What is 1 x 1? (Message Outline)

Title: WHAT IS 1 x 1?
Date: May 18, 2008, Sunday, 10 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Ptr.Chinkee Tan
Key Verse: John 6:1-13

JOHN 6: 1-13

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

MAIN POINT:

GOD IS A GOD OF MULTIPLICATION

• What are the principles that we can learn in order for us to experience multiplication in the area of money?

Principle of Stewardship.

• Only what is returned to the owner can be multiplied.

JOHN 6:9

Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish.

• God owns everything.

PSALMS 24:1

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

HAGGAI 2:8

The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty.

ROMANS 11:36

For from him through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

LUKE 16:10

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.

MAIN POINT:

GOD IS A GOD OF MULTIPLICATION

Principle of Tithing or Returning.

• Something must be blessed before it can multiply.

JOHN 6:11

Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks.

MALACHI 3:10-11

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty

MALACHI 3:8

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings.

MAIN POINT:

GOD IS A GOD OF MULTIPLICATION

Principle of Offering or Giving.

• Only what is given away can multiply.

JOHN 6: 11-13

And distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

2 CORINTHIANS 9:6

'Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously'

MAIN POINT:

GOD IS A GOD OF MULTIPLICATION

It's Your Time To Be Blessed (Repost)

Last Sunday's Morning Service was great! It was one of the memorable Sundays we've ever had. We invited Ptr. Chinkee Tan (from Victory Christian Fellowship) as our guest speaker. He talked about Financial Freedom, on how to be financially blessed through TITHING and GIVING and how to live a debt-free life. We were so blessed with the message. Wrong perspectives about giving were changed. Wrong philosophies about how to be financially blessed were transformed. People started to know the difference about TITHING and OFFERING. Everyone was really blessed and amazed to learn many revelations about true giving.

Here are some photos of the said event:

Cornerstone Christian Church-San Mateo Pastors, Elders and Minsitry Leaders with guest speaker Ptr. Chinkee Tan

Alvin Gutierrez, Ptr. Josie Gutierrez and Ptr. Betty Gutierrez with Ptr. Chinkee Tan

Maan Barrientos, Janve Gutierrez and Jennifer Barrientos with Ptr. Chinkee Tan

Sis. Vhebs Bacugan with Ptr. Chinkee Tan

Maan Barrientos with Ptr Chinkee Tan

Alvin Gutierrez with Ptr. Chinkee Tan

We thank God for this wonderfully opportunity and privilege. Again, thank you very much to Ptr. Chinkee Tan for being a great instrument of God in opening our eyes about deeper revelations and wisdom in giving and managing our finances. We hope to have you again as promised.

For those who missed last Sunday's preaching, please keep posted for Ptr. Chinkee Tan's Financial 101 Training. We'll announce the schedule for it. Thanks. God bless.

P.S.:
This Sunday, our total tithes and offering spiked up to its highest record ever.
Thank God for that! Woohoo!!

It's Your Time To be Blessed

Cornerstone Christian Church-San Mateo invites you to attend its Morning Service (10:00 a.m.) this coming Sunday, May 18, 2008 with guest speaker Ptr. Chinkee Tan (actor/comedian/host of 700 Club Asia) as he talks about Financial Freedom, Managing Your Finances, Living A Prosperous Life and How To Be Debt-Free.
Bring your family, friends and business partners!
Don't miss it!! See you there!!

Plus,
there will be a Book Sale and Book Signing after the service...

For more information, please contact:
Ptr. Betty (+639228171098)
Ptr. Joel (+639284883234)
Ptr. Cho (+639154066863)
Sis. Vhebs (+639234009763)

Thank you.
See you there!!
God bless!

Denial 101

Denial: is a defense mechanism' postulated by Sigmund Freud, in which a person is faced with a fact that is too uncomfortable to accept and rejects it instead, insisting that it is not true despite what may be overwhelming evidence. The subject may deny the reality of the unpleasant fact altogether (simple denial), admit the fact but deny its seriousness (minimization) or admit both the fact and seriousness but deny responsibility (transference).

