Farewell...

...to the 'Total Football' master.
=====================================================================
by PAM


It does look like I've been ignoring football for quite sometime now, and it's perfectly understandable that people assumed I have 'abandoned' my love for the 'beautiful game'. None of it is true, of course.  I have been paying attention.  I just couldn't find the time to show my appreciation here as I used to.  I do admit that, over the last year or so, I have been usually a step behind.  It's unacceptable, I know... but, under the circumstances, I'm afraid I was left with very little choice.

***
The legend of Johan Cruyff

But, I digress... this post is not about me.  It's about the great Oranje who wore the number 14 shirt, Johan Cruyff... the late Johan Cruyff, that is.  He passed on yesterday after losing his bout with lung cancer.  He was 68 years old.  

It does bite some to refer to the great footballer, who had a strong presence in and out of the pitch, in the past tense.  It does make one sadly realize of how huge a void he's left in the face of the 'beautiful game'.  What's even sadder is to realize that, despite the rich pool of talents the game has now, no one will ever be of as grand of character and daring as the master himself to fill that void.

The legend of the fearless knight of the 'beautiful game' who wore the #14 shirt
on the pitch for the Oranje.

Johan Cruyff was not only a brilliant footballer, he was a legendary strategist for the game as a coach/manager, and his leadership was, indeed, worth emulating.  Sure, he can be too daring at times, crossing the fine line between fierceness and arrogance, but it was all a part of the whole 'package'.  It takes even a bolder attempt for brilliance to avoid the rough patches in the Cruyff persona when one emulates him... and that's where the greatness of his 'students' in the game, such as Pep Guardiola, lies.  They recognize the flaws, and avoid them... and Cruyff did not mind as he took pride in the gained wisdom of his 'students'. 

***
Brilliance that pulls like gravity    

As I was a mere toddler in the early '70s when Cruyff was 'flying high' as an Oranje, I gotta admit I knew very little about him before.  Football news that reached the Philippines in the '80s and '90s were dominated by Diego Maradona (due to his World Cup fame) and David Beckham (as English Premier League's biggest star), respectively.  And, since Maradona was briefly under the Cruyff coaching days in Barcelona, there were a few mention of the legendary Barça coach.  However, Pep Guardiola adored him like Cruyff was his "football creator"... like a new vampire's "creator", that is.  And because I have humongous respect for Pep, anybody he adored, I believe was worth knowing.  And so, in the early 2000s, when Pep was on his way to his own legendary tenure as Barça's coach, I did my very best to know as much as possible about Cruyff... and I never looked back since then.   I found that his brilliance was like gravity... it just pulls you in - especially, his famous "Cruyff turn".

The Master:  Total Football personified.

  
At some point, while watching a footage of his best runs, so daring as he shunned opponents, darting to the goal in laser precision, with the ball seemingly glued to his foot, long hair flying, I thought it gave one a glimpse of a young Lionel Messi... doing exactly the same as a 17-year-old Barça forward.  And, as I watched his famous "Cruyff turn", which he executed as he eyed an "opening" to the goal while dribbling, getting rid of the defenders that swarmed him as he changed direction towards the opening, I thought it was a preview of a Xavi Hernandez patent move as he creates a play for his team... and even a move by Pep himself.  The surprise attack when it's least expected by the opponents that Andrés Iniesta is famous for, winning Spain their first World Cup in 2010, is a part of the Cruyff arsenal, too.  Wouldn't you believe it?

***
His true legacy in the 'beautiful game'   

Indeed, there are a number of Barça players who, while legends in their own right, are 'Cruyff iterations' in a way.  This is partly because of his coaching days in Barça where he nurtured young talents, such as Pep, to find their greatest strengths, polished them, and taught them to use these strengths to make the sum of an arsenal of strengths for their Team.  This is the fundamental of "Total Football" v. Cruyff.  It was all about fluidity of movements, the adaptability to any situation

Legends:  The Master and the Student.
(Photo credit: www.taringa.net.  Thanks.)

in the field by all players.  As such, it requires versatility among players, the ability to take on any role that an unfolding scenario calls for... keeping the integrity of their tactical approach at all times, and successfully executing it to secure a win.


Cruyff, being a versatile player, who had the speed, stamina and eye for goal opportunities was Total Football personified.  He was in possession of a complete arsenal of talents, the utter fearlessness to use all of them, and the sharp feel for the flow of game that gave him the sense to know when to use which talent.  These allowed him to move about a lot in the field, exploiting weaknesses of the opponents, or effectively creating damage in areas of strength of his side's opponent to make opportunities elsewhere.  Indeed, he was a real genius of the beautiful game, and the fluidity of his movement on the pitch made him so awesome to watch, too.  This brought so much success to his Dutch side, Oranje, in the world stage of football, and tremendous glory to his domestic side, Ajax, during his tenure with them in the #14 shirt.

