Call to Worship

Graduation Liturgy
March 25, 2009
SLRAP

Nothing is impossible with God.

As the earth continues to revolve around its orbit, all the living creatures survive and experience the change of time.  Now, we are in the moment of expectancy to reap the fruits of our sacrifices we labored in school four years ago, that seems to be just one month when we had our first class.

Some of us will receive award in perfect attendance from first year to fourth year.  Looking at this seems impossible, but indeed possible.  If we are really desirous and determined, we can make the impossible possible.

We are in the era of rapid change.  Modern humans are living in a modern and instant lifestyle: instant coffee, instant relationships through texting and chatting helm ending to instant break-up.  This fashion was never anticipated before, but now, is the reality.

The advancement of knowledge generates new ideas, gears up new discoveries and becomes a doorway for the advent of new technologies.  The innovations of electricity, cellular phones, computer, digital camera, internet, and other more are seemingly impossible, but now are at hand.  We are enjoying and making use of them.  The impossible of yesteryears turns possible in our modern world.

“Impossible” is a language for people who do not have faith of themselves and never have the initiative to explore and use their God-given talents.

When we were young we looked at things the adults did impossible, but as time goes by we come to realization that by trying and taking the courage to experience and doing likewise, those impossible become possible.

Nothing is impossible if we motivate and inspire ourselves to do things that we dream of.  We can absolutely say that our mind is the key instrument to use working for mental exercises just to hone all our endowments given by God.

In this Season of Lent, changing our old life of vices and sinfulness is not impossible.  We can experience renewal and conversion if we are willing to do it with faith in God.  We can possibly change for the better.

Have faith in God.  Believe in yourself.  Be optimistic!  You can make your own dreams come true.  For God, nothing is impossible.

GenSan Garden Invasion

Our topic is articulating vision, mission, and values.  To make our class entertaining as much as educational, our instructor told us to find a unique concept to report the topics assigned on each groups.  We are the tenth reporter and guess what, we ran out of concepts.  Our classmates spoofed TV shows and commercials, used puppets, made variety shows, etc.  Well, last option for us was to make an entertaining documentation (not funny… entertaining is relative…).  We started it by interviewing some professors who are experts of the topic.  Next thing we did was we surveyed students in our college and asked their opinions on some issues, made our own show exhibiting the matters of our reports, and dubbed some funny horror comedy movie making the dialog in lined with the topic.

The next challenge will be editing all the videos.  Well, that will be my next concern.  I love the editing job that is why it does not matter to me working this out all day, all night.  If a thing interests me, I would spend almost all of my time for it.

The last presentation is our spoof on a famous TV news-casting program, the venue is in GenSan Gardeners’ Coop., and we took it on February 16. That day, I was excited to go to our spot and introduce the script that I made the whole night.  I came late though.  When I arrived, I saw my group mates walking away from the meeting place.  I thought at first that it was a going-home gesture but I knew they were not that strict to leave me there… after all I was and only am the director…haha

There was Jerica.  She was in her status quo—simple jeans, T-shirt, sweater, and a big shoulder bag.  When you see her, you will already know that she is not an ordinary student.  She is the top of the class, and I admire her for being so humble in such acclamation.

There was Hannah: a very different Hannah.  Usually, she wears conservative long skirt and a tight cardigan that makes her sophisticatedly simple. However, that day, I saw her in a tight skinny jeans and a sexy maroon shirt.  She was prepared for the taping perhaps.

It turned out to be more than just a taping.  I took pictures of different varieties of flowers and ornaments, which I even do not know the names. I love photography though I do not have my own camera.  I plan to buy in the near future.  I regret when there are moments worth capturing and yet I could not, so that day, using Jerica’s, I captured anything worth taking.

We interviewed people as we go through.  We walked around the garden to find some persons that could help us out.  Most of them were refusing at first but after a bit of chitchats and encouragements, they faced the cam and talked.  It was scripted then; I made all the interviewees’ answers.  Of course, we made it sure that they know what were their answers for.

I barely go out during weekends, but for the subject, I have willed to do so. I mingled with some people I hardly knew and I showed off myself to public. Though the activity was very tiring and we had done so many takes, it was really fun. I had a happy time with my group mates. Things were a bit different but it was worth it. That indeed was a great day.

The Promise

Written by Chen and Bords

“Love is not enough… not enough to fulfill all promises we made to someone we love no matter how sincere the love could be—in spite of everything.”

I first met Fred during my first year in college. He was intelligent and famous, while I was just a “nobody” who admired him. One day, I was walking my way to my apartment. The rain poured down and then, he offered me his umbrella. He did not know how happy I was that time not because I was with him for a while but because I appreciated him more for being so gentle. Still, I was never expecting that he would be attracted to me until such time that fate moved us closer—we became classmates during our P.E. 2.  When the final dyadic practicum came, our professor chose us to be partners. My heart beat fast when he touched my hands every time we practiced the steps and I could still remember his smile while dancing and our first hug when adjudicators announced us best pair. After that, we became best friends. He started courting me during our last year in college and we formally started our relationship months before graduation.

After graduation, he decided to go abroad and promised me that he will come back to marry me.  We surpassed years of long distance relationship and after seven years, he came back.

