The Unbroken Reverie

Life indeed changes, so does our attitude and personality, depending on the kind of environment we grow ourselves in. Along the way, we encounter good and bad experiences which changes the way we look at ourselves, others, and life as a whole. Every experience has something to teach us. Sometimes, we even find the best lessons in the most heartbreaking situations in our life.

The separation of my parents has been a big issue for me until now. I understand that there is really no way where I can turn back the time, but it often tears me up inside whenever I recall how my family used to be. In some ways, I still consider myself lucky because it made me discover a lot of things which, for sure, I would never know in any other way. I experienced both having a complete family, and a broken family. I can say that it is much easier for me to relate with other people now; those who are happy with their family, and those who may not be able to have the luxury of having a complete family.

The experience made me realize that difficult situations are not times when you should become weak and lose hope, but times when you could prove your wisdom in dealing with them, your courage in facing them, and your strength in getting through them.

Two nights ago was a silent night...

Ang salitang "paalam," ay maharil mahirap sambitin sa mga taong mahalaga sa atin. Ito man ay isang minamahal, miyembro ng pamilya, o isang matalik na kaibigan. Mayroong nagsabi na “kung ang pagtatapos ay nangangahulugan ng panibagon simulain, bakit ang pamamaalam ay napakahirap sambitin?” Sa tuwing darating tayo sa situwasyon na kailangan nang mamaalam sa isa’t isa, parating nandiyan ang takot at kaba. Kaba at takot na baka ito na ang inyong huling paguusap, at marahil ay hindi mo na siya muling makita.

I suddenly missed this song. The title of this song is "Bad Day" and it is by Daniel Powter, a Canadian Grammy Award-nominated recording artist. The song was first released in Europe in mid-2005 as the Powter's first single from his debut album.

I like this song because it explains life well. It is a kind of song that applies to and is relevant to almost everyone.

You feel useless. You think you are stupid. You want to cry. You want to scream.

Bad days, at times, are really bound to happen. But there is always tomorrow, so just keep your hopes up.

It is my holiday today! Well, sort of. August 8.

With all the hardships and trials that I have experienced in the past years of my life I must have matured to the next level to understand better what life really means. As I am reflecting about the years that have passed, having faced a lot of adversities, walked amidst many misfortunes, and endured so much agonies, I feel that someone has been here with me to guard me, defend me, and protect me all along. I never thought that I would be so strong, so brave, and so smart to withstand all of those. I never thought that I would be THE MAN.

The experience I had in the past were only a preparation for the next, and the next begins today, and it stops in eternity. This serves, for me, as a call for a continuing search for life’s purpose. As I begin my journey towards the next level, I know that the road would be tough and the water turbulent. Life is not a bed of roses; in fact, it may be the other way around. Encountering more problems, more difficulties, and more pains is very foreseeable. Nevertheless, even though demise would come, I know that I can always make them positive. As the saying goes, there is always a choice in times affliction. It is always either we choose to be submerged in depression, or choose to take advantage of the situation to become a better person.

I personally have not yet truly understood the reason why I exist, but I have discovered some secrets to life which I may share. Take advantage of all the situations in your life. Treat every hardship as an opportunity to equip yourself with the necessary learning on how to get on with life. Pray – pray for God’s help and guidance. Lastly, be on guard at all times.

As I actualize myself, I hope to build more bridges instead of burning them, to remain a positive impact to others, and to live a more meaningful life.

Lord, to you alone I surrender. To you alone I dedicate my life’s purpose. I love you. Bless me on my birthday.

“Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows that it brings abundance to drive away hunger.” – St. Basil

(The following story is my adaptation of the story from the homily of Fr. Eli Cruz, SDB, and from the article by Fr. Armand Robleza, SDB on CodeRED)

Mikey was a lovely raindrop up in the sky. One day, he looked at the clouds and said, “How beautiful it is to stay in this sky. I sparkle like a diamond in the sun. I am pure as the angels without the dirt of the earth. From the sky I can see the whole world. The universe is mine.”

Until the Great Spirit, one day, approaches him, “Mikey, fall down into the earth!”

Mikey replied, “What? Are you serious? Fall down to the earth and die?”

But the Great Spirit came in with assuring words, “Yes. If you drop down, the earth will swallow you; but the rice will grow, the farmers will have something to harvest, and the children will have something to play around.”

Mikey, knows no longer what to do, spoke softly, “You want me to die?” The Great Spirit became silent, and Mikey became very silent too.

