I'll be off to Baguio with my family tomorrow. I lifted the itinerary from Go Baguio site.
Day 1
01:00 pm:Arrive & Check-in into your hotel
02:00 pm:Burnham Park | Baguio City Market | Session Road | Baguio Cathedral
07:00 pm:Dinner - Night Out
Day 2
08:00 am:Breakfast
09:00 am:Botanical Garden | Wright Park Riding Circle | The Mansion | Mines View | Good
Shepherd Convent
12:00 pm:Barbecue Lunch at Camp John Hay Picnic Area or Dine at Mile Hi Shopping
Center
01:00 pm:Camp John Hay | Scout Hill | Historical Core | Butterfly Sanctuary | EcoTrail
03:00 pm:Philippine Military Academy
07:00 pm:Dinner / Night Out
Day 3
08:00 am:Breakfast
09:00 am:Souvenir Shopping: Baguio City Market | Session Road
12:00 nn:Check-out of your Baguio Hotel
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Friday, January 06, 2012
On symbols
Do you know why I can't see any stars tonight ? Because you outshine them.
Do you like bananas or blueberries? I want to know what kind of pancakes to make in the morning.
Do you know you're like my blood? Because you're A+ and you're always in my heart.
Did you just fart? Because you blew me away!
Pick up lines have been in the limelight of late. I’d like to think that they are so because of our attachment to symbols.
The bananas or blueberries, the the stars in the night, the blood, and yes, even the fart could be stretched a little further to symbolize how they remind us of the person whom we consider significant to us.
Or if there is no connection at all, we’ll try to find one.
A grade six student from Albay in the name of Janela Lelis, must have found that strong connection between the Philippine flag and the country it represents when she braved through the floodwater as she tightly held the Philippine flag in a heroic act to save the national symbol from being swept away by the raging water on that stormy day on July 26.
To recognize her act of bravery, a little Philippine flag was pinned on the left collar of her uniform. She was also given P 20,000 in cash for this selfless act.
More than two thousand years ago, a group of wise men found a connection between a star and the coming of the Great King who would rule them all.
That star, in my opinion, could just be any random stars in the sky if it did not lead the magi to their supposed destination: the infant Jesus.
But it did what it ought to do. That explains why every year we take pains in thinking of what type of star to crown our Christmas
tree.
Symbols are fundamentally important not because of what they are, but because of what they stand for.
In that first Christmas night, the star was there to symbolize the coming of God and to announce the reign of His Kingdom.
May we, who also seek to discover God's will for us, may become ourselves an
outstanding sign of God’s loving compassion.
So that when people--when our companions, when the young people we relate with--see us, they will be reminded that Christmas is not an event which only happens once a year. For with our witnessing, it goes on. Daily.
Merry Christmas. God bless. Good evening.
Do you like bananas or blueberries? I want to know what kind of pancakes to make in the morning.
Do you know you're like my blood? Because you're A+ and you're always in my heart.
Did you just fart? Because you blew me away!
***
Pick up lines have been in the limelight of late. I’d like to think that they are so because of our attachment to symbols.
The bananas or blueberries, the the stars in the night, the blood, and yes, even the fart could be stretched a little further to symbolize how they remind us of the person whom we consider significant to us.
Or if there is no connection at all, we’ll try to find one.
A grade six student from Albay in the name of Janela Lelis, must have found that strong connection between the Philippine flag and the country it represents when she braved through the floodwater as she tightly held the Philippine flag in a heroic act to save the national symbol from being swept away by the raging water on that stormy day on July 26.
To recognize her act of bravery, a little Philippine flag was pinned on the left collar of her uniform. She was also given P 20,000 in cash for this selfless act.
More than two thousand years ago, a group of wise men found a connection between a star and the coming of the Great King who would rule them all.
That star, in my opinion, could just be any random stars in the sky if it did not lead the magi to their supposed destination: the infant Jesus.
But it did what it ought to do. That explains why every year we take pains in thinking of what type of star to crown our Christmas
tree.
Symbols are fundamentally important not because of what they are, but because of what they stand for.
In that first Christmas night, the star was there to symbolize the coming of God and to announce the reign of His Kingdom.
May we, who also seek to discover God's will for us, may become ourselves an
outstanding sign of God’s loving compassion.
