Changing Tides

Hello, 2012!

2012-01-03T17:10:00.000+08:00

I kissed 2011 goodbye with a grateful heart. It taught me a lot about courage, acceptance and trust. 2011 allowed me to welcome love again in my life. Now, as I begin with this new page of the book of my life, I cannot help but get giddy over what I'll write on each chapter.

Let me begin with this note:

Dear 2012,

Hello! I have a strong feeling that we'll make good experiences together. I am sure we'll welcome love, joy and adventure in greater portions. We'll meet new people, explore new places, overcome greater challenges, fulfill bigger dreams, and grow leaps higher. Let's make sure we'll fill each day with much laughter and fun! Help me become more of who I really am. :)

In case, life can be a little rough, please help me tough. Let me seek support from trusted and loving people. And when this people turn to be a little out of weather too, may I learn how to be patient and forgiving too. Guess, that's just how life is lived, right?

This year, let's take each other's hands and make it happen! I am just so excited! :)

Love,

Faith

hit that button (2011 playlist)

2011-12-31T23:58:00.010+08:00

My friend, Zeny, made a list of the songs that defined her 2011... which led me to this entry. I hope I make it before 2011 comes to a full close.

1) A Little Too Much by Natasha Bedingfield (OST, Something Borrowed)

2) Gravity by Sara Bareilles

3) Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson

4) Turning Tables by Adele

5) Terrified by Katherine McPhee ft. Zachary Levi

6) Time of My Life

7) Beautiful Mess by Jason Mraz

8) Strong Enough by Kina Grannis

9) Rocketeer by Far East Movement

10) Like A Star by Corrine Bailey Rae

11) One Hello by Freestyle

12) Firework by Katy Perry

13) Superbass by Nickiminaj

14) World's Greatest by R. Kelly

15) Tadhana by Up Dharma Down

16) Torpe by Barbie Almalbis

17) White Horse by Taylor Swift

18) Fix You by Coldplay

19) Stay Beautiful by Taylor Swift

20) Halo by Lotte Kestner

21) Science and Faith by The Script

22) When Love And Hate Collide by Def Leppard ft. Taylor Swift

23) Lullaby For A Stormy Night by Vienna Teng

24) Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin by Juris (Original by Ariel Rivera)

Hell to the Chief (Another soap opera of real life)

2011-12-14T17:42:00.002+08:00

In just three days, the political landscape of the Philippines was changed drastically--and dramatically, at that.

On Monday, 12 December 2011, the House of Representatives with a vote 1/3 of its total members or 188 Congressmen impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona. The Articles of Impeachment contain grounds involving betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution and graft and corruption. It likewise specifically cites his “undue closeness” to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. CJ Corona was the third to be impeached in Philippine History following Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and former President Joseph Estrada. It was the first, however, to be submitted within six hours. This impeachment was rather surprising for most Filipinos considering that legal processes appear to be slow.

The following day, Tuesday, 13 December 2011, the Senate received the Articles of Impeachment. Under the Constitution, the Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment.

Today, 14 September 2011, Wednesday, the RTC judges in the National Capital Region declared a court holiday in support of the impeached Chief Justice. The judges and court personnel convened to show numbers and extend warm support to the head of the Judiciary. At two o'clock in the afternoon, CJ Corona delivered his speech before a black-clad audience in front of the Supreme Court building in Padre Faura in Manila. He spoke sternly against President Noynoy Aquino and pointed to him as the mastermind of all these attacks. He stressed that the impeachment complaint was an attack not only to his person but most importantly to the judiciary as a whole. In a few hours after he delivered his speech, the Senators in their red robes convened as an impeachment court and resolved to convene again in January to try the Chief Justice.

I guess the next few days will turn out to be more exciting other than because of Christmas.

On a personal note, I would like to remain neutral, although not necessarily apathetic regarding this matter. As a bar hopeful, I am concerned that the institution to which I will soon belong with is under attack much less its symbolic head. What I am more interested, though, is how this will affect the whole political scenario. Will the Chief Justice be impeached? How will the Senators decide on this? Will we ever finally impeach a public official with its trial seen through its end? Will the supremacy of the rule of law be upheld? On the other end, is the current president turning out to be a scheming dictator? Are we forsaking democracy?

These are the more pressing questions running in my head at this point...and I am seriously excited to see how the answers will unfold.

In this political boxing, I wish that in the end the Rule of Law and the common good will win. If this is a desperate move on the part of the President to remove the Arroyo-appointees, we do not really know. What I know, however, is that the impeachment was rushed and a little bit procedurally infirm, Although, these procedures are not specifically mandated by the Constitution, perhaps, we'll get away with that. :)

I also wish to see a more learned and mature Philippines--that includes both the government and the people. If it will be necessary, I hope there is a time machine that will transport us back to olden days and review the lessons of our bitter past.

As we say it in Tagalog, "Abangan nalang natin ang susunod na kabanata..." (Let's see what happens next). See, we've got another soap opera to watch... :)

what to do in 2012

2011-12-12T14:20:00.002+08:00

I will be sharing a secret here.

Every year in between Christmas and New Year, I do a sort of personal retreat. After the Christmas rush and just before the fireworks explode, I enjoy the lull of the cool silence. I look back through the year that was, thank God for the blessings, identify my mistakes, figure out how to work on them, and write down the things I want to do the following year. It's a fun exercise and somehow I feel this keeps me moving forward and growing.

This year, I kinda worked on this earlier. My friends and I started to look at our life and be thankful for the things we accomplished and received as early as 24 November, Thanksgiving Day. :) Yes, Thanksgiving isn't a Filipino tradition, but we just thought it would be fun to celebrate it anyway. (Seriously, we're just looking for reasons to be together...and eat! Hahaha!) At the same time we also wrote down the things we want to happen in our lives for the next year. It was just about creating the energy and excitement for the new year and also come up with concrete actions on how to make them happen .

Next year, I decided I will work on loving myself more and earning more money. I figured that it's time that I start building a new phase of my life as an adult. Besides, 2012 will surely be the turning point of my professional life. I am just so excited to do the things that I really wanted to do but I am just keeping at bay. NOW is the year to make them come true! Yiiiii! This is really going to be a blast!

________________

I found this article on creativity by Alessandra Lanot from her blog Life After Breakfast. She shared a list which can help identify the things you're passionate about and maybe help us discover your life path/direction. Here it is:

1) I really enjoy... (list 15 things)

2) I am very good at... (list 15 things)

3) I am very interested in... (list 5 things)

4) I don't do it much, but I like to... (list 5 things)

5) When I was a child, I wanted to be... (list 3 things)

6) If it weren't too late, I would... (list 3 things)

7) If money were not an object, I would... (list 5 things)

8) If my parents wouldn't object, I would... (list 5 things)

9) These are the people I admire... (list 3 names)

10) These are the people I secretly admire... (list 3 names)

11) The world is in need of more... (list 5 things)

12) I think God wants me to be... (list 2 things)

And while you're at it, make this last list:

The 10 Things You Accomplished This Year

I will work on it too and maybe I can post my answers. :) Hope you'll come up with your own things to do! :) Have a productive and purposeful life, everyone! :)

the people of my 2011

2011-12-08T01:58:00.007+08:00

This is the second year I will create this list of people who spiced up my year. As I got my pen and paper to draw see who these exceptional people are, I realized how blessed I am to have met, experienced, influenced, moved and be loved by as many. To start of...

Kathleen Madula

Kath and I have been friends for almost 10 years now. At the beginning of the year, however, we were given the chance to get to know each other better. Thanks to the proximity of our offices, we get to hang out more often this year. Kath or Bunso, as I would fondly call her, would be my constant chat mate at the beginning of the year. I admire Bunso for her love for life and adventure. She's ever dependable and independent also. :) I miss this girl a lot especially now that she'll be working in a different city already.

SCA Lawyers

I have always prayed to be part of an excellent but fun law firm. Thank God I became part of SCA Law. These people are the ones who unquestioningly supported me during the time that I did not make it to the Bar. They are my inspiration. I hope this time, I make them proud. :)

Cecille, Mia and Denise Rebollos

I am so inspired of how these three sisters have fostered good friendship, worked in synergy and just enjoyed each other's uniqueness. They are pictures of love, beauty and character--same yet different.

Cecille is the eldest of them three--a carefree spirit who commands respect in a very cool and fun way. She is definitely an icon of power and passion. Her red hair is an understatement. Mia, the second, is a mother of three kids and a very loving and supportive wife to her husband. She must be described as gentleness, vulnerability and grace. She draws people to her effortlessly. Whenever you are with her, you just let your walls fall down and you'll enjoy yourself as much as she makes you feel how she enjoys your presence. Denise, the youngest of them three, is love in action. If love is service, that is her. Denise will not settle of anything less than "Pwede na!" but she'll work her way to excellence--whether it be work or relationships. The moment, she considers you as her friend, bank on it! She'll love you till both of you shall live...or beyond.

The common denominator: They just be. They live their persons and they inspire others to do just the same. ;)

Nancy Sia

She lives life with the mantra: My love creates miracles...and she does. Coach Nancy was more than a life coach to me. She like a mother who instead of carrying me in her womb, carried me in her big heart until the time of awakening. She cared, guided and supported me. Although I saw her as a tough lover, she let me experience her gentleness which in turn allowed me to open up and taught me to love once again. She was a very loyal friend who will always protect you from anything that might harm you. I am just to blessed to have met her and I am sure we'll carry on a very meaningful friendship in the years to come.

Power Voice

These six people changed the way I loved. Our relationship was unconventional. For around seventy days, we all journeyed together as we re-discover our persons. Fyne, Merce, Lit, Pam, Tito Bobet and Coach Nancy completed my council during my LEAP journey. It was a challenging council in the beginning since half of it were deaf-mutes. But at the end of it, I know I am so blessed to be part of this group.

They challenged, stretched and nurtured me. They served as my mirrors and reflected who I am, my relationships and my dreams. They all showed love in different faces. Fyne taught me gentleness and care; Merce taught me responsibility and fun; Lit showed me vulnerability and strength; Pam exuded passion and gratitude; Tito Bobet taught me how to trust and give second chances and of course, Coach Nancy sparked miracles through her love. For the six of you, I will forever be grateful. :)

Audee Villaraza and Kristel Tiangco

In their relationship, I am the third wheel! That's what I always tell them. My friendship with Audee and Kristel started from being mere acquaintances to movie-buddies. For several times this year, they have been my refuge to escape the tortures of work and review. :) Our favorite: Horror movies. Haha! More than that, I am so grateful to have shared a friendship with these two very loving people. To more movie dates, friends! :)

Time Of My Life (TOML) LEAP Team 49

53 students, 9 coaches, 1 head coach, 7 facilitators, 1 love. LEAP Team 49 surely lived the Time of Our Lives as we journeyed for 10 weeks realizing and owning our greatness. I am so grateful to each soul that I have met in this team. You have led me to love and trust myself and ultimately share that to others. Thank you for helping me see my blind spots and supporting me to correct them. Thank you for cheering me on as I went through every challenge for the past months. I am so grateful to have true and vulnerable friends in you. May we share a lifetime of greatness together. From the bottom of my lovingly bitchy heart, I am so grateful for each of you. ♥

Julian Lancelot Caius

Finally, a baby in our family! Juju is my brother's first born. I have always felt happy for my friends' kids, but I never knew that having a baby in your family brings much more joy.

...and it all started here

2011-11-21T09:07:00.001+08:00

I was going through my blog and wondered how long has it been existing. So, I went to my very first entry: 25 January 2005.

I cannot remember why I started blogging. If my memory serves me right, I guess this was the time that I started reading blogs by different people. Dating it back, I was in second year law school then. Then it started. My blog was initially a "secret" get away for me. A place where I can dump all my thoughts--and the things I want to say but just cannot say out loud. For almost seven years of typing them all away, I guess, I have shared a great deal of myself in the cyberspace. Although I know I should have written more. :)

With more than 200+ entries already, I know I can write more. :) And I hope to be more vulnerable next time. Hehe.

daddy said

2011-11-17T09:53:00.003+08:00

On my 18th birthday my daddy gave me a letter and he said "You are the architect of your life." That sounded very vague at that time. Seriously, architect? How? My young mind, of course, thought that I "design" my life. But I guess that was too technical for me. Too mannish. I did not fully appreciate the depth of what he meant. Guess, the lines and measurements that I saw in my head made it feel more complicated that what it is supposed to be.

Now, more than 10 years after, I realize the power of my dad's wisdom. Yes, I "design" my life. I have the power to create the results that I want. I dictate which path I take and what I allow to happen to me. I CHOOSE. I have that power to choose. In my language, it will sound more like, "I write my story on fresh parchment." In more modern terms, I was given a blank white Word page and I can click my life away with words and punctuation marks. There. That felt better and more me.

Ten years ago, my father had set me free!

Although, I was not able to grasp it completely (that I chose to lie under their wings--hah! it was too comfortable there, you see? Hehe.) I should say that those ten years was time well-spent to surveying the ground, laying the foundation, amassing the funds, knowing where to draw the rooms, what furniture are needed. Those were 10 years of planning...and now, it's time to start building. The frames are well put up; the house now has form. We're almost ready to paint, to usher in the fixtures, to put the flower boxes.