Later, as forward in Barça in the #9 shirt, he helped his side win La Liga in the 1973-1974 season after an epic transfer from Ajax.  The Catalan side won the trophy after more than a decade of drought.  He also helped  Barça win Copa del Rey in the 1977-1978 season, showcasing his unforgettable "phantom goal" - while on a sprint for the ball that was going wide, he broke his speed, shooting up to a jump that doubled his height, going almost horizontal while on air, kicking with fully stretched legs and catching the ball with his right heel to put it in the goal.  All of these happening in a second, too awesome!  As the Catalonia was undergoing a tumultuous political upheaval that time, Barça's good form on the pitch was a source of strength and joy for the region... and Cruyff was in the center of it all, making him Catalonia's favorite 'adopted son'.

During his tenure as Barça Coach/Manager for eight seasons, he formed his "Dream Team", with Pep Guardiola at the center of it all as midfielder.  They won the La Liga four times,

La Masia: A succession plan that works.
(Photo credit: www.fcbarcelona.com.  Thanks.)

the European Cup once, the UEFA Super Cup once, and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup once while reaching the final twice.  He also guided Barça to the UEFA Champions League final once.  Overall, he won 11 trophies for Barça, making him the most successful Head Coach/Manager of Barça that time.  More than the wins that he and his "Dream Team" brought to the Catalan side, he was most proud of how much the fans of the beautiful game appreciated the beautiful "Total Football" played by Barça under his leadership.  As Catalonia continued to experience political tremors that time, the Catalan side, was the regions biggest source of pride and joy, making FC Barcelona 'more than a club' to them. 

While his years as player and manager were marked with many milestones, his tenure as manager in Barcelona was, by far, of most lasting impact.  The FC Barcelona Youth Academy, La Masia, was his brain child.  It was this Academy that nurtured to greatness raw talents like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets... and even Pep Guardiola himself.  The Academy churned fresh addition to the Barça side, with the Total Football philosophy and its many variants and iterations ingrained in their playing styles, while allowing them to develop their own unique strengths to become 'special' players of the beautiful game.

With the Youth Academy in place, there is very little doubt that FC Barcelona may maintain their good form with a "succession plan" that works.

***
Moving forward without the Master

With his invaluable contributions to the continuous development of the 'beautiful game', the Total Football Master will be terribly missed.  And yet, his legacy will continue to inspire new generations of players to keep the beauty in the game that is so loved by a multitude of 'devotees' in the world.  

Therefore, the game will move forward without him.  Inspired by his legacy, it will, however, keep turning a new leaf and will continuously flourish to a greater beauty each time.

Rest in peace, Johan Cruyff.

***
Video Credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

***

I'll get by...

...with a little help from my 'friends'.
======================================================================
by PAM


Have you ever had one of those days when none of the very few good things that are not brain-numbing around you can seem to console you into believing that you are going to survive another day without freezing your brain over?  Well, I'm in that 'hole' right now, and boy, is it dark!  It's not that there aren't enough good things in this world, 'cause there are -  more than enough, too, actually.  It's just that they decided to take a 'vacation' today... and they didn't say so.  So, I planned to conduct my day as I usually do.  However, without the good things around, it's the worst of worst ideas!  

But because it's all here, and I'm not about to go wailing, I'll deal with it. Therefore, I'm getting my 'friends' together and haul 'em all in to my 'happy place'.  

"The silicon chip inside her head gets switched to overload...

...tell me why I don't like Mondays."

Hmmm... I did say 'happy place', but Sir Bob is wailing like a wounded whale. Oy!  C'mon, Sir Bob, lighten up, will ya now?

But, we gotta understand, aside from that being his singing style, it was an emotional day for the big guy.  He just saw his "big vision", "Live Aid", become a reality.  Live Aid was the biggest gathering of artists back in the '80s in various rock stages in the world, but mainly in Wembley Arena in London, England and in John F. Kennedy Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.  Phil Collins had to famously take the Concorde to perform in both the Wembley Arena and in the JFK Arena on the same day.  The live performances were shown around the globe via satellite on 13 July 1985, and with the crowd in Wembley seeing what's going on at JFK and vice versa.  Uh-hmm, that's right, they did it back in the days when internet (and all its "brother and sisters", and "cousins, too") was merely taking off. 

