Its the time again when we reflect at the year almost gone by, and to contemplate what's ahead in the next year. The recollection of experiences could take us on a critical discourse as we mark the passing of the seasons. 

The passed two years were truly unprecedented due the covid-19 pandemic. No other time in our generation have made us more aware of our vulnerabilities and to face our own mortality. Among us confronted the harsh realities that treathend life and livelihood. 

Amidst the setbacks and grief by the series of passing in our family, we remain optimistic. Hope afterall is the message of Christmas. We are sustained by the promises fortold in the birth of Christ which we celebrate today. While a chapter ends, a new one begins. Amazing how life continous to unfold! Life consistently renews! 

A meaningful Christmas to all! 

📷With my newborn nephew, Neo Xavier, who arrived just in time as a symbol of hope and renewal for our family. 💗

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

#christmas2021 #pasko2021 #christmasreflections #mensahengpasko #maligayangpasko2021 #merrychristmas2021 #seasonsgreetings #happyholidays #pandemicchristmas #covidchristmas #paskongpandemya

 Never in this generation has made us aware of our mortality than during this pandemic. We have seen too much death in no other time, and among us have experienced the lost of dear family, friends and colleagues. The observance of “Undas” hence has never been as remarkable and meaningful to most of us during the past two years of the COVID-19. 

Beyond the dictates of popular piety, our observance beckons us to reflect on the essentials of life and death. We contemplate deeply the sense of our own longings and vulnerabilities engulf in a constant stream of joyful, despairing, confusing and triumphal experiences. In every contradiction we search for meanings and in the void we struggle to find the purpose for living. 

We could exhaust all the energy and elements of living, live a full life or squander the moments, the ultimate choice is upon us. Each life then shall never be discounted, whether be it short or long. How one spent the time allotted here shall be the price of the life beyond. - Dan Quetulio Brizuela 

#Undas2021 #AllSoulsDay2021

A remembrance concert was held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) a year after the 9/11 terrorst attacks in the US. As a regular theater goer, I have never experienced this main hall filled with a pensive audience. The somber mood almost dampened the awe for each of the performance. This was how emotional we then responded to such a malevolent act that defies our being. 

I look back 20 years ago today and wonder at how a whole generation has been affected by this continuing menace. Beyond the tributes offered in membrance, the quest for concrete solutions remain elusive. Neither monuments nor literature and artistic performances could ever unburden us of the detructive impact it holds on our collective conciousness. Despite the various global and national efforts, we could only learn to survive by reflecting at how such policies could still be viable or be adopted to effectively respond against this threat constantly evolving. 

#nineeleven #nineelevenmemorial #september11 #september112001 #september11attacks #september11memorial #memorialconcert #requiemconcert #culturalcenterofthephilippines #yestoantiterrorlaw

 We relish this inspiring image of an Afghan para athlete who galantly showed, even only for a moment, the triumph of the human spirit against the odds and to represent the rest of the Afghans long victim of geopolitical exploitation. 

My childhood reveries took me back at the height of the "Cold War" era, when the US and its allies, including the Philippines, boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics in protest to the invasion of Afghanistan by the then USSR. A counter boycott of the 1984 L.A. Olympics was subsequently lodged by the later with its east bloc allies. Just an 11 year old, I remember looking at the disturbing images of the invasion superimpose with the sporting spectacle. In  hindsight, I am disconcerted seeing these on the evening news and in photos of international publications subscribed to by my grandfather. My formative mind then has yet to fathom the intricacies of humanity so pernicious and unjust. 

As another international sporting event unfold today, I view with dismay the shattering reality that parallels the event of the past four decades. Yet indeed there is a pervading sense of betrayal to the aim of these games, to see just one among them from an almost forsaken land compete with such dignity is a glimpse of hope for a better world. 

Photo credit: www.northeasttoday.in

#TokyoParalympics2020 #PWD #humanity #betterworld #differentlyabled #handicappedathlete #afghanistanparaathlete #afghanistan 

Ang tunay at wagas na halaga ng pagbabasa ay wala sa aklat bagkus sa pagkaunawa at pagsusuri ng mambabasa. 

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

 

Eternal life is truly the greatest enigma. Mankind is forever struggling to decipher this abstract. While most religions in fact were founded on this quest for an afterlife, the more humanistic ideologies have repudiated this notion. Here, the esoterics and existentialists were caught in a pointless discourse to prove or belies. Amidst the diversity of thought, daresay, curiosity would be lethal, albeit foolish, to prove it or otherwise. 

Yet, it gives credence to look towards a life beyond here. This is to make sense of our mortality. It must be the ultimate wage at how a life has been lived. It could be strange to be good or evil in this temporal realm if at the end there's only nothingness. I find this void absurd and nonsensical than the aspiration for eternal bliss or fear of lasting damnation. The soul afterall is inclined to limitless capacity and is free to wonder. It hence would be worthless to project a being of free will and substance if none of it would eventually matter.

This belief in eternity fundamentally appeals to the moral fiber that corresponds to the need of humanity for a just and kinder civilization. The will to be just or vile shall be accounted sooner or later in an enmesh destiny. In this mystery, the essence of life is eventually engulf in an everlasting constellation that only faith foresees. 

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela 

   Easter 2021

#Easter2021 #HappyEaster #EasterSunday #Christianity #ResurrectionDay #ResurrectionSunday #ResurrectionOfChrist #ChristIsAlive #ChristIsRisen

 Sin is not a mere religious or theological concept. It is the adverse condition of being that confounds the collective order in practical reality. 

While the spiritual consequences of sin may be argued, its actual disruption is undeniable in personal and social exerience. Beyond the mystical remittance, it elicits a confirmed reaction that exhaust the just and ethical component of our existence.

Attonement and forgiveness hence offer relief to sin. Whether it be of divine or human cause, these are imperative to constantly repair the perpetual ravages of sin towards a sustainable life of inner peace and communal harmony.

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

#lentenreflection #lentenseason #lent #lent2021 #holyweek2021 #semanasanta #semanasanta2021 #goodfriday #goodfriday2021