Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts

The Beauty of Simple Life

By Apolinario Villalobos

The most beautiful people in the world are those who live the simplest life….that is my own view. For me, beauty is the essence of life and if it becomes complicated, it could no longer be considered as such. To sum it up, simplicity is beauty.

Beautiful people are just around us and I have encountered one in Buluan, Maguindanao. I contracted the guy who drove a pedicab for a couple of hour and as I found him to be trustworthy, aside from the tip, I also bought cookies for his kids and a kilo of fish for their dinner….simple gifts that I could afford. I was touched when he told me with utmost gratitude, “sir, sobra-sobra na po itong grocery” (sir, these grocery items are too much). The guy who eventually became like a brother to me, considered the cookies from the bakery and the fish from the wet market as precious groceries and which for my friend were special gifts, especially, because the Ramadan was closing. Unfortunately, for many people, only items at SM Supermart and other big outlets, that should be overflowing out of grocery bags are “GROCERIES”.

While I was on my way to Baseco Compound in Tondo, one early morning, I stopped for a mug of coffee and a pack of Skyflakes cracker at a sidewalk carinderia for breakfast. While I was about to open the cellophane wrapper of the biscuit, a scavenging couple and their young kid of about 4 years old, stopped by and asked for a glass of drinking water from the carinderia owner. As it was not yet 7AM, I presumed that they have not taken anything yet to warm their guts up. They could have just hit the road as shown by their empty plastic garbage bag. I invited them for breakfast of coffee and Skyflakes which they declined but due to my insistence, they sat down. I opened the biscuit wrappers for them as they were hesitant to pick them up. The woman shared her Skyflakes with her husband and their kid while carefully inserting the two packs in her soiled and dirty backpack…she did it as if she was doing a ritual in handling a fragile object. The Skyflakes crackers were treated with special care as they would probably become the family’s lunch for the day. I was almost moved to tears upon hearing the kid repeatedly say, “sarap, sarap” while munching bits of biscuits with much care.

When Jesus bid his disciples goodbye, the farewell fare was unleavened bread that he broke into several pieces to be shared by everybody. Wine which could have been limited in quantity was passed around. It was a special occasion that initiated the series of events leading to the spiritual salvation of Christians for generations to come.

Today, occasions can never be considered “special” if it is not held in expensive restaurants, five-star hotels, or resorts, with the expense that should run up to almost or even more than a million pesos!

Life in this world has greatly become complicated!....an ugly reality!

EVERYTHING MOVES WITH TIME

By Apolinario Villalobos

Nothing stays in its place permanently as Time carries everything along its current. However, beings with consciousness and with deciding ability may metamorphose into a higher or better state. Some may just be contented with what they already are…it is a choice. Along this line, ambition can push a person to strive.

While some are in a hurry to move on or up, others who have not learned their lesson take their time which they later regret because they realized, though, too late, that indeed, they cannot move back the hands of time. With regret and envy, they gawk at others who enjoy the fruits of their sacrifice and labor. In this particular situation, I am referring to people who need to struggle in order to survive, not those who were born with silver spoon in their mouth, and who could live more than comfortably even without lifting a finger…they are not concerned in this dissertation.

Some people thought that they can forever be strutting around with a pretty face and physically fit body. They thought that they can invest those physical attributes in gaining friends, even if they will show abhorrent attitude. They forgot that in time, as leaves and flowers wilt, so do the face that gets crinkled with furrows and the body that gets to shrink become humped. Gluta treatments may help but only for as long the physical make up of a person can take them. Meanwhile, the face and some parts of the body have limited elasticity for stretching, and the Viagra can be of help only up to a certain level of ageing. 

Finally, the tenacity of man is such that he practically makes use of science to virtually “perpetuate” life with the use of cloning. From a minute piece of man’s body, another of his kind is given life in a laboratory, and so are plants.  But, even if man and other creatures may live for thousands of years, the big question is, will Earth do?...considering the rate man is practically doing some kind of self-destruction due to pride, selfishness and wickedness?

