Canticles

NAST Phl Gears Up for Good Water Governance in the Philippines

2012-02-09T09:13:00.001+08:00

Guada B. Ramos and Dexter L.A. Bautista

The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) spearheaded the Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Water Rights and Water Wrongs: Towards Good Water Governance for Development, with the Social Sciences Division at the helm through Academician Agnes Rola, who served as the focal person for the event. The activity was conducted at the Le Salon, Hyatt Hotel Manila, 26 January 2012.

Academician Emil Q. Javier, president of NAST Phl and chair of the 34th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) welcomed the participants led by the Philippine Water Czar, Honorable Secretary Rogelio L. Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Acd. Javier stated that as part of its advisory function, the NAST ASM takes on key national issues and brings collective expertise not only from the Academy but from the whole scientific community to address such issues. Since water is becoming a pressing national concern, NAST believed that it is timely and appropriate to dedicate this year’s ASM to water and its many challenges and implications.

Being the first in the series of RTDs in preparation for the ASM in July, this RTD aimed to clarify the current state of water governance in the Philippines and recommend ways to improve it. Experts invited were Dr. Christopher Wensley, lead water resource specialist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Cristina David, former Research Fellow of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), Mr. Vicente Paragas, executive director of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Acd. Guillermo Tabios III, member of the NAST Engineering Sciences and Technology (EST) Division, Dr. Joy Lizada, dean of the College of Management, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), Prevelyn Gazmen, stakeholder manager of the Manila Water, and Dr. Ma Helen Dayo, director of the Gender Center of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Dr. Felino Lansigan of the Institute of Statistics, UPLB, acted as the moderator for the open forum and Dr. Juan Pulhin of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UPLB, synthesized the discussions.

Starting on the premise that “water is (a) human right”, Acd. Rola discussed the framework of analysis for water governance in relation to development. According to her, there is a need for (1) institutional body to govern watershed unit for its water resources and other environmental services; (2) instruments enabling efficient use of water at its highest value; and (3) broad support from local community, civil societies, and the local governments to ensure quality water management.

Dr. Wensley, on the other hand, discussed the Asian Development Bank perspectives on water resources management and water governance. ADB’s Asian Water Development Outlook of 2011 showed that household water scarcity is undermined by persuasive inequity; the region’s economic prosperity is imperilled by the poor health of 80% of its rivers; and the high disaster risk combines with low resilience can undo economic development. In order to address the global water crisis, ADB published the Water Rights and Water Allocation: The Foundation of Water Governance that tackles the issues of ensuring basic water rights, principles of allocation, managing water shortages, adapting to change, building capacity, encouraging consultation, and strengthening accountability.

Dr. David highlighted issues in water pricing. She reported that with the growing scarcity of raw water supply and increasing demand for water, there has been widespread belief since the late 1980s that appropriate water pricing is necessary for achieving allocation and management of water resources. However, the current scheme employed by local water districts and private groups like MWSS is rather incomplete. To address the growing concerns on water pricing, she suggested broadening the perspective in terms of policy, regulatory, and institutional instruments, to achieve overall objectives of improving water resource management, beyond just pricing. She also recommended an appropriate mix of public and private provision and management of water resources and greater user participation in decision making and actual management.

Mr. Paragas reported that there are more than 30 agencies in the Philippines managing water resources resulting in fragmentation and sectoral approach in water management. Due to the existing legal framework, there are overlapping and unclear delineation of roles and responsibilities. The present situation shows a need to improve the current management of water resources. Mr. Paragas proposed programs to improve water governance such as the (1) establishment of science-based decision support systems including climate change impacts models in the conduct of water resources assessment towards improved policies and decision making, (2) conduct research on water efficiency, alternative water management technologies and water accounting specially for irrigation use and promote its implementation; (3) review of the Water Code of the Philippines for possible amendment to be responsive to current issues and challenges; (4) implementation of policies on the issuance of Water Permit in critical areas; (5) partnership with government agencies and LGUs on the monitoring of compliance of the Water Code of the Philippines; (6) deputation of the DENR regional officers to bring NWRB nearer to the people; and (7) advocacy on river basin management.

Considering the current status, challenges, and issues of the country’s water resources, Acd. Tabios recommended the creation of a National Water Resources Management Council (NWRMC), which will include all existing agencies that have a stake in water resources and unite them into a single agency chaired by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. This council is expected to manage and protect the country’s water resources for domestic water supply, sanitation, irrigation, hydropower, fisheries, aquaculture, flood control, navigation, and recreation including the enhancement and maintenance of water quality, conservation of watersheds, control of water pollution and environment restoration without compromising the natural ecosystem functions and services.

Dr. Lizada showcased the Metro Iloilo Water District and discussed the controversies confronting it. She talked about the initiatives on water resource management of the Tigum Aganan Watershed Management Board (TAWMB) as the supply side and the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) as the demand side.

Ms. Gazmen recognized that the poor are most vulnerable to water supply problems. Manila Water initiated a program called Tubig Para sa Barangay (TPSB) to be able to provide water for the poor in urban communities. The program reduces high systems losses for Manila Water, and at the same time, it addresses the water needs of low-income communities. This initiative was commended by National Scientist Gelia Castillo during the open forum, who also suggested that maybe this can be replicated in more areas.

Dr. Dayo shared her work with the communities around Mt. Banahaw and its impact on gender relations including their struggle for the common property water resources coming from the mountain. Water scarcity is becoming a source of conflict in this rural area. The water concerns can be seen as a precautionary tale that shows how gender, institutions or religion and identity-related struggles unfolded in the rich environmental history of Mt. Banahaw.

In the end, Dr. Pulhin summarized the presentations by stating the basic premise of the discussion. He reiterated that water is a human right and a building block of development. He further added that Water RIGHTS involve water as valuable resource that is increasingly becoming scarce. It is an institution that covers the custom, behavioural patterns and rules that define access, use and management. On the other hand, Water WRONGS involve weak policy implementation, poor water quantity and quality, lack in coordination, capacity, and resources among the agencies and stakeholders involved. He added that existing policies do not mention climate change. The need to include environmental costs for appropriate pricing mechanism was emphasized. In terms of governance, a disparity between theory and practice including lack of science and technology-based decision-making was noted and should be addressed.

This is the first of a series of RTDs focusing on water issues and leading to the conduct of the 34th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in July 2012.

Pag-ibig ang Naghahari

2012-01-20T15:41:00.001+08:00

Bukas Palad
from the album Maging Akin Muli

Panginoon, turuan Niyo po akong mabuhay sa araw-araw
Na hindi sarili lang ang ipinangingibabaw
Ito ang aking taos-pusong panalangin
At lubos na umaasang Inyong diringgin

Hayaan ang mga mata'y mamulat sa katotohanan
Ang pananagutan ay hindi malilimutan
Upang mabuhay na mag-uli at maluwalhati
At pag-ibig ang siyang tanging naghahari

Tulungan Niyo po ako sa lahat ng gawain
Upang maging matapat at maunawain
At malaman na ang pagsunod sa utos Niyo
Ay ang pagtulong sa aking kapwa-tao

Hayaan ang mga mata'y mamulat sa katotohanan
Ang pananagutan ay hindi malilimutan
Upang mabuhay na mag-uli at maluwalhati
At pag-ibig ang siyang tanging naghahari

Kapag ang aking gawain sa lupa ay tapos na
At ang bagong tungkulin sa langit ay nagsisimula pa
Nawa'y makaligtaan ang koronang nakamtan
Habang iniisip pa rin ang alay sa sangkatauhan

Hayaan ang mga mata'y mamulat sa katotohanan
Ang pananagutan ay hindi malilimutan
Upang mabuhay na mag-uli at maluwalhati
At pag-ibig ang siyang tanging naghahari

32nd Birthday - Happy! - Part 2

2012-01-19T12:40:00.009+08:00

Jopet and I celebrated the part 2 of my birthday last January 14 and 15. Tapos na ang birthday ko. :) And I super love every minute of it! Fun, fun, fun!

January 14 - Day 2 of 3
We went to Ongpin to canvass for rings. Ana, my SFC sister who is based in Australia, volunteered to sponsor them as her gift to us. She's been bugging me to send her quotations since November last year. Last week, she reminded me again about the quotation so we decided to go and look around. We were able to buy model rings made of tungsten and styled exactly what we had in mind but we could not find ones that were made of gold.

After visiting a number of stores we decided to roam around the area to look for authentic Chinese cuisine. I was a bit hesitant to enter some stores since we were not sure if they were clean or not (sorry, maarte lang talaga). It was a good thing that Jopet agreed to eat at Eng Bee Tin where he ordered Singaporean Laksa.

January 15 - Day 3of 3
Feast of Sto. Niño

As promised, Jopet brought me to the National Museum for the completion of my birthday celebration. While inside the LRT, I saw people holding/hugging their Sto Nino images. Probably, they will attend the procession in Binondo.

I was overflowing with excitement as we reached the entrance of the National Museum! I super love the place! Everybody at the entrance was so nice and kind and helpful. Jopet and I did not follow the student’s line. We decided to have our own tour. Apparently we got lost and ended up at the back corridor of the second floor. We entered one of the closed doors and saw many foreigners and lots of lights. Jopet and I concluded that we were probably inside the shooting venue of Bourne Legacy. We decided to pretend that we were lost to check what was going on but as we made our way to the shooting area, we were approached by a man in suit who kept on saying, “nagbabawas kami ng tao! Nagbabawas kami ng tao!” Buti na lang someone at the back said, “Hindi boss, walk in lang mga yan” and he immediately ushered us to another door.

Compared to CCP, National Museum was a magical place! We were allowed to use our cameras as long as we turn off the flash. I love the history behind the artefacts carefully written on the information board beside each display; the old houses of our ancestors as well as their clothes and body ornaments; the preserved species samples in the biodiversity section of the museum; the paintings in the art gallery; even the column cladding at the main entrance of the museum! I mean everything about the place, I super love! =) And the best thing about the trip was that Jopet also enjoyed it.

10 things you should know about Ted Failon

2012-01-16T13:12:00.003+08:00

One of my favorite personalities. Ted Failon was my big crush in high school (yes, I was and still am an AM radio-listening person) and had been the reason why I took up DevCom in college.

Ted Failon: From waiter to tricycle driver to newscaster
By Bianca Gonzalez
October 16, 2011

On radio and TV, he has a unique way of delivering the news and gives informed and witty commentaries. In person, he is simple as simple can be, very low-key and unassuming. Known to be a private person, he politely begged off having his photo taken during the interview, but agreed to behind-the-scenes shots during his live newscast. He smiles and laughs much more off camera than on camera.

We usually do not know much about the personal lives of journalists, but one of the things we do know about Ted’s personal life is the tragedy his family went through in 2009, when they were involved in a controversial case over the death of his wife Trina. Failon’s life has been filled with enough experiences for two or more lifetimes, and here are 10 things you should know about him:

1. Ted was once a room boy, waiter, construction worker, tsinelas vendor, tricycle driver, disc jockey, and was, most of the time, a working student.

His dad Jose was a jeepney driver and his mom Josefina who was a market vendor. Mario Teodoro Failon Etong was born and raised in Tacloban City, before moving to Manila where he eventually started his career. While in school, he had to work to help his parents, which was also how he developed his people skills and his gift of gab. He recalls these memories with fondness and shares a few stories. On the time he was 15 years old working as a waiter, “Nagtataka yung mga customer na kapag dumating yung order nilang fried chicken,parang may bawas. Kinakain kasi namin.” And he proudly shares that he was part of the “first batch ng room boy sa Tacloban Plaza.”

When Ted got married in 1983, he had to quit school and work full time at a local radio station. Not taking for granted the importance of education even when he was already working, 11 years after he left college, he enrolled at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and two years after, in 1996, graduated with a degree in broadcast communications.

2. When he was starting out in ABS-CBN, he practically lived in the network’s compound, sleeping in the janitor’s quarters every night.

“I was so eager to be in any network in Manila. Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na kapag binigyan ako ng break, gagandahan ko at aayusin ko talaga ang trabaho ko,” he recalls. Doing his job as a desk editor from 4 p.m. to midnight, a radio show from 2 to 4 a.m., then often pinch hitting for the 4 a.m. show of the late Lito Villarosa, and sometimes even also for the 5 to 8 a.m. show of KabayanNoli de Castro, Ted found it “sayang sa pamasahe at sa oras” to go home every day. So he literally lived in the office for almost the whole week, and went home on Sundays. Ted first applied to ABS-CBN twice and was not accepted. It was when he tried a third time that he finally got the job as a desk editor in 1990.

3. Before ending his first year as a Congressman, Ted already talked to his ABS-CBN boss Gabby Lopez to ask if he could come back to the programs he had left as soon as his term would end.

With over two years left in his term, he told his boss “parang di ko yata ito kakayanin, pag umuuwi ako ng distrito ko para akong ATM machine eh.” He shares that with all due respect to other politicians, he has two reasons why he felt Congress was not for him. First, he says, “No matter how good your intentions are, or how great your advocacy is, at the end of the day pagbobotohan yan and if you don’t have support of the majority, ingay ka lang dun.” Second, he shares, “Ang dami nilang parang obligado kang buhayin mo sila, and when you refuse to heed to their demands, they will say ‘lilipat na kami sa kabila.’”

When he found out he could return to broadcasting, in 2004, he finished his term and all his projects in the district, and declared that he would not run again. No regrets though, because he was able to apply what he learned as a politician saying, “Pag nag-interview ako ngayon ng Congressman, di nila ako pwedeng bolahin.”

4. Ted Failon in numbers:

21 — His age when he married his wife, the late Trina Arteche-Etong, with whom he has two daughters (Kaye, 26, who works in TV production, and Karish, 15, a junior high school student).

2,600 — Amount of pesos a month he received as his first-ever salary at ABS-CBN.

45 — Awards received for broadcasting in radio and TV.

1 — Ballpoint pen that he uses in his signature move, placing his pen in his coat pocket after the closing spiel of “TV... (wait for it) Patrol!” He has been using the same Cross pen on the main newscast ever since he returned in 2004.

15 — Days a year he is allowed to go on leave.

14 — Number of newspapers he reads every morning.

5. On the issue of bribery in journalism, Ted says, “these PR guys know kung sino ang pwede nilang suhulan at sino ang hindi.”

He gives this direct quote and statement: “Yung industriyang ginagalawan namin ay maliit lang. Everybody knows everybody. At yung mga PR operators, maliit lang din na grupo yan. They know, among us, sino ang kanilang kaya, sino ang nasa kanilang payroll. Let them speak sa usapin na ganyan. I don’t want to pass judgment on my colleagues.”

He adds that if you are a keen follower of radio commentaries, you will know who is corrupt versus who is incorruptible.

6. Broadcaster Gabby Aurillo was the one who inspired him to try to make it big, and “Kabayan” Noli de Castro advised him, “wag kang mahiyang ilabas ang talento mo.”

Gabby Aurillo was a local broadcaster and the professor of Ted at the Divine Word University in Tacloban. Gabby became an anchor for Channel 9 news in Manila, which made Ted and other aspiring broadcasters in Tacloban look up to him. He said to himself then, “kung kaya ni Gabby, why not subukan ko din.”

Former Vice President Noli de Castro was the one who really helped Ted get his big break. When Kabayan would be absent from his radio or TV shows, he would insist that Ted be the one to sit in for him. “Pati kurbata ko kanya, at kung kasya lang sa akin Amerikana niya, siguro ipapahiram niya din yun sa akin,” Ted fondly recalls. Kabayan encouraged Ted in his work, and not once did Ted ever see unkindness from his mentor. From broadcasting to politics and back to broadcasting, things have come full circle for these two colleagues and good friends.

7. Ted’s good friend and long-time colleague Korina Sanchez on their one-in-a-million tandem: “I joke that after two decades of seeing each other every day in our morning radio program on DZMM, he is like a work-husband!”

Ted is the only boy in a brood of four children, and Korina the only girl in a brood of five. In what seems to be a partnership made in broadcasting heaven, they formed a real and deep friendship in a very competitive industry. Their list of award-winning hit programs include Hoy! Gising, Pulso: Aksyon Balita, Tambalang Failon at Sanchez, Harapan and TV Patrol. According to Korina, they share the same sense of humor, have similar advocacies, and they grew together both personally and professionally. According to Ted, “naiintindihan ko siya, yung mood niya, yung temper niya, at naiintindihan niya ako, yung mood ko, yung temper ko.”

8. He turns to books for answers.

On his office desk was the book Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Meg Meeker, which he has read cover to cover to help enlighten him on how to deal with his daughters. They may not give him answers when he asks them “May nanliligaw na ba sa iyo? May nambu-bully ba sa iyo,” but he seems to be doing fine because his eldest daughter Kaye shares that the best thing about her dad is “his capacity for acceptance and understanding.”

On the set of TV Patrol, beside Ted’s chair and retouch kit was the book Pananampalataya written by his good friend Pastor Joey Umali. On the cover it read “Buhay na pag-asa sa pag-ibig ng Diyos” and inside, the bookmark he used was a photo booth shot taken of him and his daughter. He would read a few lines during commercial breaks.

Off camera, Ted’s executive producer Irene Javier-Manotok reveals that Ted is a very spiritual person, and that he once advised her that we should kneel when we pray. “I don’t want to be preachy about it, but I discovered so many things when I became more spiritual,” Ted shares. When asked what Bible verses are his favorites, he effortlessly recites chapters, passages, and lines, citing the books of Psalms, Ecclesiastes, Habakkuk and Philippians.

9. He still finds himself asking questions about the fate of his dearly departed wife Trina.

“Meron pa rin sa aking mga low moments, meron pang panghihinayang. Bakit kinakailangang mangyari? Bakit kinakailangang humantong sa ganun? Hindi pa rin nawawala yun,” Ted opens up. After that incident, he shares that “life is too short,” which is his life philosophy. We should enjoy it, we should do what we can to help others, and we should do what we want for ourselves, because no one knows what will happen tomorrow.

10. Ever since he and his daughters lost his wife, Ted declared one most important, basic rule to his family: “Errors are accepted in this home.”

