OUR LIFE IN AMERICA ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO

THE METAMORPHOSIS By Ernie D. Delfin OUR LIFE IN AMERICA ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO (Part 1 of 3) In his best-selling book, The Greatest Generation, Tom Brokaw proudly opined that his Silent Generation (those born between 1925 - 1945) that preceded our own Baby Boomers generation (born between 1946-1964) was the “greatest” generation. Having read that book that was written over a decade ago, I felt that Mr. Brokaw had valid justifications that his World War II generation was the “greatest”. However, my own baby boomers generation had also many “great” legacies and contributions to our society, such as the ending of the Vietnam war, with our powerful “Make Love, Not War” demonstrations all over America, the Great Civil Rights Movement that occurred during our generation culminating with the Rev. Martin Luther King- led historic march to Washington D.C., where he delivered his inspirational “I have a Dream” speech on August 28, 1963, who was unfortunately felled by an assassin’s bullet almost 5 years later on April 1. 1968. Also, with the vigilance of the press, our generation also witnessed the humiliating resignation of President Richard Milhous Nixon on August 9, 1974 due to the Watergate Scandal. Our generation is turning 65 years old every day, like President Bill Clinton, and the younger batch are now in their late 40’s but we continue to contribute our talents, experience and resources for the betterment of our society. The phenomenal progress in technology came from ambitious and talented visionary leaders like Bill Gates of Microsoft and Steve Jobs of Apple. In medicine, our generation continues to invent many useful and lasting contributions, like the expensive and wonderful Da Vinci robots used in delicate surgeries in major hospitals, wonder drugs or prosthetic body parts enabling the disabled walk or moved to lead more useful lives. Every generation lays the foundation for the next generation to improve it as it deems collectively important and necessary. That socio-cultural foundation could probably be the most precious legacy that a parent can leave to his children. For instance, it was an idealistic U.S. president, the charismatic “Camelot” president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who challenged my generation to explore space and go to the moon. Neil Armstrong fulfilled that challenge when he walked on the moon on July 20, 1969. President J.F.Kennedy’s immortal admonition that he gave as a challenge during his January 20, 1961 inauguration: “Ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country” reverberated throughout America even decades after his death. I was still in high school when he was assassinated on November 22, 1963 and like millions of his fans and countrymen, I also felt devastated when he died an untimely death. He was the first U.S. president who left some indelible marks in my young mind as I started to read and enjoy world events as required by our World History teachers. When I immigrated to the USA in the mid seventies, the more I read about my adopted country’s socio-political history. That was almost 40 years ago, and life in the USA as it is in the land of my birth, the Philippines, has changed quite dramatically especially in the economic, social and technological arenas. * * * * Is our life, especially for the typical American family, (not the ‘one per center’ as being described by the Wall Street Movement) better off now than 40 years ago? That is a debatable question; I will give you my conclusion at the end of this column. But first, let me briefly paint the prevailing economic conditions then, the employment opportunities and cost of living conditions in the mid 70’s when even single people like me first arrived in the City of Angels, either as tourists or students like me or as third preference immigrants from the Philippines. The minimum wage in California (slightly higher than the federal minimum wage) was only $1.65 per hour, regular gasoline was about 35 cents per gallon, and we were even given some “blue chip” stickers, that we could accumulate to redeem some valuable merchandise, a dozen eggs cost about 45 cents. A lot of foods, like pork neck bones and fish heads were not being sold, but given “free” as the Asians were apparently the only ones cooking and eating them. As I seldom cooked in my apartment, probably my grocery expenses were only about $30 a month, as I could have a lunch at McDonalds or many fast food restaurants for just about a dollar. My first studio apartment in mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles was only $95.00 a month; after a year I progressed into a one bedroom apartment and my rental increased to $110.00 per month. My first car was a Chevrolet Nova, with no air-conditioning, for less than $2,000! That model did not last long as it was a No Va ( it means “No Run” in Spanish!), then a couple years later before I got married, I bought a Datsun 260 Z (Datsun is now Nissan) a two-sitter-sports car for only about $7,000, putting about half as down payment. My monthly car payment for two years was lower than my insurance premium as I was a young, single driver and I lived in Los Angeles! When we heard that a certain Mr. & Mrs. Juan de la Cruz bought a house, say in Carson or Long Beach Calif, where there was a concentration of Filipino Navy families, for about $25,000 for a 3-bedroom 2 baths house, we exclaimed “WOW”, that was too expensive! If somebody wanted a more upscale house in a more affluent neighborhood like Palos Verdes Peninsula for about 50% more for the same house, the more we were shocked! If someone were looking for a job, there was a great