My Note 1

 The Word ( John 1)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,  and the Word was God.

My Notes

 The Discovery

This journey leads me to the path of
Contemplation: Man's highest expression
On secular and spiritual life proof
Of his humble, sincere,  intention

With God, there's peace and happiness
I found Him, and I saw my true self
The richness of Life's awareness
Which is truly His wonderful gift.

The Power of Public Speaking

 The Secret of How to Speak

1. Keep it simple

2. Get organized

3. Keep it short

4.  Take charge. Smile. Eye contact (Left- Center- Right)

5.  Don't read, Talk. ( On How You Feel)

6. Be Real. (Share Your Experience) 

7. Be a Wide Reader.

8. Be a Good Listener. (Listen to the Child, the Young, the Senior.)

9. Be on Good Terms with Others.

10. Be Borderless.

11. Take Good Care of Your Health. That is your only Gem and Diamond.

12. You are Your Only Best Friend. (Listen to Him. Be True, Be sincere. He is your
      Best Physician. Love God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen)  

Fr. Leoncio Santiago's Birthday Celebration

The 12th of September 2024
 
I came. I saw. I was greatly inspired.
The smiling attendees look good in white.
The guest with their black garb was admired;
Gives beauty to the world for more joy and light.

Fr. Santiago, a Secular priest:
He was honored by a Devotional Group.
It was really a wonderful feast:
Malaybalay's black-white collar troupe. 

"How Beautiful is the Morning" song echoed
Permeating the air with "I Believe"
Then, We are the World,  just overflowed
The all-white, dressed-up audience was relieved.

The inspired celebrant sang gracefully
To the great Platters' tune of " Twilight Time"
The hall's atmosphere glided peacefully
Engulfing peace, mercy, and love sublime.

It was a Birthday to remember
With the soothing violin rendition
Of "Amazing Grace" to stay forever:
A legacy for the generation.   

(N.B.) Fr. Leoncio Santiago, a secular priest, is a renovator

By: Greg Intas Caponong Alcala Trabanca

History

" The Modern Time and the Living Past"

This is the best story of my life
The past, the present, and the future
The good, the bad, and without the strife
It happened, it will happen, and for sure.

I called this humbly my true story
What really transpired as the basis
Of my stark life: a reality
Giving my name poetic justice.

The vacation picnic was the start
When I saw a bird gayly flying
A bird of prey ready for the dart
To one's death's door - waiting and wishing.

My young mind was plagued with dire questions
About the diamond in the sky;
Or is it outside our positions?
And maybe dear God would say, just try.

The Blessed Mother

The Mother of Culture

A new name for our Blessed Mother 

In the post-millennial era
As troubles can put us asunder

To our dear beautiful Terra.

A Tribute

To A Friend

"Tempus fugit memento mori"
Time flies remember your mortality
Don't forget to write your own story
Fraught with wisdom and sincerity.

Embarked on a noble profession
She offered direction and guidance
To young minds for a worthy mission
Based on honest and sincere parlance.

From the Queen City of the South - Cebu
To the Windy City- Chicago
She came to America sans woe
With a bag full of joy and on the go.

Norwegian American Hospital
Captured her brave and curious humble heart,
A place to work for a new arrival
An ideal place to really start.

She found refuge in the L.D.R.
To sacrifice, to love, and to serve
Newborn babies of whomever they are
Must enjoy the glow of life they deserve.

A passport was issued to a friend
For a resting place of eternal peace
A friend who has the knack to entertain
And lead the way for chaos to decrease.

Let us pay a lasting tribute to a friend- a mother, a teacher, and an entertainer-
Julia Cabada Lupasco.Our deep condolences to the bereaved family, children, and relatives.
My wife, Evangeline Caermare Trabanca, a Registered Nurse, also worked at the L.D.R.
She passed away years ago. May they rest in peace and let perpetual light shine upon them.

However, let's love God above all things, and our neighbors as ourselves. Let's pray, sacrifice,
and care for ourselves as we wouldn't know for whom the bell tolls.

L.D.R. stands for the Labor and Delivery Room or the Labor and Delivery Department where
babies are born and welcomed to the world after 9 months of mothers' tender care and protection.

