TEAM AZKALS

The word “Azkals” was an improved version of the word “Askal” which means street dog in the Philippines. Of all animals, a dog is described to be brave, loyal, feisty, protector, and most especially a best friend to everyone. Thus, I believe this is the best choice and most fitting name given to the Philippine football team.

I have never been a fan of the sports because I find it boring, very hard and long to score, and at the same time anti-climactic. I would even ignore it every time I see it on television. But when it started to become popular in my country, it rings a bell to my ears but never had a chance to watch nor follow their matches until the Philippine Azkals Team came to Indonesia for the 26th SEA Games 2011.

Game 1 – Philippine vs. Vietnam (November 3, 2011)

My strong desire to watch their 1st game was honestly brought about by my innate love and loyalty to my country. However, I was not able to watch the game because I have work. Sadly, I heard that they loss their first match against Vietnam. I felt a bit sad because I know that the team carries with them a lot of energy and motivation to win and bring home the honor and glory for the country.

Game 2 – Philippines vs. Timor Leste (Novembe 7, 2011)

I was so excited to watch their 2nd game against Timor Leste, a small and autonomous country which used to be part of Indonesia. When I saw our players, I felt half-hearted because most of them do not look like Filipinos. They are half Filipino and half German, British, Spaniard, and other nationalities there is. I have doubts in my mind and in my heart that they will play as if they are fighting for the country.

Nonetheless, my love and loyalty to my country prevailed and I still showed my love and support to the players by shouting at the top of my lungs and leading my fellow Filipino teachers in cheering and boosting the morale of our players. After all the cheering, yelling, shouting, and praying the whole time our team loss against Timor Leste by two points.

After the game, I felt the excitement of my friends to meet the players. It was my very first time to see the very popular Azkaleros. They are all good looking and charismatic young men which makes them the most popular and sought after team by many especially the ladies and gays as well. Hahahahaha!

I felt their goodness and sincerity when they were apologizing to us because they loss the game. Honestly, I felt quite sad but I tried my best to make them feel good by cheering them up and saying words of encouragement to them despite their defeat.

Game 3 - Philippines vs. Laos (November 11, 2011)

This is a game that I will never ever forget. Our team is already down by a point and only few minutes remaining. Actually, I was already singing the song “There can be miracles when you believe," in a joking manner. To my surprise, I didn’t realize that miracle just happened. The Azkaleros made two points with few minutes left in the clock. It was indeed a miracle from God coupled with the fighting spirit and commitment of the players to the sports. The Filipino fans mainly composed of teachers working in Jakarta went berserk shouting and jumping for joy. I shouted up to the last voice I ever have. It was a tremendous and heavenly feeling that lifted me up so high.

We were all eager and very much excited to meet all the players to express our congratulations. This time, I had a chance to have pictures with most of them. We met Ginie who is the sister of OJ Clarino one of the players of the Azkals. Thus, we were privilege to meet all the players up close and personal in the hotel. We had a chance to talk with them and had more picture taking this time. It was indeed a rare moment to be with these celebrity players. Carlos de Murga, half Filipino–half Spaniard was a very cool guy. He was full of life and very friendly. He started to talk to me in Spanish and asked if I can speak the language. Roland Mueller, half Filipino-half German, the tall, fair, and handsome dude was very congenial. He has the charisma and zest of a person which everyone would enjoy talking with. I can say that he has the best personality among all the Azkaleros I have met and talk with. Well, it seems that we do not want to leave the hotel and spend the night getting to know more of them as we enjoy every single minute of their winning.

Finally, we have to say goodbye and we wished them all the good luck and blessings for their next match.

Game 4 – Philippines vs. Myanmar (November 13, 2011)

I arrived late in the stadium because I attended the anniversary of the Genesis Catholic community here in Jakarta. The game started at four in the afternoon and I left the place past three. It was raining hard and I was hoping and praying that I could make it so I can cheer for our team. I already missed the first half of the game and the second half has already started. Nonetheless, the most important thing was that I was able to make it. The score was 5 – 0 and this time I was literally laying my hands on our players together with my friends with the hope that they can reduce the margin and eventually lead and win.