Actually, Live Aid was the concert that seemed to have come so naturally after assembling the biggest British acts of the '80s to one group called, Band Aid, just before Christmas of 1984.  The objective was to record a song,"Do they know it's Christmas?", and all proceeds from record sales was to be used to bring aid to Ethiopia, which was hard-hit by drought and economic woes resulting in widespread famine and death.  The front man of Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof, and Midge Ure of Ultravox assembled the Brit acts to form Band Aid.  Little did they know then that such a seemingly small act of compassion would turn to a historical moment in the global music industry.  More than that, it turned the world's eyes to the dire plight of the Ethiopians... making many people in the world more conscious of the economic, political and social aspects, and even the scientific aspect, of the famine that they were suffering from.  It was, indeed, an eye-opener for the whole world... one that will change the way we view our global community.

"There's a world outside your window, and it's a world of dread and fear."

Hmmm... of course, Phil Collins had to play the drums.  It's such a natural thing to expect from the man.  But, Sting and Bono, and Boy George and George Michael together... and Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet together?  And Paul Weller and Paul Young, and Bananarama, too? You bet!  And back in the days when they're all in their glorious "big hair" days, too. :) Too good, too good!  Just beautiful.

I say, forget NATO, let's celebrate Band Aid and Live Aid instead!  And then... reality hits.  NATO is here to stay - and, indefinitely, too.  Oh, well....

So, why is this important... to me, that is?  Well, it is very important because most parts of this huge idealism that I carry around like a sack full of bricks rooted from this.  It was when I was watching the live broadcast of this concert on our worn out television that I truly understood what idealism meant!  It was when seeing how these guys who loved what they do turned their joy in doing what they do to something really useful and meaningful.  Everytime I felt lonely in my own "crusade" to make a difference in my workplace, I'd always turned to these guys.  That's how I know that what they did back then had a lasting impact.  And, this is part of the reason why I really believe the '80s was a golden decade... and I'm proud that I was a part of that generation that saw the '80s become such an unforgettable decade.

Hmmm... since I'm now in my happy place, let me make the most of it with this...

"Every little thing the Reflex does must be answered with a question mark..."

Bizarre lyrics, bizarre get up, bizarre dance moves... ah, happiness! :)  

Now, that was good.  Thanks, 'friends'!

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

***

Oh, gosh...

...I need a break, I'm not kidding!
===========================================================================
by PAM

Alright, I'm going to have to drop whatever it is that I'm doing right now, or I swear, I'd drop cold and dead this very second - right here, right now... wherever is 'here', I'm not even sure where!

One full week of heavy schedule, with three extremely busy ones before it... and now, this week is as grueling as the previous one.  My calendar shows another heavy schedule next week.  Just looking at it is enough to make me want to throw up from exhaustion. Oh, my!

And because I haven't even checked one fourth of my 'bucket list', I refuse to just drop dead now.  At the risk of sounding self-important, many of the things I do are quite important, I think, but none of them would warrant forgetting about my 'bucket list'.  In other words, none of these things in my schedule in front of me is worth dying for!   Therefore, I'm dropping out of it all for now.  I'm taking a break this evening... to dig through iTunes for something pleasing to the ear, and forget about work!  Dang, I owe it to myself!

So, I found this... uh, ahem, to be more precise, I looked for it, and found it. :)  Yep, it's "Drag Me Down" by One Direction.  I gotta say, it's quite easy to find, too... it's all over internetdom!

"With your love, nobody can drag me down!"

Yeah, not so bad, huh?  What is surprising is, I tried re-arranging the songs in my iTunes playlist to accommodate this song... humming, counting the beats, considering the quality of voices of the singers... and, guess what?  I found DMD between "Don't you (forget about me)" by Simple Minds and "Affair of the Heart" by Rick Springfield.  I know... I had to blink a few times, too, to check and re-check.  I tried fitting it into the Taylor Swift and 'the likes' cluster... but it just sounded odd with those songs.  Heck, it even sounded odd with the old 1D songs!   

Okay, let's see... what's with Simple Minds and Rick Springfield, anyway?  Why should it be remarkable to find one's song in between theirs?  Well, Jim Kerr, SM's lead singer, is the pop singer with the voice of a rocker dude while RS is a rocker dude with pop music followers (just because he is too 'pretty' for most rock fans to admit a liking for him).  There is some raspiness in the voices of the lads now, especially that of Harry's, quite 'delicious, I must add.  And they sing with some precision in their notes that makes the song sound surprisingly 'clean'... sound mature, and 'legit' even when the lyric is not as brilliant as those from the "British Invasion" era.  Yeah, they sound a bit serious now... and yet, the relaxed and playfulness quality is still there... especially, in the accompanying music video.  At least, they're not pretending depth.  So, I imagine, while they stop 'mature' music enthusiasts to have a listen, they still make the girlies scream in such abandon and 'religious' adoration.     