The morning came and the fields were greener. The grasses were all satisfied from their thirst. It must have rained the previous night.

Mikey, in spite of so many issues that were being thrown at him, he ran… for student council president. He was no longer afraid to dive into the unknown. He got out of his comfort zone. He took a great leap of faith. He hoped to amplify the use of his gifts, and dared to become more.

“Get away from your comfort zone. Fall down from that abundant and lavish life!”

Jesus said according to Matthew, “Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”

So often, life seems to be filled with so much huge paradoxes. You have to fall in order for you to rise once more. You have to go down that you may go off yet again. You have to die… for you to live all over again. I realized it would only seem so until we have finally fully understood His way. He said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways are my ways.”

"You cannot fly a kite unless you go against the wind and have a weight to keep it from turning somersaults. The same with man; No man will succeed unless he is ready to face and overcome difficulties and is prepared to assume responsibilities" - William J. H. Boetcker

Diamonds are created under pressures of the earth. They are produced more or less a hundred miles below the ground where pressures are five times higher than on the surface, and where temperature is hot enough to dissolve iron. With carbon exposed to such conditions, the circumstances are perfect to transform carbon into a diamond.

In the same way as the diamonds are formed, true leaders also emerge under pressure. Situations force true leader to the surface. Similar to the diamonds, they erupt when situations require strong leadership. Carbon is everywhere, charcoal and graphite abound; but diamonds are few, just like true leaders are rare.

Pardon me for saying this, but in life, shit really happens. Harsh words could be spoken to you, criticism could be whispered, and conflicts could happen; but how you face and handle these pressures will measure your ability to make a difference… to be a leader.

“Circumstances play a vital role in the development of an individual; the more severe the circumstances, the higher the chances of an ordinary person to become an extraordinary leader.” – Branimir Schubert

Rapper, actor and TV host Francis Magalona, diagnosed with leukemia last year, died Friday at 12:20 pm at the Medical City hospital in Pasig City. He was 44.

He battled cancer for almost eight months before finally passing away. The immediate cause of Magalona's death was heart failure. He received his last sacraments before noon.

Last August, Magalona informed the noontime show "Eat Bulaga" via text message that he was suffering from leukemia.

The rapper even requested for blood donations to replace the blood he was using at the Medical City hospital in Ortigas Avenue where he was being treated.

"I have been diagnosed with leukemia and I am preparing for my treatment. Sa tulong ng Panginoon, kakayanin ko po ito," he said. "Abangan nyo ang aking pagbabalik. 'Di ko lang kayo 'miss'... LOVE KO kayong lahat."

Magalona was a regular host of the noon time show "Eat Bulaga."

Host Vic Sotto announced Magalona's demise during the show Friday and asked the people to pray for Francis.

“We will surely miss him, pati na ng buong industriya. We request everyone to pause for a moment of prayers for the eternal repose of the soul of Francis. Our condolences to the family. Kiko, we love you,” Sotto said.

The stars of the popular noontime show broke into tears as they prayed for the soul of Magalona.

The 44-year-old Magalona was the son of 1950's legendary actors and celebrity couple Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran.

Launched as a teen star in the 1980s, Magalona's career boomed with his hit rap song "Mga Kababayan," which was included in his album "Yo!" released in 1990.

He was also the voice behind the hits "Ito ang Gusto Ko," "Meron Akong Ano," "Mga Praning," and "Kaleidoscope World."

Francis M left behind is wife Pia Arroyo and their eight children - Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Isabella, Elmo, Arkin, Clara, and actress Maxene Magalona.

Thanks to the Lord for this weekend. It feels like months since I had a decent rest. The past days were nauseatingly grueling to cry the least. Pressures were through the skull. Life is never easy. Stressors are oh so everywhere. Ha-ha. Lucky are the evil ones, for fewer expect them to be good, and they don’t need such stress in their lives. If you are bad, poor, or inferior, no one has high expectations, right?

Some people (the good ones) have a somewhat complex reputation to maintain. In general, they are never allowed to do anything that is not pleasant. They are never allowed to be anything but good. Why? Because when a supposedly good person did something wrong and people saw it, all would change at once. This is what makes good people so defenseless and vulnerable.

