God Knows Best

This is one of the poems posted on my wall. May this encourage you as well.

God Knows Best

by Helen Steiner Rice

Our Father knows what's best for us,
So why should we complain--
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain--

We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear...

Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow,
He tests us, not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow...

For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of a chisel
Gives the marble grace and form...

God never hurts us needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain
For every loss He send to us
Is followed by rich gain...

And when we count the blessings
That God has so freely sent,
We will find no cause for murmuring
And no time to lament...

For our Father loves His children,
And to Him all things are plain,
So He never sends us pleasure
When the soul's deep need is pain...

So whenever we are troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us
To make our spirit strong.

Believe me, God is indeed good and faithful. I thank You Lord for everything.

Tata Selo

Tata Selo
ni: Rogelio Sicat

Mga Tauhan:
1. Tata Selo
          Isa siyang matandang magsasaka na nakapatay kay Kabesang Tano. Nakulong siya dahil sa nagawa niyang pagpatay.

2. Kabesang Tano
          Sa kanya isinanla ni Tata Selo ang kanyang lupang sakahan. Napatay siya ni Tata Selo dahil pinapalayas niya si Tata Selo sa lupang sakahan at tinungkod niya nang tinungkod ang matanda kaya nanlaban ito.

3. Saling
          Babaeng anak siya ni Tata Selo. Siya ay may karamdaman.

4. Alkalde
          Siya ang namumuno sa bayan at tinatawag ding Presidente. Tinanong niya si Tata Selo sa totong nangyari sa sakahan.

5. Batang Magbubukid
          Dumalaw siya sa kulungan ni Tata Selo at nakakaunawa siya sa kalagayan ng matanda.

Tagpuan:
1. Kulungan/Bilangguan/Istaked
          Sa lugar na ito nangyari ang maraming pangyayari sa maikling kuwento. Dito nakulong si Tata Selo kung saan nakausap niya ang isang binatang mayaman at isang batang magsasaka. Dito rin siya binugbog ng hepe ng pulis.

2. Tanggapan ng Alkalde
          Dito kinausap ng alkalde si Tata Selo kung saan ikinuwento niya ang nangyari sa sakahan. Nagkita rin si Tata Selo at ang kanyang anak na si Saling sa lugar na ito.

3. Lupang Sakahan
          Ang lupang ito ay pagmamay-ari dati ni Tata Selo subalit naisangla niya ito at naembargo. Nagsasaka pa rin siya sa lupang ito para kay Kabesang Tano. Subalit isang araw, pinapalayas na siya ng kabesa at ayaw niyang umalis dahil alam niya na malakas pa siya at kaya pa niyang magsaka. Tinungkod siya nang tinungkod ng kabesa kaya nanlaban siya at tinaga ang kabesa.

Talasalitaan:
1. kulumpon - pulutong
2. nakaalsa - namamaga
3. propitaryo - kapitalista
4. istaked - bilangguan
5. nagpaulik-ulik - nagdadalawang-isip
6. halas - galos
7. kinabog - nilagpak
8. sangka - kanal

Ang Matsing at ang Pagong

Ang Matsing at ang Pagong
ni: Dr. Jose Rizal

Mga Tanong at mga Sagot:
1. Ano-anong ugali ang ipinakita nina Pagong at Matsing?
          Si Pagong ay mabait, matulungin at mapagbigay. Ipinakita ito sa pabula nang bigyan niya ng pansit at ng kalahating puno ng saging ang kaibigan niyang si Matsing. Si Matsing naman ay tuso, palabiro at salbahe. Ipinakita ito sa pabula nang lokohin niya ang kaibigan nitong si Pagong. Inubos niya ang pansit na ibinigay ni Pagong sa kanya at pati ang bunga ng puno ng saging na napatubo ni Pagong.

2. Sino sa kanila ang dapat tularan at hindi dapat? Bakit?
          Si Pagong ang dapat tuluran. Mabait at maawain siyang kaibigan. Binibigyan pa rin niya ang kanyang kaibigan kahit na may karanasan siyang niloko na siya ng kanyang kaibigan. Hindi dapat tularan si Matsing. Hindi tama ang dayain at lokohin ang isang mabuting kaibigan. Hindi dapat inaabuso ang kabutihan ng isang kaibigan.

