Fides Ecclesiae

How I got my Groove Back...Fides!!!

Fides Ecclesiae at The Pantages Theater by The Association of Filipino Priests of Los Angeles is one spectacular musical that speaks volumes about faith.  It is not the usual perk u get during Sunday masses but this musical has stripped off the incredible limitations on how we perceived the clergy as they bare their souls, their faith, their passion, their vocation and the display of their singing prowess and stage artistry.  It is a magical revelation that opens the eyes on the religious and put our faith to new height of perspective.  It is the opening of their human hearts to ours that touches the core..  When Bishop Solis sang from the start, my mind has started travelling back to my sacristan days.  It brought me back to those moments where I had the fondest of memories at the convent.  Those years were the foundations of my resolve to be religious in life.  But somehow along the years  I got my own share of challenges..  I was so confused as nothing even my faith seemed to work.  Though I held tough, I was screaming all my way finding answers to my numerous questions as I was so resolved to find God somewhere else even outside ofthe church I grew upwith.

With the story of St. Kateri unfolding, my search was slowly being validated as I am answering the whys of her circumstances. It was an impeccable performance.

When the story of Perdo Calungsod was staged, I have a striking identification with him as I once dreamed of entering the seminary but I got a circuituous route that I knew I was not called. But when he sang Gave Me Faith, his brilliant performance caught the sentiments and the naivete of a seventeen year old missionary whose only armor was his faith and passion to serve Christ. His voice got you soaring with him in his emotional resolve to face death as he  fianlly surrendered his fate to the Lord. It was a heart wrenching performance that pierced my defenses as he revealed how humongous his faith had become  as compared to mine that tread in and out the surface of my imperical heart.  I was then so humbled.

The musical pulled out another miracle of looking back at the religious and honor their ultimate sacrifice  of self denial to be able to nurture the faithful, of leading them, of living exemplary lives of choosing a life in Christ.  These are fine young getlemen during their times but chose to follow their callings. It opened again my mind to the greatness of their hearts defying incredible challenges which only those equipped with Grace can handle.  I was reminded again of our youth, of my visits to the seminary sneaking out my semirian friends.  I was reminded of their trainings, I was reminded of the time they were moulded to become pastors.  I was reminded that really many are called and few were chosen.

Then as the show was ending, it all occured to me that I am seeing the show in a different light.  I am seeing the valuable gift being shared. I am feeling my faith being revitalized by my entire experience in just one moment....in just one song.

Maybe I wasn't the only one who have this kind of experience. For me it was really meanigful for the musical was in itself became my own personal journey.

The Catholic Faith is under seige at a glance with the Archdiocese reeling from the sex scandal and  now the resignation of Pope Benedict.

The Fides Ecclesiae gives an opportunity to see the clergy as they are, a very important second look after the debilitating scandal that threatens to rock the foundations of the church.  The musical gave a glimpse at the numerous missionaries whose works paved the way for the establishment of the faith and churches accross the glove.  It opens up again the meaning of the Faith of the Church. A lot of them offered their lives and more than three hundred years ago a Filipino young boy did just that.  What happened some centuries ago is inspiring the Filipino religious community gain back their groove in this inauspicious times.  The Association of Filipino Priests of Los Angeles did a valuable work that can revitalize the faith.  And across the globe outside Philippines, the only Catholic nation in Asia has eleven million migant workers, most of them Christians who had built churches or revitalized dying churches in their adopted countries.  Imagine if the world lights up with every chrurch praying the Mother of perpetual Help novena, rest assured a Filipino migrant is in the midst of it.

If at all, Fides Ecclesiae, successfully raised good funds for St. John Seminary and the Pantages experience was a sweet topping of the cake.  It was more than just to me a kick in the butt, but a powerful medium in the reawakening of my faith, understanding the very deep meaning of faith and where it is coming from. And the wonder of doing it all as one spiritual community. We Pinoys just did that.

Flowers to  Love

.Every first half of February  until the 14th, the Flower Market at downtown LA is heartily dedicated to the Valentine's Day extravaganza.  The flower district of LA will be swarming with floral designers from dawn to seven AM and the general public after.  It is the time to get ready for those beautiful bouquets for a special someone.  Red roses will be king as  the most expensive being the color of choice for the season.  It's price can go as its price goes as much as 400% more from  regular days.  Wholesalers and flower shop owners usually make a killing.  They have to because any wholesaler would admit that they earn their keeps for the whole year by earning enough for half of the year and that's December to June.  Its's a chaotic time but no one is complaining as busy means money and chaotic is more money coming in like crazy.

