Rachel's 9th Birthday Wish

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/donations-pour-9-old-clean-water-cause-tragic-153811801.html

Donations pour in for 9-year-old’s clean water cause after tragic accident

Nine-year-old Rachel Beckwith didn't live long enough to reach her goal of raising $300 to bring clean water to African villagers. She died in a 13-car accident on Interstate 90 in Bellevue, Wash., last week, the Seattle Times reported. Since then, hundreds of thousands of dollars have flowed into the charity page she set up shortly before her accident, with more than 9,000 people contributing $368,000 to Rachel's cause.

The 9-year-old told family and friends she didn't want presents for her June 12 birthday, only donations to the non-profit Charity Water.

"I found out that millions of people don't live to see their 5th birthday," Rachel wrote. "And why? Because they didn't have access to clean, safe water so I'm celebrating my birthday like never before. I'm asking from everyone I know to donate to my campaign instead of gifts for my birthday. Every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund freshwater projects in developing nations."

Rachel had only raised $220 by the time her birthday came, so she closed the page. But after the tragic accident, Rachel's pastor at Eastlake Community Church, Ryan Meeks, brought the page back up and publicized it on the church's website. As news of Rachel's cause spread, more and more people found and donated to Rachel's page, many leaving personal comments about how touched they were by her selflessness.

"Thank you for your generous heart and for inspiring such generosity in others," wrote an anonymous donor who gave $45 to the charity. Another donor who left $9 wrote: "Say hello to my Jesse."

Rachel's mother Samantha Paul posted on Monday that she was in "awe" of the flood of support. "In the face of unexplainable pain you have provided undeniable hope," she wrote. "I know Rachel is smiling!"

Rachel was on life support after the accident, and her church is raising money to help the family pay those medical bills here. Rachel's fresh water donation page is here.

SWEET DREAM

YEMA

Dreams do come true.

I happen to dream about Tita Lala giving me a big triangular Yema last 2nd week of July.
Just this morning, Tita Lala sent me a bunch of big triangular Yema to savour.

Oh so sweet Tita. Thanks a bunch.

ZEPHYR SONG

Fly away on my zephyr
I feel it more than ever
And in this perfect weather
We’ll find a place together
In the water where I center my emotion
All the world can pass me by
Fly away on my zephyr
We’ll find a place together

-Red Hot Chili Peppers

Talking to the moon

Do you ever hear me calling?
Cause every night
I'm talking to the moon
Still trying to get to you

In hopes you're on
the other side
Talking to me too
Or am I a fool
who sits alone
Talking to the moon

I know you're somewhere out there
Somewhere far away

-Bruno Mars' Talking to the Moon

LET THE RAIN

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. ~Langston Hughes

ang lakas ng ulan!

painful sharpening

undergoing painful sharpening.
life is tough.

i wish i am.
too.

busy

busy day today.

I want to be free. Again.

I do not know how long i could stand here in the darkness. In extreme despair, somehow i still wish for a faint flash of a star's twinkle. Reflections to outshine the indelible nightmare in my collective memory.

I want to be free. Again.

loveletter

When was the last time you received a handwritten love letter from someone you love so dearly?

solace

I keep watching and playing that damn sketches video and somehow, for at least ten minutes, it gives me solace in my times of confusion.

again

me wurkin' on a weekend.

again.

:'(

aylabyusabado

sabado!

sick

i was sick as hell yesterday.

up to now.

sad.

Children do not have a concept of the past.

Children do not have a concept of the past. They do not really care about the future. All they are concerned about is the here and now. Maybe this is the reason why kids are happy all the time and adults are not.

Francis Kong

STORY BOOKS

How do you expect kids to listen to their parents when Tarzan lives half naked, Cinderella comes home at midnight, Pinocchio lies all the time, Alladin is the king of thieves, Batman drives at 200 mph, Sleeping Beauty is lazy, and Snow White lives with 7 guys. We shouldn't be surprised when kids misbehave, they get it from their story books.

(reposted from The Disenchanted Kingdom on 99.5RT)

YOKUMOKU

ang sarap! i want more!!!

ITOUCH ME PINK

My itouch crashed yesterday. After a round of Angry Birds, it suddenly went kaput and never came back to life.

You guessed it. It was doomsday on my end.

I decided to bring the unit to Digital Hub to have it serviced under warranty.

Lo and behold, hope springs eternal, and my itouch is born again.

Alive and kickin' in its new pinky den.

Awesomeness!

LAX

limited SLEX driving at 100kph in my comfy sweetie.
broooom brooom!

SWEETIE'S DAY

Sweet day for my sweetie.

