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by Philipina A. Marcelo
They always come in "threes", don't they? Them tragedies or celebrations. But these "May day" trio are all about celebrations... are celebrations all, big ones - HUGE! :) One touches that part in our being where love and hopeful cravings for romance resides, the other elevates us to the stratospheric heights of spiritual realms, and the last sweetly releases us from fear into relief and freedom from the clutches of terrorism. And they all feel good, they all taste sweet... they make us dream beautiful dreams.
***
Event 1. Sealed with "I will"
On the 29th of April, two days before "May Day", Prince William - second in line to the British throne - married his long-time lady love,
the comoner Catherine Middleton, or "Kate", in a lovely fairy tale wedding in the magical place that was the Westminster Abbey. At a time when unsavory news about the world economy and job scenarios all around the world, the deterioration of planet earth, and strongmen clinging to power at the expense of innocent lives, the fairy tale wedding, complete with the streets of London adorned with the colorful Royal crest and British flag, was indeed a welcome respite. Millions of people from all walks of life worldwide gathered around their TV sets or their computers to witness the unfolding of the Royal Wedding of William and Kate. Because they practically grew up in the public eye - subjects of mostly endearing photos with their late mother, Princess Diana, and later as young privileged lads of royalty stance who naturally radiated an aura of sincere warmth - many felt a joyful familiarity for the British Princes. And so, the
world waited in giddy anticipation for the duo of that dashing Prince with a captivating smile, Prince William, and his winsome younger brother, Prince Harry, to appear and march their way to the altar to wait for the woman destined to become Britain's new Royalty. It was indeed breathtaking when the brothers emerged from the vehicle that brought them to Westminster Abbey. The princes were in their respective military uniforms - William, in his Royal Colonel of Irish Guards uniform of red tunic, and Harry, in his Blues and Royals full regalia. Wearing their Grandmother's - Queen Elizabeth II's - Golden Jubilee Medals on their sashes, with William wearing his Wings of the Royal Air Force and Garter star on his uniform, and Harry wearing his Wings of the Army Air Corps and Afghanistan campaign medals on his, the brothers were every inch very princely indeed. Absolutely dashing! And every female on the face of the earth that was watching the event swooned to these two icons of modern British Royalty.Soon, the woman who was to become Prince William's wife arrived at the Westminster Abbey to walk down the aisle into the arms of his indeed very charming Prince. And she dazzled with her regal beauty, which was all the more enhanced by her simple but absolutely elegant dress and make up.
Everything about the way she carried herself in that momentous occasion befitted a truly modern royalty: beautiful and elegant with an intelligent and mature stance that were all worthy of fairy tale adulation, but modest and classy in her choice of "the dress" and accessories that a commoner could still identify with her. And so, the world embraced her even before she and her Prince sealed their royal union with the most solemn and, oh, so romantic, "I will". And when she and Prince William emerged as the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge from the Abbey, the world cheered their union with good wishes. And when they shared their love for each other to the world with their first public kiss as man and wife, the world blessed their union with great hopes for a wonderful life filled with love for each other and their future family!***
Event 2. Blessed is he...
On May 1, 2011, Pope John Paul II, the beloved Pope who visited the Philippines twice (and my University on both occasions) during his Papacy was beatified by the current Pontiff, His Holiness Benedict XVI, in a solemn ceremony at the Vatican. The Roman Catholic Church rejoiced as it honored the holy life of the charismatic man of God who led the Church for more than 26 years with love, compassion, wisdom... and an endearing sense of humor as well. And what a day it was for his beatification, too! "May Day", a day of
significance to many former communist countries in Western Europe, where Poland - the Pope's motherland - is one... a day also known worldwide as Labor Day, and celebrated by the Roman Catholic world as the Feast of the Divine Mercy, the worship of which Pope John Paul II taught us. A multi-lingual intellectual and artist, Pope John Paul II spread the message of love, peace and hope through his teachings and writings. With his charisma and heartfelt sincerity, he brought together people of different religions and political leanings to embrace love and caring for humanity. He championed the significant role of the youth in building a wonderful world of peace and understanding, bringing them together to join hands for this purpose. While I would rather celebrate my joy for his beatification in a more personal and private manner, I also join the Roman Catholic Church in celebrating his life and the beauty by which he led many of us in strengthening our relationship with God and for making the world a place of love and happiness.
Blessed Pope John Paul II, pray for us.
