Sa mundong pinamumugaran ng kasakiman, pandaraya at kurapsyon, sumisinag ang munting diwa ng pagpupunyagi at paglaban ng patas. Iba ang hatid na dangal sa pinagpunyagian ng tapat ang nakamit na tagumpay.  

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

"Learning to find joy in the silence, and building a life around the memories that matter most."

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

Don't walkout suddenly, just walk away gradually. 

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

 Today, a new Supreme Pontiff has been chosen to shepherd the church, in the person of His Eminence Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost of the U.S.A. He had taken the name Pope Leo XIV. Instead of speculating on how he would lead, conservative or liberal; whatever direction he may take on international geopolitics, or stand on various social and moral issues, it is important to pray for him.

Throughout the centuries, the Catholic Church survived bad Popes, as well as corrupt bishops, weak and lukewarm priest, just as Jesus promised, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:19)

But, what won't survive is your soul, if you let the failures of the clergy become your excuse to abandon the faith! We, the laity, were given the power of discernment by the Holy Spirit. Let not the wickedness of a few among us, lead us astray. While the church nourishes us in our faith, through teachings of the scriptures, doctrines and the liturgy, we will eventually be judged individually on how we responded and practiced our faith.

Let us then pray that he may uphold the apostolic mission of the Church, and to properly guide us in faith and morals.

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

#PopeLeoXIV #catholic #romancatholic

It is unfortunate that certain victims of heinous crime are so desperately bitter that they themselves advocate the perpetuation of random injustice which enables further the culture of impunity.

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

This season is for giving not for asking. It should be a way of voluntarily sharing blessings without the burden of being obligated by those who feel so entitled to receive. 

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

#christmas2024 #pasko2024

Sandaling pagninilay

sa hangganan ng buhay

Pagal na isip, sakit ng katawan

Kagalinggan ang asam

Saan man patungo 

ang pasilyong ito

Sa gitna ng pangamba

Batid ang pag-asa.

Itinakda man ang katapusan

Matagpuan nawa ang kapayapaan. 

                    - Dan Quetulio Brizuela

Nakabibigong katotohanan ng buhay, ay ang mabilis na paglipas ng mga sandaling  kinasasabikan at ayaw mo na sanang matapos.

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

"Ang buhay ay binubuo ng maiikling panahon, ng pagdating at paglisan. Sa pagitan ng bawat sandaling ito nasusukat ang kahulugang hinahanap."

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

 At death, 

each become stories, 

retold by those who remember.

Youthful reveries,

grudges kept in secret,

unspoken pain of betrayal,

of lives gone awry.

At the final blow

the memory ceases,

in the crossroad 

of forgetfullness. 

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

There is nothing as absurd in the meaningless toil, haphazard and random labor. While we are ordained indeed to work in providing for subsistence, but moreso to sustain our aspiration for individual progress and the quest for the noblest purpose in life. 

Beyond the collective quest for social justice espoused by various ideologies, it boils down to indiviual satisfaction. For the more spiritual among us:

"Do everyrhing with love" - 1 Cor. 16:14

"But we can do small things with great love” – Mother Teresa.

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela, #LaborDay2023

Lighting a candle in our terrace to welcome Easter. The light symbolizes Christ as described in the Gospel of John 1:4, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men". Those who have faith through him will have eternal life. 

The rekindling of the fire presents resurrection and the promise of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. In praise and thanksgiving we invoke tonight Psalm 103, "Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth". O  my  soul,  arise  and  bless  the  Lord  God, Say  to  Him  my God  how  great  you  are, You  are  clothed  with  majesty  and  splendour, And  light  is  the  garment  you  wear.

Rejoice, Christ is Risen! Alleluia! 

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

Easter 2023

The Christian faith is definitive as to source of grace and cause of human salvation. In this relentless evangelization, the rest would still have to come around while others repudiate Christianity as an oppressive religion. In the process, it is initially wise to operate on a universal approach that would encourage dialogue among people of diverse creed. As we believe in grace, we pray for gentlenes, humility and perseverance to bring the Gospel in a manner subtle, but effective to be heard without resistance, while never loosing its spiritual and moral integrity. 

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

Holy Week 2023

PATAY ANG DIYOS?

 

Kanina lamang habang nakatunghay ako sa nagdaraang prusisyon sa paggunita ng Biernes Santo, napansin ko ilang metro sa akin ang isang nakatatandang babae na palaboy at ang kanyang pusa. Malinaw sa akin na dito sa ilalim ng flyover sa Tramo, sa center island ng daanan, sila naninirahan dahil nakita ko roon ang mga nakalatag na karton bilang tulugan. 

Tulad ng karamihan, tahimik lamang kami na nanonood sa pagdaan ng mga deboto at ang mga karosang lulan ang mga imahe ni Hesukristo at mga santo. May sandali rin na nakita kong pinupulot ng babae ang mga plastic na botelya ng tubig na iniwan ng mga kasama sa prusisyon. Sigurado ako na pangangalakal ng basura ang kanyang ikinabubuhay.

Ang aking pagkamangha ay napalitan ng pagkabagabag sa buong senaryong yaon. Maraming katanungan ang biglang nabuo sa aking kalooban. Ano kaya ang nasa isipan ng babaeng yun sa panooring naglalahad ng debosyon sa Diyos? Sa gitna ng sobrang kasalatan ng buhay, sa wari'y pagkalimot ng lipunan sa mga taong tulad niya, naniniwala pa ba sila sa Diyos? May pag-asa pa ba silang makaahon sa kahirapan ng buhay? O tulad ng karamihan sa kanila, lilisan na lamang ng tahimik at walang pagkilala mula sa mapait na mundong walang pakialam?

Marahil patay nga ang Diyos, dahil patay ang ating pananampalataya. Hindi natin lubos na natatanto ang diwa ng Banal na Aral Niya, dahil sa ibat-ibang balakid sa ating buhay espiritwal. Malamang na itinakda sa pagninilay na ito, na tanungin din ang ating mga sarili, kung ang pinananaligan ba natin ay ang Tunay at Buhay na Diyos? Hindi ko na ito sasagutin, hahayaan ko na lamang ang bawat isa sa atin na hanapin ang kasagutan ng personal, sa pamamagitan ng panalangin at pakikipag-ugnayan sa Panginoon gamit ang Kanyang Salita ng Buhay. 

Nagtapos ang prusisyon, at narinig ko ang babaeng palaboy na nagsalita, “Wala na, tapos na.” Payak na pananalita, ngunit may kurot sa damdamin. Marahil sa mas malalim na pakahulugan, ang pahimakas na ang mga bagay sa mundo ay lumilipas, kumukupas; ang mga sandali pumaparoon at pumaparito; na ang ang bawat nilalang ay lilisan dito sa takdang panahon.

Nawa'y ang ating paggunita ng mga banal na araw na ito ay maging makabuluhan. Maisabuhay nawa natin ang ating pananampalataya sa Buhay na Diyos at pangako Niyang buhay na walang hanggan. Sa pag-alaala natin sa pagpapakasakit at pagkamatay ng Manunubos, salubungin natin ng buong galak ang Kanyang muling Pagkabuhay. Oo, buhay Siya, at handa lagi tayong ipadama sa isa't-isa ang katotohanan sa pamamagitan ng mapagpala at makabuhay na pananampalataya.

#biernessanto2023 #viernessanto2023 #holyweek2023 #holyweek #semanasanta2023 #semanasanta #mahalnaaraw2023 #mahalnaaraw #pagninilay #holyweekreflections

"No matter how tedious, challenging or painful change is, its imperative to our growth and learning." 

- Dan Quetulio Brizuela

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