Say it.

The sun will shine on this side of my world.

2010-11-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

When we have problems, we don’t feel the kindness of God.

But it doesn’t mean that God isn’t kind.

It just means it’s nighttime, but God’s kindness is still shining.

In another part of your world, it’s daytime!

Soon, your night will pass. Your trials will pass. Your burdens will pass. And you’ll see the first rays of the morning sun break through the darkness of your problems.

- Bo Sanchez

I'm not having the best start to my day today, unlike other days when I feel extremely happy in the morning.

Sometimes, my Tita makes it a habit to point out all the bad things that are happening to us and our family, and sometimes it just really takes a toll on me. Like every November, she makes it a point to remind us that Christmas this year won't be as good as Christmas in 1995 or 1996, during the better days, I must say. I can't blame her though. She has already sacrificed so much.

Years ago, I always looked forward to this time of the year, especially when school got too busy and when my parents decided to part ways. I always wanted it to be Christmas, simply because I got to spend more time with my Lolo and Lola, who really just show their love so much (and the gifts I got from my ninongs and ninangs. Haha.). In 1997, my Lola passed away a few days after Christmas, and up to now, memories of that day still flash through my mind so vividly. Ten years later, my Lolo suffered a stroke which ultimately led to his demise the following year. Christmases since then weren't exactly occasions I looked forward to.me fun or like what they used to, I still can't answer the hows and whys and what-ifs. Sometimes, it just pierces my heart knowing that right now, I am powerless to change things. I feel like even if I have the perfect Christmas celebration outlined in my mind, I really can't share it, and it crushes me.

I used to question God a lot. Why me? Haven't I suffered enough? I'm so young to have to go through all these things. Don't you love me?

I know that in terms of my faith, I'm still taking baby steps, but I'm hoping that I'd be able to truly walk with Him to answer the longings of my heart. A few weeks ago, I went to mass. And I really can't help but cry. God sent me a message on that day and I could never forget it.

Sometimes, you just have to bear your cross in order for you to grow in My love, and when you grow in My love, you can share it with the world.

I do not know if you believe in callings, but I do. Somehow, I could never fully understand why God allowed me to go full time despite all the challenges I needed to face. But then again, I believe that this is where I am able to share the love, and someday, soon, maybe my family will experience that kind of love from me too. I just hope that it the sun will shine on this side of my world. :)

Kung ang lahat ng Pilipino ba ay tulad mo, gaganda ba ang bansa? (a reflection)

2010-05-31T02:50:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, just in any other talk he has conducted, Kuya Mari asked the question: "Kung ang lahat ng Pilipino ba ay tulad mo, gaganda ba ang bansa?" And just as in any instance he has asked this question, I could also think of reasons why I could say YES, but I could also think of reason why I could say NO.

Why, you might ask?

I could say yes simply because I have a vision of a better Philippines. I believe that this country has far too much potential and I would like to harness these potentials so that we can make this country better. Truly, if Filipinos thought this way, I'm sure that we will be able to rise.

But in accepting the fact that the Philippines will be a great country if all Filipinos were like me, I believe that it entails a certain posture. I have asked myself so many times, am I a good role model for Filipinos to follow?

Posing this question, I could enumerate a lot of reasons why I am not the best model. I am a flawed and broken person, and in humbly accepting the fact that I am flawed, I believe that there are things about me that Filipinos should not even try replicating. I am sure that my weaknesses will not be good to follow. And I know in myself that I should start changing if I want change.

Which is the good thing about my situation -- It turns the negative into a positive. I am broken, but I could rise and be a stronger person. I am flawed but I can work on being the perfect child that God always wanted me to be. I can change and will be the change I want to see in this country.

Hence, if you ask me now, kung ang lahat ng Pilipino ba ay tulad mo, gaganda ba ang bansa? I wouldn't say yes -- but I wouldn't say no either. I would say, not yet. I will be. :)

Posted via web from Carmel

is destressing with dhang and ate cla. :-)

2010-03-21T05:27:00.001-07:00

via @tweetitow

Posted via web from carmelpuertollano's posterous

Pilipinas kong MAHAL. :-)

2010-03-20T07:46:00.001-07:00

via @tweetitow

Posted via web from carmelpuertollano's posterous

one of my favorite prayers

2010-03-08T17:36:00.001-08:00

Lord, let me be the change I want to see
To do with strength and wisdom
All that needs to be done
And become the hope that I can be
Set me free from my fears and hesitations
Grant me the courage and humility
Fill me with spirit to face the challenge
And start the change I long to see.
Even if I’m not the light
I can be the spark
In faith, service and communion
Let us start the change we want to see
The change that begins with me.

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'...right by Your side I'll stay, worshipping you all day. I will live&die for You. Everything I will do for heaven is here in my heart.'

2010-03-04T07:54:00.001-08:00

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My candidates for the upcoming elections.

2010-03-03T02:22:00.000-08:00

Remember a few months ago, I blogged about who I'm voting for? Well, there were some of them whom I thought I was sure of -- particularly Liza Maza and Satur Ocampo. However, after they've finally decided to be guest candidates under ~~Money~~ Manny Villar~~royo~~'s party, I've decided to drop them. Also, I couldn't believe that someone who used to hate Marcos with a passion would run under the same banner as his son. Oh well. That's politics for you.

The good thing about my posting that blog, however, was that some candidates actually made an effort to approach me so that I could get to know them better. Alex Lacson (whom I am most sure of voting!), Ruffy Biazon, and to some extent, TG Guingona, made their plans known to me. I felt that my own vote counts and considering that they couldn't really reach every single Filipino, I was siquite fortunate to have had that opportunity to ask them personally about certain aspects of their programs current engagements. I've also done my research on Sonia Roco, Martin Bautista and Yasmin Busran-Lao. I'm voting for them :) Sonia Roco on the grounds of women empowerment, Martin Bautista because he has the best program for health (considering, of course that he's a doctor), and Yasmin Busran-Lao because I believe that in order to achieve true peace in Mindanao, they need a representative in the legislative process. :)

I'm not voting for Danny Lim, though. So it's not exactly SLAMAT LORRRD. And yes, I'm under voting for senate and councilors.

So here's my almost final list.

President: Noynoy Aquino
Vice President: Mar Roxas
Senators

Sonia Roco

Neric Acosta
Martin Bautista
Alex Lacson
TG Guingona
Yasmin Busran-Lao
Serge Osmena (guest candidate)
Ruffy Biazon
Ralph Recto
Risa Hontiveros
Frank Drilon

Mayor: Herbert Bautista
Vice Mayor: Joy Belmonte
Congresswoman: Vivienne Tan
Councilor

Sep Juico

Party list: None!

And yes, Sep is the only candidate I'm considering so far. The others seem a little too trapo for me. At least I'm confident in these choices.

And yes, halos lahat LP. Haha! :)

The Rationale Behind the Choice

2010-02-19T18:36:00.000-08:00

This is the last time I'll explain my vote. I may not argue up front, but here are my arguments on why I've decided.

I've always thought that my chosen candidate, Noynoy Aquino, could run a campaign like Obama's. Obama had comparatively less experience than John McCain, yet the Americans have decided not to be subjected under a less than competent government. I thought that Noy could run a campaign built on hope that the country will rise after a 12-year spell under a government that has lost all sense of integrity. One that people can put their full trust on.

However, with the current political landscape, trapo politics still reigns. Instead of having just a few gunning for the presidency, everyone who thinks that they can could run -- even if they had been corrupt (or been loyal to someone who has been proven to be corrupt), ousted from the presidency, or just merely wanted to do so (even if they barely had a chance on winning the elections). Good governance has been ill-defined in the sense that it is considered to be "good" if the people could reap some benefits from it.

But the truth is, it's not just about the benefits.

Good governance means doing what has been entrusted to you by the populace while retaining your integrity despite the temptations being presented to you. It means delivering the services that is due the people without compromising the quality. It is about inspiring others to do good because you believe that goodness is innate. It's about using the power bestowed upon you to affect change.

I believe that my president has that ability to run the government with integrity. I believe that he can deliver. I believe that he can inspire because he's a good man. But there are just people who wouldn't give him a chance simply because he hasn't much credentials to show.