Registration.Wheel Balance.Bearing Replacement.Axle repair.Camber and Wheel alignment.Car Wash.

Just another

Early 7am meeting on a sleepy rainy monday.

Just another struggle.

Piso

piso circa 2004. only reminds me of je.

Thanks for paying a visit last night. Off to dreamland, it didn't do me any better. It was an awkward conversation i never would want to recall. Nevertheless, it was great seeing you again.

Then i woke up.

It's a gloomy misty Sunday.

duplicate

my driver's license is missing :'(

duplicate license

HUG

i need a hug.
will you?

:'(

there's too much pain for me to contain.

canned thoughts

My head aches since yesterday. Afraid to inflict damage to my filtering machine, i hesitated taking any pill to block the receptors.

Now i am doomed.

It is pounding the hell in my sphere.

Poor princess. Tsk. tsk.

***************

My maggy is back, with remaining 3 double action babies to throw.

Now i am afraid of myself.

Very afraid.

**********

I need a shock absorber, in its literal context of being a device for absorbing jolts and vibrations. My car had been a mess, i have been too lax in its maintenance due to financial constraints. Of course, i would if i have, if only. Add to that the strain of having to go through all the check-ups, repairs and maintenance alone. My solitary life :) lol. Now i think i also need a shock absorber to cushion the blows in me. Poor me. Poor lois.

**********

Car registration, i need to get it done before the month ends. Sigh.

********

My car is burning the oil too. Me and my car both need an overhaul. Bring it on!

******

Now where do i get a mountain of moolah to get all of these done?

Oh God, bless me.

YIELD

YIELD ... to oncoming vehicles

TUESDAY MADNESS

madness!

Happy birthday Lai!

Happy birthday Lai! I love you sis!

WANTED: SOLACE

So now, how do i brave the eight-hour work?

I am in definite chaos right now. The only thing that keeps me sane right at this moment is my youngest sister's birthday tomorrow. I need to bring myself alive the day after today. I get shivers picturing my sisters crying over my cold body in my dear Lai's natal day.

I really want to take a shot. Literally. Let alone my maggy with its double action baby conquer my sanity. A consummation i devoutly wished for.

How do i offer myself solace in this situation?

Again

Another fight night with my uncle. My only option is to shut up and close my eyes.

I hate you

You are an epic fail toyo. You are an epic fail. You are such a mess. After today, forget that i am your friend, your sister, your companion. I hate you for taking me for granted. I hate that i have cared for you as a real brother. I hate that i have helped you. I hate to see you. I hate you. Irresponsible. Selfish. Crap. Stupid. M0r0n. Imbec1le. I hate you.

MORE EXHAUSTING

There are bad days. And bad nights too.

There are bad days. And bad nights too.

Last night was a struggle. The imminent danger of having a pain that isn't far away. Once in while, everything comes fresh, everything comes to life.

I was alone in my room recapping the voids of the half year that passed. I am such a mess, utterly depressed, mindedly stupid. While waiting for the shaman in me to exorcise the demons of pain, i couldn't help but cry harder for bearing the sorrow that has once again resurfaced.

I am deeply hurt. I could clearly feel it.

2011. Halfway done.

2011. Halfway done.

What have i done in the last six months?

I was reviewing my 2011 targets if at least life has made me accomplish something, and here are the findings:

1. Travel out of the country for leisure: I haven't been out of the country for leisure for the last six months and i do hope before the year ends, the Good Lord shall permit me to step on the land outside Pilipinas.

2. Beach Island getaway: I spent a tiring yet fulfilling day off to Corregidor, a very memorable and gorgeous Puerto Princesa (Palawan) tour with Honda Bay island hopping, a serene week off to Iloilo with Guimaras tour. And to note an incoming Boracay chill this August ^_^ This is over target for the year but i am very thankful that God has made me enjoy life and nature and relationships more deeply.

3. Mutual Funds/Stock Market Investments: I feel like a millionaire! Lol. I have a paltry share in the Philippine Stock Market but having less is better than none at all. My venture with the stockmarket opened a whole new different world and perspective, and has brought in me hope and confidence in the days to come. I remember the first time i received a 25-peso dividend from SMPH and rejoicing as if i received 25,000! Lol. The amount may be too small or even unnoticeable but hey, 24 more years and i'll be jacking up as a millionaire ^_^ My diversified portfolio has shares on Energy Dev't Corp, Ayala Land Inc, Jolibee Foods Corp, SM Prime Holdings, BPI and Metrobank.

4. Tagaytay Lot: Oh well, i am still not saying goodbye to the probability of owning a lot in Tagaytay, but for the mean time, i'll be focusing more on my new house in Cabuyao. Can't wait to finally move in :)

5. One Gadget: Pass. I still got 5months to save up for a new one. Lemme get back to you before the year ends.

6. New Friends: I met a lot of friends when i went to Iloilo, and i do hope to foster camaraderie with them in the days to come.

