Harmony and Peace Festival

Starting today, there will be a harmony and peace festival happening in the Jardín Botánico of Caguas. The festival, which celebrates the year of the planet. will take place through Sunday. It will open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and tickets will be $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children ages 6 to 12 years old.

However, according to Danny Rivera, who is not only performing during the festival, but is also the producer and spokesperson for the event, commented: We're aware of the tight economic situation facing the country, people who can not afford the $12 daily admission, can gain access to the facilities of the botanical garden with a donation. Which I think is a pretty cool policy to have for a peach and harmony festival.

In many ways this event is just like the many others you've been to on the island. There will be a special invited guest, for this event it is the The Monks of Tibet. In addition, Danny Rivera, The Flutist Enrique Cárdenas, The Harpist Elisa Torres, and Edwin Gerena will be performing through out the festival. There will also be lectures for adults and children, kiosks with natural products and health food, aroma therapy, organic drinks, and arts and crafts. Well, Ok, it's already a little different than most events here, but you know the typical offerings.

For me, what makes this event interesting is that the festival hopes to become a wave of tolerance and understanding and sow universal brotherhood, from Puerto Rico to the world. Amen brother! Rivera commented further, in a very Buddhist way of thinking, "It is not utopian to think that Puerto Ricans can live in harmony and brotherhood." For me, it's the hope of that harmony and brotherhood that should make us all strive for it, starting first, of course, with the man in the mirror (as Michael Jackson once said). So today, let's all start by committing random acts of peace, harmony, and brotherhood!

To achieve the festival's mission, the Buddhists monks will be leading meditations and providing lectures on violence and suicide, but they will also be doing one other thing which is literally amazing. They will be constructing a sand peace mandala. Taking all three days of the event to complete, the monks will build a mandala out of sand and on the final day, in a dissolution ceremony, destroy the mandala. The creation and destruction of the mandala is a reminder of the profound Buddhist concept of impermanence.

Did you know?

For Tibetans, this art is called dul-tson-kyil-khor, which literally means "mandala of colored powders." Formed of a traditional prescribed iconography that includes geometric shapes and a multitude of ancient spiritual symbols, the sand-painted mandala is used as a tool for consecrating the earth and its inhabitants.

According to Buddhist history, the purpose, meanings, and techniques involved in the spiritual art of sand mandala painting were taught by Sakyamuni Buddha in the 6th-century B.C. in India. This tradition has been preserved over the past 2500 years in an unbroken transmission from master to disciple.

The Tibetan word for mandala is kilkhor, which means “center of the circle with exterior walls and surrounding environment.” Millions of grains of brightly colored sand, placed with great skill and patience using a metal funnel called a chak phur, form the intricate and beautiful geometric designs of the sand mandala sacred art form.

Tibetans believe that all who participate and watch the mandala process accumulate merit. The sand is traditionally made from ground precious stones. Since each grain of sand is charged with the blessings of the ritual process, the entire sand mandala embodies a vast store of spiritual energy.

To give you a little idea of how exquisite this art form is, I've included a couple of nice videos showing first the creation of a mandala and then the ceremony to destroy the mandala. It is truly fascinating and almost worth the price of admission just to witness this unique art form.

Monks Create Mandala



Dissolution Ceremony



Flickr Creative Commons Contributor Today: shutter.chick

One Puerto Rican's Journey to Sainthood

In three weeks the first Puerto Rican to ever become beatified by the Roman Catholic Church will face the next challenge on his path to become the first Puerto Rican Saint. This is the story of Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodríguez Santiago, or Carlos Manual (Charlie) as most call him, or the Puerto Ricanized "Chali".

Charlie started this journey back in 1981, when a 42 year-old mother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma. She and her husband had been friends of Rodríguez during his college years and knew of his death from cancer. She prayed to Rodríguez for intercession on her behalf. After fully recovering, she publicly attributed her recovery to the miracle of intercession.

