If a picture paints a thousand words, on the other hand, words can make our imagination soar.
It was never been in our foggiest dream way back in Bibincahan that we would be roaming around the city of Chicago on a clear, windy and cold day. But seven of the OLPS Batch 87 and I braved the fierce weather.
OLPS Batch 87 - whose kinship has knit them together even when they were toddlers, and whose lives have intersected and got intertwined so closely that they grew up their boyhood filled with usual pranks and mischief in a place so sacred called the seminary. Indeed, the seminary was the seedbed of this great friendship and brotherhood that defy time and space. No matter what or where, some, if not all are there for the other. A phenomenal brood of men, a bunch of bosom buddies whose lightness of being swells into thunderous roars and peals of laughter. Their togetherness rocks!
These meetings can or may be milestones. But then the group acts as if they have never left the venue, nor the topic has been tentatively closed. Everyone enthusiastically arrives ready to resume the conversation. No 'baggage' but only one-self.
It was a great delight for me to be in Chicago for that weekend of reunion. It was also a great privilege for me to catch up with their life-journeys. It was exhilarating to listen how each one's uniqueness was highlighted as to how each responded to both pains and victories in life. It was enriching to learn how a young boy I knew 23 years ago has been transformed by life experiences into a man of character.
[This does not speak less of those who were not present, but] our time together allowed me to look deeper and discover a glimpse, if not a spark of a treasure of great value. It was gratifying , just like any parent, to realize that through time one has learned how to let life happen, to let life unfold before one's eyes through the lens of the One offering opportunities and challenges for growth and development to be one's self, one's true self. But alas, it took them ounces of courage, faith and love, i.e. hard work to arrive at where and who they are.
So when the laughter subsided and I was left behind [another story], while sifting through a wonderful weekend, I thought I would take the license by sharing with you these valuable glimpses of character. They are not exhaustive nor definitive. They are my personal perception and humble opinion.
Joven - articulate, perceptive, passionate with his career with a great sense for what is proper and right; Rey - serene and supportive, grounded and focused; Linus - daring, adventurous, free spirit, committed to his art and craft, to travel is his lifeblood; Fr. Dandy - observant and almost ascetic, eager to learn, to teach, to share, to serve; Fr. Henry - life of the party, theatrical, musical, spiritual; Paolo - dependable, honest and straight forward, a health buff, loves to travel via cruises; Ojee - a loving and tireless family man filled with wit and warm hospitality.
[I must include, Minette, wife and best friend of Ojee, a great mother of Ina, Israel, Ivanah and soon, Isabelle, and an exceptional hostess beyond expectations.]
A motley group of different personalities and perspectives woven into a tapestry of life, or different notes played into a symphony, or a wild cacophony of tunes snoring away the night (from which I was spared!) Here we were in a maddening search for a missing battery as everyone was distracted by Linus' soggy, smelly and screaming pink socks as well as the exotic colored scarves from Dalai Lama (yeah, right). Huddled in a van on that clear, windy and cold October 17, Linus quipped, "This is surreal!" but soon after he took a great camera shot, he would dismiss it with, "Nasa lens ina padi." Indeed, it was and is - OLPS Batch 87 happens to possess that lens of kinship, friendship, brotherhood and family through which life is seen and perceived to be true, good and beautiful.
They say only tourists take pictures. Mystics do not. I took a few shots. Maybe like the mystics I had the opportunity only to experience the moment as I was gifted by God to live, and strive to live to the full for the past half of a century and more. Deo gratias.
Next stop: New Jersey in 2010. Please get your visas. We are thinking of raffling off a one-way plane ticket from anywhere. :-)
Blessings,
Fr. Roy
It was never been in our foggiest dream way back in Bibincahan that we would be roaming around the city of Chicago on a clear, windy and cold day. But seven of the OLPS Batch 87 and I braved the fierce weather.
OLPS Batch 87 - whose kinship has knit them together even when they were toddlers, and whose lives have intersected and got intertwined so closely that they grew up their boyhood filled with usual pranks and mischief in a place so sacred called the seminary. Indeed, the seminary was the seedbed of this great friendship and brotherhood that defy time and space. No matter what or where, some, if not all are there for the other. A phenomenal brood of men, a bunch of bosom buddies whose lightness of being swells into thunderous roars and peals of laughter. Their togetherness rocks!
These meetings can or may be milestones. But then the group acts as if they have never left the venue, nor the topic has been tentatively closed. Everyone enthusiastically arrives ready to resume the conversation. No 'baggage' but only one-self.
It was a great delight for me to be in Chicago for that weekend of reunion. It was also a great privilege for me to catch up with their life-journeys. It was exhilarating to listen how each one's uniqueness was highlighted as to how each responded to both pains and victories in life. It was enriching to learn how a young boy I knew 23 years ago has been transformed by life experiences into a man of character.
[This does not speak less of those who were not present, but] our time together allowed me to look deeper and discover a glimpse, if not a spark of a treasure of great value. It was gratifying , just like any parent, to realize that through time one has learned how to let life happen, to let life unfold before one's eyes through the lens of the One offering opportunities and challenges for growth and development to be one's self, one's true self. But alas, it took them ounces of courage, faith and love, i.e. hard work to arrive at where and who they are.
So when the laughter subsided and I was left behind [another story], while sifting through a wonderful weekend, I thought I would take the license by sharing with you these valuable glimpses of character. They are not exhaustive nor definitive. They are my personal perception and humble opinion.
Joven - articulate, perceptive, passionate with his career with a great sense for what is proper and right; Rey - serene and supportive, grounded and focused; Linus - daring, adventurous, free spirit, committed to his art and craft, to travel is his lifeblood; Fr. Dandy - observant and almost ascetic, eager to learn, to teach, to share, to serve; Fr. Henry - life of the party, theatrical, musical, spiritual; Paolo - dependable, honest and straight forward, a health buff, loves to travel via cruises; Ojee - a loving and tireless family man filled with wit and warm hospitality.
[I must include, Minette, wife and best friend of Ojee, a great mother of Ina, Israel, Ivanah and soon, Isabelle, and an exceptional hostess beyond expectations.]
A motley group of different personalities and perspectives woven into a tapestry of life, or different notes played into a symphony, or a wild cacophony of tunes snoring away the night (from which I was spared!) Here we were in a maddening search for a missing battery as everyone was distracted by Linus' soggy, smelly and screaming pink socks as well as the exotic colored scarves from Dalai Lama (yeah, right). Huddled in a van on that clear, windy and cold October 17, Linus quipped, "This is surreal!" but soon after he took a great camera shot, he would dismiss it with, "Nasa lens ina padi." Indeed, it was and is - OLPS Batch 87 happens to possess that lens of kinship, friendship, brotherhood and family through which life is seen and perceived to be true, good and beautiful.
They say only tourists take pictures. Mystics do not. I took a few shots. Maybe like the mystics I had the opportunity only to experience the moment as I was gifted by God to live, and strive to live to the full for the past half of a century and more. Deo gratias.
Next stop: New Jersey in 2010. Please get your visas. We are thinking of raffling off a one-way plane ticket from anywhere. :-)
Blessings,
Fr. Roy
2 comments:
Indeed, you made my imagination soared! I was smiling while reading it...trying to reminisce the scenes of those short days. Thanks for the article...Fr. Roy! See you in Jersey?! Rey and Aimee, do you agree?! hehe!
You are welcome Dandy. For me, it was a birthday celebration hard to surpass, and all besides, i.e. the urgent care and ER drama. Thank you for staying there for me. And most of all, thank you for who you are and your priesthood. Take care and all the best in your studies and travel. Keep in touch.
Post a Comment