ASAGIRI /Shizuoka-Ken

This is part of the Totem Pole of the
1971 World Scout Jamboree site at ASAGIRI, Shizuoka-ken.
Snow-capped Mt. FUJI is seen at my back.

ZEN

Contemplating inside the Garden





Preparing the Garden

I LOVE [the FRUITS of] AUTUMN!

I love all the fruits that Autumn brings.
Persimmon and Tangerines,Apples supreme!
But it is this persimmon that makes me sing.
I love its sweet flavor, it's so yummy,that's what I mean.

On the Way Home

Can't help but stop the car and take this one.

RYOUTANJI JINJA [Ryoutanji Temple]

Entrance Ticket to the RYOUTANJI Temple in Shizuoka.



Temple Gate

TEA area outside the Temple

Cold, Windy Sunday

It's cold outside my window. The wind is strong.
I sit and watch as those leaves go up, up in a throng:
Gold, and red and brown. Golden yellow love it brown!
They come from all over: from the nearby park, where trees abound.


In our garden, only one tree lay bare:
that Persimmon which lays as one enters the gate.
Evergreens line the property, enough to shield us all
From t he Lola next door, who always seemed to call.


Looking outside, a mug in hand,
I wonder what it's like in my dear Inang Bayan.
Ahhh! That place I have with trees around.
Makes me feel sad and happy;regret, there's none.


Life seems good. Life IS good!
The cold wind blows but my heart is warm.
I must Thank God, coz He's Good and Kind.
He makes me warm on these cold winter nights.

LICENSED

Finally!

I had the grandest feeling in months! Finally passed that GAMEN-KIRIKAE [Change of Foreign Driver's License to Japanese License].

Went last Thursday morning, when the sun is about to rise from this Land of the Morning Sun. Had to be there early lest I get caught in that bumper-to-bumper traffic at Sasagase Bridge connecting Iwata to Hamamatsu. The License Center was that city north of Hamamatsu.

There were two Officers in charge of the KIRIKAE.
They started to call our name: mine was under the same officer who tested me the first time I went there: Nakamura-san. THE Nakamura-san whose face does not even offer a glimpse of softness; just straight-face ala-Jack Palance [May he rest in Peace!] All others say he is the Terror of Hamakita: that Nakamura-san. I don't know. I can't say that to people I hardly meet.

I got number 4 slot and waited at the Driving Course inside the Testing Center. I didn't spot any Pinoy until late when I heard someone talk over the phone. 'Twas Tagalog, so I peered from the line. She had number 7. Smiled at her and said "GoodLuck."

All others [mostly Brasilieros/as] walked through the entire course. So with the 'other' Pinay. I didn't. I just watched them walk their way. I looked at the course and imagined in my mind how I would tackle each curve, each turn, each stop.

Then they came! By 'they', I mean the Police Officers who, because of their age, have been assigned in the home office. The young ones do the motorcycle and bicycle rounds.

I can't say I was nervous. After all, I had been there thrice and all the Police Officers could say was: "Check it all out before you make your move."
I wish I had the guts to ask which one........Oh well.....


When my turn came, I did what I have imagined in my mind. I did as best as I could. No hassles, walang hulog sa S curve or L-curves: no comments while I was doing the course.

When the car halted to full stop, the one riding at the back [the next applicant] got off and we were left alone. I mean, the Police Officer and I.

He asked:
"How many meters before each curve will you turn on the winker?"
I replied: `About 30 meters.' Nabasa ko yun sa Rules of the Road Safety Book. I learned that also when I studied Driving in Inang Bayan.

"Exactly, how long is 30 meters?" sabi ni Nakamura-san.

I imagined the private road leading to Jiji's property. I remember Jiji saying it was 70 meters. I imagined if that small road is 70 meters long, then 30 could be anywhere half---no, lesser thatn half of that 70 meters.

So I started calculating and said:
I said about several cars put together.
How many meters is one car?
I said `Around 4?'

Imagine he taunted me and said: `The cars in the Philippines must be too small.'

Honestly, I had no idea.
How do I know?
It wasn't even taught in the Driving School I went to years ago.

Anyway, he shook his head. I just kept my cool. Tao lang ito, I thought. Kaya ko rin siya. He kept on talking while I looked at his eyes and just nodded plainly. As I went out of the car, I said: "I am sorry. Thank you for your trouble. Excuse me." Then got out of the car, checking first if there was another car coming.