7. Books: Oh well, this spells LAG. I have read Bo Sanchez' My Maids invest in Stock Market, Cliffnote's Investing in the Stockmarket, and.. the rest is.. sleep. I hate myself for spending time watching a hell lot of movies that i haven't been able to read a lot of books. Six months for a catch-up, it's a must.

8. Car repaint: Pass. Budget alarm flickering.

9. Outstanding credit card balance: I'm a winner!

10. Move on with my job, apply and be successful: I am still at the forging plant, but i have pending interviews and applications to attend. Hopefully i'll be able to nail one.

11. Continue living a healthy and balance life: I'm doomed. I haven't been disciplined at all lately :'( I gained a lot of weight. But hell yeah, i will strive harder this time. (Say i need a bora body next month) *BIG EVIL GRIN*

12. Rekindle photography skills: I have covered events that has somehow made me rekindle the skills, but i know that isn't enough. More seminars, more practice.

13. Foodtrips: Winner!

14. Scrapbook: Failed :'( I need more time to clean my room. Lol. I need inspiration!

15. Marry (LOL J/K): *haze*

Well, the other half of 2011 is waiting for me. I know it has a lot in store for me, so let's get it on!

darkest

Yesterday isn't good. I was the villain at its finest, scrutinizing the discrepancies and inconsistencies in the system. Why can't i just walk away and never return back here? It's so frustrating to continuously survive with the assholes around. Slowly, i know i am becoming one, the more i try to stay away from them, the more i am driven to lurk here, which is kind of .... fatal.

This got me into thinking about the inconsistencies and discrepancies in my life as well. I go home to a place that doesn't really feel like one. Solitude is a buddy, and it doesn't ever leave me. All alone i while the night away thinking about the what-ifs, hows and whys. Such a boring life lurking in my darkest.

tiring Tuesday

It's a tiring Tuesday. Everything is in chaos.

I wish i could just snap my fingers and freeze everything while i take my graceful exit in this chaotic world.

I need a breather.

PIG PIG PIG OUT

06262011.Pig Out.Contis.Nuvali

mathematics of cooperation and synergy

The mathematics of cooperation and synergy:


Delegation and release:
subtract the effort,
add up the fun,
divide the stress
and multiply the effectiveness.

joy and efficiency increase in exponential ways!
-Obet Cabrillas (kpreacherobet@gmail.com)

Fight

The every night fight with my uncle is indeed very exhausting. I wish i have other options than to fight back. I am slowly dying inside.....

Things just can't go back the way it used to be.

Things just can't go back the way it used to be.

It's a real damn fact that i just have to live with from this day. I was in deep emotional trouble yesterday with the rain pourin' harder while nursing my thoughts about friendship that is slowly trickling down the drain. The more i try to save the friendship, the more i try to hurt myself. I just have to accept the fact that at some point in my life, i need to let go of something that isn't meant to coexist with me. I remember one time we were just enjoying our togetherness when i told him to slow down a bit, because i might get used to being with him and parting when the time comes would surely hurt me as hell. He just smiled and told me that i could cry a hell lot for his loss and i would never see him again, enough to forget that he, at one point in my life, coexisted with mine. That's the worst for me to bear, but i know my friend's a real crap and shitty, and i love him for being like that.

Little by little, the gap that has been expanding between us had me rethinking about the bond. I know we have been tested by time and tragedy, of hurt and loss, of sorrow and pain. Likewise, we have been forged by proximity, of feelings and aches, of passion, culture, and everything that we have shared under the roof of our friendship. I love him in spite of all the hell in his personality. I care for him as i would for a sibling. I love him with all his foul odors, split personality, damned attitude, crappy antics, all the shit in him. I love him for taking care of me at one point in his life, as we stood back to back, hand in hand in the journey of our both miserable lives. I love the asshole in him, just as he loves the eccentricity in me, or so i thought.

The downside of being too close to a friend is that you get hurt twice or thrice the pain of having your very own heartache from ending a relationship with a romantic partner. It sucks when you feel you are no longer valued or given importance by someone you have treasured so much., someone you have taken care of as great friendships do. When i felt downgraded in his priority list, i am just one silly poor turtle wanting to be swept by the tides of hell. Poor princess lois.

