Our country needs just more than the heart for change, what we need is a heart, mind, soul and strength for a guided change. A wave of popularity and a memory is not enough to put this change, all but a G and a T. Ang kailangan ng bansa natin ay Galing at Talino and who has this? Another G&T and I had a chance to meet him personally for the third time this morning. Meet Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, popularly known as Gibo. Who is he? With his cool personality, engaging character and a strong youth - orientedness (as can be testified by his willingness to meet the country's youth), he is surely one of the rare good - natured government officials you would be happy to talk to.

Sec. Gilbert Teodoro is currently the Secretary of National Defense and the chairman of National Disaster Coordinating Council. A graduate of Commerce in De La Salle University and Bachelor of Law in the University of the Philippines, he topped the bar examinations in 1989. His hands were not only full at attaining quality education but also serving the people early on in life by first being the President of Kabataang Baranggay (forerunner of Sangguniang Kabataan) in Tarlac in 1980, right after graduating from Xavier School (光啟學校). Proving his worth, he even served for the KB Presidency in Central Luzon and a Sangguniang Panlalawigan member for six years. How's that for an academic high - achiever and a young public servant? Not only that, he finished his Masters of Law in Harvard, the most prestigious school for the world's best and brightest, and passed the New York State Bar. Seeing the need in his home province, he also served in all three full terms as Congressman of Tarlac's first district before assuming his current position. With all these achievements and a clean slate track record in governance, he lives up to his G&T, Galing at Talino.

Having seen his commendable achievements with numerous more I cannot finish enumerating, what now? Gibo's platform is as clear as he is. No maarte elaboration, popularized life story and sensationalized distant heritage whatsoever. His main agenda is to take the problem by its roots and not merely reacting from a past. Institutional reform comes as one of his agenda. Our present constitution has been very reactionary to the Marcos regime and did not leave space for economic and political growth. The present bureaucracy that hounds generations from Cory to Gloria is a product of this historic document turned to the sickle of demo-Craziness. Solving this matter at hands uproots all problems that came at hand. This is not just a matter of short term and equally destructive "solutions" at hand but a look into the future in which we ourselves and our children's children can harvest. Let's watch again this infomercial that was released lately. All these can be achieved with Gibo's clear, step by step platform agenda.

Today, I was so blessed to deployed in a relief operation at two areas. It was a blessing to have two volunteers with me, Vicky and Mike. We were deployed first in the area of Pasig - Cainta. The way there was really hot and we were riding in an open jeepney. Our companions got a lot of photo opportunities along the way to the nicies like people walking, police in full gear to the nasty ones like the trash everywhere and dead animals yet to be buried or cremated. One image of such is a dead pig in the middle of Pasig River. How nasty can it get? For the first house we went to, the situation was like a "silk of a spool" while the next ones got a bit emotional. To tell you, the walls of their houses still has marks telling you that the flood in their place reached about 7 meters and that is way past any average Filipino guy and yesterday, it was waist deep in those areas. As a matter of fact, there was one area in Midtown, Cainta that still has waist deep water.

Now here things got bit overboard for my part. I was listening to a pedicab driver's story of one how the GMA crew got relief goods to the area. The crew entrusted the relief goods to a certain guy because the van cannot get past the waist deep water. Do you know where the goods went to? The guy kept it for himself! How can one be selfish at this time of need. Nevertheless, I should as well give him the benefit of the doubt but based on the neighbors stories that neither got a but of help, that meant true as well. I saw the guy earlier at GMA Network's Saksi and I just felt my nerves just shake. The important thing though was that we gave a bit of help and encouragement to some people in the area.

The experience there was encouraging as well because we not only gave material help but gave encouragement through our prayers. I remember one home where a guy lost everything. For the sake of privacy, I withhold the names and the street where he lives but the situation is just plain remorseful. 99% of his belongings were gone even the clothes he wear are also gone. It was an encourgement for this almost tearful brother - in - Christ to have us there to deliver help and pray with him and encourage him more with more prayers. My prayers are still with Him. I know God will be him to let him rise up from such tragedy.

As we went back to our action center in GCF, I saw a flood of people coming in to help. I cannot deny that this tragedy gave an even stronger sense of unity for the church and community around us. People continue to pour in to give their part of donations. True enough, we let ourselves be deployed in Taguig as well. Taguig is a hard hit area but did not cover much media attention but I'll use this media to inform that there is great need there. There are some areas that are still unpassable. The water in a large part there is waist deep and even higher in an area. We had to pull back and bring in a team with the rubber boats and other liferaft.

Many people think that there are too many people responding at the action. As for the experience of my second day of volunteerism, I say that we are in dire need of volunteers and donations as well. My charity of choice is OPERATION COMPASSION. If you are still interested to help us, come drop by our action center in...

