Gusto kong ibahagi sa inyo itong kuwento ng aking kaibigan na si Ching Suva, dating press undersecretary at ngayon ay vice president for public affairs ng Manila Hotel at Manila Bulletin.
Noong isang biyahe ni Pangulong Ramos sa Amerika, nawala ang isang maleta ni Ching na puno ng mga damit at pinamili niyang pasalubong sa mga kamag-anak at kaibigan.
Pumunta si Ching sa simbahan para humingi ng tulong sa Panginoon na makita ang kanyang maleta. Nang nandoon siya sa simbahan, nakatabi niya ang isang ale na halos mangiyak-ngiyak na sa kanyang pagdadasal. Sabi ni Ching, siguro ang laki ng problema ng aleng ito.
Napahiya naman si Ching sa kanyang problema kaya ang ginawang niyang dasal ay, “Mahal na Panginoon, mukhang mas malaki ang problema nitong aking katabi. Hindi na bale kung mahirap mahanap ang aking maleta. Sana itong aking katabi ay matulungan nyo.”
Hindi na nga nakita ang maleta ni Ching ngunit hindi naman siya naghirap dahil doon. Hindi naman siya pinabayaan ng Panginoon sa ibang bagay. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang nangyari sa aleng nakasabay niya sa simbahan. Siguro naman hindi rin siya pinabayaan ng Panginoon.
Maganda ang ating kaugalian na tuwing kapaskuhan, tinatabi natin ang mga problema at mas tinitingnan natin ang biyaya na ating natatanggap.
Mas maganda siguro kung sa ating pagpapasalamat, isama na rin natin sa ating pagdarasal ang mga kapuspalad nating mga kababayan at mga biktima ng karahasan ng administrasyong Arroyo at ng kanilang mga pamilya.
Niisip ko ang mga sundalo na nakakulong dahil nanindigan sila sa katotohanan at hustisya. Kung pisial lang na paghihirap, sanay na sila doon. Ang masakit para sa kanila ay ang paghihirap na dinadanas ng kanilang pamilya.
Naiisip ko rin ang mga biktima ng palpak ng mga educational plan. Ang perang ibinayad ng mga magulang para masiguro ang edukasyon ng kanilang mga anak ay bunga ng katakot-takot na pagtitipid. Tapos nauwi lang pala sa wala.
Isama narin natin sa ating pagdarasal ang mga biktima ng mga nagdaang bagyo at mudflows. Ang mga nawalan ng magulang, asawa, anak ang mga ari-arian. Kailangan nila ang tulong para makabangon at ipagpatuloy ang buhay.
Huwag natin kalimutan ang mga biktima ng pagdarahas ng mga kampon ni Gloria Arroyo at ang kanilang mga pamilya. Sana makita ang mga nawawalang mga estudyante at mga magsasaka.
Sana mahinto na itong lahat na pagpahirap sa mamamayang Pilipino.
Maligayang Pasko!
Na wari ba’y kay Angelina Jolie, isa pong dampi ng mabining halik sa pisngi at mainit na pagbati ng Maligayang Pasko sa inyo, Aling Ellen. Malagablab ding pagbati ng Mapagpalayang Bagong–Taon… mga kasama, mga kapatid, at mga kaibigan!
Ellen,
When I have a big problem, I remember Job and the trials and tribulations he had to go through and still kept faith in God. One thing that I have learned in fact is that God does not give us any challenge that we are not able to tackle, for He indeed is a fair and just God.
To the soldiers now in incarceration for defying the bogus president, I wish to say, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deut. 31: 6)
You bet, Ellen, in due time, the Great Switik will be removed from the palace by the murky river. How? I leave it to God as a matter of fact.
As you have stated in your article, “evil will never triumph over good.” I don’t think God will allow the Great Switik to continue to pimp Filipinos overseas and brag about an improved economy that never has been under her reign unless of course Filipinos will continue to let their country be reduced to another twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Heaven forbid!
i just wish that as 2006 explodes into pieces, gloria will also tear into tiny fragments! by then, we can shout on top of our voices – HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Every time I encounter personal problems, financial, emotional or health, I always think that there those that can’t even be bothered or don’t even have time to worry for such, because they even don’t have enough time to make ends meet. And it is not supposed to be, and still compounded by the unabated Corruptions that resulted in more sufferings, the abuse of Human Rights, the right to life and to live without fear of present and of future, the hopelessness of a large part of the population and the despair of parents on no matter how much sacrifice and hard work they put in, all for uncertainties because of untrustworthiness of our Political Leaders. But despite all of these, we are all thankful, that we still will be able to celebrate the Holy Birth and be thankful, at least there are still causes worth fighting for.. Merry Christmas to all..