The Samaritan

 On a Saturday

A Saturday that I can't forget
I was poised to get some grocery
Bananas, bread, milk, eggs, and a meat
At the cashier's place, I was wary.

My ATM card was negative
A man with sincerity offered
At this, there was no alternative
My prayer was eventually heard.

Beside me was a Samaritan
Seemingly rare in this world of ours
But still walk in this chaotic land
And they appear in one's precious hours.

In our moments there are helping hands
Ever willing service to succor
A steel strength that forms a solid bond
Of resilience, love, and great favor.

 

Rediscover Self-2

 Point to Ponder

What is life after retirement?
This is an enduring question.
And we are in a predicament
The search is for a solution.

Must we wake up to see the sunrise?
And a cup of one's favorite drink
Then thank God as this is really wise,
A walk in the park: what do you think?

A fact on formal education
That offered you a decent living
Self-education brings a fortune
Ideas for giving and sharing.

Think of something for legacy sake
Start with a smartphone and computer
Then surprise the world like an earthquake
For social media truly matter.

Rediscover Self-1

 The Background

I just came back to my birthplace as my mother passed away. I was alone with a small luggage. Cebu was my last international stopover. I came from Chicago's O'hare, U.S.A., then Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea to Cebu International Airport, Philippines. 

I boarded a plane from Cebu, the Queen City of the South, for Dipolog City's Airport. On the plane, a guy with, a glittering diamond ring, on his left finger, a bracelet on his left hand, and, an expensive-looking watch on his right hand approached me with a friendly smile and asked me my name? I politely answered and he was happy yet surprised. I was looking for this guy and wanted to meet him personally. Still, he was out of circulation as I  heard and read things about him ( and it quickly etched in my mind maybe because of the Zamboanga del Norte Press and Radio Club membership, (was it essential or controversial?).

I was inspired to write this as at this point in life, who else could have the audacity to journal this as Fr. Leoncio Santiago said on the June 24 ( The nativity of St. John, the Baptist- San Juan sa Pilipinas) picnic at Labagh Woods, in preparation for the coming yearly celebration of the Sto. Ninio de Agosto of which he is the Spiritual Director. Fr. Santiago said, that our members of 15 Sto. Ninio groups were mostly seniors of the Baby Boomer Generation, who were winding down in our gaits, and motions but we must be thankful for the gift and His blessings. 

On Father''s Day

In Gratitude

Our Father You are the greatest   
In our faith, hope, and charity.
And there is no real  protest
Of your Word for posterity.

Your Word became flesh and is with us
To manifest your mighty power
You are the first and  never the last
We thirst and you gave us water.     

The grace is active and given freely;                        
You came back so we may believe.
We will be happy and without worry.
You give us food that we may live.

With blessings at our table daily:
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;  
The Immaculate Heart of Mary 
Saves humanity and may not be lost.    

Hail to the brave fathers of the land
A story of love, and dire valor 
At sea, in the air, and on the sand 
Without a country, creed, or color.

To the dear fathers at work and at home
A gold medal for your industry
Whenever and wherever you may roam 
You are the hero of your country.
.

A Dedication

 To a Dreamer

I believe that dream does not die
It  gives you an inspiration
To harness the desire that lie
Buried in deep fascination.

There is a gem in the deep ocean
A rose in the garden of love
A flower that gives a rare lotion
A perfume that comes from above.

Hold that dream a true devotion
To our peace and serenity
That it is our constitution
For our peace and tranquility.

We, you and  I are all brave dreamers
Hoping that grace, mercy, and true love
Blaze our journey as we are seekers
To find that promise from up above.

The Story of Life

A Lesson to Tell

 Life is an assisted living          
That starts with love. grace and mercy   
It has a unique beginning       
And written for posterity.

Remember the first touch of love   
As you wriggled out to be free       
Comes an embrace from up above
An echo permeates as if in glee.    

"Tempus Fugit". Time flies so fast      
Then comes the rediscovery             
That carefree boyhood does not last     
Caring for oneself is the way.   

Living a life is inspiring        
A motion in our everyday:          
Prayer, sacrifice, and giving       
Imprinted in our minds shall stay.