Greenhills Christian Fellowship (GCF)

Ruby cor. Garnet Roads, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Tel Nos. 6321354 - 56; 6350078 - 80; 6350082

Mobile: 09209612964

We are still in need of volunteers and donations to respond to every call for help. Come help in one and be a blessing to others.

By the time I am writing this, I just came from a rescue and relief effort myself. I came to help out in Operation Compassion in Greenhills Christian Fellowship by about half past three in the afternoon. The operations were big enough and I saw some tabulated details in the control center. Nothing really fancy and high tech, just addresses and statistics in the big white board. Being there, I want to see action myself. It was heavy traffic along the way especially in Katipunan past the way east. We went to Marikina and saw for myself the devastation left by typhoon Ondoy especially in Provident Village, the worst hit. I do not know how to react to it myself, feeling like amazed at how cars have piled up on top of the other, some in the vertical position while others just upside down. It was like being in the movie and but in an actual place at the same time. News crews were everywhere, firetruck and police sirens buzzing and muddy people going out of the village. It was like nightmare I do not know how to react to. There are some places still in waist deep water but the waters' evidently subsiding. When I opened the window, I saw mud everywhere. Actually the mud is thicker than I though and slippery as well. There is some sort of stench that I cannot explain much. I know that it is the stench of death. Dead animals and corpses are everywhere, perhaps some are not even retrieved or some are plainly rotting corpses of beloved pets. It came to mind that the area is a Class B community with a sprinkling of Class A people.

The typhoon was a great "leveler" of social walls. Rich, middle class and poor all bent to their knees at the might of typhoon Ondoy. This might have occurred in the minds of people that the series of tragedies have forced us to unite together as a country. Manny Pacquiao's victory united the country and we eventually went back to bickering and accusing each other. On the other hand, Cory's death united the country as well but resulted to much "politicking" which included even the deceased's son. This time, the storm united the country to help each other. Perhaps, this the third wake up call. Our country needs genuine unity and cooperation. We are on our knees now and perhaps the politicians out there should stop heralding their political ambitions and in low - profile help the people. Perhaps, this will again fall on deaf ears but I hope this would not be so. If this bad of a calamity came, perhaps we should not wait for an even bigger one to realize that we need to learn our lesson. Tragedies are but an urgent message that tells us to learn from our mistakes. There is still one thing missing from all these and that is genuine faith. At this time, people should trust the LORD all the more for strength and guidance. There are those who doubt all the more but we cannot deny that the spirit of camaderie and cooperation lets the light of Christ shine in this dark time.

Let me announce at this point that the relief and rescue efforts of OPERATION COMPASSION resumes 8AM or even earlier. We are still badly in need of volunteers and donations in kind for the victims of the typhoon. For those interested, you can drop by at our action center in...

Greenhills Christian Fellowship (GCF)

Ruby cor. Garnet Roads, Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Tel Nos. 6321354 - 56; 6350078 - 80; 6350082

Mobile: 09209612964

It was 10:00 in the morning when I first looked at the clock. I was about to step on the floor to get a glass of water then I heard a splash under my foot. My pajama is wet! Water has entered my very own room. Downstairs, the situation's even worse. The whole ground floor of the place where my dormitory is, is flooded about half a foot deep and the people are frantically installing the pump to take the water out. For an hour, it was to no avail but the water started receding as the rain began to slow. I just learned a few hours ago that the situation is worse than I thought. Praise God for our safety! (to be continued...)

Friend 1: Why should I wait if I can tell her now?

Friend 2: Hush now. There is time for everything. You know what, you should be the best friend that you can be to her.

Friend 1: Uh... I think so. Thank you for your advice. I'll take it.

What is the cost of waiting? Or should I ask, why should we wait in the first place. I have written on this matter several times but I never tire talking about this. This is something that is close to me. It is this that affects me in so many ways as well. I believe that I have exhausted all words about this topic but the practical application clearly is something that I must remind ourselves everytime. Waiting is not just something that we do in a passing but something that we live for. I am sure that for people my age or younger, no one can claim at a hundred percent that they have met the girl or guy for them. I have always everytime to break the notion about waiting. Waiting is not just a bum time in between now and finding the right one but a synergetic activity that seeks to redeem time. What do I mean of redeeming time? I should actually talk about why not to waste time as well. Part of the reason why I chose to wait is because I have determined that there are lots of things I must change in my life. I have bad habits and luggages of the past that I have yet to unload. What are these? This is not for me to tell now but I tell you they are heavy and painful. I may not have surely known my right one but certainly, all these baggages somehow will affect her if I leave it unattended. In my part, I would want my loved one to not feel all the pains I bear. Certainly, that would person would love me truly even with my murky past but the idea of seeing her bear my pain would be too much for me to bear as well. What to do while waiting? Fix your life, or better yet, get a life! Experience and learn what matters most in this life. I know one thing that binds all relationships, a gift that is free for all of us. That is our relationship with God. This relationship is what guides us with our relationship with others. If you have a relationship with, root it deeper in your life. It teaches you a lesson on how to truly love in the example of the One Who first loved us. I tell you, it teaches me even in the aspect of relationship. Break the notion that a relationship with God is only for religious purposes. Stop putting God inside a box! He is meant to be in every aspect, every work and every experience in our life. Even in matters of love and relationship, He Himself guides me in everything, what to do and why do it. One can truly enjoy a relationship with others if He has a genuine and fruitful relationship with the One that made other relationships possible.

