High School Editorials

Some things I love about high school... same things I take pride of being involved with. Though I missed it in my previous years from freshman (due to my stupid coyness), I'm glad I was finally able to join the school newspaper editorial staff in my senior year. We call it ECHO, for it serves to be the students' voice.

My English teacher had always convinced me to join from the beginning of my freshman year. But I was always shy and conscious to go out of my shell. When I was in grade school, one of my advisers also convinced me to join "The Seedling", but I refused. I preferred to be in my comfort zone, away from everybody and everything else. I remember my Mom always told me that I could have been the editor-in-chief if only I listened to her. She always believed that I am the best when it comes to writing, you bet she's mother! And her faith was even stronger when she was told by my English teacher that there were only two students among the freshman year who can very well write, and I am one of them (the other student transferred to other school, does that make me the only best? hehehe... modesty aside). I should have known that mothers always know best. My regrets are existing, but I am glad I became part of the editorial for the last minute. Up to now, I still hoped that I pursued writing, and followed my dreams to be part of the best newpaper broadsheets in the country.

Sophia's Villa Seafood Dampa

This fascinating restaurant was located at Capt. Javier St., Oranbo, Pasig City. My manager scheduled a dinner for celebration of our annual bonus and as treat for our Hongkong Manager who visited this week.

 

The place was a haven of modern wood crafts, housing an attractive collection of wooden furniture and sculptures. The restaurant itself is like a huge "kubo", very homy and comfortable. At the entrance is a two way stairs, leading to the dine in. At the left side upon entering the resto is a shelf of unique Filipino crafts with extraordinary wooden seats around it, while on the right side is the beautiful wood crafted dine-in seats. Straight from the archway passing through the dine in is the receiving counter, and turning left is the most beautiful part of the resto... the cottage, almost ethereal, garden. Welcoming at the garden entry is a hanging dome top bird cage of dainty lovebirds, turning left are the cottages which caters 2-4 people and 5-10 people separately. And at the farthest part of the garden is a small swamp underneath two tiny bridges, and a miniature man-made falls.

We picked the Meldita cottage which can house 10-12 persons, and the one we chose to reserve is just beside the falls, making our dinner extra fun and more special.

The foods were great! We ordered steak, pusit, tempura, buttered shrimps and sinigang.... 5000 pesos is already good for 10 people. Not much for an ultimate food trip and extravagant bliss.

*** For inquiries or cottage reservations, please call 02-4475519.
*** All photos hereby presented are courtesy of www.ourfoodtrip.com

Carry Your Mat... and Go Home...

Today's gospel share the wonderful miracle of the Lord Jesus, when he healed a paralytic and commanded him to walk.

For the past three weeks, the gospel narrated the healing miracles of Jesus. First when he healed an evil possessed man, on the second week healing Peter's mother-in-law, on the third week healing a leper and this week healing the paralytic.

Though the healing of the paralytic has been told many times in my life, today was far more meaningful. The good news focused on Jesus' command "Carry your Mat, and go home." Re. Fr. Neil Vincent Tacbas symbolized the "mat" as grudges, griefs or heartaches from the past which we all need to let go, then go home to our Father. The message declares that we need to let God heal us like what he did to the paralytic, and let him command us to let go and walk through the path of our Lord.

Alternative Christmas Message

As we continue with our lives, trying to just come off our almost infinite list of expenses and obligations for the holiday season, let us not forget to take time and reflect on the healing and rejuvenation that Christmas consistently bring us every year.

T'is the season of loving, of giving, of goodwill, of unity, of peace and joy, of repentance, of healing, of forgiveness, of second chances.. most importantly it is a celebration of holiness, worship and prayers.. of faith and hope that no matter how twisted and foggy our road appears to be, we have no fear because God is with us. HE is the only one who does wonders and miracles. HE has declared strength amongst people, nations and all creation.

