I'm hired!

“Hi Quincy. You (do) have a place at MBUSSP. I’m in the process of finalizing the arrangements for the extension of Norconsult with DILG. I will advise you early next (month).”

I was overwhelmed.

And I was challenged.

The message was from the Senior Management Adviser of Norconsult Management Services (Philippines) Inc. and the Team Leader of the Mindanao Basic Urban Services Project, Mr. Herman Z. Ongkiko.

First week of February, I received an email from the Administrative Officer of the company requesting me to report to Cagayan de Oro City on the 15^th of February, 2008 for workshop.

I’m hired!

Now, I’m conquering the “Promise Land” of the Philippines with a job that gave me great opportunities to work for the greater Glory of the Lord, precious chances of sharpening my personality, priceless privileges of friendship, exposure, adventure and learning.

To my indefatigable Nanay who has fervently perfected her role as our mother and at the same time our father, to my siblings for the inspiration, strength and love, to my cousins, titas and titos and to my former boss, Tita Bing, and to my mentors back in my 16 years of conventional schooling, I would thank many people from the bottom of my heart but to you my heart has no bottom.

I dedicate this job to the Lord and to my Tatay.

A recollection of success and a simple celebration

The four (4) months of staying in Mindanao was a priceless and precious experience. Swerving through the roads of the ‘promise land’ passing through bridges over deep wide rivers, unwinding in the beaches of Surigao, mingling with people from different sorts of life, laughing out loud with our friends from the Muslim community, hotel hopping and masticating luxurious food for free – these were things I never thought I could plunge into!

But there was one event that really overwhelmed me while I was there forcing my body to move out every morning to battle short-time sleep.

Third week of September 2007, a week before my birthday. Davao-bound from Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, we dropped by Harbor Lights Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City to stay for the night. The next morning, while having a meeting with my boss regarding our liquidation during our past activity, my mother called up from home, in front of the computer, she was checking the licensure examination for teachers list of successful examinees at Inquirer.net - she reported I passed.

I was speechless for a while, thank God and told my boss about it and there she started sharing the news to our fellow workers in the dining hall!

Felicitations filled and I was overwhelmed. God is awesome.

My officemates were suggesting a celebration. Too unfortunate, we didn’t have much time.

We went to Kidapawan City, North Cotabato the following week and stopped at a pick and grill restaurant serving my favorite deep fried ‘hito’ (too bad, I can’t find it here in Negros Occidental). There was an acoustic band playing for the customers from table to table and later they played for a group of young people next to us. Surprisingly, two among them sang in lieu of the band’s soloist.

I was already munching the 'hito' then while I overheard how they sang the songs! It was pretty relaxing and cool. I’m a lover of music and I can’t help but glance at them once in a while, trying hard to listen more. I can’t help it. I wanted them to sing more songs.

Alright! I was so mean! But I just love them sing more songs!

Later did I know that the Implementation Coordinator of the Project from Kidapawan City knows the two girls and so I asked her if she can request them to sing for us. My boss related that I passed the Board Exam and it will be my birthday few days from then.

What looked like our supper became a little celebration. They agreed immediately and invited the band to accompany them and there, all the eyes on us. (Please bear with the amateur cell phone video.):

part 1

part 2

part 3


I was impressed. Not only with how they sang but with how they accepted a little request and gave an enjoying part in my simple celebration, my simple thanksgiving for the goodness of the Lord during those days. Too bad, I didn't get their names and email addresses. (Toink!) I still wish to meet them sometimes - while eating 'hito' again.

Those were two of the awesome birthday gifts I have ever received. Unwrapped and no ribbons – but deeply prized and will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Textmate

The advent of text messaging here in the Philippines definitely had an enormous impact on my personal life.

I was really engrossed to text messaging and had several textmates in a row back in high school. Bad thing is, I didn't have my own phone that time and I was only borrowing from Nanay. Obviously, I was often scolded when she discovers i used more than 50 pesos of her load for petty conversations with anybody anonymous. That was really stupid!

Not until year 2000 when somebody introduced me to a girl who is from the Panay Island. Her personality reflected on the way she replies, on what messages she shares, on how she gives advices, on how she explains things in the Biblical perspective and how she gives reminders. Yes, through that I knew who she is. She's God-fearing. Smart. Diligent. Prayerful. Optimistic. Loving. Thoughtful. You name it!

