2022 Simbang Gabi at the Gesu. Messages on kindness

 9th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Mon Bautista 23 December 2022 Friday

Who is Nelson Mandela at 60? Christo Brand at 19?

Guarding the most dangerous terrorist prisoner no. 4664

Wife of the Nelson asked if their 4-month-old granddaughter can see Winnie Mandela

Brand allowed the smuggling

 

Vocation is one of the greatest indicators of divine graciousness

Defined as kind, warmhearted, gentle, compassionate, tender

Radical mercy and goodness defined in Christianity

 

God provides and also calls us. Invites us

So he can do great things for us

If we want to experience God’s graciousness, we need to live vocation to the full

 

We think more of career than vocation missing out

Career is a language of power and success

Vocation is a language of discipleship

Vocations are sacred

 

Touching people’s lives

With God taking us and using us as agents of divine graciousness

Vocation regardless of our status, will affect how others will live out their vocations

 

Despite Mandela and Brand’s difficult situation, they were not stopped from being gracious

 

Today’s gospel on John is his story of vocation and consecration on God

John, Zachariah, Elizabeth put together is God not forgetting

 

Christmas is graciousness

So we can have a life of abundance

 

This Christmas, let us experience graciousness from God who is merciful kind and tender

 

8th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Bong Dauhan 22 December 2022 Thursday

 

What is your heart singing these days?

Composer draws from experiences and feelings

Listener relates according to experiences and feelings

 

“Pasko na naman Hangad na makapiling ka”

“Malamig ang simoy ng hangin”

“Kumukutikutitap bumubusibusilak”

 

Songs express moments of sadness, happiness, and joy

Whatever the feeling, God is with us, Emmanuel

God speaks to our experiences and feelings

 

When given the responsibility, Mary experienced poverty and loneliness

Accept, take care of me

When given God’s grace, visited Elizabeth, sang The Magnificat

Experienced the faithfulness of God

She returned to God the grace she received

 

How do we respond to God’s blessings?

Are we ready to receive?

A boy who won a cash price giving it to his kuya for rice

Like Mother Mary, aware of our blessings

Deeply aware God’s experience and feeling on us

 

Sing in our hearts of praise

Respond to God’s will and humility

 

In humble hearts, rejoice in the hope that God continues to bless us

Recognize Jesus in our lives

 

To give us deep and lasting joy now and forever

7th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Kit Bautista 21 December 2022 Wednesday

 

The visitation is all about love and the joy of loving

Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth travelling long distance while pregnant

Mary took serious risk because of her love for her cousin

Action of kindness and mercy believing in God’s will

Excited with joy and gladness

Mary rejoiced with Elizabeth doing charity

 

Physical presence can be enough

Mary demonstrated authentic charity

“Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus” intuitively said by Elizabeth

Mary was consoled

 

Good deeds done, we are already blessed

God’s mercy and compassion always open to hearts empty and full

Mary is blessed. Magnificat

Proclamation of the might and glory of God

God visited Mary and John

 

This Christmas, God visited us to stay in us forever

When God visits us, our status changes

We need divine visitation to open heaven to bring down blessings

We change and become like him as St. Paul said

Love and the joy of loving

 

Maiden is called to enjoy the fields with her lover in the previous reading

 

This Christmas we give and we receive from our loved ones

When we give and receive at the same time, we experience the spirit of Christmas

 

It is about loving and the joy in loving

6th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Ben Nebres 20 December 2022 Tuesday

 

“Happy to celebrate the mass for the Ateneo community

 

Prophet Isaiah gives us the promise of the Lord

Emmanuel, God with us, God becoming one of us

The Annunciation

God enters our human condition

He identifies with the homeless, the refugees, the displaced families

 

Jesus gives us the gift of you, the gift of Christmas

Support to E Christmas cards and to the most needy through the ACED Ateneo Center for Educational Development Program

To join the community of caring, loving, and sharing

https://www.ateneo.edu/impact/socialdev/aced

 

What is the kingdom of Jesus?

