For My Fellow Filipinos... This essay was written in Tagalog. (North America, December 5, 2015)

Hanggang Maging Kapilas Ng Kagandahan

(Paglingap ng Pilipino)

      Lumisan ako sa ating bansang minamahal, Pilipinas sa dakong silangan, baon ang pag-asa sa bagong buhay na haharapin sa lupain ng Canada, bantog sa kalamigan, kalinisan, disiplina at mataas na uri ng pamumuhay. Malakas ang loob, makikipagsapalaran. Kahit nangungulila, magsusumikap. Tatalastasin ang mga batas. Aayon at makikibagay sa mga kinagawian ng daratnang iba’t-ibang lahi na ginustong magkaroon ng isang pagkamamamayan.

            Mula musmos pa, itinanim sa isip ko na may bukang liwayway na laging darating… Kahit malayo na, patuloy na nangangarap na sasapit pa ang pinagpalang mga araw at taon sa bansang aking hirang. Masisilayan pa ang kaunlaran at ang mga magagandang panoorin na minimithing lubos para sa ating bansang minsang inapi ng mga mananakop, tinuringang mga heneral o mga manlulupig na kulay puti, mga mestiso, dumating ang iba pang mga kulay hanggang dumaan ang daan-daang taon, patuloy na inaapi ang ating bansa ng mga pinuno, hintay at tila sila na'y kulay kayumanggi.

            Sa ganang akin, isang hamon, isang pagtawag-pansin at paanyaya na rin sa lahat, saan mang dako ng mundo kahit na yung mga nasa bansang may niyebe ngayon, na mula sa inyong mga tinitirhan sulyaping muli at tanggapin ang kahirapan ng ating inang bayan. Maaaring nalimutan nyo na. Ngunit malakas ang kutob ko- katoto ko kayo! Ang kahirapang ito ay isang mabigat na krus na pinapasan at nararanasan ng bawat isa sa kabataan, gayundin naman ng mga magulang at bawa’t pamilyang Pilipino na ating naiwan sa ating unang tahanan. Ang kahirapan ay tumalos sa bawat isa sa atin, na siyang dahilan ng ating pangingibang bayan.  Ito’y nakikita at nararamdaman na isang malawak na kadahilanan ng pagbagsak ng ekonomiya ng ating bansa. Marapatin po ninyong i-ugnay ko ang kahirapan sa ilang mga sektor ng pamahalaan. Anong imahen kaya ang kanilang pinapakita?

            Kuru-kuro lamang po ito. Kung nais nating ma-i-angat ang antas ng ating pamumuhay at hindi makita ang madilim na ilustrasyon ng kahirapan- ay hindi dapat sirain ang kapaligiran, mapa-anyong lupa man ito o anyong tubig, umabot man sa tuktok ng kabundukan o sa kailaliman man ng karagatan; kasama na ang mga kalsada, mga tulay, mga gusali at institusyon; ibilang pa ang mga pambihirang mga bahay at mga lugar sa urban at sa rural.  Ang pagpapaunlad ng mga kundisyon sa kapaligiran ay makakatulong sa kabawasan ng kahirapan- sa anyo at diretsahang mga sakit, sakuna, kaguluhan, away, pagnanakaw, drug adiksyon, prostitusyon, hayagang krimen at kamatayan. Kapansin-pansin na ang mga ito ay may tuwirang epekto sa kalusugan, oportunidad, edukasyon, katarungan, kapayapaan at seguridad ng mga mahihirap.

            Sakop sa kinalaman ng programa sa kapaligiran ay ang mga sumusunod na malalaking suliranin: Tubig, Ilaw, Basura, Baha, Polusyon, Trapik, at ang pagkaubos ng likas na yaman. Hindi ba’t ito ay larawan ng kahirapan?

