In God’s Presence March 27, 2006
Posted by curioustan in Poetic Mind.add a comment
This poem was written during my first semester at UQ (Australia) in 2002. This is the first literary work that i wrote in a foreign land. It was not really my lowest point in my life why i wrote this poem, however, i just felt His strong presence during those early days of my stay in Brisbane. Well, not only during those days but for my entire stay as a postgrad student that He always there to remind me of the ‘purpose of living’. Sharing this poetic piece is also showing my faith on Him, how lucky I am to enjoy the so called ‘life’.
In Your Presence . . .
in Your presence,
i feel your breathe of comfort,
easing the pain from my worldly desire –
and everything turns fine.
in Your presence,
i feel your forgiveness
giving me another chance to try
do more things worth living –
and able to forget the hurt feelings.
in Your presence,
i found PEACE, that everyone’s looking for
calmness and quietness of mind –
an openness to face the world with pride.
i found HOPE, a single sound that conquers all
the promise of the future’s beginning.
and i found LOVE – a golden word
that brings joy to my weary heart!
Learning:a continuous process for one’s inspiration March 20, 2006
Posted by curioustan in Longlife Learning.add a comment
… Inspiration originates from everything i do – between the moment i blink my eyes in the morning and the time before i create an annoying sound during my sleep at night. Every moment in my daily existence is a blessing! Thus, inspiration is a product of the wonderful gifts of life…
inspiration is also the main key for updating my friendster’s blog .there’s so much to write and share with everyone who have access to my personal blog. sometimes however, due to my present work as an international student hinders me to do it, in a lesser degree… but i will always make an effort to tell something about my simple life, a way of showing my appreciation of living through my writing…
receiving copies of my certificates and thesis early this year were another achievements to count in my learning cycle. It is an achievement because the completion of my research program at the Univ of Queensland (UQ), Brisbane, Australia ( UQ website) was the outcome of my strong determination to work independently and the patience to finish my studies on time… UQ conferred my degree of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Environmental Engineering last 30 Nov 2005. unfortunately, i was not able to attend the graduation last Dec 7, but im thinking of joining the ceremony this year in Thailand or maybe in Brisbane. my thesis is entitled ‘Siting Development for Land Surface Disposal in the Philippines’ focused on the proper management of toxic and hazardous wastes in developing countries like the Philippines which is one of the pressing issues to improving environmental quality. i had the opportunity to develop a conceptual framework on how to identify feasible land surface (landfill) sites for this kind of waste using geographic information system (GIS)… and one of the major factors that intensified the improper waste disposal is not only contributed by the NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) attitude but also the industries’ attitude – WHIFFY (we-had-it-freely-for-years)…
on the other hand, through this rare opportunity of learning, i was able to explore Australia – the place down under! as i mentioned in my last year’s travel photography article published in Manila Bulletin, Picture Perfect section dated August 10, 2005 that traveling is always part of my agenda in life and it always coupled with study/work and hobby. it was a wonderful feeling to look back the warmth-kindness of our kababayan, and having a great learning and traveling experience in a one-of-a-kind-atmosphere – there’s place like home down under! my short visits to Sydney,Melbourne, Canberra and two-year stay in Brisbane were worth reminiscing and inspired me to continue my inspiration to learn what life can offer; and explore the globe in the years to come…
Ang aking libangan:pagpipinta at potograpiya March 16, 2006
Posted by curioustan in Hobby.add a comment
…sa mga lugar na aking narating!
Kahit noong maliit pa ako, mahilig na akong gumawa ng mga larawan gamit ang ordinaryong lapis at papel. Ang pagguhit ng kahit anong bagay na madalas kong nakikita sa mga aklat at iba pang babasahing materyal tulad ng magasin ay naging libangan ko na at bahagi na rin ng aking pag-aaaral.
Ang pagkawihi sa pagpinta at pagguhit ay naging dahilan ng aking pagkahilig sa paggupit ng mga magagandang larawan sa magasin. At ito rin ang nagtulak sa akin na magkaroon ng sariling ‘photo album’ ng lahat ng mga mahalagang pangyayari sa aking buhay mula sa pagkabata hanggang ngayong nagsisimula nang mamuti ang buhok ko! Masarap pagmasdan ang mga larawan … lalung-lalo na kung ang mga ito ay nagbibigay balik-tanaw ng mga bagay na nagsilbing inspirasyon para makamit ang minimithing panaginip na makarating ang malayo o ibat-ibang sulok/bahagi ng mundo.
