I’ve been away for so long, I did miss my little camp.

I’ve been thinking of leaving and then maybe start anonymously again. That’s why I was away for some time, I thought I’d just go away and that’s the end of it. I set up another personal blog for my contacts (this blog, they don’t know it exists), and while doing the layout, I found some interesting text and image generators. I love art, too, and music.

So, recently, while I was away from here, I set up my space Somewhere. It’s for my friends and contacts, and the posts are purely personal and most are written in Tagalog (but I haven’t told them about it yet). One thing I discovered in my space Somewhere, there’s someone by the name Melisa: exact spelling as my name. She’s also a Christian, she also loves pets, and–guess what–she also loves writing, especially poetry! Of course, I’m too pleased to not add her as a friend. I also joined a Christian blogging community (my social skills are poor, I need to learn more).

There had been some problems at home lately, but indirectly, as these are concerns about relatives. I also had some bouts of laziness-in-texting, so I guess my contact friends are thinking I must have forgotten them. But I managed to email some of them and posted comments on their blogs.

When I returned to my little camp, I brought something with me and have used it since. I must admit I like it here, the quietude. Here I am alone, but passersby sometimes kindly drop a note, and I really appreciate it. I have little time to check other blogs of interest; but my mind is insatiable, I will always look for something sensible to read.

By the way, I got this blinkie text from TextSpace.net. Just click it and you’ll be transported to their site. It’s a great site.

Yesterday, lunchtime. My parents, siblings, and I were exchanging quips. Mama recently bought a pot, and the ”magic pot” became a point of discussion.

Grace: (to Mama) Then you won’t let Papa wash that new expensive pot? 

Mama: Oh, no, I won’t let him do it.

Melisa: Then who are you going to trust to wash that pot? You’re not allowing anyone of us to handle that?

Mama: Okay, only your Ate Lisa can wash it.

Melisa: (to Mama) What, Mama, you’re trusting me?!

(to the rest, teasing) Now there’s use for my being slow!

       Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. (Luke 12:15)
       What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26)   

THERE was a certain rich man who bought a land where a Healing Tree was planted. This rare tree could yield twelve kinds of healing fruits. It was said that during its twelfth year, all the seeds of the healing fruits turn into pearls and all the leaves of the tree turn into gold. Afterwards, the tree dies, leaving only one big seed inside its trunk.

One of his servants reported the discovery and told him how he could profit much from the tree. The rich man was convinced and soon started a business selling healing fruits from the tree.

Within just a few months, his business grew and he was able to acquire more lands and more servants. But when the tree was on its twelfth year and beginning to turn its leaves into gold and the seeds of the fruits into pearls, the rich man closed his business and sold no more healing fruits. Of course, the servants also lost their jobs and were forced to find another master.

The servant, who literally made him thrice richer, pleaded to let him stay and serve him still. But the rich man, thinking that this servant would only kill him in the future for his wealth, refused and sent the servant away.

The day he counted his profits and standing wealth, he thought of the luxuries he would soon be able to afford easily. He will eat, drink, dance, and be merry all the days of his comfortable life, he thought. He will also hire more security guards, as well as body guards, for his security.

These he did, and how good was life! Eat, drink, dance, and be merry!

But on the night he spent feasting on his prosperity, his own security personnel took away all his money, all his gold and pearls, as well as his only life.

~~~~~~~~

PicScript:

Animated photo credit: kellyeeee,  Glitter-Graphics.com

 
A quiet tribute to my friends.

Forgetfulness. We often take it lightly–I mean I do. But one day it struck me real hard, and I’ll never forget the crazy feeling.

One time I forgot something that I treasured so much. It was just a little keychain, but it was my emblem then, so it was precious to me at the time. I was fixing my things in my bag and then I noticed that keychain was missing. I knew I put it somewhere with the rest of my office stuff when I used another bag earlier in the day. But I didn’t find it with them.

I began to check my things and stuff, pockets and drawers. It was missing, I finally admitted to myself, and I gave up looking for it. And then cried.

I didn’t cry because it was precious to me. I cried because there was this hopeless feeling within me that made quite a gap, a hollow so deep and empty and vast. I got frantic. I really couldn’t explain the crazy feeling. It was tedious to struggle to recall what must have been somewhat unstored in my memory. I thought I knew I put it somewhere, but did I really put it somewhere? And so my eyes broke when it dawned on me that I couldn’t rely that much on my memory–and then what’s next?

Of course, there are two types (I think) of “forgetfulness,” one being under your own power, and the other being a product of a too crowded mind. And it is not at all that bad to forget, either, especially if it’s about the bad things done to you. That’s one aspect of forgetfulness I’d rather keep, but today I watched a bio film about William Tyndale, God’s Outlaw, and I know it will always be good to NOT forget.

Thankfully, I found that missing keychain that night. I delight in God’s grace and mercy and love, and remembering the good things done to me by others and by God keeps my sanity in a world of chaos and deceit.

Forgetfulness could serve a good purpose, too, sometimes in some ways that could even be amazing. But I believe it will not make a good Witness when it comes to being in the court of man or in the Court of God.

