Love for Country

The short story entitled Circle of Love (by Jeannie S. Williams compiled by Cheryl Kirking in Ripples of Joy, Stories of Hope and Encouragement to Share From. pp. 28-29) is inspiring, touching and rippling as a starting point for our topic, Love for Country.

[When Joey was 5 years old, his kindergarten teacher told the class to draw a picture of something they loved.  He drew stick images of his family then encircled with a red crayon. With his desire to label his drawing, he approached his teacher and asked, “Teacher, how do you spell…?” He was scolded not to disturb the class even before he could finish his question.

Excitedly arriving home, he approached his mother in the kitchen to show his drawing and asked the same question, “Mom, how do you spell…?” “Don’t you see, I’m busy. Why don’t you play outside and don’t slam the door!”  He folded his drawing and stuck it to his pocket.

Later in the evening, he unfolded and smoothen it being ready with his pencil, showed it to his father and asked, “Dad, how do you spell…?” “Joey, I’m reading right now and I don’t want to be disturbed.  Go, play outside and don’t slam the door.”

In the morning during laundry, his mother threw his folded drawing without opening it together with pieces of other materials in his pocket gathered while playing.

When Joey was 28 years old, his 5 yrs. old daughter, Annie presented a stick drawing of their family, circled with red crayon. Ready with her pencil to label her drawing, she asked, “Dad, how do you spell love?” “Love is spelled T-I-M-E!”, he told her.]

Equally amazing associated with this episode is the following enlightening quotation:

“We need to think of the home as the cradle into which the future is born, and the family as the nursery in which the new social order is being reared. The family is a covenant with posterity” (Sidney Goldstein).

Basically, love for country is equated or associated with stewardship in our respective family, workplaces and our Community, the BCBP and the society at large.

Love for country is basically founded on the greatest and double commandment of love: love of God and love of neighbor.  This is the greatest commandment, “. . . you shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. And after this comes another one: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these two “ (Mk 12:30-31).

Therefore, love for country begins in our heart with our virtues and values that radiate from inside-out.  As BCBP members, let us look and evaluate our individual selves dealing with our characters as stewards, how we learn and practice good stewardship at home, at work and in our Community, the BCBP and in our society.  We have 3 areas or schools of learning and application as far as stewardship is concerned: family, workplace and BCBP.

A steward is someone who is in control.  He can also be referred to as director, manager, custodian or caretaker. Etymologically, the word steward comes from the old English sty and ward that refers to a person employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns like the supervision of servants, collection of rentals and keeping of accounts.

A steward is a person to whom the possessions of another have been entrusted.  He is authorized to manage these possessions.  The welfare of the owner and others who have a stake in the venture is entrusted to the steward.  His position is always a position of trust calling for trustworthiness.

St. Peter is made the steward of the Kingdom of God when Jesus said, “I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” (Mt 16:19).  The keys symbolize stewardship.

Character qualities of a good steward

   1.  He has the mind of the owner.  As BCBP members, we must have the mind of God who owns our lives.

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 2. Trustworthiness that flows from integrity and competence.  Competence in whatever we do is crucial that need to be paired with integrity, transparency and honesty.

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   3.  Balanced courage and concern.  A steward dedicated to the enhancement of the master’s business in line with his intentions exemplifies a steward with a balanced courage and concern.  An overly courageous steward may get everything done his way disregarding the concern for others being unjust to those he works with.  On the other hand, if he is all concern and lacks courage, he may not get the master’s business done.

.  4. There are 2 basic domains of putting good stewardship and love of country into practice:

a.    Circle of influence – includes all those things we can influence, change or have control or impact for the better.  Starting from within, the most important area is our character and behavior.  Consistent improvement of our character for the better makes us grow and become emotionally and spiritually mature for a greater impact, making a difference in the family, professional/business, BCBP or public life. 

b.    Circle of concern – includes all those things which we can really do nothing. Negligence of our own behavior (circle of influence) and focus on our concerns, result to being unable to make a difference. (For details, read: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Dr. Stephen R. Covey. pp. 81-88).

Stewardship schools of learning

The family, the workplace, BCBP and our society at large are the 4 areas or schools of stewardship that give us the opportunity to act and serve as good stewards.

The family being the basic unit of society is the most fundamental school for stewardship. As parents and children, we must be united to learn to put ourselves in a constant position of service for the welfare of each other.  This calls for trustworthiness with a balanced courage and genuine concern for one another.

We raise our children to be responsible citizens by giving them stewardship opportunities according to their age and set up a system of accountability.  Perhaps assign them in household chores, cleaning their own room and asking for an accounting of their allowance.  Demand their respect for household helpers.  When they graduated and are earning, but still living with the family, they are urged to contribute financially to teach them financial responsibility.  We use every opportunity to teach respect, honor and integrity until good characteristic traits become a habit.  They are also trained to sacrifice when necessary especially in moments of inadequacy not providing them what is beyond our means.  We should avoid the military parlance, “Follow what I say, do not follow what I do” because the most effective stewardship training is modeling.  We should be the best models for our children.  Mothers have the important role in shaping up our children because they are “moral compass” of the home.

