed by Alex and Brett Harris (young, twin brothers) who in their tender age are able to publish their second book, “Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are”. Their first book is entitled, “Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations”. (I received their second book as a token from the BCBP Cebu Central.) At sixteen, they were blogging, published the first book at nineteen and when they are twenty-one and sophomore in College, the second book is through. It is amazing how they are dreaming big dreams, “strongly believing that God wants our generation to change the world”. I checked www.therebelution.com and indeed, the blog still exists giving me the opportunity to see the twin brothers and how big and well organized their concept, plans and actions for a “Rebelution” (combination of rebellion and revolution, a teenage rebellion against low expectations to do hard things to glorify God).

In my own small ways, relatively young as I am, I have created nestofglory.blogspot.com as my ULR or my address in the web. I have been inviting relatives, old and new-found friends. Discouragingly, a relative commented, “Loy, tiguwang na ta para magblog-blog!” Borrowing a line from the Introduction of the Book, “You’re Still Young, I’m Old….”, I responded and expressed the same thought, “Technology has progressed so fast that parents nowadays need their children to teach them how to use the latest inventions.” So that in my desire to “go treasure hunting” by blogging, I sought assistance from my Applied Physics graduate daughter with my “crash course” in computer literacy.

The period from August 16 - 20, 2011 was the celebration of the World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. I creatively imagine the possibility of collaboration among the worldwide youths of this generation (the Pope John Paul II generation) for the "Rebelution. My simple and priceless contribution towards its realization is my prayer for the sustainability and the unbreakable "vital link to tradition."

Starting March 2011, I decided to allocate a portion of my monthly tithes for the construction of the Youth Center in Cebu City. I readily attended the Dinner for a Cause (August 27, 2011) for the same purpose during which time, the fifth Book by Cardinal Vidal, ”You’re Still Young, I’m Old..: A Conversation with the Youth of Cebu” was launched. Fortunately, I met and had a brief acquaintance hoping for a facebook friendship with Engr. Russel Pepito, a youth volunteer from Liloan, Cebu. Through her, I invited her parents to our BCBP Breakfast Fellowships.

Astonishingly, I was the only gentleman seated in table 39 at the Grand Convention Center where the dinner for a cause and book launching were held.  I gladly introduced myself without inhibition.  When they invited me to dine with them, I declined telling them that I am present “for a cause” no more dinner because I came from the 54^th birthday party of my wife.  Amazingly, when Bishop Jose Palma delivered the welcome address, he expressed the same, “he is present for a cause, no more dinner” because he came from the Fiesta (biesperas) at Mambaling, Cebu City.  Well, I gained 2 more young facebook friends. I invited them to be my blog followers or members. They are Jackie Reigh Abesia and Jesryl Pacquiao.

From the above “life study question”, being inspired by the “Rebelution” of Alex and Brett Harris and my desire to have a strong link between the old and the new generation, I opt for a “rebelution” ready to turn the world (to start  with the world within) upside down. nmg

     

   

The winning edge

I recall how an American woman tennis enthusiast with a sincere concern asked me, "Did you win the game?".  It was in 1984 during a study tour to some islands in Hawaii (Thanks to USAID!).  I was carrying with me a newly bought lawn tennis racket.  This memory crop up lately after a series of interactive exchange of thoughts with a Filipina earning a living in Texas, U.S.A.  It seems like we are "playing the game of life".  Who has the winning edge?  Our Creator is a Just Judge, Father of all mankind and Fair Referee in this Game (Eccl 12:13).  And so, after her "voluminous strikes" and my minimal "sure ball returns", I am writing her:

    

Dear Dinah (Dayon sa Langit),

    

Human as I am, I tend to pity you but I know you are strong.  Moreover, I am getting annoyed with what you are trying to drive at.  You are simply converting me to ride on the vehicle you are in.  I am sorry to tell you that being equipped with my doctrinal and expectant faith, I am comfortable with the mode of transport I am into though ”struggling” because of the many temptations around.  I understand that you are a committed Bible-believing Christian.  You belong to the “sola scriptura” sect.  You don’t believe in anything outside of the Holy Bible.  I respect your choice and if you are truly a Christian, you should respect mine.  Are you insensitive to the Universal Laws and the Laws of Nature?

If what you have revealed is true, that indeed you are suffering from cancer, then you should have passed the stage of questioning, “Why me, Lord?”.  I can imagine or visualize you reverently holding your Holy Bible carefully cutting through the pages trying to find the answer to this question.  If and when converting people to your ”religion” or “belief system” is your mission and purpose for relief and gratification, I suggest that you evangelize or “share the Good News” to non-believers.  Recently, I encountered a new-found friend who is a 48 years old German.  He is an atheist who coincidentally is suffering from the same kind of cancer that you have.  He is your most appropriate target or ”passenger”.  I’m sure there are a lot of people like him surrounding you whom you can win to ride with you to our ultimate destination.  I visualize this scenario as if you are like Sharon Cuneta in her marine transport commercial, “Sakay na!”.