Watching the view from a fairly tall building is one of my favorite past times. Facilitating one of the Frontline y - groups in Vicky's place gives me a chance to just look in wonder at the view of the mountains, lake and the sea from far away. This time, I did something different. I took time looking at people walking on flat ground. From far away, I could see people I know doing their regular routine. Some were busy walking or running to and fro. Others I seem to see having a sigh and quite frustrated. There are also a share of things I see that I don't actually want to see. Guess what? I just blotted them out with my own thumb. Seeing all these things, the university I live my life on seemed so little and the people just like ants, so small and so busy.

Seeing that, I felt like a mighty giant. I felt like I can grab people from one place and place them on the other. Then, I realized that I am not a mighty giant as I thought myself of. Like an ant, one gone and there goes a new one.  I realized that I am just like any of them, I have a dream, I have a goal. Suddenly, I felt so small, so vulnerable. I am but one of the multitude who live love and love life.

One thing came to my mind, how would someone infinite and beyond the world we revolve in care for such little dusts as we are? I am but reminded of Psalm 8:4, "...what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Why would the eternal, powerful and big God care for us? In his eternal splendor and unending majesty, why did he bother to make himself a lowly human, vulnerable to pain, hunger and suffering. We are but like a group of ants going through a rendezvous of life. That's where I realized how great His love us.

We have rebelled against Him and He could have chosen to ignore us or destroy us like a group of annoying ants. What did He do? He chose to feel our pain, He chose to feel our hurt and He chose to save us costing His own life. We would never choose to die for an ant but he did and we are the ant lost in our multitude. He came not just to save a group of people but came to knock on our very own hearts, seeking to let Him in.

Feeling lonely, bothered or incomplete? Let Christ in to your heart and let Him change your life. No matter where we are in our walk with life, he cares and he knows what we feel. He has been like us. He has suffered and has been rejected too. Let Him in to your life, have a relationship with Him that is true and everlasting. Let Him speak to you, nothing on earth is greater than this.

Things happen in it's own time, no matter how big or small it is. In some ways, we wish for that surprisingly good things to happen to us. Of course, no one wants bad things to happen to them except if they are emotional masochists. People in a proper mindset would seek for something good but is that good really meant to happen now or saved for some other time. People tend to choose now than the better rewards that await delayed gratification. I would say again that we really have an issue with waiting, lest issue with patience as well. I feel good and I want it, that's the only thing we want. How about your future?

Moments earlier, I was reflecting much on Ecclesiastes 3. Indeed, all those things happen in it's own time. Times constraining me to write further but let me share to you something anyways. Seeking for pleasure now of course will give us some high but if this meant pain in the future, why have it now? I always relate this to everytime I eat a piece of chicken. I always love to eat the skin part, which is high in cholesterol by the way, but I would set it apart to eat after I ate all of it. That's what I call the art of finishing food. In the same way, it happens that we are somehow deprived of something but it is actually for our own good. As for my own experience, many good plans did not prosper immediately but now I do enjoy the benefits when it happened at the right place at the right time.

Some of you might be familiar of the term, the right thing at the wrong time. I tell you, that can mean that the 'right thing' you are talking about is not the 'right thing' after all. I, in my own situation, will always and always relate it with love. The whole point of thise is to remind us that true love does wait. You will meet and have your true love at a right place at a right time. Now you see that value of waiting. Waiting is hard and painful but if the price is a lifetime of real joy and happiness then why not spend time in waiting. There is hope in the wait and the hope is real. This is my encouragement to you, when waiting seems to long for you, remember that the time you take on a journey does not matter, the important thing is your destination. Don;t mind the time, just wait.

"From now on, I chose not to be heartbroken!", a mellow but stealthy declaration I made in my very time of reflection. "You can actually choose not to be heartbroken? That is actually possible?", you may ask. Yes, it is. Heartbreaks are caused when you live by wrong expectations of what love is. Love in itself is the most misunderstood wonderful thing in the world. Webster's disctionary itself can only go as far as giving words associated with love in its "definition" and fall short of what it is really expected for. At some point or the other, many of us have gone through a certain heartbreaks in our life. For some, it may be as hard as the feeling of irreplaceable loss over what you have given to other or just simply finding your apple of your eye feeling awkward with you. In either case, we have an idea of how wrong notions and expectations of love can shake you.