I just wish things could still go back the way they used to be. I just wish they would. I just wish they could. If only.

drivin' on a heavy rainy mornin'

drivin' on a heavy rainy mornin'

wandering

wandering on guimaras
06212011

Parish of St. Jerome (Dueñas, Iloilo)

Parish of St. Jerome (Dueñas, Iloilo)

The parish was formerly called Laglag. Basically, the church has the same structure as the Lambunao and Calinog churches if not for the dome which has a Romanesque influence. On the other hand, the massiveness of the façade and the bell towers suggests a Baroque influence.

The primitive church was made of wood. Later, the church made of stone was destroyed by the earthquake of 1787.

In 1878, the construction of a structure made of stone and bricks with the interiors following the Tuscan order and the exterior of Doric origins, was started under the supervision of Fr. Nicholas Gallo. It has one nave and two spacious transept, measures 65 meters long and 16 meters wide.

Like its neighboring churches, the Dueñas Catholic church was also damaged during the 1948 earthquake that shook the whole island of panay.

The heave doric columns are mounted on a rectangular section divided into three equal segments. Semi-circular arched blind fenestrations flanked both sides of the semi-circular arched entrance. Each one crowned with rose windows that indicates the second story and choir loft. The roundness of the front columns contrasts with the flat rectangular pilasters on the side wall.

source

ye. Sunday's best. Me and my happy feet here :)

where?

and where will my new shoes take me?

wishing. hoping. praying.

I sit here and wonder if you'll ever understand just how much of me belongs to you.

Sabang Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan / 042111

I sit here and wonder if you'll ever understand just how much of me belongs to you.

kawawa

Nakasagap ako ng virus kay boss.
Ngayon ay malapit na ako lagnatin.
kawawa.

don't

I just don't feel good today

:'(

FACT

Fact:
You will fall in love to a person who just can't love you back the way you hell want him to.

CRAYOLA

Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A Beauty Bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode
high in the air, explode softly and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap either, not little boxes of eight, but boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peace and lime, amber and umber and all the rest.

And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination instead of death. A child who touched one wouldn't have his hand blown off. (Robert Fulghum)

Someday, i will be great

Disappointments come in very, very handy while you are so dead sure you won't ever wanna know its existence.

It is this rainy Tuesday morning when disappointment greeted me in its full vigor at the onset of this tedious labor hours. Hell yeah, i could have just played dead while my boss happily and continuously punctured the wounds he had inflicted on me, bullshitting me at its finest. Hell indeed, getting both my hands an eight-hole punch in our production press is way better than sitting here next to him.

The only way to get even is to work smarter. I should have flashed the GAMEOVER signal under the working harder card. I know the day will come when i would have the greatest opportunity to depart from the ranks of these vultures.

Someday, i will be great.

Mark my words. I WILL BE GREAT.

ps.
f*ck u boss. to hell with u.

waiting

LRT-1 Pedro Gil Station / May 17, 2011 / HTC wildfire

We're too busy waiting for something, disregarding things around all the while.
We're so blinded with glitter we miss out on the gold.

Sabi nga sa kin ni Meng:
Ur so engulfed sa past mo
nag lalakad kang naka talikod kaya nde mo na papansin yung mga nasa harap mo.

:)

Hey, who am i now?

Today isn't a good one for me. I seem to have woken up with a big rock in my head, it feels so heavy i must have consumed my allotted day's energy just by dragging it out of bed.

I feel so empty on a Monday morning. I wonder what have i been doing to myself lately, been recklessly impudent to myself, allowing things and events to take place with all my sudden approval.

Hey, who am i now?

ON STRANGER TIDES

Gibbs: Jack, I have to ask. You had the chalices, the water, the tear, you could have lived maybe forever?

Jack Sparrow: The fountain does test you Gibbs. But better to not know which moment maybe your last. Every morsel of your entire being alive to the infinite mystery of it all. And who's to say I won't live forever, hey? Discoverer of the fountain of youth. I have no say in it, Gibbs. It's a pirates life for me. Savvy!

(Pirates of the Caribbean - On Stranger Tides)

And who's to say i won't live forever?

I'm still here, but hey, you know i am always ready to go.

:)

=((

=((

i told yah. you've been fooled.

=((

=((

=((

really gotta hate myself.

=((

=((

=((

grateful

Having grown up with very ample resources had taught us to appreciate everything that we have, and made us learn to be grateful to everything that we have been able to experience on what has become a very rich and full life.

yours

Breaking the chains of conflicts and frustrations.
Here...... take me.
I'm yours lord gaba.
Yours.

LBM

LBM.

Looking for Better Management.

BED WEATHER

It's rainin' cats and dogs!

Bed Weather!

Singing....

