Rough Times

John 6:16-21 For those of us who have ridden a boat and were caught by a storm in the middle of the sea, we still remember the feeling – FEAR. We were in a small boat in Antique and suddenly we experienced strong rains and winds. Water was getting into the boat. With a small…

Desert Experience

In a trip to Egypt, I noticed that after a 9-hour road trip, nothing changed in the scenery. It was all sand, rocks, and cacti. It was only then that I realized how blessed is the Philippines. Any 9-hour travel would show how rich the country is in water, mountains, plants, trees, and birds. It…

Rediscovering Childhood Joy

I guess many of us would agree with me that our childhood days were the happiest. To start with, it was simple. All we cared for were our food, toys, friends, and TV. We took it for granted that our parents will always be there. Not much to worry about. But as we grew older,…

Wrong Turns in Life

For drivers like me, thanks to technology, there is a computer application that is very much appreciated: WAZE. Just key in your destination and it will tell you how to reach your destination. Yes, if you get lost, it helps you get back to the right track. We all know that life itself is a…

Being Prepared

One reality of life is being prepared: For students who have an examination tomorrow, the challenge to prepare is by reading, researching, studying and even memorizing; For a lawyer with a court case, the challenge to prepare is by studying the facts, the evidence and talking to the witnesses; for a priest going to celebrate…

Following Christ

Every once in a while, I celebrate Mass for the Green Archers. At a very young age, because of media and social media, these kids are already dealing with fame: they are talked about. they are recognized and some already get to endorse products. What people don’t see are the “behind the scenes” – the…

Deception through Flattery

Mark 12: 13-17 There is this story of a fox who wanted to eat the cheese he saw on the mouth of the bird. He first approached the bird and praised how beautiful his color was. He then praised how beautiful were the bird’s feathers. Then he said, “I am sure that your singing is…

How to Deal with Betrayal

John 13: 21-33, 36-38 One of the most important factors in any relationship is TRUST. We need trust in friendships; We need trust in a business partnership; We need trust in marriage. On the other hand, it is very painful if the trust is destroyed. I remember a story of a woman whose husband left…

The Last Request

Mark 16: 9-15 All of us have experiences of someone passing away. How we wish to be by the bedside to say goodbye. Of course, there is also the last wishes or the “huling bilin.” For a person about to transition to the next life, the last wishes are the ones he or she feels…

Auditing Time

It is said that one of the most stressful moments in corporate life is when it is the season for Auditing. A team of auditors comes to the office and reviews the documents. That, of course, is followed by the questions, explanations and clarifications portion. What a relief if all is okay and all is…