Fine, he may not have as much money to spend on advertisements, he may not have gone to Harvard for Law, he may not be a crowd-pleaser: but he's a good man with pure intentions. And if you're a good man, people can see that you only want what's best for your country even if you have just enough to get by. He ran because people wanted him to do so. I simply wanted him to run because I knew that he would put governing with integrity and principles, improving education, eradicating hunger and poverty at the core of his campaign. I know his record, and believe me, I like what I've seen. Above all, I support him because I know that he will anchor his poverty alleviation plan on Gawad Kalinga. One that has proven to be the most effective way of eradicating poverty in the country by EMPOWERING PEOPLE by showing love and care to the least of the poor. It is faith in action.

What good is being a topnotcher in the bar or being a successful businessman if you tolerate corruption in governance? What good is having a platform with too much statistics and flowery words if at the end of the day, you're the reason why our country is still in a rot? What good is having too much ads being aired on television if you have tainted your name so much by stealing what is due to the people?
Silang tunay na mahirap, silang mga may galing at talino, silang may disiplina, silang babalik na, silang mga relihiyoso, silang magaling magsalita , SILA NA ANG LAHAT. PERO HINDI SILA ANG SOLUSYON. Maaaring alam kuno nila ang pagiging tunay na mahirap pero sila rin naman ang dahilan kung bakit may mahirap. Maaaring sila ang may galing at talino, pero kung "trickle down effect" sa ekonomiya ang aasahan natin para umunlad ang bayan, hindi mo ineempower yung mahirap na ibangon ang sarili nila sa kahirapan, walang kwenta rin ang paghihirap at resources na ginamit mo. Maaaring babalik na sila, pero kung babalik lang sila at babalik lang tayo sa dating gawi at ipagpapatuloy lang natin ang naudlot, THANK YOU BUT WE DON'T NEED YOU. Silang relihiyoso, may pananampalataya sila, oo. Pero kung wala naman ang katawan na kumukumpleto sa espiritu, kung wala ang kilos at puro pananampalataya, wala ring mangyayari. Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa. Silang lahat magaling magsalita. Aba, kaya nga nila iemphasize yung mga magagandang words (yung iba pa nga di nila yata alam ang ibig sabihin), pero hindi ba yung mga taong magagaling na magsalita, sila din yung naging sanhi ng mga pangyayari tulad ng Martial Law at World War 2?
We can be very intellectual about our votes. For me, it's not just about being smart. It's also about being good. Pagiging MABUTI. Pagiging TAPAT. Pagiging tunay na Pilipino. Pagkilala sa biyaya ng pagiging Pilipino at pag-alaga sa biyayang ito.
You may always argue with me with my choice. I'd respect that; but this is my choice and I will see to it that I will be accountable for this choice. If you'd vote for the others, I wouldn't have anything against you.
What matters is that after the elections, we reunite and rebuild a better country.

on poverty

2010-02-15T18:10:00.001-08:00

We should not rely on government and international institutions to solve the poverty problem. It must start with the citizens being empowered to improve the current state of things.

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my favorite moment in Phil. History..

2010-01-31T06:55:00.001-08:00

I’m watching the GMA Anniversary thinking, why wasn’t I born during the most exciting and trying years in Philippine history, which, in my opinion are the best because it brought out the best in the Filipino! People power!

The sheer image of Ninoy Aquino, martyred, lying in his coffin, in itself shows that the Filipino is worth dying for. Anyone who died for our land knew that we are too great a race to fall on a ruthless leader’s hands, subjecting people to much grief and injustice that they didn’t deserve. Amazing how we can rise above the greatest challenges to our democracy.

So please, this May, make the RIGHT choice. Do not vote for anyone who tolerates corruption, steals from the government and defends the wrongdoings of the current admin… I knnw where my vote’s going! ;)

(^_^)-L

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Presidential forum in DLSU on Friday! (follow the link for details)

2010-01-26T20:04:00.001-08:00

MGA LASALYANO!! Berde man ang kulay natin, magkaisa tayo upang isulong ang DILAW na pagbabago! Show your support for the People’s Campaign!!

Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will be one of the participants of the DLSU Presidential Forum. WEAR YELLOW and head to DLSU-Manila on Friday, January 29, 2010, 2PM Yuchengco Theater.

Please be there earlier (mga 11am or 12nn) so you can get good seats and gates close at 1pm.

Alumni: pls dont forget your alumni cards! WEAR YELLOW WEAR YELLOW WEAR YELLOW!!!

Ang LABAN na TAPAT ay LABAN ng LAHAT! :-) See you all, yellow army!!! Walang iwanan!!!

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'Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid.' - Mark 6:50. :)

2010-01-05T09:00:00.001-08:00

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Random facts.

2010-01-05T06:53:00.001-08:00

Hospital blankets freak me out. Haha.

Hospital freebies such as basins, cups and thermometers are very useful at home. Haha.

I’m random.

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Honesty.. In Alex Lacson's 12 Little Things (follow the link)

2010-01-05T05:01:00.001-08:00

‘Honesty, more than anything, is what makes a good leader. It is the solid core of the character of every great leader in history. It is the core of one’s character, says George Washington. Remove honesty, and man has no character…

‘Given a good leader, the Filipino will attain great heights because the Filipino is inherently a good follower.’ -Ninoy Aquino

‘It is enough for good people to do nothing for the evil ones to succeed.’-Dr. Jose Rizal

We are all part of the problem. We are all partly to blame.

But the good thing is, we are also the answer. We are also the solution.
>excerpts fr Alex Lacson’s 12 Little Things.

LET US DO OUR DUTY AS CITIZENS THIS COMING ELECTIONS. LET’S VOTE FOR THE BEST LEADERS SO THAT OUR NATION WILL RISE! :)

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How I See Politics

2010-01-03T20:35:00.001-08:00

People always tell me that politics is such a dirty game. But to me, it only becomes dirty when we allow it to be so. We always choose the ‘lesser evil’. Sad, isn’t it? However if we allow the good ones to succeed during elections, we wouldn’t have to worry about corruption, among others.

The problem lies in the mentality that because others are so trapo, somehow the less trapo or good ones should join the bandwagon. But see, this is the problem; we do not solve it by being part & parcel of the system we are trying to change.

To those who will run this coming elections, please think. Who are you doing this for and why? How much are you spending on ads vs sustainable devt programs?

To those who will vote, pls think about this: if our leaders spend a lot of money for the greater good, it would’ve made a bigger difference than seeing their faces and greetings everywhere.

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As we welcome 2010

2009-12-31T05:20:00.000-08:00

As the clock strikes 12, I wish you happiness and love this coming year. Happy New Year! :)

2010 is right around the corner. In about 3 hours, we will be welcoming another year.

2009 has had it's fair share of ups and downs. Most of them helped me grow a lot. And I guess my perspective in life has really expanded for the most part.

But there's so much to look forward to.

Another year to serve God.

Another year to help make the country better.

Another year to meet new people.

Another year to get inspired.

Another year to love.

Another year to hope for better things to come

Another year to learn.

Another year to be thankful for the graces I've received.

Another year to share my blessings.

Another year to forgive and learn from mistakes

Another year to experience new things.

Another year to travel (hopefully abroad na! 2009 was all about the Philippines... Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao)

Another year to mend brokenness.

Another year to build relationships.

Another year to grab opportunities.

Another year to let go.

Another year to be good.

Another year to make something meaningful out of my life.

Another year to bless and be blessed.

Another year to simply live the life we have all been called to live. :)

So to my family, relatives, and friends,
acquaintances, brothers and sisters in the community,
to the everyday heroes and to those who live to serve,

Have a blessed new year.
May God continue to shower graces upon you.
May you always be healthy and strong.

With love I send this note to YOU,

Carmel :)

My candidates so far...

2009-12-05T22:17:00.001-08:00

I'm back! Haha. It's been a long time! :P

Oh well. I may have not been blogging here, but I've been blogging elsewhere.

Anyway, my computer is busted so I do not know how regularly I can maintain this. In the few times that I could surf the net, I found a list of the candidates I will support/vote for in 2010. I am basing it on my own principles, party affiliation, priority issue, character, integrity, track record, platform and all other qualifications that I deem worthy of the position. Those with asterisk may still be changed, otherwise, I am almost 100% sure of everyone else :)

Btw, if you know where I could get the list of councilors running in the 1st district of Quezon City, please let me know. Thanks :D

President: Noynoy Aquino

Vice President: Mar Roxas

Senators:

Neric Acosta
Serge Osmena III
Alex Lacson
Risa Hontiveros
Ralph Recto
TG Guingona *
Sonia Roco *
Ruffy Biazon *
Satur Ocampo
Franklin Drilon
Liza Maza
(none yet, although I wish Jessie Robredo had vied for a position. Oh well.)

