WHY ARE ROSES RED?

A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
April 4,2008

Why are the Roses Red?

God has made everything beautiful in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

Have you ever been asked by a child, “Why are the roses red?” Or, “Why is the sky blue?”
Under the clear blue April skies are gardens and hills teeming with vibrant hues. Hibiscus in different colors are in full bloom all year round but appear brighter and more generous during summer.
The radiant yellow, red, pink and orange colors of heleconias which abound our city and nearby towns are treasured by tourists.
This morning, I painted the lilies in the pond in front of Greyhound 101 FM radio where I work. The pale yellows, light pink, magenta and purple petals bloom profusely as they greet the morning light.

We are surrounded by colors everyday, especially during summer. But do we know where does color come from?
Most objects get their colors from the light shining on them. They absorb some wavelengths of light and reflect others or in simple terms, the colors that we see are the mixture of what they like to absorb and what they discard.
Light is needed to see an object, except when the object has light itself. Without the light, the object is black. Why is the object black? Because it absorbs the light and it gives nothing back.
According to internet sources, “the real magic of color happens within us. We perceive different wavelengths of light as corresponding to different colors, and when you add together all the colors that an object reflect in the correct proportions, you get the color we see for that object.”
Therefore, without us, who are observers, those reflected wavelengths of light are no more than mere reflections. The source said that a great deal of our color perception is psychological. The wavelengths reflected or absorbed with our own interpretations are the colors we see in a tree with lush green leaves and other things.
I use colors in my palette often and I marvel at the One who is the author of light, flowers, trees, oceans and everything around us. God made all these beautiful things, but their beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Colors are not colors without us. Everyday you wake up, think of an array of colors you love to see and you will see them in their most vibrant hues.

ROLLERCOASTER RIDE!

A Journey through cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
March 30,2008
God and Me in a Rollercoaster Ride

It has been three years of riding in a roller coaster world of cancer with God. If others are eager to know their lotto numbers result, cancer warriors are dying to know their number in the cancer marker range. I’m not good in numbers and always had difficulty in math and statistics, but now, numbers became very important to me. Our life seems to be measured by numbers.
I just received my latest breast cancer marker result and its within normal range of 5 inside the laboratory of Cebu cancer Institute. I was happy like a child, telling my husband that we had to celebrate and thank God for answered prayers.
But the next day, other results of scans were not good, like my uterus needs more follow up scans within few days time. There will be more challenges to face in the coming months. I like to be depressed and cry, which I did for a short time, but I know God is healing me. Nothing can change that.
The life of a cancer warrior is like riding in a roller coaster. Days and weeks can fly so fast that you can’t keep track of them, in other times they crawl, especially during various medical treatment and you want the days to be over. In darkest nights you feel like you are falling, just falling endlessly. You try to hang on, grasp anything or hold on to anything but your hands are merely grasping in the air. You laugh today and cry tomorrow. There were tears mingled with laughters.
In the hallways and clinics and treatment rooms, a mixture of emotions were written in many faces. Colorful bandanas wrapped my friends’ bald heads. Absent eyelashes seemed to make us shy, not really wanting to meet scrutinizing eyes. But deep within us, our hearts are crying out for hope and love, and faith that moves mountains.
There are many things I want to do, that if life is really that short, may I know which is most precious to please my God?
I always love to play over my radio program that song by Gorge Strait entitled, “I saw God today”. Actually, God’s fingerprints are all over us and around us. We see Him in flowers and all the beautiful things He made. You can touch Him through that little baby you are holding. Life is a gift. You want to know if God is real? His greatest miracle is you.
Life of a cancer warrior maybe tough, but the real excitement is living each day filled with His miracles and graces. You can see God everyday. He is everywhere. You can see Him in each flower that blooms, in every moonrise, sunrise and sunsets. He leaves His fingerprints in every thing.

Tagged!!!

A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
March 23,2008
They Found the Ringleader!

