A Blessed Christmas To All

My PC Desktop table on Christmas 

Last night I attended an Christmas Exchange Gift party of my friends, we're just 11 souls that gathered to celebrate Christmas in synchronicity to million OFWs worldwide that celebrate Christmas. My friends have prepared Chicken Caldereta, Biko and Cassava cake, fried chicken, Lumpia and Macaroni Salad and Pancit.

The exchange gift event highlights the evening, 11 gifts were raffled and drawn among us, and to my surprise I got a Rice Cooker, a blessing in time to replace my 8-year old Rice Cooker that needs retirement. 

Christmas Exchange Gift Rice Cooker

The night ended with typical OFW stories about family and familiar OFW Christmas tales. And as we talk about love, our story telling drifted into the meaning of Christmas - love, sacrifice and gift giving, suddenly it reminded me of a familar lines that perhaps you have uttered it at least once in your OFW life:

"Kamusta kayo dyan, okay lang ako dito, mahalaga masaya kayo sa Pasko"

At habang nagsasalita'y kapansin pansin ang garalgal na tinig at di alintana ang pagpatak ng luha mula sa mata.

OFWs around the world, particularly those who are separated from their love ones due to migration especially those that are in Middle East countries where Christmas is not celebrated at least publicly were more emotionally depressed during Christmas season, but with their courage and determination to surpass the trials in life, they celebrate Christmas in their own humble way through prayers and small social group gatherings.

Being alone in a lonely planet as an OFW should not stop us Filipinos to celebrate Christmas. As I long for traditional Christmas lights and lanterns, the thick smell of baked bibingka and puto bungbong - celebrating Christmas in a foreign land means getting in touch with your love ones, as I called them this morning and with an assurance voice I gently say:

"Kumpleto na ang Pasko ko, basta marinig ko lang ang mga boses ninyo"

It is one of the many occasions that I call my family over the phone, from my wife, to my children Geeka, Jason and my daughter-in-law Mely, and my makukulit and adorable na mga apo, Jarem (7 years old) and Janna (six years old), but Christmas is always different.

We all missed the Simbang Gabi, the bibingka't puto bungbong but it does not dampen our spirits to celebrate Christmas. Because for most of us OFWs celebrating Christmas is opening ourselves to God, allowing the true spirit of Christmas which is LOVE, PEACE and JOY to enter into our hearts and let it reign as we give praise and thanks the Almighty for His Divine gift to Mankind - the birth of the Holy Child.

Let Christmas begin within your own family - let love starts with your spouse, your partner, your children... and whole family and expands to all world. Let's spread love, they're just a a phone call away... and say:

"Maligayang Pasko"

Life is Beautiful, Capture It

Capture the Light 

(Practicing Bo-keh exposures) 

After three months of absence in the blogging world because of various commitments from PEBA 2011 and the extra-ordinary missions I have at work, finally I find my way back to Palipasan.

For the last two months, I found my itchy finger on the shutter button learning the ropes of photography. My PEBA blogging friends have inspired me to pursue photography as an all consuming passion - among them are Ms. Jocelyn "Misalyn" Torres Gundan of Al Ain City Daily Photo my online mentor who have helped me decide to go for Canon Rebel T3i, the exceptional artistic talent of Ever Villacruz of Pamatay Homesick, and the multifaceted blogging talents of Pepe Cabrera of Camera ni Cabrera and Ruel "RJ" Pagoto of the Chook-minder's Lens have inspired me to take a new direction in blogging through photography.

Princess Janna, My Granddaughter

(Enhancing my portraiture skill) 

But why photography? I always believe in the beauty of life, its purpose, emotions - love, pain and glory. While all these things can be perfectly written through blog, I still believe that incredible transformation of life, God's creation can be best captured in full details with lights, colors and textures through a unique perspective to tell its own story.

As I struggle my way into ISO, Aperture and  Shutter Speed, learning to become a photographer with the use of DSLR is a serious challenge - as there's always something new to learn, new directions to explore and new challenges to face which is I find fascinating capturing not only the physical beauty of creations but capturing the emotions of real life either in colors or in black and white. 

Across The Sea

(My photo entry to Qatar Airways National Day Contest)

As I bounce back to my blogging niche, Palipasan will provide space for my new photographs which I would like to share through blog. While my software editing skills in Photoshop is generally weak, I'm highly dependent on my camera's optimum settings. 

I'll be sharing with you my my photos hoping that it may will be glad to have you as my photo critique, please feel free to share your views and comments and in one way or another I hope that it may give hope and inspiration to my blogging friends, visitor and photo enthusiasts.  

