poetry | prayer | mantra

Poetry is the perfect companion to any meditation practice. It has a unique and innate ability to slow down time and connect us to the fabric of life. 

Looking to add a new dimension to a meditation or reflection practice? You might consider incorporating a poem, prayer or mantra in your next session. 

a personal prayer at bhaktiCD.org

Traditionally, a mantra is a “word, sound, or phrase repeated to aid in your concentration while meditating.” 

Mantra repetition is practiced for a state of peace and calm - to relax and ground action and intention. This elimination or absence of the negative can dramatically encourage overall wellbeing. 

a personal mantra at bhaktiCD.org

A mantra can inspire, motivate, center, and focus - an approach tolife from a more level-headed perspective. A mantra is a private practice to apply any way you want - the possibilities are endless. 

Live purposefully - health, healing, happiness, self-love, balance in a specific area of your life, writing inspiration - an unfoldment that goes on and on. 

a personal poem at bhaktiCD.org

Easter Salubong 2023

The Easter Salubong is the traditional Easter devotion that heralds the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Celebrated at the crack of dawn, it commemorates the glorious encounter between the Risen Christ and his mother, Mary on Easter Sunday. 

Scripture may be hazy about the first thing Jesus did upon his resurrection but for devoted Filipinos they are convinced he went to see his mother - as any good son would.

Salubong or Encuentro, Easter Sunday 2023

This popular Easter festivity marks the end of the Easter triduum celebrations in most Filipino Catholic parishes. 

expanding explorations

For We’Moon 2025, we draw inspiration from Mama Moon, nearly full in her waxing gibbous phase. Oh, what journeys she has made on her trek from new-moon-dark to this ripening glow, on the cusp of completion. But not quite! She has work to do yet—as do we—before the glory of fullness.

This is a time of anticipation, of evaluation and revelation.

moon over our slice of paradise

There is not much space in that thin slice of shadow for secrets or unexpressed sentiments. No. We must come out with it, now, surrender to the light here at the home stretch. As she gathers up her radiance, we too gather up our confidence to persevere, align our compasses and synchronize our watches with allies and companions in this life.

Let’s make sure our goals are attuned to the urgent imperatives of this fragile planet. There’s barely time to course correct, refine intentions, at this critical, burgeoning moment. Light will crown soon; there is no turning back. Can you feel the quickening? The bursting at the seams? The exhilaration of acceleration?

This gain in momentum is a push that the universe offers us to get ‘er done: attend to those life-changing projects, and tie up lingering loose ends. We are almost there! Are you ready?

Show us what lies ahead, on the Growing Edge!

a night at the museum

On a visit back to our island hometown, I had the opportunity to represent our sister/aunt, Angelica Urra Berrie who was a Padayaw Awardee this year. 

The Padayaw Award ceremony of the Negros Cultural Foundation was held on the occasion of their 36th Anniversary. The event was hosted at the Negros Museum on March 28, 2023, Tuesday at 5PM. 

The Negros Cultural Foundation (NCF), an organization committed to promoting and preserving the arts, culture, history, and heritage of Negros Island, marked its 36th anniversary yesterday with the launch of its official website, www.ncfiph.org. 

This year, the outstanding individuals given recognition of the Pagdayaw Awards are National Commission for Culture and the Arts chairman Victorino “Ino” Manalo, NCCA deputy executive director Marichu Tellano, and Angelica Urra Berrie of Negros Season of Culture - who are all children of Negros Island. 

The Padayaw Award recipients received an original artwork from prominent Negrense artists. Angelica and our family are now the happy owners of a Rodney Martinez oil painting.

Congratulations sister, we are so proud of you!

intertwined expressions

Back when we were residents of Makati in the late 80s, Ayala Museum and its adjacent aviary were our haven and sanctuary. 

Meandering through the cool airconditioned hall of the museum, immersing ourselves in their permanent collections or passing exhibits was a regular treat. 

In Microcosm at the Ayala Museum

The dioramas, library and archives took us back in time and into the future - worlds of wonder to inspire and delight us. 

Spring Equinox 2023

When the Sun gets to the equator and enters the tropical sign of Aries, the fire of Spirit once again descends on us. The spark of life gets ignited. The Aries quest kindled - Who Am I? What am I?

Wherever you have Aries in your chart is where this spirit awakens in you. It has called to you from your birth, and it gets re-ignited each year on the Spring Equinox.

Time to ground our self in the earth's life and death cycle. We belong and are part of this natural rhythm. Many of our cultural problems come from being cut off from it.

fire in the sky

The choices we make for this 2023 will continue to unfold for the next few years. Spring Equinox is the beginning of the new astrological year. This comes in the midst of important collective energetic shifts.

We are seeing another bank failure out in Silicon Valley as we did over 15 years ago. What will be our response now.

How was this allowed to happen again? Have we recovered enough to sustain another bailout? Will it be worth it if we have not learned any lesson from the past?

prime warriors of change

"[D]on’t let anyone ever tell you that you are past your prime.”

~ Michelle Yeoh - Best Actress, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

In a world of intrigue and envy what a joy these two delightful women carve for us. 

Michelle Yeoh & Jamie Lee Curtis

Twin flames in a world where an Asian actor and an Asian led movie winnig or losing doesn't have to represent a win or loss for a whole diaspora - carrying the weight of that history. 

poster of their award winning movie

We aren't there yet although these two shining stars have brought us closer.