So, what does this mean, is One Direction jumping that gaping distance between pop-pop-ish music-for-the-screaming-little-girlies music and the seriously-they-sound-legit-artists music?  If they are, good on them, right?  Of course, they started as a 'money-making machine" for Simon Cowell... and, at their age then, it was kind of tragic... although, of course, I imagine, with the money they made, they could live the life of an indolent now, and will never starve.  However, even with that option, they're trying to actually make music now... and, I imagine, it isn't "walk in the park", too.  You gotta give it to the lads. To be honest, I started getting interested in the music of these lads when I heard them sing this more than a year or so ago...

"...everythin' that you ever dreamed of, disappearin' when you wake up...

...even when the night changes, it will never change me and you."

I thought they sounded good.  Naturally, I did not understand all the bashing that they get for allegedly sounding like crap.  So, I searched their old music videos and, truly, there was a big difference from how they sounded then and now.  In fact, I thought it was worth it to spend money to watch them perform live in Manila!

Legit music or not... whatever it is they make, you gotta admit, the lads are entertaining.  It's relaxing to see them perform... and to watch their music videos.  They can even be hilarious in their interviews... yeah, Brit brains, truly! :)

Oh, and, uh, I almost forgot to mention, Zayn Malik's decidedly best voice among the five lads' is no longer in the 'new' 1D music.  Hmmm... I almost did not notice, fancy that!  Then again, perhaps, that's why they sound different... even better?  Ouch!  I do not wish to anger Zayn and his fans (not that they're paying attention to my blog), but the four remaining lads' voices seem to blend with similar sharp and raspy quality about them, which Zayn's voice did not have.  Zayn's voice is soulful and as smooth as silk... beautiful, especially with the right material... and, you gotta admit, his brooding sort of personality does not blend well with the 'fun craziness' of the remaining four lads'.  And, it's nice that they seem to enjoy what they do... while Zayn would've brooded his way through the videos, looking mightily taxed... while, I imagine, it would always be heaven for the girlies to see him smile a sincerely happy, and even simply amused, smile though it all.  But, hey, you gotta do what makes you really happy... being one of the quintet, no matter how great it may sound to most, no longer thrill Zayn.  So, let's leave him alone and wish him well.  Goodness gracious, I'm speaking like a fan here! :)

Alright, this kinda got me breathing in the right rhythm now, but... I'm still taking the rest of the evening on a break - from work!  But, my goodness, what in Pete's name is this?!  It's Saturday night, why do I feel guilty for not working?  I'm doomed, I just am!

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube for the video links.

***

Escape...

...a much needed one!
=======================================================================
by PAM


Uhm-hmm, yeah... the going gets tougher and tougher everyday!  There is too much 'excitement'.  As a natural consequence, work is relentless, and my brain seems to bleed from exhaustion.  You can just  imagine how the whole body might be screaming, "break, break, break... I need a break!"

More than any part of my body, my brain needs some time outside the 'pressure cooker' - to be refreshed, re-calibrated, and renewed.  And, what can be more refreshing than a trip back to "teenage days" when all we had in the beautiful world we lived in then were science fiction, fantasy and the 'middle earth', James Bond, silly romance books, and lots of '80s music?  And so, I put on my 'teenage slippers'... and took a walk down my beautiful teenage road.

There were a few interesting 'crossroads' down the path... and I bravely took one of the 'rosy' ones leading back to the future. Guess who I met as I did?  It's the Harvard-educated Regency Romance phenom, Julia Quinn!  And guess who were present in my first 'meeting' with this #1 NY Times best selling author?  Well, it's none other than the adorable Bridgerton family, of course! :)  Ha, trust JQ to bring her biggest guns to shoot you straight in the heart... as she did to me!  And, guess what... I didn't mind, not at all!

The adorable Bridgerton siblings, circa 1813 ("The Duke and I" by Julia Quinn)

(Image credit: bechedor79.  Thanks for the loan of the image.)

It's funny that I've not been one for Regency romance, even when I was past my teenage days, and yet, here I am, writing about a whole regency romance series!  Yes, I of all people, I know! :)  Oh, OK... so I confess to owning a few historical romance by Barbara Cartland when I was in my late teens... but those were 'inherited' from a relative who was a romance freak, and did not know what to do with her horde of books.  So, I took pity and helped alleviate her burden by accepting her old books.  What else can I do?  And yet, BC's stuff, at least those I read, can hardly be considered "regency romance" just the same.

