Summer breeze is now blowing here in the northern hemisphere. Yesterday, we had our first 90-degree-Fahrenheit day for the season, and it is predicted that it will be the same today. Summer has arrived in our neck of the woods.

I went out for a run in our neighborhood this morning. Just my usual 2-3 miler run. Nothing extraordinary.

With the warmer air, I felt it was harder to run. Though I am not fond of the cold, I will admit, that running in the colder weather can be better. Personally, I feel that 40 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit is the best temperature to run, especially when doing longer distances.

As I was struggling this morning on a steep uphill climb, but was nearing the top, suddenly a fierce-looking black bulldog came out from a neighbor’s yard.

The dog was not barking. It was just charging towards me!

They say that there are two ways to react when faced with danger. The first response is flight.  But as I said, it was uphill, and it would be very difficult to sprint ala-Usain Bolt. Plus I am not sure I can outrun a charging bulldog.

The second response is to fight. Me fighting a menacing-looking bulldog? But I don’t have my Black Ninja sword with me. Would my Kung-Fu deter this attack dog?

Confronted with danger or in an excited state, the flight or fight hormones (adrenalin and the like) will be secreted by our body. With these body juices rushing, individuals can do extreme feats, like carrying a refrigerator all alone during a fire evacuation, or clearing a high fence on a single bound when being chased by a vengeful lover.

Fight or Flight (as in flying!) response

Well, some people say that there’s another response in facing danger. That is to freeze. Like a deer caught in a bright headlight.

Scientists say that standing still or playing dead is a real mode of defense mechanism. It is employed by many creatures in the animal kingdom. Best known is the opossum. They freeze not just because they are gripped with fear, but rather they are using nature’s way of self-preservation.

And that’s what I did. I stopped running and stood still.

But the bulldog did not stop on his charge. It was rampaging straight for my legs! I saw it open its mean snout……

And then it licked my leg! No bite. Just a friendly lick.

I must be like Kentucky Fried Chicken to that bulldog. Finger-licking, ah, er, leg-licking good!

(*photo from the internet)

Do you like running? But do you run out of breath and sound like Darth Vader when you run? Maybe you have asthma.

Recently my cousin, who is a budding journalist in the Philippines, asked me questions on the subject of asthma and running, knowing that I am a lung specialist as well as a runner. He said that he was writing it for a fitness website. I would like to share them here.

1. How does asthma affect people? What does it do to their bodies?

Asthma is a condition in which there’s two main components, (1) narrowing of bronchial airways (bronchoconstriction) and (2) swelling (inflammation) causing edema and production of extra mucus. These can cause the difficulty breathing and wheezing, making you sound like Darth Vader. These attacks can be intermittent and reversible, and triggered by exposure to certain allergens.

2. Can everybody have asthma?

No. It is most likely genetic or familial predisposition that leads to one’s having asthma. For example, there are certain triggers that can cause an asthmatic attack, like house dust mite, but not all people will react to it. It is like an allergic reaction, where a predisposed person’s immune system overreact to the trigger.

So if you have asthma, you can partly blame your parents and the genes they passed on to you.

I’m not sure if Luke Skywalker have asthma too (“Luke, I am your father” – Darth Vader).

3. What are the common causes of asthma?

There is a wide gamut of asthma triggers and can differ from person to person:

A. Inhaled allergens – like house dust mite, pollen, cockroaches (I hate cockroaches), indoor and outdoor fungi/mold, pet dander (I feel sorry for pet-lovers if their beloved pet cause them their asthma attacks).

B. Respiratory infections – common cold and other viruses, or bacterial infections

C. Inhaled respiratory irritant – cigarette smoke, pollution and smog (like in Manila!), certain chemicals like volatile gases that can be at the work place, and even (cheap?) perfume. If you have a co-worker that has a body odor, you can tell them to take a shower for it can trigger your asthma. Just kidding.

D. Hormonal fluctuations – like in pre-menstrual and menstrual period in women; it can be part of pre-menstrual syndrome!

E. Medications – like beta blockers (metoprolol) that is use as an antihypertensive or in heart patients.

F. Physical activity – exercise

G. Emotional state – anxiety, sudden upsets. Yes being dumped by your girlfriend can cause an asthma attack!

H. Temperature and weather – cold air, hot humid air, wet conditions (which can increase respiratory allergens in the air).

4. What are the symptoms of asthma?

Most common symptom of asthma is difficulty in breathing, with sensation of chest tightness. You feel like you have a rubber band around your chest. When more severe, wheezing ensues. If really severe, it can lead to respiratory failure. A persistent cough can be a symptom of asthma as well, which is from the constriction of the airways.

5. Can it be prevented?

Yes. Avoiding the triggers as what I mentioned above. Also by using medications such as inhalers, especially the inhaled corticosteroid that kind of stabilizes the membranes of the respiratory tract of an asthmatic, so it won’t be so reactive. This lessen the attacks.

6. What’s the cure for asthma?

No cure for asthma. If you have it, most likely you’ll have it for life. Sorry Darth Vader. But we can control or minimize the symptom or lessen the attacks through avoidance of triggers and through medications. Asthmatics can do whatever they want and can live a “normal” life if their asthma is well-controlled.

7. Can running trigger asthma?

Yes. As any other form of exercise can.

8. Can a person still run if he/she is an asthmatic?

Yes. Even though exercise is a potential asthma trigger, it should NOT be avoided.

9. Can running help a person fight asthma then?

Yes. Aerobic exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system and may lessen the sensitivity to asthma triggers.

However, it is important for persons with asthma who are not in a regular pattern of exercise to build-up their activity level slowly to minimize the risk of inducing asthma. Also, if exercise is your asthma trigger, use your “rescue” inhaler (like albuterol meter-dose-inhaler) 5 -10 minutes before you exercise to preempt the attack. And if you have an attack while exercising, you can use the inhaler again.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, an Olympic medalist, uses an inhaler after running

10. Can a person run if he/she has an asthmatic attack or episode?

Yes and no. If the asthma attack is pretty mild, you may be able to endure it. However if the attack is significant that you’re wheezing, I would recommend to take it easy for that day.

11. How long should a person run after he recovered from an asthmatic attack?

No fast rules. You can sense when you’re ready. Listen to your body.

12. What’s your advice to people with asthma who wants to enjoy running?

Continue running. But you may want to run when it is not so hot and humid, (or too cold if you’re not in the Philippines). Or run in areas not so polluted or smoggy. That is maybe doing it early in the morning.

