The Placid Sojourner --- Ating ipagdiwang, Bulwagan ng Dangal...

The Placid Sojourner --- Ating ipagdiwang, Bulwagan ng Dangal... http://jimjim875.multiply.com/ Let truth be part of your every reading moment. Welcome to the blog of Jaifred Christian F. Lopez, the Placid Sojourner. JIMJIM is an integrated clinical clerk at the <a href="http://www.pgh.gov.ph/">University of the Philippines--Philippine General Hospital,</a>, editor of Medics, the Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, and a member of the <a href="http://www.phikappamu.com/">Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity</a>. He is eldest of five children, raised in Pangasinan and lives in Sampaloc, Manila, right next to the <a href="http://www.ust.edu.ph/"> the fountain of purest light. </a>  He studied at Marist School Marikina, Our Lady of the Lilies Academy, Villasis I Central School and Divine Word College of Urdaneta. He proudly wears his maroon and green school colors with pride. He considers TRUTH as his central focus in life, that ought to be praised, blessed and preached for the greater glory of God. Saint Peter Canisius, pray for us. Wed, 2 Jul 2008 23:22:44 -0000 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:17:25 -0000 The Placid Sojourner --- Ating ipagdiwang, Bulwagan ng Dangal... http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/logo http://jimjim875.multiply.com 100 100 Emerlinda Roman seems to be disconnected from reality <a class="select" href="http://contrabandiction.multiply.com/journal/item/23/Emerlinda_Roman_seems_to_be_disconnected_from_reality">Link</a> courtesy of my former classmate contrabandiction. UP closed to brightest of poor Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 02:46am (Mla time) 06/20/2008 On the third day of classes in the hundredth year of the University of the Philippines (UP), a freshman from Cotabato province, a Chemistry major at UP in Diliman, Quezon City, had to drop out. Together with his father, the brokenhearted young man went to see each of his instructors to have his subjects invalidated. While his Math 17 instructor was deleting his name from the class list, I could see the poverty, desperation, anger and sense of resignation in their faces. It was not the disappointment of winning the lottery and being denied the prize later. The young man is a member of a minority group in Mindanao. Without any connections and in the absence of any socialized admission policy, he qualified as a freshman in the College of Science of UP Diliman, a distinction he earned through intelligence, pure hard work and perseverance... http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/92/Emerlinda_Roman_seems_to_be_disconnected_from_reality Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:17:25 -0000 Friendster Anger I kind of hate Friendster. It is one social networking site that offers less privacy: it somehow lets other people prey on your profile. It is quite susceptible to bugs. If only there is a way to detoxify my profile. Because just now, after almost a month of not checking my profile, I discovered something quite horrible. I'm "seeking dating for men and women, seeking relationships with men and women." Since when did I become bisexual? My shoutout hopefully will make things clear: "LET THIS BE CLEAR: I'm SINGLE, I'm STRAIGHT, I don't date men. To the one who edited my profile without my knowledge, God bless you." {}{}{}{}{}{}{} Lord, You know what it is in the heart. Strengthen my sense of identity. Amen. http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/90/Friendster_Anger Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:01:51 -0000 Frankly... <a href="http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SF3CbQoKCDMAAFnSOPY1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SF3CbQoKCDMAAFnSOPY1/dvor-nh07W.GIF?et=ziOSxLPKbJiJmkKGBDJhtA&nmid=0" border="0"></a> Here's what we are experiencing... rainshowers, thunderstorms at 130 kph and increased risk of exposure to Leptospira spp. Hehehehe. {}{}{}{}{}{}{} Saint Francis Xavier, help us to cross our spiritual seas. Amen. {}{}{}{}{}{}{} photo credits: http://typhoon2000.ph http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/89/Frankly... Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:12:15 -0000 Changes I am praying for many reasons, but for only one Goal. I am seeking to find my way, and I pray that what I discern to be the way--medicine--will be God's way of leading me to yet another journey. Grant that a renewed spirit within me would propell me to do things better, to offer my talents to Him, as He shows Himself in my sick and infirm brothers and sisters. {}{}{}{}{}{}{} Saint Anthony Nam, physician and martyr, pray for us. http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/87/Changes Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:19:48 -0000 The One-Minute Poem: Karipas Karipas Kagilalas man ang ipinamalas Na lakas Lalo na kung ligtas At paa't kaluluwa'y di napipigtas Kahit makatapak ng bagay na matalas Kahit masumpungan ang panganib o dahas Marating lamang ang landas Na patungo sa kaharian na nasa Itaas. {}{}{}{}{}{}{} San Isaac Jogues, ipanalangin niyo po kami. http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/86/The_One-Minute_Poem_Karipas Fri, 13 Jun 2008 14:10:52 -0000 James' Seminary Entrance Day Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary, June 3, 2008. My father, brother John and sister Jane were there to help him fix his things. http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/album/41/James_Seminary_Entrance_Day Tue, 3 Jun 2008 13:24:29 -0000 TLFA Journalism Workshop Tarlac Living Faith Academy, May 26-27, 2008. Special thanks to the family of Mark Co and the TLFA family. http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/album/38/TLFA_Journalism_Workshop Mon, 2 Jun 2008 12:34:11 -0000 Newton Urdaneta CER 2008 Batch 3 Our third and final batch of Newton College Entrance Review Students. My sister Joanna taught them Languages, my brother John taught them Math. I taught them Science. Is this a family business, or http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/album/37/Newton_Urdaneta_CER_2008_Batch_3 Mon, 2 Jun 2008 11:54:38 -0000 Automatic Confession The Catholic Church has installed a new automatic confession service. Very funny, http://jimjim875.multiply.com/video/item/7/Automatic_Confession Sat, 31 May 2008 02:07:38 -0000 "Hi, class, you can call me Sir Christian..." I taught campus journalism for two days at a Chinese Christian school in Tarlac City. I am very thankful for the family of Mark Co, my classmate, for making this possible. Picture will be coming soon. For now, I am slowly preparing to submit my evaluations, do some examination questions and begin yet another school year as a UP medical student. I am not quite sure what to feel. {}{}{}{}{}{}{}{} Saint Ignatius, pray for us. http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/83/Hi_class_you_can_call_me_Sir_Christian... Fri, 30 May 2008 11:25:17 -0000 Stranded! Last Saturday I was stranded at the bus terminal in Tarlac, while Typhoon Cosme ravaged its way through my home province Pangasinan. I was to only reach home at 3:50 a.m., after almost 5 hours of waiting. <a href="http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SDEbyQoKCDMAADA3X901"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SDEbyQoKCDMAADA3X901/2008-05-18%20074.jpg?et=94mCIpE4iSecgmhNHIA%2CMw&nmid=" border="0"></a>My companions. ;-) <a href="http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SDEaxgoKCDMAABZIwOU1"><img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SDEaxgoKCDMAABZIwOU1/2008-05-18%20075.jpg?et=7APmYTnyhTULu3N7kpw5Bw&nmid=" border="0"></a>People like me, waiting... I reached Villasis plunged into total darkness, with some puddles, twigs and leaves littering the normally clean national highway. Thank God everyone's safe. But I saw the fallen mango tree on the backyard, as well as the small puddles that drips from the roof have created inside the house. We had to clean them all the next day. {}{}{}{}{}{}{}{} Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, pray for us. http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/82/Stranded Mon, 19 May 2008 06:27:18 -0000 The One-Minute Poem: Pungan Pungan a pagiddaan A pagikabilan ti dagsen ti bagi a napnuan Ti bannog Ti rugit a naala iti ruwar Nga saanto koma Nga umuneg Iti kaunggan ti kararwa, ngem Agbatinto, ti ngisit ken bangsit Iti ules Iti pagiddaan Iti pungan {}{}{}{}{}{}{} Unan Unan na pinaghihigaan Na napagbabalingan ng bigat ng katawang puno Ng pagod Ng karumihang nakuha sa labas Na hindi sana Maisaloob Sa pinakamalalim na dako ng kaluluwa, ngunit Maiiwan, ang karimlan at kabahuan Sa kumot Sa kama Sa unan http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/80/The_One-Minute_Poem_Pungan Thu, 15 May 2008 10:52:04 -0000 In Shades of Many Colors Black, Gold, Black, White: I am back, momentarily, here in the place I call my home here in Manila, right next to UST. Maroon and Green: I am back to being in my alma mater UP. Green and White: Welcome, UP College of Medicine Class 2013, my contemporaries (i.e. those with whom I spent my CAS days together)! I am very happy many friends of mine made it. Good luck! Green, Black and White: Medics quite needs my attention, and I am thankful for my friends within the staff who are helping one another in strengthening it. Black and Gold: I am thankful for my frat brothers, as