Although, definitely, it does not stop there--there are still too much to do. But I now like what I see and I am excited. :)

desiderata

2011-11-09T09:18:00.001+08:00

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy."

Bar Account 2011

2011-11-07T12:30:00.001+08:00

11.06.2011

I woke up 30 minutes past my alarm went off. I did not hear it ring. I still have enough time, though. After taking a shower and dressing up, my phone beeped. My best friend just arrived to pick me up and bring me to the bar site. We dropped by the nearest fast food for a quick breakfast and to buy lunch. On a rainy Sunday morning of November, I am again set to take the Bar Exam.

As I entered the gates of the school where I practically lived all my life, I felt at ease. The old Bar jitters dissipated. It was kind of weird but comforting. I filed myself on the queue going inside my assigned building. It was high school all over again! :) I led myself to the third floor. My room was at the corner at the end of the corridor. I smile upon seeing it. It was the old drafting room during my time. Bits of memories flash on my head. As I opened the door, the proctor was already calling out names, arranging the examinees on their assigned seats. I was just in time, I told myself.

The usual protocol of distributing the answer sheets and questionnaire was done. Except this time, with the advent of computerized checking, we will be using color coded machine readable answer sheets. I got the blue set. I was wearing blue, my ID was blue and I got the blue set. Irrelevant. I just liked that everything seems to be in accord. Hehe.

At exactly 8 am, the bell rang. That was our cue to start taking the first exam.

Political Law has always been one of my favorite subjects. I guess, I just always have a political mind. Or yet, systems just fascinate me. The exam was composed of 100 questions which are relatively difficult also. :) After two hours, the bell went off again. Time to submit the answer sheets.

After an hour break, we are set to take Labor Law Exam. Somewhere midway the exam, my back started to ache. Then I realized the questions began to become harder. I did not expect Labor Law to be as difficult. I almost wanted to sleep on it!

At 12:30, we we're off for lunch. It was a good thing though that I saw a friend from way back who was also in the same room as I am. She also did not have company so we paired up and ate lunch together. Upon getting out of the building, we saw this year's Bar Chairperson who happened to be our professor in Legal Writing back in Law School. We greeted him and he was kind enough to stop a while and chat with us.

We have 11/2 hours to burn for lunch and a little reading. As soon as we finished our food, we attended to our personal needs and went back to our room. I needed a little breather. The next exam is famous for being a killer: TAXATION LAW. :)

I am happy I drank my canned coffee. I am somehow perked up. Although, I can no longer distinguish if my heart was racing because of the coffee or the exam. :) It was a 75 item exam and I can say it was generally fine. I mean, Taxation Law is expectedly difficult and the questions were fair enough. My exposure at work helped me to answer some of the questions. I hope I fared well.

There. One Sunday down, three more to go.

When I got out of the university premises, I ran to the nearest Starbucks to get my warm Christmas cup and sticker. ;)

A prayer of surrender by Bro. Sheldon Tabile, OCarm

2011-11-07T11:25:00.000+08:00

One morning, I was insanely gripping anger and fear in my heart. I sought help from a friend who is a Carmelite brother to intercede for me that Jesus' grace and love may teach me to forgive and let go. This is the prayer he sent me through chat, exactly the same words my heart seeks to say.

May it touch you and bring the same love and healing in your lives. :)

______________

Jesus, you invited that all those in burden to come to you

and you will give rest.

There are emotions that burden me now-emotions that I want to let go.

However I find myself returning to it.

It seems that my efforts are not enough.

I come to you Jesus,

Seeking for rest;

Seeking for healing;

Seeking for your immeasurable love

May it overflow to me

May it fill my being;

those spaces that resist to forgive

May Your Love touch those hard parts in me;

may these parts soften

--soft enough, to be kind to others

Touch me o Jesus,

physically, emotionally, spiritually

that I may be free

from all the burdens

that makes my life heavy

Teach me to let go...

of fears,

hurts,

frustrations,

pains,

problems

And allow You to be in charge of my life

May I always have faith that in very situation of my life...

you are hidden there

You are the surpirse!

This I ask you... because you have promised it to us

--to all those who have FAITH in you.

Amen.

rain love

2011-10-01T09:22:00.006+08:00

Today, I watch the rain fall from the heavens and I feel that it tries to speak to me. It trickles one by one sparingly as though love is trickling in my heart slowly.Yes, this is a time of healing. Just as water gives life to any living thing, Love is beginning to liven up my long dead heart

I normally do not like rain. But today, I am loving it--as if I want to bathe in it. Oh now, I actually wish it rains heavily just to wash down everything that is unclean.

Water from heaven is love from heaven.

As I watch the rain it speaks to me of how love drenches every human soul. Slowly, steadily and surely.

leafing another page of this so-called life

2011-09-20T16:59:00.001+08:00

I just gave my blog a new face lift. Apart from using the new photos which I got from a pseudo photo shoot, I just felt that I needed to do something new. No, not really like something BIG-new. Just a little tinkering on what is already existing.

This morning, I woke up with a smile on my face. Not literal though, but I did feel that I was in a happy space. "The storm is finally over.", I told myself. I get the nice feeling I have when the sun comes out after days of heavy rain.

I am loved. I am enough. I deserve. These were the words that rang in my head. I guess, I have finally and completely moved forward from all the failures I had in the past and this is the point when I realized how resilient I am to keep on standing up no matter what. Perhaps, I also came to the point of embracing the power of my dreams--of being a lawyer, finding the right man for me and serving my family among others---and just surrendering to the love I have for these. Now, I realize how great is my power to create the things that I want. (Hahaha! Now, I am thinking: Is this really an effect of being on a brink of a phase of life).

Now, I am excited to tumble, soar and celebrate the time of my life.

imperfect love

2011-09-16T07:44:00.003+08:00

If you will ask me how love will look like for me now, it will be acceptance. It is the acceptance that things aren't perfect; that I am capable of making a mistake; that no matter how loving or good I strive to be, I have weaknesses and sometimes I operate through them.

In my several weeks of journeying within, I have finally discovered that I have a huge capacity of love no matter how imperfect it may be.

29@29

2011-09-02T12:17:00.001+08:00

Last Monday, I celebrated my 29th birthday. :) It feels a little weird knowing that it's my last year in the twenty-something bracket. Somehow, it feels like I am at the threshold of an era almost bursting into another phase of my life.

I have collected 29 years of good memories, friendships and love. This year, I am more hopeful of creating new ones and enriching those that I already have. I am sooooo excited to experience myself into this new journey. I wish that this year my dreams will turn into reality.

This year's celebration wasn't frilly. I wished for a quiet birthday celebration with family and friends--and that is what I got. :)

My Tita Le organized a picnic getaway for me, my siblings and cousins in Caleruega's Kampo Ariba grounds. We had the simplest food to share but we had so much fun taking pictures and sharing stories. :) Although, it was raining every now and then, it did not dampen our sunny spirits. :)

From L-R. Top row: Me, Em, Tita Le; Second row: Raquel, AC, Sheila

My sibs and I. We missed Julius.

Bullies

With Jon. :)

Of course, my Tita Beth and Tito Rene won't allow themselves to be left out.

They brought pizza and ice cream at Tita Le's house. :)

Thank you, lovebirds. I really felt the love.

From Tagaytay and despite the traffic, I flew to Quezon City at Coach Nancy's house for our council meeting. They gave me a cake to blow! :) Yiiii! Mango Bravo!

A pose with the cake with my very loving council, Powerful Voice.

From the bottom of my very open, loving and bitchy heart, thank you and I love you so much! :)

God really sends us people whom we deserve and who will make our lives better.

My coach is one of the sweetest surprises I had in my lifetime.

I love Coach Nancy! :) Your love truly create miracles. :)

Of course, my birthday will not be complete without the Barangay getting together. The day following my birthday, we met up at Papa John's in Greenhills for lunch. It was the usual get together but it was surely special because we're celebrating my birthday! :) One thing I realized is that life can be simple but special. I was also thankful to have friends whom I can just be. See, not everyone gets to have friends whom you can say you want to keep for a lifetime. :) I love you Barangay! :) You will always be God's sweetest blessings to me. :)

Bizu is always a favorite. Sweet. :)

Now, it's time to blow the candle. :)

Nothing compares. :)

A special surprise. :)

I also got more than a hundred greetings on Facebook alone. Thank you, friends, for the love. ;)

Huwaw Davao! :)

2011-08-25T12:21:00.010+08:00

I am a traveller. I love going to different places and experience their culture.

This year, I wished to go to Vietnam to celebrate my birthday but I changed my mind and thought of travelling locally instead. I wished of going to place in Mindanao since that's the only major island group that I haven't been to. We really get what we wish for. A week before my birthday, my council and I flew to Davao for a council meeting and at the same time bond with our Davao teammates. :)

I love Davao! It was love at first sight. Davao has a charm of calmness, openness and serenity. As we cruised our way to the hotel from the airport on Levi's car, I felt how the city welcomed me into it. :) What made our stay in Davao more enjoyable was the company of the loving Davao 49ers. We bonded like we were old friends and shared stories like there was no tomorrow. Here are some of the photos:

DAY 1

Hello Davao! :)

Logging in hours for the Bar Review.

At Francisco Bangoy (Davao) International Airport

A welcome treat at the airport

Lunch.

K Steak serves buffet for only 170.00 Php with at least 5 choice of viands

and unlimited grilled pork, beef, chicken and fish. Rating: 8

Powerful Voice with the Davao LEAPers. :)

I love taking photos of vehicles in a particular locale. Here's one.

DAY 2

Day 2 was fun day. We went to Outland Adventure, The Repentor in Ma-a to go zipline. It was my first time to go ziplining. Wooohooo! :)

All geared up! :)

After the first 600m. Wooh! That was awesome!

Part of travelling is experiencing the local food as well. We were so blessed to have friends who treated us so well. Tito Jon and Anot cooked food for us.

Instant Favorite: Kinilaw na Tuna!

Steamed Sea Bass

Sinigang na Sugpo sa Calamansi at Sabaw ng Gulay

No oil Fried Chicken

Anot's Chicken Salad

Grilled Pork Chop. Favorite.

Crusted Cream Dory with Tomato Sauce

My Davao Experience will not be complete without having anything with Durian. Levi and the rest of the Davao LEAPers invited us to have Durian Halo-halo at Aling Foping's. Durian halo-halo is a mixture of Durian Jam, Nata de Coco, Pinipig and Durian Ice cream topped with crushed ice and laced with fresh milk. Yuuum!

Daghang Salamat Dabaw! :) I hope to go back to you soon. :)

the cry to innocence

2011-07-11T11:36:00.000+08:00

I wish am like a little girl

carelessly wishing for the world

asking without reservation

hoping without question.

I wish am like child

who sees the world in hues

always with wonder and adventure

I want to go back to those days

of reckless abandon

and live without fear nor judgment.

Take me back to innocence

so I can dance, sing and shout

Do the things that I want

not just what I need or asked of

Let my spirit soar

Let me run out and play

Let me cry then laugh

Let me be.

the soap opera of real life

2011-06-23T08:02:00.002+08:00

Recently, I have been getting a little lot of telly time. As soon as I get home from review lectures, I flick in the remote to a news program. This extends to watching a telenovela which features the story of a dead woman given a second chance to undo her mistakes in her previous life to finally get to heaven.

Other than the headlines ("ulo ng mga balita" as the anchors will call it), I am really disgusted on how the networks pick what kind of stories to feature on the news programs. I grew up hearing the same gory details of a father raping his little daughter or a man out of too much alcohol stabs a neighbor passing by. I don't understand why the staff of these news program would choose to broadcast these stories instead of the little good things that happen around. There are a lot, I tell you. Yes, it will certainly not "sell" to the greater masses only because they are not used to it. Through the years, media has actually shaped the minds of the viewing public to gruesomeness and criminality.

I also grew up watching telenovelas from the original Mara Clara to counting 100 days for Connie Reyes to get to heaven. I was just appalled and finally awoken to the truth that these soaps teach people how to play victim to the misfortunes that fall upon them. Just the other day, I saw this lady setting up a revenge plot to the company owned by the lead lady character who apparently bought his father's toy design for less than what it sentimentally costs. From then, she resented the woman and thought that she had to redeem her father's dignity. She went on in life blaming the woman for her father's illness, their poverty and her seemingly endless chase for happiness. However, backtracking a little, she failed to see that what actually caused their misfortune was her stubbornness not to play with electric wires which eventually razed their house to the ground. In fairness to this new telenovela, there was redemption when some other characters helped her see her faults and eventually she did not get away with her other offenses so she ended up in jail. That was good, BUT, how many shows actually to this? 9 out of 10 still depicts the I-am-a-loser plot.

I do not believe that media is not aware that it is a very powerful tool of influencing the society. I think I need not even say that to the people in there. The question is how are these people using this power. After the Martial Law, media enjoyed too much freedom that it has actually became the most powerful entity in this country. It even has the power over the government. Sadly, to the point of abuse. Everybody must be aware of some news anchors over radio that randomly call government offices and shouts profane words to them if they don't get what they want. The people in media seemed to have forgotten that the little they say or do actually affects the nation. Where then is the responsibility in the freedom to speak? As we say in Filipino, "Pakiramdam ng langaw mas mataas pa sya sa kalabaw."