Also avoid stray dogs. Not because it can trigger your asthma, but it can chase you!

13. What should runners with asthma remember during their runs?

Have your rescue inhaler handy during your runs. It easily fits in even the smallest pocket of a running shorts anyway.

If there’s a lot of dogs in your area, you can carry a pepper spray too to ward them off. Just don’t mistake it for your inhaler!

And most importantly, have fun!

This is how to defeat asthma and Darth Vader.

(*photos from the net)

Ano ang laman na iyong bulsa? Pitaka? Cellphone? Mga barya? Kumpol ng susi? Kalahating bubblegum? Lipstick? Rosaryo? Sigarilyo? Balisong? Ticket ng lotto? Balato ko ha!

O walang laman ang iyong bulsa? Teka, baka naman nadukutan ka na? O maaring butas lang ang iyong bulsa?

Ano man ang antas mo sa buhay, meron at meron kang bitbit, at hindi umaalis ng inyong bahay, na wala ito sa iyong bulsa.

Hindi ko sasabihin kung ano dapat ang laman ng iyong bulsa, akin lamang isasalaysay kung ano ang nasa aking bulsa sa iba’t-ibang yugto ng aking buhay.

Noong kindergarten:

1. bente-singko

2. panyolito

3. jolens (marble)

Simple lang ang buhay noon. Simple lang din ang aking pangangailan. Kaya’t bente-singko sentimos (benchingko tawag ko noon) lang, ay kasyang-kasya na. Kontento na ako dun. May hopia o kaya bazooka bubblegum na akong mabibili, at may sukli pa.

Ito ay noon, ngunit sa ngayon kahit balat yata ng bubblegum hindi kayang bilihin ng benchingko.

May panyolito rin akong baon noon. Kahit ayaw kong magdala nito, ay lagi itong nakasuksok sa aking bulsa. Dahil mabait (*ubo-ubo*) akong bata. Kasi sabi ng nanay ko kailangan ko raw ng panyo, kapag pinapawisan o kapag tumutulo ang sipon. Sa totoo lang para sa akin, pwedeng nang pamunas ang manggas ng t-shirt ko.

Ang panyolito ba ay tanda ng aking pagsunod sa aking mga magulang?

Lagi rin akong may jolens sa bulsa. Dahil laro lang ang laman ng utak ko noon. Walang muwang. Walang responsibilidad. Malaya. Malayang tumalungko sa lupa at magpakadusing, sa paglalaro ng jolens.

At simple lang din ang aking pangarap – ang matalo ko sa jolens ang aking mga kalaro. Hindi naman sa pagyayabang, minsan ay naging asintado at mahusay din naman ako sa laro ng jolens.

larong jolens

*****

Noong highschool at college:

1. suklay

2. panyo

3. wallet

Noong mga panahong iyon, meron na akong suksok na suklay sa aking bulsa. Yung natitiklop na parang balisong. Ito ay sandata ko na dala-dala araw-araw. Kailangan ayos lagi ang buhok. Kahit pa makipagsiksikan sa jeepney o sa bus, basta may suklay, guwaping pa rin.

Kusa ko na ring sukbit ang panyo. Kailangan punasan ang tagaktak ng pawis. Kailangan punasan ang sipon. Kasi nakakabawas sa pogi points kung basa ng pawis o tumutulo ang sipon. Dahil ang pangunahing pakay noon ay ang pumorma.

Dala ko rin ang aking wallet, kahit wala namang laman ito. Madalas nga kasyang pamasahe at pang soft-drink lang ang laman ng pitaka ko, pero bitbit ko pa rin ito. Bakit kamo? Kasi pampaumbok din ng puwet ito! Pati nga panyo ko (minsan dalawang panyo pa) nasa kabilang bulsa sa likod ng pantalon, para pantay ang pagkatambok.

Kung yung mga babaeng hindi nabiyayaan ng dibdib ay naglalagay ng medyas sa bra, kaming mga patpat na lalaki, ay panyo at pitaka sa puwetan ng pantalon.

Pero nagsimula na rin namang akong mangarap sa panahong iyon. Maliban sa makaporma at mapansin ng crush ko, ay may pangarap na rin, na sana makatapos ng pag-aaral, magkaroon ng matinong hanap-buhay, maging maginhawa, at magkaroon ng laman ang aking pitaka. At hindi lang hanggang porma ang suksok na pitaka.

*****

Ngayon

1. cellphone

2. wallet

3. susi

Sa paglipas ng panahon, nag-iba na ang aking pangangailangan. Wala ng suklay (wala nang susuklayin). Wala ng panyo. Hindi na mahalaga ang paporma.

Cellphone na ang laman lagi ng aking bulsa. Ito ang aking kuneksiyon sa trabaho, sa pamilya, at sa mundo. Narito ang aking mga contacts, schedule, e-mails, at notes. Gamit ko rin ito para alamin ang mga bagay na hindi ko alam – tatanungin ko lang si Mr. Google.

Ang aking cellphone ay hindi lang pang-selfie at pang-facebook. Pero siyempre gamit ko ito bilang kamera para sa aking blog, at pang-update kung may sumilip sa aking website. (Salamat sa pagtangkilik!)

Nandiyan pa rin naman ang aking wallet. Pero hindi pa rin ako nagdadala ng malaking halaga. Dahil plastik (credit cards) ang madalas kong gamit. Ibig sabihin, malakas ang loob mangutang at gumastos, dahil may trabaho na.

Iba na rin ang pangarap ko. Hindi lang para sa akin kundi para na rin sa kinabukasan ng aking pamilya. Kailangan may laman ang pitaka para may pang-baon ang aking mga anak.

Isa pang laman ng aking bulsa ngayon ay mga susi. Susi ng bahay at susi ng kotse. Mga bagong laruan kapalit ng jolen? Puwedeng sabihing medyo nakaka-angat at matagumpay na tayo dahil may pag-aari na.

Ngunit bahay at kotse ba ang simbolo ng tagumpay? O ito lamang ang mga panibagong pangangailangan sa yugto ngayon ng aking buhay. Siyempre kailangan ng bahay para kanlungan ng pamilya, at kotse para makarating sa dapat patunguhan.

Pero hindi ko pa rin naman lubos na pag-aari ang bahay at kotse, at patuloy pa rin itong hinuhulog-hulugan. Kaya kailangang patuloy din ang aking pagkayod para mabayaran ang mga ito. Ang mga susi bang aking dala-dala ay nagpapalaya? O ito’y gumagapos na parang tanikala?

