For weeks now, the idea has been nagging at me, especially when I'm on the bus to and from work. This morning I saw a newspaper boy (man) squatting on the highway island as he meticulously folds and arranges his wares. I bet he'll be ready to jump to the street when the red light flashes. I wondered how his life would have been and what kind of conflict I would have made up to write a story based on his character. Perhaps he was a dreamer but as a teen got lost in the chaotic world of drugs and gangs? Nah... too common. Even Bong Revilla's films are based on that plot. Hmmm... maybe he is just a simple guy who falls in love (my forte is on love stories... I wonder why... ) with a Makati office girl? Nah... sounds like a Precious Hearts plot. Or maybe, he's an undercover agent? Oh no, I must have been watching too many action films as of late! (darn those buses...)
Oh well, I might as well spend some alone time and pressure myself to finally write another short story. Then perhaps I can take on that dream of producing a novel. Then maybe this silent journalist will cease to be silent and finally make waves in the bookstores and shops around town and online. Who knows? :-)
Friday, October 08, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
A Sketch of Encouragement
Last night, my son asked if he has art class the next day because he knows it’ll be Wednesday. I asked if he still wants to continue the classes. He said no. When I asked why, he just said he was getting tired. It was his normal answer whenever he doesn’t want to do something we asked him to do. I can’t exactly remember what kept us from pursuing the conversation but we both got distracted and forgot all about it that night.
This morning, he asked me again if he has art class. Again he told me he doesn’t want to anymore. When I asked why, his answer (and more so the underlying personality for it) surprised me. My son said, “Kasi pangit po ang drawing ko sabi ni Tito Sky”. Tito Sky is the new alias of my Tito Rudy, a family friend and my former teacher in the same basic visual arts class around 20 years ago. I take no offense at whatever Tito Sky said because between him and me, he’s the expert in art. And besides, Tito Sky already expressed his observation of IE --- in that my son was talented but he was impatient and rushed his works. Thus, the reason I was bothered was my son’s “quitter” attitude.
I took a deep breath and started to dress up for work. Then, I asked IE to sit down with me at our table. Calmly, I told him that I believe that he draws well, and his lolo (who’s also talented in the visual arts) thinks he’s gifted in that area; and that, as his mommy, he has to believe what I say (kinda authoritarian, but the situation calls for it). Then he said he was getting tired (his usual alibi) already. So I said, “Kailangan maniwala ka kay Mommy. Magaling kang mag-drawing, anak. Kung sinabi ni Tito Sky na pangit ang drawing mo, eh di dapat galingan mo sa susunod. Ipakita mo na magaling ka.”
Then I asked him “Di ba gusto mong maging pilot at race car driver?” At this, he got quite excited. He said, “No, I want to be a spaceman and a pilot.” I smiled and said, “Kung gusto mong maging spaceman at pilot, kailangan magaling ka sa mga ginagawa mo. Dapat may dream ka --- yung gusto mong maging. Kita mo ang mga pulubi, kaya sila ganun, kasi tinatamad sila. Ang sabi nila, ‘ay, ayoko mag-aral at magtrabaho, manghihingi na lang ako ng pera’. Kaya ganun sila. Gusto mo bang maging katulad nila?”
Of course, he said no, and I saw that he was quite convinced. Whatever part of him was discouraged due to the negative comment on his work regained its confidence. So I told him that he has to do better in his art class and not to rush. Then I prepared his breakfast and asked him to take a bath and ready himself as I am about to accompany him to the art studio for his class. He was again his happy self as we drove to the art supplies store and bought a new box of oil pastels and gum eraser. When we arrived at the studio, I paid for the next 10 sessions of the class. My son pointed at the blue motorcycle parked outside the studio, saying, “Kay Tito Sky yun o.” So we went up to the art studio and he sat down at his desk. I talked to Tito Sky and said goodbye to my son. He shouted back happily, “Bye Mommy!” And I smiled, knowing that this morning, I made a big difference in my son’s life. I thank God for the opportunity and the guidance to do what I just did, and I hope to continue to be God’s instrument in forming this precious gift of His to be the best he can be.
12-May-2010 / 218pm
This morning, he asked me again if he has art class. Again he told me he doesn’t want to anymore. When I asked why, his answer (and more so the underlying personality for it) surprised me. My son said, “Kasi pangit po ang drawing ko sabi ni Tito Sky”. Tito Sky is the new alias of my Tito Rudy, a family friend and my former teacher in the same basic visual arts class around 20 years ago. I take no offense at whatever Tito Sky said because between him and me, he’s the expert in art. And besides, Tito Sky already expressed his observation of IE --- in that my son was talented but he was impatient and rushed his works. Thus, the reason I was bothered was my son’s “quitter” attitude.