The kingdom of Jesus is a kingdom of love and caring for those in need

 

Truly heartwarming memories visiting the centers. Paskuhan Gawad Kalinga, centers in Cavite, Gabaldon, Cabiao, Marawi, Payatas

"Nakaroas" because they took care of each other, cared for each other and trusted in God

The power of choosing to listen to the children

The power of caring and love

The kingdom Jesus brought to us

And we are invited to be part of it

 

May the kingdom reign over us and our children”

The power of choosing to listen to the children

The power of caring and love

 

May the kingdom reign over us and our children”

https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfrttR6.../viewform

 

5th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Errol Nebrao 19 December 2022 Monday

 

Reference to the movie Claus Netflix in 2019

Sta. Claus origin came from two ordinary persons

Postman and a toymaker delivering toys

 

Shift in characters in the past readings

Shift to Mary

Who is Mary?

Ordinary person, young 14 years old

Annunciation and getting pregnant and betrothed

No heritage, nothing special

 

But she was special as she was chosen by the Lord

Mary confused by the news and the choice

Role in the salvation of all people

Angel Gabriel assuring her not to be afraid

Mary responded to the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word

Even with questions why me?

 

A woman with humility, surprise, wonder, faith and obedience

We too are called to be greater than ourselves

Others needing our help

Ordinary people are needed not extraordinary are needed to share the experience

As ordinary, we can do something

 

Jasper and Claus, toymaker and postman asked why they are doing this

A true selfless act always sparks another

Small acts of love, small acts of care

Nothing grand, fancy and big

 

Journey with Mary

In her humility, surprise, wonder, faith, and obedience

 

So we can be ready to say to the Lord, let ii be done to me according to thy word

 

4th Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Oliver Dy 18 Dec 2022 Sunday

4th Advent of Christmas

 

"To learn from the virtues of younger Joseph

Symbolized as sleeping popularized by Pope Francis

 

Joseph is an upright person. Obedient. With a strong faith

Jewish rites of marriage: Betrothal and Marriage

Wife conceived with a child not his

 

Joseph as a righteous man

 

With depth to see through complexity of dreams

Showed acts of obedience as discerned in his dreams in his version of loving God

 

Points we can bring to our prayer"

 

3rd Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr. Manoling Francisco 17 Dec 2022

3rd Advent of Christmas

 

“Gods plans for us exceed our expectation

God takes a risk with us human beings

 

Where is God’s promise of redemption?

The transformation of society requires the conversion of the heart

God winning the heart of Paul first, planted in his heart

nourished by grace to establish inclusive communities in Asia and Europe

 

While we bemoan the prevalence of hatred and violence in the world

Are we men and women of peace and mercy?

Are we honest and just in our dealings?

Have we embraced the truth about ourselves and only speak the truth to others?

 

Transformation has to grow quietly and invisibly within

For God to redeem the world

 

Grace has to bring about the conversion of our hearts

This Christmas we pray that God’s eternal word be born in our hearts

 

So we become channels of redemptive love in the world”

 

2nd Night of Simbang Gabi at the Gesu presided by Fr Vic de Jesus

 

This Christmas, we celebrate the light that St. John the Baptist testified

St. John said he is the lamp

Jesus in contrast said he is the light

Jesus said we are the light

 

Two reasons to celebrate light: God is light. We are the light

We are the light of the world

Let our light shine, to dispel darkness

To see what is important

 

Appreciate the mystery of the light

Continue the tradition of lights of Christmas in electric, non-electric in the parol and in other forms

 

The light symbolizes the significance of the birth

 

“A child a child sleeping in the night will give us goodness and light”

 

Random Notes

https://www.youtube.com/live/YY-Y0Ul4igo?feature=share

1st night of Simbang Gabi 15 Dec 2022 Gesu presided by Fr. Arnel Aquino

 

Ang dalaw

 

Ang pagbigay pangako ay sapat na. Para na ring naisitupad na ito.

Kapag natupad, extra na ito (in the context that those losing hope just needed to hear a promise to lift their spirits)

When tatay in bilibid was promised a visit under the Puno ng Pangako, it was enough joy for him.