Unfortunately, it was another day of defeat and disappointment. It was a very short and fast encounter with them. I felt their sadness and frustration and I did not bother to be with them and have the usual talk and picture taking. It was time for the exhausted and down hearted players to go back to the hotel and recharge as I went back home to rest as well.

Game 5 – Philippines vs. Brunei (November 15, 2011)

Final game, last hurrah!

We know that this is a non-bearing game. Win or lose our team is already out of the standing. It did not stop us from watching them play for the last time and show our love and support which they badly needed. The Azkaleros made the first point. We all jumped for joy, yelled, and cheered for them. As the game progresses, the opponent made their first, second, and third point. I never give up leading the pack cheering and boosting the morale of the players. However, I heard someone saying nasty words out of frustration which I find mean and inane. I told that person to stop saying such grotty and sardonic words because it will not help at all.

I was taken aghast to see the face of Jason DeJong full of blood. He never mind it, instead, he just crushed a pack of ice and put it on his face to stop the bleeding. After few minutes, I saw him run, kick, and chase the ball again. He has plaster on his face and a bruise on his right thigh but despite of it he was still fighting it out to win for the country. I felt the true spirit of a real player in him. Because of it, I have become to admire more the person and the sports because of what he has exemplified during the game. Jason DeJong is indeed a true man with a heart of a great player.

After awhile, Roland Mueller, the goal keeper had his share of bruise and pain. He was down on the ground and was moving in pain. We all shouted his name and cheered for him. Thank God, he got up on his feet and immediately showed his gratitude and appreciation by smiling and waving at us. What a kind gesture of a true player and gentleman.

Time is up! The team loss their final game! The players look all weak and devastated. I saw Jason DeJong crying like a child. I just can imagine the pain and frustration his feeling inside. He must love the sports so much as if he lost someone very dear to him. I felt sad and sorry for them because I know they wanted to win and make us all feel proud.

I bought some stuff which I intend to give to some of them as my expression of gratitude and appreciation for their kindness and for representing the country with goodness and kindness. How I wish I have more means to share something to each and every one of them as an expression of my love and support to the team. I shared a box of chocolates to Jason, Roland, OJ, Jeffrey, and Carlos for giving their heart out which I witnessed and sincerely felt.

It was sad seeing them loss the game while leaving the place in pain and sorrow. I could have followed them to the hotel with the rest of my friends but I decided not to go. I just prayed for them that they may all feel good and well. I waited for their bus to leave while I was holding a big cartolina with the word “Go Azkals! We Believe!”

Team Azkals, thank you very much for making me a fan of the sports which I find boring. Thank you for representing our country with all your power and might. Thank you too for the short but memorable time watching you play which gave joy and happiness to me and everyone else. Most especially, thank you for the chance and the opportunity to enjoy your company as well.

Till we meet again Azkaleros!

The Psychology of Prayer

I have always believed that ‘prayer’ is a form of therapy. I am more inclined to believe as well that it is one of the best therapies out there. More importantly,  it is for free. Hence, while I try to be scientific in my counseling by adhering to my counseling  paradigm, I always conclude the session with my client, provided h/she is a believer, by telling her to pray. Why? What do we get from praying?

