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!

Part Two: Sembreak Fever

Whew! As I continue exposing my activities during the past semestral break, I noticed that I was able to achieve almost 90% of the pre-planned activities that I’ve scheduled before the break starts. Hence, God has been so great that He gave me the chance to accomplish almost all of the things I wanted to do before the second semester begins. Moreover, I learned many things about the essence of time management, discipline and perseverance in achieving the goals, whether it will have short-term or long-term effects.

For a two-week semestral break, every activity or appointment must be strategically scheduled. Time is of the essence. And every minute that passes by should be spent for remarkable and highly-valuable tasks or pursuits.

Here is a quick yet extensive preview of what I did for the second and ‘almost’ last week of the semestral break:

WEEK TWO: THE MARATHON

Sunday, October 29, 2006: INCOMPLETE YET COMPLETED

• Ate Joy’s family went to their ‘usual’ family reunion. (It has become ‘usual’ because it seems that they have it many times as they want in a year. I don’t know why. Let’s leave it up to them. Hehehe…) Plus, Haydee has not been attending in the church for a couple of weeks. (I don’t know her reasons, but we hope she can go back again. She and her boyfriend have been rumored with so many issues. I hope by the time she comes back, she’ll be ready to answer them. Hehehe…) Hence, we have to do some abrupt changes in order to make the regular Sunday Service possible. (Connection? Our regular afternoon Sunday Services are usually held at their house. Gets?!) Thank God, Bro. Roland, the head of their family, did not join the family reunion instead he helped us in fixing and preparing for the afternoon Sunday Service.
• Long before this Sunday comes, I already sent messages to both Jerry and PJ (our former churchmates/friends) to help us out because our drummer will not be around. Jerry did not reply, but thank God, PJ did. Surprisingly, they came together that Sunday. Jerry yielded to PJ, so PJ became our drummer. We also had Ptr. Manuel as our guest speaker. His message/testimony was so inspiring. We learned so many things about God’s providence and church-planting. Check it out: www.ccc-sm.blogspot.com
• That Sunday was a miracle. The whole story testified to that statement.

Monday, October 30, 2006: SORTING OUT

• I woke up late. (And there’s nothing new about it. Hehehe..) I stayed at home and tried sorting out different documents that I have since I began going to school. Bulks of papers are cluttered in my room for a long time; and I badly needed to sort them properly---an inevitable task in the life of a student.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006: UNEXPECTED BLESSING

• I stayed at home. I was writing a blog entry when my Mom called and asked me if I can preach in our Midweek Service at Cornerstone Christian Church-San Mateo. She had this idea because she knew that I have been preaching at DAR Christian Fellowship many times, especially when there are no pastors around. At first, I was surprised, but then I gave in. I prepared my message for our Midweek Service. I asked God for anointing and supernatural wisdom and revelation. God responded actively. And I had my message about assessing one’s net worth and using it for God’s glory. In fact, you can read my message outline in my previous blog entry: “Don’t Just Live, Get A Life!”.
• Dad and Mom went home very early. I invited them to watch the movie, “Laws of Attraction” of which they enjoyed very much. Then we went to our Midweek Service afterwards.
• During the Midweek Service, I was bit nervous because it’s my first time to preach to a familiar congregation, unlike at DAR Christian Fellowship, of which I don’t know most of them personally. Then, I started preaching God’s word for our church. The whole Midweek Service went well. Everybody was blessed. And I gave all the credit to God for He alone deserves to be glorified in what I did.

Wednesday, November 1, 2006:
HEAT STROKE IN CHRISTMAS SEASON/WHOLE DAY OUT

• It’s All Saints’ Day. It’s a holiday as declared by Malacanang.
• Dad, Mom, Ate and I went to Paco, Manila to attend the wake of one of our relatives---my Mom’s cousin. (I forgot his name.) He died due to heat stroke. He had three wives. He had children to each of them. But the most active or “punong-abala” during the wake was his second wife. Surprising!! We were shocked upon knowing his story. He is not a Muslim, but he managed to have three wives all at the same time. To be technically correct, one legal wife and two paramours. (That’s the effect of taking up Criminal Law. Hehehe….) Upon hearing the story of the second wife, I remembered the Pinoy movie, ‘Ako Legal Wife’. The whole story is almost the same, of course, minus the wealth. I don’t know what to feel upon hearing his story. All I understand is that after all he is accepted and greatly loved by his three wives, who were present during the wake, and also his children, even at the point of death.
• Then we went to Market! Market! (Again! This place has become a part of us, because of Aling Nene’s Sinigang sa Miso. Try it. Hehehe..) to eat dinner. Of course, we ate at Aling Nene’s again, with the same food order. Then, we went over the tiangges to check out for new arrivals. We bought few articles and accessories, as usual. My Dad initiated to go home, as always, so we can’t help but to obey. Actually, it’s already late in the evening that’s why we agreed to go home.