probability that he or she would land a job in a few days, and many of the early immigrants like me often worked overtime or even have a second or even a third job. At that time, we did not have a lot of hobbies nor have discovered the good but “sinful” life in Sin City 280 miles to Nevada called “Lost Wages” aka Las Vegas. The Indian casinos in the Temecula Valley or San Diego were non-existent then. Our disposable income due to overtime pay or second jobs was very high, which means that even a single person like me, could send at least a couple hundred dollars or more to our parents or relatives. At that time the exchange rate was approximately P12.00 per dollar! Going to college then was also very easy and inexpensive. Even before I got my green card, I still remember going to UCLA Extension classes and just paid probably about $l5 for a series of classes. For my subjects at Cal State University-Los Angeles, the tuition per unit was so inexpensive that the cost was never a factor to enroll in as many subjects that an ambitious student ever wanted. Going out on dates and going to nice and expensive restaurants was never a problem and we never ordered or read the restaurant menu from right to left. Nostalgia. Those were the good old days! Last week, in a bookstore I accidentally discovered some interesting cards that showed “Facts that Happened in the Year when You were Born” and I jotted those facts for 1972, 40 years ago: Average cost of house = $27,600 Average Income per year = 11,859 Average cost of a new car = 3,750 Tuition per year at Harvard = 2,800 Movie ticket = 1.75 Milk per gallon = 1.20 A gallon of regular gasoline = 35 cents First class postage = 8 cents Ground Coffee per pound = 99 cents Fresh baked bread = 25 cents Generally speaking, 40 years ago, the prices of commodities then were probably about 10% of the prices now! Our salaries now are much higher but the purchasing power of the dollar has also diminished much more significantly. That’s why even a couple making say $100,000 gross salaries may not even be able afford to buy a nice 4 bedroom house in the more desirable parts of Orange County, like Irvine or Newport Beach or Dana Point. Cars or minivan, especially the foreign cars, cost more than the price of a house 40 years ago. Having been here in this United States for almost 40 years (2 generations), I believe that our life was much better then especially in the arena of socio-economics, employment, education and entertainment. I am inclined to conclude that our quality of family life was much better then as it was definitely more simple and less stressful. And, of course there was less pollution in the atmosphere then, as millions of people were not even residing in this golden state of California or in this great country called the United States.. But as the say, yesterday is now history. Tomorrow is yet to come, and today is present, a great present from Somebody Up There! Therefore, fellow citizens, of the world, carpe diem! Seize the moment and continue to enjoy life! ------- 3 0 ---- Next issue, Part 2 of 3 will describe “THE ENTITLEMENT CULTURE IN AMERICA IS WEAKENING OUR NATION’S FIBER” Then, Part 3 of 3 will discuss “THE FUTURE OF AMERICA ESPECIALLY FOR THE IMMIGRANTS IN 2012 AND BEYOND” Email writer at: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com

LEADERS MUST "S.E.R.V.E."

THE METAMORPHOSIS By Ernie D. Delfin YOUTH Director Newport Irvine Rotary Club, District 5320 Our Rotary leadership “rotates” or changes every year. For some clubs, it becomes just another mundane event that does not even create any excitements. Sometimes, a few clubs even have difficulty finding the right member to take that leadership role, who is really able and willing. We adults seem to have lost that sense of excitement of our faded youth. I often wondered why this phenomenon in some clubs of Rotary. Is it probably because we have lost the capacity to be excited from one event to another, like the great anticipation for an event like the birth of a baby or your first date? Pondering why we are afflicted with this debilitating illness of declining membership, I think it has something to do with the quality of leadership that sooner or later trickles down to all the members. If the leader takes his position very lightly, without any excitement, then the membership also gets it too. It is the leader that sets the tone, it is he or she who rings the bell. I have read many books on leadership, as there are so many kinds of leaders as there are organizations. Leaders come and go. Many leave their footprints in the sand while a few etched their footprints in stone. To be in a leadership position is often lonely but it can also be very rewarding. What kind of a leader do you belong to? Lately, I read some traits of ‘evolving’ kinds of leaders that will be more prevalent (I believe) with our society becoming more Eco-Green conscious as we try to improve the planet. Leaders are becoming to be SERVICE ORIENTED as social businesses will become more popular as the Grameen-Danone Joint Venture in Bangladesh is proving that it can be quite successful . Traits of this new class of visionary leaders who also exhibit that great brand of Servant Leadership, , according to Ben Blanchard, can be describe with this acronym: SERVE, that stands for: *SEE THE FUTURE: Create a compelling vision for the team to get excited about, that members will feel losing something if they do not get involved. *ENGAGE AND DEVELOP OTHERS. Have the right people in the right roles. A real successful leader is someone has created a better successor or at least one who is equal to him or her. *REINVENT CONTINUOSLY. Leaders must realize that if he stops learning , he stops leading too. *VALUE RESULTS AND RELATIONSHIPS. Great leaders recognize you must value both. They should have not only high IQ but also a high EQ. *EMBODY THE VALUES. Genuine leadership is built on trust. It is very difficult for members to follow a leader they cannot trust. Indeed, true Leaders are like eagles. They do not flock. You find them one at a time! Are you an eagle? ---- 3 0 --- Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com