Sa kabilang dako, ang potograpiya ay isa lamang sa mga sanga ng pagkahilig ko sa sining! Lahat ng mga larawan sa aking ‘photo album’ ay kuha ng iba o ng letratista, at madalas hindi mo gusto ang pagkakuha nito o gusto mo ring mapuntahan at kunan ng litrato - galing sa sariling kamera! Dahil dito, sinabi ko sa sarili na balang araw, ako na rin ang kukuha at ipamalas sa ibang tao ang aking kakayahan at lalung-lalo na ang mga pook na aking mararating…
Marami na rin akong na-ipinta… at ang lahat nito’y puro lawaran ng ‘punong-kahoy’. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nakahiligan ko na ang magpinta ng mga kahoy… marahil sa aking kinagisnang paligid sa isla ng Sibuyan (Romblon).
Sa kaalaman ng lahat, ang aking bayan ay mayaman sa magagandang tanawin – kagubatan, batis, ilog, bakawan, mga mailap na hayop, at malinis na dagat! At dahil dito, madalas kong ipinagmamalaki sa aking mga kaibigan na minsan madalaw nila ang aking pinagmulang pulo! Madalas rin, ang mga nagagawa ko ay naging ‘birthday gift’ sa mga matalik na mga kaibigan at kamag-anak!
Bilang isang pintor o letratista ay may maraming hadlang o balagid lalung-lalo na kung ikaw ay di galing sa mayaman o maykayang pamilya. Sa simula, hindi ko kayang bumili ng kamera o kasangkapan para mapaganda ang mga gawa ko. Pagtitiyaga ang aking puhunan at dahil sa magandang biyaya sa Maykapal, hindi na rin mabigat o mahirap ang bumili ng mga kagamitan. Tulad ng kamera, hanggang ngayon kahit natapos ko na ang ‘basic photography class’ noong taong 2004, hindi pa rin ako nakakabili ng SLR camera. Ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, hindi ito hadlang para ipagpatuloy ko ang aking libangan. Sa ngayon, may bago akong yunit, IR-500 gawa ng Olympus. Ito ay ‘digital’ at mas marami akong magagawa sa mga larawan – ibahin ang mga kuhay, gawing 3D ang mga larawan, ‘panoramic’, at iba pa… Gamit ko pa rin ang luma kong kamera – ang Olympus ‘fully automatic 35mm’…
Para mapayaman ko rin ang aking kaalaman, hindi lang sa nakuhang ‘certificate of attendance’ sa ‘basic photography’ na nilunsad ng FPPF sa Pilipinas, naging miyembro rin ako sa isa mga bagong samahan ng letratista, ‘Third Eye (3Di) Photo Club bilang kauna-unahang pangulo ng samahan. Ang website ng samahan ay: http://www.photonski.com/3diphoto
At sa ngayon, naging bahagi na rin ako ng ‘OlympusCameraClub’ dito sa Britaniya. Bilang kasapi ng kapisanan, maraming pabuya, hindi lamang ang ‘quarterly’ na kopya ng magasin (OlympusUser), may mga ‘discounted camera accessories’ ang binibigay sa mga miyembro tulad ng mga aklat, baterya, ‘memory cards’, at iba pa. Mapalad ako nuong nakaraang buwan at nabigyan ako ng kopya ng ‘One People, Many Journeys’ na gawa ng Lonely Planet Travel Guides. Hindi lamang yan, sa kasalukuyang isyu ng OlympusUser magasin (Issue 4/Spring 2006) ang aking sulat sa ‘editor’ ay naihathala at dahil dito, binigyan ako ng ‘black and white’ photo collection book bilang pabuya! Maari ninyong tingnan ang kanilang website: http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/208_8345.htm.
