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NRCS Journal
_____________________________________ 4th Issue June 17, 2012
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Iloilo City, PHLThe fathers this side of the globe are in the mood for the acceptance as their loved ones shower them with praises for their laudable role in the upbringing of the family. The fathers should get inspiration from the Lords passion which is always being commemorated to underscore His love for His one big familymankind to whom He offered a final sacrifice: our redemption.
A Prayer The prayer hereinbelow quoted, included in the first chapter of the book Finding Pathways through the Community, which is prayed daily by everyone who has been taught in the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ is apt and worthwhile to be prayed again as we give due credence to this seasons marked celebration. In the Gospel according to St. Luke, we are taught the manner by which we should pray. At the outset, it came to pass, that as the Lord was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him: Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. (Luke 11: 1) Thus And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (Luke 11: 2-4, KJV) The Pathway Steps Finding Pathways through the Community is an electronic publication in the form of an e-book which the NRCS Bookshop has released with its first installment ready for browsing or procurement by those interested. The same may be viewed upon and unloaded from the authors displayed documents on Scribd. A reader need only to click on http://www.scribd.com/nrcsbookshop for such purpose. In Chapter Two of the book, the author restates the significant objectives of a group of Roman Catholic workers in faith who comprise the community Ang Dios Gugma (God is Love).

Happy Fathers Day to All Dads in the World

The 17th day of June, 2012 is being observed in commemoration of the sacrifice our fathers endured to provide a better future for us and the occasion reminds us of the offering the Lord Jesus Christ bestowed consisting of His own life for the salvation of mankind.

NRCS Inspirational
In the midst of trials and tribulations, we can always turn to hope and prayers as well as the inspiration we derive from the words in the Holy Scripture. Thus: For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who actthey will be blessed in their doing. (James 1:23-25) Inspirational reading may be had through https://www.createspace.com/3747127 Excerpt of the book Finding Pathways through the Community available via http://www.scribd.com/nrcsbookshop. ~~~ Every Thursday, Ang Dios Gugma Catholic Ministries, Inc. (God is Love) holds a prayer meeting in the Sta. Teresita Parish gymnasium, De Leon St., Iloilo City at 6:00 oclock in the evening. It is the mission of members, who received the New Life through Jesus Christ, to unite themselves to testify to all nations the workings of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Attend and witness a revealing experience, or be informed through the Web. Click on link for more information http://www.adgiloilo.com ~~~ N R C S ( J u n e I n s p i r a t i o n a l 3 , 2 0 1 2 ) On t he Fi rs t Su nday of June, 2012 , as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Hol y T r i n i t y, i t i s p l e a s i n g t o r e s t a t e t h e words that inspire us. Deuteronomy 4:32-40 For ask now about former ages, long before your own, ever since the day that God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of heaven to the other: has anything so great as this ever happened or has its like ever been heard of? Has any people ever heard the voice of a god speaking out of a fire, as you have heard, and lived? Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by terrifying displays of power, as the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? To you it was shown so that you would acknowledge that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him. From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, while you heard his words coming out of the fire. And because he loved your ancestors, he chose their descendants after them. He brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power, driving out before you nations greater and mightier than yourselves, to bring you in, giving you their land for a possession, as it is still today. So acknowledge today and take to heart that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. Keep his statutes and his commandments, which I am commanding you today for your own well-being and that of your descendants after you, so that you may long remain in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time. (NRSV) NRCS Inspirational (June 10, 2012) Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, it is quite pleasing to be apprised of the following words of inspiration Exodus 24:3-8 Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do. And Moses wrote down all the words of the 2

Lord. He rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and set up twelve pillars, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel. He sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt-offerings and sacrificed oxen as offerings of well-being to the Lord. Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he dashed against the altar. Then he took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient. Moses took the blood and dashed it on the people, and said, See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words. (NRSV) Solemnity of the Heart of Jesus (June 15, 2012) Pauls Ministry to the Gentiles Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory. (Ephesians 3:8-13, NRSV) Memorial Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (June 16, 2012) The Boy Jesus in the Temple Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travellers, they went a days journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking 3

them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety. He said to them, Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Fathers house? But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. (Luke3 2:41-52) ~~~