In 1991, a priest from Spain, Rev. Mauro Meza, came to Puerto Rico to conduct a seminar. After learning about Rodríguez, he was authorized by the local bishop to take the story to the Vatican. In Rome, Meza initiated the process of inquiry that could lead to canonization. As a result of the findings from this investigation, it was decided that the process to canonize Rodríguez could be started.

On July 7, 1997, Pope John Paul II decreed Charlie's heroic sanctity and service in his life. The process took a major step on April 29, 2001, when Rodríguez was beatified by Pope John Paul II.

The next challenge

In 2001, a diabetic in Mayaguez was prepped and ready to undergo surgery to amputate his leg. A diabetic, his leg had become infected and the infection had turned into gangrene. The night before the operation the man had a vision of the Blessed Carlos Manuel. When doctors evaluated him prior to the operation they discovered that the flow of blood through the leg had been restored and the amputation would not be necessary.

Now, in three weeks the medical documentation, plus eyewitness reports of the miracle will make their way to Rome, where they will be examined by the Vatican. If the miracle is validated, then according to canonization procedure defined by Catholic Church's canon law, Charlie will become Puerto Rico's first Saint.

Did you know?

Rodríguez is the first Caribbean-born layperson and the first layperson in the history of the United States to be beatified. In the entire Western Hemisphere, Rodríguez is only the second layperson to be beatified.

Now it gets really weird...

I have to make a confession! I'm particularly interested in the outcome of this process. For you see, I have a strange connection to Charlie. In short, he's very special to me. Why you ask? Well come may say these are mere coincidences, sometimes you just have to admit that there are some things which go beyond coincidence.

While Carlos Manuel died of Cancer, what many people don't know is that his cancer was the result of having suffered with an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (an IBD) for most of his life. This year, it will mark my 20thy year after having being diagnoes with Crohn's Diesease, an IBD.

All of my life, I've always bet on the number 13. While most people consider the number "bad luck", I've always embraced it. You see I was born on the 13th, July 13th, 1963. Charlie before he died confessed to his friends that "The 13^th is a good day.” Several days later he died, the date? It was July 13th, 1963.

For a small city boy from Indiana, to live in a city, on a rock in the middle of the ocean, in a culture that is as foreign to me as any a white American can imagine, where a man died on the same day I was born, from complications from the exact same disease that rules my life...well I just know that we are connected. I feel the connection, you would too.

It's a miracle that we have this connection. It was a miracle that made him Blessed Carlos Manual. And hopefully now, it will be a miracle that will make him a Saint. Miracles happen, we just need to be open to them; surrender to them. Let us all surrender to hope. Hope for Carlos Manuel, and hope too, for Puerto Rico. God knows we need it!

Dia de la Prenvención del Maltrato a Menores

This coming Wednesday, April 30th, is the Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Did you know the number of children abused in Puerto Rico….

• is five times the capacity of Roberto Clemente Coliseum,
• 13 times the population of Old San Juan,
• 4 times the population of Vieques
• would fill the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, twice?

That's a lot of children. Too many children! And we are not talking about the abuse they suffer in our public school system. That's another heinous crime altogether. Fortunately ESCAPE, El Centro de Fortalecimiento Familiar has dedicated itself to the intervention, treatment, and prevention of child abuse and domestic violence.

ESCAPE, is a non-profit organization that has been accepted this challenge since 1983. The programs of ESCAPE include services such as visits and counseling at home through professionals and volunteers, crisis intervention, counseling and guidance telephone, Program Early Head Start, parenting classes, lectures, conferences, educational development and promotion of informational materials. In addition, they also sponsor research on the problem of child abuse and family violence.

In order to raise awareness of the problem of child abuse, ESCAPE is sponsoring a ribbon wearing campaign. With the purchase of an ESCAPE ribbon, you will not only contribute to improving the quality of life thousands of children and families on the island, but you'll also demonstrate that you really care about this problem.

To purchase your ribbon, visit any of the participating Wendy's: Plaza Las Américas, Plaza Carolina, San Patricio Plaza, Plaza del Caribe, Montehiedra Town Center, Plaza del Sol, and Mayagüez Mall. The ribbons cost only $1.00. If you'd like to purchase a large quantity of ribbons, please contact (787) 287-6161.