Sa mga lumipas na mga taon, ang pagpipinta/pagguhit, ang pagkuha ng mga larawan, at lalung-lalo ang mag-ipon (maglikom) ng mga malalaking larawan (posters) ay bahagi na ng aking buhay. At balang araw, isa sa mga silid ng aking tahanan, mailagay at iladlad (display) ang mga ito!
Ash Wednesday - the start of Lent March 16, 2006
Posted by curioustan in Religion.add a comment
I am not a devoted Catholic, but i fully acknowledge the existence of one God – creator of heaven and earth. I know that I have a loving Father who always there to give comfort and always at my side during the happiest and hardest times of my life. And I believe that He will never abandon His children, never, even His children disowned Him. Instead He will shower us His divine mercy to bring us back to His mantle of love and protection. And that is the basic reason why I maintain my son-father relationship with Him – an ultimate struggle everyday of my life!
Celebrating the Lent season this year is quite special because I’m here in the other side of the world. A place where religion is one of the talks of the town – even brings conflict among communities for many years. In the brighter side, it gives me a clearer understanding of the celebration and how I could improve my relationship with Him for the years to come. God always have plans for everyone and it is our task to work it out. Being away from home again is not really my plan, either. Having that, I think God has something prepared for me for the next 3 years of my stay in Northern Ireland.
I attended the Ash Wednesday celebration this month in a big lecture hall in the University of Ulster. The celebration was a good start of having a short chat with the priest who does regular mass at the campus every week which I have not attended for the past 6 months that I have been here (instead I attend the Sunday mass outside, 15 minutes walk from the campus). That day, was also memorable for me being asked to take part in the mass – to lead the ‘prayers of the faithful’ which was a meaningful act of leading the mass attendees (250 -300 students and staff) to pray and ask the guidance of our Lord. Having that, it also gave me some flashback memories of my AIT days as an active member of the Catholic community in the Institute for almost 3 years. I think my close involvement with the Filipino community in AIT (14 years ago) helped me a lot to strengthen my faith to God for the past 39 years and hopefully living my life in His guidance for the next 50-60 years!
As part of the homily, the priest reminded us the three important things to do, making our Lent a meaningful one! These are: PRAYING, GIVING and FASTING… As a personal reflection, PRAYING is a powerful tool to have a quiet and open communication with God. Having a few minutes of silence in the presence of God will not really takes much of our time. Aside from reciting the ‘Our father’ and ‘Hail Mary’, we could spend few minutes of thanking God for a nice day or even asking forgiveness for hurting other people’s feelings or asking even for help on a bad day! Or maybe, we could include a bit of asking for peace for our troubled world, especially our country, the Philippines or for someone we don’t really know – like victims of war, famine, hunger, poverty and epidemic (HIV and AIDS)…
GIVING is a sign of our complete acknowledgment of the blessings and miracles that we received everyday, and one way of giving it back to other people and to the ones we loved! Truly indeed, giving is a way of sharing our blessings, showing our generosity to others, not to expect in return! Sometimes, it is hard to share our material blessings in life because of our greediness and boastfulness… and to some extent we are not contented of what we have and we look for more to satisfy our selfishness… During this season, giving is not only for sharing tangible things, but it is more of giving out our talents to others, spare valuable time with our loved ones, and most of all doing good stuffs not for personal gains but for others’ welfare.
And FASTING is a hard thing to accomplish even within just a very short period of time. My understanding for fasting is the way the Muslim community practice during the Ramadan – less food intake! It is beyond that, it is more on how to change your lifestyle – buying/shopping, indulgence to material things and vices (to some extent addiction), and anything that is quite beyond the usual norm of living – in other words: EXTRAVAGANCE! It really struck me because, frankly I’m a kind of person who loves to buy clothes and accessories, do traveling and buy things for my hobbies! No regrets for doing that, but celebrating the lent season is only a reminder for me to slow down and be more sensitive to what I really need, and spending too much is not good for the pockets or even to my bank account, not to mention my credit card!
Overall, the Lent is always reminding us the never-ending love of Jesus, the son of God who spares His life for us – for the forgiveness of our sins! Indeed, what a noble act for Jesus, giving us the eternal hope for Heaven – a place for His Father’s beloved sons and daughters!
