(03/10/2018) St. Eugene Parish Rectory Bible Class of Sr. Roselle Ruperto, V.D.
7958 W. Foster, Chicago, IL)
A Prayer
By: Greg In. Trabanca
Dear God what can I ask from you
When all I need you have given
With your Words so honest and true.
Thank you and let me be your friend.
Thanks for health in the family,
For the firm roof over the head,
For dear life and for being free,
For friends, neighbors, and daily bread.
Dear Lord attains to my succor.
I was reckless and I was wrong
Now I come to you to implore
Amidst the diversified throng.
Without you Lord I am nothing;
Your Words: my Will and Testament
Of my love with your true Being;
Your presence in the Sacrament.
I witness your real presence;
Through the glass window, the ray
Streams the truth of your pure essence.
Lord never forsake me today.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
(N.B.) An addendum on the subject of prayer. We wrestle
in our own little world about how to pray. How about this:
Prayer is directing our affections towards God; it is a devout
and friendly talk with Him. It is the tranquility of a mind
illumined from above.
Prayer is also a plea for temporal goods that are necessary
for earthly life. But those who pray ask the Lord with a true
Christian spirit to subordinate their own wills to His; only the
heavenly Father knows what one really needs in the temporal order.
Finally, prayer is thanksgiving, that is, an acknowledgment
of benefits received, and an offering of all our undertakings
to God so that our prayer may be a lasting one.
(From the Sermons of St. Anthony)
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
DEDICATION
TO OUR RESPECTIVE PARENTS :
GREG EVE/VANGIE
PLACIDO CAPONONG TRABANCA TEODORICO MAGALLANES
CAERMARE
ANATALIA ALCALA INTAS TRABANCA AGAPITA BAJAO RUELES CAERMARE
TO OUR SONS:
NEIL TED
NATHANIEL CAERMARE TRABANCA THEODORE CAERMARE
TRABANCA
To:
MSGR. FELIX S, ZAFRA , 1st Bishop of Dipolog City, Diocese of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
MSGR. SALVADOR MORA, former Parish Priest of Dapitan City, Philippines
Labason, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
MSGR. SEVERO C. CAERMARE, Bishop of Dipolog City, Diocese of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
To: ALL ZAMNAI MEMBERS, LABASONIANS, TEACHERS, FRIENDS, and RELATIVES
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Thoughts (9/20/2017)
It is God's law. Remember it
In your still chamber as you sit
With thoughts, you would not dare have known
And yet make comrades when alone.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
With my brother and a friend, the pre-used Honda CR-V took us to Lone Tree Manor banquet hall on Milwaukee Avenue for a memorial mass by Fr. Nelson Garcia, a diocesan priest. It was for the 10th death anniversary of a friend's father who was a friend and contemporary.
However, as I was driving, I remembered my wife whose burial place was just a few miles away on the same avenue. And one of the three places to know to understand the beauty of living is in the cemetery because the ground that we walk today will be our roof tomorrow. The second place to see is the Hospital for happiness is the result of good health and the third place to consider is the Prison because of the most precious thing - the freedom which everybody seeks together with the fountain of youth.
I met acquaintances. followed by handshakes, how do you dos and cheek rubbings- the usual sign of greetings and courtesy. Taking things all equal, life is what we make it.
In your still chamber as you sit
With thoughts, you would not dare have known
And yet make comrades when alone.
-Ella Wheeler Wilcox
With my brother and a friend, the pre-used Honda CR-V took us to Lone Tree Manor banquet hall on Milwaukee Avenue for a memorial mass by Fr. Nelson Garcia, a diocesan priest. It was for the 10th death anniversary of a friend's father who was a friend and contemporary.
However, as I was driving, I remembered my wife whose burial place was just a few miles away on the same avenue. And one of the three places to know to understand the beauty of living is in the cemetery because the ground that we walk today will be our roof tomorrow. The second place to see is the Hospital for happiness is the result of good health and the third place to consider is the Prison because of the most precious thing - the freedom which everybody seeks together with the fountain of youth.
I met acquaintances. followed by handshakes, how do you dos and cheek rubbings- the usual sign of greetings and courtesy. Taking things all equal, life is what we make it.
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
La Vida
The Beauty of Living
".... full many a flower is born to blush unseen and waste its sweetness in the desert air."
It's never too late to unravel the essence that was not noticed. At this point in my life, I came to the realization that life is actually like reciting the Rosary. We commence our existence in the name of the Eternal Father, then He sent His beloved Son to save us and of the Holy Spirit to enlighten and console us.
Then, we start our journey by knowing, loving and serving our Father who art in heaven. We acknowledge the presence of the Mother who gave birth to the Savior of the world. We followed it by our full belief on the limitless power of the Creator of heaven and earth.
In our travel through Life we undergo four chapters of mysteries:
Chapter 1 - The joy of living
Chapter 11 - The sorrows of life
Chapter 111 = The glow of the journey
Chapter 1V - The glory which is the reward of our toil.
There is truly the genius and beauty of Catholicism. And by the way, it doesn't hurt to say the Rosary every day.
There is truly the genius and beauty of Catholicism. And by the way, it doesn't hurt to say the Rosary every day.
Friday, June 23, 2017
A Leader is Born
The Emergence of a Leader
"There was a prediction in his family that one day a son is promised for greatness."
Filipinos are people consecrated to God. Out of Europe, came men of God, who venerated Saints to lead them out of harm's way. Magellan landed on one of the unknown groups of islands ( Philippines) on March 16, 1521, and offered the natives the Cross of Christianity and met also his demise.
The Philippines, the 12th largest country in the world is predominantly Christian. 90% are Christians (80% specifically Roman Catholic) It has 333 years of Spanish colonial rule and 42 years of American rule.