TYPES OF DENIAL:

1. Denial of impact: Denial of impact involves a person avoiding thinking about or understanding the harms their behavior have caused to themselves or others. By doing this, that person is able to avoid feeling a sense of guilt and it can prevent that person from developing remorse or empathy for others. Denial of impact reduces or eliminates a sense of pain or harm from poor decisions.

• Last Thursday, I went to Starbucks-Marquinton to meet Jaja. I also intended this meeting to compensate for my absence on her birthday party due to a cluttered schedule. I came early at our meeting place for the first time. (Hehehe…) Honestly, I was hesitant at first to tell her about my issue. I clarified to her that I don’t really need an advice I just need someone to listen to my rants and affirm my convictions that I may arrive to the right decisions. I told her about the whole story behind my blog entry “Sounds Familiar”. I stated all the evidence I got that led me to have a conclusion about it. She started to dissect the story by asking me questions. Then after explaining things, I asked her to tell my mistakes and she quickly answered, “The only mistake you committed was that you’ve made yourself too much involved in a situation where you shouldn’t.” I told her that my initial reaction when I learned about it was, I don’t know what to feel or if I should be feeling something. She affirmed that I should not be feeling anything at all. The discussion went well. It was very liberating to know I shouldn’t be really bothered about the whole story.

• I shouldn’t be feeling aggravated about my issue. In fact, I’m not privy to it. COLLATERAL DAMAGE----I think this word would completely rationalize why I felt a little bit annoyed upon knowing it. However, I should let it go and let God be God over my situation. I believe that no matter how I insist that I have the right to feel bad about it, nevertheless it will not lessen nor change the situation.

• I think that they are both happy about what they did. And all I need to do is to be happy for them even if my heart is still feeling the pain. After all, love is not all about having everything you want to have, but it is all about giving, sacrifice and believing the best in every person. Others may perceive that I’m in denial about it, but if that’s the only way to show that I have forgiven and forgotten things, then so be it.

2. Denial of cycle: Many who use this type of denial will say things such as, "it just happened." Denial of cycle is where a person avoids looking at their decisions leading up to an event or does not consider their pattern of decision making and how harmful behavior is repeated. The pain and harm being avoided by this type of denial is more of the effort needed to change the focus from a singular event to looking at preceding events. It can also serve as a way to blame or justify behavior

• Last Sunday was Mother's Day. We paid tribute to one of God’s greatest gifts to all of us---our mothers. During the Morning Service, my Mom was our speaker and she talked about the characteristics that a Godly woman/mother should have. Then, all the mothers were prayed for by our Pastor (my Dad) and the whole congregation. Afterwards, the young people started to distribute the roses and certificates made by JP, while being serenaded by Wendy and Jen with their rendition of the song “Wind Beneath My Wings.” During the Afternoon Service, our Pastor talked about the calling and purpose of mothers. After the message, the young people again distributed the roses and gave the certificates, as I sang “Beautiful In My Eyes”.

• After the Afternoon Service, my family and Jen’s family went out to celebrate Mothers’ Day. Actually, it was an impulsive decision on our side, because we just wanted to treat my Mom and Mama Elena for a dinner. We went to Dampa-Marikina and spent the whole night for a sumptuous dinner. We even attempted to have some coffee, but most of us were already sleepy and very full so we went home after we had our dinner.

• One thing I thank God for having Cornerstone Christian Church is the bond that it has created among its member-families. I thank God for the bond He has created between my family and Jen’s. We’ve never been this close before. Like, we always have time eat dinner and relax in their house and vice-versa. I’ve cooked so many times for them. It has become a habit for us that after our worship team practice, we go straight to their house and eat our very late dinner. Then, every Sunday we also eat lunch together in the church and share food. I thank God for all these things. I know God has a purpose why He let our families to be close to one another. I will not deny that I love the bond God has created and allowed to grow between and among our families.

3. Denial of responsibility: This form of denial involves avoiding personal responsibility by blaming, minimizing or justifying. Blaming is a direct statement shifting culpability and may overlap with denial of fact. Minimizing is an attempt to make the effects or results of an action appears to be less harmful than they may actually be. Justifying is when someone takes a choice and attempts to make that choice look okay due to their perception of what is "right" in a situation. Someone using denial of responsibility is usually attempting to avoid potential harm or pain by shifting attention away from them.

