subtleoasis

Happy Christmas!

bluegrey — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:00:21 +0000

This is, by far, the happiest Christmas in my life.

The first day of the Christmas Novena Mass (Misa de Gallo, a liturgical tradition unique to the Philippines) was very special for me. It was as if weaved especially for me. The priest in his homily shared an anecdote. It was about a Priest of the early Church whose dwelling happens to be near the birthplace of Jesus. The Priest, before Christmas, had a vision of the Niño asking a gift from him.

“Lord, I’ll give you my life.”

The Child smiled and asked, “What else can you give me?”

“Lord, I’ll give you my happiness.”

The cycle went on the nth time and still, a smile from the Child and the priest was again asked, “What else can you give me?”

“Lord, I have nothing else to give. What more can I offer to you?”

(smile) “Give me your sins.”

This anecdote hit me BIG TIME! The Priests’ name? St. Jerome.

“Jerome give me your sins.” I kept this in my heart, only to lose hold of it in the days that followed. But last 22 December, during another Misa de Gallo (but not anymore in our Seminary) I was reminded of Jesus’ wish. The priest asked, “What is it that we can offer to the Lord?”

“Ano’ng regalo mo kay Hesus?”

That same evening, I made my confession. I had a hearty talk with my friends. I felt blessed. I felt LOVED.

(to be continued)

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On Christ the King

bluegrey — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:22:26 +0000

background photo by midiman | www.flickr.com

Christmas is fast approaching yet, seemingly, we can not feel its nearness and the peace it brings. In our midst lie confusion, desolation, injustice, poverty and suffering. The many problems we face today smear our moral certitude, leading us to turn a blind eye on this unromantic vista; thus, sin abound day by day.

Jesus Christ challenges us once more to go against the flowof this time – to be alight in the midst of these dark days. He encourages us to love our brothers, to extend ourselves for others for, he says, “whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Jesus compels us to do acts of charity to others for it is the sure way through which we will be saved.

But, this blessed act, this act of immense love, we can only do if we allow Jesus Christ to reign in our hearts.

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I’m on posterous!

bluegrey — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 04:13:08 +0000

Woohoo… I’m on Posterous! Updating couldn’t be this easy…

Posted by email from subltleoasis’s posterous

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On Environmental Awareness

bluegrey — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:12:12 +0000

Come Tuesday, 11 November, HS students from schools nearby would come together and gather in our gymnasium for a symposium on Philippine Biodiversity and Climate Change. The symposium was organized by the Youth Development Affairs Office – Laguna in partnership with Haribon Foundation and, our school, Don Bosco College, Canlubang. Interested? Come to our school on the said date at 12:30 pm.

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Accident at NLEX

bluegrey — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:55:37 +0000

As we were traveling North to our province at Nueva Ecija, we (my family & I) chanced upon this horrible remains of an accident.

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The Grim Filipino Reality, The Horror of Poverty

bluegrey — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:59:19 +0000

Nothing’s funny about poverty. Without sugar-coating, let me share to you my experience of what poverty is.

My Experience

A few years back I’ve been to a province up north. I, together with a group of students, teachers and lay volunteers, spent a whole week with rural-poor families. I was assigned to live with a family in a barrio near Nueva Viscaya. The Sierra Madre mountain range was the only cognizable border between the barrio and the other province.

The barrio is simple. The blocks were not too crowded. We spent afternoons idling around, sharing stories, or just strolling by the community and looking around.

There was electricity, though you have to turn the lights on at twilight. You must be fast before the supply gets sucked-up by other households. There was water. The water distribution system is simple albeit coarse. They’ve just dug a well and let water, pump itself through newly laid-out black and flexible water pipes.

Life there is simple yet the people are happy – contented with what they have.

The Real Deal

Poverty stinks. It is horrible. I’m, right now, lacking of word to express this. Let me, instead, share this Inquirer article of Ms Pat Evangelista. Click here. (I’ll write a follow-up post on this, soon.)

This post is part of Blog Action Day 08 – Poverty

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I won. I’m one…

bluegrey — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:47:36 +0000

…of the 68 Nuffnangers whom Nuffnang congratulated last Monday. Because I am a Nuffnang-er.

Here’s the list of my fellow Nuffnangers who were able to beat the deadline and be part of Nuffnang Philippines 68:

Thank you Nuffnang! Congrats too to the 67 bloggers who won just like me.

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NO TO DEATH!

bluegrey — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:46:28 +0000

I just received an update from my 4th Asian Youth Day 2006 Yahoo Groups account. It’s from Bishop Bong Baylon of Masbate.

AYD06 YG Update

I signed the petition.

I signed!

1437 others did the same. Do you have the same stand? Let it be counted. Let our voices be united.

share this to everyone

Click on the image above to read the petition. The link/url redirects to this site by Roy San Buenaventura. Share this to everyone. Spread the word. Feel free to REMIX+ATTRIBUTE+SHARE-ALIKE(CC).

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2009 MHC Calendar [UPDATED]

bluegrey — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:25:01 +0000

Comments poured into my screen moments after I flooded YM about my latest deviation. Thanks for all who gave their feedbacks. Here’s the revised calendar:

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2009 Calendar

bluegrey — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 07:06:49 +0000

Fr Admin asked me to design a calendar featuring Mary Help of Christians for our fundraising this Christmastide. Here’s what I’ve done:

How’s the color? Does it look like a calendar? Will you buy this? =) Comments please!