‘NOSTRAVERUS’ Our Truth (for Real Peace)

[Official Statement of SanibLakas Foundation in September 2001, in the form of ten quatrains, issued via the Internet a week after “9/11” to add our voice to the urgent clamor for peace.]

JUST a handful of days after the bombings in New York and Washington DC in September 2001, this poetic quatrain made the rounds in the Internet and short-text messaging, very obviously alluding to the bombings especially of the twin buildings of the World Trade Center in New York.
In the city of York there will be a great collapse
Two twin brothers torn apart by chaos
While the fortress falls, the great leader succumbs,
Third big war begins as the city burns.

The quatrain was attributed to 16th century prophet Nos-tradamus, and it carried his unique prophetic style of poetry, implying that he did foresee these events and their tension-filled aftermath where war-hawks were openly crying for Muslim blood to “avenge” thousands who died in the attacks.

However, none of the Nos-tradamus scholars found it in the seer’s own body of work.
In the Philippines, the Sanib-Lakas Foundation produced ten quatrains, which we released through the Internet and other channels under a symbolic collective by-line: “Nostraverus,” Our Truth.

Here are those quatrains with which we repeated our urgent call for World Peace half a decade later.

Mind of great populace creates swerves from dire prophecies.
Hearts of Light refuse being tunneled by the powerful to the abyss.
Human evolution now cries in louder chorus: ‘No more wars!’
Even frenzy of hate shall by the Loving Light of Truth be tamed!

Not ever can any saber-rattling a resolute adversary intimidate.
In fighting fire with hateful fire, messy strife surely will escalate.
Allow ourselves to all take sides, and conflagration broadens.
It’ll send all up in thickest smokes to blacken full the heavens.

Thousands lay dead and wounded, victims all, undoubtedly.
Yet who would the biggest victims be, really, in this awful tragedy?
Casualties lost bodies, but aren’t furious survivors losing their God?
Million souls now pushed to hate, and—woe!—to thirst for blood.

In word and form have peace prayers and rituals widely varied.
Still, all voices against war build synergies in intent and effect.
Small circles for sharing and praying embolden even the timid.
As their ripples grow out, more hearts start to ponder, to reflect.

God, please bless these people, so proud to be mighty and free!
Heal their wounds and pains, lovingly dry their bitt’rest of tears.
Cure them of hatred and confusion, and help them to deeply see
Why anger of many ‘round the world for stripe’d flag is so fierce.

Denial of Truth is a terrible cancer to our emotions and spirit.
We have the ‘response-ability’ to be vigilant, open and sobered.
Hold our judgment, let discernment move and work ahead of it.
Sift and seek the Truth in a patient way, with all well-considered.

Try, instead, to see which ways of ours we need now to amend.
If we really heed to heal, a much better world would come to sight!

Crucial first step to take in fighting terrorists most treacherous
Is for us to check and rid ourselves of tendencies within —
Toward being arrogant, intolerant and, oh, so self-righteous.
Then, and only then, shall we deserve this noble fight to win.

This may yet turn out to be a most complicated preparation,
That fully shed the tails from our reptilian origins would be,
For Humankind to march forward in collective evolution—
From intolerance and bigotry, to pluralism and Harmony!

Carnage from iron birds and threats of global war most bloody
Might just cause the whole Humankind to bond upon each strand.
We’ll finally be one global community, the great Human Family.
Clearly see shall we that “we’re all Fingers of the Same Hand!”

-- ‘Nostraverus’
(Our Truth)
September 2001

The first quatrain came from a special Sanib-Sinag (Light-Sharing) session held by some SanibLakas Foundation leaders at Earthlite, C.O.D., Quezon City on Sept. 17, as a special session of Sanib-Tinig new-moon jamming, where the only song sung was All We Are Saying is Give Peace a Chance, interspersed with sharing of insights from each of the participants.

The other quatrains were fashioned within the week of creation of the first quatrain, from later sharings through another “All We Are Saying is Give Peace a Chance” singing-and-sharing session, and through texted and e-mailed messages.

The following light-sharers are represented by their respective insights and feelings in all these ten quatrains: Ding Reyes, Joydee Robledo, Vivien Virata, Gerie Caniete, Ernie Gonzales, Henry Vasallo, Eve Magnata, Fr. Stephen Punnakal, Pio Isaga, and Ronel de la Cruz (singing-and-sharing sessions); Marie R. Marciano, Mila R. Garcia, Karen Virata, Mina M. Ramirez, Maraya Chebat, and Tony Villasor (texted messages); and Jimmi Reyes, Gus Maramara, Jim Paredes, and Jun Simbulan (e-mailed messages). Upon reading these quatrains for the first time, they recognized instantly which points of insight and discernment came from their own hearts and minds.

Each one appreciated how her/his own point related well with the others in the tapestry of the entire message for peace. They and all the others who spread these quatrains resonated with them and added to them, and instantly joined the collective voice of “Nostraverus” (Our Truth).