• Last Friday, I received an SMS from Sun Cellular telling me that I already exceeded 70% of my allowed credit line. At first, I was a bit shocked and in denial about it. How could it be? It’s been days only since I’ve paid my last bill, then SUN’s telling me that I’ve exceeded more than my credit line. I tried calling the SUN Hotline but the line was busy. So I sent an SMS to 205 and they replied:

“Your latest bill as of 04/212008 is Php 550.44. As of 5/9/2008, your unbilled charges amount to Php 554.41 exclusive of VAT, adjustments, OCT, one-time charges and roaming charges. Your latest payment was 04/15/2008. The total amount paid was Php672.25.”

• Whew! I can’t deny the fact that I should take responsibility for this. Thank God for the provision. For me, it’s bad timing to receive this bulging bill because its vacation time and I don’t have any financial source as of now. However, God is so faithful. He provided for my needs. Thank God!

4. Denial of fact: This form of denial is where someone avoids a fact by lying. This lying can take the form of an outright falsehood (commission), leaving out certain details in order to tailor a story (omission), or by falsely agreeing to something (assent, also referred to as "yesing" behavior). Someone who is in denial of fact is typically using lies in order to avoid facts that they think may be potentially painful to themselves or others.

• Yesterday, I sent a message through YM to “her”. I said, “How are you?” She replied that she’s okay. At first, I was hesitant to talk to her because like what Jaja said, it’s useless for obvious reasons. However, I can’t help but to do it. So, I told her I heard some rumors about her. Then, I started to ask her if it’s true. She said, “No. It’s not true. I’m still single.” I was shocked upon her reading her reply. She even asked me where I got that idea that she’s in a relationship right now. I just said to her that I got it from a reliable source. I also told her that I saw a picture supporting the allegations about her. At the end of our chat, she said that it’s not true. She said that she’s still single. She’s going out with some guys but it’s not a date.

5. Denial of denial: This can be a difficult concept for many people to identify in themselves, but is a major barrier to changing hurtful behaviors. Denial of denial involves thoughts, actions and behaviors which bolster confidence that nothing needs to be changed in one's personal behavior. This form of denial typically overlaps with all of the other forms of denial, but involves more self-delusion.

• Honestly, upon reading her answers, I don’t know what I should be feeling. I want to believe that she’s telling the truth because it will not cost her anything if she’ll conceal it from me. I don’t know if after knowing that she’s still single, should I be happy or should I feel guilty for misjudging her. I don’t know if she’s just denying it for her personal reasons or telling me the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

• Nevertheless, all I wanted is to know the truth. The truth that will set us both free. Anyway, denying it will not even compensate the pain I felt for days. I just pray the best for both of us.

The 'Ploning' Wave

Let’s watch PLONING!

I got this article from (producer) Jourdan Sebastian’s Multiply Account:

I lost my day job... pursuing this film.

Dante, the director... turned his back on a blossoming career in television to tell this story.

Guia the co-producer, left Star Cinema to pursue this dream.

Judy Ann Santos is against all odds to present "Ploning"

On April 30, Wednesday, The film we made will open in SM Cinema theaters nationwide.

We have placed all we have on "PLONING"... all bets are in and there's nothing left on our side of the table.

F-R-E-E-F-A-L-L!

It's what you feel when you just jumped out of a cliff...

without a parachute...

in faith...

and you have nothing to hold on to...

but this intangible notion that you think you heard God tell you to do something some time ago...

so you gave everything you got to do it...

God is so quiet during freefall!

Every part of my body is shaking right now... overwhelmed with all the things happening and about to happen. We just had our "Ploning" Premiere Screenings and Press Preview.

2 days our small film project will open in SM Cinemas with "Ironman" and "When Love Begins". And while we were having our Premiere, the big ads of the 2 other big films overwhelmed me. They were just so big. How can our small film even be noticed with all those big ads... Yesterday, I went through the newspaper and saw all the print ads of all the other films but ours.