Giving flowers to someone is one of the very thoughtful ways of expressing one's affection.  Most times the colors do the talking about the giver's intentions.  Red is almost generic or signature color in expressing more than just affection.  It is like sending a blank check for love.  Anyone being gifted with red roses most likely will be tickled pink or would be blushing either with so much joy because you approved of the giver or you're fuming mad because it was a, well, unpleasant surprise or be appeased rendered defenseless by an erring someone.  At any rate any woman receiving red roses is by any standard a wonderful compliment.  I heard a lot of stories of girls sending themselves flowers on Valentine's day so as not to feel left out when other girls' in the office or some friends are receiving their bouquets from their Romeos or would be Romeos.  To others, anything from any Tom, Jack and Harry is welcome.  Sometimes, Valentine's can be cruel.

Young girls usually love those cut flower bouquets with fancy wrappers and ribbons.  It speaks volumes.  Bouquets come in different forms and styles.  They come in different ways of packaging from simple tissue or japanese papers to fancy boxes and ribbons. There are hundred of flower varieties in different colors and hues that would delight anyone like eye candies.  There are mixed flower bouquets or dozens of the same like dozens of roses or tulips or peonies.  The choices are endless. 

To older couples like married guys would prefer to give live orchids.  It being not only aunthentically exotic, it is beautiful, practical and stays longer.  It blooms every six months actually so the joy is kind of forever depending if the reciever got green thumbs to keep it blooming.  Live orchid plants has a large selection and choosing one  can be a challenge.  Phaleonopsis comes in popular whites and purples.  There are novelty types like the wax paleonopsis that come in many vibrant colors of different yellows, papya orange, pinks and those multicolored beauties that endlessly mystifying.  The dancing lady had different colors too so with the spiders, tigers, dendrobiums.  There are also those sweet smelling orchids like the sweet chocolate vanilla smelling oncidiums and catteleyas, the honohonos and the stardust.  A very good orchid arrangement not only can give a lasting impression but it also lasts a very longtime.

To less compicated relationships like platonic friendships, or stable relationships, a person can go with  his or her favorite colors.  It is quite safe to venture with playful colors to the kind of flowers being sent.  Sometimes an orange colored flower can mean contempt, or a yellow could mean jealousy, white can be purity or carnations are intended for the sick.

But flowers are wonderful creations of God.  Their colors are so enchanting.  Just how did a rose become red or yellow or lavender?  Why orchids can come in so many hues of pink?  Besides their colors, they emit those magical fragrances that really shake the senses, really, like those casablanca lilies which can cause bad allergies to some and pure joy to others.

 

Just how many varieties of flowers are there depends on seasons.  Everyday though seems like there are no seasons except for those ultra expensive ones like the king of flowers peonies whose pink, white, salmon and burgundy colors are florists' delight.  Though sometimes some flowers if needed can be available and ordered from other parts of the world,  they come really expensive.  Most clients now tend to go with the colors of the season and the flowers in abundance.  Fortunately, some generically high end flowers for popular designs like the hydrangeas, tulips, bells of Ireland and vendela roses are always available. Most colors of those beautiful roses are always ready and available .  If not, ten days advance order will do. Even those amazing tropical delights are almost always available like the dendrobiums, phaleonopsis, proteas, pin cushions, anthuriums, haleconias, gingers or the king and queen proteas. 

 

The choices are endless.  For bigger events like weddings or debut it would help to really consult a professional designer.  This is a piece of advise for practicality by cutting unncessary costs and peace of mind.  A good one is someone who can almost read your mind.  Sometimes there are hidden desires that are difficult to verbalize for the lack of good words or budget reasons.  A good designer can almost feel the pulse where the client is leading to.  Being years in the trade means a lot.  They must love what they are doing and must have become better and better through the years and yes like a psychic or a healer, they can actualize a client's concept or sometimes challenged concepts.  Being honest can be a plus for designers being artists can do a lot of magic tricks and  had acquired treasure troves of creativity that most times just come out freely and handy out of nowhere.  Of course the joy of creating beautiful arrangements for an event is always a reward in itself. I know a lot of designers who sometimes go overboard out of passion.

So many couples try to set their altar dates after the Valentine's day though some would just settle with the expensive costs because romance is priceless.  It's a once in a lifetime event so why not?  Always give the best shot for it really propells everything to better trajectories, thus better results.
At any rate, Valentine's Day season is an exciting day to a lot of people.  Those who are planning to give flowers and for those dreaming to receive one.  Yeah really, romance is priceless.