Saturday, February 9, 2013
Graduating. It's More Fun in the Philippines!
While looking at the graduating students and their parents from my office, I got an instant flash back of my college education. To some it may come as a surprise but to the few who knows me, - it is the truth. Truth is, I don’t have an excellent credential in graduating in College. It took me 5 years sto finish a 4 year program. I entered college in 1993 and I graduated in 1998. Last semester prior to graduation, my mother gave me money for my enrollment but I did not enroll. I have other plans, I’m going to Manila. Back then, to me Manila was a place overflowing with milk and honey.
While working as a metal fabricator specialist, (steel man) my parents back in Bicol were expecting me to graduate March of 1997. They did not know that their only begotten son did not enroll and has gone missing. In Manila, I was faced with a problem on how to tell them there will be no graduation in March. To add to the burden, I heard that my mother was asking around on what to wear during graduation day!
Eventually my uncle broke the news. He told my parents there will be no graduation in March and it has been rescheduled on a later date – year.
Manila is not the promise land. So before the start of the second semester, I went home and told my parents I’m going back to school. And in all fairness to them, I did not hear a single word condemning me of what I did, instead, they me money (again) for my enrollment. This time I am more persistent, having all the reasons I need to finish college.
For several years I was asking myself why did I chose Manila over graduation and I never was satisfied with the answers I got from myself – until this afternoon! It came to me just now, that the reason I went to Manila is because “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”!
Since the last part of January this year when the department of Tourism launched “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” aimed to attract more tourist to visit the country, the campaign has gone a long way – by long way I mean both the “success” and the “distance” covered by the campaign.
THE SUCCESS
In 2011, the total number of Tourist Arrivals in the Philippines was recorded at a total of 3.9 Million. The first quarter of this year (January-March) Tourist Arrivals in the Philippines was recorded at 1.1 Million, and if the trend continuous, Secretary Ramon Jimenez predicted that it could exceed the 4.6 Million targets for this year.
Today, the Annual Board of Governors Meeting of the Asia Development Bank will be concluded. Among the agenda of the 4-day meeting are the priority investments for the Philippines where Information Technology Industry, Electronics, Hospitality and Tourism Industry are among the major industries on top of the list.
THE DISTANCE
Just last week, CNN and other major foreign media companies can’t help but notice the massive exposure of the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign in the international market. According to DOT, they spent P 63 Million for the International TV Ads and other exposure campaigns. It paid off in short while, on top of the visitors list are from Korea (250k), second are from USA (160k) and third are from Japan (100K).
THE GOAL
President P-Noy wants to breach the 10 Million Yearly Tourist Arrivals Record by 2016. That’s roughly 14.7 Billion Peso worth of money circulating the Philippines.
WHY AM I SHARING THESE STATISTICS AND NUMBERS?
The reason is plain and simple. After today, the 117 students will be form part of the HUMAN CAPITAL for various industries in the Philippines. In doing so, you are now faced with three (3) realities of the world, realities that you can never turn your back on, so the best way of dealing with these realities is to face it up front.
1. BE PART of it (just like the rest, you follow what the Boss says). 2. TAKE CONTROL of it (you direct the flow of the industry). 3. THERE ARE MANY CHOICES – no one is forbidding you to make several choices, all you have to do is pick.
EITHER WAY, I am confident that just like the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” you will make it BIG for you are STI graduates. You have gone through massive instruction and training from our professors who are (on their own) an expert of their field. By the time you get employed or have created a company of your own, you will realize the TRUE VALUE of College Education.
You have earned your respective degrees but soon you’ll realize that we did not teach you programming, commercial cooking, animation, troubleshooting or tour guiding.
We taught you the ways to be CREATIVE – out there is a JUNGLE where employers sees everyone to be the same, in order to be recognized and stand above the rest, you have to employ your creative skills. (David Guerrero)
DARING – to be good is not enough, there are a hundred and one ways to do ordinary things. Never be afraid to take the risk and try other ways of learning. (PKF story)
On top of all these, we have taught you the VALUES of Citizen STI. Our values defines our existence, the highest paying job in the world means nothing if you don’t have your values with you. (pray everyday)
LAST, we did not teach you basketball and Intramurals, Hataw Sayaw and Acquaintance or gift giving during Christmas parties, we simple showed you the ways to HAVE FUN and ENJOY college learning. This I think is the most important lesson that you should never forget.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
The Longest Seconds of Silence
I had to catch my breath while holding down my tears as you asked me “Rusty, kumusta STI?” Talking has been an agonizing challenge for you these past months and hearing you say my name again five months after our last conversation the night of December 8 was so dear. While the thing conspired on the blind side to slowly immobilize vital fragments of your body, you haven’t forgotten my name and went further by asking the state of the Institution we served and dedicated the best days of our lives. Our eyes meet as I answered your question and then we both knew that behind every fumbled word I say are precise statements of how we both feel, especially on this intricate moment. Then eternal silence begins.