THE PRETTY TARROSA SISTERS OF TACURONG

…FATIMA, YOLANDA AND LOURDES

By Apolinario Villalobos

When Tacurong was politically weaned from Buluan, the once flatland punctuated with pockmarks of marshes was obviously showing signs of fast development. The Oblates of Notre Dame came to establish a school and church which later adopted a patron, Our Lady of the Candles (Nuestra Seἧora de la Candelaria); enterprising migrants from Luzon and Visayas filled market stalls with various merchandises that came all the way from Cotabato City and Iloilo City; Chinese businessmen from Cotabato City and Dulawan came, too, to open better-stocked stores; the Dulawan Bus Company, and  Cotabato Bus Company included the struggling town to their route over dusty roads to Davao City and Cotabato City; a fashion school (Aumentado, later Grimaldo) was opened, actually, a vocational school which taught hair styling and dressmaking; two more schools were opened, the Lyceum and Magsaysay Memorial College, and later, another vocational school, the Parisenne was opened. Meantime, the elementary school, Tacurong Pilot School was steadily flourishing. But the most prominent establishment was the Rural Bank of Tacurong.

The bank was managed by the Tarrosa couple who hailed from Iloilo. Clients came from as far as Isulan, Esperanza, Buluan, Tantangan, and Surallah. The couple had fair young daughters, Fatima, Yolanda and Lourdes…all long-haired and fair-skinned. Those are my recollection of the pretty sisters, as I used to go to their house, because their brother happened to be a classmate when I was in elementary. Their brother who was at the head of our class, as he was unquestionably intelligent had a unique name, being three- Jesus Armando Antonio. Among the three names, classmates chose “Antonio”. He would invite two or three of his classmate to their home, and which included me, where we grilled eggplants from their garden for our late lunch. Tony pursued his high school in Iloilo while we were left to continue our studies at Notre Dame for Boys.

The sisters seldom ventured outside their home which intrigued and challenged the young hombres of the town. They would just be seen on school days and during Sundays on their way to the church with their mother. Their long flowing black hair set them apart from the rest of the girls of the town, and which emphasized their modesty. I recalled the eldest, Fatima, to have played the role of a Virgin Mary during processions, a role which was also played by another long-haired  and fair lass, Concepcion (Mrs. Cainglet today), as well as, Rosemarie Mojado and Aileen Jordan.

As Junior-Senior prom would approach, daring college and high school students would pray hard to all the saints before facing their strict mother to seek permission for the girls to grace the occasion with their presence as to be paired with any of them was an honor. They would find out that the mother was not so strict after all as she would readily give her permission for as long as it was asked with all respect.

The intrigued and curious of the town learned that the sisters and their brothers left the town to pursue their studies in Iloilo and Manila, particularly, University of the Philippines. When I was new in Manila, having just joined Philippine Airlines, I was able to visit them at their apartment in Diliman. Many years elapsed after that without any communication until I was invited to an informally organized “reunion” by Manuel Delfin, and which Tony was said to attend. Unfortunately, I failed to make it.

Practically, I had no idea how to reestablish my contact with the Tarrosa siblings until a colleague in PAL, John Fortes, gave me an old photo of two ladies and I was surprised to learn that one of them was Yolanda, while the other one was Olive Rocha. He told me about Lourdes’ being a UP campus personality. I kept the brownish photo hoping that I could one day show it to Yolanda and the opportunity came when we became “facebook friends.” After getting her permission, I am gladly posting the photo with this blog. In the photo, she is the one on the right, with long hair.

For the International Women’s Month (March)

Ang Kagitingan ng Babae

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kung babalikan ang Bibliya, nakatala doon sa sinasabing alamat ng paraiso, na ang dahilan ng pagsuway ni Adan sa utos ng  Diyos ay babae, si Eba. Kung sinasabi din na silang dalawa ay binigyan ng malayang kaisipan, ang ginawa ni Eba ay ang paggamit nito dahil sa kagustuhan niyang mahigitan ang kaalaman ng Diyos. Masisisi ba natin siya? Kung ang kaisipang ibinigay ng Diyos sa mga una niyang nilalang ay hindi malaya, hindi sana nagpatukso si Eba sa ulupong, at si Adan ay hindi nagpadala sa pangbubuyo ni Eba. Sa ginawa ni Eba, ipinakita niya ang lakas ng kanyang loob na magpairal ng kanyang saloobin, kaya pati ang Manlilikha ay nakaya niyang suwayin. At, kung hindi napalayas ang tatlo (kasama ang ulupong) mula sa paraiso, hindi sana nagkaroon ng pagkakataon ang tao na masubukan ang kanyang katatagan sa harap ng mga pagsubok na ibinigay ng Diyos.

