ABC STARS Inspires

The early misty morning fog and dew Tasted like falling rain waters on my lips I saw a bird standing on the edge of a mirror Wings fluttering, trying to look at its reflection It seemed like it was dancing and singing Chirping happily and flying and hopping I was amused because from a bird's perspective It sees not itself but the image is of another Free and unmindful for fleeting moments Then it sensed my presence and took flight It was flying to the nearby mango tree Then, flew to another tree, penultimately Ultimately it soared the limitless skies And, I was left alone smiling amusingly photo credit: gagilas wagtail via photopin (license) License: (license)

Now we can laugh; We've had enough Of the "long and sleepless nights" That made of us hapless sights Of worn and weary owl-eyed creatures, Almost eerie surrealist figures. It's time to forget The tears and the sweat Of desperate supplicants (Bar applicants) Begging numberless saints, "las almas Del purgatorio" for the answer to "Las Palmas"; Blessing, for "nunc pro tunc" and "disposicion Captatoria" these "5's" in class recitation. It was a gruelling race; At a killing pace; Thank God! now that it's over We are still sound and sane and sober. The readings from cover to cover, The coffee-cramming-coffee days are over; No more "aide memoire" Or 'clause compromissoire", Enough's enough! Now, we can laugh! 2-9-62 (after the Bar) photo credit: Justitia via photopin (license) License: (license)

A candid shot of long ago Caught two boys racing in the sun Boundless energies aglow With zest for carefree, innocent fun Running laughter giving all In all they did though big or small. That was so long ago, I know, In Sorsogon beside the bay Where sea-kissed mountain breezes blow Where fields are green from May to May. The parish of impulsive Peter And St. Paul who's none the meeker. December-born and best of friends, Both fell in love with one Beloved And "lit their candles at both ends" That they might have their mettle proved For He who chose them from the rest Would settle only for the best. The "boy is father to the man" And one can almost hear them still--- "I can run faster than you can!" They pledged their heart and mind and will And are still racing so it seems In giving Christ their lives, their dreams. You see, those two barefooted fellows We knew as Jess Varela and (At left) Carmelo "Boy" Mor...

He had many and many a foreign friend, But beyond their friendship, they well knew, Was a love of country that would not bend That would be ever constant, ever true. Generations came and went, he stood, At ninety-three, a steady, guiding light. Firmly facing friend or foe, he would Reiterate our long, unfinished fight--- Foreign bases simply have no place In our country if we were truly free And friend of all, whatever creed or race; Upholding foremost our own security.           He lived to see realized, his dream most dear!           Ka Tanny rests, grinning from ear to ear. Oragon, July, 1992 photo credit: Philippine Flag via photopin (license) License: (license)

Bikol! Land of godliness and song! A kingdom of kindness, of people brave, once free! Noble deeds abound the common throng Destined for greatness yet plagued by disunity! Is this our fate - in the midst of plenty, want? Land of the good, enslaved by lies and fear? Let Truth prevail! Tho the way be grim and gaunt! O Truth to set us free! Our goal most dear! Bandillo, 28 july 82 photo credit: Diamond Mayon via photopin (license) License: (license)

I begged; then bowed, "Thy will, not mine, be done!" Resigned my will and drugged my seething soul -Recoiling at the gall this chalice held- That I might drink it down to its bitterest dregs And drink, I did. But that was long ago! Whence then comes this gall that flows, still flows From out this chalice emptied long ago? I prayed, at least that I may know Your will. Should I, can I not ask for this? But this? How could it be Your will that I should know Not what You will for me? I fled them all For You, why then have You abandoned me? I was a climbing, growing, verdant vine Who founded all; each faintest breath, each throbbing Heartbeat, and flowing sap upon this tree Who wove each littlest wish, each wistful hope And all its grandest, fondest, wildest dreams Around this tree; unchanging tree that was My way; undying tree that was my life. But God! You've let them tear me off my tree! And wrench me, rend me by the roots and throw Me out upon ...

Eggheads wondered how the bumble bee An aeronautical monstrosity That by design is not supposed to fly Keeps on blissfully flitting, buzzing by. Instant prophets, too, kept prophesying--- "This government won't last. There's no denying "Tell-tale signs, the end is well in sight. "Cory's People Power had lost its might." They saw the end in six months to a year. The trouble is with neither greed nor fear Nor knowledge that we're not supposed to last We're still around many moons have passed. Our battle for all that's true is far from over. Too often, rights and freedoms are but a cover For minorities that impose their will By violence. Who lie and maim and kill. In the name of equality or social reform. When reality their only norm Is ---" end justifies the means." Expediency. With pharisaical infallibility. On guard! For Truth! And virtue! Our war goes on! EDSA was but the coming of the dawn Upon a pe...

You lifted us from apathy and sorrow;           Broke the bonds of indifference and despair! You gifted us with hope for a new tomorrow!           If we be true! And give our all! And dare! You bested the gauntlets of stamina and speed           Of brains and brawn, of nerves of steel, and skill. Consumed by but one passion - to succeed!           Give more than all! With indomitable will! I would not mention names for you are legion           Each one doing his utmost as part of a team. You met the best of the Southeast Asian region           Winning more than what we dared to dream! O Philippine Athletes! Heroes! Thru thick and thin!           We salute you! You gave us back the Will to Win! *Oragon, Dec. 1991 photo credit: Day 179/365 - Almost GOOOOOOOOAL! via ...

