Amang Dakila

ooOoo

Amang Dakila
1998

Daluyan nitong buhay, na Diyos ang may bigay,
Agusan ng pag-ibig, ng Panginoon nating tunay,
Larawan ng katatagang hindi humahapay,
Aking ama'y mula sa Diyos, pagmamahal, kanyang alay.

Mula sa pagmulat nitong aking mga mata,
Munting katawan ko'y humimlay sa bisig niya,
Sa aking paglalakad, kamay ko ay akay niya,
Sa aking pagkadapa, ako'y itinayo niya.

Mga utos niya'y batas sa paningin,
Gintong mga pangaral, itinuro niya sa akin,
Mayro'ng katapangang binibigyang-diin,
Maging katapatan, kanyang sinabi rin.

Itong aking ama'y tunay na matipuno,
Laging nananalo kapag ang laro ay buno,
Dal'wang kabang bigas, kaya nyang ipangko,
Sa pangingisda niya'y gumagaod kahit bagyo.

Sa lahat ng panahon, siya'y aking karamay,
Siya ay maligaya sa aking tagumpay,
Sa aking kabiguan, luha nya'y sumilay,
Sa aking pagbangon, siya'y nagbigay-buhay.

Aking ina'y nanghina, siya'y nagkasakit,
Sa kanyang mga gawain, aking ama ang pumalit,
Kabuno niya'y labada, alaga niya'y paslit,
Kaharap niya'y kalan, pingga'y nililigpit.

Aking ama'y matanda na, katawa'y mahina na,
Matipunong mga braso, ngayon ay nanlitis na,
Mga binti nyang matatag, ngayo'y may rayuma na,
Ngunit pag-ibig niya, sa 'mi'y matatag pa.

Isang munting parangal, sa 'ming amang dakila,
Sa 'ming buong buhay, kailanma'y di nagpabaya,
Sa pagpili ng ama, kung ako ay may laya,
Ikaw pa rin ang pipiliin, pagkat ikaw ay dakila.


ooOoo

Para Sa Iyo, Kaibigan

Para Sa Iyo, Kaibigan
1997

Salamat sa iyo, mahal kong kaibigan
Sapagkat ikaw ay laging maaasahan
Sa bawat sandali, palaging nariyan
Kailan man tawagin ang iyong pangalan.

Salamat at tinig ko'y langing naririnig
Pati damdamin ko'y iyong nababatid
Lungkot sa puso kong iba ang may hatid
Kapag kasama ka'y saya ang kapalit.

Alam kong batid mo, ang aking nakaraan
Pasakit at hirap ng pinagdaanan,
Mga kabiguan at mga kalungkutan
Salamat at iyong nauunawaan.

Batid kong alam mong ang puso kong ito
Hindi lang miminsang nagmahal, nabigo
Kaya ngayon puso'y nakapinid ang pinto
Ayaw nang umibig, takot nang mabigo.

Sana'y maunawaan, aking kalagayan
Kung bakit kung minsan ay may kalungkutan
Ang buhay sa mundo sadyang ganyan lamang
Ako ay tao lang, marunong masaktan.

Sa mga nagdaang pagsubok sa buhay
May mga sandaling nais nang humapay
Subalit mayro'ng Diyos na nakaagapay
At naririto kang handang umalalay.

Bago ka nakilala, ako'y naghahanap
Ng isang kaibigang sa 'kin ay lilingap
Maraming nakilala at mga nakausap
Subalit tangi ka sa kanilang lahat.

Hindi ko mawari kung ano'ng dahilan
At ikaw sa akin ay nakipagkaibigan
Subalit ano man ang kadahilanan
Ang mahalaga'ys ikaw ay aking kaibigan.

Sinabi mo minsan sana'y wag magbago
Ang pakikitungo at pag-uugali ko
Huwag mag-alala, ako'y taong totoo
Hindi nagpapalit ng kulay at anyo.

Ako'y nangangambang ikaw ang magbago
Kapag may nakitang ibang kaibigan mo
Baka malimutan maging pangalan ko
At 'di na maalalang kaibigan mo ako.

Kung may mga sandaling ika'y nasasaktan
Sa pagkakataong mata mo'y luhaan
Kapag may mga taong nais kang pahirapan
Naririto ako, handa kang damayan.

Kung nais mo naman ng isang katuwang
Sa mga gawaing 'di mo makayanan
Sa mga suliraning nais mong takasa
Narito rin ako, dal'wang kamay, kaibigan.

Kung kailangan mo ng isang karamay
Kung ika'y malungkot, puso'y nalulumbay
Kung ikaw ay bogi at walang kaagapay
Mga palad ko'y handang sa 'yo ay dumamay.

