- By: Lyn Carpio

The follow-up seminar-workshop of the Creative Writing Encounter Seminar was entitled; Isang Dipang Langit sa Loob at Labas ng Bayan kong Sawi Pakikipagkwentuhan ng Manunulat sa mga Manggagawang Pinoy. It was held on 18 October 2009 at the 3rd Floor of Hyehwadong Filipino Catholic Center. The key person of the said activity was Prof. Genevieve Asenjo, Ph.D and was attended by the volunteers of the community.

October 25, 2009

A PUBLICATION OF AND FOR THE FILIPINO CATHOLIC MIGRANTS IN SEOUL ARCHDIOCESE

Prof. Gen stressed out some migrants problems . . .

and programs to help our kababayans in time of needs, we can uplift our nationalism even though we are out of the country.

The said activity was more of a casual She also emphasized the relevance of a talk in the likes of kapihan or huntahan group working with a common goal and (chatting) with Prof. interest. More Asenjo. Basically, voices can be heard the aim was to make clearly and it makes the participants feel a difference. She at ease with the mentioned that a speaker. And in dogroup equipped ing so, without their with enough knowlknowledge they voledge can work in untarily shared their lobbying, addressideas, personal ing the problems to thoughts and views the proper authorion the topic preties and help to edusented. cate the migrants about their rights Prof. Gen and clear some confusing issues which stressed out some migrants problems and everyone did their best to come up concerns them . with a suggestion on how to be of help in resolving it. She pointed out that through writing we can help to awaken the consciousness of the masses. Through involvement in various cultural activities Isang Dipang Langit signifies hope, a hope with reality. We, as individuals working and living away from our homeland are like prisoners who only hope to see our loved ones and to be with them in the future. The activity ended at past 6:00 in the afternoon and it was such a worthwhile chat with Prof. Gen Asenjo.

Volume 14 Issue 43

. . . everyone did their best to come up with a suggestion on how to be of help in resolving it.

The HFCC Sports Committee and participating teams in the second round of the HFCC 12th Basketball Conference met at the HFCC Center on 18 October 2009 after the celebration of the Holy Mass. Aside from the HFCC Sport Committee members, present in the meeting were coaches of the Tambayan, Ilonggo, Rosarians and Foreign Mart teams. Representatives of the Ilocano and Ibaanians teams failed to attended the meeting. However, they sent word that they would be amenable to whatever the body decide upon. The main topic of the meeting was the games venue. Up until the meeting, a venue of the games is still to be identified. Mr. Alvarado, coach of the Tambayan team, suggested the basketball court at Gunpo. He would be making the necessary coordination to secure the place. In the mean time, Ms. Precy Niebres will also be coordinating with Hansung University for the use of their basketball court. Wait for further announcement when the games would begin. Dates Game Date #1 Game Date #2 Game Date #3 Game Date #4 Game Date #5 Game Date #6 Game Date #7 Game 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd Teams ILONGGO VS ROSARIANS TAMBAYAN VS ILOCANO IBAANIANS VS FOREIGN MART ROSARIANS VS TAMBAYAN ILOCANO VS IBAANIANS ILONGGO VS FOREIGN MART ILOCANO VS FOREIGN MART TAMBAYAN VS IBAANIANS TAMBAYAN VS ILONGGO IBAANIANS VS ROSARIANS FOREIGN MART VS ROSARIANS ILONGGO VS ILOCANO IBAANIANS VS ILONGGO FOREIGN MART VS TAMBAYAN

The Power of Choice By: Bevi Tamargo

Sometimes we put ourselves into situations we later regret. Many times we tend to just go with the flow and let the circumstances lead us. But in so doing, we give away our power to something that is outside of us. There were so many times when Ive compromised myself by letting situations lead me. I based my actions on things that were outside of me rather than within me. Life is a choice and sometimes we forget that the choice belongs to usthe choice to be happy, to be sad, to be lonely or angryto be the victim or not. Sometimes we fall into the trap of forgetting that life is the sum of all our choices. When we recognize the power of choice, we give back the power to ourselves. We realize that we are, after all, in control. Of course, this is easier said than done. And sometimes it is even difficult and painful to accept. Most of the time, the choices are made on a very deep levelwhere we subconsciously choose the same pattern of things over and over again. And even in this unconscious way, the choice still belongs to us. I want to begin choosing things that are good for me. I want the change to begin from within me. When we recognize the Divinity within us, we begin to respect ourselves more. And we begin to make better choices

Game 1st ILOCANO VS ROSARIANS Date #8 The first game date is tentatively scheduled on an indefinite date..

