This seat is taken

Last year, my big brother thought of having a Kris Kringle in the compound plus the Fernandez family (my sis-in-law's fam) for Christmas dinner which turned out to be one happy family gathering and one of the best Christmas celebs ever. Back then, daddy was still around to celebrate with us. Little did we know that it would be his last Christmas with the family, physically that is.

In my previous blog, I have particularly mentioned dreading for Christmas to come because I would not know how to face the day knowing that it's not going to be like the Christmases I was used to. But somehow, when the day came, i realized it wasn't so bad after all.

On the 24th, I woke up early to fetch D from work because we had to deliver gifts. First stop was the flower shop. I had to buy dad a present from all of us. Then went on to his resting place to give him the present. I still could not believe he is spending Christmas in there (or up there) and here I am, giving him flowers and lighting candles, the only present I could give him. My heart ached at the thought of it and at that moment, more than any other time I wish I could hand over my gift to him in person so I could plant a kiss on his cheek and hear him say "thank you" with his oh-so modulated voice. But that didn't happen and from now on, I know it never will. I left his resting place with a heavy heart and had to satisfy myself with the thought that, DADDY was the first person I spent Christmas with.

Days prior I had dreamt of DAD for the first time since he left. In my dream we were all gathered together (in a place i can't particularly remember) and all of a sudden DADDY began singing along with the Christmas Song playing in the background. Ate Lida told me that it simply meant DAD wanted us to be happy on Christmas day.

And so we proceeded with our Christmas dinner/party at big brother's house which again turned out to be one fun evening for everyone. We had Christmas head gears, games, prizes and food (ofcourse). And to keep the memories of a good night, we all had our pix taken. One particular picture caught my attention after browsing over the uploads in facebook. It's the one posted above. That's us five siblings (Kuya Boyette a.k.a big Brother, Ate Lizzie a.k.a Dyosa of the Night, Nolan a.k.a. The good Son, Minnie (mouse) a.k.a Bright Girl and Moi a.ka. The Favorite (hehe) with MOM. This is the first family picture (sans DADDY) after dad left. Funny I noticed an empty chair right beside MOM with KIFI (daddy's fave dog) sneaking from behind. We didn't notice the empty chair when it was taken, we only saw it last night. It's as if the chair is reserved for someone.. DADDY, ofcourse!

I believe that it is DADDY's way to telling us that we should be happy this Christmas and in the coming years because even if he is not with us physically, he is celebrating with us spirit. And so, we shall continue to save you a seat, DAD.

Merry Christmas! I miss and love you.

CHURCH vs. STATE

In as much as I am a devout Catholic, meaning, I have my faith in tact, I still maintain that as an individual and a human being, God has given me the gift to be rational and to choose.

I have always believed that the Church (any church) should never meddle with the affairs of the state. Neither should they use the methods available in the church or disguise their meddling through religious exercises by justifying it through claims of moral issues contrary to religious doctrines and compel the devotees to join in their cause.

I had the shock of my life when I heard mass last Sunday and we were asked to pray the Oratio Imperata. I had to listen to its words and read the screen in front to know that the mandated prayer was an Oratio Imperata against the Reproductive Health Bill. I stood up and sat down and waited until the rest of the attendees were done with the mandated prayer. Truth be told, I did not say the prayer.

I am for the Reproductive Health Bill. With all due respect to the Catholic Church and its leaders, i believe the act of the church in having an Oratio Imperata has encroached the borders of church towards the state. I thought this mandated prayer is only for calamities where everyone should be one in their faith so they can be spared from a disaster ( famine, typhoon, viral disease, epidemic) I did not know this too can be used to address political matters the church leaders are strongly opposing but to which a certain number of its devotees are in favor of, me included. I have my reasons why i am for the bill, but it doesn't mean my faith and devotion has wavered simply because i favor a legislation which merely gives an individual a choice, a bill which protects and educates the women and the young, a bill which can nip in the bud the never ending problem of poverty and overpopulation.

Just as the bill still gives the individual a choice, i believe the church can only preach and enlighten its devotees. It can not mandate them to pray for something they are in favor of.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I always find shopping therapeutic. Whether it's the real deal or just plain window shopping (which i do almost always) or even online shopping, it doesn't really matter. Fact is, i like the feeling of exploring new finds, new trends and the latest fashion craze. It keeps me balanced after long days..or weeks of work. It's like coffee, it perks me up!