            Ang magandang pamamahala sa kapaligiran ay magbibigay ng maraming pagkakataon na makapag-hanabuhay ang mga mahihirap. Kapag maganda ang kapaligiran, maraming mga dayuhan ang daragsa sa ating bansa. Gayundin naman na kahit mga lokal na turista ay mawiwili rin na dumayo sa mga sikat na tanawin ng ating bayan. Isa ito na maghahango sa kahirapan. Sa pamamagitan din ng disiplina at determinasyon, hindi na lalayo ang kaunlaran. 

            Ang kakayahan at kaayusan sa sistema ng transportasyon, inprastraktura (gusali, tulay at mga kalsada), komunikasyon at paglilingkod- ang syang magpapabilis ng mga transaksyong pang-kabuhayan, pangangalakal at pananalapi.

            Ang mga sasakyan- jeep, bus, truck, tren, LRT/MRT, traysikel, motorsiklo, bangka, barko, kotse, ambulansya, pamatay-sunog na truck at mga eroplano (at mga paliparan) ay may mga malalaking bahaging ginagampanan sa pang-araw-araw na kabuhayan at mga gawaing pangkapwa. Kapag wala tayong mahusay at epektibong sistema sa mga uri ng pambyaheng at lingkod pampublikong ito- ay hindi natin matutugunan at makakamtam ang sapat na pangangailangan para umunlad at mapabuti ang mga kalusugan at buhay ng mga Pilipino. Sa usaping ito- higit na dapat tandaan ang sumunod at maging matapat sa mga batas at alituntunin upang maiwasan din ang mga problemang naka-akibat dito. Sa paglabag sa mga batas trapiko, muli masisilayan ang larawan ng kahirapan! Mala-impiyerno, gusto ba natin ito?

            Dugtong pa, ang pangangahoy at pagmimina naman ay may potensyal na makapag-ambag sa kabawasan ng kahirapan. Ngunit kung hindi magiging mahusay ang mga programa ng pamahalaan ukol rito ay maaaring ito pa ang maging sanhi ng paglagay sa panganib ng mga buhay ng ating mga kababayan sapagkat ang paggamit nito ay nag-uugat sa pagkunsumo ng likas na yaman. Ang pagkasira, ang pagkaubos at pagkalaho ng mga ito ay katumbas ng pagbaha, paglubog, erosyon, pagguho ng mga lupa at tuloy pagkitil ng buhay…. Tsk, tsk, tsk… tunay na larawan ng kahirapan!!!

            Ang buod ng mga istratehiya ay nangangailangan ng malalim at ibayong pag-aaral sa bawat kahulugan, termino at pagsisikap. Kailangan ding makalikom ng impormasyon at ipairal ang kasanayan. Ito ay nararapat na naka-atang at masimulan sa mga pamilya, sa mga paaralan, mga unibersidad, at sa masigasig na pakikipagtulungan at pamamalakad ng mga lokal na mga lider ng lipunan. Mahirap maisakatuparan ang mga plano at programa kung walang pondo ang bayan. Nasaan nga ba ang pondo ng bayan? Nasaan ang mga binayad na mga buwis ng mga tao? … Nakapagtataka. Nakapag-iisip…. Mapapansin muli ang larawan ng kahirapan!

            May prioridad na dapat isaalang-alang ang pamahalaan at minumungkahi ang paglalaan ng badyet sa prosesong isasagawa. May mahigpit na pagsubaybay at ebalwasyong pagtutok ang dapat gawin ng naatasang namamahala. Sa ganitong paraan, maiiwasan ang korupsyon o katiwalian- na syang lalong nagpapayaman sa mayayaman at higit na nagpapalugmok sa mga mahihirap. Sa ganitong pangyayari- mababanaag ang mapangit na anino ng kahirapan. Hindi ito kanais-nais na dibuho!

            Ang larawan ng kahirapan ay mawawala at bagkus magiging makulay na pintura kung higit sa lahat ang bawat opisyal na nakaluklok sa ating pamahalaan, at ang bawat isa sa atin, kasama na ang mga kapwa kong mga guro at mga magulang, ay magiging instrumento, magiging puso’t isip…boses at aksyon ng mga umaasang sambayanang Pilipino.

