Felmar’s World of Anecdotes

UNDERTAKER VS. MY FRIEND

October 24, 2006

Tuesday, 10 a.m.

I am a loyal fan of Undertaker. From the very first time I saw him in the Royal Rumble on year 19-forgotten, I instantly became his big fan. Whenever his signature gong fills the air, it excites me to see even the toughest WWF (World Wrestling Federation) superstars get intimidated at Undertaker’s mere glance. Remember Yokozuna in the Casket Match on 1994? Remember Mankind in the Hell in a Cell Match on 1998? Awww! It was breathtaking!

After our Regency processing in Surigao (October 20), I was very eager to go back to Quezon City since the Smackdown will be held in Araneta Coliseum and Undertaker will team up with Lashley against King Booker and Mr. Kennedy.

My mind was all set to see the match when suddenly, on the last minute, I heard a call from a friend. Rodrigo, an XVD invited me to watch basketball at the Cuneta Astrodome. The game would be San Miguel against Ginebra.

It was a difficult moment for me. Undertaker comes to the Philippines only once in a while. Rodrigo, on the other hand, is just a taxi away since he lives in Malate. Oh my God! I was turn between watching Undertaking and giving in to this friend’s invitation. Ha-ha.

Anyway, I decided to let go of Undertaker and went to Cuneta Astrodome to watch the game with Rod. The game was exciting though. The game was extended since Ginebra was able to catch up with the score of San Miguel on the game’s last three seconds. In the end, San Miguel won. The Ginebra (Go Gordons!) fan in me mourned.

But I did not regret my decision of letting go of that perhaps-one-in-a-lifetime-moment of seeing Undertaker in person. I became part of the record crowd in a basketball game in Cuneta Astrodome. Ten thousand seven hundred twenty six (10, 726) people came to watch the game. Instead also of my original plan of taking picture of Undertaker, I ended up taking picture of one of Rod’s favorite basketball player. Hehe.

Anyway, my friend is more valuable to me. I will not replace him with Undertaker.

Rod, salamat sa libre ha. Next time ulit!

felmar

WE MADE IT THROUGH THE STORM

October 24, 2006

Tuesday, 9 am.

Early this month, Metro Manila suffered from the terrible typhoon Milenyo (international codename Xangsane). Xangsane also prompted Philippine officials to close all schools, financial markets, and government offices in and around Manila. The typhoon killed over 200 people in the country, and produced strong winds and rainfall, downing power lines and causing mudflows. The strong winds caused moderate crop damage totaling to $7.2 million (according to wikipedia.org).

We in our Holy Grounds of Christ the King Mission Seminary was not also spared from the fury of Milenyo. The typhoon which had maximum winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gust up to 150 kph toppled trees, broke windows and damaged the beloved car of our Healing Eucharist ministry here..

Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD could only look with worry at the mango tree being uprooted by the winds and mercilelessly falling on the Healing Eucharist ministry car.

I saw Fr. Kit Ramirez, SVD and Fr. Glenn Paul Gomez, SVD helping the seminarians put big woods on the castle’s windows to prevent the winds from breaking in.

I saw Fr. Rodrigo Dela Rosa, SVD being stranded in the chapel while a little flood was already a frigthening sight outside.

I also caught sight of Fr. Pablito Tagura, SVD braving the typhoon just to save a car of a distant relative in the car park.

Lo and behold, little containers were also exhibited in my room to prevent the tiny raindrops that leaked from the rooftop. It was the day we experienced darkness!

The following day was an expression of community spirit to “exorcise” our CKMS grounds. The Prefects, the Procurator, the Rector, some Spiritual Directors and some priests helped the seminarians in removing the diabolic mess created by Milenyo. It turned to be a very insipring sight to see formators and seminarians working together. I am proud to say that despite the hardships that we encountered, we still survived. We were still alive and kicking. We made it through the storm!

After all, life goes on…and there is light!

fiel, svd

I was channel surfing one afternoon when accidentally, the Westlife concert in Araneta Coliseum was plugged. The concert fees were available at four thousand five hundred (4,500.00), three thousand (3, 000.00), one thousand (1, 000.00), five hundred (500.00) and three hundred (300.00).

I am not really a Westlife fan but I suddenly became interested to watch their concert since they have been the all-time-favorite of one of my classmates who really professed heaven-and-earth regard in his boy group.

But I was hesitant since I am not used of going out at night except when I am with my direct superior Fr. Glenn Paul Gomez, SVD. Huh! So, I really prayed hard for it. Would you believe, I ask St. Jude’s intercession? Haha, the child in me! Every Thursday, I go to St. Jude Archdiocesan Shrine in Mendiola and include it as one of my principal intentions.

Days passed and I had forgotten Westlife concert….

To my great surprise, on the day of the concert, Fr. Glenn Paul invited me, together with Fr. Rod Dela Rosa, SVD to watch Westlife. Wow, it was a “whoa” experience! Gosh, prayers really worked! Not only that, the tickets given to us were patron tickets, that is, we were privileged to occupy front seats during the concert. Oh my God, I was not really dreaming.

Thank you Fr. Glenn…thank you St. Jude…thank you Lord!!!

Witness to the Word,

fiel, svd