NRCS Inspirational
(Sunday Reading for June 17, 2012) Pleasant Words Restated Thus says the Lord God: I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of a cedar; I will set it out. I will break off a tender one from the topmost of its young twigs; I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain height of Israel I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind. All the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord. I bring low the high tree, I make high the low tree; I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken; I will accomplish it. (Ezekiel 17:22-24, NRSV) Psalter to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. (Psalm 92:2-3, NRSV) They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of sap, showing that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. (Psalm 92:13-15, NRSV) Living by Faith So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Corinthians 5:6-10, NRSV) The Parable of the Growing Seed He also said, The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come. (Mark 4:26-29, NRSV) The Parable of the Mustard Seed He also said, With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade. (Mark 4:30-32, NRSV) The Use of Parables With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples. (Mark 4:33-34, NRSV)

New Mark Alley

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NRCS Fiction
THE LAST TRACES OF HOPE By N. Madera Aguilar Available at www.createspace.com/3621484 The Last Traces of Hope is a novel about the Mideast turmoil and how it affected the lives of those who were trapped in the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The novel tells of a ship manned by Filipino seamen and docked in the Kuwait international port when the tiny nation was attacked, and what transpired when the vessel was about to sail and after it did. In the books pages toward the last part, a scene unfolds finding three of the main characters cast into the venue akin to that appearing in the foregoing. A free reading of the novel from the prologue to the sixth chapter of the book is made available through the authors Web pages: http://www.scribd.com/nrcsbookshop, http://nrcsbookshop.tumblr.com and http://nrcsbookshop.webs.com. Such free reading up to the second chapter may likewise be availed of hereinbelow:
Prologue The unsettling events that transpired during the last few days of July, 1990 exacerbated the volatile situation in the Mideast, particularly Kuwait, and it sent Brian Rios, the Deputy Employment and Welfare Attach assigned in that small nation, worrying. He was working on a report to be submitted to the Middle East Coordinators Office in Manila but the vexation in his mind had affected his writing. He simply could not finish the paper work. The relations between Kuwait and its neighbor, Iraq, had deteriorated and this drove Brian into fear. Any further worsening of such relations could place him in a precarious situation. As the Kuwait-based DEWA of his country, he was watching over thousands of Filipinos working in that country alonetens of thousands, in fact. He was next in 5

rank to the Employment and Welfare Attach who was based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and in charge of providing for and overseeing the employment and welfare needs of all the overseas contract workers in the Mideast. The latter carried the appellation of EWA. Naturally, Brian was always referred to as the DEWA by his countrymen in Kuwait. The dispute between Iraq and Kuwait had been escalating day after day. The most recent developments pouring in from both countries did not augur well for peace. Brian saw to it that he was kept fully abreast of news updates from the two countries. A bulletin furnished him by diplomatic sources read in part: even the Organization of Islamic Conference, made up of forty-eight members had urged the two fellow member-states to resort to peaceful means in resolving their differences. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, however, is hard on his demands that Kuwait cut oil production, pay for oil allegedly pumped from the border which Iraq claims as part of its territory and write off billions of dollars in loan. And as he further leafed through the pages, Brian arrived at the concluding statement: on the part of Kuwait, its demands focus on the withdrawal of Iraqs forces from the 160-kilometer border. It views such massing of Iraqi forces as a threat. The withdrawal is a pre-condition to the holding of any negotiation. This, apparently, is Kuwaits position. Brian could no longer conceal the fact that he was on the verge of panic. He feared that the consequences would be beyond estimation should the talks between the two countries fail. Part 1: The Inroad ---------Chapter One It was the twenty-fourth of July, 1990 and Captain Porfirio Villar had just turned fifty. Already, he was beginning to entertain the idea that since lately he had gone down to being some sort of a Midas in reverse: everything he touched seemed to turn into stone. He decided, anyhow, to proceed with the celebration and the bridge, this time, had become a rowdy placein contrast to what it was supposed to be and had always been: the hallmark of quietude. It was here that precision was being guarded to the fullest. And it was here too that mistakes were committed, the effect of which was still taking its toll on him. For one, he