SAMBAYANAN is prepared and published weekly by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center for Filipino Migrants which is being administered by the Mission Society of the Philippines under the auspices of Seoul Archdiocese. ARCHDIOCESAN MIGRANTS PASTORAL CENTER FOR FILIPINO

EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief: Emely Dicolen-Abagat, Ph. D. Assistant Editor and Feature Editor: Bevi Tamargo News Editor: Ma. Teresa Solis Literary Editor: Allan Rodriguez Catholic Faith Editor: Roberto Catanghal Encoder/Lay-out Artist: :Engr. Czarjeff Laban Webmaster: Engr. Rogelio Domingo Contributors: Amie Sison, Joel Tavarro, Michael Balba, Lyn Laurito, Sis. Melody Palana, Jojo Geronimo Circulation Manager: Ms. Marlene G. Lim Fr. Alvin B. Parantar, MSP Adviser/Chaplain

115-9 Songbuk-gu, Songbuk 1 dong, Songbuk Villa, Seoul, Korea 136-020 Tel No. (02) 070-8161-0870 or 070-8161-0873/74 e-mail: alvin_parantar@yahoo.com e-mail: emelyabagat@yahoo.com e-mail: sambayanan-edboard@yahoogroups.com
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PAGNINILAY:
Fr. Rollin I. Flores, SSP
a hirap nga naman ng buhay ngayon malamang hindi na natin mapansin (o ayaw nating pansinin?) ang iba pang mas naghihirap kaysa sa atin. Sabi nga, Pare-pareho lang tayong may problema. Pare-pareho lang tayong nahihirapan. Hindi nakapagtataka kung wala mang gaanong makapansin sa kalagayan ng mga bata at matandang pakalat-kalat sa lansangan dahil walang permanenteng tirahan, mga maysakit na mamamatay na lang nang hindi man lang makapunta sa doktor, mga walang trabaho, mga preso, mga simple at walang maipagmamalaking tao. Buti na lang hindi ganito mag-isip ang Diyos. Buti na lang maypakialam ang Diyos kahit na kung tutuusin, siya ang may pinakamaraming problemasa lahat. Sa Unang Pagbasa, ipinahahayag ni Jeremias ang pagbabalik ng mga Israelita (ng Kaharian sa Hilaga) mula sa pagkakatapon nila sa Asiria na sumakop sa kanila noong taong 721 B.C. Sila ang tinatawag na nalabi o mga tira-tira ng bayang Israel (b. 7): ang mga nanay at mga buntis (hindi binabanggit na kasama ang kanilang mga asawa) na umaasa lang sa tulong ng ibang tao; ang mga bulag at mga pilay na isinumpa daw dahil sa kasalanan nila o ng kanilang mga pamilya at itinuturing na hindi karapat-dapat makibahagi sa buhay-pagsamba ng bayang Israel. Itong mga walang-kwentang taong ito sa mata ng lipunan ang mauunang ibabalik ni Yawe sa lupang ipinangako sa kanilang mga ninuno. Kung paano sila hinahamak ng ibang mga bayan, ganun naman sila kinagigiliwan ng makatarungan at mapagpalang Diyos.