Flickr Creative Commons Contributor Today: Vogυe

Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico

On this Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico, give thanks for the following, the order is not terribly important (feel free to add your own, its like medicine):

Give thanks for your family. In good times or bad, the are the most important thing you have. They are what makes life worth living in the end.

Give thanks for another hurricane free year. We have witnessed nature's strength and the resulting loss of life and we should say a prayer for those who were not so fortunate.

Give thanks that you live in a place with wonderful weather year round, with sandy beaches, blue water, and tropical breezes. It makes the rest bearable.

Give thanks for people who feed and shelter abandoned animals, who volunteer in Special Olympics, who participate in beach cleanups, who help the poor and elderly, to name a few. They are the best of us.

Give thanks that you live in a place where we have a "real" vote, the right to disagree with the Government, and to practice any religion (or not to practice) we see fit. Far too many people in the World have none of these rights.

Give thanks to the tens of thousands of young men and women serving in the military, many of whom have given the ultimate sacrifice in protecting those rights. Whether you agree with the war in Iraq and Afganistan, say a prayer for their safe return. They are our sons and daughter, brothers and sisters, cousins and grandchildren, wives and husbands. They deserve an honored moment of thanks.

Give thanks for what you have. It may not seem like much, but I promise you that there are far more with far less. And remember, there will always be someone with more, and someone with less, but in the end, we are all equally biodegradable.

Give thanks to people who exhibit little acts of kindness. It has an interesting effect of rippling throughout society.

Finally, give thanks to your Mom and Dad. Many of the World's children have neither. I was lucky, I had two of the best.

God Bless you all and have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Fun stories that hit me today...

Puerto Rican mare extends losing streak to 125 races

It seems a local race horse has broken the streak for the longest number of races without a win. Dona Chepa, a 9-year-old brown mare, finished last in a six-horse field at Camarero Racetrack in eastern Puerto Rico on Wednesday, a 125th consecutive loss that is believed to be the longest in horse racing history.

Track spokesman Joe Bruno said Wednesday's loss surpasses an equine losing record of 0-124 set by Australian horse Ouroene, who raced from 1976-83.

There is no world governing body that tracks lack of success for horses, but Dona Chepa's penchant for losing at least beats other notable marks for futility, including Ouroene, Gloria Springs (106, Japan), Thrust (105, North America) and Quixall Crossett (103, Britain).

Dona Chepa, which comes from a distinguished line of champion racers, began her woeful ways on Valentine's Day in 2001. The closest she came to victory was in May 2003, when she finished second, Bruno said.

El Nuevo Dia wishes everyone Peace

I'm really not sure what to think about this beautiful gesture on the part of El Nuevo Dia. On the cover of today's paper was a local celebrity asking for peace. The celebrity they picked is without a doubt a national hero and is known in every household. And what do you think that celebrities claim to fame is?

He's a boxer....

Flickr Creative Commons Contributor Today: Harry Willis

Peace be with you...

Flickr Creative Commons Peace Montage Contributors Today (In order of appearance):
- lisa.norwood
- melyviz
- Logan Cody
- Jayel Aheram
- The International Day of Peace
- Jesse Bikman
- tatianes
- LifeHouseDesign
- Christiaan Briggs
- Kaunda

Creciendo en Puerto Rico

On Thursday, the Metropolitan University of the Ana G Méndez System will host a scientific exposition about factors associated to violence, premature sex, alcohol and drug abuse, academic performance, and suicide among the adolescents of Puerto Rico. Considering recent events, I bet all of those topics are probably on the minds of most parents, college and high school students after yesterday's horrifying events in Blacksburg Virginia.

The exposition, Creciendo en Puerto Rico will take place in the Amphitheater of the Muñiz Souffront building. The event will start at 8:3- a.m. and run until 3:30 p.m. The cost for the event is $50 per person and includes snacks, lunch, and educational materials. Space is limited to 100 persons, which I wish they could increase by a 1,000 to get some help to understand the Virginia Tech tragedy and hear how we can help protect our children. somehow I hope they find a way to share the information discussed during this exposition. I know as a Father of three, I would find this them incredibly timely and helpful.