I challenge the media practitioners to be courageous enough to speak the truth. The truth that is--there is good around us. Yes, evil exists. However, we tend to forget that there are two sides to a coin and what we focus on grows. Let us not be complacent about fighting evil, but let us not forget that there is more than evil around us and in each of us.

________________

Over dinner last night while I was ranting about this thought to my sister, she in turn shared with me ceratin reforms which the Department of Education (DepEd) is doing at the moment to improve if not altogether change the entire education system in the Philippines. I have actually heard this from one of the resource persons of DepEd working on this endeavor. I thought that since they've already informed the would-be teachers, this must really be underway. Why wouldn't the news programs feature this endeavors? Isn't this worth the airtime after all? Besides, if a major change is to be implemented by the government, should the people be actually apprised of it early on? Every human person needs sometime to adapt to major changes. Then, I realized this must be the reason why our government gets to much criticisms--even on good policies. It does not prepare the people for change. Then the people go to streets, protest and create EDSA 3, 4, 5 til name it. I will talk about this on another article. For now, maybe we should help each other know. Use Facebook, Twitter, blogs; talk over coffee; spread the information! Be in the know! Essentially, that is democracy.

little miss perfect no more

2011-05-28T15:10:00.000+08:00

"But I am learning that perfection isn't what matters. In fact, it's the very thing that can destroy you if you let it."

— Emily Giffin (Something Borrowed)

2nd cabin, port side*

2011-05-28T14:23:00.001+08:00

*My desk at 16:45 on the last Friday before my leave becomes effective. :) It will surely be missed for the next 6 months. ;)

african safari and writing a book

2011-05-14T22:57:00.035+08:00

Since I am bedfast for the past few days with nothing to do but sleep, flick the remote, watch dvds (or let the chattering put me to sleep) and tweet, I felt so useless. I thought of doing a lot of things. Now that I feel a little better yet still incapable of going out and doing stuff, I thought of re-writing the things I wanted to do in my lifetime. I recall writing them down but I am not sure where I have placed it. Perhaps, that list is in one of my diaries piled in my stash in our other house. I usually cross out the things I've done already.

Now, I will re-write them as I can remember.

Experience the REAL African Safari.
Backpack in Europe (Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Greece and UK)
Southern Exploration (CDO, ~~Davao~~, Bukidnon and Camiguin)
Lead sing for a full live band
~~Sing with an acoustistic band~~
Have a kiddie party on my birthday
~~Participate in a WYD abroad~~ (Canada 2002)
Learn conversational French (Gahd! I have been wanting this since 2005. All I now is how to count! )
Travel in Japan eat in one of their Izakayas, bathe in one of their hot spring pools and see the cherry blossoms.
~~Meet Mickey Mouse~~
~~Have photo with the Merlion~~
Visit Universal Studios
Swim with the Dolphins
Travel alone for at least a week outside the Philippines.
Shop in Thailand.
Ride an Elephant
~~Sleep all day~~
Have my dream house
Own a beach house
Meet the love of my life
Kiss in the rain
~~Bathe in the rain~~
Whitewater raft in CDO
~~Bathe in a falls~~
~~Go to Coron~~
Go back to Coron. ;)
~~Eat authentic Lechon Cebu in Cebu~~
~~Lounge in Boracay~~
~~Set foot in Japan~~ (actually, just a stopover)
Own an all-day breakfast resto
Own a bookstore
~~Japanese food overload~~
Pen Pals @Manila Peninsula
Date JLC and Derek Ramsay.
Finish working on the photobook
Top the Bar
Learn to play the guitar
Polish playing the piano
~~Climb Mt. Pulag~~
Climb Mt. Pinatubo
~~Visit Mayon Volcano~~
See Mt. Fuji
~~See Mt. Mayon for real!~~
~~Eat authentic Bicol Express~~
Experience Batanes
Spend a White Christmas
Get over my fear of the deep
~~Learn to Scuba Dive~~
Pagudpod
Sky Dive!
Write a book
~~Act in a play~~
~~Sing in a choir~~
~~Play Ultimate~~
Play Ultimate (Frisbee) again
Marathon
~~Run~~
Watch World Cup Finals Live!
~~Glide through a zip line~~
~~Work in a fun law firm~~
Grow the tshirt printing biz
Grow the atchara biz
Red Ford Escape
~~Eat Durian Ice Cream~~
~~Get inked (henna at least)~~
~~Volunteer for Gawad Kalinga~~
Become a life coach
~~Love like crazy~~
~~Have a photo shoot~~
Have a glamour photo shoot

Hmn... I guess that's all for now. I'll keep updating this list.

episode 19

2011-05-10T16:51:00.001+08:00

After a trauma, your body is at its most vulnerable. Response time is critical. So you're suddenly surrounded by people—doctors, nurses, specialists, technicians—surgery is a team sport. Everyone pushing for the finish line. Putting you back together again. But surgery is a trauma in and of itself, and once it's over, the real healing begins. It's called recovery. Recovery is not a team sport. It's a solitary distance run. It's long. It's exhausting. And it's lonely as hell

The length of your recovery is determined by the extent of your injuries. And it's not always successful. No matter how hard we work at it. Some wounds might never fully heal. You might have to adjust to a whole new way of living. Things may have changed too radically to ever go back to what they were. You might not even recognize yourself. It's like you haven't recovered anything at all. You're a whole new person with a whole new life. - Narration, Meredith Grey, "It's A Long Way Back", Ep. 19, Season 7, Grey's Anatomy

the bar account

2011-02-28T16:37:00.007+08:00

In a few weeks, the results for the Bar Exams will be released. Soon, the long wait will be over. Finally, the 4,000+ Bar-hopefuls will either realize or frustrate their dreams. On my end, I would like to believe that I will make it a reality.

As I wait that fateful day, I have realized that I have not made an account of my Bar experience. An email sent to a friend is the closest account I wrote. Perhaps, I thought that the experience was too much to be reduced to words. I just did not know where to start. Yet, I surely kept it forever etched in my person.

The Bar season changed me. It was a time where I was pruned, stretched, and disciplined. It was a time of planting, perseverance and surrender. It was a season filled with grace.

PREPARING FOR THE BATTLE

Preparation wins half of the battle, they say.

Four or five years, for some including me, in law school is ample time preparation for the Bar Examinations. But the heat of it will sink in the moment the bar review season begins. More than the academic preparedness, one must likewise be ready physically (you can’t afford to get sick), psychologically (you should be tough enough to hurdle your own doubts), emotionally (it was surely draining, man!) and spiritually (humility and faith aren’t just spells. They are virtues—solid foundations—that you hang on at this very trying time.)

These six months were exciting, boring, challenging, lonely and fun for me.

It may be short or long depending on how you view it. For me it was both. It was short because I had to review all eight major subjects which I studied for the past five years in law school. I had to apportion the little time in my hands wisely so as to maximize it. It started to feel long though because as I started poring over my books and other review materials, I began to realize that am spending 8-10 hours of my day just by myself and my books.

See, I chose to be alone during that season. I studied in the library of my previous University which is a few hundred meters from my house. For me, that was the best choice because I will surely be less distracted and economically effective. For comfort, I chose the very same spot in the library where I used to study very effectively while I was there.

At that phase of my bar-review-life, I realized that this feat towards the Bar is a personal battle. Nobody will understand exactly how much you want it and how tiring the task is. Everybody else are just on the sidelines, cheering on you--some don't even mind.

When things started to become arduous, a priest-friend reminded me of St. Thomas’ spirituality towards study. He said in a letter, “When St. Dominic de Guzman insisted on assiduous study as intrinsic to the life of the brother-preachers, he envisioned it as "spirituality," i.e. something which takes hold, grabs, and grasps our whole life, our entire being.” I held on those words. I told myself that time, “For now, this is my life. I will let it take hold of me as dear precious life depends on it.” and it kept me going.

It was then that I realize the value of cooperating with Grace. I knew and felt that God’s grace followed me day in and out, all I needed to do was to do my part of the preparation—study.

I also learned from those who had crossed the bar ahead of me. I drew my own schedule which suited my habits, convenience and pace. It served as a compass for me and keeps me on track. I did not force myself following my calendar to the dot. Instead, I respected my pace. I thought it was wiser to learn and remember than to actually finish the materials.

MAKING THE JOURNEY LIGHT

Tim Cahill said, “A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” Although I have decided to isolate myself during review, there were a handful of people whom I sometimes huddle with to maintain my sanity. The Ward 7 people were there. We’d attempt to study together in coffee houses, which oftentimes fail. To distract ourselves a bit we’d shared bottles of beer, meals, and have a few trips to the movie house. Our friendship grew knowing that we are going through the same thing together. (Oh! We were the ones who went to Coron before the review started.) Carlisle was a consistent hope-giver. Phone calls at night were imperative for us each day, at least just to release. Erwin would be a faithful study buddy especially during the Bar month. We pushed, supported and encouraged each other at this very crucial time. I was also lucky to have my closest friends, Gen and Zeny study with me at this time, while they were also preparing for their own medical board exams.

Apart from these people, there were others who unselfishly supported me. My family was there of course, my barkada, friends from law school and LOJ Family. It felt lighter and easier knowing that there are people believing in you.

NEARING CALVARY

My priest-friend and I would describe approaching September as “Nearing Calvary.” One, because it is becoming tougher as the days turn in and out—emotionally that is. It was the time when doubts would trickle. Perhaps it will take hold if not addressed. Two, we’d like to both see it as thorny yet behind Calvary is the fulfillment of God’s plan. Lastly, although it was seemingly “death” in truth, it was victory.

During this time, I would weep in prayer and seek Divine succor that I need.

SETTING FOOT

I remember the day I climbed Mt. Pulag. Then we took the Akiki Trail (Killer Trail) ascending. It was the more challenging trail according to mountaineers because of its steep slopes. And certainly it was VERY CHALLENGING. Somewhere halfway through the climb, I courted the idea of aborting climb. It suddenly occurred to me that it was too difficult that I wanted to give up. Yet the fighter in me spoke and said, “The moment you stepped foot on this mountain, you knew there was no turning back.”

Sometime in the middle of review, I began doubting my intentions of taking the Bar. Which was explained to me as normal. When I weighed my motives, I made my decision. Then, I was sure that upon setting foot in La Salle, there was no turning back.

…THEN CAME THE MONTH WITH NO OTHER DAY BUT SUNDAY

Four Sundays.

Normally, I would have an internal clock which tells me time. But on September 2010, I lost it! All I knew were Sundays and subjects. First Sunday: Poli and Labor; Second Sunday: Civ and Tax; Third Sunday: Merc and Crim; Fourth Sunday: Rem and Ethics. My life revolved around this schedule because dear precious life depended on it. The day after Sunday would be rest day. Forced that is, because no matter how much I push myself to read, I cannot. So, I just opted to sleep or see a movie. During the rest of the days, I would gobble up my review materials till my eyes fail me.

...To be continued

on love for the love month

2011-02-18T14:12:00.000+08:00

Love is when you wish the best, do the best and offer to serve your best for the object of your love. - francis kong

the people of my 2011

2011-01-01T23:46:00.009+08:00

For the past two years I have wanted to make an entry such as this, but I fail. Magazines, blog entries, articles would feature the most popular figures of a particular year-- people who sometimes we do not even know but in one way or another affected or influenced us. I chose make one that is personal to me. This blog entry is for all of those whom I have met, made impact, inspired and I found very interesting for this year.

...and the winners are:

Joanne Fajardo

I have known Joanne since college days. Since then she has ever been a fun-loving person, always finding things to laugh about. She has always been cheerful, bright and happy. This year Joanne and her family surely went through a very tough year because of an accident that her sister met. Joanne is the one personally attending to the needs of her only sister to the point of resigning from work. She gave up a big chunk of her personal life just to for her sister and her mom. Through all these, you will not hear any complain. This is love--selfless and never asking anything in return.

Carlo Lorenzo and John Ben Rodriguez

John Ben and Carlo

If you would see Carlo and John Ben together, you will know immediately that they are opposites but inseparable. Carlo is snotty, John Ben is funny. Carlo can be very engaging while John Ben can be quite reserved at the start. Individually, they have their own light to shine, but together they make each other's light shine better and brighter--a perfect team. I admire these two men for their faithfulness to each other as friends and co-ministers in God's vineyard. To date, they have raised two campus feasts, several caring groups and have definitely touched a lot of people's lives. I was super blessed to have counted them as my friends for this year.

Tita Mina Ramirez

I have always wanted to meet a Proverbs wife (one who possesses the qualities described in Proverbs 31: 10-13) and I was blessed to have met Tita Mina Ramirez this year. Tita Mina is the mother of my friend and campus missionary, Miguel Ramirez. The first time I met her I already knew how beautiful a woman she is. She speaks of the blessings. She is generous with affirmations, truth and counsel. She is very gentle and loving. Her spirit is so calm that you just enjoy being yourself whenever you are with her because you know you are enjoyed as well. I thought, "I wanted to be like her when I reach her age." Thanks Tita Mina for the friendship. :)

Fr. Clarence Marquez, OP

Our friendship dated from long ago and it peculiarly started with slippers. Through the years we have evolved from acquaintances to trusted friends. Fr. Clarc has been one of the my faithful hope-givers, cheerleader, and prayer partner this year especially during my Bar Examinations. I would always borrow his words describing me during my bar season: "soaring in grace" and that kept me flying. :) He'd always assure me that he's taking the exam with me. I have found a new meaning of God's love in the friendship we share.