Muslim is estimated to make up 5.5 % of the total population of 5.5 million Filipinos." If not for the "interlude of 375 years of Spanish and American colonial rule", the Philippines would likely be a Muslim country.
Introduced by Tuan Masha'ika, an Arab religious leader/missionary in the mid 13th century Jolo now Province of Sulu, Southern Philippines, Islam was actually introduced much earlier as early as the 10th century through the Arab Traders who married local inhabitants. In the 15th century, Islam was accepted as their religion leading to the establishment of the Islamic State referred to as the Sultanate of Sulu around 1450.
Sayyid Al-Hashim Abu Bakr, an Arab religious leader born in Mecca, married to Jolo's ruling family Raja Baguinda and established a political organization adopting the formal title of Paduka Mahasari Maulana Al-Sultan Sharif-ul-Hashim.
Christianity's Cross was planted on the shore of the Philippines amidst the wranglings and murmurs of the Southern locals' hearts. And the legacy from Cain and Abel can't be forgotten. Rebellion and opposition were flagrantly displayed in the name of Democracy. The sea teems with seafood abundance, the land green with the bountiful harvest, the forest with enviable timbers. the government with political luminaries but tainted with personal agenda.
Filipinos witnessed the nation's political, social, and economic developments. Meanwhile, politics has its rise and fall. The scenario of the country was ripe for the emergence of a leader to ameliorate the common masses.
Out of these abundances and progress loom clouds of deceit, dishonesty, and personal ambition. The gap grew bigger each passing day. The poor got poorer while the rich became richer.
Criminality, corruption, and illegal drugs were rampant. They were at full speed as they contaminated the highest officials to the lowest servants of the government. These things were avenues for prolific business as the " unwise use of money is the root of all evils."
In the developing political field, a leader has a vision of a mission of solving these problems of criminality, corruption, and illegal drugs that plagued the country. In fact, his plan was already tested and the performance was great from a thriving city south of Manila.
"There was a prediction in his family that one day a son is promised for greatness."
Filipinos are people consecrated to God. Out of Europe, came men of God, who venerated Saints to lead them out of harm's way. Magellan landed on one of the unknown groups of islands ( Philippines) on March 16, 1521, and offered the natives the Cross of Christianity and met also his demise.
The Philippines, the 12th largest country in the world is predominantly Christian. 90% are Christians (80% specifically Roman Catholic) It has 333 years of Spanish colonial rule and 42 years of American rule.
Muslim is estimated to make up 5.5 % of the total population of 5.5 million Filipinos." If not for the "interlude of 375 years of Spanish and American colonial rule", the Philippines would likely be a Muslim country.
Introduced by Tuan Masha'ika, an Arab religious leader/missionary in the mid 13th century Jolo now Province of Sulu, Southern Philippines, Islam was actually introduced much earlier as early as the 10th century through the Arab Traders who married local inhabitants. In the 15th century, Islam was accepted as their religion leading to the establishment of the Islamic State referred to as the Sultanate of Sulu around 1450.
Sayyid Al-Hashim Abu Bakr, an Arab religious leader born in Mecca, married to Jolo's ruling family Raja Baguinda and established a political organization adopting the formal title of Paduka Mahasari Maulana Al-Sultan Sharif-ul-Hashim.
Christianity's Cross was planted on the shore of the Philippines amidst the wranglings and murmurs of the Southern locals' hearts. And the legacy from Cain and Abel can't be forgotten. Rebellion and opposition were flagrantly displayed in the name of Democracy. The sea teems with seafood abundance, the land green with the bountiful harvest, the forest with enviable timbers. the government with political luminaries but tainted with personal agenda.
Filipinos witnessed the nation's political, social, and economic developments. Meanwhile, politics has its rise and fall. The scenario of the country was ripe for the emergence of a leader to ameliorate the common masses.
Out of these abundances and progress loom clouds of deceit, dishonesty, and personal ambition. The gap grew bigger each passing day. The poor got poorer while the rich became richer.
Criminality, corruption, and illegal drugs were rampant. They were at full speed as they contaminated the highest officials to the lowest servants of the government. These things were avenues for prolific business as the " unwise use of money is the root of all evils."
In the developing political field, a leader has a vision of a mission of solving these problems of criminality, corruption, and illegal drugs that plagued the country. In fact, his plan was already tested and the performance was great from a thriving city south of Manila.
Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the former Mayor of Davao city led his governance of the city with justice, not with money. He avoided publicity but for the love of his people and country. He forwarded his gaze to the metropolitan and to the cosmopolitan. In his travel from the South to the North, while on the air, he saw the view below, and a voice from within said that he has to help especially the poor and the marginalized.
Maybe providential, he won to lead his country. But the problems that he was going to solve were miscalculated. Yet he plodded on to face the pervading problems for his intense love of the country and people he is serving.
But what is happening right now is the constant political bickering and hullabaloo that produce further anguish and confusion that deepen division rather than accomplish healing, restoration, and unity.
We should emulate and support the vision and mission of this President who sometimes spews foul words for the love of the country and people in his firm determination to clean the "Augean stables" in the government that stinks with criminality and corruption due to the flourishing business of illegal drugs prevalent among the officials of the land. DU30 uses the Armed Forces: the police and the army to do the task. In Greek Mythology, the mythical Hercules cleaned out the stables of the mythical King Augeas of Elis, (who kept great stables that held 3,000 oxen and had not been cleaned for 30 years), by diverting the course of two rivers (Alpheus and Peneus) so they flowed through them.
Maybe providential, he won to lead his country. But the problems that he was going to solve were miscalculated. Yet he plodded on to face the pervading problems for his intense love of the country and people he is serving.