Shernan and I were standing outside your room for quite some time trying to gain strength for the unknowns of this visit and figuring out the right words to say to begin our conversation. I rehearsed some lines in my mind and keep it playing over and over as we argue who should knock and who should slowly swing the white door open. The door number reads 316 and the patient card indicate occupied.
I was half awake the entire evening trip. I traveled 8 hours south eagerly anticipating the chance to see you again and now that I am standing in front of your door something in me is holding back to pursue my intention. I’m sorry, but I have to do this ma’am, no matter how cruel and painful the truth is for us I have to knock and open this door because this is the only way I can thank you for the wonderful life you have shared to us not a bit of reservation, for the standards you have lead by example that made us what we are today, for the affection given comparable to that of a mother and son, for the courage of letting me go at the expense of your comfort and for the reassuring smile each time we meet (though not so often) which tells me I am still one of your friend and son.
I spent almost the entire moment inside looking at the ceiling and the walls deliberately avoiding the center of the room where you are. I am not used seeing you this way, vulnerable and weak in the flesh, but immeasurable courage of spirit exudes with the relentless manner you fought your fight and the audacity approach you now take in your life. My knees were trembling in the parody of life at this very moment. I was there on the primal purpose of seeing you but then I could not look at you. I wish to stay a little longer and listen to deafening sound of silence but we both know that I should not and I know you wouldn’t want me to. But then how do I say goodbye and mean it’s not yet goodbye?
Then in a light voice you said “Sige na, mamasyal na kayo. OK na sa akin na dumating kayo.” Ma’am your unscarred wisdom eased our moment’s burden of saying we were leaving but hearing you say it for us in a sublime fashion was excruciating a hundred times over. I wanted to hug you tight and for as long as it could take the way you did when I dropped by your office on that Saturday of October 2007 to say my goodbye. I felt shaky and helpless as I stand to reach you. The hug was sheared to a gentle stroke of your arm and everything went blank as we slowly opened the door and couldn’t look back.
I didn’t have the change (and the courage) to tell you what I intend to say in this unconventional circumstance. Before you get in your car after our conversation back in December of last year I called you up said “Ma’am, pwede pa hug?” from which you smiled and gladly opened up your arms. Then I said “Ma’am, I love you ha..” What I would like to tell you ma’am today are the same old and overly-used words. Though the meaning will remain the same, the value of that distinctly selected letters that gave life to the words are priceless from Alpha to Omega now that it has been said, shared and given to an amazing leader, mentor, woman, mother and friend.
I love you DNR.
Friday, April 29, 2011
You are Citizen STI!
Good afternoon everyone.
First off, let me express my extreme happiness for our students who have finally and successfully finished the third preparatory stage of their soon to be told legacy.
Second, I share the happiness of each parent as they witness the fulfillment of their dreams unfolding before their very eyes. Being a parent myself, I know how it feels like to face each examination month having to decide and prioritize your children’s TF over your personal needs. Mahirap pero it’s all worth it!
Tonight indeed is a special night for us parents. Call it divine coincidence, but April 29 will go down in the pages of history as a “Royal Day”. One, because somewhere in England a wedding dubbed the Royal Wedding of the Century transpired on this very day. And tonight, even for just one night, we too are like Kings and Queens of the world thus making us part of the Royal Family as we celebrate the accomplishments of our children tonight.
Third, I would like to thank the men and women of STI Naga for the dedication and commitment they have showed over the years in the pursuit of our Mission and Vision to be the leader in innovative and relevant education that nurtures each student to become competent and responsible members of society.
I have to do a special mention to the support given to us by the City Government of Naga under the leadership of Mayor Bongat. His unique and remarkable program that encapsulates the beauty of NAGA CITY in the acronym that depict the natural charm of Bicolanos have convinced our Board of Directors, particularly our President, Atty. Nick Jacob, a Bicolano to invest (heavily) in Naga.
We are very thankful tonight that as we celebrate our 9th Commencement Exercise in this new facility, we are blessed with the presence of Mayor John Bongat himself to share a part of his SMILES program coming to life.
To our friends from the TESDA, CHED, the Academe and the business community thank you.
In the 1940’s, there’s a movie that came to be judged as one of the world’s most famous and highly-rated film not because of its stars (bida) but largely because of its story and excellence in production. The movie is Citizen Kane. The movie revolved around the life story of a newspaper tycoon named Charles Foster Kane and his last spoken word in his deathbed. The word was “Rosebud”. And as news reporters rush to uncover the meaning of “Rosebud” and give light to the mystery of the word, they came to unravel the life lived by the millionaire. Growing up from a poor family, Citizen Kane strived hard to succeed in life starting as a plain newspaperman and becoming the owner of a newspaper company and eventually became a millionaire. But as Charles Foster Kane gain more and more power he is losing at the same time more and more of his soul. His money and power did not bring him happiness for he has lost his YOUTHFUL IDEALISM.
