Be Present to the Here and Now Reality of Life

         Just like in any book, be constantly aware that life is made up of various chapters.  Sometimes, one chapter closes down while others may have just started. And I believe that life as it is, we must learn how to be present to the HERE and NOW moment. If not, then we might end losing plenty of those chapter's pages.

          Quoting Buddha, " The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, but to live in the present wisely and earnestly." What then is striking on this quote is its invitation for us to befriend our present moment and never to worry on what has been considered as the past.  We somehow divert all positive energies on the present moment. 

          Sadly, as reality tells us, many transactions in a day merely pass unnoticed.What usually happens is that we tend to say sorry for things in the past (we don't have control over them anymore) and on the other hand, we put enormous worry on things that are still to come.

         Hence, if we only learn to appreciate life's every  moment then the more that we will appreciate it. Citing one of those missed precious moment would be our meal times with family members, that instead of giving attention to our loved ones by listening to their stories and empathising with them, we stay silent while allowing our minds to wander somewhere else like worrying so much on the possible outcome of a project. 

         As a consequence, our loved ones will feel unloved and rejected (contrary to LOVE and ACCEPTANCE- two basic needs of man) and they will resort to something else that might not be productive or helpful to their growth. Finally, learn to be sensitive to the presence of others in your life and be aware of the NOW moment to feel that life indeed is such a precious gift.  

      

Honoring Santo Nino de Cebu

          This coming 3rd Sunday of the month, one of the most popular fiesta celebrations in the Philippines will be commemorated. Sinulog festival will be held in honour of the Holy Child. Not just being celebrated by the local Cebuano people, but this festival is so popular that it annually attracts many visitors every time that it is held. Sharing with you here a short history of the Holy Image.

"           The Santo Nino de Cebu (Cebuano: Balaang Bata sa Sugbu, Filipino: Batang Bana ng Cebu, Spanish: Santo Nino de Cebu) is a Roman Catholic title of a statue of the Child Jesus in Cebu City of Philippines. The image is venerated as miraculous by many Filipino Catholics. It is one of the oldest Christian relics in the Philippines, originally given in 1521 as a gift by explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon and his wife when he landed on the island. 

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          The statue measures approximately twelve inches tall, is made of a dark wood in baroque style and depicts the Child Jesus as a king dressed like Spanish royalty. The statue is clothed in rich fabrics, wears jewelry such as gilded neck chain and bears imperial regala including a gold crown, globus cruciger, and various sceptres mostly donated by devotees. (Source: Wikipedia- the Free Encyclopedia)

          It is said that this image of the Holy Child is a miraculous one thus many devotees come and visit it at the Basilica Menor del Sto. Nino. These devotees believe that whatever prayers, needs, thanksgiving etc. that they extend to the Holy Child will be heard and answered. Nowadays, this festival is becoming so popular that it is now celebrated outside of Cebu like in Melbourne, Australia and other places.