Panalangin ko sa habang buhay
Makapiling ka Makasama ka
Yan ang panalangin ko

At hindi papayag ang pusong ito
Mawala ka sa 'king piling
Mahal ko iyong dinggin

Wala nang iba pang mas mahalaga
Sa tamis na dulot ng pag-ibig natin dal'wa
At sana nama'y makikinig ka
Kapag aking sabihing minamahal kita.....

^_^

lab lab lab

FACING DEATH

Aurelius Marcus, believed by many to be the wisest and most tolerant emperor of Rome wrote the following about facing death:

You have embarked, you have made the voyage, you have come to the shore: get out.

You have existed as a part. You shall disappear in that which produced you; or rather, you shall be received back into its seminal principle by transmutation.

Pass then through this little space of time conformably to nature, and end your journey in content, just as an olive falls off when it is ripe, blessing nature who produced it, and thanking the tree on which it grew.

Every part of me will be reduced by change into some part of the universe, and that again will change into another part of the universe, and so on forever.

And by consequence of such a change I too exist, and those who begot me, and so on forever in the other direction.

- Aurelius Marcus

still

Dear D,

In one way or another, I could still pick some evidences of your eccentricity in your remnants. Am i too blinded not to see it?

short and long

Love is so short, forgetting is so long. - Pablo Neruda

mama epang

I was struck by a massive wave of sadness upon hearing the demise of my Aunt Epang yesterday morning. A part of me was lost. But i know the loss that i felt wouldn't par with what my youngest sister has been feeling.

When my mom died more than 25 years ago, my family had to split the caring of the four daughters she left. Ate Lovie and Ate Lei stayed with my uncle in our house, while me and my youngest sister got deployed far away to our aunt epang's house. My youngest sister loves her so much she considers her her own mom.

To our mama epang, you will always be remembered. Thank you for taking care of us, we love you so much.

dear LX5

dear LX5,
i <3 u.
i need you here, beside me.

lovelots,
D40

How i got back my drivers license

How i got back my drivers license

1. Took an hour undertime at work.

2. Headed straight to municipal's traffic office and handed my traffic citation ticket.

3. Got furious that my license is not yet endorsed by the traffic enforcer who confiscated it early morning.

Mamaya ko na itutuloy…waaaaaaaaaa

THANK YOUS

At some point in my life, I wish to be remembered straight from the heart. With the advent of modern technology, virtual insanity and others of that ilk, some hearts and memories seldom beat like they used to. Friends get too occupied with their lives, even heeding to the event reminders of social networking sites.

There's real and virtual world now. And people now live in both. Relationships thrive in both. The more we try to be extricated from the not-physically-existing, all the more we become entangled in it. Until we can no longer identify the difference between the two. Thus we feel the need to survive in both sides. Virtual existence had mired us in a system where real human relationships robbery is so endemic it is no longer seen as robbery at all. We become a part of it, it becomes a part of us.

When distinctions blur, humanity awakens to itself much easier.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest gratitude, love, and appreciation to the all who have taken a step against the robbery of the human capacity to remember
my special day. Friends who have hearts that beat just the same when we first became entangled, memories that don't need to be pricked by facebook event reminders. Thanks so much for remembering me straight from your hearts. I am so grateful to have a special place in yours.

Mark and Ags for being the first to greet me on an early thursday morning, sir Jovi, Sir Edmund, Engr Jojo, Vagalance, Doc Joy, Cousin Goldie, Iyen. Thanks for the call Mareng Fannie, you really made it super special. Kuya Luis, Andlou, and Kuya Mike, although i have to remind you how special my day was :)) My family and officemates, thanks so much.

I would also like to appreciate those who remembered me after being pricked by my virtual existence :) Thanks so much for the greetings. I know we are all too occupied with so many things, thanks so much again.

Thanks again and i hope to blow more candles :)

WRONG TURN

On the first day of my 30th year of existence, i took the wrong turn.
Now, how do i get my effin' drivers license?


Lesson learned:
BAWAL MANGALIWA

lol.

happy day

How i spent my day :)

I didn't mean to look like a student in a back-to-school camp writing an essay of how i spent my summer. lol. I just wish to remember the day, who knows, it might be my last birthday celebration.

I didn't get to prepare a lot of stuffs back home because it was also my uncle's birthday. Turning 50, i knew he would be the one to bring the house down with his crew. A day before, my office mates stormed our house, cooked tuna spaghetti to which i have brought to work the big day itself. It was such a delicious concoction by joan, partnered with my sister's bread, and a tuna spread perfected by Manang's Gong. A feast in the canteen was held during the morning break, a thanksgiving eating ceremony, and it felt good that i was able to share the blessings that God has always been showering me. At lunch we feasted on a mango bravo by Contis.

I was damned by my boss right before i went home, and i felt so regretful that i reported to work. Deym. I was so frustrated.

