Mga Awit ni Blaise

LIWANAG KAY HESUS
1. Sa ‘yo Poon iaalay
Lahat ng pagpupuri ko
Tanging Ikaw ang may bigay

2. Iaalay namin sa Iyo
Binuhos Mong buong-buo.
Hinding-hindi mawawaglit,
Ang dulot Mong kasiglahan.

Refrain:
Liwanag kay Hesus
Namalas kong lubos.
Hindi mawawalay,
Handog ng sikat Mo.

3. Umaalab yaring puso,
Pasasalamat ko sa ‘Yo
Ikaw Hesus ang may dala,
Lahat ng aming tinatamasa.

Coda:
Hinding-hindi mawawalay,
Hinding-hindi, Hesus
Handog ng sikat Mo.

IBINUHOS MO!
1. Sa pagpatak ng luha,
Napangatal ako.
Sa tuwing naaalala,
Unos sa buhay ko.

2. Biglang napawi ang lahat,
Ginising Mo ako.
Niyakap-yakap ng higit,
Patunay na mahal.

Refrain:
Ibinuhos Mo sa ‘king mga mata,

Ang labis na ginhawa,
Na walang panghihinawa,
Sa tunay Mong pagpapadama

3. Anuman ang darating pa,
Biglaang may pagsubok.
Ikaw ang tatawagin,
Ibuhos Mo, Ibuhos Mo!

Coda:
Na walang panghihinawa
Ibinuhos Mo,
Ang tunay na pagpapadama.

IBIG KONG UMUSBONG PA!
1. Sa dami ng biyaya Mo,
Lumawak ang mundo,
Sa tinig na sinasambit.

2. Bawa’t araw na nagdaraan,
Ikaw ang may laan,
Ibig kong umusbong pa.
Pagmamahal sa ‘Yo.

Refrain:
Sa ‘Yo nabago ang lahat
Isinuko mga kahinaaan ko.
Ibig kong muli na sa ‘Yo
umikot ang buhay ko.
Upang maipalaganap,
Mabuting Balita Mo.

3. Sana ay matugunan Ko.
Tunay na ibig Mo.
Pagsisikap na umusbong pa,
Daloy ng pag-ibig Mo.

Coda:
Sa ‘yo nabago nag lahat,
Isinuko mga kahinaaan ko.
Ibig kong umusbong pang muli,
Buhay ko sa Iyo.

LANDAS NG PAGPAPAKABANAL

Salu-salo
75. Para sa isang bansang kilalang mahirap, isang sorpresa para sa maraming dayuhang bisita ang matuklasan na napakadalas kumain ng Pilipino. Lahat na lang yata ng importanteng pagdiriwang ay may kasamang salo-salo at kainan. Bukod ditto, mahalaga sa atin ang pagtanggap sa mga bisita at pag-anyaya sa kanila na kumain at makisalo kahit biglaan o hindi inaasahan ang kanilang pagdating. Malaking bagay, lalo na sa mga maralita kapag ang panauhin ay nakisalo sa kanilang “konting nakayanan”.

76. Hindi tayo nalalayo sa abot-tanaw na Hudyo pagdating sa pagpapahalagang ibinibigay natin sa pagsasalo. Katulad nila, sa pagsasalo din lumilitaw ang mga likas nating ugali. Hindi rin tayo basta nakikisalo sa hindi natin kamag-anak, kaibigan, katoto, kauri. Kaya’t kapansin-pansin sa ating mga handaan kung sino-sino ang magsasama-sama at magkukumpol-kumpol. Taglay din natin sa ating kultura itong napakalakas na kahiligan sa pagkakanya-kanya ng magkakadugo, magkakabarkada, magkababayan, magkauri, atbp. At ang kaisipang ito mismo ang hinahamon ng kakaibang uring pagsasalo sa hapag ng Panginoon sa Eukaristiya. Hinahamon ng Eukaristiya ang anumang umiiral na hidwaan at pagkakanya-kanya batay sa pinag-aralan, sa kariwasaan sa buhay, o sa katapatan sa partido, o anumang samahan. (1 Corinto 11:17-26) Kung ang diwa ng Eukaristiya ay komunyon, o pagkakaisang-diwa, nararapat lamang na maging batayan ito upang unit-unti nating mabuksan ang ating mga pagsasalo sa mga taong “iba-sa-atin”.

