THE METAMORPHOSIS (Dec 2013 column)
By
ERNIE D. DELIFN
SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE, EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES
IN 2013 THAT MADE AN IMPACT TO THE WORLD AND TO MY OWN LIFE
“ An unexamined life is not worth living for.” ... Socrates
It ‘s again another Christmas season, when the believers and followers of Christ take time to
celebrate His birthday, which is the real reason for the season, and to take inventory of what we have
spiritually and materially. With material trappings of Christmas perpetuated by the malls and
other places of commerce the spiritual aspect of Christmas has been subdued or overshadowed by
the Christmas activities and parties everywhere. Amidst all the bright lights, food and festivities
that engulf us, however, it is unthinkable to have joy and happiness without the presence of family
and friends who love and care for one another and manifest their affection with gifts that has
become a family tradition for many. Mysteriously, this season brings back many memories that not
only make many people very happy but also make some people very lonely and even suicidal.
This Christmas, as in years past, I try not to get carried away with so many things or activities
around me that often add more unnecessary stress to life. I have learned and accepted long ago
that Christmastime or not, one can be generous with his time and resources to others. To be
genuinely happy is not just to receive or give a lot of toys and gifts, but to be grateful for what we
have: our life, family, home and health that we enjoy.
As the year is about to end, it is but natural and apropos to acknowledge or remember
people, events or experiences that made a positive impact to our lives. Good news or even
tragedies that visit us can be life-giving or at least make us better human beings. As this my
last column for 2013, I want to wish and greet all my readers a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A
PROSPEROUS PEACEFUL NEW YEAR.
Also, I want to share some significant people, events , places and experiences that made the
year flew very fast, as well as adding more colors , drama and stories to my Book of Life. Of no
particular order of importance or chronology, here are my personal choices that hopefully match
yours or at least trigger your mind to come up with your own list of significant events last year:
* The selection of Pope Francis I as the “Person of the Year” by TIME Magazine. Since the
time that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina, the first Jesuit and the first one from the
Americas was elected pope a year ago, and immediately choosing Pope Francis I, as his papal name,
and reading more and more personal anecdotes about him, I am forever awed by his humility,
compassion and energy in following the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and living out Christ’s
teachings especially on Peace and Justice issues. His example of cooking his own meals, taking public
transportation, meeting and visiting homeless people, living in a Vatican guesthouse rather than the
luxurious Papal residence mesmerized me since then and made me quite happy as one practicing
Catholic. Like many writers, I have also devoted one column about a few months after his election
as the successor of Pope Benedict XVI I truly believe that God has given us the right kind of pope
to address the many serious issues and challenges of our times. I join millions of people around the
world in praying that God blesses him with a long and healthy life to be able to institute much
needed reforms through his revolutionary and Servant Leadership style like the ways of Christ and St.
* SuperTyphoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) in the Philippines. It took the worst
typhoon named Yolanda (aka Haiyan its international name) that devastated Central Visayas,
especially the provinces of Samar and Leyte, to realize that after all peoples around the world do
care and empathize with the pains and sufferings of the Filipino people. It’s amazing that nations
and governments all over the world and people everywhere regardless of color, creed, nationality
or ideology are doing something to help, monetary or in kind material contributions, to be sent to
the areas that were severely affected. It was a heartwarming to witness the outpouring of love and
compassion from so many people with golden hearts. As the song says “We are the people, we are
the world, let us start believing” is indeed true after all
* Death of Nelson Mandela. An incredible man who rose to become the first black president
of South Africa after decades of White Minority rule, after his long years in prison. His example not
only shone in his country but throughout the world. He became a bigger man than his predecessors
by forgiving those who have caused his incarceration and not holding any grudge against them.
