Speak It Out

A letter to friends and family

2010-09-15T19:35:00.003+08:00

30 August 2010

Dear Family & Friends,

After serving for more than a decade as missionaries for Couples for Christ and after even going for long-term mission in Africa together, Clarke and Cynch Nebrao discover that their only 10-month old son Chino has severe mitral regurgitation with mild stenosis, Simply put, the Nebraos’ third child has a defective heart valve. The condition affects only 2% of the world’s population and survival rate is only 5%. Open heart surgery to treat baby Chino’s condition, including hospitalization expenses and medications is going to cost around Php 2 million or USD 45, 000.

This is why, we, a group of Clarke and Cynch’s friends came together to talk about what could be done to help them during this trying time. Concretely, we would like to invite you to help raise a portion of the funds Chino needs to get a chance to live. We are writing this letter to ask for any amount you could spare for Chino’s cause. We need 2,000 generous souls to give, at least, Php 1,000 (USD 20) each. Also, your prayers and gestures of support to the Nebrao family would work wonders.

His doctors say that he needs to undergo surgery before he turns one; he turns one in October. This is why his cause is pretty urgent. We would appreciate it very much if you would help spread the word and take up Chino’s cause as your own and pray for his healing.

You can deposit your donations to:

Cynthia Marie Adalla-Nebrao

Account Number. 3106523407

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)

Edsa-Greenhills Branch

For more information about baby Chino’s condition and how you can help, please visit www.championsforchino.com. You can also donate via Paypal on the website. Follow baby Chino, as well, on Twitter @champions4chino.

Love,

Champions for Chino

Meeting LBP Again

2010-09-15T14:38:00.003+08:00

It's been years since I had used LBP (Landbank of the Philippines) facilities. I know they are almost always offline, and that their ATMS are offline or hung, and they keep people waiting for about two hours to transact inside their banks.

Today, I had to use their machine. Guess what - one was offline, two were not operating, and one had difficulty transaction (read: hung). As per bank employee, in the whole country, LBP is offline!

Thus, my attempts failed. I had to use another bank to fulfill my transaction, with fees at that.

LBP is very rich, I know, yet their services and facilities are ancient.

Insights on Jiro Manio

2010-09-15T12:14:00.003+08:00

I have seen him on films as a child. Who can forget Magnifico? I am moved to tears every time I watch that, like so many times. I even searched almost all the malls in Metro Manila to get an original copy.

He was an advertiser of a milk brand.

I truly believed he would grow to be a wonderful child, son, friend...

Until one day, I watched an episode of rated K. Jiro is a teenage father. Suddenly, my world seemed to collapse. I was so sad. I am happy that he was happy, but I am sad because he failed in what I believed him to be.

The death of his mother truly made an impact on Jiro, on things that he cannot handle, on the problems that were not addressed.

Yet, I wish the best for him. I wish that he would pursue his relationship with the mother of his daughter. The host said "dating karelasyon" (former girlfriend), which, as based on those words, Jiro and the girl has lost the love that they shared, but I know they love Sisha. I look forward that they would marry and have a happy family.

Excess Baggage?

2010-02-26T18:04:00.005+08:00

I usually travel within the Philippines, like twice or thrice a year, for personal and business purposes. For business, we use PAL since it is required. Perhaps I have become accustomed to having a baggage allowance of 20kg.

My flight last Monday from Davao to Manila used Cebu Pacific Air. I forgot that their allowance is only 15kg. Mine weighed 21kg. I only had Php400 in my wallet. plus an ATM card. The charge is Php100/kg. I still have to pay the terminal fee of Php200 since I am in Davao International Airport. The lady at the check-in counter would not allow me to hand carry the other bag even if it weights only 7kg. She said it is too big. Reading the guidelines, PAL has a measurement of 44 inches of hand carry, while while Cebu Pacific has 56cm x 36cm x 23 cm for Airbus. My bag measures only 18 inches or 45 cm x 20cm x 23 cm, it can easily be brought and stored in the stow. She even asked me to remove things, but I do not reside there and the contents are all for personal use.

The ATM at the airport is out of order by the way. I had to call friends who would be departing on a later flight to let me borrow money.

I really found it very troublesome and unfriendly. What if I do not know anyone there?

Why and What If

2010-01-24T21:12:00.000+08:00

February 19-21, 2010 will be the 17th CFC Singles for Christ International Conference in Davao City. Since this is done yearly, I have prepared for it since last year,

The registration started in October and of course, I was among the early registrants. It costs Php1000, but regular registration costs Php1200.

Second semester came. I enrolled for Epidemiology 201 and Biostatistics 206. The classes began and as I looked at the dates, I almost died: The 2nd exam for Epi falls on February 20. As per University rules, absence in an exam can only be allowed if the student got sick, with a medical certificate at that, or there is death in the immediate family or in a crucial health condition.

Still, I attended the classes religiously. I have never been absent.

Joe bought plane tickets for us. We were to leave Manila Feb. 17 and I would return on the 22nd. Fortunately, the President declared Feb. 22 as a holiday. it meant more leaves in the office for future use. I already filed for a forced leave last week.

I mustered enough courage to see the course coordinator for Epi. She was also my teacher for Biostat. I asked if I could just take an advanced exam or a make-up exam. We were allowed that in college, since I was also in the UP system. I have taken an advanced exam before, because my best friend and I have to go to a CFC Youth for Christ International Leaders Conference, We were classmates also. But she said the conditions. Otherwise if I miss the exam, I will get a zero for that. I have computed that to pass the course (attached file).

I do not want to lie that I was sick, and certainly I do not want the other two situations. Besides the guilt would haunt me, since I am a good Catholic and a leader/ member of the CFC Singles for Christ.

If I take the exam, will I be able to concentrate? Will I pass it? Though I really have to focus on that since it will mean that I am letting go of the conference, and also being with my God's gift.

If I take the exam and pass it, will I be able to pass the course? Will I be able to finish my MS?

If I do not take the exam, that means wasting Php3,000 pesos for the subject, plus the effort of studying, answering, reading, going to school wherein I have not been absent nor late.

Since we have plans that I will be going to PNG as well, I might not be really able to finish the MS, provided I get a work there. That means reaching MRR (maximum residency rule). I can still study, but that means re-enrolling all my subjects.

However if I do not get a work there, I have to return here to the Philippines and continue my MS and my work.

Yet I do not know how long I will stay here, though Joe wants us to live there.

How secure is my future? Only God knows.

So I am asking: Can God make one Saturday before February 20 a no-work, no school day? That means January 30, February 6 and February 13. I am thinking of a lot of possibilities. The President will declare an additional holiday which will be Saturday, or there will be heavy rains and flood up to the waistline along Taft Avenue ONLY from Friday evening until Saturday afternoon. Anyway, the streets there are easily flooded. Or other means that man or God can make.

But as I said, God can do anything,

The next question is: Will He?

Proverbs 19:21 (New International Version (©1984)
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

URGENT! Copenhagen Summit

2009-12-16T19:51:00.000+08:00

Dear Friends,

With three days to go, the crucial Copenhagen summit is failing.

Tomorrow, the world's leaders arrive for an unprecedented 60 hours of direct negotiations. Experts agree that without a tidal wave of public pressure for a deal, the summit will not stop catastrophic global warming of 2 degrees.

Click below to sign the petition for a real deal in Copenhagen -- the campaign already has a staggering 10 million supporters - let's make it the largest petition in history in the next 72 hours! Every single name is actually being read out at the summit -- sign on at the link below and forward this email to everyone!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_copenhagen/97.php?cl_tta_sign=41430e260d5b22f8fa7b16c2c1416d2d

An Avaaz team is meeting daily with negotiators inside the summit who will organize a spectacular petition delivery to world leaders as they arrive, building a giant wall of boxes of names and reading out the names of every person who signs. With the largest petition in history, leaders will have no doubt that the whole world is watching.

Millions watched the Avaaz vigil inside the summit on TV yesterday, where Archbishop Desmond Tutu told hundreds of delegates and assembled children:

“We marched in Berlin, and the wall fell.
"We marched for South Africa, and apartheid fell.
"We marched at Copenhagen -- and we WILL get a Real Deal.”

Copenhagen is seeking the biggest mandate in history to stop the greatest threat humanity has ever faced. History will be made in the next few days. How will our children remember this moment? Let's tell them we did all we could.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_copenhagen/97.php?cl_tta_sign=41430e260d5b22f8fa7b16c2c1416d2d

With hope,

Ricken, Alice, Ben, Paul, Luis, Iain, Veronique, Graziela, Pascal, Paula, Benjamin, Raj, Raluca, Taren, David, Josh and the whole Avaaz team.

Monday Excitement...tsk tsk

2009-11-23T15:45:00.003+08:00

I bought my Monday uniform cloth last week, since the one that I am using is already not nice in terms of appearance and texture. I had it sewn, so nicely and I got it yesterday. I happily ironed it, even though I hate ironing my clothes. I prepared myself so well for today, like a child, and made sure that my things such as the food samples I collected are ready, my reports and everything. I set my alarm clock at 5am.

Before I became fully asleep, some people were drinking outside and someone was playing with the door.

Morning came, I had a terrible headache, plus my pillows were improperly positioned. I wanted to go to work. So much...but I could not bear the pain. I slept again.

The alarm for my reminders went off, but the pain did not go away.

At 6:30 my sister woke me up and asked why I am still at home. I answered hazily that I was having headache and body pain.

I woke up at past 8am, still feeling sick.

Sigh. So sad. I texted my officemate that I could not go to work. I had a lot to do today: my itineraries, submit reports, study my module for the seminar on Wednesday, submit samples...

Bad day. Hope everything will be fine tomorrow. I already got a body massage to make me feel better. It did, without taking any medicine at all.

Alas, I have no Tuesday uniform. I thought I already bought another one when I bought the Monday's. My Tuesday got burned last August.

Have You Given It a Thought?

2009-11-19T13:08:00.001+08:00

"Bakit mas maraming volunteer sa ibang lugar kaysa sa sariling GK site? Sadness. Wala na nga bang dedication, perseverance and commitment?"

I told this to Ching, my sister in SFC. I am referring to our GK site and the GK build in Tarlac. She used to volunteer too. She has gotten too busy now, yet I can count on her everytime I need her during the CYD activities. There are days that I am afraid and alone, yet she and Jean were always there every time I call. We have shared countless memories serving.

Since Melvyn asked me to volunteer for SIGA, all my fears and apprehensions have started to fade one by one. I have seen Joe serve in SIGA before, I have seen how he cried, how he spends (he was very very generous), I have seen his passion, his smile and laughter with them. While I, at that time, was serving in SAGIP, those with children with ages ranging from 7-13. SIGA was for 13-21. Both are counterparts of CFC Kids for Christ and CFC Youth for Christ.

We have teachings, we have concerts, we have picnics and field trips. It was like a regular peer group inclined to God's word, founded on His love.

Tito Boyet and Tita Lyn have asked me what is the status of our site. They reminded me that it's too bad that there are only a few hearts. We were the ones who started the movement in our area, but some have already moved on - married, busy with career, have gone abroad, or simply stopped.

All that I can do now is pray, and maybe, the fire will be rekindled. I have done my part, and still doing it.

Choices

2009-11-15T22:56:00.001+08:00

Sometimes it seems to hard for someone to understand that calendar dates are important as a part of everyday life. I live counting and taking note of the days, whether special or something terrible happened. It's in me, in my bloodstream and in my genes.

It makes me sad when this thing is taken for granted, and that something else is more important. And then I am asked to choose, wherein the choice that had to be made does not matter choosing from. It's like making me choose from double dutch ice cream and pistachio ice cream...when both of them are so good, and not choosing either will make me feel bad.

Administrator at Active Dorm

2009-11-04T11:38:00.000+08:00

Last September, I paid for an advance and downpayment for a room in Kalimbas St., Sta.Cruz, Manila. It was Php7,000 plus Php1,00 for the electricity.

Upon returning to the building after a few days, I noticed that the floor, the whole floor has no sink,not even a kitchen sink or hand washing sink. A few nights before, my sister said that the stairway and hallways were dark, meaning there was no source of illumination.

With that, we decided to look for another place. Josephine Danganan or Josephine Danganan, was in charge of Active Dorm in España. She was also the one handling business in Kalimbas. I talked to her over the phone and she said that it is her first time to do the refunding. However, they would be taking 30% from the Php7,000. She said that the papers would be a long process since they are a corporation. She also assured that we can only get the refund when new tenants will be occupying what we previously planned to rent. Before I put the phone down, I overheard her saying to her companion "buti na lang di ko pa naasikaso." With that, it meant that there was no processing yet for the corporation to file anything or sign anything. The money was with her.

Yesterday I verified if the room that we were supposed to occupy was leased out. It was. After that, I went to Active Dorm and talked with Agnes (who, by the way, on my firt visit, was being scolded by Josephine with taunting words like stupid and others, in a very degrading manner). I talked to her and she asked me to write a note. I wrote my name, objective and contact number.

Until now I have not received any reply.

Ardythe's Handicrafts

2009-09-20T12:44:00.004+08:00

Ardythe's handicrafts offers handicraft bags.

Filipinos design beautiful bags and craft them with endeavor which is at par with the whole world.

The site showcases different collections that will definitely appeal to the senser. Durable and useful, they will never go out of style.

Log in to http://www.ardythehandicrafts.multiply.com/.

Nokia's Failing

2009-09-10T18:40:00.000+08:00

All my cellphones have been manufactured by Nokia. Except for one manufactured by Motorola.

I got my 3310 in 2001. It was fine. I dropped it only three times, if I remember it right. But by February or March 2006, my drink spilled in my bag, and that was the start of its good-bye. Slowly, battery life would end when I have a call. I replaced its battery twice, so I had three batteries during the whole duration of it with me.

I bought a 6610i when the 3310 got wet. Just to be sure. But after a few months, I forgot when, it really just few months, it's keypad wouldn't work and I had to bring it to the Nokia Care Center.

My boyfriend had to go to Papua New Guinea and since my phone was open line and his was not, I used his and he used mine. His phone was Motorola L6. I had it repaired once.

Since we were eligible to obtain a free phone due to his post paid plan, we got an N73 in March 2008. However, in August, the phone would just turn off. I had it checked by October and a month later, the problem re-occurred. I brought it again to the Nokia Care Center but after a week it experienced the same problems. I had it checked only this year, around February or March, before the warranty expired, but when I got home, it was still the same. As in that same night.

I continued to endure the power failures and the memory full status, until I got the 6700 July this year. Yet, on September 9, 2009, yesterday, it would not switch on. I slept at 1am charging it, leaving it on, and then viola! It has no power anymore when I woke up. I brought it to the Nokia Care Center once again. Up to now I have no update.

What bothers me are:
the loss of the data - all contacts, messages, reminders, notes
the loss of time - to update all the information on the phone
the loss of time - because I have to have it checked, and then I have to come back to claim it
the quality of the phone.

The simpler the phone, the better. But times are changing now...

Or maybe I would get another brand next time...

IS THAT A TAKE-HOME EXAM?

2009-08-28T13:49:00.000+08:00

When I was in college, when we're given take home exams, we had one week to do that.

Now in graduate school, with the loads of work, family and friends, the take home exam is two days...WTF???

Notes are incomplete. Since the advancement of technology, all lectures are in powerpoint presentations. We were not given a copy until yesterday. Classes started at June. Actually, they are still incomplete as of the moment. They send the files in PDF format. I do not want to waste MY INK and MY PAPER printing all of those slides, around 200 of them at present. I convert them to powerpoint and make my own adjustments. That takes time and effort.

There are 5 items in that exam, with categories and sub-categories.I do not have the leisure of time. I am a very busy person. I am blogging now because I CANNOT TAKE IT ANYMORE!!! I have to express my rant.

Love Her or Hate Her

2009-08-05T15:46:00.000+08:00

Yesterday my mother asked me if I would pay a visit to the former President Corazon Aquino. I was never her fan. She was never my idol.So told her if that would be Imelda then I would. But she is not.

Today, as I was watching the burial procession, the caretaker and the guard commented of Kristeta, more famously known as Kris Aquino. She is a celebrity, a favored endorser, a good actress at times, a singer, a reporter, a good mother, and a wife. She is also known as a person who loves stupidly.

Kris is intelligent, the most intelligent among her siblings. Yet sometimes decisions of the heart fail her. She loves too much, and wrongly. She has had affair with other celebrities. She had her moment when she was almost killed by her lover (Joey Marquez) who was a known womanizer. I think she digs basketball players.

She is now married and happy with James Yap, who's much more younger than her. In fact younger than me.

Sometimes I don't like her because of what she says.I admit I am like her...frank and straight-forward. Sometimes I like her because of that attitude.

I have met her once when I was a contestant in her game show Game Ka Na Ba? She was pretty.

So we have our own judgments. She may not be as wise as her mother and father. But we are all different.

The 2009 SONA

2009-07-28T19:20:00.000+08:00

I used red for something that I strongly disagree:

We have worked on flood control infrastructure like those for Pinatubo, Agno, Laoag, and Abucay, which will pump the run off waters from Quezon City and Tondo flooding Sampaloc.

The SONA was delivered at 4pm on 27 July 2009. On 26 July 2009, it rained from 1pm to 9pm. I was able to go home at 2am. Why? Because I had to walk from Maceda St., Sampaloc, Manila to my house near UST because the roads were flooded. Flood levels ranged from street to street: from around the heel to the knees. Vehicles were stranded. Trashes were floating everywhere. Some houses had flood water in them. Prior to that, there was heavy traffic along NLEX We had to make a detour at Malinta. Why? Because Balintawak cloverleaf was submerged in flood too.

****
PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO’S
2009 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS
DURING THE 3rd JOINT REGULAR SESSION OF THE
14th CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Session Hall, Batasan Pambansa complex
Batasan Hills, Quezon City
July 27, 2009
07272009A

(long applause) Thank you. Ladies and gentleman, good afternoon. Before I begin my report to the nation, please join me first in a moment of prayer for President Aquino. Thank you, Speaker Nograles. Senate President Enrile, Speaker Nograle, Senators, Representatives, Vice President De Castro, former President Ramos, Chief Justice Puno, Ambassadors, friends: The past twelve months have been a year for the history books. Financial meltdown in the West spread throughout the world. Tens of millions lost their jobs; billions across the globe have been hurt -- the poor always harder than the rich. No one was spared. It has affected us already. But the story of the Philippines in 2008 is that the country weathered a succession of global crises in fuel, in food, then in finance, and finally the economy in a global recession, never losing focus and with economic fundamentals intact. (applause)

A few days ago Moody’s upgraded our credit rating, citing the resilience of our economy. The state of our nation is a strong economy. (applause) Good news for our people, bad news for our critics. (applause) I did not become President to be popular. To work, to lead, to protect and preserve our country, our people, that is why I became President. (applause) When my father left the Presidency, we were second to Japan. I want our Republic to be ready for the first world in 20 years.

Towards that vision, we made key reforms. Our economic plan centers on putting people first. Higit sa lahat, ang layunin ng ating patakaran ay tulungan ang masisipag na karaniwang Pilipino. (applause) New tax revenues were put in place to help pay for better healthcare, more roads, a strong education system. Housing policies were designed to lift up our poorest citizens so they can live and raise a family with dignity. Ang ating mga puhunan sa agrikultura ay naglalayong kilalanin ang ating mga magsasaka bilang backbone ng ating bansa, (applause) at bigyan sila ng mga modernong kagamitan to feed our nation and feed their own family. Had we listened to the critics of those policies, had we not braced ourselves for the crisis that came, had we taken the easy road much preferred by politicians eyeing elections, this country would be flat on its back. (applause)

It would take twice the effort just to get it back again on its feet -- to where we are now because we took the responsibility and paid the political price of doing the right thing. (applause) For standing with me and doing the right thing -- thank you, Congress. (applause) The strong, bitter and unpopular revenue measures of the past few years have spared our country the worst of the global financial shocks. They gave us the resources to stimulate the economy. Nabigyan nila ang pinakamalaking pagtaas ng IRA ng mga LGU na 40 billion pesos itong taon, (applause) imparting strength throughout the country and at every level of government.

Compared to the past, we have built more and better infrastructure, including those started by others but left unfinished. The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is a prime example of building better roads. (applause) It creates wealth as the flagship of the Subic-Clark Corridor. We have built airports of international standard, upgraded domestic airports, built seaports and the Roll-on/Roll-off System. I ask Congress for a Philippine Transport Security Law. (applause)Some say that after this SONA, it will be all politics. Sorry, but there’s more work. (applause)

Sa telecommunications naman, inatasan ko ang Telecommunications Commission na kumilos na tungkol sa mga sumbong na dropped calls at mga nawawalang load sa cellphone. (applause) We need to amend the Commonwealth-era Public Service Law. And we need to do it now. (applause) Kung noong nakaraan, lumakas ang electronics, today, we are creating wealth by developing the BPO and tourism sectors as additional engines of growth.

Electronics and other manufactured exports rise and fall in accordance with the state of the world economy. But BPO remains resilient. With earnings of six billion dollars and employment of 600,000, the BPO phenomenon speaks eloquently of our competitiveness and productivity. (applause) Let us have a Department of ICT. (applause) In the last four years tourism almost doubled. It is now a five billion-dollar industry. (applause)

Our reforms gave us the resources to protect our people, our financial system and our economy from the worst of shocks that the best in the west failed to anticipate. (applause) They gave us the resources to extend welfare support and enhance spending power. For helping me raise government salaries through Joint Resolution No. 4 -- thank you, Congress. (applause) Cash handouts give the most immediate relief and produce the widest stimulating effect. Nakikinabang ang 700,000 na pinakamahihirap na pamilya sa programang Pantawid Pamilya. (applause) We prioritize projects with the same stimulus effects plus long-term contributions to progress. Sa pagpapamahagi ng milyun-milyong ektaryang lupa, 700,000 na katutubo at mahigit isang milyong benepisyaryo ng CARP ay taas-noong may-ari na ng sariling lupa. (applause) Hinihiling ko sa Kongreso na ipasa agad ang pagpapalawig ng CARP, (applause) at dapat ma-condone ang 42 billion pesos na land reform liabilities dahil 18.0 percent lamang ang nabayaran mula 1972. (applause) Napapanahon because it will unfreeze the rural property market. Ang mahal kong ama ang nag-emancipate ng mga magsasaka. I-
emancipate naman natin ngayon ang titulo. (applause)

Nakinabang ang pitong milyong entrepreneur sa 165 billion pesos in microfinance loans. Nakinabang ang sandaan libo sa emergency employment ng ating economic resiliency plan. Kasama natin ngayon ang isa sa kanila, si Gigi Gabiola. (applause) Dating household service worker sa Dubai, ngayon siya ay nagtatrabaho sa DOLE. Good luck! Gigi. (applause)

Nakinabang ang isang milyong pamilya sa programang pabahay at palupa, mula Pag-IBIG, NHA, community mortgage programs, certificates of lot award, at saka yung inyong Loan Condonation and Restructuring Act. Salamat. (applause)

Our average inflation is the lowest since 1966. Last June, it dropped to 1.5 percent. (applause) Paano? Proper policies lowered interest rates, which lowered costs to business and consumers. Dahil sa ating mga reporma, nakaya nating ibenta ang bigas NFA sa P18.25 per kilo kahit tumaas ang presyo sa labas mula P17.50 hanggang P30 dahil sa kakulangan sa supply sa mundo. Habang, sa unang pagkakataon, naitaas ang pamimili ng palay sa mga magsasaka -- 17 pesos mula sa 11 pesos. (applause)

Dahil sa ating mga reporma, nakaya nating mamuhunan sa pagkain -- anticipating an unexpected global food crisis. Nakagawa tayo ng libu-libong kilometro ng farm-to-market roads, at kasama ng pribadong sektor, natubigan ang dalawang milyong ektarya. (applause) Mga Badjao gaya ni Tarnati Dannawi (applause) ay tinuruan ng modernong mariculture. Umabot na sa 180,000 pesos ang kinita niya mula noong nakaraang taon. Congratulations, Tarnati! (applause) We will help more fisherfolk shift to fish farming with a budget of one billion pesos. (applause) Dahil dumarami na naman daw ang pamilyang nagugutom, mamumuhunan tayo ng panibago sa ating hunger mitigation program na sa nakaraan ay napatunayang mabisa. Tulungan niyo ako dito, Kongreso. (applause)

Mula pa noong 2001, nanawagan na tayo ng mas murang gamut. Nagbebenta tayo ng gamot na kalahating presyo sa libu-libong Botika ng Bayan at Botika ng Barangay sa maraming dako ng bansa. Our efforts prodded the pharmaceutical companies to come up with low-cost generics and brands like RiteMed. I supported the tough version of the House of the Cheaper Medicine Law, (applause) I supported it over the weak version of my critics. (applause) The result: the drug companies volunteered to bring down drug prices, slashing by half the prices of 16 drugs. Thank you, Congressmen Cua, Alvarez, Biron, Locsin. (applause) Pursuant to law, we are placing other drugs under a maximum retail price. To those who want to be President, this advice: If you really want something done, just do it. Do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Don't pander. And don’t say bad words in public. (applause)

Sa health insurance, sakop na ng 86.0 percent ang ating populasyon. Sa Rent Control Law ng 2005 hanggang 2008, di pwedeng lumampas ng 10.0 percent ang pagtaas ng upa taun-taon. Ayon sa kapipirma nating batas may isang taong moratorium, tapos hanggang 7.0 percent lamang ang maaaring pagtaas. Salamat, Kongreso. (applause) Noong isang taon, nabiyayaan ng tig-500 pesos ang mahigit pitong milyong tahanan bilang Pantawid Kuryente sa mga small electricity users. Yung presyo ng kuryente, ang EPIRA natin ang pangmatagalang sagot. EPIRA dismantled monopoly. Ngunit minana natin ang power purchase agreements, kaya hindi pa natin makakamtan yung buong intended effect. Pero happy na rin tayo, dahil isang taon na lamang yan. And the next generation will benefit from low prices from our EPIRA. Thank you. (applause)

Samantala, umabot na sa halos lahat ng barangay ang elektrisidad. We increased indigenous energy from 48.0 percent to 58.0 percent. Nakatipid tayo ng dollars tapos malaki pa ang na-reduce na oil consumption. The huge reduction in fossil fuel is the biggest proof of energy independence and environmental responsibility. (applause) Further reduction will come with the
implementation of the Renewable Energy Act and the Biofuels Act. Again, thank you. (applause)
The next generation will also benefit from our lower public debt to GDP ratio. It declined from 78.0 percent in 2000 to 55.0 percent in 2008. We cut in half the debt of government corporations from 15.0 percent to 7.0%. Likewise foreign debt from 73.0 percent to 32.0 percent. (applause) Kung meron man tayong malaking kaaway na tinalo, walang iba kung hind ang utang, yung foreign debt. Those in the past conjured the demon of foreign debt. We
exorcised it. (applause)

The market grows economies. A free market, not a free-for-all. To that end, we improved our banking system to complement its inherent conservatism. The Bangko Sentral has been prudent. Thank you, Governor Tetangco, (applause) for being so effective. The BSP will be even more effective if Congress will amend its Charter. (applause) We worked on the Special Purpose Vehicle Act, reducing non-performing loans from 18.0 percent to 4.0 percent and improving loan-deposit ratios.

