Thursday, April 26, 2007
RED CANDLES
I have to stop by Quiapo Church and light a couple of candles so as to spiritually breathe life and energy to my online photo storage system's main servers which, according to their announcements, are now dying and must be replaced. Thus, for now, some of the pictures with my previous posts cannot be viewed until these servers have been replaced. I apologize to my readers for this great inconvenience.
It is also with great sadness to learn yesterday that my cousin's wife's cancer had made a turn for the very worse. She now has to be confined in the hospital, which supposedly costs the family about a million pesos a month. Besides the grave concern for the mother's deteriorating condition, the entire family is also coping with the family's fast depleting liquid assets.
This incident reminded me of an architect I had become friendly with a couple of years ago. As if suddenly, two of her aunts suffered major illnesses and had to be hospitalized. Unfortunately, he was the only one in the clan that these two relatives could run to for financial assistance. In his frantic attempt to raise the much-needed cash, he coordinated the rush sale of certain pieces of land that they owned down south.
This guy badgered me to buy a piece without acknowledging the fact that I had no interest to set up residence in that particular region of the country; neither would he realize that I don't have that kind of money to begin with. Even if I did, I still had to give it much thought because that area is a hotbed for skirmishes between the military and the local rebels.
Eventually, this man maxed out all his credit cards with cash advances, as well as found himself applying for additional personal bank loans. But worse of all, the incident turned him into one deeply angry middle-aged man. I do understand the dire situation he was dealing with at that time, but it was wrong of him to fault those who didn't buy any piece of land that he was hawking.
Unfortunately, I wasn't spared his wrath, which only reminded me of the old adage, "Circumstances don't make a man; they reveal him."
So, light some red candles I will for health, love and abundance for all.
Today is another scorcher in Manila at 35 degrees Celsius. Keep cool everyone!
posted by Señor Enrique at 8:35 AM
22 Comments:
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said... I'm sorry about your cousin's wife, Eric.
I also do light candles in churches. But why red candles, Eric? I do know the Chinese consider red as lucky color, but with candles?-
Señor Enrique said... Thanks, Rhoda, but as they say, such is life.
I give the colors of candles my own meaning. Red, being my favorite color for candles, to me, signifies a lot of things: luck, perfect health, abundance, energy, light, love, thanksgiving, and whatever else comes to mind.
Kaya tawag sa akin mga candle vendors sa Quiapo kuripot kasi pinapakyaw ko na daw lahat ng hiling ko sa isang kulay lang. Dapat daw, iba-ibang kulay sa iba-ibang hiling. Eh, simple lang naman ako, red lang ... hahaha!-
said...
I'm sorry to hear about your cousin's wife ... I do hope that things will work out better.
Red candles; over here, we only use red, yellow and white during Chinese traditions.
(:-
Señor Enrique said...
Those are the three top favorite candle colors of mine that you mentioned, Kyels!
Let go and let God would be best in this scenario, Kyels. There comes a time when we have to accept the fact that all good things must come to pass. It's sad, but it's the truth, no?-
said...
Sorry to hear about your relative Eric. Health care is indeed an issue back in Pinas. You only realize it is such a big issue when you live abroad. I was told that health insurance is generally available but terminates upon the person reaching 60 years. If this is true then it's not really serving the purpose.
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Ai Dihayco said...
It's not really easy if someone is sick in the family. Health is wealth talaga..but at times, di maiwasan. Praying for speedy recovery Senor Eric. Faith can move mountains...
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U.T.O.Y said...
As I always pray for the recovery of my family, I will include you and your family in my prayers señor....
GOD is good....Just follow his guidance and believe that HE and only HE can save us...-
Sidney said...
I hope she will recover soon!
I know of someone who refused to be hospitalized because he knew his case was helpless and he didn't want to spend the financial resources of his family. He died a few months later.-
ladybug said...
I will include your cousin's wife in my prayers. I do hope that everything gets better.
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said...
I really like how you composed this candle shot.
I hope your cousin's wife gets well. There are always room for miracles :)
Too bad for your friend though. I agree with you on that saying. It's during those tough times when you can really see a person for what he truly is and how he faces these situations.-
sheilamarie said...
i don't know what to say, eric. i hope your cousin's wife, if it's in God's plan, will be given a lot more time to spend on this earth. she will be included in my prayers.
you're right about your cousin. he shouldn't have taken out his fraustrations on you and the others.
wishing you too the best of things =)-
Señor Enrique said...
If America is having a tough time with its health care program, BW, you can imagine how incredibly tougher it would be here in the Philippines.
This is the reason why so many people would go to faith healers than the medical practitioners.-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi A! ... unfortunately, my cousin's family is completely resigned to the prognosis that the medical profession has done what it knew how to address such situation, and it can no longer do anything more.
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Señor Enrique said...
Hi Utoy!
As Ai has said, it's not really easy to have someone in the family undergoing a challenging illness. At this point, everything is up to God.-
Señor Enrique said...
I, too, would choose that same option, Sidney.
I had a wonderful life despite of its accompanying setbacks along the way. Nonetheless, I will accept when the time comes for me to move on to another life. I would never defy God's will.-
Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, Ladybug! Everything, at this point, is at God's hands.
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Señor Enrique said...
Thanks, Ferdz.
Yes, I believe in miracles, too, though everything is all dependent upon God's wishes now.
Adversities tend to either better or worsen a man. It is really all up to the man to choose which aspect of his true nature to manifest.-
Señor Enrique said...
That's just it, Sheilamarie -- God's plan, at the end, will manifest. Although it may be hard for some to acept and understand, later on, it will become apparent that there is indeed a reason for everything.
That guy was just a frustrated retard, Sheilamarie ... hehehe!-
NOYPETES said...
Incense and red candles lit and special prayers for your cousin's wife Eric.
With hardly affordable healthcare in the Philippines, Now we know why the healthcard give away issue by candiddates for the upcoming May election is so popular among the masses.-
said...
cancer... sigh. im rather scarce for words.
sometimes it does bring out the beast in any man when under pressure and we can't blame them. they mean well anyway.
i've always been at awe with your pictures. soooo envy your talent! im trying to do some photojourn myself but just for the fun of it and nothing formal.
well, just passing by and made a mark finally. :)-
Señor Enrique said...
Many thanks, Noypetes.
Yes, it has been in the news recently about the COMELEC being up in arms about health insurance being handed out to voters by certain candidates. To most, this has become a much desired incentive as cold cash to vote for certain candidates.-
Señor Enrique said...
Thanks much, Andianka!
As they say, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." However, no one ought to take out their frustration on others. But this is what happens when something as frightening as cancer hits home.
I just briefly browsed through your blog site and I like it! You can keep honing your skills in photojournalism by including photos with your well-thought out and -written entries. That was how I basically started it!
Also, join the plant & flower photo contest!