Rissa Singson-Kawpeng

I grew fond of Rissa 1) because she leads worship very effectively during Feasts and 2) she is the sister of my classmate in Fr. Jocis' class, Ronna. This year, when I was blessed to serve the the Single's stream of KCon 2010, I got to listen to her talk: Waiting for the One and it ministered to me big time! I now wish to have the same resilience that Rissa had in waiting for God's will and choice for your life partner. :) I resolve not to be an impatient bride anymore. Hihi.

Obet and Joie Cabrillas

This couple took me as their spiritual daughter and their love brought in overflowing healing and love in my life. :) Thanks Mommy and Daddy. To more years of serving God! :)

Carlisle Marie

2009 wasn't very good for me and Carlisle but 2010 brought us close and renewed our friendship. This year, I saw how tough she is, how she's grown and how you can just be yourself with her. I admired her perseverance in Faith and her desire to seek God and His goodness. Carlisle is one of the very few people who walked with me through the toughest exam I took in my life. Through this she has been my hope-giver and friend. :) Thank you Cai! To more years of friendship! :)

Julius, Jon and Em

This year my siblings and I reached notches higher in closeness. And it is surely a great, great blessing for us. :) We've learned to share our stories and involve each other in the lives one another. I was happy to know that the love we shared healed us all. :) More years of healing and love, guys! :) And more photobooth tripping! :)

amnesia and fears

2010-12-23T02:34:00.002+08:00

Today, I saw "My Amnesia Girl" starring John Lloyd Cruz and Toni Gonzaga for the second time with two of my close guy friends. Again, it did not fail to make me laugh to the core of my belly. The punch lines were still hilarious and Toni and John Lloyd's chemistry on screen is a good experiment from Star Cinema. They clicked and it's tickling.

However, apart from laughing and having a great time, I was more reflective of how the lessons of the movies now. One thing I noticed with Apollo (Cruz) and Irene (Gonzaga), was that their conflicts, both inner and relational, came about because they were overwhelmed by their fears and acted out of them. Apollo was afraid he'll lose himself if he marries Irene, that is why he just decided to abandon her on the altar, while Irene was afraid she might lose Apollo for the second time and end up hurt again so she decided to pretend having an amnesia which later made Apollo feel betrayed.

I do not what to kill the fun, but on a more serious angle I realized that, yes, it is really destructive to act from our fears. We are not ourselves when we let them take hold of us. We make mistakes, serious oftentimes, when we let these fears rule us. Worse, fears make us forget who we are, what we can do and where we are supposed to head to.

In tonight's meeting, TFM Builder, Daddy Obet Cabrillas asked us to reflect on "What could we possibly get hold of or who would be if we do not have any fear." I kept that in my heart and I heard an answer. Perhaps, I'll ponder on it. :)

Perhaps in 2011, I should decide to live with lesser fears. :)

top ten blessings for 2010 ++

2010-12-21T19:58:00.003+08:00

Although 2010 isn't officially over, I took the liberty to enumerate the blessings I received this year and pick those ten that blew my mind away.

1) Finishing Law School

After five long years of reading Supreme Court jurisprudence, books and annotations, memorizing provisions of law, enduring classroom recitations with cruel professors and having cups (or even tumblers) of coffee, I have finally reached the end of this journey of learning. I finally graduated from law school. My law school story was not a smooth one. Somewhere in the middle, I had to stop, take a break and continue three semesters later in a different school. Law school was where my best and worst was let out. It was also where my dreams where sifted. It was one of the toughest paths I took, but surely it was fun. Getting up the stage and receiving my awards was tops. It was truly a crowning moment!

Receiving my Leadership Award from Mr. Cayco

With co-awardee, Carlisle and our parents

My Batch!

2) Coron

Paradise. Good times.

Coron was perfect to cap law school and start the review for the Bar. Together with my friends from law school, we wasted four days on the beach doing nothing but rest and make good memories. Beer. Good food. White sand. Waves. Warm sun. Laughter. And lots of pictures. Truly a piece of heaven.

3) Bar Review

Almost half of my 2010 was devoted to reviewing for the Bar Examinations. I spent my days (and nights sometimes) re-reading my old text books, devouring review materials, seriously squeezing in my brain every bit of material information that I think I can use during the exam. Almost six months to prepare for the eight bar subjects. It was a season of perseverance, self-discipline and grace. It was hair-splitting, sometimes boring because day in and out I was doing the same things over and over. It has surely pushed me to my limits. Thank God for friends and study buddies for keeping me sane. :)

4) Bar Examinations

These are the four Sundays of my life that I will never forget. The longest September I ever had. Awesome. Outstanding. Mind-boggling. Nerve wracking. Emotional roller-coaster. The beginning of the fulfillment my dreams. :)

5) LOJ Campus Missions

This year I was blessed by God with seven men--Carlo, John Ben, Migs, JYo, Chao, Raser and JC. These men possessed hearts which are devoted to Jesus and His ministry.

One week after the Bar Examinations, I received individual text messages from these men telling me that they have chosen me to be the Admin Head of the LOJ Campus Missions. I was floored! It was an honor to serve God through this ministry of touching the lives of the young people in campuses. Truly humbling. Working with the brothers was challenging considering that I have to relate with seven different personalities (plus our director, Daddy Obet). My blessing though is that I was able to be establish friendships with them before I took on the job. :) This is my first time to say this: These seven men changed my life, brought me healing and filled me with so much love. Thank God for the seven of you, guys. I love you all from the deepest of my heart. :)

UST College of Commerce Retreat, Tagaytay

Visiting Migs at the Hospital

Missionaries Meeting, Lighthouse

6) Birthday Surprises

I love surprises and this year....I got three. :)

7) Carlisle

This year, I renewed my friendship with Carlisle. Our friendship was greatly tested last year, that almost made me give up on it. But the Lord was faithful to give us the chance to restore, rekindle and renew it. The Bar season pulled us closer and she was my hope giver then. :)

8) Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (UP)

I would have been an Iskolar had my mom not refused the idea. Although for years now, I have grown a certain affinity to this University. I had friends who allowed me to make good memories in its campus. This year UP has become a big part of my life--my study buddy and I would sometimes visit and attempt to study here; isaw trips; Rodick's detox moments; UP Campus Feast; tambays with friends. UP = Good times. :)

9) Light Of Jesus Family

Need I say more? :)

I had a convo with Niki Yokingko and I have expressed how blessed I am to have been blessed with people who walk with you through life like family; people who pray for you; people who desire Jesus as much as you do; people who wish the best for you; and people who just simply make a little heaven down here with. :)

10) My sister, Margareth, a.k.a Bebe

She is my favorite sister, because she is my only sister I got. :) This year our relationship leveled up and got deeper than ever. She's the first person I tell how my review day was. She took care of my during the Bar even if she was younger than me. Alabyu bebe. :)

....and just to end the year

God gave me a bonus. I got work as Christmas gift. :) I'm starting in January! :)

frisbee and catching grace

2010-11-04T09:39:00.002+08:00

At the start of this year, I attempted to learn how to play ultimate (frisbee). I may not be the athletic type, but it interested me a lot that I had to play every Monday with my friend's team in Ortigas.

First lesson: Skills on catching and throwing the disc. It was a bit technical, like when catching the disc one must position his hands, arms, and legs in a particular way. Watching the disc fly towards you can be very intimidating at first. It can also be frustrating. On the first few tries you'll miss it. The disc will fall on your toes, or fly pass you. When you finally catch it, sometimes it will hurt. Eventually, you'll get the hang of it. You'll learn how to estimate the distance between you and your teammate; the speed of the disc; and to which direction the disc will probably go to.

At this point of my faith journey, I realized that catching frisbee is also like catching grace. One must be poised for it. God throws grace towards us--material, physical, emotional, spirtual--name it. Oftentimes it comes unexpected. Precisely why, one must be equipped to catch it without miss, lest it falls on the ground or somebody else catches it.

I had a chitchat with a friend's mom and she reminded me that I am exactly in a position where grace is at my disposal. I may not feel it, but I would like to believe she is correct. It is overwhelming but I hope I've practiced my stance well so I won't miss my grace. :)

Weeks after my skills lesson, my friend was throwing me some sharp curves... and I am able to catch the disc with poise. I can still hear him say, "Niiice. Gumaling ka na ha. (Nice. You're doing great now.)" I wish I can hear that from Papa God too. :)

Eat, Pray, Tacsiyapo! in no particular order with Carlisle and Bee

2010-10-15T00:04:00.010+08:00

After our bar exams, I joined Carlisle, her mom and her lola in visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan. Since Bee is in La Union, we asked her to join us also. So, she drove from LU to Manaoag. It was a very long drive, most of the time I was asleep but the stops are surely fun.

We left Manila around 8am. It was a little late because Carlisle's lola still had to come from Batangas. Thanks to SCTEx, we arrived Manaoag at past 11 am. We lit candles for the intentions we are praying for and attended the 12noon mass.

Manaoag Shrine from afar

Mine

Bee saying her prayers before lighting the candles

Outside the Church while waiting for the 11am Mass to finish

It was Fr. Jerry Orbos who said the 11am Mass

In front of the Church

L-R Carlisle's lola, Tita Evelyn (Carlisle's Mom),

Carlisle and Me

After the Mass, we decided to eat in Matutina's in Bonuan, Dagupan (a nearby town). It is very famous for it's delicious and fresh seafoods. Tummies are all crumbling by 1:30pm. We arrived at Matutina's at around 2pm. And here are the main stars of our lunch:

We also had Boneless Bangus, Sinigang na Baboy,

Inihaw na talong with Bagoong and BBQ. Yum!

And of course, before we leave... :)

After stuffing ourselves to the hilt, we went back to Manaoag for Lola to kiss the image of Our Lady and to buy some pasalubongs for her friends. It was already almost 5pm. On our way back to Manila, Tita Evelyn wanted to drop by Isdaan, a restaurant alongside the National Highway of Tarlac. The ambience of the place was superb. Guests are lodged in separate kubos where they will eat. These kubos are placed on a barge floating on a man made fish pond of carpas. :)

Ponds are 9ft. deep

Carlisle and I enjoyed ourselves because of the statues of well-known people around the park and three security guards. :) We later found out that the material used for these statues are lahar ashes.

Ninoy Aquino, Cory Aquino and Cardinal Sin and Erap

The three Stooges este guards.

Of course, I wouldn't miss a chance of a photo op with one of my favorite superheroes:

Iron Man! Tony Stark, I ♥ you. :)

We ate dinner. Tita ordered Adobong Pusit, Bulalo, Green Mango Salad and Spareribs (which is not in the photo). Nom, nom, nom. :)

You can also find in the place the infamous Tacsiyapo. I have always thought of going here after the Bar and I am really happy I did, more happy it is unintentional though. :) According to them, Tacsiyapo is a word used in their local dialect to express disgust or frustration. The attraction though, provides of a wall where you can throw various things against like plates, glasses, vases or TV if you please. The goal is to release "anger". Talk about healthy anger management. Haha. But a little pricey though. :) Each medium sized plate costs Php 18. The cheapest is a mug at Php 15. :)

Guess which part I targeted

Above are stuffs sold at respective amounts

to be thrown against the wall.

Carlisle released her first plate. :)

I threw 3 medium sized plates and it felt nice. :) Video to be posted next time. :)

Stella Maris

2010-10-14T22:34:00.001+08:00

A week after the Bar month, I paid the Blessed Mother a visit in her shrine in Manaoag, Pangasinan with Carlisle, Bee, Michael, Tita Evelyn (Carlisle's Mom) and Carlisle's lola.

I have always been a devotee of the Blessed Mother. Ever since I was young, I would always pray to her and ask for protection and help. When I took my Bar Examinations, it is to her that I offered my sacrifices. It is to her that I usually ask for intercession to God especially during the times of frustration and doubt. I would run and cry to her whenever everything I do seems futile...and through all those months the Virgin did not fail me.

I used to ask a priest friend what does it mean to have a devotion. We never really discussed it fully, yet it dawned to me that devotion leads one to faith, which later leads the person to imitate the virtues of the devoted and eventually grow in them. (I was surprised that the Lumen Gentium says the the same thing. Maybe it's the Wisdom from the Lady.)

On background is the front of the

Shrine of Our Lady in Manaoag

The week after the Dominican Community in Sto. Domingo in Quezon City celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of La Naval. I have been joining the Grand Procession ever since I was in high school. So for years now, this has been a tradition and a personal devotion to offer decades of Rosary and follow our Lady as she visit the streets.

This year, I failed to join the procession but I still made it a point to pay her a visit on that day. As usual, I thanked the Blessed Virgin for all the favors she bestowed on me and renewed my commitment to her and God. I invited a few other friends to come, and I was blessed to know they too were blessed by the experience.

