TWO weeks, Bro Leo from Hawaii, Bro Bonggo (not the senator-elect) and yours truly got together for an evening of premium beer. During the chill-out, our discussions went to frustrations at home, at work, with people we deal with and with life in general. Our agreement? There’s a reason for everything!
I had a really bad week at the office. There were decisions made that disadvantaged some people. The more qualified and dependable team members should be rewarded not shut down. The kababayan, kamag-anak, katribu and kailian factor clouds judgment and leads to loss of morale. Add to that the lost wager when the Warriors lost game 6 (buti pa ‘yung mga kababayan nanalo). When it rains it pours! Of course, the Toronto Raptors deserve to win the 2019 Larry O’Brien trophy!
Why? Well, because they played better and they deserve it. No excuses! Congratulations Canada (We the North). There’s a reason for everything!
I got an invite from a batch mate, Freddie Mendoza now based in Melbourne, to join two more batch mates for lunch. We shared a meal together at the restaurant-tourist attraction of Baguio City and caught up with how “the world” was treating us. Freddie is about to complete his qualification to become a Pastor in Melbourne (Jesus is Lord), John Lachica serves as Pastor of House of Glory in Saudi Arabia and Arnan Bayla is a Pastor of the Midtown Church of Christ here in the city. It was great meeting up with my high school mates. Me? Well I just look like a bishop but I’m just an ordinary mamamayan. Now the fellowship scares me.
Why? Because there’s a reason for everything!
Someone said, “If missing someone comes in waves, then today I am drowning.” I miss my Papa Baddu, Mama Puring and my siblings. There’s a reason for everything!
Belated Happy Father’s Day to Papa up there, Kuya Butch, Giacco and Ang in Bellingham, Master Chief Boxer and Clarkie in Las Vegas, Dinan and Razak in Singapore, Kiko in New Zealand, Rob in CA, Brianne in Melbourne, Jeremy and Cris in the PI. This life will never be easy. There will be frustrations, failures and victories, yes’ and no’s but I hope and pray that our perspectives will always be because there’s a reason for everything. Happy Daddy Day to all my katribu fathers out there! Tony Stark is not the real Ironman - we are! (sige plantsa na at maghuhugas pa ng pinggan mamaya)
Don’t forget to say thank you to the one true Father in heaven!
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28 (KJV)
“For each of us, life is a journey. Heavenly Father designed it for us out of love. Each of us has unique experiences and characteristics, but our journey began in the same place before we were born into this world.” ~ Henry B. Eyring
“There is something gratuitous about creation, an unnecessary abundance of beauty, and through its blossoms and pleasures we can revel in the sheer largesse of the Father.” ~ Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith
“God attaches no strings to His love. None. His love for us does not depend on our loveliness. It goes one way. As far as our sin may extend, the grace of our Father extends further.” ~ Tullian Tchividjian, One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World