By the Jal-o River

We remember. We aspire to relive it. We miss that one community affair we had prior to the critical years of insurgency in our town. The authorities had to parry the popular demand then as threats of raids becomes prevalent. They said that Masquerade Ball on the 31st of December had to be done away with for fear that insurgent elements might use it against them. And we didn't reacted. We took that declaration on face value. For the peace of Balete, we used to say, "Let it be. Oh, let it be". But despite the EDSA and the outstanding peace and order situation, no one venture of restaging the custom. Older people forgets. The young has no recollection of it. But we remember. We aspire to relive it. We miss the fun and excitement at the artistry of Baleten-ons as they turned themselves into living, fleeting human canvas. Baleten-ons might be Kalampai as some bitter souls perceive them, but they have a great sense of humor and are gifted with the capacity of making fun at the...

We're coming to the head of the Paskwa sa Banwa celebration. Due to hectic schedule, we've opted to shorten the celebration from the original 12 days of Christmas platform to this year's 5-day observance. We supposed to keep the spirit intact where the carolers are the ones giving gifts to the elected indigent families from all over Balete. The new administration however innovates by incorporating some sort of contests during the entire 5 night vigil--dance sports, Choral contest, vocal solo and composo (our OBM, i.e., orginal Baleten-on Music). I've insisted that such contests should be within the context of the celebration and so far, I've to rationalize if they indeed have been made that way. I recall a note from a priest on the manner we have observed and celebrated Christmas. He avers that Christmas, in its true merit, happens after we've sang the Christmas carols and sent out those Christmas cards, after we've opened the Christmas gifts, when we have...

I'd the privilege last night of reading stories to my little daughter. She's 2 and as I was relaxing on the couch "listening" to the mumblings on the TV, she approached me and placed a book on my lap, pleading, " Basa ta, Tay " (Let us read, father). I took the book and readily noted that it's one of those beautiful collections that I prided to have: Hope for the Flowers by Trina Paulus. Holding on the book in my right hand, I took her on my lap with my free hand and in a dramatic way, started reading to her the title. I was fortunate to reach page 6 before her attention was grabbed by some geckos emerging out of a framed artwork hanging on the wall. " Tay, toko !", she called out in excited voice. Ignoring it, I read on..."'They don't know any more about life than I do,'he sighed". " Tay, toko! " "AV, look, caterpillars hu ! More catepillars!!! And look, a caterpillar pillar and Stripe is going up there!...

Today marks the beginning of Advent-the time to prepare for the three-fold coming of the Lord: in his birth, in his Second Coming and in our daily encounters with him as we journey in life. Traditionally--or popularly, it is the three-to-four weeks that precedes Christmas. But as Christians, we are reminded by our observance of it to recall his first coming to prepare us to recognize him when he comes again in our neighbor. We prepare for his second coming in the spirit of the poor who awaits for the day of the Lord when he frees us from the bondage of oppression that enslaves us. And in hidden ways he comes to us, we encounter him in our brothers and sisters, in the least among us as we do about with the business of our days.

I was again tasked of representing my Mayor to the Completion Program of the Four Month Computer Literacy Program jointly administered by the Alternative Learning System of the DepEd and a service provider called Fontsmart Computer Arts and Training Services. The ceremony was done at the TFC Civc Center today, November 18, 2010. I just learned that there are seventy graduates coming from the academe, the business sector as well as the out of school youth. The Jose Borromeo Legaspi National High School served as host for this weekend competency and skills training for the past four months. The trainees are charged of at most Php 1,600 per head, depending on the competencies (packages) they wish to avail. I was told that the standard is high as the service provider wants to be at par with the DepEd standards and gains its endorsement in other regions. So far, since 2000, it facilitated trainings in 33 municipalities/cities, mostly in Mindanao and the Visayan regions. The message I read...

The Local Chief Executive has requested me to welcome in his behalf the participants to the Division Cluster Read-A-Thon and Annual Language Fest Competition comprising the Districts of Balete, Banga, Libacao and Madalag. The event was held on November 17, 2010 at the Balete Elementary School, Balete, Aklan. Hereunder is the message I delivered during the said event. Good morning! In behalf of Mayor Bobby Calizo and the Baleten-on community, I welcome you all to our peaceful and enchanting town. We are honored to host this year’s Division Cluster Read-A-Thon covering the mentioned Districts. I have with me some reading materials. The first is a news article taken from the Inquirer.net under the category, “Breaking News/Nation” entitled, “15 LGUs receive ‘good housekeeping’ award.” Allow me to read to you a portion of it. ( pls. follow this link… ) The second is the “Hala Birada News Weekly” dated November 4-10, 2010. One of its headlines read: Aklan town one of RP’s ‘good housekeeping...

My mind tells me that I am busy. I do have a lot of workload stock up in my office table. Deadlines are nearing and I seem not to progress at all. So my mind is frantic. It keeps on telling me that I can't afford to be idle. It keeps on prodding me to rush about and avoid distractions along the way. But my body reacts. Despite the supplements and the vitamins that I'm taking, my body complains. It wanted rest. I seeks respite and diversions. The Friday Boys miss my company for more than a couple of months now. I haven't interacted with them on a quality basis. Now, they scheduled a special session at Arlie's this afternoon. But I can't. As if to add insult to injury, my heart murmurs. Probably, a side effect of the 3 bars of chocolate given to me by a Someone the other day. As I observe it, a heart murmuring is a restless one. But yet lacking the fire to write poems again, to grab that paint brush and dubs oil on canvass, again. A restless heart with dying embers at...