Sinulat ni Israel G. Ybañez
Mayupay, Quiot, Cebu City

DIHAY sugyot si Rey sa iyang higalang si Andoy, “Ako pa nimo, Doy, idangop na nimo sa Barangay.”

“Pasagdai na lang na sila, Bay Rey. Unsaon mao na man gyud na ang ilang batasan,” mapaubsanong tubag ni Andoy.

“Ingon niana nga giandan ka lang nila,” hirit ni Rey.

'Isalig ko na lang sa Ginuo ang tanan, Bay. Nagtuo man ko nga di ta Niya pasagdan,” mapailubong namulong si Andoy.

Giantos ni Andoy ang pagdaugdaog kaniya sa iyang silingang magtiayong Fredo-Alma, sa Barangay Banika nga ilang gipuy-an. Pipila na ka bulan ang nilabay nga ipasad gyud ni Alma ang ilang basura sa tugkaran nilang Andoy. Apan kay di gustog gubot si Andoy, iya lang sab dayong silhigon ug ibutang ang hugaw sa basurahan.

Naglikay na lang ang magtiayong Andoy-Gina sa kasamok. Sa ilang barangay nailhan sila Fredo-Alma nga masinahon ug labaw sa tanan nga burukinto. Nagsalig sila sa bagsik nga uyoan ni Alma sa ilang dapit nga nakapasamot sa ilang paggara kay molaban man kini kanila.

“Dong, hain maayo kon ikonsulta na nimo sa higala mong abogado, aron mahibawo ta unsay maayong buhaton,” sugyot ni Gina.

“Ayaw na lang, Day, total giganahan man sab kong maglimpiyo sa atong nataran. Eksersayis pa,” pulong pangkonsuylo ni Andoy.

Ang pagreklamo maoy butang nga gilikayan ni Andoy ug sa tanang silingan ni Fredo-Alma tungod kay bisan unsaon way mahimo ang kihante sa mga ‘atik’ sa magtiayon. Kay bisan kon sila maoy sad-an, ang kihante man hinuon ang ilang tabangan og kasaba. Unya, hadlukon dayon nga patyon. Dili si Andoy gustog samok. Gisalig niya ang tanan sa Ginuo.

Alang kaniya nasayod ang Ginuo kinsay angay gantihan ug kinsay angay silutan.

Nagsugod ang di maayong pagtagdanay sa magtiayong Fredo-Alma ug nilang Andoy-Gina dihang nitaas ang posisyon ni Andoy sa gialagaran niining banko.

Nakapuyo si Andoy sa Barangay Banika dihang nakapangasawa siya kang Gina. May duha sila anak, lalake ug babaye. Sa sinugdanan sa ilang pagpuyo usa lang siya ka yanong diyanitor. Bisan sa kalisod sa ilang kahimtang wa mabugnaw ang pangandoy ni Andoy nga makalampos pagkuhag silid sa kaalam. Gipadayon niya ang pagtungha sa gabii. Gibalewala niya ang kakapoy sa iyang lawas bugti sa iyang pangandoy nga moasenso ang ilang pagpuyo. Tinguha niya nga mapadak-an
ang balay nila nga hinatag sa ginikanan sa iyang asawa human sa ilang kaminyuon.

Gigantihan sa kapalaran ang pagbudlay ni Andoy. Natapos niya ang ‘accountancy’ ug tungod sa maayo niyang serbisyo mitaas ang iyang ranggo. Nahimo siyang ‘assistant manager’ sa banko nga iyang gialagaran. Niini nasina kanila sila si Fredo-Alma.

Kaniadto god sa pagsugod nilag puyo dinhi, tupad gayud sa balay nilang Fredo-Alma, gihimo lang silag ‘tig’ sa magtiayon. Giila man god sila’s Fredo nga tubig-tubigan sa ilang dapit. Apan kay nagumon man sila sa sugal nga tigbakay ug masyaw matag adlaw napurdoy sila. Sa laing bahin, sila si Andoy-Gina nakatukod og bag-ong balay kay nakatigom man silag igo-igong salapi.

Tungod sa maayo na nilang kahimtang ni Andoy, kanunay na silang pasingitan ni Fredo-Alma pinaagi sa paglabay sa ilang basura ngadto sa nataran nilang Andoy.

Usa ka buntag tungod kay lapoy ang lawas ni Andoy wa siya makamatag sayo. Wa siya makahimo sa naandan niyang gimbuhaton nga pagpanilhig. Sa dayon na niyang biya sa ilang balay paingon sa opisina, nasigpatan niya ang mga buak nga botelya nga nagpasad sa ilang nataran. Wa lang kini niya panumbalinga. Plano niya nga inigpauli na niya iya kining atimanon.

Dihang nahiuli na si Andoy gikan sa opisina nianang pagkahapon, nahibulong siya kay miduol kaniya si Fredo-Alma.

“Sir, tabangi intawon mi. Pabayloa mig kuwarta!”

“Unsa may nahitabo?” sukna ko sa mga silingan kong masinahon.

“Dakog samad ang tiil sa among anak. Naunay sa mga buak nga bildo nga para unta nimo…” patin-aw ni Fredo nga maulawon. “Kinahanglan nga madala siya sa ospital aron di matitanos.”

