Jonah's Literary Attempts

TATAY ( Happy Father's Day )

2011-06-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

Larawan ka ng isang matibay
at malakas na haligi ng tahanan.
Pilit na itinaguyod ang pamilya
sa kabila ng matinding kahirapan.

Batid ko ang dinanas na hirap
at lahat ng ‘yong pagsisikap.
Dugo,pawis,kasama ng pananalig
Itinanim sa hardin ng pangarap.

Sa paglipas ng mga panahon,
May mga tanim na nasalanta.
Ngunit ‘di man lahat ay tumubo
Mayroon ding sumibol at namunga.

Dumudungaw ang dapit-hapon,
Ang gabi’y marahang kumakatok
Ang minsa’y haliging tanggulan
Unti-unting nagiging marupok.

Dahan-dahan na ring naglaho
ang iyong taglay na lakas,
Na sa mga nakalipas na bagyo
naging isang sandalang matatag.

Tatay,hindi ko na rin maalala
Kung kailan kita huling nayakap
o nasabi sa’yo na mahal kita –
sana’y magawa ko bago mahuli ang lahat.

-jonah orteza@ 3am-6/19/11

A Father's Love

2011-01-23T12:50:00.000-08:00

( for my beloved son, Zion Judah....written @ 4am, 24January2011 )

When the lights are dim,
When the room is dark;
And when it's cold outside
I will keep you warm
here in my loving arms.

When you feel you're alone
and see shadows all around;
When the rain won't stop
Just listen to my heartbeat,
Everything's gonna be alright.

I can hear you cry even
through the lonely night
I can write a song
for you my little child.
Oh, how I dance with joy
as I watch you sleep tonight!

As I wake each day
to see you grow and play
and become a man you will be,
nothing will ever change.
You are what you are to me.

And when I lose my strength,
my sense of hearing or my sight,
Son,even in my twilight time
I will be loving you until
when we are a breath apart!

ECCLESIASTES

2010-03-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

( 05 March 2010 , 9a.m. - a look into reality...life is like a chess opponent who makes such an unxpected move,that no matter how you want to, you can never think the reply in advance...)

Pondering into life
I realized that each day is a gift.
We are faced with uncertainty
In the blink of an eye
the breath that we have
will simply pass us by
anytime.

How time flies so fast.
I’m seemingly unaware that
we are almost halfway
at the end of the road!
Just like the grass
that grows in summer and

withers in due time
unnoticed.

Now we see them
Now we we don’t…
I used to laugh with ‘em,
play with them, talk with them –
Dennis, Ronald, Ramil, Jojo
and to the people I’ve known
of whom I had outlived –
“In memoriam”.

This world will pass.
and for all its cares
everything is meaningless
under the same old sun.
I am simply living
in the vast ocean of His grace
drowning myself on it
day by day.

Broken

2010-03-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

( a very funny story that happened almost a decade ago...)

I thought of bright summer days
just as I thought of you.
Like the scent of the morning dew
when the ricefield is ready
and harvest is due…
I dreamed of having you.

With hope of a great love
yet with reckless abandon,
I stretched out my dirty hand
to give you some flowers.
Alas,when reality unfolded
my illusions faded in an abyss.

Maybe you’re a goddess,
I’m just a mere mortal,
yearning for love so distant,
like a child wishing upon a star.
I am standing on the ground
while you sit on a pedestal.

I’m the frog…the ugly duckling,
will you love me somehow
if I turn into a charming prince?
Like the toys that I longed
during my childhood years…
I never had any of them.

How could fate and love
so mutually conspire?
Ending on such an early hour
the love that I once tried.
For now,my heart shall mourn
‘til then ,when it's finally home.

