2010 In A Nutshell

“We can always look back, but we can never go back. That is why we have a heart that remembers - various good things that shall be kept and never be forgotten.  And it shall be lived each day as a part of who we are, because we are a mixture of our parents' genes and other people's influences .

We cannot rush for tomorrow and force the clock to run at a speed for our sake. Because today is a day that must be cherished. "Wherever you are, be there," as Francis Kong puts it. And so whatever the day asks for, give it with a kind heart. We are serving a bigger cause, not the one who we think we are serving for.

Even when others seem to pull your spirit down, remember Desidarata: Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. The bigger is your understanding, the more patience is expected of you.”

– June 15, With Blindfolds and Handcuffs, with a Sweet Play of Violin Around

I had a deep, relaxing, and complete sleep. When I opened my eyes, I suddenly felt a real grown up. This line echoed on my ears: I am accountable for what I am doing. From that day on, I owned the consequences of my actions. I had no one else to blame for lost opportunities and chances. Likewise, I had nobody else to credit for all gains and pains. Everything was a product of my decisions and choices.

"During one of the chances that I had to speak, one asked, “Am I disappointed that I did not achieve the dreams that I originally had for myself?” I told them that there are other dreams to be made, there are there are other things to be accomplished. It doesn’t mean that if you fail to make your original dreams a reality then it’s the end of the world. You need to learn to dream other dreams and you need to reach for other things. We can’t all be Manny Pacquiao or whatever, we can be other things. You just have to dream other dreams, have a positive attitude towards life. Be the best that you can be and always be good to people regardless of your situation in life, it’s no excuse not be good to other people. You just have to be kind and fair."

- Juan Magdaraog, during our interview for Too Rare to be Noticed: A Documentary on Orphan Disorders (January 2010)

Graduation 2010

2010 was a ferocious year of transition. It was the year of my graduation, entry to service, and access to the professional world. It was the year of love and romance. I met new friends, rekindled friendships, and made a special friendship.

“Apparently, what I have in mind right now is the feeling of having a good friendship with a good guy friend who I call my boyfriend – no more, no less. I am currently embracing each moment, each time that I get to spend with him because I believe God has given him to me to teach me something; consequently, I to him. We have been angels to each other – apart from I being a girlfriend to him, and he being a boyfriend to me.” 

– August 2, When I Told Papa I Already Had a Boyfriend

Desserting in Qoola after Dinner

I learned to embrace the present, at the same time, look forward for the future. Life is short to worry so much about what may happen or when things could happen. As the Bible says, “Today has enough cares for itself.” I learned to cherish every moment, every day, every night, every month. People come and go; enjoy new friends and treasure old ones. Love your family above everything else. But love God above all.

“I would like to fill the bottom of my jar with the essentials of life. As of the moment, I prioritize serving God and building better relationship with my family. As for my ultimate dream, I trust in God for what we have agreed upon. In peace, I marked His words unto me, "I am giving the desires of your heart".

And I believe He will. I just could not let go of the peace, satisfaction and happiness that I feel now that I am serving Him. So I declared time's up and made a decision - with a sense of peace in my heart.”

– September 26, Time’s Up

I learned the importance of prayer. It changes lives, transforms dreadful moments, and vanquishes fears. It makes you accept things easier when everything else does not go as you planned it. It is the fuel of the soul when the heart is disheartened from the rejections and condemnations of the world. It makes you feel safe, loved, and secure. In the arms of God, nothing goes wrong. When you talk to God, He heeds every breath, yawn, sigh. He hears silent drops of tears and loud chuckles of laughter.

“More so, I have got a powerful army behind me - saints, martyrs, fellow angels, even the legends of Greek mythology. I have my own line of communication with them that remains open 24 hours a day, seven times a week. This is the thing that mortals and angels have something in common: PRAYER, the only open line to Heaven. Thus, I have nothing to fear of. And you, mortal, yes YOU, you have nothing to fear of. Because rocking the Heaven's hearth is only a prayer away. Our names are etched upon the palms of these warriors and intercessors. And, I believe, God hears the prayer even of punished angels. That's how merciful He is, believe me. When you fear, you pray.” 

– July 4, Human Fear and Frailty, an Angel’s Plea

The Makati Feast Christmas Party 2010

Yes, I am accountable, but the clock of the world is not on my hands. I own my time, but I owe it from God. I may have my own timetable, plans, and agenda, but God has His own plan for me. Psalms put it more succinctly, “Everything has its own time and its own season.”

Anchoring TOMCAT's Thomasian News Bites for the A.Y's last episode

“To this, I learned to never ever deny your dream. Shout out your vision of yourself ten years from now. And let them see the conviction in your eyes and the certainty in the tone of your voice that you are going to be it – ten years from now. As St. Paul told in his letter to the Philippians, “Therefore, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”” 

– August 25, The Denial of a Dream

With all these lessons, I claim abundance for the year 2011.