Our new Securitization Law did not encourage the recklessness that brought down giant banks and insurance companies elsewhere and laid their economies to waste. In fact, it monitors and regulates the new-fangled financial schemes. Thank you, Congress. (applause) We will work to increase tax effort through improved collections and new sin taxes to further our capacity to reduce poverty and pursue growth. Revenue enhancement must come from the Department of Finance plugging leaks and catching tax and customs cheats. I call on taxpaying citizens and taxpaying businesses -- help the BIR and Customs spot those cheats. (applause)

Taxes should come from alcohol and tobacco, and not from books. Tax hazards to lungs and livers, do not tax minds. (applause) Ang kita mula sa buwis sa alak at sigarilyo ay dapat gamitin sa kalusugan at edukasyon. Pondohan ang Philhealth premiums ng pinakamahihirap. Pondohan ang mas maraming classrooms at computers. Pardon my partiality for the teaching profession. I was a teacher. (applause) Kaya namuhunan tayo ng malaki sa edukasyon at skills training. Ang
magandang edukasyon ay susi sa mas magandang buhay, the great equalizer that allows every young Filipino a chance to realize their dreams.

Nagtayo tayo ng 95,000 na silid-aralan, nagdagdag ng 60,000 na guro, naglaan ng 1.5 billion pesos para sa teacher training, especially for 100,000 English teachers. (applause) Isa sa pinakamahirap sa Millennium Development Goals ay yung ‘Education para sa Lahat’ pagdating ng 2015. Ibig sabihin, lahat ng nasa tamang edad ay dapat nasa primary school. Halos walang bansang makakatupad nito.

Ngunit nagsisikap pa rin tayo. Nagtayo tayo ng mga paaralan sa higit sanlibong barangay na dati walang eskwelahan upang makatipid ng gastos sa pamasahe ang mga bata. (applause) Tinanggal natin ang miscellaneous fees para sa primary school. Hindi na kailangan ang uniporme sa mga estudyante sa public school. In private high schools, we financed half of the students.
We have provided college and post-graduate education for over 600,000 scholars. One of them, Mylene Amerol-Macumbal, finished Accounting at MSU-IIT, (applause) then she went to law school, and placed second in the last bar exam -- (applause) the first Muslim woman bar topnotcher. (applause)

Congratulations! In technical education and skills training, we have invested three times that of three previous administrations combined. (applause) Narito si Jennifer Silbor, isa sa sampung milyong trainee. Natuto siya ng medical transcription. Now, as an independent contractor and lecturer for transcriptions in Davao, kumikita siya ng 18,000 pesos bawat buwan. Good job, Jennifer! (applause) The Presidential Task Force on Education headed by Jesuit educator Father Bienvenido Nebres has come out with the Main Education Highway towards a Knowledge-Based Economy. It envisions seamless education from basic to vocational school or college.

It seeks to mainstream early childhood development in basic education. Our children are our most cherished possession. In their early years we must make sure they get a healthy start in life. They must receive the right food for a healthy body, the right education for a bright and inquiring mind, and the equal opportunity for a meaningful job. (applause)

For college admission, the Task Force recommends mandatory Scholastic Aptitude Tests. It also recomends that higher private education institutions and state universities and colleges should be harmonized, and also that CHED should oversee local universities and colleges. For professions seeking international recognition -- engineering, architecture, accountancy, pharmacy and physical therapy -- the Task Force recommends radical reform: 10 years of basic education, two years of pre-university before three years of university. Our educational system should make the Filipino fit not just for whatever jobs happen to be on offer today, but also for whatever economic challenge life will throw in their way. (applause)

Sa hirap at ginhawa, pinapatatag ang ating bansa ng ating overseas Filipinos. Iyong padala nilang 16 billion dollars noong isang taon ay record. Itong taon, mas mataas pa. (applause) I know that this is not a sacrifice joyfully borne. This is work where it can be found in faraway places, among strangers with different cultures. It is lonely work, it is hard work. Kaya nagsisikap tayong lumikha dito sa atin ng mga trabahong maganda ang sahod, so that overseas work will just be a career choice, not the only option for a hardworking Filipino. (applause)

Meanwhile, we should make their sacrifices worthwhile. Dapat gumawa tayo ng mas epektibong proteksyon at pagpapalawak ng halaga ng kanilang pinagsikapang sweldo. That means stronger consumer protection for overseas Filipinos investing in property and products back home. Para sa kanila, pinapakilos natin ang Investors Protection Task Force. (applause) Hindi ako nag-aatubiling bisitahin ang ating taong-bayan at kanilang mga host sa buong mundo mula Hapon hanggang Brazil, mula Europa at Middle East hanggang sa American Midwest, nakikinig sa kanilang mga problema at pangangailangan, inaalam kung paano sila matulungan ng ating pamahalaan -- by working out better policies on migrant labor, or by saving lives and
restoring liberty.

Pagpunta ko sa Saudi, pinatawad ni Haring Abdullah ang pitong daang OFW na nasa preso. (applause) Pinuno nila ang isang buong eroplano at umuwi kasama ko. (applause) Mula sa ating State Visit sa Espanya, it has become our biggest European donor. (applause) At si Haring Juan Carlos ay nakikipag-usap sa ibang mga bansa para sa ating mga namomoblemang OFW. Ganoon din si Sheikh Khalifa, ang Prime Minister ng Bahrain. (applause) Pagpunta ko sa Kuwait, Emir Al-Sabah commuted death sentences. (applause) We thank all our leaders, all the world leaders who have shown compassion for our overseas Filipino workers. Maraming salamat (applause)
Our vigorous international engagement has helped bring in foreign investment. Net foreign direct investments multiplied 15 times during our administration. Kasama ng ating mga OFW, they more than doubled our foreign exchange reserves. Pinalakas ang ating piso, naiwasan ang lubhang pagtaas ng presyo. They upgraded our credit because while the reserves of our peers have shrunk this past years, our reserves grew by three billion dollars. (applause)

Our international engagement has also corrected historical injustice. The day we visited Washington, Senator Daniel Inouye successfully sponsored benefits for our veterans as part of American’s stimulus package. I have accepted the invitation of President Obama to be the first Southeast Asian leader to meet him at the White House, later this week. (applause) That
he sought out the Philippines testifies to our strong and deep ties. High on our agenda will be peace and security issues. Terrorism: how to meet it, how to end it, how to address its roots in injustice and prejudice. And first and always how to protect lives.

We will discuss nuclear non-proliferation. The Philippines will chair the review of the Nuclear Weapons Non-proliferation Treaty in New York in May 2010. The success of the talks will be a major diplomatic achievement for us. (applause) There is a range of other issues we will discuss, including the global challenge of climate change, especially the threat to countries with long coastlines. And there is the global recession, its worse impact on poor people, and the options
that can spare them from the worst.

In 2008 up to the first quarter of 2009 we stood among only a few economies in Asia-Pacific that did not shrink. (applause) Compare this to 2001, when some of my current critics were driven out by people power. Asia was then surging but our country was on the brink of bankruptcy. (applause) Since then, our economy has posted uninterrupted growth for 33 quarters; more than doubled its size from 76 billion dollars to a 186 billion dollars. The average GDP growth from 2001 to the first quarter of 2009 is the highest in 43 years. (applause)

Bumaba ang bilang ng mga nagsasabing mahirap sila sa 47.0 percent mula 59.0 percent. Maski lumaki ang ating populasyon, nabawasan ng dalawang milyon ang bilang ng mahihirap. (applause) GNP per capita rose from a Third World 967 dollars to 2,000 dollars. (applause) Lumikha tayo ng walong milyong trabaho, an average of a million a year, much, much more than at any other time. (applause) In sum: First, we have a strong economy in a strong fiscal position to withstand political shocks; second, we built new and modern infrastructure and completed unfinished ones: third, the economy is more fair to the poor than ever before; (applause) fourth, we are building a sound base for the next generation; fifth, international authorities have taken notice that we are safer from environmental degradation and man-made disasters. (applause)

As a country in the path of typhoons and in the Pacific Rim of Fire, we must be prepared as the latest technology permits to anticipate natural calamities when that is possible; to extend immediate and effective relief when it is not; the mapping of flood-and-landslide-prone areas is almost complete. Early warning, forecasting and monitoring systems have been improved, with weather-tracking facilities in Subic, Tagaytay, Mactan, Mindanao, Pampanga.

We have worked on flood control infrastructure like those for Pinatubo, Agno, Laoag, and Abucay, which will pump the run off waters from Quezon City and Tondo flooding Sampaloc. This will help relieve hundreds of hectares in this old city of its age-old woe. (applause) Patuloy naman yung sa CAMANAVA, dagdag sa Pinatubo, Iloilo, Pasig-Marikina, Bicol River Basin, at saka river basin ng Mindanao. (applause)

The victims of typhoon Frank in Panay should receive their long-overdue assistance package. I ask Congress to pass the SNITS Law. (applause) Namana natin ang pinakamatagal na rebelyon ng Komunista sa buong mundo. Si Leah de la Cruz isa sa labindalawang libong rebel returnee. Sixteen pa lang siya nang sumali sa NPA. Naging kasapi sa Regional White Area Committee, napromote sa Leyte Party Committee Secretary. Nahuli noong 2006. She is now involved in an LGU-supported handicraft livelihood training of former rebels. We love you, Leah! (applause)
There is now a good prospect for peace talks with both the Communist Party of the Philippines and the MILF, with whom we are now on ceasefire. (applause)

We inherited an age-old conflict in Mindanao, exacerbated by a politically popular but near-sighted policy of massive retaliation. This only provoked the other side to continue the war. In these two internal conflicts, ang tanong ay hindi, “Sino ang mananalo?” kung hindi, “Bakit pa ba kailangang mag-laban ang kapwa Pilipino tungkol sa mga isyu na alam naman nating lahat na di malulutas sa dahas at mareresolba lang sa paraang demokratiko?” (applause)

There is nothing more that I would wish for than peace in Mindanao. (applause) It will be a blessing for all its people, Muslim, Christian and Lumads. It will show other religiously divided communities that there can be common ground on which to live together in peace, harmony and cooperation that respects each other’s religious beliefs. (applause)

At sa lahat ng dako ng bansa, kailangan nating protektahan ang ating mga mamamayan kontra sa krimen -- in their homes, in their neighborhoods, in their communities. How shall crime be fought? With the five pillars of the justice system, including crime fighters. We call on Congress to fund more policemen on the streets. (applause)
Real government is about looking beyond the vested to the national interest, setting up the necessary conditions to enable the next more enabled and more empowered generation to achieve a country as prosperous a people as content as ours deserve to be. (applause) The noisiest critics of constitutional reform tirelessly and shamelessly attempted Cha-Cha when they thought they could take advantage of a shift in the form of government. Now that they feel they cannot benefit from it, they oppose it. (applause)

As the seeds of fundamental political reform are planted, let us address the highest exercise of democracy -- voting! In 2001, I said we would finance fully automated elections. We got it, thanks to Congress. (applause) At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage, but not from the Presidency. (applause) My term does not end until next year. (applause) Until then, I will fight for the ordinary Filipino. The nation comes first. There is much to do as head of state to the very last day. (applause) A year is a long time. Patuloy ang pamumuhunan sa tinatawag na three E’s ng ekonomiya, environment at edukasyon. There are many perils that we
must still guard against.

A man-made calamity is already upon us, global in scale. As I said earlier, so far we have been spared its worst effects but we cannot be complacent. We only know that we have generated more resources on which to draw, and thereby created options we could take. Thank God we did not let our critics stop us. (applause)

As the campaign unfolds and the candidates take to the airwaves, I ask them to talk more about how they will build up the nation rather than tear down their opponents. (applause) Give the electorate real choices and not just sweet talk. (applause) Meanwhile, I will keep a steady hand on the tiller, keeping the ship of state away from the shallows some prefer, and steering it straight on the course we set in 2001. Ang ating taong-bayan ay masipag at maka-Diyos. These qualities are epitomized in someone like Manny Pacquiao. (applause) Manny trained tirelessly, by the book, with iron discipline, with the certain knowledge that he had to fight himself, his weaknesses first, before he could beat his opponent. (applause) That was the way to clinch his victories and his ultimate title: ang pinakadakilang boksingero sa kasaysayan. (applause) Mabuhay ka, Manny!(applause)

However much a President wishes it, a national problem cannot be knocked out with a single punch. A President must work with the problem as much as against it, turn it into a solution if she can. There isn’t a day I do not work at my job or a waking moment when I do not think through a work-related problem. Even my critics cannot begrudge the long hours I put in. Our people deserve a government that works just as hard as they do. (applause) A President must be on the job 24/7, ready for any contingency, any crisis, anywhere, anytime.

Everything right can be undone by even a single wrong. Every step forward must be taken in the teeth of political pressures and economic constraints that could push you two steps back if you flinch and falter. I have not flinched, I have not faltered. Hindi ako umaatras sa hamon. (applause) And I have never done any of the things that scared my worst critics so much. They are frightened by their own shadows. (applause)

In the face of attempted coups, I issued emergency proclamations just in case. But I was able to resolve these military crises with the ordinary powers of my office. My critics call it dictatorship. I call it determination. (applause) We know it as strong government. But I never declared martial law, (applause) though they are running scared as if I did. In truth, what they are really afraid of is their weakness in the face of this self-imagined threat. (applause)

I say to them: Do not tell us what we all know, that democracy can be threatened. Tell us what you will do when it is attacked. (applause) I know what to do: As I have shown, I will defend democracy with arms when it is threatened by violence; with firmness when it is weakened by division; with law and order when it is subverted by anarchy; and always, I will try to sustain it by wise policies of economic progress, so that a democracy means not just an empty liberty but a full life for all. (applause) I have never expressed the desire to extend myself beyond my term. (applause) Many of those who accuse me of it tried to cling like nails to their posts. (applause)

I am accused of misgovernance. Many of those who accuse me of it left me the problem of their misgovernance to solve. (applause) And we did it. I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my position for personal profit. Many who accuse me of it have lifestyles and spending habits that make them walking proofs of that crime. (applause) We can read their frustrations. They had the chance to serve this good country and they blew it by serving themselves. (applause) Those who live in glass houses should cast no stones. Those who should be in jail should not threaten it, especially if they have been there. (applause)

Our administration, with the highest average rate of growth, recording multiple increases in investments, with the largest job creation in history, and which gets a credit upgrade at the height of a world recession, must be doing something right, (applause) even if some of those cocooned in corporate privilege refuse to recognize it. (applause) Governance however is not about looking back and getting even. It is about looking forward and giving more to the people who gave us the greatest, hardest gift of all: the care of a country. (applause) From Bonifacio at Balintawak to Cory Aquino at EDSA and up to today, we have struggled to bring power to the people, and this country to the eminence it deserves.

Today the Philippines is weathering well the storm that is raging around the world. It is growing stronger with the challenge. When the weather clears, as it will, there is no telling how much farther forward it can go. Believe in it. I believe. (applause) We can and we must march forward with hope, optimism and determination. We must come together, work together and walk together toward the future. (applause)

Bagamat malaking hamon ang nasa ating harapan, nasa kamay natin ang malaking kakayahan. (applause) Halina’t pagtulungan nating tiyakin ang karapat-dapat na kinabukasan ng ating Inang Bayan. (applause) And to the people of our good country, for allowing me to serve as your President, maraming salamat. (applause) Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! (applause)

Does It Count as 3 or 4

2009-07-17T17:17:00.001+08:00

They say badluck always comes in 3s. I don't know if I had three or four. It's not really badluck. Just unfortunate incidents.

I was on my way to work waiting at the LRT station with my GG. We decided to take the next train since the current train was a little too full, (like LRTs are). The next train arrived. We were riding smoothly and was outwitting each other for the sequence of the Line 1 and Line 2 stations. Then as the LRT crossed the Pasig River, the lights went out, then on, off, on and off and so on. The aircon was turned off. It was getting a little warm. After several minutes, the train was able to reach Central Terminal My GG got off at his point of stop. The train was stuck for several more minutes. When it moved, it was so slow. Upon reaching UN Avenue, it stopped, with doors open for several minutes. Some passengers already got off, thinking that it would not be resolved immediately. Some passengers stayed and some new passengers got in. Then we were asked to transfer train. I thought, how could it be possible, when the train is stuck?

I got off and down the stairs, I stopped, since people were slow-moving. Then, the plastic roofing of a make-shift store got too heavy because of the rain water, and viola, it poured on me. Good thing my umbrella was already open, but my hair got wet. If I really got that wet, I'd go home. Never mind if I would be running late.

I took a jeep. Heavy rains still poured from the skies. At some places, the areas were flooded. I was able to board the MRT without soaking my beautiful shoes. I found my location. While in the company, my GG called and told me that government offices were suspended due to the typhoon. Gee...

I finished my work just the same and boarded the MRT again. I thought the train would also experience some trouble, since there was no aircon. After a few minutes, the aircon was functioning. I reached my station but I could not get out of the ticket booth. It said that my ticket is rejected. I tried again. Failure. Then the woman behind me inserted her ticket, with me still stuck. I asked her to use mine. Still no success. She tried another booth, but to no avail. I told her I would accompany her to the ticket booth. I had paid only Php11 for the trip, when it should have been Php12. I gave a peso to the man behind the counter, and then watched the woman MY ticket again. It worked.

On the nasty side, she was so hasty to get out of the MRT station when it should be my turn, so it was her fault that both of us got delayed. I could have picked out an argument with her, or even left her.

Another train ride. The LRT was okay and I rode a tricycle since the streets were lightly flooded. Then I was home.

What's Up - July (Joe and Me)

2009-07-15T13:54:00.005+08:00

Joe. He's back, with me, and together we marveled at Puerto Galera. It was his highschool class's reunion. It was one beautiful place, though some pieces have been slightly devastated by humans. So far the municipality, citizens and tourists are working together to preserve and improve the creation.

This time, I hope it's forever. For real.

What's Up - June

2009-07-15T12:49:00.005+08:00

Leyte - the land of infrastructures. I prefer to call Leyte that, since they are famous for the San Juanico bridge and the the sculpture for McArthur's landing in Palo.

Going there was quite a rush, then we just bored ourselved in the room on a Monday afternoon. The courtesy call was such a glitch. Tuesday and Wednesday were work, work, work, We only have fun during lunch, and yeah, after lunch on Wednesday, since we already finished things.

What I really liked was Rafael's farm, a cozy place. It could be improved to include a spa and some resthouses though. San Juanico bridge was as strong and sturdy as ever.

What's Up - May

2009-07-15T12:30:00.004+08:00

My parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. So we made the trip - quite a trek and an adventure - to the mountains and rice paddies of the Banaue rice terraces. We stayed at Hiwang Native Inn, visited the Batad rice terraces, Tappia falls, Hapao rice terraces (also known as the UNESCO heritage) and the rice terraces at Banaue viewpoint (the one in the 1,000 pesos bill, which, by the way, is what we see from Hiwang).
More photos at my multiply site.

The hut (where several movies were made)

The scenery

Batad (where the film Mumbaki was shot)

Tappia falls, two hours hike from Batad

Hapao rice terraces

What's Up - April

2009-07-15T11:37:00.005+08:00

Our group: Ching, Zandro, Erwin, Rico and me, had to find the best accommodation in Baguio for our MMC (Metro Manila Conference) this month. Best means affordable, comfortable, nice, quiet and clean. We did find the best - at Betania, RVM's retreat house! It was great that we were jumping and tumbling.

At the mansion
The giant Rico and Zandro the dwarf

This is the conference site

At Betania's parking

At Betania's garden

Just looking around

Baguio is a place to climb trees

Or show your heads.

What's Up - February

2009-07-15T11:06:00.006+08:00

I am spending more time putting pictures on my multiply. So here's a summary of what I did for the year.

February was our International Conference (ICON) in Cebu for Singles for Christ. We arrived at Cebu, went to Bohol and got back to Cebu, attended the conference and toured the city before leaving for Manila. That's from Thursday to Monday! Yeah, we took the first flights though and that made me sleepless on a Wednesday and a Sunday night. The conference was not as good as before but we managed to learn more things, and take better care for my community, our community and for the others as well.

Lot for Sale in Malolos, Bulacan

2009-07-14T13:43:00.002+08:00

Type:residential
Size: 120 square meters
Price: Php340,000 cash
Location: Williamville, Malolos, Bulacan
Contact person: Ronald - 09186872869

Waiting for my Pasalubong

2009-07-13T17:12:00.001+08:00

I only asked for many hugs and many kisses.
And of course his safe return to my arms after the mission trip during the weekend.
Excited? Definitely I am!

God's Surprises

2009-07-13T17:08:00.001+08:00

Being a disciple of Christ means the surrender on one's whole life to the Master in absolute submission to His sovereignty.

And it is when we are out of options that we are most ready for God's Surprises.
(M. Lucado)
- o - - O -

Are you ready for God's surprises?
Yeah, we often hear a resounding yeas to this query.
But are we really ready?

For God to make His move, we ought to be in complete surrender!
Yielding to God's design for our lives.
Sometimes, we are too busy telling God what we want Him to do for us. And sometimes, we fail to see God's hands working through the circumstances in our lives simply because we are afraid to let go... of our own desires, and of our own wishes. and because we are too busy pursuing our own directions.

As the old cliche goes
"let go and Let GOD"
Only when we are not holding on to anything will we be ready to receive
God's promises!

Allow God to surprise you.
i know you'll be amazed and awed with what He can do.
Godbless everyone!

- KVergs

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21

I have encountered this verse during one of our household. I am aware but not knowledgeable that there is such a verse in the Bible.

Yes, God is indeed full of surprises in our lives. Unfortunate things come my way, and these may be inevitable or not. But what is more important is that through the ashes, rises a phoenix. A bright and fiery mythical bird that is fierceful yet beautiful. I may not be comparable to a phoenix, but in a metamorphical way, I may be similar.

So many things happened to me. Some of the painful things inflicted upon my naive and hapless soul managed to wreck my heart and gave me powerful insights. True, that I sometimes question God why, and I do not deserve such things. But then again, it has been said that God does not punish a wrongdoing with wickedness. That I know I cannot and will never dare to prove. The truth is, people who live according to God's will are prone to evil. And also those who are away from Him cannot be saved from the other realities of the world.

The goodness of a person is innate in a man's heart. That I strongly agree upon. No matter how cruel the world can be, if one desires and works towards a better life for himself, and that of others, then nothing is impossible.

To quote from Paolo Coelho, The Zahir:
"If someone is capable of loving his partner without restriction, then he is manifesting the love of God. If the love of God becomes manifest, he will love his neighbor. If he loves his neighbor, he will love himself. If he loves himself, then everything returns to its proper place."

An Enrolled Student Am I

2009-06-08T18:30:00.001+08:00

Since after all my experiences last week/last month, all my dull moments were spent pondering about my future, wondering about the coming semester, dilly-dallying about my health condition, blaming about the inefficiency of the UP Manila CPH and PGH. All the other free time that I had were also spent, on prayer.

I semi-followed my classmate's advice, to come at around 7:30am.I set my alarm at 5am, but woke up at 4am. By 5, I got out of the bed and prepared. I was able to leave the house before 6:30am. At 6:52am, I was already writing my name on the list. I am the 16th.

"They" arrived at past 7am, and to think that "they" would be "open" at 8:30am.

By 8:25, I went to UP health service in PGH. Last Friday, the nurses promised me that I would be the first to be attended to. Seems that they have forgotten that, and I did not bother to remind them. I was the 4th. From time to time, I would go out of the waiting area, since tere was no network signal there and I would text my colleagues. At 9:30am, the consultant arrived and the first patient got in. By 10am, my colleagues said that we have been called. I cannot do anything, I have to wait for him. He saw me at 10:10am.I sort of "pleaded' with him to sign my medical certificate, relating to him my agony just for me to be enrolled for the semester. He was kind enough to give consent, and I shouted "YES!" in his clinic. I gleefully proceeded to the nurse station.(In case that he did not allow me, I would not tell in this blog how I would pass by it,f or sure, him not involved, of couse. Hehehe.)