I took a deep breath and started to dress up for work. Then, I asked IE to sit down with me at our table. Calmly, I told him that I believe that he draws well, and his lolo (who’s also talented in the visual arts) thinks he’s gifted in that area; and that, as his mommy, he has to believe what I say (kinda authoritarian, but the situation calls for it). Then he said he was getting tired (his usual alibi) already. So I said, “Kailangan maniwala ka kay Mommy. Magaling kang mag-drawing, anak. Kung sinabi ni Tito Sky na pangit ang drawing mo, eh di dapat galingan mo sa susunod. Ipakita mo na magaling ka.”
Then I asked him “Di ba gusto mong maging pilot at race car driver?” At this, he got quite excited. He said, “No, I want to be a spaceman and a pilot.” I smiled and said, “Kung gusto mong maging spaceman at pilot, kailangan magaling ka sa mga ginagawa mo. Dapat may dream ka --- yung gusto mong maging. Kita mo ang mga pulubi, kaya sila ganun, kasi tinatamad sila. Ang sabi nila, ‘ay, ayoko mag-aral at magtrabaho, manghihingi na lang ako ng pera’. Kaya ganun sila. Gusto mo bang maging katulad nila?”
Of course, he said no, and I saw that he was quite convinced. Whatever part of him was discouraged due to the negative comment on his work regained its confidence. So I told him that he has to do better in his art class and not to rush. Then I prepared his breakfast and asked him to take a bath and ready himself as I am about to accompany him to the art studio for his class. He was again his happy self as we drove to the art supplies store and bought a new box of oil pastels and gum eraser. When we arrived at the studio, I paid for the next 10 sessions of the class. My son pointed at the blue motorcycle parked outside the studio, saying, “Kay Tito Sky yun o.” So we went up to the art studio and he sat down at his desk. I talked to Tito Sky and said goodbye to my son. He shouted back happily, “Bye Mommy!” And I smiled, knowing that this morning, I made a big difference in my son’s life. I thank God for the opportunity and the guidance to do what I just did, and I hope to continue to be God’s instrument in forming this precious gift of His to be the best he can be.
12-May-2010 / 218pm
Monday, January 11, 2010
Light of the World
Yesterday, the community prayer here at the office touched on the Gospel where Jesus called us to be SALT of the earth and LIGHT of the world. Now, this. In this morning's gospel (Mark 1:21-28) is the call to embody the spirit of the LAW: Love, Mercy, Justice & Peace, as Jesus has lived it, unlike the teachers of the Law at that time.
I realized it's not enough to declare to the world that I'm a practicing Catholic, an active member of a charismatic community, an employee in a Catholic institution, an awardee of the "Huwarang Pamilya" (or Model Family) in our parish.
I HAVE TO LIVE IT.
In the past months, I've become a negative person. I complained about my husband... a lot. Without knowing it, I've painted a negative picture of my husband to my officemates. But I can't take it back now --- I've already said those things, which, although true, do not make up the whole of his being.
The challenge for me now is to become God's LIGHT to the world I live in --- my workplace, my family, my community. Lately, I've become ill-tempered again.
Jesus, help me please. Mold me and change me. Create in me a clean heart. I want to embody the spirit of the Law as You have. Let me be a Light to others. Amen
===
After writing this, I paused for a few minutes and invited God to speak to me. Perhaps there were a lot going on in my mind that I was not able to listen nor to see the image of Jesus in my mind. Instead, however, I saw gray and white waves and flows, like white smoke in a dim room... and I kept hearing the words: "I love you... I love you..."
Three words repeated over and over were all that I heard in the chaos that is in my mind. I knew it was my Father in Heaven speaking (no, practically shouting I guess) to me. And I am assured. Thank You dear God, thank You! I love You!
I realized it's not enough to declare to the world that I'm a practicing Catholic, an active member of a charismatic community, an employee in a Catholic institution, an awardee of the "Huwarang Pamilya" (or Model Family) in our parish.
I HAVE TO LIVE IT.
In the past months, I've become a negative person. I complained about my husband... a lot. Without knowing it, I've painted a negative picture of my husband to my officemates. But I can't take it back now --- I've already said those things, which, although true, do not make up the whole of his being.
The challenge for me now is to become God's LIGHT to the world I live in --- my workplace, my family, my community. Lately, I've become ill-tempered again.
Jesus, help me please. Mold me and change me. Create in me a clean heart. I want to embody the spirit of the Law as You have. Let me be a Light to others. Amen
===
After writing this, I paused for a few minutes and invited God to speak to me. Perhaps there were a lot going on in my mind that I was not able to listen nor to see the image of Jesus in my mind. Instead, however, I saw gray and white waves and flows, like white smoke in a dim room... and I kept hearing the words: "I love you... I love you..."
Three words repeated over and over were all that I heard in the chaos that is in my mind. I knew it was my Father in Heaven speaking (no, practically shouting I guess) to me. And I am assured. Thank You dear God, thank You! I love You!
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