Earlier this afternoon, I was facilitating a discussion about love and this topic with my three other co - facilitators and friends. Times are just right for me and some others as well. I do not claim expertise in the topic but I know full well that we can learn from each other's experiences with the guidance and knowledge of God's word. What is love really to us? I believe that Love has been reduced from the full dignity and universal highly - esteem right and gift to something that is just purely emotional. People talk about "falling in love" with someone. I laud the people out there who held their ground to fix their lives and wait for the right time. Waiting is the key issue here. People just cannot wait for love. Oblivious to some, waiting actually gives more value to the already priceless gift of love. It is in waiting that we actually realize that this is not merely for ourselves for the one we love as well. Pursuing a love, or maybe simply a relationship, just to sustain rush of good emotions is just plainly selfish. Your loved one deserves more than that.

Where are you right now? Are you heartbroken or simply falling for someone? I commend those who are neither in these but nevertheless, it is not bad to fall for someone. That is how life goes. We are not meant to be alone, we are meant to be with a company of people and more with someone we prefer and like. But think about this, isn't it nice if you would know the person better? And what do you know! The best way to know someone fully is to be in a genuine friendship. Friendship is the solid foundation of every future relationships but I warn you again, a friendship with a future relationship in mind will never work! Why? Because that is deceit.

To put things simply, things happen at the right place and at the right time. Take time to reflect on yourself. Reflect on yourself fully and get to know yourself more. Know more about your likes, habits and interests. It's easy to share your life with others if you already know yourself. I have only one thing to leave you guys; rememeber and remind yourself that True Love does Wait.

Sa pagbigay pugay ko sa isang dakilang tao na instrumento ng pagbabalik demokrasya, di ko mapigilang maluha at maisip ng lubos ang kalayaang atin ay natamo. Sa pagbibigay pugay kong ito, naisip kong lubos na mapapasalamatan ko si Pangulong Cory sa wikang Filipino. Sa pagkakaalam ng mga makakabasa nito, ako'y di bihasa sa wikang Pilipino pero alam din nila kung gaano ko kamahal ang ating bayan.

Si Pangulong Cory ay isang halimbawa ng inang Pilipino na hindi lang nagsilbi sa pamilya at sa asawang si Ninoy, kun'di pati na rin sa bayan. Sino ba si Corazon Cojuanco Aquino? At paano siya nakarating sa kanyang kinalalagyan ngayon, minamahal ng sambayanan. Si Pangulong Cory, na dati'y Ma. Corazon Cojuanco ay isang simpleng babae na pinanganak sa isang kilalang Tsinong angkan sa Tarlac. Kapwa magulang niya'y nabibilang sa pamilyang may kapangyarihan sa pulitika, ang pamilya Sumulong na pamilya ng kaniyang ina at Cojuanco na pamilya ng kaniyang ama. Siya'y naging Valedictorian sa St. Scholastica College Grade School at tinapos ang pag - aaral sa Estados Unidos.

Nag - aral siya ng sa FEU Law School pero tumigil siya pagkaraan ng isang taon at nagpakasal kay Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr. na dating Speaker ng Pambansang Kapulungan o National Assembly. Hindi nagtagal, ang asawa niya'y nahalal din na gobernador ng Tarlac pagkatapos ay nahalal din sa Senado. Sa mga panahong iyon at kahit na sa panahon ng Batas Militar, siya ay nanatili lamang na simpleng maybahay. Siya ay nagpursigeng mabuo ang pamilya kahit na nakakakulong si Ninoy. Nang pinalaya si Ninoy para operahan sa puso, sila'y nanirahan sa Estados Unidos.

Isang araw, noong Agosto 1, 1983, pinaslang si Ninoy habang pababa lulan ng eroplanong China Airlines mula Taipei, Taiwan. Umuwi si Cory na biyuda at nagluluksa sa loob ng tatlong taon pero hindi siya natinag. Noong Nobyembre 1985, nagpatawag si Pangulong Marcos ng snap election para sa Pebrero 1986. Lumaban si Cory laban kay Pangulong Marcos. Ang halalan na iyon ay puno ng pandaraya at doon na pinagsigawan ng mga Pilipino na "Tama na! Sobra na! Palitan na!" Iyon ang naging hudyat na ang mga Pilipino ay sawang sawa na sa diktadurya. Sa panahong iyon, nagbaklas ang ngayo'y si Sen. Pres. Enrile, dati'y Defense Secretary, at ngayo'y dating Pangulong Ramos, dati'y AFP Vice Chief of Staff. Nagpanawagan si Arsobispo Jaime Cardinal Sin na magbuklod ang mamamayang Pilipino sa EDSA para protektahan ang dalawang magiting na tao. Sa panahong iyon, si Cory ay nasa Cebu City. Noong Pebrero 22, 1986, dumating sa Maynila si Cory at inilukluk sa Malacanang.

