Remembering You On Your Day

"In prose and poetry, the depth of a mother's love has been immortalized times without number, finding as it does, its justification, not in fantasy but in reality."

~Perez vs. CA; G.R. No. 11870, March 29, 1996

A Song for Mama
Boyz II Men

You taught me everything
And everything you've given me
I always keep it inside
You're the driving force in my life
There isn't anything
Or anyone I can be
And it just wouldn't feel right
If I didn't have you by my side
You were there for me to love and care for me
When skies were grey
Whenever I was down
You were always there to comfort me
And no one else can be what you have been to me
You'll always be you always will be the girl
In my life for all times

You're always down for me
Have always been around for me even when I was bad
You showed me right from my wrong
Yes you did
And you took up for me
When everyone was downin' me
You always did understand
You gave me strength to go on
There was so many times
Looking back when I was so afraid
And then you come to me
And say to me I can face anything
And no one else can do
What you have done for me
You'll always be
You will always be the girl in my life

Never gonna go a day without you
Fill's me up just thinking about you
I'll never go a day
Without my mama

Mama, mama you know I love you
Oh you know I love you
Mama, mama you're the queen of my heart
Your love is like
Tears from the stars
Mama, I just want you to know
Lovin' you is like food to my soul


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MAMA.
THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU, TOO.

Maktub!

CCT/CT Class of 2008-2009

It is indeed fulfilling and rewarding to see ourselves march on the stage and receive the certificates as we bid goodbye to Bicol University on our graduation day.

Try to imagine what our first day in CCT/CT was like. Have you felt being at a crossroads when you enjoyed your sovereignty during high school days? Have you ever wondered about how will you be able to make friends easily, how will you adjust to the new environment and so on?

These were the same experiences and feelings we had during our first day in CCT/CT. Excited and nervous but full of curiosity what life would become after CCT/CT.

Our batch is composed of heterogeneous professions with different reasons of enrolling in CCT/CT. Some would like to take and pass the LET. Others enrolled because it’s a requirement in their profession. The remaining enrollees decided to take CCT/CT because of their passion to teach and willingness to become a teacher by heart.

Whatever our reasons are, we all experienced hard work doing paper works like FS and portfolios that really enhanced our knowledge in teaching. Being a CCT student gives us an opportunity to learn and discover the pillars of becoming an effective and efficient teacher. We have explored the many avenues of trial and errors, the grace to make mistakes, the fun to have arguments and lively participation of the class during the discussion and still make good memories along the way.

As what our graduation song says “The Last of All Days,” ready or not time has come to an end. But this is just a beginning that will open for a new journey for all of us – to take the challenge of advocating the endless pursuit of knowledge. We will all make a difference in the lives of our future students. We will cherish those times spent with us by our professors and mentors who devotedly shared their knowledge to us. We must bloom wherever we will be planted. We will use the wisdom as our weapons on becoming if not the best, productive educators for the years to come!

We are the CCT/CT 2009 graduates - jolly, friendly and smart chatters. It’s really fun to be with this batch!

Write-up by Ate Sharon.

Maktub!

Forward In Christ

¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 3:13-14

Five important learnings from Saint Paul to live by:

Always remember of the ONE THING.
FORGET WHAT LIES BEHIND.
STRAIN FORWARD IN HOPE.
Just PRESS ON WITH THE MISSION.
Pay attention to the PRIZE.

Exceedingly blessed weekend for me and everyone who attended the CFC - Bicol Mission Core Weekend. Would like to thank you, Tito Mon and Tita Ludy for inviting me to be part of the production team. I appreciate it big time. It just saddens me that you're going through a trying moment at this time. Am praying for Lola Crispina, and that things will get better soon.

Trivia: My first time to attend such activity, as well as be part of a production team. I'm so glad. Praise God!

St. Paul, pray for us!

Maktub!

Remembering You On Your Anniversary

Exactly five years have past since the last time I saw you, since the last time I touched you. Wish I could turn back time to that very day and the day before that just to have our last conversation. I regret that I was not there when you were still here. Nonetheless, I'm pretty sure that you're happy, much happier right now. My prayers are always with you. And yeah, I'll see you soon!

