With All Her Might

In the walls of Intramuros
Whence she came as spark
Signalled the dawning of truth
To this very beautiful land

Thenceforth her moral teachings
Reached the remotest islands
Like a towering lighthouse
The lost traveler’s only guide

She instilled love for the country
And worship to the Almighty
She made heroes of our race
And the martyrs of our faith

Through many wars and turmoil
She was the nurse and doctor
During peace and conciliation
She was the mother to us all

For centuries she glistened
Lighting the whole archipelago
She led and guided the faithful
To reading and living the bible

She brought a number of souls
To the knowledge of the truth
And propagated the doctrine
Even beyond our shores

She did proclaim the Word
As she defended the Church
She ardently spread the light
Verily, with all her might.

Pamantasang Hinirang

2nd Place, Poetry Writing Contest
Filipino Category
UST Quadricentennial Celebration
June 17, 2010
Manila, Philippines

Ilang siglo na ang nakaraan
No’ng una mong sinimulan
Ang pagtuturo ng katotohanan
At pagpapakilala sa Maykapal

Maliban sa bagay ispiritwal
Mga tao’y iyo ring sinanay
Maging dalubhasa sa larangan ng
Pilosopikal, teknikal, at agham

O pamantasang hinirang
Naghuhubog ng mga kabataang
Mahusay sa makabuluhang bagay
Mga huwaran ng pamayanan

Mga bayani naring bayan
Doktrina mo ang kinalak’han
Tapang nila at katatagan
Bunga ng iyong pangangaral

O pamantasang hinirang
Nagpapalaganap ng kabutihan
Nagtuturo ng magandang asal
At pamumuhay na may dangal

Maging ang mga banyaga
Sa ‘yong galing ay namangha
Kay raming mga dayuhan
Ang sa bakuran mo nangag aral

Tunay ngang ikaw ang sinugo
Upang sa Silangan ay magturo
Ng katotohanan at kaligtasan
At nang Kristianong pamamaraan

Salamat mahal na pamantasan
Sa liwanag mong ibinibigay
Kailan ma’y ‘di magdidilim
Ang ilaw mong nagniningning

Philippine English

I hate it when some nationalities claim that the English language is owned by them. There are various kinds of English: British, American, Australian, New Zealand, etc. What they actually own is the variant they speak. Ours is the Philippine English which we speak and write well. Yes, we own that.

Aegean Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are the Father of all nations, the Father of all race, and the Father of all ages. Although we differ in calling you names, as we worship you in different ways, only you could unite us all. You are the Omniscient, the Omnipresent, and the Omnipotent. You are the creator of the universe, the light that guides us all, and the savior that rescued us from darkness. We worship no other being but you, for you are the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the one and only, true God.

Father, bless our tribe and let it grow, that it reaches every corner of the earth, and that it win more souls for your kingdom. Clothe us with your armor wherever we may be. Instill in our hearts the conscience that would guide us in doing only that which is right, just, and equitable. Remind us to prosecute the culprit for retribution, not vengeance, incarcerate the felon for reformation, not punishment, and defend the accused for his innocence, not his wealth. May our every act, word, and deed give glory to your most precious name, we pray. Amen.

Love Passed Me By

I
I see lovers cry
I see lovers smile
I see them grow
In each other’s arms

I see lovers fight
I see lovers love
I see them live
With each other’s warmth

Refrain 1
Then I asked myself why
To love, I’ve been unkind
And I asked myself when
This heart will learn to throb
I let love passed me by
Afraid to lose someone
I’m falling out of love
Before I even find

II
I see lovers fail
I see lovers win
I see their hopes
In each other’s hand

I see lovers frown
I see lovers grin
I see their souls
In each other’s eyes

Refrain II
Then I asked myself why
That love, I couldn’t find
And I asked myself when
This mind would heed my heart
I let love passed me by
Afraid to lose someone
I’m falling out of love
Before I even find

Our House On Christmas Day

I
The mistletoe hangs by the door
The lantern rests on the window
The Christmas tree is in the living roon
Gifts are scattered all over the floor

Refrain
A yearly sight I love to see
A house that's adorned so beautifully
The only place I'd like to be
A house that's a home where love is free

Chorus
That's our house on Christmas day
Remembering the birth in Bethlehem
That's our house on Christmas day
Everyone's rejoicing, the coming of the King

II
The door is open all day long
The visitors here they come and go
With smiling faces and warm embraces
Kin and friends they exchange wishes

Oh Ninong at Ninang Ko

I
Maligayang pasko
Ninong at ninang ko
Ako po’y napadalaw
Upang bumati sa inyo
Sana po ay maghari
Sa tahanang ito
Ang pag-ibig na dala ng pasko

Refrain
Oh ninong at ninang ko
Pwede bang sa inyo’y magmano
Kahit pa walang aguinaldo
Sapat na ang bendisyon ninyo

Oh ninong at ninang ko
Sana’y huwag kayong magbago
Nawa’y manatili ang pag-ibig
Sa inyo kahit hindi na pasko

II
Maligayang pasko
Ninong at ninang ko
Sana’y ‘di nakaabala
Ang pagbisita kong ito
Sana po’y mag-umapaw
Sa tahanang ito
Ang pagpapalang dala ng pasko