Sometimes I question if it pays being good all the time. When I am being nice, everything is good for all those around me: I would treat them so that they would feel they’re cared for, console them so they would feel alright, advice them so they would be motivated, entertain them so they would feel happy, and all that. But then, most of the time, it looks like my efforts are not even recognized. It seems that when I am the one who needs them, they won’t be there.

Let us be honest. It is so much easier to earn millions of cash through kidnapping for ransom than to work, for example, as a jeepney driver, carinderia server, internet café keeper, magbabalut, or a mop boy. How many months do they need to toil, strive, sweat, and salt away just to buy a pair of shoes for themselves, pay their debts, or serve a wholesome meal for their families? A lot of people in the Philippines have to endure poverty. It is easy to think that some of them must steal, holdup, or enter prostitution because they think it is the easier and faster way to earn and give to their families. It’s bad? So what, at least they get what their stomach requires! (However, it is amazing to see that most poor Filipinos still choose a dignified and moral living.)

Why should bother being good when it is so much easier to be bad anyway? Riot now! Wake up, people! - Just kidding.

"For the manner in which men live is so far removed from the way in which men ought to live, that he who leaves the common course for that which he ought to follow will find that it leads him to ruin rather than to safety. For a man who, in all respects, will carry out only his professions of good, will be apt to be ruined among so many that are evil. A prince therefore who desires to maintain himself must learn not always to be good...”

My blog is totally screaming for updates now. For now, let me share you my very small and simple reflection about the theme and the message of a book that I read a year ago, The Alchemist, aka 'a fable about following your dreams'.

The story is an allegory of personal legend and the oneness of everything. Through the journey of its central character we can declare that everything in this world has its meaning and purpose, and everyone has a mission or role to portray.

Everything is a part of the soul of the world, according to Paulo Coelho himself, and when you are willing to achieve your dream in life or your personal legend, the whole universe or the soul of the world will conspire for you to have it. He believes in the connectedness of one another and everything in the universe. If we all wanted to be happy and were all one with the soul of the world, then the soul of the world itself would also want everyone to be happy.

The story of The Alchemist lets us realize that nothing is impossible to reach as long as you offer up your whole heart and you keep trying. In our lives, there are times in which we may find ourselves lost, but it should not be a hindrance that stops us from following our dreams. We must treat all our circumstances as a learning experience. We must know how to accept and when to let go of even the most important things in our lives. We must know how to listen to our own hearts to avoid getting lost. We must have the courage to follow our dreams despite the consequences, believing that they are all just a part of the plan. Above everything, we must never lose our faith and connection with God, because after everything, all our pains, our sufferings will be carried away by the blessing of His love.

After reading the book, I could say that the biggest consolation that Santiago gets in the of the story is his personal awareness. The story implies that our treasure lies deep within each of us. The real treasure is the knowledge of thyself. He did not find the treasures he anticipated at the pyramids, but his journey definitely taught him a lot of things about himself and the world.

If you want to have a simple yet incredible journey; at the same time, becoming more and more enlightened, I recommend it as a must-read.

Year 2008 has ended so fast, and maybe most of us have done many different things from the years that passed. We may perhaps also discovered new talents we have, showed it off, and got very good comments about it. The feeling is really good every time we see ourselves improving. Isn’t it?

Now that another year of the Lord has begun, mean to say a “New Year,” to have a list of things to accomplish or re-accomplish for a certain time can be of great help in innovating and in knowing ourselves more.

What are your plans to improve your skills? To have a more intimate relationship with God? What about the things you want to do just to have fun?

Underneath is a list of easy things, which I think, we often forget to do that we are supposed to.

The list above doesn’t stop there. It can go as far as your mind's eye. You could modify the things given or come about with your own list. All you need is the will and determination to be a better person and to make every year well-live and wisely spent!

As I was reviewing my old blog entries, I noticed that I am a lot different now. Oh well, time changes everything. Before, almost all of my posts are about the happenings in my school and my friends. Then I started writing sad and disturbing stories when I and a friend had a misunderstanding. I realized how emotion could affect the actions of an individual. They are just evidences that it can not always be alright to entertain your feelings and your emotions especially when you are distant and very much preoccupied with so many troubles.

The problems I had encountered previously are separation of my parents, best ex-friend accusing me of something, friends talking at my back, negative concerns about me, being pressured of some competitions in school, coping with my lessons, and all that. I encountered and tried to face all of them simultaneously. Seriously, I did not succeed and it got me into more difficult situations.

I hope that when you bump into the same situation as I had, or when you feel you are buried under so many problems, you will not do the same.