well as everyone who greeted me on my birthday. By the way, Happy Birthday Vince and Reci! Yellow, Sky Blue, Indigo and Red: I am currently teaching in Newton, and I'll drop by our Katipunan branch within the week. Of course, I would politely request that that opportunity to visit LH be factored in into my daily time record, as though I went to office in my home branch. White and Blue: I am extremely thankful for my Jesuit friend... http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/78/In_Shades_of_Many_Colors Wed, 14 May 2008 14:41:45 -0000 Newton Urdaneta CER 2008 Batch 2 Here's the second batch of students who received instruction in the sciences from one zany teacher like me. The Career Orientation was held April 30, their last day at the Center was during my birthday, May http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/album/35/Newton_Urdaneta_CER_2008_Batch_2 Thu, 8 May 2008 02:39:52 -0000 Newton Urdaneta CER 2008 Batch 1 My students during this year's college entrance review conducted by Newton Study Center Urdaneta. Pictures from the other batch will be uploaded http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/album/34/Newton_Urdaneta_CER_2008_Batch_1 Fri, 2 May 2008 04:44:23 -0000 A Teacher Inspiring and Inspired as Well I am currently teaching as a summer instructor in a <a href="http://www.newtoninspires.com">center</a> in Urdaneta City. Pictures of me, my officemates and my students will be out soon. I love my job. I am proud that among my students, such wonderful characters have emerged. <ul><li>INTARMED candidates</li><li>three seminarians, one of which I have been told to have taken temporary vows already and taking up Philosophy at a prestigious university along Katipunan.</li><li>almost six instructors of the center already...</li><li>...and many more.</li></ul>It is a glorious feeling whenever I come across with my former students who are now studying in prestigious universities such as UP and UST. It stregnthens my resolve each time they tell me, "Thank you Sir." It's my third summer with the center and I look forward to seeing more futures made, more lives INSPIRED. {}{}{}{}{}{}{} By the way, my seminarian students inspire me so much. Enough said. {}{}{}{}{}{}{}{} Saint Charles Borromeo, patron of seminarians, pray for us. http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/76/A_Teacher_Inspiring_and_Inspired_as_Well Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:52:57 -0000 The One-Minute Poem: Nangagsilabas Nangagsilabas Nang parang ligaw na ahas Tila kulang ang tubig o gaas Upang mapawi na, maiwakas Kanilang tibay, puso, tikas Kahit pandidiri'y sa mga ito'y kay lakas Kaya't sa araw-araw na pingga'y ihuhugas Pagtambad sa kanila'y katumbas Ng gulantang sa masamang balitang nakakalatas At mapapawi lamang ng pagpisa, pagkumpas Pamalo pa man niyan, sandok o tsinelas. Ika-15 ng Abril, 2008; 10:44 pm, habang ginugunita ang paghuhugas ng plato kasama ang tatlong yumaong mga ipis. {}{}{}{}{}{}{}{} San Martin de Porres, na ayaw man lang pumatay ng ipis at lamok sa pagmamahal sa kanila, ipanalangin niyo po kami. http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/75/The_One-Minute_Poem_Nangagsilabas Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:24:31 -0000 Jesuit and Dominican Jokes These two religious orders have one way or the other have touched my life and made me realize God's call in my life as a future physician and even more. But these orders have been known in history as rival orders. I refuse to believe that it is still as it was during the age of the Reformation, when Jesuits and Dominicans disagreed on quite a number of things, although with the jokes that I have read on both parties, maybe there still exists some of the rivalry. My spiritual director somehow begs to differ. "We now talk, and exchange ideas, some of them even teach here in UST." Anyway. Some jokes I have read: A young man is thinking of becoming a Catholic priest, so he goes to talk to his pastor about the different religious orders. "What can you tell me about the Dominicans?" he asks. "Oh, they were formed in the Thirteenth Century to combat the Albigensian heresy," the priest replies. "And the Jesuits?" "They formed in the Sixteenth Century in response to the Protestant Reformation.... http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/73/Jesuit_and_Dominican_Jokes Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:04:01 -0000 "But How Much Have You Loved?" Before I finally end almost two hours of surfing the internet, God has inspired me so much as to write all about the things I have been learning the past week. <img class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SAGcswoKCDMAAG4PwUI1/image010.jpg?et=9u%2C3vqSbVTo2pxRmidYNQg&nmid=" border="0">God