Mayor: Herbert Bautista

Vice Mayor: Joy Belmonte

GLEEkiness.

2009-10-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

I am so addicted to the television right now. For one, PBB Double Up just started (and I like the Austrian guy), The Nanny is still on, and SNN is scheduled at a very convenient time. All others, like Jonas and Wizards of Waverly Place I can either watch on the net or wait for the rerun.

I have a new favorite show too. I've been watching Glee as my friends have been persuading me because it's such a good show. They're right! But personally, I'd give it an 8/10 because it's not really my type of show. Hee. I do like the plot though. It's like a breath of fresh air. I also love how the characters have their own quirks. Still, there are parts that trigger my short attention span. The show runs a full hour on tv and if you take out the commercials, the length is about 40 minutes. And usually, I can't keep my attention span at 30 full minutes. If there's anything I truly love about the show, it would be Mr. Schuester's character. He's very inspiring. He sees something uniquely special about each of the students and encourages them to share these talents to others. And oh, I would like to kill Sue Sylvester(the cheerleading squad's adviser) and sometimes, even Quinn and Puck. Ughh. I also get annoyed with Rachel because she's such a diva... and I usually wouldn't tolerate such an attitude. But not to take anything away from her, she's a really great singer. To me, the show is like High School Musical, but with more depth to the story and more talented singers.

Oh I have to go. I'm forced to evacuate the home pc. But before I leave, i'll post this image that i made out of boredom using photoshop:

en España :)

2009-10-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

The shot above was taken by my friend during his trip to Spain.

An excerpt from his e-mail reads:

this was taken while i was on the train ride from Madrid to Malaga, and we were passing by a few towns on the way :D

I've always known that Puertollano is a place in Spain. And I was so amazed when I found this earlier while checking my mail. :)

I really want to go there... SOON :)

To my friend: Thank you very much. As always, you're amazing! :)

Typhoons come and go

2009-10-03T03:36:00.000-07:00

These past few days were quite differently spent. For the most part, I was busy with the relief operations for typhoon victims. Something I haven't really done much personally -- being part of the actual relief operations by volunteering myself. In the past, I've only donated. the first time I did this was last year, at GK brookside which was heavily devastated by the rains.

We watched Pay It Forward during the chapter assembly. I chose to stick around until the film ended. It was a perspective check of sorts. I remember seeing this film during my first year in high school for our PALIHAN (my school's version of CWTS, except this was done only once or twice a month). I remember how after seeing it, my consciousness somehow grew. It's not just about paying back the people you owe a certain depth of gratitude to, but also about paying forward, by being a blessing to others. The film struck me a lot, despite having watched it a few times already.

I did a bit of walking too -- having to go to STC and doing the groceries for what seemed to be an impending typhoon. I saw how much garbage we constantly throw out every day. There were mountains upon mountains. And we all throw it back to Mother Nature. And now that we have experienced her wrath, we should realize that we only have one planet to live, so we should take care of it. Typhoons come and go, but we're here to stay a little bit longer, so we have all the time to right our wrong. :)

On a lighter note, the typhoon has done so much for my humor. Made me more... sabaw! (Thanks to watching The Nanny!)

I finally got my Marty's Cracklings

2009-09-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

No photos of the actual Marty's Cracklings packs consumed, nonetheless, the writer of this blog has decided to tell the story.

Bear with me. Pepsi Max overload. @_@

I did not go to Balay today because I felt guilty being an alumna of STC and not being able to help there even if it is just near. To add to that, I've received several messages from different batches saying that many Theresians were victims. A lot of them lived in Marikina, Sta. Mesa Heights, Talayan Village, Araneta Subdivision and Frisco -- all of which were hit hard. Among the victims were Teacher Evelyn (my nursery school teacher), which would naturally include the pre-school I attended back when I was a kid and my high school English teacher, Mrs. Billones, who lost practically everything. She was the one who really got me into writing by encouraging me to sign up for the UP Campus Journalism workshop. She was also very nice to me so I felt sad upon hearing that she was a victim .

I spent most of the afternoon identifying which streets/neighborhoods wherein former Theresians lived and were affected by typhoons with Ms. Rose of the STAA. Can I just say, OMG, there were a lot of lists. After that, I talked to other alumnae --including Mommy Yen from PBB and Mrs. Gaston, the former GSSO moderator, who apparently still remembers me from prep. Hahaha! And that was like 15 years back! :))

After all the planning and delegation, I walked home. I made a stop at Quincy to see if they have stocked up on the Marty's Cracklings Salt and Vinegar variant. Unfortunately, they only have the plain salted one. I left immediately then checked the San Miguel shop, which, by the way, still smelled like floodwater. Thank God they had new stocks of the variant i was looking for at the back of the plain salted stash. I bought two then went home.

While I was walking, I still saw people drying stuff up, doing a whole lot of laundry and cleaning up their homes. Garbage bags are still being brought out. Makes me wonder though -- are we ever going to learn from this experience or are we just going to be concerned up until a certain point then make the same mistakes again?

Well, I am hopeful that we'll learn. But for now, I'll just open a new bag of Marty's cracklings and dispose it properly. I'll see where that takes me.

Coins can get you far.

2009-09-29T06:21:00.000-07:00

I love volunteering, more so when there is so much to be done. It's practically the story of my life. I used to donate a lot even back in grade school, even if my classmates find it weird. I remember one instance when we were asked to bring only rice but I brought so much more, and I was reminded by one of my classmates that we were only required to bring rice.

But to me, you shouldn't limit yourself to what was asked of you. If you know that you have been so blessed, ibigay mo yung kaya mo. Kung hindi ka nasalanta, at maraming naapektuhan sa paligid mo, wake up call ni God sayo yun na kahit di ka materially well-off, pero kung physically, kaya mo naman tumulong sa pag-repack ng mga relief goods o gumawa ng makeshift beds para sa evacuees, gawin mo. Wag mo nang hihintayin na mawalan ka pa ng opportunity na tumulong. I believe that one of the best values of Filipinos is bayanihan. More than just helping, it is giving the best of your abilities and melding them into a great effort that can make such a huge difference.

Whatever transpired during these past two days was such a life changing experience. I was able to go to Cubao with coins amounting to around P150 or something. Basta bottomline, dala ko lang puro barya. Ang pera ko lang na di barya ay P20. Kumusta naman yun, diba? Anyway, I believe that God provides, so with faith, I went there. The only contents of my bag - a rosary, my phone, and the coins. I prayed that God will provide, especially because I did not have a decent lunch. Sobrang good luck, but it all turned out for the best. Here are a few snapshots from day 1.

Ate Dane and I

Modelling our work :P

Kinarir ang Big

si Regz, may namimiss nga ba? Haha!

Pasa-pasa ng goods.

Me at work

Stolen? Haha.

Regz and Jessa

Stolen kuno?

I was touched by this kid's determination to help. I honor her. Her name is Mariel :)

GOOOOOODS!

There are several relief centers around that are gathering volunteers and donations for the victims. As of today, I've been to three. I plan on going to STC tomorrow. I can say that God is great (kahit puro barya lang ang dala ko, sobrang sulit hehe!) Sobrang galing ni God kasi kahit papaano, pinagsama-sama nya yung mga tao para tumulong sa kapwa nila kahit di nila kilala. Magaling din si God kasi sa panahong ganito, hindi iniinda ng tao kung ano yung katayuan nya sa buhay o kung saan syang grupo nabibilang. Basta Pilipino ka, tutulong ka sa kapwa mo Pilipino. Hollywood celebrities have already done their part. Sana, ikaw din. If you feel that you have been blessed, be a blessing to others as well... kahit time mo lang and effort, okay na yun.:)

God blessed us to be Filipinos so that we can inspire everyone to be heroes and for us to shine in dark moments such as this. Let us show the world that we could rise together and make our nation stronger. This is true people power.

WALANG IWANAN.

Marty's Cracklings.

2009-09-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

These would have been the packs of Marty's cracklings I would have bought yesterday. But unfortunately, I could not get any.

This particular snack is not too popular here. (and I'm very disappointed. Kirei and Oishi Prawn Crackers are so yesterday). This is the yummiest snack they've ever produced. It's so addictive yet very healthy.