I went back to CPH, it was 10:30. I saw that the list was already on the 60s. No one was called. Then we were sent off to have lunch and be back by 1:30pm. I retained my number I just had to inform the guard.

It was already 1:50pm when I was called. Then we had to wait. By 2:00pm, I had my grades and paper for class schedule. I went to Dr. Rabuco and we discussed about it. at 2:15pm, I handed my sheet to the college secretary's office.Then we had to wait...for 1 hour and 55 minutes. Yes, I got my form 5 at 4:10pm. I had Dr. Rabuco sign and I "flew" to the registrar's office.

It took me less than 10 minutes to go there. I saw that the paying time was only until 4pm. We were not informed. I tried to talk to the guards, they said that they would be reprimanded. I asked the staff...these are young girls, and they would not agree. I said that I would speak to their officer. they closed the door in my face. How arrogant and disrepectful, to think that these were undergraduate students, and these students are working as student assistants, and they get paid for their job! I was asking nicely.I already got absent for 2 days for my physical and medical exam and then this? I was there before 7am and then what? The guard asked why we did not come early. I snapped that it was the college's fault, not mine.

Then I saw someone paying, and behind her was the guy whom the guard also told that they were closed. I fell in line just the same. The cashier did not say anything, she just asked the guard how many more are left through hand signal. So there! I like that cashier!

One of my colleagues commented that she thought that they have the worst condition. She was wrong when she experienced what we went through.

Now I just have to get my classcards from the college secretary's office.

The system really needs to be improved, involve service-oriented people who are considerate, and design an easier scheme. UPD and UPLB can register online. Why don't they change their ways? In UPLB I can register in 2 hours...not 2 days.

Rings

2009-06-06T12:42:00.002+08:00

We were watching tv, having a jolly time, even with Melvyn outpouring his loss over the stolen disc lock. The strawberry shake was pure bliss, made from real strawberry puree, with sugar as the only preservative, mixed with crushed ice and bananas.

Out of nowhere, Cathy handed me her engagement ring. She asked me to try them, to feel how does it feel to have an engagement ring. I questioned if that was her wedding ring, then saw her wedding ring on the table. So I tried. It does not fit. She then gave me her wedding ring, which also did not fit. She has smaller hands and fingers than mine. She asked for Melvyn's wedding ring. It also did not fit on mine, since that was bigger.

Thus I could not feel how was it, for the meantime. I will have mine, my very own, perhaps soon.

Enrolment is STRESSFUL

2009-06-05T16:34:00.003+08:00

21 May 2009

I was able to finish my work before lunch. I proceeded to Pedro Gil to eat my lunch, then get my grades from the college secretary's office in CPH. One of the staff said that I should get the classcard from the department, so I went to Dr. Rabuco's office. She said that she did not fill out the classcards, hence I should get them from the CS. I went back, then the same staff said that she does not have them, that I should ask the staff from the department. As I was about to go out, I saw the staff from the deparment, and this lady was with me during the conversation. I asked the CS staff if they issue the grades sheet which is the same as that given during enrollment. She said that I have to pay a certain fee. I agreed. Then she also said that I can access my grades online, I replied that I do not know about that. While she was enrolling me for online usage, the department staff was handed sheets of paper, wherein she showed me the grades. After that I knew that I passed all my subjects, with an awesome smile on my face.

At about 1:10pm I proceeded to PGH UP Health Service for my annual physical exam (PE). I was happy that we are not required to undergo dental anymore. It would be a burden off our shoulders. Besides, I just visited the dentist that week also. The "gates" of the health service opened at 1:30pm. Duh...where is efficient service here? No lines, no numbers, no listings. Everyone rushed to the counter. After all that, I was finally entertained then proceeded to wait for the health service doctor on duty. He arrived at 2:30pm. Duh-uh!!! He saw me at 3:30pm. Since my blood pressure was high at that day, he referred me to Internal Medicine(IM)-Cardiology at Out-patient Department (OPD). When I got there, they were already closed.

My classmate said that my blood pressure was high since I was stressed from all the waiting and that doctor. Hahaha.

2 June 2009
After lunch. I was back at OPD. I went to IM, who said that it should be at Family Medicine (FM) I went up at FM, who then said that it should be done by a private doctor. I asked why was I referred there in that case. Some enlightenment came to the nurse, she sent me back to IM. Then the IM guy told me to get inside Room 1 (he was the same one who asked me to go to FM). The nurse in IM said that Cardiology is done only on the mornings of Wednesday and Friday. That day was Tuesday. I went back to Health Service and asked about it. I was given a number and had to wait for the consultant. The consultant did not give consent. Instead she asked me to undergo laboratory tests (ECG, FBS, cholesterol, glucose, urinalysis and serum potassium). I could have them done at any diagnostic laboratory. She gave me a medication.

I went to Medocare. They can do all, except for the FBS since it was only 3:20pm. They asked me to come back the following day. They are open at 6am.

3 June 2009
At 5:45am, I was waiting outside Medocare. The staff arrived at 6:05am. They entertained me at once. I underwent the tests and by 8:14, I was already in Alabang, at work. I was not late, since late starts at 8:31am.

4 June 2009
I was back at Medocare to get the results. The doctor on duty was kinda impatient even if there were only a few people. Perhaps she has some other things to attend to. After seeing me and the results, she diagnosed me, but there was no indication that she was allowing me to enroll. I told her that but she did not put it on paper. She had me undergo Ultrasound of KUB and 2-D echo. Immediately after that, I had the ultrasound. They do not have the facility for the 2-D echo.

I went to do my inspection. I was finished before 2pm.

My classsmate texted me that enrolment was cancelled due to rains. I did not go to PGH anymore. Upon arriving home, I called PGH, health service was still operating.I After that I called UST Hospital and inquired about 2-D Echo. Since I have Medocare, I asked if it could be approved. They said that the coordinator was on duty 11am-1pm only. I asked for his number. I called him and the secretary said that I go there, since I live nearby. Upon arriving, she called Medocare and after a few misunderstandings with the customer call agent, I had my approval. I was scheduled for Tuesday. Since the results are out after three working days, that means I can get them on June 13 (June 12 is a holiday). I have to present them back to Medocare, wherein the doctor is available on Tuesday and Thursday. I will be out of town from Jun 15-18, so I will be back at Medocare on June 23.

5 June 2009
I went back to Health Service. Lo and behold, it was already 9am and they have not yet started. The system was very disorganized: lines here and there, lists here and there, people everywhere. Ventilation was very inadequate. There were around 40 people in there. Finally it was my turn and I presented my lab results to the nursing staff. I was given a number and waited for Dr. Cristina de la Peña, who, at 9:15am, went out to eat. Duh-uh! she came back at around 10am. She asked us to fill the forms, the weight, height, etc. and even the words "I refuse to undergo breast, rectal, abdominal and genital examination." I was kinda surprised. She was the only doctor who asked us to do that. From there, I had doubts about her. I went back to CPH and got my number - 106, and it was only the 17th that they were entertaining at that time.

My turn came. She asked me what she must do. She did not read my lab results. She had me interpret them all. I am sure that she does not even know what the normal references are, since she relied from my information. She even did not get my blood pressure, I had to remind her to do that. She does not know where she should sign, what she should check, or what she should write. I got frustrated but thanked her anyway.

Back at the nurse station, I informed the nurses of what she did. They said that she is only in first year. First year in medical practice I presume. They asked me to come back on Monday, there would be a consulant. They assured me that I would be the first.

That means I have to take a leave again on Monday like what I did today.

My classmate and I had lunch. We were discussing that if one of us had Influenza A (H1N1) we would all be infected. We went to CPH after lunch. Many were waiting, up to number 47 was called (it stopped at 22 before lunch). The CS doors were still closed. They were to resume at 1:30pm but at 2pm, they were still closed. I went back to Dr. Rabuco (my adviser) and told her of my concern. She said that we have to abide by the rules. She was hoping that we could pull it through, even if impossible. Enrolment, by the way, is only until June 9.

I said good-bye to my classmates and went to PAL ticketing office. There, it took me less than 15 minutes to get my tickets, sitting on a very comfortable couch with cool air-conditioning.

I took a jeep and then got off to deposit at BPI. Quick, in less than 5 minutes, I was on the street and paid my internet provider.

Then now I am home...

What would happen on Monday? PE is done annually, enrollment happens thrice in a school year...Has there always been chaos and disorder? Plus the fact that the staff moves slowly and inefficiently?

No Gawad Kalinga-Couples split, says Meloto

2009-05-21T17:51:00.003+08:00

No Gawad Kalinga-Couples split, says Meloto
By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:55:00 05/19/2009

Filed Under: Couples for Christ rift, Housing & Urban Planning, Poverty

MANILA, Philippines—Gawad Kalinga executive director Antonio Meloto reiterated Monday that there has been no split between the pro-poor housing advocacy group and the Couples for Christ International Council (CFC-IC).

Meloto said the report of a split between the two groups which appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Monday was a disservice to the poor that Gawad Kalinga and CFC seek to serve.

He said Gawad Kalinga continued to seek the support of parishes, and reports of a split with the CFC lay ministry, which is recognized by Rome, would only sow confusion.

Gawad Kalinga and CFC-IC early this month decided to have separate leaderships, he said.

The action caused Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz to call on parishes and chaplaincies in Pangasinan province to shun Gawad Kalinga activities since, the prelate said, it was no longer connected with the Catholic Church.

“As stated, there is no split or break between Gawad Kalinga and CFC, just a change in membership in the board of Gawad Kalinga,” Meloto said.

“Whoever fed the misinformation to the bishops and the Inquirer committed a grievous sin against the poor, against CFC and all Catholics. Our people have suffered long enough from poverty, neglect and our failure to practice what the Church has been teaching us,” he said.

Meloto said the poor “do not deserve to be deprived of care due to an internal transition in leadership which is designed to strengthen our mission of building the church of the poor.”

“My covenant with (CFC leader) Joe Tale is clear. There is no split—only greater solidarity between CFC and Gawad Kalinga for God, country and the poor,” he said.

“No one has the right to remove Gawad Kalinga from CFC whose members have made heroic sacrifices to create this noble work that has transformed lives and deepened faith,” he added.

The group builds housing communities for the poor.

Meanwhile, Gawad Kalinga is set to unveil its vision up to 2024 to the world.
GK2024, Gawad Kalinga’s Asian model for community development and poverty reduction, will be launched in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 12 during the Gawad Kalinga Global Summit, the group said in a statement.

Along with celebrating Philippine independence on that day, GK will officially begin its global fight against poverty with a 21-year timeline to end poverty for five million poorest Filipinos and build a First-World Philippines.

Vice President Noli de Castro will deliver the keynote address, “Leaving No One Behind,” to open the summit.

Speakers will include Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte, who will present perspectives on radical and effective development.

Meloto will launch a book called “The Builder of Dreams,” a first-hand account of the Gawad Kalinga journey.

For more information about the summit, visit www.gawadkalinga.org/globalsummit.

Bishop instructs flock to shun GK projects

2009-05-21T17:51:00.002+08:00

Bishop instructs flock to shun GK projects
By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:47:00 05/18/2009

Filed Under: Churches (organisations), House building, Family planning, Poverty

MANILA, Philippines—Archbishop Oscar Cruz has issued instructions to shun Gawad Kalinga (GK), a civic group whose initiatives to build shelter for the poor have come under fire for receiving donations from advocates of population control—a policy opposed by the Catholic Church.

The directive from the outspoken Lingayen-Dagupan prelate—the strongest on the issue from a ranking official of the Church hierarchy—was issued to parishes and chaplaincies in Pangasinan.

It came after the Couples for Christ International Council (CFC-IC) cut its ties with the GK recently.

Cruz said in his circular, which appeared on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, that the CFC-IC action would allow the GK to function as a nonreligious organization.

“In this particular regard, it would be right and prudent for you and me to have nothing to do with the Gawad Kalinga—directly or indirectly—in the event that such goes to your respective parishes or chaplaincies,” Cruz said.

“[This] in no way means that the said civic entity is altogether bad or something the like. Yet, pastoral prudence dictates the above advisory,” he said.

Gawad Kalinga is an advocacy group engaged in building decent housing for the impoverished, a program hailed here and abroad. Until recently, it was a part of the activities of the CFC.

Persons involved with CFC and the GK have had serious disagreements, including the housing advocacy being open to donations from groups promoting population management that the Catholic hierarchy opposes.

Interdependence remains

Antonio Meloto, GK executive director, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that there was no severing of ties with the CFC-IC. There may be an independence of governance, but there remains an “interdependence of members” of the two groups, he said.

Meloto indicated that the Catholic hierarchy should continue to be part of his group’s activities.

“Gawad Kalinga is the pearl of the Catholic church. It is an expression of what has been preached,” he said in a telephone interview.

Meloto said CFC members continued to serve on the GK board despite what he described as a realignment in leadership.

Cruz told the Inquirer that he issued the circular to make it clear that the Catholic Church no longer had any connection with the GK following its disassociation from the CFC.

The prelate said the CFC had the “pontifical imprimatur of Rome.” With no more connection to the CFC, Cruz said the GK also ceased to be a Church-based organization.

“It is already a civic group,” he said, comparing GK to the Rotary and Lions clubs.

“It’s good if Gawad Kalinga does well. But if it does something bad, the Church might get involved.”

But Cruz clarified: “Individually, any one without reference to faith, without reference to creed, everyone [is] free to join Gawad Kalinga.”

In his text statement, Meloto said: “There is greater solidarity between CFC and Gawad Kalinga in our work of bringing Filipinos out of poverty.

“This is the mission of every Catholic and every Filipino, and we will work with the government, the business community, the academe, civic organizations, Catholic groups like Bukas-loob sa Diyos, Focolare, Knights of Columbus, Cursillo, Magis Deo, Ligaya ng Panginoon, Bo Sanchez’s Light of Jesus, and Catholic schools and parishes here and abroad.

“There is a change in the board of Gawad Kalinga, but all of the members are CFC, except Ateneo president Fr. Ben Nebres. I am a devout Catholic and an active leader of the CFC.”

Earlier in Batangas, Lipa Archishop Ramon Arguelles expressed regret over the severed CFC-IC and GK ties.

Arguelles, the CBCP news website said, insisted that GK projects in his archdiocese continued to be administered by the CFC as a “prime result of CFC’s pledge to renew families worldwide.”

“I am convinced that the GK should continue and become a more effective social arm of the CFC firmly rooted in and reflective of the Catholic faith and practices without prejudice, though, to the CFC-GK’s commendable work of sharing God’s blessings with non-Catholics and non-Christians,” he said.

Arguelles said GK activities outside CFC direction were neither allowed nor recognized by the Lipa Archdiocese.

“Evidently, the GKs in Batangas are prohibited to have anything to do with institutions whose policies contradict the Church’s teachings,” he said.

CBCP news said Arguelles was referring to institutions like the Habitat for Humanity, Pfizer, the Population Commission and others. The groups are known to promote population management that the Catholic leadership opposes.

Fundamental differences

The CFC-IC, a lay organization, early this month announced the breakaway to allow GK to expand its work as a nonreligious organization.

“While CFC is pursuing the fullness of the mission, GK is focused on nation-building and poverty alleviation, which necessitate that it mainstreams and partners with all sectors of society. It is even poised to enter non-Christian countries (such as India, Indonesia and the Middle East) as a nonreligious organization,” CFC executive director Joe Tale said on the CBCP website.

“[As such], there has been honest divergence of opinions [from] these fundamental differences. We have tried to resolve these … However, despite our common best efforts and intentions, unity continues to be elusive under the present structure,” he added.

Tale said the CFC would continue with its pro-poor ministry even with the decision.

Time for GK to Break Away from CFC

2009-05-21T17:50:00.000+08:00

Time for GK to Break Away from CFC
By Perry Diaz
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 11:27:00 04/30/2008

Filed Under: Charity, Clubs & Associations, Human Interest

In my article, "Quo Vadis, Gawad Kalinga?" last September, I said: "Gawad Kalinga is not just an organization, it's a movement -- an ideal, I must say -- driven by an army of believers: volunteers, advocates, beneficiaries and benefactors. Indeed, Gawad Kalinga (GK) has taken a life of its own. Its scope has expanded to an all-inclusive humanitarian movement. But does that mean that evangelization cannot be a part of Gawad Kalinga's mission? Sure it can, but not within the context of Couples for Christ (CFC). At the end of the day, there is only one way for Gawad Kalinga to go: move forward…on its own."

At the time I wrote the article, Frank Padilla had already formed a breakaway group, the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL). But Gawad Kalinga remained with CFC. After the split, the two groups went their separate ways and the furor subsided. But underneath the appearance of civility between the two groups, the rivalry between their leaders continued underground, shielded from media scrutiny.

Then a news article written by ABS-CBN News' Carmela Fonbuena titled, "Vatican admonishes Couples for Christ over Gawad Kalinga," struck like a 50-foot tsunami. Fonbuena wrote, "The Vatican has chastised the Couples for Christ (CFC) group supportive of Gawad Kalinga founder Antonio Meloto for the 'erroneous steps [it has] taken' when it decided to shift focus from the spiritual to the social.

The group was instructed to make a public apology. "Central to the concern of the Vatican was the direction taken by CFC-founded social action group Gawad Kalinga (GK). The Vatican disapproved of CFC's 'overemphasis on the social work' and GK's openness to donations from groups that promote artificial family planning," Fonbuena added.

The basis of the article was a letter dated March 11 sent by Stanislaw Cardinal Rylko of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Laity to CFC President Jose Tale which said that CFC should "counterbalance the overemphasis on social work…" And in regard to donations from entities who promote "artificial family planning" -- specifically, use of condoms -- Cardinal Rylko said, "Your decision to stop receiving this type of funding will help recover the good standing of your association Couples for Christ."

Fonbuena wrote that Cardinal Rylko's letter was the result of Tale's March 3, 2008 visit to the Vatican, where he "admitted [that] some mistakes have been made and a certain scandal and confusion [was] caused among the faithful."

What William M. Esposo wrote in his recent article, "Tony Meloto's sanctification,” is interesting: “In a September 20, 2007 posting on http://www.restorecfc.multiply.com (website of Frank Padilla's breakaway group), Padilla admitted having sought and talked to Cardinal Rylko. Padilla stated that he went 'to speak with Archbishop Rylko and apprise him of the situation of CFC. That is my responsibility as the one who got our recognition and as the one whose name appears in our recognition.' Now, do you think that Frank Padilla told Cardinal Rylko the whole unvarnished truth or did he try to sell to the Cardinal his slanted version of the controversy?"

If CFC President Tale indeed admitted that some "mistakes" were made, it is presumed that Cardinal Rylko addressed only those "mistakes." I believe, however, that if Tale did not go to the Vatican, the rift between CFC and CFC-FFL would have remained underground and the Vatican would have turned a blind eye to the imbroglio. In essence Tale forced Cardinal Rylko to react to his admission that some "mistakes" were made.

So, what now? Let's take a quick look at the history of CFC: In 1993 Padilla and several others broke away from another Catholic lay organization, Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (Joy of the Lord), to form CFC. In 2002, another split occurred when the Families in Christ Jesus (FCJ) was formed by a splinter group within CFC. The organizers of FCJ believed that CFC was veering away from its evangelistic mission when it started raising funds to build homes for the poor. They believed that CFC should not be in the business of fund-raising. At that time, Padilla was the head honcho of CFC. Ironically, it was for the same reason that Padilla formed the CFC-FFL. It's amazing how history repeated itself in such a short time.

I also said in "Quo Vadis, Gawad Kalinga?": "The CFC-Gawad Kalinga relationship was like a case of a square peg in a round hole: no matter how you try to fit it in, it won't fit in. Gawad Kalinga simply wouldn't work the way it was conceived or, more appropriately, the way it evolved into what it is today.

“One can argue that nothing is wrong with what Gawad Kalinga has been doing. Indeed, nation-building is one of the noblest missions to pursue. However, the Couples for Christ is not about building a nation; it is about building the Church. And that was the reason the Vatican recognized and sanctioned CFC in 2000." It seems that Cardinal Rylko merely reinforced what the Roman Catholic Church is all about.

One of the leaders of FCJ told me: "CFC and GK are both right in their missions. However, the members have to choose between the two missions using their own personal charism." In other words, they have to choose between "winning the souls" and "building communities for the poor."

I believe it's time for Gawad Kalinga to break away from Couples for Christ and stand on its own, without any ties -- direct or indirect -- to the Vatican. By severing its ties with CFC, the Vatican cannot interfere with GK. It can then work unrestricted with any group. It would become a true humanitarian movement and in that capacity work more "miracles" uplifting the poorest of the poor, not just in the Philippines but anywhere in the world where it’s needed. CFC and CFC-FFL could then reconcile and reunite into one cohesive organization and continue what they were mandated to do when the Vatican recognized and sanctioned them in 2000. A reunified -- and reinvigorated -- CFC can then extend its evangelical work to Gawad Kalinga villages. CFC and GK can say that they're building communities for the poor as well as winning souls. It's a win-win solution that I'm pretty sure the Vatican couldn't be happier with.

*****
In my opinion, as well as the rest of the brothers and sisters in the community, building beautiful villages for the poor gives them hope, and in doing that, all at the same time, we are rebuilding their soul - spiritually. How can one say that there is God when he is always hungry and a victim of poverty. Both issues have to be addressed.

Tony Meloto's Text Regarding Inquirer Article dated 18 May 2009

2009-05-19T18:06:00.001+08:00

The headline of inquirer today is misleading and unfair to CFC members, catholics and the poor. As stated, there is no split or break in CFC and GK, just a change in membership in the board of GK. Whoever fed the misinformation to the bishops and to PDI have committed a grevious sin against the poor, against CFC and against all Catholics. Our people have suffered long enough from poverty, neglect and our failure to practice what the Church has been teaching us. They do not deserve to be deprived of care due to an internal transition in leadership which is designed to strengthen our mission of building the church of the poor. My covenant with Joe Tale is clear, there is no split, only greater solidarity between CFC and GK for God, country and the poor. No one has the right to remove GK from CFC whose members have made heroic sacrifices to create this noble work that has transformed lives and deepened faith. God bless you. - Tony Meloto

My Life is Complicated

2009-04-13T20:37:00.002+08:00

I absent myself from work last Tuesday. I was sick and I had to pass my school reports, plus get community tax certificate and have my check-up. Kinda hectic.

As I was going home, I saw a dog with 2 hind legs. I have to emphasize two hind legs, because he had no front legs. I thought he suffered from some accident then I learned it could be inborn. He seemed happy.

Walking along the street, I saw a man...an insane man. Like all insane, he was talking to himself. He was arguing and answering himself. That is when it occured to me, I am living a complicated life.

My life is complicated. I have dreams yet to be realized. I have problems at work regarding work attitude and the work itself. I have concerns regarding my family. I am troubled over school. Plus the fact that I am preoccupied with SFC. However, I have no love life. Sheesh.

That night, surprises of surprises. I was asked to be the sharer for the CLP . It wasn't really me, it was supposed to be another sister, who left for the province already. I really didn't know what to say. I could utter the wrong words. All through the talk, I listened to Rain so that I will get what he wants to share. I also prayed.

True enough, miracle of miracles. God gave me the words of love and wisdom. Yeah, I did utter that my life is complicated - due to service, family, school and work. I omitted love life intentionally. Jean thought I was going for it, but I had to control myself.

Loving your neighbor. I am not a master of that act. But yes, I did love, and still love, unconditionally.

Ultiamte satisfaction Hug

2009-04-06T00:14:00.000+08:00

Got this from jam

1. find a victim. (friends are best suited targets for this exercise)

2. move in on target and approach with your right/left arm higher than your left/right arm streched. (this maneuver is highly recommended if the huggee and the hugger are of about the same or equal height)

3. place higher arm somewhere between target's nape and shoulder and other arm somewhere below other arm, preferably somewhere at the back of target's waist.

4. target now should instinctively mimic you.

5. hug away. give target a warm squeeze. but mind you not too tight. (rubbing and back patting optional)

6. linger.

7. un-hug. walk away and smile. :)

Worthwhile Coffee

2009-04-02T08:57:00.002+08:00

Last night, I intended to skip our household meeting, with a very special purpose of course. I asked permission from Cathy who said that I should discern. I made up my mind. I had an early dinner then by 7:30 I was out of the house.

I got into a jeepney soon. No traffic. The travel was good. There were only few people on the streets. Once again, I was awed by the lights on McArthur bridge - bright lighting coming from the lampposts, renovated by the ever-stringent Mayor Alfredo Lim. I wish I bought my camera. I remember Kay wanted to take pictures of that.

Entering Intramuros, La Intendencia stood abandoned yet painted. It was maintained the way I last saw it. It was supposed to be National Archives, National Treasury and whatever the government wants it to be. Yet it remained untouched. For centuries it became a landmark.

I walked towards Starbucks. The floor layout of the tables have changed. Settled between the walls, I chose a checkerboard design table, as I thought that would enhance my wit as I did my papers. I had a venti caramel mocha. As usual, even if I dictated how to spell my name, it was wrong - Ardiythe. It took me more than 2 hours to finish my coffee. Inside, I remember a lot of things. The times I reviewed there for my french classes, the moments that I spent with special people, and a very special man. It was kinda refreshing and that contributed to the thoughts running through my mind as I was ruling out dairy processing and the nutritional surveillance in Bangladesh.