I thought: 'Wala na! Pag lumagpak pa ako, ayoko nang bumalik!'

As we waited till the last examinee was over, Nakamura-san [the Police Officer who tested us] came over to the bench where the other Pinay and I were sitting.

He asked: "How long do you practice driving?"

I wanted to say: `I drive everyday, kaya lang bawal yun, while undergoing KIRIKAE, so instead, I said, "Around 2 hours."

The other Pinay said:"None, except the one I had in the Philippines."

"You should practice more " was all he said.

Back to the Building, we waited for the results.

The other Pinay's name was called;

I waited.....

Wala.

Then the Police Officer waived the last paper/application: Tense ang lahat. Wala pa rin ang pangalan ko?

Those Brasilieros/as started to jump.

"You, too!" I heard them say, looking at me.

"No, maybe not." was all I could mutter, remembering the short discussion I had with the Police Officer. I wasn't sure..... Didn't he criticize me about my late use of winkers? I wondered.

Then another Police Officer came. He was holding a small bunch of papers. I saw my picture from afar. THEN he called out:

Y----i-san!
"Hai!" I said automatically!

I said aloud :"YES!" and my face must have registered a smile a lot better than Mona Lisa's! Ha-Ha!

We paid for the License, then went on for the Photo-taking.
After watching a video on safety rules and traffic accidents in our Prefecture, we were issued our Licenses.

YATTA! I DID IT!

H0-H0-H0!!!!!

Sunset by the Bay

BUT I like this better!

Pinoy ako.....

may reklamo kayo?

Temple/Shrine in our midst

This is the small Temple/Shrine near our place.
It was inaugurated December last year.

During summer months, on a Sunday morning once a week, residents of the community clean this place and the roads leading to this Shrine. It is a community effort which opens communal communication as well.

There are more Temples, grand and lavish all over Japan. This one is typical of small village Temples.

Do We NEED RULES?

******
My heart is heavy, my mind at a loss.
I cannot fathom some minds
who explicitly make others look dumb.
Is this true? Is this real?
****
Been up and about, sweatin my brows.
Share whatever I can to people who came.
But times are different and people simply don't care,
I am at a loss, is this for real?
****
Rules have been set, to make things easier.
But rules are just that, made to be broken.
Reminds me of leaders in the country I love most,
Rules that aren't followed, rules are just blown.
****
Why then, make rules if you wont stick to it?
I hear some people say: throw those to the air
And let chaos reign ..........
Sit back and watch what then happens.
****

UGALING PINOY?

Habang wala, gustong makarating.
Kapag nandyan na, ayaw importahen!

