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 within 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 hungry heron and kingfisher

Wait for the mudfish to go astray

But daily the mudfish grow wiser.

GT's Journal

 Letter to a Relative (07/08/2023) Sat

Dear Nong Posing,

How is everybody? Dugay nang panahon nga wala kita magkita ug tungod lage sa pagapas sa adlawng kalihokan sa pag trabaho aron naay mabutang pagkaon sa lamisa, pasilungan ug lugar nga higdaanan. Apan wala gihapon mawala sa panumduman kadtong mga kagahapon nga nanglabay kay naa man na gisilsil sa alimpatakan tungod sa katam-is ug dalisay nga panghuna-hunaon. Memories live with us.

At this point, everything is seen and heard in a split second. You'll be amazed at the progress of steps that humanity has hurdled. The TV, computer, social media, and cellphone, recreate the jungle of Tarzan and his amazing adventure. The world is a beautiful place to live; that is why life is worth living - to savor its sweetness, feel its marvel, to see its beauty. 

I still remember when you made Mom Mering a part of your life. On a carabao-drawn caromata (locals' two-whelled wagon) a load of food with Nong Teroy (Sotero Salcedo - former seminarian and alderman) Salcedo as spokesperson, we plied the road to the Melicor place at Sim (La Libertad). Mr. Salcedo with his former seminary days background greeted Mr. Melicor, " With due respect Mr. Melicor permit me to introduce and let you know that our brother Sinforoso Rombines desires to marry your daughter Maria." There was a graveyard silence. Then, Mr. Melicor, with the audacity of a farm owner and a mestizo spoke, " Can he support my daughter? Time stood still for a moment. but all is not lost as hope is eternal in a human heart. We all poised our direction homeward. We comforted ourselves with silence and smiles.  However, the sun always rises to greet the world with its mystery and glad tidings. Tomorrow is a new day!

The trip was a lesson to find a venue for a solution. We all went home but hope still lingered in our minds, I presumed. Minutes turned to hours then to days then to months and into years. However, hope unceasingly flows in your prime healthy life. And one day you approached me, " Doy can you come with me to see the Melicors?" "Of course", I said. We went to see Mr. and Mrs. Paolo Melicor, then Mr. and Mrs. Galicia. Things went smoothly like a young coconut meat when you slide it in your mouth on a hot summer day. Delicious and refreshing.

Time glided by. Then, I heard of your nuptial. But I'm already on the deep quest of my odyssey from a town boy in the Philippines to a city man in America. ( A joke- when a man is in love with a woman, their siblings are girls but when the woman is in love with a man their children are boys.) 

(A looking back) I met Julius " Nonoy" Quimbo - an Electrical Engineer, a graduate of Western Mindanao State University (WEMSU), the son of Cesar "Ingwa" Quimbo, whose wife is one of the daughters of Insek Jose Tan who used to have a store at Kilometro Tres unahan sa Landing Field ni Col. Leodegario Orendain whom somebody told me was now taken over by Romeo " Romy" Delgado. Nonoy Quimbo who married a nurse from Dipolog City and is here in Chicago told me some of what's new about Labason.

How is Labason now? Maybe my classmates, schoolmates, and friends are no longer around. Who are the town officials that I am familiar with? Doroy Gitalan passed away and also Rudy Lovino and his wife. But Vicente "Inteng" Lovino may still be around. His two-story house was sold and the Lovinos live on their land near the Labason River between the Guanteros on one side and the Salardas on the other.

Tani (boxer) Felisarta whose parents live near the Maquilans and the Salardas (Virgie). Now the Maquilan's property is owned by Pio Galon's family; while Tani (boxer) is a Barrio or Purok Captain.

Currently, the Mayor of Labason is a QuimboThe Gutalac mayor is also a Quimbo. The grandparent's wife is pakha (small feet). They have 3 sons and a daughter. Tenciong was married to Clara Mabilog (nurse), Cemen (Felix), and Cesar (Ingwa) married to a Tan, daughter of Insek Jose Tan of Usokan Kilometro Tres who has sari-sari store among suki sa sardinas, asin, gas ug uban pang kinahanglanong panimalay. The current Mayor of Labason is the grandson of Cemen and also the Mayor of Gutalac.

         Labason has an amazing history as I still have the scenario of "those were the days" of my Life's Journey. It's a town of successful men and women in their own special ways. The pioneering families:  were the families of Landowners: Bantilan, Canda, Burguete, Ybarley, Bolando, Batoon, Batoctoy, Daguplo, Galon, Quines, Hernandez, Fortich, Erojo, Bolando, Gitalan,  Educators: Melicor, Carloto, Cadungog, Isagan,  Orendain, Casinio, Demerre,  Merchants: (the Chinese) Quimbo, Kho, Chia, Tan, Lim. Yap, Roleda, -Leadership: Sanchez, Tokong, Canda , Concha Ramirez, Galon, Carloto. 

        Kipit area - Families of  Salarda, Patayon, Galope, Singsing, Barroca, Panolin, Basa, Lagod, Doong, The Lalibertad (Sim) section - Families of Salcedo, Antolin, Rombines,  Jamanron, Sumicad, Dinapo, Delgado, Salmorin, Edrial, Zamora, Vista, Briones, Openia, Magdayao, Chavez, Pacatang, Tindero, Dubrico,  

Sir Posing,  you have 2 daughters and one is married to a Tumoy and owns a Hardware store. Being a teacher are you still a fast walker and an industrious person? Regards to your dear partner Mom Mering. I have contact with one of Crispin Antolin's daughters who is teaching at a government school in Kipit, while the eldest daughter Charito, a teacher, I guess is married to a Muslim police officer. Nonoy is a farmer and married.  