The Girl, the Lady and the Woman

2010-03-05T11:37:00.000-08:00

(Looking back...written 10 years ago - 27 July 2000 )

The girl –
scent of youthfulness…
lovable innocence…
sweet morning bird…
music masterpiece…

The lady –
beauty of knowledge…
captivating smile…
gracefully-swaying leaf…
poetry in motion…

The woman –
charm of maturity…
beautiful face…
carefully-carved sculpture…
living work of art…

I Am a Filipino

2010-03-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

( written on 13 April 2009 )

“ Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas…ito ang aking lupang sinilangan..ito ang tahanan ng aking lahi…”when others take pride on the mere prestige of living the foreign dream, I find no glory in it. Let me borrow King Arthur’s patriotic line in the movie,”The home that we seek resides not on distant lands…” This is my home and God gave this land to me. Here will I toil the land and join with the brave few who believe that there is still future and hope for this nation who was once pearl of the Orient with its majestic mountains and shining seas, even if now slowly dwindling into obscurity.
I am a Filipino…ridiculed as a nation of servants, kidnappers and corrupt politicians. But nothing hurts me more than when our women are accused as more cheaper than china dolls. Not too long ago, my foreign employer insulted me by calling me stupid and saying that our girls are more than willing to exchange their dignity for greener pastures. And just like the noble heroes before me whose very same blood runs through my veins, never will I allow their money to make me stoop-down low enough to trample the honor of my people...I gave up my job. I will not back down even with my feet on foreign soil.
I am a Filipino…born from a very humble beginning, treaded the paths of hardships and extreme difficulties to chase my dream of a better future.And just like my brothers who had to scratch in the monstrous heap of garbage as a living to bring food to the table, just like my sisters who bid good-byes to their children only to take care of a child not of their own in order to secure the lives of their loved ones, with an unwavering hope, we will endure…our dreams shall never die!
I am a Filipino…the Manny Pacquiao – an epitome of a warrior and true Filipino spirit, coming from a hungry childhood years but rising to the occasion and showing to the rest of the world that one man’s victory is the victory of the entire nation so divided like the seven thousand islands that made up its archipelago because of useless political bickering, yet somehow united even for just a mere twelve rounds. For every jab, every punch and every pain received in this seemingly endless brutal rounds of life, at the end of the day I will be on top. Fierce in battle but always seen in one corner before each fight…on bended knees.
I am a Filipino! From the lowly but dignified workers and laborers to the brilliant professionals, from the champion athletes to the most gifted musicians and artists who made me proud as a Filipino, I salute you! And to my fellow Filipinos who share this same fervor in my heart , keep the flame burning! Let us always be reminded with this same vow that we used to have during our early years, but this time with more conviction and meaning : “…paglilingkuran ko ang aking bayan ng walang pag-iimbot at ng buong katapatan. Sisikapin kong maging isang tunay na Pilipino sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa !”

TO REA ( She Asked Me Of Verses )

2009-03-21T01:08:00.000-07:00

( Written for the girl who stood by me and shared with me, not just with my dreams,in my ambitions, happiness and faith but all the more in my struggles, failures, loneliness, weaknesses and shortcomings...)

You came to me
at that time when my world
was so empty and dark,
tired of chasing the wrong love.

Love unexpected
like a falling star that swept
through my lonely night –
the moment I saw your smile!

Was it magic,
or was it fireworks displayed?
When I looked into your eyes
I saw love that can’t be denied.

Days had passed –
No, already years has gone by
somehow, the love that we had
withstood the tests of time.

We’ve been tried
once, by a lonesome distance
and even with our many quarrels,
but thank God, our love remains.

I love you, now
and even for the rest of tomorrow,
‘though seasons may come and go
find me always here for you!

YOU

2009-03-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

‘Though the night is restless
And the day so unsure
But knowing that I have You,
With a love that’s so strong
There is no letting go –
I will take hold of You.

‘Though my world is pressed
And my faith is shaken
yet still I believe in You.
You made the day stood still
And calm the raging seas –
I put all my hope in You.

And I will walk on water,
I will soar high as the eagle
I can do all things through You
who strengthens me;
There is nothing I cannot do
When I’m here with You!

Winning Moment

2009-03-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

The strength may fail
and the body grows weak
if you have a dream
never lose sight of it.

When the pain lingers
and doubt begins to creep,
in the midst of adversity
courage is what it takes.

The will to win
is winning in itself,yet
perseverance is a must
in breaking the limits.

You may hear voices
and see shadows all ‘round
Just keep your focus
fix your eyes to the Light!

Seize every opportunity
and know no retreat
‘til your hand is raised
to define your winning moment!