Remember..."Life is Beautiful, Capture It!"

The Peak, Hong Kong - (Hong Kong Skyline)

My first Night Shot (12/28/2011)

Kailan Ka Uuwi?

Kailan ka uuwi? Katanungang payak subalit may hatid na kurot sa puso ng bawa't OFW kapag ang mahal sa buhay ang naghahanap ng katugunan.

Ilang beses ko na bang narinig ang tanong na ito? 

Kailan ka uuwi Daddy? Inosenteng tanong ng aking bunso nung unang taon na ako'y mag-abroad. At makalipas ang 20 taon ko sa bansang banyaga, ito pa rin ang katanungang namumutawi sa kanyang mga labi, sa pangungulila sa isang ama na halos isang buwan lang sa bawa’t taon akong nakakasama at lagi kong sinasabi "Huwag kang mag-alala, uuwi si Daddy".

Kailan ka uuwi? Tanong ng aking asawa na pilit ikinukubli ang impit na pagtangis ng aming damdamin na pinaghiwalay ng malawak na karagatan, at sa kanyang mga panaghoy aking ibinubulong "Huwag kang mag-alala uuwi ako".

Kailan ka uuwi, tanong ng aking nagiisang kapatid, mga pamangkin at mga kaibigang nananabik na ako'y makaharap matapos ang matagal na di pagkikita. "Darating ako dyan, basta antayin ninyo ako, darating ako".

Walang katiyakan, pero puno ng pag-asa. 

Kailan nga ba ako uuwi? 20 taon sa abroad, matagumpay na nakapagpatapos ng dalawang anak sa kolehiyo, may maayos na tahanan at kaunting impok, subalit tila  ang kasagutan kung kailan ako uuwi ay napakailap at walang katiyakan. 

Siguro pinalad lang ako na nagkaruon ng maayos na trabaho at magandang mga benepisyo kaya’t sinasamantala ko ang pagkakataon at umaasang muling makapiling ko ang aking pamilya sa bansang banyaga kahit pansamantala.

Subalit, ang ating mga kapatid kong OFW na kasalukuyang naiipit sa kaguluhan sa bansang Libya, Syria, Iraq at Afghanistan, kailan kayo makakauwi. Lubos ko kayong nauunawaan sa inyong pag-aatubili na umuwi sa ating Inang Bayan kung saan mas lalong walang katiyakan  kung may hanapbuhay pa bang naghihintay sa inyong pagbabalikbayan.  Ang akin laging dalangin nawa’y patnubayan kayo ni Bathala at gabayan kayo sa inyong kalusugan’t  kaligtasan.

Sa aking mga kababayan at sampu ng kanyang pamilya na pinagpalang manirahan sa Amerika, Canada, Europa, at mga bansang mauunlad, kailan kayo uuwi upang bisitahin man lang ang bansang ating pinagmulan? Nawa’y habang tinatamasa ang mga biyayang pinagkaloob sa inyo ng Maykapal, at huwag sana ninyong  limutin ang mayamang kultura na  inyong kinamulatan at ipagmalaki ang lahing Pilipino kung saan nagmula ang di mabilang ng Bayani ng ating Lahing Kayumanggi.

Tulad ng aking panulat, anumang haba ng sanaysay ay hahantong din sa wakas, tulad ng isang awiti’y may simula at katapusan. At tulad nating mga OFW at Expats, sa kabila ng mausok, buhol buhol na traffic sa EDSA, sobrang init o maulan na panahon at nakakasukang kalakaran sa politika, uuwi’t uuwi tayo upang muling makasama ang ating mahal na pamilya at madama ang tunay na kulturang Pilipino sa tamang panahon. 

Kung tutuusin, may 7,107 na dahilan upang ikaw ay umuwi kaibigan at nawa’y sa iyong pagbabalikbayan, bitbit ang iyong maleta na puno ng bagong kaalaman karanasan, kwento ng buhay at pagmamalaskit sa kapwa Pilipino, sa iyong pag-uwi nawa’y ikaw ang  simula ng pagbabago.

Ikaw, kailan ka uuwi?

Reflections As I Turn 50...

Photo taken in Xania, Crete Is, Greece on May 2011

I'd been working on numbers for the last 20 years and undeniably to me 50 is a heavy solid number. Today, 18th August I ponder on its numerical value as I turn 50 years old, a real milestone, a half-century stage reflecting on my life's accomplishments, new opportunities and challenges.