“If we keep our eyes and ears open, our hearts open, we will find the place surely.  The phone will ring and we will jump not so much out of our skin as into our skin.  If we keep our lives open, the right place will find us." – Frederick Buechner 

– September 22, The Calling of Voices, The Hungering Dark (A Repost)

All Days are the Same

You see, yesterday is the same as today. The sun rises in the morning, stands still at noontime, and sets in twilight. The sky is bright in the morning and dark at night. Rainbows appear after rain; clouds unceasingly run on the heavens. 

What makes today different from yesterday is perspective. We believe in the concept of time. We set agenda for each day based on the calendar. Our ancestors have laid down holidays and feast days in different dates. Therefore, we celebrate Valentine’s day in February, Halloween in November, and Christmas in December. There is really no New Year, but the concept of time has made us believe that the year changes.

There is a thin line that separates yesterday and today. Once the clock sets at 12, calendar date instantly changes. Tonight, when the clock strikes 12, we say goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011. 12:00 am of December 31 is the same as 12:00 am of December 30. What makes it different is our belief of New Year. Hence, we bang firecrackers and display fireworks to welcome another January 1. 

It is on January 1 that we try to start anew. Despite frustrations, heartbreaks, illnesses, losses, rejections, failures, and disappointments, we move on with our life. January 1 is the same as any other day, but because it is the beginning of another year, it becomes a stepping stone for changes, resolutions, and aspirations.

Our days are all the same. Nevertheless, they differ by the way we perceive and treat them. Thank God for the concept of time. We are able to start anew, and to move on from the dark memories of the past.

Just a Simple Update

Now, what I want to do is sit back, relax, breathe, and listen to The Script. 

I had a simple Christmas celebration with the family. This was the first Christmas when I had given  gifts to my parents, goddaughters and godsons, lolas, tita, and brother - with my own money-spent. It really felt good to share blessings to people, most especially to your loved ones. I only had a measly bonus and salary, albeit thank God I was able to budget them well. The biggest bonus was this: my parents and brother really liked my gifts. Thank you Lord for the blessings!

Today, we heard Holy Mass, and we had lunch in Dampa. After that, we watched MMFF in Greenbelt. All cinemas were jam-packed. Avoiding the late-night full shows, we ended up with Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote. As a whole, I didn't like the film. Anyway, it was a fun day with my cousins. And Nin joined us, so it was a real bonding. Great Sunday!

As of this moment, I am pondering of the year that was, and the year that is about to come. Many things came and happened - unexpectedly. Though I know all consequences were products of my choices. For all the successes, failures, must-haves, could-haves, probabilities, and possibilities - I was the one accountable.

For all the blessings, gifts, friends, and families - God, thank you!

Goodness and Evil have the Same Face

I remember Paolo Coelho saying in the Devil and Ms. Prym: “Good and evil have the same face.”

Tonight, on my way home, I saw goodness and evil wearing the same face.

Saturdays are supposed to be rest day for traditional employees. Nevertheless, I chose to go to work to clear my backlogs for the week, and to help our team beat the November 6 deadline for our first batch of articles. I finished our daily quota of eight write-ups at past 9 pm (the line “Life is a journey” lengthened my worktime because it could be found in other websites, however way I rephrase it). Eating a slice or two of Yellow Cab pizza, I chose to walk to Pasong Tamo for a short exercise before hitching a ride home.

Upon riding a jeepney in front of the Exportbank Plaza, I got a bill from my wallet and gave it to the driver. The driver gave me 13-peso penny change; I placed it in my purse. My mind was wandering off while looking at the surroundings. Suddenly, the driver handed me four folded twenty-peso bills, saying, “100 pala to.” Remembering the purple-colored bill that I got from my wallet, I answered, “Ay, oo nga pala. Salamat!” I smiled at the driver, acknowledging his honesty for my fair’s change.

Nonetheless, I saw a weird impression on his face. Ironically, it was very subtle yet very noticeable to me.

It was as if he was regretting that he had given back the right amount of change to me. There was hesitation in the way he handed the four twenty-peso bills. It dawned on me that my 100-peso payment could have given him 14 passengers in one seating. Unreturned excess of fairs give drivers undue advantage over passengers.

It was where I saw goodness and evil having the same face – in the guise of an honest jeepney driver who had somehow regretted being honest in his dealing. In all fairness, though, he had been good enough to give back what is not his.




(Written on a Saturday, October 30)

Tonight, Tears have Flowed from My Eyes

Tonight, tears have flowed from my eyes.

I am happy. I have a balanced life. I am paid for what I love to do. I walk with the Lord. I have dreams which I claim are coming true. I have a thankful heart. I have a hopeful mindset. I have good relationships.

But tonight, tears have flowed from my eyes. Because I have a love to dare or to spare.

