A STORY TO TELL…

An inspiration for those who are searching for life’s meaning!


When I enrolled in law school, one of my rendezvous is the school library. While settling down, I noticed some older law students bringing with them pieces of white paper and chatted with the younger students. I didn’t know what it is until one person sat in front of the table where I am and gave a paper to me. He explained to me the 5W’s and 1H of the organization where he is a member. Yes, I noticed how determined he was of the dreams of the organization and its members. It was during the launching of the organization, I have seen the sparkle of his eyes. How he expresses his thoughts and how well he understands the mission that the organization wishes to do. The person I am referring to is the founding President of the Center for Alternative Lawyering of Law Students (CALL) of Liceo de Cagayan University. But he had to bid Goodbye for a while to make his dreams a reality. I admit, a part of me was saddened that he had to leave the group but at the same time happy because he will be the first lawyer of the group. But I never imagined that in this world I would be working and dealing with him and know more about him. Here are some excerpts of ATTY. ROCO APRIL L. MANDAWE’s way of life.

The story that I was about to tell is based on how I knew Botsoy personally and professionally. Some of the lines here have been taken from the daily conversations, sharings and chit-chat we have had, some of it was also taken from the speech he had made and prepared for the get together of all of ALG Mindanaw Interns last February 17, 2008 at the Peace Center of BMFI.

Coming to terms with the “LEGAL” world

ATTY. ROCO APRIL L. MANDAWE fondly called as “BOTSOY”, is the 3rd child of the family who first dreamt of becoming a doctor in order to land a white collar job. However, his life was about to change after he was debarred to continue taking medicine, he then opted to enrol in law school as an offshoot to the dreams that fate never gave him. Yes, law school was not his first option but as he said it, “law school is an alternative path to his good future”.

His story doesn’t end there; it was just a start of a never ending quest for a meaningful, enjoyable at the same time difficult and inspiring life. A life he never imagined nor planned to sweep him head over heels, according to him a “SIGNIFICANT event of his life”.



Invitation of a summer job?

Meeting Rochelle Mordeno (one of the staff of BALAOD-Mindanaw, Inc) was an offshoot to everything that follows. And right at the very instance, he fell in love with this life and perhaps unknowingly. A life he voluntarily accepted without threat or intimidation, or fraud or even violence. The idea of a summer job was his drive to join the Summer Internship Program (SIP) that Balaod was and is still implementing. Botsoy never hesitated to undergo an extensive orientation seminar and immersion to Balaod areas. In his speech during the Interns Reunion held last February 17, 2008 that this was not new to him as there were similar experiences in the past although there was one significant difference of the Summer Internship Program of 2001, it was a venue for law students from various Law Schools and/or Universities to meet and worked with the vulnerable members of society. He practically joked that the source of most of the conflict between interns is the computer as they were only 2 computers for them to use and the other interns took longer than expected because they have deadlines to meet, and I quote “This is how serious we are”. The program was made possible in partnership with the NGO’s here in Mindanao. He even shared that he was trained to become resource persons to Paralegal Trainings or Seminars and assists in the conduct of Paralegal clinics in the areas where they were assigned. He was able to meet and lived with different kind of persons from the peasants, Fisherfolks, and IP’s.

Still a Summer Job?

The Summer Internship was never enough that even after the SIP, Botsoy and his batchmates still visit BALAOD during free time to continue what he had started, or sometimes they will be invited to assists trainings or seminars for the marginalized groups. I am proud to say that Botsoy, was really inspired that even during school days he still wants to be connected with the community through BALAOD.

After the SIP-Terminal Assessment, Botsoy wanted to make his dreams i.e. the establishment of a law-school based organization a product of his eagerness to reach out to law students of their views, beliefs, advocacies and experiences and connect them to the people who are waiting to be heard, i.e. the deprived and the oppressed.