“Lahat tayo nagkakamali,” Ted declares. And he reaffirms his two daughters by telling them, “Kapag nagkamali ka sa anumang desisyon mo, sa anumang ginawa mong bagay, mali man ito sa mata ng lipunan, sa ibang sektor, sa ibang tao, nakagawa ka man ng hindi tama.. Bago mo kausapin ang kaibigan mo, barkada mo, sa takot mo na magagalit ako, hindi dapat ganun. Dapat ang una mong kakausapin, ako. Tatlo tayong mag-usap, kasi wala ka nang ibang uuwian. Pag nagkamali ka sa labas, you seek refuge sa bahay. Tanggap ka dito, dahil bahay mo ‘to. Yun ang rule number 1.”

For this family man and passionate broadcaster, life is simple. He does not have more than one credit card (he has one foreign card for when he travels, which he hardly does), he does not bring his wallet to work because “wala naman akong inaasahan na bibilhin ko,” and the one thing he wants to achieve more in life is to see his youngest daughter Karishma graduate college. They say that there really is no sure “secret” to success, but in the life of Manong Ted, simplicity, humility and hard work seems to be what brought him straight to the top.

When I grow up...

2012-01-11T15:07:00.007+08:00

Little girls would often talk about their dream of becoming a princess, which more often than not would only be realized during the celebration of their 18th Birthday or their wedding day. I never dreamed of these things. As a matter of fact, my 18th birthday was organized by my mother and my cousin. Me, I just arrived the night before the celebration. I don't even want to attend weddings - nagugutom kasi ako sa haba ng program during the reception. But I love the wedding ceremonies. From the moment the groom enters the church up to the part where the officiating priest would say "you may kiss the bride" I love every minute of it. For me, that is not just the union of two souls but of three individuals – the man, the woman, and God – that is being witnessed by the people closest to the couple. After each wedding, I would often wonder what the couple would look like after say... 5 years or 10 years or even 50 years when all the romance is gone.

Early last year, while Jopet was reading his new comics and I was playing Bejeweled in my mobile phone, he said “Pag tanda natin, siguro ganito pa rin tayo, no?” I replied “Yeah, most likely.” A few weeks later, he sent me the Married Life drawing. Once in a while we would talk about our life in the future. Without being cynical, we are open to the fact that as couples grow older romance fades away. Oh, we are not yet married but we know that when that time comes, (hopefully) we will stay and keep our promises to each other that is to have and to hold.

Anyways, in relation to my opening paragraph, what I wanted when I grow up is not to become a princess nor to be a fairy. I want so much to become a mother. I want to have children of my own. When we attended our pre-CANA seminar at the Center for Family Ministries-Ateneo de Manila University (CEFAM-ADMU), our counselor assessed that I am a parent-child. I was not shocked when she told me that I just didn't know that there is a term for it pala. I blame Inay, Taluts, and Mama for it. Nah, in truth, I could never blame them, because in terms of taking care of their kids, these three are the best-est. That’s it, these are my dreams: to be the best mother to my children, the most caring and loving wife to my husband, and an obedient daughter to my God. And everything else will follow.

#3 - Love is...

2012-01-11T08:40:00.001+08:00

saying that YOU are more important than my work (and meaning it). :)

Travel Report

2012-01-10T20:09:00.004+08:00

2011
January: Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro
February: Manaoag, Pangasinan; Baguio City
March: Tagaytay City
April: Baguio City
May: Laiya, Batangas; UPOU Graduation
June: Catbalogan, Samar; Calbayog City, Samar
July: Pre-CANA Seminar, Ateneo De Manila University
August: Cagayan De Oro; Bukidnon
September: Zamboanga City
October: Coron, Palawan
November: Tagaytay City; Enchanted Kingdom; Divisoria, Manila; Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Paoay, Ilocos Norte
December: National Museum (outside); Manila Cathedral; Cultural Center of the Philippines

2010
January: Quiapo, Manila
February: Panglao, Bohol
March: Binondo, Manila; Lagro, Fairview
April: Baguio City; La Trinidad, Benguet
May: Dasmarina, Cavite
June: Tagbilaran, Bohol
July: Malolos, Bulacan
August: Davao City; Samal Garden Island
September: Malolos, Bulacan
October: Ocean Park, Manila
November: Tagaytay City; SM Bicutan - Pacquiao Fight
December: Puerto Princesa, Palawan

2009
January: Manaoag, Pangasinan; Baguio City, Baguio
February: Baguio City; Cebu City
March: Baras, Rizal
April: Antipolo City; Tagaytay City
May: Cagbalete, Quezon
June: La Mesa Eco Park, Quezon City
July: Quezon City Circle, Quezon City; Port Harbor, Manila
August: Los Banos, Laguna; Alaminos, Laguna
September: Candelaria, Quezon

2008
December: Sagada, Mountain Province

Miguel at 6 months

2012-01-03T01:00:00.005+08:00

Presenting, my family's HAPPY THOUGHT... Miguel. :)

Miguel playing with Papa

Miguel with his new toy from Carlo and Taluts

Miguel with Ate Ninang

Miguel sleeping on top of Papa's desk

Miguel with Daddy Gian on Christmas day

Miguel with Mommy Elena on Christmas day

Miguel with Papa watching the cars and trucks outside

Miguel playing with his new toy before going to the doctor

For 2012

2011-12-29T11:23:00.008+08:00

Resolution:

Not to be late at work.

Plans / Dreams:

Travel to a new place once a month.
Target places:
Batanes, Batanes, Batanes!
Japan :) - to see the cherry blossoms
South Korea
June - MS in Environmental Science OR MS in Rural Studies OR Ph.D. in Communication?
September - Start a new life.

Song for 2011:

Caledonia

I don't know if you can see
The changes that have come over me
In these last few days I've been afraid
That I might drift away

I've been telling old stories, singing songs
That make me think about where I've come from
That's the reason why I seem
So far away today

[Chorus:]
Let me tell you that I love you
That I think about you all the time
Caledonia, you're calling me, now I'm going home

But if I should become a stranger
Know that it would make me more than sad
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Now I have moved and I've kept on moving
Proved the points that I needed proving
Lost the friends that I needed losing
Found others on the way
I have kissed the fellas and left them crying
Stolen dreams, yes, there's no denying
I have traveled hard, sometimes with conscience flying
Somewhere with the wind

[Chorus]

Now I'm sitting here before the fire
The empty room, the forest choir
The flames have cooled, don't get any higher
They've withered, now they've gone

But I'm steady thinking, my way is clear
And I know what I will do tomorrow
When hands have shaken, the kisses float
Then I will disappear

[Chorus]

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had
Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Kurapika and Judge Zorro (without cape)

2011-12-22T14:54:00.000+08:00

We are only 19 in our office (11 permanent and 8 project staff) and yet here we are, having our very own cosplay. :) Fun! Fun! Fun! Excited na next year!

Like having a two-year old kid

2011-12-21T08:59:00.005+08:00

Yesterday I asked Jopet to look at my first entry on what "Love is...". I think he appreciated it because the next thing I knew he volunteered to draw something that i could post along with my next "Love is..." which is holding hands.

He sent me this:

I was all praises for it because it was so cute. However, as i looked closer, I saw that the two people in the drawing are looking at a bombing site where planes are sending out missiles and everything. I immediately called him to ask for a revision. Napakakulit! Parang 2 years old, talaga naman!

After a few minutes of coaxing, he sent me this:

Much better di ba?! :)

Thank you, my lovely toddler.

#1 - Love is...

2011-12-19T09:09:00.005+08:00

coming back after saying goodbye just to hug and kiss her. :)

32nd Birthday - Happy!

2011-12-14T16:33:00.018+08:00

At age 25, I already reached the conclusion that there is an inverse relationship between ones age and the number of gifts he/she receives. As time goes by, this has become a fact that I learned to accept - with a heavy heart, of course.

And so, this year I was not expecting anything from anybody. Well, I was expecting a little something from Jopet ;) – a frog stuffed toy from Blue Magic to complete my frog collection for this year.

However, as the saying goes: good things happen when you least expect them.

December 11 - My birthday started when I went to Fairview to fetch Jopet. He was so busy these past few weeks that we rarely see each other. I felt that since it was my birthday I would exert a little effort for him. We had dinner with Migs at MOA before we watched Immortals, which by the way was good in the beginning, kinda disturbing in the middle and a bit disappointing in the end.

As a birthday present, Migs gave me a super cute heart radio! Thanks, Dad!

Being my mom/daughter, Arlene waited for us until 2 am just to give me a cake – the number of candles and their sizes made up for the size of the cake. :) A few weeks ago, she also gave me a frog and a turtle stuffed toy. Now I have 2 frogs (the other one came from Carlo) and 1 turtle. :) Thanks, Nanay!

December 12 – Everybody woke up early to celebrate my birthday. Edmond cooked pansit, adobong pusit, and tinolang manok for lunch. Parang fiesta! :) Thanks, Tatay!

After lunch, Jopet and I went out on a field trip. The itinerary was:

1. National Museum
2. Fort Santiago
3. Casa De Manila

I was saddened when we found out that National Museum closes every Monday. :( I guess Jopet saw how disappointed I was because he suggested that we go to Manila Zoo. I told him, no because from what I heard, the animals there are not in good condition any more. I don’t want to be sad on my birthday. He suggested Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), which according to him, was one of his favourite places. During his early years, his Papa would enrol him in the CCP summer arts program. It was during those times when his passion for the arts was honed. Migs, who is also an artist, met us there to explore the place. CCP is old but the grandeur is still there.

After CCP, Migs suggested that we go to Museong Pambata because the exhibits there are interactive. But it was beyond 5pm, we figured it was already closed. We went straight to Intramuros to visit Manila Cathedral.

We decided to forgo our visit to Fort Santiago and Casa de Manila. May part 2 na lang daw ang field trip namin sabi ni Jopet. There he gave me a rose-shaped salmon pink coral earring (such a beauty) as his birthday gift. :) Thank you, Mahal!

December 13 – My birthday would never be complete without my Papa and Mama preparing lunch for my office mates. This started more than a decade ago when I was still with Alpha Cargo International. This year, Papa brought: inihaw na tilapia, bopis (my favorite), spaghetti, and lumpiang sariwa. I super appreciated their effort. Grabe! :) I wonder what will happen next year no?! :) Oh well, I’m sure it will still be special. Thank you Mama and Papa!

Mama, being a generous mom, gave me a Long Champ bag. Bongacious! I would never ever buy this stuff because I find it very expensive and yet my mother gave me one. Whoa!

(Picture to follow)

Next, Ate Wena gave me a very nice Belle Jewellery box. An addition to my Beauty and the Beast collection. :) Thank you Ate Wena. :)

Ate Josh, upon learning that it is my birthday, gave me her mom’s ube halaya. :) Super yum! Thank you Ate Josh!

Ate Cha, although 2 days late gave me a Starbucks Christmas mug. :) Now I have 4 Starbucks mugs and 1 tumbler.

~~~

Of all these things that I received, what I appreciated the most is the time these people spent remembering my birthday and making sure that I would feel special on this special day.

I thank my wonderful and beautiful God for making my day extra special. :) Thank you, Lord for a wonderful year! I pray that you will continue to bless me and my loved ones this coming year so that we may become blessings to others.

Important note: I will try to post the birthday greetings i got from SMS and Facebook, hopefully next week. :)

For Christmas...

2011-11-21T16:14:00.004+08:00

I want these:

Book: Surgeons Do Not Cry

"The stories of an institution like the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) are timeless. But as it is often said, nothing ever happened unless it is written down. There are so many stories to tell of the agonies and triumphs of both doctors and patients, who have peopled this venerable institution through the ages. I wrote the stories because I firmly believe that healing is a mutual process; that the healer is very often himself healed as he goes about caring for the ailing person. So the stories bite both ways." Thus is the blurb for this bestselling volume, a collection of stories from Ting Tiongco who spent ten memorable years of his career as a doctor and surgeon at the UP-PGH.

Machine: Espresso Machine

Family: For this little angel to be well...

Miguel at 5 months =)

Test

2011-11-03T17:05:00.001+08:00

Jing

posted from Bloggeroid

I'm just a kid...

2011-11-03T08:42:00.001+08:00

Dear Mahal,

Good morning. I know I am not the friendliest person on earth these past few days. I am sorry. You have been so kind and patient and loving. Salamat. I promise to be kinder and... yun lang, no more na.

I just wanted to let you know that I love you so so much. Wag ka na magalit ha. Kakantahan na lang kita...

I’m just a kid and life is a nightmare,
I’m just a kid and I know it’s not fair.

Wait, wait... kapareho lang pala siya nito...

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me,
I think I'll go eat worms!
Big fat juicy ones,
Eensie weensy squeensy ones,
See how they wiggle and squirm!

Down goes the first one, down goes the second one,
Oh how they wiggle and squirm!
Up comes the first one, up comes the second one,
Oh how they wiggle and squirm!

I bite off the heads, and suck out the juice,
And throw the skins away!
Nobody knows how fat I grow,
On worms three times a day!

Nobody likes me, everybody hates me,
I think I'll go eat worms!
Big fat juicy ones,
Eensie weensy squeensy ones,
See how they wiggle and squirm!

Kiss na! Love you...

...always and forever,

Jing

Eternally beautiful

2011-11-02T10:48:00.002+08:00

Posted by Jim Paredes
on Saturday, 29 October 2011
in Thoughts, musings, ruminations, music in the mind

Eternally beautiful

Posted on November 01, 2006 by jimparedes
Humming in my UNIVERSE By Jim Paredes
The Philippine STAR 11/05/2006

Exactly 29 years ago on Oct. 29, Lydia and I walked down the aisle. She was 20 and I was 25, both of us wide-eyed but so sure of ourselves and our decision to stay together forever as we plunged into matrimony. We were sure, the way young people tend to be certain, that it was going to be an adventure. But little did we know that it was going to be a big one, probably the biggest one we’d ever know.

Getting married is like signing a blank check. You have no idea how much it will cost you. You are committing an unquantifiable amount of material and emotional capital – time, money, patience, sacrifice, and an infinite number of things you have not even begun to imagine that you must deal with eventually.

Many of them are real minefields as Lydia and I, like all couples, soon discovered. There are the in-laws, kids, expenses, the balance between career and family life, personal habits, sex, jealousy, etc. There is also the process of arriving at a “negotiated settlement” on how to deal with things like getting along with each other’s friends, child rearing, spending habits, religion, hobbies, and how much “independence” the partners should be allowed. The institution of marriage, as we inherited it, was very complicated.

One of the things I found out much later in our married life is that there is a difference between a love affair and a marriage. A love affair has a dynamic that is different from a marital bond. Generally, love affairs are not meant to last. They are meant to have a beginning and an end. Why? Because they are about two separate people bonded by romantic, oceanic feelings of what seems like love. They live for the intense feeling, riding it as far as it will go and split up when the thrill is gone.

Marriage, on the other hand, is the experience of life by two people as a couple. Many times, new couples discover that they are not an easy fit, as Lydia and I discovered early on. That’s why in a marital relationship one must necessarily give up big parts of himself/herself to the union to get a payback. While one may still want some privacy and independence, one cannot have them without a large dose of a shared life. From the start until the end, marriage is about two people experiencing one and the same lifetime.

It starts with romance and the sexual thrill of being with each other, but you can only count on those for so long. Anyone married for more than 10 years can attest that there are times when the attraction which seemed so strong when you first laid eyes on each other as single people can be non-existent for long periods. Viewed from the perspective of a love affair, that is certainly not a good thing. One may feel like the journey has reached a stretch of uninteresting flatlands. The joyride is over.

But from the perspective of a long marriage, this is simply a hiatus of sorts, or may even be the first signs of a qualitative change in the way one loves. It can be disconcerting at first but if you stick around long enough, the picture starts to get clearer. While gone may be (from time to time) the breathtaking highs and exhilarating moments, something else may be happening. Author M. Scott Peck put it so well when he wrote that “the death of romantic love can be the start of true love.”

In our early years, Lydia and I felt that being married meant we had to do something dramatic all the time to keep it going. But as we got older, the doing often gave way to just being. Where before, love had to be “proven” by the sparkling diamond on her finger, or the great trip abroad, or the special dinner with wine in some plush place, love in our 29-year marriage feels no compulsion to prove itself as dramatically. Having long walks, conversations after dinner, holding hands during long drives, snuggling in bed or just simply being together – sometimes without even talking – have often taken the place of all that. While sex can still be as great as ever, the truth is, as an older couple, we have discovered other ways to remain interested in each other. There is not only comfort but magic in the “ordinary,” as one realizes that love can be expressed in simply caring or supporting each other’s steps towards personal and spiritual growth.

One of the big recent highlights of our journey as life partners was Lydia’s big cancer scare three years ago. We felt so helpless as we tried to deal with the fear of losing each other. But we took it on as a couple. As far as we were concerned, we both had cancer. Those were days of great emotional upheaval. Ironically, they were also moments of calm and assurance. Even as we cried about it, we also learned that we loved each other enough to willingly suffer together because, paradoxically, by doing so, we eased each other’s pain.

This may sound flippant, if not cruel, but looking back, I can say that if I could only guarantee survival, I would recommend cancer to everyone because of what it has done for Lydia and me. It has been such a rare opportunity to meet and accept unconditionally the hard-to-take faces of love that we often run away from. Yet when we bit the bullet, we opened ourselves to greater depth and began to see the face of the Divine in the other human being we had chosen to love. Only then did we realize that all the suffering made sense.

In the end, the very suffering we undergo turns into something eternally beautiful.

Missing Miguel

2011-10-28T13:41:00.003+08:00

I miss my baby love, Miguel. :(

Di bale, I will just visit Jena, Jeric, Lolo Ciano, Lola Baning, and Lolo Lope on October 31. I will volunteer to take care of him on October 30 and November 1.

So short a time with my baby love.

My mother is a bit worried that at his age, he still does not know how to do things that full term babies naturally do. She is actually considering availing the early retirement offer from her employer to take care of our little baby.

Hays.

Sana anak ko na lang siya no? :(

I just miss him so much. And I am not even his mommy. Tsk.

Happy 28th Birthday!

2011-10-28T00:01:00.002+08:00

Dear Mahal,

Happy 28th birthday! Thank you for everything.

Love always,

Jing

~~~

SHOW ME YOUR SMILE
APO Hiking Society

Show me your smile and then kiss me
Tell me you love me again
Come to my room and then lye in my bed
I love you, you know
Although sometimes it just doesn't show

Giving is my way of loving
It’s the only way that I know
I've got nothing much, I’ve got nothing to show
I love you, you know
Although sometimes it doesn’t seem so

CHORUS:

Love me forever,
Love me all night through
Love me for a lifetime
I live my life for only you

I love you, you know
Although sometimes it doesn’t seem so

Show me your smile and then kiss me
Tell me you love me again
Come to my room and then lye in my bed

I love you, you know
Although sometimes it just doesn’t show

Special weekend

2011-10-18T14:47:00.013+08:00

I was given a special weekend...