To dare. I have a love to challenge, to continue, to insist on having. Everyday, I wake up with a thought that someone thinks of me when he wakes up – just as I do think of him in the morning. I anticipate for the chances of spending time with him in whatever kind of “date” we may have. I love the feeling of having constant reminders during mealtimes. I love seeing my Facebook photos with someone who I can call mine. I empty one of my hands to hold his hand. I hug and cuddle; I kiss and embrace. I whisper a prayer of wellness for him. I say “I miss you”, “I love to see you”, “I love you”. I say I really do.

And a love to spare. I have a love to turn my back from, to deny, to let go. Maintaining a relationship is different from having someone to love. Having someone to love is taking care of him, securing him, trusting in him. You show affection, practice fidelity, show kindness and express sweetness. But maintaining a relationship is entirely different. You have two people who think, feel and know that they have someone to love. Affection, fidelity, care, security and trust do not journey in a one-way road. It traverses highways and skyways where toll fees are paid at a high price. Maintaining a relationship is like singing in duo, dancing tango. You have a good music, you sing your part, but if the other does not, you cannot tell you’re singing with a duet. You have the music, but it turns out to be not the expected kind – where two voices blend to make a real, unmatchable harmony. 

Also, it takes two to tango. A dance will not be a dance when there is only one who exerts effort to move one’s feet, sway one’s body and shake one’s booty. It is not a dance. It is a disaster.

Tonight, tears have flowed from my eyes. Because I have a love to dare or to spare.

Relationships fall apart. People grow apart. Hearts break in pieces.

Love fades.

When God intervenes, He blesses

We were supposed to attend the PICC Feast today. However, because of the result of Papa's medical examinations, we needed to go to his doctor for further interpretation and explanation of whatever was written therein. "Consider Hypertension Stage 2," it said. 

Blessedly, it was nothing very serious. Papa needed just to cut off big food intake, and have things taken in moderation. The doctor gave him a "Diet Guide for High Cholesterol Patients", plus follow-up check-ups every month to monitor his health. As mama said, "Kasama 'yan sa pagtanda."

When God intervenes, He blesses

The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to

mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 

- Lk. 17:6

After Papa's check-up, we heard mass at Don Bosco, Makati. The priest's sermon was very meaningful. In line with this Sunday's readings which focused on faith, he enumerated the three characteristics of a faithful person:

• A faithful person prays to God.
• A faithful person does not turn away from God.
• A faithful person converts his faith into action and deeds.

Further, he stated, "Your faith - however big or small -  is very powerful... Because the power of your faith comes from God. You have trust in Him."

One of the best lines that he has said (which really struck me) was this: When God intervenes in your life, He wants to bless you. That's why, when we intervene in other people's lives, we have to bless them as well.

I thought to myself: God is - apparently - intervening in my life. All that I have planned beforehand have been changing. Whenever I pray to Him and ask for discernment, He simply nods His head for approval. And when I feel peace in my heart, I know, He is smiling at me - for my deeds, for my decisions, for everything that I am doing.

Machine a la human massage

With the mass ending at 1.30 pm, we headed directly to Greenbelt to have our lunch. Afterwhich, we tried the free body massage offered by Isukoshi.

Remote control of an Isukoshi chair massager

The whole-body massage was completely machine-generated. You would simply sit down on a comfortable chair armed with a soft foam, clothed in a cool leather outer skin. Thereafter, in a few clicks, you would feel a repetitive force from behind onto your back, around your feet and legs, and around your arms, like how a human also does a massage. This one is a really good invention: a stress-free, home massage in a click!

From left: Jigs, Papa and Mama (blocked by the assistant in green)
enjoying the massage

Cyclops? Nah, it's Jigs slowly falling asleep with the eye-relaxing massager

Nonetheless, the machines come in a very expensive price - really a HIGH-tech price - ranging from Php 70,000 to Php 200,000.

In the end, Papa bought the slimming belt and the iNeck massager. Oh, yes, slimming belt, which can also be used to massage your back, thighs and legs.

The free body massage is still available in Greenbelt 5 (beside Dulcinea), as well as in other Ayala Malls.

Fortnight Budget Proposals to Self

Trying all my best to be financially literate, I have created a budget for myself that I may be able to spend my money wisely (in the wise way that I know hehe). Since I would be earning every two weeks, I have already allotted a certain kind of amount foreseen expenditures in this-and-that; above all, allotting percentage to love offering and savings. I am trying to apply the 30-70 rule: 30% goes to tithe and savings, 70% goes to your own expenses. Thanks to Tita Ann for introducing me to financial literacy.

In a good attempt to budget my first salary

I would be starting my work on Tuesday (October 3) since the company moved their office to another building and Monday would be spent for fixing the cables and other office stuffs. Hence, I would allot my Monday on acquiring TIN ID and my NBI clearance.

I hope I could continue this until I get old. I would like to be responsible with my expenses. Anyhoo, this proposal is not yet final - JUST a proposal. In my second half-month salary, my remaining budget would only rate to .02%. Hello, thats' - uhm - pretty impossible to bear haha!