It was a life-long struggle to really be heard in the four corners of the wall, but it didn’t stop him to pursue their dream. And with the inspiration and support of BALAOD, CALL was formally established, recognized and accredited on August 11, 2004 (which was the also the 4th year anniversary of Balaod). The existence of the organization was a continuing challenge but seeing the pioneer members poured so much to make this dream come true was truly a blessing to us who are left behind to continue what they have started. At this moment, Botsoy had to say goodbye leaving a legacy to the present and incoming members of CALL. While taking the bar, he never ceased to get connected with CALL members in many ways as he can. After the he had been consistently reaching out and share his experiences and gave pre-orientation seminar with the incoming members of the law school-based organization.

I say, this is not just an ordinary summer job. You got paid but not necessarily money. Interns got paid with rich experiences that law schools failed to provide. Interns got paid with friends and people teaching them the way of life.

Botsoy discover a summer job he will never forget!


The next big thing

Thinking of a better question to ask while making this story of a man I know, I had to re-evaluate my own thoughts of why I joined BALAOD too. And there, I was texting and setting a little chat with Botsoy, right then and there I decided to pay him a visit to his present office. I could see his face sparkling and his wide and cool smile welcoming me in his present world. After the chit-chat, he then gave me his speech and the answers to my question was there, written humbly and heartily. This is how he answered my question as to his learning while he was with BALAOD.

My stay in balaod Mindanao spelled out the meaning and essence of the word alternative lawyering. I have no clear definition of the word alternative lawyering, but I can define it based on what I have experienced, it can be define as a developmental lawyering or lawyering “WITH” the people, as my colleagues would say it. Slowly, I learned and appreciated the existence of these kind of people, their passion and their dedication, their option, their path, their career as alternative lawyers and all the people, the paralegals who opted to work with the people.

When asked what made him decided to join BALAOD, this is how he answered it;

My joining of Balaod was another unplanned activity of my life right after taking the bar. After I had my vacation, I then went home at Cagayan de Oro City. And the next thing came up to my mind is that, what shall I do next after my bar exam, I then prepared a lot of application letters and searching for a job. While searching for a job, I happened to pass by BALAOD Office and there was my feet brought me. I talked with Normie Batula (staff of BALAOD) about my interest in joining the organization.

There I was, discovering the nature of BALAOD and its existence. Everyday I learned so much that I deeply understand what BALAOD do, i.e. we do things not because we were told to do so, but because we know and understand why we are doing these things. All endeavours were made to building empowered, sustainable, peaceful communities.


In front of ALG Mindanaw Interns, Botsoy shared all of his learnings, it was intense and precise that I will blame myself if I will not include it in this story.

It is in the concept of lawyering with the people that I also slowly learned to fully lived and appreciate the mission of BALAOD, that is “contributing to the advancement of legal and justice issues in the different marginalized sectors and communities in Mindanaw in the context of active peoples participation in governance towards building an empowered and sustainable communities, helping build peace”.

It is then in my understanding, why we have the BPLT, (the basic paralegal training), paralegal clinics, enhancement of the paralegal skills, because we wanted people address their issues on their own, stand in their own, and use law as a tool in addressing their needs.

It is then in my understanding, why there is a creation of paralegal committee in the organization, in the barangay level, in the municipal level, networking, linkaging with other groups, network building, because these are our ways of scaling up our advocacies to resolve the issues in the community;

It is then in my understanding, why we facilitated the formulation of their Barangay Development Plans through Participatory Rural Appraisal (BDP PRA), or People’s Development Agenda (PDA), Local People’s Agenda, formulation of local policies, local legislations and all other baranggay or community-based works because we are in the premise that the community themselves are in the proper position what are their issues are, and how to resolve the issues themselves, in this way, there will be a sense of owning and appropriateness of response or projects in accordance to their needs, and not only because it is given, dictated by the upper government like the national government; resolving their issues can also be achieved through their active participation in governance, hence we also work with the government line agencies, had a dialogues with them, and assert our rights to address our issues through mobilizations, rallies, pickets and other peaceful and related means;

It is then in my understanding, why we have to go to the area or the place of incident, not only for us to have a better understanding of the situation, but more so, for us to experience the real situation. In living, talking and sleeping in the houses of our partner communities, does not only helped us better understand their issues but as well it nurture our relationship with them and gained confidence with each other and we tried to resolve the issues together, because we believe in their capacities, and somehow, to become empowered and sustainable communities.