I went home last Friday with my Mama and Papa. For two consecutive Fridays, they waited for me so that we could go home together. For some reason, I know they like it this way – me going home every weekend instead of every other weekend. These days, going home has been everybody's priority because of Miguel. By the way, I had a meeting at Los Baños last Wednesday and immediately after the meeting I went home to Alaminos to see our little angel. I was so sad last Tuesday when i heard the news that his doctor found a lump on his lung (not sure whether it is on the left or on the right).

Anyways, I was able to spend time with him and his parents, with Inay and Carlo, with my Mama and Papa, and with Jopet last weekend.

... with Miguel

Miguel and his new socks/shoes. He is getting taller and taller every time I see him. His dietician said that he gained .3 kilo since the last time she saw him. But he still needs 1.3 kilos in order to meet the standard weight for his age, which is 5 kilos. Nevertheless, we are very happy for the improvement. I was quite amazed at how much milk he consumes every day. Five (5) days lang sa kanya yung milk niya na 500g samantalang dati 2 weeks yun. =) So yes, I am certain that he will be ok now. In his own way, he is assuring us that the battle he is fighting is something that he will win in the end. =)

... with Inay and Carlo

The age difference between these two persons and the chemistry they create never cease to amaze me. =) Papa asked me to go to SM to have his cell phones fixed. So i asked Inay, who is currently staying with us in Alaminos, to accompany me. When we’re about to leave Taluts called to inform us that Tito Mike will bring Carlo with him to our place. When Inay heard this, I though I saw sparks in her eyes. Kapag si Carlo kasi ang pupunta ng SM isinasama lagi niya si Inay. This time, its Inay’s turn to bring Carlo to SM. It was an adventure for me, because we were not with Mama or with Taluts or with Papa. I was the one in charge of the two lovely persons. =) Here are their pictures together. I found it so beautiful that the 70 years age difference is almost negligible because of how much they love each other. Inay assisted Carlo while he played at WOF. On the other hand, it was Carlo who assisted Inay while she shopped for a faucet replacement and some toiletries.

... with Jopet

Two weeks ago, Jopet promised to do something for me but at the last minute, he told me that he was not sure if he wanted to do it! I was furious, kung hindi ba naman talaga siyang naghanap ng away ng ganun. Kung magkalapit lang kami, I could have punched him. But like all our misunderstandings in the past, this one did not last longer than a day. I do not know how he does that but he has his way of making me smile. Marunong maglambing!

We usually meet in Bicutan. But last Sunday he insisted on meeting me in Alabang. Travelling all the way from Fairview to Alabang just to meet me was actually enough, but wait! While having our lunch, he asked me to close my eyes because he’s going to give me something. After much hesitation, I just covered my face and looked the other way. Then he showed me this..

He said, “Nagustuhan mo no? Kasi may lalagyan?!” Sabay smile. Then he showed me the handle of the container. Panalo! :) He stayed until yesterday so that we could have lunch together. :)

~~~

Last Sunday, while looking at the picture of Mark Bautista, he commented that it was edited in Photoshop because of the lighting. I asked why the artist/photographer had to do that, he told me that it was for Mark Bautista to look like he is “wired”. After explaining what being “wired” means, I asked, “eh ikaw, wired ka din?” Sabi niya... “No. I’m plump.” Haha! Tawa talaga ako. I thought he would insist that he is “wired” din. Buti na lang hindi kung hindi lagot siya samin ni Arlene. =D

Seriously, I super like it that he is a bit on the plump side. :)

~~~

Jopet and I are like afternoon and night, dawn and mid morning. Not opposite but not really alike. I would like to think that we just complement each other. And we exert effort to work on our differences.

He is adjusting on..

Walking. Growing up in LB, I am very fond of walking. He hates it. We almost always fight every time I ask him to walk even short distances. But lately I observe that he is exerting effort in spending time walking with me to different places - kahit pa malayo-layo ng konti. =)
Messy room/house. I hate it every time he does not put something back to its original place. As in hate! Last weekend I saw that he arranged the seat cover and the slippers and the papers on the table after using them. =) He even washed “some” of the dishes that Arlene used. =)

On the other hand, I am learning how to..

Use electric fan.
Lessen my kasungitan every time may nagugulo siya sa gamit ko.

There are still a lot to learn but we are taking one happy step at a time towards achieving them.

~~~

My Super Crush

Before: Mark Nelson
Now: Dereck Ramsey

7 Rules of Success

2011-10-17T17:32:00.001+08:00

Steve Jobs and the 7 Rules of Success

By Carmine Gallo | Entrepreneur – Fri, Oct 14, 2011 2:36 PM EDT

Steve Jobs' impact on your life cannot be underestimated. His innovations have likely touched nearly every aspect -- computers, movies, music and mobile. As a communications coach, I learned from Jobs that a presentation can, indeed, inspire. For entrepreneurs, Jobs' greatest legacy is the set of principles that drove his success.

Over the years, I've become a student of sorts of Jobs' career and life. Here's my take on the rules and values underpinning his success. Any of us can adopt them to unleash our "inner Steve Jobs."

1. Do what you love. Jobs once said, "People with passion can change the world for the better." Asked about the advice he would offer would-be entrepreneurs, he said, "I'd get a job as a busboy or something until I figured out what I was really passionate about." That's how much it meant to him. Passion is everything.

2. Put a dent in the universe. Jobs believed in the power of vision. He once asked then-Pepsi President, John Sculley, "Do you want to spend your life selling sugar water or do you want to change the world?" Don't lose sight of the big vision.

3. Make connections. Jobs once said creativity is connecting things. He meant that people with a broad set of life experiences can often see things that others miss. He took calligraphy classes that didn't have any practical use in his life -- until he built the Macintosh. Jobs traveled to India and Asia. He studied design and hospitality. Don't live in a bubble. Connect ideas from different fields.

4. Say no to 1,000 things. Jobs was as proud of what Apple chose not to do as he was of what Apple did. When he returned in Apple in 1997, he took a company with 350 products and reduced them to 10 products in a two-year period. Why? So he could put the "A-Team" on each product. What are you saying "no" to?

5. Create insanely different experiences. Jobs also sought innovation in the customer-service experience. When he first came up with the concept for the Apple Stores, he said they would be different because instead of just moving boxes, the stores would enrich lives. Everything about the experience you have when you walk into an Apple store is intended to enrich your life and to create an emotional connection between you and the Apple brand. What are you doing to enrich the lives of your customers?

6. Master the message. You can have the greatest idea in the world, but if you can't communicate your ideas, it doesn't matter. Jobs was the world's greatest corporate storyteller. Instead of simply delivering a presentation like most people do, he informed, he educated, he inspired and he entertained, all in one presentation.

7. Sell dreams, not products. Jobs captured our imagination because he really understood his customer. He knew that tablets would not capture our imaginations if they were too complicated. The result? One button on the front of an iPad. It's so simple, a 2-year-old can use it. Your customers don't care about your product. They care about themselves, their hopes, their ambitions. Jobs taught us that if you help your customers reach their dreams, you'll win them over.

There's one story that I think sums up Jobs' career at Apple. An executive who had the job of reinventing the Disney Store once called up Jobs and asked for advice. His counsel? Dream bigger. I think that's the best advice he could leave us with. See genius in your craziness, believe in yourself, believe in your vision, and be constantly prepared to defend those ideas.

Carmine Gallo is a communications coach, a popular keynote speaker and author of several books including The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs and The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs. His latest is The Power of Foursquare (McGraw-Hill, 2011).

The innocence of a child

2011-10-04T12:23:00.001+08:00

Christmas time is fast approaching. Love has always been the greatest thing that ever happened to mankind.

THE INNOCENCE OF A CHILD

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, “Hi there.” He pounded his fat baby hands on the highchair tray. His eyes were wide with excitement and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin. He wriggled and giggled with glee.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man with a tattered rag of a coat, dirty, greasy and worn. His pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. “Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,” the man said to Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks, “What do we do?” Erik continued to laugh and answer, “Hi, hi there.” Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby.

Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, “Do ya know patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo.” Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence, all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. “Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,” I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s “pick-me-up” position. Before I could stop him,Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man’s. Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love relationship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder.

The man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor-gently, so gently, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms for a moment, and then his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, “You take care of this baby.” Somehow I managed, “I will,” from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest-unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, “God bless you, ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift.”

With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, “My God, my God, forgive me.” I had just witnessed Christ’s love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking “Are you willing to share your son for a moment?”when He shared His for all eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, “To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children.”

Author Unknown

Mahal ko na ang phone ko!

2011-09-28T15:56:00.004+08:00

From Pinoy Techie Zone

Google Nexus S Specs Feature

- Android 2.3 Phone
- Camera: 5.0 MP
- Type Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
- Size 480 x 800 pixels, 4.0 inches
- Contour Display with curved glass screen
- Multi-touch
- Touch-sensitive controls
- Proximity sensor for auto turn-off
- Dimensions 123.9 x 63 x 10.9 mm
- Weight 129 g
- Internal Memory 16GB storage and 512 MB RAM
- External Memory No
- GPRS Yes
- EDGE Yes
- 3G Yes
- Wi-Fi yes
- Bluetooth Yes

Miguel is going home today =)

2011-09-27T13:58:00.004+08:00

Miguel is going home today. He was confined at the Mary Mediatrix Hospital in Lipa, Batangas for 9 days. He was initially diagnosed with bronco-pneumonia; however along the way the doctors discovered that his lungs are uneven in size and his heart has a hole in it - all because he was born a month earlier than his term. The doctors assured us that with proper care and medicine, he will be well. But then again, the little boy was a fighter kaya we know that he will be well. It is as if he is aware of the people who love him and who prayed and begged the Lord to make him well.

Thank you to those who prayed for him. God bless you all.

~~~

I volunteered to take care of Miguel last weekend, as in from Saturday to Sunday. I figured this would give my brother and his wife a chance to rest and regain their strength. Jopet and I stayed to take care of the baby. I never thought we could pull it through, but we did.

The next morning, I found him staring at Miguel. It was such a wonderful sight. :)

2011-09-06T17:10:00.000+08:00

From an email forwarded by Arlene. =)

Source: http://trissya.tumblr.com/post/9862689522/iloveyouthissssmuch-sticks-in-love

Miguel, the boy who lived

2011-08-22T18:05:00.004+08:00

Last Sunday, Miguel and his parents went to the pediatric ophthalmologist to have his eyes checked. You see, his pediatrician was concerned that since he was born premature and had been subjected to high level of supplemental oxygen, he will have a condition called Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). According to the Internet Low Vision Society:

Retinopathy of prematurity, originally called retrolental fibroplasia, was the leading cause of blindness in children in the 1940s and 1950s. It was first described in the medical literature in 1942 by Terry. In 1952, Campbell theorized that the condition was caused by the use of oxygen therapy to treat the immature lungs in premature infants. Today, we realize that oxygen is not the only factor in developing ROP. High levels of oxygen have been associated with ROP, but lower levels of oxygen may lead to more respiratory complications and death in premature infants. Better oxygen level monitoring has led to better control of the oxygen given to premature infants. Today, however, there is an increase in ROP due to the fact that neonatal care advances mean more low weight premature infants are surviving.

Having survived for almost 3 months already, my mama, papa, and I believed that he would be ok. And true enough! As soon as they arrived form the hospital, his parents announced that Miguel was cleared and that he will be able to see normally. :) We were so amazed and thankful!

Another kwento about our little angel.. he loves being cuddled to sleep (his father's fault) and being hugged. The thing is, we cannot refused him his whims. We assumed that since he was separated from us for almost two months, ngayon lang siya bumabawi ng lambing. And we would gladly give it to him. :)

Our God has been very good to this little angel. I just hope and pray that he grows up health and so much in love with his Creator.

Miguel at day 2

Miguel at day 8

Miguel at day 20

Miguel at 2 months and 1 day with Papa and Mama

Miguel during his Christening on August 7

Spain, Mexico, and Japan

2011-07-30T14:48:00.005+08:00

I would like to

...smell the Castilian Rose of Spain;

...see the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on a tilma in Mexico;

...pursue my graduate studies in Japan and smell their Cherry Blossoms.

Very loving and nutty ways

2011-07-30T12:14:00.003+08:00

In preparation for the opening day of the Dragonfly Inn, Lorelei instructed Sookie to prepare a zucchini soup. Sookie said that Jackson had some concerns about the freshness of the zucchini. But Lorelei insisted that it is very important to have the soup served on the opening of the Inn because people were expecting it. And so, Jackson decided to sleep with the zucchini - literally. He wanted to be with the zucchini because there was a forecast that a cold front will be coming from Canada and he knew how important the zucchini was for the opening day. Realizing the situation, Lorelei, Sookie and Michel went to the zucchini patch to get Jackson.

LORELAI: What are you doing here?
JACKSON: I'm sleeping with the zucchini. Didn't you tell her that I was sleeping with the zucchini?
SOOKIE: She had a little trouble grasping that concept.
LORELAI: I do not want you to sleep with the zucchini.
JACKSON: You said it was important.
LORELAI: They are.
JACKSON: And to keep them safe, no matter what it takes. And there's a possibility of a cold front.
SOOKIE: I told her about the cold front.
LORELAI: That's why you have heaters.
JACKSON: But the heaters could fail, so I'm here to service them.
LORELAI: So technically, you're sleeping with the heaters?
JACKSON: I guess so.
LORELAI: But I don't want you to do that either.
MICHEL: It's cold.
LORELAI: Sit down here. It's warm down here. Jackson, I love you. I love that you're doing this, but I also feel like I should call the guys with butterfly nets to come get you...and me and all of us.
JACKSON: Well...
LORELAI: I'm so sorry, guys.
SOOKIE: For what?
LORELAI: For freaking out about dumb things like zucchini and not realizing that people would respond in very loving and nutty ways. This is not the way to do this. We're too stressed out. We're not having fun. This whole inn experience is flying by. Tonight it stops.
SOOKIE: Sounds good to me.

I love the way these people responded in very loving and nutty ways. :)

Source: Luke's Diner - Gilmore Girls s04e20: Luke Can See Her Face

Happy New Year, again!

2011-06-28T07:39:00.001+08:00

Two years. I never thought we would last this long, but then we did.

Thank you…
for your patience whenever I am having my mood swings;
for your time, whenever I demand for more than what you are giving me;
for your beautiful and contagious laugh, whenever I am lonely and sad;
for your kindness, whenever I am too mad to even be kind at you;
for your sweetness,
for your hugs,
for your prayers,
for your love.

For everything, thank you.

I love you so much.

Hindi ko malimutan kung kalian, nagsimula matutong ikaw lang ang mahalin… :)

Kiss!

Pang tele-novela na dialogue

2011-06-07T17:54:00.006+08:00

3:15 pm, through text

Jopet: Paano kung magising ka na lang isang araw at malaman mo na hindi mo na ako mahal?

Jing: Mamahalin pa rin kita. Aalahanin ko nung una pa lang kitang minahal. Ikaw, paano kung magising ka na lang isang araw at malalaman mong hindi mo na ako mahal?