Sa kasaysayan, maraming mga Ebang nagpakita ng kanilang katapangan, katatagan at kagitingan. Unahin na natin si   Maria na sinasabing ina ni Hesukristo. Nagpakita siya ng katatagan sa pagharap sa nakasisilaw na anyo ng anghel nang pagsabihan siya nito na dadalhin niya sa kanyang sinapupunan ang manunubos ng mundo. Hindi siya nalito at natakot, sa halip ay tinanggap niya ang anunsyo ng buong puso at katatagan, at sa kabila ng nakatakda nilang pagsasama bilang mag-asa ni Jose. 

Marami na rin ang mga naging bayaning babae, at ang pinakamatunog na pangalan ay si Santa Juana (St. Joan),  na maski sa  kaliitan ay nagawa pa rin niyang pangunahan ang isa sa pinakamadugong pag-aklas laban sa  mapanupil na hari noong kapanahunan niya na humantong sa pagsunog sa kanya habang nakatali sa isang tulos. At sa makabagong panahon, ang isa sa pinakarespetadong pinuno ng bansa ay si Indira Gandhi na hanggang ngayon ay  itinuturing na simbolo  ng talino ng mga kababaehan.

Sa Inglatera, nagkaroon din ng babaeng pinuno, si Margaret Thacher, na kinilala sa kahusayan niya sa pagharap sa mga bantang pinakita ng kalapit nilang mga bansa. Sa Pilipinas, naman ay merong Corazon Aquino na sa kabila ng kakulangan ng kaalaman sa pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno ay buong tapang na umako ng mga responsibilidad sa ngalan ng kalayaan. Sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, nababanggit ang kagitinigan ni Gabriela Silang, Teodora Alonzo at marami pang iba, at sa isa pang alamat, si Prinsesa Urduja.

Marami pang mga kwento ng kagitingan ang umiinog sa katauhan ng mga babae, mga matatawag na ring bayani at martir na pilit nilabanan ang lungkot dahil sa pansamantalang pagkakalayo mula sa mga pamilya, kumita lamang ng maayos sa ibang bansa. Sila ang mga binubugbog at pinagsasamantalahan ng mga amo, at kung malasin ay isinasakay sa eroplano bilang cargo dahil nasa loob na ng kabaong, maiuwi lamang sa Pilipinas. Sila ang mga babaeng halos pigilan ang mga kamay ng orasan, magkaroon lamang ng mahabang pagkakataon upang kumita sa pinapasukang beerh house bilang receptionist o mananayaw. Sila ang mga babaeng maghapong nakatayo sa mga mall bilang mga dispatsadura. Sila rin ang mga babaeng hanggang ngayon ay nasa kabundukan at pilit na pinaglalaban ang mga karapatan ng mga inaapi. At sila ang mga babae na halos maputol  ang hininga sa pag-ere, mailabas lamang ang isang buhay mula sa kanilang sinapupunan.

Sila ang ating mga anak, asawa, kapatid, pinsan, tiyahin, pamangkin, ina, lola, kapitbahay, kasambahay – mga nilalang na malimit hindi maunawaan, kaya kung minsan, ang tanging paraan upang mabawasan ang sama ng loob, ay ang pag-iyak na lamang. Subali’t hindi na ngayon, dahil unti-unti na ring kinikilala ang kanilang kagitingan at dahil diyan, nagkakaroon na rin ng imahe na dapat igalang.

