Rain, you are a blessing

I woke up with the sun gazing at me. Its scorching heat filled the room, and it makes me hostile. I can't take it anymore; it's killing me. As usual, we were experiencing a brown out. It's always like this, fervent and awful. I immediately went downstairs. I had no intention of eating, because all I could think of was air. I need air. My quest for searching for a fan was not successful. I tried and tried but to no avail. So, I sat lazily on our comfortable rocking chair, and I was tired of everything. I was just wishing and hoping and praying for rain to wash away my weary self.

Months passed and I found myself on the streets looking at the dark clouds up above. I smiled and said to myself, "It's going to rain!" As I said the words, rain spatters on my collar and I found myself soaked in it. With every drop, it was wonderful and very soothing.

Oh,if you've just seen my face, it's as if it was the first time I saw rain! I jumped and jumped for joy. The most awaited rain was finally here. It was really a blessing. It took away all the antagonistic feelings that I have. It filled me with hope.

Once more, our rice fields would be lush and green and there can be sufficient supply of rice. Once more, our fellow Filipinos would stop going crazy for water. They would be really happy, I'm sure! Once more, our dying trees and plants would be healthy because of rain. Once more, prices could decrease because rain is here! Rain is water and water is one of the most important things we need. All comes from water. Without it, we would not survive this earth. We would die from thirst. Water completes us.

Rain, rain, rain. Even if it makes me gloomy at times, it still refreshes me. As our previous principal often said, "The rain is God's way of cleaning the atmosphere." It takes away the things that are bad for us. It takes away our complaints about the sun and it soothes us. It also reminds us of our unmindful ways to Mother Earth. Let's be thankful to God for giving us rain to ease our pain. Let us be thankful for everything, because He completes us.

Good ol' Champorado

Let this rich Filipino chocolate rice porridge warm you during rainy days...

Ingredients:
12 cups of water
3 cups of glutinous rice
8 pieces of unsweetened tablea (chocolate tablets)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
fried danggit (dried rabbitfish)
fried dilis (dried long-jawed anchovies)
evaporated milk

Procedure:
1. In a saucepan, dissolve the tablea in one cup of water. Set aside.

2. In a separate casserole, on medium heat, combine the remaining cups of water and glutinous rice.

3. When it starts to boil, reduce heat to low and pour the dissolved tablea into the rice mixture.

4. Stir constantly to create a smooth consistency.

5. Add sugar according to your preference.

6. When the rice becomes translucent, the champorado is done.

7. Turn off the stove and serve the champorado in individual bowls while hot.

8. Drizzle with evaporated milk and serve with the dried fish.

*For a creamier version, you can substitute the evaporated milk with coconut milk.

Source: Mabuhay magazine, p. 54, July 2008

I hate and love you, Mr. Sun

Do you know that in the northern part of the world, some countries have no sunshine for 30 days?

Well, that is creepy.

Our country experienced drought for how many months. I have complained frequently, how hot the weather is, how itchy my skin is becoming, how I am sweating profoundly. In short, I have complained how the sun is killing me. Because of the sun, many of us got sick and eventually died.


Studies show that people living in tropical countries, or countries that has a hot climate, are happier than people living in countries that are cold. But in my own opinion, who wants the sun?

Now, as I look outside, the rain splashes to the ground. With every raindrop that fell on the ground, it was music to the ears. Meanwhile, the wind was scary. It sounded like someone was whispering to you, speaking with its soft, fading voice. The sounds of the gray morning were lifeless yet relaxing. It soothes me.

But then, I had a sudden feeling of longing for the chirping of the birds in our landlord’s garden, the longing for gazing at the immaculate, blue sky, the longing for being carefree and the longing of the scorching, shining rays of the golden sun.

Now that we are experiencing rains and all the dreariness, it would seem that I am missing the sun. As I look above, the sky is hiding behind the soft, cotton-like clouds and the sun is missing.

When I first experienced a typhoon, I thought that it would never last. I thought that the sun was forever gone. But I was wrong. It came back and behold, it made me happy and miserable.

I miss the sun. Even if, it tortures me everyday. Even if, it irritates me. Even if at times, I always complain and complain. I realized that the sun is a source of light. Without it, the world would be boring. The world would be soaked in inky blackness.

Do you believe in angels?

Because I do.

It all started when I was in Kindergarten, years and years ago. A distant memory, but as clear as if it only happened yesterday.

It was dismissal time at school, and everyone had gone home. I suddenly realized that I left my lunch box in our classroom. But I was terrified to go back alone, especially since it was very late in the afternoon. You know how every school has their own urban legends and ghost stories? Well, that was what filled my mind. I was little, and scared.

But I had no choice. I went back, shaking with fear. Praying. At last, I reached the classroom. When I opened the door, I saw them. Angels.

They were three of them in the room, tall and dazzling. Two were writing on scrolls of paper, while the other stood at the side. Their hair was a shimmering gold, their cheeks red, their wings taller than them. You know those old paintings of angels by famous painters, or those you see in churches? Well, it was as if they had stepped out of those paintings and were now standing right before me.

I stood breathless. But then I blinked, and then they were gone. Vanished.

Up until now, I am still wondering. Were they a figment of my overactive imagination, that because I was so scared my mind made it all up? Or did I really saw angels that day?

I could never know. I will never know. But all I know is that angels do exist, and I do believe in them.

Do you?

p.s. courtesy of Pauline. Thanks!