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Nov 2022 · 244
Grace Unfold
Where I escape —
All that is real.

On both sides of the water,
Strange shadows meet
To greet the ****** yet hiding moonlight,
I reflect unknown,
Thrown in the waves,
The water never gives up,
It just takes.

As it flows
With painful motion,
As I run down,
Carrying my sorrows
As all I have,
I run to my Lover:
The dearest Solitude.
Nov 2022 · 358
Genesis
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Let me not forget where I indeed came from —
That even the blood that runs within me
Was a choice of my Father in Heaven
Who answers my cry and filters even my deepest thoughts.

Let me not forget how my parents worked hard for us to move forward,
That I may be grateful to my ancestors (elders in the family)
For paving the way for us to believe
In Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

For as I ponder throughout my days,
It’s like God revealing to me,
“Anak, be faithful in your days
For your generation will benefit
From both your actions and choices”
And so, what can I do away from the Lord?

Let me not forget how the good Lord
Has brought my parents from Romblon to Palawan by His purpose and will.
Their step of faith was a domino-effect
For us to see the glory of God in the time of our encounter —
The revealing of His power and His identity in us.

Let me value even the days that are still unknown to me
The past where they grind for a living —
How they enjoyed walkin’ going to school
And bartering products for school supplies.

God heard their desire not to simply graduate
But granted them land jobs
To which I believe God is glorified.
They tasted being the first generation Christians
For us to experience breakthroughs
Together with the Lord while being patient in His time.

Never did they allow poverty to hold them back
From what the Lord has openly bestowed for us.
We are never rich in material things
But they have instilled in us
The greatest thing we must possess in life
And that is our relationship with Jesus.

Let me not forget how He has lifted my generation (my clan)
To succeed while relying on His Word & sovereignty.
And so during these past few days,
I’ve witnessed how His favor showered
Every member of our clan —
All I can say is praise be to our God!
That wherever we are led,
We’d keep in mind that He is watching over us
And He is always after saving our entire generation.

Let me always rejoice in the Lord
Even in tests & trials of life.
That everything is in His hands
And we are safe in Him.
All the glory and honor of Jesus Christ,
You are the beginning and the end!
In 2020, do reign in our hearts!
050520

“Every time it rains,
I weigh Your tears —
I weigh Your fears.”

I woke up to sweet, beautiful rain
Stickin’ my head out the door
Feelin’ the coolness drip over my face.
I was waiting for You to come,
To visit me even on windows
While You clothe me as I shiver.

I left a letter in Your forest
For I know there’s Someone
Who’s more than the trees
Who can sum up my mixed emotions
Written even in the dried leaves.

“It’s not just the leaves on the woods
That saw your tears,
So I called for the rain to accompany you,
Let your heart not be surprised
With a little sweet gift.”

I stick my hands out
And long for them to be washed
By this water from heaven.
Wash over me, Rain
Wash over me, Water —
Wash me clean.

“Stay put,
For I’m about to draw You near.”
The Sky’s shedding its tears today,
I caught Its droplets on my palms

And it was clear —
Transparent like glass.
Then I heard the voice of the Living Water.
“I have already made you clean

You are forgiven —
I am Your land’s Healer,
The Alpha and Omega,
The Beginning and the End.”
Nov 2022 · 157
Disguise
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People started drinking coffee and staring at Me
From studio apartment windows,
Under pretty white gazebos,
In the open carport,
Busy offices with disinfecting stuff,
Some even paused Netflix on their TV screens.

Some hated Me –
For while I smell sweet,
Only some flowers grow
In the springtime.
And there were some whose thorns
**** the other just to survive.

I watched while hands are being driven to the sky
As if they're waiting for Me,
As if they're prepared enough.
Some collects in pretty puddles on the pavement
So that toddlers in rubber boots
Can jump in and splash their parents –
And they're on it,
I bet the game has started.

Love is sincere –
I make lovers miss one another,
I lull crying teenagers
To sleep in their warm beds
And some keep dancing
Tapping the floor with each move
And they believed I was hypnotized
To delay my visit and their season.
People don't simply watch
And listen with gentle acceptance,
I saw various faces changing masks every day –
Trying to fit what seems an "endless time."

Some were afraid of Me –
As one talks about Me,
Some run away.
So they don't even hear my expertise.
That I wash pretty chalk paintings off
Of driveways in suburbs
And without a second thought,
I can make them clean.

One tells the other,
As if I seep through their ceiling tiles
Turning cozy little homes
Into chaotic whirlwinds
Of anxiety and destruction --
Maybe, that's how their perspectives are.

I love the kids, so playful of their kind --
So I get them out of the pool
While sprinting inside,
Cold, wet, and uncomfortable.
Then I wash the leaves into
their gutters.

I touch the earth with my presence
To feel some semblance of warmth,
And I don't leave the thunder at your home,
I don't break the things that I love,
Unless they let me break their hearts
For what breaks mine.

I am the Rain,
But most of the time, I'm more than that.
Nov 2022 · 139
The Magic in Pages
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As I turn the pages,
You bring life into my existence
Every leaf speaks of who You are
And when I believe,
Miracles take place.

I am learning to trust
And I am no longer blinded because of faith.
There's a Truth beyond all of this –
That this life is temporal but You are eternal!

You are coming in righteousness
And Your promise is ever the same!
Nov 2022 · 304
Beautiful Endings
072220

Sunsets are portraits
Of beautiful endings —
A reflection of what’s deep within,
Breaking the barriers,
The facade is made of sand.

I can never make a good portrait at all,
But I knew someone Who can...
Then, the trauma of the day even fades
While every burden is like floating baggage...
Thrown into the shoulders of the Oceans.

You just have to let go;
Let It — let It flow.
Washed by the waters playin’ along the shore,
The melody of Peace, of Rest, will soon follow...

Then Hope arises with so, so good endings.
And so I tell you:
I grew up hatin’ comparisons —
But I’m no longer afraid that I just did...
The endings are beautiful,
So wear Faith and Persevere.
Nov 2022 · 2.4k
Sapat
041020

Malalalim ang gabi
At tinatanong ko ang langit
Kung kagaya ba nito ang Iyong mga mata.
Kung sa aking pagtulog ba'y
Ilang umaga pa ang bubungad
At aalayan ko ng pagsinta.

Sa bawat araw na lumilipas,
Ay walang kurap ang aking pagsamba
Sa ngalan ****
Hindi sa anumang papel ko lang nabasa,
Ang kaluwalhatian **** siyang himig
Sa bawat silakbo ng oras
At pintig ng segundong
Lumalamon sa aking pagkatao.

Tangay Mo ang aking pagsusumamo,
Ang bawat pantig
Ng mga sinasambit kong mga salita,
Ang bawat kuwit sa puso kong
Nalulunod sa Iyong presensya.

Ikaw ay nag-iisa —
Walang katulad ang Iyong Ngalan.
Walang ibang pupurihin,
Walang ibang sasambahin,
O Diyos, Ikaw ay sapat.
Nov 2022 · 132
Shoelace
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When I was a kid,
You clothe me in white
You packed my things and put them in my bag
To which You also loved to carry.

You allow me to learn things with my fellow kids
Even if it's more of Your hard work, not mine.
And my heart was glad as I see you outside the window
I was confident because You were there.

I can recall that I was not good at tying my shoelaces
I was afraid to fall on my knees
Every time I miss securing them.
That's why I tend to cry and call on Your Name
And you were there to fetch me
And so You do it over and over again.

When we're home, You change my clothes
But You never complain about how untidy my uniform was
You always wear that smile on Your face
And my tears were gone even before I uttered, "Sorry."

One day, I no longer see You outside the window
And I cry to look for You
Even if You already told me that You're coming back to fetch me again
There, I started to understand that all You do is not just for me
But for our family.

I've learned bit by bit how to properly tie my shoelaces,
And I'm too eager to give you the result of my exams every time I go home
I remember how you say,

"Ang galing naman ng anak ko" when I got high grades
And how you encourage me by saying,
"Okay lang yan anak, bawi lang sa susunod,"
When my grades aren't line of nine.

Every day, You watch over my deeds
You always listen when I have something to tell
And when I'm home, You always prepare my clothes as I change.
Nov 2022 · 1.4k
Breath in My 28th
020121

Bless the Lord, oh my soul
From the beginning of time,
And beforehand of everything that exists,
There You are —
You’re the Breathe who creates.

I was treasured by Your affection
Even in my mother’s womb,
You call me and draw me near
Despite flaws and imperfections.

I run the race You’ve paved,
And there, I got my battle scars
But my strength, my joy comes not from this world,
Your peace You give to my dying heart.

Praise You put on my lips,
And every moment treasured
In the bending of my knees.
What shall it profit me, oh Lord?
If I gain so much of this world
And then refused and neglected
Such a great salvation!