Looking back, I am aware that the passage of time has accelerated so fast as I witnessed how the world changes over the last 50 years. From the "Karitela" I used to ride from Makati to Pasay City, which was later replaced by Willy's jeepney and now the MRTs and LRTs have been a symbol of modern mass transportation in Metro Manila during the mid 80's.

At 50, what I do value is the countless number of blessings in those years. Growing in a simple urban home in Pasay City with abundant life lessons that resonate in my current status. My parents Vicente and Olimpia who were called by God to join Him in Paradise have left a legacy of faith and love during my young age and my wonderful sister Tessie who has acted as my second parent that has pushed me to dream big and always reminded me to live a simple life while reaching for the stars.

A girl next door named Elinor turned our relationship into a marriage graced by two amazing children RJ and Geeka which now I called my family - a plethora of blessings that brings me to my knees in humble reverence to God.

A circle of life completed by trusted friends, from my classmates and batch mates from P. Burgos Elem. School, Pasay City West High School, Makati Polytechnic and PATS School of Aeronautics. I am sharing this golden year celebration with them as I look forward to see them in the upcoming reunions.

To my relatives, Lito, Junior, Neneng, and Bibong, and extended families who keep on loving me no matter what - you are God's gifts. To my blogging friends from PEBA and Kablogs, Kenjie, NJ, Rose, Kiko, Arvin and CM who inspires me of your blogging talents that keeps me to continue writing blog, you fuel my senses to keep Palipasan alive.

And to all the people I meet daily or along the way over the last 50 years of my journey, thank you for you are the fiber of my life.

At fifty, my life has never been perfect, there have been disappointments and frustrations but these were outshined by abundant blessings and miracles that lacks worldly description found only in the Divine.

As I ring in this half-century of life, I am amazed, grateful, and thankful to the Lord for the wonderful 50 years of borrowed life and as I journey through the days ahead, many passages to tread and dreams left to fulfill I entrust my soul in God's care as I begin another year.

"You created my innermost being;  You knit me together in my mother's womb" (PSALM 139:13 NIV)

Life is Beautiful, aging is the only available way to live a long life - enjoy it. 

PEBA 2011 First Batch of Nominees

The following is a repost from PEBA site presenting PEBA's first batch of 2011 PEBA Nominees in a video.

Note, for better sound and quality, watch in HD format. 

We would like to invite you to join our exciting for this year

BLOG ENTRY CONTEST, Nomination Form

ANY BLOGGER, ANYWHERE! Nominate a Blog

NOKIA ESSAY CONTEST, Nomination Form

For blog entry contest, in OFW and Home Based bloggers Division, we will be awarding the prestigious Top 10 Bloggers of the Year. The Most Popular Blog Award is another prestigious award with trophy for the most number of accumulated Facebook Likes, Poll result and number of comments. Voting will start earlier, that is September 1, 2011 until December 5, 2011.

Nokia Essay Writing contest will win a Nokia phone and other cool gadgets.

Blog entry nominees and Nokia Essay contestants are eligible to join the raffle promo and will have the chance to win in the raffle of LCD TV, Netbook/Slim CPUs, Nokia Phones and other gadgets.

JOIN PEBA CONTESTS NOW!

©2011 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

click here to comment… for bloggers

PEBA 2011: HEROES HOMECOMING TOWARDS CHANGE

In the observance of Philipines' Araw Ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), PEBA, the International Blog Awards  annual event on its 4th Jubilee celebration, PEBA 2011 focus on the Global Filipinos homecoming  towards change with its theme Ako'y Magbabalik, Hatid Ko'y Pagbabago (I Will Return, I Will Bring Change). In support to PEBA's advocacy, the following is a repost on PEBA's official opening article for this year's International Blog Award, this is an invitation to the Global Filipino bloggers to support PEBA 2011.

 

The First Quarter Storm

Note: The photo of a boy holding a flag is an official entry of  Analindenhann from Copenhagen Denmark, 

©2011 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

The first quarter of 2011 is perhaps the most turbulent days of the Overseas Filipino Workers as they witness the political revolution in the Middle East and North Africa where thousands of OFWs were caught in the middle of domestic conflicts in countries such as Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Libya.

Even with these appalling events, Filipinos remain determined to continue following their dreams through migration in order to survive domestic poverty. The world could be cruel and unforgiving but also highly rewarding... because in every struggle, heroes emerge.

