Just for the pics

Friday it was when I was rushing to the pageant venue as I would be the chairman of the Board of Judges for the 2012 Miss WMSU-Ipil. It was already like more than half an hour after the scheduled time before I arrived. As the show commenced, I realized I left my camera. I texted everyone at home but for some reasons, they couldn’t attend to my request. Right after the talent contest, I drove as fast as I could homeward to get the cam. I estimated that I could still be back since there would be two presentations before the next exposure of the candidates. I caught up the last intermission number before the next competition – the swim wear. And so the cam successfully took pictures, which are definitely memorable and as they say, “fruits of a hard labor.”

Ivy Marie Aballe, BSEd II Major in Biological Science was crowned Miss WMSU. She bagged three minor awards namely, best in Production Number, Cocktail Dress and Swim Suit. She was also the Most Photogenic. She will be enjoying full scholarship grant in the next school year. She will be representing WMSU in the 2012 Miss Ipil Pageant.

Joy Marie Sullia, BSEd III, also a Biological Science major, was the first runner up. She was the best in School Uniform and in Gown. The Computer Science candidate, Shiela Mae Deleonio, who was the Best in Talent, showing off her singing prowess was the second runner up.

40 days after my father's peaceful death

Time really runs quickly that it seems just yesterday, we mourned for papang's death. Now it's the 40th day since that night of January 7, 2012, when he left us. There have been times that I cry so hard, having missed my father so badly. I am however consoled by the truth that he is no longer feeling the pains he used to experience while still here.This morning at 10, father Elmer presided a Holy Mass at the tomb of papang. The Parish Council were almost all present. Papang used to work with them when he was still stronger. Some of our neighbors were there too. After the mass, we invited them for lunch at home.

We still continue to pray for papang's eternal repose. We have the strong faith that with our prayers and deeds, we share in his salvation, through the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 32

The melody of this antiphon of psalm 32 was made at past 11 pm on the 11th of this month. This morning, this was sung by Stephanie - a lector/psalmist who just practiced this one for few minutes. She solemnly and beautifully sang the psalm at key of C and I was so glad that this could be rendered that good. Praise be God, who heals us.

Earlier, I sang the Cebuano version of this one. It was during the radio-broadcast 6 am mass. Noli, the CFC choir (who was assigned that morning) guitarist, accompanied me properly despite the fact that we did not practice the psalm beforehand. Before the start of the mass, I left the score on the organ chair, where he always positions his song books.

"Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted."

This Sunday's psalm expresses how God takes care of his people. He heals their sickness, as well as their pains. I sang in the first mass at the Parish Cathedral this beautiful song.

I set the alarm on my phone at 5 am - an hour before the first mass. Although it beeped at 4:45 am, I opted to have the time extended by 10 minutes. I was the one alarmed because I woke up at exactly 6 am. So I pulled out the white polo and put on my pants, undershirt and white polo; and without having my at least my face washed, I rushed to the church, which is around a couple of kilometers away. I got their with the gates closed since at the time, the Angelus was prayed. Once the gate was opened, I hurriedly drove to the side of the church as I heard the commentator saying the introduction. I realized that it was our beloved Bishop Tonel, who would be celebrating the mass. It was around seconds that I approached and reached the organ and I played it for the entrance hymn. "Yes, I made it!" I told myself. I managed to have my self ready for the Responsorial Psalm, and Rodel, the cathedral's sacristan, accompanied me. The mass was on air, via a.m. radio, and it was heard all over the province.

God does not only heal our being brokenhearted but also our life's anxieties. We have the assurance of his comforting presence for as long as we call upon him.