NAWAWALA!

I was on my way home from SM (Silang Market) when I saw a couple—probably in their mid-40’s. We were at the same jeepney and they were carrying barely recognizable photocopies of a “poster.” I usually have this “hobby” of mocking poorly made posters and signages—wrong spelling, wrong use of punctuation marks, and wrong grammar. However, upon seeing their hand written poster, I suddenly felt something prick my heart.

When I see posters that waywardly use the exclamation point, I often raise, then knit my eyebrows.

WANTED!
DANGER!
WARNING!

If we’re going to analyze these from the exclamation point’s main function, it appears that the person/s who prepared them was in a state of shock; for them to “exclaim” their thoughts. It’s as if saying: “Oh my good lord!!!! Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhnnnnnnteeeed!!!” or “Don’t you dare go there!!! It’s superbly DANGEROUUSSSS!!!”

But when I saw the heading of their letter-sized poster,

NAWAWALA!

I didn’t get the usual feeling. Instead, I felt sorry. It didn’t matter to me whether they used the exclamation point wrongly or what. All I understood is that this couple is on the desperate stage of finding their loved one.

On my way home, while looking at them comforting each other with their exchange of pats on the shoulder and nods, I can’t help but remember that old parable from the new testament; the parable of the lost sheep. Yeah, everyone knows it; even its symbolisms and underlying message. Just like the shepherd who searched all over for one lost sheep, God also searches us whenever we tend to go out of His flock.

I wonder when Baltazar Reyes got lost. Judging from the barely-recognizable photo, he seems old. I don’t know if he’s the couple’s father, son, brother, or what. But one thing’s for sure, he’s a family; someone who’s important for them.

I wonder where Baltazar Reyes is now. Is he eating? Is he aware that there are people caring and looking for him?

I wonder why Baltazar Reyes got lost. Was he mentally ill? Did he ran away from home because of some dispute? Was he abducted by some drug syndicates? God knows.


Since December 27 last year, (2007) I was racking my brains because I tend to get out of my usual self. I indulged over my vacation and I forgot to write—although I’m happy ‘cause I had the chance to read books and articles again. I was thinking of the best new year blog. I thought of many ideas, but whenever I’m about to write it, I tend to get lost.

Last year many people got lost, yet many were found.

This year, the same thing might recur. We might lose things, friends (girlfriends/boyfriends), jobs, businesses, or even a family member. We might struggle to look for them and bring them back.

When every attempt turns futile, when every strength becomes withered, let us remember that God will make his way.

We might not recover what we lost, but God will.

Have a blessed New Year folks. ;-)