Pagdurusa
77. Hindi kaila sa buong mundo na isa tayo sa mga pangunahing bansang batbat ng mga kalamidad na pang-kalikasan: bagyo, lindol, baha, bulkan, lahar, atbp. Bukod pa ito sa katotohanang nakatitik na sa ating kasaysayan na tayo’y isang baying dumanas ng kaapihan sa kamay ng mga dayuhan—mga Kastila, Amerikano, Hapon, at ng sariling kababayan—tulad ng nakaraang diktadura. Batbat din tayo sa kahirapang dulot ng taliwas na sistemang panlipunan sa siyang deahilan kung bakit nananatiling dukha ang nakararami. Sa madaling salita, sanay tayo sa hirap, dusa at sakit at hindi dahilan ang alinman dito upang hindi na ngumiti, magbiro, magdiwang at magsaya ang Pilipino. Kahit mga dayuhan ay namamangha sa kakayahan nating magbata ng hirap at tiisin. Madalas, may kinalaman din ito sa lakas ng suportang nagmumula sa pamilya. At tulad ng natalakay na sa naunang bahagi, malaking tulong din sa atin ang pananampalataya, lalong-lalo na ang pagdulog sa larawan ng Panginoong Hesukristo (at ng Mahal na Birhen) na nakikiramay sa ating pagdurusa. Tulad ng madalas ipahayag ng ating mga kundiman, may tamis din ang magdusa hangga’t ito’y may dahilan. At madaling hanapan ng dahilan ng Pilipino ang kanyang mga pagdurusa. Pangunahin na rito ang pagyakap sa dusa bilang pagsubok ng Diyos, o bilang tadhana at kapalaran.
Itutuloy ...

How much water do you need a day?

Water is an important structural component of skin cartilage, tissues and organs. For human beings, every part of the body is dependent on water. Our body comprises about 75% water: the brain has 85%, blood is 90%, muscles are 75%, kidney is 82% and bones are 22% water. The functions of our glands and organs will eventually deteriorate if they are not nourished with good, clean water.

The average adult loses about 2.5 litres water daily through perspiration, breathing and elimination. Symptoms of the body's deterioration begins to appear when the body loses 5% of its total water volume. In a healthy adult, this is seen as fatigue and general discomfort, whereas for an infant, it can be dehydrating. In an elderly person, a 5% water loss causes the body chemistry to become abnormal, especially if the percentage of electrolytes is overbalanced with sodium. One can usually see symptoms of aging, such as wrinkles, lethargy and even disorientation. Continuous water loss over time will speed up aging as well as increase risks of diseases.

If your body is not sufficiently hydrated, the cells will draw water from your bloodstream, which will make your heart work harder. At the same time, the kidneys cannot purify blood effectively. When this happens, some of the kidney's workload is passed on to the liver and other organs, which may cause them to be severely stressed. Additionally, you may develop a number of minor health conditions such as constipation, dry and itchy skin, acne, nosebleeds, urinary tract infection, coughs, sneezing, sinus pressure, and headaches.

So, how much water is enough for you? The minimum amount of water you need depends on your body weight. A more accurate calculation, is to drink an ounce of water for every two pounds of body weight.

Finding God After Working Abroad

by Nelson Pastor Ajos
...continuation

Comparing my job to the last one as sales supervisor was indeed an irony. Here I am, sweaty and smelly notwithstanding the efforts of sustaining my strength from morning until afternoon under the searing sun of the tropics. Someday might say how can that be when PNG is a rain haven at 365 days a year? There was drought at those months. The river was almost dry to a point that the delivery of very critical items like cement and food were done via choppers and C130s. All of these busy traffics were to my advantage, giving limitless overtime work. That what I came for anyway. I could not believe that the efforts I spent for my six months salary in the Philippines was equivalent to my one-month salary in Papua new Guinea, provided I worked hard. At that time, I thought I was in paradise with good money and good food. Then I realized that working overtime took a toll on my relationship with my family, for I had no more time to communicate to them via letters because at the early stage of the project, the technological advantage of our company was no match to the cruelty of the Kiunga jungle. Telephone calls are next to impossible.