Anyway, back to my point. You see, I was craving for this for a while now because it's been days since I last had them. So I tried walking to Sct. Alcaraz, but there is none. I walked farther, towards Retiro, and oh lordy lordy lordy... the typhoon really destroyed the businesses there. Even McDonalds employees had to eat what was left of the food. (If I were them, I would have given the food away). Almost all businesses were closed. I reached Mercury Drug in Mayon in my search for Marty's, but sadly, there are none. I had to settle for Pic-A. Wasn't too happy about it but I had at least something to munch.

Hay. The typhoon has really devastated us on so many levels.

I just can't wait to go back to Taft so that I can buy one of these again.

Rain rain go away, come again another day (or please don't come back at all)!

Meet the Robinsons

2009-09-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

Lyrics | Rob Thomas lyrics - Little Wonders lyrics

"Around here, however,
we don't look backwards for very long.

We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."

~Walt Disney

Last night, without anything to do, I turned to my favorite tv station, Disney Channel, for a good show to watch. As part of their festive fiesta celebration, they showed the Disney Pixar movie "Meet the Robinsons". I appreciate the movie a lot because it has a lot of messages enveloped in it.

Since I have forgotten most of the movie because it has been ages since I last saw it, I watched it. And just as the last time I watched it made me (almost) cry, I still felt the same way. For many reasons, I could relate myself to the story. We've all been through the school of hard knocks and there are at least two ways to deal with our problems, we could either try to escape from it or face it, and if we fail the first time, keep moving forward and pray that God will pick us up because no matter how many times we fall, He will always be there behind us, even if the world abandons us. And once we deal with these burdens, we just let it go and thank God. We move forward to our next adventure, learn from the mistakes we've made and make ourselves better.

We've only got one life to live and it's best for us if we live it to the fullest.

Repost: Ways on How You Can Help Victims of Typhoon Ondoy

2009-09-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

from Pinoy Chuva

Things you may want to donate:
1) Bottled Water
2) Instant Noodles (preferably in bowl packaging like Nissin or Lucky Me)
3) Canned Goods w/ pull tab cover (no can opener available in relief centers)
4) Bread or Biscuits
5) Coffee or Juice
6) Multivitamins (preferably Vitamin C)
7) Medicines (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Loperamide)
Blankets
9) Old but wearable clothes
10) Slippers/ Flip flops
11) Some organizations will accept cash donations.

For babies/toddlers
12) Diapers
13) Milk/ Infant Formula

For USA Residents:
Help in the typhoon relief effort by calling ABS-CBN Foundation USA toll-free 1-800-527-2820

For those near ABS-CBN:
Help pack relief goods at Sagip Kapamilya at #13 Examiner St. They are also looking for people willing to go to provinces and distribute the goods.

For those near a La Salle School:
(OPLAN: Sagip Metro) DLSZ (Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa) and LSGH (Greenhills) are now accepting relief goods and looking for volunteers from 8am to 6pm. DLSU- Manila (Taft Avenue) will accept relief goods as early as 8:00 A.M. at South Gate

For those near Ateneo De Manila:
Go To: Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights , Quezon City
Manuel V. Pangilinan Building Center for Student Leadership Lobby
University Dorm Cervini Hall
Hotlines: 09089977166, 09178952792, 4266001 local 5050
Operations: 24-hours operations for the entire week.

For those near a Petron Station or 2Go Branches:
Visit any Petron or 2GO Branches to drop off your donations.

Other Ways You Can Help:
1) Visit a branch of the Philippine National Red Cross and volunteer. You can also send donations using your mobile phone: text RED AMOUNT and send to 2899 (GLOBE/TM) and 4483 (SMART/ TNT). Globe is accepting P300 txt donation.

2) Visit Citizens Disaster Response Center (CDRC)
Go To: 72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes , QC
Hotlines: 9299820, 9299822
Operations: 8 a.m. onwards.

3)Radio Veritas
Go To: Veritas Tower , West Ave. cor EDSA
Look For: Karla Turingan
Hotlines: 9257931 to 39, 0918VERITAS
Operations: 24-hours, tentatively until Tuesday.

4) Victory Fellowship- Fort Bonifacio
Go to: Victory Fellowship, Every Nation Building , across from Market-Market, Fort Bonifacio
Look for: Pastor Bernard Marquez
Hotlines: 813-FORT, 8171212
Operations: Tentatively until 5pm may may extend hours. Entire week until Friday.
Website: www.twitter.com/VictoryFort

5) Tulong Bayan
Go to: Balay Expo Center, EDSA cor. Gen McArthur, Araneta Center or visit WhiteSpace 2314 Pasong Tamo Ext. beside Faith Christian School
Hotline: 0917-5273906
Operations: Come as early as 8:00 a.m.
Open to volunteers/ cash and goods donation

6) World Vision Philippines
Go to: Quezon Avenue (near Delta Theatre)
Open to volunteers/ cash and goods donation

7) Corporate Network for Disaster Response
How to: Donate cash through BPI Ayala-Paseo Branch with account number 0031 0654 02

Luzon Relief
Go to: Renaissance Fitness Center, 2F, Bramante Bldg., Renaissance Towers, Ortigas, Meralco Ave., Pasig City
Hotline: 0929-8713488
Operations: 9am to 7pm Daily
Open to volunteers/goods donation

9) Brainbeam Events
Go to: 2F MB Aguirre Cornerhouse Bldg 15, President Ave. cor Elizalde St. BF Pque. Across old Caltex
Goods donation

To add:

For donations to affected GK sites, you may go to the GK Office at Profriends Bldg, #55 Gen. Tinio Street, Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City

Residents of Tatalon QC (esp those living in GK) also need your help. You may drop off your donations at the local GK office.

[edit]
Here's a comprehensive site, if you need more information on how to help and to report incidences related to the typhoon. http://sites.google.com/site/ondoymanila/home

WALANG IWANAN!
[/edit]

Swimming in the Floodwater

2009-09-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

(photo courtesy of Reuters)

This is just one of the many alarming scenes in the Metro as Typhoon Ondoy devastated the city from Friday night to Saturday.

This is the worst recorded incidence of a typhoon in Metro Manila since PAG-ASA started monitoring the weather.

It serves as a wake-up call for us on different levels. First, this is an indication of how much we've abused Mother Nature so much, and we're clearly paying the price for our wrongdoing. Inasmuch as we consume so much products, we should learn how to properly dispose them. We should also be concerned about the worsening climate change in the world. Second, that our government is not so prepared when it comes to emergency response. GMA has used the money for emergency on her foreign trips. Oh thanks a lot! So much for PARENS PATRIAE! Now, we should be looking at how next year's presidential hopefuls are handling the crisis at hand. Noynoy and Mar's group are already active in packing relief goods and gathering donations and support. I hope to be there tomorrow. Gibo is (at least) doing his job as NDCC chief. The rest? Hmmm. Is Manny Villar doing something? Maybe he is, although others are not really RT-ing anything from his camp so I would not know.This is beginning to be an indicator of their concern for the country, so let us be vigilant with their actions. I am also concerned about CHED and HEI's response. I think they wait too long too often when it comes to suspending classes. Not that college and grad studies students are indolent, but please, next time have enough foresight. When you know it's gonna rain too hard and will cause floods, at least suspend classes at 6:00AM so that we won't have to go travel and get stuck in a place for several hours! Third, on a personal level, it reminds us how precious our lives are and how we should live it to the fullest and love without conditions.

This typhoon reminded me of horrid experiences. When I worked in Makati last year, I experienced walking in the flood twice and I kind of broke down the second time. Yesterday, I had to walk the floodwaters that were almost waist deep. Banawe, with the repairs and whatnots was terribly flooded. Oh the poor businesses. Retiro was even worse. I had to descend the taxi and walk the flood. Wow. It was quite an ordeal and what bothered me was seeing garbage everywhere. My God. I had to take a bath for a very long time when I got home. I'm not feeling well at the moment but I'm glad to be safe. My tita was stuck in Mapua, and she just got home this morning. It has never been so good to be home.

If anything, we Filipinos should stick together. As Julius Babao tweeted, In this hour of darkness let us show the world that this is our shining moment as Filipinos.

