The Man of the Hour

On December 8, 1941, the then Japanese Imperial Army launched their invasion attack on the Commonwealth of the Philippines. It was the start of a 3-year brutal and inhuman atrocities by the occupiers on the hapless and helpless poor Filipinos. It took the famous return of Gen Douglas McArthur at Leyte Gulf to regain their liberation. But the human cost during the occupation was so devastating with an estimated 1 million Filipinos dying, more than 10,000 American-soldier and more than 250,000 Japanese-soldier casualties. The Japanese resistance went on despite the victories by the Fil-American forces until the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed by the United States on August 6 and 9, 1945 respectively.

It was the last straw.

Japan finally surrendered and signed the Instrument of Surrender with many leading countries at that time.

That was September 2, 1945.

As destiny would have it on this same auspicious day, our beloved Dad, Silvino C. Santos Sr., was also born. It was a peaceful time to be born yet the difficulties and uncertainties of nation rebuilding hangs on every Filipinos mind. But, with the loving perseverance of his parents and his determination and hardwork, he finished his studies at the University of the East and was able to be employed at Marcelo H. Del Pilar School where he met his future love of a lifetime – our mom. After getting married, they would have planned for a one-boy-one-girl child family but we ended with a basketball team (4 boys + dad) and with a muse (our mom). From then on, it was just an avalanche of trials and challenges but he piously stood his ground as the head and provider of our family, a steady sail and rudder that gave us all spiritual direction. 

When we were growing, Dad would give praise when it is due and would discipline us when it is necessary. He slowly inculcated in us the virtue of hard-work by admonishing us to participate and contribute to the house chores and small family businesses even it means just giving change to customers, washing dishes or running errands. On the other hand, he freely allows us to play our hearts out with friends when there is no chore or work to be done. He did not supervise us or look over our shoulder when we were out with our friends. Instead, he puts premium on his trust on us that we will not make any stupid action that can harm us, our family or others. In return, my brothers and I valued and kept this unspoken father-and-son trust unblemished (ok, so we maybe did some crazy stuffs then but nothing at the “serious” level). We eventually turn out to be fine young men.

Fast forward to today, our Dad, is celebrating his 70th birthday, a remarkable and memorable milestone for him and for our family. All four of us his sons are now well in our own family way. Not that Dad has totally left us each on our own, instead he (and mom) simply took more steps backwards to make sure we do things on our own yet always and still ready to give advice if something is amiss. I guess the father-and-son trust is still at play in our family.

Maybe for some, being 70 means sipping a cold pineapple juice while pushing back and forth on a cozy comfort rocking chair watching the sun setting over the horizon. This is not true for our Dad. With 10 young grandchildren in our circle, there is simply no time to rest for him as he continues his latest role as the doting grandfather Papa Ben to each one of them. He still opens, attends and closes their small convenience store and delivers cooking gas to his clients everyday. He keeps his mind whirring by keeping abreast with world and national news and politics. Just a few days back, he received a recognition plaque and medal from his alma mater  MHPHS alumni group for many years of coordinating and organizing their reunions and projects. Recently, he was browsing the net on bungee-jumping and sky-diving as part of his future activities but we are strongly opposed to these extreme sports since these are detrimental to one’s health – our mom.

Cheers to our Dad on his 70th birthday!

We are so blessed and proud to have a father with integrity, humility and piety by our side all these years and in the years to come.

We love you po!

God bless you always. 

Ika-Apat na Huling Salita

This Tagalog reflection is prepared by my father, Silvino Sr., who will be one of the speakers for the Seven Last Words program of our Holy Parish Catholic Church. God's mercy and blessing be with us all.

Ika-4 na Wika

Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachtani!

Diyos ko, Diyos ko, bakit mo ako pinabayaan?

Pagninilay:

Isang matinding panaghoy at pagdaing na nagmumula sa isang tunay na taong hinubad ang pagka-Diyos, iyan si Hesus na nakapako sa krus sa bundok ng Golgota na kung tawagin ay lugar ng mga bungo. Ito ay lugar na kung saan ang mga criminal ay pinaparusahan ng paghatol sa pinakamababang antas ng pamamaraan ng paghatol sa pagkitil ng buhay o kamatayan.