So that when people--when our companions, when the young people we relate with--see us, they will be reminded that Christmas is not an event which only happens once a year. For with our witnessing, it goes on. Daily.
Merry Christmas. God bless. Good evening.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Recommendations on Vacation
Before anything else, Merry Christmas!
Fr. Joe, our seminary
catechist asked me to synthesize some valuable inputs of Don Bosco for
our seminarians who will be home for vacation. I'm posting this set of
recommendations not only for the benefit of some of my seminarian
friends , but also for any
ordinary students, Bosconians in particular, who may find
them useful.
Now, let's hear from Don Bosco himself:
I don’t recall anyone returning from home to tell me he had behaved better at home than the Oratory, nor do I recall anyone telling me that his vacation had brought him spiritual advantage. On the contrary, every year, I have often had to deplore many falls from grace.
These will make for a true vacation, and, more importantly, a sinless vacation.
• As soon as you get home, greet your parents, hug them and give them my most heartfelt regards. Respect and obey your parents; do all you can to make them happy.
• Then, visit your parish priest, give him my regards. Ask him if there is anything you can do around the church while on vacation.
• The word vacation, from the Latin verb vacare means “to be busy, to be occupied.” You may not be occupied with school, but you should continue to be occupied with work, study or prayer.
• Keep yourselves always busy and live in God’s presence. Don’t waste your time at home, and, whatever you may do, always remember that Our Lord sees you.
• While home with your family, help your dad and mom, give them some help: clean the house, set the table, maintain your garden… keep yourself forever busy!
• Play games with your family: cards, chess, any game you find relaxing.
• Sleep also a little longer but avoid the “noonday devil.” (Ps 90, 6)
• Be moderate in eating, don’t overeat.
• As long as there are books to read, read!
• Read to learn, not just for pleasure. Read useful books.
• Endeavor to live as good Christians, as you do here at the Oratory:
o Serve Holy Mass every morning. If you can’t, attend Mass devoutly.
o To receive Jesus in better disposition, spend some time in meditation.
• Avoid bad books and bad companions.
• Avoid laziness.
• Avoid idleness.
Culled from pp. 335 -345 of the Biographical Memoirs XIII
Now, let's hear from Don Bosco himself:
I don’t recall anyone returning from home to tell me he had behaved better at home than the Oratory, nor do I recall anyone telling me that his vacation had brought him spiritual advantage. On the contrary, every year, I have often had to deplore many falls from grace.
These will make for a true vacation, and, more importantly, a sinless vacation.
• As soon as you get home, greet your parents, hug them and give them my most heartfelt regards. Respect and obey your parents; do all you can to make them happy.
• Then, visit your parish priest, give him my regards. Ask him if there is anything you can do around the church while on vacation.
• The word vacation, from the Latin verb vacare means “to be busy, to be occupied.” You may not be occupied with school, but you should continue to be occupied with work, study or prayer.
• Keep yourselves always busy and live in God’s presence. Don’t waste your time at home, and, whatever you may do, always remember that Our Lord sees you.
• While home with your family, help your dad and mom, give them some help: clean the house, set the table, maintain your garden… keep yourself forever busy!
• Play games with your family: cards, chess, any game you find relaxing.
• Sleep also a little longer but avoid the “noonday devil.” (Ps 90, 6)
• Be moderate in eating, don’t overeat.
• As long as there are books to read, read!
• Read to learn, not just for pleasure. Read useful books.
• Endeavor to live as good Christians, as you do here at the Oratory:
o Serve Holy Mass every morning. If you can’t, attend Mass devoutly.
o To receive Jesus in better disposition, spend some time in meditation.
• Avoid bad books and bad companions.
• Avoid laziness.
• Avoid idleness.
Culled from pp. 335 -345 of the Biographical Memoirs XIII
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Steps in discerning religious vocation
We all have our dreams for ourselves: good career, ideal family, sleek car, comfortable house. But is this what God dreams for us?
If you are serious in finding what God wants for you, consider the following steps:
1. Review your life history
See how God has been journeying in your life: the family situation, friends, desires, temperament, talents one possesses, future dreams and life goals, even interests, motivations to enter.
2. Pray for enlightenment
Consider that God calls, we merely respond. It is therefore necessary to keep in mind that we pray in order to know what He wants us to do. The question “Lord, what do you want me to do with my life?” could be used in your personal prayers.