My inner thoughts, come in
In my mind palace, I’m throwing a party
Just for You and me
Your attention I seek,
Your anointing I thirst,
Your presence I long.
Nov 2022 · 321
Three Deaths
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Namuo ang mga luhang walang awat na nagpararamdam,
At sa kabila ng paghilot sa katauha'y
Daragsa ang hindi maintindihang elementong bumabalot sa liwanag.

Una,
Nasilayan ko ang larawan ng mag-inang minsang naging kabahgi ng akingnakaraan,
Kung saan naging bukas ang kanilang pintuan
Para sa mga kung anu-anong okasyon,
Mga pagpupulong na wala sa usapan,
Mga tawanang walang kabuluhan.

Ipinagkait ng pagkakataon ang paalam
Na sana man lamang ay naging harap-harapan.
At ang paalam na ito'y hindi malaman
Kung kailan ang simula at katapusan.

Pangalawa,
Sa pagitan ng pag-aaral at paghahanapbuhay
Ay namuti ang pangarap na lisanin ang kinasanayan.
Ngunit sa mismong araw ng kanyang paglilitis
Ay iba na pala ang nasa linya't nagbitaw ng mga salitang,
"Wala na sya."

Kinitil ang pangarap ng tadhana
At tuluyang naglaho ang alaala ng kanyang katauhan.

Pangatlo,
Sa apat na sulok ng pag-uusig
Ay naging bukas ang pagsalasat ng katotohanan buhat sa magkabilang panig.
Ang kanilang mga hain ay higit pa sa poot
Na may panghuhusgang bitbit at sigaw sa pula at sa puti.

Naubusan sila ng mga salita at nagtapos sa paghihiwalay
Ang kanilang mga ngitian at halakhakan,
At ang minsang pagbubunyi ay naging palitan
Ng liham ng paalam at katapusan.

Pang-apat,
Sa pagpunit ng bawat pahina ng kalendaryo
Ay nagwakas na rin ang kanilang pagkikita
Ang lihim ay idineklara't nagpaubaya na lamang sa Langit
Ang dalamhating tugon sa pag-ibig
Na sana'y may bukas at makalawa pa.
Nov 2022 · 135
Home
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To the man who always does what he says,
I am blessed to be pursued by you.
You’ve taught me what consistency is
Despite my inconsistency.
You bear, believe, hope, and endure all things.

As for me and our house, let’s serve the Lord.
Together, let us rise from the ashes –
Bearing one Name; hailing one Name.

Let’s build a place and call it home,
To call it our own.
And regardless of our factions,
Let us aim with one Hope.

In You, I am safe;
Love is your name.
I am home, finally Home.
091716

Nanghinayang ka kaya inayos mo;
Pinilit mo kahit hindi pinili ni Tatay.
Inayos mo nang sarili **** lakas,
Kaya napagod ka; eh lalong nasira.
Hindi ka naman eksperto dyan,
Kaya wag kang magmagaling na alam mo.

Hindi porket sanay ka ay okay na yun.
Hindi naman pinapaayos sayo,
Sinabi ba ni Tatay na gawin mo?
Oo, tamang nagkukusa ka
Pero di lahat ng pagkukusa nakabubuti.

Ilang beses ka bang pasasalo kay Tatay?
Hindi ka ba napapagod?
Kasi kung ako lang, awang-awa na ko sayo.
Nov 2022 · 125
Heads Up, My Child
021722

I ponder the days that passed by,
And how I wish I could go back in time
But here I am – testifying the things
That God has done in my life.

Amidst the messy place,
He started answering one of my prayers
And it was an old prayer
And truly His timing was unpredictable.

When God answers,
It is never on our timetable
For He exceeds our understanding,
He exceeds our expectations.

I woke up in His arms today
And I’ve felt that I was in His hands
He carries me and He covers me –
He protects me and He will redeem me.

Tears I pour out on His shoulder
Even if everything seems imaginary.
I saw Him lifting my head
Like a father telling his child,
“It will be alright.”

He says I can trust in Him
And in Him, I can lay all my burdens.
One day, He will set me free
And He will drive away what is plotted against me.

Oh Lord, I find strength in You when I am weak,
I find favor in Your eyes for You have never left me.
I found hope in Your promises
And heaven and earth will pass away
But Your Words will never come to an end.

You speak no lies against me,
You know me so well, my Lord
You keep me on my feet
And I have nothing to boast about.

Lord, You are my Saviour even from the very beginning
And Your truth was never a lie
No one can imitate Your greatness
No one can take You away from Your throne.

I can hear You everywhere I go,
When people encourage me, I see that it is You.
And when they pray and lay their hands,
It is You who touch me.
021622

My heart is Yours, truly Yours my God
You bring anthem to my soul
You bring hope as I trust in You.

My enemies plot against me, Lord
And in my silence,
You are the Defender of my soul.
They laugh at me and they cancel me
But I hold on to Your Word.

For Your Word is greater than the word of mouth,
You will cover me and You will not let me live in shame,
You will draw me closer, Lord
You will secure me in Your constant hands.

You will rescue me among my enemies
You will deliver me and You will give me victory.
In Your Name, there is truth
Your promises will always remain.
Nov 2022 · 880
God's POV
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We are called God’s masterpiece –
We are His art in progress.
Each was an abstract of their kind
And only the Artist knows how to interpret it;
Only He knows what we are made of and made for.

When others see the beauty in us,
The credit is not ours but to our Artist.
He made us and He finds beauty in us.

Art is an expression
And God expressed Himself through us.
What kind of Artist is He?
Who made us out of His image.

How selfless is He?
And how loving is He?
No one can even take a glimpse
Of His mindful plans for us.

And so we are meant to create something new,
Something that our soul is passionate about,
Something that boosts our confidence in the Lord,
Something that brings us to the fulfillment of His purpose for us.

To express ourselves in various forms of art —
The art of love, forgiveness, redemption, salvation, and so on.
We indeed are God’s art
And as we continue to align ourselves with Him
That picture becomes clearer each day.
Nov 2022 · 717
Looking Up to You
072022

The more I am afraid, the more that I tremble;
But the more I will look up to You.
So teach me to truly number my days,
That I count them not by the works of my hands
But by the breath of Your Spirit in me.

In my weakness, pour Your grace.
While Your love, let it be blanket to my soul.
Oh how much I fear and tremble before You
All my weapons and crowns
I lay down before You.

I surrender my whole self
And when I boast,
Let me boast of Your goodness
Let no lies come out of my mouth
But let me sing how great You are.
Nov 2022 · 495
Groundbreaking
091622

The rain emptied its heavy heart,
And all of them get their crowns in white
Their robes contrast with mine
While some hold their golden wands.

I look up to the sky and begged it to stay still
But the waters wanna bless
The dry coarse land we’re treading in.
And everyone was so thrilled to dance in the rain
To relish their breaks and take pleasure in their poise.

I stood aside seeing their joyful faces
But my heart was also gloomy as I search from within.
Everyone started to leave
And I was one of those who are left with their remnants.

My head is downcast as the rain pours
And I felt discouraged and rejected for a while.
I took what is left with me,
And before they eliminate the printout,
Before everyone else embark on their preceding steps,
There I am – having my moment.

I had no chance to put up a smile
And I stroll with tears
That is about to fall
But as I try to compose myself,
I have to overcome myself again and again.

Even if grief buries my face,
Something sparkly assaults me from within —
That there was someone else who watches over me
Who always claps at me
When no one else does.

Someone up there is granting me courage
Who knows how I worked hard
Until I set foot at this very moment.

And while nobody else compliments me,
He who knows me best says,
“You’ve done a great job.”

From a heavy heart this sunrise,
My sunset was moved by praise.
Here I am calling this day a triumph
And praying for those whom God told me to intervene for.

I knew that I don’t always get the outcomes that I expect,
But He who started my foundations
Will soon bring me to the finish line.
And I will continue to run this race —
Looking at the Gem of my heart.

Truly, humility comes before honor
And honor and praise only belong to my King —
To my King who sees my afflictions
Whether in sorrow or joy,
Let me serve you
With all of my heart, strength, mind, and soul.
Nov 2022 · 411
Shine
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Shine, you will shine
I will strive til it’s my time
Shine, You will shine
I rest on You, I trust in You

Oh how beautiful it is to walk with You
For all of my days, oh Lord…
I gain confidence in You each day
You take good care of my soul.

From the start, You were there with me
In the storms, You are my strong tower
At the highest peak of a mountaintop
I will still shout Your Name
Nov 2022 · 861
If I Die Today
111822

If I die today, I don’t want a sorrowful service
I know it is quite inevitable and yet I want people
To learn not to lose hope or lose joy.