Leaving Is Not A Matter of Choice, Coming Back Is

Despite the varied reasons why Filipinos go abroad, nationalism is still evident on the narratives of the 12 million Filipinos scattered all over the world. PEBA has witnessed how OFWs take pride of our Filipino roots, our culture and our race. Filipinos abroad, after they have followed their dreams, have chosen to return, evident on how we are called... "Balikbayan." They return to share their talents, skills and fortunes in an effort to bring change to the families left behind, communities and country. Thus, PEBA 2011 is dedicated to our "balikbayans", the unsung heroes of our time. Their homecoming brings a spark of change to the lives of their loved ones and their homeland. PEBA 2011 honor them with the theme, 

"Ako'y Magbabalik, Hatid Ko'y Pagbabago." (I Will Return, I Will Bring Change.)

The PEBA 2011 Challenge

PEBA 2011 will attempt to remind the P-Noy administration to solicit, listen and heed the advice our OFWs who have been the forefront of finding solutions on the world’s most powerful economies. It's about time that instead of concentrating on labor-export policy, this administration start tapping the professional services of OFWs in various areas of expertise in rebuilding our country's infrastructures and basic services by offering them job positions in government offices to be administration partners in nation-building.

We call on our Filipino expatriates around the world to continue their roles as Global Ambassadors of our country in foreign lands by promoting and patronizing our locally-made products, making the Philippines the first stop destination for holidays and investing in the home country. We ask them to teach their children and their foreign spouses on the positive Filipino values and the Filipino language. Let’s be proud of our race, for nationalism knows no time and boundaries

.

Expats, OFWs and Bloggers, They’re Heroes That Multiplies

To our Global Filipino bloggers, as the curtain rises for PEBA 2011 in celebration of our nation’s historic "Araw ng Kagitingan"; let us look back on the heroes of La Solidaridad - Rizal, Del Pilar, Ponce, Paterno, Jacinto, Lopez-Jaena , etc. who were the Filipinos reformists in Spain who used instead of the sword to campaign for changes in the Spanish-governed Philippine islands through essays, speeches, news articles, and other literary and journalistic forms. Their efforts ultimately led to the Philippine independence from Spain. Today, PEBA invites our bloggers to write and post topics on "Balikbayan" (Returnees), "Homecoming" and the positive "changes" and benefits it brings to their families, relatives and friends, to the community and to our country, the Philippines. 

We call on our bloggers worldwide to share their stories - through essays and anecdotes, literary and journalistic forms, videos and photos on their quest for the real change that they want to be - for their own selves, for their families, communities and country on their plan homecoming or recent “balikbayan” experiences that bring positive change to the lives of their love ones. And to our non-OFW bloggers, we seek your talents to share with us your expectations and memorable experiences gained during the homecoming events of your returning family members, relatives or friends.

Like Rizal, Luna and Ninoy, 12 million OFWs have crossed borders to work, learn culture and technologies abroad in their effort to battle poverty in our courtyard; soon they will return and apply their knowledge and wealth to bring the change they want for their families, relatives, communities and country - for heroes never die, they just multiply.

This season will put a challenge to our Global Filipinos to flex its muscles to show that with the unity of its great numbers, it can be a potent force for political change, that OFWs can stop this culture of corruption, exploitation, and fraud and steer our country to greater heights by participating in a mature political exercise by participating in the Overseas Absentee Voting and joining forums and social organizations abroad that promote Filipino values and socio-economic assistance to OFWs and kababayans back home.

To the private sectors that have economically benefited on the remittances and homecoming spending of the OFW and their families; PEBA calls for your support on the advocacy programs and projects of the Government, LGUs and NGOs that promote values and welfare of the OFWs.

PEBA calls on POEA and OWWA to improve its reintegration program for returning, retiring and displaced OFWs. We ask this administration to restore an estimated 46 percent budget cut to the Department of Foreign Affairs 2012 budget and to increase funds to assist OFWs in Japan and the Middle East countries.

As the quarter storm closes, we prayed and mourned for the loss of our OFW compatriots, Sally, Ramon and Elizabeth who were executed in China. A painful lesson for every Filipinos to be careful and not to allow ourselves to be used as drug couriers.

Hundreds of OFWs are still missing in New Zealand after a devastating earthquake hit the country. In Japan, the horrifying series of earthquakes and tsunami that swept the Japanese shores where hundreds of OFWs are still unaccounted for and the continuing threat of radiation exposure remain an unending nightmare to the survivors.