::::
Ano ba talaga?
:
Maraming Pinoy ang nagkalat sa iba't ibang lugar sa buong mundo.
Kahit yata sa pinakasulok ng Africa, sa Congo, o Kabul, sa Afghanistan,
merong Kababayang pinoy na matatagpuan.
Meron nga akong nabasa sa Balita na merong Pinoy sa
Kazakhistan ba yun? Hanggang dun, may Pinoy!
Ganun din naman sa Bayang ito sa Silangan.
Marami ang nagpupunta dahil sa bilateral agreement ng
Bansa natin at ng Bansang Hapon.
::::
OO at nakarating na rito.
Sa UNANG DATING.....ang babait!
Naku pow! Talaga naman!
Sobrang galang,
con todo de bow pa yang mga yan.
Ngiting-ngiti kada meet sa iyo.
Bati con bati kada salubong nyo!
:
Makalipas ang isa ?....dalawa?
o sige na nga, tatlong buwan na!
AYAN na!
Simula na.....
Lalabas at lalabas ang naturaleza.
Patay kang bata ka!
:::::
Sa bawa't matino at kilalang mga Kompanya sa Japan,
marami ang may mahigpit na pamamalakad.
Suzuki, Yamaha, Toyota, Honda, at iba pa.
Malalaking Kompanya ito, kaya
mahigpit na pagpapasunod ang kailangan.
:
LAHAT naman kailangang sumunod nang maging maayos
ang takbo ng Planta o ng Kompanya, di po ba?
:
ITO ang sikreto kung bakit naging matatag at maunlad ang
Bansang ito, makalipas ang nakaraang Digmaang Pandaigdig.
Matapos maubos ng bomba ang buong Tokyo,
Hiroshima,おNagasaki, nagsikap at umunlad ang Japan.
GNP nila, pangalawa sa buong mundo
at kahit na ganito kaliit ang Japan,
masasabing matatag at maunlad.
:::::
UNAng rule: Follow Company RULES.
Sa una lang yun!
Sa kalaunan, wala na!
Ni bumati nga, eh....
lumipad na sa kalawakan!
Pinadala na yata sa kanilang bayan-bayan!
::::
PANGALAWA:
BAWAL ang celfone sa unang taon habang sila
ay mga TRAINEE pa lang.
Ang Kompanya ay nag-issue ng isang celfone na LIBRE
gamitin sa loob ng isang taon.
AYAW pa nila yun?
Dun sa celfone na yun sila maaaring tawagan ng kani-kanilang
mga kamag-anak para makausap. Yun din ang gamit namin para ma-contact sila
anumang oras ng umaga o sa gabi man.
::::
Alam mo ba kung ano ang ginawa ng mga mababait kong Kababayan?
Wala pang apat na buwan, nagsibilihan na ang mga tinamaan ng kulog!
In-between those months [from the 4th month up to the 11th month
of their Traineeship,] aba'y nakailang celfone na sila!
Yung isa, tatlong celfone; merong may 2!
Hanep, Pare!
Tinalo pa ako na merong 2 lamang.
Isa pang-personal na gamit,
at isa eh yung issue nga ng Company,
meaning libre!
Yung isa, kadarating lang....TATLO!
Can you beat that?
::::
Nang nalaman ng Kompanya
at tinanong, DENIAL QUEENS ang mga Lola!
Sumalosep!
Ano ba yan!?
::::
PANGATLO:
BAWAL magpapasok ng lalake sa Dorm nila.
Noong Linggo, pang-ilang beses ko na bang napuruhang makakita ng mga lalake
sa kanilang kwarto? Lima? Anim?
Pinagsabihan ko na, pero sadya yatang may katigasan ang ulo ng iba.
:
Bakit Bawal?
Kasi po, may mga babaeng Trainees na nabuntis
habang nasa kani-kanilang three-year contract dito.
YUN ang iniiwasan ng Company.
Besides, kailangan ng bawa't kompanyang i-submit sa Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit pinauuwi ang mga Trainees.
Nakakahiyang ilagay dun..."Nabuntis sa kalagitnaang ng tatlong taon!"
Tsismis na dito yun, tsismis pa sa Pinas!
Imagine, uuwing buntis ang Pinay
eh ang asawa eh nasa Pinas naman!
Paano?
:
Minsan nang nagpunta ako sa Dorm nila,
mga alas 4 na ng hapon. Natagpuan ko nang may 2 lalake.
Kamag-anak daw. So wait ako, kasi nga, responsibilidad ko ang mga ito.
Aba, eh...alas 8 na kwentuhan pa sila.
Alas Diyes na, wala pa ring tumitinag.
