(Estimated reading time: 2 minutes) There are times when we do the right thing and people will still criticize us. We might get ignored when we painstakingly achieve our dreams or goals. No one notices when we finally reached a necessary choice to find a better path for ourselves. The only thing that is always magnetized is our failures. Worst, some will envy us if they see that we are making progress and will try to bring us down. Though it is human nature to crave attention, it comes with a harsh truth: when we do the right thing, we will never heap praise. If we choose to make bitter but better decisions, people will cast their doubts and suspicions on us. Ill-willed people around us will use our words against us, twisting our words to make others lose their faith in us. Some will question our motives. They can become aggressive. There will be no appreciation. Many will take off our courage and confidence in ourselves. How should we face this? By abandoning our resolve? By quitting?...

(Estimated reading time: 11 minutes)  Ask a GenZ about who The Beatles are, and you'll probably get that dead, blank, "OK boomer!" kind of a stare-down. But yes, most of us probably heard of “Hey, Jude!”, “Let It Be”, “Black Bird”, “Penny Lane”, “Come Together”, “Eleanor Rigby”, or “Yellow Submarine.” The Beatles, a.k.a. the Fab Four, who popularized those songs, have a very much publicized life. The phenomenal “Beatlemania” began when John Lennon (John Winston Ono Lennon), Paul McCartney (Sir James Paul McCartney), George Harrison (that’s his name, alright), and Ringo Starr (Sir Richard Starkey) banded together to form the foremost influential band that made their fans frenzied all over their performance. Hell, the girls would pee on the spot as they go gaga even before they hear the strumming and banging! The charisma of those then-young boys is almost incomparable to any of the bands during and even after their time. At first, one can’t tell which genre they have. They...

(Estimated reading time: 2 minutes)  We get caught in chaos the moment we turn off our alarms. For some of us, it means a full calendar, deadlines, and backlogs. So many presentations and meetings, that we barely get through the day unscathed. For many, it is simply not keeping up with even the basic needs. And as we lay our back in the evening, our minds won't stop. We can't even find enough sleep. Yet we need to get enough sleep and rest to reboot our minds and be efficient with our duties and functions, whether personal or professional. Being anxious, overthinking, worrying, fear - these things won't make anything better. They won't help us perform better on stuff we need to get done. What we are trying to do is challenging enough and it is not worth adding more to our troubles. Where can we find the peace to restore our peace and find balance? Vacation? Netflix? Running? Among the noise and chaos in the world around us, we must find STILLNESS- and we can find it WIT...

Calm, at last. You make peace with yourself. And forsaking the emptiness inside, You slowly free your spirit of the troubles of the past. You then see how beautiful the flowers bloom as you feel the tranquil breeze gently caressing your face. Your face, which for so long seems to be forever flowing with tears. As the silence reigns around you, you slowly accept that you are alone. And yet the familiar face of emptiness, that steadfast companion of yours, is nowhere to be found. As you hear a faint sound of laughter somewhere not far away, you forgive yourself for failing to give the kindness your poor soul deserves. And as you do, you feel something is finally lifted from your chest as you breathe again. Time seems to stand still, too. You look away far into the distant horizon, noticing the sun's majestic rays casting over the clouds far above you, and realize what a wondrous sight it is to behold. Peace, silence, calm. These are what you long and seek. You remember how, not long ...

Flying side by side with Eros himself, I bless the ones who give love for love. With steady hands and watchful gaze, I protect the fortunate victims of my brother's shafts. Gliding with flowing locks and plumed wings, I seek in the eyes the passion brought about by beauty. Ever on guard, my joy comes from seeing lovers joyful, ever comforted by each others' touch. Oft-forgotten by those who seek the heart's flame I remain forever steadfast and watchful. Favoring the souls of those who return affection, to the ones whose hearts are kindled with fire. But scorn me not, oh mortal child. For I give vengeance for unrequited desire. My arrows are sharp, and my golden club strikes hard, to those who forsake the path of devotion divine. I see the tears and hear the sobs and cries of those who in loneliness were left unconsoled, In moments of desperation, my presence is assured to exact vengeance for an unreturned love. Free verse: Anteros by  Leandro Angelo Castro  is licensed unde...