Mag-iikatlo ng hapon. Madilim ang kapaligiran, nagsisimula ng kumulog at kumidlat. Pakiwari ba’y nagluluksa rin ang kapaligiran sa isang malagim na pangyayari sa buhay ni Hesus.

Sa kanyang pagkabayubag sa krus, nararamdaman Niya ang sakit ng mga sugat na sanhi ng koronang tinik na nakaputong at nakabaon sa Kanyang ulo na sinasagasaan ng dugo sa kanyang mukha, ang hapdi ng mga daan hampas sa Kanyang likod na halos mabalatan sa mga natuyong dugo, ang baling buto sa balikat sa pagkakapasan Niya ng mabigat na krus, at higit sa lahat ay ang pagkakapako ng Kanyang dalawang kamay at paa.

Nakayukayod siya, nakatingin sa ibaba, wari’y may hinahanap.

“Nasaan kaya ang mga alagad ko na kasama ko sa 3 taon kong pangangaral?”

“Nasaan si Pedro na pinagbilinan ko na magtatag ng aking simbahan? Bakit niya ako pinagkaila ng tatlong beses?”

“Nasaan ang mga bulag na binigyan ko ng paningin, ang mga pilay na aking pinalakad?”

“Nasaan na ang mga ketongin na aking pinagaling, ang mga may sanib na pinalayasan ko ng demonyo?”

“Nasaan na ang mga taong aking pinakain, mga makasalanang aking pinatawad?”

“Nasaan na ang mga taong aking binuhay o pinagaling mula sa malubhang kapansanan?”

“Nasaan ang mga tao na kailan lang ay nagsisigawan ng Hosanna, Hosanna?”

Ngunit higit sa lahat ay nararamdaman ni Hesus na parang pinabayaan na siya ng Kanyang Ama sa langit…Siya na walang ginawa sa lupa kungdi sundin ang kalooban ng Kanyang Ama.

Sa ganitong kalunos-lunos na sitwasyon at karamdaman, tumingala Siya sa langit at winika, “Diyos ko, Diyos ko, bakit Mo ako pinabayaan?

Pinabayaan nga ba ng Ama ang kanyang bugtong na Anak? Hindi. Kailanman ay hindi pinabayaan ng Diyos Ama ang kanyang anak. Ang Ama at ang Anak ay iisa kaya hindi Niya pwedeng pabayaan ang kanyang sarili. Ang Ama ay sumasa-anak at si Hesus ay sumama-Ama.

Ngunit dapat mangyari at matupad ang lahat ng paghihirap ni Hesus upang tayo ay maligtas. Labis ang pagmamahal sa atin ng Ama kaya Niya isinugo si Hesus para tubusin ang ating mga kasalanan.

Sa Juan 13:16-17 isinulat na “Gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sanlibutan, kaya ibinigay Niya ang Kanyang bugtong na Anak, upang ang mga sumampalataya sa Kanya ay hindi mapahamak kungdi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan. Sapagkat isinugo ng Diyos ang Kanyang Anak hindi upang hatulang maparusahan ang sanlibutan, kungdi upang iligtas ito sa pamamagitan Niya.”

(pause)

Kapag dumarating ang bagyo, lindol, baha o anumang sakuna o anumang problema sa ating buhay, tayo ba ay nawawalan ng pag-asa? Marahil sa panahon ng matinding pagsubok ating nasasambit, “Natutulog ba ang Diyos?”, “Nasaan ang Diyos na mapagmahal?”, “Bakit ako pa, marami diyan ang mas makasalanan?”, Bakit si nanay pa na mabait at naglilingkod sa simbahan ang siyang nagkaroon ng kanser?”. Sa emergeny room ng mga hospital, doon natin maririnig ang ibat-ibang uri ng daing sa pagtawag sa Diyos mula sa mga taong sa tingin nila ay pinabayaan na sila ng Diyos.