Ang pagkapangulo ni Cory, kahit di man nalalayo sa kontrobersiya at mga tangkang pagbaklas sa kudeta ay isang ehemplo din ng pamumuno na nalayo sa kurupsiyon. Kahit man ay naging kaduda - duda ang naging pananaw niya sa ekonomiya, sa Mendiola at Hacienda Luisita massacre at pati na sa US Bases Retention Move niya ay masasabi din nating binigyang sigla niya ang bagong demokrasya at sa huling SONA niya'y nagpaalam siya.

Sa paghatid sa kaniya sa huling hantungan kahapon ay nakita ko ang simpatiya ng taong nagmahal sa kaniya. Ang pagpunta ng tao kahit sa gitna ng buhos ng ulan ay simbolo ng pagmamahal ng taong - bayan sa halimbawa niya. Ang katatagan ng mga honor guards na lulang ng trak na sakay ng mga labi niya ay simbolo rin ng katatagan ng mga Pilipino sa gitna ng kahirapan. Kahit sa kabilang - buhay ay pinagbuklod niya ang bayan, kalaban man o kaibigan, mga Marcos at Aquino, administrasyon at oposisyon, maging dayuhan embahador man o Pangulo (Pangulong Jose Ramos - Horta ng Timor Leste), Katoliko man (Bishop Soc Villegas) o Ebanghelikal (Bishop Ef Tindero), lahat ay nakiisa para ihatid ang pangulo sa huling hantungan.

Si Cory ay matuturing natin na "Ina ng Demorkrasya". Sa pagkahimlay niya kahapon sa kapayapaan at kasaysayan ay sana di natin makalimutan na ipagpatuloy ang magandang laban. Salamat Pangulong Cory at paalam sa iyo. Mabuhay ang alaala mo at alaala ni Ninoy magpakailanman!

Pangulo ng Pilipinas, 1986 - 1992

Enero 25, 1933 - Agosto 1, 2009

At three fifteen morning yesterday, one of the most respected Filipino leaders died of colon cancer at age 76. Cory C. Aquino has been an icon of democracy when the country was gripping from the after shocks of the Marcos downfall. It is in my own sense of remembrance that I painted my own account yellow. Who could ever imagine surviving a loss of a husband, being drafted to power as almost immediately and experience three consecutive coup attempts. I myself can never imagine that. The people at present may question if EDSA 1 is still relevant but undoubtedly Cory is also an icon of peaceful transfer. Some people may still doubt her capabilities at leadership but leaders still come in form of a simple housewife with a strong determination to let the country through.

Just as the Philippines face the same thing today, three millenia ago, the nation of Israel faced the same thing. As I was reflecting much on leadership, I cannot help but remember the Isaiah's commission as prophet to the nation Israel. At the time of his commission, KIng Uzziah, one of the "good" kings of Israel, just died. Israel is still mourning while at the same time, they face the threat of invasion and the rotting political system with corrupt officials vying to grab power or take control of the essential. There is one interesting thing here though.

When we look at Isaiah 6:1, it says that "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple." The Lord chose to appear in his great glory and majesty when an earthly king died! Why would he choose that time? Because He wants us to see that He is the one working after all. The person He had used to govern the people may have died but He remains to live. The instrument of His peace may have died but His work of peace despite the threat of uncertainty still remains. To God alone still all glory and honor.

Just as the icon of democracy in this country died, the work of peace that has been done still remains. The Lord commissioned it and it is up to us to impact that change. But today, we commemorate the life of President Corazon Cojuanco - Aquino. Salamat President Cory.

President Corazon C. Aquino

1933 - 2009

While waiting for the small group time at Vicky's penthouse unit, I can't help but love the view outside the window. On the left are the lowest points of the mountains with their near terminus at Antipolo City while the rest of the view was conquered by the scenic Laguna de Bay. I remember hearing once that the island at the center of the lake was once an active volcano. The sent shivers up my spine but the good thing is that it is now a dead volcano, as dead as the people in the graves. Near the couches, I heard Pastor Jojo's remembrance of the place and neither UA&P nor CRC are still there. Times change, not just in the span of almost three decades but for even just the almost three years of my stay in Ortigas.