We don’t want cancer to come back. This is the unanimous cry of all those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and all other cancers. I have known people who have survived breast cancer for more than twenty years. Yet most of these survivors are plagued by the thought, “What if one day the Big C comes back?” What if it comes back with a vengeance? The fear of it is normal, but fear can paralyze us and takes away all the joy of living the remaining days, months or years.
The breast cancer gene “ring leader” has been found! According to the latest study and research on breast cancer which was published last March 12 this year by WebMD Medical news.
“The Breast cancer gene in question, called SATB1, bosses other breast cancer genes and hushes anticancer genes.” Said Melinda Hill, in her article “Breast Cancer Gene Ringleader Found.”

The prime suspect gene SATB1 triggers other cancer genes to spread throughout the body. This can lead to new developments in breast cancer treatment, Hill explained.

This particular gene may not only be active in advanced breast cancer but also in early stage breast tumors before it spreads from the breast to other lymph nodes. However, these findings came from laboratory experiment on test tubes and mice, and further studies should be done more on people.

Meanwhile, in another source, Reuters Health reports also said that SATB1 is crucial to the development of the immune system but can also reprograms the expression of more than 1000 genes to fuel cancer growth.

According to scientists, breast cancer cells need this kind of gene to become metastatic, a stage when the cancer cells invades other pars of the body.

So what is SATB1? This gene, is actually a protein which is a genome organizer, a component needed to develop our warrior T-cells, to fight infection.
This peculiar gene is expressed in breast cancer cells, and when it does, it coordinates the invasion process.
The researchers of this study which appeared last March 13,2008 edition of Nature
Included Hye –Jung han, PhD, and Terumi Kohwi-Shigematsu PhP, of the the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California Berkeley.
While more people are diagnosed with all kinds of cancer, scientists, researchers are also doing their jobs to lengthen or save more lives.

Store It..

A journey with Cancer
by Muffet Dolar Villegas
March 16,2008
Memory Bank

I sat there, transfixed, as the performers souls joined with mine, inside the spacious, cool, state of the art Luce Auditorium. If music is the language of the soul, at that moment, our souls, were listening intently to the most wonderful communication in the universe that God made. Music.
Once more, the three generation of music and bonding, Japi, Annabelle and Suyen or Ana Joaquina in long version, played their favorite pieces in piano as they joined the semestral recital organized by the Silliman University College of Performing Arts at the Luce Auditorium last March 13, Thursday at 5 p.m. The eleven year old Ana Joaquina Adriano, who started learning the piano at the age of five, played The Entertainer by Joplin, the mother. Annabelle Lee Adriano played Etune in E. Op.10,no.3 by Chopin and the grandmother Joaquina Villegas Lee performed Claire de Lune by Debussy. My heart skipped a bit. These three people are dear to my heart, because I see that age is not a problem with spending time with each other even if it takes time to go to their lessons with Tim Montes, music professor in Silliman University.
This is life. Its not only the daily grind of mundane things that make life but the joy of watching your friends, family, and relatives in their cherished moments. This is worth a million treasures stored away inside a memory bank which lives inside us forever.
Pretty little girls in their blue outfit opened the event with dances. One little girl caught the crowd’s hearts as she moved away from the group and did her own unique interpretation of the dance, following her heart filled with glee, completely enjoying the moment. It was the most beautiful and natural dance I ever saw.
The ballet performance was done by Gabrielle Limbaga, Aisha Yashin, Hikaru Nagasawa, Garnet Cello, Anya Katarina Pantejo, Anna Natalie Kolnes, Sarah Marie Kolnes Francesca Marie Flores and Sabrina Barot.
In music, Kahlil Andoni Denura, performed My Pony by Olson, Keira Nolyn Nocete, with Firefly and chim chim Cher-ee fr “Mary Poppins” by Faber and Sherman Faber, Millie Anne Estolloso, violin and piano with morning tune no.5 and Party song by J Sailen Bowman, Nino Adrian Losaria, sang the Little lamb, by J. Styne, Liana Thea violin with Perpetual Motion by S. Suzuki, Stephen Gerard Denura, piano with Danny Dolphin and Camptown Races by Olson arr by Faber, Marc Villavicencio, piano with Old Macdonald and Yankee Doodle, Yeashua Quizo, violin, Allegro by S. Suzuki, Reggae Kayl Ege piano The spinning Song by M. Aaron, Xian Aiby Generoso voice, Castle On a Cloud,by C.M. Schonberg, Isobel Flores, violin,Morning Tune No. 5 by J Sailen, Glenna Christina Duch, violin and piano with Sonatina in C Op 8 by I Pleyel and Rondino by A.Diabeli.
Other performers were Aurora Ab Latif, violin, with Morning Tune No.6 by J Sailen , Lissa patricia Duch, violin piano and voice with Morning tune no.5 by J Sailen, Tarantella by M Aaron, and Climb every mountain by Rodgers Hammerstein. While Arriane Adrian performed Allegro by S. Suzuki in Violin and sang Reflection by Matthew Wilder, Joyce Elizabeth Anderson, violin with Grasshopper tune, Amyrrah Estolloso, violin and piano with Chorus from Judas Maccabeus and Spring Improntu by G.F. Handel and Aaron respectively.
Other performers were Amidalla Gabrielle Quisumbing, Marriane Villavicencio,Sarah Jane Kolnes, Joushua Sisona, Anna Natalie Kolnes, Jesse Llyd Villanueva, Brian Majarocon, Alanise Rhei Nacar, Sabrina Barot, John francis Reyes, Samuel Cantos, Eric jennies Duhaylungsod, Jonald Alabastro, Lianette Flores, Marvin Urbano Tia, Benjamin Limbaga, Ma. Cassandra Ortaliz, Andrew Marc Alvarez, Jae-So and Jae –Hwan Jang, Hwang In Soon, Gae won, Simoun Glen Alvarez, Bryan Vincent King, Mykaela Luz Maxino, Megan Lozada, Hee won Lee, Jason Sisona, Alexis Faye Pal, Carmel June Saga, Seo Yeong (Rachelle) Jo, francheska Louise Salcedo, Jon riam Quizo, Katrina Mira, Gian Paolo Sisona, Onna Rhea Quizo, Lheolyne Mandingal, Seong Ha-lee, Reahna Ruamar, Soe Jeong, and Carolyn Goltiano. I looked forward for this recital to bring my senses the much needed rest and pure relaxation.