Alas 10:30, nagsalita ako....
"Let's call it a day! Aba! Mag-a-alas 11 na pala!"
Etching lang.....
Saka lamang tumayo ang mga kumag at naghandang papauwi.
Hirap ng pakiramdam ko dun.
Gusto kong humikab, pero panay pigil.
I am used to go to bed at 9, 9:30...
Beyond that, talagang kailangang lagyan na
ng toothpick ang mga mata ko para mapanatiling bukas ito.
Eh mag-dra-drive pa ako pauwi sa bahay!
Sows!
Just imagine how I made tiis with that:
jingle na jingle na me, but
I can't make jingle there, kasi ba naman
some men were using those toilets along with the 10 under my care.!
And they hardly clean 'em toilets!
Yaiksss to da max!
::::
PANG-APAT:
LINISIN ang bahay.
:
Linggo linggo, ako ang nagche-check ng kanilang tirahan.
Bahay talaga yun ng may-ari na lumipat na sa ibang lugar.
Pinagamit sa mga Pinay.
Maganda, maayos, bagaman may kalumaan,
may modern amenities, ika nga:
kumpleto sa loob...bawa't room may aircon/heater,
may TV, satellite connection pa ang mga Lola, ha!
Tas, may Ref, Oven Range, Airpot, Gas Range,
Washing Machine, at meron pang panghugas ng puwet.
Heated toilet pa yun, ha? Para hindi malamig sa Winter.
Sa madaling salita, LAHAT!
:
O, saan merong ganyang accomodations?
Sige nga!
:
I checked first time. Tinuro ko ang tamang paraan ng paglilinis,
pagtatapon ng basura, personal napkins, atbp.
The next week, nag-check ako.
Tas, check din ang Toilet.
[Hiwalay ang Toilet sa Bathroom dito]
Nako pow! Nakita ko sangkaterbang buhok:
maigsi, mahaba!
:
Napalakas ang boses ko and I said:
"Hoy! mga babae kayo di ba?
Bakit ganito ang CR nyo?
Itong sapin sa toilet seat, kailan huling nalabhan ito?"
:
'Mula pa nung dumating kami rito.'...sagot sa akin.
:
"Mula pa noon, ni isang beses, wala pang laba-laba ito?" I asked.
:
Answer: 'Wala pa.'
:
Pag-angat ko ng toilet seat, may remnants pa ng
"ebs" sa likuran....parang nag-talsikan ang putikan!
Matigas na.
Naku! Talagang sumigaw na ako.
:]
"Ano ba kayo?
Hindi ba kayo nahihiya? Babae kayo di ba?
Kung sa kwarto ng mga lalake, baka hindi ako magulat....
pero mga Nanay kayo!....mga dalaga!
Sumalosep!" sabi ko.
:
Hindi ko mapigilang masuka.
Napasuka ako sa toilet.
Kadiri!
:::::
Since then, isnab-to-da-bones ang mga Pinay
sa biyuti ko.
:::::
These past few days,
nagkakaroon ng problema sa mga Pinay na ito.
Natuklasan ng may-ari ng Kompanya na hindi lang nagpapapsok sa
Dorm ang mga Pinay....
nangungutang pa sa ibang Pinoy at Hapon:
dun sa mga lalaking bumibisita
sa kanila sa bahay.
Lalong nagalit ang Owner ant Manager.
Bawal kasi yun sa mga Trainees nang maiwasan ang gulo.
Gusto ng may-ari na makapag-ipon ang mga Pinoy ng pera
nanag may maiuwi pagbalik-Pinas.
::::
Ewan ko, ha....
pero sa eded nila ay naglalaro mula 25 sa pinakabata
at 36 sa pinakamatanda, pero ang lumalabas,
kung sino pa ang bata, siya pang sumusunod sa mga utos.
Sa mga nakakaktanda naman, kung magbabago yan, eh di sana
noon pa. Bagkus sila itong malalakas ang loob na sumuway sa utos.
Marami nang pagkakataong nahuli at pinatawad sila.
NGAYON, eto na naman!
Ilang beses na nga ba?
:
Kailan matututo?
Kailan magbabago?
Hanggang 'Gomenasai' na lang ba?
:::::
When I was in Grade 4,
I remember a line taught to us in GMRC.
=
"Growing up children knows what is wrong
and what is right.
Good children shun what is wrong
and do what is right."
=
Hindi na sila bata.
Mga matatanda na.
:
Hindi kaya "Batang isip?"
::::
Pray, do tell.....
=
OSHIETE!
::::