It is therefore in my humble opinion that all the abovementioned efforts are mostly not done by other most lawyers. I guess that made us different from them.


BOTSOY’s way of life at present!

At present he is connected with the Public Attorneys Office at Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. And I want to share the last line of his speech;

Now, Im in the government, as a public attorney, or the abogado ng bayan. I may not be in balaod but the formation I have and the way of life we opted to lived is still running through my veins, I know I am not perfect or righteous, but at least I am trying my best to do my part, to say no when everybody say yes or its ok. Change may not be that easy, but im trying to start it in myself so that others may follow. And to be true to my lawyer’s oath. As I say, ang kaalam kung kini dili mapaambit sa uban ilabi na sa mga pinihig nga katawhan, kini walay pulos.(That Knowledge, if not shared to others, especially to the oppressed and marginalized people, is useless.) SERVING OTHERS IS LIKE SERVING GOD,


It was really worth a ride from Cagayan de Oro City to Malaybalay City. Botsoy’s humble experience strucked me right from the core of my being, seeing my “kauban” taking another route to become one of the “peoples lawyer”. As we toured around his office he showed to me the folders of cases he now handled, but I could never see regrets nor hopelessness in his face but only eagerness and dedication. Before we parted he said to me, whenever he misses BALAOD and the community he will just listen to music particularly the one where we had our voice in it and the songs that some of our colleagues made.

“YOU”

Come to my life unexpectedly
Woke up this sleeping heart of mine;
Made me realize the feminity in me
Have impressed me with the way you are.

Let my day so bright
Always hold me tight;
Give me hope to face life
Make me feel so right.

Inevitably healed the wounds inside me
Brought me into reality and keep me track with destiny;
Took care of me when I’m lowly
And Lead me to understand your presence.

Made me so happy at times when I’m weak
Kept me standing despite the storm that astounds me;
Give inspirations to this lonely heart
Love me with all of your heart

And I thank and salute you for that!

A CHOICE TO MAKE

Love come, love goes
I could hardly know;
Everybody is following the flow
That you and I will grow.

Unspoken thoughts were kept
T’was stolen by a thief;
He tore away the guilt
Making my emotions shift.

Your presence was 0nce my joy
I thought you’re one of my toys;
Helping me to cope up
With life’s doubt.

You assume everything to be fine
By that, you have become blind;
Have not been to the limelight
Because you are afraid of the light.

Its fate that leads our doors to crossed
At the end of the day it was closed;
Letting us realized
To take another route.

Indeed it was full of fun
I always wish it would come;
But everything has to end
So do roads that we once shared.

We have reached to the peak
Where we could hardly speak;
So its time to bid
For both of us to be free.

Freedom! Has always been my dream
A dream come true for you and me;
Time is giving us a clue
For our lives to part.

A WORLD CALLED PARALEGALIM

by: Piai Palma



Prelude to Learning Paralegalism



Learning is and will always be my favourite endeavour. If a difficult activity involves learning, I would not retreat from it nor show a sign of hopelessness even if it will take me a lifetime to learn that lesson. Education, whether formal or informal, opens new doors, windows, and avenues through which one can explore possibilities and horizons. This is especially true with regard to the law.



This was contrary to my previous belief that learning, my being a student, would end in law school. It never really occurred to me that there was an uncharted yet useful universe of legal knowledge and skills simply called “paralegalism”. I never encountered this one before, not during college or law school. (Though it might have been mentioned in one of my classes during which I probably was thinking about something else.) Here is the story of my experience with the world called paralegalism.



Pre-Campaign Mode



After wrestling with and cracking my brains out from the most harrowing examination I had in my entire life, the first agenda I had was to take a long rest. I decided to give myself a good break. And, indeed, I was given a good break. That fateful day I received an unexpected call from Ate Bibing, one of my mentors (Kon eleksiyon pa, gikamang ko!). She called to ask me to go back to CDO the soonest possible time and be part of the “marchers” of the Sumilao Walk. At first, I doubted the feasibility of the plan, because walking would literally mean travelling with all my cargo behind my back (And in case you want to know, I do not travel light).