There are basically 2 reasons why we should pray, one  reason falling within  the scientific realm and the other in the spiritual realm.  Doctors have observed that when we pray, we activate the  chemical serotonin in our brain, and once it is activated, it relays signal to the hypothalamus in the form of neurotransmitters.  Serotonin is known as the ‘happy chemical’, it is responsible in influencing directly and indirectly  approximately the 40 million brain cells in human, i.e., brain cells related to mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, and some social behaviors.  This suggests that a balanced level  of serotonin would influence mood in a manner that leads to happiness. Logically, an imbalanced level would produce the opposite outcome.  As the hypothalamus is  the ‘seat of all human emotions’, these neurotransmitters activate  the emotion of happiness in the hypothalamus, making it possible for us to experience this positive emotion. Hence, just this notion or belief of getting connected or reconnected to God through prayer stimulates this kind of physiological reaction in our body that produces positive psychological effects.

In the spiritual realm, when we pray, we make ourselves an open vessel for the Grace of God, especially if we do it via the four ways: contrition, adoration, thanksgiving, and supplication (ACTS).

In that connection, to pray is to seek a ‘win-win approach’!

Quo Vadis

People seem to be so consumed and preoccupied with work, vanity, sex, money, investments, relationships, and all other self serving desires and caprices available around us. Sometimes I wonder if they have thought that all of these things will go into past. These are just transient and that one day it will all end whether we like it or not. When that time comes, what will happen next?

When I was a child, I thought that life is about eating, playing, praying, sleeping, eating, playing, praying, sleeping, and eating, playing, praying, and sleeping again. Wow! Isn’t that exciting because everything is provided for you and you are free from all stresses and anxieties of life? It was like a never ending fun and frolic experience that I wish has never ended. I remember Inang (mother) would carry me at her back from our stairs just to bring me to our dining table so I can enjoy my meal with my siblings. Also, I vividly recall the time that Amang (father) would sleep beside me and make sure that I am having a good rest because he believes that I will grow faster if I sleep in the afternoon. Who doesn’t want to have this kind of life? It was indeed one of the most unforgettable experiences I will always cherish and treasure forever. If time machine is real, I wish that I can go back to those years of my life.

In life, I have met and talked with people who were confused about their course choice, career plans, gender identity, and spiritual beliefs. From my interaction with them, I have discovered that they just all needed to be cleared of what they really wanted in life, direction. It is definitely not an easy process but they have tried their very best to go to that path of life.

As I grow older and wiser, I have realized that life is not all about eating, playing, praying, and sleeping. I think that life is about finding meaning in everything that you do, otherwise, you are like in a trip to neverland and you don’t know where you are headed. Finding neverland will surely be an esoteric experience one would not want to travel. But where do I really want to go with all of this quest for meaning and pursuit for happiness which I always desire and long for? Honestly, I can intellectualize and spiritualize my answers to this simple but intricate question. Where do I really want to go from here?

Now that I continue to live my life, I need to be clear of what I want to do and where I really want to go. After all, I am the captain of my soul and the angel of my heart. I just hope and pray that at the end of my journey, I hope I was able to go and take the path that will lead me to the direction where I have to be.

Quo vadis! Where do you go from here?

Ako'y Isang Pinoy.........

Ako’y isang Pinoy sa puso’t diwa

Pinoy na isinilang sa ating bansa

Ako’y hindi sana’y sa wikang mga banyaga

Ako’y Pinoy na mayroong sariling wika……

Bata pa ako ng una kong marinig ang awitin na ito. Masarap pakinggan at sambitin ang bawat salita sa awiting ito sabay sa saliw ng himig na para bang ikaw lamang ay naglalaro. Dahil bata pa ako noon, di ko lubos na tanto ang tunay at malalim na kahulugan ng awiting ito.

Ngayon, batid ko sa aking puso at isip ang tunay na kahulugan at diwa ng pagiging isang Pinoy. Ako’y isang Pinoy sa puso’t diwa. Pinoy na isinilang sa ating bansa. Ako’y hindi sana’y sa wikang mga banyaga. Ako’y Pinoy na mayroong sariling wika. Totoo pa ba ngayon ang nilalaman ng awiting ito sa ating buhay? Naalala ko noong ako’y nag-aaral pa, pilit kong sinasanay ang aking sarili sa wikang banyaga. Sa katunayan, Ingles ang paborito kong pag-aralan sa klase. Sa bahay nagpipilit kami ng aking mga kapatid na gamitin ang wikang banyagang ito. Kasi naniniwala kami na balang-araw makakatulong ito sa amin.