3. Ano ang natutuhan mo sa kuwento?
          Natutuhan ko na maging mapagbigay gaya ni Pagong. Kahit na alam niya na maaari siyang lokohin ng kanyang kaibigan, nagbibigay pa rin siya. Subalit dapat ay alam natin ang limitasyon sa pagbibigay at magkaroon dapat tayo ng tamang pagkakaalam kung niloloko na tayo ng ating kaibigan.
          Natutuhan ko ring huwag manloko o mandaya ng iba. Hindi ito magandang ugalit dahil kung ginagawa natin ito sa iba, nasasaktan sila at nawawala ang kanilang tiwala sa atin. Isipin na lamang natin kung tayo naman ang lolokohin ng iba. Walang duda na malulungkot at masasaktan tayo. Kaya nararapat na huwag natin itong gawin sa iba upang hindi rin nila ito gawin sa atin.

One Day at a Time

Nais kong ibahagi sa inyo ang isang napakagandang tulang ito ni Annie Johnson Flint

One day at a time, with its failures and fears,
With its hurts and mistakes, with its weakness and tears,
With its portion of pain and its burden of care;
One day at a time we must meet and must bear.

One day at a time to be patient and strong;
To be calm under trial and sweet under wrong;
Then its toiling shall pass and its sorrow shall cease;
It shall darken and die, and the night shall bring peace.

One day at a time—but the day is so long,
And the heart is not brave, and the soul is not strong,
O Thou pitiful Christ, be Thou near all the way;
Give courage and patience and strength for the day.

Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
“Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee; I never will leave.”

Not yesterday’s load we are called on to bear,
Nor the morrow’s uncertain and shadowy care;
Why should we look forward or back with dismay?
Our needs, as our mercies, are but for the day.

One day at a time, and the day is His day;
He hath numbered its hours, though they haste or delay.
His grace is sufficient; we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that He giveth His own.

Annie Johnson Flint 

Sana ay nakatulong ang tulang ito upang harapin mo ang bawat araw ng may kalakasan mula sa ating Panginoong Diyos. Lagi tayong magtiwala sa Kanya na kahit kailan ay hinding-hindi Niya tayo papabayaan.

Social Media Networks and our Young Generation

                It is a fact that our young generation nowadays are spending too much time in the internet and in participating in different social media networks. These social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other sites seems to be a necessity for the young generation because of the benefits they get from them. But youth of today must also be mindful of the disadvantages that they can get from using these social networking sites.

                It is not difficult to enumerate the numerous advantages that can be drawn from these social networking sites by our young generation. These sites are often used by them to expresss themselves, improve their relationships with others and even as a resource in their studies.  Interaction with others include families, friendships and classmates. Another advantage is that these sites combine different internet features into one- personal profile, places for photos and videos, user groups and messenger. These are some reasons why our youth really spend much of their time using them.

                But along with the benefits from these sites are the disadvantages that our youth should watch out for. There is a wide range of mental and health problems known to be associated with spending too much time to social media networks. Excessive time spent on social media networks causes some individuals to retreat from actual interaction with fellow humans. Face to face interaction and socialization becomes a burden to them. In some cases, virtual communication substitutes interactions with close family and friends. Obesity in children due to lack of physical activities, insomnia, and eye problems are  also one of the health problems connected with social networking sites usage.

DLSU-D

                When I was in high school, I dreamt of studying college in any university in Manila. So I took up entrance exams in several universities there which I know would be a good university for my preferred college degree. I never considered taking entrance examinations in any university within Cavite at that time. It was never my perspective back then that universities here in our province offer poor quality of education or something that is not better than what is being offered in universities in Manila. It was just that at that time, I preferred to study away from home because I wanted to be independent and I thought that I was matured enough to handle things on my own and decide for myself. But all my plans and ambitions did not turn out the way that I wanted them to be. What is written in Proverbs 16:9 is indeed true. The Bible verse says, “A man’s heart plans his way. But the Lord directs his steps.” Truly, God has greater plans for my life.

                But now, honestly, if I would have a chance to go back and choose again for a university where I will study, I will definitely choose De La Salle University- Dasmariñas. I have visited the university several times and found out for myself that it is indeed a very good university with good school facilities and conducive learning environment. I have also heard good feedbacks about the quality of education that it offers. Just by reading the school brochures and even surfing the net to check and observe the school website, one can say that it is a university which really offers good quality and holistic education. And also, this university offers scholarships for those students who are underprivileged. These scholarships are a big help for these students. They will also appreciate this institution more because it gives them the opportunity to pursue their ambitions and dreams.

