CONDOMS

Condoms are said to protect people from getting the HIV/AIDS. But they are not actually bestsellers here in the country. Our men prefer to be unsheathed. Real sexual sensation is an aim, an intent.

Well, condoms work. So do information and campaigns. But not always. Why? Condoms are physical barriers. Knowledge and info are mental weapons. But we always miss the heart of man. His very spirit. That's the very place where change must begin. It's where the Word of God must touch and penetrate. If the heart of man/woman is circumcised through divine intervention, there will be hunger for holiness, something which condoms and campaigns can never cause to create in the heart of man.

MELAI

How would I describe Melisa Cantiveros, the Big Winner of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Double Up edition? Obviously she is not beautiful. Not much to look at. Her big curly hair, ugly teeth and mobile lips never escape me. Her motor mouth is often in sync with her facial expression and hand gestures. Refinement, elegance and polish. They're not found in this girl. But, she's got character. She's funny, crazy and over the top. Local showbiz now seems to cash in on her recent popularity. Melai should start acting wise. When projects start coming, saving money should be her top priority. People may soon get tired of her and her teeth. By the way, she reminds me of Elizabeth Ramsey.

NECKLACE (an original poem)

I will collect the stars
in the evening sky
and string them
using my heart strings.

I will make a pendant
out of the moon.
Every bead will be awashed
with the liquid fire of the hidden sun.

The night shall be the pouch
of this fantastic necklace.

Wear it around your neck
when you start falling from heaven.

GAYS

There are so many homosexuals we now see on local TV. Yes, they are talented. They are funny. They are entertaining. And seemingly they are everywhere. Children see them always on tv screens. It's a fact that children can easily copy other people's ways.

As a Christian I believe in good moral behavior. I believe in restraint in manners and speech. I believe in good old-fashioned modesty. Children's constant exposure to gay behavior and lifestyle may make them more accepting of people's differences. But let's add to acceptance firm and loving correction. What God says is wrong is wrong.

BEFORE VALENTINE'S DAY

Frantic lovers rush
to pin Cupid.
But I attach Nonchalance
to my heart.

They have red bows and red things
on things;
While I beribbon myself
with Indifference.

Wines, flowers, kisses, love-makings
are their thrills.
But such are frills.

To me and my beloved,
today is already
the day of love.

MUD

In political campaigns issues are never primary. Issues are raised. Then they eventually get blurred and unfortunately sink in the political mud. Ask supporters of their political candidate’s vision and platform and you hardly get substantial answers. (I admit. I too am guilty of this.) Ask them about the mud slung here and there. There will be quick responses. Political campaigns here in our country start off with grand slogans and intentions to serve people. Then the inevitable posturing and mud-slinging happen. And this is entertaining for many. Filipinos love to be entertained first. To be informed well is not first and foremost. Besides, people love posters. They remember the poster boy. But they forget the true issues because issues are often forgettable. Mud is memorable. Mud is part of the politics of politics.

QUITTER

If I were a politician running for office and I would find myself consistently lagging far behind surveys and polls, I would back out. Yes, this would make me a quitter. But this quitter is a wise quitter. It takes wisdom to discern the futility of running a race that is somehow not worth running...yet. It also takes humility to concede and bow out. This does not make me a defeatist at all. Pride and hunger for power usually push politicians to waste money on campaigns that are bound to fail. They are free to run though. But their foolhardiness would do the nation as a whole no good.

LOVE

Love is a boring subject for those who do not have much of it in their hearts. Love bores the hard-hearted. But to most of us who love Love, it is something tender and at the same time tough in its penetrating influence. Love is a delightful thing to define, to discuss and to share with others. Love comes to everybody. Consistent drops of it can break the stone. Since Love always prevails, the cynic is always subdued.