This Saturday was Singles for Christ-Claret chapter's 13th anniversary and we celebrated it with the reunion variety show Unli-Love Fully Loaded. With only almost two months prep, I'm soo happy that everything went well. Not perfectly well though, but I'm sure everyone who attended enjoyed being a part of the celebration. Present in the event were the alumni of the chapter who now crossed-over to different ministries, performers from other Singles for Christ chapters in North sector, and the Gawad Kalinga SAGIP and SIGA kids from the various mission areas of our chapter. It's just overwhelming to see people united for a cause, (this is a fund-raising, actually) and everyone seemed to be so willing to extend some help.
I can still remember when we're still in our planning stage, everything seemed so vague and not within our reach. But this weekend, I was proven wrong. Everything can indeed be achieved if there's cooperation in the group, even when you aim so high.
God always has this bits of surprises that make me smile. In the show, I was deeply touched by the GK Sagip Ruby kids who made a shadow/blacklight dance interpretation of "I Could Sing of Your Love". This left me teary-eyed. Next to that is the GK Sagip Botocan in their energetic Dream Big dance. I'm particularly proud of this group of kids because they are those I used to visit on my free Saturdays. And the jaw-dropping energetic performance of YFC All Stars indeed left the audience in awe.
Of course, the SFC Ates and Kuyas also had their performances. Dance numbers from the SFC Claret DanzMin and SFC Divine Mercy Chapter, acoustic song number from the young crossover couples, choral interpretation from SFC Claret Music Ministry and Claret Choir, a rocking full band song number from SFC-Our Lady of the Assumption, and violin-piano musical number from Tito Mike and Tita Dette, both alumni of SFC Claret. The celebration was capped with a fashion show parading the several SFC shirt designs over the years.
Looking back, I never really thought all those will be possible. But hey, is there anything impossible with God?
It's a M.A.D. World (me against drugs)
| Labels: reflectionsWednesday, September 15, 2010
I hate drugs. Because it has robbed me of my loved-ones: friends, boyfriend, relatives and family. Here’s the email I sent my good friend and novena buddy Ana right after an unforgettable incident. I was deeply frustrated back then, and I hope this will not be the case when we meet again this weekend for a reunion after five years.
It was a usual Tuesday night. I’m in the bus in Lawton, on my way to Baclaran for novena, when I received a text message from my best friend. “Oy, punta ka dito sa malate house. Alis na si *** tomorrow for Dubai”. Without second thoughts, I went out of the bus and hailed an fx to malate.
I quickly replied. “Ok. Sunduin nyo ako sa kanto.” It has been a long time since I last saw my friends from the college org. So this seems like a perfect opportunity for us to meet again, a reunion.
I waited for a few minutes in the well-lit store where I asked my friends to meet me up. But I got impatient and took all the courage to walk through the dark street to the San Pascual house. Along the way, I kept recalling the parties and rehearsals we had in that house. It’s like a dream barkada house that you see in the movies. I even considered transferring there because of it’s accessibility to my office (only an fx or/and an mrt ride away), to the schools (in case I’d decide to pursue my MA/MS Advertising degree), to my sidelines and raket, and of course, to my life (night life, theater, love life, etc.). I can probably say that I’d have everything within my reach.
I finally reached the house. I was so excited I didn’t even knock, I just entered. “Look who’s here!” I can tell that they were so excited to see me. It was almost midnight, so I wondered why they were so few in the house. “Andun sila”, said my friend Tanya as she pointed the innermost recess of the house. What would they be doing in that room--it’s the stockroom! Without hesitation, I went in as instructed.
Argh! Smoke filled the room. Everyone’s laughing like crazy. When I went in, they stopped for a while to acknowledge my presence. They offered me the usual yosi students puffed in school, and I refused. I noticed that there is something in that room. There’s a peculiar smell, and it’s not just cigarette smoke.
Being so polite, I stayed in that room for almost an hour. Then someone handed me something to puff by mistake.