Our Lady of the La Naval sitting on her throne

Blessed Mother, Thank you for taking me in as your daughter. Thank you for continuously caring for me as your own. I praise God for Jesus' generosity to give you to us as our Mother. May we be worthy to be called your children. Place me always under the mantle of your maternal protection and bestow upon me the grace to be like you. I seek to also cooperate with God in the completion of his Will. Guide me always, remain to be the Star which leads me to the Heaven my heart longs for. Amen.

One Fine Isaw Day

2010-10-14T12:07:00.003+08:00

Our Iskolar ng Bayan Katie hollered to the Ward 7 girls to accompany her in University of the Philippines (UP) to enroll for Advanced Pre-Bar Review...and to eat ISAW from the famous Mang Larry's Isawan. (Isaw is a Filipino street food made of grilled pork or chicken intestines.) Only Bee and I are available. So, at around 11am Kate and Bee picked me up from Espana and off we went.

Katie decided to go to Trinoma first to have her photo taken and to pick up some Smencils for her online shop. Since, we're already hungry we decided to ate lunch. Here are some of the photos. :)

That's Bee. As usual, she's hungry...again. :)

My favorite lunch combo from World Chicken.

(Grilled Chicken with Ranch BBQ Sauce,

Pomodoro Spaghetti and Potato Salad for sidings)

At around 2pm we drove off to UP. I love going to UP because of the ambiance and a little nostalgia. It feels like you're being transported out of Manila in minutes. :)

I dint get a picture of the Oblation because that was when

Katie asked both Bee and I to look at the back for a picture.

Hahaha! Goodluck sa bangga!

Kate successfully registered herself with the UP Law Center. We also met an old guy, who apparently was a former Dean and he started joking with us. A few sarcastic humor from him, then we said goodbye. Bee was so excited to go to Chocolate Kiss in Bahay ng Alumni for dessert.

We ordered Devil's Food Cake and Chocolate Suite. :)

My vote was for the Kahlua Chocolate Cake (one with brown icing) and Katie and Bee's is the Devil's Food Cake. I must admit though that it was also good. I am just a coffee junkie. After stuffing ourselves with sugar, Tanya, Bee's friend, came and decided to join us for Isaw! This is really it! :)

It was 3.30pm when we arrived at Mang Larry's Isawan Stall. They are still setting up then but orders are being taken already. We ordered *toot* sticks of Isaw na Baboy, *toot* sticks of Isaw na Manok, *toot* sticks of Tenga ng Baboy, and *toot* packs of chicharon. This is really obscene. :p Here are the pieces of evidence.

Ate: "Pangalan?"

Katie: "Bee po/"

Ate: "Ve, as in Vektori"

Hilarious!

Cooking hot...

Take your pick! :)

Yum!

..and there was none. Hihi.

After having our load of Isaw, we went to the shopping center for some Sago't Gulaman and Fishball. It was on Tanya. Yahoo! :)

Katie on her Sago't Gulaman

Pishbol, bow!

I would have wanted to have Palitaw and Balot. But I am so stuffed it was too difficult to move. Haha. :)

Bye, UP. Til next time. :)

teased...and so these thoughts. :)

2010-10-10T00:12:00.001+08:00

I am being teased my friends that one good thing that will come out from my moving out is that I'll meet "the one" for me. I would always let out a lil loud chuckle (which I did as finished typing the last statement.) Really, now? On second thought, maybe. Come to think of it, it's been two years since I attempted to trust someone with my heart. I should say the lull was fun more than a bore. I enjoyed myself a lot. I don't need to call much of a "me-time" because I am practically with myself all the time. It was fun. It was enlightening. It was amusing to find out things about myself. It was also hard sometimes because I have to deal with someone who I can never walk out from. It was good--very good even.

Although sometimes, I would yearn for someone to share the fun with. Yeah, I got my friends. I love them, but sometimes you just look for that one person whom you can make memories with, fight with, make up with, talk with, be silent with, drive around with. Just that one.

Two of my very close friends told me how much they admire my courage in taking my chances on love after every heartache. It was a surprise though because around two years ago, I felt I've already given up. I know at the back of my mind I still keep that faith on love and nth chances of making things right but I guess it was that time that I declared a time-off to finally straighten things up with myself.

I've learned and I've learned a lot. I should say I am wiser that is prolly why I took things aside. I can't say am ready but I do feel am almost there. :) I'm having quite a bunch of sudden changes in my life now...so, I hope this one comes slowly and sure. :)

Current Song: Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble

moving back home or moving out?

2010-10-08T00:24:00.003+08:00

Recently, my mom decided that we'll have to leave this apartment that we're staying in to go "home". It was Bar month when she declared that so I did not pay too much attention until she asked me to pack my things the second Monday after the last Sunday of the Bar exams. Initially, I was in a quandary as to what must be difficult. Was it the packing or the thought of leaving? It was too damn hard. It was painful that I had to cry (and tell you it wasn't your moviel-like crying. It was your ugly crying. Really.) Until I started putting my law books in the boxes. I realized it was the whole idea of leaving. See, I never knew any other home for 27 years except this apartment. Yes, we do own the house there in Cavite, but I never lived there. I sleep there but I never actually lived there. This apartment was my home. This is where I grew up. This is where my childhood memories are made. This is where my heart will always be.

I would always complain how noisy my neighbors are or how easy the streets would get flooded with a few minutes of hard rain when in fact the whole Manila is dry. I never thought (or appreciate) how accessible my place is to any point of Manila. I forgot how almost all my friends hung out here after classes or have spontaneous overnights. I never thought how much this place is a part of me.

(Boo, this is getting to melodramatic. Forgive me, people)

Good byes aren't for me. I am not good at it. Always. I hope I'll learn to settle in my new house...then maybe later, I can find my own home. Somewhere, I can really call mine. :) Then, maybe then, it'll be less difficult.

good morning!

2010-08-20T12:15:00.002+08:00

I woke up late today. Around 10 am. That is unusual because I have always been an early riser. But since I have been sleeping less the past few nights I decided to overstay in bed.

Yes, it's official. My body is feeling the Bar coming...and definitely I cannot deny it. As weird as it is, I have been feeling all sorts of stuff. When I shared this with another bar-hopeful friend, she chuckled and commented that I can also be human. Haha. Yes, I am. :)

Well, this morning I woke up with the sun washing over my window. I reached for my phone and Ipod touch (which are usually beside me, when I sleep). I checked for messages and I logged on the net to check FB mobile. This was what I found:

Mom sent me a message encouraging me not to give in to fear. At first, I thought maybe she read my shout out on Facebook saying,or maybe, a mother just knows well how to read between the lines. Those six words spoke tons of messages to me. There really is a language only parents and children speak...and oftentimes, words can just be too much to use. It made me smile knowing that my mom does have faith in me and feels that all I need to do is trust in God. Now, I am beginning to tear.

I guess all these months I have received all the best wishes I can ever receive from people close to me, telling me that I can hurdle this last step to getting my dream of becoming a lawyer. I even received encouraging words from former professors saying that they see in me what it takes to pass the Bar. Maybe, it's really time to believe in my self. I've been in law school for five long years and I think I've prepped enough for the past months. Now, it's God's time to finish the work we've started. Ready or not, I just have to be ready.

I read a portion of a former professor's article in Business Week (June 2010) and he said: "...the truth of the matter is this: the Bar exams are here, accept it. And pass it." Yes, IT IS REALLY HERE and I declare, I WILL PASS IT. :)

Now, I really hope to feel better today. :)

Current Song: Love So Pure by Generation Unleashed

manual for climbing mountains by paolo coelho

2010-08-14T08:57:00.000+08:00

I climb mountains that is why I completely understand what he's talking about. And yes, this is not just about physical mountains but also our mountains of choice in life.

Let me first share my story before you read what Paolo said (this is my blog so I can say my piece. Haha!) Some years ago, I decided to climb Mt. Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon...and it is there that I realized how climbing mountains and life are so related. When I reached the summit, I knew in my heart that I have conquered myself. It was then that I found the truth that I can do anything provided I set my heart on it.

Now, on Paolo's article:

A] Choose the mountain you want to climb: don’t pay attention to what other people say, such as “that one’s more beautiful” or “this one’s easier”. You’ll be spending lots of energy and enthusiasm to reach your objective, so you’re the only one responsible and you should be sure of what you’re doing.

B] Know how to get close to it: mountains are often seen from far off – beautiful, interesting, full of challenges. But what happens when we try to draw closer? Roads run all around them, flowers grow between you and your objective, what seemed so clear on the map is tough in real life. So try all the paths and all the tracks until eventually one day you’re standing in front of the top that you yearn to reach.

C] Learn from someone who has already been up there: no matter how unique you feel, there is always someone who has had the same dream before you and ended up leaving marks that can make your journey easier; places to hang the rope, trails, broken branches to make the walking easier. The climb is yours, so is the responsibility, but don’t forget that the experience of others can help a lot.

D] When seen up close, dangers are controllable: when you begin to climb the mountain of your dreams, pay attention to the surroundings. There are cliffs, of course. There are almost imperceptible cracks in the mountain rock. There are stones so polished by storms that they have become as slippery as ice. But if you know where you are placing each footstep, you will notice the traps and how to get around them.

E] The landscape changes, so enjoy it: of course, you have to have an objective in mind – to reach the top. But as you are going up, more things can be seen, and it’s no bother to stop now and again and enjoy the panorama around you. At every meter conquered, you can see a little further, so use this to discover things that you still had not noticed.

F] Respect your body: you can only climb a mountain if you give your body the attention it deserves. You have all the time that life grants you, as long as you walk without demanding what can’t be granted. If you go too fast you will grow tired and give up half way there. If you go too slow, night will fall and you will be lost. Enjoy the scenery, take delight in the cool spring water and the fruit that nature generously offers you, but keep on walking.

G] Respect your soul: don’t keep repeating “I’m going to make it”. Your soul already knows that, what it needs is to use the long journey to be able to grow, stretch along the horizon, touch the sky. An obsession does not help you at all to reach your objective, and even ends up taking the pleasure out of the climb. But pay attention: also, don’t keep saying “it’s harder than I thought”, because that will make you lose your inner strength.

H] Be prepared to climb one kilometer more: the way up to the top of the mountain is always longer than you think. Don’t fool yourself, the moment will arrive when what seemed so near is still very far. But since you were prepared to go beyond, this is not really a problem.

I] Be happy when you reach the top: cry, clap your hands, shout to the four winds that you did it, let the wind – the wind is always blowing up there – purify your mind, refresh your tired and sweaty feet, open your eyes, clean the dust from your heart. It feels so good, what was just a dream before, a distant vision, is now part of your life, you did it!

J] Make a promise: now that you have discovered a force that you were not even aware of, tell yourself that from now on you will use this force for the rest of your days. Preferably, also promise to discover another mountain, and set off on another adventure.

L] Tell your story: yes, tell your story! Give your example. Tell everyone that it’s possible, and other people will then have the courage to face their own mountains.

on choosing well

2010-08-14T08:18:00.000+08:00

Amid my rambling and wondering about the Divorce bill, I remembered an article that I have read some years ago about marriage. It appeared to have been written by Eduardo Calasanz but in truth was an excerpt from the book Letters to My Son, A Father’s Wisdom on Manhood, Women, Life, and Love written by Kent Nerburn. Whoever wrote it does not really matter, but learning from it does. This article deeply etched in my head the importance of choosing well. Here is the complete text:

_____________________

PARTNERS AND MARRIAGE

I have never met a man who didn’t want to be loved. But I have seldom met a man who didn’t fear marriage.Something about the closure seems constricting, not enabling. Marriage seems easier to understand for what it cuts out of our lives than for what it makes possible within our lives.

When I was younger this fear immobilized me. I did not want to make a mistake. I saw my friends get married for reasons of social acceptability, or sexual fever, or just because they thought it was the logical thing to do. Then I watched, as they and their partners became embittered and petty in their dealings with each other. I looked at older couples and saw, at best, mutual toleration of each other. I imagined a lifetime of loveless nights and bickering days and could not imagine subjecting myself or someone else to such a fate. And yet, on rare occasions, I would see old couples who somehow seemed to glow in each other’s presence. They seemed really in love, not just dependent upon each other and tolerant of each other’s foibles. It was an astounding sight, and it seemed impossible. How, I asked myself, can they have survived so many years of sameness, so much irritation at the others habits? What keeps love alive in them, when most of us seem unable to even stay together, much less love each other?

The central secret seems to be in choosing well. There is something to the claim of fundamental compatibility. Good people can create a bad relationship, even though they both dearly want the relationship to succeed. It is important to find someone with whom you can create a good relationship from the outset.

Unfortunately, it is hard to see clearly in the early stages.

Sexual hunger draws you to each other and colors the way you see yourselves together. It blinds you to the thousands of little things by which relationships eventually survive or fail. You need to find a way to see beyond this initial overwhelming sexual fascination. Some people choose to involve themselves sexually and ride out the most heated period of sexual attraction in order to see what is on the other side. This can work, but it can also leave a trail of wounded hearts. Others deny the sexual side altogether in an attempt to get to know each other apart from their sexuality. But they cannot see clearly, because the presence of unfulfilled sexual desire looms so large that it keeps them from having any normal perception of what life would be like together.