My Bloggers EB Qatar Experience

(L-R)  Francis, Ronald, Buhay Qatar and The Pope

 (Seated L-R) Francis, Ronald and Buhay Qatar

(Standing L-R) Rose, The Pope and Gerald

 

It's been a cold Thursday evening with wind blowing outside the Starbucks Cafe but the pleasant smiles and cordiality has brought warmth as I rub elbows with 5 best Global Filipino bloggers in Doha.

It was full of excitement and a rare opportunity to meet the real people behind the virtual walls whom I googled and admire their talents in creative writings in the blogosphere as I shake hands with Gerald Baluyot of The EXPAT, Buhay Qatar of Barangay Buhay Qatar, Ronald Mallari of POEMS on LIFE and LOVE and QUOTES, Francis Morilao of Unnamed Psalmist  & Mga Kathang Isip ni Kiko and Ms. Rose Marie Armenta of Rainbow Box .

The conversation begins innocently on how long each has been blogging, subjects and blog affiliations.  Freebies courtesy of Kiko were awarded to me and Buhay Qatar as "Early Birds".

More good conversation went on as we ordered our cup of cocoa cappuccino, as Buhay Qatar and Ronald share their expertise, strategies and success on monetizing blogs. Buhay Qatar was regarded as one of the pioneer in Qatar blogging who have helped and introduced Kiko and Ronald into the blogsphere.

Kiko and Ronald, both respected bloggers on literary arts shares their real life experience in preparing poem compositions. Rose whose beauty and charm captivates the group as she provides tips for creative writing on fiction short stories for 'emo' and love story subjects.  Gerald, the youngest in our pears has shown great enthusiasm on photo and technology blogs.

More subjects were explored particularly on role of PEBA in blogsphere, The Kablogs Journal (TKJ), the ongoing Bethany project, PEBA organizational structure, financial sustainability through effective fund raising projects and the much awaited PEBA 2011 event.

The issue on National Bloggers Association was discussed in brief and it was highlighted that the freedom of expressions of individual bloggers should never be restricted by any blogging organization.

Unfortunately the coffee shop doesn't have a wi-fi facility as we 're unable to provide  live news feeds from our mobile phones and laptop to reach our PEBA blogging friends who are anxiously waiting from Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and Philippines.

So many blogging experiences were shared individually and collectively and it was a fruitful encounter. As the night grew deep and nobody wants to take a second cup of coffee, we called it a night. We said good-byes at 10:30 pm,  Buhay Qatar left 30 minutes early, followed by Gerald. Ronald remains in the cafe as he awaits some friends. while me and Kiko separate ways after ensuring that Rose was safely boarded on the taxi cab.

I reached home by 11 pm, started my PC and posting messages in FB wall and guess what, I am not alone, Gerald begin posting our event photos while me, Kiko and Rose continue our “chit-chat” online - THE BLOGGING ADDICTS.

ME, PEBA & PBA

Kenjie and Yanah have asked my personal opinion on the blogging initiatives for a  "National Bloggers Association", I cannot help but take a deep breath as I read the drafted manifesto.

Personally, I find the manifesto as a hopeless banality on its futile attempt to persuade the intellect of Filipino bloggers from the Philippines and across the world.

There are several issues and questions that needs clarification:

1. Is there an immediate need to organize an association at National level? It seems that there are "forces" rushing to launch the NBA as "nothing could stop them".

2. Is there an immediate threat to bloggers' "right to free speech and to free expression" that NBA needs to address?

3. Is it planning to curtail the democratic air that bloggers breath individually by drafting and adopting a "code of ethics"? All the bloggers will agree that we value our informal conversation, egalitarianism, subjective points of view, and colorful writing over profits. And defining a code ethics will be tantamount to dictatorship and runs counter to the first order of its manifesto "to promote and defend the right to free speech and to free expression".

4. Is the NBA membership open to bloggers who are blogging anonymously using pseudonyms while some are using public computers? How can NBA effectively address the issues on copyright infringement  and libel within its group and non-NBA members who are blogging anonymously?

My unsolicited advice before launching an initiative for a Bloggers organization at national level, are:

a. Connect the Dots - for its first step the organizers should have made an effort by offering a leaf of friendship and harmony to all established blogging communities at regional level in Visayas and Mindanao such as the Iloilo Bloggers, Davao Bloggers, Zamboanga Bloggers, Bukidnon Blggers, Soccsksargen Bloggers, CDO Bloggers (please forgive me if I failed to mention other blogging groups, its unintentional, "tao lang po").

b. Initiate formulation and organization of bloggers association in regions where it does not exists such as in Luzon and Metro Manila, or Southern Luzon, Central Luzon and Northern Luzon provinces blogging groups.

c. Instead of pushing for a National Blogging Association as being campaigned right now in its effort to gather prospective "Founding Members", I suggest that the proponents of this NBA to conduct an exploratory talk or a consultative meeting at regional levels as primary stakeholders for conception of an umbrella organization or a bloggers federation at national level.

