BHKJOURNAL_2015_00010: LUNA. POLITIKA. DIYOS. BAYAN. KABATAAN…

LUNA. POLITIKA. DIYOS. BAYAN. KABATAAN.

Libert A. Ong (Brave Heart Kid)

September 28, 2015, 12:20AM-1:20PM (Cabanatuan City)

Isang Heneral ang nagbabalik mula sa nakaraan,

Muling binigyang buhay ng mga manunulat ng kasalukuyan;

Kanyang buhay ay lumitaw sa pinilakang tabing

At sa wakas, naipalabas ito sa bayan na kanyang huling hantungan.

Noong umpisa’y halos tanggalin ito sa mga sinehan,

Sapagkat mamayang sumusuporta’y kakarampot lamang;

Salamat sa biglang reklamo ng nakapanood na iilan

Sapagkat napakahusay na obra ay dapat lamang suportahan.

Naglabasan kung saan-saan ang iba’t-ibang suporta

Upang bigyang hustisya ang pelikulang ubod ng ganda;

Ito ang naging hudyat ng mga haka-haka

Na may sabwatan upang mapigil pa rin ang tagumpay ni Heneral Luna.

Bakit nga ba pagyabong niya ay parang sinadyang limitado?

Dahil ba mga lumikha nito ay walang sapat na pondo?

O baka naman may mga mataas na opisyal na ang damdamin ay tinamaan

Sapagkat konektado siya sa pamahalaang gahaman, ngayon o noon pa man.

Isa pang nakapagtataka ay ang ‘di pagpapalabas sa mga sinehan ng Cabanatuan,

Kung saan si Heneral Luna ay napakabrutal na pinaslang;

Salamat na lamang sa ilang may malasakit sa ating bayan,

Nagkaroon ng hakbang upang ito’y lubos na masilayan.

Naglabasan ang iba’t-ibang balita tungkol sa taglay nitong ganda

Kaya nga mga sinehan ay napilitang ibalik siya at may dagdag pa;

Kahit ilang araw lamang siyang namayagpag,

Tagumpay nito’y hindi na mababagbag.

Salamat sa mga sumuportang tunay na makabayan

Pati na rin sa mga nanood upang maki-uso lamang;

Palakpakan sa loob ng sinehan sana’y mula sa kabusilakan

At hindi lamang pagtataksil sa pamamagitan ng panlilinlang.

Bagamat umabot sa Oscars ang magandang pelikula

Hindi pa rin ito makakaiwas sa mga intriga;

Mas masakit sapagkat sariling mga kababayan ang humuhusga,

Tama nga si Luna sa mga nabanggit niya sa naturang obra.

“Bayan o Sarili?” – Kadalasan sarili ang sagot ng karamihan,

Gahaman sa pera, kapangyarihan at karangyaan;

Sa kaugaliang pag-una sa ating mga sarili bago ang bayan,

Daan sa kabiguan sapagkat sarili ang unang kalaban.

Sa Heneral Luna, naging makabuluhan muli ang kasaysayan,

Nakakalungkot lang ang ilang tanong ng mga kabataan;

Nagtanong sila kung bakit nakaupo lamang si Apolinario,

Mga iho at iha, siya nga si Mabini – ang tinaguriang Dakilang Lumpo.

Sana’y bukod sa mga “trending” na usap-usapan,

Maging maalam din tayo sa ating pinagmulan;

Huwag lamang puro internet at at telebisyon,

Buksan din ang mga aklat ukol sa ating nasyon.

Gayunpaman, kami’y naniniwala pa rin sa inyo,

Susunod na henerasyon na mamumuno sa bansang ito;

May mga pagkukulang man dapat pa rin pagkatiwalaan

Sapagkat sila pa rin ang pag-asa ng ating Lupang Hinirang.

