“Behind passion and death is a glorious resurrection”

I have heard and known this inspirational quotes years ago, up to this date I still hold onto the this message.

If I’d let the pessimistic side of me rules, maybe I’d go crazy by now, or have done crazy things. As I take a look back of my own timeline, I’ve come to realize that there have been many hurdles in my journey that I had triumphantly overcome. I did not come from almost perfect and religious family but I am thankful that along the way I have met few good people who nurtured my faith and had kept it intact despite of everything.

These last of couple of years, some events in my life unfolded in my least expected way. Partly because of the choices I made. It’s not easy that sometimes, giving up has been my option. I am just blessed to have found His guidance in times when I feel so low and alone yet in a cheerful crowd. To have his guiding hands when I feel like I have nothing left to hold unto.

Just as today….I just found Him again…so in time when my mind is pre occupied of all the earthly necessities and I seemed to have lose all the positive energy.

I felt like missing Sto. Niño church, it has been quite long since I had been there, so I was thinking that I would attend a mass in there, but instead my feet was brought in Asilo dela Milagrosa Chapel, which has been the church that I attend a mass to each Sunday for a month now.

At the end of the homily, instead of the usual Apostle’s Creed the priest was like renewing our baptism and it was in that very moment, when  I found that inner peace again. I just feel happy and light within that it goes up to my lips and form a smile.

Life indeed has its many forms of unfolding the events in our life. Some maybe how we want it to be, while others might be in a way that we least expect it to be, but surely it is for the better.

Once again, I lay all doubts and troubles in him, and hold on this very quote “Behind passion and death is a glorious resurrection.”

Happy Easter everyone! May this special day in our spiritual journey, brings you a lot of Easter eggs of joy, hope, faith and happiness!

Keeping up the Faith

The past weeks has really been challenging both physically and emotionally.Things went way out of control and never in my wildest though did it occur to my mind, but, I am thankful that slowly it's getting back to its own pace..hopefully this will go through  and everything will get back to normal again.

Yet things are drifting apart, I am still able to convince myself that this is only another detour in my journey . What keep my strength is the thought that one day soon I will be laughing when I would look back at this very point in time.

It is not really easy to dust off yourself after every fall, as they say easier said than done.But the point is, it doesn't matter what others will think about for as long as I am not doing any harm to anyone.I am just happy and thankful to realize that I have a bundle of good people who will be there despite all our differences.

" So, whatever it is that you are going through right now...just take it slow...don't pressure yourself too much. One day you will be out of it and it will be soon a part of your own history book." I've been there and that, and I am on it again these days...just keep the faith and everything will follow.

Some Things I missed on JANUARY

For five years in a row this month used to be my  "Cramming Month "
A lot of things are keeping my mind busy but....
That was so yesterday, now as I look back at it...I just miss the memories
The thought of possibly exploring new things, meeting new people, engaging in business talks like a pro...hehe! LOL! and of course the chance to travel!

Here are some of the places that once upon a time I had set my feet in.

January of  2009 - I was able to experience the swimming pool with waves..haha! And my first time to eat  leaves  in every meal! And my first to ride in an airplane. LOL! The experience was not quite good as we all got upset tummy, maybe because of the pressure or whatsoever, but it will always be worth reminiscing for!

JANUARY OF 2010 - I got to see the beauty of Northern Luzon through the eight - hour drive to Thunderbird in San Fernando, La Union! Was able to feel world class resort experience! Mouth watering dishes, very peaceful ambiance and a scenic view! How I wish I was only there for vacation, perhaps I could have explore more about the place. Nevertheless, the whole trip was awesome!

JANUARY of 2012 - Whew! Summer Capital of the Philippines Moment! Finally, one of my childhood fantasy did come true! Was able to feel the cold Baguio air, though it was not as cold as in my native home during December, when we get there. But it was so refreshing and  I was also able to see in real some parts of the Banaue rice terraces. 

JANUARY OF 2012 - my kind a boring trip as compared to the previous one, since  I had only explore few places. But if there's one place I would love to visit again, it is that restaurant in Eastwood where I had tasted the best omellete  I have ever tried. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of the restaurant. tsk!tsk!tsk!

It was travelling that I missed about I am wondering now, if I could still get to the places that I was once been there.But anyway, if in case I won't be able to get there again..At least once in my lifetime I was able to experience.And felt the ambiance of such good places.

It is all in the memory lane now, and as it is said, " past is like a park that we get to visit when we like to, but not a place to dwell". For now I will just look forward where JANUARY to DECEMBER would bring me.

TWENTY THIRTEEN – A ROLLER COASTER RIDE

2013 – Definitely my most unforgettable one. This is when I make some bold and brave decision without looking back, finding myself in a new environment, find solace in God, and escape a little while to breathe from all the hustles and bustles.  

BRAVE  DECISION

For years, I have been living in my comfort zone at my own pace. I mistook lots of new opportunities that have come my way because I am afraid of leaving the place that I am used to. I am afraid to take a leap.Early of this year, I decided to search for a new environment half heartedly. Until I've realized I really needed to make a change on myself and on where I am.

Come the month of May, I finally made the boldest and bravest decision I ever made so far. I could not say that it is a good one but I can say that it’s what I really needed to do

"No matter how afraid you are to gamble with chances, when you are no longer happy with the things you are used to, you will have the courage to make a decision and stand by on it."

NEW SPACE FOR ME

Whatever decision we make, there’s always a corresponding consequences both bad and good. And it is not easy to start from scratch again, but with a brave heart and open mind sooner I have found myself creating a space in a new environment. Everything is fresh and far from what I used to do. It was such a big change, but with the help of my new found family I was able to make it through.

