on faith...

it's the year of faith and i'm renewing mine. does it matter what one believes? there are many utterances to this question like "religion is not a creed to be believed but a way to live." for me, it matters though. without internal conviction to what you believe, there can be no real faith. "the faith of millions, the credentials of The Catholic Church" is one of the most indispensable books i own. the pages have started turning yellow and falling apart yet all i need to know about my faith is here.

 

foreign aid transparency hub

Folks, I would like to encourage you to regularly visit FAiTH (Foreign Aid Transparency Hub) to check the inflow of pledges and gifts for the typhoon haiyan project. the site also describes the designation of the fund and to whose accountab...ility. the site also gives the public a chance to comment and discuss about the fund. i already posted my first comment. this is a government site. let us make use of this site to voice out our concerns.

on joey ayala's new version of lupang hinirang

i watch avidly TED presentations in north america and this is the first time i learned about TED Diliman if not because of Joey Ayala's presentation. i wouldn't say that he "tampered" the Lupang Hinirang because he did not actually change the melody of the anthem. he did a great job in "CORRECTING" the phrasing of the words to something more intelligible when sung. my late father who is a guitarist and a singer of kundiman was very particular in phrasing and accenting words in a song. i believe this is a very important thing to consider, just like correcting a first draft of an essay or any works that need tweaking for correctness. that is the same thing that Mr. Ayala shared to us. life and society evolves and so is music and song. i believe that changing the word "mamatay" to "magmahal" is not a crime considering the state of our country at present compared to the time when the anthem was conceived. that was the era when filipinos were in the midst of fighting for our country's independence from foreign colonies. thanks joey for creatively pointing out what should have been corrected long time ago.

TED talks are for people who have big and small ideas to share and his presentation is MERELY AN IDEA. there remains no act of trashing the anthem. true to many of us, we have ideas too. the only reason why they are not out there because we are not as brave as mr. ayala. i hope after his presentation, he will, should i say, be compelled more to take this up to the proper government agency. and as you all very well know, there is one constant thing in this world, that is CHANGE and change is something that many of us is struggling to adapt. when new things are thrown to us there is this feeling of the "new" as overtaking our minds and being and thus we resist to shake off the "old". i'm not saying that there is something wrong with the old. i just believe that every chance of transformation is an opportunity to look at what else is there in us. somehow, we have to accept that there will be people out there that can make a change, better change. accept the good change and we will evolve. mr. ayala being on stage with his ideas emphasized the "trying" and that is what everyone must see.

on philippines' emergency relief operations

base on what I have read, it seems that the relief operations are moving in a very slow pace. If I’m not mistaken, there are more foreign military presence in the rescue operations than that from our own government. I may be wrong and I’m not writing this to add to the bashing to the president’s governance, the government itself, senators and other officials but to share what I think are the weak points in the rescue operations and the infrastructure plans especially to natural disaster inflicted regions that should have been done eons ago. On the aftermath of the storm it was already determined that the roads are unpassable therefore what could have been decided at once for alternative measures are by air and sea. Helicopters could drop food supplies and if there is not enough air transport, the government could have requested use of private helicopters from private organizations. Survivors in Ormoc, Tacloban, Leyte, Samar have already lost their houses so at the moment they have nothing to look forward to there which means these survivors must be relocated to a region where all the operations and logistics could be very well performed. It is a huge struggle to disperse medical teams, distribute relief aids, and much more to strategize channels of communication if the survivors are randomly scattered in various areas. These isolated clusters of survivors must be all gathered in or relocated to perhaps in Cebu or Davao. Before the calamity, Yolanda’s coming was already announced so it has been expected that the local government and jurisdictions, to name Department of Health and Department of Social Work, started planning on emergency preparedness, preservation, relief and recovery plans, have assessed susceptibility and determine risks involved and alternative plans. As well, the same plans should be also implemented by local communities of various regions. I trust that all these have been done before the onslaught, but looking at how these are being done, I am starting to doubt that the disaster planning and strategy measures had infact ensued.