Muli, salamat sa bumubuo ng pelikulang Heneral Luna,

Palakpakan at papuring suporta tatalunin ang mga pirata;

Ngayon puso nami’y nagkaroon ng panibagong pag-aalab,

Upang ang mga usapa’y hindi na puro Pastillas at Aldub!

Salamat din sa’yo Heneral Luna

Sapagkat pagka-Filipino mo ay tunay nga!

Salamat sa pag-aalay ng iyong buhay,

Sa bayan na puno ng iba’t-ibang salaysay.

Isang saludo ng tagumpay aming ibibigay

Para sa isang Heneral na tunay na may saysay;

Mga aral na natutunan namin mula sa inyo,

Patuloy namin yang ipapamuhay dito.

Sa nalalapit na pagtatapos ng sanaysay na ito,

Gusto ko lamang ihabilin ang ilang panuto;

Ipagpatuloy natin ang pagmamahal sa bayan at kapwa,

Sa isip man, sa salita o sa gawa.

Heneral, salamat sa muling pagpapa-alab ng mga damdamin,

Wala nang makakapigil sa silakbo ng mga puso namin!

Pagmamahal sa bayan ay muling nagbabalik ang ningning,

Dadalhin ito hanggang katapusan kahit na maging alabok na lamang.

Sa susunod na henerasyon ako’y nanawagan,

Ipaglaban ang bayang sinilingan hanggang katapusan;

Huwag na huwag kakalimutan kailanman,

Ang Panginoong Diyos, ating sandigan kahit saan man.

Muli, salamat Heneral at sa mga taong muling nagsabuhay ng kanyang tapang.

Korapsyon, trayduran, politikahan at kaplastikan, itapon na lahat ng iyan;

Muling itaas at iwagayway ang watawat ng Pilipinas.

I-alay din ang buong puso para sa ating bayan at sa Kaitaas-taasan.

Sa aking pagtatapos, ako’y muling nanawagan,

Gobyerno, Filipino, mayaman o mahirap, matanda o kabataan, tayong lahat magtulungan;

Suportahan natin ang mga Filipino sa lahat ng larangan,

Inuulit ko – sa LAHAT ng LARANGAN, hindi sa bulsa ng iilan.

Bayang kong Pilipinas, ika’y minamahal,

Sa Panginoong Diyos laging ipinapagal;

Tagumpay at pag-angat mo’y hindi na mapipigilan ng kahit na sino

Sapagkat handa kaming mamatay ng dahil sa’yo!

BHKJOURNAL_2015_0009: EGGNOGGITES HALL OF FAME SEASON 2…

Last year, August 1, 2014, the inauguration of the eggn0ggites Hall of Fame has come to life…

Ironically, it was to honor a friend who passed away earlier that year and the eggn0ggites HOF was established to honor her (Dyan Antonette M. Leynes) during her natal day.

She was indeed a blessing that I even put her name in the dedication of my book “13 Months of Blessings – 2015 Edition” as thankfulness for her life that was lived to the fullest though it’s short.

(Editing: Courtesy of Welborne “Master” Laguinday)

Last year was the start of the tradition to honor the people who made an impact in my life especially those who were part of the “eggn0ggites.”

Today, August 1, 2015, while still celebrating the natal day of Dyan who has made an impact to each one of us, I will induct two more people to the “eggn0ggites Hall of Fame Season 2!”

_________________________________________________________________________

August 1, 2015 (eggn0ggites Hall of Fame Induction Season 2)

The 2nd overall inductee (1st of two in Season 2) to the egn0ggites Hall of Fame is none other than…

DARRYL P. SIRUNO

(Editing: Courtesy of Arjay M. Padsuyan)

Darryl, thank you for all the blessings, accommodations, coffee, food, clothes, things to use, computer usage (I finished my book through your computer), rides, drinks, and a lot more. But most importantly, thank you for sharing your life with me especially for the trust that you have given me. I am so blessed that I have known you even your deep secrets. Thank you for letting me speak over you and for listening to all those pieces of advice. Of course, thank you for giving your own share that helped me to be a better man too. Darryl, as an honor to our friendship, I now officially induct you to the eggn0ggites Hall of Fame! God bless you always brother! Let’s continue to share our lives to one another and to the people that God has given us.