Thursday, November 2, 2006: FAMILY-BONDING

• All Souls’ Day. It’s not a holiday anymore.
• Dad, Mom, Ate, Joshua and I went to the Department of Foreign Affairs to have our passport renewed. The renewal of passports is usually done every five years. So early in the morning, we hurried to DFA and started the bureaucratic process (Again!) of renewing our passports. Except for my Dad (He has been traveling all his life that’s why his passport is always active.), we all went through the process needed for the renewal. We almost got into the deceitful schemes of the fixers outside the premises of DFA. Praise God, we discerned early that the man, who initiated to lead us through the process, was leading us to the wrong direction. Therefore, we concluded that he is one of those fixers loitering around. By the grace of God, we were led by an official from the DFA and we finished the whole process less than an hour. (Of course, legally and take note, with no long queues?! That’s amazing! Hehehe…) We were really grateful that God led us through the right direction----legal, fast, and logical.
• Then we were choosing either to go to Rockwell, to Mall of Asia, or to Market! Market! to eat lunch. We ended up eating at Market! Market!. (Again. I told you this is the place to be this sembreak. Hehehe..) Then after eating lunch and a little bit of strolling, we went to Cubao. My Dad, Mom and Joshua went to Farmers Market, while Ate and I went to LTO Driver’s License Renewal Center. I left Ate and Joshua at LTO and I joined my Mom and Dad strolling and shopping functional items there. (Of course. Parents are parents. Everything needs to be functional. Hehehe…) When we met Ate and Joshua, Ate told us that she saw Jonathan, our former churchmate/church drummer. She told us that Jonathan didn’t notice my Ate’s presence even though the place is so small that only blind people can have mistakes for not identifying everybody in the room. However, we didn’t take it as a big deal. Anyway, everything’s fine with us. We just don’t know about them. After waiting for a long period of the release of my Ate’s renewed driver’s license, we peacefully agreed to go home because obviously, we’re all tired after the long day out.
• The sad part of this day, I wasn’t able to come to DAR Christian Fellowship. I don’t know what happened to them. I just hope that Bro. Romy did relay my message that I will not be able to come.

Friday, November 3, 2006: CALLING FAMILIES

• Ate and I went to Barrientos’s house. I drove and we stayed there. Surprisingly, the Gallana family was also there. They had a lunch out there. When we arrived, they were just about to go home.
• Ate and I had dinner with Sis. Elena (the matriarch), Maan and Jen. I love the ‘Dinuguan’. I’m very choosy on eating it especially if I don’t know who made it. I also love the commercialized ‘Sisig’ that Sis. Elena was selling. Jennifer showed us some of her pictures during her pictorials in John Robert Powers (JRP) taken by no less than the socialite professional photographer Dominic James. The pictures are great. Jen looks gorgeous and elegant.

Saturday, November 4, 2006: SURFED THE WORLD

• I had a business meeting with RJ. I proposed another business opportunity to him of which I hope he would gladly accept. Then, I had my regular haircut back at Bench Fix- Sta. Lucia, and not in Robinson’s Metro East because my stylist there is absent when I went there. Then I hurried going home.
• I went home early because it was raining. I just did the usual routine of surfing the net and getting updates from different sites. I was very happy to explore Daphne Osena-Paez’s photo album site in Flicker.com. I enjoyed looking at her pictures and reading her stories. Daphne is such an admirable woman for me. Honestly, I want a wife like her, if possible. She’s very smart yet very candid, beautiful yet very simple, elegant yet very low-profile, very independent, yet very submissive to her husband, very career-focused but very family-oriented, and a lot more outstanding traits that are very unique. How I wish I could be Patrick Paez and marry someone like her.

