ODE TO STILLNESS WHEN YOU WERE GONE

kalalum na sa kagabhion...kangitngit

daw naulaw mopahiyom ang bulan

katugnaw sa hangin

nga sa imong kaunoran

gapukaw ning dughan

nga sa kainit

nakabsan.

dili ba kahapon lang

gaingon ka...

gihigugma mo ako

kalalom na sa kagabhion...kamingaw

maski ang mga gangis

dili mapukaw

sulod sa hagamay kong lawak

anino sa kagahapon miputos

ning kasingkasing kong gaantos.

kahapon lang gaingon ka...

gihigugma mo ako

...kahapon lang

THE FOOLISHNESS OF YOUTH

Parental Blunt, Blame and Blunder

Kung atong sud-ungon karon, lisod na kaayo sabton ang mga kabatan-onan. Ang ila nga mga panglihok-lihok, kanatong mga gulang na, usahay makasapot. Paminaw sulay sa ila nga mga sinulti-an, maluma ang mga asosiloy sa Alcoy. Ang ako gayud nga ikahi-ubos kay ang mga batasan sa mga kabatan-onan nga unta molunot sa pag-usbaw sa panahon, inay mura ug nabaklag. Daw baho pa sa ilagang patay. Usa ka ginikanan ako nga nakahinabi miaging adlaw mahitungod sa batasan sa iyang anak nga ako upod nga tinun-an sa eskwelahan.

Sa wala pa ang pista, nakahinagbo ko ang inahan sa usa sa akong mga tinun-an. Gusto g'yud niya nga ako iyang mahinabi kabahin sa grado sa iyang anak. Kini katungod ug responsibilidad sa usa ka ginikanan. Gikalipay ko kaayo ang iyang sugyot. Pero ang grado sintomas lang sa mga daghan pa kaayong problema. Usahay kita'ng mga ginikanan dili makadawat sa nahimong sangputanan sa atong mga anak. Kay lagi ang bata nahagbong man, ato dayun nga batian ang kaguol kay ang kahuyang sa bata usa man ka salamin sa ato 'pod nga dakong pagkulang kanila.

Sa adlaw nga mibisita ang maong ginikanan kanako, akong nasuta ang dako kaayo nga problema. Siya nga inahan wala 'gyud panahon para sa iya nga anak kay atoa man lagi siya sa layo nanguyamot aron ikabuhi sa iyang pamilya. Pareho sila sa iyang bana. Nahiuli lang sila tungod sa piyesta. Ang ilang mga anak nagadako lang sa ilang iyaan. Ako 'pod nga nahibaw-an nga masuso pa kini nga iya nang gibilin sa iyang igsoong babaye. Niadtong panahona, ang bana uban pa sa bata; pero kay lagi ang iyahang pares nanginabuhi man upod, ang amahan wala 'pod panahon para sa ilang mga anak.

Ang wala nahibaw-i sa daghan kaayo nga mga ginikanan, dili kuarta o' kaha gugma ang bahandi nga ilaha puwede nga ikagasa sa mga bata. Parents did not know that the best gift they can give their children is to develop self-respect in them which is born from healthy self-image and self-worth. Pag mismong mga ginikanan wala makakita sa kaimportante sa pagkatawo sa ilang mga anak, ang mga bata dili g'yud modako nga tarong. Self-worth and self-respect are the foundations for a child developing into a better person. Kung wala ang mga ginikanan sa kiliran sa ilang mga anak, dako kaayo kini nga ikahiubos sa mga bata ug nga kini dayun nagahatag ug sayop nga pagtuo nga ang mga ginikanan wala gamahal kanilang mga anak.

Ang batasan sa mga kabatan-onan karon salamin sa dako ug daghan kaayo nga mga pagkulang sa mga ginikanan. Sayop ug guol kaayo nga hunahuna-on nga ingnon ta lunot sa panahon ang mga nahimong kasaypanan sa mga kabatan-onan. Niadtong dugay nang mga tuig nga milabay, ang mga bata dili pa kaayo buluyagan. Kini tungod kay ang mga ginikanan anaa uban kanila nga gamatuto. Nabati sa mga bata kanhiay nga sila gimahal, that was why they developed a very healthy self-image of themselves. Karon nagpabuyag ang mga kabatan-onan tungod gani kay nagkulang ug dako ang mga ginikanan paggiya kanila sa maayong pamatasan. Kadaghanan 'pod sa mga bata karon wala upoy kumpleto nga pamilya. Subo nga palandungon.