Bakit nga kaya ganoon ang aking naging mentalidad? Sa paaralan puro wikang Ingles ang gamit dahil batid nating ito ay impluwensya ng pagsakop ng mga Amerikano sa ating bansa. Kapag naghanap ka ng trabaho at ikaw ay kakausapin para kilalanin ng mabuti, wikang Ingles ang gamit. Kadalasan isip ng maraming Pinoy na ito’y sukatan ng talino at galing. Kapag mahina ka dito, nakakahiyang malaman at minsan ay masabihan ka pa na wala kang pinag-aralan.

Ang mas nakakahiyang realidad ay kapag magaling at mahusay ka sa wikang banyaga, ikaw ay sosyal, mayaman, konyo, matalino, mahusay, at higit sa lahat ay kahanga-hanga. Napakapayak at nakakahiyang marinig ang mga bagay na ito para sa isang Pinoy na tulad ko. Sinikap ko mang maging maalam sa wikang banyaga pero ni kailanman ay di ko kakalimutan o ipagpapalit ang aking sariling Wika.

Maraming bansa sa buong mundo ang umunlad na gamit ang kanilang sariling wika. Pero tayong mga Pinoy, patuloy nating inaakap ang isang wika na di naman naglalarawan ng ating pagiging isang tunay at tapat na Pilipino. Sabi mo Pinoy ka? Bakit ang Lupang Hinirang kapag inaawit sa sinehan o kung saan pa man di mo man lang maawit ng may buong puso at kalooban. Sabi mo Pinoy ka? Bakit palagi na lang mas gusto mong tangkilikin at gamitin ang mga bagay o gamit na gawa ng mga banyaga. Sabi mo Pinoy ka? Bakit nga ba patuloy kang nagpapaka-sosyal sa paggamit ng wikang di naman sa atin nagmula. Sabi mo Pinoy ka? Bakit ang iyong mga anak natutuwa kang marinig na gamit ang wikang banyaga.

Hindi ko itatanggi ang katotohanan na malaki ang naitutulong sa paggamit ng wikang banyaga sa maraming Pilipino lalo na sa tulad kong naghahanap buhay sa ibang bansa. Pero maraming pagkakataon na nakakapagod gamitin ito dahil hindi ito ang wikang aking pinagmulan na dumadaloy sa bawat ugat ng aking buong pagkatao. Pilipino ako at Mahal ko ang bayan ko. Mamahalin kong buong-buo ang pagka-Pilipino ko. Kasama na rito ang paggamit ng aking sariling Wika.

Saan man ako mapunta o dalhin ng tadhana patuloy ko pa rin isasabuhay ng buong katapatan ang aking pagiging isang Pilipino. Dahil, “Ako’y isang Pinoy sa puso’t diwa, Pinoy na isinilang sa ating bansa. Ako’y hindi sana’y sa wikang mga banyaga. Ako’y Pinoy na mayroong, sariling Wika.”

Counseling: A Misunderstood Profession

My career as a Counselor started way back 1997, when my professor in the graduate school invited me to apply as a University Counselor in one of the biggest universities in Manila. At that time, I just wanted to study because I felt bored working as an office employee. I never thought that I would end up working as a School Counselor for 14 years now.

I was motivated to make a blog about my career as a Counselor which I consider my ministry because of the sad and unacceptable reality I experience in my professional practice. I never expect that I have to go through a very tough and tumultuous moments in my counseling life which put me in an extremely difficult situation. I have to educate people for them to understand and appreciate counseling. Sadly, not everyone believed and respected the way it must be practiced.