Jopet: Hindi na lang ako gigising...

~~~

Anu kayang nakain ng bata? Tsk! =)

Beloved Juan Miguel

2011-06-06T07:58:00.003+08:00

From the moment they announced that you were coming, I was one of those who were so excited to see you. I considered your arrival as one of the most wonderful things on earth – a gift from heaven for both your father and mine. I was so excited. I even told your parents that they could occupy the other room in my apartment as soon as you come out.

And then you came. And you made all of us cry. And then you made all of us smile and laugh. And then you made us cry again. You are a fighter from the very beginning – a feisty fighter at that. I prayed so hard for you to live. We prayed so hard. We even asked people to pray for your fast recovery. I even asked the hospital admission staff to pray for you. I asked almost all the people I met this afternoon to pray for you. I hope you live. I really really hope you live.

For the very short time that I have known you, I know that you are a brave young heart. And that you are a brave young soul ready to fight for life.

We wanted to stay with you at the nursery ward but they would not let us. They just allowed me to take pictures of you. When I arrived here in Bicutan, I bought a Chocolait. I drank it for you, for all the milk that you were supposed to drink since yesterday. I had a simple toast in my head, I think I said, “Cheers to Life!”

I will be your super cheerleader aunt. I will be here for you. I will be your most loving Tita Ninang because I will really volunteer to be your godmother, I don’t care if they don’t want me to be your ninang because I will just volunteer or I will just designate myself as one. Basta, I will be here for you. Just please live. I love you so much already. I will be waiting for you to get out of the hospital healthy and so much in love with God. I will wait for you to play with Carlo and with our other cousins. Just please live. I love you so much Miggy. Please don't ever let go.

Love,

Tita Ninang

ACT OF HOPE ~ Saint Augustine of Hippo

2011-05-19T07:27:00.002+08:00

For your mercies' sake, O Lord my God, tell me what you are to me. Say to my soul: "I am your salvation." So speak that I may hear, O Lord; my heart is listening; open it that it may hear you, and say to my soul: "I am your salvation." After hearing this word, may I come in haste to take hold of you. Hide not your face from me. Let me see your face even if I die, lest I die with longing to see it. The house of my soul is too small to receive you; let it be enlarged by you. It is all in ruins; do you repair it. There are thing in it - I confess and I know - that must offend your sight. But who shall cleanse it? Or to what others besides you shall I cry out? From my secret sins cleanse me, O Lord, and from those of others spare your servant. Amen.

Beautiful prayer from one of my favorite saints. =)

True generosity

2011-05-13T10:29:00.004+08:00

An officemate gave me a container-full of her home cooked Laing this morning. Being a true blue Bicolana, her Laing is a much longed for viand in our office. When I got the Laing from her house, I gave her a family size Pillows (yummy and sweet). For a while, I had to convince her to accept the Pillows pack. I just told her that it’s for her daughter. Buti na lang tinangap.

I once heard that the true meaning of generosity lies not only in giving but also in receiving. A person should not only know how to give but also how to receive. I have not yet fully figured out the rationale behind this wisdom. But for now, I am guessing that in the heart of generosity there should also lay humility for the act to be complete and not to be confused with pride.

This dance of giving and receiving can be seen in my relationship with Ate Cha. She gives, I receive. I give, she receives – willingly, without hesitation or embarrassment because we both know that the giving and the receiving, no matter how small or how big it is, comes only from the heart. :)

Thank you

2011-05-08T12:42:00.000+08:00

He left for Los Baños at around 3:00 pm; he arrived at 6:20 pm – almost three and a half hours ride from his place to the venue just to attend my graduation.

6:25 pm
Jopet: Tingin ka sa kaliwa mo.

6:26 pm
Jing: Ang guwapo mo naman.

Having seated in the front row, he asked me to look at my left where some of the guests stood, and there he was all lovely in his green polo. He waved. I smiled.

6:26 pm
Jopet: I’m so proud of you kahit pangit ka.

6:27 pm
Jing: Thank you, pangit ka din. I’m so glad you are here. I
love you.

He silently clapped his hands for me. I have never felt so loved and so proud to be where I was that time. I finally graduated after a year of cramming for my thesis. And he was there, with my family, sharing the glory with me.

I got back to my seat after receiving my diploma. He was there at the side again, clapping his heart out. He told me later that he was so proud of me and that I looked beautiful in my Filipiñana gown with sablay. I looked like a princess daw... prinsesa ng mga tribu (sabay tawa). I wasn't sure if he believed me when I told him that I super love the sound of his laughter – so sweet and sincere, kahit na puro kalokohan lang ang pinagtatawanan.

Later that night, I remembered thanking God for sending me someone to love.

Papa and Mama

2011-04-20T08:32:00.003+08:00

I found this in my old files. :)

For two people who always complain about each other's faults, i find them sweet. Lagi din naman magkasama kahit saan pumunta. :)

Praying for both of you - love, peace, faith, happiness, wealth, and understanding - always and forever.

Instead of a RING...

2011-04-13T16:24:00.007+08:00

he gave me this...

December 12, 2010
Lola Itang's Pension House and Restaurant
Puerto Princesa, Palawan

D'Birdie Love

2011-04-05T16:40:00.006+08:00

Hindi ko malimutan kung kailan
Nagsimula matutong ikaw lang ang mahalin
At di ko malimutan kung kailan ko natikman
Ang tamis ng iyong halik
Yakap na napakahigpit,
Pag-ibig mong tunay hanggang langit
~ "Pag-ibig" by Apo Hiking Society

I love you D'Birdie. So much.

Papa

2011-02-28T13:28:00.002+08:00

After being grouchy the night before, Papa woke me up at 5:45 am (Sunday) to ask if I wanted to go to the Church with him. Siyempre sinungitan pa rin ako kasi late na ako nakapag prepare. We were late, as usual. Homily na lang naabutan naming. The priest, according to Papa was one of his favourites. After the mass, we went to Jollibee to have breakfast. =)

It was something to record and remember as I rarely go out with my Papa alone. My mother is my usual companion in shopping, in going to places, in the church, in almost everywhere that does not include friends. That's why I am writing this, because I think it is our first time to attend the mass without Mama – she’s attending an activity of the Handmaids of the Lord. I hope there will be more bonding moments in the future with Papa. =)

On living alone

2011-02-16T16:46:00.001+08:00

~A sister from SFC who just moved to another country asked for my opinion on living alone. I gladly gave it to her.~

From the point of view of someone who's living on her own for 14 years already - siyempre umuuwi naman ako every weekend. :)

1. I don't like living with someone who's not part of my family. I would rather live on my own kesa mapipilitan akong makisama. For several reason of course... :)

2. I am a people pleaser so lahat ng yaya sakin, kahit ayoko, I'll easily say yes. It is very hard for me to say no. Kaya naiintidihan kita sa point mo na kahit ayaw mo sumama, sasama at sasama ka pa rin kasi well, isinasama ka nila eh. Although it's a good thing kasi makakarating ka sa iba't ibang lugar pero sometimes, you just want to do other things - "me" time ika nga. :)

3. I consider my house as my refuge. Kapag pagod na ako, there i will stay to relax or to hibernate. :) hehe.

4. I can do anything I want. I can leave the dishes at the sink without any body telling me to wash them or clean the house or anything - hehe, kaya nahihiya ako pag may dumadating sa bahay kasi makalat, pero that's my place eh. And I love it that way.

5. I can practice my faith in any way i want.. mejo nahirapan ako nung may kasama ako sa room (my brother's wife) kasi hindi man lang ako makapag light ng candle kapag magpa-pray ako. Little things pero big deal sakin..

At siyempre, yung opinion about your faith... hays... hard yun.

Sensya na po, kung mejo negative, pero i feel for you. Pero this doesn't mean na icu-cut mo yung ties mo with them. Kasi there will be times na hahanap hanapin mo yung company nila. Yung kakulitan ng nila mo at yung "pangengealam" niya. :) And when that time comes, you will love and appreciate them more. :)

My two cents. :)

One year and one quarter

2010-09-28T23:50:00.002+08:00

Because I Dreamed You
by Gail Vareilles and Tommy Faragher

You’re heart and soul above the rest
You’re cutest when your hair is messed
I love that your belly’s almost fat
The way you scratch my back like a pussycat
All my life I was looking for you
I didn’t know how I was going to find you
So then I dreamed you
I had to dream you

I love the way you apologize
I’m always right in your eyes
I love the way when you’re with me
Pretty girls walk by but you don’t see
All my life I was looking for you
Then I knew how I was going to find you
I had to dream you
I had to dream you

The sweetest dream, a dream come true
Out of the dream, and in came you
You hold my head while I fall asleep
Your love for me, a river deep
All my life I was looking for you
No one ever loved me like you do
Because I dreamed you
So glad I dreamed you
All my life I was looking for you
No one ever loved me like you do
Because I dreamed you
Because I dreamed you

Tagbilaran City, Bohol

2010-07-16T13:52:00.005+08:00

You have shown me once again how wonderful your creations are - above the clouds, across the sea, in another island, of another culture - all beautiful, all my praises to you, Lord.

I had the honor and the opportunity to listen and dine in with the 2010 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, Acd. Christopher Bernido and Dr. Ma. Victoria Carpio-Bernido at the Bee Farm, Panglao Bohol. :)

062809

2010-06-30T20:48:00.000+08:00

Happy new year, Mahal! =)
Thank you for loving me...

Send me...

2010-06-07T15:38:00.000+08:00

For you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you.
- Jeremiah 1:7-8

Here I am Lord, is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go Lord, if you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart.
- Here I am Lord

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the
Lord, and my spirit exalts in God my
Saviour. For he has ruled with mercy on my
lowliness. And my name will be forever
exalted, for the Almighty God has done
great things for me, and Holy is His Name.”
- Magnificat

Starting something is the very best way to finish it.
- The Universe

A reminder

2010-05-07T02:46:00.001+08:00

Sent: Thu, April 22, 2010 3:47:23 PM
Subject: TUT... A Note from the Universe

Dare not wish to change even the slightest thing about a loved one, Jing, without first understanding how it might change the rest of them.

Keep your eye on the ball,
The Universe

The Call

2010-03-15T10:27:00.001+08:00

Regina Spektor

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder
Till it was a battle cry
I'll come back when you call me
No need to say goodbye

:)

Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue -- Book 1

2010-03-11T12:04:00.000+08:00

Mine is always your Highest Thought, your Clearest Word, your Grandest Feeling. Anything less is from another source.

Now the task of differentiation becomes easy, for it should not be difficult even for the beginning student to identify the Highest, the Clearest, and the Grandest.

Yet will I give you these guidelines:

The Highest Thought is always that thought which contains joy. The Clearest Words are those words which contain truth. The Grandest Feeling is that feeling which you call love. Joy, truth, love.

~ Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue -- Book 1
By Neale Donald Walsch

You are who you are

2010-02-24T13:44:00.001+08:00

Today, I will start doing my thesis. Along with it, I will start writing again. I have to do this. Kuya Richard has been telling us during choir meetings that practice makes permanent. Not perfect, but permanent.

I have always wanted to be a good writer. I guess I am just too lazy to practice the skill/ craft. In writing, I will be able to capture memories and keep them with me for the years to come. In practicing, I will be able to develop my own style of writing. Although, I do not think I am good at it, I have been trained to do technical writing. But feature writing, I have to practice and develop.

Now what I want is this, I will write everyday of things that interest me or things that I found amusing. I have to do this, so help me God.

~~~

Yesterday, one of the Foundation’s officers gave me a note. She has been handling the arts program for 10 years already and she will be leaving the Foundation soon. I would just like to share it with you:

Dearest Jing,

Remember that you are who you are and that your dreams will always be an essential part of your life.

Don’t wait too long to explore what’s out there.

Thank you for opening your doors to me.

Keep in touch.

F.

I cried when I read this. I cried because for the past few months already, I feel that my soul is dying. And that my dreams are being sucked away by the very institution that has been helping a lot of people reach for their dreams and excel in it.

“You are who you are…”

Five words that I should remember. Because, wherever I am right now, I am not who I am and who I want to be.

To stay still and focus

2010-02-18T21:49:00.001+08:00

"Learn to become still. And to take your attention away from what you don't want, and all the emotional charge around it, and place your attention on what you wish to experience"
- Michael Beckwith

Integration Process

2010-02-01T11:52:00.005+08:00

Jopet and I attended the 2010 Comics, Manga, & Graphic Novels Seminar hosted by Glasshouse Graphics Inc. yesterday from 10 am to 8pm at the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde.

Having attended numerous scientific meetings, conferences and fora, this seminar took me into a whole new dimension by introducing me into the world of graphic arts – world full of beauty and intricacy. People who attended the event were overflowing with passion for their craft that they willingly share their portfolios to fellow artists for their comments and criticism, which I think were all constructive.

Jopet’s work entitled “Wolverine” was chosen by Mr. David Campiti, CEO and President of Glasshouse, as one his many examples in his lectures. For a brief moment, I felt what it was like to be a mother, beaming and proud as the two other budding artists recognized him (I even heard a hint of admiration) as the one who created the featured “Wolverine” art. =)

Immediately after the seminar at around 8:30pm, we proceeded to Quiapo to visit its famous Church. Since it was my first time there, we said our wishes (I hope he really did… because I did =), bought a dvd worth 50pesos and went home at around 11:00 pm.

It was a fun and fulfilling day, full of new learning and new experiences. A process of integration – his world into mine and my world into his.

Ilan beses pa?

2010-01-25T13:07:00.003+08:00

Ilang beses ko pa kaya kakantahin (ipo-post) ito?
Hoping against hope that it would ease my longing
for something bigger,
for something greater
than what I have right now.

Ilan pang beses, Lord? :(
I'm becoming desperate..

Pilgrim's Theme
by Bukaspalad

Tired of weaving dreams too loose for me to wear
Tired of watching clouds repeat their dance on air
Tired of getting tired of doing what's required
Is life a mere routine in the greater scheme of things

Through with taking roads someone else designed
Through with chasing stars that soon forget to shine
Through with going through one more day - what's new
Does my life still mean a thing in the greater scheme of things

REFRAIN 1:
I think I'll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
I hope to find my place
So my life can fall in place
I know in time I'll find my place
In the greater scheme of things

Each must go his way, but how can I decide
Which path I should take, who will be my guide
I need some kind of star to lead me somewhere far
To find a higher dream in the greater scheme of things

The road before me bends, I don't know what I'll find
Will I meet a friend or ghosts I left behind
Should I even be surprised that You're with me in disguise
For it's Your hand I have seen in the greater scheme of things (REFRAIN 1)

BRIDGE:
For Yours is the voice in my deepest dreams
You are the heart, the very heart
Of the greater scheme of things (REFRAIN 1)

REFRAIN 2:
Why don't we follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
One day we'll find our place
For all things fall in place
For all things have a place
In the greater scheme of things

Trusting you

2010-01-21T18:43:00.003+08:00

To: Me
From: The Universe
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 4:47 PM

Expecting "end results" - such as wealth and abundance, health and harmony, friends and laughter - in broad brush strokes, is part of the secret formula, Guada, for manifesting the life of your dreams.

Expecting your path to follow a certain route - such as writing a bestseller to accumulate wealth, having a particular someone fall in love with you, or insisting upon this idea, that diet, or the other invention to be your deliverance - is just plain messing with the cursed hows and severely limits my options... (I hate when that happens.)

Cool?
The Universe

For your patience, thank you.

2009-12-02T00:04:00.002+08:00

My love song to my God

2009-11-11T18:12:00.001+08:00

Psalm 73
by Hangad

With You, I am always with You,
You hold me tight, Your hand in mine.
You bring all things to a good end,
You lead me on in Your good pleasure.
What is heaven to me without You?

Where am I on earth if You are not there?
Though my body is broken down,
Though my heart dies, You are my rock,
My God, the Future that waits for me.
Far away from You, life is not life.
To break faith with You is to be no one.

With You, my highest good,
my God, with You, I am secure.

Without blame

2009-11-05T12:56:00.003+08:00

To: Me
From: The Universe
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 5:09 PM

Without "blame," Jing, at least 50% of all grounded relationships would have continued sailing.

And I'm all for sailing.

Your first mate,
The Universe

~~~

By: Emerson Dimaya

Parayer for our safety

2009-10-02T12:28:00.001+08:00

Dear Lord,

We fervently pray for your grace so that our nation will be spared from another threatening typhoon. Our suffering people have not yet recovered from Ondoy's wrath. Please prevent Pepeng from hitting any of our islands. Save us from further calamities by embracing our country with Your protective grace and merciful blessings. Amen.

Please pass to start prayer brigades. Thanks.

The Four Freedoms

2009-09-23T17:21:00.000+08:00

delivered by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, on January 6, 1941

In the future days which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.

The first is freedom of speech and expression --everywhere in the world.

The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way-- everywhere in the world.

The third is freedom from want, which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants --everywhere in the world.

The fourth is freedom from fear, which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor --anywhere in the world.

Happy 2nd Birthday

2009-08-28T00:19:00.005+08:00

Dear GG,

I just finished listening to my recorded conversation with Arlene last May 9, 2009. You see my 2-year old cell phone has this feature that can record anything including telephone conversations. Anyhow, the last thing that I said in that phone conversation with my BFF was “Arlene, I am now appointing you to be part of my Search Committee”. Thirteen days after, she introduced me to you.

It was one of my goals for 2009 – to go and visit a new place every month. It started when we went to Sagada last December 2008. Since then, I had been to different places. For May, it was Cagbalete at Mauban, Quezon. I prepared for this trip. I was so excited to go somewhere new to forget the old.

You were such a snob when I first met you. You did not even look at me when I offered you some cookies. It was like you had a stiff neck or something – I was seated behind you, remember? During the whole trip to Cagbalete, you did not even acknowledge that I exist. But I did notice that you have a firm hand when you helped me get into the boat.

It never even occurred to me that you and I would become friends – much less sweethearts. And yet here we are... on our 2nd month already. It seems like I have known you for years! The Universe never fails to amaze me. Just when I was ready to give up on love, here it comes offering me something that I could not resist – your friendship and your love.

I know many people would not agree but, I want to thank you for being very kind to me and for being so loving. Probably it also helped that you are into explaining things. Not once did I feel that you don’t love me. And even for that alone, I am very grateful.

The other night, you were thanking me for loving you. I wanted you to know that I feel the same way with you - thank you for walking into my life, unexpected and unannounced, bringing in with you wonderful and (if I may say) out-of-my-world things. But most of all, I want to thank you also for loving me.

Looking forward to more days, more months, and more years ahead with you.

Mwah! =)

Hugging you tightly...

A Tribute to President Cory

2009-08-20T16:12:00.002+08:00

I thank God for making me a Filipino. It is a privilege.
~ President Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino

Taken during the 2nd Anniversary of PinoyME last February 26, 2008 at the Inter-Continental Manila - GBRamos

I was supposed to go to Corregidor that day but as soon as I heard the news about the death of President Corazon C. Aquino, I knew that I had to totally forego the trip. My boss already alerted us that should this happen we would be requested to come to the office to help in the preparation for the mass (sponsored by the Foundation) for her. Even if it was raining hard that day, I knew I would not miss this chance to pay my last respect to the one who led us back to freedom and democracy. For the first time in many months, I became thankful to be part of the Foundation because of the privilege to be in the first night of the wake of the Former President.

During the next few days, I monitored almost all the media releases that I can get my hands onto regarding the Former President. Funny how one’s mind and heart works - it was once said that a person would only know the value of another person when she loses her. I do not know her personally but I joined her family in shedding tears for the loss of their mother. This time I know that I am not alone. This time I know that the whole country mourns for the loss of its mother.

I was so used to seeing her on TV praying the rosary and encouraging the people to stand up and fight for democracy. To top it all up is that she had been a good mother both to her own children and to the whole country. She was a woman of faith and a woman of strength and compassion. It was amazing how in the world of politics, she was able to incorporate her faith in her everyday life. My faith was renewed just by seeing how faithful she was from the time of her presidency up to the last moment of her life and many people were really inspired by it.

In the last mass offered for her, Father Arevalo (a Jesuit priest and family friend) said that the best contribution Mrs. Aquino gave to the Filipino people is hope. Hope that we are worth something more that what we could ever think of because we are children of God.

As thousands and thousands of Filipino paid their last respect to the Philippine Mother of Democracy, allow me, though this entry, to pay my last respect and salute to you Mrs. President for paving the way of freedom and democracy for our generation and the generations to come.

Once again, you made us proud to be a Filipino. Thank you.

Feels like home... with you

2009-07-25T02:40:00.004+08:00

Feels Like Home
Chantal Kreviazuk

Something in your eyes
Makes me want to lose myself
Makes me want to lose myself
In your arms

There's something in your voice
Makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts
The rest of my life

If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I've felt so low
If you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done

Chorus:

Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where
I come from
Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

A window breaks down a long dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I'm alright 'cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see through the dark there's light

If you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
If you knew how happy you are making me
I've never thought I'd love anyone so much

Chorus

Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

Meet him

2009-07-12T01:48:00.005+08:00

After a broken relationship.
After years and years of waiting.
After the acceptance and (eventually) closure.
After everything...
Meet him.

January Trip - Sagada

2009-04-09T20:05:00.008+08:00

This is a long overdue entry that should be posted early January this year but for one reason or another I couldn’t sit down and write about it. What motivated me to start writing was the travel magazine that I read last night. It featured another amazing place in the region I previously detested – Mt. Pulag in Benguet the second highest peak in the country. I haven’t been to the place but it is definitely listed now in my places-to-see-before-I-die list.

To describe how much I don’t want to visit the Northern Regions of the Country, in almost (but not quite) 3 decades of my life, I have only been to Baguio once, that was last December 2008. And to think that we’ve been to Manaog, Pangasinan more than 10 times already (Baguio is just about an hour away from that place). The change in perception came when my bestest friend and I went to Sagada last December 26-30, 2008.

The idea was brought up by a college friend when we saw each other in September last year. It was unfortunate, however, that he wasn’t able to join us in this trip. We left Manila on the eve of December 26 and arrived the following day a little before lunch time. We stayed at Mapiya-Aw Pensione House (a very cozy place) from December 27 to 29.

It took us more or less 14 hours to go from Manila to Sagada (via Banawe). On our way home, we took the Baguio route which took us 12 hours – 6 hours from Sagada to Baguio another 6 hours from Baguio to Pasay). It was a trip well worth the long hours of sitting inside a jam-packed bus.

There were a lot of words to describe Sagada – all of them positive. It was a perfect place to commune with one’s self, with nature and with God. I went there with full expectations that I will finally have the much longed for silence and rest to sort out my thoughts. I went there to have a “meeting” with God in the silence of my heart. And true enough, all expectations were met. The solitude of the place provided the avenue to think and reflect on things that happened – all of them in the past – not to forget but to serve as guide in my journey to the future. In the silence my heart, I once again found God where he embraced me with the beauty of his wonderful creation.

I will go back to that wonderful place... promise. :)

Stop over at Bontoc

Sagada main street and plaza

Sagada Mapiya-aw Pensione

Sagada Sumaguing Cave

Sagada Plaza and Echo Valley

Sagada Orange Farm and the people we met :)

On self control

2009-03-27T19:08:00.004+08:00

Hay Lord... I'm happily clinging unto you. :)