Oh and before I close this entry, here are some of the numbers/info I've collated on twitter:

MRT, LRT open for 24 hours for today, for P10 per ticket. http://bit.ly/hy8dd

For people who need assistance: National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Emergency Numbers: 912-5668, 911-1406, 912-2665, 911-5061

NCRPO 8383203 / 8383354 for rubber boat requests

ONDOY HOTLINE 7342118 or 7342120

Sagip Kapamilya 4132667 and 4160387

Noy-Mar Volunteers: Balay Expo Center, EDSA cor. Gen McArthur, Araneta Center. Pls. bring relief goods here join us in packing operations!

Donations for Gawad Kalinga may be brought to the Cervini Hall of the Ateneo de Manila University or at the GK Office at Profriends Bldg., #55 Gen Tinio St. Brgy Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City.

LSGH has a donation collection center. They need more food / meds and boxes to transport goods. If in the area please go there.

Pls call Tulong Bayan hotlines: 0908-6579998, 0939-3633436, 9137122, 9136254, 9133306 and help with relief for flood victims

We're now opening second room to accom donations at Victory Fort. Pls donate food, H2O, clothes, milk, medicines, and other items!

So to everyone: take care and stay safe :)

Dear Mrs. President.

2009-09-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

I love this song on so many levels. Change Mr. into Mrs. and this song is relevant to the country already. Here are the lyrics. :)

"Dear Mr. President"
( Pinkfeat. Indigo Girls)

Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?

Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We're not dumb and we're not blind.
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell.

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?

Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You'd never take a walk with me.
Would you?

The Way I See It

2009-09-26T07:40:00.000-07:00

I have heard so many people say "Sana manalo ako sa lotto."

But when you ask them, "Tumaya ka na ba?"

They'd tell you, "Hindi. Bakit?"

To myself, I'd just say, "Duh, eh paano ka mananalo kung hindi ka naman tataya"

I remember my European Economics class back in 2007. My professor loves sharing anecdotes about his life in England like the mountains of butter stashed in a room and how your life isn't complete until you've seen it. In one particular day, I think we were discussing opportunity cost or something like that. Anyway, he narrated the story to us in this effect:

"When I was in England, I was living in MFN," he started.

The class was looking at him, some raising eyebrows.

"Where's MFN?", I asked.

"MFN is middle of f***ing nowhere," he retorted. "And I had this professor who drove to the city just to get one of those lottery tickets. One day, I asked him 'why do you always drive so far when you know that you wouldn't have high chances of winning'. He replied, 'because if I don't get one, i wouldn't have a chance at all'."

And everything made sense to me. In the same way that we could not pray for peace, without being the agent ourself. I remember Bo Sanchez' teaching: that when we ask, we should always plant many seeds so that God will be able to give us what we ask for. Nowadays, we pray for a better nation and to fight corruption. There are several ways todo it. We can volunteer for good causes (for me, that's Gawad Kalinga and other election related groups) or if you're old enough, go and register for the elections, campaign for the candidate who can lead us honestly and wholeheartedly. To be honest, this country is not for the halfhearted, and so when we elect, we should weigh our choices well. That could be our taya, and in essence, our ticket to the jackpot. If a lot or all of us do it, we have a greater chance at winning back our country over just fighting by ourselves. God has blessed the Filipino people enough to have given us the land we have, let us do our share in making it a semblance of His great kingdom. :)

For the love of my country. :)

2009-09-26T00:38:00.000-07:00

I love the Philippines is a phrase that seems a little too cliché nowadays. Everywhere I turn, I could always see three stars and a sun being donned by so many people -- accessories, shirts, caps, bags... you name it; but when we look around us, we could see vandalized walls, homeless people lying on the streets begging for food, corruption, killings, and bad governance making the headlines of the nation's leading. So are we Filipinos guilty of hypocrisy? I hope not.

When I was a bit younger, I took pride in being a third-generation Chinese immigrant by virtue of my mother. I also loved the idea that my father is of mixed descent. Somehow, I did not pay attention to the fact that I was born and raised as a Filipino. I could not care less about the things going on. I did not realize that somehow, I owe my sense of being to this hallowed land in which God has chosen to place me. I did not think that being a Filipino was a blessing and that no matter what I do, my birth certificate will always say that I am a Filipino.

It was later on in life that I wondered whatever possessed me to think that having a mixed background would be an advantage. It's not as if I'm gonna be able to go to China for free or have unlimited plates of Tapas in Spain. Being a Filipino is an imprint that we could never remove without a scar like a tattoo or draining all your blood and finding someone of the same blood type who is French or Spanish. No matter how much we rely on cosmetic surgery, we could never deny that we were born Filipino.

Much of my pride in being a Filipino lies in the fact that I know my history (maybe not as well as before) and that there are a lot of things that I could be truly proud of. My favorite moment in Philippine history would be the People Power Revolution. I love the fact that it was such a peaceful, bloodless revolution. I love the fact that it has inspired several movements around the world. I love the fact that the Philippines will never be the same since that momentous event in history. I love the fact that whatever the legacy of Edsa was is still engraved in the hearts of every Filipino. But at a certain point, I started doubting the importance of such an event.

Before Cory Aquino died in August, Edsa seemed like a thing of the past -- that people have spat on the sacrifices made by those who lined up. Or maybe those who lined up along Edsa grew tired of the same old politics which caused the revolution in the first place. I am no political expert and I will never claim to be one despite taking my masters in a program of the political science department, but I found that somehow the popularity of Edsa waned maybe because people thought that no matter how many times they rallied against the forces of evil in the government, it doesn't change the fact that corruption exists in the system. They are tired of waiting for the messianic figure who makes promises and breaks them eventually. But just as we thought that hoping for the reversal of our fate started to dwindle, the loss of the symbol of democracy has reawaken the dormant spirit of Edsa in our hearts. We started to believe again. Now that our 'people power saint' has gone to meet her creator, we knew that we could only affect change if we worked together.

As a result, scripts made by playwrights have been torn and history books are being rewritten. We have summoned the scion of the heroes of our democracy to lead us, and in what seems to be an unprecedented feat in the recent history of Philippine politics, a long-time presidentiable gave up his chances at the presidency (or at least delayed it for another six years). I thought, maybe for the first time since 1986, we will have a president by the people, and not just anyone who had his or her eyes on the position for a very long time only to advance his or her own political agenda. Noynoy Aquino may have never thought that after his mother's death, he would be called upon to lead our land. As I see it, the country needs an inspirational leader over an experienced one. Why?

Let me paint you a picture.

Estrada and Arroyo have dashed the hopes of so many people. In my perspective, it caused a weak sense of national identity. We do not want to be identified as Filipinos simply because those who are in Malacanang broker only their personal interests. Policies are being pushed not only because they're needed but also because it will make them more potent, and in effect, will have positive reviews. They are not selfless at all. Just look at how Malacanang intervenes or reacts to any election-related news. For me, they should not even reserve the right to 1) challenge the opposition because they are not in the running for the presidency anymore and 2) bash the competition because they themselves only have a few (if there are still any) good points left. And besides, with all the wealth they've gathered for themselves vis-a-vis the growing incidence of poverty hounding the country, who wouldn't have such low morale?

That's why my vote is for Noynoy (as president) and Mar (as vice). I do not believe that we need leaders who have such a long list of credentials. I do not want to elect leaders who are only going to steal from the people. Our country needs a morale booster -- an honest leader who can push for policies without having to be recognized too much. We need a humble leader who could reach out to the masses and be the broker of their interest. We need a selfless leader who could fight for our democracy and will not change a constitution that is actually working. Above all, we need a leader who believes in God and will apply his faith in all the things that he will do for this country, just as the La Sallian prayer goes, "I will continue, o my God, to do all my actions for the love of You."

I wouldn't even care about volunteering. I've already started. And yeah, it was fun. Here are the pics from the etonAPOtalaga PiNoy Power concert last Monday, September 21, 2009. :)

yellow ribbons :D

Gomez sisters Kat and Clar. :)

Jenn Lazo was present too. (she's Noynoy's political communications assistant)

Met Bam Aquino too. Starstruck moment, believe me. :)

Aquino grandchildren, Jonty and Jiggy :)

New found friends: Liya, Margaux, Georg and Aaron :)

and to wrap up the night of celebrating freedom and love for the country:

and yes, the song's still stuck on my head up to this day, but in a good way. It's a simple reminder that we should not let anyone seize the freedom that we have achieved and are continuing to achieve as a nation and also to love our country because it is a blessing in itself from God that we could proudly call ourselves Filipinos. Let us dream for our country. Let us dream for a brighter future and put a stake on it. :)

End

2009-09-26T00:28:00.001-07:00

Okay, that's all the blogs from the past. Till next time :)

Blogs from the Past Series #10

2009-09-25T23:56:00.001-07:00

I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE

Apr 2, '09 9:07 PM
for everyone

Sabi ni Rhea, IN LOVE AKO.