My employment contract abroad was not renewed where I worked as a Counselor / Teacher. I was doing counseling and teaching at the same time. Needless to say, a counselor cannot enter into a dual relationship whereby he is the counselor and teacher of the students. Why? As a teacher, how can I tell my students to see their Counselor who happens to be me? Being the lone counselor, that really puts me in a big conundrum. Seemingly, not many people know that part of my job is to keep sensitive information of students with utmost confidentiality. At the start of the school year, I was advised by my principal that I can already look for a new job. Reason? Guess what? I know a lot of information about the school and they were afraid that I might divulge it. Honestly, I was not renewed because the school owner was afraid that I might tell others about my counseling sessions with their daughter. Part of my ethical training and practice is to keep confidential information of my counselee unless there is an imminent threat or danger in the life of my counselee and the people involved in his/her issues, thus, that’s the only time I can break confidentiality.

Just the same, I was not offered a new employment contract in the next school where I worked as a Counselor / Teacher again. The school owner wanted me to make a detailed report of my counseling sessions with a student. They were not satisfied with my general report. The top officers of the school individually talked to me and convinced me to come up with a comprehensive report of my counseling sessions with the student. I consulted my mentors and senior colleagues in the profession regarding this. They all said that I have to protect my counselee by all means. Apparently, they do not understand why I can only give as much information necessary. That story was full of drama and intrigue like a telenovela but I don’t want to end up a villain betraying the person who trusted me so much.

Also, I will never forget the time when I joined my students in Singapore for a school immersion; I was excited because I will have a chance to talk with the School Counselors hoping that I would learn a lot from them. Unfortunately, they don’t have even one Counselor considering that they are a huge school with more than 2,000 students. Obviously, they don’t see the need and importance of having School Counselors and to have a guidance and counseling program for their students.

Now, it seems that I am reliving the same experience as I continue my work here abroad. God has brought me back to this place for a noble reason. I put my faith and trust in Him as I continue my ministry in this beautiful country. I know where I stand and I know what I must do. I may be earning better from working abroad but I will never do something that will put me and my counselees in great jeopardy. At the end of the day, people I work with may misunderstood, reject, or terminate me from my job but this will never seize me from doing what is right, proper, and ethical in my practice as a Counselor.

Ultimately, I am accountable to my Great Counselor above, whom I strongly believe has given me this ministry and the gift to touch people’s lives to help them become a person that God wanted them to be.

Carpe Diem

This is the story of students at the respected "Welton Academy," a preparatory school in Vermont. Such schools were (and often still are) very conservative institutions that serve as high schools for parents who insist on sending their children to the best universities. Welton, like many prep schools, admitted only boys. The movie takes place in 1959.

The plot centers on the influence of Mr. Keating, a young and exciting English and poetry teacher, who is determined to teach his students to live life with absolute passion and to suck the marrow of life. Mr. Keating, using poetry as his vehicle, teaches his students to challenge the institutions around them.

Inspired by Mr. Keating's philosophy of life, many of his students recreated the "Dead Poet's Society," a secret club which meets in a cave in order to discuss poetry, philosophy and other topics. The club, which Mr. Keating had created many years earlier when he was a student at Welton, would be completely unacceptable to the conservative school, which discourages students from "thinking for themselves." Indeed, Welton students should be in their rooms, studying only the prescribed materials that their teachers assign.

The two main characters, one is the painfully shy Todd Anderson and the other who is exceedingly bright and popular but very much under the thumb of his overbearing father, along with their other friends, got themselves drawn to Professor Keating who has become a strong influence in their thoughts and actions. He encourages them to go against the status quo and each, in his own way, does this, and is changed for life.

"Carpe Diem!"

The most important words in the movie! Latin for "seize the day," or more generally, "live life to the fullest." Although a Latin term, this movie popularized it into a relatively uncommon expression used by English speakers.

