ABC STARS Inspires

A Song for Ina The year we lost our treasure We wondered why she'd disappear Tho searchers gave full measure Of love in searching far and near! Somehow, today she found us Thru wind and flood; less gilt and chrome! All hail! Her grace surrounds us! She has returned! Ina is home! Refrain: Whatever calling finds us Wherever Bicolanos roam You are the love that binds us Forever one tho far from home! You are reconciliation For pilgrim or Samaritan! You are our exaltation O Mother of Kabikolan! Envoy: VIVA LA VIRGEN! NUESTRA SEÑORA DE PEÑAFRANCIA! ... Written for the musical composition dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Peñafrancia, Patroness of Bikol, on her return to Naga City on her birthday, September 8, 1982. Composed by : Florencio P. Celino                            Ocampo, Camarines Sur                         ...

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)

Engineer Hermenegildo Almonte Carpio with family Papa prepared for his journey long ago. At ninety, few of his peers were still around. Only his great-grandchildren did not know, They were so young, he longed to be homeward bound! Often, he would get lonely and would weep And tell his daughter and his eldest's wife He missed Mama! No other love so deep And true had he. All through their wedded life. July fifteenth, Sunday, at eventide, His eldest grandchild was going to visit him. Her two-year-old, sleeping by her side, Awoke - aroused by Lolo? by cherubim? --- And said: "WALA NA SI LOLO! KINUHA NA NI JESUS CHRIST!" Beyond reason or ryhme, 'Twas when his heart stopped beating. Pahinga na. Home with God! Beyond the bounds of time! 15 August 1990

I wonder... what if Christmas would not have been? If Mary doubted, faltered, and didn't agree To the message of the angel, unforseen By mortals --- she, who knew no man, would be The mother of the Messiah long foretold? But, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord", She said, accepting all that was to unfold "Be it done to me, according to thy word!" It is written, "Yahweh calls by name Long before we are formed in our mother's womb." Still, He needs her fiat just the same. For a woman may will her womb to be a tomb Or a tabernacle of life awaiting morn! Echoing the first Christmas when Christ was born! Christmas 1993 photo credit: Annunciation Glass - Mary via photopin (license) License: (license)

There was no room at the traveler's house           No room for Mary, heavy with child! That Joseph took his virgin spouse           To a stable for creatures meek and mild. And so, when midnight turned into morn           A star came down when all was still For Jesus, the Son of God! was born           And lay in a manger on a hill! The shepherds - who, are perhaps the least           Among the poor upon this earth - In Bethlehem, in the Middle East,           Were first to know of the Savior's birth! From angels singing hymns of glory           To God in the highest, on earth, peace Unto the just. The ageless story           Of how wars and strife may cease! Something's there in humble things So endearing to the King of kings! 6 December 1990 photo cr...

We wondered, what will Christmas be this year           When death and desolation stalk the land? Thousands lost their homes, their kin most dear           In a frenzy of floods and winds and boiling sand! And yet, still they hope! And not in vain!           Facing tomorrow from fathomless deprivation Seizing joy from sorrow, embracing pain!           Upholding life, sheer life, with jubilation! There must be something more than mortal then           Whence springs hope. And indomitable will. Faith! Fulfilled when God dwelt among men!           Born of the Virgin in a cave on a hill! God with us! Heaven's choirs sing out! Isn't this what Christmas is all about? Christmas 1991 photo credit: 果子 via photopin (license) License: (license)

Christmas is caroling all around. It is "no class"! And gifts abound! Christmas is a lot of fun! But is there Christmas for everyone? I asked my mother, and now I know How Christmas came, long, long ago. For God so loved the world, He gave us His only begotten Son to save us! One starry midnight when all stood still Jesus was born in a cave on a hill Because there was no room in the inn For Joseph and Mary and our Saviour from sin! God became man in a family. Like everyone. Like you. Like me. That's why families are holy Rich or poor, mighty or lowly. So Christmas is more, much more than fun It's God loving everyone! Loving every family! Loving teacher, and you and me! December 1994 ______________________ Signs of the times "Why did Mary and Joseph take the boy Jesus to Jerusalem with them?" asked the Sunday School teacher. "Because they couldn't get a baby-sitter?...