When after 13 years of preparing every week, he was visited finally by his wife, he was estatic. It felt like redemption.

 

We free to roam around are imprisoned too with our struggles. We too long for that dalaw, that Jesus visits through people, events or even a dream.

 

Theme of the 2022 Simbang Gab is "Magalak sa Pagasa", “Be pleased with the hope.” Fr. Aquino opened this season with a homily that St. John the Baptist's message of the coming is not happening as he has been waiting. A visit is what he hoped for.

 

Fr. Aquino's wish for us this Christmas is we receive a dalaw from Jesus so that like tatay, we feel the joy of redemption.

 

Notes updated 16 Dec

https://fb.watch/hqTM5Ej_2O/

 

Khimo and Kice

Typhoon Paeng signaled that I should stay home for at least 2 days over this long holiday weekend.

This gave me a chance to update my playlist and list of artists on YouTube leading me to Idol Philippines Season 2.

Two young male finalists captured the netizen’s approval, the grand winner Khimo Gumatay, a pure Filipino residing in Makati City and Kice So, a Guimaras-based fun-loving maverick Ilonggo beach lover claiming to be a bohemian.

Khimo, my choice as a stereotyped winner with a wide vocal range and trained technique that amazes, and stuns provides him the versality to sing any dramatic, big performance song.

Kice on the other hand has a distinct singing voice and projection that captivates and communicates; he is more daring and experimental with preferred genres still maintaining his own distinct signature statement. He has Chinese and Swedish DNA imbibing the endearing Ilonggo culture speaking in English most of the time.

From their interviews, Khimo is more seasoned and has peaked as a performer having participated in several grand singing competition before although young at 22.

While Kice, practically a novice with limited signing engagements with a band or a solo acoustic artist, in the beach, in Boracay in regional events is as he claimed still learning the craft, open to try new techniques yet firm with his charming distinct refreshing signature style.

Khimo won the hearts of the judges and the voting audience with his rendition of “End of the World” by Boyz II Men https://youtu.be/YDO6uXW1BZs

Kice is firm in owning his style putting drama to “Basket Case” by Green Day acknowledging his uniqueness, unconventional approach relating to the message of the song https://youtu.be/faNlWfs-XUQ

As he prepares to execute his interpretation, it is clear he is an artist, knows what he wants, his current limitations yet open to what professional coaches suggest enhancing. He does not need coaching anymore on how to charm and mesmerize his audience.

Khimo per my appreciation is destined to take the male path of Dulce. He owned the song “Find One Hundred Ways” by James Ingram in a duet with Martin on ASAP after winning the championship https://youtu.be/QKKNcUKIDB8 and “One Sweet Day” of Mariah Carey with Regine Velasquez, another contest favorite. https://youtu.be/bI4jmbCKjIo

Kice is articulate. He says he owes it to his fan base and to the network for landing in top 3. What I appreciate about him is his statement of respect for Khimo, “Khimo deserves the spot more than anyone else, this is for you man!” 1:95 https://youtu.be/S266eUCn_io

The landscape has changed. Singers are getting younger. The world is getting more competitive. Cycle of ups and downs is more pervasive.

May the two get the big breaks they earned and excel in their fields using their talents to express thoughts, emotions, sentiments not captured by other art forms.

We eagerly watch the progress of their career paths. Good luck to the 22-year-olds Khimo and Kice.

Take 1 Netflix Series

 “Kung bilang na ang buhay ko, ano ang gusto mong gawin na ikasasaya mo na maitatatak sa iyo?”

To the Korean musical artists on Take 1, “If you were to create one dream performance, what will it be, what single song and for whom do you want to perform it and in what stage?”

Netflix presented these questions to 7 Korean artists. First, they should be exemplary in their field with multiple hit songs They can define their dream and can execute. They must accept the challenge.

Sky is the limit; without any constraints, the artists dreamt big!

The brainstorming process was documented in One Take and the performance to be completed within a short time frame measured in hours of about 1 month.