So throw away all anger, fears, discouragements, greed, judgments, revenge, self righteousness, sorrows, sufferings and agonies. As we look back, let us thank our loved ones, families, friends, including enemies, rivals and adversaries... let us be grateful of our blessings, happiness, heartaches and pains... let us treasure the people who had come and gone.. for these all helped us become wiser and better as we bid goodbye to this year and welcome the coming year with a whole new spirit and frame of mind.

Let us not forget to pray for the victims of disaster and tragedies.. for the needy and empty-handed, for the people preyed upon by human transgression, for the mending of broken hearts, for the healing of emotional and physical distress, for the lost hopes... and for the spiritual wealth of all.

Joyeux Noel!

My New Blackberry Phone (and Add On concerns)

At last, got my new Blackberry phone… not the expensive type of course… but at least I can now enjoy Unlimited BB anytime I want to! o.O

Apparently, I am not yet eligible for postpaid Add-On Plans because it will need six months of subscription before I can add-on a 350 plan for Unlimited Blackberry Service* and Mobile Internet Anti Bill Shock*** (and that is still for approval! argh!). Add-Ons also include Plan 649 for Unlimited Blackberry Service and Mobile Internet (no boundaries) and Plan 299 for Unlimited Blackberry Social Service** and Mobile Internet Anti Bill Shock*** (As per Sun representatives I can avail it by January 27).

Blackberry Data Add On Plans

*** Anti-Bill Shock Plans put a limit on your mobile internet spending, but not on your surfing, pay only a maximum of P 749 a month for your BlackBerry service and Mobile Internet usage.


Standard P10 per 30 minute rate applies to Mobile Internet usage apart from traffic through BlackBerry.net APN


BlackBerry® Add-on Plans** are paid on top of your monthly service fee
Compatible with all Regular Postpaid Plans
**Add-on Plans have a 6 month holding period

Good thing there is Sun Blackberry Pay-Per-Use Loads which are available for both Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers. These are for people who occasionally need Blackberry services with no need to apply for Sun Blackberry Add On Plans, or for people like me who are waiting to be eligible for these Add On Features. They got 1day, 3day, 7day and 30day registrations. See instructions and details below.

Php50 for a single day (text: BB1DAY)
Php125 for 3 days (text: BB3DAY)
Php250 for a week/7days (text: BB7DAY)
Php1000 for a whole month/30 days (text: BB30DAY)

Pay-Per-Use registration is way expensive compared to Add On because it corresponds to Plan 999 Unlimited BB Service and Mobile Ijnternet. So what I do is register per day or if I know that I need to check on Facebook a little longer or need to visit BB AppWorld a little more, I register for a week

Gee, I can’t wait to get my BB Add On Plan!

A Bunch Of Blessings on my Birthday

It's been quite a while after my last blog, sad but I can't seem to find ways to share due to busy schedules. However, now is a better opportunity to publish my heart because it's my Birthday.

My birthday (Nov 7) was declared as holiday for the celebration of the Feast of Sacrifice. On the contrary, I would like narrate my blessings preceding my sacrifices.

Let me begin my day when I woke up. I was awoken by the greetings of families... my Mama, Bunso and my only love, Kurt. It's nothing new to me, I grew old waking up to greetings of Mama and Papa, only that those greetings I grew old with were always accompanied by rich aromas of foods that is to be served in the afternoon (my parties always began in the afternoon because my Mama told me that I was born 3pm). Not until I was in college, now I don't celebrate my birthday with foods and visitors anymore. A heartfelt lunch with complete attendance of my family members and a blessing of holy water and a prayer with the priest would complete my day.

Before noon,we went to the market to buy chows for lunch. Kurt and my brother Allen wanted grilled Liempo for our late lunch. After dealing with the household chores and cooking, the family had lunch together with my brother's girlfriend, Jessa. We had a full stomach and a good laugh. :) It could have been better if Papa is with us. I was happier when he called and greeted me. I missed him so much.

After lunch, we rested. Then Kurt and I prepared for church. We went to Antipolo Church for mass and for blessing of holy water. Mama can't go with us because she needs more rest and bunso will have to watch over the store for her.