Nevertheless, I joined the 55 Sumilao Marchers, uncertain of what will happen to me and clueless on how the walk would inspire me and teach me lessons that I will never learn from law school. For the six-month duration of the walk and campaign, there was no time for me to think about the result of the bar exam (although I prayed once in a while that the examiner would be in a good mood when checking my booklet).



“Taking the law and putting it into the hands of the marginalized groups and communities”, this is a goal that a lawyer should be pursuing. Knowledge of laws should not only be available to those who can afford to study law in a formal school, it should be made available and accessible to those sectors particularly affected by the law, always. This holds true in the case of the Sumilao Farmers who have struggled to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. And I believe that the predominant factor in the Sumilao Campaign is paralegalism.



Paralegal Activities Culminating in the Decision to Walk



Years of strategizing, tactic sessions, and case conferences with the farmers brought about the decision of the Sumilao Farmers to walk for 1,700 kilometers and personally ask the Government for redress of their grievances. Fifty (55) committed Sumilao Farmers (members of the organizations MAPALAD and SALFA), together with groups believing in their cause, gathered to reclaim what is legally theirs. The ability of the farmers to transform their case and to demand accountability from the concerned government offices enabled them to maximize not only legal options but extralegal strategies as well. These options and tactics, of course, were developed over time, taking their roots from the MAPALAD hunger strike that inspired the Sumilao Farmers to persevere in their pursuit of asserting their rights over the 144 -hectare Sumilao land. Finally, the Sumilao Walk for Land, Walk for Justice emerged.



Paralegalism at Work



Climbing a 10-step staircase is not easy, especially when one has to do it several times. However, this feat is nothing compared to what the Sumilao Farmers have done. Imagine, they (should I say we) had to wake up as early as 1:00 in the morning to prepare for the march, traversing an average of 35-45 kilometres per day. This is an unbelievable story, even to me who was part of it, but you have to believe it.



It was actually during those hardships they encountered, under the heat of the sun and the pouring rain, that the Sumilao marchers were able to discuss and deepen their understanding of the issues in their case. It was along those roads, as they came nearer to Manila where the seat of Government is located, where they imbibed the value of their struggle to assert their rights.



The farmers, young and old, did not only understand their case but also learned to effectively communicate their claims to the public. Though they have no formal education, their experiences taught them to share their knowledge and views on citizens’ rights and public accountability to the public. For them, walking was the most strategic way of telling their stories and sharing their struggles with other farmers whose rights had also been trampled upon and besmirched.



Paralegalism Passed on through Generations



Most of the marchers are married and had families whom the left behind when they walked to Manila. Security and protection for their families haunted each and every one of them as they travelled from one island to another. This was just one of the various issues encountered by the farmers which led to some heated discussions and arguments from the front to the end line of the march. But they did not let these small irritants affect them. Instead, these concerns harnessed their ability to discuss and resolve arising conflicts, ranging from personal to organizational. Another extraordinary thing about these farmers was their ability to combine skills in mediation and negotiation with their traditional way of dealing and settling their conflicts or issues in their community. (Majority of the farmers are Higaonons.)

The marchers who have been exposed to struggles in the past one way or another have made significant contributions to the growth and wisdom of the younger farmers. Under the guidance of their elderly, the young marchers were not only able to learn to speak their minds but they also learned to handle their differences smoothly. One of the venues that the group provided for the farmers to share their experiences and opinions was the daily reflection sessions. The participation of the farmers in the reflection sessions was overwhelming as they themselves were able to develop strategies on how to make the daily walk less stressful and more bearable.



Paralegalism used in Getting the Message Across



The Media has always been seen by the farmers as a very powerful tool in the advancement of their rights. Hence, telling the Sumilao story to the media played an important role in disseminating information about their case and the genuineness of their claim to the whole world.