The artists presented their grand dreams meaningful to them, grand in terms of intentions, setting and production, emotion, complexity, innovation, scale.

Created from the 7 Korean singers of different genres and their chosen stage were:

1. Sumi Jo. “Not one to back down from a challenge, Sumi Jo combines classical music with Korean sounds and aesthetics for her performance of a whimsical aria.”. Opera-Theater

2. AKMU. “The sibling duo AKMU overcome many technical difficulties while preparing an ambitious production that involves skydivers and a multitude of dancers.” Pop-Airstrip

3. Yim Jae-beum. “Yim Jae-beum returns to the stage after a six-year hiatus with a bare-bones performance that lets music do what it does best — heal and comfort.” Ballad-Open air roof deck 

4. Rain (Jung Ji-hoon). “Jung Ji-hoon, also known by the stage name RAIN, pours his heart into an elaborate spectacle as the first to perform at an iconic house.” Rock-Korean President The Blue House

5. Lena Park. “Lena Park reflects on her life as she tackles a song she once deemed too difficult. With special guests in attendance, she's in for an emotional ride.” Diva-Open air barge docked beside an iconic park

6. You Hee-yul. “You Hee-yul comes back to the humble venue where he and his band first got their start. The fans share their memories of growing up with his music.” Hesitant Composer/Producer-Concert Hall

7. MAMAMOO. “After two years of building separate careers, the four members of MAMAMOO come together to bring forth a mashup of their team’s hit songs.” K-Pop-street level outdoors with 2 stages accessed through a tunnel outside of Seoul

Watch the episodes on Netflix. As the production team sets up the stage which has turned out to be logistical nightmares, the artists master their craft to deliver their performance of the lifetime.

Each episode shows the challenges and struggles to realize their one single dream concept in Take 1 of the vision the artists owned.

See perfection driving the talented artists and their support captured cinematically and audally with Korea's state-of-the-art equipment.

Imagine what would have been the outcome if these supports were provided to our talented Pinoy artists!

https://www.netflix.com/ph/title/81536826

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/korean-music-variety-show-take-1-coming-to-netflix-in-october-2022/

Netflix drops trailer for Korean music reality show 'Take 1', starring MAMAMOO, AKMU and more (nme.com)

https://youtu.be/vzU5XTjkP6o

https://fb.watch/gdCFD-stHn/

Home2Home Biking Around the World

 “To see the world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wildflower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour.” -William Blake

By chance, I viewed in full on Netflix, a subject of interest, biking globally around the world. “Besser Welt als Nie”, the German title translated as “Home2Home” is a documentary of Dennis Kailing released in 2020 about his biking around the world not just in a day or multi day or even months but for two years and 1 month covering 7 continents.

This was triggered by his boredom of doing repetitive routine daily, the desire to take a big break. Even with limited biking proficiency, he embarked on a bold extreme adventure to experience the diverse world in landscape, culture, weather, conditions, people, plants, and animals outside of his comfort German zone.

After about two hours completing the semi-docu/movie joining Dennis in his journey:

• Infinity at the palm of your hand. I saw the world at a glance-41 countries 7 continents 43,600 kilometers 295,000 meters of elevation gain. 

• Eternity in an hour-761 days, 2,353 hours of cycling time, 515 different sleeping places

• Heaven in a wildflower-the thrill of the uncertainty, the joy of interacting with all types of people, the appreciation for hospitality, the understanding of culture, the universality of being human, the return home to family

Dennis started his journey with a sendoff by his family, a leisure chill ride in Europe his home continent, crossing to Asia, the Western part with a distinct Asian culture (Turkey and United Arab Emirates), the Southern part (Iran, Nepal, India), and the exotic Southern-Eastern side (Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Indonesia). Asia was his gateway to a small landlocked continent Australia his takeoff point to North and South America (USA and Latin America) and his enroute back to Europe.