ONE SUMMER DAY, 2011, ON THE LIFE OF THIS WRITER

THE METAMORPHOSIS By Ernie D. Delfin ONE SUMMER DAY, 2011 ON THE LIFE OF THIS WRITER Yesterday is a very unusual day. I started the day early by doing what my wife calls an unorthodox “carpentry” work (a pure enjoyment) finishing a wooden carport attached to old trunks of pine trees in front of our house. Once it’s covered by the morning glory vines as well as the grape vines , I believe it will be unique and beautiful. I predict also that our drivers at home will compete to get that one cool spot especially during the hot summer months. That is my “physical quadrant” for about 4 hours as I had to rush to meet a new client in Rancho Palos Verdes in the South Bay. At noon, I had a couple hours meeting a new client, J.S., regarding his family’s plan to put up a Foundation to perpetuate the legacy of a Japanese American s family’s contribution to the community since the late 1800’s. For many decades, the family was quite known in the South Bay (about 35 miles south of Los Angeles) producing fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh flowers and other agriculture products and sold throughout LA county. Doing this back breaking but noble work, this family contributed much to the community while employing hundreds of people during the years that this family was involved in the farming business. Now, this huge ranch is no longer what it used to be, but still has significant remnants of aging avocado, citrus trees and other fruit bearing trees surrounding the old ranch house, with a 360 degree panorama of the ocean and the lands below it. The property sitting on a mountain has an excellent vantage point to the blue Pacific Ocean to the south and the farm on the opposite direction. As the original Japanese American family is no longer around, the heirs have decided to sell the property for at least a few million dollars, hence the need for a Foundation to help alleviate the huge tax bites. Having seen this beautiful area of Palos Verdes many times and now listening to the plans of the heirs in putting up a Foundation where I was invited to be one of the trustees was a big serendipitous surprise as I just met this family this summer. However in the mysterious work of a Mighty Hand, I am blessed and happy as I can really relate and appreciate the nobility of the foundation’s purpose: to perpetuate the harmony and connectivity of all people regardless of national origin, creed or color. To be a part of this charitable Foundation is indeed a gift and also blessing. As they say in Filipino… “Abangan ang susunod na kabanata” meaning “watch for the sequel” of this emerging and colorful story. **** From this business appointment, I had to proceed to a Urology Specialist who I was referred to by my primary care doctor. When you are with your doctor, you are automatically reminded of your own mortality and that human instinct to preserve that dear life becomes more pronounced. To live a long healthy life becomes your hope, prayer and novena. This nice doctor (also a Japanese American as the family setting up the Foundation!) strongly recommended some procedures just to rule out more serious ailments like cancer. Sensing that I felt nervous and afraid, he assured me that “I am not dying” that he has done hundreds of this “typical” medical procedure. He added that it is not really painful and it is more of a precautionary step to prevent more “serious” consequencies if detected early enough. As a patient, how can you dispute or question your doctor’s recommendation? When you go to a doctor, you are in effect giving him your trust and confidence that he has your best welfare in his heart. With a very good insurance coverage, I had to agree to this biopsy procedure for the first time in my life, next month, after our European adventure! (Why not, I may not have another opportunity again, who knows?) * ** In the evening, my wife reminded me of our commitment to be Eucharistic Ministers in a special healing mass in our own Catholic church that was celebrated by a visiting priest, Fr. Efren Borromeo, from Albay Province in the Philippines. Due to his obvious popularity and the wonders of the internet that broadcast his celebrating mass in Orange Country, many people came even on a Tuesday night. Being in the church for a couple of hours with many much older people than my family who were obviously there for their own “healing” , considering what transpired to me during the day, especially the one-on-one conversations with my new Japanese American urologist made me pensively vulnerable, reflecting on this perennial question “What is Life?” as well as what is the “Purpose of my own Life?” Also with us in church were my daughter Donna and her l5 month old baby Olive (our first grandchild), a profound scenario that made me really think and ponder deeply into my own life. The solemn atmosphere inside the church brought me some inner tranquility but mixed with an indescribable mixed feeling of sadness and joy. It was a healthy and beautiful feeling but was also emotionally draining. Before sleeping that night, many scenes of my life flashed in my mind screen. The scenery formed a long, interesting colorful movie, with all the many trials, struggles, suspenseful events that had taken places in my 60 plus years on this