Sunday, May 4, 2008

Divine Sign



I was deep in prayer with both knees knelt down. My petitions included the immediate principalship/oic post, the enrolment of Academy of the Virgin Empress this coming opening of the SY 2008-2009. Somehow I also included Myrene, my teacher, that she'll overcome her situation. I didn't ask God for any sign. I seldom ask for signs. I'm always the "thy will be done" type. A very unexpected turn unfolded before everybody's eyes. My companions were singing our hyms. A little boy, we fondly call him Aloy, son of Ronel and Cristy Reyes, approached the "altar" and handed me a stem of yellow chrysanthemums. Gratefully, I reached for the chrysanthemums and placed it in the vase nearest me. I finished my prayer and went back to my seat. It didn't reflect anything to me other than a little boy being sweet who is offering flowers to the Virgin Mary since May is the flores de Mayo month.

After I have settled back in my chair, Mam Lit asked me what the color of the flower (she said "rose", but I corrected her that it was the same as the one we had for the offering). She looked at me with such emotion. "It will be granted, you will become oic", she told me. She attributed the yellow chrysanthemums as a divine sign that God will grant my prayer. Overwhelmed, I could hardly react except for a soft "Thank you".

Our conference followed with the usual lectionary about having natural and super natural faith. It was mentioned again - her own experience of having received yellow flowers - as God's sign, though she did not mention to our group my personal intention. Deep in my heart, I was so grateful about her interpretation of the incident. God's will be done unto me, alleluia. AMEN

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Labor Day Trek to the Crater of Taal Volcano

Three years ago, a few students of mine took a trip to Talisay, Batangas. We had a guide, a child only. We wanted to go near the Taal Volcano. The trip pushed through but our guide failed to show us the right turn. We insted went direct to Tagaytay and farther and farther until we reached Lemery. The group got hungry so we decided to stop and enjoy the rest of the day swimming in a public resort.

Today, my long dream materialized. With the Marquezes, I enjoyed a free ride in their Adventure to Banga, Talisay where Ben Jumarang - hubby of co-choir member Manay Elvie - came from. We crossed Taal Lake in a motor boat. The trip seemed less than 30 minutes. The exciting part is the horseback ride to the crater of the volcano. It was my first experience to ride horse. I felt nervous but my sense of adventurism got over me. I trusted our guides.

I felt funny when the horse started to move. The choppy motion made me laugh. I still felt tense in the first 10 minutes seeing we're going up and the trail was rough and narrow. It was becoming hot as we climb higher and higher. I was ready with my sunblock and native hat. My guide, an elementary graduate forgot his cap. He was not immune to the heat from the King Sun. Besides, it was very dusty. We bathed ourselves with the dust and the smell of horse shit. As we went higher, I felt pity for the horse, which would stop from time to time for a brief air.

AT last the crater! What do you know? It's not the one visible in Tagaytay. It's a different part of the volcano apart from that small mountain admired whenever I pass Tagaytay. it's a big mouth for a volcano. The water was all green and smelled not very nice - sulfur. Look, down there! There's smoke coming out! And another one there! I showed my companions how good my far-sighted vision. Hah! This is life. Once in a while, I try to forget my obligations and enjoy my remaining late adolescent stage days.