In our respective workplaces, we ought to develop a win-win attitude in dealing with our employers/employees, peers, clients/customers, suppliers and all stakeholders to gain and win. “Win-win means that agreement or solutions are mutually beneficial and mutually satisfying.  We see life as a cooperative and not a competitive arena.” (Read: Covey, S.R. 2004. Think win/win. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. pp. 204-234).

A good steward works towards increased profitability being committed, cooperative and open-minded who freely communicate with all involved in the business.  He takes a major concern for the safety and just compensation for all employees.  He also makes sure of the world-class quality of the products and services.

The characters of a good steward in workplaces include integrity, competence, efficiency, courage and concern.

The BCBP is a school of learning for good stewardship and eventually becoming good citizens to measure love for country.  It leads us to a deeper conversion to the Lord and helps us to grow as men and women of God because we have the mind of God.

The Christian life program is a basic formation that strengthens our relationship with God. Improved relationship at home is realized through the marriage retreat (BCMR).  During the business retreat (BCBR), serving God as good stewards is spelled out. Through our action group meetings, we are trained to open our hearts to others beyond our immediate family giving us concrete ways to care and love our brothers and sisters.

Basic concepts of love for country

.  1.  Building strong families result to responsible citizenship.  Faithful spouses raise responsible children of God that eventually build a strong republic.

   2.  Putting our time, talent and resources at the service of the Lord for others in the BCBP is an expression of our love for our country.

  3. In the marketplace, our love for country is expressed through our integrity, courage and concern for all working for justice, honesty and fairness.

Special contributions

1.   Electing public officials with the track record of integrity and competence.

2.  Promoting our BCBP advocacy for honesty, the “Be honest” campaign.

3.    Following traffic rules.

4.    Not littering our garbage in the streets through proper disposal.

5.    Paying our taxes correctly, accurately and in time.

6.    Promoting our local goods over the imported ones.

Love for country basically emanates from the greatest double commandment of love: love of God and love of neighbor.  Time, talents and treasures are the instruments or avenues of this great love.  Love in our opening short story is spelled T-I-M-E. Love can also be spelled T-R-E-A-S-U-R-E or T-A-L-E-N-T.

This expression of love radiates from inside-out, from the family to our Community, the BCBP, to our respective workplaces and then to the society at large.  Love for country boils down from being a good steward in all areas of our life and living by putting God in our minds.  A good steward has the mind of God.

Take note that we have 3 instruments (3 Ts: time, treasure & talent) of expressing love among the 3 identities (God, neighbors and self) that are fundamental to love for country.  In closing, we find the following worth remembering:

              Everywhere I look, I see

              Fact or fiction, life or play

              Still the little game of three,

              B and C in love with A.

            (Jeannie Hendricks. A Woman for all Seasons. In:        

            Favorite Stories and Illustrations by Charles Swindol.    

            p. 355). nmg

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[1] Talk No. 6 comprising the BCBP Way of Life Retreat for the BCBP Consolation associate members held at the Sto. Niňo Spirituality Center, Tolotolo, Consolacion, Cebu on May 5-6, 2012. 

The Great Commission

From the book, This Is My Story. 31 Lives. Stories. Miracles. (Cityland Foundation, Inc. and OMF Lit. Inc. pp. 195-201), may I introduce to you Mr. Enrique Sarthou, Vice President and Senior Agency Director of Financial Services Group of Manulife Philippines and Lay Area Pastor of Christ’s Commission Fellowship.  His life story entitled, “Trading the good life for the best” is inspiring and worth emulating or something we may simply follow.  He reveals that together with his wife, their hearts’ desire is the Great Commission (Mt 28:18-20), the commission of Christ to spread His Gospel. He states, “Our desire and our prayer is to see our people in the discipleship groups multiply themselves, make their own contribution to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.”

The New Roget’s Thesaurus presents a good number of synonyms for the term, commission: authorization, warrant, charge, instruction, authority, mandate, trust, brevet, permit, certificate, diploma, delegation, consignment, task, errand, office, assignment, proxy, power of attorney, deputation, legation, mission, embassy, agency.  However, the most appropriate, fitted and directly related to our evangelization program series is the Great Commission (Session No. 2).

Let us review Session 1.  It was about Evangelization facilitated by Kuya Wilbert Ang. We learn that the Catholic Church is evangelistic and we are called to be evangelizers as members of this Church.  We evangelize by proclaiming the Good News of our salvation to all.  As BCBP members, we are commanded by Jesus Christ to bring Him and win for Him our respective marketplaces. To be effective evangelizers, we are authorized or commissioned.  This is the significance of the Great Commission, a requisite of Evangelization. 