She was worth every peso and every minute I spend with her through text until I already had my own phone. She has been there sharing her insights on life, love, optimism and Christ-centeredness. She taught me priceless lessons - though I am a year older than her. Gradually, she helped me unfold the realities in my life. She inspired me to pray even more stronger and more often and she encouraged me for several times whenever I'm down. She silently made me recognize my immaturity. We shared laughs, we shared sadness, we shared prayers.

Everything was through text.

But God was so wise to provide us a way to meet. And I was able to know her even better, meet her friends, meet her classmates, meet the church where she's part of and also meet her family.

As I reminisce, I can't imagine those times that I was able to attend my 'textmate's' graduation day in high school where she graduated Valedictorian of her class with other cool academic awards. I also attended her thanksgiving party Sunday after her grad day. I also attended her debut and all I can say was 'awesome'.

Imagine I was across a vast sea but still managed to attend few of the most important events in my 'textmate's' life. Do you think I'm in love? Yes, I am. But waiting must still be the game.

Now we are texting for nearly 6 years.

Turn off the 'textmateship'. We're good friends now and if you would ask me who among my friends who had a great impact on my life? She's one of them. (Here's another one.)

Remembering Dick and Rick Hoyt

Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts, USA. TOGETHER, they competed just about continuously in marathon races. And if they’re not in a marathon they are in a triathlon — that disheartening, almost superhuman, combination of 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of bicycling, and 2.4 miles of swimming.

TOGETHER they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,770 miles across America.

It’s a remarkable record of exertion considering that Rick can't walk nor talk.

For the past several years Dick, who is 65, has pushed and pulled his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines. When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing. When Dick cycles, Rick is in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached to the front of the bike. When Dick swims, Rick is in a small but heavy, firmly stabilized boat being pulled by Dick. TOGETHER, Dick is the body and Rick is the heart.

It has been a story of exclusion when Rick was born in 1962. He was then 8 months old when the doctors told Dick to put Rick away because he'd be a vegetable all his life, that sort of thing.

But Dick is a true father. He disagreed with what the doctor told them to do, sent Rick back home and raised him just like any normal child.

Dick and Rick Hoyt inspired many people accross the planet including Presidents and many elites.

TOGETHER, let us remember their plight. Let us remember that TOGETHER we CAN if only we will make up our hearts and minds. Let us remember one great LOVE a father has given to a SON.

So far, this is the only youtube video that made me cry for several times. I know I was not the first one cry over this and I believe that I am not the last.

*My father's 6th Death Anniversary

'Biyahe tayo,' take risks and enjoy priceless rewards

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for visiting my blog for the past 2 days. On my way home, I was so excited to see if how was everything here. Though, I didn't have more comments on my latest posts. reading my messages on shoutboxes made me feel even better so I really thank you so much.

As what I've told you in my previous post, I'll be having a training and I just came back from the 2-day training from Iloilo to Bacolod City and it has been a venturous experience for me. Why? It was my very first time to do almost all the jaunts and activities I did and I really thank God for that opportunity.

To think that I coordinated for the event (with support from my fellow y-konek members most especially Jake Mae Valencia of West Negros College and Ramel Jacolbe of Riverside College), I thank God for the chance once again to be pressured, squeezed and harnessed for a good cause, a good advocacy and a very scary do-that-or-I'll-kick-your-ass instances during the preparations and when facilitating everything in the venue and while the training is on progress.

But despite all the risks and mind-stirring challenges, the treasurable moments of accomplisment wrapped everything with joy and fulfillment. Indeed, taking risks to ascertain unknown things for you are all worth it and it surely felt so cool when everytime I discovered something new, I whisper to myself:

"Now I know what"
"Now I know why"
"Now I know how"

I knew it felt complete and it pushes me to want to undergo brand new challenges again.

With heartfelt thanks, everything went good from fetching our trainer, Aldwin Joseph Empaces (Kuya Aldwin as we fondly call him), at the New Iloilo Airport to our training and up to accompanying him to Cebu Pacific Airlines at Bacolod City just this morning.

What wears us down the most in life aren't the chances we take but the chances we don't take, the dreams we put aside, the adventures we push away.

I personally thank Kuya Aldwin for everything. As I accompany him for 2 days from breakfast to supper and from one place to another, I really learned so much. Lessons from his life - life as a lover, life as a responsible member of the family, life as a teacher, life as an environmentalist and his life as a researcher.