If there’re words that they will utter,
I pray it’s no longer for me but for those who are left —
Who are truly in need of comfort as living individuals.

Let them play a Worship Song
And remember the goodness of God
And His faithfulness that will endure forever!

For even death should not separate
Every relationship with Christ
But death should add fire to their faith.

I hope they will sing a song for the Lord
And no longer sing me some lullabies
For I would no longer hear them.

If I die today, I want to leave not an earthly legacy
But I want people to remember me
As a follower of Jesus who has finished her race.

If I die, I would no longer run
Coz I have stopped where God told me to stop
And let me see His face as He grants me a “Well, done” hug.

But today, I still breathe the air God has given the world.
Life is a gift and there’s no reason to waste it.
Let me appreciate life by serving my Master with all I have.

Today, I want to keep speaking life to others –
And I’d rather choose to empower them now
Than hearing them later with no ears to sense them.

I’d rather receive rejections today as I speak the truth
Than overhear their late acceptance
When I lie in the last home the world could give me.

Today, I want to move freely – led by the Holy Spirit.
I’d rather move now for the sake of God’s will
Rather than not being able to move anymore
Because my timeline has passed its season.

I know God has planted so many dreams within me.
I know I can do more in this world and I can achieve more.
But I want to learn how to achieve the things
That my flesh cannot attain.

I want to give a smile,
Not to those who may laugh at me when I am at my worst.
But I want to focus on my Only Audience
Who is the Ultimate Judge of my life.

I knew I am inconsistent in so many things
And I have failed my God so many times.
But if He exposed me today, then it is for my good.
I may not understand why and how
But I am sure that my God doesn’t lie.

He knows I am tired of the pressures life pours on me.
I may find myself drowning in the worries of this world
But these things are only temporary.

I know someday, I no longer need to lie on my bed
To have the rest which I think I deserve.
And when the Day comes,
I will no longer sleep
And I can no longer distinguish Night and Day
For my eyes will only be fixed on the Apple of my eye.

It’s crazy pleasing the world
And running the way people do.
We are all tired but may we know
The rest our Saviour had freely given us.

We don’t need to toil the way we know how.
Coz this time, we will shift from “prison” to “reason.”
And there will be a huge elimination
Of the things that do not matter in eternal life.
And I pray we can distinguish it
Through discernment which is a gift from above.
Nov 2022 · 347
Dakila
091222

Dakila ang Iyong Ngalan —
Walang makapapantay Sa’Yo.
Ikaw ang Himig sa aming pagsamba,
Ang Liwanag sa mundo naming kaydilim.

Ilapit Mo kami Sa’yo,
Nawa’y ang aming pagsinta’y
Maging kanais-nais na samyo
Sa trono **** banal
At sa pag-ibig **** hindi pabagu-bago.

Hubad man ang aming pagkatao’y
Hindi ito naging hadlang
Para kami’y Iyong tawagin —
At kusa **** akayin
Ng wagas **** pag-ibig
At bihisan nang walang anumang bahid
Ng paghuhusga’t pagkukutya.

Putik man ang aming pinagmulan
Ngunit kami’y Iyong hiningahan
Ng buhay na sa huli’y
Sa’Yo rin ang katapusan.
Ikaw ang simula at ang wakas —
Sa’yo nagmumula ang dunong at lakas.

Sa’yo iaalay ang buhay na hiram
Sa’yo igagawad ang lahat ng papuri’t pagsamba.
Salamat, Panginoon! Ikaw ay Dakila!
Maligayang Anibersaryo, LifeChurch!
Kaybuti ng Diyos!!!
Nov 2022 · 614
My Home, My God
I trust You, Lord
With all my heart, I surrender it all
With all my strength, I let go of the heavy burdens
And with all of my soul, I trust Your deliverance.

My pain today will no longer matter
As You bring justice to every fault
That the enemy has done over me.
You will punish him with all Your might
And all the glory that he tries to steal from You,
Will all be restored to Your so deserving throne.

Oh, Jesus
When I speak of Your Name
I know that You alone are my strength
The source of my hope
And you lit back my lamp stand
So I won’t fail as I wait for Your return.

The oil that You pour
Should be enough for me
Even if my eyes are sometimes swayed
To look after me —
There You are
Bringing me to my knees
So this mess that I see
Will be brought to praise Your Holy Name.

Your yoke is not heavy,
So I lay down my own life
It is You who has rescued me
So what more could I ask?


If I see myself in the mirror
With tears in my eyes
All of these that has shed
Is the reason for my strength.

Oh Lord, in Your mercy
I will crawl on my knees
To be back in Your Kingdom
And no one would no longer get me out
Of the Home You have prepared for me.
Nov 2022 · 1.9k
Dream Catcher
111622

Personas on her side but his love transcends it all –
Is this what they call, “Love against all odds”?
The heart became deceptive and so selfish…
To the end that it's even willing to break another’s treasure.

She found a door to the other side
A stunning world that was made for them –
A world that is waiting to be embraced
But also a world that is full of unending lies and betrayal.

A peek-a-boo moment for some time,
Glaring at faces and wondering why –
Why he can’t go yet
For she thought he was just wasting his time.

He was waiting for his escape,
But he cannot wait anymore.
So from the barriers of his cell
He was released by no one but himself.

A lake surrounded by thousands of people,
A biosphere they were longing
So they found each other’s hands
Gripping the same feeling
But the truth is they lie to themselves.

The feelings they can’t hold back
But the truth hurts; for they’re already fools!
And so in her remembrance of him
Beauty is the beast when it’s told.
Nov 2022 · 3.7k
Buwan ng Lagim
111422

Namumuo ang pawis sa kanyang kamao
Tila ba sapat na ang mga galos na kanyang natamo.
At dali-dali nyang sinarhan ang silid
Na walang ni isang palamuti ng kapaskuhan,
“Nandito — nandito na ako sa ikatlong palapag,”
Aniya sa kabilang linya.

Kinuha niya ang lapis
Buhat sa luma nyang aparador —
Puno ng alikabok
Na kahit ilang pagpag na’y
Hindi naririndi sa pagbuga
Ng umaalingasaw nitong karumihan.

Naupo sya’t napapikit na lamang
Inaalala ang bawat detalye
Ang bawat katagang kanyang narinig
Ang bawat imaheng nais nyang takasan.

Nanginginig pa rin ang kanyang mga tuhod,
At nangangalay ang kanyang mga kamay.
Habang tumatagas ang pawis nyang
Kulay itim sa malagim na gabi.

Naghihintay ng sagot
Sa mga katanungang saksakan ng ingay
Sabayan pa ng sunod-sunod na putok
Ng mga sumasalubong ng Bagong Taon.

At sa kanyang di sinasadyang pagdungaw
Sa bintanang walang kurtina’y
Nabaling ang kanyang tingin
Sa buwang napakaliwanag
Tila ba may taglay itong kung anong elemento —
“Mahiwaga,” wika nya.

Ang mga larawan sa kanyang balintataw
Ay unti-unting gumuho
At napalitan ng imahe ng buwan .
Akala nya’y makakatakas na siya sa liwanag nito,
Akala nya’y ito na ang huling kathang
Kanyang maililimbag sa kanyang kwento.

Maya-maya pa’y sa dulo ng kanyang dila’y
Hindi nya maipaliwanag
Ang kung anong himig na kanyang sinasalaysay
Na tila ba may boses na nag-uutos sa kanyang
Bigkasin ang mga pangungusap
Na hindi nya ninais na sambitin.

Mahigpit ang pag-akap ng kanyang kamay
Sa lapis na guguhit at tutuldok sana
Sa kanyang masalimuot na nakaraan.
At muli nyang pinagmasdan ang kalangitan
Hindi na buhat sa sarili nyang bintana
Pagkat hayag sa kanya maging ang mga bituin.

Dahan-dahan nyang itinuro ang buwan
Gamit ang lapis nyang hindi man lang natasaan —
“Sayang, ngayon lang Kita nasilayan…
Sayang, pagkat hanggang dito na lamang.”
Nov 2022 · 1.6k
Komposisyon
111322

Sa mga lirikong wala pang tono
Ay aking ipamamalas ang Iyong Kagandahan —
Kagandahang ni minsa’y hindi pa nasulyapan
Bagkus kusang hinahanap-hanap.

Ang matatamis **** Salita
Ang aking baon buhat agahan hanggang hapunan.
At mauhaw man ako o magutom sa daan
Ay alam kong Ikaw ang sagot
Sa bawat katanungan at kakulangan.

Ang pagdampi ng bawat lubid sa aking mga daliri
Ay katumbas ng paghehele Mo sa akin sa gabi —
Sa gabing palaging puno ng bituin ang kalangitan
Na pahiwatig ng maigting **** pag-ibig
At walang katapusang pag-iingat
Sa puso kong puno ng galos sa bawat araw.