The feeling of having so much money was so suffocating that my values started to change. Simple values became complicated. Before, in my leisure time I could drink beer and cheap spirits. I started to ridicule my peers that the brand they were drinking was good only for washing their athlete’s foot. I started to decorate myself with gold and do many thongs that even the rich would be shocked at my arrogance. I always entertained the thought that I had a good salary working in a top line construction company employer and also I felt that I was the best because I was trained by San Miguel Corporation and Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines prior my being OFW. However, despite this lifestyle, there was a single positive investment I made for my two kids, I gave them the BEST EDUCATION. I sent them both to the top caliber school in the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University. Believe me, not a single moment had I thought of thanking the Lord for those graces, for I believed that I was able to do this through my efforts, my experiences and my innate talent that enabled me to be on top of everything. In short I was full of pride.

I thought that my family was already a regular practicing Catholic. In fact we never missed Sunday masses, but we never read the Bible nor shared it with other people. While I was abroad I went to mass every Sunday and I made sure to have a good time after that. I felt this was needed to keep me busy, to avoid boredom and at the same time keeping my duty to my faith. Until I met some friends who were the constant companion of “engineer” Johnny Walker, “architect” Hennesy or “boss” Jack Daniels. During our usual conversations and jokes we were talking about the challenge of why we can’t make it with other women. With my faith at a low gear I succumbed to temptation which almost destroyed our marriage.

I went home on the ...

... to be continued

Ang Mabuting Balita ng Pagwawasak at Pagwawakas

Sa Linggong ito bago natin ipagdiwang ang kapistahan ng Kristong Hari na siya naming huling Linggo sa liturhikal na kalendaryo ng Simbahan, bumubulaga sa atin ang dalawang magkaugnay na tema ng “pagkawasak” at “pagwawakas”. Sa pamamagitan ng apokaliktikong pangungusap, inilalahad ni Hesus ngayon ang nalalapit na pagkawasak ng Templo ng Jerusalem: “Darating ang mga na walang matitirang magkapatong na batong sa lahat ng inyong nakikita; iguguho ang lahat” (Lc 21:6). Tunay na nakapangingilabot ang magaganap ng mga digmaan, malalakas na lindol, panahon ng pagkagutom, mga salot, at mga kaguluhan sa kalawakan (bb.10-11). Pagkatapos ng lahat ng mga ito ay darating naman ang pagwawakas ng daigdig. Hindi man “agad,” tiyak”namang darating din ito.

Likas na nakakatakot ang pagkawasak at nakalulungkot naman ang pagwawakas. Ngunit hindi namankinakailangang pagkatakot at at kalungkutan lang ang mamayani sa atin sa ganitong mga pagkakataon. May mga bagay o ugnayang nawasak o nasira na maaari pang mabuong muli. Ang pira-pirasong bahagi ng laruang nasira ng bata o ng bahay na giniba ng bagyo ay maaari pang pulutin, tipunin, pagdikit-dikitin hanggang sa mabuong muli. Gayundin ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa ating kapwa. Ang nawasak na tahanan, pagmamahalan o pagkakaibigan ay maaari pa ring muling mabuo sa pagpapala ng Diyos at kung handang umunawa, magpatawad at makipagkasundo ang mga taong nasasangkot. Hindi ito laging madali ngunit maaaring gawin kung talagang gugustuhin. Kapag nabuong muli ang dating nawasak na pamilya o pagkakaibigan, maaari na itong magpatuloy tulad ng dati o maaaring mas mabuti pa kaysa dati. Matapos wasakin ni Pedro ang pagkakaibigan nila ni Hesus sa pamamagitan ng tatlong ulit din naming binigyan siya ng pagkakataong ipahayag muli ang pag-ibig niya sa Panginoon. Ang “naligaw na tupa” ay hinirang pang “pastol ng mga tupa”(Jn 21:15-17).