I went straight to Don Bosco church after work to offer my thanksgiving for the past three decades. Alone inside the church, i was taken to my life's retrospection. Indeed, having a good memory is the best possession.A box of cream puffs from Contis capped off my solitary moment before i went home.

Back home, small pieces of my daily puzzle snapped into place.

It was indeed a happy day.

God's Message For Me Today

Dear lois,

Happy, happy Birthday!
On this same day some years ago, God brought into the world a wonderful child destined to love and be loved and do great things. Never forget your destiny. Never forget who you are!


Never lose sight of Jesus this Thursday.

26

May Thursday

DIDACHE

26 AN APOLOGIST WANNA BE "God made no distinction between them and us, since he purified their hearts by faith." – Acts 15:9 When Protestant friends realize I'm a devout Catholic, they pepper me with a barrage of preaching. While I do try to answer their relentless questions, I have to admit that my knowledge only goes so far. My failure to answer convincingly burned a fierce desire in me to know more, to help me express my passion and defend the Church that propagated Jesus' teachings from two millennia ago. So I read. I asked questions. I prayed. But the more I learned, the more I realized that the knowledge may make me better at answering questions, but it doesn't necessarily make me a better Christian. No matter how much I studied, it is the message of God's all encompassing love that moves me. It transformed my desire to defend and win debates into a yearning to show God's love and mercy to others. It made me judge my brothers less and led me to see God's image and likeness in everyone, even if they are of a different religion or opinion. What a wonderful world it would be if we could all stop bickering and just remain in His love!Cecil Lim (cez_lim@yahoo.com) REFLECTION: "It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching." (St. Francis of Assisi) Lord, may everything I do shine the light of Christ and decrease the darkness.

COMPANION

1st READING God's plan for His people is dynamic and just because it began in a particular way is no guarantee that there will be no developments later on. This is true of any organization that wants to survive generational change. The basic tenets of our faith will not change but the structures and even the ideologies that support these tenets can and must change with the times. Acts 15:7-21 7 After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them, "My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit just as he did us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts. 10 Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they." 12 The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. 13 After they had fallen silent, James responded, "My brothers, listen to me. 14 Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written: 16 'After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, 17 so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, 18 known from of old.' 19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. 21 For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath." P S A L M Psalms 96:1-2, 2-3, 10 R: Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations. 1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all you lands. 2 Sing to the LORD; bless his name. (R) Announce his salvation, day after day. 3 Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. (R) 10 Say among the nations the LORD is king. He has made the world firm, not to be moved; he governs the peoples with equity. (R) G O S P E L This text is very commonly used as the Gospel for weddings as it speaks of the reciprocal nature of love. It also teaches us that love is an empowering reality – when we know we are loved by someone this can empower us to love, not just that person, but others as well. Love is an empowering reality, indeed it may well be the most empowering reality in the world as love can conquer even death as Jesus demonstrates through His Passion and the Father through raising Jesus from the dead. ALLELUIA R: Alleluia, alleluia My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. R: Alleluia, alleluia John 15:9-11 9 Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete." Ester C-7 my reflections think: Love is an empowering reality

SABBATH

SAVED THROUGH THE GRACE OF THE LORD The year 2009 was memorable, but not in a good sense. Our country was visited by twin typhoons that ravaged a big portion of the Philippine archipelago. The live media coverage of the hapless —and slowly growing hopeless — residents of the affected areas where water seemed to have simply surged in hours, threatening so many lives, was simply heart-rending. The live calls for help from panicking people atop roofs was too much to bear for someone like me who lived so many miles and so many hours away from the Philippines. I felt so helpless. I wanted to do something on my end, but there was, of course, nothing I could do except pray. As I watched in horror, all I could utter to myself was, "It could have been me. It could have been anyone of us who were then on high and dry ground. It just so happened that we were someplace else." What I felt then, was not so much sympathy as empathy — the capacity to stand in the shoes of another human being; the ability to feel "for" others and understand up to some point what they are going through. In a very real sense, I felt that "there, but for the grace of God, go I." The disciples had to go through some kind of soul searching in this regard. For some time, they didn't quite know how to deal with converts who were not formerly practicing Jews but Gentiles. One group believed they should all go through the rituals prescribed for Jews, but another group thought otherwise. The voice of Peter shines out in today's passage — the voice of empathy and compassion. He basically told his hearers, "they have been saved through the grace of the Lord in the same way that we are." The capacity for empathy is something we all could have more of. Given the so many tragedies and catastrophes that happen in many places all over the world, we can grow callous and indifferent to all that we see. But empathy is born of a common understanding of this reality: We were all saved through the grace of the Lord. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB Reflection Question: How do I treat the people who seem to be living without God in their lives? Is it with scorn or with empathy? Lord, grant me a compassionate heart so I may be able to respond to people and situations as You would want me to. Amen. St. Mariana de Paredes, pray for us.