AUTUMN IN MY MIND

*
**
***
****
*****
******
*******
********
*
*
*
"The falling leaves, sit by the window
The falling leaves, are red and gold......"

I don't know if I got that one right,
but that song speaks of one love lost, right?
::::
Well, my memories of Autumn is one which makes my heart cry
not of sadness but one with tears of joy.
::::
I had my first taste of Autumn a decade or so ago.
You see, I have always opted to go back 'home' in Inang Bayan
when the first sign of chilly winds begin to blow.
::::
That time, I opted to stay and see most of Japan.
Those were the times when we had enough free time to travel
in most of HONSHU, the main island,
and KYUSHU, that 2nd bigger chunk of island south of Japan.
::::
When Hiroko asked if I wanted to go to Aomori,
I didn't think twice. I just grabbed that opportunity
and said 'Yes!'
I didn't regret that.
Oh, no...not one bit!
::::
We started late one October day.
We first travelled via the highway.
But the best view comes from the ordinary inner roads.
We stopped at every place where great views could be had.
We travelled by car and enjoyed the places we passed through,
clicking at every oppotunity.
::::
When we reached Aomori....
Yeah, that Aomori of the APPLES fame!
....we stopped at the Welcome Banner where
apple-decors [ but of course!] were displayed.
I must have my picture taken, I said.
If only to show Manila friends that I have, indeed,
gone to that place.
Not to brag, but to share that such a place really exist!
::::
As Hiroko woved through the center of Aomori,
[I believe] H deliberately went to the hills,
where the apple orchards were.....
and stopped a while.
H said that we seemed lost, but later,
I realized H was just showing me those orchards!
Goodness me!
::::
It was dusk and no one seemed around.
We got down and started clicking pictures as if
there was no tomorrow.
Of course! I had the most!
::::
I asked if I could just take one pick...
but H said no. We could always buy, but no picking please.
The apples seemed soooooo delicious,
that's why!
::::
Apples in Japan seemed to be well-taken cared of.
One by one, they are wrapped in protective paper
and turned so each one gets the proper sunshine
to make them sweeter.
::::
Biotechnology here is well-known.
Apple growers don't just grow apples.
They nurture each one
until it reaches maturity.
::::
Some apple variety here have honeys in them.
Don't ask me how they did it,
but they seem to be getting better and better each time.
When one cut open the apple,
one can see the slightly glossy concentrate
inside, by the core.....
and these make these apples taste better.
Known Gourmets here have only good words for them.
::::
Nothing can beat freshly-picked apples.
Up to that time, I didn't like apples that much.
I was, and still am, a MIKAN[TANGERINE] addict.
But I have since included apples in my marketing list.
::::
I guess we, in Pinas have been used to eating
"delicious Washington apples" [as labeled on the box]
and those small ones from China.
Apples here are totally different!
Worlds apart, so to speak.
::::
On our way out of the city,
there were stalls and stalls that line the road.....
Parang naalala ko yung road papuntang Tagaytay!
Daming prutas dun, right?
These stalls had only apples and related products for sale.
And, would you believe?
A box costs 300 yen only!
I couldn't believe my eyes!
In supermarkets in my place,
each apple costs about 158-200 yen on ordinary off-season days.
But in-season sales, each costs about a hundred yen.
I wanted to buy more but settled to 2 boxes
which I gave away as pasalubongs to my friends and neighbors!
::::
WE stayed at a local Japanese RYOKAN [INN]
and enjoyed the Spa and the deliecious food.
::::
The next day, when we were heading for home,
we passed by the main road. It was then that
I saw those mountains for the first time.
They was a riot of colors:
red, golden yellow, reddish brown, orange....
Oh my goodness!
I couldn't help cry seeing what I saw!
And I thought those pictures I saw in Calendars brought by my Tatay
a long time ago was just that: a painting of sorts that was concocted by some painters.
Geez! Am I lucky to see such blessings from the 0ne above!
How great must God really be!
To make such wonderful things and give them to us!
:::::
I cried and cried.
It just wouldn't stop!
I felt so happy that time that the memories has remained etched
in my mind and heart forever!
We stopped by a Parking Area and took lots of pictures.
Me, posing.....
with those trees of varying colors
as the backdrop.
::::
I was specially happy
since my birthmonth also falls in Autumn.
What a birthday gift that was!
Since then,
Autumn became a favorite season....
and all there is to it.
:::::
Thanks, Aomori.
.................
And Thank, You, LORD
for a Beautiful World,
a beautiful Autumn
and those apples!
::::
Yumyum!
*
*
******
*****
****
***
**
*

THE SUN SHINES......at last!

:
::
:::
::::
Clouds have eased a little;
The SUN creeps little by little.
I tell you Friend, that
THAT brightens my day!
::::
I have longed to see the SUN
since yesterday was a bit cold;
I want to see the sunshine come
and shoo away the cold.
::::
I have loads of laundry to do;
the hedges need cutting, too.
Come here, O SUN, and shine today
So each of us can do our way!
::::
::::

I wish I have a magic wand
to do as I have wished
I only want all good things to shine
and shun the bad from coming through.
::::
I am not saying rains are bad...
Both rain and sun we need them all.
But too much of one thing just wouldn't do.
We need a change and change, we must do.
::::
The same is true with the country we all love:
When power is abused and people are pushed.....
Most people can't take more than what they can chew.
Pray, I say and all will be well.
God is here,
and the sun shines through!
::::
:::
::
:

Just Me, Checking.....

*

**

***

****
A minister passing through his church

in the middle of the day,

decided to pause by the altar

and see who had come to pray.

:

Just then the back door opened,

a man came down the aisle.

The minister frowned as he saw

the man hadn't shaved in a while.

:

His shirt was kinda shabby

and his coat was worn and frayed,

the man knelt, he bowed his head,

Then rose and walked away.

:

In the days that followed,

each noon time came this chap

,each time he knelt just for a moment,

a lunch box in his lap.