Just thinking of everything that transpired these past months is making me weak and strong at the same time.

Weak - because we went through so much odds making this film happen. And we are going through so much more in these coming days and it feels like we have nothing more to give.

Strong - because I am humbled right now by our promo team. They are doing so much with the so little we are giving them to promote this film. We don't have the machinery and the resources of Big Hollywood studios or TV Networks... but I feel and believe that there is that silent rumble about our film out there. And I am believing that this buzz will translate to something great.

Strong - because we as a team are holding on only to God's assurance that we are doing all this for His Glory.

Right now I have the strong belief that we will do really really well in the box-office even if we are playing with the big boys! Kilala ko si God. I have learned to know that everytime His children steps out in faith and hold on to Him and only to Him for dire life, He delivers!

I am expecting supernatural success for our film. I say this in faith now. And as I say this I am not looking at the circumstances that we are in but at the personality of a Leader who overcomes great odds for his People. I am only boasting in My Lord who has told me that He will make us victorious!

I have cried so many times making and watching this film... and I am so proud of the film... I am so proud of the team. I have worked and collaborated with very courageous and brave men and women... and we have come out with a small but very courageous and brave film.

In the film, Mylene Dizon's character Celeste, was asked by Judy Ann's character Ploning, if she was sure with her decision to give up her life in Manila and live in Cuyo, Palawan. Her answer pretty much sums up what we are all going through right now... "Dalawa lang naman ang nangyayari kung tumalon ka sa bangin... sasaluhin ka ng Diyos o tuturuan ka niyang lumipad!"

Come April 30, Wednesday... if you believe in dreams...if you believe that Filipinos can make excellent films... if you believe that God is really doing something special in this time now...

Let me invite you, to watch "Ploning" a story of waiting, love and hope. A story of faith that love covers all!

(for more information on the film please checkout
http://www.ploningthemovie.com/)

More Than The Crown

We had a blast last Sunday! Woohoo!!

Imagine, we celebrated CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH’S 4^th Anniversary (Main Church) and also REV. PTR. ALFRED ABAD’s (insert a double digit here)^th Birthday. Whew!

Thank God! Our main church (Cornerstone Christian Church) celebrated its 4^th Anniversary simultaneous with our Senior Pastor, Rev. Ptr. Alfred Abad (“Tatay” as we usually call him). We rushed to drop by to our main church to give our surprise gift to him. We gave him a super delicious cake from Max’s (Which is now one of my favorite cakes. Thanks to Mama Elena for introducing that cake to us.). And also, we brought JANINA SAN MIGUEL (Binibining Pilipinas-World 2008) and JENNIFER BARRIENTOS (Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2008) as our surprise gift(s) to him. After Jennifer won the crown, Tatay immediately informed me that he wanted to have an interview with Jennifer. After the interview, he mentioned that he also wanted to meet and talk to Janina San Miguel. Janina at that time was at the peak of her controversial victory. So while we were on our way home, we thought of inviting Janina on Tatay’s birthday in order for his dream to meet her would come true. Lo and behold, we brought Janina and Jennifer to our main church to grace the Anniversary and also his birthday. As usual, the whole Robinsons Novaliches was surprised and star struck at the two ladies’ arrival. However, we still managed to fulfill our purpose for coming there.

Furthermore, Tatay acknowledged the two ladies and even asked to stand beside him on the stage. Then, Ptr. Fred started to introduce Jennifer and Janina to the congregation. What highlighted the event was when they were both prayed for by Ptr. Fred together with the whole congregation. Surprisingly, Janina wept while being prayed for by Ptr. Fred. Her tears overflowed so I offered my handkerchief to her. My hanky is still with her right now. She just told me,

“Kuya, akin muna yung panyo mo. Lalabahan ko na lang bago ko ibalik sa’yo. Nakakahiya naman po sa inyo. Hehehe..”

I just quickly nodded and told her,

“Okay lang. Sige lang. Don’t worry.”