In Real Life

We are not Dead Poets but living people, and as such, constant learners and communicators. Like the high school boys in the story, we discuss all topics under the sun, as part of our intellectual exercise and as we give “life to word” and give “word to life”. “Verbum vitam”. In real life, and as part of a collectivist society, we are Mr. John Keating to each other, as we are a mentor to each other and we are expected to influence one another to think critically and productively and express these thoughts in words to enable each other to live life to the fullest. That can only be possible if we put in our mind and heart to “seize the day” every day, as every day is a day of opportunity. For us to be able to live life fully, let us make it a point to “seize the day”, to suck the marrow of life. Let us do what we can today and not wait for tomorrow as the present is real. For yesterday is only a dream, tomorrow only a vision, but today well lived will make every yesterday a dream of happiness and tomorrow a vision of hope. Mark Twain once said that “Twenty years from now, we will be more disappointed by the things we did not do than by the things we did. So fellow humans, let us throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor and catch the trade winds of our sails. Let us explore, dream, and discover. Carpe Diem!

Legion of Mary: My Love and Devotion

“I am all Yours my Queen and my Mother
and all that I have is Yours!”
This is the promise of all legionaries in the whole world which is recited during “Acies,” the renewal day of our commitment as a legionary.

I started as a member of the Legion of Mary at a very young age of 9. I was recruited by my youngest brother Terry. We became  active members of the junior praesidium, Regina Angelorum, which means Queen of Angels. I vividly recall the happy moments I had together with my brothers in the legion. We prayed the rosary during our Sunday meetings and we were assigned to attend the block rosary in our barangay as one of our regular services. As I continued participating in the activities of the legion, I never imagined that I would become president of the junior praesidium where I was once a member. I never felt so spiritually high when I was given the  chance to lead and inspire the young children of our parish. In fact, we had to divide our praesidium because of the increase in membership. It was indeed a big blessing to have Bro. Nilo who became the president of our new junior praesidium, Regina Juvenum, Latin for Queen of the Youth. I would not be able to humbly serve the Lord without the magnanimous support and supervision of my senior praesidium, Regina Apostolorum, Queen of the Apostles.

I remember playing with my junior legionaries every Saturday. We named our activity, “Happy Day with Mary.” Also, we had our catechism lessons which I facilitated, the confessions with our priest, the visit to the grotto in Novaliches during holy week, the fun outing every summer, our Christmas party with a lot of food, games, and with the much awaited exchange gifts, the visit to the orphanages, and all the other joyful and meaningful activities which I will never forget. As I became very much involved and committed in the Legion of Mary, I felt the strong desire to enter the seminary to become a priest. It all started as a result of my spiritual experience with my brothers in the legion who inspired me in many ways through the loving intercession of Mama Mary. However, my calling to become a full servant of the Lord  through priesthood did not happen but I still ended up fulfilling my great passion to serve as a legionary. Thus, we  created a new senior praesidium, Regina Virginorum where most of the members were junior legionaries of Regina Angelorum.

From a very young age of 7 up to now, I have never ceased to pray the holy rosary. Wherever I go and whatever I do, I always find time to pray and meditate on the life, passion, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mama Mary has always been my constant companion praying for me especially in the most difficult times of my life. Through Her intercession, many of my prayers were granted, like my job applications, school and scholarship applications, families and friends requests, and all other things that I have prayed for. Most of all, I remember the time I had with my family especially with my Inang and Amang praying the holy rosary. Inang, just like Mama Mary has been very faithful and indefatigable praying to God through the intercession of Mother Mary. In fact, she would wake up at three o’clock in the morning just to pray the rosary.

Now, I am trying my best to humbly serve the Lord and Mama Mary through the block rosary which my brother Terry and I started here in Jakarta. The Legion of Mary has instilled in me the value of service through prayer which I will always carry with me wherever I may be. In my mind and in my heart, I will always feel blessed to be a legionary. As the saying goes, “Once a legionary, always a legionary.”