Regards to all,

Dodoy ( Gregorio "Greg" Intas, Caponong, Alcala, Trabanca)   

I'm not sure if Sir Posing is still around. Despite any circumstances, I still believe he's in good hands. May he rest in peace and let perpetual light shine upon him. Condolence to the daughters, their partners, and siblings.
I've                                                                                                                                       

King Solomon's Mines and President E. Marcos Gold Sr

 After the nightly one-hour virtual prayer, I indulged myself in the relaxing almost two hours and a half of a movie about King Solomon's Mines.

Dawned on my thinking of the Philippines' martial law president and strong man Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, Senor's gold. Was it real or just a figment of the political mind. And was the Yamashita's treasure also a part of it. But news and social media were all over reporting the many bank accounts deposited in several countries. The strong man had a will for the benefit of his family and the country. The Philippines is lucky and rich, to say the least.

Sto. Ninio de Oktubre

 Labagh Woods: June 24, 2023 

Hot Saturday potluck party of the members of the Sto Ninio devotional group with 2 retired priests and one bishop; who were all Filipinos by birth. Two were naturalized American citizens of the state of Illinois and one may be a visitor from the Philippines. 

The picnic table was laden with the bounties of God. There were varieties of cooking in the different provinces of the Philippines. In fact, I have yet to notice hotdogs or American food gracing the two long fits -together picnic tables.                                                                                                                   

Practically, the majority were in the red Sto Nino de Oktubre uniform. The breeze offered a  refreshing

atmosphere to the happy-faced picnickers as they scooped the food onto their paper plates.

Fr. Leoncio Santiago, the spiritual director, blessed the food and later gave his hospital experience of his two surgical confinements. He reminded the group to take care of their health as we are mortals and the world we live in is polluted with the new discoveries of how we eat, drink, and exercise for longevity.

The leader of the group, Gloria Key spoke on her hospital confinement experiences. She was grateful to her friends and members of the daily 8 o'clock - 9 pm virtual prayer that started during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The vibrant faces, the relaxing get-away, and the food reminded me of living with passion and purpose.

The Tennis Court

 The Memory of a Town Fiesta

I was dancing with Evangeline 

On that Labason tennis court

 When I whispered to her, "Are you fine"?

 "And the school days are they worth "?

A scenario of the high school days

When you were always fast ahead

All because of your studying ways

And you always have the books to read.

You were a friend of the school's Sister

 I was a friend of the parish priest

Then there was this Cursillo offer

To be a member and not a guest.

Things happened in Dipolog city

When I met my co-educator

I bought a motor Kawasaki

A Fishery school needs a teacher.

A Public School is what I wanted

Teaching English plus a good salary

The good Lord now has my wish granted

The next move is someone to marry.

My guiding star is always by me

To illuminate my darkest hour

And all because of my love for Thee

My Lord your holy, mighty power.

Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte

 The Man Who Loves Life, Country, and People

The epoch worth recalling is the Baby Boomer Generation when a star was born as there was a clamor for peace, amidst rebellion, corruption, and the proliferation of drugs.  

 Of war and peace. This is a part of his lexicon. His boyhood was beautiful and remarkable as he struggled to obtain peace. He enjoys life but the shadow of restlessness follows him as he shines in his own world.  

His growing years were the typical experience of loving and enjoying the blossoming roses in his garden. Look at this: the transfer of schools - the Ateneo and later the San Beda College where he bypassed the Graduation Program ( he did graduate, anyway) as a personal incident occurred. Yet over a score year, he was given distinct honor when he became the president from the votes of over sixty million. (Vox Popoli)

He embarked on his six years in the Republic of the Philippines leadership, He remembered his promise to stop the flow of poisonous drugs, curtail corruption, and slow down the big influence of the Oligarchs. He believes in the omnipotent power of God. That he was destined to lead his people. He changed the status quo. His platform was vis-a-vis the unfinished invaluable program of the previous administrations. He thought of the essence of Time. His first agenda was to give credence to the solid strength of the Armed Forces, the guardian of peace and order in the country. He increased their salary. He assured them that he would be with them as long as they performed their vowed duty of protecting the government against the evil intents of invaders local and international.

His executive department members were almost from the Armed Forces, as they are strict in discipline not the civilians. Memos, directives, and correspondence go to their respective tables not to him. This avoids suspicion and familiarity. With this, the executive power would be smooth sailing.

This came to pass. His six-year term left a remarkable "build, build, build" legacy. Mr. Tugade's trains and railroad were on the fast move and the infrastructure programs glide to schedule.

The Boracay Beach Resort was corrected because of its defects. It is now a tourist's delight. Meanwhile, Manila Bay looks good and is filled with strollers relaxing breathing the fresh, balmy air from the ocean,  and a beautiful sunset paints the horizon.

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.  

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

We were on the train to the city

Riders were on their best apparel

Fingers on their phones: they looked pretty. 

I hurried back to fix the car

By a town mate mechanic: a  friend

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

Dreams taught some lessons that inspired me. 

They were essential and meaningful  

Whatever they are, sure they will be 

Making this world nice and wonderful.

Ideas come and go in my life

They are good and bad and are the worst 

We need understanding not, a strife

And what was written must be enforced.

These days we need a notebook and pen

To write what we are going to do

As chores are in every now and then

Paving longevity with a glow.

There is sunlight in our gloomy days

Showering our moments with gladness

As rainfall in our land, seas, and bays

Giving the world 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 and 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.