Song of Years

You have been good to me. You have been good to me. You have been gracious. You have been faithful, meeting my needs. Lord it's so plain to see that You have been good to me. I have been given so much I can't even begin to thank You.

Still I believe there is more. I believe there is more. I believe. So I open my hands to receive all that Your love has in store. Lord I believe.

Everything I have done. All that I've said and sung. Lifting Your story, giving You glory, that's just the beginning. Father I know there is more: Power to heal and restore, miracles, wonders, blessings unnumbered, love never ending.

Still I believe there is more. I believe there is more. I believe. So I open my hands to receive all that Your love has in store. Lord I believe.

Exceedingly, abundantly, more than our minds can imagine. Love overflowing You are bestowing day after day after day.

You have been good to me. You have been good to me. You have been gracious. You have been faithful, meeting my needs. Lord it's so plain to see that You have been good to me. I have been given so much I can't even begin to thank You.

Still I believe there is more. I believe there is more. I believe. So I open my hands to receive all that Your love has in store.

And still I believe there is more. I believe there is more. I believe. So I open my hands to receive all that Your love has in store.

Lord I believe
Lord I believe
Lord I believe

During the Ice Age many animals died because of the cold. Seeing this situation, the porcupines decided to group together, so they wrapped up well and protected one another.


But they hurt one another with their thorns, and so then they decided to stay apart from one another.


They started to freeze to death again.


So they had to make a choice: either they vanished from the face of the earth or they accepted their neighbor’s thorns.


They wisely decided to stay together again. They learned to live with the small wounds that a very close relationship could cause, because the most important thing was the warmth given by the other.


And in the end they survived.






- Story from Paulo Coelho's blog
- Illustration from Conniemartin's Weblog

The fever has gripped me once again and since part 1 of the last installment had just premiered, (I was able to watch the movie on the big screen) , thought I might share some of my Harry Potter collection. These were compiled along the years as I followed Harry and his gang.


Like many fans, I also grew up along with the trio and shared some of the struggles they underwent. But for me, what's unique and captivating about this series is that its not a love story. Although the characters possess supernatural powers, still the battles they fought within themselves were very human - one that we all could relate from. But aside from that, it also delves more on the strong bond that true friends share and the great heights one would willingly undergo for the sake of a pal. Indeed, one who finds a true friend finds a treasure.

I set out on a narrow way, many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you


Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you


I think about the years I spent, just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you
But you just smiled and took my hand
You've been there, you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

But now I'm just rolling home into my lover's arms
This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you


(Watch the video and listen to the melody here)

This is from Pixar's short film featured in the Disney movie "The Incredibles". I listened intently and wrote the lyrics so I am not a hundred percent sure if all the words are correct. Nevertheless, I like this story for it had a lesson we can all learn from: When life seems to be bring you down, you just bound right back.


Here's a story on how strange is life with its changes
And it happened not long ago:

On a high mountain plain, where the sagebrush arranges
A playground south of the snow
Lived a lamb with a coat of remarkable sheen,
It would glint in the sunlight all sparkly and clean,
Such a source of great pride
that it caused him to preen.
And he'd break out in high stepp'n dance.

He would dance for his neighbors across the way.
I must say that they found his dancin enhancin,
For they also join in the play. 

Then one day…

It has been a very long time since I became so engrossed in a movie that I also cried with the characters. This movie specially touched my heart because an hour before I watched this film, a friend of mine told me about a major decision he was making.

Listening to him, I felt like Suzanne hearing Wayne talk about enlisting in the war. My emotions were mixed: I was afraid, yet happy for him and at the same time very sad. But I also knew that I have to be brave and set aside any feeling for the greater good.

Sophie's reply to Claire's letter talks about taking the chance while you still have it. There are no rewinds in our lives. What happened yesterday will never happen again tomorrow. Every opportunity is unique in itself. But sometimes, and very rarely does it happen, that Fate gives us another chance in order to right a wrong, make straight what is crooked, expose what has been hidden, say the unutterable and to finally surrender to the inevitable.