     

I wonder why you are so mad at Christian and motivational writers. Philip Yancey is one among the several inspirational authors I am reading.  In one way or another, they certainly influence my way of living.  These authors eventually brought and inspired me to read the Holy Bible daily because their concepts and precepts in life are Bible-based.  I worry about your negative pronouncements or judgments against the person of Mr. Yancey.  Don’t you know that your actuation is libelous?  Are you not aware of the basic lesson in life, that whenever you have nothing good to say to your fellowmen, you better be silent? The judgement you pass on to them will boomerang to you.  It is slander (Lv 19:16 and Sir 19:14).  You are good at judging others (Mt 7:1-5).  I pray that you observe acquitting and condemning words (Mt 12:34-37).

I recommend to your “pastoral team” that you read Scott and Kimberly Hahn’s book, “Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism”.  I pray that you open your mind to a wider vision and a thorough search for TRUTH, the TRUTH that sets us free. I also petition for your full recovery. You are "dis-eased", not at ease. Don't you know that a disease is an external manifestation of an internal disorder usually attributed to psychological, emotional and spiritual malfunctions?

Dinah dear, at this point in time of your remaining precious life, have you formulated your “personal mission statement”?  Mine is written in the article, “Holistic being and living” posted in www.nestofglory.blogspot.com  dated January 25, 2011. I try to observe and model after Qoheleth (Eccl 12: 9-10) in my “reflective writing”.

Empathically thinking of you, your  Kabayan:


Nestor M. Gloria (nmg)

Our dreams and aspirations

The morning was wet from the overnight rain.  In fact, it was still drizzling when we conducted our prayer meeting on July 21, 2011 for the scheduled copra-making.  Only fourteen (14) were present but the six (6) groups of coconut climbers, pickers and fresh coco meat extractors were well-represented.  The considerably low attendance was due to the unfavorable weather condition, the low coconut fruiting (a natural law of gestation) and the absence of Judy as the farm owner.  The previous prayer meeting (March 24, 2011) was well-attended with Judy presiding.  Points covered were plans for farm sustainability, regrouping of coconut climbers by row or lot owner and the announcement/invitation for the April 3, 2011 birthday party in the farm for Nykko, our grandson.

Anyway, I spent the waiting period to allow the rain to fully stop and the coconut trunks to dry by sharing with them important lessons of life and living.  I acted like their “college professor” as if in a classroom but in a ”school without walls”.  Inspired, motivated and still energized with the recent edition of my life story delivered July 16, 2011 titled, Unleashing the power within, I exhorted our prayer meeting with the same tone or theme.  Extracting from them their respective dreams and aspirations, I learned how simple and satisfied they are with their economic status.  They are resigned to their poverty or “hand to mouth existence”.  They simply accept their fate.  I urged them to dream “big” and encouraged those with little children to send them to school to be educated to be able to gainfully earn a living.  “An educated man has developed the faculties of his mind that he may acquire anything he wants or its equivalent, without violating the rights of others” (N. Hill. Think and Grow Rich. p. 57).  I inculcated in them the need for cooperation with our common goal.  I reminded them that they are part of our “living system” (The first step to a big leap posted in my website, Feb 28, 2011).  I pleaded them to refrain from their irresponsible grazing of their livestock that destroy our replanted coconut seedlings.

  

I shared with them my personal experiences of struggle on how I shaped my destiny to be the person that I am today.  I expressed my frustrations with my parents and siblings in my desire to break their bondage from poverty.  They were “laughing out loud” (lol) when I related how my parents engaged themselves with masiao, a local betting because they themselves are into this kind of gambling.  Now, I understand why the rich gets richer and the poor becomes poorer.  “For the one who has will be given more and he will have abundance.  But the one who does not have will be deprived of even what he has” (Mt 13:12). 

    

Well-noted from the ”God Memorandum” (Og Mandino. The Greatest Miracle in the World. pp. 129-130) are the laws of happiness and success: “Count your blessings, proclaim your rarity, go another mile, use wisely your power of choice and do all things with love…love for yourself, love for all others and love for Me”.  Because this memorandum is from God, notice that He is last in the list to be loved.

With open hearts and minds, we ended our session with a brief prayer for peace, harmony and success.  nmg

The Law of Seven and me

July is the 7^th month of the year.  When I “Celebrated Life” during my 56^th birthday, it completed the 8 cycles of 7 years in my life.  Confidently and in all humility, I am now ready for the “new cycle of seven”.  I feel great to know myself as I am.  Is this knowledge and enlightenment a coincidence? Visualizing Mr. John Calub in his actual physical audio-visual expression, I say with high intensity, “I don’t think so!!!”

I understand that everything that happened and the “ever-expanding wealth” coming in our life are generated by the Universal Law and all the other applicable laws of the Universe.  Providentially, I am reading the Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel to concretize the lessons learned and the assignments to practice after we, as a family attended the “money magnet” and ”attracting wealth” seminars conducted by the John Calub Training, Inc.  In harmony with all members of my family, I believe that we are geared and are in the same path towards being truly wealthy in all aspects of our lives: financial, physical, relational, intellectual and spiritual wealth.  

