THE SONG OF THE HEART

“I love you so much!”…“Promise, I really mean it, cross my heart…”

lines Familiar? Before and even up to the present we associate the heart with our emotions. Maybe because the heart beats faster when we are frightened and thrilled, when in fact, the brain in its real sense tells the heart to speed up. And with its constant contraction and continuous rhythmic beating, it started chanting a song least heard over the radio. Yet it is the sweetest music life could ever take noticed of. Yes, it sings the lyrics of the greatest opera called LIFE.

The heart being the muscle of vim and vigor is vital because of what it does. Its parts, working as a team, when it is filled with blood, it squeezed, pumped, refilled and produced a contraction that provides the body with oxygen and nutrients it needed and even eliminated wastes. The heart is the rhythm of life itself. Its incessant and musical beating ensures circulation of the blood throughout the entire body. The heart does this, all day, all night, all the time…

I might not be hearing what each youthful heart inside this auditorium is singing, but as I see each eyes staring at me, I deem to hear a chorus that I believe would make life even more beautiful. If all of us would heed towards maintaining the vitality of our heart, we can make it work better and prevent it from chanting murmurs.

Most of us are born with a healthy heart. Keeping it in good shape is indeed our lifelong task; a responsibility that would make each of us a keeper of the temple of God. We cannot afford to stain and destroy a very important muscle that makes man truly a covenant of Love. Each beat of our heart reminds us of this responsibility.

Remember that the heart is a muscle. If we want it to be strong; we need to exercise it and take care of it. But how do we do it? We just have to be active everyday. Being active would mean participation in activities like outdoor sports or just simply brisk walking. We should never smoke as it becomes a creeping paralysis that destroys the heart and the blood vessels. Our diet greatly affects in the disruption of blood flow as more and more accumulation of unhealthy fats in the vessels would impair circulation. In addition, keeping a healthy heart is making oneself happy and managing stress properly. Reports show that anger has been shown to narrow blood vessels as it increases blood pressure as well as heart beat rates and adrenalin levels. It causes the blood cells that form clots to get sticky and clump which can cause a blockage and eventually a heart attack.

Friends, it is inspiring to note that if all of us would put high regards with taking care of our heart, we can love more, serve more, and become an instrument of change. Indeed, we the youth can leave a permanent imprint, a legacy, and be a good influence to others. By practicing what we know is RIGHT. Certainly, when all of us aim towards a common goal for our nation, our hearts would beat as one. Embracing our purpose would help make this nation a place full of LIFE and VIGOR.

From the inspirational words of Og Mandino which says: “We are not on this earth by chance, we are here for a purpose, and that purpose is – to grow into a mountain and not to shrink into a grain of sand. Henceforth, will I put all my efforts to be the greatest mountain of all. And I will strain my potentials until they cry for mercy. But my skills, my heart, my body, my mind shall rot and die lest I put them into good use. I have unlimited potentials. Only a small portion of my brain do I employ, only a paltry of nerve do I flex. A hundredfold or more shall I increase my accomplishments of yest. And this I would do beginning today.”

Let us educate ourselves to become a caretaker of God’s kingdom by taking care of our hearts. Let us not forget that the education of the heart still is the heart of education.

Friends, put your hand over your chest. Feel the heart as it beats, close your eyes and try listening to what it sings. Lub…dub…lub...dub…. lub…dub…Mere sounds that produce music of life and purpose; a melody that sings the spirit of our existence; the song of the heart. And if we all together maintain that healthy sound, making the heart stronger, we can then be a masterpiece towards making this nation a better place to live in.

THE WINNER IN YOU

“Whatever, Yaya! You’re such a loser!”

Sounds familiar? This is the tagline we usually hear from Angelina, the spoiled brat in one comedy scene we watch on TV, as she mischievously and pathetically bullies her nanny to humiliation. But what does this have to do with water? My friends, it has everything to do with water and what awaits us in the near future. Irrelevant as it may seem to be, but that simple phrase can aid us in unraveling the mystery of our infamous dilemma on water preservation. A phrase that can determine life and death and, possibly, the extermination of the whole human race.

