4 Cardinal Virtues Novels & Stories

Gigil na napailing ang naiinis na designer. Nagpatuloy ang seremonya. Nagbasa ang pari ng bible verse, mula sa Conrinthians 13: 4-8. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, It is not proud, it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always persevere. Love never fails…

Walang pakialam na nagpatuloy si Harvey, “Kung ang pagiging walang utang na loob, walang hiya at hipokrito ay ang normal sa western na mundo…” “Kung gayon kami, ang Great Country H, ay walang interes sa ganitong civility!” “Ang sibilisasyon ng Great Country H ay nagpatuloy sa higit na limang millennia na. Ito ay may mahaba, malawak at malalim na kasaysayan na nakatuon sa mga value tulad ng compassion, pangangailangan ng tao, magandang pananalig, katotohanan, pagiging tapat, kapayapaan, pagtitiyaga, dedikasyon, pagsulong ng magandang gawain, pagtulong sa mahirap, tapang para sa hustisya, pagkakaroon ng matinding kabaitan…”

"Marlon was a name and more, for he touched our lives, brightened our day with his gentle, hearty laughter as well as his embrace. He was always a gentleman, more so, he was considerate, compassionate and altruism was etched on his heart. In his laughter we discovered happiness and from his fighting spirit, we get to understand perseverance. When marking his life, we need to realize the virtues he considered to be significant: the love towards the family, loyalty to friends, and commitment to work. A couple things that I took from Marlon was the need to ask for help or rather being reminded that no man is an island. He stood for the people, for joy, for self accomplishment and for acknowledg

“Sumisimbolo ito ng kontrol, determinasyon, tagumpay, at aksyon. Magandang card ito. Ibig sabihin, matibay ang loob mo at kaya mong harapin ang mga paparating na pagsubok.” Medyo na-intriga ako. Mukhang tama naman ang basa niya. Muling nag-shuffle ang manghuhula at binuksan ang pangalawang baraha. Mayroon itong nilalang na may sungay, nakaupo sa isang trono. “The Devil,” sabi niya. “Sumisimbolo ito ng pagkaadik, pagkakulong, at tukso. Dapat kang mag-ingat sa mga bagay na maaaring magtulak sa’yo sa maling direksyon.”

Natigil ang paghinga ko at sunod-sunod tumibok ang puso ko nang mahanap ulit si Enzo mula sa crowd. Humigpit ang panga niya bago siya bahagyang yumuko. Mabagal na inilabas ng host ang isang gintong kahon. Pagbukas nito, pitong magkakaibang card ang nakita ko sa loob. Bawat isa may simbolo ng isang estate. Lust. Greed. Wrath. Envy. Pride. Gluttony. Sloth. “Please proceed.” Lalong lumakas ang bulungan ng mga tao, pero mas malakas pa rin bawat kalabog ng puso ko.

Cheerish them and comfort each other as much as possible. Love is sacrifice. Sabi nga ng katagang. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient. Love is Kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes always preseveres.

Inaasar lang naman niya ako. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

"Lesson number four, Ava: When the world is against you, you don't hide. You show them that you are untouchable because you belong to me." Naramdaman ko ang kanyang mga kamay na gumagapang sa aking balat, bawat haplos ay nag-iiwan ng marka ng apoy. Ang pagiging clumsy ko ay naglaho; ang tanging natitira ay ang instinct na sumuko sa kanyang bawat utos. Gusto kong sumigaw, gusto kong umiyak, pero ang tanging lumalabas sa bibig ko ay ang pangalan niya.

She glanced and gave me a kind of smile that I would never get tired of seeing everyday. Nagsimula naman nang magbasa ang pari. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

“You’re about to marry my daughter. And as her father, I want to share with you five important virtues that you must always uphold in marriage.” Tumango ako at nakinig nang mabuti. “First,” aniya, “Respect. Always respect Ada, not just as your wife, but as a person. Respect her dreams, her thoughts and her choices. Marriage is a partnership, and you should always treat her as your equal.” Napangiti ako. “Of course, Papa. I love and respect Ada more than anything.”