Sa ating lumang tipan, marami din pagkakataon na ang mga nagmamahal sa Diyos ay sinubok na naging dahilan ng kanilang pagdududa sa pagiging tapat ng Diyos sa Kanyang mga pangako. Si Haring David, kung kanino nagmula ang angkan ni Hesus ay nagwika rin sa isang salmo na “Diyos ko, ako ay dumaing ngunit hindi ka dumating.” Si Job, sa isang parte ng matinding pagsubok sa kanyang buhay ay nagsabing, “Kunin mo na Diyos yaring aking buhay.”

Mga kapatid, dapat po natin tandaan na kapag may Biernes Santo sa ating buhay ay darating din ang Linggo ng Pagkabuhay. Hindi ibibigay ng Diyos ang isang pagsubok na hindi natin makakayanan. Magtiwala po tayo. Manalig po tayo. Sumampalataya po tayo na mahal tayo ng Diyos at hindi Niya tayo pababayaan. Alam niya ang ating pinagdadaan dahil mismong si Hesus ay dumaan sa sobrang pasakit at paghihirap. 

Sa isang artikulo sa Philippine Daily Inquirer noong Marso ng nakaraang taon ay nalathala ang isang kuwento ng buhay ng isang mangingisda na ang pangalan ay Eduardo Zabala. Siya ay taga Samar. Nang dumating ang bagyong Yolanda isa sa mga matinding napinsala ang kanilang bayan. Ang pamilya ni Eduardo ay may labing-isang miyembro pero ng humupa ang bagyo at baha, sampu sa kanyang mga kaanak ang nasawi. Kung tayo kaya ang nasa kalagayan ni Eduardo, sino ang ating unang iiyakan, ang ating asawa ba? Ating magulang? Anak? Kapatid? Apo? Marahi sa kaibuturan ng puso ni Eduardo ay naghuhumiyaw sa pagdaing niya sa Diyos. Subalit tiniis niya ang lahat. Sa halip, naroon pa rin ang matibay niyang pananalig sa Diyos sa gitna ng matinding trahedya sa kanyang buhay.

Itinatag ni Eduardo ang isang kooperatiba ng mga mangingisda sa Guian, Samar. Naging inspirasyon siya ng mga taong halos mawalan na ng pag-asa. Naibalik niya sa mga mangingisda ang tiwala nila sa sarili at sa ating Panginoong Diyos. Nabuhay muli ang kanilang hangarin na maglingkod pa sa kapwa. Marahil ngayon ay binabanggit ni G. Eduardo Zabala sa kanyang panalangin, “ Diyos ko, Diyos ko, Salamat po at hindi Nyo kami pinabayaan.”

Nasasabi sa Juan 3: 20-21 na “Ang gumagawa ng masama ay ayaw sa ilaw at hindi lumalapit dito samantalang upang mahayag ang katotohanan ay lumalapit sa ilaw, sa gayon, nahahayag ang kanyang ginagawang pagsunod sa Diyos.”

Sabihin po ninyo sa inyong katabi,

”Huwag kang mawalan ng pag-asa. Mahal ka ng Diyos.”

Listen

Yesterday, during our first-Friday mass healing with Fr. Faller at the SM Megamall, I pointed to Aim, our three-year old son, one of the photos of the Stations of the Cross which shows Jesus crucified.

Me        :           Aim, who is that on the cross?

Aim       :           Jesus

Me        :           What happened to Him?

Aim       :           He has blood.

In my attempt to add a touch of philosophical view on our conversation, I ask another question.

Me        :           Why do you think Jesus died?

Aim       :           He did not listen.

I tried hard to control my laughter in order to keep the solemnity of the on-going mass. I wanted to laugh because I quickly remembered that every time one of our two sons get hurt despite our constant warning (e.g. "Sofa is not for jumping.",  "Flopping is not safe."), we often remind them to listen to us, as soon as we are sure that they are already fine. Aim, just like all toddlers, was simply mimicking his parents words.

But, after a deeper reflection on it, I realized that Aim was incidentally giving me a deeper philosophical answer than I wanted him to learn.

Jesus did died because He did not listen.

Jesus did not listen to the Pharisees and Sadducees who wanted him to “tow their line” and follow their strict rules and regulations.