“No thanks, I don’t smoke”, I said.
“Hindi yosi yan. Try mo, masarap ang amats nyan.”
“Naku, pasensha na. I really don’t, e.”
“Dapat i-try mo at least once in your life.”
When my best friend realized that I was almost coerced to try something I’m not really into, he interrupted and led me outside.
Still in shock, I was silent the whole night. They kept asking me how I’m feeling. Of course I wasn’t ok, but I pretended to be fine. I decided not to ask, it would make them think I’m so naïve.
A few minutes after we left, the rest of my friends went out of the room as well. Still giggling over jokes I never understood, they went straight to the kitchen to look for something to eat. I guess that’s the effect of it, food trip or FT, as they call it. From sauteed eggplants to spicy peanuts to milk chocolates and even overriped tomatoes, almost any food within their reach seemed appetizing for them.
Later on, when the effect seemed to have subsided, someone yelled “Classmates, tapos na ang recess”, signaling the resume of the session. They invited me over, but I declined. My other super friend was gracious enough to keep me company outside the room.
That session was followed by another one. I wanted to stop them, but I was outnumbered. Instead, I decided to tell them I have work early in the morning that I have to go home.
On my way home, I was almost in tears thinking how could the people I trusted most in college turned into such addicts. From the way their sessions went, they seemed to have done it so frequent, and they really are hooked. I don’t know where to seek help for them, and who to turn to. I even felt that I have not been at least a friend to them, to have tolerated such acts in front of me.
The next day, I wasn’t able to go to work. I was still in shock because my experience. I’m still in denial because those people are the same people I looked up to in college. From most of them I shaped my dreams and turned to for support.
Oh well, people change. I just hope the way I esteem them wouldn’t. But after what I’ve witnessed, I can’t promise myself.
It was a usual Tuesday night. I’m in the bus in Lawton, on my way to Baclaran for novena, when I received a text message from my best friend. “Oy, punta ka dito sa malate house. Alis na si *** tomorrow for Dubai”. Without second thoughts, I went out of the bus and hailed an fx to malate.
I quickly replied. “Ok. Sunduin nyo ako sa kanto.” It has been a long time since I last saw my friends from the college org. So this seems like a perfect opportunity for us to meet again, a reunion.
I waited for a few minutes in the well-lit store where I asked my friends to meet me up. But I got impatient and took all the courage to walk through the dark street to the San Pascual house. Along the way, I kept recalling the parties and rehearsals we had in that house. It’s like a dream barkada house that you see in the movies. I even considered transferring there because of it’s accessibility to my office (only an fx or/and an mrt ride away), to the schools (in case I’d decide to pursue my MA/MS Advertising degree), to my sidelines and raket, and of course, to my life (night life, theater, love life, etc.). I can probably say that I’d have everything within my reach.
I finally reached the house. I was so excited I didn’t even knock, I just entered. “Look who’s here!” I can tell that they were so excited to see me. It was almost midnight, so I wondered why they were so few in the house. “Andun sila”, said my friend Tanya as she pointed the innermost recess of the house. What would they be doing in that room--it’s the stockroom! Without hesitation, I went in as instructed.
Argh! Smoke filled the room. Everyone’s laughing like crazy. When I went in, they stopped for a while to acknowledge my presence. They offered me the usual yosi students puffed in school, and I refused. I noticed that there is something in that room. There’s a peculiar smell, and it’s not just cigarette smoke.
Being so polite, I stayed in that room for almost an hour. Then someone handed me something to puff by mistake.
“No thanks, I don’t smoke”, I said.
“Hindi yosi yan. Try mo, masarap ang amats nyan.”
“Naku, pasensha na. I really don’t, e.”
“Dapat i-try mo at least once in your life.”
When my best friend realized that I was almost coerced to try something I’m not really into, he interrupted and led me outside.
Still in shock, I was silent the whole night. They kept asking me how I’m feeling. Of course I wasn’t ok, but I pretended to be fine. I decided not to ask, it would make them think I’m so naïve.