Crashing our Hearts and Souls March 10, 2006
Posted by curioustan in Film.add a comment
It was a surprise for everyone that CRASH got this year’s OSCARS top award as best picture. most of us Pinoy moviergoers thought that BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN will get the title. anyway, Ang Lee got the best director’s trophy.
i watched Crash when i was still in Manila early last year. the movie was not a big hit being a non-commercial production and having talented and well known actors. for the second time, i watched it two days ago inside the coach with other students from my university after our educational day trip in dublin (republic of ireland) to attend a free international conference on water, wastewater, waste and transport… watching it for the second time gave me the chance to reflect deeper on the issues that the film wanted to convey to the viewers.
racism is not the only main issue in the film, but it also tackled our own personal issues/conflicts or differences in terms of our relationships with other people, especially with our loved ones; and how we perceived other people’s attitudes towards us as an individual. at the end of the day, everything that we do is somewhat interconnected with other people’s lives, and we have to face the consequences of it - bad or good! ironically, we only change the way we treat other people or even our outlook in life if something badly happened to us…
well, the film is quite disturbing and it really CRASHING our hearts and souls… and maybe that is the reason why it got the top prize!
Chinese new year March 4, 2006
Posted by curioustan in Poetic Mind.add a comment
i had a chance to join a competition last year 2005 advertised in the Daily Enquirer to write something on chinese new year celebration. participants were asked to tell ‘why hongkong is the ideal place to celebrate chinese new year?’ in not more than 5 sentences. using my poetic mind i submitted two entries, unfortunately i did not win. well, it was worth trying and make a difference!
H-oliday destination for people around the world,
O-ffering traditional New Year celebrations for young and old.
N-ew territory for the whole family and friends to remember,
G-ood-luck motto from lai see’s greeting, a big hit ever!
K-ung hei fat choy - brings hope and joy,
O-ver-crowded streets of shows, everyone dares to enjoy.
N-othing compares to its red lanterns - yung siu, and
G-old-colored fruits of kumquat for prosperity!
C-elebrations for hope, success and prosperity
H-ong Kong, holiday destination for people around the world
I-deal new territory for families and friends
N-ation’s offerings -yung siu, kumquat, and lai see’s greetings
A-lluring country for traditional shows and excitement!
If Only… March 1, 2006
Posted by curioustan in Poetic Mind.add a comment
This freely-verse poem was conceived right after i watched the movie, IF ONLY…it touched the soft spot of my heart…unfortunately, i cant find the original handwritten version of the poem, so i decided to compose the new line verses just to remind me of the movie considering that the movie was filmed in London, and some of the scenes where the places i visited in 2003 during my uk-european trip!
If only… i could turn the clock’s hands, and make wrong things turn right, no bad memories from the past and the future turns bright…
If only… i have the power to unite nations, with common desire and inspirations!… no war, no famine, and no conflict…indeed - living is truly a blessing…
if only… i could hold the time… no worries of getting old and die. everything is timeless, no hurry and everyone is having a good time.
If only… i could talk to Him, my Creator… and share my doubts and fears. lifting my spirit and feel His love and care!
footloose - the musical March 1, 2006
Posted by curioustan in Musical/Theatre.add a comment
for the second time around… i watched it in manila last year and last week here in belfast!
i watched it last August 2005 in Meralco Theater with my lady friend. it was my fourth experience in watching musical after Lea Salonga’s ‘they are playing our songs’ in Camp Aguinaldo years ago.
i loved ‘footloose’ very much… maybe because the lead character shown some of my traits … a happy-go-lucky person, adventurous, with full of determination to do things worth pursuing, and love to dance!
the second time gave me the chance to have another closer look of the different characters and how each one of them act to make the production interesting, dynamic and lively…the orchestra made the musical more breathtaking and made every song wonderful to hear as you feel you are part of the cast singing on stage!
footloose is about our failures and successes in life. these are the keys to make our lives interesting and meaningful. failures make us strong to move on and be more confident to face another hurdle and use it to achieve a higher level of living; while successes give us the adrenalin to continue with our dreams and share whatever rewards from it to other people…
footloose is about our past, present and the future… the past is the shadow of what we are now, the present is the reflection of our hopes and dreams; and the future is the culmination of the past and the present…
our kababayan in MiSS SAIGON March 1, 2006
Posted by curioustan in Musical/Theatre.add a comment
watching this musical for the 3rd time is worth sharing - from downtown newyork, to ccp (manila) and now in the opera house of belfast…
Watching the musical for the 3rd time is making an affirmation that i am really proud to be a Filipino. Truly indeed Pinoys are talented people with international caliber in the music scene. Watching our local talents (in lead roles) at the opera house of belfast northern Ireland was awesome. I was only the Filipino who watched it on that night!