~~~

Self-Control Is Not an Option
Rick Warren
March 27, 2009

In our Devotionals series, Pastor Rick Warren discusses the Bible passages that inspire him the most. Today's Devotional is based on this passage:

For the grace of God...teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives ~ (Titus 2:11-12 NIV).

As we discussed yesterday, self-control is not optional for Christians. The race we are running is for eternity, and so we're to develop a strict discipline (1 Corinthians 9:25).

Here are some other steps to self-control.

Talk back to your feelings. Do you let your moods manipulate you? God doesn't want you to be controlled by your feelings. He wants you to master your moods. With Christ as the Master of your life, you can learn to master your feelings.

Talk back to them. Learn to challenge your emotions: "For the grace of God...teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives..." (Titus 2:11-12 NIV).

God's grace gives us the power to do what is right. God gives you the ability to say no to that feeling, to that desire, to that impulse.

Believe you can change. The fruit of the Spirit begins in your thought life. The seeds must be planted in your mind: The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act.

God gave us the power to change our habits when he gave us the power to choose our thoughts. Does Romans 12:2 tell us to be transformed by working hard at it or by sheer willpower? "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2 NIV).

What are we to be transformed by? The renewing of the mind. When your self-control is being tested, you need to fill your mind with the promises of God. First Corinthians 10:13 says, "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (NIV).

That's a fact. If you are a Christian, you can't honestly say, "The temptation was too strong; I couldn't help myself." The Bible says God is faithful. If you're a Christian, he won't let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

He never asks you to bear something that is bigger than the strength he puts inside of you through his Holy Spirit.

Happy birthday ko na!

2008-12-12T17:47:00.004+08:00

Dear God,

Thank you for all the wonderful blessings you have given me. I pray that you would bless me more indeed!

Loving you so much,

Jing

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
Fr. Rudy Horst

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe has brown complexion and her features are not European (actually, Mary was not a European but an Asian woman), quite different from that in Lourdes or Fatima. After Mary appeared three times between December 9 and 12 in 1531 to St. Juan Diego, life in Mexico changed dramatically. Thousands of Aztecs converted to Catholicism, and the natives were finally acknowledged as human beings. Here’s an interesting background to the apparitions.

In Genesis, we read that Noah had three sons — Shem, Ham and Japheth — “and from them the whole earth was peopled” (Genesis 9:19). It was understood that Shem’s descendants were the Semites, Ham’s descendants were those in Egypt and the surrounding countries, while Japheth’s descendants lived in Asia Minor and on the Mediterranean islands. When the Spaniards landed in the newly discovered America in the 15th century, they found brown people, half-naked, and speaking an unknown language. They could not be descendants either of Shem, Ham, or Japheth, so the conquerors concluded that these creatures were animals and did not have a human soul. That was the reason for the horrible abuse of the Indios.

When Our Lady appeared at Guadalupe with Indio features, she acknowledged them to be her children also. Six years later, Pope Paul III officially declared the Indians “to be real human beings and capable of receiving the Catholic faith.”

Our Lady’s message to St. Juan Diego is as consoling and encouraging for us as it was for him: “I am your merciful Mother, the Mother of all... those who love me, of those who cry to me, of those who have confidence in me... Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness...anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother?” We thank Pope Pius XI for declaring Our Lady of Guadalupe patroness of the Philippines. With such a patroness, what are we afraid of?

Reflection Question:
Is my devotion to Our Lady genuine? Does it lead me to a deeper love of Christ?

Lord, we thank and praise You for giving us Mary as our heavenly Mother. As she took care of the downtrodden natives in Mexico, she takes care of us in our sufferings and needs. Listen to her intercessions and prayers for us and bless us with Your mercy and love.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.

Not too far from here

2008-11-06T20:02:00.001+08:00

Kim Boyce

Somebody's down to their last dime,
Somebody's running out of time,
Not too far from here

Somebody's got nowhere else to go
Somebody needs a little hope
Not too far from here

And I may not know their name
But I'm praying just the same
That You'll use me Lord to wipe away a tear
'Cause somebody's crying
Not too far from here

Somebody's troubled and confused
Somebody's got nothing left to lose
Not too far from here

Somebody's forgotten how to trust
Somebody's dying for love
Not too far from here

It may be a stranger's face
But I'm praying for Your grace
To move in me and take away the fear
'Cause somebody's hurting
Not too far from here

Help me, Lord, not to turn away from pain
Help me not to rest while those around me weep
Give me Your strength and compassion
When somebody finds the road of life too steep

Now, I'm letting down my guard
And I'm opening my heart
Help me speak your love to every needful ear
Jesus is waiting
Not too far from here
Jesus is waiting
Not too far from here

Ranting and letting go - again

2008-11-06T19:52:00.005+08:00

October 18
He was telling me something about a person we both know when he suddenly said, "Uy, ang cute mo naman!"

I made a face and told him, "Hmft, yesterday, you told me that I look like a 'Tita'"
He laughed at me and said, "So you dressed up for me?" I smiled and answered, "Hmm, partly. Well, yeah because you were criticizing me."

He laughed again the very sweet laugh of his.

October 25
He called me in the corner just to say, "You look nice today."
I felt my heart skipped. It took me one whole minute before I said, "Thank you."

~~~

November 3
The Dark Knight flirted with me this morning. After a meeting, I approached him to ask a question. He smiled his nice smile and told me to look at him straight to the eye while asking, which of course I cannot do because I had to refer at the paper I was holding. And he was so close! He’s not even an arms length! To touch him, I only have to extend a finger and that’s it. As in, that close! Hey, I was so tempted to hug him. Pero siyempre, hindi pwede, major no-no! As in NO!

~~~

Minsan, nakakaiyak isipin na after so many years of being alone, hindi pa rin ako maihanap ni Lord ng someone to love. This may sound weird or even twisted, but I think God is having a hard time finding someone for me. :( Is it really that hard Lord? Sad.

Minsan ok, minsan hindi. Now, it’s not ok. I feel unwanted. I longed to talk to someone about everything, about every single thing in this world. I longed to share my life with someone. Someone whom I can hug any time I want. Someone who will offer his shoulders for my head to lean on to. Hay…

~~~

Hay Lord, alam ko naman na ndi pede. Alam ko din naman that you have plans for me. I've been a witness to your most wonderful workings and I am confident that you really have magnificent plans for me. It's just that, it is so hard for me to be patient. So very hard for me to wait and sit back and watch out for the next thing that will happen, with or without my intervention. I am ranting because I am getting tired of waiting Lord. I know that you understand and love me still despite of all my complaints. I cannot even pray for the person I like to like me back! I cannot even ask you to give him to me, I just cannot! Because the mere though of praying about it is already a big mistake. But I am trying to look up to you alone, Lord, trying so hard to focus my heart, my mind, and my whole being to you as you guide me through my journey. I’m going to let go now, Lord. Hold me as I let go – again. And please don’t ever get tired of me.

A farewell letter

2008-10-16T21:11:00.002+08:00

Dear Len,

Hi! How are you? Where are you now? I hope you are happy and in the best condition.

We missed you last October 5. Well, I hope you were watching us the whole time. :) Everybody was there, si Cha lang ang kulang because her baby was sick.

Saturday night, I met Kris at San Pablo Jollibee. Imagine? Kris at San Pablo, well that was new. :) Anyway, you know what it was like out there. Everybody’s running around at the counter, and as usual some of the crew members were masungit. I remember you working there before you graduated from College. You used to tell me that you will never ever mix the left over condiments with the left over drinks kasi kawawa naman ang crew. :) Most likely you were laughing at me that time, reminiscing and all. Kris remembered you in one of your subject where you tested the Jollibee spaghetti and sundae for E. cola. Kris and I were laughing the whole time while we’re waiting for Arlene. She could not leave early because she’s with E :). She had her hair curled and I was so inggit because it was so nice on her.

Anyways, we eventually had to tell her to follow us to your house because it’s getting late. Almost all of your relatives were there. It was so nice to see all of them again. Tita Coring was there waiting for Goldie. Kuya Delon was there, arranging everything. Kuya Richmond was there trying to lighten things up although, it was so apparent that he’s dying inside. Sam was also there. That nephew of yours was so sweet and guwapo ha. It’s a pity he will never grow up with you by his side. I know you will spoil him to death. :)

That night, while looking at you, I cried so hard for a while. I cried because I remembered how inseparable we were in college. In everything and in anything it was always “us”. But through the years we drifted apart. I was blaming you for the “separation”. I know you blame me for some things also. With that said, I was really surprised when Rey asked me to give you a eulogy on behalf of our friends. I was really surprised at the same time thankful because in a way I felt forgiven for not attending your wedding.

My only worry that time was the next-day meeting with Mark and his wife, Dani. I dreaded meeting them. Earlier that week, I was ranting at my boss about how insensitive and dense Mark was for planning to bring his wife. And my boss, the rational man that he was, explained to me that it is but right for him to bring his wife. Anyway, the next day, I was both tense and worried. Tense because, I was to be the facilitator/mc of your necrological program and worried because I’ll be meeting them (Mark and Dani) after four long years.

Sabi ko na lang kay Lord earlier that week: “Lord, I will be facing this head on but give something to look forward to after ha?” And guess what? Hours after that prayer, one of our outstanding soldiers in TOPS invited us to a tour at Sangley Point in Cavite City. Astig noh? :)

Anyway, on my most dreaded day, except for the fact that you were not there, everything went well. As in very well! I was able to make peace with Mark and Dani. Imagine after four years of being angry at them and with the world for being “so unfair” to me, I suddenly realized that I can now let go. Of all the hurts, the anger, and the self pity that I ever had to carry for so long, I just found my self letting them all go. And it felt so wonderfully light and sweet. Hay, Len, how I wish you were there to witness everything. Truly, there is a season for everything. :) And then I found this:

Forgiveness is almost a selfish act
because of its immense benefits
to the one who forgives.
~ Lawana Blackwell

Now, I can tell God that I am ready not only for a “new season” but for a “New Program”.

Yun lang muna, Len. I hope to see you again some time in the future, when I have fulfilled my purpose here on Earth. I am just lifting everything up to Him there. Please tell Him how much I love Him. I hope someday somehow, you’ll be able to forgive me for all my shortcomings. I’ll be telling my kids about you. Mwah!

Love lots,

Jing

A weekend of closure

2008-09-29T21:27:00.006+08:00

Last Friday, I received a call from Mark. It came in as a nice surprise since the last time I talked with him was in November 2005. In between that date and now, I only saw him once, while he was crossing the street in San Pablo City and talked with him twice, both through text. Now, I am glad that the line of communication between us is open again. However, I have to say that I am not too keen on becoming too close to him, or even just plain close. Our closeness many years ago cost me a lot, and I cannot let that happen again.

The purpose driven life said that we are instructed by God to immediately forgive the person who hurt us. But it was also emphasized that we have the right not to allow that same person to hurt us again. I don’t even think he wants it nor is proper to do just that. It is also my way of showing respect to him and his wife. :)

Looking back now, if I will be asked the question “Have you fallen out of love of him?” My answer would be “No”. I am and will (probably) forever be in love with the Mark that I have loved so many years ago. But things are different now. The Mark whom I have talked to last Friday is a stranger. Except for his name, I don’t know him anymore.

I remember some months ago when Rinka and I were discussing things, she mentioned that she is not a reconnector of relationships. I said to her that I am also like that – once broken, I let go, it may take time but I let go and things will never be the same. I am proud to say, however, that I am an establisher. I strengthen the relationships that I have that are not broken.

May be in the future, things will be different. Right now, I am thankful with what I have.

~~~

My college best friend died last Saturday. Her body succumbed to leukemia. My heart cries for the family that she left behind. But my heart rejoices for her because I know that wherever she is right now, she has seen the beauty and felt the love of her God.