according to typhoon statistics, Philippines gets 20 cyclones in a year. I was only 5 years old when Yuling and Sening made a landfall and caused havoc to our country. Forty three years passed since my first experience of Yuling and still our country remains groping in the dark on evacuation centre management. Have there been funds allocated for capital projects like building evacuation shelters not only for flood but also for other disasters like earthquake, equipped with necessities like toilets and water tanks? The answer, I believe, is explicit by the way the past and current calamities are handled and from the stories, photos and dissatisfied comments of Filipinos nationwide. There must be a huge and significant overhaul to be done in order to strengthen the capacity of our government’s response for the sake of its countrymen especially in times of natural disasters. It is certainly is high time for Philippines to experience a momentous change.

photo courtesy of newsinfo.inquirer.net

diverting energy to helping. . . .

slowly, in my mind, all that is happening back home on how the relief and rescue operations are beginning to give light. there will always be two sides of the story and it is a must for us that we hear both sides for reasons that are up to ...you to decide. it looks so bad and grim, but eventually things will move on and the survivors will be given the necessary help they needed. just like one art...icle i read, which is also true to life, "things get worse before they get better". i've been doing some reading around as well on how other countries fared well on their calamity operations and found out that haiti and india and other countries had the same problems in logistics and implementation. we carry a variety of sentiments towards our government and its jurisdictions and the system itself. we have all the right to rant and rage. i read peque gallaga's sentiments and that of Marvin Xanth Geronimo from Tacloban, the spat between korina sanchez and andrew cooper, and Karl Gaspar's status who mentioned that somehow their operation in their compound in tacloban are operating smoothly. i read rappler, interaksiyon and other media that i think give responsible and unbiased reportings. most of all, i read john crowley's write up "stop catastrophizing relief effors in the philippines" which explains how "scaremongering" is undermining delivery of supplies. i suggest that you read this one to somehow take you to the other side of the story. i, too, shared my own rant and rage and that is all i could do. but it is very exhausting. it is very tiresome to read all the bashings, the anger and all the pessimisms around. more so, it is so exhausting to write the disappointments i have and have now decided to divert my energy to helping.


Read "Stop Catastrophizing Relief Efforts in the Philippines" | TIME.com ideas.time.com

what's burning in your candles?

mine is a prayer for my departed loved ones. - - - - dear God who is ever compassionate and generous with your gifts, look down upon the suffering souls in purgatory. i am praying that you purify them of their sins and fulfill their fervent desires that they may be made worthy to observe you in your glory. may they be united with you and hear those blessed words which will take them to their heavenly home. let perpetual light shine upon them and may our departed loved ones, my father, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin and departed family members of my friends and extended families, rest in peace. amen - - -

 

para sa Lideratong Bumababoy sa Pilipinas

Isinisiksik pa rin ang mga ganid na sarili 
Sa luklukang hindi akma sa inyong kaluluwang ulikba
Ipinaglalantaran ang animo’y banal na hangarin
Sa mata ng inaakalang mangmang na mamamayan

Sala-salabat na katuwiran ang hindi na maituwid
ng bulaang dila at ganid na tangka
maraming buhay na ang nabinbin at tinalangka
dahil sa malaon ng panahon ng taggutom at dusa

sapat na ang pagpapakasasa sa maringal na piging 
ang ganid na pangungulimbat at balighong pamumuno 
handa na ang sibat na titistis sa makapat niyong laman
at tutuhog sa katawang mapangubkob sa buhay ng aba.

On Devina DeDiva’s Racial Slur: Let Us All Calm Down

You all must have already heard. The derogatory and disparaging comments of Devina DeDiva against Megan Young and the Filipino race caused rage and annoyance to many. Her thoughts and words were hateful beyond imagination. I am not a huge fan of beauty pageants but knowing that another Filipina garnered the crown makes me truly proud of my native roots. I was on the bus on my way to work when I read about Ms. Devida’s ill and racist thoughts. I felt what I need to feel. Unpleasant emotions started to brew up inside me. And like everyone else I was shocked, disgusted and most of all offended. I wanted to rant at that very minute but I couldn’t. I was on a public transit.