The truly lucky people are the ones who manage to become long-time friends before they realize they are attracted to each other. They get to know each other’s laughs, passions, sadness, and fears. They see each other at their worst and at their best. They share time together before they get swept up into the entangling intimacy of their sexuality. This is the ideal, but not often possible. If you fall under the spell of your sexual attraction immediately, you need to look beyond it for other keys to compatibility.

One of these is laughter. Laughter tells you how much you will enjoy each others company over the long term. If your laughter together is good and healthy, and not at the expense of others, then you have a healthy relationship to the world. Laughter is the child of surprise. If you can make each other laugh, you can always surprise each other. And if you can always surprise each other, you can always keep the world around you new.

Beware of a relationship in which there is no laughter. Even the most intimate relationships based only on seriousness have a tendency to turn sour. Over time, sharing a common serious viewpoint on the world tends to turn you against those who do not share the same viewpoint, and your relationship can become based on being critical together.

After laughter, look for a partner who deals with the world in a way you respect. When two people first get together, they tend to see their relationship as existing only in the space between the two of them. They find each other endlessly fascinating, and the overwhelming power of the emotions they are sharing obscures the outside world. As the relationship ages and grows, the outside world becomes important again. If your partner treats people or circumstances in a way you can’t accept, you will inevitably come to grief. Look at the way he/she cares for others and deals with the daily affairs of life. If that makes you love her more, your love will grow. If it does not, be careful. If you do not respect the way you each deal with the world around you, eventually the two of you will not respect each other.

Look also at how your partner confronts the mysteries of life. We live on the cusp of poetry and practicality, and the real life of the heart resides in the poetic. If one of you is deeply affected by the mystery of the unseen in life and relationships, while the other is drawn only to the literal and the practical, you must take care that the distance does not become an unbridgeable gap that leaves you each feeling isolated and misunderstood. There are many other keys, but you must find them by yourself. We all have unchangeable parts of our hearts that we will not betray and private commitments to a vision of life that we will not deny. If you fall in love with someone who cannot nourish those inviolable parts of you, or if you cannot nourish them in her, you will find yourselves growing further apart until you live in separate worlds where you share the business of life, but never touch each other where the heart lives and dreams. From there it is only a small leap to the cataloging of petty hurts and daily failures that leaves so many couples bitter and unsatisfied with their mates.

So choose carefully and well. If you do, you will have chosen a partner with whom you can grow, and then the real miracle of marriage can take place in your hearts. I pick my words carefully when I speak of a miracle. But I think it is not too strong a word.

There is a miracle in marriage. It is called transformation. Transformation is one of the most common events of nature. The seed becomes the flower. The cocoon becomes the butterfly. Winter becomes spring and love becomes a child. We never question these, because we see them around us every day. To us they are not miracles, though if we did not know them they would be impossible to believe.

Marriage is a transformation we choose to make. Our love is planted like a seed, and in time it begins to flower. We cannot know the flower that will blossom, but we can be sure that a bloom will come. If you have chosen carefully and wisely, the bloom will be good. If you have chosen poorly or for the wrong reason, the bloom will be flawed.

We are quite willing to accept the reality of negative transformation in a marriage. It was negative transformation that always had me terrified of the bitter marriages that I feared when I was younger. It never occurred to me to question the dark miracle that transformed love into harshness and bitterness. Yet I was unable to accept the possibility that the first heat of love could be transformed into something positive that was actually deeper and more meaningful than the heat of fresh passion. All I could believe in was the power of this passion and the fear that when it cooled I would be left with something lesser and bitter. But there is positive transformation as well. Like negative transformation, it results from a slow accretion of little things. But instead of death by a thousand blows, it is growth by a thousand touches of love. Two histories intermingle. Two separate beings, two separate presences, two separate consciousness come together and share a view of life that passes before them. They remain separate, but they also become one. There is an expansion of awareness, not a closure and a constriction, as I had once feared. This is not to say that there is not tension and there are not traps. Tension and traps are part of every choice of life, from celibate to monogamous to having multiple lovers. Each choice contains within it the lingering doubt that the road not taken somehow more fruitful and exciting, and each becomes dulled to the richness that it alone contains.But only marriage allows life to deepen and expand and be leavened by the knowledge that two have chosen, against all odds, to become one. Those who live together without marriage can know the pleasure of shared company, but there is a specific gravity in the marriage commitment that deepens that experience into something richer and more complex.

So do not fear marriage, just as you should not rush into it for the wrong reasons. It is an act of faith and it contains within it the power of transformation. If you believe in your heart that you have found someone with whom you are able to grow, if you have sufficient faith that you can resist the endless attraction of the road not taken and the partner not chosen, if you have the strength of heart to embrace the cycles and seasons that your love will experience, then you may be ready to seek the miracle that marriage offers. If not, then wait. The easy grace of a marriage well made is worth your patience. When the time comes, a thousand flowers will bloom…endlessly.

Current Song: Oo by UP Dharma Down

I wonder what Gabriela Silang would say

2010-08-14T07:58:00.002+08:00

This week Gabriela Party-list refiles a bill legalizing divorce in the Philippines. According to them, the bill (if passed to law) would give “married couples in irreparable marriages another legal remedy that they can resort to in addition to the country’s existing laws on legal separation and annulment...and help put an end to domestic violence still prevalent among married Filipino couples.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 12 August 2010)

Then my legal mind started to wonder, how then would Congress treat this bill? Isn't it that our very Constitution protects "Marriage as an inviolable social institution for it is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State" (1987 Philippine Constitution, Art XV, Sec 2)?" Realizing also that the people we elected in Congress are human as they are, would they espouse the common good or would they would again 'twist' the concept to espouse their own personal beliefs? It seemed to me that our lawmakers are not yet contended with the remedies provided by our existing laws. Isn't Psychological Incapacity as provided by the Family Code as a ground for declaration of nullity of marriage fully-stretched and abused enough to sever the relationship of troubled husbands and wives? Aren't we burdening the Judiciary of too much personal problems?

If this bill becomes a law, is our society now promoting a non-committal culture? What then are we telling our children? Have we been too westernized that we want to live life casually talking about our ex-wives/husbands and have children who calls each other 'half'? Where now are the values of Family (which by the way, very Filipino), Integrity, and Responsibility?

I am not afraid of change nor do I resist it. On the contrary, I always desired for growth. Looking at this Divorce Bill now, I do not see any resulting growth on the persons of the parties concerned and as a society as a whole. I see this again as a quick-fix to the issues that people want to escape from. True, there really are "irreconcilable" differences but I do believe that married people should put in their best efforts to reconcile them. Divorce isn't as simple as opting for separation pay in case of severed relationships of employers and employees if reinstatement is no longer viable. Didn't husbands and wives vowed to each other: "For better or for worse; For richer or for poorer; In sickness and in health; UNTIL DEATH DO US PART?" Too much? Yes.

People who read this may think that I am not in the right position to speak about marriage because I have not been married myself, hence I do not have the first-hand experience of the gruesome (if you may) truth about marriage. Yet, I speak from the hopeful heart of a young individual who believes that commitments should be revered; That marriage, a vocation, is something that you owe to yourself, your partner and to the One who put you together. Being a commitment, marriage is a decision that one makes prior to indulging into it--a decision that should have well been discerned and prayed about. I speak because I know of real-life stories of people who despite of their "irreconcilable" differences had managed to stick it through--more so lived a happy life together. Not by chance, but because they decided to turn their situations around. I also speak because I think of my generation whose lives are just starting. Some of my friends have just began their married lives and I do not want them to just give up on their decisions of loving each other and living and building their lives together. I also speak because I know that our culture have been becoming permissive and I do not want to wake up one day seeing my future children getting married every five years. I want a life of conviction.

Gabriela Silang fought for the Philippines against the colonialism of the Spanish. Gabriela, the party-list, veers our culture to westernization of values toward marriage. Ironic, is it not?

bar w(h)ine

2010-08-06T21:17:00.000+08:00

I miss living a normal life. I miss my friends. I miss lounging without feeling guilty after five minutes.

In a few weeks these will all be over.

Current Song on repeat: Viva La Vida by Coldplay

atop

2010-07-16T02:12:00.000+08:00

I checked my gmail and saw an invitation from a friend to climb Mt. Pulag in November. My eyes lit up! I miss the mountains greatly. Ever since I returned to law school, I haven't climbed to any mountain yet.

I can now imagine the cool, crisp breeze, the looong hikes, the magnificent view atop. Oooohhh! :)

For now, I content myself with these:

P.S. Mt. Pulag and I kept a secret...and this secret will unravel soon. :) I am more excited. :)

wisdom of service

2010-07-15T17:46:00.001+08:00

I never wrote professionally. Yes, I contributed to our publication in the Uni and seen my friends actually work on deadlines but I never got the first hand experience of beating time to make it to publication. UNTIL I decided to serve in The Pasig Feast Bulletin.

It was something I never sought for. I would like to believe that it is something that the Lord asked me to do. When the opportunity fell on my lap, I readily accepted. My job wasn't really "big". I do the layout for the photos and the short write-up as to what happened in last week's Feast. Yet, as I work on it in the passing weeks, I realized that it takes a tiny fraction of my "bar-hopeful-'precious'-time." No, am not complaining. Instead, I come face to face to the truth that no matter how little or how much the Lord asks from you it is always something worth much for Him. I found the Wisdom that when we offer our lives to God, He will really demand for what is inconvenient...and whatever done in inconvenience is love.

I now remember a quote from Mother Theresa of Calcutta: "The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith; The fruit of faith is love; The fruit of love is service; The fruit of service is peace." No matter how incovenient service may be, ultimately it leads to that joyful peace knowing that my Father up in Heaven is smiling at me. :)

Now back to my books.

______________

By the way, we are still looking for people with kind hearts who are very much willing to share their time, talents and treasures to come serve with us at The Feast. Please contact me or come to the Feast Volunteer table for more information. :) Certified: Masarap Mag-Serve! :)

serenity.courage.wisdom

2010-07-09T15:08:00.001+08:00

“Lord grant me the serenity to accept

the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.”

- Reinhold Niebuhr

sprawling on floors

2010-06-29T12:25:00.000+08:00

Sometimes you just find comfort in wallowing. It feels like sprawling yourself down in the cold floor and feeling it against your skin. You'll get the feel of an unnamed emotion growing in the middle of your chest. Then you take a deep breath. For a moment it feels like a great relief--as you let it out as you exhaled.

If only it's that easy.

Then the hard part comes.

The chunk of undefined emotion begins to grow. Oftentimes, it overwhelms you. Sometimes, it goes to your eyes and comes out as tears. Big drops of tears coming one after the other. Unrestricted. Uncontrollable. The feeling remains unnamed, unknown but surely makes your heart pound, hands tremble and your eyes pour out. It seeks to be embraced when you start touching it. It cries, "Tighter!" until it silently whispers its name.

Fear. Anger. Shame. Guilt. Frustration.Worry.

A different name in every different game. They're just all buried up making their way out of your system--your psyche, your body. After they're all out, peace will slowly start to set in. Sometimes it takes a while to fill your empty heart.

Then you'll realize: "Perhaps, God really made me for love and these stuff are just not meant to be here."

More sprawling on the floor when the need comes. For now, get up and cherish the minute peace inside.

kabakas 2010

2010-06-29T11:22:00.004+08:00

It was a rainy evening and the waters started to rise in front our house. I thought I would not make it. My sister and I was off to meet the Institute of Preaching Lay Missionaries (IPLM) at Robinson's Galleria for a rendezvous with the van driver who'll pick us up for Pililia, Rizal. We're sent for a mission the following morning. to catechize among the locals. Thank God, we made it just right in time.

The Lord heard our prayers, the sun greeted us in the morning. We heard mass at 7 a.m.. We asked for blessings for the mission we're sent to. The whole group was divided into subgroups and sent into different barrios to preach the good news. I was assigned with Ate Zabeth in the Parish Church to facilitate the free Baptism.

Although our assignment was relatively easy as regards the environment, it was heart breaking to see how economical, social and spiritual poverty plague the place. The people had to come from the mountains or the shorelines to avail of the "free" sacrament. Some were so poor that they had to walk for hours just to get to the church. Some were spiritually poor for not even knowing how to pray nor hear mass on a regular basis. My heart cried for these people and asked God to bless their souls even more. I pity the families who had to be baptized altogether. I thought, how in the world would these parents allow this to happen.

When the group met during breaks, we sat and shared stories and I heard far more heartbreaking stories of poverty. There would be a kid who'd exchange his loot bag of school supplies for grocery packs because his family has nothing to eat. In such a tender age, he learns (hopefully not bitter) lessons of sacrifice. Some of the kids do not have slippers to protect their feet. Most do not even go to school.

More than these heartbreaking stories, I was blessed with joy and gratefulness. I realized how far blessed I am compared to these people. I get to buy want I want. I get to eat more than three times a day. I get to study a post-grad course. I am just super-blessed, yet sometimes I feel wanting. Shame on me.

Although, we've left the town already it has definitely etched its faces in my heart--the people, their situation and their potential. I will surely say a prayer for them in each day. I kept a small promise in my heart to go back--keep on preaching the Good News of Love and contribute concrete actions to help each of them see and believe that God loves them and they're made to be great. Because, Blessed (still) are the poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.