You're handsome, and I'm such a cutie. Eheh. I so love this photo!

I love you so much, Papa. Hope I could still say this to you while you can still hear me and answer back how much you love me too. But. All I could say now is how much I miss you.

By the way, we'll visit you later.

Maktub!

What's Up With Me Now?

It has been a while since the last time I blogged; been running out of idea what to write. As expected, the thought of not writing anything here days after my last post bothers me. The not-to-let-five-days-pass-without-posting-anything rule is really getting into my nerves. Sigh! Instead of relieving myself from stress with this online journal, it became the other way around. This has been the scenario since I had this blog rolling. And the editing thing? To hell with it. I'm not out here to impress people but simply to express myself (I'm being reminded!). Thanks Peach though. Always a pleasure sharing my blog works with you. Until next time.

Anyway, things change. From now on, this journal would just have to wait for my attention. It will subdue me no more; it will serve me rather! Eheh.

And for the what's up with me now? question, here it goes:

First, I have been nursing colds and cough for more than a week now. I started with a rest-and-water therapy but I didn't get better so I resulted to trying the next best thing - taking medicine. Solmux's double-action property as being advertised, which I find to be a convincing one, seems to be futile with my case. The last resort? Antibiotic co-trimoxazole. If I still don't get well with this, time for lung-check. Might got some mycobacterial infection. I pray not!

Second, I am terribly stressed by the school term papers. Being a certified procrastinator, I expect the work to just pile up, and guess what? It did. Yahoo! One has been long due but still lying on top of my table, unfinished. Two more are due this week but still remain untouched. Tsk tsk. I wish the semester is over now so I can finally clean my mind with these stress-causing projects. Sigh!

Third, I have been hooked with the phBar forum - an absolutely wonderful site. Not only do I learn lots of stuff concerning BarEx and other legal matters, I also gained an instant cyber-family. This community is truly a blessing.

And lastly, the BarEx mania is down to its final stretch. This coming Sunday will be the last day of battle for my friends and classmates who are courageously attempting to slay the mighty dragon. I am hoping and praying that they all emerge as victors. *Hang on there buddies! One hack more and the beast will go to rest, for good.*

Well, I better get my ass moving now. Have to finish my term papers before it's too late.

Maktub!

A Profitable Servant

Years have passed since I was called into a renewal,
To accept and know Christ more in a way that is personal.

I’ve rejoiced, felt being changed and really gone out of my way
because He has touched me and healed all my dismay.

In my great delight, serving Him seems to be a good payment,
And maybe, in one way or another, a very good investment.

And so I focused myself in becoming a servant in His name,
Taking everything away including my shame.

Little did I notice, my passion for service started to grow,
Sharing the blessings I have to the less fortunate people I know.

I felt good, felt differently,
To these people, I have built camaraderie and became friendly.

Admiration came that entailed bragging my own,
Putting everything aside for my all to be shown.

To everyone, I’ve became known
For I have disregarded my family, even my studies I have thrown.

I exerted effort in showing and giving more,
Until I’ve become rotten and selfish to my very core.

For I have thought of doing more, and even my best,
Making everything at my very own hands be at rest.

I’ve became a man of service, believing that I was good,
Instead of being a man of God, leaving everything to Him for good.

I focused in strengthening the service that sustained me,
Serving so many people but not the One above me.

Soon I became a loser, because all my work to Him I didn’t offer.
For service did I thought was all that matter!

~ 3:58 am ; 11-12-03

This is also one of the literary works God inspired me to come up with during my YFC days. Truly, He works in mysterious ways.

To God be the glory.

Maktub!

KASUROG

SI KRISTO AMING BANTAYOG
BIKOL AT SOUTHERN TAGALOG
YFC MAGKASURUROG

Kaibigan, kapatid, kasurog kung tawagin
Binubuklod ng iisang puso’t panalangin
Bawat isa’y aalagaan at mamahalin
At si Kristo ang bantayog at tanging didinggin.

At kung puso ang iyong susurii’t titingnan
Purong pagmamahal, walang halong kaplastikan
Sa lungkot man o hirap, maging sa kasiyahan
Laging nariyan at t’yak na hindi ka iiwan.