For centuries and centuries, man has been using water to sustain his life on earth. It has been quite so long that even I, for one, often come to thinking that this supply is maybe eternal and can accommodate all life forms currently on earth and for millennia and millennia to come. Alas! It is only but a dream. Time will come when the earth’s supply of freshwater and saltwater, alike, will continue to be polluted and contaminated until such time the word “potable” is no longer appropriate to use on any body of water. Not any, not even a single drop. If it happens, life on earth will no longer be possible. Life will cease to exist and will result to mass, or even worse, total extinction. The once called “living planet” will be nothing but a dead boulder afloat in the vast expanse of timeless space.

Who is to blame for this dreadful and devastating scenario? Is it you? You? Or perhaps you. The answer lies within the waters themselves. Yes my friends. Ask the waters who the culprit is and they will respond to you even before you can formulate the question in your heads. Stare into its depths and you will see the perpetrator. Gaze through them and behold your eyes, behold your own reflection gazing back at your so-called innocent face. The truth is, we are all criminals here! Criminals to our own world, to our fellow, to ourselves and to the generations that are still to come. Though we are caught unaware, we have wasted several galloons or more of usable water in our entire life about every way possible. Over the years, we have corrupted Mother Earth’s precious fluid. We have degraded its beauty and essence and we ignore the possible outcome of our actions. Aha! Ignorance! That is the word. The word where it all began. If a man had only taken care of his ONLY habitat; if man had only been careful about his conduct, then we would not be suffering from water deficiency when the time comes. Our lack of knowledge and awareness of our surroundings and our actions toward them guarantee us a one-way ticket to suffering and death.

But fear not, my friends! As the old saying goes, “even the smallest light cuts through an entire pool of darkness”. There is still hope left for each of us. With perseverance and determination, we can be capable of transforming this small light of hope into an awesome rainbow of genuine satisfaction and faith. Open your eyes and take time to realize and reflect. Unlock your hearts and let love and mercy for your own sphere of life reign. Let us all be winners and taste a drip of victory.

For why was David able to stand against Goliath when the army of Israel pulled back in fear? It is because David saw Goliath not as a big threat too big to hit, but a target too big to miss. Most of the time, it’s not the situation that has the complication. It’s the way we see things that matter in determining our victory.

We all travel through life. And as we journey on, we packed ourselves with essential components for us to survive. Along with this, is the responsibility to take care of them. We will not wait for the time when we can no longer taste the drip of safe and quality water. Let us make a move and move responsibly as good stewards of God’s creation.

It has never been too late. As concerned individuals of this ever-growing society, we can contribute to the conservation of this very vital element. Even in our little way, at least, hand in hand, inch by inch, we will take part in providing solutions to this problem.

If a child, a being without much knowledge and understanding can save an ounce of water each day; then why can’t we? We, who have been educated from various institutions. Thus, we shall utilize what we have learned. Together, we must unite as one, and make the salvation of our water system our main goal to preserve the existence of mankind and all that dwell in this living macrocosm.

Ignorance has claimed many lives as far as anyone can remember. Sanity is the only cure. Learn to think and deduce and surely you will make a difference. Make a difference and be able to influence other people with regard to water conservation. Through this, we will be able to save countless lives. For water conservation is preservation of life itself.

Let us all together put a stop to our own alienation and hear the cries of our water resource. We have already broken our covenant with the earth and we have caused our watersheds to bleed. However, Only God can transform a greedy heart to repentance. Let us allow HIM to reign in our hearts and discover the “winner” in us.

Let us not wait when it is water’s turn to say: “Whatever! Humans are really losers!”

Contest : 15^th Citywide Oratorical Contest

Theme : Water and Sanitation for Life’s Preservation

Speaker : Princess Grace I. Tura

Coach/Written : Jodison A। Tanutan, RN। / Levi Dean Uy

School : DAVAO WISDOM ACADEMY

WHAT DOES IT TAKES TO BE HAPPY

I’m trying to figure it out, how could one be truly happy… Is it the fortune he accumulates or the chances one has succeeded? Is it shown in the way one dresses himself up or the fancy high-tech gadgets he uses? Is it found in the places where everybody seemed to drown themselves in the flowing rivers of intoxicated substances?