At this point in time, I don't think that there is  an immediate need for an NBA. I am personally happy with PEBA and the Kablogs community where I belong on which it has achieved its legal entity and recognized by Philippine's SEC and BIR. NBA organizers needs to assess and specifically define its goals and definite plan of actions and its projected programs before launching its project at national scale. The cloud of ambiguity will remain over the horizon as NBA's direction remains unclear in the blogsphere.

The challenge is "what can this NBA offer to Filipino bloggers that PEBA and Kablogs, or the Visayas or Mindanao blogging organizations cannot provide?"

Lumisa't Magbalik Ng Ibahagi ang Kaalaman

"Nothing wrong to leave our country, learn abroad and come back to apply knowledge. Rizal, Ninoy, Luna did just that... Geography is not the only requirement to be Filipino. 11 million people agree."

Tugon ni G. Jim Paredes kay Sen. Gringo. Honasan sa kanilang maikli at hindi inaasahang  balitaktakan sa "tweet".

Sumasangayon ako sa pananaw ni G. Paredes sa tuwirang kasaysayan ng lahing kayumanggi, ang mga bayaning sina Marcelo del Pilar, Lopez-Jaena, Antonio Luna, Rizal at Blumentritt ay nangibang bansa at inilunsad ang pahayagang La Solidaridad sa Barcelona ang isang uri ng rebolusyon sa pamamagitan ng malayang pagpapahayag nuong taong 1889.

Ang ating unang Pambansang Bandila ay hinabi sa malikhaing kamay nila Gng. Marcela de Agoncillo, ang kanyang anak na si Lorenza at Gng. Josefina Herbosa de Natividad (pamangkin ni Dr. Rizal), mga bayaning lumikas sa Hongkong mula sa mga Kastila.

Ang mga naunang bayani ay mga "ilustradong" Pilipino na nanginbang bayan  kung saan ang populasyon ng Pilipinas ay tinatayang 8 milyong mamamayan lamang. Makalipas ang mahigit 120 taon, mahigit 80 milyong Pinoy ang tinatayang populasyon natin ngayun. At nagbago ang hugis ng pakikibaka, mga bayaning Pilipino'y nasa ibang bansa - hindi na sila ang mga "ilustrado" -  na mas kilala  sila sa tawag na OFW, 11 Milyong bayaning nakikibaka sa kahirapan sa sariling bansa- na hindi mabigyan ng katugunan ng mga halal na lider ng bansa mula sa Pangulo, mga Senador at Kongresman.

Nakalimutan rin ni Sen. Honasan na ang kanyang pagkakahalal sa Senado ay utang nya sa mga OFW na nagkampanya sa kanya sa kanilang mga pamilya sa Pilipinas. Palagay ko ay may karapatan din na makipagtalastasan ang kahit sinong ordinaryong mamamayan kahit hindi halal ng Bayan sa isang Senador tulad ni Honasan, kaya't mali ang kanyang tinuran na "get elected first". Kung ito ay pasaring sa pagkatalo ni G. Paredes sa Barangay election nuong taong '90s ay tila di nakapagbigay ng sustansya sa pagtatalo at sa halip ay lumikha lamang ng negatibong imahe sa Senador.

Sa dinami-dami nga naman ng mga kalahok, ako, mga sundalo, pari't madre, ordinaryong mamamayan, masyadong nabigyan ng matingkad na kulay ang katauhan ni Honasan sa malawak na entablado ng EDSA. Hingaan, sinipulan, pinalakpakan. Matapos ang EDSA, nakalimutan ng taong bayan na si Enrile, Ramos at Honasan ang pangunahing tauhan rin sa likod ng Martial Law ni Marcos, dahil sa  mabilis na pagpapalit ng telon, sila'y biglang naging bayani.

Ayokong tawaran ang pagkatao ni Senador Honasan, subali't nararapat nyang tanggapin ang puna at katotohanan ng mga pribadong indibidwal na ang layunin ng RAM sa pamumuno ni Honasan sa tangkang pag-agaw ng kapangyarihan mula kay Pang. Aguino ay nagdulot ng pagkasawi ng mahigit 100 Pilipino,  pangamba sa mamamayang at muling pagkalugmok ng ekonomiya ng mga panahon na iyon.