                Learning is indeed fun. And it will be more fun if it happens in an institution where students are not just developed academically or mentally but also physically, emotionally, socially and most especially spiritually. A student will never forget the institution that honed him holistically and that has been a part of his life. But a school is not the only factor that will help a student to succeed. There are many factors that will be considered. For me, it is a great privilege for a student to choose a university where he will fulfil his dreams. But aside from that great privilege is a choice that he needs to face. He always has a choice to be successful and to be happy learning new things or to waste his education and his life in things that do not matter at all. And like what I always say to my students and friends who ask me for advice where to study, “Wala yan sa institusyon na kinabibilangan mo. Nasa tao pa rin yan.”

Efren Penaflorida, Jr. - Isang Natatanging Bayani

        Tuwing may makikita kayong mga bata na naghihirap, nakatira sa slum areas, nagugutom at nag-iisa, huwag ninyo silang ipagwalang-bahala. Bigyan ninyo sila ng pansin at tulungan. Ito ay naunawaan ni Efren Penaflorida, Jr. dahil minsang naging ganoon din siya – nakatira sa open dumpsite, naglalaro sa imbakan ng basura kung saan marumi, mabaho at ang mga bata ay nagugutom, nahihirapan at halos hindi nakakapag-aral. Lumaki siyang mahirap at minsang naranasan ding ma-bully ng ibang bata. Subalit hindi naging hadlang ang mga pangyayaring ito sa kanyang buhay upang ipagpatuloy niya ang kanyang pag-aaral. Naging sponsored-child siya ng World Vision noong siya ay preschool at natapos ang kanyang elementarya at sekondarya ng may iba’t ibang parangal sa tulong ng CLUB 8586, isang youth group na nagbibigay scholoarships at suportang pinansyal.

          Taong 1997, nang siya ay nasa hayskul, sinimulan niya ang Dynamic Teen Company na naglalayong maibaling ng mga bata sa slum areas ang kanilang atensyon sa pag-aaral, at pagpapaunlad ng sarili nilang kakayahan upang makatulong sa komunidad. Ipinakita niya na may solusyon sa kahirapan at hindi nila kailangang tahakin ang landas na puno ng kaguluhan at kapahamakan kundi piliin nila ang daan na may pag-asa at magandang kinabukasan. Kaya naman, tuwing sabado, siya at ang mga kasama niya ay pumupunta sa iba’t ibang mga lugar sa kanilang lungsod na tulak-tulak ang kanilang paaralang kariton na may mga libro, laruan at gamit pang-eskuwela. Tinuturuan nila silang magbasa, magsulat at alagaan ang kanilang sarili. Isa itong simple pero napakahalagang gawain ni Efren at ng mga kasama niya at ng mga batang nais matuto, humanap ng pag-asa at makatulong rin sa iba.

            Kasabay ng pagtuturo niyang ito sa mga bata, ipinagpatuloy pa rin niya ang kanyang pag-aaral sa kolehiyo. Taong 2000 nang nakapagtapos siya ng Computer Technology sa San Sebastian College- Recoletos de Cavite ng may karangalan. Nag-aral din siya ng pangalawang kurso na Secondary Education sa Cavite State University- Cavite City Campus na may karangalang cum laude.

         Dahil sa sakripisyo niyang ipinamalas, ini-nominate siya para sa CNN Heroes ng Club 8586, ang youth group na tumulong sa kanya dati. Mula sa 9,000 nominees sa halos 100 bansa, pinili siya ng CNN’s Blue Ribbon Panel na isa sa 28 na mga bayani sa taong 2009. At noong November 22,2009  ay pinarangalan siyang CNN Hero of the Year sa toong 2009.

            Tunay na kahanga-hanga ang buhay at sakripisyong ipinamalas ni Efren upang bigyan ng pag-asa ang mga batang nais maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap. Isa na naman itong patunay na hindi hadlang ang kahirapan upang makamit ang pangarap at makatulong din naman sa iba. Nawa ang kanyang buhay ay maging isang inspirasyon sa mga batang nais matupad ang kanilang mga pangarap at nagtitiwala na walang imposible sa Diyos na tutulong sa kanila upang maabot ang mga pangarap na iyon.

           Mabuhay ka Efren Penaflorida! Isa kang natatanging bayani. Pagpalain ka nawa ng ating Diyos at pagkalooban ng mahabang buhay upang maging kagamit-gamit ang iyong buhay sa paglilingkod sa Diyos na Siya rin namang nagkaloob sa iyo ng lakas at talento para makamit ang iyong mga pangarap.

              Sa Diyos ang lahat ng papuri!

(Sanggunian: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efren_Pe%C3%B1aflorida)