ABC STARS Inspires

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)

Our Father, almighty, hallowed be Your name. From Abra to Zamboanga we proclaim In myriad moods, Your People's trust in You O Alpha and Omega of all that's good and true! Deign to bless us in a special way This day, as we labor and pray That Your will be done in this Conven- Tion through the rule of Law and not of men. Despite diverging thoughts and words and deeds Despite diverse ideologies and creeds That our Integrated Bar, now four years old, Be ever faithful to our goals. Be bold; Be non-political; a forum, free! For law, and what jurisprudence ought to be! And with integrity, effectively Discharge our public responsibility To rich and poor, the mighty and the low- Ly; with fairplay for all --- stranger, friend or foe. Look kindly on our human failings, Lord! The countless times we live not by Your Word; As we forgive, and understand the plight Of hangers-on of power who indict Us falsely. Who equate non-political ...

MARY, there is blood upon the hills. Your sons have etched upon their guns---their kills. There's an evil wind that's blowing badness Among the winds of change. And sowing sadness In the hamlets of your land of peace. Ah, when will this wind of madness cease? For fleeting moments till these rites are done Bicolanos once again are one Gathered at the crossroad of Bicolandia On this, your annual feast of Peñafrancia. Yes, this is what we always remember This turbulent, passionate pilgrimage of September. But Mary, many are our crying ills Today, there is blood upon the hills. Many of our brothers have their tables bare There's so much greed; deceit is everywhere. Justice is a phantom in the night Banished by goons and gold and armalite. Our leader has reneged upon his word No voice but that of his mighty can be heard. No wonder there's that nagging thought that fills A growing many---blood upon the hills. O Mary dearest, of Peñafrancia Shri...

-I- The Charge: "It's the Light Brigade!" "Cannon to the right of them Cannon to the left of them Cannon in front of them Volleyed and thundered." Students to the left of M Strikers to the right of M Pressmen in front of M Volleyed and thundered, That Marcos had blundered And pressure groups plundered On contraband cargoes Despite the embargoes Of President Marcos. Manglapus to the left of M Ninoy to the right of M LPs in front of M Volleyed and thundered Of M's "hocus pocus" Of Officer Corpus Of notorious Jabidah And "the plans of Imelda"; And beleaguered was Marcos. But, exposing Meralco's Exemptions, he vowed He'll no longer be cowed By these titans who plundered And the country pondered As the Lopezes thundered And the NPs were sundered. "Savior of womanhood", Fernandez, then stood--- "FM's but one And much must be done We...

I rise, repent, till death. desire enflames the will and, reason blinded, covet and fall! 29feb60  photo credit: Roman Soldier via photopin (license) License: (license)

Madonna of Bikol! Queen of God's People! O Lady, of  Peñafrancia shrine, We come to you, to sing anew Of your constant care! Of your love divine! In joy and in sorrow, today and tomorrow, From East to West, where ever we roam From far or near, Ina most dear, What matters only is we are home! In this trysting place of God's embrace A love we say not in solitude, In whispered sighs, from only the wise, But is sung and shouted by a multitude! One are the Bikols! One with all peoples! With God and His angels and saints above! Banishing sadness, bursting with gladness Proclaiming the wonder of our Mother's love! *Oragon, Sept., 1992; Handiong, Sept., 9, 92  photo credit: The Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia via photopin (license) License: (license)

Mother, why must they be so unruly? Why the pagan revelry? Truly, This traslacion from your Basilica Is no procession! 'Tis a Mardi Gras! With this irreverence, how can one pray? For years, they have been doing it this way--- A swaying, dancing, drunken parody Of what a real procession ought to be! "Have you forgotten, son, that pagans, too, Are Christ's own brethren? Beloved, just like you? Wasn't my Peñafrancia chapel built Nor guile, who dwelt beyond the sound of bells Yet yearned for all God's Holy Word foretells! And why be grim and gloomy all the while? Is there no room for laughter or a smile?" "They, too, do pray. Oftentimes unseen By mortal eyes. And how they love their Queen! So overwhelmed by gratitude are they, They shout their hearts out! It's their Mother's day! Why can't they have the Mardi Gras they want? Should processions be so sacrosanct? Why not---for pagan, devotee, or p...