            Ito ang panoorin, imahen, ilustrasyon, anino, dibuho at larawan ng kahirapan… Habang hindi pa huli ang lahat. Sa diwa ng pagbibigayan- Halina, makabagong bayani! Tingnan ito na isang pagpapahalaga. Ang paglingap ay isang katangiang maganda ng Pilipino… Sa ating pawis, lakas, isip at puso, anumang propesyon o hanapbuhay, tayo ay magbuklod. Mag-ambag sa kaunlaran.  Panahon na, ating isantabi ang makasariling kaisipan, mapoot na damdamin at lipas na mga gawi. Sama-sama, magkaisa at pagtulungan nating i-guhit nang panibago ang ating bansa. Hindi man matabunan ng niyebe, kundi busilak na “hiyas” ng pagbabago, ay mabigyan ng bagong anyo ang ating bayan hanggang ito ay maging isang kapilas ng kagandahan.

            Nasa ating lahat ang desisyon, sa ating mga kamay at tamang pagkilos ang pagbabago. Simulan ngayong ka-Paskuhan at lalo’t higit sa darating na halalan. Bumoto nang tama! Araw-araw ay sana'y laging Pasko!

Maalab na pagbati.

Luz Enriquez-Lombos

My Itsy-Bitsy Thoughts on “The Climate Change”

Written and painted by: Lucy Lombos

A thought, however small or big, is still a product of a cognitive activity that freely flows... Here I am, collecting and organizing my thoughts on the topic- “The Climate Change”.

Climate Change was conceived as one of the serious phenomena that everyone, from every nook of the world, experienced. Hence, this had caused much talk. It became a strong and a debatable topic amongst the environmental realms. Reflectively, let me ask you stirring questions- Honestly, do we all know a great deal about it?...Or just an itsy-bitsy idea? Or I guess for the well read peeps it’s a solid chunky knowledge.

I personally noticed, hope you did, too, that our weather now is not the same just like before. Just to share with you- my last summer vacation in my parents’ hometown, Puerto Galera, Or. Mindoro in the Philippines, wasn’t enjoyably breezy and gently inviting anymore but instead it harshly damaged my golden-bronze skin. I could feel a burning sensation even though I already applied a sun-block lotion. Geesh, it’s getting hotter! Indeed, it’s beginning to be just a wee fun. On the other hand, I experienced rainy days on summer vacation, too. Strange things are happening.

I could name typhoons which devastated our country. One was Milenyo; we had Ondoy, Sendong, Reming, Yolanda, Lando and a lot more that became nightmares and torrential killjoys to us in a row. The saddest fact was losing our people.

The first-ever-deluge that happened two years ago in Puerto Galera with no mighty typhoon at all, yet only a heavy rainfall was terrible. Whence, my brother Danny met an accident, breaking his right arm. Why was there a flashflood in summer? That was a perplexing question. Well, it didn’t just happen in my beloved hometown. It occurred also in other parts of our country…of the world at large. Fishes in large numbers and other marine animals died due to change of climate. Poultry and agri-products were damaged. Moreover, now in British Columbia, Canada where I presently reside, snow comes not only in winter time. Sometimes, there’s no snowfall at all. Oh God, it was formidably alarming!

How many of you have heard of the news that some beautiful islands are now sinking and disappearing?... Scary! Really terrifying! I remember one islet in Calapan, Or. Mindoro, Philippines that was gradually eaten by the big waves; it was so heart-breaking. Sadly, soon it will just pass out of existence and can’t be located in the map. Where will our fellow Filipinos in that area go? To nowhere?… How difficult it is to live in evacuation areas and begin anew.

And the list of itsy-bitsy or chunky thoughts can go on…

I don’t want to lose all of those beautiful people, fish, birds, all animals, places, nature and things that made my childhood and entire life happy. I firmly think and sense that you also feel the same, don’t you?!