Pangangailangan nga ba ang laman ng ating bulsa? O tayo’y alipin ng nasa loob nito? Pero hindi ko rin naman sasabihing mabuti pang walang laman ang ating bulsa.

Tunay na mas simple ang buhay noong jolen pa lang ang nasa aking bulsa.

*****

(photo by Rodgie Cruz from pixoto.com)

Ako’y nakatanggap ng sulat noong makalawang linggo. Galing ito kay Uncle Sam. Sabi rito, ako raw ay inaanyayahan sa isang opisyal na interview o panayam.

Sa wakas! Hindi na ako pamangkin lang. Maari na rin akong maging anak. Ampon nga lang.

Matagal-tagal na rin naman akong naninirahan dito sa Amerika. Sa katunayan, dalawampu’t isang taon! Dalawampu’t isang taon ng pagiging dayuhan.

Naging masalimuot ang landas na aking tinahak para maging isang mamamayan. Iba’t ibang letra ng visa ang aking pinagdaanan. Nagsimula sa letrang B (tourist), naging J (exchange visitor), tapos naging O (non-immigrant with outstanding ability), hanggang naging H (non-immigrant worker), bago nabiyayaan ng green card (permanent resident). Mapalad pa rin kaysa ibang kababayan na ang visa ay TNT (tago nang tago).

At ngayon, iniimbitahan na nila ako para maging isang naturalisadong mamamayan (naturalized citizen). Sa madaling salita – maging ampong anak ni Uncle Sam.

Ito ay kung maipapasa ko ang aking interview.

Ito na ang huling hakbang sa pagiging citizen. Tapos na ang mga background check. Tapos na rin ang finger-printing. Interview na lang.

Madali lang naman daw ang interview. Maraming mga tanong ay personal. Maaring gusto lang nilang maniguro na ikaw ay mabuting tao, at magiging kapaki-pakinabang na mamamayan, at hindi palamunin lang at uubos ng buwis ng bayan.

Kasama sa interview ay ang pagsusulit sa salitang Ingles. Kailangan makapasa sa pagsasalita, pag-unawa, pagbabasa at pagsulat sa Ingles. Walang naman akong problema dito. Kahit Grade 1 na batang Pinoy kayang-kaya ito. Kahit ba Carabao English tayo, papasa pa rin.

Ngunit kasama rin sa interview ay mga tanong sibika (civic test). Ito ay mga tanong tungkol sa mga batas, mga prinsipyo, kasaysayan, heograpiya at samo’t saring kaalaman tungkol sa bansang Amerika. Dito ko kailangang mag-review.

May reviewer naman silang binibigay. Sinasaad dito ang mga 100 na katanungan na maaring itanong sa interview.

May mga tanong na madadali:

Tanong: Ano ang pinakamataas na batas ng bansa?

Sagot: constitution

Tanong: Sino ang tinaguriang Ama ng Amerika?

Sagot: George Washington

Mayroon namang mga tanong na medyo mahirap ngunit kailangan mong malaman:

Tanong: Kailan isinulat ang constitution?

Sagot: 1787

Tanong: Ano ang 13 na orihinal na estado ng Amerika?

Sagot: New Hampshire, Massachussetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia

Noong isang araw, ako ay nag-review. Habang ako’y nag-aaral at nagpapaka-dalubhasa sa kasaysayan ng Amerika, ako nama’y hinaharana ng mga kantang Pilipino na aking kinamulatan, na tumutugtog sa aking CD player.

“Noong isilang ka sa mundong ito,

Laking tuwa ng magulang mo,

At ang kamay nila ang iyong ilaw.” (Anak by Freddie Aguilar)

Ako ba’y pinaparinggan ni Ka Freddie? Ampong anak ba kamo? O baka naman alibughang anak?

Para bang nasa gitna ako ng dalawang nag-uumpugang bato. Dalawang kulturang nagbabanggaan sa aking damdamin at isipan. Dalawang lahing nagbubuno sa aking pagmamahal. Dalawang bansang nag-aagawan sa aking katapatan.

Tapos nabasa ko sa aking reviewer ang tanong na ito:

Tanong: Ano ang isang pangako na kailangan mong gawin para maging mamamayan ng Estados Unidos?

Sagot: Talikuran ang katapatan sa ibang bansa.

Biglang bumigat ang aking damdamin. Parang may kumurot sa aking puso. Hindi ko alam kung sarili ko itong konsensiya, o ako’y pinaparamdaman ng mga multo ni Rizal at ni Bonifacio.

Sabay sumalang naman si Noel Cabangon* kasama ni Gloc-9 at kumanta ng “Manila” (originally sang by Hotdog) sa aking player.

“Maraming beses na kitang nilayasan,

Iniwanan at ibang pinuntahan,

Parang babaeng ang hirap talagang malimutan….”

Hindi na ako makapag-concentrate sa aking binabasa. Ang isipan ko’y nagsimula nang magliwaliw sa isang lugar na aking minahal at patuloy na minamahal.

“Hinahanap-hanap kita Manila

Ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga

Mga jeepney mong nagliliparan

Mga babaeng naggagandahan….”

Ibinaba ko na ang aking reviewer. Ipinikit ang mga mata. At marahang sumabay sa pagkanta.

“Manila, Manila,

I keep coming back to Manila,

Simply no place like Manila,

Manila I’m coming home…..”

******

(*songs from the album “Tuloy ang Biyahe” by Noel Cabangon)

(**photo above is from philippineslifestyle.com)

Change. That is the only constant thing in this ever-changing world.

Not too long ago, we cannot get by our daily lives without the typewriter, mimeograph machine, telephone booth (not just Superman), cassette tape recorder, floppy disc, and film negatives. Do you even know what they are?

When was the last time you placed a 35 mm roll of film in the film cartridge of your camera? Or when was the last time you held a real printed photograph instead of viewing it on a computer monitor or from a smart phone?

In the world of medical radiographic images, the same is true. In our practice, rarely do we see a real printed x-ray film nowadays. Instead, everything is now digital or electronic.

Gone are the days when we have to wait for several minutes for an x-ray technician to develop the film in a dark room. Then wait for it to dry. Then hand you the film. And then you have to find an x-ray view box to hang it so you can read it.