While I watched her using my hanky, I realized something. (Wow! My things are becoming legendary. Bwahaha... The first time was when we met Anna Theresa Licaros (Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2007) at Starbucks on our way home from Tagaytay. She used my cellphone to talk to Jennifer (her successor) who was then in Bohol. Then last Sunday, Janina used my hanky to wipe those overflowing tears in her eyes.) Anyway, the pleasure and privilege will always be mine. They are all beautiful ladies, and they deserve only the best. After the service, people started for their photo opportunities with the two beauties. I saw familiar faces and I missed them all. Ate Faye (the “Multiply ang Facebook goddess”) approached me and I introduced her to Jen and Janina for some rubbing elbows. While on our way back to our church, I asked Janina what she felt while being prayed for by our Senior Pastor, she said to me,

“Grabe! Na-feel ko yung presence ni God. Na-feel ko yung prayer ni Pastor. Bihira lang kasi ako ipinagpray-over. Yung una nung victory party ko with my family. Tapos pangalawa yung kanina. Ang sarap ng feeling.”

Then, we continued eating the sweet pica-pica that was served to us. (They even let us have some “take-home” pica-pica delights.) I asked her if she enjoyed the whole event, and she affirmed quickly. While were eating on our way back to our church, I heard her singing some lines from Christina Aguilera’s song, “Beautiful”. She repeatedly sang the chorus:

You are beautiful no matter what they say Words can't bring you down You are beautiful in every single way Yes, words can't bring you down Don't you bring me down today...

It’s so nice to know that she has this positive attitude about everything in life. I wonder where she got that inner stamina to even face all those issues and controversies that are being thrown at her.

By the time we arrived at our church, I told them what happened there. Thank God! Everything went well. So we thanked Janina and her father for dropping by our church and gracing the event in our main church. I was surprised when Mama Elena informed me that Janina's father was my schoolmate. Janina's father finished his elementary studies at Claret School of Quezon City. (Janina's family were rich then, not until there were some mismanagement of their wealth that made them suffer the consequences now.) I had the privilege of talking to her Dad and surprisingly, despite the age gap we have, we had teachers and other school personalities back in gradeschool that we both know like Dr. Corralejo, Mrs. Potenciano, etc..

Subsequently, the night ended having our version of the photo opportunity with Janina and her father.

Here are some of our pictures:

Janina with some COLOURS Core Team

Janina with some COLOURS Core Team (Wacky)

Janina and her father (back) with Pastor and church elders

Janina and Jen with My Dad and Mom

Janina with Jen's family

Janina with COLOURS again

Janina with me and Maan (Jen's sister)

Janina, Jen and Jen's Dad

Janina with Joshua (my younger brother) , Ate and Me

Janina with Ate

Maan (Jen's sister), Janina, Ate and Jen

Janina, Joshua (my young brother) and Jen

I learned so many things that night. I discovered that the real Janina San Miguel is far from what the whole controversy dictated. She is so young yet her innocence is one of her charms. She’s very tall and very beautiful even with or without make-up. She came with a very casual get-up straight from a spa at Tagaytay but still managed to look great. She’s so sweet and spontaneous while telling different stories. She’s very honest in everything. She’s naïve in many things. (C’mon, let’s excuse her for that, she’s very young. She’ll learn those things in due time.) She has a positive outlook about life despite the criticisms being thrown at her. She’s very cheerful and will easily laugh even at simple things. Most of all, she’s willing to learn, try everything and she never fails to give her best shot in everything that she does.

I’ve always believed Jen for being the simplest girl I’ve ever known. She loves sweeping the floor and cleaning the rooms in their house and in our church. She is a self-confessed “clean-freak”. She loves to have everything clean and organized. She’s very kind that she even took the initiative to put those ‘make-up thingy’ on Janina before fixing herself. She’s like Janina’s older sister. She takes care of others first before herself. She’s very beautiful inside and out, with or without make-up. She’s a woman of few words. She’s very introvert but that is one of charms I believe. She’s very inspiring and worth emulating by the young people. She’s also willing to learn everything, and she never fails to give her best in everything that she does. When you get to know her deeper, her personality is great and you’ll be more convinced why God gave her the top crown.