~~~~~~~~

PicScript:

Photo credit: Amazon.com

June 12: Happy Philippine Independence Day! It’s hard for me to explain, but you know, I am fascinated by our Philippine flag and our National Anthem (Lupang Hinirang). I love seeing the Philippine flag and hearing our Lupang Hinirang. I love my country, the Philippines, and I’m proud to be a Filipino.

Lupang Hinirang

(Official version used since 1956)

Bayang magiliw
Perlas ng Silanganan,
Alab ng puso,
Sa dibdib mo’y buhay.

Lupang Hinirang,
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig,
Di ka pasisiil.

Sa dagat at bundok,
Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag ang tula
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.
Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y
Tagumpay na nagniningning,
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma’y di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati’t pagsinta,
Buhay ay langit sa piling mo;
Aming ligaya, na pag may mang-aapi
Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo.

 

Who took this charmingly beautiful picture?

A blind student touching her teacher’s face.

Hellen Keller and Anne Sullivan.

Certainly, this picture did not exist on its own. Somebody took it.

There’s someone behind this photograph.

Behind each picture is a photographer.

Behind each craft is a craftsman.

Behind each art is an artist.

Behind each music is a musician.

Behind each creation is a creator.

Behind this post is a question.

We often forget those who deserve the credit.

~~~~~~~~

PicScript:

Photo credit: Helenkellerbirthplace.Org

I watched the SIGNOS: Banta ng Nagbabagong Klima replay last night on QTV Channel 11 (first aired on GMA 7). It was an eye-opening documentary on climate change.

The signs of the times are posing a dangerous threat to humanity. Erratic weather patterns… 

As far back as I can recall, the most recent natural disasters that hit various parts of the world are the cyclone in Myanmar, tornadoes in the US, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China, typhoons in the Philippines. I’m not good with math, but if you’d calculate the number of victims from all of these, the number of deaths in just a short period is enormous.

And we’re not yet including deaths from violence.

The recent violence in South Africa is an awful scene. I don’t know about xenophobia, but I could see that poverty, in general, has claws too. And the popular kind knows no laws.

The signs of the times are not confined to

earthquakes

typhoons and cyclones and hurricanes

tornadoes

flooding and lahars

landslides

drought

pestilence

epidemics

volcanic eruptions

wildfires

avalanches.

We can also see the signs in the

Disintegration of society and of the family.

And the heart of the matter lies in the quality of each inhabitant of this beautiful planet called Earth.

Someone told me a long time ago that one can’t do anything to help change society. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But I’m happy to find an ally:

A single grain of rice can tip the scale.

(The Emperor to the General, Mulan)

But then again, every beginning has an end. What if the end is near for the present world? The Bible says:

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 

Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

[II Peter 3:3-10, KJV]

I know the face of poverty. I know the fierceness of oppression. I know the deadly poison of injustice. I know the piercing look of indifference. I know the haunting spirit of derision.

One day I cried a lot. I didn’t get the job I thought I’d get–and which I badly needed at the time. I pondered on the matter. I have exhausted much strength and time… and even money. Then I failed. I thought it was a big sacrifice and then it all went for naught. How I pitied myself.

Then I felt a sweet revelation.

Life is for a purpose and a cause. For every loss, there is gain.

The day I was to be interviewed by the big bosses, they kept me waiting for hours. I took my pocket NT Bible (New International Version) and prayed and read.

To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. [St. Paul, First Corinthians 4:11-13]

Realizing the significance of those words by the apostle Paul, it struck me real hard. I’ll never forget the feeling. I did lose the opportunity to work for a prestigious company, but nonetheless, I gained something priceless.

I used to crowd my thoughts with how to earn more money and have opportunities to taste sumptuous dishes, have new clothes and things, buy more home appliances and things for my family, travel to scenic places. But then I couldn’t get a job that could afford even a decent wage. I felt awful comparing myself to others who have become “successful” in their life. I never knew what contentment means, and it was a terrible feeling.

So pitied myself.

I pitied myself for having less…

Until I learned about others who have none.