By 11pm, I knew I had to go home. I went out and saw people who were already there to arrange the morning papers - tabloids and broadsheets. I was a little scared because it was dark and the streets were almost empty. I waited for either jeep or cab but there was only one. Fx taxis on their way to Sucat was frequent. Then it dawned on me that late at night, I would be having a hard time going home, unless I chose another route or take a cab. I proceeded to walk towards Lawton. I was reminded that I always pray when I used to live there and walk from Letran to where I stayed. There were quiet a few people that also walked, one of them seemed to not know where to go, so he just followed suit. I still saw the lights that either turn on or off when I pass by. I know they were there to remind me that I am once again, walking along the lighted streets of Intramuros while savoring memories and the air. The walls which were built almost 400 years ago, a witness to many scenes and events. The walls which served as the protectors from invaders, and also as jails, baluartes, and cannon-shooting points. The walls where I spent my childhood and some parts of my high school and after college. The walls that I used to walk beside it with someone that I love.

I could bring my camera and tripod the next time I go back. To cherish priceless moments forever.

Annamarie Velasco

2009-03-20T19:17:00.005+08:00

I got a text message from Annamarie Velasco.
Pued po b akong humingi ng 2long sa inyo? I’m Annamarie, 21yo fresh grad po from bacolod. Gagawin ko po ang lahat ng kapalit na gusto nio, ma2lungan nio lng po akong makapunta sa mynila. Im willing to take the risks. My job hiring na po kc ako jan sa smc-ortigas, sayang naman po kung madidissolve lng.. My picture po ako sa www.mvelasco. cjb.net – Marie

I checked the website. Seems true, but anyone can make a website nowadays. Especially Information Management daw sya. So I discussed it with my classmate and we made the following reply:

1. Mag-ingat ka sa tinetext mo.
2. Mag-ingat ka sa taong tinetext mo.
3. Mura lang ang pamasahe. (sabi ni classmate, may 230 pesos ngang plane fare eh)
4. Kung may job offer ka, you should have negotiated the compensation.
5. Paano ka maiinterview at makakapagexam kung di ka pa nila nakikita?
6. Kung gusto ka nila talaga i-hire, hindi nila ididissolve yung position.
7. Paano mo nalaman number ko?
8. Paano ka naging fresh grad eh di pa graduation? (although my sister said na graduation na raw).

Then I was thinking she's from La Salle, a DOST scholar. That scholarship is not enough.

A few days later, she texted:
Name: Marie Velasco
Age: 21
Birthdate: Feb 21, 1987
Height: 5'7"
Complexion: Fair
Vital Stats: 35-25-36
Hair: Long and straight
Other: joined some provincial pageants for allowance
Course: BS Information Management (Computer and Accountancy)
School: DOST Scholar in University of St. La Salle – Bacolod
Parents: Anna and Mario Velasco (both deceased)
Picture: www.mvelasco. cjb.net

After that, a few days passed then she texted again the same mesage, the first one.

Nabother ako...So I asked what position and office and company addresss and she replied
My deadline na po sana kasi ako dis coming march 23 po. 9am sa SMITS department po sa ortigas. Junior IT Specialist po ung position na inaaplayan ko...Sayang po tlga kc dhl related sa course ko...

I replied that I will be confirming first then we'll get her personal details that would be needed to book a flight via credit card. She did not reply. I was in class so I asked Nelson to do the searching and calling for me. At lunch break when Nelson had not yet succeeded, I used the internet and phone in the department to contact SMITS. The HR said that I was the 2nd caller (Nelson was the 4th). They do not have any applicant for interview nor for hiring with the name.

With that, it's a scam.

I browsed the net. She uses different websites. The first one above, and the 2nd is www.annamarie. cjb.net and there's www.annevelasco. cjb.net. There are also different stories, and what she is willing to give for her to go here. She is willing to have sex (she claims to be a virgin at that). She said she randomly texted numbers with 09178 - I was thinking, these numbers are all Globe plans. It has been said this has been going on since 2007. She uses different phone numbers. She only accepts cash (not e-tickets), because "there is terminal fee to pay" (like, hey it is only 30 Pesos). Other comments would say she got low grades. This is La Salle, highest grade is 4.0, lowest is 1.0. I also computed her age.Twenty-one and she was born 1987. She should be 22. And a lot more. So be careful. Always.

World Bank Essay Competition 2009

2009-02-05T11:01:00.002+08:00

The Essay Competition 2009 has been launched!

Visit: http://www.essaycompetition.org/.

TOPIC: How does climate change affect you?
How can you tackle climate change through youth-led solutions?
NEW: photos and short videos accepted!

We are happy to inform you that the Summary Report 2008 is now available on the Essay Competition website

The report contains:
1. Background information about the Competition
2. An analysis and conclusions from essays
3. Winning essays in full

Unfortunately, the report is at the moment only available in English. We also encourage you to visit the website of the World Development Report 2009, a newly released publication of the World Bank, which focuses on economic geography (growth of cities, migration from rural to urban areas etc.). You can download the full report for free at this link.

Once again, we thank you for your contribution to the Essay Competition, and we hope to read your essay in 2009 as well!

Best regards,

Organizers of the Essay Competition

New Year...New Things

2009-01-21T01:59:00.000+08:00

I just cannot contain what I was feeling last night...It was a feeling that seems to overwhelm me...I was ecstatic but worried, yet I know, "With great power comes great responsibilities (Spiderman).

Being a unit head means I have a herd to shepherd...and these are the households heads. Though my role is pastoral, the friendship and sisterly bonds continue to grow strongers. Sure I will miss some of my ka-household who will be staying to my previous unit, but I have mine to take care of...take care more. Before, I thought that I would be a unit head when Baby gets married ahead of me, or when she goes someplace else.

Also, being in-charge of GK1MB was not in what I aspired. Yet I was given the task, and this task was appointed with prayers and discernment.
I know it is not easy - having to work and study, plus family life. Still I have to rely on my own and God's guidance. I know I can make it, because there are people who believe in me and love me.

Christmas Pasta - Pasta Aligue

2009-01-21T01:43:00.000+08:00

We made different versions, but this one was I like best of my creation...Really divine pasta.

What a Feeling

2009-01-19T11:31:00.000+08:00

Ganoon pala yung pakiramdam...pag sanay ka pinapakilala bilang GG of girlfriend, tapos as a friend...parang sundot...kumikirot sa puso kahit alam mong dapat ay lumipas na....

Sa loob ng isang linggo...ang awiting ito ay paulit-ulit kong naririnig si Ipod ni Melvyn at sa aking isipan. Theme song daw namin ito, anya.

Muli by Gary Valenciano and Regine Velasquez
(Revived by Bugoy and Vina Morales)

[Gary]Muling hinahanap
Ang dating paglingap na mula sa'yo
Muling umaasa
Sa dating nadaramang laan sa'yo
Mula ng magwakas, tapusin ang lahat
Ay naritong nagmamahal pa rin
Pa'no kaya maibabalik
Ang damdamin mong dati

[Regine]
'Di ba't ikaw pa
Unang may nais na tapusin na
Habang panahon
Pinilit limutin ka hanggang ngayon
Mula ng magwakas, tapusin ng lahat
Hindi maikakailang ikaw pa rin
Papa'no kaya maibabalik
Ang hangaring dati

[Both]
Refrain: Ba't di nagkatagpo
Bakit tuloy nagkalayo
Bakit mayro'n pang nadarama
Gayong hindi na tayong dalawa
Bakit magwawakas
Pag-ibig na wagas
Ma'ri bang mangyari pang
Ibigin pang...Muli

[Regine]
Kung muling iibigin
H'wag sanang
lisanin nang tulad noon
Pagluha'y di na kaya
H'wag na sanang isipin nang tulad gayon

[Gary]
Hanggang sa nagwakas,
Natapos ang lahat
Ay naritong nagmamahal pa rin
Paano pa ba maibabalik
Ang hangaring dati (Ma'ri pa kayang muli....)

[Both]
REFRAIN:
Ba't di nagkatagpo
Bakit tuloy nagkalayo
Bakit mayro'n pang nadarama
Gayong hindi na tayong dalawa
Bakit magwawakas
Pag-ibig na wagas
Ma'ari bang mangyari pang
Ibigin pang...Muli

Nandito lang ako (bago lumayo sa pilling mo)
Higit kang kailangan kailan man (hanggang kailan kaya naman)
Mahal kita (tila) hanap ka (sana) (tunay kaya ito)
Minsan pang bigyan ng daan
Pag-ibig na sa'yo nakalaan

[Both]
REFRAIN:
Ba't di nagkatagpo
Bakit tuloy nagkalayo
Bakit mayro'n pang nadarama
Gayong hindi na tayong dalawa

Climbing Up

2008-12-03T19:22:00.001+08:00

I do not forget what date it is today...but I have to continue living and loving more bit by bit.

I showed Choko my rubber shoes, he said they're good. He even checked the soles.

He asked me why I don't join the climb. The problem is, health certificate. It is a major requirement to do the pre-climb and the climb. I had attended the BMC before but my doctor refused to give me the certificate (because I have asthma), unless we have a medical doctor on the team. Joe does not know that I was never issued a medical certificate. I never told him.

Trying to Go Back

2008-12-01T17:45:00.000+08:00

Verge was kinda amused everytime he sees me. For the past 5 to 6 months, I am rarely seen...I was busy with my studies and busy thinking about my life . So last Saturday, November 22 was the talk 9 for the CLP. I was surprised to see Rosemarie, one of my anak in SAGIP. She and others crossed over to SIGA when they had their youth camp while I was in Kuala Lumpur. I still think whether I should have gotten back to Manila that Saturday or not, but hey, it was my first foreign trip so I had to enjoy it. Never mind if I had to spend fifty dollars to change my flight to Monday.Remembering Kay, she asked whether I would shift my service to SIGA and I told her that when my "children" cross-over. So Rose and Rexie did, but I was in some foreign land, enjoying the scenery and everything around me...

Rose asked me where "he" was, I replied that he was in another country. She kept asking, if he still talks to me, I said yes. Another question was whether I miss him. I told her I do not. She asked why, because I should not.

I lied. I do miss him.

As the night progressed, there were songs from the Music Ministry. One of the songs was Forever.

I'll Worship at Your Throne

Whisper my own love song

With all my heart I'll sing

For You my Dad and King

I'll live for all my days

To Put a smile on Your face

And when we finally meet

It'll be for eternity

And Oh how wide You open up Your arms

When I need Your love

And how far You would come

If ever I was lost

And You said that all You feel for me

Is undying love

That You showed me through the cross

I'll worship You my God

I love You

Then Rose said, I love you too.

Forever I will sing

Forever I will be with You

Be with You

Those words, those 4 words, struck me so hard. I have been thinking I have been wasting my time and my life thinking of so many important things yet I cannot do anything about them.
Yesterday, I was happy. It was the happiness I have never felt again since I have been so busy with other stuff. I do not know all the people, mothers in fact, that I was with. True, it cost me hundreds to push on with the soap-making livelihood seminar. Yet I was happy, even if I had Baby and Rose with me as my service team. It was a show of household and sisterly support, and the support from the people who have been with me for the past years even if we're not related by blood.

Yesterday morning was also the first time that I talked to tito Ben. I only see him during activities, but none of that chit-chat. It was a light-hearted talk full of inspiration and enlightenment. I thank God for using us, people, to pave the way for the betterment of the future of our less-fortunate brothers and sisters, in terms of finance, hope and love.

Wednesday

2008-11-21T14:03:00.001+08:00

Last week, I enrolled in school. I did not get very good grades for the previous semester, despite Joe saying that I had to get 1s. Bleh. Anyway, that day was productive coz I had to do my inspection in the afternoon, as per the company's request, since there would be nothing to notice if I did it and no one was around.

That afternoon, I visited my ophthalmologist, a delayed visit in fact, since I'm supposed to see him May or June. He was happy with my results of vision since he performed a surgery on me May 2006. I had regained my binocularity and still do not need glasses again. He was not expecting that much improvement. A very rare case indeed, he admitted.

Then I went to visit the company. Like I never rested that day but I was happy I met someone new that I was instantly at ease with.

So what's next? Ü

Getting By

2008-11-09T13:16:00.000+08:00

It's not really closing cycles, as what Che-ann had emailed and Baby posted on Friendster...It's getting by.

It's been more than five months...and somehow I remember him everyday. I can't help it. It happens when the mind is idle or when I am reminded of something that has any connection with him. I managed to remove some items but a part of him will forever remain in my heart. The heart may have been deeply wounded but all things will pass away. That is why my best friend is time. As it has been said time heals all wounds. I do not know when, but I have to go on with my life. I miss the way I smile and laugh and I was only reminded this week that I deserve to be always happy, because, as much as possible, I try to be thoughtful and careful not to cause pain to anyone, or anything.

As of now I can only pray for both of us...and maybe, in God's time, all things will fall perfectly into their proper places. Whatever happens, I am just on a journey.

Closing Cycles (adapted)

2008-11-09T12:37:00.001+08:00

One always has to know when a stage comes to an end. If we insist on staying longer than the necessary time, we lose the happiness and the meaning of the other stages we have to go through. Closing cycles, shutting doors, ending chapters - whatever name we give it, what matters is to leave in the past the moments of life that have finished.Did you lose your job? Has a loving relationship come to an end?

Did you leave your parents' house? Gone to live abroad? Has a long lasting friendship ended all of a sudden? You can spend a long time wondering why this has happened. You can tell yourself you won't take another step until you find out why certain things that were so important and so solid in your life have turned into dust, just like that. But such an attitude will be awfully stressing for everyone involved: your parents, your husband or wife, your friends, your children, your sister, everyone will be finishing chapters, turning over new leaves, getting on with life, and they will all feel bad seeing you at a standstill. None of us can be in the present and the past at the same time, not even when we try to understand the things that happen to us. What has passed will not return: we cannot for ever be children, late adolescents, sons that feel guilt or rancor towards our parents, lovers who day and night relive an affair with someone who has gone away and has not the least intention of coming back. Things pass, and the best we can do is to let them really go away.

That is why it is so important (however painful it may be!) to destroy souvenirs, move, give lots of things away to orphanages, sell or donate the books you have at home. Everything in this visible world is a manifestation of the invisible world, of what is going on in our hearts and getting rid of certain memories also means making some room for other memories to take their place. Let things go. Release them. Detach yourself from them. Nobody plays this life with marked cards, so sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Do not expect anything in return, do not expect your efforts to be appreciated, your genius to be discovered, your love to be understood. Stop turning on your emotional television to watch the same program over and over again, the one that shows how much you suffered from a certain loss: that is only poisoning you, nothing else.

Nothing is more dangerous than not accepting love relationships that are broken off, work that is promised but there is no starting date, decisions that are always put off waiting for the "ideal moment." Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that what has passed will never come back. Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person - nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need. This may sound so obvious, it may even be difficult, but it is very important.

Closing cycles. Not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because that no longer fits your life. Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust. Stop being who you were, and change into who you are.

FAQs

2008-09-18T09:48:00.000+08:00

1. Why is life unfair?

So that we get to appreciate God's love.

2. Why do people who think more of others get hurt more?

We think they get hurt more but those who think of others do not get hurt as easily as we think.

3. Why is unconditional love taken for granted?

Because we are blinded by temporal things. If we choose to value what is beyond this life, unconditional love will not be taken for granted.

---As I asked to Diana Cajilog on July 16, 2008

TECHNOLOGY CANNOT SUBSTITUTE THE ACT OF MARITAL LOVE

2008-05-19T01:59:00.001+08:00

TECHNOLOGY CANNOT SUBSTITUTE THE ACT OF MARITAL LOVE

VATICAN CITY, 10 MAY 2008 (VIS) - At midday today, Benedict XVI received participants in an international congress being promoted by the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome to mark the 40th anniversary of the promulgation of the Encyclical "Humanae vitae".

Recalling that the Encyclical was published by Pope Paul VI on 25 July 1968, the Pope highlighted how "the document soon became a sign of contradiction" , and pointed out that "it constitutes a significant show of courage in reiterating the continuity of the Church's doctrine and tradition".

"The truth expressed in 'Humanae vitae 'does not change", he said, "quite the contrary, in the light of new scientific discoveries its teaching becomes more relevant and stimulates reflection on the intrinsic values it possesses".

The Holy Father affirmed that "in a culture suffering from the prevalence of having over being, human life risks losing its value. If the practice of sexuality becomes a drug that seeks to enslave the partner to one's own desires and interests without respecting the times of the beloved, then what must be defended is no longer just the concept of love but, primarily, the dignity of the person. As believers we could never allow the power of technology to invalidate the quality of love and the sacredness of life".

Natural law, he said, "deserves to be recognised as the source inspiring the relationship between a married couple in their responsibility to generate children. The transmission of life is inscribed in nature and its laws stand as an unwritten norm to which everyone must refer".

Nascent life, said the Pope, "is the fruit of a love capable of thinking and choosing in complete freedom, without allowing itself to be overly conditioned by the sacrifice this may require. From here emerges the miracle of life which parents experience in themselves as they sense the extraordinary nature of what is achieved in them and through them. No mechanical technique can substitute the act of love that husband and wife exchange as a sign of the greater mystery, in which they are protagonists and co-participants of creation".

After recalling the sad episodes that sometimes involve adolescents "whose reactions display their incorrect appreciation of the mystery of life and of the dangerous implications of their actions", the Holy Father expressed the hope that young people "may learn the true meaning of love and prepare for it with appropriate sexual education, not allowing themselves to be distracted by superficial messages that prevent them appreciating the essence of the truth at stake".

"Freedom must join with truth, and responsibility with strength of dedication to others, also through sacrifice. Without these principles the community of man does not develop and there is a risk of being trapped in oppressive selfishness" .
AC/ANNIVERSARY HUMANAE VITAE/... VIS 080512 (470)
REDISCOVERING THE BEAUTY OF BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

VATICAN CITY, 11 MAY 2008 (VIS) - At midday today, following this morning's Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost held in the Vatican Basilica, Benedict XVI appeared at the window of his study to pray the Regina Coeli with the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square below.

"In a special way", he said, "Pentecost is the Baptism of the Church which embarks on her universal mission, beginning on the streets of Jerusalem, with her prodigious preaching in the various languages of humankind. In this Baptism of Holy Spirit the personal dimension is inseparable form the community dimension, the 'I' of the disciple and the 'us of the Church.

"The Spirit", added the Holy Father, "consecrates the person and at the same time makes him a living member of the mystical Body of Christ, a participant in the mission of bearing witness to His love. And this comes about through the Sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism and Confirmation" . Pope Benedict concluded his remarks by calling on everyone to rediscover "the beauty of being baptised in the Holy Spirit" and to rediscover "an awareness of our Baptism and our Confirmation, ever present sources of grace".
ANG/PENTECOST/ ... VIS 080512 (210)
RESPECT FOR LIFE, THE FOUNDATION OF CIVIL COEXISTENCE

VATICAN CITY, 12 MAY 2008 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, the Holy Father received members of the Italian organisation Movement for Life, led by their president Carlo Casini.

Opening his address to them, Benedict XVI recalled how the year 2008 marks the 30th anniversary of the legalisation of abortion in Italy. "It is your intention", he told his audience, "to suggest profound reflections on the human and social effects the law has produced in the civil and Christian community during that period".

"We cannot but recognise", he went on, "that, in practical terms, defending human life has become more difficult today, because a mentality has been created that progressively devalues human life and entrusts it to the judgement of individuals. A consequence deriving therefrom is lessened respect for the human person, a value that lies at the foundation of any form of civil coexistence, over and above the faith a person may profess".

Abortion "not only has not resolved the problems afflicting many women and no small number of families, but it has opened another wound in our societies" said the Holy Father. He also called for combined efforts to ensure that "institutions once again focus their activities on defence of human life and priority concern for families. ... Families must be helped, using all legislative means to facilitate their formation and their educational work in the difficult social context of today".

"It is necessary to bear concrete witness to the fact that respect for life is the first form of justice that must be applied. For those who have the gift of faith this becomes an imperative that cannot be deferred. ... Only God is the Lord of life. Each human being is known, loved, wanted and guided by Him, ... and each has his origins in God's creative plan".

The Pope pointed out that this year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and he praised the Movement for Life's commitment "in the political sphere, assisting and encouraging the institutions to ensure that correct recognition is given to the words 'human dignity'.

"Your initiative in the European Parliament's Commission for Petitions, in which you affirm the fundamental values of the right to life from the moment of conception, of the family founded on the marriage of a man and a woman, of the right of all conceived human beings to be born and educated in a family of parents, is further confirmation of the solidity of your commitment and your full communion with the Church's Magisterium which has always proclaimed and defended such values as 'non negotiable'" .

Benedict XVI concluded by thanking his audience for their service "to the Church and to society. How many human lives have you saved from death! Continue along this path and do not be afraid, so that the smile of life may triumph on the lips of all children and their mothers".
AC/ITALIAN MOVEMENT FOR LIFE/...
VIS 080512 (500)

Sight-seeing

2008-04-17T16:52:00.001+08:00

Everytime I see ______, pass by Cubao, Sta. Mesa and Guadalupe...I almost burst into tears and get sad...

Not really part of my life. But a part of me breaks apart.

I do not know when I can forget.

Muni-muni muna

2008-04-17T09:03:00.000+08:00

2007 started great...but ended not so great.
*****
Di ba mas masarap isipin na kaya ka mas nasasaktan dahil ikaw ang mas nagmamahal? -Ploning
*****
Gusto kong maging masaya kaya wala ako kagabi...sapagkat kahit wala ka kaya kong maging masaya...pero mas masaya kung kasama kita. Subalit sa sitwasyon ngayon, hindi maganda.
Sana pag mainit ang ulo ko, intindihin mo naman ako. Hindi yung lagi na lang akoang umiintindi, kahit pareho tayong may kasalanan.
*****
To think I waited for you and wanted to join you after convincing me. I wanted to hold on, but it's like letting go of me and pushing me away. A few days before that you wanted me to hold on, and you are holding me in case I want to let go.Telling me to go home is like telling me to move out of your life. Utter display of disrespect - shooing me.

Life is Inconsistent

2008-04-12T11:56:00.000+08:00

Life is unpredictable...

One time I am happy. The next thing, I worry.
I get sad and lonely.
I get confused.
I love.
I hate.
I welcome.
I reject.
I cry.
I laugh.
I think.
I make impulse moves.
I reflect.
I live.
I die.

And all the people around me, all the events around me, all the creatures around me...
affects my outlook and my own design...for my own life.

Who Moved my Cheese?

2008-04-12T07:21:00.001+08:00

This is the story of 4 creatures who either stayed or searched in life. (click on the link to take you to multiply, with the presentation. Thanks.)

Haiku-writing Contest for Mother Earth

2008-04-12T06:48:00.001+08:00

The Embassy of Japan and the UST Haiku Group

invites you to

HAIKU 08 Writing Contest

Verses from Mother Earth

"Mga Taludtod Mula kay Inang Daigdig"

You may click this: http://www.agimat.net/events/haiku_08.htm

Contest Rules:

1. The message of the haiku must deal with appreciation of environment, or respect towards nature, or any observation about the natural world.
2. Contestants should be Filipino citizens living in the Philippines or abroad.
3. Entries may be in Filipino or English.

a. In Filipino, haiku must be in 7-5-7 syllables. The lines may use any of the following rhyme schemes: a-a-a,

a-b-a, a-a-b, a-b-b, or a-b-c.
b. The Filipino haiku entry must be accompanied by a free or direct English translation below the page.
c. In English, the 5-7-5 syllables should be observed with or without a rhyme scheme.
d. A maximum of two (2) haiku entries are allowed per contestant.

4. Submissions may be done by mail, e-mail, or fax. Please use the free downloadable Entry Form at this website:
http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp for submission through the Embassy of Japan.

a. If submitted by mail, entries should be printed by computer (12-point font size) or typewritten on the Entry Forms.
b. If submitted via e-mail, entries must be in a Word Document file and sent as an attachment. A scanned signature is required in the entry form. If this is not possible, send one (1) accomplished Entry Form with your signature by mail or fax.
c. If submitted by fax, entries should be printed by computer or typewritten (12-point font size) on the Entry Forms.
d. Two (2) haiku per Entry Form should be observed. Do not put any distinguishing mark on your entries.

5. Please avoid fancy, hard-to-read typefaces.
6. Please send your entries to:

Japan Information and Cultural Center
Embassy of Japan
2627 Roxas Boulevard Pasay City 1300, Philippines
Fax to: (632) 551-5784

E-mail to: jicc-mnl@japanembassy.ph or jiccmanila@yahoo.com

7. Plagiarized haiku, previously-published haiku or haiku closely similar to previously published haiku will automatically be disqualified. Entries should not be submitted to other contests or publications.
8. Entries will be considered the property of the Embassy of Japan and the organizers and therefore will not be returned. Copyright of the works remain with the author but the latter grants, assigns and transfers into the Embassy of Japan and the organizers the right to publish any of the entries as it may deem at its discretion, without necessity of any payment other than the prize which may have been awarded to the winning entries.

9. The works must show literary merit and social significance. Only haiku entries that passed the criteria for evaluation of the judges will be published in the List of Winning Entries. The decision of the Judges is final.

10. Winning entries will appear in "The Japan Bulletin" (The official publication of the Embassy of Japan) and on the Embassy of Japan website.

Deadline of submission: Not later than Wednesday, June 12, 2008. Your entry must be postmarked or submitted on-line by this date.

Awards: Top three poems and ten honorable mentions on each category (English and Filipino).

Prizes: Top three and others will be awarded. Prizes will be announced later.