Yes, there’s this saying, “I complained about not having shoes until I saw someone without legs.”
As we thank God for our blessings, let’s pray for the less privileged.
lahat tayo ay dumaranas ng mga pagsubok na akala natin ay hindi natin malalampasan, subalit kung ating susuriin, ang mga pagkukulang ay nasa atin ding kapabayaan. nawawalan tayo ng pagkakataong suriin ang ating mga sarili at itinutuon ang pansin sa pagbibigay sisi sa mga walang kinalaman sa ating pinagdaraanan. tunay na kasabihang sa halip na matuto ay lalong napapalaot sa kamangmangan sapagkat inilalayo pa ang tanaw gayong ang kasagutan ay nasa harapan lamang.
“mas marangal yaong nagdarahop na nakakatingin nang tuwid sa sino mang kaharap kaysa sa balot sa karangyaang sa sariling anino’y umiiwas.”
merry x`mas and happy new year!!
to you ellen and all the blogers!!
i wish and pray for the better of
our country this year 2007!!
Merry Christmas to Ate Ellen and to all bloggers!
I can’t help but post this story para yong kinauukulan will think that it’s time to reflect:
The Malacanang employees recently hold their traditional annual Christmas Party & gift giving. Of course, GMA and family were there to join as they usually do every year.
There was this number “The Star in the Palace” (a parody of the highly rated Korean TV series “Jewel in Palace”) with the opening number assigned to 18 children of the employees by carrying letters to spell the title of the show.
Backstage was a frantic scene of activity getting everyone in the right order.
As the curtain went up and the children appeared on stage, the audience broke into boisterous laughter but turned to muffled laughter when they realized its implication.
The four children carrying the letters for “S-T-A-R” had come in reverse order. The title was now
“THE RATS IN THE PALACE”.
A palace insider told a reporter that GMA and Mike Arroyo were not laughing. The tipster didn’t elaborate what happened to the affair’s organizers.
==
What do you have in December that you don’t have in any other month?
The answer is in the bottom but first, please read this breaking news. This news story just in from Bethlehem ….
INFANT DISCOVERED IN BARN,
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAUNCH PROBE
Nazareth Carpenter Being Held On Charges
Involving Underage Mother
Bethlehem, Judea – Authorities were today alerted by a concerned citizen who noticed a family living in a barn. Upon arrival, Family Protective Service personnel, accompanied by police, took into protective care an infant child named Jesus, who had been wrapped in strips of cloth and placed in a feeding trough by his 14-year old mother, Mary of Nazareth.
During the confrontation, a man identified as Joseph, also of Nazareth, attempted to stop the social workers. Joseph, aided by several local shepherds and some unidentified foreigners, tried to forestall efforts to take the child, but were restrained by the police.
Also being held for questioning are three foreigners who allege to be wise men from an eastern country. The INS and Homeland Security officials are seeking information about these who may be in the country illegally. A source with the INS states that they had no passports, but were in possession of gold and other possibly illegal substances. They resisted arrest saying that they had been warned by God to avoid officials in Jerusalem and to return quickly to their own country. The chemical substances in their possession will be tested.
The owner of the barn is also being held for questioning. The manager Bethlehem Inn faces possible revocation of his license for violating health and safety regulations by allowing people to stay in the stable. Civil authorities are also investigating the zoning violations involved in maintaining livestock in a commercially- zoned district.
The location of the minor child will not be released, and the prospect for a quick resolution to this case is doubtful. Asked about when Jesus would be returned to his mother, a Child Protective Service spokesperson said, “The father is middle-aged and the mother definitely underage. We are checking with officials in Nazareth to determine what their legal relationship is.
Joseph has admitted taking Mary from her home in Nazareth because of a census requirement. However, because she was obviously pregnant when they left, investigators are looking into other reasons for their departure. Joseph is
being held without bond on charges of molestation, kidnapping, child endangerment, and statutory rape.
Mary was taken to the Bethlehem General Hospital where she is being examined by doctors. Charges may also be filed against her for endangerment. She will also undergo psychiatric evaluation because of her claim that she is a virgin and that the child is from God.
The director of the psychiatric wing said, “I don’t profess to have the right to tell people what to believe, but when their beliefs adversely affect the safety and well-being of others – in this case her child – we must consider her a danger to others. The unidentified drugs at the scene didn’t help her case, but I’m confidant that with the proper therapy regiment we can get her back on her feet.”