One of the strategies the farmers adopted in developing their communication skills was to rotate the spokesperson’s role. Each one of them was required to speak before the public using the megaphone, to explain their case and to call on them to support their cause. So by the time the media people came to interview them, they were confident enough to respond and deal with the media. However, the farmers made it clear that they would not stop their march while media people were interviewing them. They could not afford any delay and they had to arrive at their stopovers by night time.



They were disciplined enough to continue with their walk, regardless of the eventuality or individual desire for rest or meandering. They only stopped at times when their command leader advised them to do so, and only at designated and safe places. Throughout the march, we learned that what captures the media’s attention the most is the human side of the story and its connection to the endless struggle of the Sumilao Farmers. As days passed, more and more media became interested in the walk until the day the 55 marchers returned to Sumilao. In a way,the media became their allies in accessing justice.



Through all this, using the law as a means to access justice was the primordial tool used by the Sumilao Farmers to validate their claim ad to make our government and its leaders accountable. The Sumilao Farmers are not lawyers in the technical sense of the word, but they have “lawyered” for themselves by walking and taking a stand for what is right.

(Photo by: Bro Ogie of SLB)

Oblivion

Sitting on the bench

All alone with no one to turn to;

To talk to

I’ve been waiting for some rescue.

I guess nobody dares to care

I may sound so alone;

It’s not only that

There’s something else more than that.



And it’s greater than that

I’m angry again;

I don’t know why

I couldn’t find any answer.



Unless there’s somebody

who is ready to lend a hand

Who understands, Who cares

For Whom?

Nobody else but ME…

911 Breakfast Buffet

"911 Breakfast Buffet"

written 09-18-09

In the early dawn of September 11, 1980, the fifth baby was born in the family of six. She has round sparkling eyes and fair-colored skin. She was named PILIPINAS MARY C. PALMA with a nickname “Baby Piay/Piai/PI”.

To make the long story short! When I was still a child, even with the meager earnings of my parents, 911 has been a celebration of the family. There’s always a small gathering of family members sharing what was prepared in the table. I always loved having cakes and spaghetti’s of course, I mean, who wouldn’t be with that age. And the best part of it all is the blowing of candles.

But when I started to get older, it seems to me that 911 has become a very personal event of my life, that I become selfish to the extent that I don’t want friends to celebrate it with me. I tend to make 911 a day of personal reflection and recollection to the extent of making me out of reach from family and friends who wanted to wish me all the best in everything. Funny! But it had been my practice for quite sometime now that is, having time alone during 911. Friends surely do not understand what I have become these past few years. Plus, 911 in the year 2001, has turned my life into mourning and grief instead of a celebration because it was also the year when the US was attacked and caused death and injury to many innocent people. But I don’t want to dwell on this part of the story because it will only remind me of the heartless people who have made such a huge destruction to mankind.

Now, back to 911! It was only on my 25^th birthday that I again felt that 911 is a family celebration, that’s when my younger brother Thirdie phoned and asked me to come home to Bohol and have a joint birthday celebration with him. I was so amazed and strucked because Thirdie could have celebrated his 22^nd birthday ahead of me but he chose to celebrate it with me. It was one among the sweetest gift I could ever have from my siblings, simple yet so full of love. After that day I could always feel the sense of togetherness even when I’m islands away from my family, 911 is indeed a celebration. Although, I prefer to always hibernate on 911. If not because of my family and friends, I wouldn’t celebrate my 26^th, 27^th and 28^th 911.

Now here comes my 29^th 911. Yeah! it is definitely sad not to stay sweet 28 forever, where a lot of things had happened during this time of my life. I have become accustomed of just celebrating 911 as normal as it can be. But, come to think of it! 911 come once a year and I couldn’t help but wonder why would I hibernate all throughout the day when I can have it after the celebration. That’s where the 911 breakfast buffet comes in. Usually, I attended mass in the morning to start my 911 with thanksgiving for all the love that God has poured unto me. But, why not start my day with a thanksgiving for the greatest gift of all… THE GIFT OF PERSONS… I would never have become what I am today if not because of the people who have been there for me through moments of celebration and mourning. These people are the ones sent by God, in whatever way they can to bring color to this solitary and wandering life. Of course I could have celebrated my 29^th 911 to my hometown and with my family, but I know they will always be here inside my heart wherever I may be. And I’m so blessed for having very loving and thoughtful sisterhoods and brothers who always reminded me of the joy and excitement of celebrating birthdays when we were still kids. Yes! My 29^th 911, was full of amazing stories of family and friends physically present or not, who have become part of my journey for the last 28 years, and hopefully for the coming years. A bundle of thanks for all who greeted me in advance and all the belated greetings and gifts, it was a wonderful 29^th 911.