calls so much unworthy people to do the most remarkable things. He isn't finished with what He wants me to do, not yet at least. He wants me to embrace the dirt, to know how it is to be in such a hurtful yet beautiful world, for it is in the world that we suddenly discover how God manifests within it. But it is never without His strong connection, through prayer, through contemplation, through friends and love. He wants me to serve Him, in what way I do not have any idea, save for the fact that I ought to study well for the welfare of my future patients. He wants me to be in love with whatever He wants me to do. He wants me to love, without fear. But I do feel that someday He may call me to leave everything, to take away every single badge of honor within myself, to lay down and prostrate before Him, while being asked what have ... http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/72/But_How_Much_Have_You_Loved Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:34:09 -0000 New Theme, Same Jimjim UP Fight! The colors of UP are proudly carried by this blog with this new theme. To set the mood, here are some songs every UPian must know. I still don't have the inspiration to blog. :) <h3><a name="upnm">UP NAMING MAHAL</a></h3> UP naming mahal Pamantasang hirang Ang tinig namin Sana'y inyong dinggin. Malayong lupain Amin mang marating Di rin magbabago ang damdamin Di rin magbabago ang damdamin Luntian at pula Sagisag magpakaylan man Ating ipagdiwang bulwagan ng dangal Humayo't itanghal, giting at tapang Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan. <h3><a name="upnm">PUSH ON UP</a></h3> Push on UP And go in to win Push on UP and fight May words and deeds keep you in the lead Push on to victory with all your might Loyal and true We're always with you Push when the game goes hard From East to West We know you're the best Push ... http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/69/New_Theme_Same_Jimjim Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:42:30 -0000 1-Jupiter (Part 1) <img class="alignright" src="http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R9VndQoKCDMAAHlRGTQ1/180px-Escutmarista1.jpg?et=JqylHs%2BrWmRO%2CJF21U3z6Q&nmid=" border="0">"Ever forever, we will sing to Mary, Who in her love, bids us come to her shrine.." .. and with singing the hymn for the first time, this marked my beginning as a full-fledged Maristian, in grade school. I vividly remember waking up as early as 5:00 to just get ready, leave at 6:00, line up for flag ceremony at the grade school covered court and sing these hymns: the Lupang Hinirang, this hymn the Marist Hymn, and the Marikina Hymn. Many changes were bound to take place as I entered my section, 1-Jupiter. Like the biggest planet in the universe to which our section was named, I quietly hoped that things would turn out as big, as hopeful, as inspiring as I wanted them to be after finishing Prep year. I especially was very excited, for at last, I would learn cursive penmanship. I attempted writing in cursive during my kinder year, which caused quite a scandal on my penmanship grade. My handwriting back then wasn't as precocious as I may have made readers of this blog to think--it was, as peo... http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/68/1-Jupiter_Part_1 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:53:36 -0000 The Social Butterfly "Of all people that you should avoid to become, it is to become a social butterfly." --my spiritual director {}{}{}{}{}{}{} Saint Jerome Emiliani, pray for us. http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/67/The_Social_Butterfly Sat, 8 Mar 2008 15:03:00 -0000 Gookaku, Hisshou! <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R81K2woKCDMAAEzI2j01"></a><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R81K2woKCDMAAEzI2j01"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R81K2woKCDMAAEzI2j01/Sisyphus.jpg?et=D0P%2BewzxySNK90YJtgmbgA&nmid=" border="0"></a>I am tired of being the person others have been picturing me to be. With conviction, "gookaku", success! and "hisshou", sure victory! <a href="http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R81K2woKCDMAAEzI2j01"></a> <a href="http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R81K2woKCDMAAEzI2j01"></a> {}{}{}{}{}{}{}<a href="http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R81K2woKCDMAAEzI2j01"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R81LCQoKCDMAAE2Z3n81/organise2-3.jpg?et=iqf%2BGWCH1wje%2COMMlrUZjA&nmid=" border="0"></a> Saint Paul Miki and Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki, pray for us.