Jen and Nina (her nickname) are both very humble and simple. (I didn’t expect that these two beautiful ladies are both very “cowgirl”, in short, parehas silang walang kaartehan sa katawan.) Both of them are really deserving of the title and crown that was given to them. The judges made the right decision. They both exemplified the real meaning of beauty and simplicity. It is only now that I’ve proven that God really blesses those people who are humble and not those who are haughty; those who are simple and not conceited; those who can really sustain and handle victories in life; those who know how to stand-up from every rejection, criticism and failures; those who always give their best shot in everything; and those who are willing to give God all the glory for every victory that they have in their life.

As 2 Corinthians 4:18 says,

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

You may see them beautiful outside, but I tell you they are even more beautiful inside. It may sound like a cliché, but I will firmly testify that both of them are really more than the crown.

Thank God! Woohoo!!

Goodnight Girl

Title : Goodnight Girl
Original : Wet Wet Wet (“High On The Happy Side” Album)
Revived : Jay Durias (“Songs I Grew Up With” Album)

VERSE 1:

You hear me so clearly and see how I try;
You feel me so heal me and tear me apart.
And I won't tell a soul, I won't tell at all
And do they have to know?
About my goodnight girl.

CHORUS:

Caught up in your wishing well,
Your hopes inside it,
Take your love and promises
And make them last,
You make them last.

VERSE 2:

You keep me so near you and see me so far;
And hold me and send me deep in your heart.
And I won't tell a soul, I won't tell at all
And I won't let them know
About my goodnight girl.

CHORUS:

Caught up in your wishing well,
Your hopes inside it,
Take your love and promises
And make them last,
You make them last.

BRIDGE:

Doesn't matter how sad I made you,
Doesn't matter how hard I've tried.
Just remember the same old reasons
Reflected in your eyes you said you wanted me.

*This is for YOU. (the girl whom I dedicated the poem which I posted here in my blogsite.)
I’ll always be here.

*P.S.:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Haydz!! (May 3)
HAPPY BIRHDAY, Tatay!! (May 4)

Sounds Familiar

Yesterday’s Labor Day (holiday) paved the way for our church’s first Family Outing at Loreland, Antipolo. I didn’t have enough sleep the night before our church’s event, not that I was so excited for it, but because I tried to check my Multiply account for more updates. Lo and behold, I didn’t find anything new. But I noticed that a friend/law school classmate uploaded a list of relaxing songs that made me wait to fully download them all. (Thanks, bro!) After downloading the songs, I listened to them one by one because the song titles are not familiar to me. By the time I heard the song, ‘Goodnight Girl’ by Jay Durias from his album ‘Songs I Grew Up With’. I listened and figured out the song, because it sounded familiar to me only that I didn’t know the title of the song. I stopped for a while and instead of going to the next song, I turned on the ‘repeat song’ option on my player. Then, I kept on listening to the song for the nth time. Until, I saw that it was already 2 a.m. on my clock and I remembered that we should wake up by 4 a.m. So I transferred the songs to my mp3 player, and hurried to my bed to sleep. My very-late-sleeping habit sounded familiar to me since I entered law school until now.

Thank God, I woke up early and took a bath immediately. Then, I packed my things for the whole day outing. I finished my preparations early so I had the chance to watch TV and help my Dad to load other things in the car. Then, my Dad and Mom left immediately to fetch our other church mates in the church. Afterwards, we followed.

By the time we arrived at the resort, we started to fix our things and settle for the whole day affair. The day started so hot. (literally scorching heat! whew!) So we just ate first to fill our tummies before we swim. Then after a few minutes, our other church mates came. Mama Aileen told me that Neri is just around the vicinity of Antipolo because she also had their company outing at Bosay. So I told Maan about it and she sent an SMS to Neri and invited her to come over and join us. Neri agreed and was fetched by my Ate and Jen. While waiting, we just ate and had some hilarious chit-chat with Dr. Jem, Ate Joy, Wendy, Carla, Joshua and Jerry. I told them that it’s a time to celebrate for our successful anniversary last Sunday and a time to bond with other youth members in our church who happened to be there also. They all agreed to my ‘sounds familiar’ instructions whenever there are new young people coming and joining the church.