_________________________________________________________________________

August 1, 2015 (eggn0ggites Hall of Fame Induction Season 2)

The 3nd overall inductee (2nd of two in Season 2) to the egn0ggites Hall of Fame is none other than…

MELISSA C. SIAL

(Editing: Courtesy of Arjay M. Padsuyan)

Mel, thank you for all the times spent together – whether in good times or bad times. Thank you for always accompanying me to a lot of activities I am in – whether they were serious business or just for fun. I really enjoyed those moments. I enjoyed listening to your stories and thank you for listening also to my stories. I missed a lot of times spending time with you – in all those moments, never a dull moment was shared even were just walking together side by side. Thank you for all the help and memories shared – I hope to have more in the coming years. Mel, as an honor to our friendship, I now officially induct you to the eggn0ggites Hall of Fame! God bless you always brother! Let’s continue to share our lives to one another and to the people that God has given us.

_________________________________________________________________________

eggn0ggites Hall of Famers

1) Dyan Antonette M. Leynes – August 1, 2014

2) Darryl P. Siruno – August 1, 2015

3) Melissa C. Sial – August 1, 2015

BHKJOURNAL_2015_0008: WU-P ELEM BATCH 95 MINI REUNION…

WU-P Mini Reunion Summary 2015

It’s been a long time…

After 20 years, three (3) months (3) three weeks and three (3) days of not seeing each other, Wesleyan University-Philippines Elementary Batch ’95 has come together to celebrate as one unit once again!

It all started with a talk with some of the cream of the crop and was scheduled earlier at the Mall of Asia Arena as the “bald-head organizer” thought that the batch mates were just few and most of them are Manila-based people already until people started to text, call and leave a message to that man as his number was posted in the invitation for the mini reunion.

He created the a simple chat group to organized the much-awaited reunion, then an effort was made by Daniel “Dado” Macapagal to looked for their classmates in WU-P Elem Batch’95. Thankfully, his effort was fruitful as many responded to the call.

There were lots of fun, laughter and “kulitan” moments in the chat room including trivia and historical facts during their elementary days. It was also their moment to look for the most “notorious” classmate that they have during their time – Amable Villanuea. He is not yet found as of writing time.

Maybe some of their classmate got irritated to the “un-seriousness (there is no such word hahaha)” of the “kolokoys” in the group that they chose to leave the chat room for the group.

Those were just introductions; let us now go directly to the reunion.

“WU-P Elementary Batch’95 Mini Reunion; July 26, 2015, 11:30 AM at the Chef Table, Doña Adela Subdivision, Cabanatuan City (near Amada – Atoy Amada not Hamada hahaha, MKC and Texas)”

At 11:30 AM, Mr. “Chef Table” Rommel Gaspar started to text the batch “Where na kayo? Akala ko ba 11:30 AM? O ako ang mali, 11:30 PM ba? Filipino time nga naman.” Then, Mr. Gregory John Balbin called up that he’s coming already together with “Tita Mama” – our Grade 1 adviser, Mrs. Beth Seranilla. Then, yours truly arrived and saw Daniel, Greg and Ma’am Beth waiting for the whole batch and some of our teachers.

After some seconds, minutes, hours, Batch ’95 people arrived and some of their teachers came too including their batch adviser, Mrs. Priscila Santos.

For those who didn’t attend, I will not reveal all the stuff (mainggit muna kayo hahaha). But don’t worry; I will give you a glimpse.