(N.B.) " Etenal God, in whom mercy is endless, and the treasury of compassion
inexhaustible, look kindly upon us, and increase Your mercy in us, that in a difficult
moment, we might not despair, and become despondent, but with great confidence,
submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen. (950)."

   


          
            
 

  

  
 

A Tribute to All the Mothers

 The Dearest Mothers        

To all mothers: we love you all
We appreciate your sacrifice       
You rise up even when you fall   
With sincerity sans malice.         

To all nurses of the L.D. R.        
Whose hands are clean and really do 
Service to whoever they are             
For dearest lives just come and go. 

To a mother a love to call              
Ave Maria, Notre Dame              
The world is hurt and without a wall
You shield us, You gave us fame.   

"Knowledge comes and wisdom lingers"    
Watch your steps as you journey on     
You have strong feet and firm fingers    
The precious moment comes pretty soon.

       

Q.C.S. Club

 The Discovered Secret

Sincerely, Tom Bentley.  

(If you have special needs, please write ) 

I was deeply elated to be given such an offer from the heart of, a person, I don't know. I received your letter, read its content, and was conquered by the profound message, of all things, the secrets. 

"Knowledge has a beginning but no end." 

Born in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte on December 19, 1939, West of the large Municipal plaza that complimented the vision of the first Mayor Mr. Gil Sanchez. On the East is the Municipal Building on the South is Ferrer High School, a parochial Catholic school, and the Roman Catholic Church. On the North is the Municipal Dispensary and a bit further is the Labason Central Elementary School.       
    I spent my Elementary years at this school with teachers who were graduates of Normal School, Arts and Trades, and Agricultural  Schools. I was a Boys Scout.                                                                         Later I studied in a town and city, and I discovered that knowledge is amazing. In High School, I checked the test papers in English and Literature. In College, I became a Literary Editor of a College paper. I befriended professors, classmates, schoolmates, newspapermen, and radio announcers. I also checked the essay test papers of my over 20 classmates on a Law subject. I was a member of the winning team of the College of Education Debate. That was the first for the College of Education; usually, it is the College of Law. Then I became an Editor-in-Chief and finally was elected as Student Council president. This paved the way to deploy my 6 graduating classmates including myself to teach at the Philippine Muslim College, Jolo, Sulu, Philippines.

 

Indeed, knowledge has a beginning but no end. 

I studied at five Colleges and one Seminary. Took 4 courses Taught at private and government schools. But the fire of hope and persistence keeps burning. During the Marshall Law of the Philippines,  my vision points to go west, young man!

 From the Manila International Airport to the Washington State Airport to the Chicago O'hare Airport. Yes, America, here I come to the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

I worked as a stockman at Florsheim Shoe outlet store, then at Montgomery Ward. Meanwhile, I enrolled at the Chicago College of Advanced Traffic and took Transportation and Traffic Management and Loss and Damage courses for three years.
Upon graduation, I was employed by Universal Carloading company and finally accepted at the Joseph Ryerson  Steel Company of the Transportation and Traffic Department. which is the bread and butter of the company as bills of lading are to be audited.

I am retired and want another income as my wife passed away and my special needs are my mortgage bills and to give aid to those who are in need, the reason why your letter was God-send. It is not what we gather but what we scatter that is essential to ease the life of the needy.  And I believe in Second Notice. That Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. That whosoever believeth in Him shall not die but have everlasting life.

Thank you, Tom Bentley

Sincerely, 

Greg Trabanca

The October Affair

 Of Four Decades

Ber's October Affair was good

The decor was remarkable

The music was in the Senior's mode

The attendance was admirable.

Lovely children: Riz, Buzz, and Ron

Sister Linda and wife Nilda came

They came happy like the rising sun

To celebrate a man's day of fame.

Sunday Blog

 The Wonder of Life

A Tribute To BER, A Friend

 Unconquerable        

Out of Dipolog's Bamboo Garden

Came JESS to the City of Orchid

Then in the Skokie's Holiday Inn

Ber is the name that was awarded.

Thank God for whatever it may be

For his founding an association

The ZAMNAI of Zamboanga del Norte

This poem is a great appreciation.