earth. Overall, I am very pleased as I tried my best to balance my life ----with the essential quadrants of a fulfilled life---- with family, church, community and Rotary by volunteering my time for many years. Although I may not leave a lot of (material) inheritance to my children, as some of some of my really “rich” clients who had acquired material wealth (due to their intense focus on such a pursuit and nothing else) I am still very happy and contented with my life, and whatever ending this life might be. For that I consider myself lucky, blessed abundantly and eternally grateful to my own God. Yes, the most happy people, we were was told in one spiritual retreat, are the Grateful People, who are contented with what they have and never got jealous with others who may have more. Our own individual blessings are unique and different from each other. Some are endowed with great looks but not much intelligence or vice versa. Some are born of rich parents, many are not. Some never tasted the pangs of hunger, many have. Knowing fully well my own humble beginnings and where I am now, I am indeed blessed and cannot ask for more. With these entries into my own “diary”, I will end the summer 2011. Someday, these personal sharings and reflection will be read by my own grandchildren and will hopefully make them think deeper that may influence their own philosophy in their own life feel. To all my readers, I wish you had a great summer and now ready to experience for another Season – Fall and Winter --- of your lives, as I am. Have a great weekend everyone! See you next month! ---- 3 0 -- - -- Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com

DEATH COMES LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT

A VOICE FROM AMERICA By ERNIE D. DELFIN COMMODORE RAMON A. ALCARAZ (Ret) JOINS MAX V. SOLIVEN, EVELIO JAVIER, NINOY AQUINO AND OTHER FREEDOM LOVING FRIENDS IN THE LIFE BEYOND June 2009 was a very unusual month for me in Southern California. Instead of starting to enjoy the start of summer doing things that I cannot do months ago, like gardening, picnicking or biking to the beach, it is very sad month with a couple of shocking news, the untimely deaths of two great friends of mine, two very warm, intelligent, witty and caring human beings whom I dearly loved and admired. On June 8th, my spiritual confidant-counselor and friend, Franciscan friar-author, Emery Tang died and then followed by Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz (ret.) who was not just a client but a father figure to me and a very close friend. His daughter, Ramona “Monet” Alcaraz-Marshall told me that his loving dad “chose to die with a big BANG” on June 25th, the same day when the King of Pop Music, Michael Jackson died at 50! The Commodore was just about two months shy before his 94th birthday on August 31st. When this issue of the STAR comes out (Sunday, July 5th) many of us, friends and family of Commodore Ramon “Monching” Alcaraz will be visiting him to pay our last respects at the Fairhaven Mortuary in Santa Ana, California, to be followed by a funeral mass and burial on Monday morning, July 6th, at the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in the City of Orange where the Alcaraz family live the last several decades. Since the Marcos Martial law era, whenever the late ‘Uncle’ Max Soliven visited California, Max, the Commodore and I always got together and spent many hours just talking and enjoying each others company. We had so much in common: zest for life, love for politics (and women…just kidding!) and good conversation coupled with uncommon wit and sense of humor, laughing and often oblivious of time and the craziness of the world around us. The three of us cherished and yearned for the return of the old fashioned conservative values of the Filipinos of yesteryears. Those values appear to be vanishing with the gradual demise of their generation. Although I am much younger than they were, I am quite blessed and privileged to have known these two Filipino icons (and others) quite close and personal. Who can replace them to share more insights and wisdom into my own life and the life of others whom they may have touched? Death is still a great mystery to me. Although I accept my own mortality, I am still scared about death simply because I will be forced to go through a morbid process I have never experienced before. It seems to me that death comes when everybody around you is relatively happy, when the promise of the future appears brighter and more promising. For instance, a week before Father Emery died, we had an unusually long lunch at our favorite dim sum restaurant in Little Saigon, Westminster, California, with my wife Benita, Father Wayne Adajar, Milette Estrada, who is coordinating our Glorious Italy Tour (Rome, Assisi and other shrines) next September, where Father Emery was also scheduled to join us. That last meeting was quite extraordinary because it lasted over three hours that included with an unscheduled visit to my farmyard, sharing our mutual love for gardening and nature. To this date, I am still in denial because I will absolute miss our monthly lunches that have started many years ago. Now, my client and above all my friend, Commodore Alcaraz is also gone to the life beyond where there is no more physical suffering and pain. Born from a modest family in Bulacan, he went to school through “boxing scholarships” and belonged to the first batch of graduates of the Philippine Military Academy in 1940, before the outbreak of WW II. The Commodore rose through the ranks that culminated with his appointment as Commodore of the Phil. Navy by Pres. Macapagal, only to be fired by the Pres. Marcos in 1965. The Commodore belonged to an era when the Philippines