Citizen STI not a movie nor was it taken from the Citizen Kane film. But I chose to correlate the two Citizens to emphasize my message to our graduates. First, as you come to face and share the responsibility of building the future of our country always bear in mind that your accountability to pursue the greater good is much more superior than the pursuit of your personal glory. Second, I am confident that you will be successful in the very near future. Because just like the film, behind each of these graduates are characters full of substance and each has been given excellence delivery of academic instructions.
We call on all of you to embody Citizen STI as you traverse new path in your professional pursuits.
Citizen STI is a character.
A Citizen STI embodies attributes that foster social empowerment and national progress. From simple deeds to elaborate initiatives, we strive to contribute positive actions that are beneficial to our country, essential for our community, worthwhile for our fellow citizens and valuable for ourselves.
Citizen STI is an advocacy.
As followers of this movement geared toward building a better nation for both present and future generations, we are encouraged to influence others with the same constructive ideals that we adhere to. In order to take this advocacy beyond our closest reach, every day we have to make a conscious effort to not merely lead, but lead with conviction and most importantly, lead by example.
Share your thoughts on how to be the best Citizen STI and inspire others to be the same.
After tonight, no one knows which road you may take and where it can lead you but please remember two things. One. You are Citizen STI. Two. Make your parents, your school and make us all proud!
Mabuhay kayong lahat!
Salamat.
First off, let me express my extreme happiness for our students who have finally and successfully finished the third preparatory stage of their soon to be told legacy.
Second, I share the happiness of each parent as they witness the fulfillment of their dreams unfolding before their very eyes. Being a parent myself, I know how it feels like to face each examination month having to decide and prioritize your children’s TF over your personal needs. Mahirap pero it’s all worth it!
Tonight indeed is a special night for us parents. Call it divine coincidence, but April 29 will go down in the pages of history as a “Royal Day”. One, because somewhere in England a wedding dubbed the Royal Wedding of the Century transpired on this very day. And tonight, even for just one night, we too are like Kings and Queens of the world thus making us part of the Royal Family as we celebrate the accomplishments of our children tonight.
Third, I would like to thank the men and women of STI Naga for the dedication and commitment they have showed over the years in the pursuit of our Mission and Vision to be the leader in innovative and relevant education that nurtures each student to become competent and responsible members of society.
I have to do a special mention to the support given to us by the City Government of Naga under the leadership of Mayor Bongat. His unique and remarkable program that encapsulates the beauty of NAGA CITY in the acronym that depict the natural charm of Bicolanos have convinced our Board of Directors, particularly our President, Atty. Nick Jacob, a Bicolano to invest (heavily) in Naga.
We are very thankful tonight that as we celebrate our 9th Commencement Exercise in this new facility, we are blessed with the presence of Mayor John Bongat himself to share a part of his SMILES program coming to life.
To our friends from the TESDA, CHED, the Academe and the business community thank you.
In the 1940’s, there’s a movie that came to be judged as one of the world’s most famous and highly-rated film not because of its stars (bida) but largely because of its story and excellence in production. The movie is Citizen Kane. The movie revolved around the life story of a newspaper tycoon named Charles Foster Kane and his last spoken word in his deathbed. The word was “Rosebud”. And as news reporters rush to uncover the meaning of “Rosebud” and give light to the mystery of the word, they came to unravel the life lived by the millionaire. Growing up from a poor family, Citizen Kane strived hard to succeed in life starting as a plain newspaperman and becoming the owner of a newspaper company and eventually became a millionaire. But as Charles Foster Kane gain more and more power he is losing at the same time more and more of his soul. His money and power did not bring him happiness for he has lost his YOUTHFUL IDEALISM.
Citizen STI not a movie nor was it taken from the Citizen Kane film. But I chose to correlate the two Citizens to emphasize my message to our graduates. First, as you come to face and share the responsibility of building the future of our country always bear in mind that your accountability to pursue the greater good is much more superior than the pursuit of your personal glory. Second, I am confident that you will be successful in the very near future. Because just like the film, behind each of these graduates are characters full of substance and each has been given excellence delivery of academic instructions.
We call on all of you to embody Citizen STI as you traverse new path in your professional pursuits.
Citizen STI is a character.
A Citizen STI embodies attributes that foster social empowerment and national progress. From simple deeds to elaborate initiatives, we strive to contribute positive actions that are beneficial to our country, essential for our community, worthwhile for our fellow citizens and valuable for ourselves.