It matters not whatever they say

Trials and concerns are always here

And there are two courts for us to play

And the venue could be anywhere.

A Colorful Life

 The Unsung Chase

Elementary Days 

Enrolled in an Elementary School

Took writing, reading, and music

Pictures were posted on the wall

Watched the baton: that's the teacher's trick,

It's fun to be small, agile, and smart

In Boy Scouting, you are at the top

Pyramid building is where you start

To excel that no one can stop.

High School Years

Looming ahead is the high school years

You find yourself taking the P.M.T.

For discipline and to erase the fears

But lessons learned will forever stay.

Catholic school: freshman to junior 

Senior: Ateneo all-boys school

And last night high school at this juncture

Another step in life to endure.

College  Education

Med-Tech was poised to be in Manila

But circumstance altered the plan

Took drafting instead at Zamboanga

School of Arts and Trades was near at hand.

Then work for a Captain's persuasion

To maneuver the Pilot's tugboat

So foreign ships anchored by the ocean

Be given a berth at Zamboanga's port. 

From the ocean to Bukidnon's heartland

Nestled a College far from the highway

A meatless diet and discipline are grand

Work, study, and temptation held sway.

Adventist baptism in a river

Announcing salvation to the barrio

But realized this was hard to adhere

And what I learned changed the scenario.

Back home a Parish priest came to visit

To offer a Seminary study

Pending on the Bishop to submit

The transcript to the Seminary.

Of the three, two pursued on the offer

With two days of stay at Dumaguete

Hope Bishop Surban may help and muster

Graces and mercy to let me be.

And the ship was docked at Manila's port

Two Jesuit priests welcome us on their Jeep

But my Seminary days were  so short

Those lessons learned were for me to keep.

Despite the good offer from the school

Of a Vatican scholarship

But there's a writing on the wall

And indeed this is a strong relief.

To Sweet Home via Cotabato

First class by M/V Filipinas

Compliments of just a passing through

In finite life's many arenas.

Back to the greenfield where the air is fresh;

Rare, strong connections are everywhere

And life and beauty are in the flesh

 Yet Love matters: Home of lasting care. 

The itch was there but the school was far
The boat plied the sea to the city

In my mind, there was a tug-of-war
The target's aim was what's best for me.

The courses catered to the taste
But I must consider what's the best
So the study must not go to waste
Time is vital to prove to the test.

I enrolled in the Commerce course
Took Accounting, Law, and Statistics
To my delight, it was a great source
Of enlightenment to my studies.

Then I shifted to Education
Learned Argumentation and Debate
That offered me great admiration
 And nobody can really abate.

The Debate's day was all smiles and alive
The gym was filled with spectators
The Lawyers failed and didn't survive
The prize went to the Educators.

Graduation Day looms by the hour
To my dismay, the Dean was mad at me
I can't march because he has the power
Yet the election could set me free.

The Election proved that I was not bad
But a rebellious student with a cause
Doing what is the mandate of God
The constitution and its by-laws.

I have to find a guest Speaker
City Mayor Climaco can't come
But we have a leader and seeker
R. Canivel, of P.M.C. a chum.

He is the Muslim College recruiter
Of a Band leader and educator
I got the college and the School paper
We were liked and loved by Jolo's mayor.

.

Life's Lessons

 GT's JOURNAL    

"It takes half your life before you discover

life is a do-it-yourself project." - Napoleon Hill. 

(Author: Think and Grow Rich)

 The Taming of the Wildland

My dear friends, Life is never fun

During my days, you have to rise

Early before the rising sun

Makes you healthy, active, and wise.

I have to pasture the carabao

A helping hand to plow the field

As in the farm, you have to bow

To nature as you drive the sled.

Plowing the field is a happy time

The carabao is at your command

Pushing the plow through the slime

You are the king of the farmland.

The untouched field of grass and bushes 

Becomes a valued place for corn and rice

But fire will soon blaze them to ashes

Faith and care are the farmers' advice.

The brook and stream glide on their way

While watching herons and kingfishers

Wait for the mudfish to go astray

But daily the mudfish grow wiser.