Ms. DeDiva’s photos, at a glance, can be inferred to as a seriously disturbed person. We can perhaps swiftly conclude as well that her childhood life might have been inflicted by a host of negative events which haunt her to this day. But we cannot instantaneously assess a person’s character through photos and through words posted on Facebook. I believe that we, as well, do not want to be judged or assessed the same way, right? The thought I have about her is that, one, she is what she is, she believes what she believes and she wants to say what she wants to say. Second, Ms. DeDiva has her own interpretation of freedom of speech and she’s acting out on her own context. At this point, nothing and no one can change her views and perspectives at a flick of a finger. Perhaps the flurry of attention she gets at this point pleases her. She may be one of the people who crave for social attention and that was her way of getting one.

I write this with a very composed and objective mind and I write this neither to attack Ms. DeDiva nor take her side nor to express my rage, but because most of the comments I read were, in a way, disconcerting too. I very well understand the theory of cause and effect. Hostile words are hurtful hence anger. As human beings, we were normally taken to that effect and because anger tends to cloud the reasonable processes of the mind, people become disposed to express views without thinking about it judiciously. The kind of dialogue and comments that are currently being thrown to Ms. DeDiva, in my opinion and with such certainty can cause more hate and divide and can result into more mouths foaming, cursing. It also encourages more to build an environment conducive to the spread of ill and racist views.

Let us calm down.

We have to learn how to calm down. While Ms. DeDiva currently basks with the attention she wanted, everyone else suffer from physiological distress caused by her racial slur. We subject ourselves more to become her victim instead of freeing our minds of it. Love begets love. Hate begets hate. We are under her abusive behaviour and we are accepting the abuse by being abusive as well by way of exchanging views in a hateful manner. Kill the spite with kindness. If we want light, let us spread light. If we want goodness, let us encourage goodness. This seems to be a tough thing to do especially amidst hurt. I always believe though, that no matter how displeasing a person is in her words and actions, still that person should be helped and offered some healing and rehabilitation. Let us not punish and instead do our best to instil love with the kind of love that our one true God has taught us. Here is something from Adele Horin’s word of Sydney Morning Herald which we can ponder upon. “One person challenging a racist comment in a calm and measured way in a train, bus, at a party, at work can have a profound influence on all those who witness it.“ -30-

realuyo's "umbrella city"

bino realuyo is a fil-am novelist, poet, community organizer & adult educator. just one of the people i admire for his works and ideologies. i read his "umbrella city" in a breeze. bino narrated the teeming world of 1970s Manila brilliantly to life without being overly dramatic and sentimental. a light but a great read!


 

walk to work

back to my summer regimen! after dropping girls to camp i start my 2 km trek to work by foot with my sensible shoes of course! i do it for many reasons, one of which is to get to see what's in those short and long renaissance stretches of roads in toronto which i couldn't see when i'm on a bus or subway. there is so much to see out there like the unusual facade of buildings, eateries and shops which munchkins and i haven't visited yet, gardens which have bloomed or yet to bloom and the best perk is to see the walk about of cute dogs with their owners. the first random observation is enough to keep my thoughts awake which works perfectly hand in hand with a brisk morning. the second wave is for ideas to come in and to sense whether or not those can alter my perspectives. third wave is to simply make most of the walk and feel the cool morning air. Keeps me fit…. mind and body! peace and giggles everyone!

gratitude for being 48...

today is the day to give due respect and gratitude for gifts brought by the passage of time. let this 48th birthday be an honour of who i am, of my growth, of my flaws, of the decisions i made. my heart goes to the hearts that made my life richer and fuller, that shaped me in many ways more than i realize, that helped me see the beauty of living in everyday blessing, that made me known that my humble words are caring. my deeds inspiring. and foremost, my heart goes to the heart of God for his calm direction and safe correction.