For one who is trying to find a breather from the extreme pressure at work, Quinn's Bridgerton series is worth investing time on - for the witty banters that usually get extremely funny, described in a scene that puts the imagination on full throttle.  They simply lift the clouds over one's head, and allow the cheerful sun to do wonders on one's disposition.  I'd often find myself convulsing with laughter in the dark at night with my iPad... and wake up with a smile on my face the next day... the exhaustion from the previous day almost forgotten, all because of the Bridgertons.  There are wonderfully crafted characters in the series as well that lights up a 'scene' each time they appear.  One example is the extremely adorable Colin Bridgerton.  Ah, how I wish he did exist in the 'real world'!  Escapism to the max, indeed!  

The series is about the eight Bridgerton siblings: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth... yep, from eldest to youngest - named alphabetically. :) It's all about how they found the love of their lives... and how they made it work, 'cause there were challenges along the way, of course.  There were minor characters

A little sample of what goes on in Anthony's head.
(Source:  Julia Quinn's website.  Many thanks, JQ!)

who are equally adorable and funny that I liked very much: the dowager Viscountess, Lady Violet Bridgerton - the awesome mother of the Bridgertons, and their family friend, the indomitable Lady Danbury.  Both ladies were predictable as their characters are so defined... and yet, they end up surprising you each time they make an appearance in a scene that often proved to be the turning point of the story.  They did make their presence felt in the whole series.

I like all the eight books in the series, including the ninth, "The Bridgertons: Happily Ever after" (the collection of 2nd Epilogues for the first 8 books).  I read and re-read them all in six weeks as a much-needed 'escape' from daily excruciating work.  My favorite book is the first in the series, "The Duke and I", just because the Bridgerton banters were at their best, and JQ did a very good job in introducing and defining the characters, which were to bloom in the next seven books... well, eight, including "Happily Ever After".  But, I did like very much Anthony and Kate's story in "The Viscount who Loved Me".  Their story developed and ended in the most unexpected way, with many laugh-out-loud hilarious scenes, therefore, very interesting... and, in the end, compelling... even when both did not agree on anything in the beginning.  There were so many extremely funny scenes where the two sparred in wits and humor that made it impossible not to believe that Anthony and Kate were a perfect match.  And there were many, oh, so touching moments, too, that did melt the heart.  Anthony was very romantic, and it was wonderful that he did not have a clue that he was; and Kate imagined herself to be cold and too practical to be attractive, but she was adorable.  That Pall Mall game was a 'readers-only' sort of Bridgerton 'memorabilia' stuff.  Having read it made one feels like a part of a 'lofty' exclusive club. Really swell!  Ha! :)  

As for the eight Bridgertons, while I really adored Colin, I liked Anthony's character best. As the head of the mighty and hugely popular Bridgerton family, who inherited the Viscountcy at the age of 18 after the untimely death of their father, yes, he can be quite arrogant, and close to being imperious at times - especially inside his own head... but he was unselfish, responsible, and truly loved his family... not to

It's all about having powerful brothers... trust the
Bridgerton brothers to take matters into their own
hands when the reputation of any one of their sisters
might be in peril.
(Source:  Julia Quinn's website.  Many thanks, JQ!)

mention well-educated and very intelligent, and funny without even trying, especially when he lets his heart out in the open.  As for the sisters, Daphne seemed the wisest and the closest match to his older brothers in terms of strength and the ability to make sound decisions.  However, I love the sense of adventure of Eloise in "To Sir Phillip, with Love"... and her usual tenacity whenever she decided to pursue something.  She might have started with many insecurities... what with seven very charming siblings, but she rose above her own insecurities and took charge of her life.  It was hard not to applaud her in the end.  It did help that Anthony and she had "that talk" to help her navigate the complex workings of her own mind, of course.  I really enjoyed "that talk"... I loved Anthony even more after that.  It's almost as heart-warming as the scene when he and Daphne had a brother-sister bonding in "The Duke and I" as they drank cold milk in the middle of the night while Daphne tried to figure out how he felt for Simon... and that "talk" Anthony's had with Simon ("the Duke") himself when he was helping to patch things up between the Duke and Daphne when the two met a sticky situation in their marriage. Come to think of it, there were many heart-warming Bridgerton moments in the eight books where Anthony was at the center of it all.  It just went to show how he really cared about his family, and how he took the happiness of each of them to heart even when he outwardly tried to be severe and 'preachy'.  As Simon himself thought, 'Anthony had responsibilities Simon had never even dreamed of.  He had brothers to guide, sisters to protect.  Simon had a dukedom, but Anthony had a family'.    