In the midst of darkness and dreadful moment of solitude, that is when your demons arise. Not around you but from within you, tormenting your soul with grief, guilt, and regrets, and drowning you with thoughts of hopelessness and feebleness. And nobody would come to offer consolation fearing the deep void that surrounds you in your moment of loneliness and emptiness. No one dares to stir your seeming insanity as the world around you goes by with its own madness and absurdity. A hollow shell, you are but a passing obscuration slowly rotting to your own demise. Free verse: Hollow by  Leandro Angelo Castro  is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License .

(Estimated reading time: 8 minutes)  What comes to your mind when you hear the word idol? Perhaps a material or object of worship and devotion? Or it could be an artist or a performer whom you really like and admire. Kpop? When we search for its  definition , an idol can refer to (1) an object of extreme devotion or (2) a representation or symbol of an object of worship.  But let us focus on another definition, that is, an idol as a false conception. Just as objects of devotion and reverence influence our beliefs and behaviors, so are those formed in our minds. They can change our attitudes and perspective. We pattern ourselves to the ideals that we deem are good or right from the objects or persons we glorify or admire. One philosophical work that expounded this is from Sir Francis Bacon, a Renaissance philosopher credited to be the first to define the modern scientific method.  Most of his works in philosophy emphasize the rejection of established dogmas towards pr...

(Estimated reading time: 8 minutes) The parable of the good Samaritan is an answer to a question of a scribe. A scribe is a lawyer, a person schooled in Jewish laws. Before Jesus the Nazarene uttered the parable to his listeners, the scribe asked an intriguing question, as can be read in Luke 10.25-28 * . The scribe asked how a person can gain eternal life. The fact that he is learned in Jewish law somehow suggested his intention of asking the question. 25 “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” In which Jesus cleverly replied, 26 ..., “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” The scribe answered, 27 ...., “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Where Jesus declared, 28 ..., “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” Yet, ...

I gave fire to the sons of the Earth, for light and warmth, and yet I am cursed with eternal suffering. For I stole the bright light from the mighty Olympians and to men, I bestowed forever honor and glory. To the supreme gods, I offered fats and bones. And nourishing flesh is my gift to mankind. The chains were brought forth and the shackles are wrought To the foot of the mountain, a god is bound. From the anger of the mighty father I suffer the wrath forever tormented but no salvation at hand the mighty talons of the eagle cut deep and tearing the blood drains and the innards are devoured. I cry I cry, but for not I am but a god Wailing for forgiveness, the echoes rang to the hills and beyond, the wings would hide the sun from my face, as the strong, sharp beak tear and gnaw at my breast. After the unholy feast, the wound will heal to bring back divinity, restored strength, and will; but the torment is for me to bear forever for tomorrow will come the curse once again. Oh, savior, gl...

snowflakes falling shattered tears crawling sliding down your cheeks from your sparkly eyes as I say my goodbyes and my farewells fall into unwilling ears and an empty heart cry if you must but I have to go sooner lament for your loss as I cross the narrow path after all the sorrow when the darkness is gone there comes a bridge and stairs for me to climb down to where we all belong. Free verse: Snowflakes and shattered tears by  Leandro Angelo Castro  is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License .

I glide over the clouds with the colors of the rainbow with tidings from the gods and goddesses, good omens and sweet dreams I come to you in your slumber before the morning star rises. I cross the ocean without a ship, I climb mountains barefoot and swift, I do not fear darkness and depths, and even death receives me with kindness in her solemn halls. In hollow abode, I do not dwell but I linger where there are feasts and merriment sweet child, listen to my words and drink my wine close your eyes and let me whisper, soft melodies in your ears. Would you let me inside to sit near your hearth when you see my wings with their hundred eyes? Let me put my tender kiss on your soft cheeks but be wary that I despise those who perjure and deceive; A year of sleep and unconsciousness for anyone who will come to know my wrath. From Styx, I have a draught in my vase whom I shall give to any soul who breaks sacred oaths and vows. Free Verse: Iris by  Leandro Angelo Castro  is licensed und...

(Estimated reading time: 7 minutes)   Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].  1 Corinthians 13.4-7 This is not intended to give any interpretation of these biblical phrases, but the hope is to share a personal understanding of how much it makes one realize how love works and to see much deeper as we ponder about it. Most of us can agree that t is a good thing to wish that we are able to apply it in our everyday life. Though ...