The Phoenicians

 Looking Back...

The Phoenicians have done a great deal in civilization. They were the traders of antiquity and, crisscrossing the waters with their knowledge of trade and economics laid a language trail in its wake.

Then, we have the alphabet for the flow of communications with the participation of the Greeks, Romans, 

and Hebrews. Knowledge opened the floodgates of ideas. The world is not flat but round.  The era of discovery and colonization has arrived. The quest is for gold and spices. Perhaps, the fountain of youth. 
                                                                                                                               

Then, observed the transformations of the states of domicile to the present: Soviet Union. United Kingdom. United States. United Union. Lately, a Philippines Unit team has been born.

Uniteam is the name of the game. A splendid idea is followed. Giving oneself for the greater outcome. But once greed enters the backdoor, the window is opened for a great escape and the negatives are possible.

Unifying the country to ameliorate the people (vox populi) from the throes of want is audacious. This is an indelible mark of the Duterte's. Remember, the father of the former president (PRRD), a lawyer governor of the undivided province of Davao belongs to the Nationalist political party.

The son of that lawyer governor from the people's mandate became a compassionate, loyal, sincere, and resilient, leader of the country (vox populi). He continued the unfinished projects of his predecessors. He 

refused to put his name ostensively as the ideas were from the clamor of the people. He is only an employee. Despite his calling, he forgone the amenities of living in the Malacanan palace. 

Rodrigo Roa Duterte's daughter the former Davao City mayor and now the Vice president of the Philippines gave way to the current president, Ferdinand (Bongbong) Marcos, Jr to occupy the presidency due to the Uniteam agreement but collapsed due to unfavorable circumstances.  

However, she was given the charge as Secretary of Education. To enhance the department, Inday Sara Duterte opened strategic locations for easy flow of service and communication. She resurrected the defunct PMT (Philippine Military Training) and the ROTC (Reserved Officer Training Course) for loyalty dedication and love.

On Mother's Day

Mother's Magnificent Obsession 

Mother is the ever succor

The source of creation's new life

Ready she is for a favor

Give freedom if the time is ripe.

Mother breast-feed milk is the best

Free from material pollution

Passing grades by the Time's strict test

Blessed with love and devotion.

 

Mother's touch and soft lullaby

Lead young to sleep for a mission

Into the space of why and try

To fall and rise when odds are thrown.

Life is dull without a mother

For sane words and love songs to sing 

And she embraced no surrender

Whatever the journey may bring.

Every mother needs God's wisdom

Mercy and truth do not forsake

A vital rule in her queendom

That will keep her always awake.

Dead in trespasses made her alive

With Christ through the Father's great love

Strengthened the bars for her to survive 

Blessed her siblings by Him above.

(Creg Intas Alcala Caponong Trabanca)

Pearl of the Orient Sea

 Remembering WW 11

Pearl Harbor

The Silent Generation recalls the Pearl Harbor attack that signaled the advent of World War 11.

on Dec. 7, 1941, that glued the Phil-US relationship and eventually paved the formation of the

United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). The USAFFE is composed of 100,000 Filipinos and 20,000 Americans created on July 26, 1941.

The Battle of Bataan

After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, they invaded the island of Luzon, Philippines in Jan.

1942. Despite the insufficient supplies, American and Filipino troops were able to fight for 3 months.

However, they surrendered to the Japanese troops and were forced into the infamous Bataan Death March where some of the most horrific war crimes were committed in the Philippines-Colonial possession of Spain from 1521 until 1898. May 7, 1942, is the Day of the Fall of Corregidor.

The Heart of Uncle Sam

The United States won the Spanish-American war and the Filipinos breathed the air of Independence to be eventually granted to their hopes and aspirations. Circa 1901, emerged the formation of the Philippine Scouts to defend and protect the Philippines and the United States in the Pacific. This allowed the Filipinos to enlist in the US Army. In 1920, the Philippine Scouts became a part of the US Army. It is a point of pride for lots of Filipinos.