Folks, my friends, we are facing a big problem that will eventually augment disasters and kill us. Clearly, it’s the dreadful “Climate Change”! Don’t drift away from the buzz and ignore this. Search the answers. Discover them before it’s too late. The answers are in our hands. Let’s not procrastinate. Not tomorrow but today…With prayers, let’s ride on and make progress! There are possibilities. Lest we fall for a ride and even the Bible said, “Therefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall”. – 1 Corinthians 10:12

A Wig

Storytelling here. Storytelling there. One of my passions is Read-Along Storytelling. Doing it makes me happy for the promotion of literacy. I see to it that I prepare the story before the event. I think of new ideas on how to motivate the kids, how to expand their imaginations, how to deepen the story and how to conclude it. How to apply it to their real world is one thing. I love the discussion of its morale. I fortify the story by carefully adding up in the preparation the author’s background. I do this so that the children can comprehend the story well. I also go into the details of its presentation.


I am so fond of using different props. Oftentimes, I use a lot! It's fun to dress up based on the story's theme. So I wear a wig! For me, using it is a great hair day! Every time I wear one, I feel like I'm in my W.I.G mode, which stands for Wish It Good! Funny, indeed, but it works for me! 

My wig comes in different colours such as - blonde, orange, blue, violet, red, green, etc.; and styles like- straight, curly, layered or bob-cut, etc.; this includes whether it is long or short… Well, the truth is- it’s not only a part of my costume and storytelling’s actual performance but it is also a fancy, humorous way to get the children’s attention. Feeling B.I.G.! Believe me It’s Good!

Wearing it is trendy nowadays to imitate the cosmic characters, super heroes, saints, popular celebrities or ordinary folks. Definitely, wearing it stimulates the children.  Those tots look at me once I appear before them. They know that there’s another interesting story that they love to listen and learn. They are really excited!

Yes, I put on a wig for another special reason. I portray a character or the narrator of the story because I love to play different roles. I love doing it to fulfil a hush-hush dream. Secret!... Can you guess; what is it?

Yet one thing’s sure with or without a wig, I don’t disguise my real appearance. I don’t conceal my genuine identity. I am true to myself. I’m just trying all my best to be an amusing storyteller… that’s it!... And to be God’s “new creation” as stated from 2 Corinthians 5:17 for every distinct and unheard story to tell.

WIG (Wish It Good) and BIG (Believe It’s Good)…A pun for a meaningful fun!                            

- Composed by: Lucy Lombos

The Colloquial Counting

The Colloquial Counting

When I was young, I liked to read and listen to stories. I liked an array of children’s books, including suspense, adventure and horror ones. I loved to listen to true stories, especially all those narrated by my mother; and with much gusto it was crazily fun to see her sharing her anecdotes with matching, amusing gestures. Sometimes, I would cry for her dramatic antics.

Because of those real-life stories and fictions, I learned a lot of things, of which possessed or became a part of me, a glimpse of who I am now. Those stories strengthened my love of literacy and storytelling.

I remembered a snippet of my mom’s story on how I was born. “Ready? 1, 2, 3! Iiiiiiih! Haahh!” my mother wailed while with deep catch of breath, she narrated on how she readied herself when she gave birth to me. After that she would pray to all the holy angels and saints. She said it was a hard pregnancy and delivery. In fact, I almost fell into a pail which was placed under her delivery bed. By the way, I was born at the Philippine General Hospital, located in the heart of Manila.

There was a time that my mom accompanied her old uncle to the shopping centre and they used the escalator. Going up and approaching the last step, she loudly said, “Ready?! 1, 2, 3!” But her uncle didn’t hear and so her uncle’s toes were hurt. There was a little blood that oozed from the wounded toes.

Ready?! … 1, 2, 3!!! That’s a colloquial counting. I would often count that way, too. I heard lots of times that I counted that way before I would do an action. I’ve been used to that, maybe I was influenced by my mom.

And who wouldn’t be familiar with these things…

“Ready?... 1, 2, 3! Pass your paper!” my teachers instructed the class after a quiz, a long test or exams. Most of the time, I was ready. But sometimes, I wasn’t. I had no choice but to obey my teachers or any proctors.