Citizen STI is an advocacy.
As followers of this movement geared toward building a better nation for both present and future generations, we are encouraged to influence others with the same constructive ideals that we adhere to. In order to take this advocacy beyond our closest reach, every day we have to make a conscious effort to not merely lead, but lead with conviction and most importantly, lead by example.
Share your thoughts on how to be the best Citizen STI and inspire others to be the same.
After tonight, no one knows which road you may take and where it can lead you but please remember two things. One. You are Citizen STI. Two. Make your parents, your school and make us all proud!
Mabuhay kayong lahat!
Salamat.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Long Wait
The long wait will soon be over for Bicolano youth who wanted to experience complete real life college education only STI can offer with the imminent completion of the new, bigger and better STI Academic Center in Naga. Located at the Central Business District II of the city, the new STI Academic Center boasts state-of-the-art facilities in Hotel and Restaurant Operations, Tourism Management, Engineering and Information and Communications Technology programs. After 10 months of intensive, scrupulous and round-the-clock construction operations, the new campus is set to formally open January of this year.
The new, bigger and better STI Academic Center project was propelled by the consistent enrollment increase of the Institution since new management took full control of its operations back in April of 2007. Aligned with the grand vision of its President Atty. Monico V. Jacob, to transform all STI campuses from the conventional rented buildings into having their own buildings and campuses, the new STI Academic Center in Naga is an intense manifestation of the Institutions commitment of delivering the highest degree of Academic instructions by providing a more conducive learning environment.
Cited by no less than the former City Mayor of Naga, and now DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, for contributing greatly to education development in the City by raising the standards of Academic Excellence especially in the fields of Information and Communications Technology, STI College Naga has been commended by the then City Mayor in his Letter of Appreciation send to Atty. Monico V. Jacob last June of the same year.
Close to seven hundred students enrolled in various Businesses, Engineering and ICT programs of the Institution shared the same degree of eagerness, enthusiasm and anticipation as they await their official transfer to the new campus in a month time. The towering 4-storey building along the CBD II access highway will soon be the new home of STI students of current stature and the many that are yet to come in the very near future.
The long wait will soon be finally over. Bicolano youth need not go the distance to complete their Collegiate Degrees, STI Academic Center is already here at the hub of education in Bicol, the Heart of Bicolandia. Now that STI has raised the bar of academic standards, education for real life has found itself a new meaning. Education for real life is a choice. Academic excellence is must. STI College Naga provides both.
The new, bigger and better STI Academic Center project was propelled by the consistent enrollment increase of the Institution since new management took full control of its operations back in April of 2007. Aligned with the grand vision of its President Atty. Monico V. Jacob, to transform all STI campuses from the conventional rented buildings into having their own buildings and campuses, the new STI Academic Center in Naga is an intense manifestation of the Institutions commitment of delivering the highest degree of Academic instructions by providing a more conducive learning environment.
Cited by no less than the former City Mayor of Naga, and now DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, for contributing greatly to education development in the City by raising the standards of Academic Excellence especially in the fields of Information and Communications Technology, STI College Naga has been commended by the then City Mayor in his Letter of Appreciation send to Atty. Monico V. Jacob last June of the same year.
Close to seven hundred students enrolled in various Businesses, Engineering and ICT programs of the Institution shared the same degree of eagerness, enthusiasm and anticipation as they await their official transfer to the new campus in a month time. The towering 4-storey building along the CBD II access highway will soon be the new home of STI students of current stature and the many that are yet to come in the very near future.
The long wait will soon be finally over. Bicolano youth need not go the distance to complete their Collegiate Degrees, STI Academic Center is already here at the hub of education in Bicol, the Heart of Bicolandia. Now that STI has raised the bar of academic standards, education for real life has found itself a new meaning. Education for real life is a choice. Academic excellence is must. STI College Naga provides both.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Room 79
This is one story most fit for Halloween rather than Christmas. But experience such as this needs to be told to remind us of the Supreme Being who has power over all of us, God. Christmas is not just a celebration of Jesus’ birth; it is a celebration of (our) lives, a sheer manifestation of God’s eternal love and the beginning of our redemption. On a cold Tuesday night, I get to experience God’s love in the most endearing fashion fit for someone who isn’t even worthy of a second chance, yet in His forgiving eyes, He must have thought of the grand scheme of things He wants for me, so I’m back home writing this piece from scratch.
I normally stay at one of my favorite hotel in Manila whenever I had official business trips that require spending days at the big city. For me, this trip was an ordinary one just like the rest of the business trips I had for this year. I was working on my final presentation for the following day’s meeting when I suddenly felt sleepy about quarter past eight (8) in the evening. Feeling tired from the travel the night before, I placed my laptop just above my head and yielded to the call of the soft bed, relaxing music and jazzy ambiance of Room 79. Before falling completely asleep, I was thinking then that I’ll have to wake up early morning to continue my presentation.