FALSE BEAT

December 13, 2000

Room 426 USC-Main

“for wing”

by rjack2000

Memoirs are still fresh

Moments we once shared;

I have given you a test

You only care less.


You uttered you love me

But that doesn’t mean so much to me;

There’s something more that I want

Something made out from a decision

A DECISION TO LOVE…


Attraction is your taste

Looks for you is the best;

That’s why emotions left easily

Since reasons are not kept.


Alas! I like you

There’s nothing I could do;

Reality makes me see

That you are in me.



Unfairness? Aye! I admit

T’was a part of me, you don’t know;

You’re still a child for me

Such mindset of mine doesn’t fit in you



Time has changed

And so did we;

Priorities left us hanging on a cliff

Without choices at stake.



Instinct does not run through me

For reasons is my soul;

You cannot control

Because I’m not a fool

Drifting thoughts of a beloved!

What am I that you should love me and hold me as your dearest love of all… the first time I heard this song made a tingling sensation inside my tummy, a mixed emotion crashing down on me and eventually left me teary-eyed. I could not contain the lines that strucked me, seldom will I shed a tear when hearing music but hearing the lyrics made me wonder again and again, am I worthy of my lovers love? Don’t get me wrong, I have been in love and will still continue to love, but I asked myself did I love my lover as he has loved me more than I could ever wonder? I kept reminding myself that in loving it is not important who gives less and who gives more. But is the love I gave more than enough to compensate my constant lovers’ love for me, a cast of doubts crashed into my heart. Then question sprung, am I really worthy of his love.

They say that when a person cries and the first drop goes in the left eye, it meant that the person is sad, but when its on the other side, the person is happy… and yes, this is truly a confession to make, duh… when I hear this song, the first drop always goes to the left side (not that I can control my tears from falling to this direction). Does this mean that I am sad because I don’t truly love him in return? Or because of shame because sometimes I fly often away… (My thoughts keep on drifting to the times that I become unfaithful to the covenant that my lover and I made)

Shame… yes! I am ashamed because no matter what I do he always give his love without asking something in return. I am ashamed because I cannot and will not be able to reciprocate his love. I was again struck when I read the homily of a priest I used to know while having my review where he talks about respect and obedience to my lovers’ will, i.e. doing the right things without me hurting myself and other people. Obedience without fear and letting go of the things that is not for us, surrendering when the pain is too much to bear and faithfulness to my lover, that no matter what happens he is there for me and will embrace all of me without hesitation. This is another shameful situation, because I know I have disobeyed my lovers will a countless time.

But I relentlessly talked with my lover despite my shortcomings and one of the best ways to really hear my lovers’ loving presence is my self-confessed prayer. It is there at that particular moment that I truly burst my heart out without fear of misjudgment and ridicule. It is in praying that I have time to talk with him, to be thankful of the gifts I have but at the same time ask myself what have I done to deserve his love even at times I become unfaithful to him and when I deviated away from his plan (which always happens). Fr. Jboy once shared to us (reviewers), during a mass held at UP that praying should not be understood as a reward and punishment mechanism, that is, one pray because she wanted to ask him for a favor, and I for one commit the same mistake over and over. Pardon me for defending my actuations, but I would always consider my lover as my emotional buffer as I am a very secretive person when it comes to my personal life. No one could better understand me without judgment but the lover of my soul. And pardon me again, because I can’t change the way I talk with him no matter what.