SASABIHIN KO SA INYO NGAYON... IN LOVE AKO!

Actually, matagal ko na itong pinipigilan.

Matagal ko nang inililihim sa inyo.

Pero ngayon, narealize ko,

...BAKIT KO KAILANGANG ITAGO KUNG SOBRANG LUPIT NUNG NARARAMDAMAN KO?

...KUNG NAGBIBIGAY ITO SA AKIN NG WALANG HANGGANG KASIYAHAN?

...KUNG ALAM KO NA DAHIL SA KANYA, PATULOY AKONG NABUBUHAY AT NAIINSPIRE SA LAHAT NG GINAGAWA KO?

...KUNG ALAM KO NA SA BAWA'T KILOS KO, SYA ANG INIISIP KO?

...KUNG BAKIT LALONG TUMATAG ANG AKING PANANAMPALATAYA?

...KUNG SA PAGMULAT NG AKING MGA MATA SA UMAGA HANGGANG SA AKING PAGTULOG NG GABI, SIYA ANG LAMAN NG AKING PUSO'T DIWA.

...KUNG SYA ANG DAHILAN NA NARITO AKO.

...KUNG MINAHAL NIYA AKO KAHIT DI AKO PERPEKTONG TAO.

...KUNG BAKIT HINDI MAPAPANTAYAN NG MGA SALITANG MAKIKITA NYO SA BLOG ENTRY NA ITO KUNG GAANO SYA KAGALING AT KALUPIT.

... KUNG BAKIT NARARAMDAMAN KO ANG LANGIT DITO SA LUPA.

...KUNG BAKIT ALAM KONG PAGKATAPOS NG BUHAY NA ITO, ALAM KONG MAKAKASAMA KO PA RIN SYA.

I admit.

I HAVE BEEN SELFISH.

But you know what?

I SHOULDN'T BE.

Because

HIS LOVE HAS ALWAYS BEEN UNCONDITIONAL.
HE HAS ALWAYS REMAINED FAITHFUL EVEN IF WE WEREN'T.
HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN STILL.
HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN US EACH DAY.
HE HAS TURNED OUR MOURNING, SORROWS AND PAIN TO EVERLASTING JOY.

So kung tatanungin nyo ako ngayon:
BAKIT?
..bakit ako nagseserve?
..bakit ako kinikilig?
..bakit kahit ang dami kong problemang personal na mabigat, di ako sumusuko?
..bakit ako nagiging optimistic?
..bakit ako nagwoworship?
..bakit nag-eenjoy ako sa buhay?
..bakit kahit maraming di mapapalad na pangyayari sa buhay ko, nagagawa ko pang ngumiti?
..bakit nagmamahal ako?

ito lang ang sasabihin ko sa inyo.

KASI MAHAL AKO NG DIYOS.
at MAHAL RIN NYA KAYO.

Nakakakilig 'noh?

Blogs from the Past Series #9

2009-09-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY LOVE

Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 8:54pm |

Dear God,

Hi.

I'm guessing that you've been anticipating this letter for a while now. It's a bit overdue, in fact... 21 years and 2 months, to be exact. Well, I suppose that now is the perfect time to write you this because You've been nothing but great to me.

I know that our story has not been the most perfect. I was innocently following You as a child. We used to talk a lot whenever I prayed at night in front of the grotto of our home. But then, I thought that those prayers were to be answered immediately, not thinking that they were to be answered in YOUR PERFECT TIME. As I grew up, I chose to stray from You because I thought You didn't care for me whenever those prayers seemed unheeded. And though you sent me people to hear Your word, I turned a deaf ear. Instead of listening to You, I went with non-believers -- those who turned me against You. And though I thought I owned and had control over my life then, I didn't realize how lost I was without You by my side. I chose to banish You because I thought that I can do things on my own, even at the point of challenging you to turn things around when I thought that everything in my life simply went wrong. And after challenging you, I first thought that you simply defeated me. But no, I realized that You simply won me over again and that you brought me back to the light... something that I am truly grateful for.

Since then, you've made me realize how much I was loved by you through the people I've lived my life with. With them, You've made me realize that You were always here by my side and that sometimes, I just had to feel hurt and struggle, because You wanted to me to be your strong soldier. During the times you gave me a push, You made me hold on to You all the more. And you know what? It was way better than doing things on my own, because I know that everything I did was Your work.

When I was looking for the perfect job, You've searched it for me. At first, you made me experience what I thought I wanted for my life. But though I was happy with that, I felt that you wanted me to do something more, and that I had to risk. And even if my family isn't exactly well-off or stable, You gave me a mission. Even if I haven't always received monetary compensation (well, even now) on time, I don't resent you for it. I know that You're doing this because when I receive it, You have plans for me. Once I get it, I know that You will teach me how to spend it wisely. You will tell me to invest it in You and Your plans for me, my family, my friends and the people whose lives I'll touch, which does not entail any risk because it is a product of Your love.

You've been calling me to serve You. Over the past year and a half, You've brought me to places I've never thought of going for reasons other than sheer recreation or immersion. And the best part of those trips were because I dedicated them to You. You've brought me to the less fortunate, especially to GK Villages to show me that I'm still blessed amidst my own financial crisis -- to tell me that You will provide for me. You've brought me to camps to know You more and to make me realize that You've given me so much to share to others such as my talents and skills. You've brought me to sports fests and competitions so that I could adjust my outlook in contests and to teach me to have FUN doing YOUR way. You've brought me to far-flung places to worship you and to be a witness of Your unconditional love. You've brought me to training activities to help me realize that You indeed have plans for me, and that all I had to do is be humble and listen, to follow You, even when the road I'll take will be a challenge and a struggle. Even when people doubt the sincerity of my actions, God, You stuck by me, and You've kept me still, and for that I'm eternally thankful. Most importantly, You've brought me back to the HEART OF WORSHIP and say that IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU. You've welcomed me back with open arms. You've made me feel the awesome warmth of Your undying love. You've showed me heaven on earth, the most amazing feeling I can imagine.

And though I am still waiting for your gift to me, I am contented with THIS relationship. OURS. I know that You're still planning on the space of THIS TRIANGLE that he will occupy. Right now, it's You and Me. The best part? It will NEVER be AGAINST THE WORLD, because YOU LOVE ME as much as YOU LOVE THEM ALL. And you know what, that gift can wait. You've already given me the GREATEST GIFT OF ALL -- Your son, Jesus Christ, who came to proclaim Your Kingdom, to be a brother to all of us, to die in atonement of our sins and those of the whole wide world and to be the MOST PERFECT MANIFESTATION OF YOUR LOVE.

Now that I'm taking another step up in serving You, I leave everything up to You -- all Your plans for me, all the pains that I will encounter, all the sorrows because I have learned to depend on You. I know that I should allow you to be tough for me. The enemy will linger around, but with You there, I know that everything will be okay, just as it was always meant to be. Keep me safe. Protect the people I truly love and care for, Lord God. Be with them too. And when they turn their back on you, show them the beautiful light that you've shown me.

I Love You, God. I REALLY DO.

Always,
Carmel

Blogs from the Past Series #8

2009-09-25T23:51:00.001-07:00

Amidst the tide of yellow and black (tribute to Cory)

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 7:36pm

Amidst the tide of yellow and black, we celebrate the life and legacy of a person who gave herself to the Philippines as a sacrifice to free its people from the bondage of dictatorship and injustice.

Amidst the tide of yellow and black, we mourn for the person who mothered our land during the most trying moments of its history.

Amidst the tide of yellow and black, we commemorate the person who served as our model of faith and unyielding love.

Amidst the tide of yellow and black, we express our utmost gratitude to the icon who served as the nation's ceaseless hope.

Amidst the tide of yellow and black, we carry on the fire and passion of a woman who despite several adversities stood still and led this nation.

Amidst the tide of yellow and black, we stand strong as a nation, knowing that this is now a battle we must fight.

A battle which Corazon C. Aquino started twenty six years ago. a battle for true freedom, a battle to rebuild this nation.

We now dream of an ideal nation, one which Corazon Aquino wished to see.