But what is happening right now is the constant political bickering and hullabaloo that produce further anguish and confusion that deepen division rather than accomplish healing, restoration, and unity.
We should emulate and support the vision and mission of this President who sometimes spews foul words for the love of the country and people in his firm determination to clean the "Augean stables" in the government that stinks with criminality and corruption due to the flourishing business of illegal drugs prevalent among the officials of the land. DU30 uses the Armed Forces: the police and the army to do the task. In Greek Mythology, the mythical Hercules cleaned out the stables of the mythical King Augeas of Elis, (who kept great stables that held 3,000 oxen and had not been cleaned for 30 years), by diverting the course of two rivers (Alpheus and Peneus) so they flowed through them.
There must be a paradigm shift in the life of the people who were accustomed to the political scenario. And political leaders did try as they may in addressing the prevailing atmosphere only to be suffocated by their own greed and ambition.
What he needs now is the participation, cooperation, and unity of the Filipino people, local and abroad, and/or with his country's roots to make his regime progressive, productive, and peaceful.
This president, who likes to be called Mayor, saw this in the dorm:" I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." (William Penn.) With his term of six years, and over the age of seventy. he tried his level best to deliver what he had promised. He meant no monkey business and nipped in the bud those who failed to follow the rule of law as they are employees of the government like himself.
And he has this from Ecclesiastes chapter 3: " There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build...a time to love, and a time to hate, a time of war, and a time of peace."
Is it now ripe in the Duterte era for a noble change? Changes have been made before but still, there must be another one to fit the shoes of all Filipinos from Aparri to Jolo.
Rodrigo Roa Duterte has unleashed his solid determination to map out a plan of unity, understanding, cooperation, and peace for the cosmopolitan Philippines.
This president, who likes to be called Mayor, saw this in the dorm:" I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." (William Penn.) With his term of six years, and over the age of seventy. he tried his level best to deliver what he had promised. He meant no monkey business and nipped in the bud those who failed to follow the rule of law as they are employees of the government like himself.
And he has this from Ecclesiastes chapter 3: " There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build...a time to love, and a time to hate, a time of war, and a time of peace."
Is it now ripe in the Duterte era for a noble change? Changes have been made before but still, there must be another one to fit the shoes of all Filipinos from Aparri to Jolo.
Rodrigo Roa Duterte has unleashed his solid determination to map out a plan of unity, understanding, cooperation, and peace for the cosmopolitan Philippines.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
6/24/2017 Sat THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST.
Back home, this is wet or bathday- San Juan. Water just flow in every corner of the land. All accept it with pride and joy as this happens only once a year.
This Saturday (06/24/2017) will be St. Timothy Parish's Feast of the Novena of the Mother of Perpetual Help. Note of appreciation and thanks to the pastor, Fr. Peter Fernandes,sfx and to the devotees.
Where was Jesus Baptized ?
If you are a pilgrim traveling to the Holy Land, you will be taken to the spot where John the baptist was said to have baptized Jesus.
But is that an accurate location ? Not even tour guides necessarily agree
All four evangelists note that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river. John narrows the area to "Bethany beyond the Jordan." Mark and Matthews's description of the event has lead to a tradition that the baptism occurred at a spot near the river, just east of Jericho. Even then , no one knows if the baptism, took place near the east or the west of the river.
Adding to the difficulty of determining the exact place of Jesus' baptism, the Jordan River itself has altered course over the past 2,000 years.In order to meet Israel's and Jordan's growing need for water, the river has also gotten smaller in modern times.
In May 2012, a site close to the border between Israel and Jordan was reopened to pilgrims as the place where Jesus was baptized.It had been closed to tourists because the location in only 330 feet across the river from Jordan, and because of the danger of land mines that may have been left by terrorists.
Three Popes
Three Popes have visited the eastern bank of the Jordan River: POPE JOHN PAUL 11 in March 2000, POPE BENEDICT XV1 in May 2009, and POPE FRANCIS in May 2014.
Back home, this is wet or bathday- San Juan. Water just flow in every corner of the land. All accept it with pride and joy as this happens only once a year.
This Saturday (06/24/2017) will be St. Timothy Parish's Feast of the Novena of the Mother of Perpetual Help. Note of appreciation and thanks to the pastor, Fr. Peter Fernandes,sfx and to the devotees.
Where was Jesus Baptized ?
If you are a pilgrim traveling to the Holy Land, you will be taken to the spot where John the baptist was said to have baptized Jesus.
But is that an accurate location ? Not even tour guides necessarily agree
All four evangelists note that Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river. John narrows the area to "Bethany beyond the Jordan." Mark and Matthews's description of the event has lead to a tradition that the baptism occurred at a spot near the river, just east of Jericho. Even then , no one knows if the baptism, took place near the east or the west of the river.
Adding to the difficulty of determining the exact place of Jesus' baptism, the Jordan River itself has altered course over the past 2,000 years.In order to meet Israel's and Jordan's growing need for water, the river has also gotten smaller in modern times.
In May 2012, a site close to the border between Israel and Jordan was reopened to pilgrims as the place where Jesus was baptized.It had been closed to tourists because the location in only 330 feet across the river from Jordan, and because of the danger of land mines that may have been left by terrorists.
Three Popes
Three Popes have visited the eastern bank of the Jordan River: POPE JOHN PAUL 11 in March 2000, POPE BENEDICT XV1 in May 2009, and POPE FRANCIS in May 2014.
3:00 PM- Wed 6/21/2017 SUMMER BEGINS!
I love Life! I love America. I love Jesus Christ who died to save humanity. I love the Blessed Virgin Mary. I believe in the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday of the week is the Novena of the Mother of Perpetual Help in my calendar. It is a part of my weekly devotion. And the Novena starts always with a Rosary which paves to lighten our way.