Personally, during my tender years I was attracted to be a commissioned officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that I enrolled in the basic and advanced courses of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC).  That was the first time how to “be commissioned” came into my mind.  Now, with the BCBP, commissioning is the third C in the 3C’s of the life changing processes that start with conversion (first C) then with commitment (second C).

Before we deal with the underlying and associated circumstances that lead us to the Great Commission, let us be fully aware of the call of Jesus to make disciples of all men; to recognize the need to teach and reform our society at large and our commitment as active BCBP members to evangelize our respective areas of responsibility.

Looking back from the Old Testament, satan tempted and led man to disobedience.  Our fore parents, Adam and Eve lost their privilege as children of God.  They were driven away from the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:16-19).  The world becomes satan’s kingdom where chaos and sin reign.

God’s love and mercy do not allow man to be lost forever so that He promised a Redeemer. The plan calls for His Son, Jesus Christ to redeem mankind by becoming one with us and offering Himself as a sacrifice for our sin.

Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded and commissioned His disciples and it applies to all of us when He said, “I have been given all authority of heaven and earth.  Go, therefore, and make disciples from all nations.  Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit, and teach them all that I have commanded you.  I am with you always until the end of the world” (Mt 28:18-20).

Let us take note that all baptized Christians whether religious or laymen comprise the Church. I say all Christians in order to distinguish Mahatma Gandhi who claimed he was a follower of Christ but could not be a Christian because he was a Hindu.  We are united in the Great Commission though there is diversity of functions. As laymen and as active BCBP members, we are commissioned and ordered by Jesus for the greatest offensive in the battlefield liberating mankind from satan’s influence.  Being drafted into God’s army we are guided by the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (Rom 10:14-15) to believe, to know and to preach about Christ who is sending us.  As soldiers of God and as active BCBP members, we have the unique role to teach and proclaim the Good News of salvation to all specifically in our respective marketplaces and in the practice of our professions.

God the Father sent Jesus, His Son.  Jesus did the same to His disciples when He said, “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent Me, so I send you” (Jn 20:21).  Being active BCBP members, we are commissioned to spread the Good News and bring the light to those who live in darkness.  The Father gave Jesus a mission and Jesus commissioned us to continue to carry on the same mission.  Today, the world is faced with the most challenging situations that mankind ever experience.  We are in an age of chaos and disorder when there is potential for good yet evil flourishes.  This is one great challenge we have in the BCBP to positively and responsibly respond.

From the Old Testament referring to the Book of Exodus, God called Moses, “The cry of the sons of Israel has reached Me and I have seen how the Egyptians oppress them. Go now!  I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt” (Ex 3:9-10). As we follow verses 11-22 of the same chapter 3 in the Book of Exodus until chapter 4 verses 1-17, we discover how Moses responded to the call.  He was afraid of the responsibility and shrunk with such tremendous undertaking.    He had lots of excuses but God assured him.                       

                                  

Like Moses, we are afraid of the responsibilities associated with the mission entrusted to us.  However, God assures us that there is nothing to fear for He is always with us.

The Great Commission is a command, a call and an invitation to teach, witness, baptize and make disciples of all nations. In our case as BCBP members we are called to evangelize our marketplaces to proclaim the Good News of our salvation. God the Father commissioned Jesus and Jesus is commissioning us, “Go, therefore…”..“I am with you always..” by and through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The basic elements of the mission are: it is a command, we need to know the target and the message under the authority of God with the assurance of God’s presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Being commanded or drafted into God’s Mission, we need to be trained.  It started with our active participation in the Christian life program, our Baptism in the Holy Spirit, active involvement in the marriage retreat (BCMR), the businessmen’s retreat (BCBR) and regular attendance to our monthly teachings/seminars/retreats, etc.

We must grow in the Word of God through the Holy Bible with the Holy Spirit who empowers and instructs us in everything we are supposed to do in relation to the Great Commission. We practice this when we committed 15 minutes prayer time and 15 minutes Bible reading. 

Moreover and most importantly, we need to grow in holiness through the Sacraments.  Sacraments are “powers that come forth” from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving.  They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in His Body, the Church.  They are “masterworks of God” in the new and everlasting covenant (CCC 1116).

The mission of the BCBP is to create a body of Christians specifically among businessmen and professionals who are properly trained so that our individual as well as our collective action results in the following:

Our conversion to a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, a 180 degrees turn-around from bad to good and from good to better living.  Every time we meditate on the Holy Rosary specifically on the Mysteries of Light, it is the third mystery, “The proclamation of the Kingdom of God with the call of Jesus for our daily conversion”;

Our commitment to the values espoused by Jesus Christ such as justice, mercy and genuine service and finally,Commissioning to spread the values of Jesus Christ to others in the conduct of our business and professions.