Like Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa, he advocated love and compassion to everyone. He
left a lasting legacy by the way he lived his life and his extraordinary leadership as a Servant Leader
unifying the South African people after a very divisive history of Apartheid
* The Waking up of the Filipino people against corrupt politicians, including senators and
political dynasties who think they own the country. I hope and pray that with the thousands of
shenanigans and graft and corruptions happening in all the three branches of government in the
Philippines that are now being uncovered and exposed by the present administration and filing legal
cases against those accused of graft and corruption, including senators and former cabinet officials.
Hopefully these actions will lead to a moral and ethical governance, so that the government is truly a
government of the people, by the people and for the people. With the resolve of the present regime
in the Philippines, and the guidance of God, I pray that 2014 will be the beginning of true justice
with just punishment of the guilty and the renaissance of a better government for the country.
Martin Luther King’s “I HAVE A DREAM” speech in Washington D.C. (?) These two icons of American
anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s Assassination and also 50th
history changed America for the better despite that there lives were cut short by assassins’ bullets.
JFK’s vision to put a man in the moon, the establishment of the Peace Corps and his “Ask not what
your country can do for you” admonition to this fellow Americans still reverberate to his day, half
a century later. MLK, on the other hand, his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement through his
fearless advocacy that all men, regardless of color and creed, are created equal and have inalienable
rights to live in peace and justice. Had these two leaders not assassinated and instead lived a full life
like President Reagan or Carter, America’s social fiber would have been stronger now. Social injustice
would probably been lessened and probably the Vietnam War would probably not have happened or
* The Affordable Care Act or popularly known as Obamacare. This historic law that was
passed during President’s Obama’s term has caused a lot of tension or division among so many
Americans, between the liberals and conservatives since the height of the Vietnam War. While
the Democrats have supported to cater to their constituencies, the Republicans want to defund or
abolish Obamacare. This is a form of socialized health care, which has many advantages as well
as disadvantages. Americans already pay more for their health care yet they are afforded less
care because of costs compared to all the countries in the industrialized world. The conservative
Republicans and the liberal Democrats must reach a prudent, reasonable compromise and
equilibrium by simply forgetting their party’s myopic ideology by embracing the philosophy that
their loyalty to their political party must end when their loyalty to the American people and love for
their country begins. Charity and compassion to the deserving is commendable, but taking advantage
of government entitlement or social benefits by able bodied people who can also earn a living is plain
* The George Zimmerman and the Jodi Arias court trials. These two recent trials of murder in the
United States have opened a wide array of debilitating cancer in the U.S. society today. In so many
aspects, the courtroom drama magnified, that race, dispensation of justice and lengthy and costly
trials are still a part and parcel of the justice system. The daily papers as well as the TV news have
provided incessant entertainment courtesy of the American taxpayers. Having witnessed some
of these media coverage of these legal dramas, I feel nauseated and angered just observing, that
apparently, the perpetrators of their alleged crimes were more prominent and important than the
victims themselves. Although it was a tragedy in many respects, I hope and pray that there will also
be good that can germinate from such a tragic and real life court drama among the parties that still
continues o this day. There should be some kind of reforms to cure this malady as the “welfare of the
people should be the supreme law.”
What follows are personal experiences that the world does not have to know but they have
significantly made a positive impact to this writer on a personal level:
• Catholic Prison Minister Experience in Orange County Jail. The last two years joining my
fellow Prison Ministers (formally known as Restorative Justice and Detention Ministers)
I found out quite mysteriously that I have enjoyed and learned much from this service of
interacting, leading the inmates in County Jail in Bible Studies and Catholic Services. Beyond
my wildest imaginations, I have come face to face with some convicted murderers, drug
addicts and people of many backgrounds, color or creed. The only link between us, ministers
and the inmates or prisoners is our humanity and the core belief that there is a Higher Being
called God or whatever name He is called. The inmates attend our services voluntarily and
their one hour attendance every week, I heard from a few, is the highlight of their week. For
some of them, it is a re-birth of their own “lost faith” and for many inmates these bible study
and spirituality classes are the first ones they have ever attended in their lives! After over 6
years of active involvement of my local Catholic Church of Holy Spirit in Fountain Valley such
as in our weekly Bible Study, Eucharistic Ministry, and a member of the Pastoral Council, this
Prison Ministry is living out of my faith as well as following Jesus commandment of loving
your neighbor when He said “that when you I was hungry, you gave me food to eat, when I
was naked, you clothed me and when I am in Prison, you visited me” .