Ang likidong sining sa aking mga mata’y
Palatandaan na ako’y isang mahinang nilalang
Na nagnanais ng Iyong pagkalinga’t pag-aaruga.

At ako’y uhaw pa rin sa katotohanan
Bagamat ilang beses ko nang nilisan
Ang mga baitang ng edukasyon
Na isang panimula lamang
Sa yugtong ito ng sarili kong kasaysayan.

Takpan ko man ang aking pandinig
Ay hindi ito balakid sa paghirang Mo sa aking ngalan
Na tila ba Iyong hayagang binabanderya
Na ang pagkatao ko’y may halaga
Bagamat ako’y may hindi sapat na pananampalataya.

At sa katunayan pa nga’y
Ikaw ang humihila sa akin pabalik
Sa mga lirikong akala ko noong una’y
Ako ang may akda
Ngunit maging ang hininga ng mga letra’y
Tanging Ngalan mo ang isinisigaw -
Syang salamin sa'king Tula.
Nov 2022 · 1.0k
Love In Ruins
102722

She was drowning in her web of darkness
But nobody saw her struggle —
Nobody and yet her smile’s
Still as sweet as cherry in the bitter night.

Faces forced into ruins
As they look for crying shoulders.
But she kept her brilliance in her vessel
Despite her smoky and fiery red eyes.

She whispers hope
Even if her radiance is put on hold…
She says, “There’s still beauty in ashes
And painful tears could still portray
A wonderful masterpiece.”

She wipes for them as she seeks no return —
And she lends her wounded hand
While her bleeding continues
To diminish her worth.

She was dancing in the rain
Finding comfort in the blanket
Of the roaring and proud oceans.
He was leaving her existence —
With the melody of unspoken apologies
And forgotten regrets.

While some people keep changing partners —
As if it’s so, so easy
Like changing their hair or their clothes…
Hope that it’s not to avoid changing themselves.
Hope that their choice will lead them
To the betterment of themselves.

They’re so busy growing up,
Chasing their dreams —
Praying and believing that these things will last…
But they often forget
That they’re also growing old —
Old days and now it’s getting cold
And no more whispers of love are told.
Jun 2022 · 4.0k
Pahina
060522

Marahil salungat ang lahat sa ating pagsagwan
At baka sinasabi nilang
Naging iba na rin ang ating pamamaraan
Sa pagtuklas ng sining na buhat pa sa nakaraan.

Tila ba nais nila tayong patahimikin
Gamit ang mga balang kinimkim ng ating damdamin.
Hanggang sa tayo’y mabihag sa mga himig na iiba ang ritmo
Sa ninanais nating komposisyon.

Bagamat ito ang landas na payak para sa nakararami —
Ang landas na ang lahat ay handa nang tumaya't sumugal
Ngunit hindi, hindi pala ito para sa ating lahat —
At masasabi nating iba ang sinisigaw ng pulso nati't kaluluwa.

Sa mga pahinang ginuguhitan ng iba't ibang tinta'y
Tanging tayo lamang ang higit na may kakayahang kilatisin
Ang bawat guhit sa ating mga palad
At ang mga mantiyang hindi natin mawari sa simula
Kung saan ba ang pinanggalingan ng mga ito.

At sa muling pagdungaw natin
Sa sisidlan ng ating mga kaluluwa’y
Mahahanap din natin ang mga kasagutan
Sa pakikipag tagu-taguan natin sa mga lunas
Habang makakapal pa ang mga ulap na ating pilit na hinahawi.

Marahil nasisilayan nila tayo sa lente
Kung saan sila'y nakamulat na
Habang tayo'y kumakapa pa sa dilim —
At ang sinasabi nilang gintong mga salita'y
Nagmistulang mga malalaking batong balakid
Patungo sa liwanag at kalayaan
Na nais nating tuklasin nang mag-isa.

Marahil hindi nila tayo maintindihan
Sa mga oras na ang lahat ay abala
Sa pagsuong ng kanya-kanyang mga bangkang papel
Patungo sa tubig na dulot ng di kanais-nais na panahon.

At walang sinuman ang may kagustuhang maguho
Ang binubuo nating larawan sa ating mga isipan
Habang tayo'y pinagmamasdan ng  mapanghusgang lipunan
Kaya tayo'y tumitiklop sa halip na bumabangon nang kusa.

Gayunpaman, kalakip ng ating pagtalikod
Sa samu’t saring mga palamuting
Makinang pa sa ating mga kasuota’y
Doon pala natin maihihimlay ang sarili
Sa rurok na dati’y atin lamang na sinisilip at tinitingala.

Hubad ang ating mga pagkatao
Kung saan ang ating tinig ay hayagang mamaniubrahin
Ang mga kalansay ng kahapong humila sa atin pailalim
Habang tayo'y pansamantalang naging libingan
Ng mga baon nating kadilimang araw-araw nating hinihimay.

Ang ating pagsambit ng mga katagang
Tayo lamang ang nakaiintindi
Ay isa na palang patandaan
Na tayo'y dahan-dahan nang nakakaahon.

Bagamat walang hiyaw na sumasabay sa nais nating tagumpay,
Walang aninong nagbibigay-tulong
Sa bawat kahong ating binubuksan
Ngunit patuloy pa rin tayong papadyak at magpepedal.

Patuloy tayong lilipad higit pa sa ating mga imahinasyon
Kahit tayo mismo’y walang kamalay-malay
Kung saan tayo kayang tangayin
Ng mga saranggola ng kahapon at ngayon
Na ating kusang-loob na inialay na sa himpapawid at kalangitan.

At kung ang pagsagwan man nati’y salungat sa nakararami,
Ay patuloy pa rin tayong magtataya para sa ating mga sarili.
Patuloy na hahakbang at magpapasala sa umaalab na apoy,
At baka sakaling sa paulit-ulit na pagsubok nati’y
Ito na ang maging simula ng muli nating paglipad.

Maubusan man ng balahibo ang ating mga pakpak
Ay walang sawa tayong magbabalik sa simula —
Sa simula kung saan ang pag-asa
Ay tila ba kurtina sa ating mga mata
At waring nag-iisang diyamanteng kumikinang
Na handa nang igawad sa atin ng panahon.

Kung ito ang hamon sa larong alay ng tadhana'y
Tayo mismo ang kusang mag-aalis sa puwing sa ating mga paningin.
Magbibihis tayo hindi gamit ang lumang mga kasuotan
At gagayak na tila ba hindi tayo nasugatan
Buhat sa giyerang ating pinanggalingan.

Bagamat ang mga sugat sa ating katauha'y hindi natin maikukubli,
Ngunit ang mga ito'y magsisilbing baluti't tanda
Ng ating hayagang pagsambit
Na tayo'y nanatiling matatag
Pagkat pinili natin ang pag-ahon kaysa sa pagkalunod.

At hindi tayo mahihiyang tumapak sa papag
Kung saan tayo nagsimulang mag-ipon ng pangarap,
Kung saan ang ating lakas at inspirasyon
Ay buhat sa mga Letrang mahiwaga't makapangyarihan.

Sa mga oras na tila ba mabigat na ng lahat
Ay wala tayong natirang ibang armas kundi ang pagluhod.
At marahil sa ganitong paraan di’y
Mananatili tayong mapagkumbaba.

Muli man tayong nabasag at walang ni isang pumulot
Sa mga pira-pirasong kaytagal nating pinagsikapang mabuo’t pahalagahan.
At ang dugo’t pawis na hindi natin masukat
Sa babasaging garapon ng ating mga palad
Ay nagmistulang gantimpala sa atin ng Kataas-taasan.

Ito na marahil ang Kanyang hayagang paghikayat
Na kaya pa rin pala tayong akayin ng Kanyang mga Pangako
Patungo sa milagrong kaya pang lumipad ng eroplanong papel
Na minsang ginula-gulanit na ng kahapon.

Ang bawat Pangakong iginuguhit Nya sa ating mga puso
Ay higit pa na umaalab sa tuwing dumaraan tayo sa pagsubok.
Dito natin nakikilatis kung sino ba talaga tayo
At kung ano ba ang dahilan ng ating paghinga
Pagkat hindi pa rin tayo humahantong
Sa hindi natin muling pagmulat.

At kailanma’y hindi mauubos
At hindi mapapa-walang bisa ang mga ito
Ng mga ideolohiyang isinaboy ng sansinukob
At sapilitang isiunusubo sa atin
Hanggang sa hindi na tayo mauhaw at magutom pa sa Katotohanan.

Ang ating mga luha’y hindi lang basta-bastang dumaloy
Ngunit tayo’y inanod ng ating kalungkutan,
Ng ating hinagpis at walang katapusang mga katanungan
Patungo sa karagatang muli sa ating nagbigay-buhay.

