Billionaire Me

"I wanna be a billionaire so freakin' bad" goes that famous song by Travie McCoy.

This song has been playing on and on in my head then I began to ask myself why do I wish to be a billionaire.  So now I'm listing down the things I'll do if granted a billion dollars.

-  I'd tithe devotedly.  And not only 10%, perhaps even more.

-  I'd build hospitals in the poorest barrios.  I know how expensive it is to get sick, and most of the time, laboratory tests and high-end facilities are only available in big, expensive hospitals.  I'd want the poor to get access to proper medical care also.  My brother-in-law once experienced waiting in long queue in the Philippine General Hospital's charity clinic.  He said some would even stay there for days just to get themselves checked for the free by a doctor.  How sad.

GK Botocan Sagip/Sibol kids

- I'd like to build a permanent school for the Sibol kids.  In Botocan, every start of the school year, the Gawad Kalinga volunteers would build the Sagip classroom because the room used the previous year is no longer available.  GK only rents the room for the Sibol kids, I'd really love to buy a parcel of land somewhere accessible to them and convert it into a school.

The Sibol kids with the GK volunteers from Singles for Christ

-  I'd like to send orphans to school.  I am an orphan myself.  But my Mama joined the Lord when I was old enough to take care of myself.  How about the kids who lost their parents at a very young age?

-  I'd like to build a compound for my relatives.  I have some titos and titas who don't own a house.  I would really want them and their kids to have a permanent place to stay, a place they can call home.

-  I'd like to support the renovation of the church in Manggahan, Gen.Trias, Cavite.  In a very industrialized town, the parishioners here are so poor that their church has a poor sound system, unfinished choir loft and no convent at all.  I once attended a Mass there and found it very disappointing because if you are seated at the back, most likely you won't hear what the priest is saying in the homily.

- I'd be a great supporter of the arts.  I'd sponsor art classes for the poor and small theater group productions

UST Teatro Tomasino's production Wanted: Chaperon.
Teatro Tomasino quenched my thirst for the performing arts.

I always believe that we are where we should be, as intended by God.  If I'm not a billionaire now, maybe because He wants me not to be complacent and hence, strive more.  But really, there are things I'd like to get myself once I had that much money.

-  I'd send my kids, nephews and nieces to the finest schools, say, Harvard or Julliard if they can make it in the entrance exam.

-  I'd send myself back to school for masters, a  short course in makeup or culinary arts, a degree in music major in strings (wow!!!).  And with that, I might get myself a really authentic Germany-made, handcrafted violin and accessories

-  I'd book myself the best seats in the concerts, musicals and plays (How about Broadway?!)

- I'd love to renovate the house.  I'll turn one of the rooms into a grand closet, better than Carrie Bradshaw's and fill it with the finest dresses, shoes and accessories in the planet.

- I'd buy an estate where I can retire when I reach my old age

- I'd buy me and my sister the gadgets we covet.

Aerial shot of Huvafen Fushi, Maldives

This is where we'll stay during the grand vacation. Ah, this is Bliss! :)

- I'd bring my entire clan to a grand vacation.  Maldives, anyone?

- I'd turn my dream wedding into reality

Hmmm... My dreams aren't that big after all.  Maybe I can achieve these even if I won't become a billionaire overnight.

loving Boy Bawang, the best-tasting cornick in the universe

But even if turn into a billionaire, I'd like to remain anonymous. Though I'd frequent high-end restos, I still want to be seen in Jollibee and McDo or Order-Order.  I'd still eat Boy Bawang, Mr.Chips and tuyo in olive oil.  I'd still love to visit tiangge and ukay ukay.  I guess, it runs in my bloodstream.  Even if I become the richest gal, I'd still be the the same down-to-earth person and compassionate person this planet has known. :)

simple life

Starting today, I will lead a simple life. 

And to do this, I am listing down the adjustments i will make to make life simpler.


1.  I will take the public transport (jeep, bus, mrt) more often.
2.  I will indulge on my coffee and yogurt cravings less than I used to.
3.  I will not stroll along the "temptation island" aka the mall alone.
4.  I shall not let my impulsiveness take over me when I'm at the mall.
5.  I'll try to be resourceful at all times.  If there are things that I need, I'll check first if there is no need for me to buy.
6.  I shall never skip meals.  I realized that when I skip meals, I tend to feel like a starving kawawa that I need to reward myself with a gratifying (and expensive) meal.


Singles For Christ 2010 CamSur ICON teaser
photo courtesy: sfcglobal.org

With the savings I can get from simplying life, I can probably put them in:

1.  A bank, for future use. 
2.  How about a fabulous trip with the family someplace I'd really like to spend a relaxing vacation in.
3.  I can spend the money saved in surprising someone I care so much.
4.  Throw a party, or a full course dinner for my Alta friends
5.  Send kids to the IKV or an SFC member to ICON
6.  Get myself a fabulous makeover (hehe)




This will be my goal from now on:  to embrace a simple life. So help me God.