Jesus did not listen to the masses who wanted to make Him a revolutionary leader to fight the Roman empire.

Jesus did not even listen to his apostles and disciples who wished for Him to ditch all His prophesies about dying and to stay with them all the time.

Jesus only listened to His Father and to the silent cries of marginalized sinners to be forgiven and the needy to be relieved of their hardship.

This is why He died on the cross.

In this season of Lent, may we all learn and take the time to listen to Him again.

Only His voice matters truly.

God bless po.

Geometry of True Wealth

In the pentagon figure without any given length of sides or angles formed, what is the sum of all angles inside? To solve this trivial question, we must choose to remember and apply a basic geometry rule – that any given triangle has a sum 180 degrees for all 3 angles. Then, we choose one vertex and draw imaginary lines to its opposite vertex to create triangle figures. By “dividing” the pentagon, 3 triangles can be made. Therefore, 180 degrees x 3 = 540 degrees; it is the sum of all the angles of the pentagon.

In our life, the ambiguity of how to gain true wealth can also be solved by applying the same approach to this geometry problem. We must adhere to the basic biblical rules of contentment (trust in God) and generosity (gratitude to God).

Contentment

Indeed, it is necessary to be contended so our figure of wealth will not uncontrollably grow more than we really needed it to be able to live a simple life. We must pray and be on guard against our fears and greed for these two can ignite our desire the love for money. Hebrews 13:5 reminded us to ““Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you.” God knows our needs and He will provide. Therefore our focus on wealth accumulation is only towards meeting our needs and not to be immersed and to get lost in wealth's exponential growth. The key words here are “be content with what you have”. This simply implies we still need to work in order “to have” but we do not need to keep on working when we already have what we need.

Related bible readings:

Matthew 6:19 - “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.”

Luke 12:15 – “Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

1 Timothy 6:9-10 – “For we brought nothing into the world, just as we shall not be able to take anything out of it. For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.”

Generosity

In the geometry problem solution, we needed to “divide” the pentagon to be able to see the sum of its angles. Just the same, we need to always “divide” also our financial blessings in order to find our “true” wealth. This “division” of wealth should translate to sharing our wealth for the betterment of our neighbors in need. 1 Timothy 6:18-19 attest to this biblical truth – “Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life.” When we use our financial blessings to “store up treasures in heaven”, our life will have a meaningful purpose that is in-line with God’s divine purpose.

Related bible readings:

Matthew 6:20 – “But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

In all, contentment leads us to share and sharing leads us to a meaningful life.

Then we gain our true wealth.

God bless us all.

Healing

photo from google with credit to celebrationspublication.com

Read: Mark 1:40-45.

The story of Jesus’ healing of the leper reveals us three “conditions” that happened during his miraculous healing.

Approach

“A leper came to Jesus…”

A lot of people has the wrong notion how be “healed”. They turn to get a quick-fix albeit temporary solution to their ailments. At the on-set of an ill-feeling, popping the pill always comes first to our mind. When family strains happen, the first option for some men is to turn to alcohol and for teenagers to resort to drugs or bad company. When somebody gets slighted by a remark or action from the people around them, they hold their grudge and plot their revenge or intentionally ignore the other person. When someone they love so dearly is taken away, they revert to isolation and depression.

On a personal note, I do admit my guilt, that there were times that when my work or business presents a difficult situation, I spent more and more time on it, staying up until early morning to resolve the matter. I would even sleep on it. Sounds OK, isn’t it? But soon I will realize that I haven’t even lifted up my problem to God to begin with and was just trying “my best” to turn it around. But once I pause in a quiet prayer to seek His guidance, I do experience a light-bulb moment. I get a fresh new approach that works better!  

Consequently, when the “first” options we took start to fail, then we start to look for God’s healing because only then do we realize that we cannot be healed on our own.

At the first sign or symptom of any physical, emotional or spiritual ailment, our first choice must be to come to Jesus and to seek His healing and guidance.

Acknowledge

“kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean”…. “I do will it. Be made clean.”