Tawag-pansin
Ang espesyal na pagtingin na ito ng Diyos sa mga dukha, maliliit, mahihina at balewala ay ipinagpatuloy at lalo pa ngang naging mas matingkad sa katauhan ni Jesus. Sa gitna ng halos walang -pahingang pangangaral niya tungkol sa paghahari ng Diyos, lagi pa ring may panahon si Jesus upang ipakita ang pagpapahalaga niya sa mga taong walang-halaga sa mata ng lipunan. Napansin niya at pinagaling ang babaeng matagal nang dinudugo nang hipuin nito ang laylayan ng kanyang damit. Pinuri niya ang dukhang biyuda na naglagay ng dalawang barya sa kabang-yaman. Para sa kanya higit na malaking halaga ang abuloy ng biyuda dahil katumbas nito ang buo niyang kabuhayan. Pinuntahan din niya at pinagaling ang alipin ng isang paganong sundalo. Nakisalo siya sa hapunan sa mismong bahay ni Zaqueo na halos isumpa at patayin ng kapwa niya mga Judio dahil sa pagiging kolektor niya ng buwis para sa mga dayuhang Romano. At ngayon nga sa Ebanghelyo, ang pulubing bulag na si Bartimeo naman ang mapalad na tumanggap ng pagpapahalaga mula sa kinikilala niyang Panginoon, Anak ni David. Tulad ng inaasahan, manhid at walang pakialam ang mga tao sa kalagayan ni Bartimeo kaya pinatatahimik nila siya. Bulag na nga siya, gusto pa nilang maging pipi rin siya. Pero sa tindi ng kanyang pangangailangan, hindi nila siya mapipigilang samantalahin ang pagkakataong iyon na gumaling sa awa ng Mesiyas na inaasahan at sinasampalatayanan niya. Tulak ng likas na kagandahangloob ni Jesus at bilang gantimpala na rin sa matibay na pananalig ni Bartimeo agad siyang nakakita at sumunod kay Jesus. Mapalad tayo dahil si Jesus na Punong-Pari at kinatawan natin para sa Diyos ay may malasakit sa atin (na mga mangmang at naliligaw) sapagkat balot din siya sa kahinaan (Heb 5:1, 2).

FREQUENTLY CALLED NOS.

Phil.Embassy (Labor Office) 3785-3634/3785-3624 Education (Emely) Youth Ministry (Weng) IT (Rogie) 010-5160-2928 010-5821-7799 010-8696-4984 Sunday: Cycle B

2009 OCTOBER

Weekday: Year

(Consular Office) 796-7387 to 89 ext. 103 (Hotline) Philippine Airlines 011-273-3657 774-35-81

Rebeck Beltran (Eucharistic) 010-8671-2761 Neneth Mari (FMAA) Mhar Gonzales (LRC) Marlene Lim (CWI) 010-2207-5087

Fr. Alvin Parantar, MSP 010-4922-0870 Sr. Miguela Santiago Allan Rodriquez (Sec) 016-706-0870 010-3144-3756

010-8683-3826
010-6871-0870

Edison Pinlac (Pres/JPC) 010-2906-3109 El Shaddai(Bro.Henry/Avel) Masok (Gil Maranan) 794-23-38

Mokdong Immigration Processing (Detention) Center 02-2650-6247

010-5822-9194 (031) 593-6542

Hwaseong, Suwon Immigration Processing (Detention) Center 031-355-2011/2 Chungju Immigration Processing (Detention) Center 043-290-7512/3

Taerim (Dan Panti) Worship (Ely) Recreation (Mike)