Apart from this, is my simultaneous checking of Facebook. Greetings poured in from friends and relatives... some were from overseas.

The whole day itself and the people around me made me very thankful of the blessings I have in my life. More than thankful, I don't think I'm even deserving of all of it. I got the best family, the best of friends and the best of love. What more could I ask for? I got a handful of money and material thing right, but I got more than that. I am rich and over pouring with miracles, faith, prayers, love and good people. It's all I ever need.

So I want to take this opportunity to thank the people who means so much to me.

First, to old friends who surprisingly called and greeted me all the way from Singapore. You don't know how much that call means to me. It was very special, thank you.

To my best friends at work, you know who you are. Thanks for making my every day working hours fun. If it were not for you, it could be more than harder. I love you guys.

To my funchum (hehehe). Thanks for taking time to call and greet me. I love you much.

To my bunches, take care. Ate loves you always. I hope I can visit you soon.

To my new found sis, thanks for the greetings. I never expected it. Love you.

To friends from high school and college, thanks for being thoughtful.

To my teachers, thank you for the greetings Ma'ams...

To long lost friends, I am happy much with the greetings...

To new found friends, thank you for the greetings.

To close friends at work or not, thank you. I am looking forward to having fun with you again.

To all who greeted me, bunch of thanks to you guys...

To my Papa, I miss you so much. I hope you can be with us soon. I love you so much Papa. Thank you for everything. You are the first man that I loved, and will always be.

To my Mama, thank you for the sacrifices. You know we can't make it without. You are our strength, without you, we'll be weak. We love you Mama.

To Bunso, thank you sharing secrets and laughs with me, every day and every night. You are my favorite brother (hehehe...:)) Ate loves you sooooooooowww much! tsup tsup!

To my beloved one, thanks for staying through the good times and the bad. Thank you for the laughs and the tears. Thank you for being a good man, a best friend, an inspiration... thank you for everything that you are. I LOVE YOU beibie.

To my GOD........

thank you for being faithful and loving, I don't deserve your love but you have always been good...

thank you for the blessings, it keeps me moving...

thank you for the hard times and heartaches, they keep me strong...

thank you for the triumphs, it reminds me of how well you created me...

thank you for the failures, it keeps me human...

thank you for the experiences, it gives me wisdom...

thank you for the people who loves me, they always make me feel good about myself...

thank you for the people who judges me, they keep me patient...

thank you for the people who reminds me to be righteous and considerate at all times..

thank you for my family... and friends...

I LOVE YOU GOD!

Miracles on Daily Basis

All of us encounter everyday miracles. I’m just not sure if all of us perceive it as I do. For me, waking up every morning is a miracle, for I could have been dead, but I’m not. Apart from this, I recognize some incidents that I consider as miracles.

Whenever I get up late, I know that I will be late for work. Much that I want to, but I just can’t seem to move as fast as anyone does when they’re running out of time. Luckily I always manage to beat the buzzer. That’s miracle for me. I can’t seem to think of anything or anyone for that matter, which can make time move for me but GOD. I mean, it could have been harder to find a PUV due to rush hour or to reach work because of heavy traffic, but HE allowed me to be on time.

Rain always gets heavy when I’m in the PUV, on the way home. Whenever it does, I always say a little of my powerful novena, and voila! Rain stops when I get on our place.

This powerful novena always works for me. I remember when I was in college; I lost my regi card elsewhere. I was perplexed and didn’t know what to do. I will not be able to go to school without my card. I had no choice so I prayed, and then hit the sack with stronger faith that GOD will find it for me. In my dream I saw the store where my friend and I bought some school stuffs. There, in front of the store, I found my card. They displayed it for lost and found. When I woke up, I went directly back to the store and found it, at the same exact place where it was in my dream. That’s an overwhelming miracle, right?!

There are still so many encounters, that I can’t handle to remember all of them. These simple things are miracles, in a little but in the purest way.

I would like to hear from you. Have you encountered a miracle today? Go on and leave a trail! I’d be happy to hear your story.