Kuya, if you happen to read this, thank you so much. I would thank many people from the bottom of my heart but to you and also to the staff of the SOARGroup of USC, my heart is bottomless.

On my ride home from Bacolod City just this morning, I saw myself sitting in the PUB, leaning on the window glass and looking at the busy highway as trees, fields, the people, the seas, the sky seemed smiling to a beautiful day, my heart pounding, pondering over the 2 days of various precious experiences, learnings, friendship and realizations...I felt new. I felt so good. I felt different that I came on asking myself, "Is this me? Am I still Quincy?" and just dim my eye with that salty liquid again, grateful to what God did to my existence in just a short time.

One epiphany is the greatest tragedy a person would ever do in his life is not to brace for his supreme effort to get what he purposefully needs and wants.

Indeed, Kuya Aldwin's text message for me was true, "What wears us down the most in life aren't the chances we take but the chances we don't take, the dreams we put aside, the adventures we push away. So whatever it is you're wanting in life, go for it! And always remember that no matter what, trust your heart."

*^*

Enough with the sentiments, I would like to give you a glimpse of what we are doing right now.

As partner of the Sociology and Anthropology Research Group (SOARGroup) of University of San Carlos with support from the Internaional Planned Parenthood Foundation of America, the Y-Konek (an youth organization that advocates for adolescent reproductive health) will conduct a survey on the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of ARH issues. The study will cover randomly selected adolescents from first year to third year high school students. This is to establish the baseline data to assist us in developing an information, education and communications program for adolescents.

In view of the activity, we underwent what I was telling you, a training on basic research.

This activity aims to analyze differences in KAP by age, sex and marital status. Besides, it also aims to identify and analyze the determinants of the risky RH behavior and so we could later recommend effective strategies on youth RH campaigns and service delivery.

The kick off of the field work will be sometime this week and if it does happen, I need to go back to Iloilo City to give other Y-konek members a back-up because there are only few young active people who will serve there.

I hope and pray for God's provisions and sustaining grace as I do this tasks in Iloilo at the same time check the researchers in Bacolod City.

I didn't imagine myself that I will be having this kind of responsibility. Indeed, if opportunity comes, you stop it from giving you everything. And with that, I again thank God for honing me back in my 14 years of schooling and for giving me priviledges to have control over small things. Now, he's given me control over somehow big things.

To God be the glory.

Ok ka Pinoy!

If you can remember a Korean student's short essay about the Philippines, this one's the complete text of Patricia Evangelista's public speaking entry as she did her country proud winning the International Public Speaking Competition conducted by the English Speaking Union (ESU) in London on May 2004.

Patricia, 19, was a second-year Mass Communications student then then from UP - D. She bested 59 other student contestants from 37 countries, with her five-minute talk on the theme, "A Borderless World."

She formally accepted her award at Buckingham Palace from Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and the president of the ESU, November that year.

I am always moved by her speech and I want to read it again and again to remind me how beautiful it is being a Filipino in a borderless world.

Here it is.

A Borderless World

When I was little, I wanted what many Filipino children all over the country wanted. I wanted
to be blond, blue-eyed, and white.

I thought — if I just wished hard enough and was good enough, I’d wake up on Christmas morning with snow outside my window and freckles across my nose!

More than four centuries under western domination does that to you. I have sixteen cousins. In a couple of years, there will just be five of us left in the Philippines, the rest will have gone abroad in search of “greener pastures.” It’s not just an anomaly; it’s a trend; the Filipino diaspora. Today, about eight million Filipinos are scattered around the world.

There are those who disapprove of Filipinos who choose to leave. I used to. Maybe this is a natural reaction of someone who was left behind, smiling for family pictures that get emptier with each succeeding year. Desertion, I called it. My country is a land that has perpetually fought for the freedom to be itself. Our heroes offered their lives in the struggle against the Spanish, the Japanese, the Americans. To pack up and deny that identity is tantamount to spitting on that sacrifice.

Or is it? I don’t think so, not anymore.

True, there is no denying this phenomenon, aided by the fact that what was once the other side of the world is now a twelve-hour plane ride away. But this is a borderless world, where no individual can claim to be purely from where he is now. My mother is of Chinese descent, my father is a quarter Spanish, and I call myself a pure Filipino-a hybrid of sorts resulting from a combination of cultures.

Each square mile anywhere in the world is made up of people of different ethnicities, with national identities and individual personalities. Because of this, each square mile is already a microcosm of the world. In as much as this blessed spot that is England is the world, so is my neighbourhood back home.