Announcement of Winning Works: Winners will be notified on July 2008. The awarding ceremony will be held during the Philippine-Japan Friendship Month on the same month and the venue will be at the Japan Information and Cultural Center Multipurpose Hall, Roxas Boulevard, Manila

For further inquiries, please contact:

Japan Information and Cultural Center
Embassy of Japan
2627 Roxas Boulevard , Pasay City 1300, Philippines
telephone: (632) 551-5710
fax: (632) 551-5784
e-mails: jicc-mnl@japanembassy.ph or jiccmanila@yahoo.com
website: www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp

In coordination with: THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
University of Santo Tomas , Manila , Philippines

Working Committee:
Mr. Rey de Vera, Coordinator, UST Haiku Group reydvra@yahoo.com
Mr. Benjie Torralba, Assistant Coordinator benjie_torralba@yahoo.com

Download the Entry Form.

Janina San Miguel's Q & A

2008-03-16T15:55:00.002+08:00

Paolo Bediones: Janina, how are you?
Janina San Miguel: I'm fine.
Paolo Bediones: Alright, so you won two of the major awards - Best in Long Gown, Best in Swimsuit, do you feel any pressure right now?
Janina San Miguel: No, I don't feel any pressure right now.
Paolo Bediones: Confident! Alright! Please choose a name of the judge.
Paolo Bediones: We have Miss Vivienne Tan.
Vivienne Tan: Good Evening.
Janina San Miguel: Good Evening.
Vivienne Tan: The question is, what role did your family play to you as candidate to Binibining Pilinas?
Janina San Miguel: Well, my family's role for me is so important b'coz there was the wa- they're, they was the one who's... very... Hahahaha... Oh I'm so sorry, Ahhmm... My pamily... My family... Oh my god... I'm...
(Paolo Bediones: Pwede ka magtagalog,ok lang) Ok, I'm so sorry... I... I told you that I'm so confident... Eto, Ahhmm, Wait... Hahahaha, Ahmmm, Sorry guys because this was really my first pageant ever b'coz I'm only 17 years old and ahahaha I, I did not expect that I came from, I came from one of the taf 10. Hmmm, so... but I said dot my family is the most important persons in my life. Thank you.

Watch the videos on http://www.youtube.com/.
If the contestants are gonna be like her, then the committee did not do proper screening. It's a shame...representing the country and she could not even answer a simple question properly.

(Bb. Pilipinas 2008)

I like kids...

2008-03-16T11:42:00.002+08:00

thanks jam.

GK is my STAND

2008-03-16T11:34:00.002+08:00

The nation may be in chaos, but I choose to love and serve.

(Attachment cannot be processed by blogger. Please click here to direct you to my multiply site.

Taga-LB Ka Ba?

2008-03-03T16:24:00.001+08:00

Taga-UPLB ka kung...

1. Kilala mo si Mang Pogs.
2. Nalilito ka kung saan nakalagay ang banga ni Mariang Banga.
3. Tubig na lang ang tingin mo sa gin.
4. Ginamit mong reviewer ang mga old exams para sa mga midterms, prefi
at finals sa math, stat, chem,
physics, eco etc.
5. Hindi ka sumasagot ng UP (yupeee) kapag tinanong ka kung saan ka
graduate.hahaha! sagot mo elbi.
6. Taga-elbi ka kapag kilala mo yung professor na nagbi-bike ng
naka-barong na kupas. (Si climax! kalahating albert einstein, kalhating mang pandoy)
7. Ok lang pumasok sa mga klase kahit naka pambahay/ pantulog attire ka.
8. Pag nagtanong si manong driver ng "may animal ba dyan?", at may sumagot ng "meron po" ay di ka natawa.
9. Pag nagtanong uli si manong driver ng "may mens ba dyan?", at may sumagot uli ng "meron po" ay di ka natawa.
10. Di ka nahihiyang magbitbit ng malaking payong.
11. Taga-elbi ka kung pagkatapos mong magbakasakali kay Mang Pogs, diretso ka na kay Mr. Midnight
12. Bumibili ka ng blue book sa Coop.
13. Alam mong hindi pwedeng ibato ang Batong Malaki.
14. Nung pinanood mo ang movie ni aga at regine na shot at elbi (sa may gaygay gowns) at nagtawag ng taxi si regine e nagtawanan kayo ng mga taga-LB at clueless ang iba.
15. Alam mo kung nasaan ang White House.
16. May tanline ka ng tsinelas.
17. Alam mong mas masarap ang pancit canton na niluto sa 'heater cup'
18. Sanay ka maglakad.
19. Thursday night ang gimik night mo.
20. Alam mo na ang pinakamalaking banyo ay ang Ellen's Fried Chicken, at Sizzler's ang tinitingalang kainan.
21. Kilala mo sina Saniano Boy at Girl.
22. Alam mo kung nasaan ang "Johnson".
23. Alam mo ang kaibahan ng dalawang Flatrocks.
24. Kaya mong pumasok ng hindi naliligo.
25. Alam mong si Carasus at Pegabao ay iisa.
26. Alam mong ok lang na pumunta sa Maahas.
27. Tumatambay ka sa APEC para mag inom.
28. Alam mo kung nasaan ang Fertility Tree, Kwek Kwek Tower, at ang Templo ni Bruce Lee.
29. Tuloy ang klase kahit signal number 3 na.
30. Alam mo kung saan ang pilahan ng jeep papuntang IRRI, Forestry, o kaya ay Jamboree...
31. Hindi ka kumakain ng buko pie.
32. Alam mo na bago pa man nauso ang unli rice sa Tokyo Tokyo, marketing strategy na ito ng Salad Country.
33. Hinahanap-hanap mo ang chocolate cake sa Mer-Nel's.
34. Alam mong bawal tumawid sa UPLB Gate(main), mula Guard House papuntang harap ng Carabao Park ...
35. Alam mong may oras lang na pwede kumain sa IRRI pag di ka IRRI employee.
36. Sanay ka maglagay ng Knorr Seasoning sa kanin.
37. Alam mong ang hanging bridge ay di talaga naka hang..
38. Alam mong hindi lang dalawang pulgada ang layo ng Bayog sa Anos.
39. Kapag nate-take mo na di magpalit ng pants hanggang ilang araw..hehe..
40. Alam mo kung nasaan ang tatlong Ellen's fried chicken sa LB.
41. Apektado ka sa pagsasara ng ic's
42. Pag may sakit ka, hindi ka pupunta "infirmary" except lang pag kukuha ka ng excuse slip.
43. Marami kang alam na ghost stories, sa ilag's, sa men's dorm, sa faculty village, sa may social garden etc...
44. Pag umihi ka na sa gilid ng SU (tuwing feb fair).
45. Alam mo na ang tunog ng pillbox. (rambol!)
46. Taga lb ka kapag kilala mo si "manang slow"..
47. Hindi mo na naabutan ang Vega mall at Robinson's.
48. Taga elbi ka kapag mas gusto mong tumambay pag feb fair kesa manood ng kung anuman sa stage.
49. Kaya mong i-identify ang specie at subspecie ng bawat punong nadadaanan mo.
50. Alam mo na ang shortest way sa papuntang st. therese from Hum ay ang dirt road...
51. Taga-elbi ka kapag alam mo kumbaket maraming natatalisod sa raymundo gate.
52. Hindi mo kailangan ng rason para uminom ... hindi mo na rin keilangan ng mesa pag iinom (... hindi mo na rin minsan kailangan ng baso ).
53. Alam mo kung nasaan ang Soils.
54. Mas trip mo mag-redhorse kesa mag San Mig Light.
55. Kung di man natuloy ay binalak mong umakyat ng peak two.
56. Taga elbi ka pag nakakita ka ng snow pag summer (yun yung bulak na nagkalat sa campus... kapok).
57. Taga-elbi ka rin pag handa mong gawin ang lahat pag nag-peprerog ka makakuha ka lng ng slot sa subject na yon (lalo na pag GE).
58. Alam mo kung saan makakabili ng masarap na proven at chicken skin--> dun malapit sa white house.
59. Alam mong ang devcom ay dating under ng CA.
60. Mas enjoy mo ang gimik sa apartment compared to bars and restos.
61. Alam mong ang "audi" at DL Umali Hall ay iisa.
62. Alam mong may gasolinahan sa loob ng campus (sa likod ng CEAT).
63. Sineryoso mo na kailangan may kasama kang date pag drill night.
63. Alam mo kung nasaan ang Ilag's, Raymundo's at Catalan.
64. Dismissed ka na pero sa elbi ka pa rin nakatira.
65. Alam mo kung nasaan ang Batcave.
66. Gusto mong pasabugin ang PhySci building.
67.Alam mong ang LB Square ay dating vacant lot na puro talahib.
68. Nakapanood ka na ng sine sa Agrix.

Let Love Flow Freely

2008-02-24T07:39:00.000+08:00

Let love flow freely

Love believes what cannot be possible. And then love makes it happen.

Love is the reason that defies all reason. Love unites even those who could never otherwise agree.

Give love not because it's your obligation. Give love because you can.

Offer love not because you seek some treasure in return. Offer love, and you'll find that it is the treasure.

When you're not sure what to say, let love do the talking. If you can't decide which way to go, decide to act from a perspective of love.

Love connects, empowers, illuminates and understands like nothing else can. Let love flow freely from every moment in your life.

-- Ralph Marston

Two Hearts in One Road

2008-02-24T06:36:00.000+08:00

I can still remember the first time that you held my hand...we were crossing the street...actually we were jaywalking because we did not use the overpass even if it was already 11pm.

We had our ups and downs, we had fights, misunderstandings and apologies. We had our happiness and laughter.

Yet I chose to stay despite all the darkest hours. Because I love you, and you love me. The past matters, so true, to make us stronger, to learn from our mistakes. I continued to held on...because I believe that in love, we can conquer all.

You asked me...you will finish the race no matter what, and asked me if I will be there at the finish line to congratulate you. I promised I will be there to congratulate you...and I am with you throughout the race.

You have meant to me so much more than I thought of and I love you.

miss kita pag tuesday

2008-02-24T06:29:00.000+08:00

kung ikaw ay bored, naghahanap ng kakaibang adventure o trip mo lang mag-senti...punta na sa sto. domingo parish center at 7pm at magrelax. sana doon ka sa feb 26. text text na lang din. kita kitz.

Real Love

2008-02-24T06:20:00.000+08:00

Real love
By Michael Joseph B. Luistro
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:53:00 02/13/2008

One of the frameworks that I use to explain love to my Psychology class
comes from Robert Sternberg. In his "Triangular Theory of Love," Sternberg
differentiates among the different forms of love by first identifying three
basic elements: passion, intimacy and commitment. Different combinations of
these elements lead to different kinds of love, he says.

Passion, said Sternberg, refers to "fire and desire," those intense emotions
associated especially with the beginning of a relationship. It is as if the
heart cannot be contained: it yearns, covets, and demands to be with and
united with the other person.

Intimacy, on the other hand, has "a foundation that is deep," which
characterizes friendship, Sternberg says. When someone shares a level of
intimacy with another, in this framework, one is not necessarily into
physical relationship with the other. Intimacy is derived from shared
experiences, especially the disclosure of personal things to the other.
Friends know each other well, and this makes their level of intimacy high.
On the other hand, acquaintances do not have a deep level of intimacy, and
even less so strangers.

Finally commitment means a person's decision to keep a relationship "in good
times and in bad, no less than 100 percent," as I read on a friend's
T-shirt. People with a very high degree of commitment stick it out, even
when they face the most difficult trials, even when they feel like pulling
his hair or smashing the laptop against the wall.

"Romantic love" is characterized by a high degree of intimacy and passion,
but a low degree -- or even a total absence -- of commitment. People
experiencing romantic love usually are friends who are driven by intense
emotions. Most love songs probably refer to this kind of love. And those who
feel this way tell each other, "I will love you forever," "I will never
leave you," or "I will stand by you forever." Their commitment, however, is
unfortunately usually weak, and I say this because love is expressed by
deeds, not sweet words.

A friend of mine, who was in a relationship, once sought my advice. "What do
you think is the best thing for me to do?" she asked. "I feel that we are
not growing in the relationship anymore. I think I am not happy anymore.
Sometimes I feel it is best for us to go our separate ways."

"How long have you been feeling this way?" I asked her in turn.

"It's already been more than three weeks," she told me.

"But how long have you been together?"

"Three years already."

I then asked her, "Three years is how many more weeks compared to three
weeks?"

Some people claiming to be "in love" are merely feeling infatuation, which
is characterized by a high degree of passion, an intense yearning for
another person, but with very low levels of intimacy and commitment. They
know the other person superficially, and the amorous words they profess
quickly prove to be just that, words.

These feelings are kinds of love, yes. And they are valid emotions. But
perhaps there is another kind of love that one has in mind, one is in search
of. It is the kind of love that people seek and desire, which some are
unable to attain, because of misconceptions about the nature of love, and so
they give up.

One of the simple yet profound analogies I picked up during the Second
International Congress on Love, Sex and Life referred to the four legs of a
table as representing the different elements of love (Dr. Colleen Mast used
four elements in her framework, using self-mastery as the fourth). If one of
the four legs is short the table becomes rocky. That is why we must learn
how to balance these elements and master the appropriate times and forms on
when and how to express them. Learning these entails active, purposive
effort. Many times, the learning process can be painful.

I remember a time when I could not stand the fighting, bickering and blaming
going on between my dear Anne's mom and dad. "Oliver," I told a friend, "for
more than 20 years now, Anne's mother has been suffering. From the
beginning, through his deeds and unfaithfulness, Anne's dad has been making
her mom cry." I thought that it was stupid that they continued to stick
together. Useless, I thought. Her dad had been given enough chances and kept
on committing the same grievous offenses. Her mom was at a breaking point.
She wanted a separation, finally. And I wanted to see it through.

Smiling calmly, Oliver replied, "But what did her mom and dad say, 23 years
ago, in front of a lot of relatives and friends? 'In sickness and in health,
in good times and in bad, for better or for worse, I will love you.' Right?
Tell her mom, 'Hey, I know this is hard, but it just so happens that at this
moment, now is another of those bad and worse times, but this is what your
commitment is, right?'"

Stupid. But the next time I met her, with a heavy heart, I told Anne's
weeping mom Oliver's advice instead of what I thought.

That was about a year ago. Looking back, I am glad I relayed Oliver's advice
instead. In fact, I was touched recently when I saw a birthday card given to
her dad that he had posted on a wall. Anne wrote there, "Dad, thank you for
staying with us."

Thinking about these experiences reminds me of the idea that when we say
"yes" to love, we have to keep saying "yes" every day. A great person put it
this way: "It is easy to be consistent in the hour of enthusiasm; it is
difficult to be so in the hour of tribulation. And only a consistency that
lasts throughout the whole life can be called faithfulness." Another great
person wrote: In the end, even the "yes" to love is a source of suffering,
because love always requires a denial of the "I," in which the "I" allows
itself to be pruned and wounded. Love cannot exist without this painful
renunciation of the "I"; otherwise there can only be pure selfishness, and
love ceases to be.

Are we capable of renouncing the "I"? Is the other [person] important enough
to warrant my becoming a person who suffers? Does truth matter enough to
make my suffering worthwhile? Is the promise of love enough to justify the
gift of myself?

These words of a friend made me understand why this must be so: "Why are you
surprised to see thorns beneath that beautiful rose?"

As I ponder these words, I glance at a picture at my side, and tell her in
my heart, "Admirable Mother, teach me so I may also learn how to keep my
love real. Help me, so that through my lectures and my example, I can also
teach others to keep their love real."

*Michael Joseph B. Luistro, 24, teaches general psychology and principles of
learning at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. He enjoys reading
books, jogging around the academic oval, and taking walks around the UP
campus. He frequents a study center and is also a member of a youth
organization whose aims are scholarship, leadership and service.*

Inspiration from John Gokongwei

2007-12-16T12:59:00.000+08:00

John Gokongwei, Jr.

Ad Congress Speech

Nov 21, 2007

Before I begin, I want to say please bear with me, an 81-year-old man who just flew in from San Francisco 36 hours ago and is still suffering from jet lag. However, I hope I will be able to say what you want to hear…

Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Thank you very much for having me here tonight to open the Ad Congress. I know how important this event is for our marketing and advertising colleagues. My people get very excited and go into a panic, every other year, at this time.

I would like to talk about my life, entrepreneurship, and globalization. I would like to talk about how we can become a great nation.

You may wonder how one is connected to the other, but I promise that, as there is truth in advertising, the connection will come.

Let me begin with a story I have told many times. My own.

I was born to a rich Chinese-Filipino family. I spent my childhood in Cebu where my father owned a chain of movie houses, including the first air-conditioned one outside Manila. I was the eldest of six children and lived in a big house in Cebu’s Forbes Park.

A chauffeur drove me to school everyday as I went to San Carlos University, then and still one of the country’s top schools. I topped my classes and had many friends. I would bring them to watch movies for free at my father’s movie houses.

When I was 13, my father died suddenly of complications due to typhoid. Everything I enjoyed vanished instantly. My father’s empire was built on credit. When he died, we lost everything—our big house, our cars, our business—to the banks.

I felt angry at the world for taking away my father, and for taking away all that I enjoyed before. When the free movies disappeared, I also lost half my friends. On the day I had to walk two miles to school for the very first time, I cried to my mother, a widow at 32. But she said: “You should feel lucky. Some people have no shoes to walk to school. What can you do? Your father died with 10 centavos in his pocket.”

So, what can I do? I worked.

My mother sent my siblings to China where living standards were lower. She and I stayed in Cebu to work, and we sent them money regularly. My mother sold her jewelry. When that ran out, we sold roasted peanuts in the backyard of our much-smaller home. When that wasn’t enough, I opened a small stall in a palengke.

I chose one among several palengkes a few miles outside the city because there were fewer goods available for the people there. I woke up at five o’clock every morning for the long bicycle ride to the palengke with my basket of goods.

There, I set up a table about three feet by two feet in size. I laid out my goods—soap, candles, and thread—and kept selling until everything was bought. Why these goods? Because these were hard times and this was a poor village, so people wanted and needed the basics—soap to keep them clean, candles to light the night, and thread to sew their clothes.

I was surrounded by other vendors, all of them much older. Many of them could be my grandparents. And they knew the ways of the palengke far more than a boy of 15, especially one who had never worked before.

But being young had its advantages. I did not tire as easily, and I moved more quickly. I was also more aggressive. After each day, I would make about 20 pesos in profit! There was enough to feed my siblings and still enough to pour back into the business. The pesos I made in the palengke were the pesos that went into building the business I have today.

After this experience, I told myself, “If I can compete with people so much older than me, if I can support my whole family at 15, I can do anything!”

Looking back, I wonder, what would have happened if my father had not left my family with nothing? Would I have become the man I am? Who knows?

The important thing to know is that life will always deal us a few bad cards. But we have to play those cards the best we can. And WE can play to win!

This was one lesson I picked up when I was a teenager. It has been my guiding principle ever since. And I have had 66 years to practice self-determination. When I wanted something, the best person to depend on was myself.

And so I continued to work. In 1943, I expanded and began trading goods between Cebu and Manila. From Cebu, I would transport tires on a small boat called a batel. After traveling for five days to Lucena, I would load them into a truck for the six- hour trip to Manila. I would end up sitting on top of my goods so they would not be stolen! In Manila, I would then purchase other goods from the earnings I made from the tires, to sell in Cebu.

Then, when WWII ended, I saw the opportunity for trading goods in post-war Philippines. I was 20 years old. With my brother Henry, I put up Amasia Trading which imported onions, flour, used clothing, old newspapers and magazines, and fruits from the United States. In 1948, my mother and I got my siblings back from China. I also converted a two-story building in Cebu to serve as our home, office, and warehouse all at the same time. The whole family began helping out with the business.

In 1957, at age 31, I spotted an opportunity in corn-starch manufacturing. But I was going to compete with Ludo and Luym, the richest group in Cebu and the biggest cornstarch manufacturers. I borrowed money to finance the project. The first bank I approached made me wait for two hours, only to refuse my loan. The second one, China Bank, approved a P500,000-peso clean loan for me. Years later, the banker who extended that loan, Dr. Albino Sycip said that he saw something special in me. Today, I still wonder what that was, but I still thank Dr. Sycip to this day.

Upon launching our first product, Panda corn starch, a price war ensued. After the smoke cleared, Universal Corn Products was still left standing. It is the foundation upon which JG Summit Holdings now stands.

Interestingly, the price war also forced the closure of a third cornstarch company, and one of their chemists was Lucio Tan, who always kids me that I caused him to lose his job. I always reply that if it were not for me, he will not be one of the richest men in the Philippines today.

When my business grew, and it was time for me to bring in more people—my family, the professionals, the consultants, more employees—I knew that I had to be there to teach them what I knew. When dad died at age 34, he did not leave a succession plan. From that, I learned that one must teach people to take over a business at any time. The values of hard work that I learned from my father, I taught to my children. They started doing jobs here and there even when they were still in high school. Six years ago, I announced my retirement and handed the reins to my youngest brother James and only son Lance. But my children tease me because I still go to the office every day and make myself useful. I just hired my first Executive Assistant and moved into a bigger and nicer office.

Building a business to the size of JG Summit was not easy. Many challenges were thrown my way. I could have walked away from them, keeping the business small, but safe. Instead, I chose to fight. But this did not mean I won each time.

By 1976, at age 50, we had built significant businesses in food products anchored by a branded coffee called Blend 45, and agro-industrial products under the Robina Farms brand. That year, I faced one of my biggest challenges, and lost. And my loss was highly publicized, too. But I still believe that this was one of my defining moments.

In that decade, not many business opportunities were available due to the political and economic environment. Many Filipinos were already sending their money out of the country. As a Filipino, I felt that our money must be invested here. I decided to purchase shares in San Miguel, then one of the Philippines’ biggest corporations. By 1976, I had acquired enough shares to sit on its board.

The media called me an upstart. “Who is Gokongwei and why is he doing all those terrible things to San Miguel?” ran one headline of the day. In another article, I was described as a pygmy going up against the powers-that-be. The San Miguel board of directors itself even aid for an ad in all the country’s top newspapers telling the public why I should not be on the board.

On the day of reckoning, shareholders quickly filled up the auditorium to witness the battle. My brother James and I had prepared for many hours for this debate. We were nervous and excited at the same time.

In the end, I did not get the board seat because of the Supreme Court Ruling. But I was able to prove to others—and to myself—that I was willing to put up a fight. I succeeded because I overcame my fear, and tried. I believe this battle helped define who I am today. In a twist to this story, I was invited to sit on the board of Anscor and San Miguel Hong Kong 5 years later. Lose some, win some.

Since then, I’ve become known as a serious player in the business world, but the challenges haven’t stopped coming.

Let me tell you about the three most recent challenges. In all three, conventional wisdom bet against us. See, we set up businesses against market Goliaths in very high-capital industries: airline, telecoms, and beverage.

Challenge No. 1: In 1996, we decided to start an airline. At the time, the dominant airline in the country was PAL, and if you wanted to travel cheaply, you did not fly. You went by sea or by land.

However, my son Lance and I had a vision for Cebu Pacific: We wanted every Filipino to fly.

Inspired by the low-cost carrier models in the United States, we believed that an airline based on the no-frills concept would work here. No hot meals. No newspaper. Mono-class seating. Operating with a single aircraft type. Faster turn around time. It all worked, thus enabling Cebu Pacific to pass on savings to the consumer.

How did we do this? By sticking to our philosophy of “low cost, great value.”

And we stick to that philosophy to this day. Cebu Pacific offers incentives. Customers can avail themselves of a tiered pricing scheme, with promotional seats for as low a P1. The earlier you book, the cheaper your ticket.

Cebu Pacific also made it convenient for passengers by making online booking available. This year, 1.25 million flights will be booked through our website. This reduced our distribution costs dramatically.

Low cost. Great value.

When we started 11 years ago, Cebu Pacific flew only 360,000 passengers, with 24 daily flights to 3 destinations. This year, we expect to fly more than five million passengers, with over 120 daily flights to 20 local destinations and 12 Asian cities. Today, we are the largest in terms of domestic flights, routes and destinations.

We also have the youngest fleet in the region after acquiring new Airbus 319s and 320s. In January, new ATR planes will arrive. These are smaller planes that can land on smaller air strips like those in Palawan and Caticlan. Now you don’t have to take a two-hour ride by mini-bus to get to the beach.

Largely because of Cebu Pacific, the average Filipino can now afford to fly. In 2005, 1 out of 12 Filipinos flew within a year. In 2012, by continuing to offer low fares, we hope to reduce that ratio to 1 out of 6. We want to see more and more Filipinos see their country and the world!

Challenge No. 2: In 2003, we established Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. and developed a brand for the mobile phone business called Sun Cellular. Prior to the launch of the brand, we were actually involved in a transaction to purchase PLDT shares of the majority shareholder.

The question in everyone’s mind was how we could measure up to the two telecom giants. They were entrenched and we were late by eight years! PLDT held the landline monopoly for quite a while, and was first in the mobile phone industry. Globe was a younger company, but it launched digital mobile technology here.

But being a late player had its advantages. We could now build our platform from a broader perspective. We worked with more advanced technologies and intelligent systems not available ten years ago. We chose our suppliers based on the most cost-efficient hardware and software. Being a Johnny-come-lately allowed us to create and launch more innovative products, more quickly.

All these provided us with the opportunity to give the consumers a choice that would rock their world. The concept was simple. We would offer Filipinos to call and text as much as they want for a fixed monthly fee. For P250 a month, they could get in touch with anyone within the Sun network at any time. This means great savings of as much as 2/3 of their regular phone bill! Suddenly, we gained traction. Within one year of its introduction, Sun hit one million customers.