The Franciscan Way.
The Franciscan Mission Associates' say that Franciscan friars the world over carry the Rosary of our Lady suspended from the cords they wear around their waists. The Rosary is their constant companion and their spiritual protection as they journey through life.
In the remote sections of the world, where the friars go by horseback or muleback to reach their people, they are able to shorten the journey with the prayers to our Lady of the Rosary, through the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. Prayer always makes the road go faster.
The Rosary, centered on the biblical prayers of the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is also a handy aid for Friars to teach the truths of our Faith to their people. All over the world, both religious and laypeople say it daily as their special prayer.
"The Rosary is like an abridged version of the Gospel," said Pope Pius 1X. "It provides "rivers of peace" to those who say it well. By far, it is the richest devotion and the one most abundant in graces. It certainly is the most pleasing to the heart of Mary."
We Franciscans count on you for the continued help with your prayers, good example, and sacrifice. Be assured that God will surely reward you for all you do in His name.
(Franciscan Mission Associates P. O. Box 598, Mount Vernon, New York 10551-0598)
I love Life! I love America. I love Jesus Christ who died to save humanity. I love the Blessed Virgin Mary. I believe in the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday of the week is the Novena of the Mother of Perpetual Help in my calendar. It is a part of my weekly devotion. And the Novena starts always with a Rosary which paves to lighten our way.
The Franciscan Way.
The Franciscan Mission Associates' say that Franciscan friars the world over carry the Rosary of our Lady suspended from the cords they wear around their waists. The Rosary is their constant companion and their spiritual protection as they journey through life.
In the remote sections of the world, where the friars go by horseback or muleback to reach their people, they are able to shorten the journey with the prayers to our Lady of the Rosary, through the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries. Prayer always makes the road go faster.
The Rosary, centered on the biblical prayers of the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is also a handy aid for Friars to teach the truths of our Faith to their people. All over the world, both religious and laypeople say it daily as their special prayer.
"The Rosary is like an abridged version of the Gospel," said Pope Pius 1X. "It provides "rivers of peace" to those who say it well. By far, it is the richest devotion and the one most abundant in graces. It certainly is the most pleasing to the heart of Mary."
We Franciscans count on you for the continued help with your prayers, good example, and sacrifice. Be assured that God will surely reward you for all you do in His name.
(Franciscan Mission Associates P. O. Box 598, Mount Vernon, New York 10551-0598)
Sunday, May 07, 2017
The Phoenicians
The Power of Words
"and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1:14)
When I came across this- about words, I remembered along this vein about the origin of the alphabet. During my time, there was a textbook, The Modern Times and the Living Past and Prose and Poetry. Later these were taken out of the curriculum which I don't know the reason why.
The Modern Times and the Living Past talked about the "Phoenicians, the greatest traders of antiquity that brought the greatest gift to the Greeks which was the alphabet of 22 letters, and also invented money the currency system (which is still the basis of our monetary system). Meanwhile, the Greeks took over and elaborated it to 26 letters, and later the Romans took it over from the Greeks".
"So from the alphabet came the words that were written in ancient Babylon around 3100 B.C. done on clay tablets which were not most portable of formats for written literature. However, the Egyptians made a leap forward with the papyrus, thin sheets made from the papyrus plant. Knowledge could be preserved on scrolls which is easier to transport, but still bulky. Paper itself was invented in China around the end of the first century A.D. but didn't reach Europe until after the fall of the Roman empire."
"While at the same time paper was being invented in China, the Romans invented the codex. For the first time, sheets of uniform size were bound together along one edge, in between two larger, stronger protective covers.
The invention of the book enabled much easier the sharing of complex ideas, including everything from Christianity to annals about emperors." ( Jim Duducu, author of The Romans in 100 Facts)
"and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1:14)
When I came across this- about words, I remembered along this vein about the origin of the alphabet. During my time, there was a textbook, The Modern Times and the Living Past and Prose and Poetry. Later these were taken out of the curriculum which I don't know the reason why.
The Modern Times and the Living Past talked about the "Phoenicians, the greatest traders of antiquity that brought the greatest gift to the Greeks which was the alphabet of 22 letters, and also invented money the currency system (which is still the basis of our monetary system). Meanwhile, the Greeks took over and elaborated it to 26 letters, and later the Romans took it over from the Greeks".
"So from the alphabet came the words that were written in ancient Babylon around 3100 B.C. done on clay tablets which were not most portable of formats for written literature. However, the Egyptians made a leap forward with the papyrus, thin sheets made from the papyrus plant. Knowledge could be preserved on scrolls which is easier to transport, but still bulky. Paper itself was invented in China around the end of the first century A.D. but didn't reach Europe until after the fall of the Roman empire."
"While at the same time paper was being invented in China, the Romans invented the codex. For the first time, sheets of uniform size were bound together along one edge, in between two larger, stronger protective covers.
The invention of the book enabled much easier the sharing of complex ideas, including everything from Christianity to annals about emperors." ( Jim Duducu, author of The Romans in 100 Facts)
Friday, March 17, 2017
Life is a Journey
(03/17/2017)
As I prepared myself for the 12:00 o'clock Mass at St. Jude's chapel on the Women Center in Chicago, Illinois I was instinctively able to open my LG cell phone on which I found this very fascinating article sent by an FB loyal friend. And here it is:
That Life is a Journey of which I have nothing to debate about it: but the journey is on a train with stops at stations, changes of routes, and the inevitable circumstances. That when we are born, our parents paid for the tickets and boarded with us on a memorable Trip of Life on a train.
That all along the way, our parents may get off the station and we are left to travel on by ourselves. There's a little worry but we are with other passengers. We exchange hi's and hellos and smiles. As our eyes peer outside, we see beautiful scenery: buildings, vehicles, and people in the constant motion of life's survival.