Sa pag-ikot ng mundo’t paglipas ng panahon
Maraming trabaho’t pagsubok ang naghahamon
Na sa bawat lubak, pipiliting makaahon
Para maging matatag sa gagawing paglingon.

Upang lalong mapagtibay ang pagsasamahan
Iba muna bago ang sariling kapakanan
Simbolo ng isang tunay na pagbibigayan
Na kahit sinong tao ay kayang patunayan.

Respeto, pag-uunawa’t tanging pagmamahal
Ang sa bawat nilalang ang s’yang pinapairal
Maging sa taong may pusong sing-tigas ng bakal
Dahil t’yak na lalambot din ito pag-tumagal.

Ordinaryong tao ngunit hindi sumusuko
Dahil ang pagsuko sagisag ng pagkatalo
Pagkatalo sa mga labang ipinangako
Laban para sa katarungan at pagbabago.

Gulong ng buhay ay kay hirap maunawaan
Ngunit kung si Kristo ang ating pinaglalaban
Kailanga’y pusong lubos na naninindigan
At mga kasurog na ating masasandalan.

While going over some of my files, I saw this one. I wrote this tula (tagalog poem) way back in 2004; just a couple of weeks after our CFC - YFC STaB SHouT (Couples For Christ - Youth For Christ Southern Tagalog and Bicol Summer House Training) in Camarines Norte. I was a very active member of YFC Albay then. I was really moved by the experience I got from that activity, inspiring me to come up with this literary stuff.

To God be the glory.

Maktub!

Heavenly Hope

3 Not only that, we even boast of our afflictions,
knowing that affliction produces endurance,
4 and endurance, proven character,
and proven character, hope,
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Romans 5 : 3-5

Ut In Omnibus,
Glorificetur Deus.

Maktub!

The Traveler’s Gift

While thinking about what to post for some time now, several topics came rushing to my mind: ancestral origin, hometown, escapades, faith and love life(?), among others. The only problem is that I just can’t find a way to start one and come up with a good write-up. This has always been the problem of trying hard seasonal writers like me. Anyway, I can still use such topics in the days to come; just need to find a good motivation or inspiration perhaps so I can put them into words.

Now, why The Travelers Gift you may ask? I chose this topic because of a book that I finished reading a couple of months ago. The Traveler’s Gift is a book written by Andy Andrews, wherein he mentioned and creatively presented the seven choices that one must take into account in order to achieve personal triumph. I consider it very inspirational because I, as a naive traveler of life, usually look at the glass half-empty or in a wrong perspective (although I’m still in denial of myself being pessimistic), causing me to live a topsy-turvy life. And since I find it helpful to be always reminded of these must-make decisions so I could be guided accordingly, I decided to come up with this post. This will also allow me to share them with you guys.

So to Sir Andy, let me borrow some of your wits:

The Traveler’s Gift:
7 Decisions That Determine Personal Success

First Decision
The Buck Stops Here.

I accept responsibility for my past.
I control my thoughts.
I control my emotions.
I am responsible for my success.
The buck stops here.

Second Decision
I Will Seek Wisdom.

I will be a servant to others.
I will listen to the counsel of wise men.
I will choose my friends with care.
I will seek wisdom.

Third Decision
I Am A Person Of Action.

I am courageous.
I am a leader.
I seize the moment.
I choose now.
I am a person of action.

Fourth Decision
I Have A Decided Heart.

I will not wait.
I am passionate about my vision for the future.
My course has been charted.
My destiny is assured.
I have a decided heart.

Fifth Decision
Today I Will Choose To Be Happy.

I will greet each day with laughter.
I will smile at every person I meet.
I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.
Today I will choose to be happy.

Sixth Decision
I Will Greet This Day With A Forgiving Spirit.

I will forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness.
I will forgive those who criticize me unjustly.
I will forgive myself.
I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit.

Seventh Decision
I Will Persist Without Exception.

I will continue despite exhaustion.
I focus on results.
I am a person of great faith.
I will persist without exception.

I hope these decisions will guide us all in dealing with our lives, victoriously.

postscript:

Thanks Tito Omec for sharing the book with me.

Maktub!