Do you know that there are only 2 areas of the world left that do no succumb to the culture of death? (death = divorce, euthanasia, abortion, termination of birth and homosexuality).  They are the Vatican City and the Philippines.  The Philippines is a Christian nation yet human rights violations, crimes of passion, corruption, kidnapping and many more criminalities abound in great magnitude and astounding proportion.

Together with all other Christian organizations and communities, we in the Brotherhood (BCBP) are called to be active and cooperative participants in the Great Commission as one member of the Big Body, the Catholic Church where Christ is the head.  We are called to bring about transformation in our society according to the Christian values espoused by Jesus Christ.  This transformation must start basically within our respective areas of responsibility or in our circles of influence.

It has been our practice in the BCBP to share the “story of the Lord” in our respective lives.  Our game plan is witnessing not preaching.  As individuals (in separate men’s and ladies’ breakfast fellowships) or as couple sharers (in joint breakfast fellowships), we are commissioned to proclaim, evangelize and spread the Good News of our salvation to all who are in attendance.  Naturally and basically, the work of God must have emanated from our respective areas or jurisdictions in the way we conduct our business and practice our professions. nmg

          

Finding God in All Situations

The BCBP Consolacion Chapter conducted our Lenten Recollection last April 1, 2012 at the Mission Society of the Philippines (MSP), Tayud, Consolacion, Cebu.  The topic we dealt with was “Finding God in all situations”.

I presented the historical perspective of finding God.  From the early Christians to the present with Vatican II, I discovered a transition from being “martyrs to witnesses”.  The recent Age of the Laity (Vatican II) when the laymen and religious are equal in the eyes of God, we witness or share our encounters with the living God, finding Him in all circumstances and situations in our lives.  In the sharing portion, I presented the most recent encounter or “finding God” in the events that happened in March. 

Judy and I shared as a couple in the joint breakfast fellowship of BCBP Consolacion last March 10, 2012. The latest edition of our life story is titled, “Walking the extra mile, our personal vision and mission”. It was well-attended and graced by the presence of 4 “first timers”: a couple from California, U.S.A who was interested with our virgin coconut oil (VCO) and a Franciscan sister who is my cousin together with a catechist friend.

 

God rewarded us with a 6-days (March 12 – 17) rest and relaxation to the largest city in the Philippines, Davao.  It was freely granted through the generosity of the Dipon Family.  It was a grace-filled family bonding to celebrate a weeklong golden birthday anniversary of Preciosa, Judy’s younger sister.  Amidst the fun, thrills and adventures gainfully spent in Seagull Mountain Resort to have tasted for the first time the exotic sizzling ostrich meat and the excitement of catching tilapia with the hook and line at the fishing village of Eden Nature’s Park, I was called by God to serve as an inspirational speaker of the elementary graduation in my hometown.  That unexpected call was through Ms. Florence C. Valoria, my young, pretty and smart cousin who is one of the advisers of the graduating pupils.

As I read Finding Oprah’s Roots, Finding Your Own by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and with my desire to be connected globally, I thought going back to my barangay is a great opportunity to be reunited with relatives and friends back then.  I readily and unconditionally confirmed the invitation without considering the fact that the date coincided with the high school graduation of our only son, Francis John. I was caught in a dilemma because my wife was angry over my decision making me guilty with my eventual absence. I did not argue with her but instead asked God for a solution.  Upon fetching our son from an overnight retreat of the graduating HS students of the Sotero B. Cabahug Forum for Literacy at Don Bosco in Talisay City, I asked his permission.  He readily agreed.  Later, I was informed about a rescheduling to an earlier date of the graduation where I was invited.  I praised and thanked God for arranging my schedule that no one in the family was emotionally hurt.

Arriving a day earlier, I went to the school with my brother-in-law whose eldest daughter was among the graduating pupils. We volunteered to assist them in their stage decoration.  I met and had informal fellowship with a number of teachers. Ms. Violeta Cerna-Senadjan was an elementary classmate.  Ms. Ma. Bella S. Bertulfo and Ms. Elisa N. Alvarico were under me in General Horticulture during their College days in ViSCA.  Ms. Gina Cerna-Alayon and Ms. Chyril F. Bandalan are my nieces who were still young kids when I was around. I discovered a lot of physical and economic improvements in the surroundings. The usual classroom is now a class-home.

Feeling at home, I felt confident to deliver God’s message for their graduation and promotional ceremonies.  However, I was troubled with the impending rain with the presence of thick rain clouds.  Early morning (graduation day), I whistled hard together with my youngest brother to blow the rain clouds away but no wind responded.  It was our practice many years ago to whistle for the wind to blow when we were winnowing to separate the chaff from the filled rice grains with the absence of the rice thresher and blower.