Unta dili sa mga bata ibasol ang tanan...

MY MIND FLIES UNDERWATER

Mumbling the Incomprensible

Ingon sila nga ang tawo gahi ug ulo. Tinuod gani nga ang ulo gahi g'yud. Mao gani nga kung mapakong 'ta, di man g'yud mabuak ang atong ulo. Sa mga aksidente diin ang ulo mapantok taman sa gahi nga butang, niining hitaboa pwede g'yud nga ang ulo mabuak. Tungod sa kagahi sa atong bagul-bagol, gamay lang nga hangin o' kaha tubig sulod sa ulo, makaboang kundi man makamatay na dayun sa tawo.

Lisud diay kaayo kung ang ulo masudlan ug hangin. Dili kini mogaan, kun dili mabug-at samot sa kaboang. Karon nga ako naglibog sa lunsay mahitungod sa akong kaugalingon, sa gimahal ko nga yutang natawhan, ug maski gani ang kagubot sa Egypt nga nikalabat na hangtud sa Yemen ug Iran, nasudlan na kaha ug hangin akong ulo? Mora-mora ug mao na g'yud kini ang nahitabo.

Dili ba 'pod kaha nga nalibog ko tungod sa kainit sa panahon? Pero ning-ulan man pipila na ka adlaw ang milabay. Bugnaw na ang palibot, pero ngano man nga gubot gihapon akong panghunahuna? Eksakto man pod unta ko sa kaon. Hinoon, naa na pod koy gibati sa akong lawas. Pero di man ko mahadlok na nga mamatay, so dili ni ang nagpagubot sa akong ulo daw lukot. Kung ako maglingkod, mag-inusara diha sa balay nga wala man unta'y gibuhat o' kaha gikalingawan, moandar g'yud ako kaboang ug kalabad sa ulo. Naunsa na!

Nagkatigulang na pod ra ba hinoon ko. Pero sa gikaingon ko na, di man pod ko mahadlok mamatay na, basta di lang pod ko mag-antos sa kasakit. Seguro, naa pa ko gusto mahimo o' kaha makab-ot dayun ako na nga nasuta gamay na lang ang panahon. Kini ba kaha ang nakapalabad sa kong ulo? Gabati ra ba ko sa akong dalunggan dayun naa usahay tubig nga mogawas. Wala kaha masudli ug tubig ako ulo? Ug unya nalumos na akong utok? Kalooy sab sa. Pero nahurot na seguro ang tubig kay wala naman gaagas sa akong dalunggan.

Gikapoy na 'pod ko sa akong trabaho. Momata ko ug sayo, dayun ang akong tibuok adlaw pare-pareho na lang ang mahitabo. Puol ba kung ingnon ta. Dayun ang mga kabatan-unan karon dili na nako maangkasan pa. Lisod, ingnon ta spellingon. Napulo'g duha na 'pod ko katuig sa akong trabaho. Seguro nagpuol na gyud. Gusto ko gamay excitement sa kinabuhi. Gusto ko mopalayo una, ug didto sa layong dapit magpahulay ug magpractice sa ug kamatay.

Ang akong kinabuhi karon fake kaayo. Daghan ko ug gihimo nga dili gyud ako ug mas daghan pa gyud unta ko ug gustong himoon pero dili ko mahimo sa pagkakaron. Maldito ko ug Scorpio pa gyud - lala kung mangitik, makamatay pa gani sa hustong timing. Puno na kaayo akong utok sa kaboang dayun gusto na kini nga mogawas. Kung sa tanga pa, kulang kaayo sa labok ug itik. Ako na hinoon ang nalanag sa akong kaugalingong kabangis. Hinay-hinay mura ako ug nahilo na sa akong kaugalingong kaboang. Dili gyud kini tungod sa hangin o' kaha sa tubig ni'ng akong utok.

Lisod kaayo kining kinabuhi ta nga wala na gasubay sa atong panag-ingnan. Ang langgam nga unta galupad-lupad kung ihawla magaluya. Di ba kung ang isda haw-ason ta sa tubig, mamatay? Ang tawo pag-ihikaw mo na kaniya ang iyang kagawasan, maboang. Kung imo nga pugson ang tawo pagpuyo sa kinabuhing bakak, daw wala siya mabuhi ning kalibotan kay buhi man siyang patay nga matag adlaw kanimo nakig-uban. Ablihi ang mga mata ug tutuki ug tarong. Kini bang tawo nga sa kong atubangan ania karon, tinuod ba o' kaha dakong bakak. Boang lang seguro kay humok na ang bagul-bagol.

