A poem by Eric Santillan.
Metamorphosis
I remember writing this for Father Roque Ferriols, my Philosophy professor who is known as the Father of Filipino Philosophy. I gave this to him during our oral exams. And we talked about this poem instead of talking about the thesis statements.
Whistling for Hope
When I was a young boy of six or seven years old, my dad taught me how to make a kite. He first taught me how to make what looked like a crossbow out of walis tingting, cover it with glue and attach plastic over it. Then he taught me how to tie the ends of the walis tingting with thread. He also taught me how to put plastic on the two ends of the kite for balance. The secret was attaching the thread and/or nylon string: it has to be attached strongly enough to withstand the winds but flexibly enough to allow for movement. He then gave me a used can of Alpine evaporated milk to wind the long thread.
Sheep Without a Shepherd
I got struck by the last phrase of the gospel today, “He had compassion over them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” What does this mean, to be sheep without a shepherd? It would probably mean being lost—the shepherd gives direction; he leads the sheep to wherever there is grass or wherever it is most safe. It probably means going around in circles— not knowing where to go, just letting your hunger take you to wherever there is food to eat, grass to graze. It would also mean being in constant danger. Being vulnerable to the elements— rain, fire, wind, wild animals, wolves.
Ang Gagamba (The Spider)
I wrote this several years ago, in the Jesuit Retreat House called Mirador, in Baguio City. I remember it was a gloomy afternoon, and was about to rain. I remember being awed by the doggedness of the spider. How could he continue building his web, knowing that it will probably just be washed out by the rains? Perhaps, he didn't know? Or perhaps he was just stubborn? Or maybe that's how spiders are.
10 Most Inspirational Videos (On YouTube)
Listing down the ten best/most inspirational videos is really just the beginning. I’m sure you know many many more. But I am listing these ten down to start the conversation. These, to me are the most inspirational videos in the world. Please suggest your own in the comments below and I might come up with … Continue reading 10 Most Inspirational Videos (On YouTube)
God’s Greatest Counteroffensive
I just love this first reading for this Sunday’s mass. It is the story of Ahaz, King of Judea, whose Kingdom is about to be attacked by Syria and Israel. Isaiah tells the king to ask Yahweh for a sign to show His faithfulness to Israel. What we do not know is that Ahaz was about to make an alliance with Assyria; and so when Isaiah visits him to ask for a sign, he’s really asking Ahaz to trust Yahweh and not human alliances like the one with Assyria.
Speechless
Several weeks ago, I got a call from two of my former students. Their dad died suddenly catching everyone by surprise. They flew in from Cebu early morning. I met them at the hospital and was there during the whole ordeal. This was what I wrote while all this was happening. I've always had some difficulty in front of pain and suffering. This was my way of expressing the frustration as well as the respect that I feel every time I face death.
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