Jeri, AJ, JP and Joshua (the “Bernardo Brothers” as we fondly call them) went together with me as I toured them all over the place. Afterwards, we decided to swim. After swimming, it was already lunch time so we went back to our place and ate lunch. Wow! I love the food plus the kulitan moments. Then, Neri came together with Ate and Jen. It was only this time that I saw her after Jen’s victory during the pageant at Araneta Coliseum. So after eating we took some pictures together and then we had our siesta time sharing stories as I wouldn’t want to swim because of the sweltering heat that time. Then, during our bonding moment, she injected the words, “Confirmed na!” I said, “What do you mean, ‘confirmed’ na?” So she refreshed my memory about the incident we were talking about while we were waiting for Jen at the South Gate of Araneta Coliseum. (Well, you know, when you tell me personal stories/events, rest assured, I won’t remember them after three days. I have a short-term memory when it comes to personal stories/events concerning me and my friends. I don’t know why. That’s why I tell my friends that your secrets are safe with me, not until I write a blog entry about them, like this one. Hehehe...)

Moreover, I tried to recall it as she restates certain facts to help me. By the time, I’m on the right zone; I started responding to her statement of facts. Honestly, I don’t know what to feel right that moment. It’s like the story sounded familiar but I don’t know why and what should I feel that moment. It involved two ‘common’ personalities in our lives. I can’t recall what I said to her exactly after confirming that the two ‘common’ people in our lives are now ‘secretly’ in a relationship. (Insert music here: 'Secret Lovers' by Atlantic Starr. Hehehe.. I hate to say the last phrase in that sentence, it sounds very Friendster! Hehehe...) I just said that there’s nothing wrong about it and I’m happy for them and I wish them all the best. (I honestly meant it though that sounded a familiar cliché... Hehehe…)

Our lips were filled with laughter after a strong and heavy wind broke our silence after discussing the story. In fact, we even shed a better light on the matter. The story we were discussing has been very familiar to us since the time we knew that rumors are spreading about it. We just shrug off our shoulders about ii even if things and events confirmed the facts. Whether they admit it or not, it’s not our business anymore. The incident sounded familiar because we never thought that our ‘what ifs’ would have become a reality.

By the time we went home, honestly, I kept on thinking about it. Not that I felt anything bad about it, but I was just pondering if I need to let it out by writing it on my blogsite. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to ruin the joy that I felt during our church’s event by just lingering on a fact that will remain forever as a fact. I can’t do anything about it. I don’t want to feel anything negative about it. They have the right to make decisions for their lives. And I would like to respect that decision that they’ve made. It’s just that, I want to take it on a positive perspective with a Christ-like attitude. You may not understand why it seemed to sound like a big deal for us, but when you got the idea the behind it, I guess you would feel the same way too. Does the word delicadeza, sounds familiar to you? Then it would help you understand somehow.

Whoa!! Brooke White was eliminated in American Idol 2008. I felt extremely sad (that’s a hyperbole! Hehehe..) as she sang for the last time on Idol stage. That was the most dramatic and emotional exit I’ve ever seen in American Idol. I even watched it more than four times on local TV channel and on cable channels. I will surely miss her voice and her heartfelt performances. Her voice sounded familiar to me, I just need to figure it out.

The rain poured so hard last night. I thought that the succession of lightning bolts cutting the dark sky would translate to a brown-out. I felt literally so hot even if I had taken bath for two times that night. I went out before I go to bed and I saw how dark the skies were. The wind blew so hard. Our lights were flickering but it didn’t convert into a brown-out. I played ‘Goodnight Girl’ in my mp3 before I sleep. It felt good. It felt really, really good. I prayed and thanked God for everything He has done in my life. I thanked Him for everything as I always claim Romans 8:28. I thanked Him for saving me from falling into a temptation by a sudden confirmation. I lifted everything up to Him and unto His will. I felt relieved, comforted and vindicated. Thank God!! At the end of the day, two things I surely will miss-----Brooke White and ‘her’. I felt great after a tear fell from my eyes. Whew! (Deep sigh)

This is the only feeling I don’t want to get familiar with.

PS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mama Len! God bless!