“Ready?... 1, 2, 3! Game!” Oh, how I loved to hear my playmates and I count that way with much excitement. Playing for me was so easy then.

In capturing the smiles during picture taking, I loved to informally count, ““Ready?... 1, 2, 3! Smile!” And I would say, “Cheese!”

In moving out, in lifting up a box or cargo- that’s usually for the big boys or men at work… I would hear them commanding or signalling loudly, “Ready?... 1, 2, 3!”

In practising oratory and dances- oh yes, “Ready?... 1, 2, 3!” would often be shouted. I tried oratorical contests many times and I also joined dances especially the ones telecast in Channels 9 and 11 when I was much younger. My dance teachers routinely counted “1, 2, 3” in preparation for the trip to light fantastic steps.

Have you also experienced these?-

The doctor would put me in a good mood and would say, “This is only quick. Relax… Ready?!...1, 2, 3!”… "Huhuhu", I cried… That was a big needle! I hated injections. The same thing happened to me during dental check-ups. Sorry to my late father. But I really loathed his office, the big Government Service Insurance System in the Philippines where he would bring me to their dental clinic for tooth extractions. Actually, that was a dental benefit among the employees. Before, I didn’t appreciate it.

Yet I counted on top of my voice, “Ready?... 1, 2, 3! Yehey, it’s vacation time!” That was also when I with my family and friends prepared altogether for a road trip.

Funny, my “Ready?... 1, 2, 3!” is a mixture of fear and happy times.

Moreover I reckoned to get one’s attention! Countless times of calling, figuring out, heeding also of a certain call. Valuing, the colloquial counting shows excitement. It builds a momentum. It looks like something is increasing, 1, 2, 3… making greater as in strength, in quality or the degree of concentration. In colloquial counting something is growing upon. Just like when I first started schooling with lots of activities- counting, reading, writing, colouring, singing, dancing, playing and praying.

Likewise, in my spiritual practices I have to prepare, concentrate and refine myself. I need to strive to grow in Jesus and approach Him by way of His graces through the sacraments. It should become more frequent.

On the other hand, what about if I deem the reverse counting- “3, 2, 1?”… This is a countdown. Remember a rocket ship launch? It’s such a thrill yet scary. The NASA team prepares a lot of things for this big event and they have also such thing as “hold” when they pause and check and re-check many technical procedures for several times. Actually, they start the counting from T (Time) 96 or 72 down to zero, ignition, then the amazing lift off!

Experts also count 3, 2, 1 when an explosive will be detonated. The ones in-charge of this ought to be extra careful for its explosion because this might be the cause of sudden and strong violence.

How about the Christmas countdown? For me as a Filipino, Christmas is the merriest and longest season of the year. I like the tradition of the Television Networks’ Christmas countdown. They yearly announce and stimulate TV viewers to do the prepping for gift-giving, parties or family reunions; attending Misa de Gallo and all the Yuletide spiritual observances, along with creative glitters and frills at the streets, malls and plazas.

How about the New Year? The focus is in the countdown that indicates the time remaining for welcoming the New Year. It is always fascinating, right? Especially when there are breathtaking firework displays in the air. It is the most awaited part and then we hear everyone’s shouting the liveliest and the loudest greeting, that is- “Happy New Year!... Ring out the Old, Ring in the New!” In harmony with the whole world, we harness good health, love, peace, joy and prosperity. We give our warm wishes and prayers like landing in a good job, healing of a sick person, marrying one’s beloved, etc. … We count before the last 60 or 10 seconds (depending on the cultural background) of the old year until the beginning of the New Year. In sync with the family and friends, we eat the sumptuous meal on the decorated table and we share our new promises, commonly we say our New Year’s Resolution.

Under the circumstances, am I ready to count 3, 2, 1? … So I can start all over again? And so that I can mark my time to prepare myself leading to an important event in my life? In doing this, I should do a lot of preparations for a target, for my personal goal. I should ignore distractions. I have to focus. I have to commit. Believing so, from there I receive a freshly blessing.