(Inspired by my TKO victory at the UKC-6 (amateur boxing tournament)on November 8,2008 at Elorde Sports Center, Paranaque…

The Little Boy's Prayer

2008-01-26T01:40:00.000-08:00

Dear God,
Just this morning
we had a parade.
As we marched on the street
I felt like crying.
I saw my classmates
in their colorful vests,
beating their drums
and the girls
were all very pretty,
as I walk alone
with only my school uniform.

Yesterday
during our class recess
'twas another story.
While they have bread and candies
I do not have any.
I don't want them
to see me that way;
I don't want them to pity me,
So I just ran
to the school library
and devour the books
on knights and fairytales!

Dear God
my parents are poor
and I understand,
But promise me You'll grant me this.
and please don't think
that I demand too much.
Give me knowledge
and give me wisdom.
I know you that you answer
even a child's prayer.
Never will I cry again
lacking in better things.

Tonight
I will be contented
on what we have.
A handful of rice...and soy sauce
for our dinner.
But as I lay down
my weary body to rest
I'll keep on thinking
all those good things.
And in the course
of time I'll awake
with my dreams being fulfilled!

This is my Story

2008-01-18T21:16:00.000-08:00

I was sitting beside my mother one Sunday evening at the ‘Faith Tabernacle’ church service in Cagayan de oro City.I was four years old then.I can fully recall that particular moment as it is still vivid in my memory.I was staring blankly at the ceiling,my eyes fixed at the bright illumination coming from the fluorescent lights…”Oh,I don’t want to die…I’m scared to die…I don’t want to die…”was the thoughts that’s been occupying my mind for quite a few minutes or so.I was already unaware of what’s going on around me.”How does it feel like to be dead?Can I still see my mom?Can I still see these bright lights?...I’m really scared…God,are you real?” I was already asking serious questions unusual for someone of my age.
The church organ was already playing to the tune of a gospel hymn as Pastor Tito,the church minister,asked for an altar call. Earlier that day,my father and I attended a funeral of a churchmate who had been killed,as I was told.He was a former soldier who worked as a Security guard at the time he was shot while on duty.
I asked again,”God,mom said you are real…are you?I don’t want to die.”With that sense of helplessness,I said.”Lord,please…I want to live forever!”At that very moment,He answered to me….
One day,my elder sister and I went to a nearby store to buy some ice bars.It was lunchtime and the day was very hot.She was probably on her first grade already at that time.I was probably five.As we were crossing the street going back already,suddenly,I fell into some kind of a trance.My only recollection of that particular instance was that I found myself leaning on a wheel of a big truck.I didn’t saw my sister…I saw nobody else.Everything around me was in bright white color,like that of a thousand fluorescent lights all over me.The next thing I remember,I was already running with my sister going back to the house.I have no idea what happened but obviously my sister knew something.I could see in her face that she was in a state of shock.
After having our lunch,neither I nor my sister told our parents what had happened.Both of us were still shocked and we even tried to hide under the bed because of fear.I was still trying to figure it out when we heared voices.People were already gathered downstairs. “What’s going on,anything wrong?”My father asked,looking puzzled. “Your son was hit by a Pepsi Cola truck!”Someone shouted.”Yes,we actually saw him being dragged by the truck!We tried to look for his body but can’t find him!”,”Maybe he was thrown off somewhere!” Soon everybody - children and parents alike - began to tell what had happened.I was actually listening to them too,as they were reporting to us,but surprisingly,nobody recognized me.
Looking more puzzled this time,my father said,”What are you talking about.Look,my son is here!” Everybody just shook their heads in disbelief after they recognize me.”How could it be?”was all they could utter.
The place was evident of what happened.Broken softdrink bottles,marks of wheels on the pavement due to the sudden brakes…and the grease and dirt on both my hands. God kept His promise.
As years went by,He proved to me all the more of His existence.One instance,as my mom was hanging the laundry to dry,she was terrified to see me tumbling down the staircase.She immediately ran to catch me.Then,in a blink of an eye before I hit the ground below,I was already sitting comfortably on the third step of the staircase. It seems nothing happened and my mom never even realized how it happened.
Another instance,I was trying to slide down by the stairs handrail,as I usually see other guys doing that.The next thing that took place is that my parents found me hanging dangerously at the top with my head toward the ground.I was in that situation for quite some time already and only a rusty nail holding my shirt,separates me from life to virtual death.That nail eventually broke after my parents lifted me up!
I have come to witness miracles from God,great and small,all throughout my life. Poverty,sickness,failures,weaknesses,temptations even death,tried to destroy me but without success. His promise to me,that Sunday evening at the church,remains established. My questions of His existence had long been answered…in my dreams,in my loneliness,in those tranquil moments,in my answered prayers and fulfilled dreams…I found Him.