Time flies. The train continues on its journey. And passengers come and go. Some of these passengers could be your family members- siblings, friends, children, and maybe your significant one. The seats are full and other times half empty as passengers just left unnoticed.
(03/17/2017)
As I prepared myself for the 12:00 o'clock Mass at St. Jude's chapel on the Women Center in Chicago, Illinois I was instinctively able to open my LG cell phone on which I found this very fascinating article sent by an FB loyal friend. And here it is:
That Life is a Journey of which I have nothing to debate about it: but the journey is on a train with stops at stations, changes of routes, and the inevitable circumstances. That when we are born, our parents paid for the tickets and boarded with us on a memorable Trip of Life on a train.
That all along the way, our parents may get off the station and we are left to travel on by ourselves. There's a little worry but we are with other passengers. We exchange hi's and hellos and smiles. As our eyes peer outside, we see beautiful scenery: buildings, vehicles, and people in the constant motion of life's survival.
Time flies. The train continues on its journey. And passengers come and go. Some of these passengers could be your family members- siblings, friends, children, and maybe your significant one. The seats are full and other times half empty as passengers just left unnoticed.
And the journey continues. It is unending. The journey is remarkable and fascinating. We meet new faces with different features and skins of different colors. We exchange stories of joy, struggles, and triumph.
Then another day of the unending journey.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
2 days Before 2017
12/29/2016
Today I stand with gratefulness to God for health, richness, success. looking forward to the tunnel of the future, I feel the nostalgic yearning of yesterday...
Today I stand with gratefulness to God for health, richness, success. looking forward to the tunnel of the future, I feel the nostalgic yearning of yesterday...
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Reflection
(A Reflection)
Brother, it is a starless night;
Patawag river flows to the sea.
Dawn appears to stir the human might;
Carabao is waiting in the lea.
The friendly breeze whispers goodbye;
My heart oozes with forgiveness.
Waving cogon hums a lullaby;
The Family is filled with sadness.
If I hurt you, dearest brother,
It is because of my true love
So heed well as you meander
Not forgetting The One above.
You left yet with the fulfilled mission
Your children's goldmine to unleash
Forgiven for the commission.
Home to roost brother, rest in peace!
Note: After the demise of her only brother, this poem was
written on the humane quality of Evangeline that no
other has captured save this writer who was with
her as the best half and partner for over 42 years
in the calm and rough waters on the journey of togetherness.
Addendum: July 12, 2021, is the 7th Death Anniversary of Brod Boy Caermare.
Patawag river flows to the sea.
Dawn appears to stir the human might;
Carabao is waiting in the lea.
The friendly breeze whispers goodbye;
My heart oozes with forgiveness.
Waving cogon hums a lullaby;
The Family is filled with sadness.
If I hurt you, dearest brother,
It is because of my true love
So heed well as you meander
Not forgetting The One above.
You left yet with the fulfilled mission
Your children's goldmine to unleash
Forgiven for the commission.
Home to roost brother, rest in peace!
Note: After the demise of her only brother, this poem was
written on the humane quality of Evangeline that no
other has captured save this writer who was with
her as the best half and partner for over 42 years
in the calm and rough waters on the journey of togetherness.
Addendum: July 12, 2021, is the 7th Death Anniversary of Brod Boy Caermare.
Tuesday, November 01, 2016
Rhapsody of Memories/Evangeline
Evangeline: The Belle of Labason
The sandy beach of Labason
Where her father's fishing boat moored
Now it's a nostalgic vision
Of seashells and seaweeds she adored.
She used to play and like to bath
While friendly waves rolled all day long
Life was carefree and without wrath
Until the deep sound of the gong.
These are memories on the shores:
The gentle kiss of waves; lone seagull
Making the sound she adores,
A melody that leads her to lull.
She always stepped forward to help
She labored hard for dire duty sake,
With a love of family and self
Pondering whatever she can take.
That's the demure Evangeline
A poem of love and dignity
Her service charmed both foe and friend
And she loved anonymity.
In this life of laughter and tears
Of blessing and amazing grace
With God's pure love to vanish fears
On Mary Hill at rest in peace!
(N.B.) Evangeline Rueles Magallanes Caermare Trabanca
Birthplace: Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
Born into Life: March 3, 1940 Philippines
Born into Eternal Life: Nov,.29, 2015 U,S,A.
The sandy beach of Labason
Where her father's fishing boat moored
Now it's a nostalgic vision
Of seashells and seaweeds she adored.
She used to play and like to bath
While friendly waves rolled all day long
Life was carefree and without wrath
Until the deep sound of the gong.
These are memories on the shores:
The gentle kiss of waves; lone seagull
Making the sound she adores,
A melody that leads her to lull.
She always stepped forward to help
She labored hard for dire duty sake,
With a love of family and self
Pondering whatever she can take.
That's the demure Evangeline
A poem of love and dignity
Her service charmed both foe and friend
And she loved anonymity.
In this life of laughter and tears
Of blessing and amazing grace
With God's pure love to vanish fears
On Mary Hill at rest in peace!
(N.B.) Evangeline Rueles Magallanes Caermare Trabanca
Birthplace: Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
Born into Life: March 3, 1940 Philippines
Born into Eternal Life: Nov,.29, 2015 U,S,A.
