9 mornings

Misa de gallo is a traditional Catholic celebration held early in the morning during yuletide season. It starts from December 15 to December 23 if you will be attending the anticipated mass and from December 16 to December 24. I see the latter part as the more difficult one because you have to commit yourself in waking up at 4 am to be ready for the 430am mass. Some people do attend the mass because the folks have always believed that if you complete the 9 misa de gallo, you will be entitled with a wish. And it is also believed that it does come true.

And usually, people who have attended the mass will also have some gathering just outside the church. Let us call this a Christmas picnic. People from different walks of life swarm around kiosk of the two most favorite delicacies during Yuletide season. It's puto bumbong and bibingka.

And this year, I have a first hand experience of how we, Filipinos, celebrate this misa de gallo during the happiest time of the year. And as the number of masses I have attended increase, my interest of hearing the homily does too.

For those who was not able to attend the traditional Yuletide series of masses, here is the run down of the homilies:

First day: To prove that you are a son of God, you should follow HIS doing. There is no other way but HIS. It has been proven throughout the history and yet most of us fail to do so. Even yours truly do falter at times. But what it is important is you keep coming back to HIM.

Second day: To be happy, follow HIS will. It is no wonder even if you make millions of cash and stash it for your future you will still feel incomplete and lonely without HIM. It is only thru HIM that we feel complete and happy.

Third day: HE will never forsake us. Just open your eyes and listen to HIM because HE cares for us no matter what. HE is our father. Unlike our biological father, HE is very merciful. Whatever we have done in the past, HE will not mind at all as long as we seek for HIS forgiveness.

Fourth day: Nothing is impossible to HIM. Just have a little faith. HE is OMNIPOTENT. I guess that is something that we forget at times. If something that you want did not happen, there is a reason behind that and that is you will get something better than what you want. Just be patient and have a little faith.

Fifth day: Never stop caring and showing some respect because HE never stops. Caring for each other is something that HE wants us to do. Remember during every mass, there is always a part where we give peace to each other because HE wants a good and sound relationship with each other.

Sixth day: Do not lose HOPE. Trust comes with hope. If we will only learn to fully trust HIM, your hope will never fade out like a candle which loses its fire after just being blown off. As we live our own lives, we don’t have to hope that HE will never leave us if we will only trust our lives to HIM.

Seventh day: Just look around to feel how blessed you are. HE makes our lives easy if HE wishes to. And HE said, “Let there be light.” And then there was light so that we will not find ourselves always in the dark. We just have to appreciate what we have in life and stop asking for what we do not have. Maybe we do not need what we do not have at all.

Eight day: We are all responsible for our CHRISTian community. The reason why we all have names to keep is that we will be responsible in every move we make because it will be your dignity that will be put on the line. Being a responsible CHRISTian is also making each and every step of yours carefully because you know that HIS name will be put on the line.

Last day: Open up your hearts for our Saviour has come. Before you can say that you are ready for HIM, let us empty our hearts with the words me, myself and I. Stop being selfish and reach out and lend a hand to others because that is what HE did for all of us. HE gave us HIS only son for the redemption of our sins.

This year’s Christmas will be very meaningful to me even if I have to spend another Christmas without my Dad beside me. I know that time will come that he will be able to have his own chance of opening his gift from us like how we do it during Christmas eve.

HOPE, TRUST, UNSELFISHNESS and LOVE.

Let us spread the words and give some love this Christmas. If and when that volcano in Albay explodes in the time where we celebrate the coming of Messiah, let us still continue the spirit of Christmas all year long. As long as there is someone who is needy for an extra hand, Christmas will be there in our strongest muscle – in our heart.

Yehey! Wala na kami...

Here is an article that I happen to read again after 2 long years.

Read this article and realize how to seriously take care of the relationship that you have right now.

Is it really worth the freedom that you're asking for?

Are you really ready for the consequences?

Are you really ready to give up that happiness?

Better think about it.

Yehey!!! Wala na kami…

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Wala na akong aalalahanin, wala na akong iisipin…

Pero hirap akong matulog sa gabi dahil bumabalik yung mga alaala noong magkasama kami.

Naiisip ko kung paano niya hawakan yung kamay ko, yung tipong nagsasabing hindi niya ako iiwanan.

Kung paano niya ako yakapin, yung nagsasabing hindi niya ako iiwanan.

At kung paano niya ako halikan, yung nagsasabing mahal na mahal niya ako.

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Hindi na ako iiyak pa…

Pero kapag gabi, nagagawa ko pa ring umiyak dahil na-mimiss ko siya.

Na-mimiss ko yung mga ngiti niyang nakakaloko, mga jokes niyang corny, mga tingin niyang nakakatunaw, tawa niyang nakakabaliw, pangungulit niya sa akin at kung anu-ano pang kapraningan na ginagawa niya.