While Hyacinth's character was "overdeveloped", I think, throughout the first six books - and she just completely "growled" fiercely in "It's in His Kiss" (her book) - it's a pity that Benedict's was not as developed in the first two books.  He was not even a participant in the Pall Mall game in the second book.  Therefore, I read (and re-read, I must confess) "An Offer from a Gentleman" (Benedict and Sophie's story) with such ferocity and voracity to discover more about Benedict.  As it turned out, he's the silent type but with a depth of character that simply takes one's breath away.  He was passionate of his convictions and

A little bit of mystery, some enchantment and fun...
...a lot of love - the kind that lasts a lifetime.
(Source:  Julia Quinn's website.  Many thanks, JQ!)

devotion to the people he loved, albeit silly at times, and shallow when left unchecked; he was dependable and kind... and I loved it that his mother thought him to resemble their late father (Viscount Edmund Bridgerton) the closest, and that he, too, will make a very good father in her opinion.  And Sophie, the wonderful woman who stole his heart in their "Cinderella story", brought out the best in him... aided some by his own mother... and, at times, by his own sisters.  It makes one realize how unselfish Benedict was, just leaving the rein of leading their huge family to Anthony rather than competing with him for attention and leadership.  He tried to find his place in the world silently and unassumingly instead.  As it turned out, he was a talented artist.  In the end, he lived the life of a quite withdrawn but renowned artist, content and happy with his wife and family in the peace and quiet life in the country... while still maintaining the air of a mighty Bridgerton about him.

There were so many good things about the Bridgerton series, but the very best is the love and familial loyalty that bind the Bridgertons together.  They were a TEAM... and a formidable one at that!  It was always heartwarming when they all come together to rescue one of the family members in times of peril... even imagined ones. And this is probably the attraction of the Bridgertons to me... it's all about family... and love, of course... and lots and lots of laughter!  Indeed, reading the series is one unforgettable experience.

Alright... work 'calls', I'm going to have to end here.  Make no mistake though, I should like to talk about the Bridgertons again - sooner than later.  Yes, that's how extremely stressed out I am these days.  Thanks, Julian Quinn, for the respite - you're my hero! :)

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day to all, by the way! :)

***

More than a dog...

...or just a pet.  He was family.
Lomi Marcelo
(October 2011 - January 2016)

Today is one of those times when I hope fervently that dogs truly did have souls.  If they did, I am sure that our Lomi is now barking gloriously - all in his intelligent stance and admirable beauty - in heaven.  And, because he simply can't help it, he would be ordering other dogs about, believing that he is far superior than them, because he knows he was not just a dog nor a pet.  He was a well-loved member of a family - respected for his intelligence, adored for his canine beauty, and loved for his loyalty and sense of family.  

Today, his mission on earth was accomplished, and he now earned his place in heaven to wag his tail about, and bark like he knew what he was "talking" about.  While it hurts to let him go... we would hate for him to suffer physically.  God knows, those vocal cords were made for barking proudly, and communicating intelligently with a touch of arrogance and candor, not for moaning in pain.  In fact, never for moaning in pain... not for our Lomi.  Therefore, with heavy hearts, we accept his destiny and ours, and we let him go as he succumbed to lung tumor and heart failure.

Rest in peace, Lomi boy... if you can, that is, 'cause we know you'd insist on yelling through your high-pitch barking as if you knew it all!  And, you probably do, too!  

We shall miss you!

***

A wish and a prayer...

...on this beautiful occasion of Jesus Christ's birthday.  

While the world continues to swirl in dizzying activities, we retreat in the solemnity of rare solitude to reflect on God's greatest gift to mankind - His only begotten Son - to redeem us from the bondage of sins, so we all can live in the peaceful beauty of God's love for all eternity.

Lord Jesus, may we keep growing in love and faith to follow you, knowing that you are the Way to the Father, the Truth, and the Life.  May we find the courage and the wisdom to follow the example of your blessed mother, the Virgin Mary, and St. Joseph, her husband, whose faithful obedience allowed the Father to show His love and mercy to us through you - the very meaning of the nativity.  May you stay in our midst as we celebrate your birth so we don't lose sight of the path to the Father.  Amen.   

Merry Christmas to one and all! :)

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Photo credit:  Thanks to my sister for taking this photo-on-an-impulse, while we prepared to celebrate Christmas with our family.

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Saturday photo

This one's for keeps... therefore, posting it!

I had to borrow this photo of Prince Harry from the official Instagram account of Kensington Palace.  There is something beautifully haunting and refreshing about this photo of H hugging a sedated elephant during his three-month trip to Africa on wildlife conservation mission.  He was lamenting how "30,000 elephants we slaughtered last year alone" for their tusks.  With the photo above, he expressed his protest about how wildlife has been suffering to extinction because of unscrupulous practices... "a pointless waste of beauty," he says.  There is honesty in it, much emotion and some sense of serenity being one with the 'big boy' of the wildlife.  Of course, the artistry in the way the photo was envisioned and executed is just wonderful.  I thought the moment needs to be preserved in this on-line repository of mine.  So, here it is!