~~~~~~~~

PicScript:

I took this picture one night while waiting for my younger sister. I went out with two friends (Arl and Jel) that day (04/26/08); and since I was in Crossing (just one ride away from home), I decided to wait for Grace who’d be returning from their company outing in Tagaytay.

I used my Sony Ericsson W200i camera phone to get some random snapshots of night life in Crossing. I never stopped to get a focus. A scene like this, I don’t think I’d dare stop and take a picture of it. I’ve been dilly-dallying whether to post this picture or not. I don’t want to create a sad atmosphere, so I’d like to think that the boy was simply waiting for a family member perhaps and was too sleepy.

I haven’t seen her, but she has seen me already. Yet we’re friends. That’s her alamat (legend) in my life.

I came to know about Liza Rodriguez when a former officemate (Elbert) called me up one day and informed me about a job opening at CD Asia where she works. Liza used to work at Rex Publishing, where Elbert and I used to work too. She has transferred to another job when I started work there.

I got a mental image of her when Atty. Salao, our boss at the Legal Editorial Office, told his staff (in front of me) that I was “just like Liza.” He also said I reminded him of Liza. Of course, I blushed. They were telling me she was a very good employee, a workaholic, and quite dedicated to her job.

I don’t know if that was to just give me a hint as to how I must conduct myself, too, as an employee, but I felt they were implying that they lost someone valuable when Liza decided to resign.

I tried to apply for the vacant position, underwent a great deal of exams. She was busy at work (everybody was really busy) while I took the exams. She wasn’t able to meet me, but she called me up later. And then our special friendship started.

She just so happens to live in the city where I live. She’s the eldest too, and her name is one of my nicknames. ;) She’s also a Christian.

When I learned about her family, I felt that kind of gratitude you feel when you admire somebody and that somebody is now connected to you in some way. If I were to find for myself a model Ate, it would be Liza. She’s the breadwinner in the family. The absence of a father didn’t change her positive outlook in life. I highly admire her courage, determination, good-naturedness, and positive attitude. Her family, friends, and officemates are very fortunate to have her.