Today is the exception. After class i went straight to Ayala to finish my Christmas shopping for my family and i was darn determined to buy them the things they wanted in their wish list so i could begin my long list of shopping for my "inaanaks". And so it became some sort of marathon which meant long walks, long lines in the cashier and mind boggling-brain racking analysis on whether the size would fit or the color would match. And my wedgees weren't of any help today. In as much as I was happy to find it yesterday while looking for a gift for my sister, i realized it was not fit for long walks and prolonged standing. The only breather i got today was my doze of Toffee Nut (thank you D) and some blush-on finds which wasn't as pricey. Overall, shopping today was a bit of a torture for me physically.

Coming home I checked on my family list, I felt good becoz I only have one more gift to buy which i can do for later when big brother comes home and gives me a more affordable/realizable wish list. And so i can begin shopping at the kids department this week. Hopefully I get to finish shopping for gifts this week and hopefully i still have money left for me and then i'll shop again.. weeeee!

Joining the Rest of the Country feel the MELASON Fever

At the risk of being called "baduy" (duh! like i care) i am officially announcing that i am a MELASON fanatic and i watch Pinoy Big Brother Double Up everyday. In fact, i look forward to watching every episode every night. My day is not complete without it. And its the only TV show i watch.. :)

Why do i like it? Hmmmm.. well, it shows life's simple joys from simple persons and it talks about how people with diverse attitudes and values interact with each other. And there is the "kilig" factor between Melissa and Jason who has swept me off my feet to the point of making me want to audition as well.. (kidding..not, kidding not..hehe)

A lot of speculations have come out especially about it being scripted and all. I believe it's not. But whether or not it is, fact remains that it has effectively reached out to the viewing public and has them glued to the tube every night to update themselves of the latest happenings inside the house which happenings become the topic for next day's morning coffee and lunch breaks, heck even during parties. I am sure it has grown a huge number of fans..me included.

What is LEGAL may not always be right and MORAL

Much to my dismay as a constituent of this beloved Republic and shame as a Filipino, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had the gall to file her certificate of candidacy as member of Congress. I have resigned to the idea that I will have to bear with a President who is as heartless as she is greedy for power, as corrupt as she commits all forms of blunder. I figured it will only be six months more until I will see the dawn of the new day for this country. But lo and behold! She clings like monkey to her post! Now wasn't that part of her SONA?

Whether or not she can run can be addressed in two ways. First, in accordance to the laws of man and Second, based on the ordinance of reason compounded from moral values in recognizance to a higher form of being.

The laws of man is not perfect and yet this is the instrument by which every sovereign is assured of a just and orderly government. Reigning supreme in the Philippines is our 1987 Constitution under which law, the President is disqualified from seeking any reelection which by definition clearly means running for the same office. Obviously, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is not seeking for reelection but as member of Congress. Absent any of the disqualifications for one to become congressman, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may thus, run for Congress.

Looking at this issue on a more wider perspective and taking into consideration the wisdom of the law as well the moral, ethical and Filipino traditional values, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo can not and should not run for any other office after her term as President of the Republic. To be President of the Republic is a position that requires utmost dignity which must be wielded by someone with probity at all times even after serving his/her term of office. Upon assumption of office, the Chief Executive has six (6) years to serve the Filipino people and realize his/her vision for the country after which she should pass it on to another person who so rightfully deserves to serve as well. In the case of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo she had nine (9) years. Nine (9) years to prove her worth but patently failed. Nine (9) years of growing a deaf ear from all the clamor and protest from an obviously dismayed constituent. And despite serving for a long period of time, she still had the nerve to say she is not ready to step down from public office. She was supposed to have reached her peak, the twilight years of her public service after achieving the highest position of the land and yet she is willing to sell herself low and short if only to stick like glue to fame and power. If that is not lack of self worth and delicadeza then I do not know what else to call it.

We do not need a law in order to know that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo could not and should not run for reelection or any other elective position. For just as man is an imperfect being creating an imperfect law, there is a higher form of law which although unwritten exists right within in the confines of natural law and the dictates of our conscience. For what is legal may not always be right and moral.
Man being a rational being is given a wide latitude of knowing what is right from wrong, and clearly Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo either refuses to see what is right or is just too desperate to cover up her wrong.