permitted his men to do welding jobs at the port side of the ship while they were on the high seas, which he should not have done so. For another, he allowed his men to do battle with pirates in Western Africa, resulting in the death of one of the marauders when they could simply have left them behind as the latter had slower boat. One good thing though was that nobody got hurt among the crew members. But then, today was an extraordinary moment. You can go on but the officers on watch should always be on the alert and may join in only after relief, he instructed as he prepared to leave the bridge. Aye, aye, sir! some of them chorused. Hail to the master! someone from the group voiced out. Hail! all of them echoed, followed by the raising of the hands with glasses and squeaking sounds as if there were breakages. Ill be in my cabin. Good night, captain, Alan Blancaflor, the apprentice mate bade. And happy birthday, sir! almost all of them shouted. *** Some nautical miles away, a naval vessel was roaming the vast and almost boundless Arabian Sea. Dean S. Eaglewood, a navy ensign on board, was taking things lightly while another man, apparently his subordinate, was busy with his hands on certain gadgets and his eyes on what appeared to be a modern screen wide enough to be mistaken for a home entertainment tube. Whats the latest, Brundy? Ensign Eaglewood asked. It appears that this thing is headed for Kuwait, Brundy responded. Well, thats interesting. Tag it. I think we should, sir. Ill be doing it. *** Inside his cabin, Captain Villar prepared to take a respite from the grueling day. The job in the bridge had to be done and an assurance that the ship should always be fit had likewise to be upheld. Yet, this day, a celebration could not be denied his men as they had already been wont to it for the past couple of years. He was glad though that it was almost over as the night deepened. As he was lying down and beginning to close his eyes, the reminiscence of the past suddenly came to him. The graduation scene at the maritime academy 6

in the Philippines capital city, Manila, once again unfolded in his mind and the vivid portrayal of his role as his class top ranking cadet, which he had always cherished, re-emerged. The same scene unfurled as the apprentice mate Alan engaged in reverie after the celebration attained its finale and time came for him to go into respite in his quarters. After the mess had been fixed by him and the ordinary seaman, there was nothing to busy himself with for the rest of the nocturnal stretch, thus, other thoughts had to be entertained before sleep finally set in. The setting, however, differed as the number of years in between was simply too large. In his imagination, the graduation rites were carried out quite pompously, with him taking an outstanding role as, just like Villar, he finished the course as the most outstanding graduate. He was topnotcher of Class 89, a feat Villar achieved in the 60s. Both of them belonged to the same Alma Mater, one reason perhaps, aside from his potentials, why it did not take him so hard to get into Villars ship. In Villars mind, the ceremonies commenced as midshipmenmaritime cadetsin their white gala uniform marched toward the front of a stage where graduation rites were to be conducted. Flashes of the cameras produced a momentary blinding effect on him as his turn to take his slot came. The ensuing program was highlighted by an announcement that he made it on top of the class. Praises heaped upon him seemed endless. In Alans recollection, the march the band played as he went up the stage to be pinned with tokens of achievement by his father and mother overwhelmed his emotion. He embraced both of them with a profuse outpouring of gratitude after a medal and a ribbon became visible on his breast. A raucous restaurant scene, where food was sumptuous and drinks flowed, followed the graduation events which featured topnotcher Villar. It was a different scene which came after Alans own. A graduation ball was held for the graduates in one of Manilas gleaming hotels and this was attended by Alan with his girlfriend Tina. Males were in their coat-and-tie best while females wore gowns. Most of their companions were dancing merrily but Alan and Tina were engaged in serious conversation. Are you leaving me soon, Alan? Tina asked. Tina, weve come to a point in our lives where we have to walk the path that is destined for us, Alan answered.

Why did you have to choose this kind of occupation? I simply found that this is the right one for me. I will be leaving but its only temporary. Ill keep coming back, youll see. Alan and Tina walked out of the ballroom, crossed the hotel lobby and proceeded to an area beside a swimming pool. They sat together and held each others hands. Hey, Alan, not having a slot upstairs? Hurry and get one. This nights the queen of all nights, a passing guy taunted Alan upon seeing him with Tina. He and his girl were up to something. Of course, it is. Therell be princes and princesses soon, Alan responded. Tina poked a finger at Alans waist, a reminder that there was no necessity for his statement. But the two men just laughed. Baby, your guys a good one. Hell handle you well. Good luck, Alans friend, after leaning to take a good look at Tina, took his girlfriends arm and led her away from them. Who was that? she asked Alan. A classmate, Dennis Nillos. Graduated, too. The girl with him is his new one after the break-up with the first. Later, they approached the front desk and negotiated for a room. When they entered the one assigned to them, Alan began touching the switches and left only a single flickering bulb. He and Tina soon opted to make love. *** Their recounts over and both of them now slumbering, the captain and his apprentice mate had no inkling as to what was going on in a different ship quite far from them sailing on another portion of the sea, but the occupants of which maintained a steady, watchful eye on their vessel. Ho-humn Brundy kept hearing this from his immediate superior until he found that it was the last one from him. But he did not turn to look at the latter since his eyes were captured by the screen he was faced with. They have somehow reduced speed. Ah theyll be docking in Kuwait. Its quite certain Brundy intoned while still being engrossed with the object on the screen. No reaction having been received from Eaglewood, Brundy turned his head and saw that the ensign was immobile with his eyes shut. And the latter started snoring. 7