Seen this way, the Filipino Diaspora, or any sort of dispersal of populations, is not as ominous as so many claim. It must be understood. I come from a Third World country, one that is still trying mightily to get back on its feet after many years of dictatorship. But we shall make it, given more time. Especially now, when we have thousands of eager young minds who graduate from college every year. They have skills. They need jobs. We cannot absorb them all.

A borderless world presents a bigger opportunity, yet one that is not so much abandonment but an extension of identity. Even as we take, we give back. We are the 40,000 skilled nurses who support the UK’s National Health Service. We are the quarter-of-a-million seafarers manning most of the world’s commercial ships. We are your software engineers in Ireland, your construction workers in the Middle East, your doctors and caregivers in North America, and, your musical artists in London’s West End.

Nationalism isn’t bound by time or place. People from other nations migrate to create new nations, yet still remain essentially who they are. British society is itself an example of a multi- cultural nation, a melting pot of races, religions, arts and cultures. We are, indeed, in a borderless world!

Leaving sometimes isn’t a matter of choice. It’s coming back that is. The Hobbits of the shire travelled all over Middle-Earth, but they chose to come home, richer in every sense of the word. We call people like these balikbayans or the ‘returnees’ – those who followed their dream, yet choose to return and share their mature talents and good fortune.

In a few years, I may take advantage of whatever opportunities come my way. But I will come home. A borderless world doesn’t preclude the idea of a home. I’m a Filipino, and I’ll always be one. It isn’t about just geography; it isn’t about boundaries. It’s about giving back to the country that shaped me.

And that’s going to be more important to me than seeing snow outside my windows on a bright Christmas morning.

Mabuhay and Thank you

*thanks to Cathcath of cathcath.com for providing me the text.

We are never a BAD-NEWS country

May 17, 3:30 PM (Nepali time), 5:30 here in the Philippines, the Filipino people was unified as Leo Oracion, Erwin Emata and Romy Garduce reached the highest pinnacle of the world plus few other Filipino climbers, men and women. August 12, 2006, Filipino singers fortified the Philippine's status in the international entertainment scene winning 86 medals , industry awards and a grand vocal champion award for the Cercado Sisters in the World Championship of Performing Arts held at Los Angeles, California. Tourist arrivals in the country continue to move from strength to strength. DOT records a total of 1, 420, 040 arrivals from January to June this year, a 10.4 percent increase from the same period last year.

These inspired us being pure Filipinos. Of the myriad positive featured stories published and unpublished in the Philippine television and the mainstream press, the Mt. Everest Expedition, WCOPA and the increase in tourism industry are just a few, indeed. We still have our country on ASEAN centerstage as chairman and the sampaguita emblazoned on new ASEAN logo.

A sad fact is that, what we often see and read in media are these stories about the impeachment, anti and pro cha-cha groups, journalist and political killings, protests and all that. Though these reports instigate awareness to Pinoys, We believe these have influenced every young mind. Its subliminal messages subtly shrink our pride and unity as a Filipino people. We are afraid, most youths of today are poisoned by the daily negative reports that flash in televisions, steal front pages of mainstream tabloids and even wrap magazine pages. We seem covered with nightingale wings that wreak blindness from what can make as smile and feel proud about our country.

I personally admire the people behind the creation of GoodNewsPilipinas.com in the world wide web. It is a plain, simple and feel good website that gave another source of information that will awake every Filipino by the people's achievements and successes in various sectors in the Phil and overseas. It has no agenda. It only aims to tell the whole world that the Filipino country is a big beautiful place of adventure, fun and pride. It also showcases every Filipinos hospitality, talent, ingenuity and resourcefulness.

I hope the whole Pinoy community would live up to their aspirations. Let us move out from drool to cool. Let us be positive about our country, move forward as a people. We are in a great nation of pinoys!

*This article was published in our school magazine back in 2006. I reposted it to remind us Filipinos that we are never a BAD-NEWS country.

***

I was tagged by Aethen to tell the whole world 7 "somethings" about my self. Well, i'll be posting what others told me I am.

Here goes.

• I am sinner saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
  
• I am a bit prim and proper and quite unpredictable
  
• I can be a leader and I'm focused to programs with good objectives
  
• Enduring.
  
• Got a bunch of weaknesses but finding ways to make it beneficial
  
• I love hosting programs.
  