So, now you know why I am sooooo looking forward to... retirement! :)  So much to look forward to, I can't wait!

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Photo credit: The photo belongs to Prince Harry, posted on the Kensington Palace official Instagram account on 2 December 2015.  Thanks for the loan of the photo.

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Not just some ball game...

...it's all about lessons in teamwork.
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by PAM

"What a kick!
"Beautiful, beautiful Rugby from New Zealand."

"It's New Zealand's!  And it's history - confirmed.
"The All Blacks, still the kings of World Rugby."

It's been a while since I had an adrenaline rush from an exciting sports match.  In fact, I'm beginning to feel kinda 'lifeless' these days... just surviving on high dosage of 'excitement at work' - if there's such a thing, that is - which leaves me 'comatose' from exhaustion after the adrenaline rush subsided... because that's what work does.  I did see 'this and that' sporting event lately... and they kinda drew some flat "woohoo" from me... just because the inspiration was short on spirited runs, and bereft of deep interest on my part admittedly.

Highlights from the Rugby World Cup 2015 final match between
NZ All Blacks and Aussie Wallabies via Fox Sports 2. 

Anyway, you get the picture... I've been living a 'boring' life - no time to appreciate other forms of excitement outside the suffocating confines of huge responsibility and imposing challenges that come with the 'territory' conquered at work with my brilliant team.

I never thought that I'd get a good slamming dose of excitement from the Rugby World Cup 2015 (RWC 2015) final match between New Zealand's All Blacks and Australia's Wallabies... just a while ago.  Boy, that was a burgeoning dose of pure adrenaline right there!  NZ's All Blacks routed the Wallabies, 34-17, to retain the Webb Ellis Cup, which they collected in 2011, making NZ the first country to retain the Cup, and the first country to become World Champion three times.  What a match indeed!  And, I cannot thank Prince Harry of Wales enough for introducing me to this 'passion' of his. :)  Yes, the Prince sort of introduced the game to me - indirectly, that is (I'm not that lucky!)... through press releases from the Kensington Palace on Twitter. :)  Gosh, but of course, I wish I knew the Prince personally just because he seems humorous, compassionate, and real.  But that's another topic for a post... if I'd get lucky enough to find the time for it, that is. :)

After seeing a bit of matches in the Group Stage of RWC 2015, and those quarter final matches between Australia and Scotland, New Zealand and France, and South Africa and Wales, I was hooked!  I had to go on-line and educate myself with the rules of the game... and, I admit, it wasn't easy.  I'm still struggling to understand the rules... and getting used to terms like "scrum", "ruck", and what have you.  But what I am certain of is the way the players in the attacking side strategize to set one of them to go for a try, and the way the opposing team set up to stop the other side is absolutely beautiful to watch!  And, I thought you only get to be fascinated by brilliant team tactics in football (soccer).  I was wrong.  Rugby is the real deal, too!  It's a wonderful balance of intelligent team strategy, physicality with a huge dose of roughness, and fun. Love it!

With the exception of tennis, I've always preferred team sports over individual sports.  I like the interaction among players in a team.  I love watching the way a number of individuals move in an invisible woven fabric of harmonious rhythm, moving as one, thinking as one, eyes fixed on a common goal, moving forward like one body... and then celebrating triumphantly after reaching their goal.  I believe that is called 'Teamwork'... and the victory always seems sweeter when shared with teammates. I cannot help but feel the adrenaline rush that propel the team to move forward, and feel the excitement of winning.

Teamwork in team sports inspires me as a leader.  Great coaches like Pep Guardiola challenge me to think outside the box, to recognize talents in my team and figure out a

The best Team emerged victorious... NZ's All Blacks!

way to optimize their talents to work for the benefit of the team.  And great teams, like FC Barcelona - 'more than a club' - inspire me to view winning differently... not for personal glory and achieving personal ambition, but making a difference in people's lives with achievements that are pleasing to God.  

One wise person always tells me that there is "no OJT for leadership, it's either you've got it or you don't".  In response, I always tell him, "yeah, but there's football, and all sorts of team sports that a leader could watch... to inspire teamwork, to learn coaching that brings out the best in every individual in the team, to come up with inspired team strategy... and succeed - as a team."  And I believe that with all my heart.

Today, the 'beautiful men' in All Blacks affirmed these.  There were brilliant individual performances, but they all contributed to the Team's goal.  In the end, it's not about the brilliant man with the nerves of steel, Dan Carter, or the legendary captain, Richie McCaw, or the ferocious Ma'a Nonu, or anyone else... it's all about New Zealand... it's all about All Blacks... and it's all about the love and passion for Rugby.  And, what a great fun it all is for the fans of the game!

