Your mantra for the week: “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand… I choose to enter.”
The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Yes, it is also on earth because heaven is a state of mind.
You enter the kingdom when you feel your oneness with the whole Universe.
Let this be a reminder that you need not die to go to heaven. You need only to die from your old ways that have brought the many unpleasant circumstances in your life.
You are in heaven when God comes through you as perfect health and wholeness after an illness.
You are in heaven when you experience abundance after a period of lack and limitation.
You are in heaven when you fall in love, are loved in return, and your loved ones bloom and grow right before your eyes.
You are also in heaven when you succeed in your endeavors, achieve your goals and your dreams come true.
There are many heavenly moments on earth—watching the sunrise or sunset, feeling the soothing breeze, hearing the song of birds, when the mountains meet the shore, when you see a beautiful work of art, when you listen to a symphony, when someone says “I love you,” or when you “stop and smell the roses.”
When you understand this fully, you would never fear physical death.
‘Boy George’
I would like to thank all those who have responded so warmly through Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and texts about my interview with Boy Abunda on his show “The Bottomline.”
This has so inspired me that I have come up with a concept for a new TV show with Boy and myself entitled, “Boy George” and subtitled “Karma and the Chameleon,” which Boy says “we must start claiming.”
Calling on ABS-CBN’s Charo Santos-Concio, and Gabby Lopez who is now in Las Vegas according to his lovely sister Marissa Grassi, awaiting the clash for supremacy in the boxing square of the world.
Remarkable performance
Last week, the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) hosted the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s closing concert of the season.
Olivier Ochanine’s performance of Ottorino Respighi’s “Pini Di Roma” was truly spectacular. I guess it had to be no less than that because of the remarkable showing of bandoneonist Rodolfo Mederos.
Out of the 10 numbers he played, my favorites were “Milonga del Angel” by Astor Piazzolla and his own composition, “Chau, Osvaldo.”
This concert was made possible by the SSI Group Inc. headed by patroness of the arts Nedy Tantoco, and the Embassy of Argentine Republic led by His Excellency Ambassador Roberto Bosch.
Still alive
At the premiere screening of the 2014 digital version of Nick Joaquin’s “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” at the CCP Little Theater, the grandchildren of Doña Sisang de Leon—Manito, ambassador Ching Escaler, and Mike welcomed guests and friends together with ageless Ivi Avellana-Cosio.
All our parents were friends and so, naturally, we children became friends. Serendipitously, Ivi, Mike and I are all Geminis born in May.
The film is a must-see if it is ever shown again on the big screen and a collector’s item—should it become available on DVD.
Watching it that evening brought mixed emotions—tears of joy and a sentimental tear for all those who made the film a reality. I know most of them and, in a corner of my heart, they are all still alive.
‘Tapestry’
I was unable to attend Rosalinda Orosa’s launch of her new book “Tapestry” at the CCP main lobby because it was my day at the Temple of Prayer, Peace & Prosperity.
But I have been a witness to the beautiful tapestry she has made of her life. And she recounts this lyrically in her latest magnum opus. I have the privilege of owning an autographed copy.
May-weather
I am not a boxing fan. I would not watch the so-called Fight of the Century even if I were paid to do so.
As a matter of fact, I am about to organize the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Human Beings because, to me, boxing should really not be considered a sport.
In the Age of Aquarius when Universal Love reigns, anger will cease to pervade human consciousness and, therefore, boxing will lose its therapeutic effect and its resulting entertainment value.
I surmise that the reason there is much enjoyment in watching this inhuman sport is because the consciousness of man is still filled with unexpressed anger and finds an outlet in a match whose goal is to knock someone down.
This is not to downgrade Manny Pacquiao’s talents. He has put the Philippines on the world map through his singular and awesome boxing prowess.
However, when he says, “Ang labang ito ay para sa bayan,” I cringe a bit because he owes the country P3.9B in back taxes according to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
I wish Manny had paid his taxes before accepting the Fight of the Century. Then, his statement could have been really substantiated.
Filipinos find it easy to pay lip service by saying, “Ito ay para sa Filipino” yet we break our laws as easily as we break bread. But that is another story.
The main scenario at the moment is that it is May-weather everywhere. This is not a prediction. It is not even a vision. It is just a weather observation!