Thank You!

No one is an island.
Though there are some who always prefer to be alone, there will come a time in their lives that they will need somebody. . . . . a friend, a help, or someone to love and love them back.
Everyday we meet different kinds of acquaintances. These are the people we ask for directions when we are lost, help us carry our grocery bags, open the door for us when both our hands are full etc. etc. And these are also the people we met a long time ago who gave meaning to our lives.

Even as a child, my dad taught me to always show gratitude to the people who are kind to me. Saying thank you may sound so ordinary but to the one who receives it, it gives sparkles to the eyes. But recently, i notice that i don't say the words anymore. I was always in a hurry that i just turned my back right away after my needs are met. I didn't even manage to give a smile. And now I wonder how awful it must have been to those people i forgot to say thank you to. I know so because i felt bad this morning when i helped a lady picked up her groceries when it scattered on the sidewalk and she didn't even bother to thank me.

I want to take this opportunity to thank someone in my past who first taught me the meaning of love. Thank you my friend.

More of Boracay. . . .

I took this pictures summer of 2008 during a quick vacation with my family plus my brother and his girlfriend. Aside from high tech amenities boracay offers, what makes it one of the best tourist spots in the world is its God-given natural resources. See it for yourself!!!!

Boracay

I took this picture of myself about two years ago during the christening of my friend's daughter where i am one of the sponsors. Behind me is the famous Boracay island. I will post some more pictures of the place tomorrow.
I'm inviting everyone to come visit one of the most visited tourist spots in the world. I assure you the island is spectacular and you will definitely have an unforgettable time there.

Raising Twins

It's like a tag war in our house everyday. Even at a younger age, my twins always compete who will be first in almost everything they do. They fight from dawn 'til bedtime. . . . who takes a bath first in the morning as they prepare for school, who gets to finish eating first, who's the first to finigh brushing their teeth, shine their shoes, do their assignments, who's the next person to say grace for the meal and God knows what else. And aside from being cats and dogs, they are both teasers. They tease one another up to the point of ignition. The one that ignites leaves his brother on the floor. And here comes mom yelling . . . . again.
One tag-war day, I caught myself in a situation where I was yelling and nobody of the twins seems to have heard me. And there are instances where I tried to talk things out to them in a democratic way but they just look at me point blank.
I reached a point where I got tired of all the quarelling and all my yelling so little by little I designed my own disciplinary action. . . . actually its a compilation of all the how-to-raise-kids books that i have read and things i learned from experience.
The very first thing i did is accept my children for who they are. Instill in my head that they are just kids, they have weaknesses just like everybody and they are prone to mistakes because they are still discovering things.
Next, I tried so hard not to nag and yell (still doing my best up to now) because kids hate that. My mom always tell me that if I do not have something nice to say its much much better to keep your mouth shut. I do that and it works. There are instances we got carried out by how drain and tired we are and blow it to our kids although we are aware it's not healthy for them but God knows you just can't help it sometimes. The fact still remains, , , , nagging and yelling is not healthy for the kids and it should be the priority no matter how awful our day went.
I kept a calendar at the back of my head. It is listed there who took a bath yesterday so the other twin goes first today. And the same goes with the brushing etc. Now the twins themselves take note of the reverse strategy. That's one headache pulled out of my head.
The one thing we argue the most is the issue on who-does-what-and-when. The other twin would always reason out that i did this and that when you told me to now let him do this and that for you. So I told them that not everything is done fair and square and to let me be the judge of who will do the next favor i ask. I encouraged them to be happy that they are able to do something for mom and not count the favors they have done. Peter Karl until now sometimes mumble when being ask a favor but still i'm happy because he mumbles and still do what i ask. Gemkarl on the other hand is always willing and happy to be of service to mom and dad.
Finally, I've learned to love them unconditionally. I do not require them to be first in class or to win in a school competition. Patiently, I encourage them to be who they want to be and reach what they want in life, to embrace difficult lessons because it's the way to learn, to love and be responsible in their studies, to fight back when bullied but never initiate a fight with anybody, to show respect esp towards their teachers and female schoolmates, to pray and stuffs like that.
Truly, to be a parent is the most difficult but the most fulfilling job of all.

Celebrating Holy Week!

It is the culture of the filipinos to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Christ which is celebrated during holy week. Personally, I celebrate it wholeheartedly through fasting, going up a mountain for the way of the cross prayer, listening to the seven last words, attending the mass and the procession.
I believe everyone has their unique way of celebrating the holy week and it doesn't have to be done my way or the so-called catholic way. For me, the real essence of commemorating it is accepting God in our lives. And when you say accept Him, you have to live Him. In my everyday encounter with life I am watchful with the words I speak and the things I do because I don't want to hurt or offend others and in turn offend Him. But i am also mindful of the reality that i'm not perfect and along the process of struggling to be good, i know i still hurt somebody. What i'm really trying to point out is, be mindful of your mistakes and always strive to be good even if it's lonely, tiresome and boring to do so.
Seeing the positive way of life and the positive side of every person we meet everyday is another way of showing and remembering that God is so good that He died for us. Everyone deserves a fair trial in life, a second chance, and a chance to be better.
I climb a mountain to be where I am now and I know there are more mountains to climb ahead but i am no longer afraid because i trust in the power of prayer. One of the things that add hope is one of my mom's favorite verse that says, "Most of us are praying for mountains of problems to be removed when what we should pray for is courage to face them."