010-8684-7897 010-8061-9143 010-8692-4771

Volume 14 Issue 43

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

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CATHOLIC FAITH:
- Larry Gillick, S.J.
PRE-PRAYERING There is a warmth and kindness in todays readings. There are promises and fulfillment. We are offered a picture of how Jesus is passing by us all and asking us what we want him to closely God moves towards us and offers us ways out of certain do for us. By our fallen human nature we have varying forms of visual impairment and or shame. We have experiences of exiles, alienations and darknesses. recovery of sight in relationship to some of creation. We see We can pray with the answer we would give to the question the value of things and become sensitive to our using creawhich Jesus asks today, What do you want me to do for you. tions variety. It does seem that the last impairment is our beWe can pray with the reality that God works for our freedom ing able to see ourselves as beautiful, lovely, pleasing, delightand for the joy of our shouting Thank you! We can pray also ful, wonderful and blest. This recovery of sight led to the mans for the grace to desire to get up and follow him along whatever mobility; he got up and followed Jesus. Somehow Jesus helped road he travels. him see himself enough at least to begin his recovery of the more of him. It is the work; the mission of Jesus to bring to life all that was unlively. REFLECTION It is a truth that we can not give what we do not have. As well, We hear from the Prophet Jeremiah who is singing a different we find it most difficult to give what we do not love. Those who tune from his usual repertoire of laments and accusations. He believe in Jesus are invited, encouraged and expected to behas spent much of his life calling Israel back to their following lieve also in what he says about us. The community of believtheir identity as Gods holy people. They failed to listen so ers in the early Church was that little group, who like Paul there they are in exile. himself, had recovered their sight about themselves in such a What we hear in our First Reading has an Advent theme to it. way that they could follow Jesus into generous ministry and Jeremiah speaks of shouting for joy for the loving God is relationships. As there are many ways to injure our ability to bringing them all back, the blind, lame and the little ones as see, there are even more ways we can injure our faculty of well. Gods love sent them into captivity to get their attention visualizing who we are in Gods eyes. It is in that condition and their faithful response. Now God will gather his beloved that we join the man on the side of the road in his crying out for pity. It is also to that condition that Jesus enters and asks and reinforce their name as the Beloved. us exactly what we want. Here is the challenging part though. The thing to note here is that all will be returning even those Be careful! Do you really want to see? Seeing will lead you to who have physical disabilities or deformities. No one person the appreciation and acceptance of your face and person and will be excluded from their being in Gods holy family. Blind- history, which will then lead you to get up, follow him into ness was seen to be a sort of curse as was being lame or ulcer- generous service and relationships. His love does free us to ous. God the Creator is claiming them all as blest and belong- love ourselves seeingly and offer ourselves less blindly. ing to God. Mark ends this section of his Gospel with a symbolic summary miracle. The events of Jesus life begin to take a dramatic turn "Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord. Seek the Lord and with the beginning of the next chapter as he enters Jerusalem his strength; seek always the face of the Lord. Ps. 105 on a donkey in triumph, but heading for the cross. These past few Sundays we have heard from this same chapter. Jesus has spoken hard things about divorce, the danger of riches, and the role of the disciples as servants of all. The symbol for Marks readers was and is, about our being offered visions of life ordered along the teachings of Jesus. The disciples and fellow travelers are symbolized by a person who has heard Jesus, but wants to see him more clearly and follow him more closely. It summarizes the whole life of Jesus up to this point; he came to be seen by all and followed. This man who was blind, was unable to see himself and know what he looked like. He could feel his face and have others tell him how he looked, but these always fell so far short of the reality. Not to know what he looks like has resulted in his sitting by the side of the road and calling out for pity. This cry is an echo of how he feels about himself. There seems to be a consequent self-negativity when one can not see ones face and physical image. There are those also who can see and do not like what they look like in reality. They Send an e-mail response to the writer of this reflection at lgillick@creighton.edu . For a photo of and information on this writer, visit http:// onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/ lgillick.html. too can tend to the sidelines in a pitying state of being blinded by what they do see.

Source: Daily Reflection of Creighton Universitys Online Ministries - http:// onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102509.html

Today He asks us what He asks Bartimaeus, What do you want me to do for you? Rejoicing, let us ask the same thing of Himwhat can we do for all that He has done for us?
- Dr. Scott Hahn Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology

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KARUNUNGAN:
- Bro. Joel Tavarro
Kaya naisip ko na walang pinakamabuti sa tao kundi magpasasa sa kanyang pinagpagalan. Wala na siyang ibang magagawa. At sino ang makapagsasabi sa kanya kung ano ang mangyayari pagkamatay niya? (Mangangaral 3:22 ) Sa mundong ating ginagalawan, maraming mga pagpapala ang hinasik ng Diyos upang ating magamit dito sa lupa at namnamin ang kasaganaan sa mga bunga ng Kanyang mga nalikha. Nariyan ang mga prutas na maaring kainin, puno at halaman na mapapakinabangan na ginagawang gamot at maaring gawing damit. Ibat ibang uri ng mga kagamitan at kasangkapan. Mga pagkain na makabubuti sa ating katawan at bagay na makakatulong sa pang araw-araw nating pamumuhay. pera. Ang punto dito ay pakinabangan natin ang ibinigay ng Panginoon ng may kagalakan. Halimbawa na lang sa magkakaibigan kapag nagbigay ng isang bagay, ang nais ng nagbigay ay makita niya itong isinusuot, nang sa gayon nagpapakita at sumisimbulo ito na siya ay pinapahalagahan. Nasubukan mo na bang magbigay sa kaibigan ng isang bagay para sa katawan na hindi naman niya isinusuot kahit minsan? Hindi ba nakakawalang-ganang magbigay muli? Subalit kung makikita naman na kanyang pinapahalagahan nakakaaliw at anong ligaya sa pakiramdam sapagkat matutuwa ka sa isang bagay na binigyan ng pansin at pagmamahal. Gayun din ang Panginoon natutuwa Siya kapag nakikita Niyang maligaya tayo sa kanyang mga binigay na pagpapala.

Palagi natin isaisip na ang paggamit sa pera ay yung needs Sa ating mga trabaho lalo na kapag sulamang ang dapat na masunod sa ating mapit na ang araw ng suweldo marami sa Kadalasan sa sobrang pangangailangan sa pang araw-araw. Ito ay atin na nakalaan na ang kinita para sa mga pagtitipid nakakaligtaan praktikal na paggamit ng salapi para makabili muli ng mas mahahalaga pang mga bayarin o utang kaya wala na halos natiang pag-aayos sa ating bagay na ating kailangan. Bakit tayo magtitira para sa sarili. Nakakalungkot na matiis na hindi bumili ng maayos na damit kita ang iba nating kababayan na kahit submga sarili ... kung wala tayong maisusuot. At hindi yung sob sa pagtatrabaho na malaki naman ang wants maaari namang manamit na hindi kinikita ay mukhang kaawa-awa pa rin. Hindi naman masama sobrang luho, nasa pagdadala lang iyan! Dahil kapag ito ang kung minsan ay gantimpalaan natin ang ating mga sarili dahil nangingibabaw masasabing pagkukulang din ito sapagkat sa ginagawang pagsasakripisyo at pagpapagal sa paghahanap- hindi pinanghihinayangan ang mga biyaya na ibinigay buhat buhay. Batid naman natin na ang ating katawang lupa ay tem- sa langit. Kailangan pa rin nating magtabi para sa kinabukaplo ng Diyos na marapat ingatan, alagaan at mahalin. Katulad san ng ating mga pamilya. Sabi nga ng iba, Wala na nga tayo sa mga bahay kinakailangan ding lagyan ng mga dekorasyon noong naghihirap tapos ngayong mayroon na nagtitiis pa rin. Kailan kaya tayo makakakain ng manok sa Senior Pedro upang magandang tingnan. Minsan atin itong kinakabitan ng o Andoks kapag matatanda na at matabang na ang panlasa ng mga kurtina para mas maging kaaya-ayang pagmasdan kapag ating dila? Kailan kaya makakapagsuot ng magarang damit na mayroon tayong mga bisita na dumadalaw sa ating tahanan. kaaya-ayang tingnan kapag nagsisimba? kapag matanda na at Pinipinturahan pa nga ito at naglalagay pa minsan ng mga kulubot na ang mga balat? Kailan kaya makakapagsuot ng halamang namumulaklak o bonsai dahil ang nais natin ay sixpocket na short kapag uugod ugod na? Siyempre kailangan isaayos din natin ang lahat sa tamang lugar na nakadepende sa makita itong presentable. pagkakataon. Aliwin din natin ang ating buhay paminsanKadalasan sa sobrang pagtitipid nakakaligtaan ang pag- minsan. Gawin ang ating nais basta hindi lamang labag sa tunaayos sa ating mga sarili, na kung saan dapat na makita na tunin at batas ng Diyos. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na ginawa tayo ay anak ng Diyos na taga pagmana ng Kanyang kaya- na ang ganitong mga bagay ay makasalanan na tayo. Mabait at manang dulot ng pagkakalikha dito sa balat ng lupa. Sabi nga maunawain ang Panginoon pinapagamit nga Niya ang lahat ng bagay dito sa lupa subalit kailangan magkaroon tayo ng sa panalangin Give us this day our daily bread Kaya iba na- maayos na pamamaraan, sistema at disiplina na gamit ang man ang pagpapala na ating matatanggap para sa darating na kanyang paggabay. bukas. Ito ay para sa mga taong marunong maghanap-buhay. Hindi ibig sabihin ay maging waldas na tayo sa paggastos ng
Praise and Worship Holy Mass............ Bokwang Dong REGULAR ACTIVITIES Tuesdays: Bible Sharing .............. Incheon Wednesdays: Prayer Intercession..... Itaewon Thursdays: Fridays: Bible Sharing........... Itaewon, Sangmun, Sokye, Myonmok Dong, Songsu Dong Saturdays: Prayer Intercession.. Bokwang Dong Bible Sharing........... Ansan Sundays: Fellowship; Praise and Worship service......... 1. Sungdong Social Welfare 2. Majangdong *Every 1st Sunday: Mass and Healing 3. 4. Sis. Liza Bernardo Sis. Linda Aonuevo 010-2958-2629 010-6872-2844 Bro. Avelino Cielo 010-3304-3527 Bro. Henry Rendon 010-5815-0130 For inquiries, Prayer and Counseling, please call: PPFI Center : 02-794-2338 or the ff. persons