Today, we view radiographic images digitally through PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), which is a network of computers used by radiology department, that we can access through our desktop, laptop, tablet, or even our smart phone. And if a referred patient comes with an x-ray taken by a radiology department not in our network, he brings in his x-ray images in a CD that we can load and view.

However the other day, a new patient referred to us came in with a real copy of her chest x-ray film. A real film!

I have not held one of these for a while. I missed the feel of its smooth texture on my fingers. The crisp sound of the film as you pull it out of the envelope and wave it softly in the air. Its peculiar slight acidic scent (from the x-ray developer and fixer chemical solution). The unmistakable exotic taste of its…..ah, er……. no, I have not done that.

Who knew that a plain x-ray film will bring me such nostalgia?

As I hold the x-ray film in my hand, I looked around for a viewbox (negatoscope is the technical term), but can’t find one. I guess they don’t install them anymore. I was in one of our newly constructed multi-specialty satellite clinic, and they don’t have a negatoscope in the whole building. None. Zilch. Nada.

So how did I view the x-ray?

I held the film against the bright window and squint my eyes a little, just like the “old” days.

Right after graduating from medical school, almost twenty-five years ago, I worked in a small (and I mean really small) rural hospital in Plaridel Bulacan, in the Philippines. There whenever I ordered an x-ray, I even helped with shooting and developing it. That’s why I cannot forget the aroma of the freshly developed x-ray film. And while the film was still wet, I would hold it against the light, squint my eyes, and read it.

That was just like yesterday. Yet so much have changed.

As I looked at the film of my current patient, I also peered through the window and looked outside at the present world I’m in, while I relived and reminisced the past through the window of my mind.

(*photo taken with an i-Phone; and in case you’re asking, the chest x-ray was normal)

Habang ako’y bumibiyahe patungo sa aming outreach clinic noong isang araw, na isa’t kalahating oras ang layo sa aming siyudad, ako nama’y nagsa-soundtrip ng mga kantang Pilipino na aking kinagisnan (OPM Classics).

Habang tumatahak ako sa kalagitnaan ng mga bukid at parang, ang aking sasakyan ay tumatakbo ng siyento-bente kilometro kada ora, ngunit ang aking isipan ay lumilipad ng dos syentos kada ora.

Sumalang naman ang kantang “Tuyo Na’ng Damdamin” na orihinal na inawit ng APO Hiking Society. Ni-remake din ito ng Silent Sanctuary at ni Noel Cabangon.

“Minsan kahit na pilitin mong uminit ang damdamin
Di siya susunod, at di maglalambing
Minsan di mo na mapigil mapansin
Na talagang wala nang naiiwan na pagmamahal.”

Habang ako’y nagmumuni-muni sa lumang awit na ito, ay nakakalungkot lamang isipin, na maaring humantong pala sa ganito ang isang relasyon. Wala ng init. Wala ng paglalambing.

“At kahit na anong gawin
Di mo na mapilit at madaya
Aminin sa sarili mo
Na wala ka nang mabubuga.”

Wala nang maibubuga? Isa lamang masakit na katotohanan ng buhay. Lahat kaya ng bagay dito sa mundo ay may hangganan? Wala ba talagang forever?

“Parang isang kandila na nagdadala
Ng ilaw at liwanag
Nauubos rin sa magdamag.”

Upos na kandila? Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit isinulat ito ni Jim Paredes, o para kanino, o anong tunay niyang tinutukoy. Pero may alam akong makabagong paraan ngayon para makaangkop sa ganitong masaklap na kalagayan. Marahil wala pa nito noon nang isulat ang awiting ito.

“Di na madaig o mabalik ang dating matamis na kahapon
Pilitin ma’y tuyo na’ng damdamin.”

Kaibigan, huwag kang nang malungkot. Mayroon ng Viagra!

******

(My APOlogies to APO if I totally misunderstood and misinterpret the song.)

No, they are not.

According to a recent article that appeared in Mindanao Times, here are the new essential qualifications for a real doctor.

1. Wears a uniform. Preferably white, and in impeccable condition. One that does not get hot nor dirty even when you’re rushing and answering to all calls, especially in the Emergency Room.

2. Speaks English. It does not matter whether you’re in Manila, or Ilocos, or Cebu, or anywhere in the Philippines (or world) for that matter. It does not matter if the patient you’re attending to speaks Tagalog, or Ilocano, or Ilonggo. You must talk to them in English. That’s how you discern one from an impostor.

3. Knows the “problem” of the patient, even if the patient does not tell them anything about what ills them. They must master the art of foretelling the disease, even without taking history and doing physical exam. In other words, can read crystal balls. Nurses should possess this power too.

4. Must be courteous at all times. Never rude. Even when faced with arrogant yet idiotic patients. If you’re not courteous, that means you are a fake doctor.

5. Must see a demanding patient, right away. Now na! It does not matter if you’re attending to a sicker patient. It does not matter if you’re running a code or doing the CPR itself, or assisting in surgery, or doing a procedure. Your doctor’s license expires within an hour of not seeing the patient.

The following standard eligibility on becoming a real doctor are not needed anymore:

1. Four years of undergraduate degree. Forget it!

2. Another four years of medical (graduate) school. Forget it!

3. One year of post-graduate internship. Forget it!

4. Pass the Philippine (or other country’s) Medical Board Exam. Forget it!

5.  Lastly, no need to do three to seven years (depending on specialty) of Residency after passing the board exam. Remember when you’re a “Resident” doctor, you are a fake doctor.

*******

(This post is in response to an article with the same title, that was published 7/20/15, in the Opinion section of Mindanao Times, written by Fely V. Sicam)

Sitting atop of an armoire in our living room is a set of decorative candles that were given to us as a gift, when we moved to Florida. That was about 15 years ago.

When we moved to Iowa, we brought it with us, and these candles remained purely ornamental, as I don’t recall lighting them for the past 10 years or so that we’ve been here in our home in Iowa.

Last night, we drove home in a torrential downpour of rain. It was raining so hard that the road visibility was reduced to a few meters, making the travel perilous. When we arrived home and got into our driveway, the automatic garage door would not open. After several attempts and failing to open the garage with the remote key, I finally went out of the car in the pouring rain, and got in the garage through a backdoor using a traditional key.

That was when I discovered why the garage door would not open. The electricity was out.

Power outage here in our area, or in all the US for that matter, is rare. Unlike during my younger days when I was still in Manila, where black-outs were as common as having dried fish for supper.