i am celebrating and at the same time. . . . giving.     190413

moyes' me before you

the story brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, what do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart? they had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose. the story is deceptively simple at heart. have a read!

the pitter patter of freezing rain. . .

the pitter patter of freezing rain nudged me off my bed this gloomy wednesday morning. i listened to it and, for a minute, i found the sound pleasing, the next it spells grief. but that unpleasant feeling was drowned by the many younger days i’ve enjoyed being outside in the rain, although today, it’s a different kind of rain. the continuous patter was a cue to animate myself as usual. and though sloppy, cold and damp, i gather that the day will stay blessed with today so close to the weekend. i thought of my last weekend which could’ve wrapped up nicely had there been no migraine and when all my bodily functions worked as it should! munchkins were totally bummed out to see me in pjs during the hours i should be taking them out for a swim as promised. fed them though with comfort food, watched some funny flicks and snuggled lots! i anticipated tasks fulfilled this week but my monday ended up, the second time, in the cardiac care. i was out though in time to be with my mom and girls for dinner. is there anything i need to change for the rest of the week in terms of the way i see life’s significance or approach? i guess i just need to see how it goes and where it flows. no musts for complicated strategies. i will just embrace, accept, create and believe. to my fellow torontonians out there. . . stay dry, don’t slip and enjoy catching snowflakes on your tongue!

unconquerable. . .

other people's words could also teach you resilience. and i, for one, love INVICTUS by wiliam ernest henley



Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

oh life!!

a feast of buzzing busyness in all aspects of my life. but where things have lately been flat, everything are starting to undulate most interestingly. as i speak, i love how they move me. i wish i could be as detailed here on what has been transpiring but i want to remind you to always hold on to hope, act upon to make things happen, believe that sometimes, you just have to let go and let time put things into its right places and continue those little whispers we do to someone up above. i'm happy even if my world gets topsy turvy.

one with myself. . .

i am now one with myself. not depending anymore on others for my sense of self. i am firm to take a step beyond without fear of losing my bounderies.

i do question this. . .

i question this photo which commented (or judged) about the relationships based on its nomenclature. please note that every relationships created between people are always based on love. not because the word "Friend" doesn't have ILY doesn't mean it's life is short. please do note that there are friendships created which are like a FAMILY to some people and this poster makes a mockery of those relationships which are true and sincere. i hope i made my point. to the readers.. all this are just created based on assumptions . what if i write the word this way> "FRIEND(LY)" well there's now LY in the word right.. which could mean LOVE YOU.

that little father in me. . .

honouring today that part of me that acts like a father to my girls; giving them a safe place and guiding them to experience the magic of life.  

to myself i say, happy fathers' day to me!

you satisfy the hungry heart. . .

...sharing this classic hymn which touched my heart yesterday at the sunday church service.

You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat, Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat. As when the shepherd calls his sheep, They know and heed his voice; So when You call Your family, Lord, We follow and rejoice. With joyful lips we sing to You, Our praise and gratitude, That You should count us worthy Lord, To share this heavenly food. The mystery of Your presence Lord, No mortal tongue can tell; Whom all the world cannot contain Comes in our hearts to dwell.


You give yourself to us, O Lord, Then selfless let us be, To serve each other in Your name. In truth and charity.

summer smiles at us. . .

colour has exploded everywhere the eye can see. summer is smiling down on us wherever we may be. (burchell

mothers' day greeting to all!!

privileged to be here again after having knocked down by an illness for a couple of days. i'm back on my feet, yet still on a mend, in time to stand tall and proud in celebration of mothers' day. being a mother is a career of all careers, a person who gets up to her feet at the drop of a hat to organize and mend a topsy turvy world. need i say more? happy is an understatement... so i say A BLESSED, BLISSFUL, JUBILANT, MERRY MOTHERS' DAY to all mothers!! mucho mucho love from bonette - - single mom of two adorable porcupines :-))

greetings to all mothers!!