“Dad-a dayon sa ospital. Akoy motubag sa gasto,” kinasingkasing nga aghat ni Andoy.

Wa kapugngi sa magtiayong Fredo ug Alma ang pagluhod sa atubangan ni Andoy ug nanghilak nga nangayog pasaylo sa ilang dautang nabuhat ngadto nilang Andoy-Gina.

Great is thy faitfullness, Oh Lord!

Yesterday, I was talking about buying new TV is another huge expense. Huge for people like us who just live on a day by day pay check.

Today, my Dearest Dear just received a packet from our mail. They're giving him some options to choose what kind of reward he wants. We thought that it was just monetary from his retirement and we didn't expect any material thing at all.There were so many stuff to chose from like Elliptical work out machine, grandfather's clock, stationary bike for exercise, BBQ Grill, tools for men and etc.

Anyway, we saw the TV as one of the options. Great! It's not that big but good enough for our standard bedroom. You know what? Speaking of bedroom...I've been to people's (if being invited) houses that I've known but never ever see a huge bedroom ... except for this Filipina who live in a million dollar home near our area by 112th and Federal. 

For me, it doesn't matter where we live... in a house, apartment, condo, townhouse or in the street as long as we are honest and truthful about it. Simplicity, humbleness and down to earth are the best characters in life.

Anyway, God is great! We were just discussing about TV  but He gave us one. What a blessing! Sometimes it's hard to believe but it's for real. God works in so many ways, small or big we have to thank Him for what He has done into our life.

Here's part of the piece that says something, at least it's very clear, vivid  and not the back of it...Wink! Ouch!


Pahabol........

Ang tao nga naman ano? Naintindihan ko sila dahil tao nga eh! Anong malay ko na baligtad pala 'yon dahil sa mga tao na nagsabi sa akin.  Ang tao may mata, pwede niyang itikom ang bibig sa kanyang mga nakikita sa kapaligiran eh paano tao nga eh lalo na kapag inunahan ng masamang tao. Paano kasi eh ang ibang tao masyadong mayabang! Paano ba naman hindi makita ang higaan ni Queen Elizabeth (sabi pa ng isang tao hindi bagay ang pangalan na 'yon nalimutan ko ''yong pangalan ng Quenn na maitim ang budhi na sinabi niya...ahehehe) eh pinaakyat kami, kasi...huwag na lang....

Nagmamasid at nagmamatyag lang po sa kapaligiran. Ito naman, if feeling mo santo/a bakit tanong ng tanong ka rin sa buhay ng may buhay. Huwag ng magkunwari, lumang tugtugin na 'yan..Lolz! Nangarap ka pa nga na magkaroon din ng makita mo ang isang kasangkapan sa isang bahay na pinuntahan mo...ahehehe! Nakapikit ba ang mata mo ng humanga ka? If so, galing mo bravo! Ayaw ug hilashilas uy kay grabe ra ba ka manaway with the choice of words nga hadlok kaayo ba. Nuon imo ng tulubagon sa Ginoo.If tahimik ang isang tao at hindi niya ipagyabang ang kanyang mga kayamanan o ano mang bagay sa kanya na 'yon.Huwag magselos kasi hindi natutuwa ang Panginoon.  Hinahangaan ko ang ganuong klasing tao at ayoko sa mga taong masyadong mapagmataas eh sa lupa din lang naman ang bagsak. Ang tao talaga ano? Oo nga pala, ugali na 'yon eh at buhay nila 'yon. Great choice na 'yon para sa kanila eh!

If pakiramdam ng isang nialang  na may kumakampi sa akin which is hindi naman ako nanghingi ng simpatiya o kakampi, paano kasi...ibinabatay nila sa kanilang  mga nababasa at lumabas sa bukambibig ng isang nilalang. Hindi ko kailangan ng mga kakampi kasi alam ko ang aking mga sinasabi. Hindi ko na kailangan na tawagan ko silang lahat para manghingi ng simpatiya at tanungin kung nagustuhan  ba ang blog ko. ..lolz! Readers have common sense...

Ang sagot..."kung masaya ang isang nilalang sa kanyang mga pinaggagawa di ipagpatuloy...'yon lang yon ang balita ko. Para sa akin tama din lang naman na sagot... It's a matter of CHOICE! Basta in my part, ulit-ulitin ko man, I have to avoid people na may maitim na budhi at masamang hangarin sa buhay.

Basta sa banda ko, I still hang out with FRIENDS in town at happy as in at pinakain at nagpapakain ng kapwa ko. Simpleng kasiyahan lang naman na makakatulong sa pag-hold ng edad. Be merry and happy at huwag naman magmukhang may edad eh ang bata pa ng age at magmukha ng Lola. We need happiness and fellowship in life aside from our family naman. No man is an island. Buti nga may pumunta sa bahay namin at may nag-imbita sa akin kaysa magmukmok lang ako sa loob ng ....

 

"The step of a righteous man is order by the LORD."

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. Those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers … our found fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake. And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter’s courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent’s willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

“Let it be told to the future world … that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it).”

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.