Holy week can be celebrated everyday. You can offer sacrifice by giving your helper enough rest, buying a bread and a softdrink for a beggar, standing up to let an older woman sit, following traffic rules, throwing garbage in a proper can, and even saying sorry, pls and thank you can melt the heart of the one who recieves it. I'm not saying that we should not go to church and all to make it a holy week. I think it becomes more meaningful when we show our love and faith in God with the people we meet everyday.
May everyone of us live life with God, have peace with God, and love with God not only this blessed week but everyday of our lives.

Repost from my friendster blog...................

A GREAT MAN LOST

Just recently a very close person to our family passed away. He’s been with us for 17 years and losing him, to me, is like losing a father, a friend and a mentor rolled into one.

I was at the hospital the day it happened. And when the doctor finally announced his demise, i just stood there watching him from outside the ICU through a glass window. Stunned. I couldn’t bring myself to cry because, consciously, I still cannot accept that he is gone….forever…. Slowly, i felt the reality of losing him and tears started falling from my eyes. I wanted to go inside the ICU and hold his hand and whisper these words to his ear "Rest now. Lift up all your worries for your family to God and He will take care of them". But i held myself because i wanted to give that moment to his grieving family.

Right that instance, i asked myself what are the things i did and didn’t do for this man? And, somehow, i can’t help to think how ironic it is that it comes naturally for people to assess these things only after a loved one died.

I regretted many things but the one I regretted most was not being there for him at the time when he was battling cancer and was suffering from the side effects of chemotherapy. Well, he didn’t lost the battle. He won God.

Now, the great man is lost. I didn’t know how painful it is to lose someone you consider part of your family for a long time ’til now. This is the first time i ever grieved deeply for someone. But unlike a lost boyfriend or husband after a break-up, i will not feel sorry for all the tears i cried for he deserve every drop of it. Though i will not see him again, the lessons he imparted to me i will live throughout mine, my children, and my grandchildren’s lifetime.

All that’s left of him are memories of a great man. How can i forget an always smiling face… a very humble person who talks to people from all walks of life despite his status… a man by example who stand steadfast with his principles in life… a pro-life, pro-family, pro-law… to summarize it all A GREAT MAN.

Know, great man, that you are loved unfathomably by my family. And we consider you one of ours.

Yesterday i came across my mom's collection of verses. she cut them from newspapers or magazines she happens to get hold on. Most of these verses are from the late Max Soliven's (i'm not sure if i got that right) page in the newspaper ( i forgot the name of the paper). Anyway, i find the verses enlightening and hoping that i can share the same perception to some if not everybody. I collected a few to post and here they are:

It’s true that we don’t know

what we’ve got until we lose it,

but it’s also true that we don’t know

what we’ve been missing until it arrives.

Giving someone all your love is never

an assurance that they’ll love you back!

Don’t expect love in return.

Just wait for it to grow in their heart

but if it doesn’t, be content it grew in yours.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone,

an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone.

But it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Those who tell you it can’t be

done have always been around,

but throughout history progress has always come

from those who said it could be done.

Those who thank God even in trials,

turns burdens into blessings,

make Him the center of your life.

Do not pray to be sheltered from problems

but to be fearless in facing them.

Do not be afraid of pain but

ask for a heart that conquers it.

As we sail through life,

do not avoid rough waters,

sail on because calm seas

never make a strong and skillful sailor.

Your vision will become clear only

when you can look into your own heart.

Who looks outside, DREAMS.

Who looks inside, AWAKES.

The beauty of the morning isn’t sunrise

but the thought of God giving us

another day to see through life.

Always remember life is

never without a need,

never without a problem,

never without a trial,

never without a hurtful moment.

But a peaceful life is never without Christ.

Getting angry is actually punishing

yourself with the mistakes of others.

So keep away from anger

because all you will get are wrinkles.

Most of us are praying for mountains

of difficulty to be removed,

when what we really need

to pray for is courage to climb them.

Each day our goal is to touch one’s heart,

encourage one’s mind and inspire one’s soul.

May you continue to be blessed

and be a blessing to others.

1st communion

Last Feb. 20 was my twins' 1st communion. But before that, they went through some preparations. They had a recollection where they talk about God, about being good children and stuffs like that. After which, they have undergone a confession to cleanse their soul before they can accept the body and blood of Christ (in the form of communion).
I myself grew up in a catholic school and up to this very day I treasure those times where I attended the recollection, which happens yearly, until my college days. Recollection, for me, is about renewing your relationship with God and increasing your faith in Him. I can honestly say that it has helped me a lot in living my life now.
I salute my former schools especially University of San Carlos in Cebu where I graduated from elementary. It molded my childhood to become who I am today. Most of all, I salute St. Anne Montessori School here in Aklan, where my children are currently enrolled, for their concern, dedication and perseverance to uplift not just the mental awareness of their students but also the emotional, physical and spiritual development. Eventually producing productive citizens of this country.