I didn’t get the job at CD Asia, but I got something far better than getting it anyhow. A wonderful alamat. Liza’s alamat.

~~~~~~~

PicScript:

Today, May 22, is Liza’s birthday. I wish her all the best. She’s a very wonderful and admirable person.

Photo credit: ZingerBug.com

Kamangha-mangha

ang ganda’t katangian

ng kalikasa’t sandaigdigan—kusa

lang ba itong sumibol

nang karaka-raka?

Paano naibitin ng bilog na mundo

ang sarili sa wala—walang nagsadya?

Sa anong paraan nadibuho

ng sangkalupaan ang sarili nito?

Kailan ba natutong sumikat

ang araw sa umaga

at lumubog pagtakipsilim

sa oras na takda?

At paanong nalaman

ng buwan at mga bituin

na sa gabi lamang sila natin

maaaring silipin?

Masdan mo ang galaw

sa alangaang ng mga ulap—

saan kaya sila nagtatago

mula sa iyong tanaw?

Nanginginig, natutulig

rin ba sila sa tinig ng

kulog ng langit? Nasisindak

rin kaya sila sa pagguhit

ng liwanag lalo sa gabi

ng mga kidlat na mapangil? Ang hangin,

saan ba siya ipinanganak, saang

dakong malalim o malawak?

Bakit talos ng tagsibol

kung kailan siya darating kasabay

ng pamumulaklak at paglago

ng mga hardin? Paano

nabatid ng tag-init, taglagas at taglamig

ang panahon ng kanilang

pagdalaw sa daigdig? Ano’t alam

ng ulan kung kailan niya

didiligan ang mga lupang tigang?

O ng niyebe upang tabunan

ang nalagas na nakaraan?

Gumawa ba ng sariling kanlungan

ang dunong ng karagatan? Ang tubig,

paanong natutong magbihis

ng anyong sari-sari’t iba-iba

ang hagod sa pandama? Mabuti pa

ang ilog gaano man kasuwail sa pagragasa,

marunong umuwi sa tahanang pinag-ugatan niya!

Sino kaya ang nagturo sa lawa

ng sining ng pagkapayapa?

Sa talon at bukal, ng wika

ng karilagan sa pagiging masigya?

At sa batis, ng karunungan

sa kapakumbabaan?

Paano natutunan ng mga nilalang

sa dagat ang kariktan ng pagsayaw

sa katubigan? Sinadya ba nilang

maging kaiba sa iba nang sa gayo’y

mapalamutian ang duyan

ng karagatan? Saan

sila kumukuha ng lakas

sa maghapon, magdamag, habambuhay

na paggalaw, pag-indak, pagsabay

sa ritmo at melodiya sa

pag-ugoy ng tubig na hamaka?

Mabuti pa ang mga bundok

at kagubatan, may tuwid

na pagsasamahan—walang

lamangan, walang sawaan, walang

bilangan, marunong masiyahan

sa kung anong mayroon lang! At bakit

batid nilang ang katatagan

ng kanlungan ng mga kinakalingang

nilalang ay nakasalalay

na tunay sa pagtutulungan?

Paano hinuhugot ng punongkahoy ang

mga dahon ng kanyang kapalaran?

Kanya bang binibilang

ang dami o sinusukat ang laki

o kinakasihan ng anyo ang bawat

dahon, bunga at bulaklak? O

kanya rin bang tinatabas

nang kusa ang sariling tikas?

Saan kumuha ng dunong

at kakayahan sa sining na larangan

ang mga bulaklak na may kanya-kanyang

anyo at kulay na marilag,

kakatwa at kahanga-hanga? Kinusa

kaya nila ang magpala

sa sarili ng bikas na kaaya-aya?

Ang mga puno’t halamang namumunga,

kailan natutong magtimpla

ng lasa at maghulma ng mga hugis

ng bungang kanya-kanya?

Saan sila humango ng sangkap na

tamis, pakla, alat, pait, asim, anghang, tabang,

o kating-dila’t ngalangala o anumang

humahadhad sa panlasap?

Kamangha-mangha

ang angking pambihira

ng mga nilalang sa lupa—kusa

lang ba silang lumitaw

nang karaka-raka?

Saan natutunan ng mga ibon

ang kagila-gilalas na

kakayahang lumipad? At sino

sa kanila ang kailanma’y

nagutom na? Bakit alam

ng bawat kawang nangingibang-tuntungan

ang landasing tamang bagtasin?

May namumuno kaya sa kanilang

paglalagalag sa papawirin

at kailanman ang pagsasama

ay di napapatid?

Paano kaya pinausbong ng usa

ang kanyang sungay na sanga-sanga?

Paano kaya ikinabit ng kangaroo at opossum

ang bulsa sa tiyan nila?

Paano kaya napag-iiba-iba ng hunyango

ang kulay ng balat niya? Saan kaya

kumuha ng pangulay ang pabo

sa buntot niyang malapamaypay?

Sino ang naghasa ng talas ng mata

ng agila, o ng pang-amoy ng aso kaya? Sinadya

ba ng kalabaw at baka na

palakasin at palakihin ang katawan nila?

Tinuturuan ba ng inang kambing

ang kanyang supling

kung paano uminom at kumain?

Sinukat ba ng elepante ang takdang haba

ng kanyang nguso at lapad ng tainga?

Pinahaba rin bang kusa ng giraffe ang

batikang leeg niya? Saan

hinahagot ng leon ang lakas

ng atungal na dumadagundong?

Sino ang nagturo sa bubuyog

na magtimpla ng tamis ng pulot at bumuo

ng moog na pantay-pantay ang laki

