Saturday, July 17, 2010

Majestic Mayon


For fifteen years, I lived in a valley where I had a view of the distant mountain ranges. Now, in the province where my family and I currently live, I see hills and mountains whenever I move around. I enjoy the view of the mountains and it's a blessing that I see them most of the time, even from afar. Yet, I've only climbed hills perhaps twice or thrice in my life.

My fascination for mountains was reflected even in my childhood drawings. I would draw two mountains, with the sun rising from the twin slopes. I would color them green and blue, but it puzzled me as to why mountains look blue from afar. Up to now, I still don't know why.

My experiences with mountains were not always pleasant. There was one embarrassing and frustrating experience I had back when I was in Grade 4. We were supposed to make a diorama, I think, for a Science project and I chose to make a miniature mountain out of dirt. On the day of submission, my mountain collapsed. I crumbled to pieces, and tears washed away my hopes for earning a good grade. I didn't know how to make a mountain.

That is why when I saw Mayon Volcano when our plane passed by before landing at the Legazpi Airport in Albay, I was speechless and frozen. I've seen Mayon Volcano in postcards but I never thought I would have the chance to see it face-to-face. The world's perfect cone and the Philippines' most active volcano has captured my heart.

After landing at the airport, I gazed at Mt. Mayon standing almost 8,000 ft from the ground. Clouds drifted by its side and tip, as smoke came out of its mouth. It stood majestically, unmoved and visible for all to see.

When darkness fell over the city, we climbed the nearby Lingnon Hill Nature Park to have a night view of Legazpi and its neighboring municipalities. After enjoying the view of the city lights, my companions and I set our sights once again to Mt. Mayon. Though it was dark, Mt. Mayon's silhouette was still clear. Glowing red cinders burst out of its crest. We kept muttering how beautiful the volcano is, how majestic it is, and how great its Creator is. For a moment, we stood still, basking in the quiet statement of the mountain: God created this beautiful mound, and it is a reflection of His power and grand design; He molded it by His own hands.

I don't know how to make a mountain, and I can never make a mountain. But I know God created this beautiful mountain.

For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry lands. Psalm 95:1-3

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Countdown to May 10 Election

On May 10, 2010, the Philippines will hold its first automated election for national and local positions including president, vice-president, senator, party list, house representative, governor, vice-governor, provincial board member, mayor, vice-mayor, and councilor.
This year, 50 million Filipinos are anticipated to vote, including the registered OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) scattered around the world. They will be voting in Philippine embassies in their host countries.
This election is crucial as issues of corruption continue to hound the present administration and it is this same issue that some presidential candidates promise they would put an end to once elected into office. Despite being called "the only Christian nation in Asia", the Philippines is now considered as one of the most corrupt countries around the world and one of the dangerous places for journalists.
This election is also interesting because an evangelist and pastor of one of the biggest Christian churches in the Philippines, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, is running for president. He also ran in 2004 but lost in an election that was marred by cheating as implied in the "Hello Garci" scandal. "Hello Garci" refers to the alleged wiretapped conversation about votes rigging between then sitting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcellano.
As the election approaches, let us pray for the following:
  • That the Filipino voters will seek and listen to God's direction regarding whom to vote and that they will vote according to their enlightened conscience and not be swayed merely by surveys or popular opinion.
  • That the PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan) machines which will be used for the counting, transmittal, and canvassing of election results will function normally.
  • That there will be no power outages during the elections and tranmittal of election returns. These past few months, parts of Metro Manila and Mindanao have been affected by brownouts.
  • That the voting public will be properly educated as to the new automated electoral process.
  • That any form of cheating will be thwarted.
  • That the candidates who were chosen by God and duly elected by the people will be proclaimed as winners by June 30, 2010.

For more information on the forthcoming election, visit www.comelec.gov.ph.