I’m not sure what caused the power outage. Maybe it was the heavy rains. Maybe a lightning hit one of the transformers. Maybe the strong wind knock off the power lines. Maybe a deranged cow wandered in the power station. Or maybe the Martians hijacked the power plant. Who knows?

But one thing for sure, there’s a lot of things you can’t do when the power is out. Can’t browse the internet in the computer. Can’t watch TV. We can’t even get in into our house!

As we enter our house, we fumbled to get flashlights. It was a good thing my son has a collection of small flashlights and so we have plenty to go around. He even put on a headlamp, as he excitedly move around like a miner in a cave.

It was dark, so we lit up some candles. We have a couple of aromatic candles that we use whenever we cook fish or other “stinky” Pinoy food to neutralize the smell (see previous post here). Yet the house was still dark, so I proceeded to light the decorative candles in our living room as well.

That’s when my wife told me that they were “special occasion” candles only.

Well, the power was out. It was dark. To me, that was a “special occasion.”

(*photos taken with an iPhone) 

Bawal Umihi Dito!

Iyan ang sigaw ng maraming pader sa Pilipinas. Kung ikaw ay maglalakad sa ating mga lansangan, ito ang tatambad sa iyo na nakasulat saan mang sulok ka tumingin. Marahil masasanghap mo rin ang mapanghing kalagayan ng ating mga siyudad.

Bakit nga ba kailangan pang isulat ang babalang ito? Hindi ba common sense naman na hindi tayo dapat umihi sa pader, o sa poste, o sa kalye? Sino bang magpapaskil ng “Pwedeng Umihi Dito.” Hindi ba dapat alam natin na ito’y labag sa batas? Pero tanong ng iba, against the law or against the wall?

Sa katunayan, karamihan ng mga munisipyo ay may ordinansa laban sa pag-ihi sa publiko. Maari kang kasuhan ng disorderly conduct o kaya’y indecent exposure pa, at maaring magmulta o makulong. Pero bakit pawang hindi ito ipinatutupad?

(photo from internet)

Hindi sa ako’y nagmamalinis o hinuhusgahan ko ang mga gumagawa nito. Dahil minsan din akong umihi sa gulong ng kotse ng tatay ko, nang ako’y musmos pa. At saka noong panahon nang ako’y nasa kolehiyo, maraming mga lalaking estudyante ang “nagdidilig” ng halaman doon sa may grandstand ng UST bago magsimula ang aming ROTC, dahil hassle ang pumunta sa CR. Join na rin ako sa pagdidilig.

Ngunit ano nga ba ang dahilan kung bakit palasak sa Pilipinas ang pag-ihi sa pader?

1. Una sa lahat, dahil tayo ay nai-ihi.

Oo nga naman, hindi mo gagawin ito kung hindi ka nai-ihi. Pero hindi iyon ang gusto kong sabihin. Ang aking tinutukoy ay hindi kayang mapigilan ang pag-ihi.

Baka may enlarged prostate na si kuya? O kaya nama’y lasing? O baka naman may hyperactive bladder o balisawsaw si ate. (Totoo, hindi lang mga kalalakihan ang gumagawa nito.)

Pero Pinoy lang ba ang hindi makapigil ng kanilang ihi?

2. Dahil nais nating markahan ang ating territoryo.

Alam ba ninyo, na kapag inihian ng aso, o kaya’y isang hayop ang isang puwesto, kanyang ipinapaalam sa ibang aso, o ibang hayop, na ito’y kanyang territoryo?

Pero hindi yata ito angkop sa tao. Dahil kadalasan, hindi natin pag-aari ang pader na ating ini-ihian. Kaya naman maraming nauuwi sa away dahil sa pader ng kapitbahay tayo umiihi. At kung ika’y umihi habang nakadungaw ang ang may-ari, baka hindi lang sigaw, kundi itak ang abutin mo. Putol!

3. Dahil walang sapat na public toilet.

Hindi naman siguro makakaila, na kulang, o talagang wala, tayong sapat na pampublikong palikuran. Kung ika’y nai-ihi, kailangan mong pumanta sa loob ng mall o sa restaurant para umihi. At maaring may bayad pa ito, o pagkahaba-haba ng pila. O kaya nama’y sasabihan kang “para sa customer lang po ang toilet.”

Kaya walang ibang choice kundi pigilin hanggang sa maiihi sa salawal, o humanap na lang ng pader.

4. Hindi ipinapatupad ang batas laban dito.

Alam kong mas maraming malalaking problema ang ating bansa. Tulad ng trapik, o mabagal na ekonomiya, o corruption sa gobyerno. Kaya ba hindi na lang pinapansin ang batas laban sa pag-ihi sa publiko?

At sino ang magpapatupad nito? Ang may-ari ng pader? Mga baranggay tanod? Mga pulis? Mahina siguro ang “kotong” sa mahuhuli dito, hindi tulad sa nahuhuli sa batas trapiko.

Kaya maliban na ikaw ay umihi sa poste kung saan nagtatago ‘yung pulis, malamang bale wala ito. Kaya hanggang sa paskil na “Bawal Umihi Dito” na lang, at ipinauubaya na sa pader na ipagtanggol nito ang sarili.

Pero mayroon na ngayong bagong hydrophobic paint na “pee-proof” daw. Kapag ipinahid ito sa pader, tumatalbog pabalik ang ihi sa sinumang salarin. Makakaganti na rin ang inaaping pader! Magkaroon kaya nito sa Pilipinas?

kaliwa – karaniwang pader; kanan – may “pee-proof” paint (image from internet)

5. Dahil walang galang at walang disiplina.

Siguro dito nauuwi ang lahat ng ito. Wala tayong disiplina sa ating sarili.

Walang disiplina sa batas trapiko. Walang disiplinang pumila sa linya. Walang disiplinang tumupad sa oras. Walang disiplina sa pagtatapon ng basura. Walang galang sa pag-aari. Walang galang sa ibang tao. Walang galang sa ating sarili.

Kung simpleng bagay gaya ng hindi pag-ihi sa pader ay hindi natin kayang disiplinahin ang ating sarili, paano pa kaya ang mas malalaking problema ng lipunan tulad ng pagnanakaw ng kaban ng bayan, corruption, at pagiging tapat sa isa’t-isa?

Kawawa naman ang ating bansa. Sabi pa naman sa ating pambansang awit “duyan ka nang magiting.” Pero siguro nga, kaya sinabing duyan, dahil laging nai-ihian.