Until we meet again, Len. Thank you so much for all the wonderful and happy memories. Please send my deepest love to Jena. Please tell her how much I miss her.

~~~

The “Episodes” ended mid August. No words were mentioned about it. It ended just like that. I was affected for about a month. But I have accepted the fact that nothing will ever come out of it. It’s just that during the times that we were “together”, he made me feel very very special and beautiful. No one has ever done that to me – well, not that much. :) I am a lady whenever I am with him. And just like all stories, it ended. Kinalabit na ako ni Lord. Enough na daw. :)

Workshop on Association Social Responsibility: A Report

2008-08-12T16:24:00.004+08:00

This was attended by 31 representatives from the different sectors of the society, including those from the academe, business, civic, military and public safety, professionals, and youth. The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. was represented by two of its COPS Awardees namely: PSupt. Bernabe Balba (PROTECT External Vice President) and PSupt. Felicidad Gido (PROTECT Internal Vice President) and I. It started promptly at 9:00 am with everyone introducing themselves to the group.

This was followed by the opening remarks of Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao where he mentioned that in the Global Summit on Social Responsibility that he attended in Washington D.C., they discussed appreciative inquiry in the context of global challenges. Appreciative inquiry (AI) as he described it is the paradigm that is being adopted by industries these days where leaders stress inquiry and see organizations as center of human relationships. This principle focused on building up and magnifying the strengths of the people and the organization in developing a strategy for improvement. As such, the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) made use of AI paradigm in the conduct of the day’s workshop.

Dr. Estanislao highlighted the fact that the Philippines has quite a number of non-government and civic organizations, however it is still struggling with poverty. He presented two challenges to the group, the first one being the challenge of subsidiarity and the second one, the challenge of solidarity. Subsidiarity, according to him, is the empowerment of the people while solidarity is nation building. Companies are already employing the concept of subsidiarity through its corporate social responsibility programs but there is still a need to transcend it to nation building.

The workshop seeks to answer the following questions:

How to promote subsidiarity?
How to promote association and solidarity?
How to promote association and common good?
How to promote association and the promotion of the dignity of the Filipino people?

WORKSHOP PROPER

The workshop was divided into eight (8) sessions.

Session 1. “High Point Moment” of a Leader
The participants were grouped into three to share experiences in leading / participating in activities that would bring about change. This includes identifying one’s learnings and strengths in facing challenges.

Each group was asked to identify the most interesting story to be presented to the rest of the participants. Out of the six (6) presentors, two cited the stories of the COPS Awardees present. Both PSupt. Balba and PSupt. Gido highlighted their efforts in working with the community to promote the advocacies of the police force. They have initiated information campaign in their communities both in preventing and solving crimes. Participants took particular interest in the story of PSupt. Gido when the one who reported about her mentioned that she has six (6) children, four of which were adopted. These four children came from the families who were involved in the cases she was working on in the last few years.

Session 2. Innovations in Social Responsibility
With the same group, the participants were asked to identify innovations that were done / implemented by their respective associations in order to bring about social change. I was tasked to report on the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) case and the Project Citizen Philippines.

Case 1: Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC)
Ms. Antonieta F. Ibe, Former PRC Chair shared to the group that when she took the position of PRC Chair the situation then in the commission could only be described as chaotic because graft and corruption was so rampant in the institution. Since there are more than 2.5 million professionals and more than 600 would be professionals during her first year, she had to start with identifying priorities on what should be done first. She implemented the Customer Focused Service to raise the standard of the professionals. Her effort resulted to PRC gaining the trust of the different sectors (maritime, academe, etc.). In the end she was able to come up with the “Code of Good Governance” signed by President Gloria Macapacal Arroyo.

Case 2: Project Citizen Philippines
This program is being implemented in 60 different countries all over the world. Building on the idea that democracy is a consensus building, Project Citizen Philippines trains high school students to identify and solve problems in a democratic process. They engage the students into community immersions and ask them to prepare portfolios containing the community’s problem, the existing laws to address the problem and proposed laws. Some of the proposals were elevated to the city council level and were adopted by the councilors. They have prepared text books and manuals for easy replication.

In the following sessions, the two COPS awardees and I were grouped together with the public safety and civic sector, respectively.

Session 3. Visions of Philippines 2030
The group composed of business, civic and public safety sectors envisioned the Philippines in 2030 as a country that has already achieved its nationhood in its truest sense with high pride index and where people continuously build mutual trust and respect.

Session 4. Role of Your Anchor Group / Association in Bringing About Philippines 2030
To attain the vision of Philippines 2030, the group agreed that each of their associations should contribute to the strengthening of family ties, formation of fundamental values and promotion of balance approach to life where all facets of ones life is at work and is strengthened.

Session 5. Association / Anchor Group’s Contributions and Impact
In this part, the facilitator asked for the smallest and the boldest contribution one can make towards the attainment of the Philippines 2030 vision. The group agreed that for the smallest contribution, one must be able to “start where he can and where he must”. The change must be internal to be effective but one must believe that it can be done. For the boldest contribution, one must consider integrated development where all sectors will work accordingly to achieve the necessary change.

Session 6. Association / Anchor Group Services and Innovations and Session 7. Assessment of the Association / Anchor Group
The group identified Filipino people as their constituents. Being involved in the key sectors of the society, members of the group offered different services that they can offer to their countrymen, two of these were: strengthening family ties through the projects of the civic sector and protection of the community and the country from criminality and terrorism. The group also agreed that credibility, transparency, and fortitude are three of the strengths that can lead people towards nation building.

Session 8. Association Response to its Key Constituents and the Needs of the Nation
The group recognized capability building as the priority action program that should be adopted by the different sectors of the society.

Session 9. Social and National Responsibility of Anchor Group or Association

For the definition of social responsibility, the group was fortunate enough to be joined by Dr. Estanislao himself to give his definition of it. According to him:

“Social responsibility is the operative commitment to enhancing the personal dignity of every Filipino by contributing to the common good on the basis of subsidiarity and solidarity.”

The core principles involved are the following: respect for common good, for subsidiarity, for solidarity, and for personal dignity.

The best practices that associations can share with other groups are their:
· governance improvement pathways
· learn and share cascading initiatives
· personal governance score cards in every sector / area possible.

To be able to share the concept of social responsibility to the different sectors of the society, the associations should:
a. get the different anchors group to work with other sectors
b. have regular forums to highlight achievements
c. build bridges among the different groups to gain respect and network.

INSIGHTS FROM THE WORKSHOP

Overall this one-day workshop seeks to identify the sector’s strengths and level of involvement in nation building. The workshop was attended by key personalities of key sectors of society. Their inputs were based on their own experiences in doing projects and activities for the improvement of their sectors. Their efforts underwent rejection, revision, improvement, and afterwards adoption. The principles discussed in the workshop can be adopted by the newly established COPS Alumni organization, PROTECT to be able to establish itself in a sturdy foundation. Some recommendations are:

· Capability training. One cannot share what one does not have. In order for the officers and members of PROTECT to be involved in projects on education or even information dissemination, they should be properly equipped with knowledge on the subject that they are going to share to others. They should be trained properly as well on how they are going to carry out the trainings. These can be done by exposing themselves to different seminars and trainings on their subjects of interests.
· Documentation. Compared to other recognition programs in PNP, COPS is considered as the first one to organize all its awardees to form an association called PROTECT. This can be considered as a feat on its own and documentation of all its efforts, including its failures, may be helpful to others in the public safety sector should they decide to organize an organization with the same mission/vision.
· Conduct of fora to highlight individual and group achievements. One word of affirmation can speak thousands of words of encouragement. Recognition of best practices can be done through the PROTECT annual meetings as well as though the COPS yahoogroups. Updates are needed for members to know where their fellow members are at the moment. This can also be used as feedback channel for member’s improvement in their craft.
· Partnership with LGUs and NGOs. Partnership with local government officials and non-government is needed to expand the network of PROTECT. Their support as well as their involvement is needed to ensure that all sides are heard and considered.
· Have a strategic plan that would lead towards nation building. In a meeting with the ISA, it was mentioned that doing good on its own will not make a person a responsible citizen. In order to practice responsible citizenship, one must be able to influence other people to do good as well. The same principle should be adopted by the PROTECT organization. They should act as mobilizers of change in the society. This can be done by instilling the goal of nation building in all the projects of the organization.

Encounter no. Nth+2 - Special Episode

2008-07-10T16:33:00.006+08:00

"Do you want coffee? Let's have coffee."

We had coffee. :)

Encounter no. Nth+1

2008-07-02T13:39:00.005+08:00

If there is one thing that I like so much about him, it is the fact that he listens and he listens well. I am very sensitive to the reaction of people and I particularly dislike those who just pretend to listen when it is so obvious that their mind is wondering somewhere else.

Whenever I mention a particular term pertaining to him, he knows that I am going to say something. Not once did it go unnoticed. And it really makes me feel special.

It is just sad because I cannot share what I feel about him with anybody else – for two reasons: (1) I don’t trust most of them enough, and (2) I have the impression that those few whom I chose to share with what I feel, do not want to listen.

Nakakatuwa lang isipin that I met someone like him. :) He makes me feel all warm inside. I am fully aware that I should not go beyond the boundaries – although I must admit that the line is very thin and that any moment, any unguarded moment on my part would cost me my heart.

Health Tips

2008-06-15T22:04:00.000+08:00

9 HEALTH TIPS
Bo Sanchez

1. Prophesy your health. Your words have power. We have more power than we think we have. Try to say this everyday: “I’ll be healthy until I reached a hundred.” :)

2. Live with a clear conscience. Sirach 38:9-10 “My son when you are ill, do not delay, but pray to the Lord and he will heal you. Give up your faults and direct your hands rightly, and cleanse your heart from all sins.” There is no division between your soul, you mind and your body so have a clear conscience!

3. Learn to Relax. Paper, person and prayer. Paper - Try to keep a diary. Write everything that happened to you everyday. When you release your emotions and anxieties, your immune system strengthens. Person – have someone to talk to. Prayer – talk to God about everything.

4. Choose to be happy. Proverbs 17:32 – “Being cheerful keeps you healthy, it is a slow death to be gloomy all the time.” There are four kinds of personality:

Life long pattern of hopelessness - 75% of them died of cancer while 15% died of heart attack
Severe blame and anger in life – 75% died of heart disease while 15% died of cancer.
Mixture of 1 and 2 - 9% of them died or either cancer or heart attack.
People who decide to be happy – only 1% of them died of cancer or heart attach.

Are you a person who chooses to be happy every day? Decide to be happy everyday.

5. Invest in friendships and in relationships. Happiness is about relationships.

6. Work with purpose and passion. Eccl. 2:24 – “There is nothing better for mortals to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in their toil.” Are you happy with your work? Do you find your passion in your work? Discover your passion!

7. Take deep breath. Deep breath cleanses your body with toxins.

8. Get enough sleep. Psalms 127:1-2 – “Unless the Lord build the house, those who labor, builds in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toll; for he gives sleep to his beloved.” It is when you are sleeping that your body heals.

9. Move it or loose it. Exercise!

~~~

More Heath Tip

Eat chocolates to:
1. feel happy,
2. lessen pain, and
3. to prevent menstrual cramps.

~~~

7TH HEAVEN
(One ep. In their last season)

Rev. Camdem went to heaven. He was met there by Jenny, his mother-in-law and she accompanied him to go Christmas shopping. They went straight to a clock store where they met the father of Phillip whom the Reverend spent time with every now and then. In the store, the Phillip’s father suggested “time” as the perfect gift for Matt and Sarah since they were doctors, they would need more time for their children. As they went out the store, his Jenny left him for a while.

He was met by a woman from Ethiopia who thanked him for giving Nell the courage to adopt her five children. In return she gave him “courage” to be given to Lucy – for her to have the courage to have another child.

After which, he was fed by the waiters he generously fed through the years. As soon as he finished his meal, he was met again by Jenny.

Next they went on shopping for Mary. They bought her the “ability to forget.” Wrapped in a brown paper for it to look ordinary, after all, according to them, forgiveness belongs to God. We just need to forget. Then she met Joyce mother. Joyce resented her mother for buying her food instead of a doll saying that if only she could have known the importance of the doll. She thanked Reverend for helping Joyce and gave him a gift – an eraser for Mary for her to forgive herself.

Then, they went shopping for Simon. They met the father of Pearl and thanked him for showing Pearl her purpose. He figured that Simon needs purpose. Before they leave, they met with Martin’s mother who thanked him for taking care of her son and her husband. She also told him that Erin will be showing Martin his purpose in life. She gave him the gift of “purpose” for Simon – which he will unravel after several Christmas.

They took a ride in a cart driven by the father of Lindsey. He gave Ruthie: dignity, beauty, and loyalty.

On Earth, his family are worried that Rev. Camdem is missing, everyone except, Annie. She encouraged everyone to “have a little faith” that their Father would come home.

Rev. Camdem then look for gifts for Sam and David. They met Angelica, who recently got her wings. She got cooperation, understanding and respect for each of the twins. Angelica came from a long line of guardian angels. She was in fact the grand daughter of Gertrude, one of Rev. Camdem’s guardian angels. Jenny informed the Reverend that each person has a band of guardian angels. Gertrude was busy at the moment, doing some paper works for him to go back to Earth. The last person in the Reverend’s guest list is Annie.

While outside the bookstore, they met the co-worker of Larry. He thanked him for influencing Larry to change his life for the better. The Reverend asked his suggestion for a gift for Annie. But he told him that he cannot help him, but he thanked him and left.

Rev. Camdem suddenly said that he missed Annie. Him, missing her, according to Jenny is a sign that he is not suppose to be there because, “if you’re really suppose to be here (in heaven) you will not miss anyone because you know that you will meet them again in the future.”

As a gift to Annie, he suggested giving Annie faith. But Jenny said that “she already has faith to spare, how could she not be after being married with you all these years.” Then he met with Gertrude who gave him the news that he will still live on Earth.

As he gets ready to leave heaven, he asked if he will remember his experience there, Jenny said that what he will remember is that everything is fine, that everything is going to be fine.
And as he met his family, everyone was just so glad to see him.

~~~

My soul drifts in places.
Sometimes it rests as if satisfied.
But the
winds of change and fate blows,
and so with it my soul rides!
Searching
for something it had lost,
so long ago.

~~~

It’s Sunday and it’s also Father’s day. I greeted Papa a very Happy Father’s day. I prayed for him and all the fathers in the world to be closer to Jesus.

I did not leave the house, did not even see other people. I feel so relax now. It is so nice to write again. So, so nice to write again. :)

For my Dearest

2008-06-14T21:50:00.000+08:00

Dearest,
I miss you so much.
Where are you? You seem so far.
I am longing for you.
My soul longs for you.
Can you hear me?
Can you hear my thoughts?
Can you hear my heart?
I have been dying to feel you,
to see you, to be with you once again.
I’ve been searching for you.
It seems like years since I felt you.
Where are you?
Please be with me.
I miss you so very much.
Please.

~~~

From Hallmark Cards, Inc.

For every heart that listens,
There is a Voice that speaks…
There is a
Door that opens…
To every soul that seeks…
To those who ask, the Promise
is that they shall receive…
The Gift of Grace is given
To all those who
believe.

~~~

From Fallen: only God judges.

~~~

“Why are you sad Jing?”
I never expected him to ask such question, mainly because no one ever asked me that question.
“I am not.” I answered defensively. “Why do you ask?”
“Because sometimes when I look at you, your eyes show how very sad you are.” He replied and then he asked again, “Why are you sad, Jing?”
I had a hard time directing the conversation to another topic.

Grants RTD

2008-02-05T19:16:00.000+08:00

MBFI Reflection #2

The recently held Grants Roundtable Discussion gave me a bird’s eye view of who the beneficiaries of the Foundation are and their advocacies. It is very inspiring to know that the organization I am connected with has touched the lives of people in different sectors of the society through its benevolent works. The concept of “paying it forward” was manifested in the institutions and foundations being helped by the Foundation as they carry on their own advocacies to create a massive and global change in their own way.

Since we were informed beforehand that we were to submit a reflection paper after the roundtable, my first thought was to look for a foundation whose advocacy would correspond to my own interests, which were child development, education and environment.

I was familiar with the Family Farm School because one of our requirements to be able to complete a course in college was a module specifically made for them. It was just unfortunate that their president was not able to present his organization because I was really looking forward to hearing about the success of their projects for the farmers’ children.

Cartwheel and Trichet impressed me not only because they have catered to the special needs of the indigenous people and the special children, respectively, but also because the people behind these two organizations were, to some extent, the unlikely people to be involved in these kinds of work. When asked why did they stay and continue doing what they are doing, they both answered that their love for children made everything seem easy. They both wanted their beneficiaries to gain the respect that are due to them. I realized that these beliefs coincide with the Foundation’s mission of “supporting programs which strengthen the core sectors of the society as well as respond to the needs of the disadvantaged.”

On a more personal note, this roundtable provided a venue for me to start my healing process on the death of my cousin. While working at the SOS Foundation she was diagnosed of having nasopharyngeal cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for more than a year before she passed away March last year. Due probably to the chemicals injected to her, the treatment left her bedridden and depressed. I started looking for an organization or a support group that would help her and our family cope with all the strains that we were experiencing that time in dealing with her sickness.

It was very unfortunate that I became aware of Carewell Community only during the Grants Roundtable. Should I know about the services they offer to those with cancer (and their families), my cousin would have probably died happy. This, however, did not prevent me from being thankful to the founder of Carewell Community. It is encouraging to know that the Philippines has this kind of institution that promotes physical, emotional and even spiritual wellness among those who are stricken with cancer.

I have always believed that all things in this world are interconnected. The goodness that we do and the person that we become after are results of previous goodness that we have experienced. As the old adage goes, goodness begets goodness. In 1969, Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." The principle of “paying it forward” as adopted by the Metrobank Foundation would initiate a butterfly effect that would uplift the lives of the people and of the society in general.

~~~

Rosalindas of the Foundation

Me, Malou, Trish and Marge

The GEAPH Team

Khalid, Me, Aviec and Gloria

SFC Bicutan Upper Household Planning

Things that I learned from my Boss

2008-01-27T09:48:00.000+08:00

On Work
Do everything that you can, in everyway possible to complete a task. When you have done everything, sit back, pray and let God finish the work.

In Dealing with People
In life, you will meet people who think that the world revolves around them, in dealing with them, remember that God will not ask you who won the battle but how much love you showed them in response to their arrogance.

On Pain and Suffering
Offer every suffering and every pain to God. Things will get better, you’ll see.

On Life
At the end of each day, reflect and ask yourself “Have I been an instrument of God’s love to people around me?”

On Faith
He has this theory that with the exception of Christ, Mary is one of the best examples of how a Christian should live his/her life. He said that as Mary received the good news that she was to carry in her womb the Son of God, so one must also receive a glorious message from God. And just as she said “Be it done unto me according to Your word,” we too must also respond with the same heartiness. He further explained this by stating that as time went by, Mary moved to the back and let Jesus take the front seat. He interpreted this by saying that as we grow in love with Christ, people should see Him in everything that we do. It is He who should be seen in us because we are His.

~~~

I have two best friends. Bestfriend-1 is ever sweet and warm while Bestfriend-2 is very cold right now. Hindi ako sanay. So I just have to wait. Hintayin ko na lang na magustuhan ulit niya akong kausapin. Nakakalungkot lang but lately I’ve been trying to get in touch and I can not feel that she wants to talk to me. It’s ok. Sad but it’s ok. Nakakalungkot kasi I am getting use to being left behind by people whom I loved the most.

Extra! Extra!

2008-01-08T19:49:00.001+08:00

Question:
When will you stop being sad?

~~~

Realization:
Sometimes, it is better to open up your thoughts to those who do not know you that much. I told four men what happened and they replied:

Man 1: Biyaan mo na yun. Pangit yun!
Man 2: Halika na Jing, sugudin na natin!
Man 3: Jing, you should be happy for him because God answered your prayers. You should know what you want and then pray for it, it seems like He is really listening to you.
Man 4: Maybe it’s for the best.

Man 3 made me want to shut up and cry (I didn't, thank God - but he eventually told me to shut up first and let him talk - haha!). Man 1 and Man 2 made me laugh out loud. As in, ang kukulit! :) I love them! Man 4 gave me a very sweet hug.

Surprisingly, I feel ok now.

~~~

Extra! Extra!