I ask myself then- would I have the courage when it finally comes? If Fate did give us that chance, would we take the risk?

"What" and "If" are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side by side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life.

What if? What if? What if?

I don't know how your story ended, but if what you felt then was true love, then it's never too late. If it was true then, why wouldn't it be true now? You need only the courage to follow your heart.

I don't know what a love like Juliet feels like: a love to leave loved ones for, a love to cross oceans for. But I'd like to believe, if I ever were to feel it, that I'd have the courage to seize it.

And if you didn't, I hope someday you will."

"You called in trouble and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder, I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it."

I love the sound of the pouring rain outside my window; It makes for a good background music.

Rain - cleanses the body and soul from impurities, gives new life.

And like a withered tree that was brought to life by the rain, so was I finally healed from my "Period of Mourning" which lasted for 3 months.

I now came to terms with myself, stopped fighting my inward battles and finally surrendered regarding certain  matters close to my heart. I now realized that opening yourself to love does not make you weak. In fact, it is the boldest thing you will ever do. Yes, you will become vulnerable and therefore expose yourself to various emotions, but it is worth it. It's ok to feel pathetic because if you haven't, then you have not really loved at all. Love is freedom. And the sooner I accepted it, the sooner I was healed.

I also learned that love is a risk. Happiness is part of the package but so is also being hurt. It's part of the risk we all must undergo. If we won't risk, then we will never know and we will end up having so many hang -ups in life.

Lately, there have been some issues regarding a certain friend of mine. Now this will be the first time that I will express my opinion regarding this matter without anyone interrupting me or dictating me as to what and how I should feel and think.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The tide rises, the tide falls,
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;
Along the sea sands damp and brown
The traveler hastens toward the town,
     And the tide rises, the tide falls.


Darkness settles on roofs and walls,
But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls;
The little waves, with their soft white hands,
Efface the footprints in the sands,
     And the tide rises, the tide falls.


The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh as the hostler calls;
The day returns, but nevermore
Returns the traveler to the shore,
     And the tide rises, the tide falls.

A soundtrack from the movie "Life with Mickey".

Where did summer go?
How did I miss the change of season?
All at once the wind blows rough
It's cold enough to snow

In the street below
People laugh for no reason
Don't they know?
It's cold enough to snow

When we were together
And you were staying
Funny but the weather
Still felt like May in mid December

Now the chill wind blows
Sunny skies are only teasing
You won't show
And it's cold enough to snow

On the radio
There's a man says
It ain't freezing
What's he know?
He didn't watch you go

Now the sun can't shine
If it wants to, fine
But it's cold enough to snow

(Watch the video and listen to the melody here)

I find it very amusing that you are the most makulit friend I have ever had (well, except sha2 of course, she has always been makulit and always will be I guess). But I salute you Nin for always trying my patience and for always quarreling with me. Only you can do that.

Ever since high school, we have always quarreled. Remember that very big argument we got ourselves into back in 4th year? You really made me cry. You did not say sorry and when I did asked for your apology, you turned away from me. You made me so furious that I did not talk to you for a week and acted like you did not exist even though your seat was just in front of me.

Paulo Coelho never fails to amaze me. Here is another story I found in his blog site that really touched my heart.


A man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year-old son waiting for him at the door.

“Daddy, may I ask you a question?”

“Yeah, sure, what is it?” replied the man.

“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?

“That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” the man said angrily.

“I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” pleaded the little boy.

“If you must know, I make $20.00 an hour.”

“Oh,” the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I borrow $10.00 please?”

The father was furious. “If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. I work long, hard hours everyday and don’t have time for such childish games.”

"Do you love Me?"
Was Your piercing question
I immediately answered You
"Of course Lord, You know I do".

Again You asked, "Do you love Me?"
I quickly answered "Yes!"
Thinking of the many blessings
And the graciousness sent.

Again You asked, "Do you love Me?"
I hesitated for a moment
I thought about the sufferings ahead
I answered, "Maybe Lord".

