It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

My rambling today is about my own journey that I want to end. Can I escape? No. Can I leave? No? Can I die? Yes–but still no.

My life is not as bad… I know other people out there that are living in hell (figuratively). To put it bluntly–my problem is nothing compared to a girl raped by her own father and uncle… My issues in life are nothing compared to the little boy who has to walk 2 hours to school with an empty stomach… My pain is nothing compared to a mom who just lost her baby… What I’m worried about is really nothing… Some people are living in hell… While I am in purgatory (and I don’t know if I even believe in hell, purgatory, and heaven).

So why do I feel so hopeless when there are people around me who should have lost hope but are still hanging on?

Just writing this piece helped me put things in perspective (what a cliche–but it’s true). My troubles are nothing. Truly NOTHING. And I am so ashamed that I thought of escaping. I am ashamed that I felt this way.

from http://www.homemadecraftsandgift.com

There are many versions to this poem but the message does not change. I guess, people stronger than me have this attitude–the DON’T QUIT attitude. I once thought that I had that attitude. Once… A long time ago. And now, I’m beginning to feel that it might just come back. I just need to remember–It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit!

[Alpha Phi Omega] An Open Letter

My Dear Friends:

“It’s Greek to me” we say when something unfamiliar comes our way. But we read in the newspapers and become aware of one thing, we think that, that’s all there, is to it and say, “I am knowledgeable about it; I read the newspapers.”

Such is the situation I am in. Newspapers, in their hope to get more readers, resort to sensationalism – a yellow journalism at its worst.

I am literally Greek, but not at all unfamiliar, rather, according to commercial historians – the newsmen – I am notorious – Hazing. Rumbles. Even drug addiction. What have you? They have alleged to me, not really without basis. But have they stopped to consider who really I am?

I am ALPHA PHI OMEGA. And I stand for LEADERSHIP, FRIENDSHIP and SERVICE. Dr. Frank Reed Horton, my father, conceived me as an organization of college men who have cooperated with youth movements, especially the Scouting movement. I was born on December 16, 1925 at Lafayette College , Easton , Pennsylvania , U.S.A. I am now getting 87 years old, having more or less a million Americans in a about 800 (738 listed chapters in Wikipedia) campuses in the United States alone believe in me.

In the Philippines , I am relatively young. Eagle scouts brought me to this home. On March 2, 1950, I was sort of born again at the Far Eastern University with Dr. Librado I. Ureta, as my Filipino father. You see, I am independent here from ALPHA PHI OMEGA of the UNITED STATES. And I now dwell in 1222 Chapters and many petitioning chapters in various colleges and universities, and 210 Alumni Associations throughout the country. (Figures’ Source: Wikipedia)

I am the fastest growing Greek-letter organization of the Phiulippines, please permit me to say. Filipinos who are affiliated with me include women. Aside from our in-campus chapters, we also have a lot of alumni/alumnae associations in abroad and in various parts of the Philippines .

I specialize in what I stand for – LEADERSHIP, FRIENDSHIP and SERVICE.

Service to me covers the humanity, divided into: student body and faculty, youth and community, nation, and fraternity brothers and sorority sisters.

But I admit that not all men are affected the same way by a given institution. That’s why my being implicated in notoriety is with basis.

A National Executive Board, composed of people who have real faith in me, runs my affairs. With the full support and cooperation of my local chapters and groups, my ideals are becoming a reality.

I am very dynamic organization. After all, I am ALPHA PHI OMEGA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE FRATERNITY AND SORORITY. APO for short. More than a million citizens in the world believe in me. It is only my hope that their belief is unaffected.

Sincerely,

ALPHA PHI OMEGA

Farewell Brother Lemuel

Because I cannot put into words how I feel right now…

Farewell to… A teacher. A leader. A friend. A man of service.

Thank you for having been a part of our lives. Till we meet again! WE WILL ALWAYS BE!

 Lemuel Montenegro Batch 1966 – Los Conquistadores Gamma Alpha Phi Omega Philippines