was a much different country than what it is today, considering what the country is ashamedly undergoing through economically, educationally and politically. Like Ninoy Aquino, Evelio Javier and Max Soliven, Commodore Alcaraz died without witnessing the dawn of Philippine Renaissance in the socio-economic and political arena that they have actively advocated during their lifetimes. His generation suffered much during the Japanese occupation and WW II (like Benito Soliven, the father of Uncle Max) but his generation, in my view, was the golden era of the Philippine society as the words “palabra de honor” (word of honor) or “delicadeza” (propriety) and true public service were the norm. I had a brief experience of those golden times as my own grandfather, then followed by my father were chosen to be the “teniente del barrio” (that office, then, was a position of honor, even WITHOUT salary, when the people asked somebody quite respected to be their “cabeza” (head) who oftentimes acted not only as an “executive” but also as a “judge or arbitrator” for minor conflicts in the barrio. Those were the days that are long gone, nostalgic topics that always come up whenever the Commodore and I had a long conversations. To celebrate Commodore’s his 85th Birthday in year 2000, his daughter Ramona “Monet” and I planned a totally surprise Birthday Party for him at the Disneyland Hotel, where over 50 of his military, business and political friends, and some relatives came together to pay tribute to him. He really got the greatest surprise of his life as he admitted in his remarks and felt somewhat “embarrassed” that he was not dressed “appropriately” for the occasion. Monet successfully tricked him to accompany her to buy something for her “apos” (grandchildren) but suddenly they have to drop by the Disneyland Hotel for Monet to give somebody something. As the promoter of that event, I remember saying that we were gathered to honor and give him tribute ( not eulogy) so that he would still see us and hear our words of our love and respect for him. A dozen of us delivered our tributes to this remarkable man. Asked what his secret to a long healthy life, he instantaneously said his family and friends (that love him), daily “siesta” (nap) and the unexpected the punch line (that I will never forget) “Pay your Debts!” Having known him for over 30 years, not only as a client but more of a friend and father-figure to me , I am saddened by his death but also happy with the thought that he is now in paradise and probably being given a warm reception by his many political (mutual) friends whom I have also met, like Ninoy Aquino, Evelio Javier, Raul Manglapus, Tony Villegas, Raul Roco, and Max Soliven, as well as his other friends that I don’t even know. With nostalgia and gratitude, I am indeed blessedly fortunate that I have met the Commodore and the other Filipino icons mentioned above here in the United States (a great country that is the greatest “equalizer” of people) which most likely could not happen in the Philippines to an ordinary Filipino like me. Now, all these freedom loving and idealistic people are all gone! Who can replace their idealistic life’s philosophy from the present leadership of the Philippines? At my age, will I ever see the Renaissance of a new era that will bring back those “golden” years of Philippine society? Can somebody please tell me or show me a ray of hope that there that that era will ever come back? With acceptance of my own mortality and faith in the life thereafter, I hope and pray that we will meet again in heaven and hopefully resume the friendship that was just started on earth. May your Rest in Peace, Commodore, and may our mutual friends welcome you in their company! May the Good Lord reward you for what you have done to your country, to your people to your brothers and sisters while you were on Earth! Paalam, mahal kong kaibigan! ----- ------- Email writer: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com

PRAYER FOR COLLABORATION

PRAYER FOR COLLABORATION By Ernie Delfin ALONE it is easy to believe that my contribution is small… doesn’t count will never matter. TOGETHER our contributions grow strong, firm, significant like links in a chain. ALONE it is easy to wonder what impact my everyday tasks could possibly have on those who come to us for help. TOGETHER our everyday tasks become part of the whole, part of our collaboration which touches the lives and souls of the poor and vulnerable. ALONE it is easy to believe that my arms are not big enough to embrace the problems of our world… the poor, the hungry, the homeless. TOGETHER our collective arms are big enough to tackle the brokenness of our world… one person at a time, one day at a time. ALONE it is easy for the fire of my concern for others to dwindle into embers. TOGETHER the fire of our commitment to those in need can grow. You who stand close by rekindle my spirits, my passion when I grow tired and weary. ALONE it is easy to be intimidated by often daunting darkness of our world. TOGETHER discouragement and setbacks we shared, interpreted, acknowledged… and often replaced by new hope, new confidence, new commitment. ALONE it is tempting to forget that unseen, other’s work day in and day out to make a difference in such a needy world. TOGETHER we stand before the darkness of our world and proclaim that it shall not extinguish the light of goodness and love. ALONE my enthusiasm and energy can get worn down by everyday discouragements… setbacks.. disappointments. TOGETHER we offer hope, reach out to those who need us and build the spirit of a community. ALONE …. I can give up, isolated, discouraged, and burnt-out. TOGETHER, our lighted candles can illuminate a darkened nation and our world!