And now that she has left us here to carry on, we must not cease.

Let us not spit on her sacrifice.

Let us be brave.

Let us stand strong.

Let us be Filipinos.

Filipinos who are worth LIVING FOR.

---

Over the past few days, I was watching several tributes being aired on tv. I was truly inspired by the way Cory Aquino defied the odds and rewrote books. Tomorrow, I hope to be part of her historical funeral. But my one true hope is that when she is laid to rest, her legacy will live on in each Filipino, for we wouldn't have been free if it weren't for people like her who sacrificed herself for the good of all.

Truly, God gave Cory Aquino as a gift to this nation. And just like every special gift, we must put value in whatever she has done for the country and to the world. Her unwavering faith and courage must always be remembered and enlivened by each person who calls him or herself a Filipino.

Blogs from the Past Series #7

2009-09-25T23:50:00.000-07:00

At 26: A Tribute to Ninoy

Friday, August 21, 2009 at 2:43pm

I was born to witness freedom and democracy in this country. I have not endured a major political upheaval against a tyrant who seized power for two decades and hoarded wealth in the government. I have not seen people being arrested in the middle of the night because they broke curfew. I have not heard of gunshots being randomly fired in the streets by forces of the military.

Whatever happened 26 years ago, to my young mind, is a momentous event that forever changed the history of the Philippines. I would never be able to comprehend the emotions running through the veins of each Filipino who had to suffer through the dictatorship of Ferdinand V. Marcos. I was never there to see how some Filipinos would go out on the streets with nothing but their rosaries, their hopes and dreams for their country, and a heart filled with courage to fight for this nation's freedom. No, I would never fully understand how hard life was during the time when the most basic of rights were being violated.

When I was a kid, I did not know what the importance of this man whose name is printed on the 500-peso bills issued by the Central Bank was. I did not think how great a sacrifice his life was for the Filipino. But whatever the impetus for my sheer passion to serve and sacrifice for this country is now, I would probably attribute a major part of it to what happened in the tarmac of what was then known as the Manila International Airport. From that point on, I believe that Filipinos have learned to value their nationality. Ninoy Aquino definitely made that event his last major personal statement to the Filipino people -- that we are truly worth dying for.

I do believe that no one would dare die the way Ninoy did for the country. Despite the implications that certain people in government (and even particular citizens) spit on the sacrifice that Ninoy Aquino has made for this country. While we have a constitution that allows us democratic rights that have been robbed of my elders back in the day, we do not maximize them so that we could make this nation better. We let the government officials run this country their way-- tolerating graft and corrupt practices, rallying without contributing to the solution for the problems we face, relying on people to step up before we do small things that could make big differences. We fail to realize the importance of our being Filipino, which is in itself, a blessing from God. We only take pride in the victories, and fall to shame when we are faced with adversities as a people. We choose to be apathetic because we think that these matters do not concern us. We choose to sit on the sidelines and wait to hero-worship someone without realizing that we could be our own heroes.

While we have the option to sit comfortably in our couch at home and care less about the plight of our country, we should remember that we owe it to people such as Ninoy and Cory who have dedicated their lives so that we could enjoy the freedom that they and the millions who lined up along Edsa have fought for.

In commemorating Ninoy Aquino's 26th death anniversary, let us continue fighting for freedom and praying for the change of heart of our leaders -- that they serve with pure hearts. And we, as citizens of this country, should do small things that could affect change: those that could pull our country out of its plight. While it is an act of martyrdom to die for this country, it would only serve our country's best interest if we live lives worthy of being Filipinos. We say: Ipagpapatuloy natin ang laban. But I hope that we don't wait too long because the hero lives in us. This country could boast of so many heroes from the hispanic times up until the contemporary era, and I believe that the same blood runs in this generation of Filipinos. Let's step up for this country and make it great again!

Blogs from the Past Series #6

2009-09-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

God's victories

Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 8:27am |

Early morning inspiration :)

We always tend to ask for something. There's nothing wrong with that. It's our way of satisfying our human needs. For most of the time, we do it for self-actualization. But sometimes, somehow, when we pray for something, we fail to realize how important it is to rely on God's timing. We want the answers at once. And when He does answer, we are not satisfied. For the many favors I've asked from God, I have realized how amazing His will is.

For all the amazing victories and favors I've received I've always felt how the timing was great. But I've also realized that whenever I try to do things my way, I fail. An even more amazing thing that happens is that when someone tries to make me feel that I could not gain a favor from Him after I've genuinely prayed for it, He gives me more than I ask for.

However, I've also observed that for the many times that I've prayed for something and tried my way because of my impatience, the favor or victory does not come into fruition. If for those many instances that I've attempted to force my will and not His, I end up in bitter disappointment. It's as if God reminds me 'in My time, not yours'. And for the many times that I do not pray for His victories and favors, He taps my back and says 'forget Me not.'

I believe that if there's a way through anything, it's because God has paved the way for it, and we could only expect good things to happen if we pray for Him to guide us through it. Like a pathway that is invisible in the dark, the road can only be seen if we ignite the fire on the lamp to walk the right way. We could never do away with God for our victories is not for our glory, but His. :)

Blogs from the Past Series #5

2009-09-25T23:46:00.000-07:00

Sabaw sabaw sabaw.

May 19, '09 8:37 AM
for Carmel's contacts

Di ko alam kung bakit ganito ako ka-sabaw kahapon pero ayun. Pumunta kaming binondo para tulungan si Annie maghanap ng papel. Sabaw talaga yung nangyari.

Ito ay hango sa blog ni Annie. Hahaha!

ganito kasabaw si carmel...

part 1.
while waiting for a cab at sherwood place...we're random HAHAHAHA...

ng dumating na ang cab...na DAPAT sa amin titigil...

unfortunately...di tumigil sa amin...tumigil sa isang girl...

sumigaw si carmel...ng..

MUKHA MO!!!!! =))

take note: sa taft area sumigaw si carmel ha? sa kalsada! hahahahahahaha

napatingin ung girl sa amin HAHAHAHAHA

part 2
pauwi na kami...sorry naman...mahirap talaga maghanap ng cab!

anyway, si "binondo kuya" (banta, 2009) ay nakakuha ng cab para sa amin...unfortunately, di kami nakasakay agad kasi si binondo taxi ay nagmamadali dahil mahuhuli daw siya...sabi ni binondo kuya ang bagal daw namin...

leche! hahaha

anyway...so nakakita kami ng taxi near starbucks...ito nanaman si "binondo kuya" tumakbo papunta kay new taxi...sabi niya kay carmel bilisan niya....sumigaw si carmel ng MUKHA MO sabay sara pinto hahahahahahahaha

-- pano naman kasi nakalock pa yung pintuan pinapapasok na ako. sinasabi ko sa kanya nakalock pa. hahahaha. MUKHA MO KUYA! :))

bow...ganyan lang naman kasabaw si carmel hahahaha

sorry na hahaha dyan kami masaya! hahaha

Blogs from the Past Series #4

2009-09-25T23:42:00.000-07:00

Respect: A reflection on the UAAP.

Oct 3, '08 9:50 AM
for everyone

Three years.

It only took me that long to enjoy the privilege of being bona fide student of De La Salle University Manila. During the orientation or LPEP, as La Sallians commonly know it, basic La Sallian values and principles were taught. We were also taught how to cheer (and not to jeer).

In those three years, I have to admit that I have never attempted to skip classes to watch a game live at the Big Dome. For one, it's a waste of money and time and I would choose listening to my professors' lectures over losing my voice and hearing in Araneta.

The little bits of information I've known about the UAAP came from friends who were quite fanatical. The worst story I've heard was a certain school holding up a banner saying "You've got MONEY. We've got MANNERS." while throwing things at the supporters of our school. Upon hearing this, I absolutely felt irritated as this school used the words "money" and "manners". To start with, not all La Sallians are rich and we were taught how to respect the opposition no matter what their social status is. We never threw things at the opposing side as this behavior is only fit for uncivilized morons. Pardon for the term, but it's true. Other stories I've heard included the scalping industry which has continually grown (and improved -- technology-wise) over the years.

During my last year in DLSU-Manila, I wished for DLSU to win the championship so that I'll experience a victory party and that we'll be vindicated for the suspension in 2006. It eventually came to fruition as DLSU beat the UE Red Warriors, which significantly, made our school a hate figure, as I've observed. People, according to my friends, were screaming "LUTO" as our team won the game. Blog entries from DLSU students also narrated horrific stories about post-game behavior.