Once again, the paradigm shifts - this time in the telecom industry. Sun’s 24/7 Call and Text unlimited changed the landscape of mobile-phone usage.

Today, we have over 4 million subscribers and 2000 cell sites around the archipelago. In a country where 97% of the market is pre-paid, we believe we have hit on the right strategy.

Sun Cellular is a Johnny-come-lately, but it’s doing all right. It is a third player, but a significant one, in an industry where Cassandras believed a third player would perish. And as we have done in the realm of air travel, so have we done in the telecom world: We have changed the marketplace.

In the end, it is all about making life better for the consumer by giving them choices.

Challenge No. 3: In 2004, we launched C2, the green tea drink that would change the face of the local beverage industry -- then, a playground of cola companies. Iced tea was just a sugary brown drink served bottomless in restaurants. For many years, hardly was there any significant product innovation in the beverage business.

Admittedly, we had little experience in this area. Universal Robina Corporation is the leader in snack foods but our only background in beverage was instant coffee. Moreover, we would be entering the playground of huge multinationals. We decided to play anyway.

It all began when I was in China in 2003 and noticed the immense popularity of bottled iced tea. I thought that this product would have huge potential here. We knew that the Philippines was not a traditional tea-drinking country since more familiar to consumers were colas in returnable glass bottles. But precisely, this made the market ready for a different kind of beverage. One that refreshes yet gives the health benefits of green tea. We positioned it as a “spa” in a bottle. A drink that cools and cleans…thus, C2 was born.

C2 immediately caught on with consumers. When we launched C2 in 2004, we sold 100,000 bottles in the first month. Three years later, Filipinos drink around 30 million bottles of C2 per month. Indeed, C2 is in a good place.

With Cebu Pacific, Sun Cellular, and C2, the JG Summit team took control of its destiny. And we did so in industries where old giants had set the rules of the game. It’s not that we did not fear the giants. We knew we could have been crushed at the word go. So we just made sure we came prepared with great products and great strategies. We ended up changing the rules of the game instead.

There goes the principle of self-determination, again. I tell you, it works for individuals as it does for companies. And as I firmly believe, it works for nations.

I have always wondered, like many of us, why we Filipinos have not lived up to our potential. We have proven we can. Manny Pacquiao and Efren Bata Reyes in sports. Lea Salonga and the UP Madrigal Singers in performing arts. Monique Lhuillier and Rafe Totenco in fashion. And these are just the names made famous by the media. There are many more who may not be celebrities but who have gained respect on the world stage.

But to be a truly great nation, we must also excel as entrepreneurs before the world. We must create Filipino brands for the global market place.

If we want to be philosophical, we can say that, with a world-class brand, we create pride for our nation. If we want to be practical, we can say that, with brands that succeed in the world, we create more jobs for our people, right here.

Then, we are able to take part in what’s really important—giving our people a big opportunity to raise their standards of living, giving them a real chance to improve their lives.

We can do it. Our neighbors have done it. So can we.

In the last 54 years, Korea worked hard to rebuild itself after a world war and a civil war destroyed it. From an agricultural economy in 1945, it shifted to light industry, consumer products, and heavy industry in the ’80s. At the turn of the 21^st century, the Korean government focused on making Korea the world’s leading IT nation. It did this by grabbing market share in key sectors like semiconductors, robotics, and biotechnology.

Today, one remarkable Korean brand has made it to the list of Top 100 Global Brands: Samsung. Less then a decade ago, Samsung meant nothing to consumers. By focusing on quality, design, and innovation, Samsung improved its products and its image. Today, it has surpassed the Japanese brand Sony. Now another Korean brand, LG Collins, is following in the footsteps of Samsung. It has also broken into the Top 100 Global Brands list.

What about China? Who would have thought that only 30 years after opening itself up to a market economy, China would become the world’s fourth largest economy? Goods made in China are still thought of as cheap. Yet many brands around the world outsource their manufacturing to this country. China’s own brands—like Lenovo, Haier, Chery QQ, and Huawei—are fast gaining ground as well. I have no doubt they will be the next big electronics, technology and car brands in the world.

Lee Kwan Yu’s book “From Third World to First” captures Singapore’s aspiration to join the First World. According to the book, Singapore was a trading post that the British developed as a nodal point in its maritime empire. The racial riots there made its officials determined to build a “multiracial society that would give equality to all citizens, regardless of race, language or religion.”

When Singapore was asked to leave the Malaysian Federation of States in 1965, Lee Kwan Yew developed strategies that he executed with single-mindedness despite their being unpopular. He and his cabinet started to build a nation by establishing the basics: building infrastructure, establishing an army, weeding out corruption, providing mass housing, building a financial center. Forty short years after, Singapore has been transformed into the richest South East Asian country today, with a per capita income of US$32,000.

These days, Singapore is transforming itself once more. This time it wants to be the creative hub in Asia, maybe even the world. More and more, it is attracting the best minds from all over the world in filmmaking, biotechnology, media, and finance. Meantime, Singaporeans have also created world-class brands: Banyan Tree in the hospitality industry, Singapore Airlines in the Airline industry and Singapore Telecoms in the telco industry.

I often wonder: Why can’t the Philippines, or a Filipino, do this?

Fifty years after independence, we have yet to create a truly global brand. We cannot say the Philippines is too small because it has 86 million people. Switzerland, with 9 million people, created Nestle. Sweden, also with 9 million people, created Ericsson. Finland, even smaller with five million people, created Nokia. All three are major global brands, among others.

Yes, our country is well-known for its labor, as we continue to export people around the world. And after India, we are grabbing a bigger chunk of the pie in the call-center and business-process-outsourcing industries. But by and large, the Philippines has no big industrial base, and Filipinos do not create world-class products.

We should not be afraid to try—even if we are laughed at. Japan, laughed at for its cars, produced Toyota. Korea, for its electronics, produced Samsung. Meanwhile, the Philippines’ biggest companies 50 years ago—majority of which are multinational corporations such as Coca-Cola, Procter and Gamble, and Unilever Philippines, for example—are still the biggest companies today. There are very few big, local challengers.

But already, hats off to Filipino entrepreneurs making strides to globalize their brands.

Goldilocks has had much success in the Unites States and Canada, where half of its customers are non-Filipinos. Coffee-chain Figaro may be a small player in the coffee world today, but it is making the leap to the big time. Two Filipinas, Bea Valdez and Tina Ocampo, are now selling their Philippine-made jewelry and bags all over the world. Their labels are now at Barney’s and Bergdorf’s in the U.S. and in many other high-end shops in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

When we started our own foray outside the Philippines 30 years ago, it wasn’t a walk in the park. We set up a small factory in Hong Kong to manufacture Jack and Jill potato chips there. Today, we are all over Asia. We have the number-one-potato-chips brand in Malaysia and Singapore. We are the leading biscuit manufacturer in Thailand, and a significant player in the candy market in Indonesia. Our Aces cereal brand is a market leader in many parts of China. C2 is now doing very well in Vietnam, selling over 3 million bottles a month there, after only 6 months in the market. Soon, we will launch C2 in other South East Asian markets.

I am 81 today. But I do not forget the little boy that I was in the palengke in Cebu. I still believe in family. I still want to make good. I still don’t mind going up against those older and better than me. I still believe hard work will not fail me. And I still believe in people willing to think the same way.

Through the years, the market place has expanded: between cities, between countries, between continents. I want to urge you all here to think bigger. Why serve 86 million when you can sell to four billion Asians? And that’s just to start you off. Because there is still the world beyond Asia. When you go back to your offices, think of ways to sell and market your products and services to the world. Create world-class brands.

You can if you really tried. I did. As a boy, I sold peanuts from my backyard. Today, I sell snacks to the world.

I want to see other Filipinos do the same.

Thank you and good evening once again.

How Do You Call This?

2007-10-24T15:03:00.000+08:00

See the solar panel? This is a baseball hat. The fan is attached thus the hole for the forehead.

I found this in the office...presuming it is owned by our boss. Hehehe.

Kinda cool to keep cool.

The Sacrament of Waiting

2007-10-24T14:59:00.000+08:00

THE SACRAMENT OF WAITING
by James Donnelan, SJ

The English poet John Milton once wrote that those who serve only stand and wait. I think I could go further and say that those who wait render the highest form of service. Waiting requires more self-discipline, more self-control and emotional maturity, more unshakeable faith in our cause, more unwavering hope in the future, more sustaining love in our hearts that the great deeds of deering-do that go by the name of action.

Waiting is a mystery - a natural sacrament of life - there is a meaning hidden in all the times we have to wait. It must be an important mystery because there is so much waiting in our lives.

Every day is filled with those little moments of waiting - testing our patience and our nerves, schooling us in self-control - paciencia lang. We wait for meals to be served, for a letter to arrive, for a friend to call or show up for a date. We wait on line at cinemas and theaters,
concert and circuses. Our airline terminals, railway stations and bus depots are great temples of waiting filled with men and women who wait in joy for the arrival of a loved one - or wait in sadness to say goodbye and give that last wave of the hand. We wait for birthdays and
vacations - we wait for Christmas. We wait for spring to come - or autumn - for the rains to begin or to stop.

And we wait for ourselves to grow from childhood to maturity. We wait for those inner voices that tell us when we are ready for the next stop. We wait for graduation, for our first job, our first promotion. We wait for success and recognition. We wait to grow up - to reach the stage where we make our decisions.

We cannot remove this waiting from our lives. It is part of the tapestry of living - the fabric in which the threads are woven that tells the story of our lives.

Yet the current philosophies would have us forget the need to wait, "grab all the gusto you can get." So read one of America's great beer advertisement - Get it now. Instant pleasure - instant Transcendence. Don't wait for anything. Life is short - Eat, drink and be merry because tomorrow you'll die. And so they rationalize us into accepting unlicensed and irresponsible reedom - premarital sex and commitment - against expecting anything of anybody, or allowing them to expect anything of us - against vows and promises - against duty and responsibility - against dropping any anchors in the currents of our life that will cause us to hold and wait.

This may be the correct prescriptions for pleasure - but even that is fleeting and doubtful - what was it Shakespeare said about the mad pursuit of pleasure - "Past reason hunted, and once had, past reason hated". No if we wish to be real human beings, spirit as well as flesh,
soul as well as heart, we have to learn to wait. For if not we never learn to love someone other than ourselves.

For most of all, waiting means waiting for someone else. It is a mystery, brushing by our face everyday like a stray wind or a leaf falling from a tree. Anyone who has ever loved knows how much waiting goes into it - how much waiting is important for love to grow - to flourish through a lifetime.

Why is this? Why can't we have right now what we so desperately want and need? Why must we wait - 2 years, 3 years, 5 years and seemingly waste so much time? You might as well ask why a tree should take so long to bear fruit - the seed to flower - carbon to change into diamond.

There is no simple answer - no more that there is to life's other demands - having to say goodbye to someone you love because either youor they have already made other commitments; or because they have to grow and find the meaning of their own lives - having yourself to leave home and loved ones to find your own path - Goodbyes, like waiting, are
also sacraments of our lives.

All we know is that growth - the budding, the flowering of love needs patient waiting. We have to give each other time to grow. There is no way we can make someone else truly love us or we them, except through time. So we give each other that mysterious gift of waiting - of being
present without making demands or asking rewards. But there is life in the gift we give.

So lovers wait for each other - until they can see things the same way - or let each other freely see things in quite different ways.

There are times when lovers hurt each other and cannot regain the balance and intimacy of the way they were. They have to wait - in silence - but still present to each other - until the pain subsides to an ache and then only a memory and the threads of the tapestry can be
woven together again in a single love story.

What do we lose when we refuse to wait? When we try to find short cuts through life - when we try to incubate love and rush blindly and foolishly into a commitment we are neither mature nor responsible enough to assume? We lose the hope of ever truly loving, of being loved.
Think of all the great love stories of history and literature - Isn't it of their very essence that they are filled with this strange but common mystery - that waiting is part of the substance - the basic fabric -against which the story of that true love is written.

How can we ever either find life or true love if we are too impatient to wait for it?

GK 1 WORLD - GK Expo 2007

2007-10-19T14:04:00.000+08:00

GK1WORLD

One Hope. One Vision

One Global Army Against Poverty

Activities include:

1. Conviction and capability building workshops for GK programs for shelter, health, environment, productivity, and mabuhay kultura

2. High on energy, fellowship and fun for kapitbahayan, caretaker teams and partners – the Bayani Marathon, KB Olympics and Paraisong Pambata

3. Evenings to celebrate and honor heroism with Salo-salo ng mga Bayani (Friday) and Gabi ng Parangal (Saturday)

4. Culminating with the Martsa ng mga Bayani and GK 1MB Concert Showcasing GK Talents along with local celebrities on Saturday night running through the early hours of Sunday for our thanksgiving Dawn Mass and Almusal ng mga Bayani.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

October 26, 27 and 28, 2007

GK1World Village, MOA Grounds

Bayan Anihan Farms: Model Farms on Display (8am to 10pm)

Productivity Fair: GK Home, GKoncepts * Teenpreneur and Bayanihan Challenge (Friday Only)

Ecovillage and IP Village Models * Lakaran sa GK1World Village (am/3pm (Open to All)

Kalye Kainan (Regional Food Fair) 24 hours

October 26

8:30–1:30 am Cinema 1, Caretaker/KB Forum and GK1MB

8:30–1130 am Eco-village Model Area Workshop: Environment

12nn–1:30 pm BayanAnihan Farms Grand Pinakbet Pakain, BayanAnihan Farm

1-4pm Cinema 1, Caretaker/KB Forum and GK1MB

5:30-8:30pm Salo-salo ng mga Bayani Cocktails and Entertainment (Partners, Caretaker and KB) GK1World Main Stage

October 27

6am MOA Grounds, GK1World Bayani Marathon

8:00am-3:00 pm GK1World Paved Area, Paraisong Pambata

8:30-11:30am Music Hall, Kultura “Diwa” Workshop (KB, Mabuhay and CYD Leaders)

5:00pm MOA Grounds, Martsa ng mga Bayani

5:30pm BayanAnihan Farms, Gabi ng Parangal

October 28

1:30am-3:30am GK1World Paved Area, Paraiso Showing

4:00am-6:00am GK1World Paved Dawn Mass at Almusal

2007-10-14T19:12:00.000+08:00

Dahil sa tindi ng kahirapan sa probinsya, namasukan si Inday bilang katulong sa Maynila. Habang ini-interview ng amo…
Amo: Kelangan namin ng katulong para mag ayos ng bahay, magluto, maglaba, magplantsa, mamalengke, at magbantay ng mga bata. Kaya mo ba ang lahat ng ito?
Inday: I believe that my trained skills and expertise in management with the use of standard tools, and my discipline and experience will contribute significantly to the value of the work that you want, my creativity, productivity and work-efficiency and the high quality of outcomes I can offer will boost the work progress.
Amo: [nosebleed]

*****
Amo: Inday di ba nanood ka ng The Buzz?
Inday: Opo, bakit mam?
Amo: Bakit daw umalis si Angel Locsin sa GMA7?
Inday: Sometimes, people choose to leave not because of selfish reasons but because they just know that things will get worse if they will stay. Leaving can be a tough act, and it's harder when people can't understand you for doing so…
Amo: ah okay...

*****
Attached herewith is a list of proposed acquisition in line with my proposal to upgrade your household facilities. I have already made initial survey of current market prices. Note however that prices could vary depending on the prevailing exchange rate and aggregate supply and demand which we also monitor on a hourly basis. - si inday, nagpapaalam para mamalengke

*****
Nakaraan ang dalawang araw, umuwi ang amo, nakitang me bukol si junior.

Amo: Bakit me bukol si junior? C

Inday:ompromising safety with useless aesthetics, the not-so-well engineered design of our kitchen lavatory affected the boy's cranium with a slight boil at the left temple near the auditory organ.

*****
I want to persevere in life. I want to break free from where I am. I want to travel the world, see all the beautiful sights and sceneries. I want to be complete… - Naks si Inday, pwedeng model ng Centrum

*****
Amo: Alam mo Inday, bakit di ka na lang mag-callcenter, paingles-ingles ka naman?
Inday: I don't think that I want to have easy money for I know that choosing such employment is already limiting myself from experiencing enthusiastic ways of expressing what I feel by means of what I do, thus imprisoning myself with an incapable mind which will result to doubt and uncontentment.
Amo: Ay ewan ko sa iyo! Dinudugo na ako!

*****
Much as I want to indulge in the proliferation of such indecent and malicious information, I want to lift the stigma and alleviate society's perception of our profession… - Si Inday, tumatangging makipagtsismisan sa katulong sa kabilang bahay sa oras ng siesta

*****
Inday: Dear mother, had it not been for the smelling salt, I must have collapsed a moment ago. Junior has become a little monster to me. Remember the head accident he had? As if I wasn't enough, he was summoned by the principal of his shabilly-run academe. Oh, such an erudite bunch of baboons! I never thought being a governess can be such strenous employ!

Tatay: Walanghiya ka! Magpadala ka ng pera! Nasa ospital ang nanay mo, dumugo ang ilong kakabasa ng pesteng sulat mo!

*****
How do I stop falling for someone? How do I defy the pull of gravity? Can I just flee? Flee before I hit the ground and suffer the pain and tell myself: "Why do I choose to fall in the first place, when I know from the start, that someone's never gonna be there to catch me anyway?…. - tanong ni Inday sa sarili niya ng mainlove siya sa amo niya

*****
"I stay awake in the coldness of the darkened sky contemplating why, for some reasons, has my emptiness made itself manifests, extending to that niche where I was given life and growth, that because of austerity I was made separated from" - si Inday, hindi makatulog dahil nahohomesick

*****
Amo: Bakit maalat ang ulam?

Inday: The consistency was fine. But you see, it seems that the increased amount of sodium chloride (NaCl) affected the taste drastically and those actions are irreversible. I do apologize.

Amo: [nosebleed na naman]

*****
Kinabukasan, sinamahan ni Inday si junior sa principal's office dahil di makapunta ang amo at donya.

Principal: Sinuntok ni junior ang kanyang kaklase.

Inday: It's absurd! It was never a fact that he will inflict a fight. I can only imagine how you handle schizophrenic kids on this educational institution. Revise your policies because they suck!

Principal: [nag resign]

*****
Pag dating sa bahay, nandun na ang amo, galit na galit.

Amo: Inday, bakit nagkalat ang basura sa likod ng bahay?!

Inday: A change in the weather patterns might have occurred wrecking havoc to the surroundings. The way the debris are scattered indicates that the gust of wind was going northeast causing damage to the path it was heading for. Amo: [nosebleed ulit]

*****
Habang nagluluto si Inday ng hapunan, malikot si junior.

Inday: Stop your raucous behavior. It is bound to result in property damages and if that happens there will be corresponding punishment to be inflicted upon you!

Junior: [takbo sa CR, punasan ang nagdudugong ilong]

*****
Nung gabing yon, me nag text ke Inday. Si Dodong, ang driver ng kapitbahay, gusto maki pag text-mate.

Inday: To forestall further hopes of acquaintance, my unfathomable statement to the denial of your request - Petition denied.

*****
Di nagla-on, dahil sa tyaga ni Dodong, nagging syota nya rin si Inday.

"I am solitary. I find it hard to succumb into slumber, though the downpour of rain should've made it easy. This exuberant emotional glue I have for you, cannot be simply washed away. The multiplicity of what I feel for you is inevitable. This isn't platonic. It's real, true romance." - si Inday, nageemote sa may bintana, habang iniisip si Dodong, ang boyfriend niya

**** "
This is just not the right time to give it a try, for there are things that are not worth losing by making a move towards an uncertain future; destiny will always bring us where we're meant to be." - paliwanag ni Inday ng ayain siya ni Dodong na magtanan kagabi

*****
The break-up:

Inday: The statute restricts me to love you but you have the provocations. The way you smile is the proximate cause why I love you. We have some rules to think of. We have no vested rights to love each other because the upper household dismissed my petition!"

Dodong: Perhaps you are mistaken, what you seem to contrive as any affections for you are somewhat half-hearted. I was merely attempting to expand my network of interests by involving you in my daily recreation. Heretofor, you can expect an end to any verbal articulation from myself"

*****
May dumaan na mamang basurero, at narinig ang usapan ni Inday at Dodong.

Basurero (sabi kay Inday): Be careful in letting go of the things you thought are just nothing because maybe someday you'll realize that the one you gave away is the very thing you've been wishing for to stay.

Narinig ang lahat ng ito ng amo ni inday.

*****
"I wish forgetting my feelings for someone was as easy as digging a hole in the backyard, burying it there, and leaving a cross over it to remind me how beautiful it once was. But it could never be like that, forgetting these feelings, is much like digging my very own grave and burying myself alive." - Si Inday ulit, during the break-up

*****
Amo: Inday bumili ka nga ng mga isda.. oo nga pla inglesira ka… would you please purchase many fishes for our this week's meals?

Inday: Judging from your statement I believe you meant a variety of fish. The term "fishes", although rarely and even erroneously used, connotes a plethora or an array of different kinds of the aforementioned gilled creatures. But the more pressing questions before I traversed the road to the wet market would be: What certain type of fish? Fillet or not? Frozen or just right smack the day's catch? (Pauses) Aaah… by manner of careful extrapolation, given the meager budget in this houshold's quasi-peasant middle class taste, I assume then I will source the staple "galewng-gowng". Am I correct?

Amo: Leche!

Inday: You meant the freshwater milkfish? Then the "ba-ngooz" is it!

*****
"La vida no es una broma actualmente. El dinero es tan duro de pasar. Puede usted bajar el precio parci mi? Soy ya su compradora avido diario por favor? si Inday tumatawad sa merkado ng isinama siya ng amo sa España

*****
*Drunken shrimp and blue lobster meat with caviar serve with milagrosa rice (red variety) and apricot sauce

*Vegetables in balsamic vinegar splashed with extra virgin olive olive

*Lychee and peach salad with sour cream cheese topped with lemon zests

- baon ni Junior sa daycare na inihanda ni Inday

*****
Ipomea aquatica has become the constant ingredient to this Filipino delicacy which is very helpful in the digestion during the peristaltic process of the food we intake. Due to the continuous rains and floods, the harvest of the said vegetable has lessen the production in the market.", banat ni Inday kung bakit walang "kangkong" sa nilutong sinigang

*****
"Heavy fire that exerted by the stimulus affect the best conductor of heat which is the steel, causing the Oryza sativa which is the scientific name of rice to change its state of color, smell as well as the taste.", sagot ni Inday nang tanungin siya ng amo kung bakit nasunog ang sinaing

*****
"Allergens triggered the immune response. Eosinophilic migration occurs to the reaction site and release of chemotactic and anaphylotoxin including histamine and prostaglandins. These substance results to increase circulation to the site promoting redness." -sagot ni inday nun tanungin ni sir kung bakit may rashes si Junior

*****
Mister: Bakit tuwing pag-uwi ko, nadadatnan kitang nanunuod ng TV??!!! Inday: Because I don't want you to see me doing absolutely nothing!

*****
"Physical stress and excessive work may result to serious damage to one's body. It is therefore essential that once in a while we take a break from our usual routine to replenish the lost energy we once had." - sabi ni Inday sa amo noong humingi siya ng dayoff

*****
Misis: Inday, bakit mo binenta yung sirang silya?

Inday: I have computed the chair's fair value less cost to sell, and the value in use using projections for 5 years and a pre-tax discount rate. Accordingly, the value in use is lower, so I decided to sell the chair. This in accordance with PAS18 on Revenue, PAS16 on Property, Plant, and Equipment, and PAS36 on Impairment of Assets!

*****
Listening to the nonsense talk about someone's life is a pathetic way of entertainment… it doesn't contribute to the good of society… i hate character assassinators! - reklamo ni inday nung matsismis sya ng kapitbahay! idol talaga!

*****
500 globe plan subscription
1800 glutathione tablet
600 olay total effects
1500 crocs flip flops
2000 for mama
- binabudget ni Inday ang sweldo niya

*****
Amo 1: Inday, ano gamit mo sa katawan mo, ang kinis mo kasi eh?
Amo 2: Siguro gumagamit ka nang Papaya.
Amo 1: Baka naman kalamansi?
Inday (Babanat na naman): No! "Only Belo touches my skin, who touches yours?"

*****
Nurture others with positive, truthful words, not words that hurt. It doesn't cost anything to do so. But mean what you say, and say what you mean. Do it everyday. This is one of the most obvious qualities of the most beloved people. If you cannot be generous financially, at least be generous with your words. - yan ang sabi ni inday ng di siya pinautang at pinagmumura pa ng amo niya.

*****
Inday: I pity you for you have degraded your very own pride and dignity by resorting to this despicable behavior just for wealth, and I hope that one day you'll realize that you should not use humans as means of your ends. As what the great philosopher Kant uttered, "treat a man as an end in itself."

Holdaper: Shut up! Coz if you don't the bullet in this gun will rest upon your empty head!