AN UNPLANNED MEDICAL VACATION THIS LENT LEADS TO A MORE BALANCED LIFE AND DIET

THE METAMORPHOSIS By Ernie D. Delfin AN UNPLANNED MEDICAL VACATION THIS LENT LEADS TO A MORE BALANCE LIFE AND DIET In a person’s lifetime, there will be a few major events that will cause some significant life-style adjustments or profound metaphysical changes in his life. Those events are often planned or patiently worked for its fulfillment, such as one’s college graduation, wedding or even a divorce. Some occurrences, however, like a major accident or illness, come along like a thief in the night and the person must deal with it as best as he can. March 7, 2012 was one of those days that I will never forget as I underwent a Da Vinci Robotic Laparoscopic surgery where I was put to sleep for over three hours at the Torrance Memorial Hospital. That hospital stay was just the second time I ever slept in a hospital bed; the first time was in a Dagupan City (Philippines) hospital due to serious car accident 35 years ago. This surgery hopefully has prolonged my life but also changed it dramatically altered my life-style, including my diet! After I was asked to sign a document giving the doctors full authority to do anything to save my life in the event of any unexpected occurrences that may happen during the surgery, I felt completely vulnerable and have accepted my own mortality. And yes, the feeling of complete surrender to my God was all I could do in silent prayer, to achieve some degree of peace and tranquility within myself. With the wonders of science and technology, I really did not know nor feel anything from the time I was given a laxative drug prior to the anesthesia injection in the surgery room. When I woke up, several hours later, I was already in the recovery room, and noticed for the first time those intravenous tubes and computer screens beside my bed that were obviously monitoring my vital signs to the nurse’s station. With a grateful heart, I thanked God that the surgery was successful and that I was alive! Due to the wonders of modern medicine and technology, I was discharged the following day, which started my forced vacation at home for several weeks, but with a tube attached to my body for a week! Although with some degree of pains and discomfort, the mind and the spirit appeared to become sharper and fortified as if to compensate the weakening of the physical body. The three weeks since the surgery (so far) have given me a lot of hours thinking, pondering, reminiscing, reading and writing. It was a rare luxury of time, that I never had before in my six decades of earthly existence. It’s a grand vacation without much expense in the confines of my own home with very light physical activity in my farmyard during this unusually cold springtime. Surprisingly, I also felt happy and contented with my newfound life status as a semi-retired businessman with reduced commitments and the absence of my normal activities, as per doctor’s orders for about month or two. -------- My forced vacation during this Holy Week had me contemplating what truly matters in my own life. This medical leave is causing my mind, spirit and body to live in harmony, a much needed equilibrium in my life. A real metamorphosis is happening for me this Springtime, including my food intake. The doctor advised me to abstain from meat as it is the best food to attract the cancer cells to come back. Now, those inviting juicy advertisements for steak and lobsters or rich-in-cholesterol foods that are quite prevalent in our society are gradually becoming unattractive for me. For about three weeks now, my palate’s craving for a medium rare prime rib steak with sautéed mushrooms and baked potatoes with gravy with red wine is almost gone! If the doctor is right, getting rid of my prostate that was afflicted with aggressive cancer cells at that early stage has given me another l5-25 years of life will be a great bonus. With God’s blessing and mercy, I have resolved to make each day, each week worth living for by doing something positive every day, not only for myself and family’s welfare but also for others. I hope that I can continue to make a difference to somebody and leave this world a better place for my children and their children. What is truly important in one’s life? Nobody can answer that philosophical question for us, but when we are alone, divorced from the busyness and noise of the world, in the deep recesses of our soul, there lies a silent voice that whispers an honest answer that breathes life unto our spirit to become more vibrant and joyful. The past few weeks that I have been physically down, I felt quite blessed and fortunate that I am again in deep communion with my mind and spirit, that somehow were neglected and not been adequately nourished as they should have been in the past. The Lenten Season biblical stories have given me fresh perspectives and renewed my faith more profoundly this time. For instance, last Sunday’s gospel tells of a story how Christ was moved by so much compassion for Lazarus’ relatives’ mourning over the former’s death, that He brought Lazarus back to life. Likewise, I have that inexplicable belief that Christ also loves me that much despite my sinfulness that He is