Note originally posted at www.baratillo.net

There are four stories I remember today. It may or may not be of importance to those who celebrate today as Mother’s Day.

Story 1

There once was a priest who by fate, circumstances and talent one day became the Vicar of Christ - the Pope. Now there was a long ceremony that came about being the Pope. All the pomp and circumstances were observed from the Mitre, the Staff and the papal ring.

The Priest was so overtaken by events that he forgot to visit his Mother during the weekend. When he did remember he and his entourage (all sorts of priests, monks, nuns and lay persons) went to visit his mom on a saturday.

The fisherman’s hut his father had left his mother could not accomodate the Pope and his Court. So it was the Pope and his mother who was left inside the hut while the Court was outside trying to find an inn.

Inside the new Pope was estatic and telling his mother of his new position. Thinking that it pleased her. He even showed his ring, which was a symbol of power.

“Surely there is no other ring such its equal.”

At which point the new Pope’s mother looked at him and smiled her toothless grin. Then showed him her hand that had only one unadorned simple ring and said,” Remember son .. without this ring there would not be that impressive ring.”

And laughter from both mother and son were heard from the room.

Story 2

This is from Aesop.

One time in a village somewhere in the Mediterreanan. A boy got lost. His mother was despodent and cried .. no wailed for he missing son. She was shouting to and fro.

So much so that the whole village helped her to look for her son. The people of the village were busy searching and looking. They went up and below. They went sideways and whatever way in search for the son of the crying mother - who was still crying.

Then they heard a sound. It was the sound of foot steps. And it came from the entrance of the village. The one near the hills were village’s sheep lay.

It was the lost boy. It was later learned that he had taken a nap alongside near the sheep and he was awakened by the shouts and noise from the village - specially the long lamentations from his mother.

But this was much later. At the moment the mother stopped crying. Approached the son, hugged him, thanked the God but upper and lower and then … gave him a pretty power spank.

Story 3

Another fable from Aesop.

In a village nearby. They had caught a thief and was bringing to the village jail, which sort ofalso functioned as the village store house.

While the thief being brought to this jail. There was a commoition from the crowd. Aparentlly the thief’s mother was from the village, in the crowd and wanted to see him.

So they let her through and even helped her on top of the dogcart. As she was about to embrace the son. The son seemed to do the same but within a few seconds shoved her instead and turned his back.

Story Four

The story was penned by Theodore Geisel more famously known as Dr Seuss. It is one of my favorite stories.

And for obvious reasons (copyright) we cannot re-tell it. Suffice to say the story involved Horton the Elephant, Mayzie, Three Hunters and Morton. The story goes by name Horton Hatches the Egg and involves an egg, a vacation, trials & tribulations and the phrase:

I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful, one hundred per cent!

And that my friends are four stories I remember this particular Sunny Sunday that coincidentally falls on the Second Sunday of May also known in the following countries:

Anguilla, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia*, Malta, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Slovakia, South Africa, St. Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zimbabwe [Source]

Mothers come in all forms and shape. Sometimes we do not know it until they are gone.

So Happy Mother Days to all Mothers in form and Mothers in Spirit.

Now its time for a break at the bamboo grove …

I usually buy only a few clothes a year. I am not a dandy nor a fashion plate like my friends. But one learns to appreciate a good shirt - cool, durable and aesthetically pleasing to the eye ( in other words pretty).

David & Goliath has an event on the 8th of May 2008. Its called Little Losers Blogger Event. Only 80 slots are available.

Do not let the title fool its not serious. Some of the tags one can find on their shirt.

Dont Bolshevik Me
TRUST ME … I am a Liar
Bloggers suckzz

You can sign up here.

See you there on the 6th of May 2008.

Here are the specifics of the event:

Date: May 6, 2008
Time: 8pm
Venue: Mag:net Cafe, Bonifacio High Street
You are cordially invited to join us for a chance to embrace your inner loser.

In a testament to wit, candor and irony, meet David & Goliath’s newest brilliantly satirical horde representing what could be this generations’ biggest pop-culture paradox: being a loser has never been more cool. Expect the clever, tart-tongued graphic misfits to spin itself into fun and games as they prove once and for all that there’s no better time to be a LITTLE LOSER.