Ngunit maaari ding ang bagay o ugnayang nawasak ay hindi na mabuo pang muli at talagang humantong na sa katapusan o hangganan. Ganun pa man, hindi kinakailangang habang-buhay na magdalamhati o magmukmok; habang may buhay, may pag-asa at marami pang maaaring gawin. Naalala ko tuloy ang sinabi ng dati kong guro ng seminaryo. “Ang buhay ng tao ay isang hanay ng pagsisimula at pagtatapos. Bawat simula ay isang paglalakbay patungo sa katapusan at ang bawat katapusan ay naghuhudyat naman ng panibagong simula.” Maaaring magtayo ng “bagong” bahay, maghanap ng mga “bagong” kaibigan, maghanap ng “bagong trabaho… Ang namatayan ng asawa ay maaaring magsimula ng isang “bagong” pagmamahalan. Sinumang kabilang kay Kristo, ayon kay apostol Pablo, ay isa nang “bagong daigdig” (2 Cor 5:17). Sa katunayan, hindi na siya ang nabubuhay kundi si Kristo ang nabubuhay sa kanya (Gal 2:20)

Sa bandang huli, ang Mabuting Balita ng pagkawasak at pagwawakas ay ito: magkakaroon ng “bagong langit at bagong lupa”…”Nasa piling na ng mga tao ang Tirahan ng Diyos. Maninirahan siya sa piling nila...at papahirin niya ang lahat ng luha sa kanilang mga mata. Wala nang kamatayan at wala ng pagluluksa, pag-iyak at paghihirap, sapagkat nawala ang dating mga bagay” (Pag 21:3-4) (Tingan Katesismo para sa Pilipinong Katoliko, blg 2079).
P. Emil Urriquia

How Will the World End? (Series LXII)

Answers to the Questions of the Catholic Faith

When Jesus was placed on trial by the high priests and council, he quoted a stunning passage from Daniel’s prophecies, identifying himself with the “Son of Man … coming on the clouds of heaven” in radiant glory one day to judge the world (Mt 26:63-64; see Dn 7:13-14). All the biblical references to Christ’s Second Coming confirm that this event will be a magnificent public
triumph, not invisible and secret, but universally visible and undeniable: “For just as lightning comes from the east and is seen as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Mt 24:27).

Scripture knows nothing, then, of an “extra” coming of Christ in secret before that time — the “rapture,” as many Christians call it — to snatch away true believers from the world. This notion is actually rather novel in Christian history. For the first eighteen centuries after Christ, Christian teachers of every sort — Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant — had never even heard of the idea, nor found any indications of it in Scripture. Even today, the great majority of Christians worldwide, including Protestants, reject it.

To prove their notion, rapture teachers typically cite St. Paul’s words about Christians on earth being “caught up … to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thes 4:17). Taken as a whole, however, the passage speaks of the Lord’s “word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God” (1 Thes 4:16) — hardly a picture of a secret, invisible coming. Instead, this text is a clear reference about Christ’s glorious Second Coming, with obvious parallels to other biblical texts about that event (see 1 Cor 15:51-52).

Rapture believers may also cite our Lord’s words about how, at his coming, certain people will be “taken,” while others will be “left.” But he also says this event will be “as it was in the days of Noah” when “the flood came and carried [the wicked] all away.” So those who are “taken” are the ones to be punished — not the righteous (see Mt 24:37-41).

Finally, rapture teachers claim that Christians must be “snatched” from the world because God has promised them an escape from the “great tribulation” of the last days. But actually the opposite is true: Jesus promised that in that time of trial, “the one who perseveres to the end will be saved” (Mt 24:4-22). (See also “How Will the World End?” and “What Is the Second Coming?”).

The Attorney

After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a courthouse. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin."The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies I told, things I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed, I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins even I completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I was guilty of those things, but I did some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise." When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan , and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad," then He turned to address the court. " Satan was correct in saying this man sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished."

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so this person might have eternal life and he accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine."My Lord continued with, "His name is written in the Book of Life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all." The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips... "This man is free The penalty for him was already paid in full. Case dismissed"As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, I will win the next one."

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that comes to Me and asks Me to represent them, receives the same verdict as you, "PAID IN FULL."

