Of writing*

Image by Bob Elderberry via Flickr

Of writing
she says:
Free your mind—-

That is,
restrain the censor,
that voice that says “Don’t!”

2010 “Dress Me Literary” Winners

Mr. Eric Perez & Ms. Cla Arcadio (HARRY POTTER)

The votes are in.   Dim the lights.

Almost three thousand votes were cast. The votes were spread out among the finalists in both INDIVIDUAL and GROUP CATEGORIES, which means that either you had a tough time choosing because they were all good or you all just voted for yourselves!

Seriously, thanks to all who joined the online poll!

Here’s a word of thanks again to all those who participated in the 2010 Xavier School ‘DRESS ME LITERARY’ event, especially those who made their costumes from scratch!  Too bad not everyone can be a winner.

Xavier School’s ‘Dress Me Literary’ Poll

I need help.

When I accepted the invitation to give the awards for the best costumes at Xavier School‘s ‘Dress Me Literary’ event last 14 October 2010, I didn’t know what I was getting into.  Nobody warned me that there would be so many awesome entries to choose from.   Of course I’m glad that the whole school community participated so enthusiastically, but I can’t do this alone.

Prompted blogging

Note: Xavier School’s NeXT (New Experiences with Technology) Team suggest these prompts to encourage more of us to blog.  Hope it works. 🙂

Earl and Leah (10-10-10)

 

Earl and Leah in San Francisco

 

Note:  Earl and Leah got married in Sanctuario de San Antonio at 2 pm on the 10th of October 2010.   Here’s my take on their story.

Dear friends, I’m really happy to be presiding at the wedding of Earl and Leah. I first met Leah and her family through her brother Mark some years ago, so when Leah invited me to be part of this occasion, I said “Yes” without hesitation and, I think, without even checking the date!

Scenes from Canberra (May 2010)

These accidental photos were taken with my point-and-shoot camera last May 2010 during my stay at the House of Writers in Canberra, Australia. Those long walks to the library and home were just too tempting for a novice amateur photographer like myself.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Scenes from Canberra (May 2010), posted with vodpod

Does praying work?

Note:  This homily was delivered to the 3rd year students during their Batch Mass on October 6, 2010.

About five years ago, an interesting scientific research was conducted by a team of doctors.  The study is called STEP, which stands for “Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer.” The research is interesting because it’s a kind of experiment on the effects of prayer on patients undergoing a delicate surgery called CABG–or Coronary Artery Bypass Graft.

The doctors behind STEP wanted to answer two research questions:

First: Does intercessory prayer–or praying for the patients–help them recover from surgery?

Second:  Are there benefits if the patients are assured of prayers?  In other words, do they recover faster?

Tribute to a teacher

Note: This homily was delivered on 28 October 2001 for a birthday Mass and dinner in honor of Dr. Doreen Fernandez.  I’m posting it today, World Teachers’ Day, as I remember her and all my teachers, great and small, who have taught me everything I know.  May God bless you all, wherever you are!

Fr. Tito Caluag invited me to preach at this special Mass for Doreen Fernandez.  Now, it’s hard enough to say “no” to Tito Caluag, but let me tell you, it is impossible to say “no” when it comes to Doreen Fernandez.  For many of us, after all, Doreen is an all-time unforgettable teacher and an all-time favorite person.

Bearing burdens

Something about being away, being alone
Opens up our sealed-up spaces and silences.

Trying to be “schools for others”

Jeepney in Culion

I confess:  At first maybe all we  wanted was  a change of scene.

A few days ago, the heads of the Jesuit schools in the Philippines didn’t hold their meetings in the usual places and in the usual manner.  For the normal Jesuit Basic Education Commission (JBEC) meetings, our eight schools would take turns hosting the twice-a-year meeting, where the host school would showcase its best practices–always a rich learning experience.

But not this time.