A Reflection

“A requirement turned ENRICHMENT”

Watching movie this Saturday never came to my mind because of so many requirements that I have to do, so during that day, I planned already which I have to do first among my list, and I saw my requirement at World Folklore, our class with Kuya Juvelan. And I have decided to do it first. After our lunch this day, I saw written on the board these words, “VTR: Freedom Writers, Highly Recommended”, and below it was these, “3^rd year Creative Writing students are required to watch.” Seeing those words, my plans for this day were shattered and adjusted. I felt bad by it but I said to myself, “its alright changes do come.” So upon letting it happen, letting those changes goes, questions streamed into my mind such as, what kind of movie is that? Who were the characters? What’s the story all about? Is it related to our subject?

Seeing the title, it gave me a hint that its all about writers and writing, but what kind of writers? I told to myself. And that’s my last question for that movie.

VTR (movie watching term in the seminary) time came and we went to Tanghalan (seminary’s all purpose hall). I placed myself behind the crowd, seating near Enzo, Whil and Del. When everyone’s settled, we immediately started the film. And I focused on seeing it.

The film started with chaotic scenes such us guns shooting, flames and smokes. Chaos, real chaos was depicted at the start of the film. And it was followed by a job scene interview. And from there the story pf the film started to flow.

The film was all about a new hired English teacher who has a class filled that all her students were gang members. So during the start of her classes, chaos always happens among her students. Seeing that, she started breaking the groups in her class and challenged her self to make her students united, and to know her students, these guys outside the classroom. And one day, she started giving off journals to her students and instructing them to just write, write everything that they want to write about. And asking them to put it in a cabinet if they want it to be read by her. At the beginning it hard for her and the students, but one night when she checked the cabinet all of her students’ journals were there, and seeing them, she started reading it one by one. Through these journals, she came to know them one by one for they write more about themselves and they opened their selves to her (I really like how they depict that part of the movie while she was reading each journal, as if they were talking to her). And through this method, she was able to capture the hearts of her students until they developed much affection to her and even to the point that they even don’t want to have another English teacher besides her.

The film, for me, was really superb. The story was awesome, as it focused on the teacher-students relationship and how the students became neophyte writers. I really admire the teacher as she courageously face this kind of students and harnessing them to become better and turning them into FREEDOM WRITERS.

I was able to relate on the story as I find myself writing poems and prose right now. Some maybe requirements but most of them were my enrichments.

After the film, I said to my self, I also was a FREEDOM WRITER – writing freely to express myself, to bring out that creative being inside of me. And as I write, I want it be read by those people concern or just want to know about me, just like the students did.

An Interview to a friend

The Voice that calls within…

Seminary is a place where future clergies are formed. This is place for discerning God’s call. It is house for some people. And for some it is a piece of heaven here on earth. But why some people enter the seminary? This is a common question for all. So to have an answer to that question and some other questions, I interviewed a seminarian from Don Bosco College Seminary Canlubang.

Our interviewee has graduated from Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati. He is a former Don Bosco Youth Center member in the same school. He is fond of playing basketball, soccer and mostly billiards. He was a former soccer player of Don Bosco Technical Institute. He is now in the seminary as a junior seminarian. And he is Ryan Lorenzo Singson.

I interviewed him about his life in the seminary and asked some questions about it. I asked him, “Why did you enter the seminary?” He answered it with a smile on his face and said, “I believe that I entered the seminary for a purpose, but for some the reason is not acceptable.” He stopped and added, “Like a child, I’m here to fulfill my dreams. A dream to be a superhero; to save souls.” Then I asked him about his motivation his to enter the seminary. He said that at first, he just want to fulfill his dreams but realizing it’s not enough and not accepted by some. He continued to enter the seminary. Now he is more motivated by the companionship of the other seminarians because even though there were hardships, he was able to surpass it with the aid of his batch mate and fellow seminarians. After that question, I asked him, “Are you decided to finish this journey?” Then he thinks and answered, “No, by now I’m not decided, that’s why I’m here to discern. But for me, I would really like to finish this journey of priesthood.” My next question, “how do you find the seminary?” He answered it with gladness and then told me that it was great, he enjoyed in there even if there are lot of hardships, he like in the seminary. Then I ended my interview with this question, “What is your message for those who want to enter the seminary?” He think of it silently and said,” Follow your dreams, listen to what your heart says.” Then quoted a line from a song saying, “Follow the voice that calls within…” And concluded by these words,” The only thing that matter is following your heart and eventually you’ll get it right.” With that we I end the interview.