In the darkest corner of my sleeping thoughts, I begun to hear typing sounds in my laptop’s keyboard, I remembered I opened my eyes to see from the mirror at the side of the room who was playing with my laptop but I didn’t see anyone. Then the typing noise continued and sounds of chairs being dragged on the floor engulfed the keyboard sound. I forced myself to get up to see who was doing it but I found myself incapable of motion. I remembered I was shouting “stop it!” for I wanted to sleep but the noise kept getting louder each minute.
Then the unthinkable happened. In my conscious effort to stop the noise, I had forced myself to get up. But each time my head reaches 30-40% angle in an attempt to get up (I was lying face up in the bed with my arms spread), I felt a sudden rush of electricity in my face which prevented me from rising up. I repeatedly attempted to force myself to rise but each time I get to that very same angle, there comes the rush of electric-like current from nowhere blazing in my face. On my third try, I managed to look back and was surprised to see myself (my body) in my deepest sleep. Right then I realized I was dreaming and the dream can turn bad. So I slowly lay back to my original form and prayed in silence the basic prayers thought to me in elementary. In a few minutes, I regained consciousness and woke up from the nightmare before Christmas.
I was so happy to see my family and my children again as I went home tonight. My children didn’t have a single inkling of the danger I was in days before and they may have never knew instantly the worst ending to that story. It send shiver to my skin while writing this piece. But if it takes to have one hell of a night for me to stop, look and listen to the beautiful things I must have missed travelling hundred miles an hour, then I’ll unlock my foot from the gas pedal and park at the side street. Eighteen (18) days before Christmas, God had given me the most precious gift anyone can only wish for in their dire need. Not everyone gets a second chance, I’m lucky (and blessed) to have gotten one.
Thank you, JC!
I normally stay at one of my favorite hotel in Manila whenever I had official business trips that require spending days at the big city. For me, this trip was an ordinary one just like the rest of the business trips I had for this year. I was working on my final presentation for the following day’s meeting when I suddenly felt sleepy about quarter past eight (8) in the evening. Feeling tired from the travel the night before, I placed my laptop just above my head and yielded to the call of the soft bed, relaxing music and jazzy ambiance of Room 79. Before falling completely asleep, I was thinking then that I’ll have to wake up early morning to continue my presentation.
In the darkest corner of my sleeping thoughts, I begun to hear typing sounds in my laptop’s keyboard, I remembered I opened my eyes to see from the mirror at the side of the room who was playing with my laptop but I didn’t see anyone. Then the typing noise continued and sounds of chairs being dragged on the floor engulfed the keyboard sound. I forced myself to get up to see who was doing it but I found myself incapable of motion. I remembered I was shouting “stop it!” for I wanted to sleep but the noise kept getting louder each minute.
Then the unthinkable happened. In my conscious effort to stop the noise, I had forced myself to get up. But each time my head reaches 30-40% angle in an attempt to get up (I was lying face up in the bed with my arms spread), I felt a sudden rush of electricity in my face which prevented me from rising up. I repeatedly attempted to force myself to rise but each time I get to that very same angle, there comes the rush of electric-like current from nowhere blazing in my face. On my third try, I managed to look back and was surprised to see myself (my body) in my deepest sleep. Right then I realized I was dreaming and the dream can turn bad. So I slowly lay back to my original form and prayed in silence the basic prayers thought to me in elementary. In a few minutes, I regained consciousness and woke up from the nightmare before Christmas.
I was so happy to see my family and my children again as I went home tonight. My children didn’t have a single inkling of the danger I was in days before and they may have never knew instantly the worst ending to that story. It send shiver to my skin while writing this piece. But if it takes to have one hell of a night for me to stop, look and listen to the beautiful things I must have missed travelling hundred miles an hour, then I’ll unlock my foot from the gas pedal and park at the side street. Eighteen (18) days before Christmas, God had given me the most precious gift anyone can only wish for in their dire need. Not everyone gets a second chance, I’m lucky (and blessed) to have gotten one.
Thank you, JC!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Christmas Letter
Ruth went to her mail box on Christmas Eve, and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:
Dear Ruth:
I’m going to be in your neighborhood this Christmas and I’d like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always,
Jesus
Ruth’s hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. “Why would the Lord want to visit me? I’m nobody special. I don’t have anything to offer.” With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.
“Oh my goodness, I really don’t have anything to offer. It’s already Christmas Eve and the stores will be closing. I’ll have to run down out and buy something for dinner right away.” She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents.
“Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least.” She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk…leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents to last her until next week. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings of a Christmas dinner tucked under her arm.