Mahal kong kaibigan, hwag lang kalimutan
Sa 'yong kagipitan, ang Diyos ang tawagan
Kung tawagin man ang aking pangalan
Ako ay darating, para sa iyo, kaibigan.

All I Need Is A Friend

All I Need Is A Friend
1997

During moments of troubles, I need someone to rely on;
In all days full of sorrw, I need somebody to lean on;
In my nights full of tears, I need shoulders to cry on;
With my life full of trials, I need a friend to count on.

A person who'll always be my friend and friend in deed;
Somebody who will not leave me neither abandon me;
Someone to be my friend in sickness and in health;
A friend who'll be with me whenever I call for plea.

A friend who cares a lot, he who understands;
Who cries when I am sad, who laughs when I am glad;
Who sharees with me what I have, and imparts what he has;
A person who'll walk with me through good things and bad.

There are some who will lead you to your desired destiny;
There are peers who'll mislead you to a life's tragedy;
There are friends who'll be with you when you're full of glory;
But there are few who will comfort you when you're down and lonely.

Everyone of us has his own beloved friend;
Each one of us has been hurt by a friend;
Almost of us has hurt our own dear friend;
But not all of us has been loved by a friend.

A true friend that I need is one who's love is true;
Someone who's so concerned, the one who's heart is pure;
Who will not take me for granted, that'one thing I'm sure;
When I'm broken-hearted, one who'll provide the cure.

A faithful and loving friend, that's what I'm looking for,
Someone who'll not betray me, somebody worth caring for,
One satisfied with friendship, who will not ask for more,
A biblical type of friend, that's what I'm searching for.

I don't need a boyfriend, who later would hurt me
I don't want a lover who would then abandon me
I don't seek for a sweetheart who is meant to betray me
All I need is a friend who will always love me.

Mahal, Paalam Na - 1996

Ilang sandali na lang na sabihin kong mahal kita
At ilang araw na lang ang hihintayin ko sinta
Alam kong alam mo na minamahal kita
Subalit nalaman kong may mahal ka nang iba.

Maraming pagsubok sa atin ay nagdaan
Problema sa buhay ating nakayanan
Pagkat Diyos natin tayo'y tinulungan
Dahil sa Kanyang awa at kahabagan.

Di ko malilimutan ating nakaraan
Ang tamis at saya ng ating lambingan
Ikaw at ako di ba't nagsumpaan
Sa harap ng Diyos tayo'y magmamahalan.

Bakit ngayon ugali mo ay nag-iba
Ano bang kasalanan ang aking nagawa
Sabihin sa akin ng aking malaman
At ng sa ganon aking maunawaan.

Kaya aking mahal paalam na sa iyo
Hwag kang mag-alala di ako magbabago
Dahil ikaw lang ang laman ng isipan ko
Pag aking nakikita ang gandang larawan mo.

Sana'y mabasa mo ang munting tula ko
Na inialay ko sa iyo O giliw ko
At nang sa gayon ay malaman mo
Na ikaw pa rin ang tibok ng puso ko.

Gosh! corny, di ko na ito feel ngayon... 2008...

A Skit on Family Reunion

Family Reunion

Characters:

Lolo
Lola
Mommy – Mommy of Young Girl
Daddy – Daddy of Young Girl
Tita Doctora – Mommy of Ate Engineer
Tito Attorney – married to Tita Attorney’s wife (no child)
Tita Attorney’s wife - married to Tito Attorney (no child)
Tita OldMaid – Old maid Aunt, living with Lolo and Lola
Tita Bulakbol – Mommy of Young Boy Bading, did not finished studies
Ate Engineer – daughter of Tita Doctora
Young Girl – daughter of Mommy and Daddy
Young Boy Bading – son of Tita Bulakbol

Setting: at Lolo and Lola’s ancestral house during a Family Reunion

Lolo: Darling, are all our children present?

Lola: I am not sure Darling, I haven’t seen Bulakbol and her son Bading.

Tita OldMaid: Hay! Mom, Dad, don’t you just waste your time waiting for those two undirected people. Maybe they hang out with their pimps last night!

Tita Doctora: OldMaid! Don’t talk to Mom and Dad like that, especially when you’re referring to our youngest sister Bulakbol. Yes, she made a wrong decision when she did not concentrate on her studies, but that was already in the past.

Tita Oldmaid: That was in the past, but her present life is affected and she has a sissy son! What a big mistake and she will forever suffer that consequence.

Tito Attorney: Oldmaid, yes it was a shame for our family that the only young boy in our next generation is a sissy, but according to Law, every man has his rights to live and be respected properly as a human being. Do not treat our nephew like that.