*** The Qasrah Regal Hotel stood as an imposing four-storey edifice inside a fenced complex, with all the facilities surrounding it, situated at the southernmost outlying district of Kuwait City. It had a well-landscaped setting, adequately sized pool and wide parking space. It was the citys newest tourist attraction and a haven for foreigners although it was smaller than the famed multi-national five-star lodgments. Yet, it was just as luxurious and even more accommodating. Its staff was trained to be clientele-oriented and the motto the guest is always right was adhered upon by all employees, most of whom were citizens of different Asian countries. Even though the staffers were of diverse nationalities, each one had his own contribution to make it the guests perception that the QRH provided the feeling of being at home away from home. The hotel had been fully booked during the first half of July, 1990 but when the third week came there was a marked reduction of reservations with statistics going steadily downward. On the last week of the month, less than half the total number of rooms were occupied. On the first day of August, 1990, more guests had checked out. Your beau is checking out too, Myra? a uniformed girl at the reception counter asked a similarly attired employee beside her. The former was checking things out and appeared ready to leave. He will, tomorrow. His liberty has expired and his ship is leaving the day after, Tanya, Myra replied. Can you tell me how this seaman landed into your lap, Myra? I was the one who landed on his, Tanya. And they both laughed. By the way, more guests are leaving. Did you notice that, Myra? Yes, how come? I think theyre being unnerved by the news of word war between Kuwait and Iraq. Myra was intrigued by Tanyas statement. But it was cut short by the sight of his boyfriend coming. There he is approaching us, Myra said, lifting her bag. Thanks so much for being accommodating to him, I mean, for lending your space in our room to him, Tanya. Ah, dont mention it. Its a matter of one day. Besides, Im on night duty and we have the available quarters in the hotel, Tanya responded as Myra edged herself out of the counter to join her boyfriend.

Hi, the latter waved to Tanya. Hi Go on and enjoy. And Tanya smiled meaningfully. Chapter Two The vessel with stripes of blue, yellow and red on its funnel was docked at the international port of Kuwait City. After several days of unloading its cargo intended for the port city, it was all set to sail on August 2, 1990 although the ETD posted on a billboard at the pier stated 1800 HRS, 03 Aug 1990. It was merely waiting for its chandler who seemed to have incurred delay and Captain Porfirio Villar thought that the allowance for his boats estimated time of departure was but appropriate. He had prepared this ship for a voyage that would take him and his men to another destination. He was standing in the bridge with a telescope hanging from his neck when he heard distant sounds of explosion. He gazed at a distance, looking at a black smoke rising towards the sky. Although bothered, he believed it would not affect them since they were on board a commercial vessel of foreign registry. Alan entered the bridge wearing a chambray apprentice mates uniform. He was holding a cup and saucer with steaming black coffee which he immediately handed to the master. The latter, without hesitation, sipped at the cup and savored the brew. More sounds of explosion resonated and the captain observed dark billows of smoke appearing at the skyline which seemed to multiply. Is there war going on here? I wonder what this is, Villar uttered. Alan was speechless. He simply stared at the captain with looks of perplexity. Tell all of the officers to come to the bridge, the master ordered Alan. The chief officers sick, sir. He has fever. The third mate is coming after me, Alan replied. The second officer? Hes on liberty, sir. He was, four days ago. Both of you left this ship on pass in the morning of that day. While you returned in the afternoon, he stayed on shore. Does that last to this day? His leave expired yesterday, the captain stressed. He hasnt returned since he disembarked on the first day of his leave, sir, Alan told Villar. We went to the Qasrah Regal Hotel together. His girlfriend 8

