Grants RTD

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.

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Rosalindas of the Foundation

Me, Malou, Trish and Marge

The GEAPH Team

Khalid, Me, Aviec and Gloria

SFC Bicutan Upper Household Planning

Holy week activites

April 5
Maundy Thursday
Bisita Iglesia
with SFC Bicutan



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



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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.



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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.



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Crush took this shot :)

Newbie

One of the many goals of our community here in Bicutan is to train its members to be evangelizers. St. Magdalene of Canossa once said that we should make Christ known for Him to be loved. I was very eager and excited at the thought that I’d be able to share to other people all the wonderful things that God has given me. Unfortunately, I don’t think I am articulate and skilled enough to do such work. That was why I was so grateful when Ate Miles invited me to be part of the Formation/Education Team.

So last Monday, we had a meeting in preparation for the Wednesday N2D. Five of us were tasked to read something, make a reflection out of it and then share the reflection to the community. I got this:

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you strong,
enough sorrow to keep you human and
enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past;
you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying
and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life so that when you die,
you're the one who is smiling
and everyone around you is crying.

And I shared this:

One of the very distinct characteristics of being human is our being discontented with life. Lahat tayo ay may hiling, may mga dalangin at may mga inaasamasam sa buhay. May mga mabibigat na panalangin, katulad ng: “Panginoon, sana po pagalingin mo ang pinsan ko” at mayroon din naman magagaan katulad ng, “Lord, sana po makita ko ang crush ko”.

It would probably be safe to claim that each and every one of us has at least one wish everyday. Siguro lang. You can and you may correct me if I’m wrong. Nuong nagtalk si Kuya Shen about our relationship with God, mayroon siyang sinabi na gusto ng Diyos na tumawag tayo sa kanya. Siguro through our prayers and petitions, ipinapakita natin na tayo ay tao at siya ay ang ating Panginoong na makapangyarihan sa lahat.

Ngunit naitanong niyo na ba kung bakit lagi may kulang? Kung bakit lagi tayong naghahangad? Bakit may mga problema? Bakit nga ba?

One of the main reasons why God created us was for us to be with Him. Ang buhay natin dito sa lupa ay pansamantala lamang. Ito ay paghahanda para sa susunod nating buhay – ang mas permanente na kapiling siya. Kung sa buhay natin ngayon ay ibibigay na niya lahat, maaaring hindi na tayo maghangad na makapiling siya sa susunod na buhay. Maaring makuntento na tayo sa buhay na imperpekto.

Tayo ay patuloy na hinuhubog ng Diyos ayon sa kanyang nais, ayon sa kanyang plano at ayon sa kanyang pagmamahal. Hinihintay lang niyang sabihin nating “YES Lord! Go ahead Lord! Mold me according to your will and according to your wonderful promises!

And all shall be well. Thank you.

I never thought that I would be able to pull it through. I was so nervous! Grabe! But I did and it was a great experience. :)

December fever

December is almost over and I only have one entry. Grabe, how lousy could I get in keeping this blog? To make up for the unwritten ones, I’ll try to put a thing or two about what happened this month.

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December is my most favorite month because it houses a number of special occasions. But this year, it’s extra special. Last December 9, my Taluts gave birth to a very healthy cute baby boy. He was named, Carlo.

I’ve been around with kids a lot this year but having a newborn baby inside the house is something else. Seem like because of him, everybody’s calm and kind. Voices are not being raised because the baby might wake up if he’s sleeping or might cry if he is awake.

My first words when I saw him were, “ang liit-liit naman niya!”

It’s like Joey saying to baby Emma (daughter of Rachel), “She looks so real! Y’know what I mean! She’s this whole tiny little person.”

Here is his picture:

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Second, I am now a member of CFC Singles for Christ, Bicutan Unit. I graduated last December 11 at the Sto. Niño Parish Chapel. Not yet sure if it is really meant for me (and vise versa), but I’m here…waiting for something to happen. I think it’s good for me. It is slowly, bit by bit bandaging my broken soul. I still miss Lisieux though.

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Next is my birthday. I had a nice birthday, a peaceful one. Ok naman. I spent my night at home watching Friends and eating ice cream. Mama sent me a bilao of pansit sotanghon and a box of pichi-pichi. Arlene, on the other hand, wrote me this and gave me a mango ice cream cake. Of course I’ll never know if it’s really meant for me, because of the flavor, but just the same, it tasted great. :) I’m not yet done with the transcription of birthday greetings but I’ll post it the soonest.

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By the way, I forgot to mention December 8, Immaculate Conception - the day Mama Mary was conceived - without original sin. It was pointed out in one homily that she’s the first Christian, the first one who experienced the saving of the Christ. The homily that particular day focused not on the sexual pureness of Mary, as was yearly preached, but on the pureness of her heart in preparation for the coming of our Lord.

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Then, Ate Baby and Kuya Apol got married last Sunday, December 17 at Villa Escudero Plantation. I was one of the Bridesmaids :). I was being teased by a friend saying, “Always a bridesmaid, never the bride.”

“Oh well,” I said with a shrug and a smile. In my heart I know that sometimes it’s better to be this way than to be with the wrong one, di ba?



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Moving further to the topic of Christmas, I attempted (take note of the term) to complete the Simbang Gabi - again. Unfortunately, due to exhaustion and non-working cellphone alarm clock, I did not make it on the 2nd day pa lang. Hay... last year I also attempted to finish it, kaya lang on the last day I failed to wake up early. In short sa buong buhay ko, ndi ko pa nakukumpleto ang simbang gabi. Ever!

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BTW, I attended the SFC Christmas party last night. I had fun! :)