Tila ba tayo’y muling binasbasan
Na higit pa sa mga tilamsik ng magagaan na butil ng ulan.
Na wala na pala tayong ibang dapat na patunayan.
At bagamat, napagod man tayo ngunit hindi ito ang naging mitsa
Ng ating pagtalikod sa Una nating sinumpaan.

At patuloy pa rin nating nanaising bigkasin
Nang walang bahid ng pagdududa’t pagkukunwari
Gamit ang ating mga palad at ang pintig ng ating mga puso’t damdamin
Ang pinakamagandang leksyon at mensaheng
Nagmistulang medalya ng bawat pahina ng panahon.

At mawawalan na tayo ng dahilan para magduda pa
Kung ano nga ba ang magiging katapusan
Pagkat ang tanging paksa ng ating paghimbing sa mga letra’y
Ang pag-asang darating din ang ating Tagapagligtas.

Ang ating pagyukod
At pagbaling ng tingin sa blangkong pahina’y
Isa palang pagsulyap sa kinabukasang
Makinang pa sa kung ano ang natatamasa natin sa ngayon.

At sa ating pag-angat hindi lamang para sa sarili
Ay 'di natin nararapat na malimutan ang dahilan
Kung bakit nais nating lumipad
At marating ang dulo ng pahina ng sarili nating mga kwento.
May 2022 · 1.2k
Pluma’t Papel
051922

Sa loob ng ilang taong paghabi ng mga tula’y
Nagsilbi pala itong aking pahingahan.
At sa pagpili kong isantabi nang pansamantala
Ang pag-ibig ko sa pluma’t papel
Ay unti-unti rin palang gumuho
Ang mga pader na naging proteksyon ko
Laban sa mga kumunoy ng aking damdamin.

Sabi ng iilan,
Gusto nila ng kalayaan —
Ngunit naiiba ata ang aking kagustuhan.
Pagkat mas ninanais ko pang
Punuan nang matataas na pader ang sarili kong bakuran.

Siguro nga, tama sila
Na takot akong buksan ang aking pintuan.
Siguro nga, ayokong sinu-sino lamang
Ang daraan sa aking paningin.
At baka sila mismo ang magtirik ng kandila
Para sa paghimlay ng aking mga pangarap
Na nais ko pang makamit at maibahagi.

Naisip ko biglang —
Wala naman palang masama
Sa pagtakip natin sa ating mga sarili.
Pagkat kung ang sinasabi nilang pagtago
Ay palatandaan ng kaduwagan at pagiging makasarili'y
Baka araw-araw na rin tayong nagugulantang
Sa mga nakahanay na mga kalansay at mga bangkay
Sa ating mga pintuang pinangangalagaan.

Ang bawat nilalang
Ay may sari-sariling paraan
Sa pag-abot ng kani-kanilang pangarap.
At ang bawat katauhan di’y
May iba’t ibang paksang ipinaglalaban
At patuloy na pinaninindigan.

Kung ang mga pader nati’y
Hahayaan na lamang nating matibag nang basta-basta’y
Tila ba tinalikuran na rin natin ang ating mga sarili.
Pagkat ito’y hayagang kataksilan
Sa ating mga mga sinusungkit pa lamang
Na pangarap na mga bituin.

At kung minsang mapadpad na tayo
Sa pampang ng ating paglisan,
Ay tayo na rin sana ang kusang maging taya
At patuloy na lumaban at manindigan.
Para rin ito sa atin,
Para sa sariling kaligtasan
Laban sa walang pasintabing pagkukutya
Ng mga dayuhan sa ating mga balintataw.

Sana'y kusang-loob tayong magsisipagbalikan
Kung saan natin naiwan at naisantabi
Ang apoy ng ating pag-irog sa ating mga adhikain.
At kung pluma’t papel muli ang magsisilbing armas
Para sa muli nating pagkabuhay,
Ay patuloy rin tayong makikiindak
Sa bawat letra’t magpapatangay sa mga ideolohiyang
Kusang nagtitilamsikan buhat sa ating mga pagkatao.

At hindi tayo magpapadaig at magpapatalo
Sa mga ekstrangherong walang ibang ninais
Kundi yurakan ang ating pagtingin sa ating mga sarili’t
Sila mismo ang gagapos sa ating mga kamay
Upang hindi na muling  makapagpahinga
Sa piling ng ating mga pluma’t papel.
May 2022 · 4.6k
Pilipinas, Mahal Pa Rin Kita
051022

At sumapit na nga araw ng paghuhusga
Kung saan hindi na pulso ng taumbayan
Ang ating sisiyasatin
Kundi ang puso ng bawat Pilipinong
Sumasambit ng “Mahal ko ang Pilipinas.”

Sabi ng iilan,
“Mahirap raw mahalin ang Pilipinas”
Iniisip ko nga paminsan,
Sapat na nga ba ang pagiging makabayan?

Sapat ba?
Ang panunumpa ng bawat Juan sa watawat
Na ayaw sana nating dungisan
Ngunit tayu-tayo rin ang nagwawasto
Sa paningin nating madayang pagpili
Ng lipunang ating ilang beses nang sinumpaan.

Kung hindi ako naniniwala sa Poong Maykapal,
Ay baka hindi ko rin maititikom ang talas ng aking dila
At walang himpil ding tatalak na walang pinipiling katauhan
Buhat sa makamandag na bugso ng aking damdamin.
At marahil ay sasabihin ko na lamang
Na ito ay isang paraan ng pagtindig para sa saking Bansa
Na may demokratikong pamamalakad.

Ngunit sa kabilang banda’y
Binabaling ko na lamang ang paghuhusga
Sa tunay ngang nasa tronong
Hindi na kailangang luklukin pa.

At naniniwala pa rin akong
Ang pag-asa ay hindi natin maaaring itaya
Sa sarili nating mga palad
Na kalauna’y mapupuno rin ng mga kalyo’t
Babalik din lamang sa alikabok.

Ano pa nga ba ang ating ipinaglalaban?
Sino nga ba ang tunay nating kalaban?
At para kanino nga ba tayo naninindigan?

Baka sa kasisigaw nati’y
Hindi lamang boses ang mawala sa atin,
Maaring nakawin din ang ating mga lakas at oras
Na sana’y ibinabaling natin
Sa pagpapalaganap ng natatanging katotohanang
Buhay ang ating Panginoong Hesus
At ang magandang balita’y
Nakadikit sa kanyang Ngalan.

Sinasabi kasi nating naghihinagpis ang ating mga kababayan
Kaya tayo na lamang ang magsisilbing mga boses para sa kanila.
Minsan nga'y nananatili na tayong hangal
Pagkat sa sariling dunong, doon lamang tayo nakaangkla.
Ngunit hanggang kailan ba matatapos
Ang sinasabi nating pakikibaka para sa mga nasa laylayan?
At ano nga ba ang dulo ng bawat hiningang napapagal na?

Sana hindi tayo tumigil sa paraang alam lamang natin,
Sana mahanap natin ang ating mga sariling
Nananatiling may pananampalataya
Sa Diyos na Syang may lalang sa sanlibutan.

Sana wag na tayong mag-alinlangan pang lumukso
Sa kung saan nga ba tayo pinasusuong ng Maykapal
At sana mahanap natin ang halaga natin
Sa presensya Nyang kayang pumuno ng bawat kakulangan.

At dito na rin ako pansamantalang magtatapos —
Pilipinas, gumising nang may pag-asa
Pagkat hindi natutulog ang ating Diyos!
Pilipinas, mahal kita at mas mamahalin pa
At patuloy kitang ipaglalaban
Hindi gamit ang mga armas
Na syang panukso't patibong ng mundo,
Titindig ako sa kadahilanang hindi lamang ako isang Pilipino —
Titindig ako para kay Hesus na aking pinaniniwalaan!
Salamat Ama, Sa'yo pa rin ang aming Bayan.
031222 #2:02AM

What if today’s my last day?
Then I would share about You
To every people I meet
And I would testify how You have saved me.

I would go to the people
You want to send me
And tell them what You wanna tell them
And I will be unashamed
As what You have called me to be.

What if it’s my last breath?
Then I would breathe singing how great You are
I would no longer beg You to save me
From what’s in this world
But I will entrust You, my soul.
I will let go and tell You
That I commit my spirit.

And if it’s my last poem to write
Then I would no longer utter my desires
But I will let You use my hands
To speak the truth
And how You wanted to save everyone
From the burning furnace of eternal fire
But to welcome them in Your Kingdom
Where there will no longer be tears
There will be no pain
And even death is gain
Because You are the anthem of our soul.

If saying goodbye today
Means my full surrender to You,
Then I would lay my burdens down
And entrust you my longing heart.