A spokesperson for the governor’s office said, “Who knows what was going through their heads? But regardless, their treatment of the child was inexcusable, and the involvement of these others frightening. There is much we don’t know about this case, but for the sake of the child and the public, you can be assured that we will pursue this matter to the end.”
==
What do you have in December that you don’t have in any other month?
The letter “D”.
==
joeseg Says:
… …
The four children carrying the letters for “S-T-A-R” had come in reverse order. The title was now
“THE RATS IN THE PALACE”.
A palace insider told a reporter that GMA and Mike Arroyo were not laughing. The tipster didn’t elaborate what happened to the affair’s organizers.
– – – –
That’s a good one for da glue and fake gentleman. That they are not laughing is a good sign. It means that they are not impervious to public opinion, and soon they will crumble like cookies.
There’s no better way to explain what humility is than to see our Lord Jesus born naked in a manger. Isang Anak ng Diyos na ipinanganak tulad ng mga karaniwang tao. Ipinanganak, namatay sa ating mga kasalanan at nabuhay uli upang mailigtas ang Sanglibutan. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to all!
It’s really true that our love of self, family or relatives comes first especially this season. Very often we concentrate only on things that could make our loved ones happy. Sometimes it takes another person, a stranger to open our eyes and see those who also need our care. Let me tell a story that happened two weeks ago in our Filipino-German Christmas party here.
One of the most exciting part of our party is the raffle. There are so many interesting prizes like Balikbayan Boxes donated mostly by Filipino Balikbayan businesses.
Each one would like of course to win a box since this would mean a saving of 80 to 100 Euro. This year we had 5 Balikbayan boxes to be raffled.
Anyway, one of the box winners was a German visitor. Since he wasn’t interested of the box, he announced that he will give this to anybody who might be sending things for charity. It was a blessing because one of the Pinays in the audience was soliciting old clothes and toys for an orphanage somewhere in Zamboanga.
To make the story short, this German ended up giving extra amount aside from the box! For me, it was a good example of sharing our blessings to the needy which sometimes we overlook and just take for granted.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Wow, Balikbayan boxes are that expensive there?
ystakei Says:
Ellen,
When I have a big problem, I remember Job and the trials and tribulations he had to go through and still kept faith in God. One thing that I have learned in fact is that God does not give us any challenge that we are not able to tackle, for He indeed is a fair and just God.
– – –
Your religious zeal is enviable, ystakei. Here is someone who shares the same passion like you and me…
http://www.inspiringthots.net/movie/sc-xmas.php
(please turn up your speakers)
Ellen, I believe Elvira Sahara meant Balikbayan Boxes pre-packed with goods ready to be shipped. Some door to door businesses offer such choice for customers who don’t want to do the shopping and packing themselves. The contents, such as canned goods and toilet articles are standards or the customer can customize it for the prize. So depending on the contents, the prize varies. I hope this is what Elvira meant. it’s Christmas Eve here and again wishsing everyone a Wonderful Christmas Day..
I’ve been with all the trials, the hardships, the rough sailings, but i always pray to God to lift me up, to give me strength, to protect me, my family, all my relatives, all my friends. My husband has no permanent job, but somehow i managed to sent my 3 daughters to school, 2 are now both working, the youngest still goes to school, now i found a new job in the mainland…and will soon fulfill my dream, to have a house of our own……..to prepare for my autums years. GOD IS JUST SO GOOD……..HE NEVER LET ME DOWN!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!
joeseg Says:
please read this breaking news. This news story just in from Bethlehem ….
INFANT DISCOVERED IN BARN,
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAUNCH PROBE
………………
This story is too early for APRIL 1.
Yule greetings nevertheless ….
Merry CHRISTmas to you all!
Joeseg,
Good story on the “THE RATS IN THE PALACE”! I couldn’t stop laughing. Merry Christmas.
Opps, sorry I made a short cut! A balikbayan box prize is still an empty one which means a winner only gets a free shipping. You provide the contents and pack it yourself. The balikbayan business owner or helpers come to pick it up and ship if for you. You only win the Shipping fee which ranges from 80 to 100 Euro depending on its point of destination in the country. As far as I know, shipping to Manila is the cheapest and lately, there are even special discounts if you ship more boxes at a time.
di ba si mike aroyo ang pinuno ng robu-rats? mali yata, ah. robot rats ba ‘yun?
And always remember this: FOR EVERY TRIAL THAT WE FACE, GOD GIVES SPECIAL GRACE TO BEAR IT.