Again You asked, "Do you love Me?"
I did not answer You
I was thinking of my losses
But instead I said, "Do You?"

I was shocked with myself today.

I cried during lunch break and felt a little panicky when at a quarter to 1pm, I still couldn't stop my tears from falling.

I'm stressed out.
I'm tired.

All the weariness I felt the past week and this week poured down upon me and I couldn't take it anymore. Throughout the afternoon, my eyes would just fill with tears and I have to wipe them away before my clients notice them.

by: Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

(road - decisions
It is the consequences of the decisions you did not choose to follow)

General provisions:

A – Whereas the saying “all is fair in love and war” is absolutely correct;

B – Whereas for war we have the Geneva Convention, approved on 22 August 1864, which provides for those wounded in the battle field, but until now no convention has been signed concerning those wounded in love, who are far greater in number;

It is hereby decreed that:

Article 1 – All lovers, of any sex, are alerted that love, besides being a blessing, is also something extremely dangerous, unpredictable and capable of causing serious damage. Consequently, anyone planning to love should be aware that they are exposing their body and soul to various types of wounds, and that they shall not be able to blame their partner at any moment, since the risk is the same for both.

Last Sunday, while I was rummaging through my notes, I came upon this feature article I made years ago. As I read it, scenes of jubilee came into my mind and I was reminded again of that day, September 23, 2003 when my academic career took a turn for the better and college life was never the same again.

I was a junior in college then and was selected to be one of the two to represent our school for a city-wide travel feature writing contest. The competition was to be held on Sept. 23, 2003, 2:00pm at the Sunken Garden in Zamboanga City. It was to be one of the events for the annual Fiesta Pilar celebration.

My Department Head, Dr. Erlinda C. Espinosa, who later became my mentor and a very dear friend, informed me (I used the term because in the telling of the news, It was not as if I had a choice whether to join or not. She was merely informing me that she submitted my name to the dean) about a week before the contest. As I am obviously not from Zamboanga and knew very little of it's history, I was very anxious whether I am capable of the job, so I desperately searched for review materials.

But to make the long story short, I proceeded with it and came out victorious. When I told Ma'am Linda the following day what happened, you can just imagine her delight. It was as if she was the one who won. And as we were in the Faculty Room that time, she told all the teachers about it and the whole day, (I had 3 subjects that day with her - Shakespeare, English Lit. and Poetry) she couldn't stop from calling me to answer or read some lines out loud for her even if I was just quietly sitting on my place and not raising my hand.

Now, looking back at that day and reading that article, I blush. Why? Because with all the earnestness in my heart I confess that my piece does not deserve such recognition. It's not that good. Ma'am Linda didn't even ask what I wrote or how I wrote it because if she did, she would have second guessed my capability. But you know, on the other hand, there is a matter for self-congratulations at this time. My Essay teacher once told me that when you realized how mediocre your articles were in the past, it means you have grown in your craft. She's right of course. How could I have done better when I have not yet known better?

And so for growth's sake, I am thankful that I did not throw immediately that scratch paper until I had the chance to copy it. But what I have though is not the same as to what I submitted because in the rewriting to the final paper, I added and deleted some sentences.

Without further delay, I now present to you that feature article in it's entirety (wrong grammars including!). Be my judge. But I can assure you, I am much better now.

My teacher in History would often tell us how proud she is of Zamboanga. She would often relate to us the events that happened during the invasion of the Spaniards. Oh, she was indeed a proud Zamboanguena. But then I began to wonder why. What is it with Zamboanga that people of different cultures are attracted to it? What made the City of Flowers bloom amidst the others?

It need not take a long time for me to know the answers. I simply looked around- and then I knew.

Zamboanga the Beautiful. Zamboanga the Great. Zamboanga the Glorious. These and many more attribute to the intensity and the magnanimity of Zamboanga. But behind these names, we could never deny the fact that Zamboanga has a rich and beautiful past. The City of Flowers holds precious treasures in her hand that no one can ever take away.

