Gospel for June 12, 2015 (Friday) - Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Jn 19:31-37

Now since it was preparation day, in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, for the sabbath day of the week was a solemn one, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs be broken and they be taken down.  So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and then of the other who was crucified with Jesus.  But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs, but one soldier thrust his lance into his side, and immediately blood and water flowed out.

An eyewitness has testified, and his testimony is true; he knows that he is speaking the truth, so that you also may come to believe.  For this happened so that the scripture passage might be fulfilled:  "Not a bone of it will be broken."  And again another passage says: "They will look upon him whom they have pierced".

In Other Words

There are "conspiracy theories" surrounding the death of Jesus on the cross.  Some say He merely fainted, and that later on His body was spirited away to some place where He was revived.  Later, they say He traveled to France to begin a new life there.  And to think that there are people who actually swallow this "theory" as though it were "gospel truth".

The truth is what the Scriptures record: that Jesus did die and He was certified dead, and reported as such to Pontius Pilate.  There was no play acting for Jesus Christ truly died, period.  All this was to fulfill the Scriptures about the death of the Messiah.

It is however the meaning of His death that matters.  For it was sacrificial death: Jesus Christ died so we may have salvation and eternal life in His kingdom.  We, who witness His death through our loving, meditative and prayerful reading of His Passion and Death, should be overwhelmed by the sacrifice of this "Tremendous Lover".  No one who reflects on Christ's passion, death , and resurrection should come away unaffected, unappreciative and untouched by the "greatest love of all".  Yes Christ has dies, Christ is risen; and all of this is for us.  Oh what He did for love, what He did for love...

                                 - Fr. Lino Nicasio SVD (SHP, Kamuning, Q.C.)

Gospel for June 11, 2015 (Thursday)

Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to His disciples, "As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 'Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.  Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.  Do not take gold or silver or copper for your bells; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick.  The laborer deserves his keep.  Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it and stay there until you leave.  As you enter a house, wish it peace.  If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let you peace return to you".

The WORD in other words

More than a hundred years ago in a Japanese village an earthquake struck.  The Japanese along the seashore thought nothing of it.  But an old rich farmer on a high plain happened to be looking at the sea and saw that a tsunami was fast rushing to the seashore village.  His thought was to rescue the people but what to do?  In his large bodega lay his crop of rice.  Piled in stacks ready for the market, it was worth a fortune.  With haste he set his bodega on fire.  When the villagers saw the big fire, they rushed and ran up to the higher plain to help put out the fire.  As they reached the plain the tsunami struck.  Four hundred lives where saved. (L. Hearn)

This is a classic example of a sacrifice: a farmer sacrificed his fortune to save lives.  The Gospel speaks of an empty sacrifice, one that is devoid of love.  If we heed St. Agustine's definition of sacrifice, then we would offer to God only what signifies our inner adherence to His will, and so our offering would be acceptable.  God's will is for us to live in harmony with others, which is worth more than a huge but empty sacrifice.

When we come to Mass, therefore, let's not come empty-handed.  Let's bring along the good life that we live.

St. Barnabas, pray for us.

                                                -Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD (DWST, Tagaytay City)

To have a Beautiful Skin is to have a Beautiful Life

Just as gifts are sometimes judged by its wrappings and trimmings, so as a person is judged by their outer package.  The skin as considered the largest organ in the body covering almost every inch and cranny.  In fact, we Filipinos always look up to people having beautiful and fair skin. Yet, for me, I do not care whether you have fair or not-so-fair skin as long as it is smooth and clear for the skin can tell you many things.  The WebMd tells us even of the different types of skin and how to take care of it. True enough, I get to see a lot of write-ups and posts on how to get smooth and clear skin.

I am just quite blessed to have smooth and clear skin. Spare you the fact that I have childhood signs of having a rough and carefree life with all the scars.  But do you really want to know the secret? Well, it will no longer be a secret because I will be telling you now...

Flashback 32 years ago, born as the eldest of four, my mother had the privilege to breast-feed me and she was so blessed with lots and lots of milk that she would end up bathing me with her sprouting milk.  This practice is now being confirmed when I get to read a lot of articles on breast-milk-for-beautiful-skin soap  .  My mother's initiative and undying effort instead of just wiping the extra milk from her breast, finally paid off. I am just very thankful that I never experienced having pimple eruptions during adolescence or having pimples when period is coming. Moreover, should I ever have wounds I would immediately apply sebo de macho or mantica di cacao.  These are over the counter topical creams that we grew up with and proved to be very effective. You just need to apply them as the wound or scratch are on its healing phase when you feel they become itchy or turn pinkish. Also since I have oily skin, I don't usually wash my face too often because it gets to be oily all the more. I just comfort myself by washing my face once a day with good ol' Butuan's famous Carrot Soap.