WW 11 and The Battle of Bataan

The US entered WW11 following Pearl Harbor. The USAFFE was tasked to push back against the Japanese and delay their action at the mouth of Manila Bay. The objective was to serve as a buffer

between the Japanese and American colonial possession of the Philippines. The USAFFE was able

to hold the Japanese successfully until December 1941. After the Pearl Harbor attack, the troops were

on half rations. They sacrificed for the forces heading into the Pacific to have supplies. Pipe-smoking Commanding General Douglas MacArthur understood and promised the Filipinos extra troops planes and supplies coming to them. On leaving with commanding general confidence, MacArthur said to the troops, "I shall return." 

And the pipe-smoking general did come back to fulfill his promise.

ST Vincent Ferrer -The Saint

 St. Vincent Ferrer  (04/27/23)

This wonderful apostle, the "Angel of the Judgment," was born in Valencia, Spain in 1350 and at the age of 18 professed in the Order of St. Dominic. After a brilliant course of study, he became a master of Sacred Theology. For 3 years, he read only the Scriptures and knew the whole Bible by heart. He converted the Jews of Valencia and their Synagogue became a church.

Cried at the great schism  then afflicting the Church reduced him to the point of death, but our Lord Himself in glory bade him go forth to convert sinners  " for my Judgment is nigh." This miraculous apostolate lasted 21 years. He preached throughout Europe, in the towns and villages of Spain, Switzerland, France, Italy, England, Ireland, and Scotland. Everywhere tens of thousands of sinners were reformed. Jews, infidels, and heretics were converted.

Stupendous miracles enforced his words. Twice each day the "miracle bell" summoned the sick, the blind, and the lame to be cured. Sinners the most obdurate became Saints. Speaking only in native Spanish, he was understood in all tongues. Processions of ten thousand penitents followed him in perfect order. Convents, orphanages, and hospitals arose on his path. Amidst all his humility remained profound; his prayer constant. He always goes for preaching by prayer.

Once, however, when a person of high rank was to be present at his sermon he neglected prayer to study. The nobleman was not particularly by the discourse which had been thus carefully worked up, but coming again to hear the Saint, unknown to the latter, the second sermon made a deep impression on his soul.

When St. Vincent heard of the difference he remarked that in the first sermon, it was Vincent who had preached, but in the second, Jesus Christ. He fell ill at Vannes in Brittany and received the crown of everlasting glory in 1419.

Reflection: -"Whatever you do," said St. Vincent, "think not of yourself, but of God."  In this spirit, if we

listen, we shall hear the voice of God. (From the Lives of the Saints for Every Day of the Year by Fr. Alban Butler.)  - Compiled by Greg In Trabanca

On April Day

 (04-11-23)    

On a Blessed Day

Beautiful sunny day in April

I was on the train to the city

Riders were in their best apparel

Fingers on their phones: they looked pretty. 

I called for someone to fix my car

So my days will not be in vain.

He is a man whose door is ajar;

He comes on demand, sunshine or rain.

He shares the traits of his native land

That he learned from the institution

Of a land with seas and pebbly strand

Pearl of the Orient, a new nation.

The Meaning of Life

 Life's Enigma

Hope taught strong lessons that inspired me. 

They were essential and meaningful  

Whatever they were, they will be 

Making this land nice and wonderful.

Ideas come and go in my life

They are good and bad and are the worst 

We need to understand a strife

What was written must be enforced.

We need a notebook and a pen

To write what we are going to do

As chores are from every now and then

Paving longevity with a glow.

There is sunlight in our gloomy days

Lighting our moments with gladness

And rain falls in our land, seas, and bays

Giving the earth joy and not sadness.

 

 

The Essentials

Be Aware of These: Some friendly tips.

1. Credit Cards 

     Always pay in full on time.

