ABC STARS Inspires

I firmly believe that the wealth of our nation is best exemplified by its people. Yes, The Philippines is made up of more than seven thousand spectacular islands that we proudly call our home but it makes it more endearing to showcase the greatness of its people. What is interesting though is the fact that most of these qualities and feats were not taught in schools rather through research and keeping abreast with current events. This is not your typical tidbits of information about our people and our country but try to read between the lines and partake of the essential meaning of what makes us a great people. Patriotism is the impetus for progressive change in our nation’s economy. The country has numerous living and departed heroes. It is estimated that about 10% of the population or around 9 million people are working overseas on a temporary condition. They help fuel the comprehensive national development through their remittances. They in...

He rests. A man blessed of the Lord! He lived till two moons short of ninety-four. Sworn to peace, his spoken word Will ring throughout our nation, nevermore! His name lives on --- in his progeny: Children, nine, grandchildren forty-eight, Great-grandchildren, twenty-nine --- for he Was a just man. A father to emulate. Esteemed by all who know him, friend or foe, He loved his country with utmost dedication And served his people well though high or low. His greatness now belongs to all the nation.           He lived to see rewarded, his work most dear!           Why shouldn't he rest, grinning from ear to ear? *Oragon, July 1992 photo credit: Old Man by the Sea via photopin (license) License: (license)

-I- How beautiful, the dawning!           As we come to sing to you Of love, so sweetly burning           Ever constant, ever true! This dawn, guitars are tinkling           May God's blessings rain anew Far more than stars oversprinkling,           Fresher than the mountain dew. From out this starry awning           Would that we could gather two One to waken you "Good morning",           With the other bid "Adieu!" Refrain: A newborn day is dawning,           The rays of the sun break thru, Arise early this radiant morning           As we sing "Hello" to you. -II- On the day that you were born           Flowers wafted their perfume, For on that baptismal morn           Life in grace began to bloom, --- A li...

Fount of graces never ending          Testament of Unity! Christ to us, in Bread presenting          God! In wondrous Mystery! Faith renewing, supplementing          What our senses may not see! Bread of Angels! Our Salvation!          Sacrament, most Holy! In unceasing jubilation          We proclaim Thy Majesty! Thine be homage! Adoration!          Praise! And Love! And Glory! Amen. Amen! photo credit: Dresden via photopin (license) License: (license)

Now we can laugh; We've had enough Of the "long and sleepless nights" That made of us hapless sights Of worn and weary owl-eyed creatures, Almost eerie surrealist figures. It's time to forget The tears and the sweat Of desperate supplicants (Bar applicants) Begging numberless saints, "las almas Del purgatorio" for the answer to "Las Palmas"; Blessing, for "nunc pro tunc" and "disposicion Captatoria" these "5's" in class recitation. It was a gruelling race; At a killing pace; Thank God! now that it's over We are still sound and sane and sober. The readings from cover to cover, The coffee-cramming-coffee days are over; No more "aide memoire" Or 'clause compromissoire", Enough's enough! Now, we can laugh! 2-9-62 (after the Bar) photo credit: Justitia via photopin (license) License: (license)

A candid shot of long ago Caught two boys racing in the sun Boundless energies aglow With zest for carefree, innocent fun Running laughter giving all In all they did though big or small. That was so long ago, I know, In Sorsogon beside the bay Where sea-kissed mountain breezes blow Where fields are green from May to May. The parish of impulsive Peter And St. Paul who's none the meeker. December-born and best of friends, Both fell in love with one Beloved And "lit their candles at both ends" That they might have their mettle proved For He who chose them from the rest Would settle only for the best. The "boy is father to the man" And one can almost hear them still--- "I can run faster than you can!" They pledged their heart and mind and will And are still racing so it seems In giving Christ their lives, their dreams. You see, those two barefooted fellows We knew as Jess Varela and (At left) Carmelo "Boy" Mor...

He had many and many a foreign friend, But beyond their friendship, they well knew, Was a love of country that would not bend That would be ever constant, ever true. Generations came and went, he stood, At ninety-three, a steady, guiding light. Firmly facing friend or foe, he would Reiterate our long, unfinished fight--- Foreign bases simply have no place In our country if we were truly free And friend of all, whatever creed or race; Upholding foremost our own security.           He lived to see realized, his dream most dear!           Ka Tanny rests, grinning from ear to ear. Oragon, July, 1992 photo credit: Philippine Flag via photopin (license) License: (license)

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?...