:

Well, the minister's suspicions grew,

with robbery a main fear,

He decided to stop the man and ask him,

"What are you doing here?"

:

The old man said, he worked down the road.

Lunch was half an hour.

Lunchtime was his prayer time,

For finding strength and power.

:

"I stay only moments,

because the factory is so far away;

as I kneel here talking to the Lord,

This is kinda what I say:

:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU LORD,

HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP

AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,

BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.

SO JESUS,
THIS IS JIM....
CHECKING IN TODAY."

:

The minister feeling foolish,

told Jim that was fine.

He told the man he was welcome

To come and pray just anytime.

:

Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks."

He hurried to the door.

The minister knelt at the altar,

he'd never done it before.

:

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,

and met with Jesus there.

As the tears flowed, in his heart,

he repeated old Jim's prayer:

:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU LORD,

HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP

AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,

BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.

SO JESUS,
THIS IS ME....
..... CHECKING IN TODAY."

::::

:::

::

:

Past noon one day, the minister noticed

that old Jim hadn't come.

As more days passed without Jim,

he began to worry some more.

:

At the factory, he asked about him,

learning he was ill.

The hospital staff was worried,

But he'd given them a thrill.

:

The week that Jim was with them,

Brought changes in the ward.

His smiles, a joy contagious.

Changed people, were his reward.

:

The head nurse couldn't understand

why Jim was so glad,

when no flowers, calls or cards came,

Not a visitor he had.

:

The minister stayed by his bed,

He voiced the nurse's concern:

No friends came to show they cared.

He had nowhere to turn.

:

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up

and with a winsome smile:

"The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,

that in here all the while

everyday at noon

:

He's here,

a dear friend of mine, you see,

He sits right down, takes my hand,

Leans over and says to me:

:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU JIM,

HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,

AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.

ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,

I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,

AND SO JIM,
THIS IS JESUS................
........CHECKING IN TODAY."

::::

:::

::

:

Many people will walk in and out of our life,

but only true friends will leave footprints in our heart.

:

May God hold you and me
in the palm of His hand and

Angels watch over us.

:

But for those of us who are already His,

He not only holds us in the palm of His hand,

but has engraved our names there,

and we are continually in His sight (Isaiah 49:16)

::::

Yes, I do love God.
He is my source of existence and Savior.

He keeps me functioning each and everyday.

Without Him, I will be nothing.

Without him, I am nothing

but with Him
"I cando all things through Christ
that strengthens me."

(Phil 4:13)

::::

This is too good not to share

-SO THIS IS ME
.........JUST CHECKING IN
*
May you all

Have a Nice Day!

****

**

*

With YOU Everyday of the Week

• Monday ------Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity,

so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

• Tuesday------Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice

I have collected though the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

• Wednesday----- Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

• Thursday------ Cleaning Day

Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults

I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

• Friday------- Shopping Day

O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so

I may purchase eternal happiness for myself

and all others in need of love.

• Saturday------ Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love

and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

• Sunday ------The Lord's Day

O God, I have prepared my house for you.

Please come into my heart so I may spend the day

and the rest of my life in your presence.

----****oooo0000oooo****-----

THAT DAY

TEN THINGS GOD WON'T ASK ON THAT DAY:

1. GOD won't ask what car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation of their own.
2. GOD won't ask the square footage of your house. He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3. GOD won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet. He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4. GOD won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5. GOD won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6. GOD won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7. GOD won't ask in what neighborhood you lived. He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8. GOD won't ask about the color of your skin. He'll ask about the content of your character.
9. GOD won't ask why it took you so long to seek salvation. He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in Heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
10. GOD won't ask how many of these you'd follow hereon....He already knows your decision.

VIRTUES

::::

:::

::

:

"A lie a day, keeps detractors away! "

:

"Ang sinungaling, kapatid ng magnanakaw."

....yan ang sabi ni Nanay.

:

Cheating is bad!"

...so said my teachers in days gone by.

:

Not these days.... Most of those who were interviewed [as shown in one Daily] said

that it was Ok to cheat, "everybody's doing so, anyway!"

The Q was asked of a thousand or so-interviewees after the

Nursing leakage scam came out.

:

Geez! Is this the virtue we want our future children to have?

Not me!

Definitely, NOT!

Oh no! Not this one!

:

Virtues are scarce these days.

Some people have gone "practical" and sold their Virtues at a price: their own person.

They bow to a meager price....and embrace a life ful of lies,

cheating and live in a country of make-believe espoused by their supposed leader.