My skin has already brought me far.  I am just being blessed that every time I get exposed by the heat of the sun, I will just turn beet-red and not get burned. However, one thing is for sure, when you are at the beach, you will need to apply sunblock often because the beach is treacherous.  Because you are always wet from swimming, you will never feel the heat nor the burning sensation.  Never apply regular lotion when you get off from the water or else you will get burned skin.

To have a beautiful skin is to have a beautiful life, they say. No wonder dermatologists and whitening products proliferate on and off the internet and the showbiz people can attest and even acknowledge all their beauty care sponsors. This said, fans of these showbiz personalities tend to follow their idols and even emulate their beautiful skin senses. It seems to be injected in the minds of people that if you have fair and smooth skin, you will also have a great life. What do they exactly mean by beautiful life? It is when you get the best of both worlds, having the attention and all from significant and not so significant people in your life, and getting what you desire and want. But for me, beautiful life is when you have the love and respect of people whom you also love and being able to accept whatever limes or lemons in your life and make lemonades and most of all keeping the sunny side of life.

So whatever your skin color or type is, what is important is that you keep your self healthy and happy and it will eventually show in your skin and tell the world that after all you have a beautiful life.

Watershed Cafe-Butuan

Night at the Watershed

The 5:15pm Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral Shrine just ended.  Outside the Church, I see fresh flowers at Nang Flora's stall and bought some for our little altar at home.

Before leaving for Mass, my friend-colleague and I agreed to have dinner somewhere yet did not have idea where.  A thought suddenly came to my mind... there's a  corner cafe I have been eying to try on... So I sent Cale an SMS and agreed to meet up at...

The Watershed. Been operating for the past months now and even as it was still under construction, I was already looking forward to dine in.

We only paid 300plus for chili chicken, rice, pasta carbonara, nachos, and blue lemonade. How's that for a Monday dinner?  For more info, visit Watershed corner cafe J.C Aquino Avenue, Butuan City.

15 Reasons Why I am glad to be a Filipino

15 reasons why I am glad to be a Filipino, in my perspective and real-time situations.

Philippine Flag - Google images

1. I have religious freedom and I can go to Mass as often and as many as I can. (daghan kaayo churches ug misa, mamili lang ka)
2. I have many modes of transportation to choose from - habal2(skylab,w/pandong,etc), ubiquitous tricycle, taxi, calesa, v-hire,bus whether aircon or deluxe, ug my most-loved jeepney!
3. So many bakeries! I love bread! From Tita Julie's to Rose bakeshop, to Gold'nPearl. Di ko mahutdan ug pan!
4. Flowers are affordable. With my 20Php I can buy pretty flowers for my little altar.
5. Simple people and kind ones too as experienced in the field.
6. Cable service is sooo within reach! Only get to pay $7! Haha.
7. I can walk around my city without worrying the dust and pollution.
8. Traffic only lasts for seconds, haha! Never an excuse for an appointment or work.
9. Tourist spots are just few hours drive and you don't have to spend muchos dineros to revel the creations. All things bright and beautiful. (from falls, to surfing sites, enchanted river, unspoiled islands..)
10. SMS and telcom services have unlimited promos don't have to worry if you don't have load coz pwede ra ka mag emergency txt!
11. On TV, only here in the Philippines that we have the youngest talk show host, Ryzza Mae Dizon! (People exclaim that I look like her because of my teeth,wahaha!)
12. PinoyHenyo since it was born became a hit game from teambuildings to parties and all.
13. Never been happy to still marvel the beauty of the skies at night and watch the moon and stars(not so much of light pollution here)
14. Beauty and whitening products are almost in every watsons and gaisano stores, hehe. Thanks Garnier and carrot soap.
15. Above all, the Filipino value of always keeping and fighting for a united family.

Happy happy 115th Philippine Independence Day! Filipino and Proud.

March to march

I realized that time just fly so fast. 

It's March and time to march things up as there are many many stuffs to finish and all.  My hopes rely on the grace because I know that these matters are beyond my strength.

For one, I have reports to consolidate, staffing to finalize, and all the other concerns that from time to time my direct supersivor entrust to me. 

How about you, how's your March going on so far?

MyHealthPak Makes Another Celebrity Must-Have List

MyHealthPak Makes Another Celebrity Must-Have List