If to welcome You means
To destroy every stronghold that surrounds me
Then I would allow Your fire to consume me
And to check my heart in every test that You allow.

And if today I’m gonna see You,
Oh Lord, please accept my spirit
Accept me in Your Kingdom.

But now that I still have a breath of life,
Then allow me to align myself
In the movement and revolution
Of the pouring of Your Holy Spirit.

Let me speak even in the chains of my insecurities
And find myself secured in the realm of Your presence
Let Your holiness show me
That I am nothing without You.

Let me experience
How is it to become a vessel of Your goodness
And to ensure the pain that You allowed
To manifest Your power in my weakness
And make others witness
That You are the God who will save me.

And may I fight this battle
With full trust in You alone
And to believe that You will make a way
And You have the last Word,
You have the final say, oh Lord.

And You are not just Jesus,
You are my God, my Savior
And You are my Hope.
Thank You, Jesus Christ.
Apr 2022 · 6.2k
Pilipinas Kong Mahal
042522

Sasapit na naman ang pinakahihintay na araw,
At hindi ito mananatiling sagrado magpakailanman.
Lahat ay mabibigyan ng patas na paghuhusga
At mismong lipunan ang syang magpapasya.

Naririnig ko na ang sigawan sa bawat dako ng gintong kompas
Kung saan ang kanilang hiyawa'y pagkakawatak-watak.
Iba't ibang ideolohiya sa demokratikong bansa
Kailan nga ba matatamasa ang tunay na pagkakaisa?

Sa bawat kulay na sinasabi nilang ito raw ang bukas
Ay ito rin ang gumuguhit sa kasaysayang tayo na't makibaka.
Kaya nga nating kulayan ang ating pagdikta
Ngunit sa ganitong paraan nga lang ba tayo kakalma?

Sa tuwing may mauupo sa trono na kataas-taasan,
Paano nga ba ang ating pagtindig
Para sa sinasabing mahal na bayan?

Pilipinas nga ba ang ating pinipili?
O kung saan lamang tayo kampante
Habang nananatiling namamaypay
At abala sa kabi-kabilang pag-uusig.

Iniisip nating tayo'y tunay ngang nasa laylayan na,
Ngunit ito nga ba ang kapeng gumigising
Sa dugo nating makabayan?
At sapat ba ang ating paghiyaw
Na walang hinihinging basbas mula sa Itaas?
Mga bibig natin, paminsan nga'y
Puno lamang ng mga palatastas.

Sapat ba na tayo-tayo na lamang
Ang naghihilaan pababa't paitaas?
Pagkat mismong pananampalataya'y
Nadudungisan ng walang katapusang pagkawatak-watak.

Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan --
Ikaw ang bansang hinirang ng Pagkataas-taasan.
Panatang makabayan, iniibig ko ang Pilipinas --
Sana'y mapaninidigan kita't
Hanggang sa huli'y maipaglaban
Pagkat maging aking hininga'y
Pansamantalata't pahiram lamang.

At hindi ito lotto o binggo,
Hindi tayo nagtataya nang kung sinu-sino.
Ngunit kung sinuman
Ang maging huling sigaw ng bawat Pilipino
Sana tayo pa ri'y magkaisa
Para sa dangal na nais nating isulong.

Ating pagkatandaan na kahit noon pa ma'y
May iisang hindi tayo tinalikuran,
Iisang Pangalan na may hawak ng bawat kapalaran
Higit pa sa bawat kulay na ating tinatayaan --
At Hesus ang Kanyang Ngalan!
Bangon Pilipinas!
Feb 2022 · 280
New Mountains, New Heights
020722

Lord, may I always see that You are with me
And that on every mountain that I climb,
I am climbing with You.
And You have never left me nor forsaken me.

And I will climb this mountain in humility before You
As I walk carefully on the path that You had before me.
Let me look up to You as I rely on every Word that You say
Oh, pour Your Spirit so sweet and refreshing to me.

Lord, forgive my doubts and my fear of heights.
If I fear because I’m already out of my comfort zones;
If I fear because I think I cannot make it.
And if I fear because it’s so, so new to me.

Lord, I pray that as I see new but great heights,
I will realize that it is Your new thing to me.
This is Your new way to increase my faith
By showing me what You can constantly do in my life.
And You can do more
And I am just a witness of all that You can do.

As I climb this mountain,
I am a witness to the good view
That You’ve been showing me.
Every view will be beautiful
Because I am with You
And I should not be afraid
Of the transitions of ups and downs.

I am secure even if I trip and fall.
And You will amaze me soon,
I can and I will declare that You are God
And that Your promises are true.

You are My God
Oh Jesus, thank You so much
That You call me by my name.

Apart from You, I can do nothing
And I am just as weak as I am.
But Lord, because the Words that I hear from the Bible
Come from Your mouth,
I know that I can rely upon those Words.
And those are not “empty words.”
Those words are alive and You are in it
And You live in me.

Oh Jesus Christ, what a beautiful Name.
It is not just a Name but it is You – everything is in You.
Protect me, Lord, and let Your will be done in my life.
Show me how and increase my discernment.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Feb 2022 · 264
29th Mountain
020122

I wait for my time to come
And in this season, I will put my hope in You.
You are the very anthem of my soul,
My strength in my drowning moments.

While the enemy call me by my sins,
You call me by my name.
You call me Yours forever
You’re my everlasting Shelter and Peace.

Your Love for me flows within me,
My weak bones rely on You.
Your Voice becomes my direction,
Your hands guide me to the Light.

I wait in praise of Your Name,
I am nothing without You, Jesus.
Let Your Words be engraved in my heart
May I not sin against You.

Let Your righteousness overflow in me,
Let fear in the Lord be instilled within me.
Let me understand Your thoughts,
Let me submit in Your ways.

Help me overcome every Mountain,
And deliver me from those who plot against me.
May I speak only Your glory,
And may I stand before you in humility.
Jan 2022 · 239
I Will Still Believe
012922

Everywhere is a trap
Rages of fire against me,
Taunting me and haunting me,
Everywhere I go,
Enemies surround me.

I look up at the Sky
For it’s the only place I can hide.
I look up with my heart out,
With this heavy feeling, I surrender.

Invisible in my eyes
And yet I continue to believe
And I won’t stop believing
That my God will rescue me.

My soul may be devoured for now
But I will be set free
Their bows they will let go,
Their arrows will not touch me.

The threats they speak against us
Are made known to my Master
I will never back down
Because my God is with me.
Jan 2022 · 229
So Close Transformation
011222


Oh, wonderful Counselor
My soul cries for help
And You hear my plea
You answer my desperate call.

My enemies will flee and tremble
For You are with me.
You are my shield, my rock
You are my foundation
And my only hope.

You store my tears
And when I’m tired,
You give me rest
So I can sleep.

Oh Lord, You deserve the glory
My enemies will become my friends
And the favor shall bless all of us.

My heart is ready to forgive
And is willing to change
Wherever direction You lead me to.

I’ve witnessed a transformation
From day to day,
You hold me in Your arms
And I am not simply comforted,
But I am also secure.

Oh for long sleepless nights,
I can now rest and have peace
Because my God is my shelter
My stronghold and strong tower.
Nov 2021 · 873
Mga Luha’t Libingan
Kung kaya lang nating saluhin ang bawat hinagpis,
Ang bawat sentimong
Tinutunaw ng humahagulgol na kalangitan.
At kung kaya lang natin syang sabayan
Sa mga gabing tinutukso na sya ng antok,
Tinutuklaw papalayo sa nais nyang direksyon.

Ngunit hindi sya magpapaubaya’t
Mananatili syang gising
Na parang naghihintay ng panibagong panimula —
Ng bagong punlang ihahasik at ihahabilin sa kanya
Ng tinuturing nyang “mahiwaga.”

At balang araw ay darating ang kanyang gantimpala,
Pagkat walang ibang naging saksi
Sa bawat butil na isinisilang
Na sya mismo ang nakikiramay.

At sa bawat burol
Ay nauubusan na rin sya ng dahilan
Sa kanyang pagtatago at pakikipaghabulan.
Pagkat sya na rin mismo ang nagiging libingan
Ngunit sya’y tatahan at maghahanap ng tahanan.

Patuloy ang kanyang panlilimos,
Patuloy ang kanyang pagkauhaw,
Ngunit patuloy din syang umaahon —
Yayakapin ang sarili’t tatahan.
Nov 2021 · 752
Aisle
Lilisanin ko ang sarili
Madatnan lamang ang espasyo
Kung saan tayo’y magtatagpo’t magtatapat —
Magtatapat ng ating mga pangakong
Kailanma’y hindi nanaising mapako.