LANDAS NG PAGPAPAKABANAL

Sulat Pastoral ng Kapulungan ng mga Obispong
Katoliko ng Pilipinas-Sa mga Pilipinong Katoliko
(Hulyo 1999)

70. Sa bagong Katesismo ng Sambayanang Pilipino (CFC, #34-44), nilagom ang paglalarawang ito ng Pilipinong kalooban sa limang mga katangian. Tayo daw ay 1) nakaugat sa pamilya, 2) mahilig sa salo-salo, 3) batbat ng pasakit at sanay sa pagdurusa, 4) nagpapahalaga sa mga bayani at sa kabayanihan, at 5) nakababad sa mundo ng mga espiritu. Dito umiikot ang ating loob-sa-Diyos. Kumbaga sa diyamante, ituring nating tapyas ang bawat isa sa mga katangiang ito, na nagpapakislap sa alahas ng pananampalatayang Pilipino. Sisikapin nating mawari ang bawat tapyas na ito.
Pamilya
71. Kung maaari lang hiwain ang kalooban ng bawat Pilipino, hindi kataka-takang matuklasan sa ubod nito ang mga pangunahing mga karakter na humubog sa kanyang pagkatao: si inay, si itay, kuya, ate, sangko, sanse, diko, ditse, mga kamag-anak at malapit na kaibigan. Silang lahat ay nakarugtong sa pamamagitan ng isang matibay na lubid ng “pinagsamahan”. Sa pamilya natin namana ang pananampalatayang nakagisnan. Pamilya din ang unang nagmulat sa atin sa maraming mga kaugaliang nagtataglay ng ating “loob-sa-Diyos”. Hindi marahil kalabisan na sabihing ang buklod ng pamilya ang nagsisilbing pangunahing dahilan ng pagkakabuklod ng Pilipino sa Diyos. Ang Diyos ay laging may kinalaman sa mga Gawain, ugali, at mga paniniwalang iminulat sa atin ng ating mga magulang at ninuno. Kung malakas ang ating pagkapit sa mga paniniwalang ito, maaring ipinahihiwatig nito na malakas pa rin ang ating pagkapit sa pamilya. Ang pagtataksil dito ay pagtataksil din sa pamilya.

72. Ito ang madalas hamunin ng mga charismatic movements dito sa atin, at may punto din sila, kahit paano. Madalas nilang itanong kung tinatanggap na nga ba natin si Hesus bilang ating personal na Panginoon at Manunubos. O baka ang anumang pinanghahawakan nating paniniwala ay nakabatay pa rin sa katapatan sa pamilya at hindi sa isang dalisay na pagtataya ng kalooban at pananagutan?

73. Napakalakas ng buklod ng pamilya sa atin. Isang buklod na bagama’t may maraming naidudulot na kabutihan ay siya rin naming madalas maging dahilan ng ilang mga taliwas na gawain ng Pilipino. Maging tama man o mali, kung alang-alang sa kapatid, sa pamilya o kamag-anak ay makakayanang gawin ng maraming Pilipino. Sa isang punto, nagsisilbi na rin ito bilang isang bulag na katapatan sa nagiging sanhi ng maraming kabalintunaan at taliwas na gawain sa lipunan, maging sa larangan ng ekonomya, pulitika, at kultura.

74. Kung kay Kristo ang landas na nais nating sundin, kailangan din nating hamunin ang kung minsa’y nagiging malabis at di-angkop na katapatan sa pamilya, kung paanong hinamon niya ang kanyang sariling pamilya na kilalanin ang ibang tao, maging ang mga kapus-palad at makasalanan bilang kabahagi rin ng mas malawak na pamilya: ang pamilya ng Diyos. “Sino ang aking mga kapatid at magulang? Naririto — ang tumutupad sa kalooban ng aking Ama sa langit ay kapatid at magulang sa akin.” (Markos 3:31-35). Itutuloy...

Tips and Resources for Good Health (continuation)

Tips for Handling Stress.

Regulate your life as much as possible; take some creative control of your activities. Exercise adequately; take a long walk outside if possible, breathe deeply, get some sunlight. Shower regularly and drink plenty of water. Eat nourishing food with an adequate supply of B vitamins. Don't take yourself too seriously. Take time for rest and relaxation. Reach out to help someone. Keep life--present and future--in proper perspective.--A Key Encounter.

Nuts Are Good for You!
Adults who substitute two ounces of almonds for other foods can reduce their LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) by 10 percent in just a month. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fat, a good type of fat also found in avocados, olive oil, and other nuts. When monounsaturated fat replaces saturated or trans fats in your diet, cholesterol levels fall.
Nuts also are a good source of protein. But researchers stress that without substituting nuts for other foods, the resulting weight gain can negate their cholesterol-lowering effect. --Circulation.