"Life is not always a win-win situation, it will always be: you win some and then you lose some, just as when the door closes, a new window will be opened up for you."

 FINDING SOLACE IN GOD

It is not just my personal being that has been tested but as well as my spiritual being, when my strength was shaken because of the calamities that hit my country. At some point I had asked the meaning of all these tragedy that seemed to destroy the faith I have in Him.

It was last October 15, when we were literally shaking because of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu. It was not my first time to experience such but it was the strongest one and seemed to be the longest few minutes of my life. Fears of so many things flooded my mind. Thankfully, there’s not so much damaged within our place. Looking at those historical churches that have been destroyed, made me even wonder what’s His message behind this calamity.

We have yet to recover from the recent destructive earthquake and thousands of aftershocks when another natural disaster butts in. November - when super typhoon Yolanda made a landfall in the Visayas regions. Left thousands homeless in other parts and casualties. And even until there are still bodies that are not yet buried.

Looking back at the aftermaths of these destructive calamities easily broke our hearts into pieces. But it is also breathtaking to see, how the Filipino nation and the world work as one to help those who are truly in need. People from all walks of life in different corners of the world take a move, and thus make a difference. It is also a great joy, seeing those most affected citizens somehow still find something to hold on to keep their faith, still thankful and feel blessed despite what they have been through and were still able to share their sweetest smile.

Thus, I believe God has delivered his message well… and like what he said “There is no problem too big, which reminds me of this line from a song:

“If you carried away the weight of the world upon shoulder

I know my brother that He will carry you”

2013 ESCAPADE

fan mode @ Earth  day Jam 2013 Ayala Terraces

halo-halo

food anywhere and everywhere

drink escapade

2013 may have scared me to death because of strong earth quake, super typhoon and stand off in Zamboanga, raises my blood pressure because of the teleserye of  PDAF thing, I am still grateful and blessed.

For this is the year, when I have known the better part of me, gain new friends,work and work like there's no tomorrow at the same time enjoying the simple things life has to offer. I got more time with myself and my family and I am more than thankful for all the blessing that God has showered unto me.

With all these in my heart, I can happily bade a sweet goodbye to 2013 and WELCOME 2014. I have made some secret New Year's Resolution, I am not sure if I can do it but one thing I am sure of 2014 will be better than 2013!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

SUPER TYPHOON

photos courtesy of Leo Lastimosa's  fb page

Way back twenty  years ago, I was about 4 years old when typhoon Ruping hit Cebu and destroyed our house. At that I was really clueless of what was going on, and why did our family as well as my uncle has to moved in my grandparents house. My memory of Ruping was blurred, all I had remember was, I was sitting near the window of my grandparents house, and witnessed as the strong wind blew the roof of our house. The next morning we had known that one of my lola's cow was dead...an in an instant we had "sinabawng baka" as  dish by the afternoon. And the next morning...we all enjoyed feasting the falling cocunuts and other fruits.

Fast forward 2013, Nov.8 another super typhoon hit Cebu and the rest of the Visayas regions, some parts of Mindanao as well Luzon named as Yolanda.Again I have witnessed as the typhoon crashed the house of my neighbor. It was indeed frightening hearing the sound of the strong wind.

It has caused loss of power and water supply in Cebu and also petty damages. But it left severe damages and even cause lives in the neighboring provinces such as Tacloban, Samar, Leyte to name a few. Seeing the aftermath of this super typhoon would really break anybody's heart.

However, it is also in this hard times that I am reminded  that it is indeed true that there's always a rainbow after the storm, and to keep the faith. It is also in this time when I become even more proud of being a Filipino because of our good hearts to lend our hand to those who are in most need and our ability to stand up from the fall and start anew.

WRITER / TRANSLATOR a.k.a CUPID ASSISTANT

"Sometimes we need to see how our job will help change other’s people life before we are able to love it." – mokz

In the era of modern communication technology, it never occur to me that there is such kind of job as the one I have now, or even without those networking sites I still won’t be able to realize that it exist, until  that  one fateful day.

On my first week, even month, I really did not understand why we have to do this and that. And to be honest with myself I even looked at it on the negative side. Yes, I did and some of some my friends even looked at it as the way I saw the first time.

Time flies stealthily, a page in the calendar has changed. I was about to give up this job, out of frustration and disappointment as well. I didn't find the reason or the purpose why I am here. Then God made His way out to make me look at the brighter side.

I had an office mate who has this we called as cupid date.  Her client then invited the whole team to come into their house for a fiesta celebration and well as some surprise. To make the story short, the whole team did witness when the gentleman from western country asked the hand of the lady from her parents. And just recently, they had their wedding and again we were there to witness that soooo “kilig” event!

After having witnessed those “kilig” moments, I got to realize that I got this one of a kind job. A job not just to make me able to learn for a living, but a job that is meant to bridge both sides of the world. I can now proudly declare that I am Cupid’s Assistant and the silent Tourism Ambassador as well.

*Cupid Assistant hence in our job we help single find their soul mate.

* Tourism Ambassador, hence, we suggest to the westerners our top tourist destination and where they could probably stay when they will visit our country.

No matter what kind of job, one way or another it has the capacity to touch others lives and even transform it. Always look at the brighter side of things before you start complaining, you never it may be a stepping stone to something better, or perhaps it is just one of the “U turns and detours that you need to pass before you will reach the final destination.

I am not yet sure if this indeed what I am called for, but for now I am just happy that I have found the purpose why I am here. Who knows I could also find my own destiny in here…ha-ha! I love you BOK! ^_^