Kaya sa susunod, kung may makita kang umiihi sa pader, magalang mo na lang silang paalalahanan. At kung ikaw ang iihi sa pader……”Humarap ka, duwag!”

(Ang tulang ito ay nahugot galing sa baul. Ito ay kinatha at isinulat mga ilang taon nang nakaraan bago pa isilang ang blog site na ito. Dito hango ang post na “Mula Palayan Hanggang Maisan.” Inilathala para sa Buwan ng Wika.)

Sa gitna ng ginintuang palayan,

Sa parang na malayo sa kabihasnan,

Habang pastol na kalabaw ay nakahingalay,

At sa pilapil magsasaka’y tumutulay;

Ay may isang batang nangarap,

Sa ilalaim ng kawayan at alapaap,

Makatapos ng kolehiyo’t sa Maynila manirahan,

Ang matayog na mithiin niyang tangan.

Lumipas ang maraming mga araw,

Yaring bata’y sa hangarin ‘di nagbitaw,

Tinumbasan ng sikap ang mga pangarap,

Hanggang ang panaginip ay lubusang natupad.

*******

Sa gitna ng masalimuot na Maynila,

Sa makitid ngunit balisang kalsada,

Habang ibang bata’y pinupukol pitpit na lata,

At mga traysikel ay umaarangkada;

Ay may isang batang nangarap,

Sa lilim ng pader na malapad,

Magpakadalubhasa’t ibang bansa’y marating,

Ang tunay n’yang mataas na adhikain.

Lumipas din ang maraming araw,

Yaring musmos sa hangarin ‘di nagbitaw

Tinumbasan din ng sikap ang mga pangarap,

Hanggang kanyang panaginip din ay natupad.

********

Sa isang bahagi ng malawak na Amerika,

Kabila ng patuloy na ugong ng makinarya,

At kislap ng daan-daang ilaw at karatula,

Sa siyudad na walang gabi’t parating umaga;

Ay may isang batang nangarap,

Sa ilalim ng buwang maliwanag,

Sa “space shuttle” lumulan, sa himpapawid lumutang,

Ang mithiin n’yang nais makamtan.

“Bangon bunso, at sa’kiy makinig nang tapat,

Tulad ko at ng aking amang minsan ding nangarap,

Tumbasan ng sipag at pagsusumikap,

Iyong panaginip ay lubusan ding matutupad.”

A foreigner arrived in the Philippines and was observing how the locals talk.

After she checked-in in her hotel room, she planned to go outside, so she headed to the elevator. While waiting, a mother and her toddler son were also waiting for the elevator.

The toddler tugged on his mother and said:

Child: Dede!

Mother: Dedede?

Child: Dede.

Then the mother handed his son the milk bottle.

When the elevator door opened the mother asked the lady inside the elevator?

Mother: Bababa ba?

Lady: Bababa.

So the mother and her child hopped inside the elevator. The foreigner hopped in too.

After a couple of floors down, the elevator stopped and the doors opened. A man outside asked:

Man: Bababa ba?

“Bababa.” The two ladies inside chimed.

What a fascinating language theses locals speak, the foreigner thought to herself. How can they understand each other with just repeating one syllable?

As the elevator doors closed, the toddler tugged again on his mother and whispered:

Son: Pupupu po.

Mother: Pupupu?

Son: Pupu.

The elevator reached the ground floor, and as the elevator doors opened the foreigner tried to break the ice with the locals. She said to them with an amusing smile:

Foreigner: Dadadada.

The locals looked at her baffled? Of course they did not understand her. They just shook their heads and under their breath they uttered: Gaga.

(*Dedicated to all who speak this strange language. Para sa Buwan ng Wika.)

Iminulat ko ang aking mga mata. Umaga na pala. Siguro dahil sa pagod at sa puyat, ay tuliro akong nagising at hindi ko alam kung nasaan ako.

Parang kakaiba ngunit parang pamilyar din ang aking kinalalagyan. Parang nakarinig yata ako ng traysikel. Parang may tumilaok din na manok na pansabong. Naalimpungatan ba ako?

Marahil nami-miss ko na ang Pilipinas. Marahil naho-homesick lang ako.

Isang taon na rin ang nakaraan nang huli akong tumapak ng Maynila. Isang taon na pala ang lumipas nang ako’y biglaang napauwi ng Pilipinas dahil sa malubhang kalagayan ng aking ina.

Salamat naman at nagpang-abot pa kami. Ngunit malungkot ang aming pagkikita, dahil siya ay nakaratay sa ospital. Sabi ng aking kapatid, akala daw nila hindi ko na dadatnan na buhay si Mommy. Pero nang mabatid ng aking ina na siya ay aking inuwian, ay parang nabuhayan siya, at uminam pa nang konti ang kanyang kalagayan.

Ngunit matapos ang mga pagsisiyat ng mga duktor ay aming napag-alaman na bumalik ang kanser ng aking nanay. At ito’y lubusan nang kumalat. Wala nang maiaalay pang lunas.

Aming pinagpasyahan na ihanda na ang aming ina sa isang katunayan na doon din naman lahat patutungo. Kaya’t inuwi na lang namin siya sa bahay mula sa ospital, upang doon na mag-hintay na dumating ang kapahingahang magwawakas ng kanyang paghihirap at pagsasakit.

Iyon na ang aming huling pagkikita ng aking ina. Iyon na rin ang huling yakap ko sa aking nanay. Halos mabiyak ang aking dibdib nang ako’y mag-paalam na sa kanya, upang tumulak pabalik sa Amerika.

Dinugtungan pa naman ng dalawang buwan ang kanyang buhay, mula ng kami’y magkita, hanggang siya’y tuluyan nang mag-paalam. Hindi na ako nakabalik sa kanyang libing.

Pero tuloy pa rin ang ikot nang mundo. Tuloy pa rin ang buhay.

Alam kong ang lungkot at pagpapaalam ay bahagi ng hibla ng ating buhay. Ngunit alam ko rin na sa bawat lungkot ay mayroon namang katumbas o higit pang kasiyahan ang sa ati’y ipinangako. Sa bawat pagpapaalam ay may bagong pagkikita tayong maaring tanawin. Ang dilim ay lilipas din at darating din ang umaga. Lagi nating panghawakan ang pag-asang ito hangga’t tayo ay nabubuhay sa mundong ibabaw.