I may not be the most value-oriented or unbiased person, but I'm smart enough to know that these acts are unsportsmanlike. So we got suspended two years ago, big deal, we got punished already, FEU got their trophy. Case closed but should this issue come up EVERY SINGLE UAAP Season? Whenever we lead in a game, the opposing team screams "FIXED", but when refs call "fouls" on our players, you think it's right. (Bato bato sa langit, ang tamaan wag magalit) It was also observed by a lot of people that Chito Narvasa suspends referees who calls on a lot of fouls on our opposition. Is that fair?

Which brings me to my next point.

What purpose does the UAAP serve?

Capitalists have profusely taken advantage of the existing rivalries, most notably the ADMU-DLSU one. The one time I went to a game, I've collected a "Yumber 1" finger that says DLSU from Jollibee, A little tarp from Accenture which says "Animo La Salle", a flaglet and cardboard visor from Globe telecom which bears the name of our university. The good thing was that I have a huge plastic bag as I went book shopping at National. I still have them stashed at home, not knowing what to do with them. Oh, and I still do have that DLSU bandana and clapper from last season from Astring-O-Sol. People have already turned these events into cockfights, taking bets on teams.

The other night, I posted a blog entry on Ateneo's bonfire, where the planks used bore the names of our players (past and present). At a certain level, it did not come out right, my blog. And I do apologize for that. Thank you, Sam, for your comment. I actually meant to send the message out to those Ateneans who are posting blogs either saying the pics were photoshopped or the whole thing was fun. Issa D. and I particularly discussed the rivalry on that post, agreeing that the rivalry is too commercialized and overrated. Who wouldn't see that, really? Even high school students were divided between the rivals -- I should know. My class, six years back, was divided too between those two schools as if we were already students there.

The UAAP was established to foster the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship. After this season though, I think that the high officials of the commission SHOULD consider things for improvement. For one, scalpers who extort money from willing patrons (including student scalpers) should be stopped from hoarding tickets. Next, the unbecoming behavior during games should never be tolerated as this should be a friendly competition. Finally, championship celebrations should always maintain a certain degree of respect to the opponents. Obviously, whoever the alumnus who crafted the planks should have been stopped. Moreover, I think that the participating universities should instill PROPER values to students. No school should be exempted from this rule. This is the biggest flaw of the UAAP as I've observed.

RESPECT. It's such a simple word to begin with, so why don't we live it if we are so civilized?

Blogs from the Past Series #3

2009-09-25T23:39:00.000-07:00

Ate, tumatanggap po ba kayo ng McSavers?

Oct 1, '08 9:19 AM
for Carmel's contacts

Yesterday, just as I arrived in DLSU, Arven asked me to accompany him to Starbucks. I gladly came with as I wanted to grab a drink too. We invited Dan and Darwin too.

We were quite indecisive as to the drink of our choice. As it was our turn, the barista asked for our orders.

Carmel: One tall caramel blended creme.
Barista: Name for the cup please
Carmel: *blink* CARAMEL.

At this point the barista was trying to contain her laughter while dictating our order to the other barista.

Dan: Jean (ganyan nya sinabi), bakit mo iniiba pangalan mo?
Darwin: Magventi nalang tayo, 25 nalang naman idadagdag.

I found myself lost in the conversation at this point.

Arven: Bakla, ang mahal!
Darwin: Konti nalang difference oh.
Arven: Sige na nga, Ate, apat po na Caramel Blended Creme. Venti. (referring to our individual orders) Tumatanggap po ba kayo ng McSavers?

Baristas: LOL (AS IN!)

HAHA.

Sabaw lang naman kami. :))

Blogs from the Past Series #2

2009-09-25T23:35:00.001-07:00

Re: Pacman's Political Agenda 05/08/2009

0 Comment(s)

(sent to Inquirer)
I am writing in response to the article Pacman’s political agenda, dated May 7, 2009. After having just watched Legally Blonde 2, I was inspired to speak up because I’ve observed that there has been too much hype going on after Pacquiao’s victory, and it really ain’t pretty.
Being a symbol of Filipino pride is one thing, running for office to represent the Filipino is another. To me, Manny Pacquiao has always symbolized the Filipino who had to sweat and bleed to rise from poverty; an inspiration to those who had to live with almost nothing to their name; a man who represents the faith and strength of the Filipino. Yet, I still can’t help but dwell on the issue of his political agenda.

After a failed attempt at congress, Pacquiao, after his victory over Hatton stated his intention to run for office again because he supposes that he can help the poor through the Congress. To me, this idea of governance has been the problem why our government is like traffic on a Monday morning – stand-still: people thinking that it is the only avenue for them to affect change in this country.

I have always believed that good governance is a function of electing brilliant leaders whose sole purpose is to serve their country. To me, good leaders are those who actually know how to argue for themselves, those who have actually learned to research on issues that affect our country, those who have experience in managing people and have immersed themselves enough to know the problem. While Manny has the experience to back his candidacy for Congress up, I think that he does not have enough knowledge to actually be immersed in that kind of politics. Being a congressman is a tough job – he has to propose legislation and decide on very important matters that will affect this country such as to confirm treaties, declare war, impeach a public official, etc. He cannot always rely on his staff to do things for him because in the end he is the one who decides. He will just be used by others to advance their political agenda. I have this observation that he has kept this attitude of the uneducated voter who thinks that those people run really do want to do good. This is the Philippines, and to tell you honestly, not all of them have clean intentions, and to rise from our poverty, we must elect an Obama!

Pacquiao has won over P580M during his match with Hatton. It is just sad to him throw it all away should he really run for office. Heck, even if he gives each Filipino a million pesos each, he still has over P400M left! But if he really wants to help people and to rebuild this nation, why not invest in long term development projects of NGO’s such as Gawad Kalinga, World Vision, and the World Wildlife Fund? Through those organizations he could provide scholarships for those who are smart from the slums but do not have the money to study, help save the environment and most importantly REBUILD THIS NATION!
The wisest investment and agenda he could make is to put his money where real solutions lie; nothing political – just pure, genuine, faith-based and principled service.

Blogs from the Past Series #1

2009-09-25T23:33:00.000-07:00

Partially Free.
Posted by Carmel Puertollano on Jan 18, '08 7:06 AM for everyone

As the political situation has worsened and the moral ascendancy of our "leaders" has become questionable, the country was relegated to "partially free".

Why wouldn't it be?

The government has freed a criminal who hasn't served his time, the sheer volume of corruption charges has inflated, the number of political killings has risen, and what course of action does the government take? They shrug it all off and act as if nothing is happening. They only prefer to look at the good side of things but that doesn't change the fact that people are suffering and that their rights are being violated. They only care about themselves and their reputation but they do not realize that their followers aren't at all content. If they ever try to act as if they care, it doesn't really manifest (or I'm just apathetic). In extreme cases, it's as if they drugged people and make them blindly follow. With a government such as ours, they only care for what they can reap from their relationship with the greater powers, like the US.
My litelec professor told me yesterday that I should be in the government because I'm more of a dove rather than a hawk. A statement I found, well, hard to take in. I know for one that I'm not the most diplomatic person in the world, nor have I ever attempted to do so. There are just things that I find unacceptable like Catholics (like my family), who discriminate against other religions. I guess that's why I never was firm with my beliefs -- I find my background leaning towards unhealthy fundamentalism which results into various misconceptions about religions that breed chaos (and that is why the Philippines is so damn f-ed up). What I'm trying to say is, we have to see things in different perspectives and that we should learn to respect how they are. We can't always expect them to do some things out of the goodness of their hearts all the time, nor can we expect them to believe in what we believe.

People have convictions that they fight for, and that's something we can never change about human nature. We can never have things go our way.

Public Service Announcement

2009-09-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

Floods are not only limited to streets and homes.

Your dashboards shall be bombarded by my past blog entries from facebook, multiply, and weebly.

You have been warned. Hehe. :)

There's something wrong.

2009-09-25T17:10:00.001-07:00

My PC flags all blogs as having objectionable content. UGH.

Return of the Comeback

2009-09-25T16:36:00.001-07:00

Wow. I haven't used this blog service since I was a freshman in college.

I'll try to update this. Was thinking of importing my blogs from weebly here. I don't know. I can't decide yet.

Anyway, I'll just keep you updated. :)