“Hey lady, can you help us, lady?” Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans; she hadn’t even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.
“Look lady, I ain’t got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living here on the street, and, well, now it’s getting cold and we’re getting kinda hungry and, well, it’s Christmas Eve, if you could help us, lady, we’d really appreciate it.”
Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.
“Sir, I’d like to help you, but I’m a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I’m having an important guest for Christmas and I was planning on serving that to Him.”
“Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway”. The man put his arm around the woman’s shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley as a gentle snow began to fall. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
“Sir, wait!” The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. Look, why don’t you take this food. I’ll figure out something else to serve my guest.” She handed the man her grocery bag.
“Thank you lady, thank you very much!” “Yes, thank you!”
Ruth could see now that the woman was shivering.
“You know, I’ve got another coat at home. Here, why don’t you take this one?” Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman’s shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street …. without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
“Thank you lady! Thank you very much! …. and Merry Christmas!”
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn’t have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. “That’s odd. The mailman doesn’t usually deliver on Christmas Eve.” She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Ruth:
It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely Christmas dinner. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always,
Jesus
The air was still cold, and the snow was falling even harder, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.
- Author Unknown
Jesus doesn’t normally write us Christmas letters and drop it in our mailboxes at home or over the web. I have never heard of such divine notice sent, signed and delivered from the heavens on Christmas Eve or any time of the year at that. This Christmas story might have been told over and over again that you can tell the exact ending just by reading the opening lines. Nevertheless, as cliché as this letter | story may sound, it makes fair sense to stop for a moment and feel the cold air in the morning, listen to the season tunes played over the radio, watch the Christmas lights glow in the dark and share the spirit of the season with the rest of the world.
The morning TV news does a daily countdown until the Christmas. I remembered they begun the count as early as October of this year. As I watched them count the remaining days to Christmas everyday, I got lost in transition as to how many more days it is and while I am tangled in the daily operations, urgent processes and planning requirements at the office, I had completely forgotten that Christmas is indeed coming. In one of my short breaks last week and while checking my mails, it suddenly occurred to me that it is Christmas time once again so I sent few friends greetings so as not to forget. Better early than forgotten I said to myself.
I would not want to wish to receive a letter from Jesus this Christmas (literally or figuratively) for three (3) simple reasons. First, I don’t think I am ready to understand the words written and I may fall short decoding the message hidden between the lines. My Chinese wife thinks I’m dumb. Truth is, I am and I never will get tired of learning to fill-up my half-full left brain that stores my deficient logical, rational, analytical and objective thinking. Once-in-a-while I get to pretend I’m smart when she’s not around but then everything goes back to the normal dumb me back home.
Second, since I might fail the letter comprehension test and misinterpret the value of the message, I may be forever lost in my subconscious trying to figure out the difference between regret and taking chances. My Boss, Resty O. Bundoc told me stories sometime ago of why and how things, practices, cultures and emotions die a natural death. According to him, it is not the end that we should worry about, if not written in the stars (or destiny to some) it will soon come. What we should pay most attention on are the details of today without losing track of the big picture that’s about to happen tomorrow. The most important, lasting and redeeming lesson in situations of dying a natural death is facing the truth of today and appreciating (not suffering) the consequence of tomorrow.
Third, I don’t think I deserve such celestial memo right now as naughty kids don’t get toys from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. “Ignosce mihi, Pater, quia peccavi.” It means “Bless me, father, for I have sinned” in Latin. I knew I did countless time in the past until today and for personal penance (if it’s permitted for absolution in the spirit of Christmas) I would chose to sing a Christmas song over recital of repetitive prayers. Not that it’s easier to do but it’s something not given in the past by any priest yet by the virtues covering the Sacrament of Penance. It may not be in the book but it makes sense, a heavenly prudence in the season of faith, hope and charity.
“You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list, and checking it twice; gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake! Oh, you better watch out! You better not cry. Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town.” Now done with the my distinctive penance, I wish to work hard to make this Christmas the most wonderful season for my family (kids and Chinese wife included), my friends, others that I don’t claim to be “mine”, the countless and the nameless people that I don’t know but in one-one-way or the other have been related to me by chance or intervention.
So help me Jesus.
-Rustico
Dear Ruth:
I’m going to be in your neighborhood this Christmas and I’d like to stop by for a visit.
Love Always,
Jesus
Ruth’s hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. “Why would the Lord want to visit me? I’m nobody special. I don’t have anything to offer.” With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.
“Oh my goodness, I really don’t have anything to offer. It’s already Christmas Eve and the stores will be closing. I’ll have to run down out and buy something for dinner right away.” She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents.
“Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least.” She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk…leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents to last her until next week. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings of a Christmas dinner tucked under her arm.