Kung nagtagumpay ang RAM at nagapi ang administrasyong Cory Aquino, may ipagdiriwang pa ba tayong EDSA? At may tatawagin pa ba tayong Ina ng Demokrasya? Baka di na tayo makapag tweet at blog. Bawa't kwento ng buhay ay kailangang sumangayon sa isang magandang pagtatapos ng istorya - Pagbabago para sa Kalayaan. Kaya't nanaig ang kwento ng demokrasya.

At kaming mga OFW, bahagi rin kami ng pagbabago tungo sa maunlad na Pilipinas, dahil  saan mang panig ng mundo kami'y Pilipino.Kami ma'y lumisan ay muling magbabalik upang ibahagi ang aming kaalaman para sa Bayan.

A Prayer for OFWs

Dear God,

You crossed every border between divinity and humanity to make your home with us. Bless  our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who have travelled to foreign lands with faith in their heart leaving their families behind as they break through the barriers of people, cultures, and languages to escape oppression and poverty.

There are many things going on that are beyond us even with our collective power. We come to thee in supplication and heartfelt pleadings as we are mindful of the ordeals of others. 

We thank Thee for hearing the prayers of your people as China grant reprieve to our three OFWs and may the Chinese government grant a lesser penalty to their case.

We pray for the thousands of OFWs who were incarcerated and imprisoned in the Middle East, Asia and other continents, may Thou please grant them a new hope  and  freedom to return to their families to begin a new life as they entrust their lives into Thy hands. May Thou enlighten our leaders to put the plights of distressed OFWs as a priority and withdraw from plans of cutting the budget allocation for DFA's social service and legal assistance funds. 

We pray to Thee that our OFWs in Taiwan will soon be relieved of the fears and uncertainties that haunts them on the current Taiwan-Philippines rift. May the government emissary would soon find an immediate resolution to this issue so that those more than five thousand scheduled for deployment will now be allowed to take on their jobs, and the nearly a hundred thousand currently employed may keep their jobs and be able to sustain their families.  

We pray that may Thou please keep our overseas Filipinos safe in the escalating conflict in countries where democratic renaissance in Muslim nations is unfolding from Morocco, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain and Libya as they await the immediate repatriation efforts being taken by our government agencies and may their families in the Philippines be freed from fear and worries of their condition and that the OFWs safety is assured despite the worsening condition. 

We pray that may Thou save from harm our Filipino workers in war torn countries of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as OFWs in Nigeria, Somalia, Lebanon and Jordan, who have taken great risks to continue their fight against poverty to support their families in the Philippines despite of the work deployment ban imposed in these countries. 

We pray for the safety of the Filipino nurses trapped in the rubbles during the earthquake in New Zealand, and the rest of the OFWs and Expats around the world who are suffering from natural calamities, diseases and injustices that they may find comfort through faith in Thee.

Hear our prayer Lord, to end the corruption that plague of our nation, the poverty  and violence that displaces millions of our Filipinos from their homes, which separate and divide families.

As we await for the signs of time when the Filipinos around the world, the fathers and mothers brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters may be reunited as one happy family. that going abroad as an OFW is the least option. We pray for Thine tender love and kind mercy, with our faith, with our hope, with our love to thee, we pray for power greater than us all, we pray for divine intervention.

This is a joint call from the Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, or PEBA, Inc, along with its 300+ KABLOGS, the RMN News Bantay OFW radio program and the Blas Ople Policy Center and we are asking for your prayers or support by reposting this to your blog, posting this link in your FB, Friendster and Twitter accounts or sending this as email to your networks.

The original photo where the image was taken in this post was an official entry by Erwin Serrano from Riyadh Saudi Arabia, 10^th rank winner to the 2010 PEBA International Photo Contest.

PAGBABALIKBLOG, PAGBABALIKBAYAN

Kailan mo sila huling nakita? Miss ka na rin nila.

Halos isang buwan ang nakalipas ng huli kong bisitahin ng aking blog na itinuring na tahanan. Nagsilbi itong tahanan sa akin sa panahon ng kalungkutan at sa mga sandaling naghahanap ng kalinga ang aking pagal na kaisipan kung saan dito sa Palipasan ko nahantungan ang malawak na komunidad ng manunulat na itinuring kong kapamilya, at muli ako ay nagbabalik hindi lamang upang ibahagi ang aking panulat kundi upang ipadama ang aking pangako na di ko maaaring talikuran ang aking tahanan sa daigdig ng sapot, ang Palipasan - ako'y nagbabalik blog.

