YESTERDAY was the Solar New Year, the first day of Aries and the first day of spring.
Man’s original God was the sun and man at that time believed that God died at night when the sun had set and would come alive again with its rising. As time progressed so did man’s beliefs. God no longer died daily but yearly on the onset of winter and rose again on the first day of spring.
Parallelisms
It is not a coincidence that the story of Jesus of Nazareth tells of his rising from the dead three days after his crucifixion. It is the parallel of the ancient belief that God rose from the dead after three signs: Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Furthermore, Jesus, the “son of God” had 12 disciples while the Sun-God had 12 constellations.
Lent covers a period of 40 days. In ancient wisdom, 40 was the symbol of liberation (e.g. Noah’s flood lasted for 40 days; Jesus went up the mountains to pray for 40 days). In the I Ching, the Book of Changes, the hexagram number 40 is entitled Deliverance. That is why our mantra beads are also made up of 40 orbs.
A time of rebirth
Spring is a time to celebrate the gift of life and look forward to bountiful blessings, both from expected and unexpected channels. It is a time of rebirth and renewal.
To commemorate this occasion I suggest the following:
1. Let us teach ourselves to wait quietly for answered prayers.
2. Let us behave affirmatively by responding instead of reacting.
3. Let us accept gratefully all that happens in our lives. The negative ones are karma paid and the positive are our blessings.
4. Let us forgive willingly ourselves and others. They open the doors to greater good.
5. Let us love fully ourselves and our neighbors knowing that loving oneself enables us to love more completely our neighbors.
6. Let us listen attentively to that Still Small Voice and to others who need a listening ear.
7. Let us laugh as frequently as we can. Every three hours at the very least. Children are known to laugh 150 times a day while adults laugh for a maximum of 15 times if at all.
8. Let us compliment easily for compliments will get you everywhere you please.
9. Let us give generously of ourselves and our material possessions. They open our minds to receive.
10. Let us tithe regularly to spiritual persons or organizations where we get our inner and incorporeal inspiration.
11. Let us study patiently for there is so much to know and to learn.
12. Let us live courageously without fear knowing that the God within each one of us is our Divine Protector.
Pacquiao-Mayweather, the musical
Nedy Tantoco really went to town to celebrate the birthdays of her brother Rico and her amore Patrick Jacinto last week. She put up a tent in the sprawling Tantoco gardens with 40 of their closest friends in attendance.
Present were former Spanish ambassador to the Philippines Ignacio Sagaz and his popular and friendly Filipina esposa Aurora; former ambassador Luca Fornari and his outstanding asset, his wife Silvana. It was wonderful to see the lovely Nena Vargas Tantoco who we do not often see socializing. She was with husband Rico who promised to invite Mario Katigbak and myself to their well admired mansion in Santa Elena Golf and Country Estate.
For the occasion, Nedy put up a “boxing ring” in the center of the tent with 12 boxing ring cards hanging from the ceiling because Patrick is a Pacquiao fan. Even his birthday cake carried the Pacquiao-Mayweather theme. In my opinion, the only event that can overshadow the championship fight of Floyd and Manny on May 2 is for Mommy Dionisia to marry Floyd Mayweather Sr.—that would really be the wedding of the century.
The boxing ring in the middle of the dining area did not have two fighters but two outstanding musicians: Eddie Katindig on the clarinet and Ferdie Borja on the baby grand, playing their kind of music. The referee-emcee was Ping Valencia who called on guests to come up on stage to show off their musical talents.
Those who did were the well-liked Pepe Rodriguez, who is currently taking voice lessons; society photographer Rupert Jacinto; Ambassador Tonet Lagdameo; Manila Peninsula general manager Sonja Vodusek-Vecchio accompanied by her handsome Tony; Cito and Karen Beltran; George Sarakinis and Becky Garcia, who came later than we did from a Dancesport competition but George still managed to do a rock and roll number.
There were other performers for rounds 7 and 8 and on the 9th round, Pilita Corrales graciously accepted to sing a number of songs. She is a trooper like no other. We’ve worked together since the days of “An Evening with Pilita” on Channel 2.
Nedy’s sisters Marilen and Maritess Enriquez gave full support to the festivities. So did Nedy’s best friend, the beauteous DJ Lopez.
On round 10, Tony Leviste approached Pilita and said, “Nice seeing you again” to which Pilita asked, “When and where did I last see you?” Tony candidly answered, “In Muntinlupa where you came to entertain us inmates.”
Who finally won the match? In this case, it was the guests that won. They enjoyed every minute to the hilt.
Be sure to watch Marco Polo, An Untold Love Story, a new musical on March 25 and 26 at the CCP presented by the Artists Theater Company starring Jonathan Wagner and Stephanie Reese ably supported by Chinggoy Alonso and Pinky Marquez.
Book, music, lyrics and direction by Rogelio Saldo Chua. For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999.