SFC Claret Anniv 2010

This is what keeps me busy these days.  So far, we're on our week three of production and just seeing the skeleton of the program as presented by the Creative team head makes me leap with excitement. Hmm.. not really a super star-studded, big-budgetted variety show but more like a homecoming concert in celebration of the SFC Claret's 13th anniversary. 


Last week, the marketing heads and the our leaders were debating on how much our working budget should be.  I just loooove my team aiming high and putting so much effort on this.  Of course, the amount committed by the mktg team is thrice the budget our chapter head is aiming for.  Wow! Talk about aiming for the sky here.  And I just loove people who don't go for mediocrity, so I was uberly touched when I finally saw the teaser presented to the whole sector during the MMC Echo event. 


I was so proud of my team that I felt like saying, "Hey I'm a part of this activity."

daydreaming at work

Lately, I've been attending so much wedding festivities that I thought of fantasizing what mine would be like.   No pressure intended to anyone out there, and hey, this is my blog.  I just would like to post this so someday I can read again and see how close I have been to my dream wedding.

So here are my dream gowns:

My gown doesn't have to be a designer with an uber plunging neckline.  I just looove how these gowns create wonderful silhouettes.  Of course I have to work on my figure as well and I still have sooo much time.

I want the ceremonies to be held in Santo Niño de Molino Church because this is the parish where I grew up. 

the grand facade

how I'd love to walk along this aisle

And for reception:

Just a few meters from our village, Fernbrook Gardens is becoming a popular wedding venue.  For more information, visit: http://fernbrookgardens.com/


And I'd love to have a children's choir singing in the church and a string quartet to set the mood in the reception.


Whew! I've done so much daydreaming, I need to get back to work!!! :P

SFC Metro Manila Conference 2010: One Heart

The fullness of life is when we are empty of ourselves so God can fill it up.

Among the messages of the last MMC, this one struck me most.


I have been so full of myself, doing things only for myself even if I don't know where I'm really heading.  I've been searching for signs and answers somewhere else, only to realize that God's trying whisper to my deaf heart, so full of all things negative.  Deep within buried are the painful past, difficult moments and truths I can't accept so I've built a soundproof wall.  And after deep introspection, life isn't living alone after all.  True happiness is when we get to share a bit of ourselves.   When we learn to give up to the Lord what we have, only then can He fill us with something better.

My SFC Claret community

After the Silent Love (Contemplation) workshop

my BFF

Since today is my BFF's Joel's birthday, I'm posting the speech I gave during his last year's party.  Ready to go cheesy?

dinner with friends

"I prepared a speech for tonight because I might get too emotional, hence incoherent and senseless. I actually read this several times so I won't be in tears while reading this to you. For someone who has been with me for 12years, you have seen me at my best, my happiest and you've also been with me at my worst, my monstrous, my lowest yet you never failed to give that kind of caring and advice to help me get up, gather the pieces and start anew. Since day1 we've gone thru challenges together, from answering a tough question in a quizbee that brought our schools victory to supporting each other through heartbreaks and defeats in our careers and lovelife. Of course I give you much credit for helping me survive all those, for keeping me sane and especially when I have to decide whether or not i should accept a job offer. You shared my joys in the accomplished projects and promotions, and as well as my disappointments over my dealings with my boss, some officemates, friends and family. You taught me to whine for only 5mins then move on. You taught me a lot of valuable lessons no other friend can share, and I feel so blessed for that. I thank you that despite my weakness, vulnerabilities and inconsistencies, you stood by my side through the years. You're my avid fan to watch all d shows I invited you to. You are my favorite travel buddy kasi matipid, jologs at di maselan kasama. I will definitely miss the days when we are just one text away. I hope I can still call you and ask you to crack a joke to ease my blues away. Though it will be different now that we'll be time zones away, but how I esteem you will remain the same. I can't promise to be able to follow you where you are, but I can wait til you come back so I can welcome you with open arms. You will forever be my super dooper bestest friend slash fiancé who sings like Josh Groban but looks like Richard Reynoso."

our first EK trip some years ago

Bohol trip 2009

I am just so blessed to have a friend like Joel who's always with me through ups and downs, when  my mood is grouchiest or sweetest.  Everybody would love to have someone like him, and thanks to God that I've been given more than I deserve.

frutti froyo

Lately I've been craving so much of frozen yogurt, froyo for short.  An overnight craze since people are going health conscious now.  Froyo is very much like an ice cream, only a bit sour but sans fat.  How's that for a guilt-free dessert. 

posing at the facade with Melai

Recently-opened in my bustling neighborhood Tomas Morato is Frutti Froyo, just beside Dolce.  This yogurt haven is different:  a self-service froyo place where you can customize your dessert from the yogurt base to toppings.  There are a lot of flavors and toppings to to choose from.  My favorite is blueberry yogurt base topped with mini chocolate kisses and chipped almonds.

at the self-service counters with Jes and Razie