Na-mimiss ko yun…

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Wala na akong tatawagan, hindi na ako magtetext sa kanya, at makaka-ipon na ako ng pera para sa sarili ko.

Pero sa tuwing hawak ko ang cell phone ko, lagi kong hinahanap ang pangalan niya.

Lagi akong na-tetempt na magtext sa kanya o di naman kaya tumawag.

Nangangati lagi ang daliri ko na pindutin ang ‘Write message’, i-type and message ko, i-scroll yung button para Makita ko yung number niya at i-pepress ko yung ‘Send’.

O kaya naman, i-scroll ko yung button para mahanap yung name niya tapos i-pepress ko yung ‘Call’ kahit na alam ko na mauubos na ang load ko at wala na akong pambili ng load (dahil kabibigay lang ni Nanay).

Kahit na alam kong hindi naman siya magrereply at hinding hindi niya ako tatawagan.

At kahit kailang, hindi na niya gagawin pang magparamdam.

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Magkakaroon na ako ng time para sa sarili ko, sa pamilya ko at sa barkada ko.

Pero sa tuwing lalabas ako ng bahay, kasama man ang pamilya o barkada ko, siya lagi ang naaalala ko.

Na sana kasama ko siya ngayon.

Na sana magkahawak kamay kaming namamasyal, naglolokohan, nagkukulitan at nagtatawanan.

Tapos, walang katapusang usapan kung saan kakain ng lunch. Kung sa Jollibee, McDo, KFC o Chowking.

Kung pupunta ba kami sa isang game arcade para maglaro ng video games o di kaya naman, kung maglalaro kami ng basketball, volleyball or badminton.

Tapos, ihahatid ko siya pauwi sabay nanakaw ng halik habang nasa biyahe.

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Hindi na ako magpupuyat sa kakatutok sa computer, aabutin ng medaling-araw kaka-chat sa kanya.

Pero sa tuwing gagamit ako ng internet, bubuksan ko ang Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, ICQ at MIRC. Dahil baka sakaling dumating siya.

Makausap ko man lang, makikipagkulitan at baka sakalaing magkaliwanagan kami at maibalik ang dating kami.

Yehey! Wala na kami.

Wala na akong significant other. Pwede na akong tumingin sa iba at magkaroon ng bagon love life.

Pero sabi ko sa sarili ko, hindi ako magmamahal pa ulit. Dahil siya lang ang mahal ko.

Siya lang ang nakaka-kumpleto sa araw ko.

Siya lang yung inspirasyon ko sa mga bagay bagay.

Siya lang yung nakakaintindi sa akin kapag may problema ako.

Siya lang yung nakakapagpatahan sa akin kapag umiiyak ako.

Siya lang ang buhay ko.

Siya lang. Wala nang iba.

Magmamahal din ako.

Pero hindi muna ngayon. Hindi muna……

i smell something in the cold air

There is just something everytime I smell the cold air during this time of the year. "-ber months" came and aside from typhoons coming in and out of the country, I bet everyone knows that Christmas is just around the corner.

That is why the other day, (like any other day), I do not have something to do, my mom asked me to put up our Christmas tree already. I think every home starts to dust off all the stuffs that used to symbolize Christmas already and checks if the lights are still working and the decorations are still in good shape to stay in their walls for at least 1-2 months. Like a child who is excited to play outside, I quickly separated my back from my bed and assembled the parts of the tree. :)

For me, this moment is the one I have always been waiting for every year. Well, aside for my birthday, my special someone's bday, Ginebra's game, my family member's birthday, valentine's day, and all the holidays. Tsk tsk. I think i have been waiting for so many days all year round. Anyway, I have always enjoyed putting up 'our' tree every year. I can not explain the happiness that I feel every time I will have the chance to put that tree into life once again in this time of the year.

I can not wait for Santa Claus' homecoming. :) But this year Christmas might be a different one. My special someone might leave the country this holiday season. :( First time after three years of being together. Aside from that, this year's Christmas will be counted for the years that I have not celebrated the holiday with my Dad. I know Christmas is for the family to celebrate together but for me and for my family, we're already used to this situation. Celebrating the holidays without my Dad. haay. For 21 years (because I am already 21 years old), I think there are only 2 or 3 Christmas' that I have my Dad with my as I open my presents from them. :'(

Enough of the drama. Christmas is a happy part of every one's life. It should be cherish. May everyone know the true meaning of Christmas.

New kid on the block

This is something that i have been waiting. :)

I finally decided to have my own blog where I can put all my silly ideas into writings. I apologize for any grammatical error that I will commit. :)

I consider this a training ground as I practice us

ing the primera lingua of the world. I really really hope that I will make sense as I share my everyday experiences.

As the sun rises and shares its own light, I want to get out of my shelf and share my experience to all people from different walks of life.

Enjoy reading! :)