ABC STARS Inspires

(Tune-"Yellow Ribbons") You came with love! You came in peace! You came to heal! That bitter strife may cease! To help end all oppression! That we may soon be free! For there can be no concession to injustice or tyranny!                                                To injustice or tyranny!         We tied our yellow ribbons along the old Times lane         It's been three long years of exile and pain!         You should have seen our ribbons on that old oak tree---         "Di ka nag-iisa! Bayan ay mahal ka!"         Who's to blame? But them! You didn't see         Our yellow ribbons around that old oak tree! They had you shot! They had you slain! That greed may rule! And men of evil reign! By force and intimidation, heeding bu...

Many and many days ago, I asked my mother that I may know What the meaning of "family" is. She said, "It's easy to remember this--- "'F" is for 'Father' and 'A' is for 'and' 'M' is for 'Mother', whom God has planned To care for His little ones, Gentile or Jew; So 'I', 'L' and 'Y', are for 'I Love You!'" For God so loved the world He gave us His only begotten Son to save us. And Jesus, too, became a baby And was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Taught by Joseph the carpenter's ways, He grew in age, and wisdom and grace. For rich or poor or mighty or lowly, God made the family happy and holy. So, a family is father and mother Filled with love for one another And loving their children, twenty or three, As God loves teacher and you and me! December, 1994 photo credit: BROTHERLY. via photopin (license) Licens...

All things dark and booty-full        All "miracles" great and small All things rank and plunder-full        This "New Society" has them all! A formal Constitution        Approved by show of hands; By voters and non-voters        In parks and grandstands! An Interim Assembly        With ready-made excuse— It can legislate in freedom        On tolerated views! Neither democratic        Nor parliamentary; Neither coming nor going        From "crises" to normalcy! Running the Administration        Are casuals high and low; The test of tenure being        Are you Marcos' friend or foe? A Comelec foreknowledge        Making canvassing passé— The Poll Returns completed        Before election day! The President, the Premier...

A.M.D.G. 7 February 1975 Maritess, my child, It was 19 years ago today that you were born in our nipa hut, in our 8BCT camp atop a hill, beyond Baras, Rizal, beside Laguna Bay. And I recall those days because until last Sunday, we were "allowed" to be free for 14 days from your birthday up to the 21st (from 7 to a number divisible by 7) to discuss this coming referendum on 27 February (ending in7). When I think on it, Iget mad. That the exercise of our freedom of thought, opinion and conscience should depend on but one man. As if we owe our inalienable rights to any mortal on earth. As if man, created in the image and likeness of God, did not have freedom and human dignity as his birthright. And I feel sad. Very sad. For no one else is to blame but ourselves as a people. We act today as if freedom should be given on a silver platter. And not, as it should be, asserted precisely when threatened and despite the odds. As if we are not descended fr...

I i dare to question Thee! why? why him? the glint in his father's eye the laughter in his mother's heart? could such a loss be still a part of what they tell me is Thy will ---senseless then and senseless still? and why at such a tender age? the curtains were just up the stage, why should the play be abruptly ended without being comprehended? ah mortal that i am, because i'm mortal still! i ask the reason ---though they tell me that it's treason--- for this senseless, pointless loss! II unanswered doubts of yesterday though still unanswered, pass away; and tears, long dried up, leave a reign of quiet grief, unquestioning pain; and thoughts, though poignant still, must turn from out the hopeless, searing yearning for lost joys, to him---his joys. would he, had he his mortal voice tell us from beyond this shore: "mission accomplished!"? why say more? ah mortal that i am, because i'm mortal still! is this the reason why...

A Centennial Prayer This time, a century ago; A plague was creeping thru the land And yet, in Kabikolan then, In ways one may not understand, Devotion to Your Holy Face Became the key to our salvation. So, we publicly proclaim On this centennial celebration--- Refrain:      We venerate the Holy Face      That St. Veronica unfurled!      Deliver us from evil, Lord!      Have mercy! Saviour of the World! Today, a deadlier plague than then Has swept and paralyzed our nation--- A wanton disregard for life; For justice! By intimidation And institutionalized deceit, Our people groan in subjugation! Winds of hate and wild ambition Blow away reconciliation! Refrain: We turn to You, O Prince of Peace O Cause of genuine liberation! Sustain our hearts and minds and wills That we may end our degradation! That we may once again be free From fear, from want, from desecration Of our dignity as Man! A...

My late father reached the pinnacle of success when he became a prominent national government director. From the time he assumed office until the day he left this world he was known as the director. Even after his passing he was still fondly called that title.  A Wikipedia article about him discusses his life in greater detail. It was an opportunity he worked for and he relinquished it without any qualms when it was taken away from him and was offered a ‘promotion.’ He called it delicadeza. I did not understand it at first as I was young then but I know now the reasons and ramifications and these convinced me to reiterate yet again that he made the best decision. Long before the Azkals came to fame, one of my brothers became a football sensation when he became the national football goalkeeper in his sporting heyday. I remember being awed and astonished while reading about his profile in a feature in an international football magazine. Now he is connected with an intern...