“Hey lady, can you help us, lady?” Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans; she hadn’t even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.
“Look lady, I ain’t got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living here on the street, and, well, now it’s getting cold and we’re getting kinda hungry and, well, it’s Christmas Eve, if you could help us, lady, we’d really appreciate it.”
Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.
“Sir, I’d like to help you, but I’m a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I’m having an important guest for Christmas and I was planning on serving that to Him.”
“Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway”. The man put his arm around the woman’s shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley as a gentle snow began to fall. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.
“Sir, wait!” The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. Look, why don’t you take this food. I’ll figure out something else to serve my guest.” She handed the man her grocery bag.
“Thank you lady, thank you very much!” “Yes, thank you!”
Ruth could see now that the woman was shivering.
“You know, I’ve got another coat at home. Here, why don’t you take this one?” Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman’s shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street …. without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest.
“Thank you lady! Thank you very much! …. and Merry Christmas!”
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn’t have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. “That’s odd. The mailman doesn’t usually deliver on Christmas Eve.” She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.
Dear Ruth:
It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely Christmas dinner. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.
Love Always,
Jesus
The air was still cold, and the snow was falling even harder, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.
- Author Unknown
Jesus doesn’t normally write us Christmas letters and drop it in our mailboxes at home or over the web. I have never heard of such divine notice sent, signed and delivered from the heavens on Christmas Eve or any time of the year at that. This Christmas story might have been told over and over again that you can tell the exact ending just by reading the opening lines. Nevertheless, as cliché as this letter | story may sound, it makes fair sense to stop for a moment and feel the cold air in the morning, listen to the season tunes played over the radio, watch the Christmas lights glow in the dark and share the spirit of the season with the rest of the world.
The morning TV news does a daily countdown until the Christmas. I remembered they begun the count as early as October of this year. As I watched them count the remaining days to Christmas everyday, I got lost in transition as to how many more days it is and while I am tangled in the daily operations, urgent processes and planning requirements at the office, I had completely forgotten that Christmas is indeed coming. In one of my short breaks last week and while checking my mails, it suddenly occurred to me that it is Christmas time once again so I sent few friends greetings so as not to forget. Better early than forgotten I said to myself.
I would not want to wish to receive a letter from Jesus this Christmas (literally or figuratively) for three (3) simple reasons. First, I don’t think I am ready to understand the words written and I may fall short decoding the message hidden between the lines. My Chinese wife thinks I’m dumb. Truth is, I am and I never will get tired of learning to fill-up my half-full left brain that stores my deficient logical, rational, analytical and objective thinking. Once-in-a-while I get to pretend I’m smart when she’s not around but then everything goes back to the normal dumb me back home.
Second, since I might fail the letter comprehension test and misinterpret the value of the message, I may be forever lost in my subconscious trying to figure out the difference between regret and taking chances. My Boss, Resty O. Bundoc told me stories sometime ago of why and how things, practices, cultures and emotions die a natural death. According to him, it is not the end that we should worry about, if not written in the stars (or destiny to some) it will soon come. What we should pay most attention on are the details of today without losing track of the big picture that’s about to happen tomorrow. The most important, lasting and redeeming lesson in situations of dying a natural death is facing the truth of today and appreciating (not suffering) the consequence of tomorrow.
Third, I don’t think I deserve such celestial memo right now as naughty kids don’t get toys from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. “Ignosce mihi, Pater, quia peccavi.” It means “Bless me, father, for I have sinned” in Latin. I knew I did countless time in the past until today and for personal penance (if it’s permitted for absolution in the spirit of Christmas) I would chose to sing a Christmas song over recital of repetitive prayers. Not that it’s easier to do but it’s something not given in the past by any priest yet by the virtues covering the Sacrament of Penance. It may not be in the book but it makes sense, a heavenly prudence in the season of faith, hope and charity.
“You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list, and checking it twice; gonna find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town. He sees you when you're sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake! Oh, you better watch out! You better not cry. Better not pout, I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town.” Now done with the my distinctive penance, I wish to work hard to make this Christmas the most wonderful season for my family (kids and Chinese wife included), my friends, others that I don’t claim to be “mine”, the countless and the nameless people that I don’t know but in one-one-way or the other have been related to me by chance or intervention.
So help me Jesus.
-Rustico
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Isaw
Chicken has probably the most edible part (second to pigs | hogs) easily available in the market, much less ordinary food stalls and barbeque stands. The sight of chicken heads, wings, thigh, legs down to chicken feet (called adidas) in sticks are among the nightly ordinary menu of an ordinary barbeque stand. Frozen chicken blood cut in cubes also forms part of the mighty chicken menu repertoire which also includes chicken intestines or Isaw.