Problems are inevitable and they are already a part of our lives. All of us, in fact, do encounter them on a daily basis. We must get used to the fact that they will always come and learn to welcome them.

Most of us think that problems come to harm us. No! Problems are actually a signal of our need to change. Usually, they happen to inspire us to change, and make things work better for ourselves and for others. By any standards, our purpose here on earth is to improve ourselves to the best of our abilities. It doesn’t matter how difficult things are. As every opportunity or situation comes our way, think that you always have an option to work on it in the best way you can.

Allow yourself to have a rest. You need that. Most of the time, even if we do not perceive it, being constantly moving, thinking, and so on gives us a feeling of being hot and bothered, upset, and distressed. Solve your problems one step at a time. You are not same as God to solve everything in a snap. Consider that you have a lot of problems; you are weak, and less powerful than you normally are. Do not hurry. Focus on one of your problems first; only after you unravel one you can go on to another. Love yourself, treat yourself, and don’t you even think about ending your life. Do not be so hard on yourself; if you can ignore your problems, do so. Not all problems are worth to be thought about. Pray to God; allow Him to help you and work on your problems. He is incontestably smarter, greater and more powerful than you. Always remember that if God is for us, no one can be against us; there is nothing that can defeat God’s purpose for us, if we maintain our faith in Him.

Do not let problems consume your spirit. Accept the existing reality and make the best of it. Stay positive in spite of the negativity around you. The perception you have of your problems is the key.

Here are their comments about my earlier post (a year ago) wherein I asked, since it was kind of hard dealing with people that do not recognize your worth, why some people are sometimes unappreciative:

Ron Evangelista
Mike, just a comment about your thought, "There are times when people do not appreciate the fact that you care; when you're trying to help them, aren't they glad? Are they blind? Are they really insensitive or simply they do not like what you do for them?"

Let me share my motto way back my senior year in DBTC. I was then the vice president of the student council. Everyday was excruciatingly tiring, yet at the end of each day, I would still ask myself if I have served my purpose enough, recollecting the services I have rendered. "It is when you forget yourself that you're most likely to be remembered." The emphasis is given to the ignorance that you've influenced the other. As you touch their lives, it is never possible that you've not been an influence. The grace that you've shared is for them to discover and not for you to despair.

For sure we are indispensable because people could still live without us in their company, yet we still choose to be of help. The virtue of helping comes when help itself mirrors our life.

Today, as a Salesian seminarian, the challenge for me is to recognize the grace of God as He invite me to give and be source of love to my would-be confreres day by day.

Be blessed.

Anonymous
I think it is part of human instinct to feel such way, that is why you did; and the feeling of not being appreciated is normal. What is not normal is if you get to serve to the peak of your abilities without recognizing what you have just done, and what motivates you.

In order for someone to be able to serve, enough motivation is needed. Your motivation may be on the credentials you get for doing something. It is not wrong to feel such way, but if your motivation lies only on that and if you don't understand that to feel such way is an appreciation of your own self, then I guess, what you are doing is superficial.

Now, I think that if others do not appreciate what you are doing, then it is you on the very least who has to appreciate that you are capable of rendering such service. What is better is if you get to serve others without expecting something in return. I guess the perfect motivation for this kind of service is - LOVE.

Love may mean almost anything: love for God, love for your craft, love for the people around you; to whom you may be willing to die for, and love for yourself.

Yes, think of God on top of all, and do not forget that your ability to serve is a gift from Him; a talent. You must appreciate that gift and at the same time, share it to others. If people do not get to appreciate you, at least you are contented with what you have done and recognize your talent - God's gift. What you need is the right motivation.

There you have it. Those who are in the phase of feeling unappreciated, I hope this post has helped you. Act with kindness, since that is what we all should do, but do not expect gratitude.

Once upon a time, Truth came to this world. She had the mission to teach human kind about the reality of all things. This was a very heavy task.

In order to fulfill her task, Truth tried to speak to the people she found, but some abused her, others hid from her and the rest rejected her.

"Why do they treat me so badly?" She cried in a corner.

Parable heard Truth crying and said to her: "They reject you because they are afraid of you, for you are naked. As you see, here everybody wears clothing. Dress yourself and the people will listen to you."

"How shall I dress myself if I do not have any clothes?" Asked Truth.

"Don't worry," said Parable. "You are beautiful and I am a very good tailor. I will make all the clothes you will need."