Education: Labason Central Elementary School, Labason, ZDN, Phil
High School: Ferrer High School, Labason, ZDN, Phil (Valedictorian)
College: RN - San Pedro Hospital School of Nursing, Davao City, Phil
BSN - Far Eastern University, Manila, Phil
Marital Status: Married to Gregory Intas Alcala Caponong Trabanca
Employment: Phil- District Nurse, ZDN Public Schools, Dipolog City, Phil
US - Labor & Delivery Reg. Nurse, Norwegian American Hospital, Chicago, IL
High School: Ferrer High School, Labason, ZDN, Phil (Valedictorian)
College: RN - San Pedro Hospital School of Nursing, Davao City, Phil
BSN - Far Eastern University, Manila, Phil
Marital Status: Married to Gregory Intas Alcala Caponong Trabanca
Employment: Phil- District Nurse, ZDN Public Schools, Dipolog City, Phil
US - Labor & Delivery Reg. Nurse, Norwegian American Hospital, Chicago, IL
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist (10/18/16)
Luke, The Evangelist
Today, one of the most important figures of the Primitive Church is remembered - Luke the Evangelist. The following facts tell us why:
1. Luke singlehandedly wrote a quarter of the New Testament. The first is a gospel about the story of Jesus and the second, on the Acts of the Apostle which is about the Infant Church as a distinct phase of salvation history.
2. Luke on his gospel emphasizes on how Jesus is caring and tender toward the poor and the lowly, the outcast, the sinner and the afflicted, those who recognize their dependence on God. No evangelist is more concerned with the mercy and compassion of Jesus with the role of the Spirit in the life of Jesus and of the Christian disciples, with the importance of prayer, with Jesus' concern for women.
3. Luke was at times a close and faithful collaborator of Paul, who calls him "the beloved physician" (Col 4:14)
4. Luke was highly literate both in the Old Testament and in Hellenistic Greek writings. He wrote mostly for Gentile Christians and the whole Church at large. ( The Bible Diary 2016)
Today, one of the most important figures of the Primitive Church is remembered - Luke the Evangelist. The following facts tell us why:
1. Luke singlehandedly wrote a quarter of the New Testament. The first is a gospel about the story of Jesus and the second, on the Acts of the Apostle which is about the Infant Church as a distinct phase of salvation history.
2. Luke on his gospel emphasizes on how Jesus is caring and tender toward the poor and the lowly, the outcast, the sinner and the afflicted, those who recognize their dependence on God. No evangelist is more concerned with the mercy and compassion of Jesus with the role of the Spirit in the life of Jesus and of the Christian disciples, with the importance of prayer, with Jesus' concern for women.
3. Luke was at times a close and faithful collaborator of Paul, who calls him "the beloved physician" (Col 4:14)
4. Luke was highly literate both in the Old Testament and in Hellenistic Greek writings. He wrote mostly for Gentile Christians and the whole Church at large. ( The Bible Diary 2016)
Thursday, October 06, 2016
The Beauty of Life
Memories
We always hear and read that Life is what we make it. That is the beauty of Life . You have the control on what you are going to do. You got the ball of decision in your hands. Are you going to shoot that ball or pass it to the player that has the strategic position and the goal is a given?
The world is in chaos, in a mess because of selfishness and sharing is wanting. We are created to be loved and things are created to be used. But what is true is the contrary. People are being used and things are being loved. We become selfish. We love the things that money could buy. Competition is keen. Love of the Source of Life and its beauty is taken for granted. The race is on for fame, power and hubris.
Then, the blame ! We forget the Source of our very existence. We are no longer aware of the beauty of the night that turns into a blossoming dawn, of friends that turn into a family, of dreams that turn into reality
We should never blame anybody that crossed our path. We must know that the good ones showered us happiness to be grateful with, the bad ones offered us experiences to heed, the worst ones gave us lessons to bear, and the best ones gave us the memories to cherish and to share.
And memories are flowers that bloom in the garden of our today, permeating our hours with fragrance enveloping us with the joy of the beauty of living.
We always hear and read that Life is what we make it. That is the beauty of Life . You have the control on what you are going to do. You got the ball of decision in your hands. Are you going to shoot that ball or pass it to the player that has the strategic position and the goal is a given?
The world is in chaos, in a mess because of selfishness and sharing is wanting. We are created to be loved and things are created to be used. But what is true is the contrary. People are being used and things are being loved. We become selfish. We love the things that money could buy. Competition is keen. Love of the Source of Life and its beauty is taken for granted. The race is on for fame, power and hubris.
Then, the blame ! We forget the Source of our very existence. We are no longer aware of the beauty of the night that turns into a blossoming dawn, of friends that turn into a family, of dreams that turn into reality
We should never blame anybody that crossed our path. We must know that the good ones showered us happiness to be grateful with, the bad ones offered us experiences to heed, the worst ones gave us lessons to bear, and the best ones gave us the memories to cherish and to share.
And memories are flowers that bloom in the garden of our today, permeating our hours with fragrance enveloping us with the joy of the beauty of living.
Monday, August 15, 2016
Balud sa Kapalaran (Wave of Fate)
Balud Sa Kapalaran (Wave of Fate )
A Visayan Song: Sung by Max Surban with his guitar.
(Lyric's English translation of Greg In. Trabanca)
Balud sa kapalaran hunong na, sa imo kanakong pagdagmal.
(Wave of fate please stop your torments upon me )
Nalisang ako nga ibanlas sa baybayon sa mga timawa ug alaut.
(Horrified, I am that you'll thrash me to the shore, to the poor and miserable)
Pagkabangis gayud intawon sa akong gidangatan
(Fiercely harrowing is the fate I have encountered )
Laos na king paglaum, bun-og na king kalag.
(Archaic is my hope, injured is my soul.)
Wa' nay lain nga ako pang kadangpan
(No other place where I could take refuge )
O balud sa palad ko, hunong na intawon, o hunong na.
(O wave of my destiny, please just stop, o just stop. )
A Visayan Song: Sung by Max Surban with his guitar.