Dennis learned the universal language of being human despite the language differences to understand a diverse culture through body language, gestures, emotion, appreciation, hunger and even pain. He enjoyed the freedom of solo riding but at times longed for the joy of a company to share the burden and to double the fun. He is no superman, getting sick from fatigue and food in Asia, almost giving up in the endless pedaling in Australia crossing from the deserted Western side to progressive urbanized Eastern and Southern part.

His bike equipped with panniers both front and back for his basic stuff go through breakdown from the usual flat tires (63 per his count), parts replacement (bottom bracket, crankset, cassette, brakes, inner and outer tires etc.) and temporary fixes from unexpected accidents. Not proficient at bike repairs, he eventually learned how doing them faster and smarter eventually.

He brags of the versatility of traveling globally in a bike when he shows how it is packed for a flight, stored inside the tent, used to flirt in Iran’s “dordor”. He stacks it when hitchhiking in trucks. It performs in ascents flowing fluidly in descents. It can take all types of weather and winds. Bike repairs can be done easily as parts and fixes are readily available anywhere.

When going through low moments, Dennis would get boosted recharging from the locals who host him, fellow bikers who share his crazy drive, his visualized target of the next destination and at times the thoughts of home and the time and event-based targets as Christmas, birthday, preset meet up with friends. Frustrations at not getting permits, visas, interception at checkpoints, uncooperative weather, dwindling resources, bike breakdowns are overcome by his determination to cross and face the adventure of a different situation he set out to see each day.

His memories of the exciting, at times unpredictable experiences, the beauty of the places, landscapes he has seen, exposure to the biodiversity of flora and fauna and the kindness he received from people across seven continents are enough drives for him to complete the journey he set.

Two years and 1 month after, five months ahead of what his father set as his return date, Dennis returned to Hessen Germany recharged with a different perspective in life. No longer bored and questioning life’s purpose and perhaps having found the formula for happiness.

He ends his Home2Home with these learnings which he would not have realized had he not pursued this bold adventure foremost of which recognizing that the greatest adventure is returning to home.

The magic to happiness is, “Two wheels, time and the freedom to decide where to go next is more than enough”

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“What was it all about?
Once again, I’m where I didn’t want to be back then
But I probably won’t stay for long
During my journey, I think I discovered what I need to be happy right now
It’s not the money, an expensive car or the latest smartphone
Two wheels, time and the freedom to decide where to go next is more than enough
And the assertion that the world is so dangerous
My travels gave me a different perspective
The opposite is the true
We human beings stick together
Everywhere I went, strangers helped and supported me on this journey
A conversation at the side of the road, a cup of tea
An invitation for dinner or even to spend the night
And most of the time, the most special thing was something way simpler
What . . . What remains is love
And having an open mind
And what we do not accept is
That they don’t smile
What’s next for me?
I don’t know yet
Because one thing became clear during my journey:
The biggest adventure hides in uncertainty
The world is waiting
It wants to be discovered”

Besser Welt als Nie. Home2Home
Dennis Kailing 2020

https://youtu.be/vIVd-QxC4Bk
https://youtu.be/s5tcJaiKPzo
https://youtu.be/RKfIgg16ZGM
https://youtu.be/-ujQjR276hs

Sculptures of Pinoy Daily Workers in QC

 Sculptures of Pinoy Daily Workers in QC

Statues were installed in QC honoring the contribution and importance of the pinoy daily workers spotted in the streets of QC. 

Initially spotted in February 2021 during the pandemic, a revisit was made this October 2022 walking and biking. The lane is clean, walkable all throughout this upscale district of the city.

Curious initially about the two life sized statues spotted at Mother Ignacia st. corner Scout Borromeo, an inquiry was made with the QC City Administration office via online last year. The QC City Administration office replied stating they were part of a contest as an appreciation to the service done by workers who are mainly daily wage workers and always in the streets.

Winners of the art contest earned recognition in the Department of Budget Management (DBM) national program meriting installation and funding at the QC's Green Open Reclaimed Access Lane (GORA Lane). This is a straight route starting at Mother Ignacia corner Segreant Esquerra Avenue at the back of ABS-CBN ending at Aurora Boulevard and Hemady st.near the back gate of St. Paul University QC.