• Our Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club’s (that I founded) outreach program to a “third” world
country, Mexico. For two years, now, upon the initiative of our Club’s International Director,
Chuck Cota, with a Mexican ancestry, we have been going to an Orphanage (Hogar de la
Gracia Home) in Rosarito-Tijuana border, less than an hour from San Diego, California. We
have given many gifts, baby strollers and cash that we have collected in Orange County to
share. Although it is not very much, these donations have made dozens of children’s faces
light up and made their Christmas season a little bit brighter, just knowing that there are
people, who they never knew from Adam do care. Going there on a hectic week two weeks
ago, when there are several invitations to Christmas parties, was all worth what we personally
witnessed and felt deep inside our souls.
• Lastly but not the least, our APOstolic work (In Filipino, APO means grandchild in English)
It’s a common belief that taking care of your own apos is more fulfilling than your own
kids simply because “you can spoil them freely because no one spanks GrandPa.” During
the years when our children were very young (Donna, now 36 and EJ, now 26) we have not
taken care of them during weekdays due to work and business. Now, with the concomitant
blessings of being retarded..... errr retired seniors, we seem to compensate that lost
opportunity by seeing and taking care of Donna’s daughters: Olivia, almost 4 and Sofie,
almost 2 years old , almost every day that we desire. Unless you are a grandparent, you may
never know nor feel that priceless enjoyment that just being with your apos can bring you.
In return, we the lolos and lolas can even give up our life for them simply because they are
the future of our families and our world, while we are already in the sunset of our earthly
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
------ 3 0 ------
Email columnist at: ernie.delfin@gmail.com visit: www.rotaryeclubGlobalKalingaD3780.org
By
ERNIE D. DELIFN
SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE, EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES
IN 2013 THAT MADE AN IMPACT TO THE WORLD AND TO MY OWN LIFE
“ An unexamined life is not worth living for.” ... Socrates
It ‘s again another Christmas season, when the believers and followers of Christ take time to
celebrate His birthday, which is the real reason for the season, and to take inventory of what we have
spiritually and materially. With material trappings of Christmas perpetuated by the malls and
other places of commerce the spiritual aspect of Christmas has been subdued or overshadowed by
the Christmas activities and parties everywhere. Amidst all the bright lights, food and festivities
that engulf us, however, it is unthinkable to have joy and happiness without the presence of family
and friends who love and care for one another and manifest their affection with gifts that has
become a family tradition for many. Mysteriously, this season brings back many memories that not
only make many people very happy but also make some people very lonely and even suicidal.
This Christmas, as in years past, I try not to get carried away with so many things or activities
around me that often add more unnecessary stress to life. I have learned and accepted long ago
that Christmastime or not, one can be generous with his time and resources to others. To be
genuinely happy is not just to receive or give a lot of toys and gifts, but to be grateful for what we
have: our life, family, home and health that we enjoy.
As the year is about to end, it is but natural and apropos to acknowledge or remember
people, events or experiences that made a positive impact to our lives. Good news or even
tragedies that visit us can be life-giving or at least make us better human beings. As this my
last column for 2013, I want to wish and greet all my readers a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A
PROSPEROUS PEACEFUL NEW YEAR.