Trifecta is horse-racing term that means a better in order to win must predict and bet the horses that will finish first, second and third. It is also a term in politics when a government executive apppoints another elected official (lets name him A) to one position and said executive is allowed to also appoint another elected official (lets name him B) to the position vacated by the elected official A. Luckily, the first two definitions are not what I am referring to. Rather, Trifecta is a slang that refers to successful or favorable events, phenomena, characteristics.

Hence this April for bloggers there is a Trifecta of Events in store so far:

The Philippine Blog Awards 08:

Nomination period commences starts today. Thirty Six award categories are open for nomination.
Check it out here or visit the PBA08 blog.

Note: Several more awards. Its free

And next week …

IBLOG 4

What: IBLOG 4
When: April 26, 2008
Where: Malcolm Theater,College of Law, in UP Diliman, Quezon City. Right in front of the UP Sunken Garden. Its hard not to miss once you are in UP.
Register for iBlog4 here.

Note: The theme this year is a little bit different from the past Iblogs. Its free

And

88DB.com Bloggers’ Night

What: 88DB.com Bloggers’ Night
When: April 26, 2008 @ 7pm
Who: bloggers of any size, age, status or whatever
How: Just leave a comment below or register through any of thecoordinators blogs
Why: Booze, Music, Prizes and 88DB.com
Where: Katips Bar in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City

Note: From Aileen aka Ms Antipolo -

Come as your blog means you have to dress up like your blog. With all my blogs I wonder how I’m going to dress up… I’ll probably come as an apple! Remember, the blogger who represents his/her blog the best wins the Sony PSP.

Its free

I received this email from my friend Marc. Its a press release from Instituto De Cervantes. It all about Dia Internacional del Libro or International Book Day. A day of books, roses, tours, food (Paellas y Tapas to say the least) and dances. On April 19, 2008. It starts from 10 in the morning till Midnight.

What: Día Internacional del Libro
When: April 19, 2008 from 10 am to Midnight
Where: 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.

For more information, please call InstitutoCervantes at 526.1482 to 85 or log on to manila.cervantes.es

Here is the original press release:

*IT’S RAINING BOOKS AT INSTITUTO CERVANTES!*

*Although it’s only summer, Instituto Cervantes is already getting ready
for the rainy season as a deluge of books arrives on April 19 at the
third edition of /Día Internacional del Libro /(International Book
Day)/./***

*Instituto Cervantes celebrates Día del Libro or International Book Day,
an event that aims to promote the love for reading and the written word.
Regularly celebrated on the 23^rd of April, World Book Day was inspired
by a tradition from Barcelona, Spain that celebrates St. George’s Day,
where men and women exchange a rose for the gift of a book.***

*Coming after last year’s successful run, where guests had their pick of
books and the chance to witness and participate in activities such as
wine and cheese-tasting, dance classes, concerts, and free Spanish
classes, the 3^rd Día del Libro promises to be even grander and bigger.***

*Opening its doors to bibliophiles, culture lovers, and the curious on
April 19 from 10 am to midnight, Instituto Cervantes revives the grand
Barcelonan tradition with the Día del Libro book fair.***

*Giving the gift of a rose with every purchase of a book, flowers will
be overflowing as book lovers take advantage of rock bottom prices.
Publishers and book stores are bringing in thousands of titles covering
a wide range of subjects, with brand new copies available at prices
starting from Php20.00. ***

*Together with books and roses, Instituto Cervantes dazzles guests with
even more treats. Free Spanish and Latin dance classes, and guided tours
are among the delights that guests can expect during Día del Libro. ***

*Visitors can get a taste of the rich Spanish culture with poetry
readings, and film showings, featuring several well-known Spanish and
Latin American actors and actresses, including recent Oscar winner
Javier Bardem. Renowned choreographer and dance master, Myra Beltran,
gives a fiery performance entitled /Not Mine/ at 3pm/./***

*And to cap off the celebrations, get ready to party with fabulous dance
performances, overflowing Spanish food, festive Latin music and more at
the Día del Libro Fiesta!***

* *

*Día del Libro is presented by Instituto Cervantes, in collaboration
with the Embassy of Spain, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and
Manila’s leading bookstores and Spanish restaurants. Catch the
festivities on April 19, 2008, from 10 am until midnight at 855 T.M.
Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila. For more information, please call Instituto
Cervantes at 526.1482 to 85 or log on to **manila.cervantes.es*
*.*