And since, Truth has married Parable and now wears the clothes he prepares for her, many people listen, and Truth continues to fulfill her mission.

(Adopted from Kahlil Gibran)

The truth indeed has a great power to offend and injure a person, especially when he is not ready to deal with and face it. It is just normal for a person to be afraid to look straight at it, because it is naked. Many reject it and that is the reason why we have to dress it with parables.

It was through parables that Jesus taught the truth, so that the people could listen and accept; dressing it up, and making it agreeable to people hearing it.

The truth is love, like what others say, and it has to come with love also. Be modest in telling the truth.

Mary (Jena Malone) and Hilary Faye (Mandy Moore) are best friends. Hilary Faye is popular and influential in their school. She runs a very charismatic clique that campaigns godliness. Mary has a boyfriend named Dean (Chad Faust). Her life looks faultless till she discovers that her boyfriend is gay. Jesus appears before her in a vision, commanding her to save her boyfriend from homosexuality. Mary gets that Jesus tells her to give up her virginity so as to save Dean. Mary finds out that she is pregnant. Her friends, Hilary Faye and her faithful followers turn against her. She starts on being hesitant of her Christian faith because God lets her get pregnant. For the moment, the Jewish-rebel, Cassandra (Eva Amurri) dates Hilary’s wheel-chair bound brother, Roland. Together with the skateboarder son of their school’s principal, Patrick (Patrick Fugit), they become the new real friends of Mary, who sustain her in her circumstances. At the end of the film, Hilary starts to doubt of her faith also, and then she starts breaking apart. Realizing her mistakes, she becomes a true Christian.

The movie is quite funny and it may not seem to be a serious film about salvation, but it reflects on the questions “what is a church?”, and “who can be considered as real Christians?” A church is a group of people who sustain and support one another. Those are the people whom we can fall back on or ask for help during the times of sorrow. They never leave us; instead, they focus on assisting us especially when we need them. There are people who only seem good in the beginning, but when trials come, they are the first ones who will judge you. They, sometimes, even use the Gospels as their weapons to blow you away. They definitely lack in understanding. They show failures in opening their mentality and feelings for others. They react negatively and harshly to the wrongs of others, doing acts that are not Christian against someone who does not fit to their principles. But then, they still call themselves followers of Christ.

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
- Isaiah 5:20

The scene when Dean arrives with his homosexual lover during the Christian prom, and magically says, "I know in my heart that Jesus still loves me!":

The movie speaks to us, Christians, that when our deeds are no longer causing others good, and if they are already hurting our neighbors, we have to brood over it, see what is wrong, and open our hearts and minds to new ideas. We have to consider that we are also not perfect. If we really want to become Christ-like, then death is a part of the equation (I do not mean physically). Well, that is the paradox of life; we need to die in order to be alive again. What we need in order to maintain our Christianity is the kind of death that kills what is evil and allows for the refinement of what is good out of the ruins.

May we learn to continually offer up praise by following Him unto His worthiness.

Poverty in our country is not because of overpopulation. The cause why our country is poor should be attributed to other reasons like our leaders’ insatiability, mismanagement, corruption, lack of discipline, and immorality.

Sacrificing our moral values and eternal well-being of our country for the presumed economic stability in the future will only set our nation in a more disturbing problem than we are experiencing now. We should not abandon the moral values and laws that the Supreme Law Giver has given us.

The “Batingaw” is a short film about a man who is in search of oneself. It is a story of a man who is looking for the perfect place where he can be genuinely free, serene, and happy; but ends up, to the same, where plastics, bottles, broken vessels, empty containers and the like stops. It is a place where the people, who live there, rely on the wastes of Metro Manila. My impression of the place, as someone who is used to comfort, is hopeless. I will never want to live there, because I do not think that I can ever be happy in that place. It is amazingly astonishing to see someone who is there smiling and laughing; happy. It makes me think on what can make a person truly happy.

There is a popular saying that states that the people, in order to be happy, only need to have bread and circus. Having bread and circus could mean having all the things that you need (nourishments) and want (entertainment). The people in the dumpsite may not or may only have a little of those things, but we can see the smiles and the laughter in their faces, and call them happy. There are some people who are not happy even if they have much of these things. They are closer to modernization than the people in the dumpsite, and so the affinity for them to get the factors of alienation of modern people is larger. They are bombarded with so many new trends and innovations everyday, that they already forget the sounds of their own hearts; what they really want. They lose their focus because of so many needs and wants that the world offers them. Greed and arrogance blur their main purpose in life. That is what makes them unhappy.