2. Don't drink in bars

     Just drink at home. It's safe and out of danger 

3. Phones - don't be tempted to spend on  a new phone; only use it for family and for free

4. Spending on clothing. Money doesn't last forever. Use your clothes and repeat. Never buy

   new fashion. Stay with the everyday uses. Black pants when you frequent the CR

5. Never buy a new car. Buy used with less mileage, or by owner and demo.

6. Gym membership. Just walking, jogging, or exercising at home with cleaning, etc...

7. Cancel subscription, cable TV, etc... Just use the computer, cell phones on messenger

     It's free to call out-of-state and foreign calls.                                           

8. Eat at a restaurant once in a while or with visitors. Order to go. Cheaper to cook and healthy.
    Always have handy: sea salt, soy sauce sugar ( white or brown) garlic, onions, potatoes, carrots,
    olive oil, and canola oil. More vegetables: okra, bittermelon (ampalaya), spinach, broccoli, bockchoy,         (pechay) cabbage, tomato, kangkong, camote leaves, tugabang, lemongrass, malunggay (moringa),          papaya. eggplant, bean, mushroom, and especially from the backyard garden for longevity.

9.No Gambling. Drink socially on special occasions

10. No smoking/ vaping. No drugs. No tatoo.

12. Cultivate the habit of reading and vlogging. The computer is handy for writing your story in Prose and Poetry. You can do it. The Computer can readily welcome you. Life is short. Enjoy it! Don't worry!

EAT TO LIVE. GO FOR MODERATION. GO FOR THE HEALTH OF THE BODY, MIND, AND SOUL. GOD OF LOVE OFFERS THESE FOR FREE: GRACE, MERCY, AND BLESSINGS.

By the way, the phone rings. I'll answer it - " A moment, please." In life GUYS, the only thing we own-  the MOMENT. Thank you, Everyone. Have a nice day. 

Breaking the Unknown

Interior Suffering  (Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx )

" Living in the unknown is a painful existence. Christmas breaks forth in the unknown
for all to behold the ultimate truth." 

" One of human nature's greatest sufferings is the kind within the soul. It is called
Interior Suffering. It is difficult because although we can express it to a friend, 
we can never express it on the level of conciseness."

"Physical pain can be measured by degrees and machines, but Interior Suffering is
experienced only by the soul and is known only to God."

The New Year

 Deception of Numbers

"Don't be deceived by a change in numbers. It is just a motion.

But let the motion change your heart and mind to perceive the beauty of God's creation

to love and be loved. "  ( Fr. Peter Fernandes, sfx. 

The Catholic Church

 The Mass

Life is an endless sacrifice

The Dollar Notebook

On Intention

The power of intention involves, staying on the active side of Infinite Possibilities.

George Bernard Shaw, who was still creating into his 90's, has been quoted as

saying, "You see things as they are and you say, Why? 

But I dream things that never were, and I say, Why not?

In our nightly eight o'clock prayer of almost an hour of the Society of the Beloved  Disciple,
we include the intention for the Holy Father, the Pope with one Our Father, one Hail Mary,
and one Glory Be. 

On that nightly devotion, I silently added the intention of my two sons to loving
and forgiving each other. It bears fruit.

Greg's Notes|

 

From A Silent Generation...

Part I

Come to think of it, my dear friends

Philippines - it's Juan Dela Cruz

Uncle Sam, it's America

From Spain, it's Christianity's Cross

U.S. - Education, cinema

The Filipinos were fast learners

Of the living past and modern times

Myriads aspire to be top leaders

Of the country's sunnier climes.

Thanks to the Torch of Education

Making the learners fast and furious

Gearing to the route of rebellion

And the shortest way to be famous.

 A foreign-born idea emerged

A partnership: too good to be true

A writer and U.P. breed appeared

Wreaking havoc and the greatest woe.

Their ideas spread like wildfire

Penetrating the hinterlands

Sporting a brand-new attire

And they're welcome with open arms.

Their mission was admirable

To the school, the church, and family 

Their victims were the vulnerable

And they seemed to be very friendly.

The government was in grave turmoil

Corruptions were in every bureau

And dirt is all over the soil

Courage and strength: a way to go.

With faith, he rode his motorbike;

As a mayor to clean his city

From the evils, he doesn't like

He just wants them to go away. 

His unique plan was a success

Lesson learned as a prosecutor

To the top post, he must confess

Would be a sign from the Creator.

With less cash and followers, he ran

As a candidate for president

On corruption and drug as he can

The voters heard the message he sent.

Silent Generation   (Part II)

Duterte's life was a rollercoaster

Though an apple of his mother's eye

High school life was a  time of transfer

The fun, study, more of try and try. 