On behalf of DóndeEs.com, I'd like to express our profound sorrow for the sadness and loss the world has suffered. But while the attention is focused on Blacksburg Virginia, let us not forget the similar or more extreme violence that continues to rage in Iraq, Darfur, Afghanistan, and Israel, just to name a few other places. May peace reign in the United States, Iraq, Darfur, Afghanistan, Israel, and also for us here in Puerto Rico.

I'm reminded of an episode of the X-Files, Je Souhaite, were Scully and Mulder encounter a genie. At one point Mulder is tempted to get his 3 wishes from the genie by unrolling her from her carpet. Altruistically, one of Mulder's wishes is for "Peace on Earth". The genie grants him his wish only to find out that she has removed everyone. Mulder is the only person left on Earth. Is that what it would take? Sometimes, I wonder...

Flickr Creative Commons Contributor Today: Clearly Ambiguous

Pay it forward - Boricua Style

As chance would have it, another close friend of DóndeEs.com has lost a parent. Because I know this person doesn't really want any attention directed his way (nor did his Mother), and out of respect for his loss, I wanted to express our deepest sympathies. When I told him recently how sad it was that his Mother was dying, he responded with a profound perspective on life "She had no regrets, she's lived a full life." How truthful and inspiring! It's funny how we are always frozen with fear to try things. Things that are risky, things that are new, or maybe things that might be hard. The truth of our reality is that most people on their death beds express regret for the things they never tried instead of remorse for the decisions they had made.

The family made a simple, yet beautiful, request. Instead of flowers or donations they request that we take the time to be with friends and family, perform some small act of kindness, give someone a bit of encouragement, or simply take a few brief moments to count your blessings. If we do these things we will have honored her.

With her in mind, I'd like to honor her by saying to my fellow islanders that there is hope. There is beauty in this place. Look for the beauty in everything and everyone. It's there! For the next week, as soon as you wake up, before you swing your legs out of bed and go to the bathroom, ask for the world to show you the beauty that exists in our isle of enchantment. Before long, you will be amazed how the world will explode with beauty and amaze you into recognizing the paradise we live in.

Flickr Creative Commons Contributors Today: dphershman & iBjorn

Being there for you as you have been for us...

This morning for me, or right before Jose went to bed, we here at DóndeEs.com received some sad news via our feed subscription to Gil the Jenius. Gil's Dad lost a heartbreaking battle with depression, alcoholism, and associated complications thereof. While we've never met anyone from Gil's family we extend our sympathies. We both, and me especially, have come to count Gil as one of our(my) friends here in Puerto Rico.

After Jose and I both met him a couple of years we've all grown our friendship through the years, often working and dreaming together. Part of our shared dreaming is visible in DóndeEs.com. As a small tribute to Gil and his loss here are a few of those dreams he has shared with us or we've learned from him:

• that passion, dedication, and action can turn fantasies into reality;
• that the so called "experts" are wrong most of the time and that the true mastery of a subject, in this case Internet technology will rise above the crowd to demonstrate what is possible (even in the face of all discouragement)
• that one of the biggest problems we have is searching for products, companies, information, providers, etc. that exist within Puerto Rico (in many ways that is our mission, make everything that can be found about Puerto Rico, findable within one resource)
• and most especially, that if we want to make a better Puerto Rico, then we have to keep trying; we can never give up.

I know personally, I've learned and gained a great deal from Gil and his blog "Gil the Jenius". In my opinion it is the number one blog written in Puerto Rico and the number one blog written about Puerto Rico. Gil's writing is beautiful, insightful, provocative, and usually pretty funny.

So in this moment of sadness, we would like to extend our best wishes for Gil and his family. May they find the strength, patience, understanding, and peace that are so often needed during these times. I'd also like you to know, Gil, that my life is richer, more bright, and most definitely more optimistic with you as a friend. Be well...