:

How I wish people can live with dignity even in hard times.

How I wish people look at things with a balanced perspective and weigh things as they see it.

:

The present situation isn't very encouraging.

The peso is "stronger"...so they say,

but businessmen such as those who invest in the country say otherwise.

I know! I have made several investments in a number of businesses and

the result isn't that blooming, as the "spokesmen" [lapdogs, tutas or what-have-you]

of the present regime keep on mouthing!

:

STOP THE LIES!

Go and LIVE a LIFE that is GOOD,HONEST, and TRUE.

Only then will GREAT THINGS COME TO YOU.

STOP LIVING A LIE!

STOP THE LIE!

STOP THE LIAR!

::::

:::

::

:

D.U.I.

Twenty-six police officers and government employees have been punished

for driving after drinking so far this year,

already surpassing last year's total of 25, the National Police Agency here has found.

::::

Four were arrested on suspicion of violating the Road Traffic Law for

driving under the influence or the more serious charge of drunken driving.

Prosecutors received the cases of 20 offenders, the NPA said.

The National Public Safety Commission Chairman apologized Friday

for the behavior of the police. The NPA said it will start a special education program for police personnelto stop drunken driving among themselves.

::::

Japan has taken stricter measures against driving under the influence

following a horrific accident in Fukuoka in late August.

A drunken city employee hit an SUV and pushed it off a bridge into a river,

killing three children.

Police have set up check points around the nation to catch drunken drivers.

::::

Of the 26 officers and employees mentioned in the NPA's report,

two were fired for driving while intoxicated.

They worked at the Okayama and Nagasaki prefectural police forces.

Twenty were suspended from their duties,

two had their pay cut, and two were reprimanded,according to the NPA.

::::

Twenty of the drivers had at least

0.15 milligram of alcohol per liter of breath, the limit set under the Road Traffic Law.

::::

Kaya tuloy nagkahigpitan na naman dito!

Pati tuloy yung Test ko, postponed muna....

Pag nakalipas na ang focus sa pulisya dito.

Pulis kasi ang nagbibigay ng test....

Eh under hot water silang lahat dahil nga sa dami ng nahuli sa kanila.

Na-interview nga sa TV yung police officer na nagbibigay ng test

tsaka nag-interview sa akin....

Napanood ko sila sa TV....

::::

Better wait for a while.....

Palipasin ang Bagyo!

::::

::

:

HANDA KA BA?

*

SA LOOB NG ISANG TAON,

ilang beses nga ba ”bumibisita" ang Bagyo sa Bayan natin?

Sampu? Labinlima?

Marahil, higit pa.

*

Maliban sa Bagyo, marami rin sa atin ang Bulkan

na kapag sumabog eh, tiyak na napakaraming

mahihirapang lumikas.

Sunog, lindol, o landslides, baha, atbp..

*

Ganun din naman dito kung saan ako

nakatira sa kasalukuyan.

Lalo na sa lugar namin!

Nalula ako nang nalaman ko kung gaano

kadalas ang lindol dito!

Sinasabi ng Meteorological Agency dito

na mahigit sa isangdaang beses kung maglindol dito.

OO nga at medyo hindi maramdaman kasi nga,

minor earthquakes lang.

Mga 2...minsan, 3 sa Richter Scale.

Meron ding panahon na nagigising ako

sa kalaliman ng gabi at maririnig

ang tunog ng lampara sa gitna ng kuwarto ko

na umuugoy, kahit na ang bahay namin ay

bungalow type.

Minsan, akala ko, nahihilo ako:

yun pala, may lindol.

Laging may daily updates sa telebisyon,

kaya alam namin kung ano ang situwasyon.

*

Hindi rin maikakaila na ang Mt. Fuji ay isang dormant volcano.

May mga oras na talagang tinatalakay sa telebisyon ang scenario

sakali mang sumabog ito.

Sa palagay ko, mawawala ang Shizuoka-ken

sa mapa kapag nagkaganoon.

Malapit din dito ang isang Geothermal Plant na siyang pinagkukunan

ng enerhiya sa lugar namin.

*

Matay kong isipin,

talagang maraming posibilidad na mangyari....

kaya naman, napagdesisyunan ko na,

na talagang babalik ako sa Pilipinas

pag dumating na ang tamang panahon.

*

Ang gobyerno dito ay talagang kumikilos:

• lahat ay tinuturuan na maghanda

sakali mang magkaroon ng kalamidad.