It was such a romantic night when Fred proposed to a marry me. He put a ring on my hand while saying the best promise I ever heard in my entire life—that he would love me forever. I do not know if it was just me but I saw the moon shined together with his eyes when he looked at me closely.  Then suddenly, a spark, I forgot all things around us and felt an instant flash in our first kiss. That magical kiss made me wish for that moment to never end…

That same year, my dream came true. Like a princess wearing a white wedding gown bringing a bouquet of flowers, I walked toward the altar. My prince, Fred, was waiting for me to come in front. We took our vows and held our promises with each other. He opened my veil and kissed me in front of our relatives and friends. That was the most unforgettable day that happened in my life.

One night, I called him to say I was three months pregnant. I tried to contact him many times but I got no answer and it was on my eighth dial when he answered. I heard only a loud sound of a horn coming and a crash, then... the call ended. My tears kept falling from my eyes. I did not know what I actually felt that time. I did not even hear him say anything. My baby felt the poignant agony and so, this angel died inside my womb. I lost her. I lost my baby...

Two years after that accident, while I was preparing to go to my job, Fred came. I saw him at the door as if he was waiting for me to hug and kiss him but I did not for I was angry with him. For two years, I have suffered being alone; two bitter years that I never saw him and felt his love.

He entered into the living room and smiled.  He hugged and kissed me in my forehead (he usually did this when he had committed mistakes). Then, he said in a low voice, “Marian, I missed you!” I never spoke for a second. The tears from my eyes answered him. Then, Fred hugged me again but I pushed him away and slapped his face. Then, I shouted:

“How dare you do that? You left me for two years without thinking that I am being killed by my loneliness.”

“Marian, honey, let me explain!”

“Explain what? I thought you love me... I … I thought that you will not leave me. But I was totally wrong!”

“Oh, please! Do not be angry Marian. Here I am, in front of you, begging for your forgiveness. I know it was hard for you. Two years was such a long time. But... but...”

“But what, huh? For two years, you left me alone. Our baby, she died when I heard the news that you met an accident.  You let me think that you were the one I buried… That you were the one I mourned at.”

“Honey, it is not what you think.”

“You broke your promise to me, Fred! I spent my whole life loving you and the rest of my life doing such stupid things just to accept that you're already gone!”

“Please, Marian! It was not my intention to hurt you. I did not know you were already pregnant that time.”

“But what was your reason why you left me?” I still keep on crying.

“Sometimes, love is not enough to fulfill our promises. There are circumstances that might hinder us to make this come true.”

“What do you mean, Fred?”

Then he suddenly hugged me and said, “I love you so much. I never intend to hurt you. Two years before, I never said that. Now that God let me talk to you, please let me know that you forgive me. I do not want to see you mourning and crying because of me. I want you to have a happy life without me.”

“Fred, I was so angry with you, but I couldn’t live without you, I’m still holding your promise deep inside my heart.” I hugged him so tight.

“Marian, I want you to know that I love you and I hate seeing you crying in your deepest pain because of me!”

“So, never leave me again! Fulfill your promise.”

“I couldn't  if only I have a choice… Fate does not allow me. I'm sorry but I must break my promise Marian.”

Then, he kissed me and...

The wind from my open window woke me up. It was just a beautiful nightmare. I cried for the last time. I cannot forget the hugs and the last kiss that he gave me. I hate the thought that he will never come again and fulfill his promise. Then, I remembered that, that day was his second death anniversary. I promised myself I would never cry again as I what he wanted me to do in my dreams. I believe that Fred wanted to fulfill his promise, but death never allowed him to do so. Love is not enough to overcome all things.... Goodbye Fred!

Padre de Pamilya (2009)

The following ideas rest inside the scope of the movie.  These are mere observations on what the movie depicts, not the writer’s opinion on what the real world is.

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Every scene opens consciousness on the disturbing issues regarding Filipino morale.

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The movie speaks about scandal, corruption, and ideals that are often taken for granted.

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We Filipinos love our family so much that we will do anything for them in order to survive. That is actually true especially those who are underprivileged.

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The father, as head of the family, must find ways in order to feed their loved ones. Then, instead of doing the right things, some are forced to steal and even kill. Poverty is one of the motives.

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Part of it is our political leaders who are hungry for money. Instead of helping out those who are in need, they are the ones who are pushing and making the lives of the people miserable. Of course, no one would even dare to voice out and spill the beans for people are scared and unsecured.

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Filipinos are “sipsip”.  Most people do not know themselves anymore and some tend to forget the principles and values they believed in. Some are stuck and does not even care that their bosses are doing the wrong things for as long as their family receives something.

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The characters are talking about false faith(…“mag-alay ng itlog para ika’y tulungan”…“kay Maria dapat magdasal dahil siya yung malapit sa Dios”…). Some Catholics, though they are going to church, do not even know the reason why they pray to these saints or do not even know the core meaning of being a Catholic; worse, they are taking some teachings into a different understanding, which then leads to misinterpretation for other people.

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On the other side, it is dramatic the way Ariel (Mr. Mirasol) risks his own job and his principle for the love of his son, his brother who underwent dialysis, and his family.

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The root does not justify the means. Mr. Mirasol took the wrong decision.

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There will always be a way and whatever it is, we should take what we believe is right because God will help us.

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Nobody succeeds in doing wrong things.

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Then, we are human beings and we make mistakes.  The most important thing would be realizing that we are wrong and ask God’s forgiveness.

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Mr. Mirasol was not able to realize his wrong choice because he still pretends to be deaf and blind choosing the wrong decision and patronizing the mayor’s dirty works.

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Surprisingly, the movie did not end up the normal way people expect it to conclude—the mayor behind bars. Instead, Mirasols became rich for keeping the Mayor’s secrets.