works there as an overseas contract worker, a coemployee of my fiancees sister, Tanya, whos a year older than my girl, Tina. We both visited them. He checked in at the hotel as I left. I have been expecting him to report today. For the time being, the third mate will take over his job. You will assume the latters functions, the captain said. Sir? Alan exhibited surprise, but it was coupled with unexpected glee. Youre learning fast, Alan. After a year of apprenticeship, you appear ready to take on the officers job. Its a matter of time and youll be issued a license, the master commented. Alan took pleasure on what he considered an accolade from his superior when the third mate entered the bridge. Sir, there are soldiers poised to board the ship, the vessels third mate informed Captain Villar after entering the bridge. He was earlier summoned by the captain for a different task. Soldiers? Yes, sir, soldiers, the third mate stressed. The ships master was perplexed. He immediately dispensed with the cup of coffee, walked out of the bridge and went straight to the starboard side of the vessel which faced the pier. The soldiers were already at the other end of the gangplank when he saw them. They were about twenty, and when their commander saw the ship captain, the former walked through the gangplank to board the shipfollowed by his men. Obviously, they were not Kuwaitis. Whos in command of this vessel? the soldiers commander asked. Im the master of this ship, Captain Villar told him. No handshake transpired between the two officers. Im Major Abu Qassif. I have instructions from Baghdad, the Iraqi officer told the ship captain. May we know what they are, and why? the master asked. Iraq has absorbed Kuwait into its territories. This ship will have to remain in Kuwait City until further orders, Major Qassif announced. No, thats piracy! the captain protested. Call it what you will, but we are doing this in the name of the noble cause which our country upholds for the good of the entire Middle East. We have reclaimed Kuwait for integration to our dear Iraq,

the major spoke sternly, sidetracking the captains indignation. Captain Villar wanted to say something more to Major Qassif but the latter immediately turned his back on him and motioned his hands with instructions for his soldiers to leave. After two steps on the gangplank, he turned his head and spoke to Captain Villar: Ill be back tomorrow for more instructions. I have so many things to attend to today. Just stay put as guards will oversee the pier and keep watch on your vessel. Long after the Iraqi major had left, Captain Villar remained dumbfounded and was shaken in disbelief. His men who had gathered around him were speechless, unsure of how to react to what had just transpired. Their faces epitomized the confusion that suddenly engulfed their being while fear began to build in them. Tell everybody to come to the mess hall for a meeting, the captain announced. Although it was primarily directed at the apprentice mate, Alan was sure he had lesser job to do as almost everybody on the deck was present. He needed merely to contact the engine people. Aye, aye, sir! and Alan quickly left. When he showed up later at the start of the meeting, he had news to bringthe chief mates condition seemed to have worsened as his body temperature kept on rising. Just stay with him all the time, Alan, and make sure that his medication is precisely attended to. This time youll be doing the second mates job, the captain instructed Alan. This caused a light moment to prevail in the meeting as some subdued smiles flashed on the faces of those present. The second mate acted as the ships doctor. Youll be doing the second mates job even before you assume the third mates functions, Alan, the ships quartermaster commented. The smiles sported by some of them turned into chuckles. The QM was perhaps the captains most trusted personally on the deck. As Alan left the hall, Ben Gomez, the third mate, arrived. He was the last one to join the meeting and had some information to share with those present. He told me he was seeing a girlfriend employed at the Qasrah Regal Hotel which is Kuwait Citys farthest from here. I think he stayed there for the duration of his liberty, the third mate averred, referring to the second mate. 9

Well, I think Peter can manage. He does well in judo and karate being a red-belter. He can ward off a trouble maker whom he may encounter. Besides, his Indian profile could have him mistaken as an Iraqi, Arthur Ng, the ships quartermaster interjected. Nobody, however, took him seriously. The situations getting more complicated for us, the captain was shaking his head as he spoke. First, theres war. It merely waited for us here. Now, we got stuck to it. Suddenly, each one of us seems to be falling into its snare. As they listened to the ship masters speech, the faces of those present had turned sullen. They were beginning to realize that, with them trapped in the arena of conflict, the captain had shuddered at the thought of future events. xxx

