Colored Petitions

I visited the monastery today. A friend early this week asked if I could join her . She had petitions to send to the heavens. I lately found out its for her mother. The same colleague of mine who tried to convince me a month ago. I wasn't able to join them. I was sleeping like lard and woke up late .

Unfortunately few days after that time , a shaking news broke out which stirred the catholic faith. The monks were allegedly having immoralities in supposedly a sacred and holy place of praise and worship.

The incident however did not discount the beliefs of its patrons, queuing to catch a glimpse of the icon. I tried to comprehend the unexplainable feeling that enveloped me as I got nearer to the glass enclosed tabernacle. My attention was caught with the sign hanged around the wall which says," Tell her your worries, problems and intentions. " I was deeply touched. I whispered my personal prayers to her.

The vicinities of the monastery was engulfed with vendors laying various items for sale. Religious items primarily. Bracelets, prayers pamphlets and candles. Colored candles to be exact. Any one's petition twin the colored candles which represents different meanings. Everybody would be interested to light the gold candles for career, the violet for overseas endeavors and undertakings and the black for reconciliation. There were the colors cream, red, blue, yellow and many more. Is there such thing as colored petitions?

My curiosity what the rest of the colors mean subsided. I'm not interested. I'm not against those who believe it works. Evidently seen. The words of thanks for passing the exams, healed from a disease and landed a good job. These were just posted in a conspicuous place in the area.

A young lady tucked few pieces of colored candles in her hand. A mother lighting a candle on one end of the altar. Everyone inside pleading wishes hopefully be granted in the coming days.

I lighted a simple brown candle to complete the day. The colored ones however, would not be sufficient to answer all my intentions. Its not the color that counts but the genuineness of oneself. I think so.

The Big Laugh

A lawyer visited to claim his subsidy few days ago after two months of playing the hide and seek. He handed a 500 bill to me silently. My tongue slipped without malice intention. I conveyed to my superior that it was for something to eat that afternoon.

Her unripe smile made me anxious. The money she said represents fees, goes to the coffers of a civic organization where these professionals belong. I never bothered to ask her anymore.The lawyer claimed his receipt from our technical people.They handle such things. He left the office just minutes thereafter.

The main door closed. The tranquil environment inside was ignited with a giggle. It spread like virus. Everybody inside burst with laughters. We got a taste of the best medicine.We hardly get our air passages normal.We get teary-eyed. I just learned from them that our visitor left his change for us. The fee costs lesser than what he gave. More so,it surprised them because he never did it before. Unlike any other on his shoes.

My unmalicious welcome in an unholy hour could have triggered him to do so. Getting afraid to get embarrassed.

The afternoon gesture turned into a big laugh then into a big feast for our stomachs.

The Face of Calamity

The recent storm besetting our country for the past week left people homeless, claimed lives, destroyed properties and shattered hopes no matter what the quality of life someone had. Flooded streets, houses soaked in water and covered with mud, garbage pile up drastically and dead bodies surfacing everywhere . People wade through waters to avoid being trapped on their homes. Typically, it is what we see when nature strikes at his pleasure.

That being so, rose inspiring images of the calamity. The many faces of heroism sprouted like mushrooms. People get to feel the spirit of unity and brotherhood. Helping one another. The ordinary citizen giving food to his neighbors and sheltered them to their homes. Rescuers risked lives to save others. For some , it costs their lives. The campaign for relief services received an astounding and incredible support throughout the country, the bayanihan spirit is in the air again.

This is what we Filipinos are known for. Having that drive to laugh it out every problem. It probably be the motivation we have to surpass the atrocities we encounter in our lifetime. But how soon we'll realize to help our fellowmen not in an uncommon situation, just like when no typhoon hits, no earthquake shakes and no person's heart bleeds and mourns.