When we left the house to walk for a little less than a kilometer down the venue together with my 2 graduating nieces, drizzles or droplets of rain started to fall.  Fortunately, we arrived without getting wet. The heavily pouring rain altered the graduation schedule to half an hour late. Upon arrival of the principal and supervisor, I asked their permission to lead the community in prayer. We petitioned for a fair weather that the rain stop for the processional to go on.  In less than 30 minutes, our prayer was answered to the amazement of everyone present. Teachers, Ms. Elisa Alvarico (Grade II) and Mr. Dennis Lopez (Grade VI) were busy wiping the plastic chairs dry for the graduating pupils and their parents. I realized how important it was for a long, meaningful and picturesque march for the parents and the graduating pupils that the teachers did not opt for a covered basketball court for an inclement weather.  I admire their expectant faith.

The graduation and promotional ceremonies were generally successful.  However, when my part came after Ms. Valoria introduced me, the rain commenced. At the climax of my speech, heavy downpour associated with blowing wind shattered the leaves of the large mahogany tree in front of the stage. Everybody took shelter except a small number who were left with their umbrellas open. Jokingly, I commented, “Only these few who remain will reach their goals..!”  And the teachers readily justified, “.. because they are the honor students!”.  I ended with the promise to post my inspirational talk in my website titled with their graduation theme, “Your gift of learning, our tool for nation-building”.

These most recent encounters with the Lord through the simple but meaningful events in my life are revelations or my version how I “find God in all situations”.  In fact, when I was delivering my speech, I sensed He was telling me, “This is My Time, My Showtime!! Cool ka lang!” nmg           

        

“Your gift of learning, our tool for nation-building”

Worthy Mrs. Lilia A. Ababat, the Baybay I District Supervisor; the strong force of 15 teachers of Kilim Elementary School with Mrs. Elsa Tabudlong, their Principal; the respectable barangay officials headed by my good friend, kababata and kapamilya, the Honorable Roberto Monterola; dear parents; our young medalists/awardees, vibrant and glowing graduates; ladies and gentlemen:

Graduation and Promotional Ceremonies like the one we have today remind us of growth. These exercises mean, we are actively growing, unceasingly moving and continuously adding.  Graduation means to move on or to step upward in the educational ladder.  To the lower Grades especially those with honors, you join the graduating class to be inspired looking at them receive their respective diploma as you are promoted/elevated to the next grade level for the coming school year.  In these commencement rites, we acknowledge 3 groups of individuals directly involved:

To the patient, untiring and skillful teachers, this is a mark of accomplishment producing another batch of elementary graduates promoting them to the next level of education.

Alang sa mga mapinanggaong mga ginikanan, karon usa ka pagpasidungog sa inyong mga pag-sacrificio aron maka-eskuyla and inyong mga anak. A salutation to the proud parents!

The academic and non-academic awardees from the lower grades and our dear graduates constitute the third group. To you, our dear children, I salute with admiration for your victory.  Congratulations!

Today is a Celebration of Life, a festivity of thanksgiving and rejoicing for the victory of all concerned.  Our barangay officials and honored guests are witnesses to this celebration while I serve a special function, to give you inspiration.  I pray that as I share the “story of the Lord in my life”, we find God in all our respective situations.  God is our unseen guest who is alive and happy with us and for us! Amen?

I admire and appreciate the conceptualization of your graduation theme, “Your gift of learning, our tool for nation-building”.  This is basically directed to our children who are present especially the young graduates reminding you that all the informal and formal lessons learned at home and in school are gifts from God through the unconditional love and support of your parents and your dear teachers patiently filling-up your brains.  As you gain and accumulate the necessary knowledge and wisdom, you are all equipped to build a strong republic, our very own native land which should basically start within our respective families, the family being the basic unit of our society.  Your graduation today is the first step to a big leap.  Looking back, I see myself in you.

Forty-four (44) years ago in 1968, I was an elementary graduate like you in this community school where I started to value education and hard work.  As a transferee in Grade IV, I received a ribbon of distinction being the “Most Industrious” pupil.  Until now, I uphold that honor and character. 

In your young minds and child-like characters, have you formulated your “guiding principle” in life? Good manners and right conduct or values education is basically part of what your teachers are teaching you, right?

“Honesty” is one good example of a guiding principle.  In fact, this is our advocacy in the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), a renewal Community where I am actively involved. Our slogan is, “Be honest, even if others are not, even if others will not and even if others cannot” as we aim to bring Christ to the marketplace and win the marketplace for Christ.