Succumbing to pain, yes I have had pains that I never shared to anyone, how I died of pain of losing something that I dearly loved, for making a truce with my lover that caused too much pain in the end and thereafter change the course of my path. I was there already but I opted to take another path away from the person I truly love, the man who would not break my heart. And as I begin to forget about him, another one came and come back and then again, I think this was never meant to be. Happiness could only be had if and only in loving it is coupled with commitment that is to really be with the person no matter what the cost is. “Deny oneself pick up ones cross and follow Jesus” does not literally mean go with him, but it’s doing what he loves us to do. I began to wonder why can’t we be with the ones we love especially when all seems to be perfect. Why can’t the love of our lives deny oneself pick up his cross and be with the one they love? There are really things in this world that is beyond our grasp and that includes love…

There are so many instances in my life while having chat with my lover that left me teary-eyed. As I intently listen to my lover and what message he wants to get across, my mind wanders around the words spoken, and could see scenes in my daily life that I had omitted, committed and/or most of the times abstained from doing so. I have wondered why in certain point in my life why I asked myself why God would gave me so much or why I could not have some things that I believe should be mine. But despite of it all, his presence embraced me to understand that my ways isn’t really his ways. So, I will end my thoughts and let this pain of mine be drifted away by his unfathomable love as I surrender all that I am to the one who really loves me the most--- may this song be a constant inspiration to be thankful for the gift of life….. Thank You LOVER OF MY SOUL for your constant reminder.





MY HEART’S THANKSGIVING

*REFRAIN:
As I sing my heart’s thanksgiving
And my eyes look heavenward
How the stars you flung like jewels
Bid your welcome, shine your light
As I marvel at your moonrise
I’m in awe, yet I ask,
What am I that you should love me,
And hold me as your dearest love of all?

You crown me with honor and glory
And you set all things under my feet
You have made me a li’l less than angels
Even if I fly often away (*)

In my anxious and brow-beaten moments,
You comfort me, fill me with peace
When my foes threaten, dare and surround me,
You’re my strength; you’re my light and my shield (*)

How exalted your name is, O Yahweh,
And how lofty the work of your hands
Yet how closely, how dearly you draw me
To your love, your divine majesty (*)

When all the lights are out!

Often than not, we tend to be so convenient in using electricity and forget about emergency power failures. But have we ever given a thought to prepare ourselves when all of the sudden lights are turned off and all we can see is total darkness?

Yes! Darkness sometimes pissed us off especially when dinner is set and we are about to taste the first spoonful of delicious food. We say, we don’t want to experience it again. At this point in time, a light, i.e., emergency lights becomes handy.

Why handy? It is because we do not need to carry on heavy generators in cases of emergency, like when our place is hit by a typhoon, hurricane and all sorts of calamities. It is then handy, because kids at home can use it without any danger.

Indeed emergency lights is safe and easy-to-use, safe as this does not contain high voltage of electricity hence, kids at home will be far from being hurt. It is easy-to-use, as there are only buttons to turn and/or push in times of use.

In fact, there are varying types of emergency flashlights fit for all usages, to name a few; the 4-in-1 auto emergency flashlights built for home use, the multifunctional emergency flashlights used for wide range area and illuminates it just like ordinary lights, there is also a glow stick emergency flashlights which is handy for campers all over the world as it is super small yet it glows twice as much as ordinary flashlights, the solar torch flashlights fit for conserving energy, there is also what we called the squeeze flashlights which by its name one will surely how to manipulate it, and last but not the least is the TLPFL-0610 ideal for Home and CarSpot to Flood Beam.

It is then important that not only in our homes that we should have emergency flashlights but also to wherever we go, in our cars, office work, in our bags and even in our pockets because, even a little spark could save life, and that maybe yours.

i fly away

They say that when a person cries and the first drop goes in the left eye, it meant that the person is sad, but when its on the other side, the person is happy… and yes, this is truly a confession to make, duh… when I hear this song, the first drop always goes to the left side (not that I can control my tears from falling to this direction). Does this mean that I am sad because I don’t truly love him in return? Or because of shame because sometimes I fly often away… (My thoughts keep on drifting to the times that I become unfaithful to the covenant that my lover and I made)