privileged to be here again after having knocked down by an illness for a couple of days. i'm back on my feet, yet still on a mend, in time to stand tall and proud in celebration of mothers' day. being a mother is a career of all careers, a person who gets up to her feet at the drop of a hat to organize and mend a topsy turvy world. need i say more? happy is an understatement... so i say A BLESSED, BLISSFUL, JUBILANT, MERRY MOTHERS' DAY to all mothers!! mucho mucho love from bonette - - single mom of two adorable porcupines :-))

a word of thanks. . .

closing shop while thinking back how my week whizzed through. it's been very stimulating and productive and i owe all these to our heavenly father. i'm thanking him now because of the challenges i faced and surpassed, the moments when i felt sad and longing, helpless and needy. i express my gratitude more when i didn't receive what i prayed for, or when i'm in pain and tears and when the odds are in the toughest league to break me. these are the moments when my faith in him gets stronger. pray not because of want. have a wonderful weekend everyone!

on bragging. . .

i'm commenting on the link that a friend of mine posted on her fb wall. although the word "bragging" poses a negative connotation, which is synonymous to "showing off" or "being proud", in my opinion, what makes it sound unpleasant depends on how the listener feels on the success or happy story being told. do you feel a form of envy and jealousy and make you feel less of yourself? if you do, that negative vibes will be passed on the person you're talking with by labelling him or her as a "braggart". here is what i think. . .

bragging is not actually an awful thing to do. the sharing of joy and pride could only be twitched as bragging if the person being shared to a happy news of success wouldn't take it welcomly or happily. sharing stories of successes and achievements to friends and families could also mean well, only if we regard it as an inspiration or a guide to make our lives better! remember that these people who have accomplished their goals have worked hard and perhaps took some monumental steps to be successful. for most of us, we do our best to live well in our own places and if we did so, who wouldn't be so happy and proud about it? i guess for people who has the urge to share what they have achieved could speak openly but carefully. share it with a grateful heart and exude a sense of inspiration towards others. we do our best to carry on with God in our lives. but don't forget as well that we live with a community of people. hope this helps at some point! have a nice life everyone!

ssssh.......

silence is my faithful ally. i wallow in it in times of uncertainty and it favours me greatly. it cures and teaches my heart to be profound. speaks more of truth and it is more eloquent and powerful than speech. silence cleanses my sometimes over-stimulated mind. i find humility in silence and it never fails me. never cracks never breaks but fulfills its promise to steer me to the gate of peace.

boredom

when i'm bored i think i am tired of my surroundings but i am really tired of my thoughts. it is trite, repetitious, unobserved thinking that is producing the discontent. adopting a quiet awareness, a kind of listening attitude, usually freshens my mind and brings the situation i am in to life.      (echoing prather)

humility. . .

when gabby concepcion returned to manila years ago he was asked of his life experiences during his stay in the US. he said it's been very humbling to live and work in america. i seconded him on that because i felt the same way when i migrated in canada to build my life, family and career. i met the first face of humility in victoria university during my very crucial first day at work through welcoming handshakes and gestures from my colleagues who, until now, remains humble and grounded. it's a breath of fresh air to be around people who are not enamored of their position, power and ideas. the humble experiences i go through is the thing i would like to pass on to my children and to the people i meet everyday. i won't elaborate the virtue of humility here as i continue to be cognizant about it. in the real sense though, humility is the way to achieve wisdom, perseverance, blessing and successful relationships. we all reek with pride, and so "humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God." (1 Peter 5:6).

post birthday

along with avalanche of well-wishers, my special day was celebrated with somethng gold and bubbly,something sweet and creamy and something citrucy and healthy. by mid-day a wonderful, intangible gift was given to me. and i just couldn't believe that it did happen on my birthday!! :-)) the next day, the 20th remains a special and important day. it was neil's piano examination at the royal conservatory of music which we were so anxious and excited about. munchkins and i celebrated my day and neil's musical accomplishment. i love birthdays especially when it begins and ends in pretty notes.

agree, disagree

whenever i find myself arguing for something with great passion, i can be certain i'm not convinced. i find it almost impossible to make a strong declarative statement in conversation without feeling little nagging doubts and reservations. "i agree" and "i disagree" are impossible states of mind. no two people can think exactly alike or anthithetically. sometimes i say "i agree", because i want to avoid an encounter; sometimes i just want to get the other person to shut up. i usually say "i disagree," when i want to exhibit myself. there is an important difference between telling a person how i experience him and adding arguments to support the correctness of my view. my feelings about another do not require a case. i don't notice them deductively. (echoing h.p.)