During the first day of school in Grade I, I found the Golden Rule striking and personally touching. “Do unto others what you like them to do unto you”. It was posted above the blackboard. It was the first reading assignment/lesson I learned that I applied and continue to practice from that day onward until now and all the days in my life. The first half of my elementary years was spent in Mantahan Pilot School, Maasin, So. Leyte. My unforgettable teacher was Mrs. Mamerta Orais.  I was her favorite pupil being obedient and respectful.

I am grateful to my parents who sent me to 2 private high schools (SJC in Maasin and FCIC in Baybay) but they surrendered after my third year because of poverty and the unemployment of my father. That summer in 1971 without the permission of my parents, I dressed up without breakfast, walked from Kilim to the Office of the Director of the Franciscan College of the Immaculate Conception (FCIC). After laying down my predicament and expressing my desire just to finish high school, Fr. Brice Mulroy, OFM commented, “Why don’t you serve as a working student?”. My heart jumped with joy because I succeeded in my first and only attempt at applying for a job. I was introduced to Bro. Richard Kloster, OFM, who was the in-charge of the working students.  He immediately demonstrated to me how to clean the toilets. The day-long cleaning without food in my stomach did not bother me physically because I was emotionally high, looking for a brighter future. 

   

Bro. Richard became my sincere and generous friend.  He freely provided building materials to finish a livable house for the family. He was a great inspiration to realize my dreams and aspirations in life.  My simple dream then was to free myself from the bondage of poverty.  I did not give-in to what Tatay requested, “Dong, maayo na man ka magdaro, undang na ug eskuyla.”

     

Considering all personal, economic and psychological factors, I decided to enroll in the Visayas State College of Agriculture (ViSCA) to seriously study and focused myself to finish a college degree. With God’s Grace, I graduated March 26, 1976 and earned the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education (BSAgEd).  Being known in the campus for my integrity and capacity, I did not have to apply and be interviewed by Dr. Fernando A. Bernardo, the College President.  Freely choosing and upon my decision to join the Department of Agronomy and Soil Science, I was appointed Assistant Instructor through the recommending approval of Dr. Benjamin C. Mahilum, the Department Chairman effective April 1 (that was 5 days after graduation).  I was assigned to a laboratory class that summer.  I was thrilled and proud with a healthy pride to handle some of my classmates who failed to graduate with me.

Feeling economically capable, I reported to Bro. Richard with the aim to payback whatever financial assistance he provided me during my 4 years of College education.  He was very happy to know that I finished a degree, that I was readily and unquestionably employed by my Alma Mater.  His simple and amazing response was, “What I did to you, do the same to others”.  It continuously reverberated or concretized the Golden Rule in me.  In my simple way and collectively with my own family, we financially support deserving and visionary family members and friends. I claim with a healthy pride that we were providing regular monthly allowance to a priest friend during his seminary days.  Now, he is a rector in a college seminary in Cebu City.

Fortunately or unfortunately, I decided to voluntarily resign from ViSCA after 15 years of satisfactory government service.  The paradigm shift from government employment to self-employment took a thorough or deliberate examination of the pros and cons of my choice and decision.  There were series of adjustments and a period of depression but God has been my stronghold from the very start of my childhood to adulthood with the intercession of our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Presently, I am occupied dealing with our lessees or tenants whom I consider as our business partners with God at the center of this partnership being a small-scale real estate lessor.  In addition, I manage the farm of my in-laws.  The lifelong family’s agro-ecological farm in Borbon, Cebu is well-planned and designed with the working ethics following the Golden Rule of co-existence and co-dependence among the land owners and farm dwellers (check www.youtube.com & search permaculture2011, final kalubian ni lolo). I praise and thank the Lord for the “gift of education”, the key that frees me from the bondage of poverty.

Dear friends and our young graduates, let us acknowledge and be constantly grateful to God, our Greatest Provider for granting us the gift of learning through our parents, teachers and all our love ones providing us the moral, physical, emotional and financial support that we need.  In exchange, let us be good and responsible Filipino citizens who will sooner or later be active contributors to nation-building that as I have said basically starts within the family.  Indeed, you have the most appropriate and fitting 2012 Graduation Theme, “Your gift of learning, our tool for nation-building”. 

With an inspiring challenge and an expectant faith, I look forward to see you again after 6 years being skillful craftsmen or better still pursue a college degree.  I understand the Department of Education (DepEd) is adding 2 more years in high school giving you ample time to choose and finally decide for your career or source of living. 

I urge you to “dream big dreams”. The immortal and legendary institution of Disneyland started with a dream of Walter E. Disney. He has a very inspiring life story and I agree with him when he says, “All our dreams will come true if we pursue them with courage.” Allow me to relate and share with you a similar inspirational story personally touching to me.