3, 2, 1… Lights off! I start counting the sheep to get a good sleep for now. The sheep in me joins the grand flock, named FEAST. I zero in to LIGHT of JESUS and I “count it all joy”. - James 1:2 

By: Lucy Lombos, November 1, 2015 – LOJ’s Organizational Meeting

A Birthday Limerick for FRGG

♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫

A Birthday Limerick for FRGG

♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫

Composed by: Lucy Lombos

November 2, 2015

Canada

There’s a Salesian Priest named Gigi

A father dear, a friend to Lutchie

Birthday Limerick for him

Godly, tech thoughts and vim

Shared “Pray, Eat and Love”… Take it easy.

♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫  Happiest Birthday, SD! ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫ ♥♫

Greetings coming from,

Lucy Lombos and Family-

Jun, Diko, Goldie and Sofie

A Brown Paper Bag

A Brown Paper Bag

Show and Tell activity? If I’d be asked to bring something for this fun activity, hmmm… let me think of an object that people commonly expend but since it is a small thing, it might be brushed off or perhaps overlooked. I’d prefer to show a brown paper bag.

We all know very well that a brown paper bag has a single opening that holds customer’s purchases from the grocery or other shops. All its items should be rightly light, depending on its size. Of course, it is not consumed for purchases that highly demand for strength and durability. It is actually different from the kraft paper which has a high tear resistance.

I’d like to associate, first of all, a brown paper bag with my beloved father who died of a heart attack. When he was still alive, working at the Philippine’s Government Service Insurance System as the boss in the Dividend Section, he would often bring a brown paper bag home. You know why? It was his habit to place a good sum of money inside it. It was his monthly salary! “Divine Providence”, we would always say. It was the source of joy to the family especially to my mother who thankfully received it and considered it as the symbol of my father’s hard work and love. Moreover, the brown paper bag’s fondest memories for us, his five children (Swanie, Danny, Rejay, Noe and I, including our nanny, Ate Coring), were bringing home yummy chocolates like Baby Ruth which was famous that time. In like manner, it would be wrapped or simply inserted in the paper bag. That served as father’s “pasalubong” (take-home food item or a souvenir from an office, from a store, from a holiday or from a business trip). I also vividly remembered that he brought home “pancit guisado” (sautéed noodles), likewise it was attractively put in the paper bag; same story as well with the savoury chicken set inside it. … Aah, sweet memories… how I love to keep them forever!

Reminiscing my childhood still, I used to spend my summer vacation at my parents’ province in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. Furthermore, I used to accompany Lola Regina, my grandmother to go to the store of Lola Maxima, my great grandmother whose suitor during her time was the famous Father of Filipino Language, no other than Manuel L. Quezon. I’m proud to mention that! :)... Looking back, we would hang around at the store till afternoon before praying the Angelus. Angelus was usually done at the strike of 6:00 in the evening and participated by the whole family. Musing over, it was during this time also that we would buy grocery items such as- coffee, sugar, bread, salt, cocoa sometimes and the never-should-be missed Lola Inang’s favourite cigarettes' brand, the Leyvana or just in case there was nothing left on the shelf store, she would choose Alhambra. All the grocery items would be enclosed in that memorable brown paper bag.

Years passed… Now I am already a full-fledged, licensed teacher. I still use the brown paper bag. I love this valuable stuff because of my cherished past and because I am at present a recycling, environmental advocate. In addition, inside the classroom, I made use of this paper bag for my arts lessons, business and party give-aways. Up to now, I like so much to create something out of it. Hmmm, a puppet was just one of my beautiful creations out of it… Really precious to be included in my treasure trove!

Having immigrated in the land of snow and big bears, I experienced this- One cold day in October, I found two paper bags and I placed apples for each. In a little while, I was ready to go. To whom shall I give these two bags? With joy, for people on the streets begging for spare change… I’d like to believe that a paper bag is designed for “giving”. Sincere giving makes me happy.

Bringing this up to the highest sharing level, I’d like to ponder that a brown paper bag represents emptiness. If there’s emptiness, there’s nothingness… And come to think of it, there’s humility. By extension, etymologically humility means “from the earth”, “humus” or soil and therefore grounded, in contrast to pride.