making me recover very well to live fully to do His will. Next week, Christian churches will celebrate Christ’s passion that will lead to His death on the cross but He will come back to life during His Resurrection on the third day. Man’s sufferings, like my recent ailment, can never be compared to Christ’s suffering and sacrifice for our redemption. The timing of my surgery during Lent has given me priceless lessons and fortified me in my own share of human sufferings and struggles during my lifetime. Now, I realize that being sick and forced into an unplanned vacation is a part and parcel of our human condition; imperfect as we human beings are, we probably need these warning signals to remind us of our mortality and to purify us from the many toxins that we accumulate in our topsy-turvy world. The interdependence of all human beings was made more profound this time of my life. The virtue of trust (to my doctors, nurses and all who ministered my needs) and the virtue of gratitude (to all who expressed love and concern, especially my family and friends, including those scientists and inventors of this expensive Da Vinci Robot and the powerful medicines) touched the core of my being profusely especially the times when I felt very down and vulnerable. As that popular song of yesteryears declares “People need people”. Yes, indeed, we are just one world, and a very small world after all! This Holy Week and every week for the rest of my life, as I continue to receive the countless gifts of life-giving love from others, I pray that I am also able to give the same to others. Then, and only then that my life is worth living for, in complete gratitude to HIM who gives us life. HAVE A BLESSED HOLY WEEK, EVERY ONE! - 3 0 --- Email writer: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com

DREAMS: FERTILIZER FOR LIFE'S JOURNEY

THE METAMORPHOSIS by Ernie Delfin DREAMS: FERTILIZER FOR LIFE’S JOURNEY ”The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” ---- Eleanor Roosevelt Last night, I again dreamt about the sweetness of the rose, but I was totally oblivious that a rose is full of thorns! I still dream almost every night, even at my age as a “senior” citizen grandpa. Many of these dreams are unfathomable, weird dreams, some appeared almost real, while others are just plain fantasies of an unconscious fertile mind. Some nights I dream flying in strange places with hard to describe creatures or animals around me. Some nights I dream being lost in the wilderness or in massive sea of people. Sometimes I dream addressing a huge universe of students. Often, I am very happy or ecstatic in some dreams. On rare occasions, however, I also find myself fighting in my dreams. Sometimes, I even talk in my dreams too. (so far after 30 years of marriage those vivid dreams were never self-incriminating which makes my wife happy and me luckier!) Sometimes, I wished that I would not wake up as some dreams are to “die for” as they are quite sweet and full of joy. Those kinds of dreams could be the perfect fulfillment of some suppressed desires! The capacity to dream is one of the greatest gifts that our Almighty Creator has endowed upon us, human beings. I pray that this unique gift will be with me until I breathe my last breath of life. Dreams take so many forms and images. They are the centerpiece and the heart of immortal speeches like “I Have a Dream” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. he delivered in 1963 at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, 5 years before his assassination in 1968. Dreams are also the essence of many magical songs like “The Impossible Dream” from the musical “Man of La Mancha” written by Joe Darion sang by many famous entertainers like Andy Williams and Frank Sinatra, or the “Dream Dream Dream” sung by the Everly Brothers. Some songs like R. Kelley’s “I believe I can Fly” obviously refer to dreaming as it is only in dreams that the writers and singers can do it with ease. Even the Good Book contains many stories about bible characters dreaming that often guided their decisions. For instance, the three Kings from the East, the Magi, who visited the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, decided not to go back to the Pharaoh despite his request for them to go back to him, so he too can pay homage to the newly born Jesus. Instead they went back home through another route because they were instructed to do so in a dream. Because of a dream, Joseph brought his family, consisting his spouse Mary and his infant son Jesus, to Egypt to avoid Herod’s persecution by killing all first born sons. Another Joseph, the son of Jacob, through divine inspiration interpreted the dream of the Pharaoh of a forthcoming severe famine that will visit Egypt. With Joseph’s right interpretation, it enabled the king to avert this extreme famine by storing plenty of surplus grains in their granaries. As the story goes, (Genesis chapter 37-45) the famine persisted for seven years that compelled the brothers of Joseph to go to Egypt and “beg for food” without any knowledge that their young brother Joseph whom they have sold to some merchants because of their jealousy has risen to prominence in the Pharaoh’s palace. The saga of Joseph, the