• I have few quality friends in real life but a bunch of good friends on line.
  

Here, I would like to tag these bloggers and I hope you make your own version, too. And of course, please tag another seven friend bloggers as part of the rule: ANA, CHEI, CORY, CHIEF, TZIE, TEAR BOX, and ROXI. i hope it’s just okey for all of you, guys. ;)

May God remember us all.

My Short Essay about the Philippines - by Jaeyoun Kim

This is my 25th post as a blogger. Instead of having of blogging about myself on how it feels, let me republish this essay written by one Korean student here in Philippines in 2003. This piece is an eye opener for Filipinos. The article sites reasons why it seems difficult for our country to rise from the mire of poverty and is now behind among the SouthEast Asian countries.

Here it is.

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.

Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed completely after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.

Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father's brother also died because of famine.

Korean government was awfully corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism.

Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

Forty years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economy situation of South Korea was so bad.

Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through a horrible experience.

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea.

So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea. He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart. Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off.

Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in well off country. My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live.

They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And I have loved my neighborhood.

Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison.


What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church.

They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison.

They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children. When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest.

However, when I cameto the Philippines, I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday.

The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young.

They are so sorry that there so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun.

However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boat men, for the boat men were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.

My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed.

Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God.

I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off.

I am sure that love is the keyword which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody in a small scale and have to grow.

A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved.

Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships. It changes the world.

Please love your neighborhood and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is God who are abused and abandoned.

There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country.

You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.

That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

After reading the essay, my grandfather seconded his/her curiousity and ask me, is the Philippines worth crying for?

Who will shed tears for our motherland? Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit, to hold the lonely Flag that symbolizes her name?

After reading this essay, let's hope we all learn to love and support our country, our province and most especially our foundation. May God bless this beautiful country. May we be enlightened to do more for our country and not just thinking about ourselves all the time.

*photos from www.pbase.com, Paul James gallery
essay source: http://www.gov.ph/forum/thread.asp?rootID=53398&catID=20

Yesterday with Francis Kong

Aethen, salamat sa pag tag mo sakin yesterday bro. The game was some kind of helpful kahit na game lang yun. It made me discover a bit more of myself.

Danica, "meconium stained" pala tawag sa condition ng niece ko. Thanks so much for the information most especially for helping us pray. Salamat sa pag answer mo ng game na "6 weird things about me."

It feels great, by God's grace, that everything turns to be alright even we're hard up financially these days. Hindi pa na pirmahan yung payroll nila Nanay. Si kuya ala pang sweldo. Anyway, pera lang naman yan eh. Importante, everybody's alright and the family's still muddling through kahit mahirap. Well, ganyan talaga ang buhay.

Me and my mom were in Bacolod City yesterday. Lolo (grandfather) Noning invited us to attend a seminar sponsored by the Fellowship of Christians in the Governement (FOCIG) at the Grand Regal Hotel, Bacolod City. He shouldered our registration (Thanks a lot, Lo).

On our way, I talked to Nanay how having my niche as a blogger in the triple W made me a much better individual. I have a venue to talk to bunch of bloggers who are really smart, accomodating and amicable may it be young people or those in mid-life. I also told her that this could also give me a good opportunity to make money later on. And she answered that it is really worth having broadband connection at home.

Exactly, nay. Thanks to you and to my elder bro who pays the 999Php every month. Don't worry, i'll help out if hired in the job.

At the seminar, i was overwhelmed with the chance since that was the very first time i listened to a world-class inspirational speaker and a God-fearing and very sincere author of 11 life-changing books as "The Early Bird Catches the Worm" and "One Day at a Time", Mr. Francis J. Kong.

Mr. Kong (www.businessmatters.org) tackled "Life's Winning Points" in the seminar. Let me share those with you.

1. Get a calculator and learn how to count.
I plead guilty about this because I, myself, don't know how to count - count the good things in life. I often get engrossed to counting criticisms and negative others in my life which are really not worthy of my time and it will only make me miserable. We got to learn how to count as the hymn sings, "Count your blessings, name them one by one." That makes life the happiest.

2. Enjoy the mid-life.
Though i'm not yet in that stage, i got to prepare myself for the mid-life worries and setbacks. Will you?

3. Enjoy your greatest rewards with your family.
We always got to remember that our family should be next to our God.

4. Feed your mind with good thoughts.
Avoid mind poisoning.

5. Be kind to people.
Always wear the smile. I often reiterate the quote "the difference between a good and bad day is your attitude."