The first time I watched Miss Saigon was in 1997 during my short business visit in the US. Luckily, my friend was able to buy two front row tickets. It was really a wonderful experience to watched it in broadway and got the chance to witness the musical that made Lea salonga an international star. Lea was not playing Kim when I watched it, so when the Cameron production decided to bring it to Manila , I did not hesitate to buy two tickets for myself and my Auntie (Malou) for the second week of the run! Overall, I liked the production in CCP compared it in New York and in Belfast, except that life-size helicopter was used in broadway! The orchestra in the opera house was more clearer and louder which gave you the feeling of not only watching it but being part of the musical.
On the downside, however, the musical reminded me of Pinoys who desperately wanted to visit the US. Having the difficulties of securing the visa, our kababayan are pushing themselves to the fullest despite of several denials, and so determined to do whatever they can just to get visa approval to visit the US or even in the UK and Europe or Canada. I don’t blame them in leaving the country, however, we have to understand that we have to protect our citizenship, and whatever opportunities that will come along our way, we should not attempt to do things that will affect the reputation of our country. In spite of our recognition as talented people, we have also the reputation of being illegitimate residents around the world! That is why, i will always maintain my travel documents in good standing, not even thinking of becoming a ‘TNT (tago ng tago) in one of the cities I visited especially in the US.
Having that, it is easy for me to apply for visas anywhere in the world! It is also a good feeling to get remarks from the immigration officers for being a frequent flyer!
there’s (better) life at/after 40 March 1, 2006
Posted by curioustan in Longlife Learning.1 comment so far
‘life begins at 40′ - a common phrase for people like us!
frankly, when my 40th b-day held last Dec 14, this phrase stuck to my mind. does this old saying is relevant to me? well, i will re-phrase this- ‘ there is a better life at/after 40!
a flashback of my life! there was a new life on the 14th day of dec 1965! a new beginning for a child who was loved by his parents and grandparents ( even now i suppose). so many years passed, he was able to enjoy life for 39 years - years of trials, patience and determination; and full of hopes and dreams… i had a wonderful childhood… growing up both with my parents and my grandparents. i was lucky to experienced both - the two faces of love!
having a simple life in a big family of 10 was not easy… it was simple but full of hardships. truly enough, my parents were able to raise me and my siblings as responsible human beings…
through the years ( as kenny rogers’ song refrain) i was able to reached my dreams and inspirations - my priorities in life! LIFE is sooo good for me, and i think God is the reason for all these wonderful things happening to my life…quickly, i was able to work both in government and private companies, worked as a volunteer, being a manager of my own company, a lecturer in state universities, inspired young minds to pursue higher education, to comfort lonely hearts (hehehehe), law-abiding driver, a janitor in a big shopping mall, a friendly housemate, a taxpaper(hehehehe, again)… and visited more than 20 major cities around the world!
well, there is one missing item that i want to achieve from now - to bring good things to my hometown… something that young people and adults will enjoy. i initially thought of the concept plan for this lifetime project.
reaching the age of 40 is full of encouragement - to do things more meaningful not only for myself satisfaction but for people whom i care! i still love to do my sketching, writing poems, play badminton, swim, my photography and reading pocketbooks, do personalised greeting cards, watching movies and plays… and sing (hahaha)!
im still single - not married and no children but i have a big family!singleblessedness is an achievement ( i believe); and there are so much wonderful things/opportunities for being single! i am very happy person, so much energy to move on with my simple life… more mountains to climb, more seas to swim, more stars to count, and most of all to be more generous to others!