***
Event 3. "5/2/11"
And he met his end... the man who claimed to have designed the terror that rocked the world on September 11, 2001 met his end early morning of May 2, 2011. Ten years of living in terror, the world changed how it conducted itself. The man who spoke with calm and soft voice but clung to deadly weapons as he did so weaved fear and changed the world and how each person viewed another - with prejudice sometimes, with mistrust most of the
time. The world was forced into such a terrible change because of fear that 9/11 would repeat itself... the fear that this man had shrouded the world with. The early morning of May 2, 2011 heralded the news that Osama Bin Laden was killed in a ground strike conducted by the United States of America Navy Seals, not in some caves or wilderness in Afghanistan as many would expect, but in an affluent neighborhood close to the Capital of Pakistan. As soon as the US President, Barack Obama, announced the news in a short empathic speech, several places in the United States broke out to cheer and celebrate. While a few questions related to the turn of events that led to the elimination of the alleged 9/11 mastermind and its consequences needed to be answered still, most of the world smiled at the jubilant cheers of the Americans - released from fear at last. Relieved from great anxiety at last. And the world hoped that the relief lasts for a long, long time.
***
+Tale... Life is a gift
My father's birthday is the 29th of April. But we waited for May 1 to celebrate his 72nd birthday. Why? So, all of us could be present, May 1 being a Sunday. Second, so we all could watch as a family the
beatification of Pope John Paul II on TV. And so, we had another day of sweet bonding time as a family. Naturally, our father was very happy... he was pleasantly surprised to wake up from his Sunday nap to catch the beatification of Pope John Paul II - 3 PM, Manila time - with all of us there down to his great grandchildren, and with a large amount of food to share. :) As for all of us, we had fun time catching up, joking with one another, and seeing one of our favorite Roman Catholic Pontiffs elevated to Blessedness. Most of all, we were happy to celebrate another great year - a gift of life for our father. Our presence around his table on May Day is a reminder for him of this gift of life... may he enjoys it immensely for more years.***
++Tale... Footie May-lodrama
Just a quick update... both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid FC failed to add
another 3 points to their score tally in the Spanish La Liga as they fell in the hands of Real Sociedad (2-1) and Real Zaragoza (2-3), respectively, on the eve of May Day. Real Madrid's coach, José Mourinho, fielded a very different first 11 from that of their UEFA semi-final first leg match with the Catalans on Wednesday, and it curiously didn't include Cristiano Ronaldo. They suffered their second home defeat in a 
row within only three days. Barҫa, on the other hand, missed a number of key players, including Carles Puyol and Andres Iniesta due to injury when they visited Anoeta. As a result, the Blaugranas' eight-point lead above Los Merengues in the La Liga Table remained with only four more games to play. Be that as it may, perhaps, both squads would go into the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final tie tomorrow with their first leg clash still fresher in their minds than their losses last Saturday! Whether that's good or bad remains to be seen. In any case, much of the outcome depends on how Mourinho chooses his tactics this time around, and whether or not the Catalans fall in complacency and slip up. Once again, may fair play prevail... and may the deserving side march on to Wembley!While there is no movement in the upper bracket of the La Liga Table, there were mighty changes in the English Premier League Table.
Second place Chelsea FC met with Tottenham Hotspurs at Stamford Bridge with 67 points to their Club on May Day. The Blues finished with 70 points, beating Tottenham with head-shaking officiating controversies, 2-1, leaving Tottenham stuck with their 55 points and tied at fifth place with Liverpool. Manchester City is in fourth place with 62 points. Third place Arsenal FC, on the other hand, went on a face-off with first place, Manchester United, with 64 points at the Emirates on May Day. The Gunners beat Sir Alex Ferguson's side, 1-0,
going up to 67 total points to Man U's unchanged 73 points. Yeah, leave it to Arsene Wenger and his men to come up with some terrific last-minute show like that, and you'll have a happy Carlo Ancelotti dreaming of the still-doable top spot! Of course, Wenger can do the same, but only with a wish for another Man U slip-up. Following their win against Tottenham, Chelsea will go up next on Mother's Day against the side that ousted them from the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals - Man U - with a great momentum... and with only 3 points separating the two clubs! So, you get the picture, right? With only three games still to play, May Day blew up the Premier League Table to a "still very much wide open" situation! While the going is indeed getting tough, let's hope that none of the bad blood spilling over at the El Clásico of Spanish La Liga happens at the EPL.***
Photo credits: All photos, except my father's (which is mine), were grabbed from Zimbio - thanks.