Advancing, from thereon, once a brown paper bag is used purposely, like when I open it, I construct or develop a thing on it, I put something in it…First, I feel humbled down… and there before my eyes, heart and hands- reflectively there’s bounty, plenty of “gifts” to hold dear. That brown paper bag has indeed transformed into an image of blessing.

So the next time you clutch a brown paper bag, please do dwell upon on this idea- that there’s a meaningful form and substance in it which you would carry, not just a shared-glimpse of my life but the significance of a small entity that became a great joy and celestial grace, worthy to be appreciated.

By: Lucy Lombos

November 1, 2015

In loving memory of my late beloved father, Augusto Garcia Enriquez (+)

also of my loving sister, Susan Enriquez-Billedo (+),

of our faithful nanny, Concordia Colcol (+) and of my

grandparents, Nicolas and Regina/ Victor and Concepcion (+)

Who were all God's humble people.

A Matchstick

A Matchstick

            Déjà vu?! Maybe for some this is a new expression. Actually, it is a French phrase for “already seen” or something that has happened before.

            I went to a sublime feast here in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada last October 2, 2015. The energy of the venue outside was high and when I entered into the big and spacious room I immediately felt a sense of déjà vu because this was not absolutely new to me. It was a déjà vu all over again flashing back my beautiful memories of motivational gatherings, popularly called “feasts”. I belonged to Feast Alabang, Philippines, inactive though and I was the now-you-see me, now-you-don’t member of that Catholic Charismatic Community.

            Ah-ah, a thing to note! The feast that I’ve been attending was not about eating and enjoying food with friends, though that would be an added joy for the attendees if food would be served at the end of the fellowship, but it was indeed listening to God’s words through the anointed speakers of our time who looked like modern prophets. The Holy Spirit’s inspirations and messages to them, which were passed to us, touchingly were transformed to nourish our soul.

            Attending the Kerygma’s Grand Feast this year at the Broadway Church at around 6:00 in the evening, themed as “Lifted High”, was a recent and refreshing experience for me. This exciting event was readily prepared by the Feast Founders, Builders, organizers, members, volunteers and the believers at large, especially the Catholics from different parishes and communities. By the way, my congratulations to all for a successful Feast and for the job well done to glorify God!

            I considered the latest feast as a spiritual hype that stimulated me; I even volunteered to sell the books at the main entrance. That was I really liked because I am, up to now, a Language and Literacy Advocate. Thereon, I saw and met personally the Feast Founder, Bro. Bo Sanchez and watched him talk with matching assured gestures and firm voice. Wearing his denims and a nice suit, oh he was admirably so cool; he delivered well the sacred writings, especially focused on the parable of the Good Samaritan. In silence, I also tuned in to Bro. Pio Espanol and got his message about his legacy to the Feasts. I got a load of so many wonderful things, such as the clear-cut declaration that God, out of mercy and compassion, unconditionally love us until the end of time.

            Among so many interesting topics that I picked up seriously, I liked the story of the generous girl and the “two matchsticks” most of all that Bro. Bo genuinely shared. Allow me to narrate it to you… The girl had several siblings and they were left orphaned. It was this young and very thin girl who stood as parents to her sibs, feeding them from a hard “rain or shine” juvenile labour that even angels would really pity and cry for these poverty-stricken orphans.

            One day, the girl was about to prepare the meager food that she could provide and partake among themselves when she saw that she had only two matchsticks. What a scene of distress! Yet right there, on her heartbreaking moment, she heard someone knocking at their door, so she stood up and opened it.  Good grief!

            The neighbour loudly asked, “Do you have matchsticks?!” With a heavy-cross-on-her-shoulder sort of feeling, she was able to reply. Feebly she answered, “Yes!”