Huge CONGRATS to All Blacks!  And, hey, the Wallabies were worthy championship contenders, too.  So, congrats to them , too!  And, huge congrats to England for hosting a really exciting tournament!  

And since the adrenaline surge refuses to subside, why don't we soak it up?  So, here they are again....

"We got the job done tonight, so it's great."
"He gets this chance to do something now that nobody else has done: to hold on to a second World Cup, a third Cup - for his nation." 

*** 
Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.
Photo credits:  (1) I took all the photos from the live cablecast of Fox Sports 2 - thanks.
                        (2) Thanks, Rex photo via www.telegraph.co.uk.

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The Call to serve...

...and the joy of serving.

=========================================================================

by PAM

I guess we can call this a special edition of "Saturday photo"... except that, it's a collage of photos, a collage of memories, a wealth of experiences over the last three years. 

'Exhilarating' does not cut it... not even 'incredible', but yeah,
it is absolutely unforgettable!

Three years... three years of all-out bone-breaking, heart-wrenching, gut-smashing, dizzying, passionate service... just utterly incredible!  

Three years ago, I was headed to a 'new adventure' somewhere 'exotic and wonderful' when I was called all of a sudden to serve.  It was so unexpected, so bewildering precisely because serving as Dean of our Faculty of Engineering in the University of Santo Tomas cannot be any more remote in my mind than the north pole is the opposite of the south!  But, with the rich and long history of the Faculty, and the many wonderful people who served it as Dean, to be called to serve it was indeed very humbling.  And I did not have enough pride to say no.  

So I closed my eyes, sought the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and searched my heart for God's answer.  While my mind struggled with my heart, a powerful voice that came 'booming' from the very core of my heart 'whispered silence', a silence so profound and awe-inspiring... and, in my mind, light shone through a path that was strewn with glimmering letters.  The letters were arranged in such a way that they say 'service'.  

In the horizon, I saw a glorious beauty where the Faculty shone in a way that I've never seen it shine before.  But along the dream-like walls lining up the path are frightening challenges, towering tasks that were threatening to swallow me alive.  They all seemed insurmountable, unconquerable.  There were alluring temptations to enjoy the glory of the Dean's seat... which, I imagined, were irresistible to many of those who came and went to serve, and especially to those who covet the seat.  And there were beautiful jewels that shone like pure white light - gifts - that can be won to bring at the foot of God's throne in a humbling sacrifice.  There were gifts of friendship among colleagues, gifts of camaraderie with friends in and out of the University that leads to working as a powerful Team, gifts of service that enable our students and colleagues to realize their full potentials, gifts of creating new and innovative strategies that propel the Faculty to conquer many uncharted territories, beautiful assorted gifts of joyful service.  To me, those gifts and the opportunity to bring them at the foot of God's throne as offering were irresistible, no matter how burgeoning the sacrifices that I needed to make in exchange.  I believe only a few are called to have the opportunity to serve in that way... and nothing is more humbling. And so, I said 'yes'.  I then prayed with all my heart as I started walking along the path. 

The rest is history.  

And I believe that history has been kind... and so, my heart sings joyfully... especially, that the glorious beauty that I saw in the horizon when I started walking the difficult and challenging path turned out to be real... and the joy that I feel in every beat of my heart is very real, too.  It's a beauty that is impossible to even imagine, a beauty that I wouldn't have the inkling of a means to even imagine if I didn't heed the call to serve... because such beauty can only come from heartfelt service - leadership through service.  And, I thank God with all my heart for it all.

Amen.

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Getting inspired...

...to get going.
============================================================
by PAM

I spent a few hours today just staring at the ceiling, reading some, and writing a bit... just looking for inspiration... a little reason to keep doing what I currently do.  And then, I thought of YouTube... why not?  They have plenty of "inspirational stuff" on YouTube, have't they?  

And, I found this...

"It makes me more determined than ever that this wonderful,

awe-inspiring children should have happier and healthier lives.

And I hope that my mother would be proud, too.

"I'd like to think I'm just one of the lads, whether am or not."

...and, oddly enough, my inspiration wires went a bit tingling in a beautifully sweet buzz. Yeah, I'm all shallow like that... but what else is new, right? :)

I know, I'm more than a year late to be greeting Prince Harry on his 30th birthday, but I'm really amazed to see that "the spare" has grown to become this really lovely man, grown to be his own man.  The "wild child" has grown to this disarmingly charming man who invokes raw emotion from people, and inspires them to do what they do with real passion and joy... no regrets, no reservation for as long as what they feel in doing what they do is real, welling from love and deep caring. And then, quite automatically, this attitude leads to living a truly meaningful life.

Happy belated 30th birthday, H!

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Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

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