(birthday 2012) - timeless. . .

 today! once more, i am breaking through the clouds in order to breathe life into the horizon. a bit woozy though to think that i am aging. i have now passed mid-life and honestly, i didn’t want to but the process is inevitable. whether i like it or not i will continually age every year. i pray that God will always include me in his plans. yet even if i added another year i have always felt timeless. with my munchkins around, i feel youthful and energetic and always rejoicing with what the world has been offering me. at this age, i could say that i have achieved the fulfillment i wanted in terms of my harmonious existence, the vast knowledge i have acquired, and my steadfast commitment to reach out and inspire others. when i needed peace, it has always been easy for me to acquire that. i am also blessed with people who loves me dearly. a wonderful job, a life, a love and my children.

today, i ponder, once more, my greatest dreams in excitement and at the same time with wistful sense of longing. it seems my dreams are just within reach, waiting for me to walk into them. i feel like what i desire. i also value the life i was given, building, dreaming, living with love, writing about love, treading the path of love, sharing, encouraging people and experiencing. i had a year of wonderful moments and  of course, share of trials and deprivations. as always, i had some lessons learned especially on my interaction with my daughters. as they grow, rearing them gets more complicated but every complications i surpassed makes me more committed and self-assured. when i look back as well, i also couldn't imagine my life without so many of you.

i continue to be in deep gratitude and appreciation for what i have and for what i continue to receive. i am also in gladness and in anticipation for the life i am going to lead in the coming months which, as always, an enthralling mystery to look forward to. thinking of what lies ahead gives me a sense of urgency to pursue every ounce of my dreams with an unstoppable passion.

i am pleased to have been showered with well wishes from family and friends all over the continent. my smile has been on steroids for the entire week! to everyone who remembered me, your good words and well wishes and efforts to reach me out have been taken so happily and have been treasured and remembered deeply in my heart.

yes! another year older, yet timeless. . .

not wrong, just misinformed

no one is wrong. at most someone is uninformed. if i think a man is wrong, either i am unaware of something or he is. so unless i want to play a superiority game i had best find out what he is looking at.

"you're wrong" means "i don't understand you" - i'm not seeing what you are seeing. but there is nothing wrong with you. you are simply not me and that's not wrong.

(echoing h.p.)

i choose to belive jesus walking in water. . .

there is so much going on around us today. storms, earthquake lurking here and there. fear and and frustrations threatening. i am a human being and I get scared. fear, worry is sort of crushing my spirit which i am trying to shake off. but I choose to believe in Jesus walking on the water. i choose to hear his voice as he commands the troubles to be calm and be still. i choose to trust. that is simply all I can do. i take God with me because i am helpless without him. dear God protect me, my daughters, my family, my friends, loved ones the entire world. calm our fears and take us to your safe embrace. amen!

live!!

play safe..yes, we feel secured with these words. but if you're not risking and trying something that goes beyond your whim, you deprive yourself from amazing experiences this world has. magic and miracles do surrounds us so live!! while you do, someone up there is going to live with you. ~bonette

keep hopes and dreams bright. . .

keep hopes and dreams bright. . .i'm sharing this thought with hopes that you will continue to hold on to whatever goals you have in life. there were moments perhaps when you feel you want to give up and to throw all of your dreams aside. i feel the same way, once in a while. i do my best though to steer my mind to this belief that every life story begins in a special, magical moment. every success begins from a turning point after which the situation completely transforms and all kinds of exciting possibilities begin to grow. as we never know when fate will strike or where it will lead us, what we need to do is to keep our hopes and dreams burning bright in our hearts until the day that fate launches us into a rousing new adventure.