Finally, he finished his law course

But did not march on the graduation

And eventually was a good source

On his practice of law profession.

(Greg Intas Alcala Caponong Trabanca)

Education

 Up From Slavery.

Booker T Washington ( 1856 - 1915) was a national leader for the betterment of African Americans in the  post- Reconstruction.

He advocated for economic and industrial improvement of Blacks while accommodating Whites on voting rights and social equality. This approach, however, died with Washington, and its success before 1915 was largely due to Washington's adept method of tailoring his speaking and writing to suit the race of his audience. 

In his book, Up from Slavery, Washington traces his journey from slave to educator on his later

success as a man of action in his community and the nation.

The Modern Times and the Living Past

 Love

"Love is a many splendid-thing

It's an April rose that only grows 

in the early spring..." 

And because of God's love that "He gave 

His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth

in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Song

So goes the song and a writer writing

a "Song of Bernadette on the miracle of

the Lady of Lourdes. He was never converted

to Catholicism.

" Full many a flower of purest ray serene 

The dark unfathomed cave of ocean bare

Full many a flower is born to blush unseen

And waste its sweetness on the desert air.

-(An Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard)

I should write prose and poetry just for the

sake of expression of the mind from the heart.

A Filipino writer said: America is in the heart.

yet out of the stomach, the mouth speaks.

The BC and AD generations, the Silent generation, 

the Baby Boomer, the Generation X, and the Millenials. 

There are always changes but only God. And Grace, Mercy,

and Blessings never change despite the many changes

on Earth.

Change

Grace is for us sinners even if we don't deserve it. Mercy is for

us sinners even if we deserve it, and Blessings are for both. The reason why

the spiritual, the priest, pastor, deacon, and all of us always say in our 

own special way - God bless you!. 

 

The Ponderable

Despite the Grace shown in our world, humanity has the option.

The world is in turmoil, in topsy-turvy. But because of God's profound love, 

He gave us immeasurable divine mercy through His humble creature made manifest

through the first non-Roman occupancy of the Holy See, the world is now in a deluge 

of the Divine Mercy.  

To a Couple

 Strong as a Molave

There was a man who one day I met

A charismatic guy who can sell

And his tales I could never forget

For in me they really rang a bell.

From the once-large province of Davao

He matured in a big Vic Lumber

Drove a truck and not a carabao

A handsome guy and a great lover.

He crisscrossed Zamboanga del Norte

As lumber was highly in demand

Yet lovely ladies were his forte

While age-old trees abound in the land.

He found somebody to love and trust

From among the molders of the youth

And for a partner, she was a must

So his truck took the less bumpy route. 

Like a Molave, he's firm and strong

To bring her to the altar of love

And he knelt that nothing will go wrong

A message to the great One above.

He poised his vision to the urban

For a valued opportunity

As a worker of the sea and land

He is a man of diversity.

The air trip to the U.S.-Midwest

And his wife was beautiful and bright;

Hugs and kisses and shook hands with guest

That homesickness now was out of sight.

It was time to plan a legacy:

Business and an organization.

The right time called for an urgency

Davao  U.S.A. was in fruition.

The president and founder survived

The grueling test of dire circumstance

His momentous time has not arrived

"Besame Mucho" - he sang; they danced.

Penned for: Ely S. Labja & Edit R. Darcera Labja- lovely couple & best friend

of Greg Intas Caponong Trabanca & Eva Rueles Caermare Trabanca

Ely S. Labja - Founder and 1st President of Davao U.S.A of the Midwest.

Ely sang this song, his favorite, in a Karaoke Eatery on lovely weekend nights.

"Besame Mucho" ( Kiss Me a Lot), a bolero song written in 1940 by

Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velasquez.

Induction

 The Making of a Leader

Emerged from a noble profession

Came a humble person at last

"Just be your best," was his confession;

"Defined the future from your past."

I met him at the Phil embassy

Of a meeting among the Pinoys

Indeed it was a necessity

On that forum, each has a voice.

A friendly pedestrian guy he is

Amidst the streams of the middle class

To be humble he tried his best

Honesty is what people trust.

Real Estate: the route for the wise

As he once loves plowing and planting

His hopes spring as he sees the sunrise

That the land's treasure would be lasting.