Gracegrowers

A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas

“Gracegrowers”

Two prisoners looked out of the window. One saw the bars and the other saw the stars.

I love pearls. They come in different array of colors like white, pink, blue or the rare ones which are the black pearls. They are magical and feminine, and the only gems which come from a living organism which is an oyster.
But these lovely gems started as “irritants”. These irritants are mostly sand that gets inside the oyster shells. To protect itself, the oyster tries to cover these foreign bodies with layers of pearly substance known as “nacre” which gives the pearl a unique appearance and iridescent glow. As time goes by, these so called irritants become pearls.
In life , we meet people or trials that may irritate us, yet somehow they produce life enduring values like patience, love, long-suffering humility or faith.
I borrowed the term “gracegrowers” from someone who also borrowed this term from another. Gracegrowers refer to people or circumstances that are hard to understand or love yet they mold us positively or negatively depending on what we are made of.
I’m sure you have met this person sometime, somehow, or you may have encountered trials or problems beyond compare. Whether we like it or not they are part of our daily existence. They may be fleeting occurences or someone you have to live with for the rest of your lives.
Have you breathed these words,” This person brings out the worst in me.” or “ I wish this ordeal ends.”
Sometimes, these irritants are vital in our growth. God seems to allow them in or lives for some purpose. We only learn to be more patient with people who stretch our patience. We learn to love unconditionally to those who are hard to love. Trials produce fortitude, courage, endurance and faith. Gracegrowers may produce pearls someday.
They say that success is not the real test of character, but give a man failure and you will know who he is.

SAY IT PLEASE

Feb.24,2008
A Journey through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas

Words


If we live for 70 years we have actually spent quite a lot of time talking. They say that women are capable of more or less 25 thousand words a day, and men are about half of that. Maybe that’s the reason why men fall asleep while women are still half way of the conversation.
The most eloquent words I have heard being said about someone are when I attend a funeral. But it is sad that the recipient of these heartwarming words is now lying deaf and cold.
Cancer taught me that life is too short to hold back appreciation to people who deserve it.
All of us need words that nourish our hearts and actions that speak our good intentions. Words are free. We don’t have to worry about our bank accounts if we say kind or encouraging words to others. It doesn’t cost anything to make a person feel important. We will not miss an inch in height if we tell a person that she or he did a good job. Our salaries will not be deducted if we praise our coworkers. Our house helpers need sincere praise as much as we are. We won’t appear less attractive if we boost others’ self confidence. We don’t become less a parent if we tell our children that they are great.
My mother, like most mothers was always full of praise for her children. But inspite of that, I grew up believing that I was an ugly duckling. Other children used to tease me and call me “Tikling” a Philippine heron which is tall, thin and has very long legs. I was tall for an average Filipino and too thin. Half of my life, I always heard these words, “You should eat well, you’re too thin.”
I would stand last in line all the time in school, and sit at the last row not wanting to be seen. I knew how it was to be different and unattractive, so at a young age I created my own world of painting beautiful, perfect women which turned into gory images of headless mermaids during my adolescent years. Everyday, I would write stories and illustrate comic strips where my heroes and villains were my classmates and teachers.
The world can be cruel and unkind, but we can make a difference in our own little ways. Our solitude can drive us to enlarge our imagination. Other people’s indifference can make us understand our own kind.
Did God make a mistake? Certainly not. We are perfect for His purpose. Even if we feel like an outcast, unimportant, we are very special in His sight. We can yield or fight or blame our parents for not having good genes, but our self worth is not measured by our looks, nor our past and insecurities, but by how we are in God’s sight. He sees a masterpiece in the making not the unfinished work of art.
Words are weapons that make or break us. Be grateful if one learns to appreciate your gifts, but don’t think that you are less of a person if no one does. Continue to affirm the positive qualities of others who need it because as you encourage others, you too are encouraged.
Our nation will be a better place to live if people learn to use words to affirm good positive traits of each other on a daily basis. It creates a positive atmosphere, where progressive ideas grow.

PROBLEM OF THE HEART

Feb.17,2008
A Journey Through Cancer
By Muffet Dolar Villegas
The heart of the problem
is the problem of the heart.

I have seen a lot of hearts lately this February. From red throw pillows to boxes of chocolate, greeting cards and red roses with heart shaped objects around them to express love and affection. Hearts are everywhere. It reminds me to search my own heart. There are things that I didn’t like to see. A big SELF is written in big bold letters.
Do you sometimes search your heart? If you are alone, sipping a cup of tea or coffee, a newspaper in your hand, do you take time to see what is going on inside your heart, even as you scan these pages?
The heart is only about the size of a fist. It weighs between 250 to 350 grams or less than a pound. But its size and weight belie its amazing strength and endurance. It beats ceaselessly at an average rate of 72 to 80 per minute if you are a female and 64 to 72 beats per minute if you are a male. A fetus heart beats even faster, 140 to 160 per minute. Its shape is like a popular valentines image.
The heart with its team mates of miles of blood vessels throughout the body, works tirelessly to take in nutrients and oxygen and excrete wastes night and day.
Its job is so crucial that God enclosed the heart in a double walled sac called pericardium. This is made of tough dense connective tissue layer which protects the heart, anchors it to surrounding vital structures and it also prevents overfilling of the heart with blood.
If the heart skips a beat, we realize how much we depend on this organ every second of our existence.
The heart is the center of debates and arguments for many centuries. The ancient Greeks believe that it is the throne of intelligence. Most of us think that it is the source of emotions. Yet the heart is more complicated than these.
As much as the heart is the center of life which pulsates within us, it also plays a vital role in what kind of life we live. Events and circumstances which are happening in the world today are much influenced by the condition of the heart. We can fill it with goodness which can protect the weak or with evil intent to harm, deceive or sow chaos.
Most of the world’s problems today come from the condition of the heart. They say that a nation’s destiny is determined by its leaders. But can the leader change people’s hearts? Aren’t we responsible for our own state of hearts?
David wrote in Psalms 139:23-24Search me O God and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
If there is an instrument that can measure the colors of the heart, what colors do you think would depict jealousy, discontentment, greed, selfishness, pride, kindness, humility, mercy, understanding or love?
God made our hearts so wonderfully. Only He can change what He has made. Again it’s a choice. He is too gentle and polite to force entry. But He is always willing if you like.