To my beloved friend

You now raise a loud voice
against those you once were.

Make your voice softer,
kinder,
lessen the blows of harsh accusations
that may very well be spoken to you,
to who you once were,
mired in the shame
you shame people for.

If not for Grace,
you would not have been saved
from your own judgments.
Had the measure you now mete
been measured unto you,
you will be found wanting.

(The Lord bless you and keep you:
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
To shine upon you and be gracious, and be gracious unto you.)

Be gracious.

Give others the chance
at a life you now enjoy.
My friend,
you would not have outrun the loudness
of your own voice.

Father to the fatherless

It's a straw man. The drug menace we face is a symptom of an even bigger issue. It is happening all over the world, and if we are not careful, it will happen in our homes.

Fatherlessness is a problem. Every man must learn that the consequences of his poor decisions not only impacts his own family but society at large. We are sorely missing men who provide for his family responsibly, love his wife, mentor his children - basically, men who keeps the promises he makes.

A society without these fathers is fertile ground for any leader who will act like a dependable tatay. He will fill a vacuum in the hearts of men and women longing for the stability and strength of a loving father. When men abdicates their role to lead, discipline and protect their families, people will appropriate to the government this holy role. Parenting will no longer be a child sitting on her father's lap to be taught, it will be written in laws, implemented in statutes and enforced by state agents legal or otherwise.

And so we go back to the cause. We recognize the straw man for what it is - straws. We go back to the heart of the problem that so often eludes us because it hurts too much to discuss. Where are the fathers?

And then there is God. Who reveals Himself in the poet's words as the "father to the fatherless." The Abba Father. The only hope for the world. Let us know Him for ourselves, this perfect father. He who leads perfectly, loves sacrificially, and protects mightily.

Good morning, Philippines

the blood cries out to you today
of the many dead men and women
sacrificed in the altar of security
  and prosperity
  and comfortable living
  and progress

their blood now seeps into the concrete
flowing down the dark smelly sea
that welcomes your ferry boats and cargo ships
that carries the designer bags of this season
of hate

the rains have come to help
wash away the rusty blood on the gutters
mixing it with dark water
that will be gathered
so garbage pyres may be built and incinerated
so black smoke can rise in the air
a pleasing stench for the god of progress

what of their crying widows, and orphaned children?
hush! drama-drama lang yan.
how inconsiderate of them to exist
while we exist
here enjoying this delicious bloody mary.
(cheers to the good life!)

the blood cries out to you today
of the many dead men and women
you never knew.
Gardo. Michael. Lester. Mac-mac.
Susan. Jennilyn. Tonio. Jay-jay.
Rustom. Lenny. Brian.
An endless humming of names whispered
by the ground that knows them
upon which we will build another mall.

Good morning.