Whew!
That was a great sembreak.

Life has many things to offer.
Thank God I’m alive.

Part One: Sembreak Fever

Thank God! I relatively had the busiest and most sensible semestral break in my whole life. (O.A.?! Hehehe..) Instead of having the ordinary indoor routine that I had before like sleeping, eating, surfing the net, watching TV and DVDs; and of course, sleeping, eating, surfing the net and watching TV and DVDs. (Actually it’s cyclical, but it’s not obvious on my part. Hehehe…) I believe God heard my fervent prayers; or maybe He read my previous blog entry and realized that I badly needed one. (Hehehe...) It has been pre-programmed long before the semestral break starts. (I noticed this part after reflecting on the things that I’ve done. Hehehe)

But hey, this time, I assured myself that it would be a different one. And it SHOULD be different this time. I wanted to have a dynamic outdoor routine. (Wow! Flexible?!) Hence, I had to strategically fix my schedules and appointments so that everything will be organized and balanced. (Hehehe.. That’s the real show business, in other words the‘Star Complex’.)

Here is a quick yet extensive preview of what I did last semestral break:

WEEK ONE: THE BREATHING PERIOD

Sunday, October 22, 2006: AN ANSWERED PRAYER

• Our whole family went to the regular Sunday Service at Robinsons Novaliches. I just can’t imagine how thankful I was for an answered prayer---the semestral break. I can still remember how I felt during the Praise and Worship part. I lifted my both hands as high as I can just to show to God how grateful I am for answering my-pretty-obvious-prayer-request.
• I was so happy that I bought the book that I really wanted to read and that intrigued me with its subject. I bought FREAKONOMICS by Levitt and Dubner. I will talk more about this in a separate blog entry.
• Then we went home to prepare for our next Sunday Service at Cornerstone Christian Church-San Mateo. I was ultra-excited to have our Praise and Worship practice (1:30pm-3:00pm) and the Ministers’ Bible Study (3:00pm-4:00pm). I was so blessed and enjoyed hearing the Preaching/Message part because I know that I don’t have to worry about any recitations or assigned cases that we need to digest for the next day. Whew! For me, it literally felt like ‘Heaven on Earth’. (As in!)

Monday, October 23, 2006: THE GENESIS

• I woke up late. (As usual! Hehehe…) Before the semestral break starts, I already planned to restore my ‘Work-Out’ routines like lifting weights and do some crunches in our home-based fitness gym. (Actually, it’s a room filled with different fitness equipment that my Mom bought through the Home TV Shopping. They’re getting rusty; and cobwebs covered most of them. So I should clean them first before I can use them. But my body wanted to rest more, so I decided to have a brunch (breakfast and lunch) first, then I’ll get back to it. Unfortunately, I forgot to clean and use them because I was hooked on watching a noontime variety show. (Of course, Eat Bulaga’s Bulagaan time! Hehehe…) In short, I decided to do those tasks the next day.
• Evening time came, I strategically (Take note of the word: strategically… Hehehe..) fixed my schedules and appointments for the whole week. I’m such an O.C.! Then, I prepared the (line-up) songs for the Midweek Service.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006: SIBLINGS DAY-OUT

• Last Sunday (October 22, 2006) for some uncertain reasons, My sister, Maan and Jen planned to go out and check out for some new tiangges/ bargains. They invited me to join them. Of course, the main purpose was to have a bonding with the whole star-studded cast (long lost friends), but for some usual reasons, we ended up having a ‘siblings-day out’. My Ate, Maan , Jen, Owa, and I went to Market! Market!
• Upon arriving at Market! Market!, we went directly to the food court/food district. (Hmm…Wow! Newly coined term. Hehehe..) It was lunch time then so instinctively we need to look for a place where we can eat. We opted to buy our food from one of the ‘lutong bahay’ stalls there. We chose Aling Nene’s for that matter. Jen highly recommended it. We had Sinigang sa Miso (Tanigue) and barbeques from Ineng’s Barbeque (Daughter of Aling Nene) with several cups of rice. We’re admitted to be fish-haters. I don’t eat fish generally speaking. I choose different kinds of fish to eat like tuna and all boneless fish. But that time was so different, we were able to eat the Sinigang sa Miso even if there are chops of Tanigue with it. Super delicious.
• Then we started roaming around and checking out the bargains/tiangges. I bought a sling bag/messenger bag and some accessories. They too have their own share of shopping items. Then we watched World Trade Center. I’ll talk more about it as a separate blog entry.
• Then my Dad sent a text message to my Ate telling us to go home early because we still have to attend the Midweek Service. My Ate is our church pianist/keyboardist; and I’m the assigned worship leader at that time. So we hurried going home. We left Market! Market! at 7:00pm; and we arrived at the church by 8:00pm. Imagine a 30-minute ride from Fort Bonifacio to San Mateo, Rizal. Amazing!