Isaw is a street food from the Philippines made from barbecued chicken intestines. The intestines are cleaned several times, turned inside out, and cleaned again and repeating the process several times until the chicken part has been thoroughly cleaned. After this preliminary process, the intestines are boiled then grilled on sticks for the masses to enjoy. Isaw has taken tremendous popularity in the Philippines especially now that feasting on a whole chicken at a dining table has become a privilege for the few, at least in the village where I came from.
A chicken’s intestine is probably about plus or minus two (2) feet long, this means one chicken accounts for about plus or minus three (3) barbequed Isaw sticks. Doing the math for the thousands of Isaw vendors all over the country, it is safe to assume that there are about over a million chickens being slaughtered everyday for food in the Philippines which eventually addresses the demand for everyday Isaw. It makes me wonder where in the world do these chickens came from? But then looking at United States consumption of chicken per day, it is said that in that part of the world, about twenty-six (26) million chickens are being slaughtered each day. Now do the math on how many barbequed Isaw could that possibly make!
Isaw has been one of my favorite “pulutan” back in college. My boardmates, classmates, friends and I would drop by downtown area after class to take out our favorite Isaw in one of the many Isaw stalls lined near the plaza. With every shot of Gin and an Isaw bite come endless stories of our daily exploits and misadventures told in a more exciting manner. Old stories and jokes sounded like new near midnights when sticks are what’s left of the delectable barbequed Isaw. Back then, Gin and Isaw are perfect combination for an in-house overnight drinking spree. While we knew that there’s still a class tomorrow, the gathering sometimes became extensions for classroom deliberations which Isaw even more intellectually useful.
My youngest daughter, Maria Theresa, loves Isaw at her early age. I didn’t know she was eating this exotic street food until her mother told me she saw her lined up in the barbeque stand next to the sari-sari store across the street. Her ate and kuya must have influenced her to try this bizarre delicacy. I would want to stop her from engaging in barbequed Isaw yet I don’t want to deprive her of the experience shared by millions of ordinary Filipinos. This early, I wanted Motet to remember the taste of Isaw. Isaw for me is not just an exotic food; it is a vivid representation of our state as a struggling country and a precise symbol of Filipino resiliency.
Go Motet, take as many Isaw as you want then in time I hope you’ll realize that Isaw is not the best tasting part of a chicken. The best tasting part of a chicken is the part you will give me in the future when I can no longer give you one.
Isaw is a street food from the Philippines made from barbecued chicken intestines. The intestines are cleaned several times, turned inside out, and cleaned again and repeating the process several times until the chicken part has been thoroughly cleaned. After this preliminary process, the intestines are boiled then grilled on sticks for the masses to enjoy. Isaw has taken tremendous popularity in the Philippines especially now that feasting on a whole chicken at a dining table has become a privilege for the few, at least in the village where I came from.
A chicken’s intestine is probably about plus or minus two (2) feet long, this means one chicken accounts for about plus or minus three (3) barbequed Isaw sticks. Doing the math for the thousands of Isaw vendors all over the country, it is safe to assume that there are about over a million chickens being slaughtered everyday for food in the Philippines which eventually addresses the demand for everyday Isaw. It makes me wonder where in the world do these chickens came from? But then looking at United States consumption of chicken per day, it is said that in that part of the world, about twenty-six (26) million chickens are being slaughtered each day. Now do the math on how many barbequed Isaw could that possibly make!
Isaw has been one of my favorite “pulutan” back in college. My boardmates, classmates, friends and I would drop by downtown area after class to take out our favorite Isaw in one of the many Isaw stalls lined near the plaza. With every shot of Gin and an Isaw bite come endless stories of our daily exploits and misadventures told in a more exciting manner. Old stories and jokes sounded like new near midnights when sticks are what’s left of the delectable barbequed Isaw. Back then, Gin and Isaw are perfect combination for an in-house overnight drinking spree. While we knew that there’s still a class tomorrow, the gathering sometimes became extensions for classroom deliberations which Isaw even more intellectually useful.
My youngest daughter, Maria Theresa, loves Isaw at her early age. I didn’t know she was eating this exotic street food until her mother told me she saw her lined up in the barbeque stand next to the sari-sari store across the street. Her ate and kuya must have influenced her to try this bizarre delicacy. I would want to stop her from engaging in barbequed Isaw yet I don’t want to deprive her of the experience shared by millions of ordinary Filipinos. This early, I wanted Motet to remember the taste of Isaw. Isaw for me is not just an exotic food; it is a vivid representation of our state as a struggling country and a precise symbol of Filipino resiliency.
Go Motet, take as many Isaw as you want then in time I hope you’ll realize that Isaw is not the best tasting part of a chicken. The best tasting part of a chicken is the part you will give me in the future when I can no longer give you one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)