(Lyric's English translation of Greg In. Trabanca)
Balud sa kapalaran hunong na, sa imo kanakong pagdagmal.
(Wave of fate please stop your torments upon me )
Nalisang ako nga ibanlas sa baybayon sa mga timawa ug alaut.
(Horrified, I am that you'll thrash me to the shore, to the poor and miserable)
Pagkabangis gayud intawon sa akong gidangatan
(Fiercely harrowing is the fate I have encountered )
Laos na king paglaum, bun-og na king kalag.
(Archaic is my hope, injured is my soul.)
Wa' nay lain nga ako pang kadangpan
(No other place where I could take refuge )
O balud sa palad ko, hunong na intawon, o hunong na.
(O wave of my destiny, please just stop, o just stop. )
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
A Mayor Turns President
The Chosen One
The very short stay in the Seminary was very pivotal in the sense that those limited days were comparable to an Associate's degree. This was augmented by the readings of the life of Thomas Merton, an intelligent Trappist monk (priest) which caught my attention and struck me with fervor about being a genuine priest; who then, became instrumental to the reflection of my interior life and its meaning leading me to the path of contemplation. And at this juncture, was the so-called, unbridled freedom, outside the seminary.
I remembered when asked why I was going out of the seminary? I said, "many were called but few were chosen". This echoed in my mind as I watched the activities of the newly elected president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
This guy was chosen. Why? Imagine with no solid political party support, just enough campaign money, not accepting contributions from businessmen ( in order not to incur the debt of gratitude), he launched his candidacy on a platform of past performances as a lawyer, prosecutor, mayor of a city and his wisdom on the profound need of the moment - CHANGE. That is the elimination of illegal drugs, curbing criminality, and restraining corruption plus his sincere love of his country and countrymen.
These 3 words: drugs, criminality, and corruption were inculcated in the voters' minds and rang loudly in their ears. The voters got the picture. And Duterte seized the opportunity of the moment. Candidates of the opposing parties were bent on discussing issues on economics, making the country great, and so on and so forth...but how can you turn the wheel of progress to make the country great when users, sellers, and producers of illegal drugs are unrestrained and have penetrated the government and private offices, departments, the prisons. Criminality is rampant. There's a problem of peace and order. People are slowly losing hope in the government. Then corruptions creep in every nook and cranny of departments.
Duterte's example of the city of Davao as a mayor is sufficient to convince the voters, with of course his sincerity, his humbleness, his down-to-earth charisma, his pedestrian lingo and street smart experience, his jokes buttressed with his fearlessness in the performance of his duties in consonance with the aegis and mandate of the constitution. That he is willing to give his life for the sake of his country and people. Meanwhile, the opposing candidates shoulder questionable issues. He has a formidable advantage.
Past presidents were not able to curb the rampant evil activities in the government but this 16th president like Abraham of the Bible, who pleaded with God to save Sodom and Gomorrah, listened to his countrymen for their clamor of change. The rest is history. The election gave him an overwhelming victory, but even before his taking of Oath of Office, the losing candidates were busy burning their midnight candles to do research works to smear his popular name. They found nothing. The voters were with him to hell or high water.
Riding the rough ride, the tough-talking mayor, dubbed as The Punisher, The Dirty Harry of Davao City rode on his Harvey big bike with a smile as the sun rose on Mindanao's bald forests, south of imperial Manila singing his favorite in his native tongue, " Balud sa kapalaran hunong na sa imo kanakong pagdagmal. Nalisang ako nga ibanlas sa baybayon, sa mga timawa ug alaut. ( Wave of fate please stop your torments upon me. I'm horrified that you'll thrash me to the shore, to the poor and miserable )
Meanwhile, the mountains and the seas in unison permeated the air with his other favorite, Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up".
"When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary. When troubles come, and my heart burdened be, Then, I am still and wait here in the silence, Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains. You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders, You raise me up to more than I can be."
People of the Philippines from Aparri to Jolo and overseas, let's raise him up to more than he can be - the 16th president of the Philippines, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, The Chosen One!
As the WAVES of CHANGE are rolling upon the shores of our beloved country. Digong and Bato need your prayers that God will sit with them in the silence of their hearts to raise them up so they can valiantly stand on the mountain of hope with their promise of the elimination of illegal drugs, of maintaining peace & order, of improving health programs, of enhancing socio-economic prosperity through the curbing of corruptions, so they can walk without sinking on the stormy seas of criticisms despite the naysayers.
(Greg In Trabanca)
Schools attended:
Elementary:
The very short stay in the Seminary was very pivotal in the sense that those limited days were comparable to an Associate's degree. This was augmented by the readings of the life of Thomas Merton, an intelligent Trappist monk (priest) which caught my attention and struck me with fervor about being a genuine priest; who then, became instrumental to the reflection of my interior life and its meaning leading me to the path of contemplation. And at this juncture, was the so-called, unbridled freedom, outside the seminary.
I remembered when asked why I was going out of the seminary? I said, "many were called but few were chosen". This echoed in my mind as I watched the activities of the newly elected president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
This guy was chosen. Why? Imagine with no solid political party support, just enough campaign money, not accepting contributions from businessmen ( in order not to incur the debt of gratitude), he launched his candidacy on a platform of past performances as a lawyer, prosecutor, mayor of a city and his wisdom on the profound need of the moment - CHANGE. That is the elimination of illegal drugs, curbing criminality, and restraining corruption plus his sincere love of his country and countrymen.
These 3 words: drugs, criminality, and corruption were inculcated in the voters' minds and rang loudly in their ears. The voters got the picture. And Duterte seized the opportunity of the moment. Candidates of the opposing parties were bent on discussing issues on economics, making the country great, and so on and so forth...but how can you turn the wheel of progress to make the country great when users, sellers, and producers of illegal drugs are unrestrained and have penetrated the government and private offices, departments, the prisons. Criminality is rampant. There's a problem of peace and order. People are slowly losing hope in the government. Then corruptions creep in every nook and cranny of departments.