People can have bread and circus, but still be unhappy. Some people do not have much in life, but they are happy. Happiness only depends on how a person perceives life. The more a person seeks out for material things, the unhappier he becomes. “The Beatitudes” (Mt. 5:3-11) speaks about the perfect happiness and inner peace that is supposed to be enjoyed by the soul in heaven. It speaks about simplicity and focusing on God. Simplicity means having the ability to live with bread and circus without asking much, and putting God in the center of your world; surrendering your all to Him.

Thanks to Jesuit Communications Foundation for the video.

I have made a decision. I have decided. I will participate in the 2009 High School Student Council Elections! Not just as a voter, but as a candidate. A lot of people have advised me to run; schoolmates, classmates, friends, teachers, alumni, and even priests! Many believe in me. I will not let those people down. I will run. I WILL RUN!

I am not sure for what position yet. I want you all, my readers, friends, or anyone here, to help me decide by partaking in my little opinion poll: What position should I run for in the high school student council?

The selections are:

President: The one who preside council meetings. He represents the student body in meetings with school administrators. He is responsible for the expenditure of funds. - Many have told me that I am actually perfect for this position, since I possess all the qualities of a true leader.

Vice President: The one who supports the president in his duties. He stands in for the president when needed. - A lot, too, have told me that I should just lineup with another potential candidate for president and be his secondary. If I would run for this position, I could expect a sure win.

Secretary: The one who keeps the records of meetings, student activities, and programs.

Treasurer: The one who keeps the tracks of funds.

Public Relations Officer: The one who speaks for the council. - Most students from my batch want me to run for this position. They think that I am a good and brave speaker.

Win or lose, whoever my opponent would be, I will go on with my candidacy. I know that it is too early to announce this, but really, I want your opinion to help me decide on the position that I should run for. The poll will be running in this web site starting this day to February 1, 2009.

I believe that I am qualified to be in the Student Council. I am the take-charge kind of person, responsible, and organized. I am always focused and I never take a break when I need to get something done. I am open-minded and I am never scared or discomfited to stand for what I believe in and to express my opinions. I give significance to creativity and am enthusiastic to dream up ideas and different ways to resolve problems.

If ever I will get elected, schoolmates, prepare yourselves for a school year that is bursting of excitements, actions, adventures, and fun. It is going to be priceless, because you cannot put a price on awesomeness!

Your choice is very important to me, and I would greatly appreciate your participation in my poll.

I knew you well
I know your joys
I understand your pain
I have been with you
Time and again.
And I even know your secrets
You barely not tell.

I can make you laugh
Just by doing my silly stuff.

Never came on my thinking,
That all the while you were pretending.

I listen eagerly with every word you say
And believed in all lies you created.

Sad song caused you cry
And you hate the word goodbye
You're full of fantasies
And love happy endings.
Well, you are just like me
We are sentimental beings.

Years had count in our rows
And our friendship seems to grow more.
I treasure you more than a person
Could do in a diamond.

I didn't play you sad songs
For i don't want you to cry
Neither I said the word goodbye
For I don't want you to be left behind.

But why tears are running down my cheeks?
If you just shared with me your grief
And surrender to Him all your belief
Maybe our friendship would be of a happy ending.

For always I thought
I knew you well
I know your joys
I understand your pain
I have been with you
Time and again.
And i even know your secrets
That you really didn't bother to tell.

08.08.08. - I really had a wonderful birthday yesterday. It was like the first time after 4 years, that there was a class on my birthday. My birthday used to be a vacation day; if it was not a weekend, there was a typhoon. I was very happy because almost my whole batch in third year high school greeted and wished me a happy birthday. Some schoolmates from other levels did too. I was also surprised and glad to come home from school for a little feast that was prepared for me by my dad.

Today was another great day for me because a lot of my friends were able to come to my simple birthday treat in Eastwood City. We took a lot of pictures and ate. We went to Ayala-Makati after Eastwood, played in Timezone, watched a movie in Glorietta, and walked around Greenbelt.

As for my birthday wishes, I pray to God to surround me with a lot of good people whom I can turn to anytime and upon whom I can depend all the time. That He may also bless those people around me, and help us to be good to one other.