Tapos na ang gabi. Sumusuot na ang liwanag sa mga siwang sa kurtinang tumatabing sa bintana. Bago nang umaga. Panibago nang araw upang lumikha ng mga panibagong alaala.

Tuluyan na akong bumangon at lumabas sa aming silid. Dumungaw sa veranda ng bahay. Sinamyo ko ang mainit na hangin, habang may nagdaraang traysikel at tumitilaok naman ang tandang ng kapitbahay.

Hindi lang pala ako nananaginip. Nasa Pilipinas akong muli.

Tara na, tayo’y mag-almusal muna.

(*breakfast courtesy of my aunts)

Hindi na siguro kaila sa marami sa inyo, na maraming taon ng aking pagkabata ang aking iginugol sa Luneta. Sa katunayan isa sa mga mabentang akda sa blog na ito ay ang “Alaala ng Luneta.”

Malaki na rin ang pinagbago ng lugar na ito mula nang ako’y lumisan ng bansa, mahagit dalawang dekada na ang nakalipas.

Ngunit muli akong nagulat sa progresong aking nakita nang huli akong magbalikbayan. Talaga namang matayog na ang monumento ni Rizal. Mas mataas na ito kesa George Washington Monument ng Amerika. Niluma rin nito ang Eiffel Tower ng Paris. Wala nang panama ang mga iba pang monumento ng ibang bansa.

Bakit ba hindi natin naisip ito noon?

At kung hindi pa po ninyo nakikita ang bagong monumento ni Rizal, heto na po ito ngayon.

(*image from the internet)

(**ang akdang ito ay bunga ng bangag kong pag-iisip sanhi ng matinding jet-lag.)

A couple of days after arriving in the Philippines, I found that my credit card was suspended. I was able to use it for 1 or 2 transactions, but the next transaction was denied. I was trying to buy a Barong for myself for my cousin’s wedding, which was the main reason of our trip.

It is not an unusual practice by banks to temporary suspend your credit card, if they think there are suspicious transactions done in your behalf or if your card was stolen. Several back to back big purchases or transactions occurring outside your home area can trigger this alert. It is an added security for the card holder.

Last month, my wife’s credit card was fraudulently used by someone in California, and our bank suspended her account. Good thing they did, for it was not us who made those purchases and the bank did not credit those transactions after they notified us and we confirmed it to them.

Since I was doing transactions in the Philippines, a half a world away from my home address in Iowa, the bank deemed it suspicious and temporary suspended my card.

Usually it is not a big deal if your card is temporary suspended. You just have to call the bank and prove it to them by answering a series of security questions that you are the one indeed who made those transactions, and they will open your account again. Better yet, if you inform the bank that you will be traveling to a particular place, you will save all this hassle. This I forgot to do.

Since my local bank was relatively small, they don’t have 24-hour customer’s service available. I have to call them during their normal business hours, which means at night or very early in the morning while I was in the Philippines. Des Moines and Manila has 13 hours time zone difference.

But I really need my credit card resumed. Going to Tambunting’s pawn shop was not an option.

So there I was, tired and weary from jet-lag, making a phone call to my bank at an unholy hour of 3 o’clock in the morning. Plus my cellphone’s signal was spotty, which is another issue in the Philippines. The known cellular carriers in the US, like Verizon, ATT and Sprint, are not readily available there.

Then after I made my call, I learned that the 1-800 number which was supposed to be free of charge, was not free after all, since I was making an outside the country long distance call.

It was in the wee hours of the morning, and I don’t want to wake up my family, so I made the call inside the bathroom, as I was almost shouting on the phone just to be heard with the poor phone signal and reception.

On top of all of these nuisances, an unwelcome visitor showed up and walked into the bathroom. A visitor I don’t want to see again. A plump big black cockroach!

I don’t need this added distraction.

After several minutes of shouting (or near shouting) and some intense negotiations, I finally did it. Mission accomplished!

I killed the cockroach.

There are many things that an iPhone or any smart phone, can do. It can let you talk face to face with someone across the globe. You can do your research and write your thesis with it. You can check the weather of any place around the world, even on Mars. It can be your personal secretary and will remind you of your appointments and special events.

But one thing an iPhone can’t do. It cannot swim. That I learned first hand.

We were in Palawan, Philippines, and were doing island hopping. Yes we hopped like bunnies on islands. No, we did not.

no bunnies hopping here

Anyway, we were visiting this one particular island, and I wanted to get a better photo of my son while he was in the water. So I waded in the waist-deep ocean water with our SLR camera in hand, trying so very carefully to keep it above my chest so it would not get wet.

But I forgot that my iPhone was in the pocket of my swimming shorts!

Call it a senior moment. Call it forgetful. Call it distracted. But in our vernacular, we also have a term for it: Tanga! (And it does not mean underwear.)

So my iPhone swam in the ocean. And it drowned.

where my phone took a swim

Right after I realized what happened, I turned off the phone immediately like what I heard from self-proclaimed experts. I wished to do mouth to mouth resuscitation on it, but I knew it was of no use.

I also heard of putting the phone in uncooked rice right away to try to draw out the moisture, just as what I’ve seen in some videos before. Though I don’t really know if that was proven effective. But we were on an island. The only rice we had, was left-over cooked rice from our lunch. I don’t think that would do.

Several hours later, after we’re done from our island hopping, and we’re back in our hotel, me and my nephew tried to do surgery on my phone. My nephew had a kit to open iPhones, though I’m not sure why he carry along these particular tools.

So we opened up my phone, and tried to shake off the salt water inside. We blew it dry with a hair dryer. Yet I could already see signs of damage inside it.

hospital, ah…er, hotel for iPhone surgery

The salvage surgery was unsuccessful. No signs of life in my phone. It was dead on arrival.

I left my phone turned off for several days, still hoping that it will resurrect to life. After a week, and only after we got back in the US, that I brought my iPhone to the Apple store, in their Genius Bar.

After running diagnostics on my phone, it confirmed what I knew all along. My phone was dead.

They cannot even retrieve any data from it, including all my photos. My videos and photos of me on the zip-line were gone, and now I have no proof that I did it.

zip-line where the iPhone rode

I tried to rationalize my loss. Well, it was a 4-year-old phone with a 4-year-behind technology. I needed an upgrade and I was planning to replace it soon anyway. Yet, I have drawn attached to that phone, sentimentally and literally. I never left home without it for the past 4 years.

I guess, I have nobody to blame but me. Or maybe I could blame the iPhone engineers, on why they did not teach the iPhone to swim. Even in ocean waters.