V DAY - IN MEMORIAM

Life is Too Short...
carlo b.

I died...

just before I was born

like the night

that snatched my cradle away

only to elope blind

I am dead...

when I was born

left behind to suckle unfree

crying through the night

when everyone sleeps

I will be dead...

long before the night

allows the new moon

to pass the day

and then the sun shines

RECLAIMING MYSELF

Life Has To Move On

After my ninth year of working, I asked for a rest. I was tired then, but was later on convinced to continue working. Physically, I begged to rest; however, mentally I was still willing to serve. Today though, I am both tired bodily and mentally. My mind is set already to rest, and physically, I am exhausted. I badly need a change of environment and perspective to see myself again.

I have grown much professionally with my current work. However, after quite a number of years working, I got lost and have forgotten about myself healthwise, never mind my family. Because of the nature of my work and the personality of the institution where I am at, there were things I used to do before that I have to set aside to maintain the integrity of my workplace.

I used to go out with close acquaintances before, but time and proper decorum do not allow me the same today. With this, I isolated myself and led a very lonely existence. The things that I missed most are running and mountain biking. I usually bring home work (which is actually my fault), so I cannot do both anymore. I have forgotten how to enjoy life and commune with nature. I am bored with how routine my life has become.

The predictable cycle of my life coupled with personal problems threw me into a fit of self-pity which spiraled into depressive moods that I can no longer understand myself some time. I have been very sad and lonely for some years now. However, because of the nature and demands of my work, I continue assuming a well-composed facade. I live two live -- I look so strong outside but I am an emotional mess inside. I want to slow down things and reclaim life's beauty that was intended for me to enjoy.

WORDS THAT CHANGE MEANING - CHARITY

A Case Like Basket Case

Together with faith, hope and love, charity is one of the Christian virtues. Like "pity", this word has also changed its connotation from good to bad. Originally, "charity" directly translates to agape in Corinthians - agape being the kind of love that most resembles Jesus'. Charity entails too much patience and altruism on the part of the giver. Through time, however, there was a shift in the perspective. Charity is being looked now from the point of view of the recipient, and this started the problem. Man has always been too proud to be the object of both pity and charity that we cannot just imagine ourselves to be another "charity case". Polluted word, man's folly - what a waste of good intent!

WORDS THAT CHANGE MEANING - PITY

Pity the Giver No More

Similar to the root word of "piety" and "pious", this word denotes higher form of sacrificial love. The word originally is meant for the giver. When somebody "pities" another, his "pity" is taken to be a life-giving sacrifice that the recipient has to receive. The one who "pities" is drained of too much energy because what he gives is himself for he sacrifices. Today, however, the meaning of "pity" shifts from the giver to the receiver. The receiver who is the object of "pity" is looked at as somebody weak, useless and worst, penniless. We often hear, "I don't want your pity." This is because the recipient does not want to feel powerless over everything in life. When one is the object of "pity" , his existence is relegated to inhuman level. Whatever happens, the word "pity" is not what it was supposed to be. So pitiful!

ALL IN HIGH FIESTA SPIRIT

300 Years of Inspiration from St. William of Aquitaine

Dalaguetnons have always been known to be deeply pious and religious. Our piety and religiosity went back many years ago when the Spaniards first came to our place. With the inspiration of San Guillermo de Aquitania, Dalaguete has progressed a lot in all aspects of life. The people have become more mature in fulfilling their respective roles in the community. Economically, the town has grown from a lowly fourth class municipality to second class in less than three years. In a cycle, this growth has created more jobs and built more infrastructure which paved more development. These were all accomplished because the people have been steadfast in their faith for a better Dalaguete. This unwavering Dalaguetnon piety and religiosity are inspired by the examples of Sr. San Guillermo.

Dalaguete would not have been in all high spirits today if not for her people. The Dalaguetnons themselves have played a tremendous role in placing Dalaguete where she is now. The farmers in Mantalongon and in other mountain barangays continue to labor, breaking backs to provide the municipality green gold for her coffers. Young professionals always come back to Dalaguete, start their productive lives bringing in more income to the place. The elderly remain active, the retirees continue to work for the good of us all providing the younger generation with the best examples of how age intermarries with success and fulfillment. The wealth of Dalaguete first resides on her people. If not for these hardworking and gallant women and men, Dalaguete would not have been as productive as she is now.