Shades of Gray

2008-01-17T20:15:00.000-08:00

In the silence of the night
I lie in bed awake
needing for something
I cannot realize
for whatever it is.
Wanting for nothing at all.

A sort of a feeling
that is quite uncertain
a melancholy, perhaps
which usually happens
whenever I’m alone;
Needing for nothing at all.

At times I’d feel like cryin’
without much of a reason
or wanting to talk with
someone I’ve only known
in my lonely dreams.
Longing for nothing at all.

Rain

2008-01-17T20:13:00.000-08:00

( Inspired by the sound of the raindrops,one afternoon as I lay on my bed by the window...)

Sing to me a love song
like no one else before
a song that’ll fill my heart
with wonderful delight.

Play to me a music
like waters in the night,
like an ever-flowing stream
that never runs dry.

Hum to me a lullabye
like a mother to her child
make a rhythm together
with the beating of my heart!

The Still Hour : A Glimpse of Eternity

2008-01-17T19:09:00.000-08:00

( I wrote this one afternoon in college while sitting alone behind the school campus,before attending class... )

Sitting alone
in this quiet place
You showed me a glimpse
of Your Holiness;
the afternoon sun
that brightly beams above
consumed my eyes
like the glorious radiance
coming from the very
awesome throne of God!

Those lively grass
spreadin’ across the fields
Seems to stood in awe
like nations of worshippers.
The leaves on the trees
that keep on swaying
seems to be like angels-
like lovely cherubims
clapping and dancing
with their beautiful wings!

The gentle breeze
that blows into my hair
feels like a sweet caress
filled with love so tender;
The stillness of the day,
that makes holy this very hour
and this unspeakable joy
bursting in my soul,
makes me feel being wrapped
in Your arms forevermore!

A Graduate's Reflection

2008-01-15T22:15:00.000-08:00

( This was written a couple of hours after my college graduation on March 21,2002.)

Another chapter ends
another is to unfold
like a morning sunshine
promising a new world!

Yesterday's been a dream
the joys and pains alike
Tomorrow is a vision
with much greater task.

I am happy today
to reap the fruit of labor
I am eager to face
my life's new endeavors.

I am ready to go
'though with a heavy heart
for I now leave behind the
things that's been part of my life.

Today I look forward
beyond greater horizons!
But also today I look back
at my early aspirations.

Another step was taken
closer to that Victor's crown.
Another battle is over
but the best is yet to come!

After Dark

2008-01-15T21:57:00.000-08:00

( I wrote this after walking alone one midnight thru the silent streets in Tacloban city)

Outlines
of diff'rent figures
Casting shadows
upon the streets
as the entire city
is fast asleep.

A series
of street lights
illuminating
every highways
piercing through
the dark of night.

Occasional
sounds of horns
coming from cars
passing by
breaking the silence
once in a while.

A bunch
of children lying
beside the street
notwithstanding
what may come
or what might happen.

Para Kay Inay

2008-01-13T21:20:00.000-08:00

(Years ago during college days, I woke up in the middle of the night feeling emotional...grabbing a pen and a paper I simply poured out...I even cried after finished writing...one of my most favorite literary attempt..)

Sa lahat ng pangarap ko
kasama ka Inay
Ang lahat ng pag-sisikap ko
sa'yo ko iniaalay
Ang iyong pag-mamahal
ang s'yang ilaw ko't gabay
Hanggang sa marating ko
ang minimithing tagumpay.

Hindi ko malilimutan
lahat ng 'yong pag-hihirap
Maibigay mo lang sa'min
ang magandang bukas
Ang tanging puhunan mo
ay pawis,dugo at lakas
Ang tanging pamana mo'y
pag-ibig na walang katumbas!

Nais kong malaman mo
na minamahal kita
Taos-pusong pasasalamat
sa'yo ay ipadadama
Dumating man ang sandaling
hindi na kita makikita
Habambuhay kang iuukit
sa puso ko't ala-ala!