It is really good to know what make a person decide to enter the seminary. And I hope with those answers of that seminarian, you were inspired. And then someday, you are also sharing those words to other person. Or might be answering those question with a great smile in your heart.

As silence fills me

It was the most silent part of my life,

As my family and I traveled the road

that leads to a new site.

With my things placed in such bags,

And questioning my self,

“What’s with our stillness?”

My mom was quite.

My dad stares at the road serenely,

And me, at the back of the car,

filled with questions and silence.

I do not know why,

I do not know what.

Only one thing I knew and felt

this will be regretful.

As silence filled the car,

we continued this journey,

ending up in front of a wide gate,

through a place surrounded by walls.

And passing through this gate we did,

as new faces went to meet us and greet.

Took and carried my belongings

to lead me into my new dwelling.

Silence was still in me as I explore this very place,

But a word shattered that ear-breaking stillness,

and brought me much sadness.

“Goodbye”, my mom uttered

as tears fell from her weary eyes,

while giving an embrace as sweet as her lullaby,

for now I take the seminary as my new life,

and taking it entails a sweet GOODBYE.

A precious gift

A precious gift I have received,

from someone who has many to give.

For this gift I have is not just a thing,

but rather a spiritual bliss.

It was a gift I doubted to receive,

for I know it will take everything what I’ve live,

and hardships and trials are entailed with it.

But this gift was not a surprise,

For it was kept in our treasure chest.

As it was kept,

Years I take to give its first breath.

Free at last,

To take the seminary as its path.

For this gift I have take was the vocation of mine,

which was my reason at this very time.

And through God’s invitation,

Seminary, I found as my destination.

Now, it’s been 3 years since I have this gift,

Praying out to God is the strength for it.

For this was my very precious gift

I have received.

He calls...

A little lad I was,

and serving at the Mass was my favorite task.

Never thinking of my future was,

just letting the work of His mighty hands.

As I grew and continue this task,

God’s mighty hands were still at its work

on my life.

But one day,

a shift He made in my life,

calling me to follow His very path.

And upon responding to his call,

I find myself with I the seminary walls.

He calls.

I respond.

And in this place I was fond.

Now thanking Him for His guiding hands,

That made me chose this rightful path.

The end

Light shines out
in a huge white room,
filled with cries and murmurs
of the people around my sight.

In my front,
lamenting people were gathered,
encircling a white-colored
casket.

So I stood to see
who's inside?
I saw my grandma
asleep so tight.

I asked my mom,
"Is she dead?"
She did not utter
but nod her head.

Seeing this,
I stopped for a while.
Then tears flowed
from my eyes,
telling myself,
"Death has put my grandma
into the end."

Water

Water flows with an infinite end,
covering this world's farthest end.
Created by God from His strength and love,
shares life as a gift from Him above.

A horrid creature when at rage,
but humble lad at times of peace.
A fount of life for everyone,
a selfless being from the Holy One.

Filled with love for so many,
who has a heart that is not empty.

Described as blue,
concealing the earth's vastness,
for such a hue,
that symbolizes such calmness.

Now, as this streams everywhere,
let it flow and share the love

God has given

For you...

Words can't be compressed
to described how I love you,
but through my little deeds,
I hope it will do.

With you, time, I may not share,
but let this love fill
the scarcity, I know you bear.

And in those times,
you're distressed.
Do not fall,
but rather lean on me,
for I will give you much
caress.

As I end this lovely poem
for you, I offer, my precious one.
I hoped it made you glad,
for loving me is hard and sad.
But, I always pray to God
that this love I have
is true for you, my love.

VAMPIRE

In the night, a serene creature I am

Sleeping unconsciously on my side.

Wand’ring in my dream, I was

When a horrid creature sprung from unknown.

Walking carefully in the gloomy,

cold night,

Looking for a victim for his

good appetite,

And when he saw me at

my powerless might,

He attacks me and feasts on

my precious blood, that night,

Leaving me marks of his stingy bite.

My Dwelling Place

Business’ city is where I belong,

the city of lights and moneymaking

but in that city whose towering

walls are raised,

Hidden is my dwelling place.

My little abode within the

noisy streets,

Encircled with screeches of those

tires within reach

Yet even in that place where noise prevails,

Still my house with harmonious

laughs and giggles are filled.