Anna Bermudo: Kindness Behind A Pretty Face

By Apolinario Villalobos

When I took a respite at a Jollibee joint in Divisoria, particularly, corner of Sto. Cristo St., due to my heavy packs, I found out that I needed a separate bag for some items intended to be given to one of my friends in Baseco. It was then, that I noticed one of the crew who was cleaning tables. I told her my problem, without much ado, she left and when she came back, she had a paper bag which was just what I needed. Her prompt assistance impressed me, despite her doing something else during the time. She practically dropped everything and attended to me, although, customers were beginning to crowd the room.

My appreciation for such kind act, made me ask her permission if I can share it with friends. She shyly hesitated, but I had my chance to take her photo quickly, when she began to clean my table. She thought I was joking when I aimed my cellphone/camera for a quick shot. I found the photo to be hazy when I checked it at Baseco, so I came back to the burger joint. Luckily, I found her having a late breakfast in a sidewalk food stall near Jollibee. I practically begged her to allow me to take a clearer photo, explaining to her that what I am doing is for the benefit of others who might be inspired by people like her. Fortunately, she conceded and even cooperated by giving information about herself.

Although merely, a high school graduate, she courageously left her hometown in Zamboanga to seek a “greener pasture” in Manila several years ago. She had no chance of pursuing her studies, as she had been helping her family by sending whatever amount she could afford from her wage when she found a job. I could see that her right attitude has earned her a well-deserved job in the world-renown Filipino burger outfit which is also acknowledged for its fairness in dealing with employees.

Anna is pretty, an attribute that could land her a much better-paying job in cafes that could be double or triple compared to what she is earning in Jollibee. But I could surmise that despite temptations from friends, that always happen to pretty girls from the countryside, she opted to work in a family-oriented establishment. Her clean and smooth face is not covered even by a thin swipe of rouge, and she wears no jewelry, not even a single stainless ring. Her simplicity has accentuated her pretty face…. that veils an innate kindness.

Understanding the Filipino

Beyond his Penchant for Music and Beauty

By Apolinario Villalobos

According to Osang, the Filipina winner of The Netherland’s first X Factor, Filipinos will no longer be allowed to join singing contests in that country. It could just be a joke of Osang as Filipinos are also known for cracking jokes to spice up interviews. In the field of music, Filipinos are practically known the world over. Many may not be so lucky to garner the title, but still, they can give anxiety to other contestants. A youtube I viewed last year, showed an American telling his viewers, “if you want to hear real singers, go to the Philippines…”. It seems that the Filipino when brought into this world, instead of a pitiful cry, he instead, let out a melodious scream.

But the Filipino is more than the musical notes…more than the instruments that he can play. The Filipino in whose veins flow various culture, is first and foremost, God-fearing. Be he a Christian or an Islam adherent, the Filipino’s life revolves around the Most Benevolent. Aside from Roman Catholics that comprise the majority of the population, the Orthodox Catholics, Western-based Christian sects, indigenous Aglipayan and Iglesia ni Kristo, as well as, the typical Filipino Islamic faith, have successfully amalgamated to form a very strong spiritual foundation on which the Filipino proudly stands.

Many international beauty titlists are married to Filipinos. Among the most notable is Ms. Armi Kuusela, an early Miss Universe titlist and married to the scion of the prominent Hilario family. When the beauty pageants started many years ago, the Filipina contestant aside from the representative of Thailand are always anticipated to land at least, on the top ten. During the latter years, the Filipina representative persisted, showing her best in the face of stiff rivalry posed by the Latin American beauties. And, just like in international singing competitions, the Philippine representative in several beauty contests that have mushroomed lately always leaves an impressive mark.

The Filipino has always been known as “pliant like a bamboo”, a survivor in the right sense of the word. The more than four centuries of Hispanic subjugation followed by those of the short-lived American and Japanese, did not break the Filipino spirit. Although, there was fierce resistance, the Filipino easily swayed with the onslaught of the colonial misfortunes, and fed on the cultural nutrients that they brought. With their passing, the Filipino twanged back to his upright posture – with unblemished and fully intact pride!