Perhaps, they give us temporary happiness. Indeed, they lift us up into some level of satisfaction that at times we tend to be so inclined with the cravings of having it most of the time. This is what we call a habit which would eventually turn out to be vice. And once were there, we don’t know which way out.

Admittedly, every time I am eaten up by the pressure, may it be with my studies, my friends, my relationship, with my expectations I become burned out that I wanted to enjoy and make myself merry with the vices I practiced. I burned up every stick of cigar and poisoned my lungs. I take in intoxicated drinks and ulcerate my stomach and intestines. Depressed my cerebellum and become dizzy. Question. Do we find relief?

We may be able to escape from what has bothered us. In fear of being succumbed into so much loneliness we tend to sort to things that make us perfectly happy even in the expense of danger. Some may find it gratifying taking risk in exchange of happiness.

I’ll try to ask again. What does it take to happy? My friend says, she can do everything if she has the money. Buy clothes, shopping everyday, go out every night, and buy the world (worldly pleasures). I agree because even in my deepest lonesome nights, I had been wishing I have a lot of that man made monetary exchange because I can be a star to every bar I went over. And the following I still shine because I can go wherever I wished to.

But, at the end of the day, we went over and over asking ourselves if we had come across with the word happiness after indulging into so much exhaustion. Whether we like it or not, we have to face the reality and it is the best way to make ourselves feel better and from it, we can try to
evaluate ourselves if we really had known the real meaning of becoming happy.

For me, I had found it for the past 7 years in my life. I may sound absurd hurting myself in the expense of fulfilling my dreams for a long term relationship but I believe it is not martyrdom after all, however it is giving chances and making others happy. I had lost it several times but I am drawn back to it after trudging so many roads not knowing that at the end of it, it becomes my dead end.

Figuring out what makes one truly happy? Close your eyes…look at yourself (your inner self), feel it. Yes! It is a choice to become happy. It is us who could actually define it well. But, we are still responsible for whatever actions we do. Remember: We are judged according to what we do, not on what satisfies us or just makes us happy.!!!

THIS IS MY PRAYER

Dear Lord,
as each day that you bring life to me,
I am so thankful that this day you gave me the most important day to live, a day to rejoice and honor your name.

As I go on with my daily dealings give me strength so I can move on,
own my heart so I may love more,

Touch my mouth so I may speak nothing but the truth,
Guide my eyes so I may see the only honesty,

And lead my hands so I may work with diligence,

And be with my mind so I may live with knowledge wisdom.

You had created me in your image and likeness;
Bless me so I may be a blessing for others.
May it be that I may shine like you in every hearts
of the people I meet each day.

Make me your servant dear Lord,
So I may praise YOU with my whole heart.

With all the blessings you shower to me each day,
I will bring you back the glory and honor.

“For You, who has forgiven all my Sins.

You, who has healed all my Diseases.

You, who has ransomed me from Death,

You surround me with Loving Kindness and Mercies.

You fill my LIFE with Good Things that Even
My Youth is renewed as the Eagles.”

Bringforth peace among mankind.

This I pray in the most holy name of the father, forgiver. Giver of life, My savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

BORN FROM THE ASHES

After I was succumbed
into a miserable state of affairs, am back again. I rise from wretchedness to
an extreme bliss. Such contentment cropped up not in a grandeur pleasure since
I do not know where it would lead me again. Yet, with strong conviction, I
indulge myself to imperil chances that would bring back the silence and
radiance that gives me a reason to smile.

The few weeks
were a vast of changes. I had witnessed the transformation, the true reasons,
and ambiguous to a clearer vision. However, on the process, I cannot deny that
even if those changes gives clearer direction to the path I wish to trudged, It
does not give me the exact reason to rejoice because apprehensions still exist
that one time or another, insurmountable encounters would be there to confront
me hard.

Perhaps, that
gives me so much energy to work on my values to become more persevered and hold
on to stand with valor and honor and at the same time preserving my integrity. Despite
the destitution I had been into, I was able to surpass it and face the world
again with my head up.

I may not aim
perfection because man is not made for that. However, being true to oneself and
self acceptance has lifted me to place myself into the pedestal I wanted. It is
where the heart of true happiness springs. The famous line: “Learning to love your
self is the greatest love of all”, mimic the transformation I am into right
now. Indeed, it blossoms like lily into my soul that what I envisioned myself
to be is within m reach.