In grade school, the teacher required her pupils to draw what they would like to be in the future. One of them submitted his drawing that showed a large track of land with a ranch full of cattle feeding with him horseback riding. The scenery of his drawing reflected the details of an agro-ecological, natural and organic farm. Thinking that the pupil was poor and that his dream was impossible, the teacher rejected it but the underprivileged but visionary pupil insisted. Anyway, “time flies” and now the same teacher scheduled a field trip to a successful and productive farm. Lo and behold, the class was whole-heartedly welcomed and personally accommodated by the owner, the ambitious pupil and big dreamer.  See!!!, everything is possible with God.

In closing, I share with you in alphabetical order the a, b, c, d and e as our guide to realize our dreams and aspirations towards prosperity, abundance, fun and fulfilling lives:

1.    Attitude - the right and positive attitude towards work and study with God at the center.

2.  Belief - in the power of God through our constant and unceasing prayers.

3.    Our Capacity - to be invaded by God’s power to do things according to His Divine Will. Courage is another C (according to Walt Disney).

4.    Determination - is being tough when the going gets rough by focusing on God’s plan.

5.    Enthusiasm - from the Greek word, entheos (God is in), our ability to see God in all situations making our life exciting.

Please take note that in these 5 alphabetical guides, (attitude, belief, capacity, determination and enthusiasm), we have God ever present. Every moment in our lives then, we must worship, praise and give thanks to God: the Father - our Creator; the Son, Jesus Christ - our Savior and the Holy Spirit - our Sanctifier.  Amen!!!   nmg    

   

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[1]Graduation speech delivered March 28, 2012 at Kilim Community School, Baybay City, Leyte. 

Cellular Wisdom, an Overview

Two (2) years after leaving the academe (when I was only 37 years old then), my usual activities include: reading, writing, believing and living.  I simply follow the slogan we formulated when Judy and I were assigned in the Book Ministry of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Mactan Chapter, “Read, write, believe and live”.  I document or synthesize what I read reflecting and connecting lessons learned/relearned with my past experiences to assess my present allowing me to redesign my future.  I believe what I read, journal significant feelings eventually living or applying the insights discovered/rediscovered.  I have the Holy Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and a variety of inspirational and self-help books to guide me as I collate my thoughts.

Two (2) days after the Guinhulngan, Negros Oriental 6.9 magnitude earthquake (6 Feb 2012), I was attracted to the 25 Books Every Christian Must Read, a must-read book indeed.  However, its price is beyond my budget.  Suffice it to say that I was able to connect with www.renovare.us indicated in the back cover.  “Renovare USA. . . encourages us towards a renewed, sustainable and enriched life with God.”

Searching for an alternative and enriching one among the “books on sale”, I picked up and bought Cellular Wisdom: Decoding the Body’s Secret Language by Dr. Joan C. King.  After reading Part I, I am excited and activated to share what I discovered.  I easily relate with the author because both of us came from the academia.  Being a neuroscientist, she explains or decodes the cellular basis of human responses to internal and external stimuli comparing the trillion of cells of our body to the community of people.  She reveals that “the fundamental truths for living an authentic, fulfilling life are decoded in the elegantly complex dance of chemicals and energetic interactions within and between our cells”.  She believes that “the principles that operate in the body can be meaningful guides to constructing authentic and self-fulfilling lives”.  I admire her career being the chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology at Tufts University School of Medicine before she becomes a professional certified coach (PCC).

Although my professional attainment cannot match with hers but there is some degree of parallelism.  My master’s thesis dealt with Growth and Fiber Morphology of Abaca (Musa textilis Nee) Ratoons as Influenced by Plant Density and N Level.  I measured the fiber cellular dimension of individual abaca fiber cells to determine their contribution towards tensile strength of individual fiber bundles.  They were tedious microscopic activities that paid off reading the book of Dr.King.  Looking beyond the technical significance or relevance of my thesis, I see a moral fiber that needs fertilization, rejuvenation and strengthening in our society.

Anyway, back to the present scary and fearful earthquake and false alarm tsunami aftershock that shook the Visayas Region, tonic immobility is a new striking phrase I encounter in cellular wisdom.  Dr. King states, “tonic immobility is a physiological response to having one’s world turned upside down that give us permission to relax” (see p. 9 of her book).

The night before the scheduled national elections several years ago, I experienced a very shocking, most fearful and life-threatening experience.  I was on my way to conduct Julio (July) Magallanes, a wedding god-son to Pier 3 in Cebu City bound for Baybay, Leyte.  Responding to a stop light, four (4) armed men approached us, 2 in front and 2 at the back of the pick-up I was driving.   I felt what is now known as tonic immobility because we stood still and in my mind, I silently trembled with, “Lordddd…!” which could have been specified, “My refuge and fortress, my God in Whom I trust”… with His merciful response, “I will be with them in distress..” (Ps 91:2 & 5).