As a survivor, the Filipino is resourceful. For instance, the two-day old almost molded boiled rice, he can prepare into a delicious snack called, “winilig-wilig pop rice”, after thoroughly washing the almost spoiled precious staple, dried under the sun and fried in coconut oil with sprinkling of brown sugar. Out of the discarded foods from restaurants, called “pagpag”, he can prepare thoroughly-cooked dishes, of course, after equally, thorough washing…although, the sanitation and health agencies do not allow this, for the record. But rather than die of hunger with a gaping mouth and glassy stare, or allow his guts to be punctured by acidic intestinal fluid, the Filipino can courageously take this last resort! If other nationalities can eat deadly scorpion, drink blood of the cobra, and swallow live wriggling baby octopus, why can’t the Filipino partake of left-over food cooked thoroughly?

The young Filipino could cross a swinging bamboo bridge, or swim across a swirling river to attend his classes, in a school, several hills away from his home. He can walk kilometers of distance under the scorching beating of the sun just to occupy his seat in a crowded classroom, or study his lessons under a tree while his stomach grumbles for having nothing, not even a sip of coffee for breakfast. For the duration of his school year, he can also wear the same white shirt and a pair of khaki pants that he immediately washes as soon as he reaches home. He can mumble a thankful prayer for a half-cup of burnt rice salvaged from the bottom of the pot, drenched with a little water and sprinkled with salt.

Part of the Filipino’s discipline is the caution from his parents to behave and show his best self when there are visitors, as well as, clean the house very well, so as not to displease them. This he does with utmost obedience. And, additionally, to always give the visitors the best part of the chicken when they are invited over for dinner. All these the Filipino does as he is used to sacrificing for others.

The Filipino is a practical human being, as he is willing to accept what is realistically on hand. He does not vie for what is impossible because he is easily pleased. He has an easy smile and with an ever-ready hearty laughter for anything funny, even if it pertains to him, though, with limitation that borders on respect.

The Filipino loves food! There is only the problem with identity because many preparations are tagged with foreign names, especially, Hispanic. Nevertheless, they are concocted with ultimate patience and diligence inherited from his ancestors. This love for food can be observed during fiestas and other special occasions such as Christmas, birthday, baptismal, and wedding parties, or even last dinner for a wake.

Understanding the Filipino beyond his love for music and beauty, will make one appreciate how this guy who belongs to the brown race has survived the waves of corruption that besets his country!

Hindi Nakukuha sa Pagpapa-trying Hard

ang Pagpaganda ng Babae Para Mapansin ng Lalaki

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang mga babae ay nagpapaganda upang makaakit ng pansin ng lalaki, at dahil dito ay nagkakaroon sila ng paligsahan at inggitan. Hindi lang mukha ang tinitingnan ng lalaki sa babae. Kasama sa hinuhusgahan ay ang kalinisan ng katawan at ugali. May mga babaeng hindi kailangang magsuot ng mamahaling damit at magsuot ng maraming alahas upang siya ay mapansin. Ang isang halimbawa ay si Marian Rivera na kung wala sa shooting ay simple lang ang damit, walang make-up ang malinis na mukha at maayos ang buhok, kaya sa kabuuhan ay malinis at kaaya-aya siyang tingnan.

May mga babaeng binabagayan ng lipstick, kaya huwag nang magpilit na maglagay nito sa bibig dahil naiinggit lang sa kumare, kapitbahay, o sa kasambahay. Yong ibang nagpipilit talaga, lalo pa at pulang-pula ang kulay ng lipstick na ginamit ay nagmumukha tuloy na inumbag kaya namusarga at mukhang duguan ang bibig na na-emphasize ang kapal. Mag-ingat din dahil may mga pekeng lipstick galing China (na naman!). May inilabas sa TV noong mukha ng babaeng naglagay ng pekeng lipstick kaya animo ay kinuyog ng putakte ang kanyang bibig na dumoble ang kapal. Kailangan ding “aprubado” o approved ng asawa o boyfriend ang klase ng lipstick na gagamitin dahil apekatado sila nito…at kung bakit ay hindi ko na dapat pang sagutin.