            She gave the matchstick kind-heartedly and just one was left to her hand. After giving it, the neighbour left and the girl sobbed and sobbed like a river. She felt so powerless. Having faith in God, she fervently prayed. Not so long, heaven’s mercy and grace miraculously opened and poured down upon her. A compassionate and generous man arrived in their shanty and brought them to his own shelter. He fed and took care of them. That Good Samaritan was a modern guy named Bo Sanchez, our very own Bro. Bo, the Feast Founder.

            This moving message went through into my cracked heart. Maybe because just like some of you, I am also “wounded”, “scarred” and “marked” imperfectly and with heavy crosses to bear, too. The story was rightly connected to the church’s “wounded”, straight talk, bull’s eye- the SINNERS. I was so attentive then but let me skip over those details; from my heart Bro. Bo made sense. This was the reason why I was fascinated and would love to listen still to the unstoppable “Preacher-in-Blue-Jeans”, including his humorous “Papa-Please-Preach pa more” unreachable stature. That’s well-accepted by the Filipinos. Well, just delete the word, “pa” (which means still/ more) and the line’s meaning remains the same.

            “Matchstick” continued #kwento pa more (additional story to share)… As I was listening to the flow of the story, I felt really sorry for the girl and I truly empathized with her. Déjà vu?!... the story sounded familiar. It brought me back into my past when I became an aspirant of the congregation for the youth.

            Leading off, this matchstick which gives light bears actually the core meaning of my name. I am Luz de la Torre-Enriquez which means “Light of the Tower that Enriches” and now married to a Lombos guy. I am living it up for namesake and for the essence of my existence, however humble many of you may perceive me.

            When I was 17 years old, I asked my parents to allow me to enter that semi-contemplative convent and consider it as a High School graduation gift to me since I gave them the joy and pride for graduating with honours. Lucky me! With no “ifs and but’s” I became an aspirant and a scholar but I was already wearing a postulant’s garb for special reasons. There were lots of Religious Sisters there, mostly kind and gracious. However, there was one sister who always would like to test me, not only in my academics but also in my “diskarte” or my way to handle and deal with different things and situations. For several instances, summoning my attention on how to neatly iron the sister’s habits using a not so good iron, giving me orders to clean the big dormitory, the long shoeland and stairs in just a short time before my classes, calling me just to inspect if I was wearing the proper and complete postulant’s attire, and assigning me to wash dishes every night with hundreds of plates, silverwares and what nots to clean, dry and arrange them all in the cabinets or cupboards.

            Well, studying there and being under the vow of obedience (and there are two more- chastity and poverty), I was sent to do an errand one windy and gloomy day.

            “Aspirant, go and bring out all the garbage bins. Empty them and burn them in the fire pit. Here’s the matchstick!” the Sister said.

            “Only one matchstick, Sister?!” I uttered in great shock.

            “Yes!” she shortly replied and went quickly away, as if she didn’t want to hear my complaint.

            It was a big test to me. I confidently accepted the challenge but deep inside I was afraid. Long story short, I tried to figure out what to do. First, I removed and cleared the ashes and cleaned the fire pit. Then, I looked for tinder materials like dried leaves, scratch papers, candy wrappers, card boards, wooden sticks, etc. I recalled that air and space are needed to create fire in order to burn the papers and other trashes. I rearranged everything in the hole. Praying hard, I struck the matchstick at the centre of the matchbox’s side pad and lit the tinder carefully. With ready and staunch hand, I cupped it… Behold, there was a “light”!

            When there was already a tiny, single light, I blew it very gently until I produced a small fire. With the help of the flammable materials, it became a raging fire. That one matchstick, coming from the source of majestic Light, had sparked and gave impact into my crappy and uncertain world. All I did was to believe and to be patient in that difficult “scratch-and-try” matchstick spark against all odds and win big sort of a game. This was a simple analogy of some aspects of the reality of living.

            Eventually, I came into myself that there’s more than I can be when I’m with God. Not too long, my world became brighter, wider like horizons at greater extent and like the growing, increasing FEASTS that amazingly bless and inspire people.

            Let your “light” shine! Blaze your own “fire”! The rest will be a wonderful, witnessing story.

October 10, 2015