GORA Lane is a 4-kilometer stretch is a walkable and bikable smooth pedestrian lane that spans several Barangays and one bridge from Barangay South Triangle, Laging Handa, Obrero, Kristong Hari, and Mariana and Tobias-Hemady Bridge Road.

26 statues were erected this 2021 to add visual delight to walkers. Works were done by the artists affiliated with Artalyer. ARTALYER is a Fine Arts and Decorative Arts Workshop Studio dedicated to assist and help broaden the knowledge of anyone interested to learn the Basic and Advance.

Statues spotted in sequence: manggagawa, photographer at babaeng subject, mangtataho at batang customer, street sweeper, visually impaired male, lalaking hawak ang cell phone, senior citizen at caregiver, athleta, ice cream vendor at bata, namamalengkeng ina, lolo at lola, mamang nagbebenta ng sigarilyo, mamang naglalako ng peryodiko, policewoman, security guard, mamang magbebenta ng pandesal, mamang lalake, batang lalake, mangtataho, babaeng naka handbag.

Created before the pandemic, not included in the series are the delivery crew who dominated the roads for almost three years and the health workers who are stationed mainly indoors at the health centers though they should have been honored too.

The city creating them statues gives them recognition as we do to our national heroes though nameless.

View them in the well-maintained pedestrian lane, put face masks on their faces as some did, lay flowers. Just appreciating the works is a way of honoring them for what they have been doing.

Some practical notes:

• Hemady from Aurora Boulevard to E. Rodriquez Avenue is a one way towards Christ the King Mission Seminary

• The short strip from E. Rodriguez Avenue to the Tobias-Hemady Bridge Road has 4 statues

• A bridge connects Hemady to Scout Tobias. Prepare for a sharp descent and a short abrupt ascent

• At the corner of Roces Avenue and Scout Tobias, there is a standee showing the GORA map and some attractions in QC

• There are no seats from the start to end. Enter some food outlets for food and a seat

• There are at least three bakeries along Scout Tobias st.

Gentle Presence

There are people in our lives that come in and out of our lives whether socially, professionally or personally.

I may be like this to some, who come in and out of their influence and circle.

In my personal vision I declared decades ago, "I can get in and out of adventures for as long as I have a place to come home to and move up and around again."

For now, it is retreating back home to prepare for the next possibilities.

Personally, I express my thanks for the enriching moments and the gifts of presence of the people who I encountered.

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Gentle Presence

Some people enter our lives like deer, slipping in and out of the woods.

They touch our earth and as we step to look at them they disappear as quietly as they came.

But you feel blessed for having experienced their gentle presence.

"Presence" by Joan Metzner" lifted from the book Gentle Presence by Earnest L. Tan

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May mga tao sa ating buhay na pumapasok at lumalabas sa ating buhay mapasosyal man, propesyonal o personal.

Maaaring ganito ako sa ilan, na pumapasok at lumalabas sa kanilang impluwensya at sirkulo.

Sa aking personal na pananaw na idineklara ko ilang dekada na ang nakalilipas, "Maaari akong pumasok at lumabas sa mga pakikipagsapalaran hangga't mayroon akong lugar na mauuwian at lumipat muli at muli."

Sa ngayon, umuurong ito pauwi upang maghanda para sa mga susunod na posibilidad.

Sa aking personal na karanasa, ipinapahayag ko ang aking pasasalamat sa mga nakakapagpayamang sandali at sa mga regalo ng presensya sa mga taong nakasalamuha ko.

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Banayad na Presensya

May mga taong pumapasok sa ating buhay tulad ng mga usa, na nadulas sa loob at labas ng kakahuyan.

Hinawakan nila ang ating lupa at habang humahakbang tayo para tingnan sila ay nawawala sila nang tahimik gaya ng pagdating nila.

Ngunit pakiramdam mo ay pinagpala dahil naranasan mo ang kanilang banayad na presensya.

"Presence" ni Joan Metzner"