Daddy: Hey, sisters and brother, let us stop this argument, there is nothing to argue about. We are all here to be together and make this day a happy one for our parents.

Young Girl: Daddy, Daddy, why do we have this Family Reunion?

Daddy: Young Girl, we have this family reunion to get together with our extended family, be with your grandparents, share the blessings and life stories of each other.

Mommy: We are also here to bond with the entire family and feel the sense of being with them.

Tita Attorney’s wife: We are also here so that you get the chance to get to know your cousins. Here is your Ate Engineer, though she’s years older than you are, she is still fond of playing with her set of Barbie collection. She is also willing to share her collection with you, Young Girl.

Ate Engineer: Come on, Young Girl, let us play with my latest Barbie dolls. I here the Kiddie Barbie and Angel Barbie.

Young Girl: Let’s go, Ate Engineer.

Young Boy Bading: Good day, Everyone! Hello Ate Engineer! Hello Young Girl! Where are you going? Are you going to play with those dolls?

Young Girl: Yes, Ate Engineer invited me to play with her Barbie dolls.

Young Boy Bading: Good, I also brought my own Barbie dolls, can I join you?

Ate Engineer (not so convinced): Ok, you may.

Tita Bulakbol: Hello Sisters! Hello Brother! Hello Mom and Dad! Are we late?

Tita OldMaid: As usual, like how you were in school before.

Lolo: Oldmaid, Oldmaid…can you please spare this day?

Tita OldMaid: Ok, I will just shut my mouth.

Tita Bulakbol: So how’s everybody? My son, hmmmm….daughter…whatever you may call him/her, is very good in designing gowns. At his young age, he had already designed these gowns and he’s earning money now. That is why, we are late today. We tried to finish some of the orders last night.

Tita Attorney’s wife: Really? That’s great! Your young boy can be a great help to you.

Tito Attorney: But do not forget to teach him the importance of finishing a career, huh!

Tita Bulakbol: Yes, I have learned my lessons, if only I will be given the chance, to go back to school, I will.

Lola: Why not, Bulakbol? You can have your inheritance earlier so you can have money to send yourself to school.

Tita Bulakbol: For now, I would like to concentrate more in guiding Young Boy. As you can see, he had chosen to act like a girl. I am still hoping that a miracle would happen and turn him out into a real boy.

Mommy: Why don’t you divert his attentions and interests to things that might help him develop his skills as a boy? Like, instead of allowing him to play with dolls, play with him using a ball or let him join the companies of boys instead of girls. Instead of designing gowns, he might also be interested in designing houses. What do you think?

Tita Bulakbol: Oh great! That is a very good suggestion!

Young Boy Bading: Mommy! Mommy! Look! Ate Engineer showed me these beautiful houses! I want to make wonderful house designs like these!

Tito Attorney: Oh yes, Boy Bading, that career would be great! And that will make me proud of you!

Daddy: You will even get higher income on that career, keep it up son. You’re going to be great in the future!

Young Boy Bading: Thanks for your support. I promise I will try to change my preference. I will try my best to become a pride of this family. All the while I thought that Mom and I had brought only misfortune to this family. Now, I have proven that we are also important.

THE END.

From Slums to Success

From Slums to Success
A testimony of a former sponsored child of World Vision International
delivered at Network 21 - (2003), Toyota Motor Phils., Sta. Rosa, Laguna - (2006)

I am Adora Mota Mendoza, a child from the slums (one of the rural areas in Cavite City) where people built houses on stilts by the sea, a former sponsored child of World Vision International.

I am the youngest child, the only daughter of Mr. Apolinar I. Mota and the late Mrs. Felicisima R. Mota. I got 2 elder brothers, Polly and Benny, who are 8 and 7 years elder than me, respectively. My father was a fisherman and my mom was a plain housewife. We didn't have much in the way of food and other basic necessities. My brothers and I even experienced sharing one egg among ourselves while my parents are just watching us, waiting if we will have some leftovers. We did not have electricity at home, I was using candles and/or gas lamp when studying at night. During my first grade in school, I had only one skirt which my mother washed everyday. On my second grade, I was able to acquire another skirt and survived the rest of elementary with those 2 skirts. You would wonder, yes, those two skirts became mini-skirts as I grow till I graduate as Valedictorian in elementary. We do not have electricity at home so I was using candle light to study at night. I even experienced selling snacks from one house to another during school vacation just to be able to buy new school supplies. Naalala ko pa, hinabol ako ng luko-luko saka ng aso habang naglalako ako ng meryenda. I was just relieved from the pain of reusing old notebooks when I became a sponsored child of World Vision International, that was vacation of 1985, before I go to the sixth grade, I was given free school supplies then. I will never forget when I was invited in the church where I stayed until now to attend Sunday School, where I accepted Christ as my Lord and personal Saviour, that was May 9, 1985.