Also, I want to share some significant people, events , places and experiences that made the
year flew very fast, as well as adding more colors , drama and stories to my Book of Life. Of no
particular order of importance or chronology, here are my personal choices that hopefully match
yours or at least trigger your mind to come up with your own list of significant events last year:
* The selection of Pope Francis I as the “Person of the Year” by TIME Magazine. Since the
time that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina, the first Jesuit and the first one from the
Americas was elected pope a year ago, and immediately choosing Pope Francis I, as his papal name,
and reading more and more personal anecdotes about him, I am forever awed by his humility,
compassion and energy in following the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and living out Christ’s
teachings especially on Peace and Justice issues. His example of cooking his own meals, taking public
transportation, meeting and visiting homeless people, living in a Vatican guesthouse rather than the
luxurious Papal residence mesmerized me since then and made me quite happy as one practicing
Catholic. Like many writers, I have also devoted one column about a few months after his election
as the successor of Pope Benedict XVI I truly believe that God has given us the right kind of pope
to address the many serious issues and challenges of our times. I join millions of people around the
world in praying that God blesses him with a long and healthy life to be able to institute much
needed reforms through his revolutionary and Servant Leadership style like the ways of Christ and St.
* SuperTyphoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) in the Philippines. It took the worst
typhoon named Yolanda (aka Haiyan its international name) that devastated Central Visayas,
especially the provinces of Samar and Leyte, to realize that after all peoples around the world do
care and empathize with the pains and sufferings of the Filipino people. It’s amazing that nations
and governments all over the world and people everywhere regardless of color, creed, nationality
or ideology are doing something to help, monetary or in kind material contributions, to be sent to
the areas that were severely affected. It was a heartwarming to witness the outpouring of love and
compassion from so many people with golden hearts. As the song says “We are the people, we are
the world, let us start believing” is indeed true after all
* Death of Nelson Mandela. An incredible man who rose to become the first black president
of South Africa after decades of White Minority rule, after his long years in prison. His example not
only shone in his country but throughout the world. He became a bigger man than his predecessors
by forgiving those who have caused his incarceration and not holding any grudge against them.
Like Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa, he advocated love and compassion to everyone. He
left a lasting legacy by the way he lived his life and his extraordinary leadership as a Servant Leader
unifying the South African people after a very divisive history of Apartheid
* The Waking up of the Filipino people against corrupt politicians, including senators and
political dynasties who think they own the country. I hope and pray that with the thousands of
shenanigans and graft and corruptions happening in all the three branches of government in the
Philippines that are now being uncovered and exposed by the present administration and filing legal
cases against those accused of graft and corruption, including senators and former cabinet officials.
Hopefully these actions will lead to a moral and ethical governance, so that the government is truly a
government of the people, by the people and for the people. With the resolve of the present regime
in the Philippines, and the guidance of God, I pray that 2014 will be the beginning of true justice
with just punishment of the guilty and the renaissance of a better government for the country.
Martin Luther King’s “I HAVE A DREAM” speech in Washington D.C. (?) These two icons of American
anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s Assassination and also 50th
history changed America for the better despite that there lives were cut short by assassins’ bullets.
JFK’s vision to put a man in the moon, the establishment of the Peace Corps and his “Ask not what
your country can do for you” admonition to this fellow Americans still reverberate to his day, half
a century later. MLK, on the other hand, his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement through his
fearless advocacy that all men, regardless of color and creed, are created equal and have inalienable
rights to live in peace and justice. Had these two leaders not assassinated and instead lived a full life
like President Reagan or Carter, America’s social fiber would have been stronger now. Social injustice
would probably been lessened and probably the Vietnam War would probably not have happened or
* The Affordable Care Act or popularly known as Obamacare. This historic law that was
passed during President’s Obama’s term has caused a lot of tension or division among so many
Americans, between the liberals and conservatives since the height of the Vietnam War. While
the Democrats have supported to cater to their constituencies, the Republicans want to defund or
abolish Obamacare. This is a form of socialized health care, which has many advantages as well
as disadvantages. Americans already pay more for their health care yet they are afforded less
care because of costs compared to all the countries in the industrialized world. The conservative
Republicans and the liberal Democrats must reach a prudent, reasonable compromise and
equilibrium by simply forgetting their party’s myopic ideology by embracing the philosophy that
their loyalty to their political party must end when their loyalty to the American people and love for
their country begins. Charity and compassion to the deserving is commendable, but taking advantage
of government entitlement or social benefits by able bodied people who can also earn a living is plain
* The George Zimmerman and the Jodi Arias court trials. These two recent trials of murder in the
United States have opened a wide array of debilitating cancer in the U.S. society today. In so many
aspects, the courtroom drama magnified, that race, dispensation of justice and lengthy and costly
trials are still a part and parcel of the justice system. The daily papers as well as the TV news have
provided incessant entertainment courtesy of the American taxpayers. Having witnessed some
of these media coverage of these legal dramas, I feel nauseated and angered just observing, that
apparently, the perpetrators of their alleged crimes were more prominent and important than the
victims themselves. Although it was a tragedy in many respects, I hope and pray that there will also
be good that can germinate from such a tragic and real life court drama among the parties that still
continues o this day. There should be some kind of reforms to cure this malady as the “welfare of the
people should be the supreme law.”