3. Inquire
Ask priest, brothers, sisters on their vocation stories could offer some insightful help. This will provide you a close encounter with individuals who have said “yes” to God’s invitation to follow Him closely through the consecrated life. You may also read literatures about religious life through brochures, vocation posters, vocation websites, you could also send SMS to the Salesian vocations hotline (0906) 466- 9286.
4. Discern
Ask for spiritual guidance from individuals—priests, brothers, sisters, or even lay people—who may be of help to co-discern with him interpreting where God is calling him. This begins a journey of prayer, reflection, and an in-depth inquiry of the movement of Spirit in your life.
5. Decide
After a while, you may already move towards a specific path. Talk with your spiritual director about it. Keep in touch as well with the vocation directory as regards the time frame you have in mind. Continue to discern by maintaining a consistent prayerful stance.
If you are serious in finding what God wants for you, consider the following steps:
1. Review your life history
See how God has been journeying in your life: the family situation, friends, desires, temperament, talents one possesses, future dreams and life goals, even interests, motivations to enter.
2. Pray for enlightenment
Consider that God calls, we merely respond. It is therefore necessary to keep in mind that we pray in order to know what He wants us to do. The question “Lord, what do you want me to do with my life?” could be used in your personal prayers.
3. Inquire
Ask priest, brothers, sisters on their vocation stories could offer some insightful help. This will provide you a close encounter with individuals who have said “yes” to God’s invitation to follow Him closely through the consecrated life. You may also read literatures about religious life through brochures, vocation posters, vocation websites, you could also send SMS to the Salesian vocations hotline (0906) 466- 9286.
4. Discern
Ask for spiritual guidance from individuals—priests, brothers, sisters, or even lay people—who may be of help to co-discern with him interpreting where God is calling him. This begins a journey of prayer, reflection, and an in-depth inquiry of the movement of Spirit in your life.
5. Decide
After a while, you may already move towards a specific path. Talk with your spiritual director about it. Keep in touch as well with the vocation directory as regards the time frame you have in mind. Continue to discern by maintaining a consistent prayerful stance.
Friday, December 09, 2011
On good (and bad) books
“Uncle Charles Cabin” and “The Wandering Jews” Do these titles ring a bell?
For those among us who are taking the Rizal course, they
should, for they are two books which greatly awakened Rizal's consciousness in
fighting for our freedom.
Hands down, books influence us. I don’t have to argue about
it. Was it St. Augustine who said that “The world is a book and those who do
not travel read only one page?”
Don Bosco knew the importance of reading books. This
prompted him to issue, three years before his passing away, a circular letter
devoting entirely on spreading good books.
But I never thought that in the beginning of the school year
of 1883, five years before his death, he wrote a long letter to all Salesian
houses regarding one important concern: bad
books.
At this point, let us listen to the words of Don Bosco:
The enemies of souls are aware of the influence of this weapon, and experience has taught us how young people avail themselves of it to the loss of their innocence. Strange titles, presentable paper, clean type, fine engravings, low prices, popular style, variety of plot, vivid descriptions: everything is exploited with diabolic artistry and craftiness. Woe to all of us if we doze off while the enemy is constantly alert!
All pupils should be told to hand over any new book they may acquire or that may be brought to them by relatives or friends. Professors, supervisors in the study hall, and assistants must take note of what the boys are reading in the church, at recreation, in class and in study hall.
Speak often on the subject of bad books during the year from the pulpit, in the evening talk, and in the classroom. Point out the harm they do.
If we act along these lines, I hope that no bad books will be smuggled into our schools, and that if they are, they will soon be destroyed.
(cf Biographical Memoirs, pp. 173-177)
This letter was written in 1883. And the popular medium back
then was the printed matter. If Don Bosco were alive today, I am certain that
he would also write a letter on movies, TV shows, Internet sites.
We have been reminded to choose out friends, to associate
only with those who serve as good examples. I believe that, it is also true in
choosing the books, and of comics, and of video clips we save in our computers.
For we do not just possess them, we also allow them to possess us.
I said a lot tonight. Forget everything, but please remember
this. When you receive some cash during the Christmas break, please consider
buying good books that will not just satisfy your curiosity, feed your mind, warm
your heart, but more importantly, nourish your vocation.
God bless. Read more. Good evening.
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