Sa tunay na buhay, ang salitang pagbabalik sa positibong talakayan ay may hatid na pag-asa, pagbabalik-loob at pagbaballik-pananampalataya ay naghahatid ng layong Kaligtasan ng kaluluwa mula sa tukso at pagkakasala kung saan nagkakaruon ng pagbubuklod ang tao sa pag-ibig ni Kristo.

Sa ibang antas ng pananaw, ang pagbubuklod ng pamilyang minsan ay pinaghiwalay ng Tadhana dahil sa kahirapan kung saan ang isang bahagi ng pamilya ay kailangang mangibang bayan sa hindi bababa sa isang taon upang maitawid sa gutom at mabigyang katuparan ang parangarap ng pansamantalang iniwang pamilya sa sariling bayan, sa pamamagitan ng PAGBABALIK-BAYAN muling pinagtibay ang simunpaang tunay na pagmamahalan.

Ang salitang pagbabalik-bayan ay higit pa sa madamdaming pagtatagpo ng minsang lumisan na OFW at ng naiwang pamilya sa Pilipinas, higit pa ito sa klasikong awiting hatid ni Gary Valenciano na pinamagatang "Babalik Ka Rin". Ang pagbabalik-bayan ay pagtupad sa pangako na magbabalik upang maisakatuparan ang mga pangarap na hinabi sa kabila ng pangungulila.

Ang pagbabalik-bayan ay isang simbolismo ng matagumpay na pagwawagi sa pakikidigma laban sa kahirapan kung saan hindi nagtagumpay ang tukso ng laman, droga, alak at sugal na hatid ng matinding kalungkutan at nanatiling tapat sa kasintahan, o kaya ay sa asawa't mga anak.

Sa mga susunod na buwan mula Marso hanggang Mayo, di maikukubli ang pagtaas ng bilang ng mga kababayan nating OFW na magbabalikbayan sa Pilipinas bilang bahagi ng nalalapit na "summer" at Mahal na Araw, at buwan din ng "graduation" sa iba't ibang paaralan. 

At kasabay nito ay may patikim na ang PEBA sa kanyang taunang patimpalak kung saan ang layon ng kanyang tema ay "Pagbabalik Bayan". At bilang panimula ay kanilang inilunsad ang "Theme/Slogan Making Contest" na magbibigay kulay sa pagbubukas ng nasabing patimpalak sa Marso.

Samahan ninyo ako sa isang makabuluhang paglalakbay sa malawak na daigdig ng blog upang ating saksihan ang iba't ibang madamdaming kwento ng  tunay na buhay sa pagbubukas ng PEBA 2011, makibahagi tayo sa panibagong aklat ng kasaysayan sa daigdig ng blog - maging bahagi tayo ng "Pagbabalikbayan".

Empty Handed

"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey." Matthew 25:14-15

Maybe you're wondering what happened to The Pope as Palipasan failed to make it's presence felt during the Yuletide celebrations. Due to health problems I was forced to take a blog holiday for a month.

I have been having pain from my left shoulder down to my elbow before Christmas. The pain is hot and throbbing, sometimes I feel numbness and tingling in my hand.

I tried to seek medical referral but the blood chemistry result was non-revealing. Then I was referred to the orthophedic department but the series of tests has caused more pain in my arm prompting me to cancel my next medical appointments.

Conflicting opinions were given by doctors ranging from arthritis, tennis elbow to mild stroke. And I think I would need a good electrodiagnostic test from a neurologist to check if there are any nerve of muscle damage. But since that I have no confidence in the medical practice in Middle East, I have to rely in my instinct prompting me to go on self medication supplemented with regular exercise, healthy diet.

After a month of blog holiday, the pain has receeded though sharp pain is still there during during sudden movement. I just need to slow bit on my work and observe proper posture particularly I am working more than 10 hours on my desktop computer from office to home.

I hope this will not prematurely prevent me from working and blogging. 

I always thank God for the borrowed life and for every new mornings. And I always plead for a healthy body and mind so that I can share the "Gifts" to others so that when time comes that I need to face my Creator, I have the courage to tell Him - "My Lord, thank you for the 'gifts' and they're all gone and finished. I have shared all my talents to the fullest to all of Your children on earth. Now I am coming back to You my Lord empty handed"

"The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money." Matthew 25:16-18