What follows are personal experiences that the world does not have to know but they have
significantly made a positive impact to this writer on a personal level:
• Catholic Prison Minister Experience in Orange County Jail. The last two years joining my
fellow Prison Ministers (formally known as Restorative Justice and Detention Ministers)
I found out quite mysteriously that I have enjoyed and learned much from this service of
interacting, leading the inmates in County Jail in Bible Studies and Catholic Services. Beyond
my wildest imaginations, I have come face to face with some convicted murderers, drug
addicts and people of many backgrounds, color or creed. The only link between us, ministers
and the inmates or prisoners is our humanity and the core belief that there is a Higher Being
called God or whatever name He is called. The inmates attend our services voluntarily and
their one hour attendance every week, I heard from a few, is the highlight of their week. For
some of them, it is a re-birth of their own “lost faith” and for many inmates these bible study
and spirituality classes are the first ones they have ever attended in their lives! After over 6
years of active involvement of my local Catholic Church of Holy Spirit in Fountain Valley such
as in our weekly Bible Study, Eucharistic Ministry, and a member of the Pastoral Council, this
Prison Ministry is living out of my faith as well as following Jesus commandment of loving
your neighbor when He said “that when you I was hungry, you gave me food to eat, when I
was naked, you clothed me and when I am in Prison, you visited me” .
• Our Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club’s (that I founded) outreach program to a “third” world
country, Mexico. For two years, now, upon the initiative of our Club’s International Director,
Chuck Cota, with a Mexican ancestry, we have been going to an Orphanage (Hogar de la
Gracia Home) in Rosarito-Tijuana border, less than an hour from San Diego, California. We
have given many gifts, baby strollers and cash that we have collected in Orange County to
share. Although it is not very much, these donations have made dozens of children’s faces
light up and made their Christmas season a little bit brighter, just knowing that there are
people, who they never knew from Adam do care. Going there on a hectic week two weeks
ago, when there are several invitations to Christmas parties, was all worth what we personally
witnessed and felt deep inside our souls.
• Lastly but not the least, our APOstolic work (In Filipino, APO means grandchild in English)
It’s a common belief that taking care of your own apos is more fulfilling than your own
kids simply because “you can spoil them freely because no one spanks GrandPa.” During
the years when our children were very young (Donna, now 36 and EJ, now 26) we have not
taken care of them during weekdays due to work and business. Now, with the concomitant
blessings of being retarded..... errr retired seniors, we seem to compensate that lost
opportunity by seeing and taking care of Donna’s daughters: Olivia, almost 4 and Sofie,
almost 2 years old , almost every day that we desire. Unless you are a grandparent, you may
never know nor feel that priceless enjoyment that just being with your apos can bring you.
In return, we the lolos and lolas can even give up our life for them simply because they are
the future of our families and our world, while we are already in the sunset of our earthly
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
------ 3 0 ------
Email columnist at: ernie.delfin@gmail.com visit: www.rotaryeclubGlobalKalingaD3780.org
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