<a href="http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R81K2woKCDMAAEzI2j01"></a> http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/66/Gookaku_Hisshou Tue, 4 Mar 2008 13:15:16 -0000 Mass for Truth at UST <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R8qCzQoKCDMAAApRlP01"></a><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R8qCzQoKCDMAAApRlP01"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R8qCzQoKCDMAAApRlP01/mass%20for%20truth%20ako%20yun.PNG?et=Y8AT8QfWW5ZCYzIzGfWGjA&nmid=" border="0"></a>Today is the greatest time to be a Thomasian. This I texted my spiritual director as I walked home after attending today's Mass for Truth held at the UST Santisimo Rosario Parish. Even though I am a UPian, for the past two years UST, through the Dominicans, has been stoking the fervor on my personal journey towards seeking the truth. And in this national situation, UST has gone leaps and bounds where the UP administration failed to tread. If it weren't for my fellow UP students who are always willing to stand up for what they believe in, UP would not have any voice at all. <a href="http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R8qCzQoKCDMAAApRlP01"></a><a href="http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R8qDJwoKCDMAABHHyGQ1"><img class="alignright" src="http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R8qDJwoKCDMAABHHyGQ1/jun%20lozada%20in%20UST.PNG?et=s8WOb5WKBnpKyAEqcLuYog&nmid=" border="0"></a> But I am extremely impressed with UST. Not only do the whole Thomasian community expressed their support for NBN-ZTE scandal witness Engr. Jun Lozada (UST BS ECE, 1984), it has adopted Lozada himself as the University's statement. As a person spiritually linking himself to the Thomasian spirit, I am deeply proud of being part of history. With arms raised at the end of the mass, there was the yearning within everyone pr... http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/65/Mass_for_Truth_at_UST Sun, 2 Mar 2008 10:41:42 -0000 Prep-Magiting Tinungga ko yung tubig ko with a memory enhancer kanina. It proved too much. Now, even my Prep years at Marist were as crystal clear as they happened yesterday. {}{}{}{}{}{}{} It was quite a loss for my parents, my mother most especially. After letting their eldest son study in summer school in preparation for entrance examinations at a prestigious exclusive boys school in Katipunan, all that has ended such a dream was a mere phone call. The Admissions Committee of that school called up the home of a family friend. We had no landline phone then, so my Mom arranged with her friend and asked for a favor: to let my Mom indicate in my application form their phone number as temporarily our own, and to answer the Committee's call if ever I pass the exams. The fateful call came, but it seemed that another member of that household not only denied knowing any Jaifred Christian Lopez in the house, that person even banged the phone as she hung up. So much for their dream for their child to grow ea... http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/64/Prep-Magiting Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:28:29 -0000 Ignatian and Dominican Spirituality <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R8KzOwoKCDMAAE-EvLM1"></a><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/R8KzOwoKCDMAAE-EvLM1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.jimjim875.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/R8KzOwoKCDMAAE-EvLM1/31776%7ESaint-Ignatius-of-Loyola-1491-1556-Posters.jpg?et=f%2Bl55TQmnw%2CDyF%2CBDi4AqA&nmid=" border="0"></a> I now pause from the spate of "Blasts from the Past" with a reflection on the spirituality on the two figures I find most influential in the history of the development of Catholic spirituality: Saints Dominic and Ignatius of Loyola. Both lived very different and yet very similar circumstances and environments. For one, both were Spaniards, Dominic being from Calaruega, Ignatius being of noble blood in what is now known as the Basque region. Both were surrounded by very turbulent events: <a href="http://jimjim875.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R8KzOwoKCDMAAE-EvLM1"></a>Dominic being in the midst of the Albigensian heresy of the 13th century, Ignatius being at the heart of the storm brought about by the Reformation of the 16th century. But both had very differing yet complementary interpretations of following the path to holiness. All of them can be much traced to their personal experiences. Chracteristically profound for Ignatius was his former life of sin and worldliness, Dominic his personal encounters with temptation as well as threats of death during his preaching t... http://jimjim875.multiply.com/journal/item/62/Ignatian_and_Dominican_Spirituality Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:27:43 -0000