Attendance:

• Libert A. Ong, Daniel V. Macapagal III, Fortunato M. Abraham III, Rommel Gaspar, Mark Julius DJ Afan (Ganun pa rin sulat mo! =)), Cesar Villaroma Jr., Arman Zaballero, Gregory John B. Balbin, Jonathan Figueroa (Mr. Gothic), Tyel Alfonso, Gerard Paul C. “Mugen” Alfonso, Emmanuel Joy T. Cleto, Julius “Gilik Bukid” Trajano, and Doc Ruth Domingo-Sebastian (humabol lang siya nung gabi na) – we were wondering, “did we enroll in an all-boys exclusive school during our elementary days?”
• Teachers: Ma’am Elizabeth Bitangcol-Seranilla, Ma’am Gemma Salazar-Ramirez, Ma’am Priscila A. Santos and Mr. Jessie M. Fernando and family

As the group was almost complete, Batch’95 including the teachers and their families gathered together as Ma’am Beth lead the prayer for the food and the reunion.

During the lunch, more reminiscing happened as the teachers asked questions to their former pupils and some stories were shared. The most laughter came when Ma’am Santos asked a controversial question and the “pupils” answered in chorus. If you will ask what was that, I won’t mention – attend the GRAND REUNION if you really want to know.

After lunch and bond with the teachers, of course pictures were taken as a commanded/requested by our former principal, Mrs. Mildred T. Ancheta who’s in abroad during the reunion.

Before the teacher, said their goodbyes for a while, Batch’95 asked them, “Ma’am, pwede na po kami mag-holen?” When they said, “Pwede na!” a cheer from the men was heard like children once again.

As they (teachers) leave the place, Batch ’95 started to cheap-in for the contribution for the reunion and for the drinks – to those who love to drink they bought their beers but for those who don’t, lemonade, soft drinks and water already made them happy.

The talk continues until afternoon – some of them “escaped” already like what they always did during elementary days’ class hours. Some stayed a little bit longer but needed to go home before the sun sets.

Before the night ends, Doc Domingo – the only thorn among the roses? Oh I mean the only rose among the thorns, dropped by to say hello and have a chat with the FOUR red HORSEMEN (Macky, Julius, Daniel, and Rommel) and yours truly from the Straight Edge Society (SES).

It was a fun-day and night after all as the teachers even mentioned that the reunion should be conducted more often.

No class officers were chosen and no funds were raised only love for one another plus proper coordination was executed for the successful mini reunion.

More stories to tell if you will come to the GRAND REUNION that might be conducted in December so that those batch mates working outside the country and Cabanatuan can make it already.

PS: If one of you will see AMABLE VILLANUEVA, please grab him and get his contact number! =)

We also remember you ELBEN PAGUDAR Birthday (September 18, 1982-April 13, 2013) … Rest in Peace brother, you are in better hands right now…

BHKJOURNAL_2015_0006: HONORING SHAWN MICHAELS…

First, I would like to thank “kambal” Kristel Ann S. Escal for blessing me with Michael Shawn Hickenbottom books (WWE’s “Heart Break Kid” Shawn Michaels)!

• Heartbreak & Triumph
• Wrestling for my LIFE

HBK’s Books

I finished reading the two books in less than a month (I also finished reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer during those times)!

Now, I want to share some lines, phrases, sentences, paragraphs that I have highlighted in his 2^nd book – Wrestling for my LIFE.

I prayed for Shawn when I came to know the Lord in 1998 because he is my childhood wrestling hero and when I found that that he gave his life to the Lord years after, I was so joyful because I know he will impact lives and truly, he did and that includes me.

So here we go, let me give you some of Shawn’s words in his book! I hope you avail one too because you will surely be blessed.

Let’s learn from Shawn’s words and experience:

To those people getting a lot of flak both from Christian and non-believers, let’s see these…

• “Frankly, after I returned to wrestling as a Christian, I caught more flak from Christians than I did from wrestling fans who weren’t believers.”
• “I have learned quickly to aim to please God and leave the rest up to Him and the people to work out how they should feel about me. I realized that sounds harsh, but I had to take that approach after discovering that is was possible to do what I believed would please God, yet that would still not be good enough to please some Christians.”
• “One of the many things I love about being a Christian is that I can put my focus on pleasing God above all others. I still seek affirmation, but now it is from God. I want people to like me – the real me but I know from experience that is not possible in every case.”
• “If we can please God, I figure we’re doing it right.”