Other Fiction Works of the Author The authors collection of his other works of fiction, Fiction Assemblage, is made up of a novella and four short stories which are available either in print or e-book format. It may be procured online through https://www.createspace.com/3598890. The stories are:
A Girls Awakening FLOWERS in full bloom formed a blanket on the other side of the stream as they held fast to the memory of summer which had nurtured them. But the rise of fear was evidentfear that they would soon vanish when larger streaks of rain could make the stream overflow. The rainy season had just begun and it meant change. The rain could stimulate growth, but it could also wash away the flowers. So that Andrea had to pick them. Pick them before someone else could: the rain, the flood. Picking those flowers was a hobby that Andrea adored, perhaps, because she compared herself to them: sweet, supple and innocentradiating a charm so feminine and so lovable, and yet, sometimes ouch!--thorny. She sipped her finger. A red spot appeared. She inadvertently laid her finger on the stem where a thorn was pointing toward her. It was protecting the

rose she intended to pick, which was so lovely, but when it hurt her, she left it alone. The girl was so engrossed in the flowers that she did not notice the time and space she covered before she withdrew her attention from them. She was surprised that, unexpectedly, she had already gone far. Farther away from the stream was her direction. She suddenly realized she had to go back. Marilyn, her older sister, had previously cautioned her from going farther away to the spot beyond the streambut the flowers, she was so absorbed in them. She did not fail to recall what her sister had said, but that was only later. At first, she got carried away. Andrea was fourteen years of age; quite young to be a woman, quite old to be a girl. At this stage of her growth, she had already the figure of a true female. Her body was growing faster than her age, it could not be denied. There was an instant when her only sister, Marilyn, had noticed that they were almost the same, and she was growing faster, catching up with her, and yet they were so distant in age. Marilyn was about to finish high school while Andrea had just finished elementary, and she had to give way to the elder sister; let her graduate first and then enter high school later. These were hard times, their parents made them realize. At this phase of her life, Andrea had felt the difference. There were so many things that seemed perplexing, and such troubled her. She turned her way back and ambled toward home. Every gait of hers sent a message to her mind, and she made a recollection as she was sauntering back for home. As she grew older, it seemed to her, the world also grew wider, the horizon going more remote. And she concluded that there were more things she had to comprehend, although she was beginning to know them. She had admitted that she was a mystery in herself. Reaching the stream, Andrea paused, and afterwards traversed it. Then, lifting her last feet from the water, something that she saw surprised her.

It is one sleazy day and I am jolted from deep thought when the iron bars sound a terrible clang which means nothing but the opening of the door leading to my cell. The door gives way and a void prevailsin my thoughts, in my heart. But it isnt for long. The burly figure is there once again and the routine evolution of his shadow which follows every opening of the heavy door is almost nonchalant except that, this time, there is a presage accompanying his coming. The keys which are hung on his waist sound a familiar tingling. He comes close to me, almost nailing me to the wall and, in what seems like a whisper, announces what every man in this forsaken venue would have dreamed of. Youre lucky. Youre one of those whose names have appeared in the list. The guys in the higher-ups do not normally allow the likes of you to get some appointment with hope. In your case, youve made it because they believe youre now rehabilitated, the guard announces. I dont know what to say, what to do. The jail guard speaks in undertone but he does so succinctly. He is one of the creatures on earth I detest but this time I feel somewhat indebted to him. There arises an uncanny feeling within me and it makes myself reckon the sudden developments, as if in disbelief. You may start packing up soon. Thats louder. Matter-of-factly, to say the least. He utters the words as he turns his back on me and moves out of the cell. My cellmates are dumbfounded. I have remained immobile for quite a time, enmeshed in deep, wavering thoughts. The emotion which has suddenly overwhelmed me is mixed. I am still reeling from the burly mans pronouncement enticing me to think that he has become the purveyor of change which brings the proverbial drizzle long sought for in a dusty summer. I cant tell exactly but one thing sure is that, I have, for years, longed for the essence of the outside world which to me seems being missed for eternity.

A Man and a Girl I am a sojourner. This is what I discover when they throw me into the appalling dungeon they call The National Rehabilitation Center which, however they euphemize, still cannot eradicate the stink of prison. 10
NRCS Journal is an electronic periodical distributed online by NRCS Bookshop imbued with a mission of information dissemination through selective relay of significant matters of concern to the appropriate recipients, both in entertainment and informative categories. Based in Iloilo City, Philippines.

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