dreamer, is an interesting story of the human condition ---- from jealousy to conflict resolution to forgiveness ------ that still afflicts us, human beings, to this day. What a story that needs to be retold to our children and their children too! ----- ------------- Fast forward to the 2lst century, do people still dream? Do they still dream for a better future? For a more progressive, ethical and more peaceful world? Many people who stop dreaming, are actually “dead” at 40, maybe, but physically buried physically in their 70’s or 90’s maybe. Sadly many people just accept what life’s cards were dealt to them and just go on with the mundane routine of life, without dreaming and working for a better day. One can observe many lonely seniors bereft of zest for life, just socializing and majoring in minor topics every day in their homes or some senior citizen housing somewhere. The high point of their week is their regular casino trips or weekend mad jong games for hours. Their capacity to dream has ceased the day they stopped their employment. They no longer wake up excited to do something new that stimulates their stagnant mind. As their mind stagnates, the body degenerates and soon, their main weekly activity is to visit their doctor for more prescriptions to numb themselves in their boring lives. I feel real pity for these kinds of people as there is so much to do even past 65, like volunteering in church or in schools and in many non-profit organizations like United Way, Habitat for Humanity or Gawad Kalinga rather than silently crying in quiet desperation. As I also enter into this so-called senior stage of my life, I shudder to think to be just an ordinary senior citizen who can no longer dream for another beautiful morning to re-create some new things or indulge in mentally or physically stimulating activities like writing this column, or planting tiny seeds, that in due time becomes a robust plant blooming with multicolored flowers that may turn into some edible fruits for humans as well as the birds (and even some “wild” animals) that occasionally visit our forest-like backyard now. Many plants like eggplants, zucchinis or tomatoes live only for one season and they dried up. In their death, however, they leave their seeds that will regenerate their own species for the next season. What a beautiful mystery of God’s creation: one has to die to give a new life again! --------------- Parallel to dreaming, I had a serendipitous discovery that I truly enjoy and that was my active interaction with college students at the University of California, Irvine. For about three years now, I am in regular contacts with these college students who are in their late teens or early twenties. Due to my position as the Youth Director of my Rotary Club of Newport Irvine, I was instrumental in the founding and chartering of the Rotaract Club of UCI about two years ago, after almost a year of preparation. Now, the UCI Rotaract Club has its life by its own. Dozens of the members have since graduated but many of us still communicate with each other nurturing our meaningful relationships that were established the last few years, courtesy of FaceBook and the internet. Some are now in many places all over the USA, like in Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Honolulu and Washington D.C, as well in China, Korea and even in Europe. Others are pursuing their graduate studies, to become doctors, lawyers or PH D’s. Despite the socio-economic condition of the country and the world these days, many of them continue to dream for a better future for themselves and the world! Their zest for life is fueled by their optimism and love for life’s adventure. In a “Meet Different Professionalsl and Businesspeople” dinner that they hosted recently, where 10 adults like me were invited, several dozen students had a chance to have intimate dialogues with us. They thanked us profusely as they learned a lot from us. But in reality, we also learned from them as they rejuvenated our aging cells. In solitude after that dinner, I had a secret dream that I wish I were a twenty year old student again, even without the nice cars and a big house. That was another fantasy-dream, reliving my faded youth! Another dream that I am now excitedly looking forward for its fulfillment during the next Rotary year is our EDSA (Entrepreneurship Development for Socioeconomic Advancement) Training seminars for the youth (college students and high school seniors) in the Philippines. With a Rotary Foundation grant of at least $30,000 initially with a potential maximum amount of $300,000, in succeeding years, we hope to educate/train/mentor a million students by 2020 for them to become entrepreneurs or job creators and not simply job seekers. This big, noble but very ambitious project stir the souls of many Rotarians and dreamers like me writer. Whatever happens to this dream of ours, I will update you, dear readers, with the hope that it can also inspire or stir your hearts to help our GKe-Rotary Club (www.gkerotaryclub3780.org) attain it! When one stops dreaming, life stops! So DARE TO DREAM AGAIN, as dreams are still free! --------- 3 0 --------- Email writer at: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com D