From here, I had a lot of recollection. I do remember the first I came to UA&P and it was an amazing experience for me. I was awestruck when I first saw UA&P, small school but really cool. Freshstart was equally fun as well. Being a day late at Freshstart, I could recall being anxious at going to my block. By the way, for my freshmen and some sophomore friends out there, I am Block C, woot - woot! I was wearing my checkered polo then while some people thought of me as some random guy from nowhere. Great joy it was to know that I have an Ilonggo blockmate, Pearl actually. I could also remember the time that I would often shift groups in eating lunch. I would go with Mon, Andoy and Niko MWF while I would with Marvs, Justin, Keso and Christian TTh.

Funny thing is that we actually ended as one barkada altogether. That was the original barkada and for the oldies, who would never forget about the liempo and the spicy bamboo shoots at the small kainan which name I forgot. Help me guys here, it's the place which Baghdad and Reyes Barbecue now occupies. That was the favorite hang - out of my freshmen days. Teenage wasteland as one professor calls it but it is where Justin Akia had his first stint in comedy. Remember thes lines? "Hoy lechon, masarap ka! Mula ngayon, ikaw na ang pambansang -- ulam!" or "Kalan ba?". Who could have forgotten the accident we met while in Andoy's car en route Rockwell? We ended up eating our hearts out and gulping friendly beverages at Metrowalk. Of course, who could ever forget about the almost 12 hour random trip to Baguion with Doc Jay? Who could ever forget our ghastly experiences with wandering elements at Martin's condo unit near Mines View Park? I was low in budget but nevertheless, I had fun there while reeling from a terrible experience.

Second year too is a unique note but not as good as it was in first year lest first year first sem. Just a sem ago from that, I joined Chorale at the encouragement of Rose, Bien and Wash, who later opposed my membership. Who could ever forget our first concert at The Podium? Also, who could ever forget of the more-than-half-month rumor about me and Nannie. As it turned out, I really did like her. Who could ever forget of the Christmas stint with the Chorale? Chorale was actually the reason that I was forced to take the bus to way down south. Remember our efforts to audition at Aliw Theater? That was where the things actually went downhill. Talk about the concert and the Vivere Hotel concerto the next day? Who could ever forget Chorale Christmas Party? Food and the other things I don't mind to mention anymore. Who could ever forget L'Amour: Inchoiring Hearts? Nannie did a really good job at all of that. Remember my Neo French - Victorian costume? Was the costume really hot or was it just me?

The later part is a contuining time in transition. Talk about the uselessness of all the things I mentioned above. Talk about friends distancing because of belief and coping instances. Also, talk about Chorale rejecting me after my almost two years in service. Who could ever bear the pain like being rejected by the family I call Chorale? By the way, I am still reeling from it. Forget Chorale, forget all of the above. It was all null and meaningless. My life is currently in a painful transition. Finding a new place for me to stay after more than two years of torment with the -- sorry for the term -- nincumpoop dorm manager whose name is Sherween E. Dagohoy. These may sound terrible but all these are not void of happy stories too. My borther's now studying in UP, I am active in True Love Waits and new - found friends among the freshmen. A month ago or so, I would never have thought of having one from them but I am wrong. There is a brighter picture after all.

Undoubtedly, there are lots of dark areas with patches of light but there is a catch. What the catch? Good or bad, they are but a prelude to better things that would come on the way. Actually, I see bad experiences as a better prelude to a happy and contented tomorrow. Quoting from Kuya Franco, "It is better to experience the pain discipline now and pleasure tomorrow than experience pleasure now and pain discipline tomorrow." So, do all these things just go about by themselves? There is this most significant figure that comes into the picture or actually he made the picture. God has known us since time immemorial and the eternity past. Whether from what side of Creationism you are, young earth or old earth (I am with young earth creationism), we can see the big span that streches through the eternity to present. Undoubtedly, we see the picture clearer now. It is part of God's plan after all! All the pains I have felt are things essential that I must go through and all happiness are by the grace of God. Does God's grace still continue to flow? Yes, and always forever and ever. Here's one thing I can only say to Him, "Your grace still amazes me!"

Alas, not much of the Filipino Youth are proud to say this. Often, when we hear people saying this, we dismiss them as hopeless in love or as people who are meant to be in the monastery. Whether we like it or not, this quite disturbing. Being single is not actually something we have to scorn at. Actually, it is in singlehood that we find the fullness of teenage life. Imagine, you can be alone all by yourself without having to think of somebody. Some of you might say, "Ha, bitter!" or "Selfish" but for my part, we have other commitments we need to accomplish to be better learn applying to a commitment that involves giving, not half - heartedly but all you can.

I always ask people who encourage me to enter a relationship, "Why the haste?" Actually, I am not in a hurry. To think about it, I always fail whenever I am in a hurry so, why hurry on something that will be part of your life forever? As I have always said, we have no right to break someone's heart and much more no one has the right to break ours too, so why enter in a relationship with so many qualms still swamping in your heart? The key to that is, how much are you prepared to enter a relationship. If you have qualms and you think you are crazy in love for someone, chances are you are really crazy -- just joking.