A few minutes after we left, the rest of my friends went out of the room as well. Still giggling over jokes I never understood, they went straight to the kitchen to look for something to eat. I guess that’s the effect of it, food trip or FT, as they call it. From sauteed eggplants to spicy peanuts to milk chocolates and even overriped tomatoes, almost any food within their reach seemed appetizing for them.
Later on, when the effect seemed to have subsided, someone yelled “Classmates, tapos na ang recess”, signaling the resume of the session. They invited me over, but I declined. My other super friend was gracious enough to keep me company outside the room.
That session was followed by another one. I wanted to stop them, but I was outnumbered. Instead, I decided to tell them I have work early in the morning that I have to go home.
On my way home, I was almost in tears thinking how could the people I trusted most in college turned into such addicts. From the way their sessions went, they seemed to have done it so frequent, and they really are hooked. I don’t know where to seek help for them, and who to turn to. I even felt that I have not been at least a friend to them, to have tolerated such acts in front of me.
The next day, I wasn’t able to go to work. I was still in shock because my experience. I’m still in denial because those people are the same people I looked up to in college. From most of them I shaped my dreams and turned to for support.
Oh well, people change. I just hope the way I esteem them wouldn’t. But after what I’ve witnessed, I can’t promise myself.
He's Beautiful weekend
| Labels: korean dramaTuesday, September 14, 2010
Good thing about getting sick is spending the entire weekend at home. That I kind of missed since I've been so busy with the SFC Claret anniversary preps.
I spent my weekend doing a chinovela marathon viewing of ABS-CBN's He's Beautiful. The moment my sister got hold of the korean DVD with the correct English subtitle, we just can't stop viewing the entire series. Episode by episode, we get our dose of kilig moments.
The story opens with the novice nun Gemma being pulled out from the convent to live and perform with the boy band AN-Jell as her fraternal twin Go Mi Nyu, who's in the United States for a corrective surgery. The plot thickens as the group and the people around them discover that Go Min Nyu is really a girl pretending to be a guy. And little by little, as the members of AN-Jell try to conceal her true identity to the public, they fall in love with her, making every effort to win her heart.
He's Beautiful has lots of twists, though some may be so predictable. Nevertheless, it will keep you glued to the last episode, with so much kilig factor to sustain the cheesiness of the series. Watch out for ending that really made me scream and cry at the same time.
So now at home, there's a kind of epidemic: He's Beautiful fever. Everyone's has got infected of this love virus, even my brother-in-law. I hope this cheesy feeling gets me through the entire week.
For episode guide and pics: http://yourebeautifuldrama.blogspot.com/
 |
| Cast of He's Beautiful korean series |
The story opens with the novice nun Gemma being pulled out from the convent to live and perform with the boy band AN-Jell as her fraternal twin Go Mi Nyu, who's in the United States for a corrective surgery. The plot thickens as the group and the people around them discover that Go Min Nyu is really a girl pretending to be a guy. And little by little, as the members of AN-Jell try to conceal her true identity to the public, they fall in love with her, making every effort to win her heart.
He's Beautiful has lots of twists, though some may be so predictable. Nevertheless, it will keep you glued to the last episode, with so much kilig factor to sustain the cheesiness of the series. Watch out for ending that really made me scream and cry at the same time.
So now at home, there's a kind of epidemic: He's Beautiful fever. Everyone's has got infected of this love virus, even my brother-in-law. I hope this cheesy feeling gets me through the entire week.
For episode guide and pics: http://yourebeautifuldrama.blogspot.com/
commendation
|Friday, September 3, 2010
This week I've written a commendation. I nominated a videographics artist as employee of the month. Of course if I can write incident reports and answer discrepancies, I know I can do this better. It's the first time I've written this kind of essay and it really felt so good. All positive words on my screen, I can't help but feel cheery as well.