• Pinapayuhan ang lahat na maghanda.

Binigyan ang bawa't household ng isang BAG.

EMERGENCY BAG kung baga.

Nagbigay rin sila ng listahan ng

dapat ay laman ng bag na ito:

tubig, kendi, biskuwit,

pagkaing de-lata [tinapay, kanin, lugaw,

sardinas, prutas, at iba pa]

pangginaw, blanket, extrang damit,

aluminum sheets[para panlaban sa maginaw na taglamig],

plastic na pwedeng gawing instant toilet,

guwantes, flashlights, baterya, radyo,

at marami pang iba.

Kailangan ding dala-dala ang pansariling dokumento:

National Insurance, IDs at Cash Cards para

sakali man, may maipakitang pagkakailanlan.

*

Ang mahalaga ay makapaghanda ng pansariling pagkain at gamit

habang naghihintay ng tulong galing sa gobyerno.

*

May nabibili rin, nguni't ito ay medyo mahal.

Ang ginagawa ko ay bumibili paunti-unti ng mga kailangan.

Sana ganun din ang gawin ng bawa't Kababayan natin.

Halos kasing dami ng Bagyo sa loob ng isang taon

ang Bagyong meron sa Bayang ito.

Sa totoo nga, madalas akong biruin ni Jiji na

'binibisita ka ng Bagyo, galing sa Pilipinas'....

Kaya dapat marahil, maghanda ang bawa't isa.

*

IKAW ba, Kapatid....

Handa ka na ba?

****
**
*

PAGKATAPOS NG UNOS

Isang Linggo pagkatapos bumWisita

ni Milenyo: eto ang situwasyon sa Pinas::::

BILLBOARDS:

NOW

they are saying!

Kung hindi pa nanalasa si Milenyo,

hindi pa maiisip na yang naglalakihang billboards eh

delikado, lalo na yung giant billboards na nasa

ibabaw ng mga building sa EDSA.

Hirit pa ng mga Advertisers Association,

40 na bb lamang nag nawasak,

at mayroon silang 2000 mahigit sa

EDSA, sa Highways, at sa iba pang bahagi ng

Metropilis!

Ha?

40 LANG!?

Lang?!

Aba at talagang pasaway ang mga ganid!

Lang daw!

Yun mismong 'lang' na yun, may nabiktima:

may namatay, may natabunan ng mga nagliparang

billboards, at may mga sasakyang naipit

nang bumagsak ang mga ito!

Ang hirap kasi sa ating mga 'magagaling

[sa nakawan!] na mga opisyales,

kasama na ang mga bogus.....

eh kikilos at iisipin lamang nag mga bagay-bagay

kapag may nabiktima na.

Samantala, marami pang kalat!

****

Ni wala tayong

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM

na nakahanda para sa anumang sakuna:

lindol, baha, o anupaman.

Halatang naghihilahan at

wachinangga ang kilos nitong si pygmea!

Magaling lang sa litratuhan

at bunganga. Wala sa gawa!

Buset!

AASA lamang sa tulong ng ibang Bansa.

Mabuti kung ang mga tulong ay nakakarating sa

kinauukulan.

Natawa na lang ako sa ginawa ni US Ambassador K

sa US$100,000 na dineretso sa PNRC

[isa pa yang ahensiya na yan;

marami ring kurakot dyan na taga-loob!]!!!!

Sampal yun kay gloria na siya mismong tumatanggap sa

mga tulong nang nakalipas na panahon!

Ha-ha! Buti nga sa iyo!

Pero macapal ka naman, eh...

kaya mo yun....

****
KURYENTE!

Halos isang Linggo na ang nakalipas,

pero ang Meralco,

ang bagal ng serbisyo.

Sa singilan...

o sa putulan ng koneksyon,

mabilis pa yan sa alas kwatro!

Pag tinawagan mo:

tsk!

Maghintay ka!

Sumalosep!

Hanoba?

Wala nang ligo,

wala pa ring tubig.

Bakit?

Eh kapag walang kuryente,

walang gana ang mga pumps sa mga subdivisions....

Limitado rin ang supply ng

distilled waters sa lugar sa MetroSouth.

Wala rin silang kuryente eh!

*****

TELEPONO:

Nawalan ng koneksyon, kahit sa landline ng tatlong araw...

Mabuti na lang ant nagkaroon ng

koneksyon noong Linggo.

Natawagan ko ang kamag-anak ko.