continue to believe.....

accept your own truths. . .

trying days continue on. couple of minutes ago, i wallowed in silence in search of directions and answers to questions. a nagging question though came into my mind. what would it take for me to accept and consider my own truth? perhaps this could be your question and answer as well. that moment of quietness has been very significant to me. i needed that moment. . . . badly.

happy birthday mom!!

if i can be only half the parent you have been in my life, the lives of my children will be extremely lucky. i became what i am because of you who showered me with your wise advice and love. i love you so much mother and i am truly amazed at how you managed loving a lot of people all at the same time. here's a toast to you dear mother, a special and an important person in my life. wishing you a very Happy Birthday.

love and hugs, neil, cailean and me!

isang pagbati....

alleluia! alleluia! si kristo ay nabuhay muli para sa ating kaligtasan! nalulugod ang aming mga puso sa kanyang kabutihan at pangako. mula sa aming tatlo, pinaabot namin ang pagbati ng maligayang pasko ng pagkabuhay!! nawa'y punan ang inyong mga puso ng kaligayahan at katahimikan. :-)

on betrayal....

at this very moment there's this one word that keeps on creeping into my mind. it's the word BETRAYAL. judas iscariot's betrayal of jesus is of course very familiar to all of us and at the same time very troubling. indeed... it is very troubling. i know because i had been betrayed as well. and God knows how betrayal hurts so much from people who says love you. and i've been asking myself, who's going to betray me next?

semana santa. . .

mahal na araw, semana santa, banal na araw… anuman ang tawag natin hindi pa rin nagbabago ang tradisyon at obligasyon nating mga katoliko. isa na ang pag-ayuno sa mga bagay na nakakapagbigay saya sa ating katawan, pagtalikod sa mga bagay na materyal, sa gawang mababa at tiwali, taimtim at buong pusong pagdarasal, pangungumpisal, ang tapat na pagbibigay ng ating sarili at pagsuko sa kanya ng ating mga paghihirap para sa paghahanda sa misteryo ng hapis at ng tuwa. ginagawa natin ito upang maalala natin ang paghihirap ni hesukristo para sa ating mga kasalanan at maihikayat ang ating sarili sa buhay na malugod at ispirituwal. ibat iba ang pagunawa at pagpapahalaga natin sa okasyong ito gaya na rin ng pagkakaiba natin sa pagsunod sa kanyang mga utos at sa landas na ating tinatahak. sadyang tanging sarili lang natin ang maliwanag na makakasulyap sa totoong saloobin, sampalataya at pag aninag sa ating panginoon. ngunit sa ating puso at isip, nag-uumigting ang kagustuhang tahakin ang landas ng pagpapakabanal. maligayang pasko ng pagkabuhay sa inyong lahat!

i thrive in april

april has come and spring has started niggling my brain, making me excited about the plans i have. i always regard spring as a season of change and transition which I believe is true for both humans and nature. for nature, the transition is from a lifeless landscape to plants shooting off green buds from the branches and birds starting to chirp and flutter by. for us humans, we normally transform ...ourselves to a better person and we tend to make our perspective even larger. we correct our emotional spills and make ourselves stronger in facing adversities.

i was born on april and will be growing another year older in a few weeks time. and yet no matter how many april birthdays i celebrated, i remain to feel young. i guess the growth i see around and the brightness and vibrance of the season have always helped put myself in a positive and happy disposition in life. i like thriving in spring and i always wait for this season every year. the month is about the promise of spring fulfilled, but also the promise of things to come and has always been given a romantic image of showers and flowers typifying colours and births. it's all about brightness and cheerfulness around and being free because it promises outdoor activities with friends and families.

change and transition in my life will be constant as i breathe. every day is meant to coming into terms with my flaws and improve it and think as well what are the flaws i want to keep. it is springing up over and over again. as i always say, i remain growing... happy april everyone!!