Quote 111 - Lead Me

Random Thought 56 - Moro-Moro

When people in power has all the privileges and freedom to make a stage play, you can expect that this will simply result to a moro-moro kind of act.

It is a very, very sad reality and a depressing one, that someone in authority would stage a play and make it appear like there was actually a real act that had happened. By the way he act and behave, one can sense right away the very nature of the person in control of the situation and it seems that he will try to downplay the sense of awareness and judgment the other party may feel about his true colors on the matter.

The very nature of such people hiding in his cloak and using his status to manipulate situations to take sides is but a shame especially if he is a priest. Of course not all priests are the same. But when a priest is like the one I encountered, my respect for people like him diminishes because of his prejudice and downplaying the other side of the truth. I hope and I am praying that my faith will not fade because such people like him make me feel that even if they are the so-called servants of the Lord, he cannot and choose not to listen to others but only to their own side of the truth.

And at the end of the day, though they might say that a "fair" and "just" proceeding had been observed, the truth of the matter is it was just a moro-moro, a mere stage play meant only to show that there was such an act but beforehand they already had their mindset on the matter. These kind of people are coward and self-serving, protecting only their interests and do not care if what they did was a big joke and a big fat lie.

Food Trip 55 - Monggo

When I moved to the city, whenever I encounter monggo, it is always the same thing. People would always prepare monggo with ampalaya leaves. I don't want to think that it is the only combination they can afford to prepare.

We used to prepare monggo in varieties like ginataang monggo, monggo with langka, monggo with malunggay leaves, monggo with papaya, monggo with kalabasa, sauted monggo with sotanghon, etc. A monggo dish with langka and pork is very popular during big events in some rural areas, especially in the Visayan region. And whenever I go home, I would ask for ginataang monggo with langka or ginataang monggo with papaya and malunggay leaves which never fails to make me perspire heavily. 

The city folks would prepare monggo during Fridays because they would like to abstain from red meat. But for us, any day could be a Friday because monggo is always a welcome food in the table. We are simply thankful because we don't have any illness to think about when it comes to legumes.

Exploring Philippines 55 - Coron, Palawan (Post 11 - Palengke Tour)

Before 5 in the afternoon, we head back to our lodge. Since it was still early, we decided to explore the town and we went to the nearby market place.

As we cruise the marketplace that afternoon, the place was a busy one since it was a Sunday.  In most rural areas, Sunday is always a market day and people from all corners of the town converge altogether in this place. And in some places, the busiest part of Sunday is during the morning until noon. I did not expect that even in the late afternoon, the marketplace in Coron is still a busy one.

In a typical marketplace setting in rural places, dried fish is always a common commodity. Since Palawan is surrounded by water, different varieties of fishes can be found here. Their produce not only reaches the Manila area but also outside the country, specifically Hongkong. 

It is always a welcome opportunity for city dwellers to experience and taste once in a while dried commodities such as fish. Basically, most of us brought several kilos of dried fishes for our consumption and pasalubongs as well. 

On our way home, we passed by a pasalubong center and shirts with Coron, Palawan markings make a perfect souvenir.

more pics

Poem 55 - My Prayer

Lord, I may not understand the reasons behind my sufferings
Please do not allow me to fall into the darkness of hatred
I know I do not have the capacity to understand as of the moment
Just keep me in Your light and it is okay for me to bleed.

Lord, my heart is bleeding and my soul is weeping
Because of the people who try to break me into pieces
I know I don't deserve Your much needed attention
Your glance is all I need and I'll sing of Your praises.

Lord, my disturbed state makes me question my faith
Despite of those good deeds, I am in the brink of dying
I don't know if I have sinned in doing so
Lead me Lord and show me a life worth living.

Lord, I surrender myself and my soul to You
Please take control of my life according to Your will
I know that You have all the reasons beyond my understanding
Please don't let go and hold me at Your will.

Lord, please open my heart and make me understand
Why some people choose to sow hatred and sorrow
Please make me realize that even in the darkness
You are still there, guiding me even in a shadow.

Lord, please forgive me of all my sins
And embrace me once again like Your lost sheep
I know I don't deserve Your love and forgiveness
Please lay Your hand on me and my soul is Yours to keep.

Amen.

Quote 110 - Thank You

Moment 55 - Bride

This photo was taken at Caleruega. We were on our way out and planned for a quick trip to Tagaytay when we came across this young bride to be. 

Even though we were in a hurry, I beg my colleagues for a few more minutes because I wanted to take a picture of her. Actually, I got star struck the moment I saw her. Hehe. 

They say that a woman is in her most beautiful form when she walks down the isle towards the waiting arms of her groom. Indeed, she was really gorgeous. 

While waiting for her cue towards the chapel, I asked her for some pictures and even if we were both strangers, she gladly posed for me. I knew that she was excited and I saw in her eyes the happiness that was overwhelming. Even if her smile was a bit reserved, her picture always remind me of a beauty simply beyond compare.