ABC STARS Inspires

Since childhood I would always hear the grown ups say that everything is fifteen minutes away from your location to your destination. Over time I too would always say this to our guests both from out of town or out of the country. But I suddenly had this bright idea to put this little known information about Naga City to the test. Is it a fact or a myth? Last Saturday, I embarked on a small adventure.During my usual morning exercise with just a wristwatch and a notebook, I documented my tour of the popular destinations in my city. You must have seen in the movies or have read in American books about Beverly Hills and when you tour that place they have a star map. A star map is where you can pass by the houses of Hollywood’s famous movie stars and icons. So, we start at the corner of Liboton and M. T. Villanueva Avenue. I clocked in at 5:39 in the morning. The gated old expansive two-story house with a green roof is the ancestral property of a dynasty in t...

They did not fade. Like an indelible ink after voting for national elections, my memories of the old train photos are intact. But I just needed to check and to make sure my mind did not fail me. I was a young boy then looking at my older siblings’ baby albums that were lovingly and beautifully made by my effervescent mother. I was not sure which baby album it belongs to, you see, I have twelve older siblings so I scanned each album randomly at first, and started with my older sister’s baby album because I had a strong gut feeling that the old photos are in that album. I was correct. Excitement filled the air and more treasure hunting followed. I started with the eldest and stopped by the third album, my brother’s. My sister’s page has some pictures which are the same with my brother’s page. She has two that are different. Two sepia photos, the first with her smiling ear to ear while my beaming mother looking on and a brother with his back against the camera, while the sec...

The cool, crisp air was what greeted me while deplaning at the spacious, modern and bright Frankfurt Airport. It was summer in Europe in June of 2013. My siblings patiently waiting at the arrival lobby were glad to finally see me. It took almost 16 hours with a few hours stop-over at the colorful, mosaic-adorned Abu Dhabi Airport. It was an international experience in multifaceted aspects. It was like changing channels of an international cable television. The people: a mix of South Asians, Filipinos, Arabs, Chinese and other East Asians, Africans and Europeans. The languages: except for Filipinas chatting in Abu Dhabi, conversations that could be overheard were a Babel of foreign tongues. The weather: dry and humid at the Arabic departure area and then contrasting mist, cool summer winds in Europe. The clime was perfect for a tropical local and I enjoyed our car cruise on the motorway from Germany to Zurich in Switzerland. Towns and...

The good are going, the ungodly reign! Gerry. Ninoy. Not Pepe! (Why not Ferdie?) The morrow promises more want, more pain Don't take away our leaders! Don't let it be! We need him as we struggle towards the dawn Of self-determination. Where truth prevails. With life again revered. With justice won And peace upon us. Dissenters out of jails. You "write straight with crooked lines!" 'Tis treason Doubting. Without You, where can we go? You are our all in all! You will the reason For a leaf, a life; a friend or foe.           Yet I must ask, beyond all I intend---           Cure Pepe Lord! Because he is my friend! Ichthys, 14 Sept 84 photo credit: dawn in port via photopin (license) License: (license)

All things dark and booty-full         All rackets great and small All things rank and plunder-full         "The politician's made them all!" "We needed a 're-structuring'         Of our unjust society." The clamor "Change!" was echoed         Re-echoed to satiety. "We faced the gravest danger---         The Republic's impending fall! A 'democratic revolution'         Was launched to save us all!" The top-most politician         Then ruled us by decrees Behind him, martial power         "So as to keep the peace!" "A rule 'authoritarian'         A crisis government'" A plain dictatorship         Until his power's spent! He got a Constitution         "Approved." By a show of hands! By voters and non-voters   ...

Dear Jesus, we are gathered in Your name. And we of the Camarines Sur Bar proclaim Anew our commitment to the Rule of Law Over infrastructures held in awe In a regime of coercion where the strong are right--- The dominance of military might, The uselessness of writs of liberty And the labyrinthine way to normalcy. Lord, do let the Holy Paraclete Abide in us. That we may not be effete! That we may conquer the fearsome doubts we dread And we may dare where Justices fear to tread; Maintain our chapter as a forum, free, For law, and what jurisprudence ought to be; And with integrity, effectively Discharge our public responsibility. May we seek You in our quest for truth. Beyond the brazen brainwashing of our youth; The deceit upon our people; the "managed" news; The "freedom" to publish tolerated views And exposes and other happenings But, "keep off royalty and royal things." Because, in seeking, striving for what's true We are...

Captured light in a crimson core A few fading bursts of laughter Slow whispers of supplication Please spare his life, my petition Flickering against the angel's wings His destiny in the hands of the Prince A release of high heaven's sigh Why could I not say goodbye? In the silence of the room I tremble The emptiness make me stumble I called out your name hoping That maybe if I keep looking But the unseen can't be undone Your presence is never gone Hope is but what remains Faith springs after the rains July 19, 2015 photo credit: In the rain via photopin (license) License: (license)