But guys, let me ask you this question; if you have a little squabble with your gf, will you be able to think clearly in the exam? Or when your bf failed to show in your game with another team, will you be able concentrate on the game? Things like that may seem impossible but they do happen and it is in a sorry state that we are sometimes much concerned with having a relationship rather than what it takes to be in one and get the odds with the one you are with. The lack of rationality when you feel "in love" is somehow a little symptom of trouble. Does rationality matter in a relationship? I may not be as significant as care but rationality somehow gets us to grasp the truth. Remember, love rejoices in the truth.

The worst thing that could ever happen to someone in an unsolicited relationship is having to deal with parents in a rebellious way. Some parents dislike relationships for their dearest sons and daughters and they tend to clash. Rebellion is tantamount to failure, not just in life but a failure even in the relationship part. As for other parents, some are quite open about it but we have to take notice about one fact. The fact that they are open with it because they trust you that you'll never mess it up. Heartbreak again is not just a personal matter between you and your one but also to your parents. True enough, they have felt same pain as you did. Some people in pain tend to dismiss their parent's sympathy as an empty care but that is so cruel. Wake up! They have been to that as well. We might as well also dismiss their points as old time tradition but all people have been through somehow in their life.

I might sound already as a parent sympathizer but I am. I am single now because I love myself and I love the people who care for me. Not messing my life out is somehow my own way of saying thanks but I should not also deny the fact that I will not forever be single. Here's a fact that gives hope, God has someone for you already. You might not know the person but the chosen one is just there, in God's own heart. As for me, the closer I walk with God, I know in my heart and I pray that His chosen one will be the same as well. Why hurry? Everything happens as the should happen -- in God's own time.

Rainy days lately never fails to excite me especially in my own special strip of Ortigas Center. Everyday, rain or shine, I always pass by this sidewalk near Tektite and at the back of Metrobank Bankers' Plaza. As you see, in that area, snails proliferate whenever it's a rainy day. One not so peculiar thing about these creatures is that they move so slowly and that their shell never protects them from mortality. Out of mercy to these obviously gentle creatures, I would ocassionally pick up a snail from the middle of the sidewalk and place them within the fenced area. That area used to be my solitary place of reflection but somehow, people from Ortigas Center Association fenced it up. I actually did that just a moment ago while on my way here to GCF. I actually counted 14 snails that I have "saved" from "sole destruction".

As I was having that in mind, I cannot keep on thinking about all that. I just remember that I was a snail myself, carefully walking through life yet facing a great danger ahead. Many of us think of this world as so big that we can lay waste with ourselves wherever we want without the consequences. Somehow, in the wide boulevard we call Life, we are at odds of being run over by things beyond us. A lot try to protect one's self by that shell of comfort but that never protects us from the risk at all. Without all thoughts and without seeming dangers up ahead, we relent and go on slowly with life. In many ways, we are in open danger.

There is something that made the difference though. While we were walking over the shadow of death, mercy plucked us from our very graves and set us on solid safe ground. Somehow, the imagery a guy carefully plucking the snails and keeping them in a safe place reminds me of how Christ touched my life too. I feared being plucked. True enough, when you pluck a snail out of danger, it tries to hide within it's shell in fear of danger. As we are, we relent God's hand of change but sometimes we just slowly realize that it is for our own good. We felt uncomfortable for the moment but as we realize all these, we breathe deeeply in a sign of awe that we are not dead but alive. This is our daily life's walk but we sometimes fail to realize it.

The lesson from a benevolent snail somehow reminds us that we have given too much comfort to ourselves that we fail to realize that we are in the middle of deep trouble. But, there is hope. In my life, I found it in Christ. Never has it been that my life has blossomed into a new meaning. His plans just begins to unfold. I grapple about woes in my life but patience really is virtue. This just shows that God Himself placed example of His divine plan in the very nature we enjoy. So longs guys in your next walk of solitude.

Pan de Sal, literally "bread of salt" in Spanish, is an all - time favorite Filipino morning breakfast staple. This all time favorite is best enjoyed when it is pugon baked, which means baked in the traditional kiln fired brick oven, and the native cocoa which most probably came from Antique. From those from Bacolod, actually Silay City, you could be familiar or similar treats we can enjoy there especially El Ideal. Anyway, if you are in Manila, you might as well enjoy the traditional in the contemporary Pan de Manila and that is where exactly I went.

The morning experience will not be complete without the usual newspaper. I actually did not have that and so I contended with observing the buses roar by and people busy to and fro. In the course of looking around, I saw someone left a tabloid. I actually dislike tabloids for their sensationalism but just to have something to read, I got it. By a stroke of luck, it is a Pilipino Star Ngayon, a Filipino - language based subsidiary paper of The Philippine Star.