Why wouldn't commend such a co-worker? He may be so silent in the office but he's a prolific worker. He never gave me a headache. Being a producer, my patience is always put to a test so when I encounter really thinking and creative artists like him, it lightens our workload to half !
I really wish he gets the PEOM this month.
**just an update: my nominee won the August PEOM award. yipeeee! :)
Why wouldn't commend such a co-worker? He may be so silent in the office but he's a prolific worker. He never gave me a headache. Being a producer, my patience is always put to a test so when I encounter really thinking and creative artists like him, it lightens our workload to half !
I really wish he gets the PEOM this month.
**just an update: my nominee won the August PEOM award. yipeeee! :)
my love affair with Ivy
|Thursday, September 2, 2010
Let me introduce to you Ivy, my violin. I know it sounds funny, he's actually named after the 80's singer Ivy Violan.
I can't recall exactly how it started. It was more like an impulsive desire to do something new and unique. Because that time, someone close to me just left the country and for weeks, it was so sad and boring doing everything by myself. Thus made me push myself out of my comfort zone and do something not so common.
One afternoon, I was listening to Vitamin Record's String Quartet albums and got so deeply inspired. That same week, I went to JB Music Store to check the violins in their racks. Since they were on sale, I grabbed the chance. That's my first glimpse of Ivy: a Schindler 4/4 full size basic violin. I must admit, it was love at first sight. Well who wouldn't: he's sleek, flawless and classy--I'd really love to walk around with him.
So there, I took I my first step of knowing Ivy. I enrolled in a basic violin course at a music school. It was all hard work getting to know him (and getting along with my teacher). The violin is the first instrument I ever laid my hands on. I tried piano once, but the piano I'm referring to is the one attached to my pencil case. :P
From learning how to read the notes to correct finger positions, posture, bowing and intonation, I've been trying to perfect these basics all for the love of Ivy.
As much as I can, I try to have breakfast with Ivy. My mornings are spent practicing my assigned piece over coffee. And it's a bliss if I can spend at least two hours with Ivy on weekends.
I know it will still take me so long to reach the maestro level but with much passion for the craft, I'll just enjoy this journey with Ivy so that together we can create good music.
 |
| My shiny and lovely violin Ivy |
I can't recall exactly how it started. It was more like an impulsive desire to do something new and unique. Because that time, someone close to me just left the country and for weeks, it was so sad and boring doing everything by myself. Thus made me push myself out of my comfort zone and do something not so common.
One afternoon, I was listening to Vitamin Record's String Quartet albums and got so deeply inspired. That same week, I went to JB Music Store to check the violins in their racks. Since they were on sale, I grabbed the chance. That's my first glimpse of Ivy: a Schindler 4/4 full size basic violin. I must admit, it was love at first sight. Well who wouldn't: he's sleek, flawless and classy--I'd really love to walk around with him.
So there, I took I my first step of knowing Ivy. I enrolled in a basic violin course at a music school. It was all hard work getting to know him (and getting along with my teacher). The violin is the first instrument I ever laid my hands on. I tried piano once, but the piano I'm referring to is the one attached to my pencil case. :P
 |
| my performance during Ronald's birthday surprise. Obviously, the first piece I performed in front of an audience is "Happy Birthday". hehe. |
From learning how to read the notes to correct finger positions, posture, bowing and intonation, I've been trying to perfect these basics all for the love of Ivy.
As much as I can, I try to have breakfast with Ivy. My mornings are spent practicing my assigned piece over coffee. And it's a bliss if I can spend at least two hours with Ivy on weekends.
I know it will still take me so long to reach the maestro level but with much passion for the craft, I'll just enjoy this journey with Ivy so that together we can create good music.
.JPG) |
| wishing for more loving bondings with Ivy |
Billionaire Me
|Thursday, August 26, 2010
"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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
- 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.
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. :)
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 |
 |
| The Sibol kids with the GK volunteers from Singles for Christ |
- 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'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 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 |
simple life
| Labels: reflectionsTuesday, August 17, 2010
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.
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.
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:
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.
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