Nakalimutan niyong isama si Ryan Jaworski, ang anak ni Robert Jaworski na nabalitaan noon na namaril ng mga daga sa daan. Ni-rat rat niya ang mga rats. Walang nangyari sa kaso sa kabila ng pagsita sa kanya ng maraming mga matataas na armas. This brings us now to the question of who really intended to kill Rep. Dodot Jaworski? Was he the target or his younger brother Ryan? Baka sobra na siguro ang mga atraso ni Ryan kaya siya ang talagang target. But what happens now to the case and investigation?
Just sharing:
December 25, 2006
Partido ng Manggagawa
Displaced workers spend “paskong tuyo sa picketline”
For three years running, displaced workers of Novelty Philippines are spending their Christmas at the picket line outside their factory that illegally shutdown September 2003. Glory Vitalicio, president of the Novelty labor union, declared that “For three long years, our Jewish capitalist, the Arroyo government and even the courts have played the grinches that stole Christmas from our families.”
Members of the Novelty union were joined by officers of the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) in a noche buena of tuyo and instant noodles this Christmas eve at the picket line along Km. 17 Service Road, South Super Hi-way. The activity was held to call attention of the government to the demands of the workers for regular jobs and living wages amidst the collapse of industry due to globalization.
“The plight and fight of the Novelty workers is the plight and fight of all Filipino workers under this pro-capitalist government. Only a few kilometers from here, workers of the recently shutdown Gelmart Industries Philippines are having their first Christmas at the picket lines without work,” asserted Ronnie Luna of PM and BMP.
Gelmart, like Novelty, is one of the big garments factories in the country before it closed shop. The factory closed just a few months ago and the Gelmart workers are still negotiating for their separation pay. They are possibly facing a long battle like the Novelty laborers.
The Novelty workers are still waiting the resolution by the Supreme Court of a petition they filed September 2005 appealing the Court of Appeals decision that set aside the pro-labor decision of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). In March 2004, the NLRC declared the closure of Novelty as illegal and awarded the 2,365 workers some Php 291 million in back wages, separation pay and other benefits due.
“To the Supreme Court and the Filipino people—we seek your support in our struggle for justice. For three long years we have felt the pangs of hunger, our children have stopped going to school, we have been evicted from our rented apartments, many of our members have suffered illnesses and five of them have died while fighting for what is due us,” explained Vitalicio.
Ang haba din ng post sa itaas ano. I thought I was already reading a news item from a regular paper. Speaking of labor groups, why is it that they are mostly branded as leftist organizations or front of Communists? Just because they represent the labor sector and from poor families doesn’t necessarily make them as one. Iyan ang hirap sa mga autoridad. Kapag grupong manggagawa na ang kaharap, Komunista agad ang tawag at bintang sa kanila.
mandirigma Says: “Nakalimutan niyong isama si Ryan Jaworski, ang anak ni Robert Jaworski na nabalitaan noon na namaril ng mga daga sa daan.”
kahit ano pa ang palabasin nila, walang maniniwala kundi ‘yun lang binayaran para kunyari ay totoong pinatangkaan ang buhay ni dutdot jaworski! daming mga pakulong hindi naman papatok sa tao! bistado na ang mga kartada ng mga hudas! bokya!
Sang-ayon ako sa sinabi mo, kabayang Mrivera. Hindi iilan beses na nasangkot si Ryan sa gulo, napakarami na. Gaya kasi ng tatay, siga. This Dodot is more refined and decent to look at. Pero hindi din natin alam ang nasa loob ng taong ito. Ang alam natin tulad ng tatay na isa ding balimbing. During the first impeachment, he was visibly on the side of the opposition. Pero nasaan siya itong pangalawang impeachment?
Kapag makita mo si Ryan Jaworski, sisigawan ko ng “Alis Ryan!”.
Teka muna, kamusta na ang idolo kong si Big J? Ano man pintas niyo sa kanya, huwag natin makalimutan na malaki ang naitulong niya sa larangan ng basketbol…at siyempre gulo. Walang kinatatakutan noon iyan at ilag lahat sa kanya kahit na iyon mga tirador tulad ni Revilla. Isa lang ang kilala kong takot si Jawo: Natatandaan niyo pa ba si Nadurata?
kamusta artsee!
Meron akong alam na tinatanong mo?
Sa Grace Park, lungsod ng Kalookan.
Kung pumapalag din lang naman ang gusto mo?nandyan si Bay Cristobal. Isama mo na si Dionisio, Noblezada at Distrito.
Kaya nga kinuha ni Big J mo si Distrito eh?
Natatandaan mo ba si TJ Fabiosa?Iyan ngayon ang may-ari ng Hotdogs!
If I’m not mistaken, it was this Distrito who was arrested for killing his ex-wife or ex-girl friend in the US. Am I right, Mr. Nelbar? About Fabiosa, was he the one playing for Crispa before?