The Benefits of Eating Wheat.
An important battle in the war against disease may be whole-grain wheat. While it has long been believed that wheat's fiber content might prevent cancer, new research shows that wheat contains powerful antioxidants that strongly contribute to the prevention of colon cancer, and possibly diabetes and heart disease. These antioxidants are found in the wheat's orthophenols, and orthophenols survive the baking process. --Kansas State University.

A Safe Diet for Everyone.
C. Everett Koop, former surgeon general of the United States, suggests the best menu is a "a varietal diet rich in complex carbohydrates and protein obtained from whole grains, beans, peas, legumes and a selection of root vegetables. Daily servings of leafy vegetables, daily servings of fruit, a few nuts and 8-10 glasses of water."--North Pacific Union Conference Gleaner, October 2002.

Walking--the Perfect Exercise!
There's growing agreement among exercise researchers that the intense physical activities offered by most health clubs are not the only--or even the preferable--path to better health. Indeed, the best thing for most of us may be to just walk.
Yes, walk. At a reasonably vigorous clip (three to four m.p.h.) for half an hour or so, maybe five or six times a week. You may not feel the benefits all at once, but the evidence suggests that over the long term, a regular walking routine can do a world of preventive good.

Walking, in fact, may be the perfect exercise. For starters, it's one of the safest things you can do with your body. It's much easier on the knees than running and doesn't trigger untoward side effects. Because walking affects you in so many ways at once, it can be difficult to determine precisely why it's good for you. But much of the evidence gathered so far is compelling:

Walking briskly for at least half an hour consumes a couple hundred calories and boosts your metabolic rate for the rest of the day, giving you a better chance of winning the battle of the bulge. Studies show that women who exercised regularly as children and young adults and had a healthy intake of calcium decreased their risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.

Finding God After Working Abroad

by Nelson Pastor Ajos

... continuation

... the capital city of PNG for a possible attack.

According to our intelligence report, from Filipino teachers based in those areas, our site would be attacked by the natives from all fronts. Meaning about 30 to 50 tribal groups are to attack us for their breakfast, lunch and dinner unless our client would pay the royalty money. Almost one third of Papua New Guinea Armed Forces were frantically diverted to Kiunga Province to augment the original forces assigned there for the protection of the lives and equipments of the company. After a week of negotiation with the tribal heads, things were agreed and there was peace again in the site. As I thought of my family, it did pass to my mind just to go home, but my goal was much greater than my desire. Also, nobody from the expatriates tried to resign or else it could have been a big dent on the pride of my fraternity Lex Taliones from San Beda College of Law.

For the first time in my life I was shaken to death. I was just imagining myself how it would feel when they would start barbecuing me. In spite of our Plan B to escape via the river taking the tugboat of the Filipinos we were resigned to die by giving them a good fight on a hand to hand combat. We were not marines yet all our rooms were fully armed with bows and arrows, hatchets, bolos and some bottles of Molotov bombs with find sand inside to make it hot flying element. Thanks to my experience as a street parliamentarian during the Marcos regime. After those worst upheavals, things came to stillness. We were back to work. Yet the experience kept me petrified even in my sleep. It was a long one until I experienced peace knowing that I was there for the future of my family and a good show off for the people who kept me at bay during my days in the Philippines.

Because of that long work lull, the project was at full blast, trying to keep up with the work slippage, therefore the arrival of materials and equipments was indeed heavy and taxing yet when we transposed this into work, the overtime was more than we could handle. As a matter of fact my paycheck was so huge that I made a comment that I should have worked abroad long time ago. Things were getting to be much better for us. I felt that working overtime was necessary yet I recognized the big spiritual negative effect because I often missed my Sunday masses. So my life abroad was driven by my desire to work and work and earn dollars even at the expenses of forgetting my Sunday mass obligation.

My job as a Material Specialist was physically difficult. I had to climb the ships cargo bay, jump from container to container and to look at the million dollar heavy equipments for any damages. I was the wharf’s last word. Neither ship nor barge could be unlashed unless I say so. I was the ship’s captain pain in the butt. I was also in-charge of identifying materials that nobody could identify.

Comparing my job to the last one as ...
...to be continued