Ang bawat hakbang
Ay magsisilbing aking pagpupunla
Hindi lamang ng aking wagas na pag-ibig
At dalisay na pananampalatang
Kakayanin natin ang mga susunod pang dekada,
Mga dekadang sabay na mamumuti
Ang ating mga buhok
At sabay na malalagas
Patungo kung saan man tayo nagmula.

Wala akong ibang nais na masilayan
Kundi ang mga mata **** sining sa aking paningin.
Ang ngiti **** sana’y manatiling
Matatamis na alaalang
Ikaw at ikaw pa rin ang aking pipiliin.

At sa mga oras na ang mga pahina na ng kalendaryo
Ang kusang magpatangay sa hangi’y
Nanaisin ko pa ring manatili
Sa mga akap **** pinili kong maging kanlungan
At ang magiging sigaw ng aking puso’t damdami’y
Papuri sa Unang Umibig sa atin
Bago pa man mag-krus ang ating mga landas.
Nov 2021 · 715
Mga Puwang at Patlang
111921

May mga gabing kukuha tayo ng pluma’t
Kakatha ng mga himig sa ating isipang
Itinuturing nating mga bala’t sandata
Laban sa mga nanghihimasok na mga ideolohiyang
Kumikitil sa ating nag-aalab na mga pangarap.

At may mga gabing
Isusulsi pa rin natin nang magdamagan
Ang mga alaalang pinunit ng kasaysayan.
At siguro nga’y wala na rin tayong
Ibang kuwentong maiaambag pa.
Marahil ang lahat ay maging tuldok
Bilang panimula’t pangwakas.

Kusa ang ating pagtiklop
Bagama’t manhid na tayo
Sa malamig na pag-ihip at pagsipol
Ng bumubugang panahon.

At maghahagilap pa rin tayo ng dahilan
Sa bawat puwang, sa bawat patlang
Na bumabalandra sa ating harapan
Sa bawat pagkabit sa araw
Na parang mga parol pagsapit ng kapaskuhan.

At siguro nga’y magugulat tayo
Sa paparating na sorpresa
Na hindi na tadhana ang may akda.
Na baka bukas o sa makalawa’y
Ibang lenggwahe na ang ating binibigkas
At ang ating mga kasuota’y
Mapupuno ng mga palamuting
Pinili at tunay ngang may basbas.
Nov 2021 · 974
Kalong
110621

Noong bata pa ako'y
Saba-sabay kaming mag-uunahan
Sa pagsalubong kay Inay.
Yayakap at magmamano sa kanya,
Sabay uupo ang nauna sa laylayan ng kanyang palda
Habang syang namamahinga sa lumang upuang
Yari pa sa Narra.

Ni minsa'y hindi ko naisip
Na ang pagkalong ni Inay
Ay may katumbas pala sa aking paglaki.
Marahil bata pa nga talaga kami noon,
At wala kaming ibang inatupag
Kundi ang pag-aaral at paglalaro.

Ilang taon na ang lumipas
At malapit na rin ang araw
Na ako mismo'y lalayag sa sarili kong bangka.
At hindi na ito laru-laro lamang,
Pagkat sa bawat pasyang aking susuungin
Ay iba na ang aking kasama.

Sabi nya nga sa akin,
Handa na syang akayin ako.
Hindi lamang sa kanyang mga bisig
Pero maging mga responsibilidad
Na itatangan ng panahon at tadhana sa kanya.

Ganito pala ang pag-ibig,
Kung saan handa tayong humakbang nang humakbang pa.
Hindi tayo maaaring huminto dahil tayo'y pagod na.
At alam ko, sa tamang panaho'y
Handa na naming kalungin ang isa't isa.
You take the glory from this —
From every beatific happiness of heaven,
As the Sun leaves her nest from above
Stretching her breath towards the evolving darkness.

And despite the delay of time,
While the mindful wind spells her madness
As if she’s blowing an occasional candlestick;
The tree did not surrender her promise at all.

And that is to keep everyone so, so still…
And she’s like a mother who’s afraid to lose her child,
Who tries to protect her precious one at all costs,
Who tries to save a life more than hers.

You take the glory from this —
The formation of every rock
That falls exactly to their perfect places,
As Your voice sprouts hymns of creations
Of every beautiful kind…
Oh, in Your eyes, these are all beautiful.

And whenever we lose our grip,
Whenever we surrender our pure selves
Into the deepest ocean to let ourselves die,
You command Grace to come to rescue us.

And take hold of us,
To contain and consume us in a vessel
Where only You can truly feel the longing of our hearts.
And then put a new spirit in us…
And breathe a new fire on us —
A new breed of hope anchored to Your core.

So even an ember can call the soldiers of the heaven
To rally against our raging darkest thoughts
To break the walls that we continue to allow to get higher
As we also try to take the rest of the steps of our pursuit…
And yet failed ourselves by doing things on our own.

You take the glory from this —
From the gigantic waves welcoming us
Even before our feet kissed the sparkling sands.
The coarse-textured the salted waters
Making us the only remainder
Of this beautiful equation of our own stories,
Of sailing beyond the hidden horizons
And riding the tides as we spread our wings in motion.

And even before our arms collide and bid goodbye
To the sun who brought us home
And call it peace when we’re in Your sweetest embrace,
We remain in awe of You —
For everything speaks about You
And defines Your grandeur
In the middle of the night and day.

And as we continue to ponder the days,
We can’t deny the fact
That You’ll still be and will always be
The most beautiful
And the most precious among them all.
Nov 2021 · 796
Palimos ng Patawad
110221

Bakit nga ba pilit nating sinusugatan ang ating mga kamay?
At hinahayaan nating ang ating dugo'y masayang
Sa pagluha nito, hanggang sa maubusan na rin tayo ng hininga.

Ikinukubli pa rin nating ang ating mga sarili
Sa garapon ng ating pagkataong
Kailanma'y walang ibang magbubukas ng sagradong pintuan
Kundi tayo't tayo pa rin naman.

At paulit-ulit tayong humihinga sa ilalim ng makakapal na ulap
At sabay na lalanghap ng umuusok na pangambang
Ibinalot sa apoy na lagim ang tanging ipinupunla
Sa ating mga pusong wala pa noong kamalay-malay.

Tinutukso tayo ng mga sitwasyon upang tayo'y magpaubaya
At magpa-anod na lamang sa mga kumunoy na hihila sa atin pababa.
Ang ating mga halakhakan noong kabataan
Ay mga pangarap na sabay na iginuhit sa buhanginan
Ay tuluyan nang binura ng dagat na tila walang pakiramdam.

Gustuhin man nating umahon nang sabay
Ay kailangan may isa sa ating unang bumitaw at unang umahon.
Hindi na nga natin kayang sumabay sa isa't isa
Ngunit sana'y ang nasa unahan,
Siya rin ang unang mag-abot ng kanyang kamay
Para sa isang nalulunod pa.

Napapagod ako ngunit matapang kong hinaharap
Ang mga pagkakataon bagamat wala akong kasiguraduhan.
At sana sa panahong panatag na ang mga pusong
Naligaw sa sariling mga pasya't pangarap
Ay masilayan nating muli ang pagtahan ng mga matang
Buong buhay na lumuluha't nanlilimos ng pagpapatawad.
Oct 2021 · 2.3k
Husgado
070221

Kung gaano kalayo ang silangan sa kanluran
Ay gayundin nya inalis sa atin ang ating mga kasalanan.

Para sa mga taong akala nilang mag isa silang lumalaban
Sa mga taong tumatakbo’t napapatid ng kadiliman
Sa mga taong naghahagilap ng katotohan.

Sino nga ang ba ang tunay na saksi ng ating mga kamalian?
Tayo ba’y tinutulak ng mundo papalayo sa liwanag?
O tayo yung nananatiling tapat sa kabila ng mga kaguluhan?

Marahan ang pag ihip ng hangin kung saan tayo’y patungo sa mga bituin
Ngunit ang araw ay sasapit na ang Liwanag ay bubulag
Sa harapan at walang pasabi na Sya ay darating.

At kahit pa anong gawin natin sa mundong patikim lamang,
Sana alam natin kung saan nga ba tayo nakatingin
Pagkat tumatakbo tayo papalayo, naghihilaan pababa at pataas.

Kailan ba tayo mananahimik at kusang magpaubaya ng lakas?
Nang ang lahat ng ating alinlangan, sana’y makaya nating mawaksian
Pagkat sa nalalabing mga oras, tayo ri’y mahuhusgahan.
Oct 2021 · 1.3k
Riles
Ayoko na lamang bilangin ang mga oras
Na nasisinagan pa tayo ng araw,
Maghahabulan at magtatampisaw na parang mga basang sisiw
Sa hubad na kalsadang naunang pagalitan ng langit.