Maybe the next generation of iPhones will. I hope they teach it how to fly too, in case it fall off while I’m zip-lining or bungee jumping.

Um, about bungee jumping….. I think I’ll pass.

In Loving Memory of my iPhone: October 2011- August 2015 

If you have read my previous post, you know that my iPhone drowned in the ocean.

So I got myself a new iPhone. And I like it. Not because it is bigger, but because it can do more. Except swim, I guess.

I took the following video a few days ago during my morning run. Then my son played with my new phone and he turned this video into a film. He put music, words, and edited it with very little assistance from me, all via the iPhone. Smart kid!

Hope you enjoy.

(*Tapa is cured meat; a favorite Filipino breakfast, usually served with eggs and garlic rice.)

It’s been more than a couple of weeks that we have returned from our trip to the Philippines.

I have fully recovered from the jet-lag. My tracks of the mosquito bites were all gone. My sunburn have healed. The stash of the butong pakwan (watermelon seed) that we brought back is almost gone. And all that I have left are the sweet memories of home.

I miss the Philippines.

As September rolls in, heralding the end of summer, we brace for the coming cold season. Yet waking up to this beautiful morning, is not bad at all. Not at all.

(*photo taken in our neighborhood, with an iPhone)

Maraming mga kasabihan at mga payo ang atin nang narinig. Tunay na may karunungan at katotohanan ang mga ito.

Ngunit kanino ba nanggaling ang mga payong ito?  (Mawalang galang na nga lang po sa ating matatanda at kay Pilosopo Tasyo.)

“Kung may sinuksok, may madudukot.” …….mandurukot

“Kaibigan alam mo ba kung saan ka patutungo?” …….kunduktor ng bus

“Ang oras ay ginto.” …….salesperson ng Rolex

“Better to give than to receive.” …….buksingero

“Hindi lahat ng kumikinang ay ginto.” …….ahente ng Tambunting

“Someones trash is another man’s treasure.” …….magbobote dyaryo

“Ako ang nagsaing, ngunit iba ang kumain.” …….pet owner  (Pesteng pusa yan!)

“Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga.” ……..tindero ng nilangang mani

“Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ako.” …….night shift worker

“Lahat ay may hangganan, lahat may boundary.” ……..jeepney operator

“Health is wealth.” …….may-ari ng ospital

“Kung hindi ukol, hindi bubukol.” …….drug rep ng Viagra

(*image from the internet)

Has a sturdy exoskeleton and yet can collapse and squeeze into tight spots and still maintain its form.

Has the ability to move through most difficult terrains, and even handle a 90 degree climb without a hitch.

It can tread on water, and can take flight instantly without a need of a runway.

Equipped with compound photosensors made up of thousands of lenses that can see from all directions.

Has mounted sensors that detect changes in air currents and can navigate even in total darkness.

Extremely fast and can accelerate rapidly with the ability to turn and change direction while in full stride.

It is radiation resistant and probably can withstand a nuclear fallout.

Fuel efficient, and can go into energy-saving mode when fuel source is scarce.

The mere sight of it can cause fear even among hardy men. And when it’s airborne, it’s utter terror.

*******

You may be thinking that I am describing the most advanced weaponry of war. But I am not.

I am characterizing the………

cockroach.

the real Phantom Menace

(*This post is just in time for the Halloween. My apology to Star Wars for the title.)

(**photo from the web)

During our recent trip to Poland I was asked a question that I have never encountered before.

We were in a restaurant when the waiter asked me what I wanted to drink. I then requested for water. To this the waiter further asked:

“Still or gassed?”

I looked at him intently and bid him to repeat the question, and he asked me again, “Still or gassed?”

Is he asking me if I wanted “distilled” water? But what about the gas? Does he know that I am feeling gassy? Will they gassed me or something?

Finally it dawned on me that he was asking if I wanted “regular” water or “carbonated” water! It’s just that I am not familiar with the term “still” or “gassed” water.

Realizing what his question was, I stated confidently, “Still water, please.”

Something I learned in Poland was, first, they don’t offer tap water in restaurants. Water is always bottled so you have to pay for it. Secondly, they like carbonated water, for some reason or another. And thirdly, they really call the carbonated water, “gassed” water. I think technically it is more accurate than the term sparkling water.

During the rest of our stay there, I was requesting for “still water.”

Polish still water

Perhaps I am not the only one who wants to drink still water. I was reminded of a popular text in the Bible in Psalms 23, “He leadeth me besides the still waters.”

Apparently sheep cannot drink from a rushing water. So the shepherd has to bring them to a spring or brook with quiet water, or he has to make a small dam for the water to be still, and only then can his herd of sheep drink the water.

But maybe it is not only our drinking water that we wanted to be still.

Last summer, in our home trip to the Philippines, we were able to visit Palawan, and we spent a few days beside the ocean. We rode boats when we went island hopping, did some swimming and snorkeling, and enjoyed some time kayaking.

During those water activities, you want the ocean to be still. We would not dare sail in a turbulent sea or when the waves are raging. So we want the water where we are treading, to be still waters, as well.

photo taken at Sabang, Palawan

However the waters where we tread, are not always still. It can be stormy at times.

Two years ago, the waters near Tacloban, Philippines became turbulent. So turbulent that it caused 15 to 20-foot-high storm surges during the super typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda). It caused terrific devastation not just near the coast but even spanning to several kilometers inland.

I witnessed this devastation first hand, and it’s not easy to forget such horrendous tragedy . Sadly to say, thousands of lives were lost, with millions more affected. I can only pray for the continuous healing and recovery of those survivors.

(video taken during one of our helicopter medical tour, Tacloban, November 2013)

We may like to have still waters all the time, but you and I know that angry waters is part of our lives. And I am not only talking about drinking water or sailing water for that matter. I think you know what I mean.

You may have not experienced stormy waters before and I hope you won’t ever go through them. Or you may have gone through some rough waters before, and glad that you’re over it. Or you may be going through raging waters right now, that you are desperately asking when will the waters go still.

My friends, we are not promised that we will only go through still waters. But even when I cross through turbulent waters, God has promised that He will be with me, “yea, even though I walked through the valley of the shadow of death.”

And when the storm clears, He will lead me besides the still waters, and He will restore my soul.

(*post dedicated to the people of Tacloban, in this 2nd year anniversary of the tragedy brought in by Yolanda)