In his quest he found America;

A force, eternal: Caritas-Love

While there's a group from North Zamboanga

Where there is God, service, and a job.

He tried his best to be generous

To serve more whatever the cost

To toil, to seek, to find what was lost;

There are thorns and perfume in a rose.

A poem for Donaldo Pactol, on the induction as president of ZAMNAI.

The momentous celebration: Gala, Induction, and Christmas Party.

"I expect to pass through this world but once, any good things therefore

that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature. let me

do it now, let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

(Stephen Grellet-1773-1855), 

(By Greg Intas Alcala CaponongTrabanca, former past president of ZAMNAI)

A Thanksgiving

Reminiscence

 From the Silent Generation

Surviving the Second World War

The Baby Boomers' innovation

And the strong Millenial doors ajar.

The ocean of mercy opened up

God's incarnation in Mary's womb

And the blessings would never stop

Through the years and glad we are not doomed.

Embedded in humanity's soul

Is Christ's personal relationship

Must be the essence of life's goal 

For all mankind: our fellowship.

Christmas: season of transformation

Christ's real presence is our concern

Great jubilation for the nation

On this, we must profoundly discern.

Deus fit homo ut homo fieret Deus

(God becomes human so humans must become God.)

Catholics and non-Christians called Him Jesus,

The Saviour and we are immensely glad.

A Dedication

 The Children's  Memories

We remember you our dear mother

As a mother, you love your children

Unassuming but there is power

This is how it's going to begin.

In the Queen City, it started

Love grew, nourished until it blooms

This was not the plan but studied

And as Baby Boomers, it zooms.

Soon  the couple received a token

Four beautiful girls and two bright boys

Of the sun's smile and the joyous rain.

"Remember this is life", said the Voice.

The children's role model was their aunt:

A Florence Nightingale sans hubris;

"Strict discipline on what you must want

Will not lead you to your nemesis."

Dear mother is on a lovely bed;

We pay our last respect and goodbye

But there's a place where we must not  dread

Peace and joy that no one can deny.

=====================================++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Belen Fortich Caermare 

Husband: Luisito Rueles Caermare

Children: Geraldine, Riza, Christy, Francis,  Antoniette, Rexis.

The bereaved family of Belen Fortich Caermare would like to convey 

their heartfelt gratitude for those who in one way or another had eased 

their sorrows in time of her demise.

Thank you very much!

The Children

(N.B.) Evangeline Rueles Caermare Trabanca is the Aunt, deceased, an LDR nurse.

"Help someone in distress and you lighten your own burden; the very joy of alleviating

the sorrow of another is the lessening of one's own."  (Fulton Sheen.)

Reflection

One Sky.

From the sunny East to the Midwest

Then traveled to the South and the North

I noticed one sky and went to rest

This is it and so on and so forth.

One sky, one moon, and a guiding star

Glad to know the wonder of this earth

Of the question of peace and of war

Bothered me and also of our birth.

I looked up at the sky one evening

It's the same sky four scores ago

This memory keeps on revolving

That there's one sky and all must know.

I seek wealth but I found wisdom

While faith offered me security

Laughter is a drink of freedom

Patience gave me my immunity. 

On Pre' Nonoy's Blessed Day

 A Dedication ...

Many  happy returns of the day

To my dear friend with the Jaycee

ZAMNAI and would-be members would say

As a founding leader, you should be.

In August nineteen eighty-nine

An idea was mulled over

By a man who felt good and fine

To new immigrants who were sincere.

On relationship and engagement;

The strength and power of unity,

Vision and purpose of assignment;

Activity in society.

Our  group from Zamboanga del Norte

Made a compact for togetherness

Anchored on the sea of honesty

And minding just our own business.

The sea was rough, yet the sky was blue

And we glimpsed our destination

Blessed with grace and mercy so true

Onward we went; no explanation.

( Note:) ZAMNAI is an acronym for Zamboanga del Norte Association in Illinois.

(Beresimo Refugio, a Civil Engineer, was the prime mover and the initial president of 

the then-fledgling association. I was one of the pioneers of that group that made a chapter in the 

wonderful history of ZAMNAI.