My high school life was not that tough anymore because I experienced having new uniforms and new school supplies every year. I was also provided with my first pair of eyeglasses with a grade of 250 when I was first year High School. It was only then that I realized that the world is bright and that you can see even far objects in details. I wasn’t aware of that when I was in grade school because I haven’t experience using eyeglasses. I just thought that it was just normal having a blurred vision. I was able to move the same way as other students who can afford to get the normal basic necessities. We were able to have electricity supply at home when I was in third Year High school. With God's blessings, I also graduated with honors in High School, fourth honorable mention. I thought I might not be able to continue my studies then because my father did not allow me to study in the far UP Los Banos, which is the only school where I took entrance examination for college. I never intended to have a second option. World Vision International, through the courtesy of Children's Helper Project gave me the chance to take One Year Integrated Programming Course at Philippine Women's University where I graduated as the top student. I took up Computer Engineering Technology at Technological University of the Philippines after that course. Driven by circumstances, I got married at an early age, 18. I was pregnant that I can no longer travel from house to school. Still with God's help, I was able to use the knowledge I gained in the One-Year Programming Course I took. I was hired as a computer instructress at Computer Technological Center in Noveleta, Cavite. It is also where I decided to continue my studies, my students are my classmates too. Thank God, I was able to finish electronics computer technology. With God's help also, I was given the chance to become junior programmer, then programmer, then systems analyst, later on, senior systems analyst, and now a systems specialist functioning as a project manager at Astec International Ltd.

In my present job, I was able to travel to different places like China, Hongkong and the United States, went to Disneyland which is one of my childhood dreams, a dream come true. Now, though I am not that 'financially stable', God provides for my family and all our needs, I have a house of my own, a car loan from our company.

I still have other great plans in my life, one of which is to start a foundation someday, because I am a product of God's people who shared His blessings to others. With God’s help, had started to send two high school students in Cavite National High School as scholars of a just started mini-foundation.

What you can see now as a woman of faith standing in front of you was once a child of slums, one you would never forsee to have this kind of blessed life I'm having right now. God used World Vision International to change my life. And you, each of you can help make a change....change the life of a child from the slums into strong, courageous and successful men and women, upholding each others rights, loving and helping one another.

Outline

I. Introduction
II. Family Background
III. Elementary days
a. Shared on 1 egg as viand with my 2 elder brothers
b. Used only 2 skirts from Grade 1 to VI
c. Used to sell snacks from house to house to earn for school supplies
d. Did not have electricity at home, used candles/gas lamp in studying
e. Graduated as Valedictorian
IV. High School days
a. Was provided with my first pair of eyeglasses with grade of 250
V. College days
a. Supported by World Vision to finish Integrated Programming Course at PWU.
VI. My Work Experiences
a. A part-time data encoder at the University Registrar’s office while a student at Philippine Women’s University
b. An all-around staff at ChildHope Phil-Asia
c. A computer instructress at Computer Technological Center
d. A computer programmer/computer technician at Dae Ryung Industries Inc. now RADIX
e. A Systems Programmer, Systems Analyst, Sr. Systems Analyst at Astec Power Inc.
VII. My Current Work
a. Systems Specialist I at Astec International Limited now Emerson Network Power – Embedded Computing and Power
VIII. My Family Now
a. I have three children, well-provided with all their needs, my father is living with me
IX. My Accomplishments
a. Was able to break the chains of poverty with God’s help and World Vision’s support
b. Was sent to Hongkong, China, and US for business trips to handle projects
c. Aside from graduating with honors, will still be pursuing higher level of education
d. Started a mini-foundation with 2 scholars
e. Started a general merchandising business early this year
X. My Vision
a. Establish the college education of my sponsored child
b. Increase the number of scholars in my mini-foundation
c. Allocate 30 to 40% net income of my general merchandising business as additional fund for the mini foundation
d. Conduct a free medical mission in Cavite City by next year
e. Increase the number of my World Vision sponsored children next year
f. In the next three years, be able to register the H.E.A.L (Health and Education Advocacy for Life) Foundation Inc. as a legal entity
g. In the next five years, build a building for the HEAL Foundation and provide shelter for more unfortunate children.
h. Start a Child Care business and build a school that will promote Values and good will to men and will likewise support the finances of the Foundation with all the Vision, Mission and Goals aligned to develop a better community and defeat poverty.