Fortunately and with God’s Grace and Mercy, one of our would-be assailants in the driver’s seat (my side) verified and claimed, “Dili mao!!” meaning we were not their target.  With the sigh of relief, we decided to go back home in Mandaue City cancelling July’s boat trip moving it to the following day.

Reading and understanding cellular wisdom as Dr. King decodes the body’s secret language provide me a micro and macroscopic view of life and living.  While waiting for the synthesis of the whole book, visit or open www.cellular-wisdom.com. nmg  

Between winning and not losing

Early Sunday morning (22 January 2012), I was overwhelmed reading the email of Dr. Robert Anthony as if I was the only one he was addressing to in his seemingly personal message reminding me to buy his book, The Secret of Deliberate Creation.  The attached information about himself and his offer are definitely convincing but the scarcity of money inhibits my desire to avail of his very helpful book I expect to serve as a very effective “treasure map”.

As the year 2012 commenced, I have been engrossed reading the various emails sincerely responding them with my simple aim to connect my finite thoughts with the vast thoughts of the world and ultimately with the Infinite Mind as I invite them to open my website.  As an active member of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), I delivered the most recent edition of the “story of the Lord in my life” last January 7, 2012 among my brothers of BCBP Mandaue City Chapter.   “Unleashing the power within” is its title pointing money as the issue of struggle. I was inspired to read the short but morally boosting comment of Ms. Amy Sotto Indo, my new-found friend in the facebook before I proceeded to the men's breakfast fellowship. The attendance of my Kompare Roberto Aure as my honored guest motivated me being the only "first timer" present.  I encourage his continuous participation in Baybay City, Leyte.

Having experienced paranormal incidents earlier in my life, I was extra cautious with January 13 even looking at April 13 this year falling on a Friday.  Friday the 13^th is a fearful day for me.  However, with the advances in information technology, I noticed a higher level of fear through the highly incredible and extremely impossible messages in the inbox.  From a considerable number of unknown private individuals and international bank officials, the message is similar.  They are inviting me to be their secret partner in the transfer of millions of dollars to my bank account which is a simple “money laundering”.  Ticket Nos. 86033775966738 and 2051146463-7644 in separate lotteries entitle me to considerably large sum of the Great British Pound (GBP).  Wow! Awful and wonderful but seriously scary, that I pray, “Lord, I am attracting money but please give me good and clean money that I deserve and honestly earn through Your Divine Providence.”

I am attracting a lot of good money as a medium to realize my personal mission statement (“Holistic being and living” posted 25 January 2011 in my website) but definitely I don’t love it.  “For the love of money is the root of all evil, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains” (1 Tim 6:10).

On the other hand, I am excited and thrilled to follow, apply and live “Love or Above”.  Downloaded are: the first talk and the “Heart Center Awakening Meditation”.  My wife expresses her positive response that she feels an increasing vibration at home.   I love Jesus Christ, my Savior and His Mother, my Mother of Perpetual Help, Mary coined in “Christie Marie”, the modern day intuitive healer, psychic and mystic.  Thanks a lot, Ms. Sheldon!

The Self-Esteem Book (ebook downloaded) of Dr. Joseph Rubino awakens me from my feeling of inadequacy.  I discover Mr. Chip who is pulling me down but I have the Advocate, the Holy Spirit who assures me of my self-worth.

Dr. Robert Anthony reminds me that “.. while it is important to set my intentions, think positively and have a strong belief that the Universe will magically provide what I want through the process of repetition, it only represents a fraction of what I must do to deliberately create the things I desire.”  I need alignments: with the Law of Quantum Physics (the Law of Attraction) and the conscious and subconscious alignments.  “Like thoughts whether positive or negative attract their equivalent or vibrational match.” Whatever I focus on with intensity and emotion will set the Universe in motion to bring what I desire into my life. My conscious desires and subconscious intentions must be aligned to realize and manifest my dreams and aspirations.   In my belief system, I simply call it a reconciliation between what I desire and God’s plan and will for me.

I believe I am destined to live a life that is free of fear, doubt and worry.  I feel happy and rejoice soundly in the knowledge that I am meant to thrive, not struggle.  I consciously choose a life deliberately created to attain a state of unlimited possibilities.

I whole-heartedly acknowledge, express my lasting indebtedness and sincere gratitude to my coaches in the game of life: Ms. Christie Marie Sheldon (www.loveorabove.com/special), Dr. Joseph Rubino (www.centerforpersonalreinvention.com), Dr. Robert Anthony (www.RealMindPowerSecrets.com) and many more as they train me deliberately to play the game of life.  In this game, I win by taking action on what I learned.  Contrarily, I do not keep collecting more information and avoid taking action by conservatively playing not to lose. 

God bless our life coaches that they become effective and true instruments connecting us to the Infinite Mind, the Master Architect and Ultimate Planner of our life!  nmg