Because of the industry and resilience of her people, Dalaguete has continued to soar up high in terms of economy. In just a short time, the municipality has gone up "high class". Income-wise, the town is doing very well - earning so much from the produce of the land. We are still one of the major vegetable suppliers of the region. Income has also gone up because of the more intensive, effective and efficient revenue collection. Because the Dalaguetnons are now more capable of spending more, their spending pattern and habit have also helped a lot the local economy. Coupled with wise spending and proper planning, Dalaguete and her people will continue to soar high, that becoming a city would never be a dream so far.

Standing in one corner, one is able to see as many as three bakeries in Dalaguete. A lot of buildings sprouted in strategic locations. New roads are opened and old ones are concreted. Now the town has a decent plaza and safe place for children to play. The government exerted much effort for infrastructure to grow with the people. Because of the income provided in by the people, the local government is able to give back to the people in terms of infrastructure projects which will further boost the economic and socio-cultural status of the town. The newly refurbished cultural and sports complex will surely be the envy of other municipalities in this southern part of the province. This is just to name some, but with the people's continued patronage and stewardship of what the local government has done so far and built, we definitely will go a long way farther.

It would have been regrettable if I had left Dalaguete to earn my keep somewhere else. Looking at where she is now and being able to experience personally the pains, the excitement and the victory she has been through always brings back memories and a tear or two in my eyes notwithstanding the awkward lump in my throat. Through the years, I have seen my hometown flourish into one economic hub in southern Cebu because of the the diligence and resilience of my fellow Dalaguetnons. These traits inspired by the life of Sr. San Guillermo in turn give the town's economy a great push resulting to development in infrastructure which we ourselves enjoy today, and hopefully for next generations of Dalaguetnons to come. Celebrating 300 years of grace and pride, Dalaguete and the Dalaguetnons indeed have come a long way through.

300 YEARS OF GRACE AND PRIDE

Grace Under Pressure, Pride Above All Others

Despite our very tight schedule, I am very proud that my colleagues and my students have pulled it off successfully last night in our fiesta presentation. The day started quite badly. I was so pissed off when the schedule of the affair was questioned. It blew my top. My anger escalated to near unbridled rage when somebody talked back to me in a not so considerate manner. I went to the library, breathed regularly and my anger was appeased. We prepared the stage with quite a few snag and ate lunch late at 2p.m. Everything that happened in the morning was forgotten when the presentation started. The graders were adorable, the performers were superb, and the teachers...simply were so game despite all the odds crossing their ways before they were able to breeze through their dance number. It was so stressful yesterday, yet I was so proud of you all guys. Congratulations!

LOST IN MORE THAN TRANSLATION

Filipinos Kill the Time

Time is gold. It has never been silver nor bronze. It has always been gold. That is how people before value every ticking seconds of time. The absence of accurate and fast technology to tell time could have been a cause why people of the olden times put so much premium on time. Today, the value of time is as golden as before. Ride an airplane that brings you to your destination late, and you may miss great business opportunities. A doctor on the operating table always will say that every second counts for the patient under a knife. But wait...! Do not ever mention time to most government officials. Most of them with time suffer mast cell overload with histamines.

I did not know that some important government officials and politicians would grace the opening of the Agri-Business Fair situated in front of UV. Our students were there, I thought, to look and see what the fair was all about. When I walked out the gate, I saw that they were still outside. They were not allowed to get inside because the ribbon has not been cut yet - the fair has not been declared open to public. But how long they have been standing outside, I did not bother check the time. The government official to cut the ribbon has not arrived on time (read as late). I heard that the fair was supposed to open at 9a.m. Sadly, time has never been gold at all this morning. I want to be fair though. Maybe the government officials to cut the ribbon had something more important to do than manipulate a pair of scissors to cut a rafia declaring the key chains inside to be devoured by the all-eager grade school pupils.

Well, what is new? I was asked to be one of the masters of ceremony in a fiesta event way back time. The program was scheduled to start at 9p.m. We were able to sing the national anthem at past 12 midnight. Sorely, the invited guests to crown the less-happier queen started his campaign trail inside the house of the mayor. I remembered to be wearing a blue suit then. I thought it turned black with sweat waiting for the old politicians to crawl their way to the cultural complex. Why invite politicians from outside town to grace affairs that our people have labored so much to perfect? They were a shining and golden example of Filipino time - the time that does not just stand still but kill. I was really lost in time.