Volume 14 Issue 43

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

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DAKILANG MAKAPANGYARIHAN

SA PANAHON NG.

Bro. Joel Tavarro

Hindi na nakaiwas, sa Iyoy sumunod na lamang Inilaan ang oras, naglingkod sa Banal mong Ubasan Dakilang Diyos, sisikaping Ika'y paglingkuran Tanging nais lamang, nawa ay kalugdan. Tunay na Ikaw ang tubig na walang kamatayan Dumaloy Ka at hugasan ang aking kasalanan Manguna Kat gamitin Mo ako, ayon sa Iyong kalooban Mangibabaw nawa, kabanalan Mot karunungan. Katulad ay liwanag ng araw at ng buwan Maghahari si Yahweh, ang makapangyarihan Mahahayag ang kanyang kaluwalhatian Buksan ang pusot isipan, Siyay ating pakinggan. Siphayo at hilahil, sa buhay ay dumaan Malabay Niyang pakpak, aking nasilungan Baluti at kalasag, tanggulan at sandalan Dalangin sa puso koy manatilit Manahan. Ikaw ang kublihan sa tinik ng kagipitan Silungan ng mga nasa gitna ng init at ulan Sa pisngi ng lupa, kaningningan Moy higit pa sa hiyas Kabutihang walang hanggan, sa amin ay ipamalas.

ni Alay
MASDAN ANG HAMOG SA NGITI NG UMAGA SA DIBDIB NG HALAMAY GINTO ANG KAPARA KUMIKINANG SA KAWAY SA SIKAT NG ARAW GALAK ANG KAAGAPAY HABANG NAMAMAALAM. MGA HUNI NG IBONG SUMASAYAW SA HIMPAPAWID SA SALIW NG HIMIG, UMUUGOY ANG MGA TALAHIB PATI MGA PALAY NA SA GININTUANG BUTIL AY HITIK ANONG SAYA ANG NAGHAHARI SA PAYAK NA PALIGID. MALAMIG NA PANAHON SA UMAGANG UMUUSOK BUMABATIT YUMAYAKAP, SA KALAMNAN NANUNUOT DAMPI NG KANYANG HALIK, TAIMTIM ANG PAHIWATIG WARIY NAGBABADYA NG DI NAGMAMALIW NA PAG-IBIG. MGA DAHON NGAYOY MAPULA NA DATI AY LUNTIAN SA LARAWAN NG MGA PUNONG TILA KINUKULAYAN ILANG ARAW PA AT MAKIKITANG NAGLALAGLAGAN SA BUBUKSANG TAGLAMIG, SASALUBONG SA PINTUAN. AH, PANGLAW SA PUSOY MULI NA NAMANG UMALPAS SA PANAHON NG TAG-INIT, SA PANAHONG MAALIWALAS SA PANAHONG MAGINAW, ANONG LUNGKOT NG PALIGID LUHA NG TUYONG HALAMAN, SA MATA AY NANGINGILID. TAG-LAGAS AY DUMARATING SA HALAHAK NG HANGIN SA LAKAS NG TUNOG, DAMBUHALANG PUNOY NIYAYANIG BULAKLAK SA PARANG NA ANG GANDAY MANANAHIMIK UMAASANG MASILAYAN, LIGAYA SA DIBDIB ANG HATID.