Ang buhok ay tinuturing na “frame” ng mukha. Ang gupit at ayos ay binabatay sa hugis ng mukha. Ang TV newscaster na si Susan Enriquez ay mahaba ang buhok noon na hindi bumagay sa may pagka-masculine niyang mukha. Mabuti at may nagsabi sa kanyang magpalit ng style, kaya nang ginawang “boy’s cut” ang buhok ay lumabas ang kanyang “handsome beauty” at naging telegenic ang dating niya sa TV – gumanda. Ang babaeng tinatawag sa English na “handsomely pretty” ay hindi nangangahulugang tomboy. Ang katawagang nabanggit ay batay sa hugis ng mukha, kaya maraming babaeng artista sa Holywood na kung ituring ay “handsome women”.

Ang ibang babae ay nagpapaka-trying hard din sa pag-display ng kanilang mga asset. Hindi na ito kailangan dahil kung gusto ng lalaking tumingin ng mga umaalagwang asset ay pupunta lang siya sa beerhouse. Ang short shorts ay may binabagayan din kaya dapat manalamin muna ang magsuot nito at yong mga kaibigan namang tinatanong ay dapat maging honest sa mga “best friend” nila may maitim na kuyukot, kaya dapat ay pagsabihan nilang huwag magsuot nito dahil pagtatawanan lang. Kung magandang hugis lang naman ng binti ang gustong i-display, simpleng shorts at maigsing damit ay pwede na, hindi yong pati ang singit ay halos pasilipin pa. Ang mga ganitong pagta-trying hard ng mga babae ang dahilan upang sila ay bastusin sa kalye. Alalahanin ang kasabihang: walang mababastos kung walang magpapabastos.

Pinagbabawal sa karamihan ng simbahang Katoliko ang  pagsusuot ng “masagwang damit” kung dadalo sa misa. Subalit marami pa ring babeng nagsisimbang may katigasan ang ulo…sila yong mga nagpapayabangan sa pagsuot ng mga damit na may “plunging neckline”, sleeveless t-shirt, manipis na blusa, shorts, damit na may “spaghetti strap”, etc. Subalit sa isang parokya ng Quezon City, may mabait na pari dahil pinapahiram niya ang mga babaeng dumadalo sa misa ng bandana upang magamit na “pantakip” sa mga hindi dapat i-displey sa loob ng simbahan. Sa bukana pa lang ng simbahan ay may mga “manang” nang nag-aabang ng mga babaeng dapat pahiramin ng bandana.

Hindi rin dapat basta nagpapaniwala ang mga babae sa itinuturing nilang mga “best friend” dahil baka ang pinapayo sa kanila ay kabaligtaran ng mga dapat nilang gawin. Ito ang mga talagang naiinggit dahil pagkatapos nilang magbigay ng baligtad na payo, pagtalikod ng pinayuhan nila, sila naman ay namimilipit sa pagtawa….dahil nagtagumpay sa layunin nilang maging katawa-tawa ang pinayuhan nila.

Ang ibinabahagi kong ito ay hindi pag-alipusta sa mga babaeng nagpipilit na takpan o itago ang likas nilang kagandahan sa pamamagitan ng mga artipisyal na bagay tulad ng iba’t ibang klaseng make up at  kung anu-ano pang burluloy sa katawan dahil lang sa inggit. Hindi nila dapat sayangin ang likas na kagadandahang ibinigay ng Diyos. Kung may kaunti mang pagbabagong gagawin sa ibinigay ng Diyos, dapat ay gawin ito hindi upang inggitin ang kapwa babae, sa halip ay upang maging lalo pang maging kabigha-bighani sa paningin ng boyfriend o asawa…upang hindi sila mag-goodbye!

Ang mga hambingan at

magkapares subali’t magkasalungat

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Upang lumutang ang mga panlabas na katangian ng isang bagay, kailangang ihambing ito sa iba. Sa salitang kalye ang tawag sa paghambing na yan ay “tagisan” o kung sa Ingles naman ay “contest” o “competition”. Kaya upang may isang manalo, dapat marami ang kasali, o di naman kaya ay kahit dalawa lamang. Sa isang beauty contest halimbawa, paanong masasabing pinakamaganda ang isang contestant kung wala siyang katunggali? Pwede siguro kung isabotahe ang contest sa pamamagitan ng pagpakain ng pagkaing nakaka-LBM ang mga contestants, maliban sa nag-iisang gustong papanalunin….siguradong panalo siya by deafault!