Though busy minds reign

my place,

Love’s never ebb

my dwelling place.

And love’s, turned our house

into a mansion

filled with care, kindness and heart.

But now, I left, to trek this path I take,

Memories in my heart prevail,

Thus, never will it be lost from

My sight.

A Look back

Three years have already passed after my high school. And as this academic year start, I want to have a look back, into another chapter of my life, my high school life.

According to a song of Sharon Cuneta, “… oh! My high school, kay saya…” it depicts how her high school life was.

And as I have this look back, I would attest to it, basing it from my high school experiences. High school, for me, was really happy and joyful like what she had mentioned or even more, but it also became daring as I went higher every year. At times, it became gloomy because of the pains and sorrows that it brought into me. It was also the part of my life that was filled with so much growth, in terms of maturity; in knowledge as a preparation for higher education, and also losses, in those childish acts I still had. But what really is worth remembering in that part of my life was the FRIENDSHIP – the bond I was able to develop among my co-students and some of my teachers. And that FRIENDSHIP I have acquired and nourished during those times was quite admirable, because of the bond that developed among us, after becoming classmates for 4 consecutive years (I was in section 1 of my whole high school days, that’s why, the set of my classmates that I had underwent minimal changes, some remained and some transferred to other section). And for the reason of our friendship, I trekked high school life not leaving just a pair of footprints, but instead a number of them. I walked through the bitter valleys and smooth plains of it not alone but with hands and comrades accompanying me, by helps and cheers given by those close to me.

As the years went by, fourth year came and graduation is at its peak, our FRIENDSHIP became stronger and turned out into a BROTHERHOOD. And on graduation day, goodbyes are then said. For each have already chosen a path to take, but still BROTHERHOOD will last.

“ To all my classmates and teachers at San Antonio National High School, THANK YOU. It was great having you in my life. I will never forget what we shared together.”

The Will of God

“Your will be done…” this are the words that Jesus the Christ said during his agony in the garden of Gethsemane. He leaves everything to God the Father. With those words he is willing to obey His Father’s will. Due to that obedience and trust he suffered and died on the cross for our sake. With that gospel, I can say that the will of God is a very thing to find and follow. It is the only thing that would make us happy in this world. You, have you let the will of God to work on your life?

It is really hard to find and follow God’s will for us due to many distractions and sometimes options to choose in our world today. But it will make us happy and contented when we are able to find it and follow it. It is God’s grace for us to follow it. And with that will you will know your purpose on this world. But as you find it, you are going to have many test, difficulties and trials that might move you not to follow it. And the good thing is to overcome them not alone rather with the help form God. With that will you can do anything under his grace, you can overcome everything and fulfill them with great joy. That’s how God work for all of us and that’s how to work with the will of God.

As a seminarian, I may say that his will is the one of my power and strength to stay and persevere in my vocation. Although I have my family, friends, batch mates and formators, God is my best companion in this journey, so following his will would make fulfill this dream. And in his will, I’m happy and contented even there are so many struggles, difficulties and fears to overcome. Now I’m three years here in seminary and I’m really happy and strong working with His will.

“Not as I will, but your will be done…” beautiful words from the Christ whom He made first and then being transferred to us. Now let us make this beautiful word from Him also be beautiful for us. These are the words that we should always remember in times of problems or even in our decisions. These words should be in each one of because in Him, everything has meaning.

What I want to write about….

I don’t know what topic is good to talk or write about at this moment, but let me talk about or write about my childhood, the part of my life in which I have really enjoyed. It is my favorite part of my life that I always and love to reminisce.

My childhood life was just a simple life of a little child who loves to eat, play and sleep. But what I really love in that part of my life was the care, attention and mostly the love I received from those people in my life at that moment, and one of them is my grandma, whom I called Mommy Chie.

Mommy Chie was my ever-loving grandmother. The mother of my mom and the person who really cared for me in this part of my life, for the reason that both of my parents were still working at that time. I really enjoyed being with her. And one of the things that I’ll never forget on her was her ways and the food that she cooked for me. She also helped me in my studies and loves to fetch me at school. Those are my happy memories with her. But when she got ill and then eventually died, I really cried a lot. I never played nor ate regular at that time of her wake. I really felt bad and mourned about her lost but when I would always look back at the times we had, I was very happy.

And that’s my childhood, a part of my child life, mostly with my grandma, Mommy Chie. This part of my life was really worth remembering.