BHK says: Please GOD than anyone else! =)

To those who wanted to give up and those who feels like their losing…

• “JESUS didn’t quit. Warriors don’t quit. Real men don’t quit.”

BHK says: Thank you Shawn for this encouragement! =)

I love Shawn’s words about this one:

• “DISCIPLESHIP – teaching and showing others, especially new believers, how to live the Christian life – should never be overlooked by those who have been Christians for a while.”
• “When you allow God to use you in an area He places in your heart, when you intentionally seek to serve others, you can’t help be encouraged.”

BHK says: Again, thank you Shawn for reminding me how important DISCIPLESHIP is. =)

 

If there is someone in the history of WWE knows and feels very well what forgiveness is all about, it is this man (Shawn), just read his books and you will know.

• “FORGIVENESS brings ”
• “Two Kinds FREEDOM:
• The one that some don’t want to give up – becoming a Christian requires giving up some rights. It requires giving up some freedom. And that’s where the second type of freedom comes in.
• The one that only GOD can provide – brings the most liberating feeling a person can experience. I’ve lived under God’s freedom, and there’s no comparison.”
• “I never appreciated life until I accepted JESUS CHRIST as my SAVIOR.”
• “Gods’ forgiveness transforms you so that you don’t keep doing what you did before.”

BHK says: I’ll borrow the words Shawn used, ““FORGIVENESS brings FREEDOM.” And let me add this: the more you have been forgiven and the more you have given it too will just bring so much freedom in your life.

I hope you are already blessed with those words and more encouraging words are coming…

• “It’s an amazing feeling to know that the Creator of the universe is pleased with you.”
• “Because God seems to be silent doesn’t mean He isn’t there. He is with us every step of the way, drawing us closer in relationship to Him because He knows that the absolute best thing for us is to put our trust completely in Him. Not partially, but completely. If it takes getting a scar for us to understand what God intends for us, so be it.”
• “I’ve learned to place more value in what God thinks of me than what other people think of me.”
• “No matter what we go through, there is something good on the other side to look forward to.”
• “Test, trials, and tribulations are only for a season. They never have the final say. Even death doesn’t have the final say. I don’t fear dying. I don’t mean that I want to leave this earth, because I love being with my wife, I enjoy being part of my children’s lives and watching them grow up. But I know where I am headed after I die. I know where I will be for eternity.

As I’m about to conclude, let me clear some things, yes, I have quoted a lot about Shawn here and I might get a lot of flaks for doing so just like what Shawn has experience (both from Christians and non-believers, I am not just sure on who will be the first to throw the stone. Haha) Yes, I have quoted a lot of Shawn’s stuff because it’s his book, not yours. Haha. Kidding aside, I just want to say (this might sound harsh), I don’t care about the bashing but I care about GOD and how he transformed lives and on how it will reach out to many whatever the ways and means are.

Let me also say what I have learned from Shawn (Throw stones now. Haha. Sorry but not sorry, I just wanted to share a testimony of a man whom GOD has changed dramatically both in his career and his personal life.). He said that in the earlier years of his career (before He knew Christ), he was arrogant and cocky to say to his colleagues “FOLLOW THAT!” after performing great in his matches (I still believe that he is the most resilient athlete in the history of WWE).

But after knowing Christ, all the names and accomplishments are all nothing compared to His relationship with JESUS. Now, instead of saying “follow that,” he is one of those people I looked up to and will surely believe in when he say this two words: “FOLLOW CHRIST!”