Kahit may ganitong katotohanan, hindi dapat malungkot ang nag-aakalang sila ay pangit, dahil kung hindi dahil sa kanila, walang maganda sa mundo. Ganoon din ang mga pandak, maitim, atbp. (kasama na ako diyan). Hindi dapat malumbay dahil mahal ng Diyos ang nagpaparaya o nagsasakripisyo para sa kapakanan ng iba pagdating sa hambingan…maliban na lang kung pangit, pandak at maitim na nga ay masama pa ang ugali, maitim ang budhi, at nanlalamang ng kapwa!

Ganyan din sa buhay ng tao….dahil may mahirap na madaling apihin, ay lumutang din ang maraming korap na nang-aapi at nanlalamang; dahil may maaalipin, marami ang nang-aalipin; maraming drug pushers dahil marami ang gustong maging adik na mababaw ang kaligayahan, at marami pang ibang magkapares subalit magkasalungat na pagkatao.

Ang paghahambing ay bahagi na ng buhay ng tao. Sa paghahambing umiikot ang ating buhay, dahil hindi natin malalamang tayo ay tama kung walang paghahambingan na dapat ay lumabas na mali. Kaya nalalaman natin halimbawa, na may mga taong mala-anghel ang ugali, ay dahil inihambing sila sa ibang mala-demonyo naman ang ugali.

Sa pagkakamali naman, madali sanang magdiin sa nagkamali kung hindi dahil sa mga butas ng mga batas. Itong mga butas ng mga batas ang ginagawang dahilan ng mga malinaw nang guilty upang magpalusot, o di kaya ay magpaikot-ikot pa, basta magaling lang ang abogado nila. Ang madalas gamitin ng magagaling na abogado naman ay ang aspetong teknikal, at ang panuntunang, “hangga’t hindi napapatunayang nagkamali, ay dapat inosente ang isang tao”. At yan ang pinaglalaban ng mga Binay….na pinupulitika lamang sila upang lumabas na guilty! Clean daw sila…walang bahid ng kasalanan, kaya busilak sa ka-inosenthihan!...sagot naman ni Mercado…”umamin ka na, dahil umamin na ako, pareho lang naman tayong may kasalanan!”.

Bilang panghuli:

ang pangarap na nakatuntong sa nakaw na yaman –

babagsak, madudurog, kakalat, at lalangawing parang basurahan!

Life is beautiful…we should love life and each other…

The Beauty of Life

(for Adoracion Paragas -Sanque)

By Apolinario Villalobos

The magnificence of creation is such

That all we need to do is open our eyes

Though the extent of our perception ends

Where the earth meets the sky –

It still oozes with awe-inspiring sights.

In loving God, we love life…

Gratitude is what to Him we show

For everything He blessed us with

There’s nothing else that we can do.

Even the whiff of the wild grass

Undulating in the wind’s caress

And the buzzing of the busy bees

That fills the air with lively drone

Lightens up, even a heavy stone.

Light feeling, ecstasy, happiness –

They grip us tight, though tenderly

As we delight in the beauty of life

That God made for all of us to see!

Sheena

By Apolinario B Villalobos

Born with a smile etched on her lips

That not even a whimpered cry could erase

With chinky eyes squinting to the blinding light

The fragile bundle of love seemed to say:

“Here I am, watch me become great someday”.

Though smothered with love as she grew

And,  pampered, yet,  she chose to be on her own

She proved that girls could be resolute and strong

Her dexterity and quick-mindedness showed it all -

That her steps were heading toward the success’ call.

Her lilting voice and warm captivating smile

Makes her glow even in a throng of harried crowd

Standing out head and shoulders above the rest

Her stride makes a mark…just so graciously tall -

And a dashing beauty as could be seen by all!