Among the treasures she holds is the Fort Pilar – a place of peace and rest. For how many years, the Fort have been a place of refuge for weary souls. It have been a haven for the tired soldiers after a day’s work. It is a place of sanctuary where people can go and meditate upon the mighty works of God.

Another treasure the beautiful Zamboanga holds is its rich cultural diversity. Different kinds of people live in Zamboanga. There are the Tausugs, the Yakans, the Bisaya, the Badjaos and the Zamboanguenos. Each tribe has their own culture and style but each one becomes united when fighting for a cause.

Chavacano - the local dialect is one of the priceless treasures the people hold and honors. It is 70% Spanish and 30% a mixture of Bisaya, Tausug and Tagalog. The residents of Zamboanga are bilingual – they can speak fluently any of the languages. Sometimes, when I hear people talking to each other in Chabacano, I get fascinated. The language was intricately done that listening to it is like listening to music.

Another fascinating thing about Zamboanga is the City Hall. That building has also been a witness to countless meetings and debates in the past when the Spaniards and the Americans were still here. It’s halls were witnesses to brave Filipino men who fought and argued to the foreign invaders to stop their tyranny.

Zamboanga indeed holds a specific spot in everyone’s hearts because many people have already given their lives in order to protect it. A lot of people have already spent so much time and effort in keeping this city together. Many were the sweat and tears that were shed among the walls of this city.

As I was looking back on the incident about my teacher in the classroom, I suddenly realize that it need not take a long time for me to think about the answers to my questions. It is all there laid up for me. I only have to open my eyes and my mind to the wonderful treasures I have on my hands. I am a part of the whole. I am a resident of this city and therefore I am part of Zamboanga.

E.E. Cummings

Somewhere i have never traveled, gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
In your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near

Your slightest look easily will easily unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose.

Or if your wish be to close me,I and
my life will shut very beautifully,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;

Nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing

(I do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands

It is good to be idle once in a while because you learn to appreciate all the things you have done and will do.

I am actually savoring my vacation now. For the whole month of July, I have been very busy. There was not a weekend night that I spent at home. But those moments were really worth it.

One time, I spent it on a beach underneath the stars. Lightning was flashing on the horizon. The smell of the sea was intoxicating. The sound of the waves splashing on the shore was lulling. If you look long enough at that great big canopy, you can actually catch glimpses of falling stars. I did not dare wish upon them though. They were so fast, I could barely finish 2 words before they fade. Besides, I stopped wishing upon them a long time ago. I learned that it isn't the stars that grant my wishes, it's the One beyond them.

This is the 14th poem I composed during the Silent Hour of the Crossroad Retreat held at Bundok Aninaw, Camanga Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur last October 29, 2010 .

Finally, after 4 years, I was able to write a poem again and mind, the words came out automatically and very few erasures only - a testament that when God indeed speaks, there is no stopping Him.

May you be blessed as I was.

In the road that you're traveling,
Do not be afraid
For My love is unending
My comfort will aid


Be it smooth or rocky,
hilly or plain,
Be it clear or murky
My love will remain

In my college years, I stayed with my aunt who had a son. Since we were of the same age, Ben and I always hang out together. He would strum his guitar (which he was very good at) and I would always be the singer. As all music lovers have, he has a collection of songbooks which I always use in our little gigs.

One day, I happened to come across this song. I was so struck with the title that when I read the lyrics, I instantly fell in love with it. Since no one knew it's melody and Youtube wasn't the fad then, it was only about a year ago that I finally learned how to sing it.

I have always believed that there are no accidents. I have read countless books (some were even near-death experiences) which convinced me that everything happens for a purpose and that before we were born, God already ordained the days of our lives.

But lately, I started doubting that.

I felt distant to my Maker. Questions run through my mind: Is He indeed the God who sees things even before they occur? Why aren't things happening the way I want them to happen? Is He really the God who always gives us the best? Does He really know my dreams? Does He even consider the plans I made or does He just leafs through my prayer list then dumps them? Is He interested? Does He even care?