The recent edition of my life story with the Lord for the BCBP Men’s Breakfast is titled, “Unleashing the Power within”. I shared it with the gentlemen of BCBP Cebu South on July 16, 2011 at the Sacred Heart Center, Cebu City.  “Growing in Discipleship” was the part of the “Workshop on Writing Our Life Story” conducted in the afternoon of the same date for BCBP Consolacion that I facilitated giving my inner power and energy.

I praise, glorify and thank the Master Architect and Master Planner because the insignificant individual that I am is given the opportunity to link with the Universal Mind/Energy.  I visualize the Infinite Goodness weaving our lives towards abundance, happiness, harmony and peace. Basically, this is all about the “web of life” that we deal with permaculture.

Fitting-in to the Septimal Law or the Law of Seven, I find my life to have followed a close semblance appearing the same with what is outlined in Part 16 of the Master Key System (p. 181). The period of reactions and changes (ages 36 – 42) happened when I voluntarily resigned from government employment when I was 37 years old. During the following “cycles of seven”, my social and spiritual dimensions were and will continue to be with the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) along with my family.

Over and above all the Universal Laws, the Law of Attraction, the Law of Love, etc., I conclude and say to our Good Lord, “Let Your mercy come to give me life for Your law is my delight” (Ps 119:77). nmg       

Study the Menu and Enjoy the Meal

(Note: June 26, 2011 is the Solemnity of Corpus Cristi. The day concluded the week-end marriage retreat of 14 couples of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) from Talisay City, Consolacion, Cebu Central with Cebu South as the leading Chapter.  On June 24 (Friday evening), Judy and I were honored and privileged to deliver the first talk, "Serving God through Christian Marriage".  I led the worship in the afternoon (June 25) before the talk, "Sex in Marriage" was presented.  As a couple, we headed the Liturgy.  Everyone (all BCBP servants, active members who took turns for the 48 hours non-stop intercession, the Sisters and staff of the Religious of the Virgin Mary [RVM] of the all-new Betania Retreat House in Lahug, Cebu City, the 3 confessors, the main Eucharistic Celebrant and the focal group, the spiritually awakened and maritally renewed couples with their respective family members) constituted the Body of Christ.  To this Body and all of you who may have the opportunity to read me, I am recalling what I have written 6 years ago.)   

Judy and I were privileged to teach hands-on the good manufacturing practices (GMP) of producing virgin coconut oil (VCO) at home to a relative from General Santos City last June 25 – 28, 2005. 

 

Little did we know that it was beyond the techniques of producing VCO because he opened-up not just his anxieties related to his physical health but his family concerns as well.  Their eldest son who recently graduated from UP at Los Baños (UPLB) with the degree in Chemical Engineering is breaking away from the Catholic Faith.  

In the series of our discussions and interactions, Judy shared her insights on “Reparenting the Child Within” (RCW) pointing out that their son is only a victim.

Thanks God for sparing us from this kind of predicament because four (4) years ago, our second daughter asked our permission to enroll at UP Diliman where she passed the entrance examination to pursue a degree in Applied Physics.  We had the strong feeling that with our approval, sooner or later, she will be parting from us physically and spiritually being indoctrinated with lots of intellectualism.  “Sin and intellectualism are avenues of separating ourselves from God’s Grace.”

I readily shared with my cousin the book by Scott and Kimberly Hahn entitled, “Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism”.  Overnight, I finished rereading my copy because I have been reading this book since we were serving with the Book Ministry of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Mactan Chapter six (6) years ago.

Allow me to echo and re-echo the challenges of this couple to us Catholics to become Bible Christians and vice versa.  Let us study our Catholic Faith to know what we believe and why we believe it.  Let us read the Word of God, believe and live it daily to make our faith infectious.  “We need more contagious Catholics.”

Accordingly, Bible Christians have the Bible in hand with lots of zeal far more with less while many Catholics have the fullness of Faith in the Church but are famished and fast asleep.

Bible Christians have so much of the truth about Christ in the Scripture (sola scriptura) but lack the real and substantial presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Bible Christians study the menu but Catholics enjoy the meal.  As we enjoy the meal, we do not know the ingredients so we fail to share the recipe.

When the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ is renewed during the Mass, we gather at the Family Table for the Sacred meal that makes us One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. nmg

Important Notes:

“Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ increases the communicant’s union with the Lord, forgives his venial sins and preserves him from grave sins.  Since receiving this Sacrament strengthens the bonds of charity between the communicant and Christ, it also reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] No.1416).

“The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, that is, of the work of salvation accomplished by the life, death and resurrection of Christ, a work made present by the liturgical action” (CCC No. 1409).

“I am the living bread which has come from heaven; whoever eats of this bread will live forever. The bread I shall give is my flesh and I will give it for the life of the world. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood, live in me and I in them” (Jn 6:56).