If and when we do come to Jesus, the next question we should ask ourselves is if we do really believe that God can heal us, not necessarily on our own terms, but on how we will fit into His over-all divine plan. Let us face it, coming to Jesus isn’t a guarantee that our life-threatening stage 4 cancer will go into a sudden remission, or that a broken relationship will abruptly be mended. A few and a handful of documented unexplained recovery from life-threatening situations do happen like the leper that was “immediately” cured of his physical abnormality. And like the leper situation, our faith dictates that their healing happened because it was what Jesus wanted to happen. Like the leper, we too must truly and heart-fully acknowledge that God’s plan for our healing will only come in accordance to His will.

It is His will foremost and not ours.

In the end, if things do not happen as we would have wanted, may we keep our faith and find comfort that God’s will was fulfilled despite the absence of healing.

I remember the story of the Eduardo Zabala who lost 11 members of his family to supertyphoon Yolanda in 2013. The Yolanda tragic figure has transformed himself into one of his town’s emerging community leaders, organizing fishermen in his village by helping them heal and recover from the devastating effects of the massive storm that destroyed most of their fishing boats (source: PDI March 30,2014).

He accepted God’s “painful” will and gradually turned his life tragedy into a life-giving blessing thus giving inspiration to his fellow survivors.

Announce

“The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad…”

Bingbong Crisologo, who lived an unlawful past, was healed and has become a Charismatic Catholic preacher. He attributed his spiritual healing to God’s mercy and love and has never turned his back on Him ever since. It isn’t any wonder that an effective alcohol-abuse counsellor is one who was once an alcoholic himself. Isn’t it that one who can serve with deep empathy towards orphans is one who experienced being without parents as well? A cancer survivor knows what a cancer patient is going through. A former bankrupt person knows the helplessness of not knowing where to get their family’s next meal. A widow knows the pain of losing a loved one.

Be God’s witnesses so that others may know about God. We must realize and respond to His purpose for being healed. Our own life testimony must attest to His merciful healing. The uniqueness of our individual situation shows that our personal experience has been blessed but, at the same time, tasked to testify to others for them to know or re-connect with God.

When God said in Romans 8:28 that, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”, I believe He also meant to imply that our healing must serve His divine purpose so others may also experience God’s healing through us.

May we experience God’s healing this Lenten season.

God bless.   

(My reflection is inspired by the Feb. 15 Sunday homily of the EDSA Shrine priest whose name escaped me as of writing)

Voice-Over

Do you remember Fender and Rodney?

Fender was that indefatigably annoying and funny robot that helped a young dreamer, Rodney Copperbottom found his mission in life.

How about Alex and Marty?

They were that best buds Lion and Zebra who always turned their misfortunes away from home into hilarious misadventures of fun and friendships. And amazingly, they always pull through their tough times.

What about Woody?

He is that favourite yet insecure cowboy toy who learned that friendship and being there for his owner Andy is the most important part of his toy life.

Want to know these great characters share in common?

Well, they were all voiced-over by prestigious, ubiquitous and successful actors.

Fender was the late Robin Williams

Rodney is Ewan McGregor

Alex is Ben Stiller

Marty is Chris Rock

Woody is Tom Hanks

The actors’ talent and presence has undeniably given the characters the huge lift to become household names for kids and kid’s at heart (ehem).

Tomorrow, the Philippines is in pope-mania fever at the arrival the world’s beloved and well revered Pope Francis. In the coming 5 days, not a single household or TV station will be without a pope topic and viewpoint to discuss and share.The national government as well as the Catholic Church are all busy as ever to make sure that his visit will be safe, meaningful and fruitful towards attaining his papal mission of mercy, hope and compassion.

This is why I admire him more for always reminding the faithful to reduce and minimize his image and presence wherever he will go. Instead he always emphasize that our focus must be on the Lord our God, Jesus Christ and on our conversion and change of heart to become good Christians.

Pope Francis, like the 260+ popes before him, is but a humble vicar and representative of Christ here on earth.

Like St John the Baptist, he is but a voice in the wilderness shouting about the goodness and the salvation of the Lord.

We are indeed blessed to have and to be visited by Pope Francis.

May a deep personal and spiritual renewal come to all of us by God’s presence in him.

God bless.