*****
I was shot by a 9mm bullet in the head damaging my entire skull so that I will die and stop speaking English preventing people from nose-bleedin' - In loving memory of Inday

*****
I thought I was dead. I must have been in a near-death experience. I believed I survived to tell the world that we are not just a bunch of household slaves, but persons of dignity and character - si Inday, matapos makarecover sa coma

*****

Transportmers

2007-10-13T10:27:00.000+08:00

Barangay Patrol Van - Auto Toda Association Secretary

LRTA - Decepti-Toda Association President

School Service Van - Auto Toda Intelligence Officer

Sedan Taxi - Decepti-Toda Spy

Modified Tricycle - Decepti-Toda Weapons Specialist

Public Utility Jeep - Auto-Toda Spy

Provincial Utility Bus - Auto-Toda Association President

Asian Utility Van - Auto-Toda Weapons Specialist

Isang Paanyayang DI DAPAT Palampasin

2007-09-07T12:32:00.001+08:00

Tinatawagan namin lahat ng single men and women, edad 21 pataas, na makibahagi sa Christian Life Program sa Sto. Domingo Parish Center. Nagorientation na noong september 6 pero pwede ka pa ring sumali at maging miyembro ng CFC-Singles for Christ (Sto. Domingo-Tatalon, QC Chapter).

Makisaya
makibahagi
magmahal
maglingkod.

Get inspired and be an inspiration to others. bring your friends. text me for further details. Pwede rin email (ardythe@gmail.com).

Kitakitz tayo sa Sept 13, 7:30pm sa SDP!!!

one hectic day

2007-09-02T17:36:00.000+08:00

I woke up at 7am and even if I still want to sleep again, I cannot because today is the first ever joint birthday celebration of GK SAGIP and GK SIGA. Besides, Cathy is expecting us to leave by 8am. Then we strolled along the streets and left the house at 8:40. We got to the GK site just in time and there were no other people who will be involved in the birthday celebration. We managed to get the kids together. I saw the tent cover but I am not able to do anything about it since it should be attached to the roof as protection from the heat and rain...I contacted people involved and got no reply. By 10 am I was getting impatient because there were only 5 of us so I texted our chapter head and fortunately and I'm very thankful about it, that more people came. To ease my flaring up, we made the decorations for the motorcade for the afternoon. I let the brothers do the setting up and by 11:30 we started. Very unusually late since the SAGIP acitivities start at 9am. We instilled tp the children the habit of being on time (you should have known how we reprimanded them when I was fed up because for a few consecutive sessions they came at 9:20am)

I was disappointed since I expected the SIGA to be running the program when everything is already prepared. They could have been the hosts and the service team, with us providing assistance whenever needed. After all, the food and the prizes are sponsored by one unit in our chapter. They said that this was not coordinated with them when in fact we have met about this last week. And they would not come near the area even when they were just around the corner..To sum it up, it was fun because there was a lot of service team of SFCs around and I did not get angry for the very late time, and the kids were very well behaved.

Since the SAGIP birthday celebration started late, we ended late for the motorcade in the afternoon. After finishing the decorations we toured around the area and it was good for us to start late, honestly, because of the sun's harmful UV rays. Motorcade was supposed to be 2pm, with an assembly at 1pm and in reality we started to rove at 3pm. It was fun to meet a lot of people, and a little scary too, since when I was in YFC our motorcade was just honking around. Here we did the walking and the talkin and the inviting.

By 4:30pm I had to meet Christine for our one to one and at 6pm we went to mass with Joe. Then he and I had dinner and afterwards, here I am, blogging...

Good News Update on GK (August 12)

2007-08-17T11:36:00.000+08:00

Things to cheer you up!

1. Philippine Star Article highlights Financial Integrity of Gawad Kalinga

Finance experts lend hand to GK
By Patricia Esteves
Sunday, August 12, 2007

Financial management is important even to organizations devoted to charity and the Gawad Kalinga (GK) foundation is no exception. It takes pride in its sound, professional and credible financial system and management.

At the helm of GK's financial system are two of the country's veteran and top-notch managers, Joey Moreno and Mike Goco.

Moreno served as country manager for multinational capital and risk management company, Swiss Reinsurance for 30 years, while Goco spent many years as group vice president for Metro Pacific Corp., the Philippine arm of Hong Kong-based conglomerate First Pacific Co. Ltd.

Together, they lend their expertise and talent to GK in handling and overseeing the foundation as full-time volunteers.

Goco recalls getting into GK in 2004 through advocate Tony Meloto.

"Meloto invited me to join Gawad Kalinga to oversee some systems and procedures in the foundation, particularly the aspect of finance and I said yes. I was newly retired then," said Goco, now the finance head of the GK foundation.

As GK began to expand, Goco invited his friend, Moreno, to help him out. Moreno says it was a job he gladly took.

"I retired end of 2005 and I was looking for something worthwhile to do. I was not interested in pursuing money or entering into another career. I got in touch with Mike and it so happened that GK needed help in one area and one thing led to another. Mike used to handle everything but with GK growing so fast, he needed someone to offload some things and so I said yes," Moreno said.

A credible, professional financial system

Goco and Moreno came to GK at a stage where it was expanding and donors' resources were steadily pouring for the construction of more houses.

Both wanted to make the best use of the donors' funds for GK.

Moreno explains the costing for each home is more than P75,000 if you consider other things added to the village or the house. The P75,000 is only for the materials for the house and does not include the price of the land and labor.

"If you tack on the land, landscaping, the time the caretaker spent there, the value will rise five or six times. These are not monetized but if you put them all together, they could easily rise five or six times," he stressed.

Goco and Moreno put in place a systematic and effective procedure that is in tune with donor's preference. "The partners and donors come to the office and look at our system and procedures and the funds as we are very transparent," said Goco.

The first step of the procedure is the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the donor and partner.

The MOA details the responsibilities of the donor, the time of the funds turnover and GK's commitment to deliver the homes for the poor.

But GK does more after the MOA signing. Goco and Moreno make sure all necessary arrangements will be made like ensuring the site, assigning of caretaker teams and project directors to the site and preparing the beneficiaries for the sweat equity program of GK. The beneficiaries will help in constructing their homes.

"When we started in June, the process is very general in terms of donor and partner. In any partnership, there is a Memorandum of Agreement that details the responsibilities of the donor. At the time of the money turnover, there is a commitment to deliver homes and schools. That starts the entire process, when funds are transferred, official receipts are given," Goco explained.

They set up a ledger for each donor and anyone who would like to see how their funds are used will receive records of those that were disbursed and received.

"The process of disbursement is in conjunction with partnership with the management group. More importantly, all elements are prepared. We see to it that the land is secured and not squatter land that it is donated by an individual or the local government and that there is a caretaker team in charge of the site, including a project director," Goco said.

He also stressed the beneficiaries go through a values formation program and part of their counterpart funding commitment is the sweat equity.

Because the procedure is always in tune with the donors' preference, they ask permission first if they will allow the shifting of funds to other areas.

Isla Lipana and SGV and Co.

In line with GK's commitment to improve the financial aspect and in preparation for its vision of GK 777 ( 700,000 homes in 7,000 sites in seven years, it hired the services of Isla Lipana & Co., an external auditor, to audit GK's financial books.

Isla Lipana and Co., a professional accounting firm, has been auditing GK's financial statements for the last two years.

In its report and assessment for 2004 and 2005, it says all "support, revenues, expenses and its cash flows for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005 and for the period from July 28, 2003 to Dec. 31, 2004 are in accordance with Philippine Financial Reporting Standards.

"Isla Lipana is one of the best audit firms in the country. They check on our funds and ensure that funds go through as intended. We've been audited twice already, for 2004 and 2005," Moreno said.

In line with GK's expansion, they have entered a special arrangement with SGV and Co. called "Business Process Review of Gawad Kalinga (GK)."

The SGV review and assess the financial statement of GK and suggest ways on improving other areas of financial management.

"They spent three months interviewing people, reviewing documentations, not only here but in the province and in the regions. They followed our process. Through this, we're now going to the next stage, how to implement their recommendations to us," Goco said.

And SGV is doing this for free.

Goco admits they are not a perfect organization but they try hard to improve their financial aspect.

"We're not a perfect organization, we are like a sari-sari store that grew overnight. We are trying to catch up. While we got good reports from Isla Filipina, we felt we need to improve, that is why it is timely that SGV and Co. offered their assistance," Goco said.

As further proof of GK's sound and credible financial management is the five-year certification it got from the Philippine Council for NGO certification, a government agency that accredits and appraises all NGOs for donee institutions.

"We're very proud that we are a few of the organizations that received a five-year certification. It's a vote of confidence that what we're doing is right," Moreno said.

Most corporations, local and multinational corporations are very confident of GK's integrity and credibility as a foundation. Even government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and development (DSWD), are confident of GK's credibility and integrity

"We give all our reports to the DSWD and they've been very happy with the partnership. We heard the agency is preparing the next P250 million for GK, a big increase to what initially started as a P50- million investment," Goco said.

An interesting finding from SGV said there was an excess of P170 million in the funds they cannot trace. Moreno and Goco say the money came from the pockets of the volunteers and caretakers' team as padugo.

Goco says they have accounted for all the money that flows through Gawad Kalinga.

"We're proud to say that we've been able to account for all the money that flows through us. We invite the donors to audit us as we are available. The level of partnerships they have with us speaks for itself. These corporations will not partner with us if they don't trust the organization, because they exercise due diligence," Moreno said.

Goco said more people from the business sector will join GK like former Central Bank Gov. Jose Cuisia and Melo Villaroman of Procter and Gamble for Asia, after their retirement.

As GK founder Tony Meloto said: "As we scale up, we want to improve our system, to be able to serve more people in an efficient way. GK is not just building homes but communities, for the love of God and country. It is bringing out the best in Filipinos so we can regain the trust of the world."

Online article here: http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20070811214

2. Inspiring Interview of a young GK and Singles For Christ member
13 July 2007
GK Concepcion Village, Pasig River, Guadalupe, Metro Manila

Rodrigo nicknamed "Digor" is a 21 year old former out-of-school youth who I interviewed in the second GK site I visited, called Concepcion Village, along the Pasig River. I interviewed him on a lazy Sunday afternoon, by a river once was filled with ugliness, now a symbol of rebirth for this country. - Ryan Cabrera (SFC LA)

"What have been the changes since Gawad Kalinga (GK) and Singles For Christ (SFC) came into your life?"

The bad vices have been removed. Before GK and Singles For Christ, we would stay up to 6AM drinking. Our parents couldn't control us and didn't even pay attention to us anymore.

One day a friend of ours said: "Bro let's join SFC. It's ok there – many things to learn, many changes."

This friend, Kenneth, never wanted to study anymore. When he joined SIGA, we – his friends - told him:
"Wow you've changed a lot!"

Now he's about to finish high school and can't decide between two colleges (La Salle and Don Bosco) because he has scholarships to both! SIGA is paying for half his tuition. Now he's so alive!

Through him we got the idea to join Singles For Christ. We were the first batch to graduate SFC here!

"What programs are there here?"

There's the SIGA program for 11 to 17 year olds. They do worship house to house. They talk about problems with school, family. The program is so beautiful because it removes negative thinking!

There's the SAGIP program for 8 to 11 year olds. They're taught the word of God. They get to travel. Then, they teach each other.

You will really be surprised because they all used to be out of school youth just wasting their lives away. Now they've learned to play the guitar. They play praise music! Now they each play their own guitars, and the singing... It was like magic!

You'll be so delighted because of all the laughter you hear all day, joking around. The change is enormous. Just like magic!

"What do you see in your future?"

I see our kids - and our grandkids - enjoying their own beautiful children. The youth here learn beautiful values.

Nothing GK does and gives will ever be wasted. GK gave everything: energy, talent, financial resources.

Now we want to share that blessing. Now we want to spread that HOPE. When GK entered, it was really MAGIC—no more chaos, no more vandalism on the wall!

Now the youth want to continue this dream of a bright future that is so stunning. What's the use of having a nice house, if the people who live in it are nothing? It's better if you have a beautiful house, AND beautiful people inside it. That's what's ok.

"What do you want to say to Singles For Christ of LA?"

In our lives, the #1 blessing comes from God. Blessings have to be shared…the good values.

Your help for the poor, that's the highest level, because that's who God Himself helps.

"To the runners of the (fundraising) marathon what would you like to say?"

I salute you! I'm speechless!

You are so blessed because, not only me, but 1 million other people you're helping! I see God's presence in all of you – the presence in helping, the love…that is the presence of God!

"For Gawad Kalinga here in Manila, what help is needed?"

More activities for the kids. You're only a kid once. When the kids are happy, the adults are happy. The kids nowadays are so smart, they pick up things so quick.

When you plant kindness early on, their whole lives they will remember that.

In the SAGIP program (3-4 years old) they learn to fear God. That is the most important thing to learn of all."

***

My one observation during the interview was how many times he mentioned the word "magic." He mentioned it as if it was still ongoing…as if the best is yet to come. I suppose, that's the real magic of GK.

-- Ryan Cabrera (SFC Los Angeles)

3. PARAISO : Tatlong Kwento ng Pag-asa (the GK Movie ) a BIG Hit in Iloilo

PARAISO : Tatlong Kwento ng Pag-asa ( The GK Movie ) was a big hit in SM City Iloilo last August 11, 2007. To accommodate the thousands who wanted to watch, the movie was shown simultaneously in five cinemas, with SM theaters forced to open their gates at 7:30 AM (instead of the usual time of 10:30am), and stay open until 6:30 pm.
The cinema management made this possible, even setting aside the showing of regular foreign films to accommodate PARAISO moviegoers.

The second batch is again scheduled on August 26 with a wider and bigger audience. An estimated ten thousand people are expected to watch the film, most of them students from the different schools and universities that are already supportive of Gawad Kalinga work in Iloilo province.

God shows His power and majesty through the work He has entrusted to us.

Two Years and Ten Months

2007-07-25T08:48:00.000+08:00

Coz I miss you very very much.

The time frame is not yet equal. There are still more days that I have to wait for you until we can be together again. Each count brings a different feeling.

Yet we can wait...

Church Dress Codes

2007-07-25T08:43:00.000+08:00

This has been an issue last month but I was very busy...

The Church speaks rightly of the renewal of imposing dress codes upon the parishioners. Sure this girl that Anthony Taverna of the defunct MUP (now UKG) interviewed has her points of view. But she should have not implied that she came from the States where people do not care how their fellow churchgoers look.

The Church is a sacred place. We go there to pray not to pinpoint what the people are wearing. However, we are conscious of how they look like. And the fact that we go there to worship means we have to respect the House of God and our neighbors.

Anthony made his statement clear that the Church is a sanctuary and a place for the celebration of the Eucharist. It does not matter if we are all living in different generations. What is important that we honor the temple and that we strive to keep the faith alive, even by the expressions of how we dress.

Every Minute Matters

2007-06-09T13:54:00.000+08:00

Now that you are far...every minute matters. The short conversations that we have on the phone. I know it is not enough for me to hear every detail of your experiences, nor it is sufficient for me to say how much I miss you...all of the things that we used to do. However, each word that we exchange is a treasure.

I sent you a postal letter. I hope you get it. I want to give you the cd of the video that Rachell and I made for your despedida, but I want to be sure that you get the letter first.

August is still far, You'll miss my birthday again. I won't be with you on yours either. I just want to drag August... and be with you forever.

Learning Little by Little

2007-06-05T09:57:00.000+08:00

I went to my cousins' houses yesterday. I took care of Eamonn, my 6-month old nephew and had a little chat with Ericka, 11 years old. Eamonn is the son of Kuya Raymond and Ericka the daughter of Kuya Ricky.

Ericka is very adept and techie, she has lots of websites already that she herself designed. Quite a feat for an 11-year old! I asked her to teach Shelma, the helper, how to use the web since I'm not always there. And this niece of mine goes yearly to the USA to visit her mother's relatives, that I told her to take me next year. So far, she has experienced the Niagara falls! Whoa! I mean the pictures do not need words!

Eamonn spent the day jumping, sleeping, drinking milk, laughing, and playing horsey-horsey (he invented himself and swing his body throughout the whole crib!). When we were eating dinner, he wanted to have a glass. I tried handling the glass for him. He touched it with his hands and started to drink! Of course we would not have him really drink, because he's be ready for it when he's two.

Ericka and Eamonn, the children closest to my heart and I learn from them the process for growing up...

The Present and The Future

2007-06-02T22:38:00.000+08:00

It's late at night and here I am. While my better half is deep in slumber, I think of him as I write this.

Sometimes, the distance is just distance, but the fact that you do not get to see each other almost everyday like you used to, is such a pain. Tolerable, but it hurts. Yet you have to keep going, to live you life like nothing has changed. After all, love is there.

I thought my life was okay. It is, until the absence of your beloved can just make you cry. True, the exodus of Filipinos to provide a better future for their families, or future families in fact, is happening to me. The time is still far for us to be really together, and if it is God's will, we will be.

Verge is praying that the Philippine economy will be better. That Filipinos would have no need to go abroad just to provide more than enough food on the table and cash in the pocket.

If only we can be better citizens, a better nation...If only we think of our fellowmen as well, then there is no need for poverty, no division between status quos. No need for our loved ones to go elsewhere...

Pressure is a Privilege

2007-06-02T21:18:00.000+08:00

I have never been as toxic as before in my life. Gee, sometimes priorities come to make you think, pray and discern.

May 16 - chapter assembly - my assignment is ON FIRE, the publication of CFC-SFC West B1F
May 17 - CYD meeting
May 19 - MMLA
May 20 - SAGIP Olympics; parents' wedding anniversary - I chose to be with my family
May 24 - CYD meeting

May 27 - SIGA Olympics
Note: SAGIP West B won the championship for the third time! SIGA got the championship this year! Kudos to all the players, parents, and service team! God is so good!

May 28 - Joe's despedida
Hey! I'm the host here...Gosh! It's been quite a while since I last manned a party. Check on the food, the attendees, the venue, the utensils, the props, etc. Since May 24 I was compiling his pictures because I do not know how to do a film showing for that so I asked for some friends' help. May 25 we did not get around to do it because they had to go to La Union. May 26 was cross-stitch finalization day. I sent the instructions via email on the 28 at 7am. Yup, I didn't go to work. At 6pm I was told that they were not able to do it because they were busy and feeling sick. I wanted to cry...But I went to meet Rachelle, my household member for Joe requested tiramisu and I had her aunt do it. I told her of my plight. Then she had her laptop and with a moviemaker!!! I was so happy!

May 29-meet with SIGA and Joe

May 30 - visit Joe's parents; see him off at the airport

Now that it's all done, I had my braces adjusted (supposedly May 19) and also visited my dermatologist (supposedly May 12). If my schedule allows it, next week I have to see my ophthalmologist.Ü

2007 Valedictory Address

2007-05-11T11:09:00.000+08:00

One of the things that strike me as being very "UP Diliman" is the way UPD students can't seem to stay on the pavement. From every street corner thatbounds an unpaved piece of land, one will espy a narrow trail that cuts thecorner, or leads from it. Every lawn around the buildings sports at least one of these paths, starting from a point nearest to the IKOT stop andending at the nearest entry to the building. The trails are beaten on thegrass by many pairs of feet wanting to save a fraction of a meter of traveling, no matter that doing so will exact some cost to the shoes, or, tothe ubiquitous slippers, especially when the trails are new.

What do these paths say about us, UP students?

One could say that the UP student is enamored with Mathematics and Pythagoras, hence these triangles formed by the pavement and the path. Manyamong you would disagree.

Others could say that the UP student is naturally countercultural. And therefusal to use the pavement is just one of the myriads of ways to show his defiance of the order of things. This time, many would agree.

Still, others will say that the UP student is the model of today's youth:they want everything easier, faster, now. The walkable paths appeal to them because they get to their destination faster, and presumably, with lesseffort. Now that is only partly true, and totally unfair.

These trails weren't always walkable. No doubt they started as patches of grass, perhaps overgrown. Those who first walked them must have soiled theirshoes, stubbed their toes, or had insects biting their legs, all in theimmovable belief that the nearest distance between two points is a straight line. They might even have seen snakes cross their paths. But the soiledfootwear, sore toes, and itchy legs started to conquer the grass. Other people, seeing the yet faint trail, followed. And as more and more walked the path, the grass gave in and stopped growing altogether, making the pathmore and more visible, more and more walkable.

The persistence of the paths pays tribute to those UP students who walkedthem first ? the pioneers of the unbeaten tracks: the defiant and curious few who refuse the familiar and comfortable; the out-of-the-box thinkers whosolve problems instead of fretting about them; the brave who dare do things differently, and open new opportunities to those who follow.

They say how one behaved in the past would determine how he behaves in thefuture. And as we leave the University, temporarily or for good, let us callon the pioneering, defiant, and brave spirit that built the paths to guide us in this next phase of our life.

We have been warned time and again. Our new world that they call "adulthood"is one that's full of compromises, where success is determined more by theability to belong than by the ability to think, where it is much easier to do as everyone else does. Daily we are bombarded with so much news ofdespair about the state of our nation, and the apparent, perverse sense ofsatisfaction our politicians get from vilifying our state of affairs. It is fashionable to migrate to other countries to work in deceptively high-payingjobs like nursing and teaching, forgetting that even at their favored workdestinations, nurses and teachers are some ofthe lowest paid professionals. The lure of high and immediate monetary benefits in some low-end outsourcingjobs has drawn even some of the brightest UP students away from bothindustry and university teaching to which they would have been better suited.

Like the sidewalks and pavement, these paths are the easiest to take.

But, like the sidewalks and pavement, these paths take longer to traverse,just as individual successes do not always make for national progress. The unceasing critic could get elected, but not get the job done. The immigrantcould get his visa, but disappear from our brainpower pool. The highly paidemployee would be underutilized for his skills, and pine to get the job he truly wants, but is now out of his reach. And the country, and we, arepoorer because of these.Today, the nation needs brave, defiant pioneers to reverse our nation'sslide to despair.

Today, we must call upon the spirit that beat the tracks. Today, we must present an alternative way of doing things.

Do NOT just take courage, for courage is not enough. Instead, be BRAVE! Itwill take bravery to go against popular wisdom, against the clichédexpectations of family and friends. It will take bravery to gamble your future by staying in the country and try to make a prosperous life here. Itmight help if for a start, we try to see why our Korean friends are flockingto our country. Why, as many of us line up for immigrant visas in various embassies, they get themselves naturalized and settle here. Do they knowsomething we don't?

Do NOT just be strong in your convictions, for strength is not enough.Instead, DEFY the pressure to lead a comfortable, but middling life. Let us lead this country from the despair of mediocrity. Let us not seek to dowell, but strive to EXCEL in everything that we do. This, so others will seeus as a nation of brains of the highest quality, not just of brawn that could be had for cheap.

Take NOT the road less traveled. Rather, MAKE new roads, BLAZE new trails,FIND new routes to your dreams. Unlike the track-beaters in campus who seewhere they're going, we may not know how far we can go. But if we are brave, defiant searchers of excellence, we will go far. Explore possibilities, thatothers may get a similar chance. I have tried it myself. And I'm speaking toyou now.

But talk is cheap, they say. And so I put my money where my mouth is. Today, I place myself in the service of the University, if it will have me. I wouldlike to teach, to share knowledge, and perhaps to be an example to new UPstudents in thinking and striving beyond the limits of the possible. This may only be a small disturbance in the grass. But I hope you'll come withme, and trample a new path.

Good evening, everyone.

- Mikaela Irene Fudolig, B.S. Physics, 16 years old

Cross-stitching

2007-05-11T11:05:00.000+08:00

I have been doing this cross-stitch for my loved one, since the Holy Week, and there were days that I would not be able to do it, because of the schedule. I do it only in the daytime, for my eyesight's sake. Ü

Doing it made me realize on a lot of things"
Planning
Paths to take
Cutting the thread
Changing the thread
Committing mistakes
Learning from mistakes
Starting again

I view it a lot like life.

The Warrior and the Shield

2007-05-11T10:28:00.000+08:00

The warrior was strong. Everyone believed in him. He planned the fights, he lead them. His power was unfathomable and he believed in the greatest power of God.

One day, the warrior was given a shield. All his life he was using just his wits, and strength. He carried the shield with him and learned how to use it. He relied not just on his own prowess, but rather became knowledgeable on where and when to shield himself.

But then, there are times when the shield fell, got hit or scarred. In these times, the warrior knows he has to get up, fight, and pick up the shield. There were also instances when the shield's handle would be broken, and it was up to the warrior whether to weld the handle and make it better, for it to be used for another battle. All those times, he wished to the Lord that the shield and him would become better partners.

The warrior liked his shield, and never would he part with it, even if he would not use it.

Osmeña and the University of the Philippines

2007-05-11T10:07:00.000+08:00

NOT LONG ENOUGH for UP to forget!!!

HIS ACTION continue to haunt UP.The "UP as a National University" Senate vote (SB2587) has been longingly awaited by the UP community to fast track rehab of the University,especially the College of Engineering, College of Sciences and the Collegeof Medicine. It would have significantly made it easier for the current students to have not gone through the P900/unit and P1,500/unit tuition ifthe vote was made in 2004. In fact, it got side tracked again this year asCongress and Senate went to a recess last February. The repercussion of the Osmeña act reverberates to this day. The College of Engineering had gottenby with its upgrades by reaching out to its Alumni. But what about the restof the University? As you are (or were one time) a beneficiary of the UP system, let your voice be heard against this man who has allowed personalgrudge cloud his better judgement. if he can do it to an Academic community,what more damage can be expected of him to inflict to on an already suffering country?

NO TO OSMEÑA

Spread the word.To the members of the UP COMMUNITY...These are two articles written after John Osmeña derailed SB 2587 in 2004.if you love UP, DO NOT VOTE for this man. Paki-pasa na lang!

JUNK O, SAVE UP
by Jojo Robles, Manila Standard8 March 2004

IF I may add to the cacophony of voices raised against this or thatcandidate, please do not vote for one John Henry Renner Osmeña, reelectionist senator from Cebu . This suggestion was prompted, though leftunmentioned, by a recent letter I got from another prominent Cebuano,University of the Philippines president Francisco "Dodong" Nemenzo.