As I was reading some sensible stories, I happen to chance upon the news about a rape case inside the FX. The girl is a nursing student in a school in Ermita. Here's the English version of the story:

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POLICE have launched a massive manhunt for a driver of a Tamaraw FX who raped a 22-year-old nursing student in Ermita, Manila Friday night.

“Text mo nanay mo, sabihin mo sinira ko kinabukasan mo,” the suspect told Diane (not her real name) before escaping. Diane, a fourth year nursing student from Sucat, Parañaque City, yesterday reported the incident to the Manila Police District Women and Children Concern Division.

She told Chief Insp. Anita Araullo that the rape took place at 7:30 p.m. at the dimly-lit portion of Arroceros Street in Ermita. The victim said she boarded the suspect’s silver FX on Pedro Gil Steet, Ermita and took the front seat.

Upon reaching Baclaran, two other passengers at the back seat alighted from the vehicle, leaving Diane and the driver. “Napansin ko po na pinapaikut-ikot ng suspect ang kanyang sasakyan malapit sa Coastal Mall kaya’t nagbayad na ako at sinabi kong bababa na ako ng FX,” she said.

The suspect did not allow her to get out of the vehicle and sped off to Arroceros Street in Ermita where she was sexually abused inside the FX.

Javier, J. (2009) Nursing Student Raped. Retrieved July 12, 2009, from Journal Online Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2009-07-12&sec=1&aid=98009

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The story so got my attention that I almost spilled my hot cocoa with rage. What a nerve! That actually got me to thoughts that if only I saw that guy by chance, I would catch him and trample him until no one can recognize his swollen face. I have some critical thoughts about the girl being alone at the FX but my rage just got me to pity with her. Imagine, she is going to graduate this year. “Text mo nanay mo, sabihin mo sinira ko kinabukasan mo," he told the victim. And I hope he does not have a future too. There is justice and I hope justice will be served not only by Man's law but by God's law as well.

As for me, I cannot do anything but with her situation, I would like to offer my prayers for justice to be served. This guy will never outrun justice. It is my prayer that no matter how hard the case is, justice will be served and the heavy hand of the law will prosecute him. Gabriella is so preoccupied with oversteaming cases about Nicole, why not they help this girl. If they can get their butts out for a political cause, why not a moral cause.

For the moment, the story just gets into my head. The hard reaction in my part might be because I have a friend who is a nursing student and is studying near where the rape victim is studying. Of course, that shivers me to worry, not just about my friend but also with countless nursing students around. Maybe, it is time for us to be cautious of how dangerous our world can be. Friends, beware of danger and make sure to not make yourself unnecessarily alone. It is a howling wilderness out there, especially at night and it is my prayer that God will keep you safe my beloved.

While writing my own attempt at apologetics targeted against the article "Decoding God's Changing Mood" published last month at Time Magazine. Resting a while from such mind - racking but mentally and "spirit - fulfilling" activity, I decided to write this time on my own personal sentiments and dreams as well. The statement "Libre lang mangarap" perhaps may have deeply rooted itself among a people who has high hopes in getting up to the social ladders like some Filipinos. The truth is, dreaming of some things are not wrong but we have to see that dreams can be set as mid - term or long - term goals as well. As for me, I have my dreams but I relent upon setting them as goals. Enough of the techicalities, I want to express my deepest dreams in a way I have never done before. I have so much dreams but sometimes I do lose hope in ever fulfilling them. These are my "wish - lists" and they represent high hopes for some of the greater missions I have in life.

Well, there, you have seen my almost child - like dreams for the moment. I want to see them as a long - term goal but I am quite wary at the moment. They are but an equivalent of a Neverland dream in my childhood days. Will these complicated dreams come true? Maybe somehow, by God's grace and will most probably. Anyway, some people will much see this as an "ambioso" dream but who knows, they may be achieved and even things more beyond that.

By the way, while I am typing my apologetics "project", I also found interesting rebuttal from a certain Singaporean just identified as Torstein. He identified himself as a worship leader "a Chinese church near Commonwealth" which probably is in Singapore if not the one in Quezon City. For your sake, I will post his kind rebuttal to Robert Wright's article "Decoding God's Changing Moods" published in Time Magazine last month. I hope if you're one the people like me who wish to give your own apologetic rebuttal to that, I hope this article can shed light to some matters but remember, no plagiarism. I wish this was published somehow.

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Surely God Deserves Better

From "The Thoughts That Count"

Friday, June 12, 2009

I hope I can do a good rebuttal as well. This is quite a good mental exercise but more than just that, defending our faith that has gone through a lot of battering through two millenias of existence and I believe will receive until Christ's return.