Through the Spectacles

  'El Asasinato del Gobernador Bustamante' by Felix R. Hidalgo. Photo source: wikimedia commons. This massive painting hung in the ‘hall of the masters’ at the national museum depicts the scene of the assassination of Governor Bustamante, who was the governor-general of the Philippine islands from 1717 to 1719, and the mob of Dominican friars storming the ‘Palacio del Gobernador’ in rage and anger to kill the governor-general who was seen being dragged in chains by the friars. Soldiers can be seen on the steps of the staircase encircling the religious. We can also see religious banners, crosses and the ‘ceriales’ (processional candle and processional cross) depicting the Virgin Mary and the Eucharist and interestingly, an altar boy near the foreground carrying the processional cross, wearing a Spanish red cassock and laced surplice watching the fiasco as in happens right in front of his very eyes. Hidalgo's depiction of the scene is quite straightforward if you will, b...

       I would like to share our community theater experience. In my own opinion, I can relate and consider that endeavor as postmodern art. My main aim of our community theater company is to teach, inform, and involve the young people in our area in the art of drama and performance art. We conduct workshops, seminars, and free stageplay for the residents in our community for them to appreciate art and the theater arts as well. The workshops are being conducted during the summer because this is the time when our participants are mostly free from their academic obligations – we also welcome out-of-school youth to save them from the harm of the challenging communal norms of Manila.       In teaching them, we are using a combination of talks and practicums, and since the pedagogical nature of the entire undertaking is a workshop, we are training them most of the time in the dramatic arts using staple pieces and some materials that I’ve written...

    2020 is almost over and yet we are still in the middle of our uncertain battle with this COVID-19 pandemic. Being in this kind of situation, we are forced to revamp our norms and rethink about the best possible ways to adapt to this extraordinary time. Our company for one has decided to adopt the 'work-from-home' setup for health reasons and we are now in the 7th month of this kind of working scheme. The company also decided to reduce the workdays from 5 to 3, this is to secure the financial stability of the business since there are no tourists yet, hence, our income has also reduced to almost less than half of what we are receiving before this pandemic came to us.      Given the situation, I am still thankful that despite the cut in our salaries, I am still receiving an ample amount to sustain my financial obligations, may it be personal or for the family.     In these times, I would like to point out and argue about a certain concern with regard ...

       I've been wanting to have an earlobe piercing foe the longest time and today, on the eve of my birthday, I've decided to go out to have one finally - as a gift for myself too. Earlier, I did all the arrangements, talked to the piercing shop owner and agreed that I'll do a walk-in by their shop.     Immediately I've prepared myself to go to the shop, booked a grab and all that so I came to the indicated address on the shop. Upon getting in there, the house seemed so empty so I've contacted the owner of the shop out of confusion as to where the shop might really be located. Upon my surprise, I was given this text message: "Get it somewhere else." and I was like angered by the statement after all the time and money spent just to go there and to have my ear pierced so I replied "Thank for wasting my time" and then blocked him on Facebook so that I can be spared of the drama.      Now, this person contacted me on IG direct and sai...

I would like to share my recent experience with the internet provider called Converge ICT. I requested a site-transfer last June 30 because we will move out to our new apartment just a 10- minute walk away from our home. So as the standard procedure goes, I did all the emails and all the needful has been provided for the company to be able to do their part in the relocation of my internet connection. Unfortunately, I've been ignored countless times! In fact, I've already contacted the DTI and NTC customer service out of frustration but up until now, there is no action at hand.  This delay caused me a lot of stress and frustration. First of all, we are already paying our apartment but there was no one to live there because we are working online and without this connection, moving out will be useless at all.  The internet connection is undoubtedly fast compared to the competitors but their customer care sucks. I've even tried to contact their hotline number almost every day...

BULONG NA LAMANG SA HANGIN E. Garcia Araw noon ay sumilay, Nakita mukha mong maamo. Dumampi init ng araw, ngiti ’ y hindi nagbabago. Nangako kagaya ng ginagawa nila, nangakong hanggang sa huli. Tulad ng ihip ng hanging hindi mahuli-huli, kailangan bang may magwagi? Bigla na lang hindi na naintindihan pag-ibig na napagkasunduan. Gusto na nating kuhanin kanya-kanyang mga daan. Ayaw nang pagmasdan mga larawang maliliit na inipit, Pag-iisip ay iba na kaysa sa dati, huwag na lang ipilit. Ngayon tayo ’ y magkalayo ano pa nga bang magbabago? Inisip at sinuri ngunit hahantong naman talaga dito. Tinatangi ko dati, ngayon ay nasa malayo. Pinagluluto ka dati, ngayon ay hindi na kasalo. Kung sakaling iyong maisip minsan, Iisang tala at buwan lang ang ating tinitignan. Sadyang hindi lang talaga siguro para sa atin, Pag-ibig na maibubulong na lamang sa hangin. Kapag malalim na ang gabi at wala akong katabi, Naaalala ko ang palagi mong sinasabi dati. ...

What is an altar server? How to become one? What is their training? What can we expect from them? So many questions have been asked by some curious people – the churchgoers. What is it that makes an altar server an altar server? He – or sometimes she, is a servant of God and His Holy Church. These questions usually come to our minds whenever we see one wearing their white robes holding a metal shaft with a candle or a cross on the end. Making their way first going to the altar as they signal the start of the Mass by ringing their fancy sanctus bell or swaying a censer giving us all a bit of the scent of the heavens, and sometimes, very minor coughing. These young guys are called Altar Servers or “Sakristan”, they are being commissioned as a volunteer of the Church to assist the priest in administering the Holy Mass. Let me share this essay tackling the very essence of these servers and how did the ministry affect them in a good or bad way. I am an altar server for more than a decade,...