ARIES (Alay kay Aries Ventura)

Michael B. Balba

A-raw mong natatangi sumapit na naman,

kaya aking bati maligayang kaarawan, dasal ko sa Poon nating minamahal, nawa'y gabayan ka magpakaylanpaman..

E-spesyal ka sa akin lagi mong tandaan,

pagkat ika'y isang kaibigang tunay, salamat sa oras na 'yong nilalaan, salamat sa lahat ng tulong mong alay.

R-egalo kong handog ay hindi materyal,

ngunit sana itoy iyong magustuhan, ang munti kong tula na sa'yo ay alay, sa puso nagmula kaibigang hirang.

I-dinarasal ko sa mahal na Ama,

nawa ikaw lagi, maging maligaya, ang mga nais mo kaibigang sinta, sana ay makamit sa tuwi-tuwina.

S-umpa ko sa iyo di kalilimutan, lahat ng sandali ng pinagsamahan, saan man makarating laging mananahan, sa puso ko't isip angking kabutihan.

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One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

Volume 14 Issue 43

No matter how hard we try to avoid, at times circumstances I was easily deceived by people who treated me nicely. I will get the better of us. We base our actions on the circum- never thought that there was something different on the inside. stances, but sometimes the results are far different from what There are people who use devious acts to get what they want from other people. And never cared for the hurtful effect it may we wanted it to be. cause. Their hidden motives are revealed once you have fallen At times, we make decisions against our will but the given into the trap. And the courage inside of me just left. situation made us do so. We cannot manage to GET-OFF THE But it was I who said YES, I cannot blame anybody. I HOOK. knew the facts of the situation but I still chose to agree with the I was pondering a lot these past few days, I have been asking decision. I was too nave to voice out my opinion on the matter. myself these questions How far have I gone in life during these I was afraid that if I will not cooperate, the blame will be put on past two years? Where I have grown with lifes experiences? me. And because of pakikisama I did it. And I was wrong But the mere thought that some of my decisions were a failure Ive learned my lessons well. gave me a guilty feelingI felt unhappy. I have managed to get back to my senses and now I am ready There was a time that I couldnt but I just go with the wind to face any circumstances that are yet to come. Ive learned to wherever it may lead me. I knew for a fact that if I would not say NO when it is appropriate. Not at all times we have to make up my mind or help the situation, things might get worst agree with the people around us. Learn to weigh things side by for the other person. Though my conscience told me not to ap- side and if were having a hard time coming up with a balanced decision, entrust everything to Him and seek for His wisdom. prove of it I had no other way but to consent. It may be an accomplishment for other people but a total despair on my part. I suffered in silence...I was bothered. Why did I allow myself to be used for their convenience? Why did I allow them to put me in the situation where I emerged as a loser? Why did I let them hook me only to be feel bad afterwards? On the other hand, thinking that I was not alone in despair, somehow gave me consolation. During moments of struggle, there is someone who stood by my side. He never left me, though sometimes I hardly noticed Him especially during the peak times of my life. He never deceived nor blamed me. He loved me just the way I am. He helped me GET-OFF THE HOOK and I was freed.

Volume 14 Issue 43

One community living up the Gospel through the service of the Lord and our fellow men

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