Gusto

Mga gusto kong mangyari pagkatapos ng araw na ito:

1. Mapalayas ang mga illegal settlers sa system ko.

2. Makapiling ang Superhero sa buhay ko.

3. Makalipat sa organisasyon na mas makabuluhan at mas kaaya-aya, at mas malaking magpasahod

4. World peace (Classic!lol)

5. Peace of mind (Epic!)

square one

It's a brand new morning.

Back to square one.

:)

did i?

I seem to be working my brains harder while staring at the 3rd gear forging design in the pc monitor. But in reality, my mind is traveling on the other side of the road, outside the realms of manufacturing and design of automotive parts, away from the assholes and vultures lurking in this company.

Did i really take a step out of the bog yesterday?

serenity

I have chanced upon Idz' facebook status this morning:
"there's no sense in getting upset on what we can't control, let's leave everything to God & patiently on His perfect time.. :')"

These were my exact thoughts six years ago when i found about the illegal settlers in my system. Admittedly, initially there was an outburst of anger, an outcry of pain, and an ocean of of tears. The why-me, how-do-i-go with-it, what-will-happen-to-me-tomorrow and legions of questions only God could answer.

Years of battle and i still do not know when this would end. I know i couldn't change the course of my life, but at least i have managed to look at my own life in a different perspective.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

WHISK

I have whisked past a year of your absence, but there is no better way to relish each sunrise but to look back.
You are always missed.

room

The largest room in the world is the room for self-improvement. - Francis Kong

D

ang gusto ko sa birthday ko ay....






ikaw.


D.

missing you.

SHARING

While I recognize the power of causes and religions and their effect on people, I believe that when it is shared too aggressively, especially if it is not solicited, it can be alienating and counter- productive. - Jim Paredes (http://haringliwanag.pansitan.net/archives/1451)

I miss my D.

musings

Few more days to go, and it will be a year.

I had him in front of me.

I was asking questions he couldn’t answer directly.

He held my hands, and told me that he needs to go.

I cried in silence.

I know I couldn’t do a thing.

It was his beliefs, his principles, against my feelings.

Who am I to argue.

I love him. So much.

But there’s nothing in the world that I could do to hold him close to me everyday.

To be with him like we used to.

And I miss him terribly with each passing day.

Holding him dearly in my heart.

farts

I haven't had my dearest sanity for the past few days. I have been way out of tune, cant seem to enjoy the melodies beating around me.

I am inlove with the memory of me and my superhero, and my everyday life seems to be filled with so much awe and excitement, of wanting to experience it again and again, of being pulled back in time just to be with him. The insanity in me keeps on holding to a promise of no goodbyes, realizing that i should never really bid farewell to happiness.

Oh well, my heart farts.

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

Well i feel bad that i got myself and my friend agnes hurt for a conversation i wouldn't want to remember for the rest of my life.

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

I feel numb. actually.

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

I hate my job.

D

"Minsan gusto ko na lang kalimutan kase nahihirapan na ko."

"Wag mong gawin un. Wag mo sya kalimutan. Mahal mo pa din sya. At alam kong mahal ka pa din nya."

D.

FU

You know, it sucks when you receive emails from an officemate you despise so much.

Mr. Go, I despise you more than anyone else in this office.

FU.

happy mother's day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY NANAY!

Mahal na mahal namin kayo :)

toxic

TOXIC!!!!!



work work work

infrared

i see trees in infrared

UNIOIL

got two from my boss.
i smell roadtrip.


thanks boss!

DEAR WORK

Dear work, I’m back. Please don’t be so cruel.

HIGHER

higher at underground ^_^

OFF

Off to an island.

Catch yah on Sunday.

frustrated

I am holding a pity party.

My frustrations are right now in the fore.

It's too frustrating to belong to an organization that lacks the drive for more improvement. To have a superior that doesn't even act like one, lacks management skills to push the group into higher grounds. I just do not know how to get over this thing. I am so doomed i just want to go home and get an even more relaxed sleep. My head aches, pounding the hell in my now addled brain.

I do not know where to find my sanity, i must have lost it somewhere. While i am physically present laboring harder at the forging plant, my mind travels somewhere to find comfort, peace and serenity.. but all to no avail.

I wish to unclutter my mind.

I hope the coming days off from work would somehow help me regain my sanity.

Because I am as dead as a dodo.