Naaalala ko pa noong elementarya'y
Sabay tayong papasok sa eskwela
Matapos humigop ng mainit na sopas ni Nanay.
At minsan nga'y nakalilimutan nyang hanguin ito nang maaga
Kaya matapos nating kumain ay sabay rin tayong magtatawanan
At maglalaro ng "tag-tagan" patungo sa kanto sa sakayan.

Hindi ba't pumupunta pa nga tayo sa may bandang iskwater,
Makapaglaro lang ng pitsaw sa dati nating mga kaklase?
Nagagalit kasi si Nanay kapag sa bahay natin sila niyayaya
At magkakalat ang putik sa ating sahig
Kasi pati si Bantay ay nakisali sa paghuhukay.

Ilang beses din tayong naligo sa dagat
Kahit na ang sabi ni Tatay ay manginas muna tayo
Habang siya ay nasa laot pa.
Pero uuwi tayong mga basa at walang pang-ulam na pasalubong
Kaya muli tayong mapagagalitan
Kasi ang titigas daw ng mga ulo natin.

Hindi ba nahuli ako sa eskwela noon na nangongopya sa'yo?
Tapos sinabi mo sa titser na ikaw ang nangongopya at 'di ako?
Hindi ko kasi makalimutan yun
Kasi pag-uwi natin sa bahay, ako pa yung nagtampo sayo
Nung ikaw yung unang pumili sa doughnut na dala ni Tatay.

At nung gabing iyon, hindi ako tumabi sa'yong matulog
Ang sabi ko pa ay ayaw na kitang makita muli
Kasi naghalo-halo na yung nasa utak ko.
Pero alam mo ba, na sa mga oras na yun
Hindi ko talaga inaasahang seseryosohin mo yun.

Kaya noong maggising na lamang ako'y
Nagulat akong wala sila Nanay at Tatay
At si Aling Rosing pa ang nagsabi sa'kin
Kung ano ang mga nangyari
At kung saan ako pupunta.

Sinabi ko na ngang ayoko na magbilang ng mga oras,
Pero heto pa rin ako...
At taon-taon akong nangungulila at nagsisisi.

Siguro nga kung hindi ako natulog agad
Ay baka may naggawa pa ako.
Siguro nga kung hindi ko sinabi ang mga iyon,
Ay hindi mo ring magagawang umalis.

At siguro nga kung hindi ako nagtampo'y
Wala naman talaga tayong pag-aawayan.
Hindi ka rin hahanapin nila Nanay sa gitna ng gabi
At hindi sila masasagasaan ng tren para iligtas ka lang.

Siguro nga, pero huli na ang lahat eh
Wala na kayong lahat at iniwan n'yo na 'kong mag-isa.
Sana sa huli kong pagbisita'y mawala na rin ang lahat ng bigat,
Mawala na ang pagkamuhi ko sa sarili ko,
Kasi pagod na ako...
Pagod na pagod na ako.
Oct 2021 · 455
Nature Does It For Me
Your rays are the strength on my dying bones,
And You cry the tears my eyes won’t shed.
101120

My heart feels the clouds —
So warm and yet so heavy
It’s as if I’m pondering
About the next visit of its bleeding.

I’m incomplete
With those, I’ve considered as variables
For a long time ago —
Devastated with lots of foolishness I entertain,
And I’m stuck with the utterance
Of who’s waving the white flag.

Without a single thought,
I mock myself over and over again.
Within my pillows,
I shed and saved so many tears
As if I’m gonna earn from it one day.

From time to time,
I check the beating of ng heart
If I’m still on the track
That once paved before me.

And I shiver
With those old pictures of yesterday
So old yet so new —
And I can feel my genuine gladness.
Oct 2021 · 515
Suko na Ako
020321

Sa likod ng mga palakpakan
At nag-aawitang mga tinig na hindi nagpapataasan,
Ay dumudungaw ang aking pangamba —
Ang takot kong nagmimitsang lisanin ko na ang lahat..

Gusto kong manahimik ang lahat —
At sa kabila ng mga nakasisindak na mga tinig,
Ay unti-unti kong hahagilapin ang liwanag,
Pagkat minsan, ako ri’y nabubulag
Sa kamangmangan ng mundo.
Oct 2021 · 231
Peace Within
111320

The waters roar
And yet they are kept in order
Under the shadow of the Beholder of Light,

The waters cease.
Many call one Name,
And many shout His Name.

But why do we need to come this far?
To let our voices run dry?
To taste the bitter tears?
And hear the clamor of the world?
Oct 2021 · 1.4k
Mga Simbolong Alaala
Mauubos na naman ang mga pahina ng kalendaryo,
Sabay-sabay nating pupunitin
Kalakip ang bawat pangakong
Akala nating matutupad sa kasalukuyan.


Gayunpaman, ang lahat ng ating tinatamasa’y
Tunay ngang may iisang Tagapagbigay ng Biyaya..
Mag-iba man ang anyo ng Kanyang pag-ibig,
Mag-iba man ang ihip ng hangin,
Maging mitsa man ang mga delubyo
Ng saklolo sa pawang dalampasigan at kabundukan,
Ay Hindi pa rin titigil ang ating pagsamba.

Naubos na ang mga taong nagsasabit ng parol
Sa kani-kanilang tahana’y
Patuloy pa rin ang ating pananampalatayang
Matatamasa natin ang mga pangako Niyang
Gaya ng mga bituing
Pahiwatig Nya Kay Abraham.

Ang bahaghari na naging simbolo ng iba’y
May iisa pa ring pangakong ibinabandera
Sa mga totoong may pananampalataya.
Tayo'y nagpapalit-anyo
Sa bawat pagsipat ng mga pagsubok,
Sa bawat pagsirit ng mga tanikalang
Akala ng dilim ay tutupok sa ating mga lampara
Habang tayo’y naghihintay —
Naghihintay sa pagbabalik ng ating Hari
Na Siya ring kabiyak ng ating kabuuan.

Sa bawat araw na lumipas at lilipas pa’y
Wag nating kalimutang
Ito ang taong tayo’y nagpatuloy
Sa ating pakikibaka sa kadiliman.
At tayo’y patuloy na bumangon
Sa kabila ng mga nakatatalisod
Na paghuhukom ng mundo.
Oct 2021 · 1.5k
Nakaw
100921

Ilang beses pa ba tayong magpapaliguy-ligoy?
Pagkat sa pagitan ng paghahasik ng dilim
At sa pagsilang ng araw ay doon tayo magsisipag-sulpotan?

Hindi ba tayo mapapagod?
At hanggang kailan ba natin ito kayang ipagpatuloy?
Ganitong estado ng pamumuhay rin ba
Ang nais nating ipagmalaki't ipasa sa ating mga anak?

Pandemya nga lang ba?
O kahit hindi naman gipit
Ay ito na ang pamamaraan natin?
Kaninang madaling araw, may pumasok sa aming bakuran. Malakas ang buhos ng ulan kaya hindi ata namin namalayan. Wala man kayong nakuha ngayon, sana dumating kayo sa puntong hindi na maging madilim ang inyong mga paningin. Sana hindi mangyari sa inyo ang mga bagay na inyong kinasanayang gawin. Sana matuto rin kayong maging patas sa kabila ng hindi pagiging patas ng panahon. At tandan n'yo, hindi lang kayo ang hirap sa buhay.
Oct 2021 · 2.9k
Binhi
100521

Humihikab na naman ang kalawakan,
Natutulog ang mga bituing
Patay-sindi kung magparamdam.
At ang bagong-gising na buwan ay sumisigaw
Na parang mga pinag-samasamang alikabok
At syang isinaboy sa garapon ng buhay.

Kusang nagtutuklapan ang mga nakahilerang pader
Na pinino na parang mga buhangin sa dalampasigan.
Habang paisa-isang nagbabato ng galit
Ang mitikolosong likido na tumataboy
Sa mga ekstranghero ng sanlibutan.

Nagsisimula na ring gumapang ang pananim
Na ang binhi'y hiningahan ng kariktan.
At sa malalambot na mga ulap
Ay magtatapat ito ng kanyang paghanga.

Hinahawi na parang mga bagong pitas na rosas sa hardin
Ang bawat bungang muling ihahasik sa pagsapit ng dilim.
At sa ikalawang pagbangon ng binhing pinagmulan ng lahat
Ay masasaksihan ng bawat nilalang
Ang sinasabi nitong liwanag na bubulag sa lahat.
Oct 2021 · 947
Northern Billion Lights
100121

You are more than a billion lights
You shine the brightest among the rest,
Your light overcomes the darkness
And no darkness can ever halt Your existence.

You are the Light from the beginning
And 'til the end of death,
‘Til the end of times
And the latter unfolding of Your glory,
It is Your light that will remain.
John 1:1-5 (NIV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
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