We thought we knew him, Father Pacis, Yet we never half-expected Him among the ones elected Bishop---Princeps Caritatis--- With a promise they must keep--- "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep!" The Philippine Vincentians' fate That the centuries reflected, Was that no one was elected To the Church's Episcopate. Yes, no one still was called to keep His flock; to tend and feed His sheep. There must be something in the man Behind that bushy seeming frown Something that made Christ look down And, speaking through the Vatican Say "Here is one of those who'll keep And tend my flock and feed my sheep." He taught the old to accept the new But used the wisdom of the past To temper those who moved too fast. That they may keep the faith; be true And Bicolandia thus may reap Good helpers---Priests---to feed his sheep. A man who knew he did not know All that there is to know; who loved But Christ and Christ alone, and proved This love by l...

Fire! Fire!! Fire!! That dreaded cry! rings Through the quiet of the night and brings Dry-throated horror At the furor of this rampaging terror. Hear the echoing crash and crackle And the hissing, maniacal sparkle Of its merciless laughter as it swallows Man-made structures, trees or willows That haplessly lie in its path Prey to the frenzied fury of its wrath! Higher! Higher!! Higher!!! Grows the crimsoned shadow Of this dancing, prancing desperado. Will its smoldering anger not subside? Can't its greedy appetite be satisfied? Hear the wailing of the sirens and the clanging bells The sights of relief; and the clamoring yells Of the rain-coated men in their red-painted wagon Who strive to quench the thirst of this flaming dragon. But, . . . its passion. . .uncontrolled grows hotter! For, alas! again!! no more water!!! 25-3-60 photo credit: hydrant via photopin (license)   License: (license)

a face, in pain, looks up to me           and i, his father, grieve that he, though in his infancy           must shed the tears that leave no man, no mortal free. what must have been Thy agony           to hear Thy only Son cry "why has Thou forsaken Me!"           when He, the Spotless One was dying on the Tree? a face, unheeding, frowns at me           rebellious at my call and angered, i forget that he           is but a boy, for all i see, is mockery O! how boundless is Thy mercy!           endless is Thy love! that seest but my human frailty,           i, Thy creature, who strove to scorn and mock Thee! i flounder on this raging sea!           i may not rise above this coming swell! so if this be    ...

Its name is Legion. Demonic possession uncurled From out of seductive substances and weeds Uncoiling astral dreams and frenzied deeds. A deathly plague that's sweeping o'er the world. Beguiling escape from strife uncomprehended; A sly caress, embrace, then a python-hold Crushing rich or poor, young or old. 'Tis said there's no way out till life is ended. Yet, a few break out. From them we know That 'twas the break-up of their family That spun their insecurities and fears The seeds from out of which addictions grow. Could this, conversely, be the remedy? Familial love --- the warmth that dries all tears? 8 Dec 92 photo credit: The Holy Family 24 via photopin (license)   License: (license)

Image courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Image courtesy of smarnad at FreeDigitalPhotos.net A CROSS is being made for me; The whole world over it is known That he who bears the Primacy Of Peter must carry it alone. My own Commission cannot be A Simon of Cyrene. It's shown By their split theology This crushing weight is all my own. "But cannot 'collegiality' Make this chalice pass away?" Image courtesy of artur84 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net No, a seeming majority Echoes the world's communique; "We have no king but science. We Have no god but reason! Give Us this forbidden fruit. Free Us from the law that we may live!" "As man sees fit? What treachery!" Yes, the same old Serpent weaves The same old lies on the same old tree--- Temptation of the Modern Eves. "A worried world is at a loss, You abdicate? What shall we do?" Image courtesy of ...

Image courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography at FreeDigitalPhotos.net "I've been deeply moved!" "Me too", he said While looking at the mountain framed in red, The red of sunset, "My, it's quite a view! And see the rainbow over there?" I knew He didn't really know it hadn't been Exactly what I meant. "I haven't seen It lovelier than today, after that rain." He added. And I doubted, should I explain? It was not Isarog I thought of, I Was thinking of that dome against the sky. I know that what we saw from where we stood Was but this sunset scene. Perhaps a mood --- A moment out of time, when time must pause Between a longing and a sense of loss--- Was what had made us see quite differently. To him, the grandeur of the scene; to me, The meaning hidden in that dome that rose Above the town. That He could be so close! To think that I would look beyond and miss The...

Naga! City of my birth! Dearest town in all the earth! Citizen or governor, There is much to thank you for! Naga, where twin rivers meet, The region's ecclesiastical seat. Once called the "Plaza Miranda of Bikol" By the Dictator and his people. Home of a people gentle and brave Upholding freedoms the Creator gave! Cradle of bikol culture and learning With singular Marian devotion burning! Naga City, the Philippines A David among the Philistines Heir to a rich, inspiring saga Of Unconquerable Faith! Mabuhay Naga! *Oragon, Dec., 1991

Photo by cc Ah would that I could write of ugly things! To see but ghoulish abnormalities Through warped and maniacal imaginings. But how? I see at dusk a lover's kiss In wintry dark, ah, love in evening mink. I see through cloud-distorted light a rain- Bow hiding; an eclipse, a sunny wink To flirting moon, gowned in tulled champagne. I see in sweat of blood, the rubies, wel- Comed ransom, mankind's kinship with a Face Who made all pain His sobering spell And death, graduation unto Life's embrace! Ah call me hopeless, unrealistic fool I see but Beauty in a myriad pool! 24feb64