6. Be a teamplayer.
No man is an island. Tie up with people who can help you through tough times.

7. Fly high and know where to land.
There have been people who told us "Fly high and reach for your dreams." But how do we land? Where will we land?

I hope it helped you, somehow.

The seminar ended with a book sale and book signing by Mr. Francis. Lolo bought "One day at a time" book 4. He said, he'll just let me borrow after him because we didn't have enough money to buy another one. lol It's better, isn't it?

Nanay, Lolo and I went home with new hopes. Blessed to be exact.

Sana magagawa kong habits ang mga winning points na yun. Kaw rin ha?

My First Crush and our Billet-doux Writing History

If there would be few living homo sapiens in this dark world who surely had a great impact in my borrowed wonderful, colorful and beautiful life, one would be the girl who was my super-duper sumnambulistic crush back when we were still in Grade I. lol

My mother often made me remember what i told her when i got home one afternoon from school. She said that i was really persistent that the girl with the smooth fair cheeks, with pretty lips and a cute nose and nice straight hair was my crush and that i really insisted much more when she was telling me i just like her. "Yes nay, i like her, that means, she's my crush. ok? peace!" lol

Well, that girl i often call "'day" is artistic in nature, smart, can attract all honeybees with her sweetness and knows the best friendship strategies...well, except for one girl during elementary years. hehe i don't know what happened between them that time but i observed "'day" was really srewed with that white and tall lassie. I even witnessed and heard her backbite the "chinita" miss.

But, anyway, they're in good terms now. i don't think " 'day " would foster a warfreak personality get up. No. Not in trillion years.:)

Still, we were classmates reaching Grade IV and there started (as far as i can remember) one of the most phenomenal events that ever happened in my 20 years of living this life - EXCHANGING OF puppy, romantic, kept-to-the-limit LOVE LETTERS using a state of the art and priceless medium of delivery - her close friends, Vic-vic and later turned out to be Divine when we reached the last level in primary school.

" 'day " started this and there i learned i was also her crush. hahaha oh man!

I seemed really deeply, truly and madly (childishly) "in-love" reading her letters. It always made me wear big, wide smiles walking homebound. Only weird thing is, we didn't talk in person, we avoided each other. lol

Man! Funny those emotions of one elementary school cherub. lol

The top-secret personal events of my unintended innocence back then are still fresh as i recall the times when I was really excited to receive another letter from her and that i can respond again. While we got loads of assignments every night , my love letter writing delights always buzz in and that gave me all the urges to finish my response first before my homeworks. But honestly, i often ignored my assignments and just focus on the love letters. lol And hey, it wasn't that easy at all. I was at a loss of words with " 'day's " cool writing prowess and her choice of words and her conjugation of it (though in early age). Besides, indeed, i found it hard hiding myself in the room while i was writing my replies in a piece of note pad torn from my spring lecture notebook (i didn't have nicely textured fragrant paper pads for love letters that time.hehe)while i was doing my very best to keep it in wide book pages and be vigilant because if somebody would enter the room, i got to be alert to turn the pages of the book, covering what i was writing, and pretend i was reading. whew! i admit, i was sweating then. lol

These only ended when we were already in 1st or 2nd year high, i guess. It was my birthday and she gave me another letter (through a friend, still). This time, its not like the usual as a nice peace of paper oftenly folded they call "i love you" fold. It was wrapped, rectangular. I opened it at home and it was stunning, made me shake! lol It was the biggest love letter i have have ever received! It was the size of a Transcor Motors wall calendar. She wrote all her favorite songs and dedicated it to me. (romantic, isn't it? lol)

Bad thing, i never replied. I thought she was really questioning then. (sorry day...lol)

Later during high school i was thankful the puerile "avoiding game" ended and we enjoyed each other's company till high school grad - not as having a crush with each other but as friends. and she just became one of the best buds God gave. her influence, her friendship, her sweetness, her compassion, her love and her fear in God - all packed in one lovely lad. Thank God for her. Even though we were not in the same school in college. I can always recall the things she told me and the precious time we shared.

And the sad part of everything? she told me one day that her letters were stolen from her cabinet and all are gone. But i don't know if she already knew that her letters were also stolen from my cabinet too. Not with a homo sapien but with the darn termites! and all are gone.

Anyway, " 'day " (a nursing graduate at this time) and I just laugh over it everytime we talk about that billet-doux history.