ABC STARS Inspires

Why do people die? They just do, that's all All I know it's your personal belief People choose what they want to hear What is the reason behind a fallen leaf? It just withers, that's all Mother Nature plays it by ear We must listen with our heart and soul Who decides when, where and how? If you believe in God that's Who... When? any minute, any hour, any day How? it's the moment's call and anywhere... My gratitude, I was not in need of answers I waited for heaven's call from a Friendly Voice The silence echoed the looming emptiness But Your Light illuminated the dark void photo credit: Touch It via photopin (license) License: (license) photo credit: Fun with Christmas Lights I via photopin (license) License: (license)

(The following invocation was delivered by Atty. J. Antonio M. Carpio, a member of the Ateneo de Naga Board of Trustees and an alumnus of ADN Pre Law Class '51 during the annual alumni homecomiing of the Ateneo de Naga Alumni Association, Inc., last December 30, 1980 at the Ateneo Gymnasium. While the CITY NEWSWEEK does not necessarily subscribe to, much less endorse, the sentiments contained in the following invocation, we are reprinting it principally for its literary value and to underscore the fact that even under the present martial law regime there is, in truth and in fact, freedom of the press and of expression. ---Editor) Ever loving Father, hallowed be Your name. From Naga thru Kabikolan, we proclaim In myriad moods, our total dependence on You O Alpha and Omega of all that is good and true. Deign to bless us in a special way This day, our 34th homecoming. We pray, Too, for those no longer with us; for those  Who want to, but cannot be here; for those who ch...

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...

I'm afraid to love... Because I'm broken He turned around looked at her intently, Then walked away never turning back. With finality, tears flowed down her cheeks. She yelled, "Come back, you fool! I love you..." But he disappeared into the night. Like there was no tomorrow. Only two broken hearts. Promises unkept. And love unfulfilled. The End photo credit: Lonesome walker via photopin (license)   License: (license)

　　 Believe me when you’re down and out in Naga City you will realize that there’s no way to go but up and something or someone will pull you up then you experience that hope indeed floats. When you don’t learn your lesson, sadly, you might end up where you left off. A painful history should not repeat itself. 　We will go through a period in our life where we will be in a state of obscurity. It would be a time of soul-searching wherefore we will experience struggles, sufferings and sleepless nights. No one will be spared from this. It is a part of life. These moments of trials and tribulations will bring darkness into our existence. It is when hopelessness sets in and we question the value and meaning of our purpose in life. 　　　　 　For most of us, it is the time that we pray and beg for help. We pray for something or someone to save us from our troubles. An inspiring epic of a hero saving the helpless somehow shows us a glimmer of hope or a ray of light that will illumi...

Destiny. That is THE one word that was/is and probably will be the driving force that steered/steers and will steer the direction of my life. It is the hidden power believed to control what will happen in the future. Other words for it are fate and fortune. Free will comes into play only if you choose or refuse anything that will happen in your life. The mere fact that which family you were born into or being an orphan had been predestined for you. However, choosing friends is something that is inherently a matter of being half fate and half choice. I have climbed a mountain. I was elated. I even saw a soaring falcon as it disappeared into the forest. I discovered water again for the first time in my life. The thirst you experience after reaching the summit is indescribable. I consumed a great amount of precious water just to quench the new thirst. Climbing a mountain was not on my bucket list. If I had a choice I would have remained at home for the rest of my life...

The subdued humming of the air conditioning became inaudible It is raining heavily outside as raindrops hit the roof and the pavement I like to let the words flow as I listen to the relaxing melody of the downpour I noticed that the more I write in this kind of situation the more it is incredible People wonder why poets like the water in this form- it is mere enchantment The rhyme and rhythm makes the readers want to reflect on the poem's core 8/14/2015  photo credit: clouds bring the f-stop blues via photopin (license) License: (license)

If I made you smile, laugh or shed a tear In the most subtle and surreal ways If I made you think so that you could hear In the most challenging and pivotal days                                                              Then I have been doing my vocation                         To reach even the farthest spirit gone astray Then I have been living my God-given mission To show you the brightest light to guide your way August 9, 2015 photo credit: Looking over Hohenschwangau via photopin (license) License: (license)

　　    So, this is what you do at early dawn. Now I understand, the city is breathtaking at this time beautifully illuminated by the street lights, the moon and the stars. I tried to read your mind because you looked so lost and forlorn. Your guardian angel mentioned that this is not your usual route. You were walking aimlessly and almost listlessly. 　    “Can you hear me?” You whispered ever so softly. Tears like morning dewdrops began to flow down your cheeks. I wanted to wipe them away but I could not; remarkably I fondly replied, “Yes, I can hear you.” Then you asked, “Why?” I tapped your shoulder lightly and told you, “...so that I can watch over you.” 　　Can you see me? You thought to yourself as your vision became blurry. “I am here just walking beside you. This is what’s amazing and wonderful about it for I can be with you at anytime and not only during our previous, usual breakfasts every Saturday at home. For always, anytime and anywhere.” ...

　 　I was still at the university at that time and I knew what I wanted. I wanted to work in a mall. Why? It was an escape from the Manila heat. In the mall there is central air conditioning so one can even wear a light jacket and not perspire. It was cold so I loved it. 　　There were other reasons. People are happy when they are in the mall. They can see a movie then enjoy a meal afterwards in one of the numerous restaurants. They can check out goodies like ice cream and chocolates. In the family-friendly atmosphere, I liked watching happy families because it made me happy too. 　　I always liked going to the bookstore and the mini zoo in the mall. Well, the tiny zoo is actually the pet shop with its fish, turtles, guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters. But I came for the dogs, to see the different breeds up close and personal. To see these at home meant taking out a thick encyclopedia from the bookshelf and looking at colored pictures of different kinds o...

Photo by Father Louie Occiano 　 　Like martial arts, waiting is an art. It is also a talent. With this in mind, it can therefore be developed. Children have a very short attention span. As we grow into maturity and wisdom, like fine wine, we become more patient. 　　Mastery of waiting can be achieved. We can become so good at it that we become lovers of the very act of waiting. Essentially, waiting is the practice of looking forward to a beginning or an end of an event no matter how trivial or great it may be. 　　Isn’t it exciting to wait for the birth of a baby or for a university graduation which is the end of formal schooling? 　　A series of events starts with the beginning of the new year. The changing of the seasons come to pass. The comings and goings of people in our lives and the commencement of occasions; Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Christmas and the end of the year. 　　The passage of time; seconds turn into minutes; hours, days, weeks, months, ...

                                                                                                           Amelia ‘Naynay’ Castillo Fulgentes brought pride to Bicolandia as she won the Miss People’s Choice Award and given the title as Miss Philippine Airlines in this year’s Miss Philippines USA at the coronation night held last July 12 staged at the Alex Theatre, Glendale, California. Naynay was born in Naga City and later migrated to America when she was seven years old. The twenty two year old Fil-Am Beauty Queen is currently finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Colorado. As one of the major title holders, she will be taking part in different charitable projects...

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...