Nemenzo wrote an impassioned letter to the UP Community last week denouncing Osmeña for almost single-handedly jettisoning the 10-year legislative effortto save the country's premier state university.But can one senator, acting alone, really decide the future of an entireacademic community? Of course not. Osmeña was helped along, thoughnot actively, by the weak leadership of the Senate, personified by Ilonggoand fellow UP alumnus Franklin Drilon.

Yes, John O went to UP, where he studied engineering and according to stagedirector and actor Tony Mabesa, a contemporary of the senator discoveredthat he had a budding career in acting. Politics proved a headier brew for Osmeña, however, and he forsook "the roar of the greasepaint" for a lifetimeas an office-seeker.

All told, there are nine UP alumni in the 24-person Senate. So you'd thinkthey would be more sympathetic to Senate Bill 2587, which seeks to update the ancient 1908 university charter to make UP more financially viable. Butno. With the prominent exception of former UP student leader SenatorFrancis Pangilinan, Drilon and the rest of the ex-Diliman senators hushed up as John O lobbied to thwart Nemenzo and scuttle SB 2587, which never evengot voted upon before the Senate adjourned after the first week of this month.

For reasons put forth by Osmeña that Nemenzo described in his letter as "puerile." Which is really insulting to young boys. "Politicking of the mostdespicable type shelved what could have been the legislature' s singulargift to the University of the Philippines , Nemenzo wrote. "Malice triumphed over reason." Should we allow triumphant malice another victory at thepolls? I don't think so.

SB 2587 was first crafted 10 years ago, during the term of UP presidentNapoleon Abueva. Throughout the term of Abueva's successor, Emil Javier, UP carried on the fight to be designated a "national university," distinguishedby its scholarship and research from other state universities and exemptfrom the government's salary standardization law. The bill, certified as urgent by the administration passed unanimously by the Lower House, seeks tostem the faculty brain drain that has plagued UP for decades and would alsoallow the university to use its own savings and other monies directly to improve teaching and facilities.

The proposed law would grant tax exemptions for imports of materials neededfor teaching and research, and greater institutional autonomy to enhanceUP's ability to compete with the best universities in the region. Nemenzo, convinced of the importance of the bill, last year headed alast-ditch effort to have it passed before the end of the current Senate'sterm. It was a lobby campaign that would last for eight months but which would end in futility because of Osmeña's filibustering. This despite thefact that Nemenzo had already been assured by a clear majority of thesenators that they would vote for the bill, if it came on the floor. But because of Osmeña's efforts, of course, the vote never happened."

Senator Osmeña, who would either suddenly disappear when it was his turnto interpellate, or otherwise make demands and claims so outrageous that it took every ounce of forbearance on the part of our University officials tosuffer them in the hope that our bill would pass, regardless," Nemenzo said.

A "peevish" John O "blithely dismissed" any and all arguments presented by the UP officials to dispute his claims during the hearings, Nemenzo added.And as for Drilon (last year's "Outstanding UP Alumnus") and the rest, well,they stood idly by, not even calling for a vote that would surely have defeated Osmeña's objections. It soon became clear that Osmeña, accordingto Nemenzo, had his own reasons for objecting to the bill. "Osmeña reservedhis worst diatribes for me, privately calling me a communist, blaming my relatives in Cebu for his political misfortunes, and vowing to make UP payfor 'demonizing' him during the bases debate more than a decade ago.He informed UP officials that only my immediate resignation from the UP presidency could secure his support for the Charter bill. When herealized that I was resolved to serve UP to the end of my term, he proceededto do his best to achieve the same end and to maim SB 2587 in the process," a bitter Nemenzo recounted.

Rightly, Nemenzo has refused to be cowed by his powerful provincemate. "Irelish intellectual debate, and am used to the insults of the ignorant andthe desperate," he said. "But this is not an argument between John Osmeña and myself. I would have no hesitation leaving office for the right reasonsbut humoring John Osmeña is hardly one of them." For that matter, according to the UP president, "this is not even an argument, but petty tyranny at its worst, with brute political power prevailing over any possibility of reason.It is patently unjust to hold the future of the country's leading universityhostage over some personal differences, no matter how deep they may be."Is this the end, then, of the efforts to revive UP? Nemenzo doesn't thinkso. "We will fight again, and we will fight on," he promised. "We cannot yield to demagoguery and intimidation. As disappointing as the results of this struggle have been, we also learned many things, and will employ thoselessons in a fresh campaign to get a new Charter perhaps one even betterthan the current version drafted and passed."

Among those lessons "is my conviction that just as our legislators have always held UP accountable for its programs and its funds, so should UP holdthe legislature and its individual members accountable for their acts ofcommission and omission. We can only pray and mobilize for the emergence of more responsible lawmakers and leaders who can truly help UP and Philippinehigher education."

That's where my call not to return John Osmeña to the Senate comes in. If UP alumni everywhere (and we are many and supposedly influential) heed it, perhaps the old, dying school will have a fighting chance.

SENATOR JOHN OSMEñA KILLED UP DREAM, EXEC SAYSPosted: 1:14 AM (Manila Time) Mar. 21, 2004
By Tina Santos
Inquirer News Service

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines president Francisco Nemenzo lambasted SenatorJohn Osmeña for blocking the passage of Senate Bill 2587, which would havegiven way to a more responsive state university. The Senate adjourned without passing the bill or even bringing to a vote the proposed measurethat would have led to the revision of the UP Charter for the first time since its founding in 1908.

Nemenzo expressed dismay over the manner by which it was doomed to die on the Senate floor, largely on the account of Osmena's objections anddemands. He said the shelving of the bill on the Senate's adjournment dashedall hopes of bringing the UP Charter into the 21st century. The UP president said the bill did not only seek to develop the institution asa state university but as a Philippine university with academic standardsof excellence competitive with those of national universities in the region.

The bill seeks, among other things, to empower the Board of Regents,UP's highest policy-making body, to enter into joint venture agreements withthe private sector in developing university property.The university's students and employees claimed the provision may lead tothe "commercialization of education," and eventually to the sale of the UP to private companies. In a letter to the Inquirer, Nemenzo, stressed that the bill would have allowed UP to pay realistic salaries, improve itssystem of overnance and generate more resources to augment its budget.

On March 4, Osmeña came out with a paid newspaper advertisement and said that the bill was not a "legislative gift to the university but merelyrepresents a juicy retirement check for the overstaying UP resident."

In his letter, Nemenzo retorted to the senator's statement saying, "There is nothing sinister about this bill. But his long immersion in trapo(traditional politics) culture -- in which he deserves an honorary doctorate-- has made him (Osmeña) thoroughly cynical, believing that everyone thinks like him."Source: http://www.inq7./ net/met/2004/ mar/21/met_3- 1.htm

I Want to Conquer Mountains with You

2007-05-04T15:23:00.000+08:00

I used to. But I just can't. Not now. I need to improve a lot of things about me. My health (I have asthma, and recently my knee hurt and foot got blistered but they are okay now), my fear of your absence...

I need you. I want you to be always there for me, just like I have been always here for you.

I have to conquer all these things. I just need some time. And again, I need you.

Conversations with Bibi

2007-05-04T15:18:00.000+08:00

Mama Bear: Naku Bibi iiwan na naman kita bukas...Tinotopak na naman Papa Bear mo. Alam mo bang may kapatid ka na? Little Bibi binigay niyang pangalan. Nagsasabi sya ng I love you pero ikaw nayayakap. Sana mahal pa rin nya ako bukas...

(Bibi is a big bear, thus the name.)

On Bikes

2007-04-13T16:51:00.000+08:00

I can still vividly recall how a bicycle got me as I was crossing down Jones Bridge (the bike was going to Binondo from Intramuros, using the road for vehicles from Binondo to Taft).

So it does not surprise me that another bicycle almost swiped me in España. Again, the rider was in the opposite lane.

Bikes as they are, they are still supposed to follow traffic rules and regulations. Just because they do not need to be licensed means they can violate these laws. I should know, I ride bikes too, but I don't do it on the busy streets of Metro Manila, and definitely, I know where I stand, or should I say, drive.

Some Holy Week

2007-04-13T16:09:00.000+08:00

March 31, I went to the SIGA Mega Youth Camp at BPS Sisters, Silang, Cavite. Got up really early and skipped breakfast coz I had to meet someone at 6am, and I saw her at past 8 because she forgot the specific place that we were supposed to meet.

Upon arrival, we were met by Joe and went on with the proceedings of the camp - assist, roam around, and guide the youth, even reminding them at times about the real essence of their presence there.

I was not able to watch the Lord's Day Celebration or even the E-night, because I was really sleepy. Bu I was not able to sleep at once because these kids kept talking outside our room and one room was even locked. Though we wanted to help them about that, the nuns have the keys. So after that, by 1am, things were quiet.

I woke up to a beautiful Easter Sunday morning, courtesy of the cooks/service team who knocked loudly on the door and woke up Ching who was beside me. But I still lingered on the bed, savoring every moment of what was transpiring.

Ching and I with a nun fetched the priest at SVD Tagaytay later that morning for the mass while the parents arrived and I never noticed what happened, because I was not there. I'm sure it must have been either emotional or none.

After that, we left at about 2pm and proceeded to Caloocan since Joe's mom is celebrating her birthday. Ice cream was out of stock!

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday came - working days. Holy Thursday was spent for cross-stitching and some liturgical celebration. Good Friday and Saturday was also for cross-stitching. Easter Sunday was a surprise, because I was engrossed in, yes, cross-stitching and Joe was already outside, not even saying beforehand that he'd visit. Though I was expecting it.

I'm done with almost half of the pattern.

I wish my sisters were there during the whole Holy Week. Alas, Sandy was in Batangas to do "pabasa" and Andrea was in Manila, training for Jollibee.

We need to plan for a long family get-together. Ü

In Times Like This

2007-03-30T18:55:00.000+08:00

Last Tuesday I went to UP Manila to submit my requirements for a Master in Public Health degree. I had them all, even the additional PRC license photocopy...until I was asked for an authenticated birth certificate. Duh? I said it was not listed in the list of requirements. I was answered with "Pasensya na po, di po kasi updated itong form." So I had to go the Makati City Hall's NSO, which is the nearest and got it at past 3 pm. I submitted it just this afternoon.

Then I went to see a dermatologist. Yeah, it really cost me but I know she's good, aside from the fact that she is popular, having a clinic in Glorietta and Binondo.

In the evening, my acne must have returned...I was told that the parish cancelled our reservation for the following day for the use of one of its halls for the Household Leaders Training which was done a month ago. Our speaker backed out. My training ministry partner wants me to do everything. Naturally, I refused. Because I had to go to a wake that night. And because he is the brother. In SFC, we practice exercise of the headship for the man. Well...everything turned out well. We had talk 4 of the HLT yesterday. Ü

Pray.

Be pissed off but still pray.

And that would include your boyfriend leaving after the communion for you to do the novena alone because of other commitments. Grrr...

So Many Things, So Little Time

2007-03-20T21:36:00.000+08:00

The title may sound too familiar, but that is what I am experiencing right now. I just finished editing On Fire for the third time, which is for printing tomorrow for the SFC Chapter Assembly. I hope that our lay-out artist will be able to do ALL of that. Then I had tons of clients during the day at the office that I was able to finish my itinerary for next week only after office hours. ASnd I was still reviewing a report from the region because there were no requirements when they submitted that in the morning...I even forgot to have my IT signed for changes this week. Duh!

I've been up late since last week's Monday...Carrie's despedida. Wednesday I joined Joe in his upper household meeting, as I was convinced by Raffy, his unit head. Thursday after St. Jude, I did almost all the editing for On Fire, a draft. Friday, CLP. Saturday was MMLA and it was finished at past 10 pm Come to think of it, I ate dinner (as in heavy supper) at MOA at 6pm then they invited us for a meal after MMLA. I got home at past 1am and yes, I was sleepy in the cab with Joe. Monday yesterday was the service team meeting for the on-going CLP and we also had Doland's despedida that Raffy, Doland, Joe and I were eating until midnight...

Yeah, I am very busy that I have not done my essay yet for my masteral at UP Manila. I have to get it done by Saturday. The deadline is on the 31st and my recommendations from my former professors were already filled up since March 1.

So I ask for strength...for good health. Tomorrow will be the chapter assembly and I will be home by 11pm.

Paggalang sa Lupang Hinirang

2007-03-12T11:55:00.000+08:00

Tuwing Lunes ay meron kaming flag ceremony. Sa aking palagay, dapat lahat ng nasa paligid ay nagbibigay-galang sa Lupang Hinirang, kahit na regular na empleyado ka, direktor, hardinero, dyanitor, o guwardiya.

Kanya-kanya man tayong opinyon, sa aking pananaw, nararapat lamang na magpugay sa ating pambansang awit. Subalit may mga hindi pa rin sumasang-ayon.

Kaya naging isyu ang pagpansin ko sa isang dyanitor na panay ang walis habang inaawit ang Lupang Hinirang. Sinabi ko ito sa isang dyanitress na nakarating sa isa pang dyanitress at sa inhinyero namin. Kaysa naman daw maging marumi ang paligid.

Duh!

Way Back Into Love

2007-02-26T17:39:00.000+08:00

I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past, I just can't seem to move on

I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need em again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love Oh oh oh

I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere

I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not just somebody just to get me through the night
I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end
There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation

All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end

-from the film Music and Lyrics

The 2007 World Bank Essay Competition

2007-02-23T17:04:00.000+08:00

The World Bank invites you to participate in the International Essay Competition
2007:

WANTED: YOUR PRACTICAL IDEAS

HOW DOES
corruption affect your life?

WHAT CAN YOU DO
to fight the corruption that you face?

PRIZES $5,000 & $1,000
Deadline for submission: March 15, 2007
Participants: Students and non-students alike, between 18 and 25 years of age

To know more and to submit, please visit: http://www.essaycompetition.org.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

La Banque mondiale vous invite à participer au Concours International d?Essais
2007

WANTED : VOS IDÉES PRATIQUES !

COMMENT
la corruption affecte-t-elle votre vie ?

QUE POUVEZ-VOUS FAIRE
pour combattre la corruption à laquelle vous êtes confronté?

PRIX $5.000 et $1.000
Date limite de soumission: 15 mars 2007
Participants : Étudiants et non étudiants, entre 18 et 25 ans.

Pour plus d?informations sur le concours d?essais (sujets, règlement complet,
critères etc.), et pour soumettre votre essai : www.essaycompetition.org

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

El Banco Mundial te invita a participar en la Competición Internacional de
Ensayo 2007

BUSCAMOS: ¡TUS IDEAS PRÁCTICAS!

¿CÓMO
afecta tu vida la corrupción?

¿QUÉ PUEDES HACER
para combatir la corrupción que te rodea?

PREMIOS: 5.000 dólares y 1.000 dólares
Fecha limite de admisiones: 15 de marzo de 2007

Requisitos de los participantes: Jóvenes (estudiantes y no estudiantes) de entre
18 y 25 años de edad.

Para obtener más detalles sobre normas, premios, criterios de selección y
participación, así como para enviar tu ensayo, consulta:
www.essaycompetition.org

Days of Reflection

2007-02-23T16:46:00.000+08:00

I am wallowing in my own cell, my only repose. It has been days that I have been half-happy. Although I appear normal, able to fulfill the tasks expected of me, and much more that I excel as always, I am not really that fulfilled. Some person has constantly been in my mind. It is okay as long as there are no aches being felt, and it pains me to know that this is the person I love. There are als implications on sleep and eating habits. Photographs do not lie. Even with smiles, because there are different ones.

Why are relationships a risk? And sometimes why does it pave the way to an end to a friendship which love started?

It has been years since I last got involved with someone. Although at first there was no proper closure, we were able to remove his excess baggage, as delivered during the third talk of the 2005 ILC at which he himself edited. On our way back to Manila, it was done. His famous lines were:

Love is a painful risk to take but the risk must be taken for only then will you experience the fullness of humanity and that is love.

To remember is either to be happy or to be sad.

To make mistakes is a thing that should be learned.

To listen and understand are gifts that take time to master.

To err is human, to forgive is divine (quoted by Alexander Pope).

During the 2007 ILC, I learned that there are twelve important words that one could say whenever they have an argument. Of course this involves humility and forgiveness, and the appreciation of the presence of that person, to make it known and real that you love him.

Another reflection that I had is that I should not question God everytime He calls us to serve Him, as we surrender everything to Him, all our plans, and our hearts desires.

To hope in the Lord is to trust in Him, to acknowledge His power and majesty. For God loves us.

Realizing the Blessings

2007-02-06T09:07:00.000+08:00

We had our Singles Weekend Retreat 3 last February 2-4 at out GK site in Tatalon. During this period, we were able to mingle more with the people in the community. There were realizations of different economic status and lives. They told us of their stories and the changes, and we told them ours. There were activities that made us bond with them more than just serving them during our GK activities.

Sometimes, we fail to realize how blessed we are. Each one of us a less fortunate in some things. while more fortunate in a lot more. That is why we are made to be capable of sharing and loving.

After You by Christian Bautista

2007-01-30T18:26:00.000+08:00

Took a walk last sunday just to get out
Clear away the cobwebs and the taste in my mouth
This city i’m living in just ain’t bringing me round
Thought i can lose you by moving downtown

With every step i took i saw you there
And when i start talkin to myself
I know i’m getting nowhere

After you
There’s no over you
There’s no in-between
No good songs to sing

’cause after you
There’s no someone new
There’s no start again
’cause no matter where i go or what i do
I go after you

Even the sunshine isn't as bright as it was
But how would i know that when i never look up
Im so fulla shoulda woulda coulda and a ton of regret
Lookin for answers but nothing’s come to me yet

So i try to distract myself with everything and nothin’
Lookin’ for answers but nothin’s come to me yet

So i try to distract myself with everything and nothin’
But tommorow i’ll wake up and still be runnin’

After you… i got so low i didn’t even regognize myself
Or the wind blow
But here i am with nowhere, left to go

Waiting

2007-01-26T19:43:00.001+08:00

Sometimes, some words are better left unsaid, but how will others know what you are feeling or thinking of?

Always, time is crucial in relationships. So is communication.

Discovering Talents and Using Them

2007-01-26T18:55:00.000+08:00

The Star Camp for SAGIP kids of GK Tatalon was held at Christ the King seminary last January 20-21, 2007.

I would like to share our experiences with you.

A month before we were searching for the venue. Two weeks before that we had it.But a week before that, a guideline from DepEd came,announcing classes for January 20. Somehow, we God provided us a much better place.Ü

So here goes:

Before 7am, two of the service team arrived (that's me and Eileen). We checked the premises and began making the preparations. At past 8am, the first batch of the children arrived (26 kids). They came with Tita Malou and Cathy G.

More than words can express how enamored they were with the venue...there were gardens, and fountain and fish pond. They also had their own rooms, with companions of course.

When Carmz started to speak about the music workshop, the second batch arrived. (20 kids). They made themselves comfortable and Carmz resumed her session. She taught them the importance and proper way of singing.

Then Lee gave the acting workshop. I can say that the children enjoyed it so much. Lee was very exuberant with the task he was given. They were given situations and what would they do.

Ver gave the talents exhortation and made them realize the importance of their talents, that it is God-given and using them is a way of thanking Him. Ver is good at basketball. In fact he garners awards from it. Then his mom requested that he give her a medal from school. He did alright, because of basketball.

The dance workshop given by Nalen and Eds made them move and groove. They were able to memorize the steps at that short time, dancing to the tune of King of Majesty.

Badjie was very patient for praise and fashion. Not only did she teach them how to walk, the proper posture and attitude. She also taught them to make their presence felt through deeds.

Sunday came and after everyone has eaten, they heard the 9am mass It was the feast of the Sto. Niño so there was a ceremony in the Church presented by the choir which delighted them. They were behaved in the Church.

After that, practices followed and the program was presented. Each one was giving his/her best effort for the singing, dancing, praise and fashion, and acting. Of course there were games and awards.

Yes they were a little unruly. They just need guidance. They were noisy, they were enjoying the experience so much. They were running here and there, transferring from one room to another aside from their assigned rooms. They just wanted how to feel such blessings that they do not have. They had talents and were just shy to make it shown. They were able to burst from their cocoon and give glory to God.

In behalf of the SAGIP team, we would like to thank all who made it possible:
YOU
The service team
the speakers and their friends
the KB
the participants themselves
those who supported through prayers and finances
and the Lord God almighty.

Thank you and God bless.

What a Great Day to Start the New Year!

2007-01-26T18:44:00.000+08:00

January 1, 2007

After the hustle and bustle in preparation for meeting 2007-general cleaning, cooking, entertaining visitors the whole Christmas vacation,I thought I'd be at peace.

Then Joe, my GG texted that he was coming. He was in Taiwan for some work from Christmas day till the 30th. We was there during the earthquake which got me worried but at his place, everything was ok. He arrived in the afternoon.My parents were amused at how I was able to clean the things that I do not do. Ü

This is just the start of one great year.

The Summit

2006-12-21T16:37:00.000+08:00

This post has been going in my mind for quite sometime. Yet it is so short...

The Philippines is the host for the ASEAN Summit. We knew of this last January. Yet my boss was doubtful-she is a Cebuana and she asked where it will be held in Cebu, since there is no convention center there?

Months after that, Cebu began building the center. It was not finished on time. Add the fact that during rainfall, pails and water dippers could be found all over the place, to catch the dripping water.

It's okay that Cebu can brag about being the host, but it's a shame for the whole country that it has been postponed for next year.

Epekto ng mga Pangyayari

2006-12-04T16:13:00.000+08:00

I got confused and anxious, and I know I hurt him. I bought red roses last Thursday, arranged them and left them on his bed. We did not see each other.

I've been considering this for almost six months.

I attended the SWR2 during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday). I was wearing a white shirt.

Then I went to the advent recollection wearing red.

I hate wearing red. But I did yesterday. So, kami na. Coz it was the sign he asked. ÜÜÜ

JTD Photos

2006-12-04T16:01:00.000+08:00

As promised, here are the photos from Joseph the Dreamer.

SAGIP kids and Alvin Peña as Joseph

With Potiphar/Ruben

Kids and volunteers

The ticket

Red

2006-11-28T20:12:00.000+08:00

Kung minsan may mga bagay na hindi mo naman talaga ginagawa. Dahil ayaw mo lang. Ganoon kasimple. Kaya mong gawin. Ayaw mo lang.Pero sa huli gagawin mo. Dahil mahal mo. Nakakabaliw. Napakababaw. Subalit malalim ang kahulugan.

Welcome Eamon

2006-11-28T19:46:00.000+08:00

November 26, 2006

Another individual was added to our clan. Eamon Jose Maria Rosales was a healthy baby boy to my cousin Raymond Meneleo Rosales and his loving wife Marivic. Eamon got the Rosales (that's Japanese) looks-chinky eyes and fair complexion.His face resembles the Bernardos (that's Spanish). He's so cute and so fragile. He was chilling out from the low temperature of the room that Kuya Raymond had switched the airconditioner off.

Due to the young age of their helper, who's only 18, my cousin asked Nanay to stay with them, even once a week. You see, when Kuya Raymond and his older brother Kuya Ricky, where children, Nanay took care of them even when she was single. And they stayed with my parents even after marriage. So i spent my toddler years with them until Aunt Linda and Uncle Pons returned home from the USA with three new cousins (Ryan Maria, Royce, and Irwin).

Now I've got a niece (11 year-old Ericka from Kuya Ricky and Joan) and a nephew. What a joy!

Meeting the Family

2006-11-20T17:03:00.000+08:00

I was telling him to, and after months, he finally had.

The original plan was for a whole day. But then, things do happen. I was supposed to meet him at 3pm but he asked for 3:30. Yup, I was not pleased at this. Anyway, he arrived early and I was late due to the traffic though I estimated my travel time to be only 10 minutes, that turned out to be around 30 minutes. By 4pm we were on our way. My house was just 20 kms from Manila but we got home around past 6pm. Reason: traffic.

Upon arrival, we had snacks and he met my mother and my younger sister. After a little conversation, we had to hear the anticipated mass. Got home by dinner time and he met my father. My youngest sister was not there.

Though quick, it was definitely fine and he's okay with my parents

So there goes...

Post scripts

2006-11-08T19:10:00.000+08:00

What better way to serve than to be with the people you consider special?

We arrived at the camp site Friday night. We had some discussions regarding service, life, and love. We slept at past 2am!

Saturday morning, no water. We managed to take a bath though, in another house three blocks from the school, which is our camp site.

The night was young but we had a battle to fight. We won with God's grace.

Sunday morning. Still no water. After the activity, we hope to leave by 2pm to attend The Feast. It was not possible since the service team were not yet through cleaning the area. Meanwhile, we played piko (hopscotch), the "puso" version.

It was 5pm when we were able to leave the place. I had to drop my things at his place and he still has to dress up for the mass at SDP. We heard the 6pm mass then went off to our respective household meetings. At 10 pm my household was over. I forgot to text him that it was through so I sent him a message that I was already downstairs. A few more texts and he said that he could not leave his household but I did not react. He came a few minutes later. He got my things and walked me to the jeepney stop. He told me he could not bring me home. I was disapponted but I did not show it. Instead I wished that there would be no ride for me I asked God if 15 minutes is too much. Later, he asked me to take a cab instead and I told him that Meanne was hoping that he'd bring me honme. A few minutes later a cab stopped by and he was with me.

Pray and believe. Ü