ON AGING

The late General Douglas MacArthur wrote something very profound about aging on his 75th birthday:

In the central place of every heart there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, and courage, so long are you young. When the wires are all down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and then only are you grown old.

BIG 30

this is how you spell depression.


niweis, happy birthday D.

i miss you big big big time.

KUMPLEANYO

Maligayang kumpleanyo superhero!

Ngayon ba o bukas?

:D

nangungulila

Sa tatlong oras na tulog ko, nakuha mo pang dumaan sa panaginip ko para sagipin ako sa matinding pangungulila.

Saif.

:'(

painful

Yesterday had been a painful one, a physical struggle of comfort. I had a painful thigh, to which i suspect must be due to the muscle stress i have incurred right after i took swimming last weekend during sunset. The pain had been synchronized upward to my head, it felt really damn heavy and it was as if my head would explode.

"I am bound to endure pain." I say to myself.

Twelve hours of labor with painful thigh and aching head is such an exhausting task. To kill the receptors of pain so i could no longer feel the interruptions in my system is as easy as swallowing a pill, but the unfortunate me isn't allowed to take any.

Murphy's law had me on my way home when i was stuck in traffic. Frankly, i didn't know how the hell i got home safely, i was battling with my sanity as i feed on the pounding inside my head.

I slept the night away with the continued suffering in my thigh and head. While praying for comfort for the next day, i ask God to take away not only the physical pain i was bearing, but also the emotional wounds i am still trying to heal.

BACK TO BACK

My feet are back on the pedals, hands on the steering wheel.
More so, my finger is back on the shutter.

Good morning monday!

ARAW NG KAGITINGAN

Magiting ang mga empleyadong nagtatrabaho ngayong araw na ito.

Ehem.

:->

kung pwede lang sana

Gutom na gutom at pagod na pagod kami ng kaibigan ko galing sa trabaho kagabi kaya naisipan namin na dumaan muna ng KFC at kumain ng kung anumang makakain doon. Umorder ako ng fish twister samantalang naisipan nyang lantakan ang 2-piece hot and crispy chicken meal.Bago pa man sya sumubo ay naisipan nya akong alukin ng manok kahit na alam nyang hindi naman ako kumakain nito. Humiwa ng maliit na parte ng manok, tinusok ng tinidor, sabay iniabot sa kin at sinabing, "tikman mo na, kahit konti lang, para mas exciting."

Sa puntong iyon, bigla na lang ako natigilan at tulad ng pang araw-araw na panlalaban ko sa tawag ng nakaraan, pinilit kong iwaksi sa isip ko ang kung ano mang nagpupumilit umibabaw ng oras na iyon. Pero hindi ko pa rin napigilan at hinayaan ko na lang na maglakbay ako sa masasayang alaala ng nakaraan: isang order ng 2-piece chickenjoy para sa kanya at isang burger steak naman sa akin. Pipira-pirasuhin nya ung isang chicken, ilalagay sa plato ko, at minsan pa ay tutusukin ng tinidor para isubo sa akin.

Ang babaw lang ng kaligayahan ko, masaya na ako sa simpleng pagkaing pinagsasaluhan namin, hindi sa sarap ng pagkaing nakahain, kundi sa sarap ng pagsasama at pag aalaga nya sa kin. At sa tuwing maaalala ko ito, hindi ko pa din maiwasang mapangiti, na ang kasunod naman ay mga patagong hikbi.

Nakakainis na chicken. Gustong gusto ko tuloy magteleport papunta sa tabi nya.

Kung pwede lang sana.

WTF.

TELEPORT

paano ba mag teleport papunta sa piling mo?
:'(

PENITENSYA

040611 5:48AM

ang aga naman nito. pero napabilib nila ko sa mahigpit na pag yakap nila sa kanilang paniniwala.

be wary

My morning isn't great.

So i was controlled by my anger and apathy to joven, our staff, who resisted the task that the boss had assigned me to give to him. Deym. The bastard is getting his head all sized up indeed. Well, i need to get out of here quickly, before i completely loose myself in the process of getting things in order.

Well, be wary indeed, i'll get back on you in a jiffy.

ciao

It's so depressing to see and hear my office mate Rene bad mouthing offensive words on a Monday morning knowing twenty-hours hadn’t even passed after he had served the church.

It's not enough that you are serving the church every Sunday as a lay minister. It's how you live the Christian way that you truly serve the Lord.

So i'm am staying away from negative people on a good Monday morning.

Ciao.

It's a great saturday morning. Blessings are pouring in.

It's a great saturday morning. Blessings are pouring in.

Thank You Lord for the nice and sunny morning.
Thank you for bonuses, CBA and the dividends.
Thank you for the bull market.
Thank you so much.