Psalm 1: Be A Tree Of Life

A Personal Reflection on Psalm 1 Read: Psalm 1 I was generally a ‘good kid,’ obedient to my mother’s voice and normally fearful of breaking rules. But I did have my moments of committing miscreant deeds here and there. One memory from these rebellious moments stands out: It was the first time I had knowingly … Continue reading Psalm 1: Be A Tree Of Life

Subtle Lies

Green Card About a month ago, I watched this Filipino TV show where a friend of the heroine suggested a solution to her problem: marry an American guy to get a green card. She is conflicted about this advice because she considers marriage sacred. So she goes to church to pray about it. She sees … Continue reading Subtle Lies

Stay

* Part II: A reflection of the time I left home as an Overseas Filipino Worker or OFW. Filipino workforce is the number one export of the Philippines. You can read Part I here.* Arriving In A Strange Land It was bright. Yet the room was dimly lit. Everything was so vivid to me. I … Continue reading Stay

Leave

* Part I: A reflection of the time I left home as an Overseas Filipino Worker or OFW.  Filipino workforce is the number one export of the Philippines.* It was dark. Nothing was visible. All seemed to have disappeared. Darkness enveloped everything that night. Thick. Heavy. Felt as though it was waiting to swallow me … Continue reading Leave

Christmas Lights

September. The first -ber month of the year. It marks the beginning of the Christmas season in the Philippines — a tradition that I really enjoyed while growing up, and now, long for as an adult. It was the month I looked forward to enter each year even more so than December.

I used to anticipate the obvious and lighthearted shift in the atmosphere anywhere I went in my hometown when the first day of September arrives. Everyone appeared buoyant and optimistic about life. Radio stations would air Christmas songs that were loudly played in jeepneys (a public transportation in the Philippines). Homes and, yes, malls were lavishly decorated with Christmas ornaments and trimmings.

And Christmas lights! They were my favorite. Christmas lights in different shapes and form emitting a variety of hues were ubiquitous; the spectacle was a pointillism of colors. At night, I would be sticking my head out of the jeepney window staring at stunning displays of these dancing lights on the road mesmerized by it all. I remember feeling my heart bouncing up and down in bliss as I carefully watched them showing off. Continue reading “Christmas Lights”