These birthday wishes were written by my friends who celebrated with me yesterday:

Birthday wishes are really cheering me up. Many thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. I had a great birthday.

Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. His purpose was to come to the world, to be tempted and to overcome sin so that he could be tortured and die as atonement for the sins of all who accept his atonement. He was raised again to overcome death that we who believe in him can share in that resurrection. Jesus is the link between imperfect man and God.

He came to the earth as a man Himself and the world did not recognize him. He was their Creator and maker yet His own did not know Him. He has been the inspiration and Salvation of many, but also the downfall of many more. He is the most wonderful man who ever lived, but what is more wonderful is that He still lives!

He brought us the salvation. He taught us the best moral values, and how to be wise. Above all, He died for our sins. Very rarely will somebody give his life for a righteous man. But Jesus gave his life for everyone, righteous and unrighteous. He gave his life for the sinful like us, so that we all may be saved.

In order to become a real Christian, we need to follow the steps of our Savior who came down here on Earth to bring us the message of love and salvation. It is not easy to be like Christ. A true Christian, like Jesus, knows he has a choice of what path he wants.

I pray daily for humility and faith that I can be an example of Christ, and follow his teachings. If everyone would follow him the world would be a better place.

"If I do not perform my Father's works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father." (John 10:37-38)

We went to St. Dominic Savio Parish for the tutorial and feeding program for the poor children in the community of Mandaluyong city as a part of our class's community development program. It was a great experience for me for I was able to gain knowledge about some social and economical issues we have today. We did some crafts with the kids, we talked with them, played, laughed and many more.

Those kids in the feeding program are actually there because they are malnourished. They lack nutrients because they are poor and their parents cannot sustain them. I asked one of the kids I was handling about his daily allowance in school. He said he only gets five pesos each day. What nutrition can you get from that small money? One of them told me before we left the parish, “Kuya, buti nalang sayo ako napunta. Salamat. Balik ka ah. Sayo ulit ako.” That was so powerful. He was really grateful that we came to the parish that day. It was so rewarding to see the instant benefit of giving them food to eat and their nice response.

July 18-19:
We had a two-day recollection at Yahweh Villa in Laguna, for the intentions of paying closer attention to God’s presence, evaluating ourselves, learning, nurturing solidarity and togetherness among us, and completing our CLE requirements (yes!). We had lots of fun, peaceful moments, rest, sing-along, swimming, and spiritual activities. The foods were great, the dormitories were big, the restrooms and shower rooms were clean, and the furnishing of the entire house was cool.

Our most memorable experience, as a class, in our recollection this year would be the sharing session, with lots of emotive and pitiful stories similar to what we usually screen on Teleseryes. In that activity, we were free to express anything that we wish to tell someone and share it to our classmates. It was such a relief for all of us that we got to be ourselves and free our sentiments that we had been keeping for a long time.

I really enjoyed our recollection. It was an unforgettable experience for me. I got to know my classmates better and I learned to appreciate them more. I have grown up a lot because of this and I am very thankful for this experience.

Freedom:
Our main topic during the recollection was “Freedom”. Philosophers divide ‘Freedom’ into two, ‘freedom from’ (inner freedom/freedom of thought) and ‘freedom to’ (outer freedom/freedom of action). Achieving ‘freedom from’ depends on yourself, on how you accept things, on how you look at the world. ‘Freedom to’ happens when you have already attained inner peace because it is what makes you decide and do something. When you have peace of mind you know that what you are doing is right, then, you have inner freedom; when there is no obstacle that hindrances you to do what you would like to do; you have outer freedom. As Christians, we also consider ‘freedom for’. Giving others freedom, liberating our brothers and sisters from slavery, setting their thoughts free, and allowing them to live their own lives. Those types of freedom are integral to one another, and true freedom can only be attained when they are united.

Freedom is a gift given to us by God, but because of this freedom we often do things so badly. We make mistakes because of this. We commit sin. We suffer from evil. We ask ourselves, why has God given us freedom if it causes affliction and death? God has given us freedom because He loves us. Yes, He could have made us puppets, given us a finished world, counted our kisses, regulated our embraces and controlled our friendships. But if God has made it so, would we be happy? He created us free to shape our own lives. He made us responsible in building up this world. He blessed us richly with the freedom to love. But then, we become fed-up with this gift. We abuse it. We take the freedom of others, make them our slaves and make ourselves their masters. We become victims of slavery through sin. We never realize that the more we choose what is true and good, the freer we become.