 

Now that I am ending this blog, let me say something. Shawn and Hunter (Triple H) of WWE always said in their DX days the question, “Are You Ready?” My answer is: YES! I am ready to get flaks from those people who do not understand but I am also ready for those people who will appreciate this things and I am willing to share more of GOD in their lives. So, if you are not down with that I’ve got two words for you: FOLLOW CHRIST!

 

ALL GLORY, HONOR AND PRAISE BELONG TO JESUS! =)

BHKJOURNAL2010_0010: A BIG THANKS TO MY 11-YEAR MENTOR…

The very first words that I asked in my first visit at Victory Baguio on August 15, 1999 was: “Is this victory?”

People welcomed me so nicely that lets me stay until the second service ends. I even went out for lunch with some of the people who welcomed me during my first visit.

At the end of the second service, they also connected me to this man…

GERARD T. MENDOZA

After a short talk with him, we set the schedule of our first-ever “cell-group” together. Also, my first in Baguio. In this very first meet with him, he wrote down our schedule because he’s so busy to meet people that week. After he wrote down the schedule in his paper, I told myself that I would also like to be busy meeting people.

After four days, we’ve met and only 17 years old by that time, I was the eldest among the group. Actually, Kuya Gerard was late in that meeting (hehe)… I told this not to degrade him but I want everybody to see on how this man has changed from glory to glory.

He helped us grow (our “cell-group”) in our relationship with God. Some became worship leaders, cell group leaders and other leadership roles that you could think of.  In short, he has played a major role in the growth of every individual under his turf.

After my first semester studying in SLU and being the only man attending the Lunch Prayer Meeting in that campus, Kuya Gerard told me to lead the campus the next semester despite the fact that I have fluctuating grades and being young. But he told me that I should set an example even though I am one of the young ones.

Another semester came and I have to leave SLU. I am happy that we have left great leaders in that campus like Jonathan Navalta, Romar Flores, Sherwin Sabado and Jeoffrey Valdez who are now pastors and some other leaders who became great leaders too in the places they’re in right now.

KUYA GERARD…

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU…

• for being a good classmate in Victory Baguio’s VLI 1st Batch! =)
• for coming over with me when I really need help to talk to the Deans of SLU so I could stay for another semester…
• for always welcoming me back in the ministry after I took summer breaks and for always trusting me to take care of some people in spite of my long lay off from Baguio…
• for taking the risk in putting me to your Leadership Group when I am supposed to go back to the outreach team. That’s a risky move but your brave move paid off…
• for that night that you have invited me when you needed a company and you cooked for me, prepared for my bed and all the blessings that you gave me…
• for always listening to me and giving me great pieces of advice…
• for letting me stay in your home when I needed a shelter to live in when I return to Baguio so I could find a new work and for the great help that you have given me so I could survive living on mountaintop…
• for giving some of your clothes, pants and other accessories that have been useful in my daily life…
• for giving me the opportunity to speak, preach and give encouragements in some occasions especially to the youth…
• for also trusting me in doing the productions that we need to spice up the services… in the past, you are all checking all the productions before it will be aired or performed live but during my “last” stays, you just let us do the stuff… thank you for taking the risk and fully trusting us…
• for taking the risk in trusting me especially to the important events of the ministry such as Victory Weekend, Water Baptism, Empower Night and a lot more…

All of the things I have thank you for were just small percentage of the 11 years that we have been together…

Most importantly… I thank you for the friendship and for sharing your life with me in the past 11 years…

Kuya, one thing na napamana mo sa akin… I still love to meet people and if that is the thing that would made me busy for the rest of my life, I would love to do so… I also love being in a small group… I still want to work with the Small Group Team… I wont stop planting seeds in the hearts of men! =)

BOTTOM LINE: THANK YOU SO MUCH!

As I end, I want to quote that Ate Pat wrote in her letter 11 years ago too.., “If you forget about me, you lost nothing but if you forget God, you lost everything.”

GOD BLESS YOU! =)

Again, thank you…

In the end, all of us would be together and we will raise our hands in Victory! =)