Here are some of the snapshots from Marlon:

i went picnik-ing

2010-06-28T21:31:00.005+08:00

My eyes are swollen and I cannot stand reading for a long time. Although, I treated myself to playing in http://www.picnik.com where you can edit pictures in clicks. Super easy and super fun. :) It's like using photoshop but a looot easier. :) Here are some of my artworks. :)

walking after the Man who called me by name

2010-06-23T12:36:00.000+08:00

When He asked me to come and follow Him, I knew in my heart that it was not an easy task. First, I have to leave my boat and nets--a life I am accustomed in. Second, I will tread on a road I have no idea where it'll lead. My only consolation is the fact that I follow a Master whose love is greater than anything there is in this world. Who can ever resist that love?

My "yes" was something that came really slow, stammering and unsure. I did have doubts, fears and worries. Yet, my heart being led to peace in each step I take towards Him. I realized that when I took the first step after Him, my life started becoming less of me. That each step I take is an act of surrender in His love. A love that is never convenient nor easy. A love that is always demanding. A love that should be deliberate. A love which most people might think is insane. For He said, "If you love me, feed my sheep. Love your enemies. Yet, above all love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength." I never knew loving was difficult but surely is rewarding.

I have no idea how far we will still walk on. Surely it'll be a long stretch. In each step, I seek to delight him, love him and keep on walking with Him.

To the man

2010-06-20T01:20:00.000+08:00

...whose hands are calloused by tireless work
...whose arms which seek to protect
...whose words are oftentimes left unspoken
...whose eyes adore the beauty of the lives he brought
...whose heart is devoted to love
...whose life he is ready to sacrifice

Today, you are honored for the things which are often left unnoticed, appreciated or thanked for.

Papa, thank for giving me life. Thank you for providing every need, and sometimes whims. Most of all thank you for the love.

May life be kind to us and grant us longer years to spend together.

word for the day: talent is not enough

2010-06-12T11:14:00.001+08:00

“Belief lifts your talent; Passion energizes it; Initiative activates it; Focus directs it; Preparation positions it; Practice sharpens it; Perseverance sustains it; Courage tests it; Teachability expands it; Character protects it; Relationships influence it; Responsibility strengthens it; Teamwork multiplies it”. - John Maxwell, "Talent Is Never Enough”

Current song: True Colors by Cindy Lauper (Glee Version is also playing on Ipod)

my tuesday treat

2010-06-02T20:08:00.001+08:00

... because I finished Book I and the Family Code yesterday. (May pingot na nga lang ang manok ng kinuha ko ang picture na ito. :) )

Current Song: I Miss My Friend by Darryl Worley

prince of persia, sands of time

2010-05-31T23:08:00.001+08:00

"It is said some lives are linked across time. They are connected by an ancient calling--Destiny."

Today, I took some time off after a long day with Jurado and saw Prince of Persia with Zeny. I remember playing this game on my black and white screened computer, waaaay before plants vs. zombies wanted to eat our brains out. It was one of those computer games I was addicted to, standing par with Carmen Sandiego (Okaaay, my age shows here). I should say that Disney gave enough justice on this one--fairly made for an adventure movie. I brought to the edge of my seat the whole time. Although, SM Cinemas should be sued for refund since there are around four portions that are obviously cut (not to mention the poor resolution and muffled sound system. We should have really drove off to Makati). Going back to the movie, although it was good, it was also too Disney-y--everybody happy! Jake Glyllenhaal was hot--perfect!

*Poster says: Defy time. I'd rather not. But I wish I can make it move slower. :p

little miss sunshine

2010-05-27T01:07:00.000+08:00

I finally gave in to my sister's request that we sit down and see this movie on DVD.

Favorite Quote: Richard: There's two kinds of people in this world, there's winners and there's losers. Inside each and everyone of you, deep inside the core of your being is a winner waiting to be awakened and unleashed upon the world. Okay, you know what the difference is? Winners don't give up.

last of our days

2010-05-26T08:38:00.000+08:00

Just in time on my reflections on being myself and savoring my life, a friend sent me this video through Facebook. It spoke to me, so am sharing this to everyone. I hope you find something for yourselves in this. Happy day, every all! :)

live life like eating sashimi

2010-05-23T23:15:00.007+08:00

In this entry I will tell you a glimpse of my love affair with sashimi is...and how living life should be likened to it. :)

You see, one of my favorite foods in this world is Shake Sashimi (Raw Salmon). Eating this Japanese delicacy gives me that exhilarating feeling that no other food can ever give me...and the experience is always, always incomparable.

In a Japanese restaurant, my mouth will start to water as I tell the waiter my order of salmon sashimi. After which, my thoughts will begin longing about it. The moment it's served, my eyes widen with excitement and much joy seeing how orange it is. Then, as soon as my chopsticks holds on my salmon, I will begin to feel fuzzy and giddy inside. The moment I put it in my mouth, there is a stillness that would envelope me and suddenly my whole being explodes in excitement and extreme happiness. I would always, always chew my salmon slowly and reflectively. All my senses are directed to it that is why I savor every little bit of it even if I always catch myself close my eyes as I do this. In that short period of time, I have nothing else in mind nor was there anything else that matters, except my sashimi.

Today, in the fourth installment of the series A Life of No Regrets, Bro. Bo speaks about NO RUSH. He said that life should be lived enjoying the present moment without being haunted by the past nor anxious of the future. Because your now is a gift from God--He has blessed you with now and all you have to do is enjoy every bit of it. Whether it may be a prize or a pain which is in front of you, it is God's blessing. Hence, we should not hurry on letting it just go by unnoticed. Deliberate living. Deliberate appreciation of life. :)

I savor my sashimi. Perhaps, I now know how I should be savoring my life. :)

Current Songs: I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing by Aerosmith and Simple Things by Jim Brickman and Rebecca Lynn Howard

reunions feel like an old pair of shoes

2010-05-23T02:09:00.004+08:00

Tonight, I spontaneously decided to meet up with Doyti, an old friend from an inter-uni organization I was part of. Conversations over dinner and coffee with someone I haven't seen for years now was something I needed this week. Luckily, we were both free and finally we were able to get together. After hours of catching up, re-telling stories on old loves, and a few commentaries on Philippine politics, I was already contented on this pitstop.

On my way home, I "picked up" Melvyn, another friend from waaaay back in high school along the road. Hahaha! He was hailing the cab behind the one I was riding on when I called him from my rolled down window. I asked him to hop in (since our houses were just several blocks away) and we ended up finding ourselves talking over cups of tea and frap about our lives, people and yesteryears.

Am really happy that no matter how much time has passed, you'll still find old friends whom you can just pick things up from where you left of, know that things have changed but you have not really changed at all. :)

Describe Tonight: COMFORTING

Oh! By the way, I bumped into two other friends whom I just exchanged hellos with. Nice eh?

unproductive

2010-05-22T16:21:00.007+08:00

Current Song: Beautiful Day by U2

Describe today: UNPRODUCTIVE

...except that I cleaned my room, fixed my bookshelf, changed my blog template, and danced. Later, I will meet up with an old friend for dinner.

When I meant I was unproductive, I meant I was bar-unproductive. Taking this time off to distract myself and get my wheels moving again. I was sent off-track by some useless thoughts and went pity-partying for the last 48 hours.

Lesson learned for the last 18 hours: Sometimes, doing something is worse than doing nothing. (Meredith said that too in one of the Grey's episodes. It pays to listen sometimes, Faith!)

My promise: Starting Monday, I will be productive again. I have a bar to hurdle, you see?

reflections on my almost near-death experience

2010-05-22T15:27:00.002+08:00

late post.
19 April 2010
Coron, Palawan

1) Never swim without surveying your course. Know how deep or shallow the water is. This way you'll know what to expect.

2) Keep looking ahead. Looking down will only scare the hell out of you! Keep your eyes fixed on your goal.

3) Look up, you'll get air. In life the Lord wants us to look up to Him and He'll readily give us the provision we need.

4) Keep swimming!

5) When everything else fails, you have friends who'll come to save you.

note to self: say this more often

2010-05-21T21:45:00.002+08:00

a note from a god: it won't be long

2010-05-13T15:44:00.002+08:00

Dean Willard Riano wrote this on my Civil Procedure Book. :) Am inspired.

not everyone finds something like this

2010-05-08T15:54:00.000+08:00

True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils.

True friendships feel like family.

take me back to coron

2010-04-25T16:06:00.003+08:00

Before the everything starts to be stressful, my law school friends and I went to a trip which will forever etch good memories in our lives. Off we went to Coron, Palawan. :) Although, I initially hesitated to join this trip, am now so happy I changed my mind. Everything was perfect (except for a mishap that almost took my life. hahaha!).

Clear waters. Fine sand. Bright Sun. Fresh food. Chilled beer. Vodka Kurant. Good friends. Much laughter. Good times.

Coron, for now we have to part ways. But I promise to be back.

My summer is now over, but has been perfectly defined.

K for K

2010-04-04T19:15:00.001+08:00

Calling all running enthusiasts, compassionate givers or just anybody who wants to have fun and enjoys fellowship!

The Light of Jesus Catholic Community, the spiritual family of The Feast, is organizing a run on 29 May 2010, 5.30 a.m. at the Mall of Asia Grounds dubbed as K for K, Run a Kilometer for Kerygma, the 2010 Kerygma Fun Raiser. This is for the benefit of the ministries it is supporting such as Anawim (our ministry for the abandoned elderly) and other affiliate ministries.

For more info, visit www.lightfam.com/kfork

Easter Feast

2010-04-04T18:25:00.001+08:00

Happy Easter everyone!

Today, the whole Catholic Church is celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus from death. This is the focal point of the Faith. :) And today, I celebrated it with my family at the Grand Feast at SMX. All the Feasts around Manila are invited to just this one Feast.

Bro. Bo Sanchez, started a new series--OVERCOME.

He spoke about turning our greatest failures into our biggest successes. He likened our lives into a big picture made up of puzzle pieces. That in putting them together, we may find one odd piece that may seem to not fit, yet, little did we know it does fit and it will complete the picture God intend to paint out of our lives. Am now excited to hear the other installments on the coming weeks. :)

Look for the Feast nearest you and start receiving God's avalanche of blessings in store for you! Be blessed, everyone! :)

beat the heat: halo-halo

2010-04-03T19:57:00.001+08:00

On Black Saturday, after we had our pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan, we gave in to the craving for something really cold. NLEX is clear, fairly a few cars running to Manila so the trip was quite fast and easy. But the sun was scorching hot and glaring that we can't look outside our tinted windows without sunglasses.

Great time for Halo-Halo (a Filipino delicacy made of a mixture of sweetened fruits, beans and jelly with crushed ice and milk, topped with ube and leche flan.) My mouth begins to water again as I typed that away. Hahaha! Going back to my story, one of my siblings, am just not sure now who, remembered a small carinderia in Tondo which serves the best halo-halo we've ever tasted. One problem: we do not know where that can be found exactly. So, called our cousins who brought us there some time ago and agreed to meet with them.

To make the long story short, we had our servings of the delicious halo-halo and here are some of the pictures we took. :)

This is where you find the Halo-halo haven!

Look for this signage! She makes the best halo-halo there is!

..and it's only Php 25.00!

I'm not sure if she's Aling Consuelo (which I doubt) but she will surely serve you your halo-halo!

Here it is! (sorry, it's blurred)

see? they're loving it! :) (my sister and she, one of the three cousins we phoned)

Cha-cha is loving it too!

*Slurp! ;p

reads for the holy week

2010-03-29T21:50:00.001+08:00

...just because he loved us much

2010-03-28T22:13:00.001+08:00

Today is Palm Sunday and the whole Catholic Church is now entering the Holy Week--a very special season of remembering the Passion and Death of Jesus on the Cross.

Today we commemorate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem which manifested the coming of the kingdom that the King-Messiah was going to accomplish by the Passover of his Death and Resurrection. It is with the celebration of that entry on Palm Sunday that the Church's liturgy solemnly opens Holy Week (560, Catechism of the Catholic Church). We are encouraged to offer prayers and sacrifices to be one in the sufferings of Jesus. In that way, we can hope to have our own resurrection at the end of time.

I would like to share a video which Fr. Titus shared with us in the Mass earlier at the Feast. This spoke about the love of the Father for us, that He can sacrifice His only beloved Son for our Salvation from eternal damnation. May this help you reflect on God's infinite and unconditional love for each of us. He loves us more than we can ever know. :)

details in the fabric

2010-03-19T23:23:00.005+08:00

Current song: Details in the Fabric | Jason Mraz feat. James Morrisson

"If it’s a broken part - replace it. If it’s a broken arm then brace it. If it’s a broken heart then face it. And hold your own, know your name, and go your own way, and everything will be fine." Details in the Fabric | Jason Mraz

Trains and my President for 2010

2010-03-12T10:17:00.002+08:00

I wrote this article for my Civil Law Review 2 class. Atty. Uribe asked us to write an article about who will we vote for President and why. This is my first time to finally declare who I will vote.