ng mga silid sa loob? Paano

binubuo ng uod ang mga pakpak

ng paruparo? Ang gagamba, saan humuhugot

ng hinahabi niyang sapot? Mabuti pa

ang mga langgam, kahit hindi mabilang

sa kubakob na kaharian, hindi nagkakagulo

sa hanay ng pangangalakal! Saan

humahango ng liwanag

ang munting alitaptap? At

paano siyang di natutupok

habang tangan ang puting apoy?

Ang kuhol at pagong

na kauna-unawa ang kakuparan

sa pagsulong at tangay ang kabahayan

saan man maglimayon, paanong

nalikha nila ang mga kurba at linya

ng mga dibuho sa kanilang lungga?

Kamangha-mangha

ang pagkakagawa

sa ating katawang-lupa—kinusa

ba ng tao ang pagkabuhay

sa naratnang mundo?

Sinadya ba ng tao na

magkaroon siya ng mga pandama,

magkakapares na kamay, paa,

mata at tainga? Bakit ba

hindi na lang ginawang sampu—kahit lima

sa halip na dalawa, nang sa gayon

mas mabilis ang pagkilos at paggawa?

Sinadya rin ba niyang patubuin

ang kanyang buhok—ang mga hibla,

saan kaya niya nahuhugot?

Hindi ba napapagod sa pagpintig

ang puso sa kanyang dibdib? Paano kaya

iyon kumikilos nang kusa? Pinili ba

ng tao na maging pula

ang dugo niya? Bakit hindi

na lang puti, o asul, o kaya lunti?

Paano niya nalamang ang kanyang mukha

ay kaaya-aya sa halip na hindi,

kung ito’y may dalawang mata’t tainga,

at isang ilong at bibig? Na mas marilag

ang mga ngiping tabi-tabing masinsin kaysa hindi?

Kanya bang dinibuho ang sarili

noong nasa sinapupunan pa lang? Kailan

niya napagtantong ang kamay, ugma lang

kung ang mga daliri’y di pantay-pantay?

Na kailangan niya ng utak, baga,

bato, tiyan, atay, at bituka, sampu

ng mga bahagi ng ngayong katawan niya

upang makakilos nang maayos at tama

sa kanyang unang tuntong sa lupa?

Kailan niya nabuo ang diwa

ng kanyang puso at damdamin? Ang giting

ng mga kakayahan niya sa sining,

musika, panitikan, at palakasan,

sinadya rin ba niyang ikaloob

sa sariling katauhan?

Ang wika ng di naniniwala,

Ang Diyos tao rin ang lumikha.

Siya, anya, ang sa pasimula’y siya na

na dumating nang kusa

at babalik ring sadya

sa pinagmulang wala. Sadya?

Bakit di niya masadya ring

ang kamataya’y gapiin,

matakda ang kapalarang

taning ng kamay niyang magaling,

kung tunay ngang siya’y sa pasimula

ay siya nang pumaritong kusa

at babalik ring sadya

sa pinagmulang wala?

Ako’y naniniwala

na may Isang dakila at kamangha-mangha

na ang dunong sa lalim

ay lalong higit kaysa roon sa

matataglay pa natin: Ang Diyos

na lumalang sa sandaigdigan, ang Diyos

na makapangyariha’t walang pinagmulan, ang Diyos

na sa lalong pagkamagiting at

sa labis na kagalingan, nang pilit arukin

ng may hangganang dunong ng ilan

ay sinapantahang

kathang-isip lamang, samantalang

maging ang kalikasang walang taong makalalang,

ay nagpapatotoong may Isang Kamay

na kamangha-mangha na

sa sangkinapal ay lumikha!

At bakit? Higit

na kapani-paniwalang ang putik

nang maging palayok, may Kamay

na humubog, kaysa isiping ito ay

kusang nabuong palayok.

Right, there have been changes recently here… in the Philippines. I’m reticent about those things (the natural disasters in northern and central Luzon, as well as landslides in Cebu; the bank robbery/holdup in Cabuyao, Laguna, where 9 people were killed by the robbers; and the massacre of 8 people, including children, in Calamba, Laguna). I have to shift my thoughts a little bit. 

I have changes here too, but on a positive level.

I have just changed Camp Simplicity’s header. Since I treat my hideaway like my own self, I guess it’d be nice to put a more personal touch to it. The quality of the pictures is not that good. I just took them using my Sony Ericsson W200i VGA camera; and the faint-looking one, courtesy of my brother’s mobile phone camera. But I’m grateful to have such a handy gadget anyway.

I included pictures of things of import to me; they represent significant abstract realities of my sojourney. They make the header look a little complicated, but I guess that’s where decomplicated complements it.

Also, I have just included a Copyscape banner on the CS sidebar. It’s really a great help. I am thinking of including my published works here, so at least that could give me confidence.

Like the old saying, Change is the only thing that doesn’t change, CS will keep on changing. But, like I said, on a positive level. That’s the kind of change I also want to happen to myself.