Special Recipe for Heart's Peace Candy

A bottle of preserved anger
½ cup tears
¾ cup acceptance
1 & ¼ cup laughter
2 cups hope
2 cups faith
4 cups love

1. Heat the preserved anger to melt. Add tears. Stir to dissolve. Cool slightly.
2. Add acceptance and faith. Mix well. Stir in hope and love. Blend well.
3. Place everything in God’s hand. Bake for 25 minutes.
4. Top with laughter.

~~~

Let Your Spirit Shine!

2008-01-04T22:10:00.000+08:00

Noel Cabangon

Let Your Spirit shine!
Be the sun to end this darkness so that we may find,
the scattered pieces of the selves we lost
On roads we left behind

Let Your Sprit soar!
Be the wind to lift our weary hearts just like before.
How we long to hear the music of your voice!
Let your breath refresh our troubled world just once more

While the world rushes through its days
There's a secret presence shining from every face
All you need is to slow things down,
Take the time to look around
And you may find God's special hiding place

Let your Spirit fall!
Your the rain that purifies and heals our battered souls
May you touch our wooden wounded hearts
May you mend our broken lives, make them whole

While the world tosses trough the night,
There’s a sacred presence rising from every side
All you need is to slow things down,
take the time to look around and you may find God's special hiding place

Let your Spirit burn!
Be the fire that melt our frozen hearts
Please help us learn to dare to love without the usual fear
Of giving everything with nothing in return

O come and set our spirits free
Give meaning to the lives we lead,
Show us where to go, that we may find the One we seek
Where else can we go but only to you who sets us free?

6 Months After

2007-12-26T22:00:00.000+08:00

MBFI Reflection #1

Today, exactly six months and ten days since I transferred work, I am going to write the difference between the job that I left behind and the job that I have now as a Program Assistant at MBFI.

When I arrived at MBFI I was confident enough that I could handle almost anything and everything that the management would give me. After all I came from a government institution with only twelve people (Executive Director, 4 technical staff, 7 administrative staff) running everything. My assignments in my previous job included: (1) handling a convention of scientists with more or less two hundred participants; (2) being an editorial staff of several publications (scientific journal, monograph and annual report); (3) coordination with the media for all the news releases in major events; (4) representing the Academy in different gatherings/meetings pertaining to gender and development, maintenance of the Academy’s scientific library and the likes. These were all on top of my official assignment as the one who handled the Academy’s scientific linkages function – both in the local and in the international arena.

I entered the Foundation during the awarding phase of the 2007 COPS. Sir Paul and Khalid had prepared everything for the awarding ceremony. All I had to do was observe and assist them in polishing minute details for the event. I used to wonder why there had to be a lot of people involved in the awarding ceremony when from the place I came from, only three or four staff were required to attend and assist in the conferment of a National Scientist in Malacañang. When the day arrived, I saw how organized everything was. Then I understood that these people were there to perform their tasks properly and accordingly based on what was planned.

A few weeks after the said event, Sir Paul announced that I would be the one to assist him in handling the 2007 TOWNS Search. I was so excited. Finally! I have work. With all the coordination meetings, preparation of materials and documents for the final judging, awarding ceremonies and winners’ forum, work really came pouring in. I was hesitant to ask help from people as I was used to doing things on my own but they have been generous enough to offer their help whenever I needed one. There were times when I became discouraged and disheartened by everything. I felt like I was a fresh graduate learning the ropes all over again.

After six months of being involved in the Foundation, I came to realize a lot of things. My stint at one of the government’s recognition and award giving agency exposed me to a selection and judging process that is very much different from what the Foundation is doing. Although I have nothing against the processes in my previous job, in comparison, the technical and scientific way the Foundation evaluates each nominee and finalist is much more impartial.

I admire the way people work here. To impress their employers, employees would often say that they give their 100% to their work. In the Foundation this statement is not just another word of the mouth. Officers and staff really give their 100% to their work which can be seen in the events and outputs each unit have. People are not contented with an “ok na ‘yan” output. Thing have to be reviewed, commented and if possible perfected in every angle. The opportunity to strive for excellence and growth are recognized and addressed. And that, I think, is where the difference with other institution lies.

I must admit that I really had a hard time adjusting. The process continues as I had to learn and unlearn a lot of things but whenever I feel down and distraught, I would always try to remember that before I got accepted here in the Foundation, I prayed for a work that would help me grow as a person and as an employee. With the Foundation’s tagline of excellence, I know that there are still things to change and improve in me but for now I am thankful.

Be as a Little Child

2007-10-01T23:00:00.000+08:00

Fr. Brian Steele

A small child can be a great teacher to us at times. Look at the way a child plays, observe the child who trusts in his/her mother. Listen to a child who makes known a request to the parent. Notice the way a child embraces the parent. Certain characteristics such as innocence, simplicity, dependency, purity of heart are how we are to relate to God as Father.

Today we celebrate the life of a saint who desired to make herself child-like, not childish. Therese desired to be little, since, as she was later to discover, it was through her littleness that God would achieve great things. In her writings, Therese of Liseux teaches us what it is to be totally and completely abandoned to God the Father. We can come to a Father who loves us and anticipates our every need. This, as Therese would suggest, is the "little way of love". This was the great secret to her sainthood and her being proclaimed as doctor of the Church. I have often read the writings of Therese and come to the conclusion that the spiritual life is really quite simple, and I am the one who makes it so complicated!

In her writings, Therese borrows the image of the elevator , a modern convenience we have become quite accustomed to now. However, in her day it was something new and inventory. Therese understood the elevator as a convenience in her day to reach a higher level. No longer would one have to trudge the stairway and become exhausted at having traveled so many stairs. All that one had to do was to step inside the elevator, press a few buttons and the machine would activate and bring you to your destination. You just have to stand there and wait.

Therese borrows the image and understands that Jesus is like the elevator. His are the arms that lift us to the Father. All one needs to do is rest in His arms effortlessly and confidently that Jesus lifts us to the Father. That is the way a child behaves if they are confident in the parent's love for them.

In the Gospel the disciples learn a lesson. They are beginning to become popular. They jostle for position, status and attention. They behave childishly. Jesus shakes His head, realizing the intention of their hearts and perhaps afraid it might end up a bit rough! He calls the disciple to Himself and places a child among them. "The least among you shall be the greatest".

~~~

Happy feastday my beloved St. Therese of Lisieux! Thank you for loving me and for just being there for us. :)

Kakantahan muna kita ng konti.. ay, hum na lang muna pala.

You Fill My Heart
SOMETHING MORE - songs for the skeptics

hmm. hmmmmm. hmmmmmmm.

Mwah! :)

I want the real thing

2007-09-30T23:06:00.000+08:00

09:45 pm

I was listening to Kalapana’s Real thing in my Muvo Vidz. Sabi ko kay Lord, “give me a song. Not just any song, but a song that is for ME.” So I pushed the joystick up and let it browse through the 49 songs in my player (excluding the subfolders). And guess what, when I let go of the joystick, I got the same song - Real thing by Kalapana.

Grabe na ito. I am not in love! My goodness. I had a very very very short relationship with Crush last August but I quickly ended it up as soon as I realized that he is not – as in NOT the right one for me. Grabe, I never thought I would do that. We are still friends though. I convinced him that hindi kami bagay talaga and that we are better off as friends.

I now realize that it is better to be single than to be with someone you don’t love. I am still waiting for the right one to come along my way. Hey! Nasan ka na ba? Bakit ang tagal mong dumating? :)

Sabi ng mga former officemates ko nung nalaman nila nangyari, baka daw pagsisihan ko ginawa ko kasi daw I am not getting any younger, matanda na daw ako. If there is another lesson that I learned from this recently ended relationship it is that 27 is not yet old. I am still young and until I think of myself as old, I will not be old.

Now I do not have to let go of anything because (in the first place) I did not choose to hold on to anything. And I am ok with it.

~~~

11:03 pm

hmft! war kami! kala ko we're ok as friends!
hmft! mega tampo na naman! hmft! >:(

Hapag ng Pag-Asa

2007-09-22T22:01:00.000+08:00

While doing my assignment in DevC 263, I got the urge to turn on the radio and it surprised me to hear Mr. Joey Velasco, the painter of “Hapag ng Pag-Asa,” was being interviewed by three radio hosts who are unknown to me.

The whole interview was so inspiring but the discussion that got through me was on why the children, who represented the twelve (12) apostles, are not looking at Christ. Critics of the painting pointed out that in all last supper paintings, the apostles are looking at Christ. This is to show that the followers are Christ centered. They said that the “Hapag ng Pag-Asa” painting was theologically incorrect. The painter answered them by saying that it doesn’t matter whether we are looking at Christ or not. He is still there for all of us, willingly and openly embracing each and everyone with His unending love.

Then I remember this song…

Iniibig kita
Hangad

Hindi ka kailangang magbago
Kahit ito’y mas ibig ko.
Hindi ka kailangang magsikap ng husto
Upang ika’y ibigin ko.

Iniibig kita,
manalig ka sana
Ako’y kapiling mo
Kahit ikaw pa ma’y mapalayo.

It’s so nice to write again.

Love unfailing and a birthday wish

2007-06-25T21:52:00.000+08:00

I do not have anything special in mind right now. I mean I usually gather/make memories every weekend to sustain me through the week. Meaning, baon ko yung good memories that I gathered every weekend to get me through a week’s worth of work and to shield me from any other unfortunate events.

We just had our CLP’s Talk 9 – Baptism of the Holy Spirit last Saturday night and I assisted Joy in praying for the participants. I felt recharged. Sabi nga si Arlene yesterday, “Naka drugs ka ba?” kasi I was (and still am) super hyper. I am not exactly happy, I just cried my heart out to the Him last night during our 10 o’clock prayer, and yet I am fully aware of the love that is enveloping me now.

Next Sunday would be my mom’s birthday. At ngayon pa lang, I am praying na for a peaceful and happy birthday for her. Two years ago, she had her worst birthday. She found out about my father’s relationship with another woman. I know how broken hearted she was then. Kaya last year, I really prayed hard for her to have a really happy birthday. I think she got it naman. I accompanied them (my mama and papa) to Los banos to attend the morning mass and then we ate breakfast at McDo. I really really hope that this year would be a better one for her. Sana walang may toyo at mag-tantrums. I am keeping my fingers cross.

Starting yet again

2007-06-21T20:00:00.000+08:00

I started last Monday to what I consider as my 5th job since I graduated from college. From the very ideal work in one of the agencies under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), I transferred to the private sector to be part of the country’s no. 1 bank’s foundation.

My first day was ok. I expected it to be that way. Orientation and filling out of probably a dozen or so forms. They were all fine with me. Second day, I had to ask my partner in the unit that I am in for work because I have nothing to do. Third day, I asked him for ANY work that he's willing to give me. Pinatulan ko pati yung filing and organizing of forms. I was SO BORED. My God! Sa NAST mamatay-matay na ako sa dami ng trabaho and yet here, wala akong ginagawa! I have to beg people pa to give me work. I sent a text message to Ms. Cha containing this message: “Sayang ang pinasusuweldo nila sa akin”. :( I mean this excludes the fact that I do not have an internet connection and that my computer does not have a drive D (CD ROM) and that it cannot read a memory stick because the USB ports are not working. They are all fine with me; I took those things positively because I was thinking now is a new beginning. I can focus on doing my work really well because I really really want to prove that I am a good worker - not only to my co workers but also to myself. My attitude towards work and self esteem went from super high to super low while under the supervision of my previous boss – one of the reasons why I had to let go of the previous job.

Sad? yes, but at the same time relieved.

People here are a bit more “professional” not only in looks but also in their attitude towards their co workers. Of course, I am still in the “politeness stage” since I am new. But I hope and pray that it will continue for a very long time.

Anyways, I am writing this entry to kill time. Yup people, I am killing my time here because I still have nothing to do. And it’s only 10:58 am. There are still a lot of hours to go before 5:30pm.

~~~

I went to UP Diliman last Saturday with a friend. He wanted to buy a copy of the Gary Granada’s CD on Hierarchical Selection. I usually don’t go out with new acquaintances either male or female kasi I am scared na baka wala kaming mapag-usapan. Yet from the time he fetched me from my house at around 11:30am up to the time we separated (around 6:30pm) we were talking non stop. :) Nakakatuwa. Unfortunately the CD we were looking for was not available. We went to PAWB instead to see the caged wild animals and to take pictures. I toured him around kasi nga PAWB was one of the places we visited last April 30, 2007 during the S&T museum tour for the teachers.

After we spent hours taking pictures, I accompanied him to the mall to buy a memory stick. After that we talked for about an hour more and then I went home to Laguna. Super late na kasi. My parents were expecting me to be home at around 3pm. I told them I’ll be early. Kaya lang, how can I refuse a good company? Minsan lang kasi ito eh. After we parted I received a text message from him, he said thanks daw and that he had a great time daw. Oh well, ako din naman. :)

Nakakatuwa! I am breathing life into my social life. Naks! :)

~~~

I have a scheduled Museum Tour (Again! Yey!) on Saturday.

Ms. Cha told me that NS Vergara’s asking if I am still willing to present my video (institutional PSHC Video) to Teachers and Tour Guides.

My answer? OF COURSE! With pleasure and with all my heart Sir! :) Yey!

~~~

Update on Carlo

He is now growing his hair. Sobrang ikli pa rin pero at least maitim na. kasi before kitang-kita talaga yung whiteness ng scalp niya, super puti. And last week only, I was teaching him the actions of Twinkle Twinkle (Little Star). Nagkataon I have an mP3 of the said song pero instrumental. Nung ipinakinig ko sa kanya, nagaaction pa rin! Hay… I like that baby boy. Meron siyang inclination sa music (walang kokontra, this is my blog and he is my favorite cousin! :)

~~~

4:01pm – hay, thank God!!! Hindi ba halatang wala kaong ginagawa? :D

~~~

4 minutes to go before mag 5:30! Yeyeyeyeyeyeyeyey!

~~~

5:34pm babay!!!!

Wait

2007-06-07T19:22:00.000+08:00

Hay... hay... hay.

Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Psalm 27:14

I can let go now

2007-06-06T11:43:00.000+08:00

Hindi ko pa nakukuwento but I was invited by my “inaanak” to see him and his family the other week. I declined. In as much as I wanted to see him, I cannot allow myself to be close to his family again. I just can’t. I’m ok now. I feel lighter now and I do not want to be burdened again with any ill feelings from the past.

I Can Let Go Now
Alison Krauss

It was so right
It was so wrong
Almost at the same time
The pain and ache
A heart can take
No one really knows
But when the memories cling and take you there
Till you no longer care
You can let go now

It's not right for me
To cling to you
Somehow I just needed time
From what was to be
It's not like me
To hold somebody down
But I was tossed high by love
Almost never came down
Only to land
Where no love is found
And I'm no longer bound
I can let go now

~~~

If someone hurts you repeatedly, you are commanded by God to forgive them instantly, but you are not expected to trust them immediately, and you are not expected to continue allowing them to hurt you.

Purpose driven life p. 143

Gilmore Girls - again

2007-06-05T17:10:00.000+08:00

2.05 - Nick & Nora, Sid & Nancy

JESS: So what are you doing now?
RORY: I have some homework to finish.
JESS: Okay, then I'll leave you this last little trick. [hands her a book]
RORY: You bought a copy? I told you I'd lend you mine.
JESS: It is yours.
RORY: You stole my book.
JESS: Nope, borrowed it.
RORY: Okay, that's not called a trick, that's called a felony.
JESS: I just wanted to put some notes in the margins for you.
RORY: What? [looks through the book] You've read this before.
JESS: About forty times.
RORY: I thought you said you didn't read much.
JESS: Well, what is much? Goodnight Rory.

Transcript from: TWIZ TV - Gilmore Girls

Wish i'd meet someone like Jess :)

~~~

More pictures from the Gilmore Girls:

Proposing with a thousand Daisies

Luke and Lorelei under the "wedding" chuppah :)

Pilgrim's Theme

2007-05-15T12:45:00.000+08:00

Bukas Palad

Tired of weaving dreams too loose for me to wear
Tired of watching clouds repeat their dance on air
Tired of getting tired of doing what's required
Is life a mere routine in the greater scheme of things

Through with taking roads someone else designed
Through with chasing stars that soon forget to shine
Through with going through one more day - what's new
Does my life still mean a thing in the greater scheme of things

REFRAIN 1:
I think I'll follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
I hope to find my place
So my life can fall in place
I know in time I'll find my place
In the greater scheme of things

Each must go his way, but how can I decide
Which path I should take, who will be my guide
I need some kind of star to lead me somewhere far
To find a higher dream in the greater scheme of things

The road before me bends, I don't know what I'll find
Will I meet a friend or ghosts I left behind
Should I even be surprised that You're with me in disguise
For it's Your hand I have seen in the greater scheme of things (REFRAIN 1)

BRIDGE:
For Yours is the voice in my deepest dreams
You are the heart, the very heart
Of the greater scheme of things (REFRAIN 1)

REFRAIN 2:
Why don't we follow the voice that calls within
Dance to the silent song it sings
One day we'll find our place
For all things fall in place
For all things have a place
In the greater scheme of things

~~~

I am going to tender my resignation letter today at 4pm and will be leaving NAST after a month. :( Sadness. I will miss DOST so much. Deep sigh…

Field trip - 2

2007-05-13T14:30:00.000+08:00

I know visitors are not permitted to take pictures inside museums but since they wanted to promote their museums to teachers, they allowed us to take some. Kaya super thankful ako. I will surely treasure them.

UST Museum

Museong Pambata

National Museum

Orchidarium
Someone from the group made me one of his subjects kaya may pictures din ako. :) yey!

Dear Crush

2007-05-02T08:13:00.000+08:00

Hi! I haven’t seen you for almost a week now. How are you? I hope you’re ok. I just wanted to thank you (and your mom) for making me feel beautiful for the past few months now. I was wondering two weeks ago when this will end. I guess now is the right time to put a stop to this temporary madness. But I thank you for making me feel alive again. Even for just a moment. We’re so much alike. From what I’ve learned from you (through casual conversation) we are both in love with the traditions of our culture and our religion. We both like learning new things - you are the teacher and I am the student. I like learning new things from you. It’s just so nice to know that for once in my life, I met somebody who’s in love with what I love. Pati nga sa flavor ng biscuits pareho tayo ng gusto. But I guess I’ve been sending wrong signals. Am I really sending you wrong signals? Am I really pushing you away? Probably. But maybe you just don’t like me enough. As plain as that. I don’t know. All I know is that I like you. Dito ko na lang sinusulat. I will never have the guts to say these things to you. I don’t know if you’ll ever read this. I hope not. When I reviewed my list, you qualified and were able to meet at least 80% of my standards. Funny you thought of them as too high. Anyway, it’s done. I’ll just do what I always do. I’ll be my usual self. I’ll be quiet and aloof. I’m good at it you know. Ganun yata talaga. I probably haven’t met “him” yet. I’ll wait as I’m waiting for the past two years now. I just pray to God to always give me hope. Katulad din ng pinagdadasal mo. Sana din mameet ko na siya. I’ve been waiting for him for so long now. I hope he’ll love me enough to like me. I hope… Yun lang po. Mwah.