I am certain
that anytime I may stumble again, pour another rain on my eyes, and be on a
solitary confinement. But it will not move me back once more because I had viewed
myself in a different perspective – which I can still stand proud. Yes, it will

break me but I can rise and fly like a phoenix – born from the ashes. And give me the silence and the radiance of true happiness.

THE ENEMY IN ME

I had never been wholly recovered from what I lost. I never had an amount of self satisfaction after I completely turned into ashes when I stagger down into my own pit hole. Indeed, what transform a soft heart into arrogance and being hilarious to sarcasm is perhaps an experience that one wished they never had - an event that turned a rich man into a pauper.

Losing ones sanity is more than a bankruptcy. Sprawling focus drives towards downfall. I could have blame destiny which has brought me to where I am today, and if I could wish to turn back time, I wouldn’t trudge the road that led me here. I may even sound regretful, for what sense would it make to rejoice?

Some say, it’s not how many times you fall but for how many times you stood up every time you fall…True… Idealistic yet inspiring… However, I stood up and become a different person. I turned into a demonist. It’s as if, I lost the reason to love again. I impound the trust and somehow learned to delete what happiness means. Now the question is: how many times you changed every time you stood up?

I stood up once more after a torment storm. I may have depleted my self-esteem and becomes a man on the background; I somehow believe that I could gain back what I had invested. I may have lost the game – even if I played it well but I would be able to defeat them when I would be able to regain strength after losing grip.

I wouldn’t return for retaliation but instead I will be back to stand before you and say: “I BECOME EVEN STRONGER WHEN I LOST YOU”…

MY BIG BROTHER

I had been a fanatic of the Phenomenal reality TV show of ABS CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother that I had follow each season and watched over it and never missed a segment up to the Big Night.

I see myself as one of the PBB house mates in the Big Brother house where each day is an endless task, a goal to achieve and a competition I have to win – a competition which rewards more than a million or any amount could buy but an honor and prestige to be proud of. PBB housemates stay in the house for 126 days with “kuya” as the big brother; I live in a bigger house where tasks and responsibilities are more complicated, where I live more than 126 days but a lifetime for me to complete such tasks – that indeed if I live in errors I will make my stay even shorter, where my “big brother doesn’t converse with his voice through my ears but speak through my heart – my living guidance counselor – the living “God”.

My big brother has taught me to become what I am today – a man of dreams and ambition, of attitude and fear on his words. I become astray for sometime in my life that at some point I felt I wanted to have my force eviction and get out of his house. But my big brother gave me chances to renew and led me back to the right path enabling me to realize that indeed I can be part of the big winner which is eternal life if I follow his house rules.

I am into his service right now. For as his Golden Rule says: “What you do to the least of your brothers, you do it unto me”. I believe being an educator is one way of becoming his servant where I stood to nurture values, enhance skills, and inculcated discipline to young minds.

Time moved swiftly that I realize that the big prize is too high that I have to work harder of getting it. Along with it is sacrifice, failures, and defeat but all paid off with victory. Yes! It has somehow torn me into pieces but I never stopped believing – there can be miracles when you believe, right? With this, I made a very impulsive decision that I went further with my overwhelming optimism. I took up Bachelor of Science in Nursing and experienced the most difficult times I can ever imagine. The sleepless nights and burning gas pain during long hours of clinical exposures. It has crowned me with glory when I finished and walk the aisle of success. Yet, the burden for the preparation of the board exam is another war to conquer. It has left me hanging and perhaps my anxiety right now is seemingly increasing. Yet, My Big Brother is still standing and watching over me for he is the director of my life; He has always drafted a plan for me.

My big brother is your big brother too; we are sharing the same house. However, we do not compete with others but with ourselves into making it on the Big Night. And on the big night we will all be seeing each other in the finals where we will be judge according to how we performed in the house he just lend us. He has prepared a big prize for all qualified winners and my fervent hope that we will all be there and share the prize.

With all honesty, I feel guilty at times because I made mistakes and makes a lame excuse that I am just human. I have this guilt feeling because it is not the same PBB I loved to watch that has season 1, 2, 3 and so on. Our Big Brother who is God holds his BIG NIGHT just ones.