Duterte's example of the city of Davao as a mayor is sufficient to convince the voters, with of course his sincerity, his humbleness, his down-to-earth charisma, his pedestrian lingo and street smart experience, his jokes buttressed with his fearlessness in the performance of his duties in consonance with the aegis and mandate of the constitution. That he is willing to give his life for the sake of his country and people. Meanwhile, the opposing candidates shoulder questionable issues. He has a formidable advantage.
Past presidents were not able to curb the rampant evil activities in the government but this 16th president like Abraham of the Bible, who pleaded with God to save Sodom and Gomorrah, listened to his countrymen for their clamor of change. The rest is history. The election gave him an overwhelming victory, but even before his taking of Oath of Office, the losing candidates were busy burning their midnight candles to do research works to smear his popular name. They found nothing. The voters were with him to hell or high water.
Riding the rough ride, the tough-talking mayor, dubbed as The Punisher, The Dirty Harry of Davao City rode on his Harvey big bike with a smile as the sun rose on Mindanao's bald forests, south of imperial Manila singing his favorite in his native tongue, " Balud sa kapalaran hunong na sa imo kanakong pagdagmal. Nalisang ako nga ibanlas sa baybayon, sa mga timawa ug alaut. ( Wave of fate please stop your torments upon me. I'm horrified that you'll thrash me to the shore, to the poor and miserable )
Meanwhile, the mountains and the seas in unison permeated the air with his other favorite, Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up".
"When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary. When troubles come, and my heart burdened be, Then, I am still and wait here in the silence, Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains. You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders, You raise me up to more than I can be."
People of the Philippines from Aparri to Jolo and overseas, let's raise him up to more than he can be - the 16th president of the Philippines, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, The Chosen One!
As the WAVES of CHANGE are rolling upon the shores of our beloved country. Digong and Bato need your prayers that God will sit with them in the silence of their hearts to raise them up so they can valiantly stand on the mountain of hope with their promise of the elimination of illegal drugs, of maintaining peace & order, of improving health programs, of enhancing socio-economic prosperity through the curbing of corruptions, so they can walk without sinking on the stormy seas of criticisms despite the naysayers.
(Greg In Trabanca)
Schools attended:
Elementary:
Labason Central Elementary School (Honor student)
High School:
Ferrer High School, Labason, ZDN, Philippines ( 1st yr-3rd /Junior yr -Honor student)
Ateneo de Zamboanga, Zamboanga City, Phil (4th/senior yr/Night) Salutatorian)
College:
Andres Bonifacio College, Dipolog City, Philippines
Zamboanga AE Colleges, Zamboanga City, Philippines (AB/BSE, Major-History, Minor- English)
Ferrer High School, Labason, ZDN, Philippines ( 1st yr-3rd /Junior yr -Honor student)
Ateneo de Zamboanga, Zamboanga City, Phil (4th/senior yr/Night) Salutatorian)
College:
Andres Bonifacio College, Dipolog City, Philippines
Zamboanga AE Colleges, Zamboanga City, Philippines (AB/BSE, Major-History, Minor- English)
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Song of the South
Heal the Wound
Dear country: it is now morning
He has awakened from his flight.
Our dear son is gladly coming
To restore us from our dire plight.
Our fond hope from disunity
Is a man of deliverance
To topple the high and mighty;
With joy, we welcome his entrance.
Out of the troubled Southern sea
Comes one of the living heroes
Undaunted and ever ready
To safeguard our shores from the foes.
This man came for the dear land sake
Inquest for genuine freedom.
Peoples' clamor he has to take
This man of action and wisdom.
Now is the time to heal the wound
And restore true peace and order.
Let not the monkeys dance around
As we stand shoulder to shoulder.
(N.B.) I was inspired to write this poem due to the landslide victory
of the 16th President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte; much more
that he is the first President from my birth island of Mindanao
( popularly called " the Land of Promise ".) DU30 is: " program, action,
delivery with the signature promise of making the Philippines great and from the looks of it, it's making waves.
Bridge of Love, A Sonnet
In our life's odyssey, there's gloom
But there's albeit that rising sun.
Varied flowers in summer bloom
Joy appears when a chore is done.
Let's mull over our adversity
Ponder our end for our action
That in life there's eternity;
A bridge of love: our mission.
This bridge must be built very strong
Must brave the fiercest of weather;
A testament that we were not wrong.
So guys let us get together
In constructing a bridge of love
That will connect us forever.
(Note:) Peace is attainable through mutual understanding, love, and honesty.
Greg In. Trabanca
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Evangeline: A Memory
Out of the mire of lovely past
Mirthful surface in memory.
Our fun and frolic never last
As long as you are close to me.
Happy geese hover up above
Where you rest far from family.
Your cuddles remind us of love
Driving distress and scorn away.
Problems may flood our little world,
Discontentment carpets our ground;
We will stand triumphant and bold
Because you are always around.
Then Spring arrives with rain and shower,
While Summer sun readily smile;
Your tender love is forever
And Winter can come to beguile.
Out of the mire of lovely past
Mirthful surface in memory.
Our fun and frolic never last
As long as you are close to me.
Happy geese hover up above
Where you rest far from family.
Your cuddles remind us of love
Driving distress and scorn away.
Problems may flood our little world,
Discontentment carpets our ground;
We will stand triumphant and bold
Because you are always around.
Then Spring arrives with rain and shower,
While Summer sun readily smile;
Your tender love is forever
And Winter can come to beguile.
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