_________

I was in a train going to downtown Toronto when I blurted out to a friend, “Sana ganito rin sa Pilipinas. Maayos ang transporation system. Malinis. Disiplinado.” (I hope the Philippines would be like this. We’d have good transport system. Clean. Disciplined.) With that comment, we started a long discussion of the reality of where the Philippines had gone, the evils of corruption, and the need for a strong leader. It was summer of 2002 and from then I always hoped for a President who has that genuine desire to improve the lives of the Filipino people and carry out this desire into actions.

Two years later, I find myself in Singapore on board the MRT to Chinatown. I was with a Singaporean friend and I asked her with curiosity and a bit of envy, “How come Singapore is so disciplined? Is this taught in school?” She paused for a second or two, and said, “I really do not know, but I just grew up in a society like this.” Then she went into the how Lee Kuan Yew transformed Singapore and envisioned it to rise above all the Southeast Asian Countries. Disciplined leadership.

Among all the candidates vying for the Presidential seat, I feel that Richard Gordon possesses the strength of a great leader. As his name suggests, (Richard means, strong leader; brave one) he has proven himself in countless ways which includes development of Subic and Olongapo, resuscitating the moribund Philippines Tourism Industry while he was Tourism Secretary, enacting worthwhile laws such as Republic Act No. 9369, the New Automated Election System law while he was Senator, just to name a few.

Gordon may not possess the charm like those of the other candidates, in fact he is being accused of being snobbish and cocky, yet I believe that he is the only one with the political will to serve the function of the Chief Executive. He may stay low on the surveys over the more popular candidates, but who ever said that good leadership is possessed by the popular? We need a leader who is willing to get his hand dirty with the true problems of society. We need a leader who works even without being noticed. We need a leader who would not be swayed by the criticisms of his detractors and will carry out his job even at the face of oppositions. We need a leader who has dignity and values our identity as Filipinos. As I’ve concluded in my train ride in Toronto and Singapore: the Philippines needs a leader with iron hands. Filipinos, we do not need a savior. We need a leader.

Most of the people I speak to say they would have wanted to vote for Gordon, but they feel he might not win. How will he ever win when everybody else thinks that way? Perhaps, people are afraid of casting a vote on an underdog. Electing a president is not a popularity contest nor is it a gambling feat. It is an investment for the next six years which fruits we will pass on to the next generation. We do not invest our hard earn money to just any business. Hence we should also not invest our votes to just any candidate. We have already inherited a gamut of debts and problems. Let this be our chance to redeem ourselves. I dare these people to step out of their fears and finally assert their choices.

Let us realize that this election is no longer about who looks better on TV advertisements, who sings the more novel jingles or gives out the sweetest, hopefully-not-empty promises. This is not the time to be sentimental. This is no time for the circus all over again. This is about a true show of patriotism to our motherland. This is about putting up someone whose authority we will respect and trust and will vow to hold that respect and trust with utmost dignity and ability.

With that until election day comes, I will keep on riding trains.

article repost: Dreams continue, even after retirement

2010-02-25T10:47:00.001+08:00

I am reposting an article written by Gelo Cimagala, one of the very able distributors of Reliv for Business Insight Malaya. Go Gelo! :)

Dreams continue, even after retirement

BY TRISTAN ANGELO CIMAGALA

Retirement has been good to Sonia Lim, a former trade marketing staffer at a multinational food corporation based in Paranaque. Recently retired at the relatively young age of 50, Lim has found a new passion to fill her time. Instead of the mind-numbing task of sorting through endless paper work she has found the exciting world of Mary Kay. In fact she does not consider herself retired.

"Yung retiree, yun yung nasa bahay talaga," she quips. "Parang nag-shift lang ako (ng work). Hindi pa ako retired."

Lim targets sales of P10,000 a day and employs one or two employees called "beauty consultants" to assist her with her work.

Lim is not alone. There is Oriel Magno, 63 a public relations practitioner by profession but who derives a huge chunk of his income from a company called Reliv.

He was with other networking companies before as a company executive but only with Reliv did he decide to become a distributor.

He narrates his first year with Reliv: "It was all excitement. I was able to get excited distributors...Before one year we earned P1.5 million."

More than the business however, he says he has found relief from his hypertension while his wife no longer suffers from the ill-effects of lupus. All thanks to their product.

Cyril Salvo, 51, was able to send her 7 children through school with the help of her Fuller Life business. "Nakapag-patapos na ako ng mga anak. Mga daily needs, mga gamit ng anak. Naging bread and butter namin (ang Fuller Life)...Pati sa kamag anak, na share ko ang benefit dahil sa direct selling."

She has come to depend on her business for most everything that they need in their daily lives. "Isipin ninyo hindi na ko bumibili ng appliances...lahat yan incentive. Mga rice cooker, electric fans. Halos lahat yata ng gamit namin sa bahay ...galing sa regalo," she says.

Mary Kay, Reliv, and Fuller Life are all multi-level marketing (MLM) companies operating in the country.

The industry

According to the Direct Selling Association of the Philippines (DSAP), the recognized group of MLM companies, there are an estimated 2 million individuals engaged in the practice of face-to-face selling. It does not have a retirement age, and anyone can do business regardless of educational background.

"It’s a great business for someone who has limited capital and wants to enter initially into retailing quality products. Risk is small because there are limits to entry fees. Rewards are great because of the way compensation plans are designed," explains lawyer Jolly Gomez, vice-chairman and in-charge of communications and government affairs of DSAP and also the managing director of Reliv Philippines.

Globally, the industry contributes $114 billion with products spanning food supplements, consumer goods, water, books, apparel and other services. For the Philippines, the industry has grown to P20 billion and is expected to expand despite current difficulties with the economy.

Gomez sees the industry developing further as there is much room for expansion. "This is a steady growth in a population which today is closing in on 90 million. This is one direct seller for every seventy five people. Compare this with the US which has 15 million direct sellers in a population of 300 million or a ratio of 1:20."

Gomez continues: "The Philippines is a market with very few players in the industry. We have only 27 DSA members as compared to 300 in Malaysia. The result is that there are fewer choices but better standards. With the Asean Harmonized Tariff scheme we may see the entry of many new companies from the region co-existing with local direct selling companies."

What exactly is network marketing?

"Direct Selling is face-to-face selling to the consumers through independent distributors or sales people. It is a legitimate marketing medium that is used to sell practically anything," says the DSAP website.

What is even more interesting in this business is the network building and the overrides or royalties one earns from the efforts of these "downlines."

Think of it as working in Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, and Sales in a corporate setting, all rolled into one. The distributor markets and sells the product, collects payment, and recruits people. These people will be trained by the sponsor who in turn will duplicate the system, otherwise there is a risk of losing them from the organization.

Magno relates: "A legitimate network marketing company is work. Your efforts are tied directly to the growth of your organization. It’s hard work but fun. Rewards mo mas malaki.....As you build your organization, once it hits someone who starts to earn lots of money you can’t stop that person if he wants to be successful."

A sponsor or upline then earns additional income through overrides, an additional percentage from the sales or earnings of the individual within his organization.

"Overrides can really pay you for life," declares Magno.

On the other hand, Salvo earns additional income from those she can encourage to re-sell her products by giving additional discounts to them.

"Lahat ng tao gusto kumita... (Sasabihin ko sa kaibigan ko) bibigyan kita ng percentage. Parang nagmu-multiply ang hand mo. I-share mo sa kanila ano ang nagiging benefit para sa iyo, paano sila mag-earn ng extra income."

A caveat

However, the industry has unfortunately earned for itself a reputation for being a source of dishonest practices.

"People still associate this industry with scams but the truth is that most of the scams that hit the Philippines in the past 10 years involved money investments and not the sale of consumable products," defends Gomez.

Gomez concedes, however, that there are those who make staggering claims, ones that are too good to be true.

"Unfounded and exaggerated health and income claims also damage the industry because these make health and medical practitioners resistant to health products. DSAP is involved in educating the public on the legitimate ways to do business in the Philippines. We are also in the forefront in the drafting of a Direct Selling Law in the Philippines," Gomez says.

As a reminder, Magno has this advice: "Choose one with a track record."

love, love, love! v.2

2010-02-08T23:02:00.000+08:00

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

_________

Today, my parents celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary.

I have a vague idea of how my parents met because until now, my mom is very evasive as to how they two fell in love with each other. As I reflected on their shared lives, I realized it does not matter. What matters is how they lived while for more than half of their marriage they were physically apart from each other. It was never perfect, nor was it near to being one.

I've witnessed episodes of fighting and forgiving; cold treatments and hours of overseas calls; frustrations and acceptance; ticking off and enormous tests of patience; giving, taking, and giving back; hardships, perseverance, and victories. It went up and sometimes it slides down. They would fall out of love, then fall in again.

Yet through it all, I knew that love abounds. It may come from one or both of them at a given time but I am more certain that a God with overflowing Love supplies the love they need to see the marriage through. This love kept them together despite the distance. It impelled them to forgive despite the hurts. It gave them eyes to see beyond the wrinkles and widening hips. It transformed each of them into beauty. God's love kept on burning for them to share the warmth of their own love. God's love surely perfected their love for each other.

Twenty-eight years may have passed, but the celebration continues. From today until forever I pray that the Spirit of God would rest upon them to continue pruning them until they reach the perfection of God's divine plan for their lives. For now, I seek for God's mercy and graces to fall upon them: that they may remain faithful to each other and to the vows they exchanged; that they may fulfill they're roles as partners; Most importantly, may love always win, always reign.

love, love, love! v.1

2010-02-07T09:05:00.003+08:00

Although, I am not really a fan of Valentine's day, I am sort of joining the bandwagon in sharing my thoughts, experiences and reflections on love. Let us all enjoy this special day, but most importantly, let's learn to share love everyday.

------------

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear"- 1 John 4:18

There was a chapter in my life that I was in deep desolation. I was searching for answers to the questions that swirl in my head. My past was catching up on me then. I was insecure, uncertain and fears crept in my heart. I felt lost. I felt disconnected inside. I was a ball of darkness bouncing without direction in this tepid world.

My heart seeks to be satisfied. I knew I had more than what I needed. Yet, it felt that there must be something that I am missing. Surely, there is something. I cried to God in prayer, without really knowing what to ask for. Days passed. Weeks came. Months turned in and out.

"When love takes you in, everything changes. A miracles starts with the beat of a heart. When love takes you home and says you belong here, the loneliness ends and a new life begins..."

Friends and family like angels flew to me, consoled me and accepted me for just who I have become. Initially, I did not heed, sometimes I'd even deliberately run away or resist. Little by little, as their love for me trickled in my famished heart, I begin to open myself to healing and loving.

It was then, I found another meaning of love: acceptance and forgiveness. I realized that in true love one need not pretend, instead one must just be humble enough to show his real self to the people who loves him. Love is the unveiling of self. I learned that true love is felt only when the true selves are allowed to share that love. It is definitely a risk, but a risk surely worth taking.

I now know that I am a different person not only because of the pains I went through, but because of the enormous love of the people around me. The more I take in love, the more that my fears start to dissipate, because I have nothing more to hide, nothing more to fear. I felt secure in the fact that most people may not like me, but there are a handful that loves me. More importantly, I am confident that even these imperfect people fail in loving me, there is a God who loves me perfectly and faithfully, without conditions, without end.

*** texts in italics is from the song, "When love takes you in" by Steven Curtis Chapman

DO NOT ERASE

2010-01-27T19:31:00.002+08:00

Working with kids is such an uber rewarding and adorable experience for me. They have their own way of making you feeling super special even if most of the time they drive you crazy (especially when they ask you questions or just talk to you ALL AT THE SAME TIME!) They are so magical, they can put you under a spell. ;)

I was rushing to class this afternoon. When I walked in, I saw this drawing on the board. Clara, one of the girls in the class, drew it for me. See, she even wrote: "DO NOT ERASE" As soon as the class was over, I took this picture and left the room without erasing it. ;)

Kids are soooo candid and so pure! I am loving CCD classes. (ooopppsss, am getting attached to the kids already. Hahahaha!)

free trip to bora!

2010-01-26T01:56:00.002+08:00

Win a Free Boracay Vacation Package by WOW Philippines Travel Agency

WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is celebrating it's 5th year in business during July of 2010, and we would like you to have a chance to celebrate with us, so we have decided to give-away a FREE Boracay Package complete with 5 Star accommodations at the luxurious Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel on Boracay Island. The lucky winner will win the following Boracay vacation package.

Vacation Package Inclusions:
- 5 Days / 4 Nights Luxury 5 Star Accommodations at the Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel
- Flights to Boracay from Manila to Caticlan Airport on Philippine Airlines
- Island Transfers - Door-to-Door from Manila to the resort and back to Manila
- Three (3) Meals each day, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Boracay Activities - Horseback Riding, Island Hopping, Glass Bottom Boat
- PLUS - 5,000 peso Spending Cash

Read More Information: http://www.boracay-packages.com

Doctor speaks on how nutrition helped his kid

2010-01-25T15:03:00.002+08:00

Dr. John Harold Ong speaks about how his daughter, Arielle, who was diagnosed with Severe Developmental Delay bordering on Global Mental Retardation got terrific results with Reliv Products.

I've seen this pretty girl and I am a believer! :)

Thanks Gelo for the video! :)