Vote AGHAM!

2007-04-27T17:16:00.000+08:00

Email Subject: COUNTRY'S INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SCIENTISTS FORM PARTY LIST

TO ALL INTELLIGENT VOTERS:

After long years of freedom curtailment under martial law, the authors of our present constitution must have been so obsessed then in looking for new ways that would strengthen our new democracy. The idea of including the party list system in the country’s electoral process is a solid proof of this obsession! The rationale of the party list system is that there are sectors, which badly need representation in congress so that bills that should directly benefit them could be crafted and eventually passed into laws. But since these sectors do not have a fighting chance against the well-oiled political machinery of the dominant political parties, the constitution provides that they may form their parties. They shall then apply for accreditation by the Commission on Elections. If they meet the required qualifications of a party list, they are accredited and allowed to campaign. If their parties get the required number of votes, their nominees will then become congressmen.

In its early years of implementation, the Filipinos were so excited about it that almost all sectors want to be accredited: from the war veterans, to the farmers, to the women, to the youth and even to hold your breath, an anti drug group named MAD for Mamamayang Ayaw sa Droga! In fact, actor Richard Gomez who claimed to be a nominee of MAD almost became the Honorable Congressman Richard Gomez!

For the coming May 14 elections, the latest sector to throw their political hat into the political ring via the party list system are the top national scientists with no less than former University of the Philippines System President Dr. Emil Q. Javier as its National President. The scientists call their party as AGHAM or Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan, Inc.

Agham’s flyer says that it is a national sectoral organization of Filipino science workers most of whom are field and laboratory research assistants, technicians and laborers, as well as science and mathematics teachers, extension agents, engineers, inventors, health professionals, and science media practitioners and otherwise ordinary Filipino citizens who strongly advocate a science and technology-explicit national development agenda. It is a non-stock, non-profit corporation registered with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and is accredited by the COMELEC in the party list.

The entry of the real top caliber scientists (its nominees are awardees of numerous prestigious international and local recognition for their achievements in their specific field of science and technology) in the political system is perhaps the best thing that ever happen in the country’s political processes.

AGHAM’s nominees are no doubt among the best minds that this country has ever produced: First nominee is Dr. Emil Q. Javier, former UP System President, former UP at Los Banos Chancellor and current President of the National Academy of Science and Technology. The second nominee is a muslim brother – Saeed A. Daof, who is a peace advocate and currently the Director of the Center for the Promotion of Peace and Development in Mindanao . The third nominee is Dr. Angel Alcala – former Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and former President of Silliman University.

With AGHAM’s offer to serve the country, here is a wish that the Filipino voters would not miss this rare opportunity of sending the nominees of the most qualified party list to congress. As the country tides over the 21st century beset with scientific issues (issues such as global warming, computer-hacking, genetic engineering, etc…) we need AGHAM nominees in Congress to take the lead in drafting legislative measures that would scientifically address the issues!

Field trip

2007-04-25T17:53:00.000+08:00

I went on a field trip last Monday.

Actually it’s the Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) – Sub-Committee on Science and Technology (S&T) Museums, and the Department of Tourism for the NCR.

Last week, NS Vergara asked me to present the Philippine Science Heritage Center or the SALINLAHI’s institutional video to the teachers who will attend the program. I produced the said video as a final requirement for my DevC 207 course and NS Vergara said that it could be used to market the museum to the different schools in the country. There are still revisions to be made in the video but since I do not have the time yet, I presented it to the teachers. It went ok naman.

Anyway, we visited seven museums. Ang saya noh?! Seven museums! :) imagine! Super saya!

Doll Museum, Marikina

Shoes Museum, Marikina

World of Butterflies, Marikina

Shoe Gallery, Marikina

Philippine Science Centrum, Marikina

Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife, Quezon City

See this? I would rather hold a snake than a caterpillar. :) di kaya ng heart ko.

Grabe! It was so fun! Para akong elementary student. Super amazed. Next Monday meron ulit! Can’t wait! :)

When we need love the most

2007-04-25T13:08:00.000+08:00

Author unknown

A university instructor posed a riddle to her graduate education class. "What has four legs and leaves?" she asked, hoping the students would realize that by considering alternative meanings to the words "legs" and "leaves" that they could arrive at the solution -- a table. However, one woman unexpectedly answered, "My last two boyfriends." Maybe you can relate.

People will leave relationships for any number of reasons and sometimes they should, for not every friendship has a healthy future. Some well-intentioned people come together in heat and passion and all that is left of the union when the fire goes out is a pile of ashes. Others bring along so many destructive problems and behaviors that a happy relationship has no chance of long-term survival.

But what about when friends, lovers or family bolt from the relationship at just the wrong time? After all, those we want to love are not always "lovable" or easy to get along with! Is a temporary lapse into craziness reason enough to run?

Author John Gray sometimes tells about a young mother who asked her visiting brother to get her some pain pills. He forgot and, when her husband returned home, she was upset and in pain -- more than a bit crazy. He experienced her anger as a personal assault and exploded in defense. They exchanged harsh words and he headed for the door.

His wife said, "Stop, don't leave. This is when I need you the most! I'm in pain. I've had no sleep. Please listen. You are a fair-weather friend. If I'm sweet, you're okay; but if I'm not, out you go!" And then tearfully, and more subdued, she said, "I'm in pain. I have nothing to give. Please hold me. Don't speak...just hold me." He held her and neither spoke -- until she thanked him for being there.

It is easy to love those who are at their best. But it is during those times we are unlovable that we may need love the most. And what a beautiful thing when we get it. And even more beautiful when we find the grace to give it.

~~~

I've wanted to share this article for the longest time. Tapos it slipped my mind, tapos nawala, tapos nakita ko ulit kaya po ngayon ko lang nai-post. :)

Let me focus on the last three paragraphs – on the availability of a person to respond to the need of another person.

I've read it somewhere that the best gift anyone can give is his/her gift of time. When a person loves somebody he/she would be available for that person no matter what. It is making time when there is none. Making oneself available, or the thought of "just being there," may not only mean that you will always be there for him/her physically. A listening ear or even a warm hug, for example, can mean so much to someone who is in need. It can be a very good expression of love.

Fr. Elpi, during last Sunday's 8am mass, mentioned that one of his parishioners shared her problems with him. Due to the weight of the problem, he did not and could not say anything. He just kept quiet. In the end, the woman thanked her for listening, for just being there.

Sometimes we just need to be assured that we are not alone in this world and that somehow there is somebody who will be there for us whenever we need them the most. Especially whenever we are in our most unlovable state.

I seek you for I thirst

2007-04-19T12:45:00.000+08:00

Bukas Palad

Though many times I run from you in shame
I lift my hands and call upon Your name
For underneath the shadow of Your wings
My melody is You

Oh Lord I seek You for I thirst
Your mercy is the rain on the desert of my soul

Oh Lord I raise my lifeless eyes
And see Your glory shine, how your kindness overflows (refrain)

Oh Lord Your sanctuary calls
I yearn to be with You in the rivers of Your love (refrain)

~~~

with National Scientist Benito S. Vergara

My other parents

2007-04-16T14:38:00.000+08:00

I am going to write about my family now.

My mother has four brothers and one sister. Being the eldest cousin, I have been fortunate enough to remember and experience their caring and their love for as long as I can remember.

Ninong was the one who took care of me during my first two years. According to his wife, I was always with him when he was courting her. He was the one who taught me how to add when I was 4 years old. He has seven kids, Jeff, Jeric, Jena, Junjun, Jaica, Jay-anne and Jester. Jeff and Jena grew up with Inay. We’re like brothers and sisters. Since Jeric and Jena were called early home by God Ninong and Ninang only have five to take care of. Jep is now mature enough to work abroad. He went home last month to attend his sister’s funeral. I miss him so much.

Tito Ding was the one who always brought us bread. He was a baker. When we were small, he would prepare special bread for us - one that was extra small or extra big, depending on his nephews’ and nieces’ wish. He would always bring us cheese. Kaya super favorite ko ang cheese. He now has two boys, Patrick and Jomel. He would always tease the youngest kid around – nowadays it’s Maemae’s and Troy’s turn. In a year or two, it would probably be Carlo’s turn to be teased. Last Saturday he asked me to accompany him to buy PC. I went with them siyempre, besides the I have nothing to do naman. When I got back from Megamall, I texted them (mama, papa and him) the same same message so may “love you”. Nakakatuwa kasi he replied with “ingat ka, kumain na ng dinner, lab u 2.”

Tito Joel was the one who took care of us during our early years until grade two. My mama and papa were staying in Manila during weekdays and would only see my brother and I during weekends. He was the one who would bring me to and fetch me from school, the one who would always make sure that we would study our lessons well. He has two kids. Maryel and Rafael Troy (a.k.a. ang pinaka-mabait kong inaanak). Super caring pa rin until now. He and his wife gladly scrutinized my first boyfriend up to the last detail. He and my Papa get along pretty well. They were the “makakakampi” among mama’s siblings.

Tita Luz or Taluts, as I fondly call her, was my mother’s only sister. She took over Tito Joel’s job of taking care of us when he got married. She was the mother of us all. As in! We would often say, “lahat ng apo ni Inay, dumaan sa kanyang pangangalaga.” From Grade 3 up to 4th year high school, she would bring us food during lunchtime, protect us from bullies and reserve seats for us in our school service. Siguro nga, kung hindi ako lumipat ng school ng college, she would still change our “sapin sa likod” during lunch time and would still fight the fight for us. Super protective and super mag-alaga! I consider myself lucky for being her niece. She would probably not like me if I’m not her relative. I just know. I think I am her favorite. She has two boys, Gello and Carlo (our youngest). I pity the women whom her kids would love and marry (haha!). Lagot sila kay Taluts :).

Then, there’s Tito Dan. He was the one who taught me the alphabet, the one who taught me to add and subtract numbers beyond number four. When my brother and I were kids, we would wait for him to come home hoping that he would bring us pasalubong. We would lock him outside when he doesn’t have any (hehe! salbahe noh? :). When I was a kid he was my favorite. He would bring me stationeries and bracelets and pins (brooch type) and rainbow cakes. I just realized now, that the reason why his middle daughter, Maemae favored him over anybody else (and vise versa) was because Tito Dan has always been super sweet to little girls. His eldest daughter, Danna ceased to be showy in her sweetness probably because she’s in her adolescence na. However, I could still hear her say “Papa, basa na ang likod mo, pupunasan ko,” every now and then. He has three kids. Daniel Troy, the youngest is still super sweet kahit na boy siya – manang mana sa Papa niya.

Anyway, I am just sharing this because I want the world to know how great and how kind my aunt and uncles are. They are part of who I am now and who I am going to be in the future.

Holy week activites

2007-04-12T17:02:00.000+08:00

April 5
Maundy Thursday
Bisita Iglesia
with SFC Bicutan

~~~

April 6
Good Friday
Watched the Procession
With Mama and Papa, Inay, Carlo and JepJep

~~~

April 7
Saturday
Sampalok Lake

I went jogging at Sampalok Lake with Boy, Danna, Gian and Mama. Stayed at San Pablo the whole day and played with Carlo.

~~~

April 8
Easter Sunday
Dolores, Quezon

The whole family along with Inay, Jep, Danna and Boy went to Dolores to attend the 7:00am Easter Mass.

~~~

Crush took this shot :)

Jesus' redeeming love

2007-04-04T13:45:00.000+08:00

Redeeming Love

Refrain:
I come boldly, trusting only
Your redeeming love
Flowing freely, from your side now,
Your atoning blood.
Like a river, like a fountain,
Like a cleansing flood.
I pour out my worship to you
For your redeeming love.

V1:
My glory in your cross of shame and suffering
My glory what the world disdains as nothing
I will glory in such foolishness
I will glory for its nothing else
Than your wisdom and your awesome power my God

(Repeat Refrain)

V2:
My glory in your deep humiliation
You found me and you crowned me with salvation
I will glory all my sin and guilt
Has been covered by the blood you spilt
And now I'm living in your resurrection and light.

(Repeat Refrain)

Palm Sunday in Bicutan

2007-04-02T12:40:00.000+08:00

Taken during the 10:00am mass at the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City

Hay...

2007-04-02T08:07:00.000+08:00

May crush ako.
He’s making my heart jump and grasp at the same time.
Hay… And I can’t do anything about it.
Parang akong high school! Sheeeeeeeeet!

Crush ko na yun dati kaya lang,
I immediately brushed off the feeling.
Hindi ako sanay. He is way beyond me.
And he is strict din. Feeling ko lang.

Basta, kasi when he talks he knows what he’s talking about. Confident eh.
Tapos, he also has this personal relationship with God.
I have a feeling that we talk and relate with Him in the same manner.
Plus his mom has a great taste. :)

Anyway, I’ll see him later. We have a meeting. Yey! Me excited na!

Just writing it down to get it out of my system
I have been doing that since Wednesday last week – getting him out of my system.
Failing and failing still.

Hay…

Oh my God! I’m babbling!

I Know Him By Heart

2007-03-29T15:59:00.001+08:00

Vonda Shepard
Paul williams and Jon Vezner

Theres a secret path I follow
To a place no one can find
Where I meet my perfect someone
I've kept hidden in my mind
Where my heart makes my decisions
till my dream becomes a vision
And the love I feel
Makes him real someday

Cause I know he's out there somewhere
Just beyond my reach
Though I've never really touched him
Or ever heard him speak
Though we've never been together
We've never been apart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart

Am I living an illusion?
Wanting something I can't see
If I compromise, I'd be living lies
Pretending he's not meant to be
Cause I know my hearts worth saving
And I know that he'll be waiting
So I'll hold on and I'll stay strong till then

Cause I know he's out there somewhere
Just beyond my reach
Though I've never really touched him
Or ever heard him speak
Though we've never been together
We've never been apart

No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart

Farewell

2007-03-26T10:45:00.000+08:00

Dear Jena,

I have so many things to say but I haven’t had the time to fix my thoughts yet. So kwentuhan na lang kita, even though I know that you know what has been going on since last week.

They asked me to give a simple eulogy on behalf of your Ina and Ama. Your brother, Jeric, was given a beautiful and touching funeral and we, your cousins, also want you to have one. Marielle bought half of those balloons. She was probably hoping that you would see how beautiful they were up there. Rafael Troy, my inaanak, was scolding Daniel Troy for not “properly” taking care of you (they were both 8 years old). Jayjay, Gian, Patrick and Boy stayed up late for several nights just to sit beside you. Gello, Mae-mae and Dana begged their parents to let them miss classes to be with you and many others. You know how our family copes during time of crisis.

After expressing gratitude to those who came to give their sympathies and prayers, I told them a little something about you. I told them about your preference for beautiful things. Although it came as no surprise since you were also a beauty yourself.

I told them about our discussion during one of your chemo sessions. The one where you said, “Ate, siguro may dahilan ang Diyos kung bakit ako may sakit ng ganito, ano?” You didn’t know how surprised I was when I heard that from you. I wasn’t used to discussing God’s plan with any of our cousins least alone with you. Well, at least not yet, until you made that statement.

I have always believed that God made us for a reason. I am glad that before you left, you became aware that God has this wonderful plan for each and every one of us. In a way, I envy you. You have already fulfilled your purpose and you have done it with flying colors. Samantalang ako, I am still looking for my purpose. Still wondering why God made me.

Sabi nga nila, mourning is for the living. We mourn for ourselves. We mourn because we will not be seeing you for quite a while. We mourn because we will miss you so much. On the other hand, I am very happy for you. I know how you love life but wherever you are right now, I am sure you’re happier because you’re already home.

We thank God because he has given us the chance to know and be with you during your stay here on earth. I know you are up there somewhere watching over us. Please hug Lolo Ciano and Jeric for us. Au revoir. We love you so much. See you in our dreams.

Love,

Ate

Dear Jena

2007-03-14T08:02:00.000+08:00

Hi. I do not want to ask you how you are doing right now simply because I know that you’re not fine. I don’t know if you are aware but your ate is a coward. Since our talk last December, after I got out of the hospital, I know that your health is deteriorating. I cannot bear witnessing that because I have this image of you being a strong and healthy young lady. I know you since you were born. We grew up together. We may not have the same outlooks in life or follow the same fashion statement, but I know that we are closer than close.

I have always admired your guts, your will and your single mindedness. Alam mo ba yun? Minsan lang kitang nakitang umiyak before ka nagkasakit. Natatandaan mo ba yun? I’ll always remember that. Kasi dun ko nakita that you’re also human. Isang beses lang and I know that I couldn’t bear seeing more. Yet when you got sick, I have been a witness to a dozen more maybe. Inay and Taluts and your Ina have witnessed much more than that. I hope you understand that I am weak. You may have noticed that lately every time I see you, I shed tears. I cannot even look at you without crying. You do not know how much I hurt just seeing you in pain.

I have always asked God to give me healing hands. Para I can cure sick people. I don’t know if He has given me that though I’m still praying for it. I’ve always prayed for you to be healed completely. Now I’m loosing hope. I do not know what to ask God anymore. I am torn as to whether to pray for your complete healing or just pray for you to be with Him. Because I know that with Him, you will be free from all the pains you’re experiencing now. In the end I just prayed for His will to be done.

I miss you so so very much. Everytime I see young ladies who are so vibrant and cheerful, I remember you. I remember you in their smiles and in their girly features. I wish I could see you in that state again. The one where you are so knock-out fashionable and so mataray and so snobbish looking. I wouldn’t mind, promise. Because I know deep inside you have a super soft heart and a super sensitive nature. I wish we could talk and discuss again about anything under the sun – about our loves and crushes, about our other cousins who are so super malalandi (according to our and Taluts standards), about our family, and about our life. Anything.

I still pray for your complete healing. I don’t think I can stop praying for that. For whatever answer He will give us, always remember that I love you so much. So so much. We will always love you.

Love,

Ate