Prayer for Peace
“May every sunrise hold more promise and every sunset hold more peace.” Stop the War.
All posts filed under: Sympathy
Reality check
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ― Lao Tzu
No Te Vayas de Zamboanga
I visited Zamboanga before and after a rebel siege in the city a year ago that left a portion of the central town bruised and battered, and kept many wary visitors away and in fear. Foreign travel advisories stay adamant. I expected to focus on remnants of a combat zone, but there were other things that captivated me more.
Street kids
“But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.” ~ William Butler Yeats
Thank you from the Filipino people
Survival after the storm “Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things – with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope.” ~ Corazon Aquino We, the Filipino people, embrace the gift of hope and overwhelming support from all over the world. Your openhearted assistance and extended hands mean so much to a struggling nation eager to rise up again from the odds. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. May God bless us all.
Kids of Hope
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Philippine Warty Pig: “Call me Elvis”
Behind this cool air of a tough looking wild boar with the Elvis slick mane, lies a sad truth for their dwindling species.
Let me have your pain
“My hand is empty, I can’t offer you anything. But let me have your pain, it doesn’t belong to you.” ~ Dodinsky
Giving thanks and rewarding
“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself.” ~ Chief Tecumseh Shawnee These locals run out to help boats coming in at dawn. In return, they get a few rewarded fish for breakfast from grateful fishermen. Shouldn’t humanity be as simple as this?
Take flight and heal yourself
“Pain is a pesky part of being human, I’ve learned it feels like a stab wound to the heart, something I wish we could all do without, in our lives here. Pain is a sudden hurt that can’t be escaped. But then I have also learned that because of pain, I can feel the beauty, tenderness, and freedom of healing. Pain feels like a fast stab wound to the heart. But then healing feels like the wind against your face when you are spreading your wings and flying through the air! We may not have wings growing out of our backs, but healing is the closest thing that will give us that wind against our faces.” ~ C. JoyBell C. For friends who are in the healing process at this moment, hurting from betrayal, complications of love, and shattered trust… fly free. Go and find your wings. Let the wind take you to places where you can heal, feel it fan your faces once more, and not be bogged down by your miserable burden. A …
A child’s sweet smile
“Children keep us in check. Their laughter prevents our hearts from hardening. Their dreams ensure we never lose our drive to make ours a better world. They are the greatest disciplinarians known to mankind.” ~ Queen Rania of Jordan When I chanced upon this child in the remote coastal shore of Tabina (Zamboanga del Sur), he had his back to me, sitting on a log, looking somewhat forlornly at the distant horizon.
RELOAD 008: Tara and Bella, the Unusual Friendship
RELOAD, REFRESH, RESTART 008 – Reposts from video sources and online stories which makes me feel good and happy so I share them with you as well. In 2011, the world mourned at the passing of Bella the dog, but none more than her constant companion Tarra the elephant. Anyone who has ever doubted an animal’s ability to feel and express emotion need to look no further than this odd couple in Tennessee. Companionship, commitment, love, and loss—it’s all there. Watch them in happier times. (from my idol Cesar Milan’s website)
Shoot for Hope: Workshop for a Cause
Shoot for Hope Photo Workshop for a Cause (Dec. 30, 2011) Shoot for Hope was organized in a matter of days, just less than 2 weeks. When Typhoon Sendong ravaged areas in neighboring Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, we immediately gathered our very good friends to come up with a fundraising event.
Christmas after the storm
Christmas after the storm (Dec. 2011) A lone parol (Christmas star) hooked to a bamboo pole stands tall on the bridge overlooking the scenario that Typhoon Sendong brought havoc in Iligan last Dec, 16, 2011. In a backdrop of uprooted trees and the other bridge that fell, an attempt of reviving the Christmas spirit still brings Iliganons hope after the storm.
Shoot for hope
SHOOT FOR HOPE, DEC. 30, 2011 AT THE MARCO POLO HOTEL Six Davao photographers unite for a day in voluntary efforts to raise funds for Typhoon Sendong victims in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities. Learn techniques from the guys who have the experience and skills in different fields of photography, while your support goes to families in need this Holiday Season.
Morning after
Hope is a renewable option: If you run out of it at the end of the day, you get to start over in the morning. ~ Barbara Kingsolver It was day 2 of my stay in Cagayan de Oro, where I wanted to document images of hope from the Typhoon Sendong natural disaster in both CDO and neighboring Iligan, which occurred on Dec. 16 of 2011.
A beggar’s prayer
Each one prays to God according to his own light. ~ Mahatma Gandhi Simbang Gabi in Davao City
Rainbow after a storm
“Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things – with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope.” ~ Corazon Aquino Am still here in Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City where the recent typhoon (Sendong) that devastated both areas in CDO and Iligan claimed hundreds of lives and hundreds more missing. It is almost Christmas, yet I’ve decided to hitch with a friend who handles corporate public affairs of their big establishment, and set to deliver thousands of bottled water in both locations.
A small survivor
“When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better”. ~Pauline R. Kezer
No points for McGrady
Back from an official event from another hotel, Kris and I were so tired and raring to have one of those foot massages when our companions met us in the lobby excitedly. What was the commotion about? An NBA basketball player is coming in town and checking into our hotel, was the buzz. My ears perked. I stopped watching since Jordan so I wouldn’t know of anybody except for the names I heard being called on the Playstation game. Oh, and of course, that Bryant boy. So who was this Tracy McGrady guy? No idea, except that I saw these boys waiting for him holding huge photos and placards. They were huge fans who were waiting to get a glimpse of him and I didn’t know for how long. My feet were aching and longing for a massage but I chatted with them for a bit, and told him my boys back home were NBA fans as well, but I wasn’t sure if McGrady was on their list, too. One particular boy caught my heart …
I Am Not There
I Am Not There by Mary Elizabeth Frye (1932) Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sun on ripened grain. I am the gentle Autumn rain. When you awake in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die. In memory of “talent scout”, mentor, good friend for years, and media colleague, Roger Layson (April 4, 2011). We will miss you so much.
The Scene Stealer 