Wednesday, October 25, 2006:
ENROLMENT HORROR/STRESS OUTLET

• I woke up early. (Something different! Hehehe..) I needed to pass my paper for my Legal research subject. It’s reaction/proposal paper about the best way to amend the 1987 Constitution. I went to school at around 9:00 am. (Wow! I can’t believe this. I’m in the school at 9:00 am? I usually wake up at 9:00am. How can it be? Hehehe…) Then, after I passed my paper to our beadle. I rushed to the Dean’s office to start the whole bureaucratic enrolment procedure. I hate bureaucracy. (I’ll talk more about this in a separate blog entry) But thank God! It’s a miracle. There were no long and uneasy queues. I went through the enrolment process without the need to line-up because there was none. Maybe I came too early, that’s why. The only sad part was when I need the signature of our Dean for the approval of my scholarship. They said that Dean arrives in the afternoon, so I get to have my scholarship done in the afternoon. I just left the scholarship form and decided to go home. They’re wasting my time. This is not included in my schedule: to wait for the Dean’s arrival. Anyway, I can continue it some other time.
• Then I went to my Mom’s office and told her about the whole bureaucratic process of enrolment and the horror that it brings. Moreover, I told her that I get to have the discount for my tuition fee only that I need to secure Dean’s signature in my form. Then, to calm myself I get to go back reading the book that I bought, FREAKONOMICS while waiting for my Mom. We waited for my sister, and then we went home.

Thursday, October 26, 2006:
MIDWEEK AGAIN. (THREE MIDWEEKS IN A ROW?!)

• I went to DAR Christian Fellowship at 11:45am for their regular Thursday Service. The assigned speaker was Ptr. Jun Cam-Cam from the Victory Christian Fellowship (Main). He talked about the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I was extremely blessed for God anointed the whole preaching. Then, he discussed about the anniversary of DAR Christian Fellowship. He told us that he had a meeting with former Senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta. He informed us that she already accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior; and is now a Born-Again/Christian. He told us that she will be our speaker to our upcoming DAR Christian Fellowship Anniversary. We’re really excited about that. Thank God. Now, there is a clear and miraculous permeation of God’s Word in our government through our Christian political leaders.

Friday , October 27, 2006:
A SHORT WEDDING, A SHORT WAKE AND A LONG DAY

• Ate Chel and Kuya Richard had their court wedding. Maan and I were gate-crushers then because we only came at the wedding reception. At least we're not late! We saw Ptr. Bill Cadiang, our former pastor in our former church. Thank God. He took the initiative to greet us (Go, Ate Mhel, Maan and me) inspite and despite of what happened among us. It's so nice to see them again. I believe that this short wedding of Ate Chel and Kuya Richard paved the way for us (Pastor and the groups who transferred to other churches) to cross each other's paths, shake hands with him, and let forgiveness heal our longest longing.
• I checked my emails the other day. I read Jaja’s message about the death of Hutch’s Dad. I was surprised upon receiving that news. I buzzed at Andrei through the Yahoo Messenger. I asked what happened to Hutch’s Dad. He confirmed that Hutch’s Dad is already dead due to heat stroke. So some of the Pasteurites came to the wake of Hutch’s Dad. It was really sad though we filled the place with a touch reality and laughter.
• Then the whole group went to Tropical Hut at Concepcion, Marikina City because the Tropical Hut in Ampid was already closed at that time. We shared different stories that lightened up the whole evening. We went home laughing and laughing because of different jokes and rumors that has been spreading through a tread in our Yahoo Groups. I’ll talk more about it in a separate blog entry.

Saturday, October 28, 2006:
GENERAL CLEANING DAY

• Tons of photocopied cases are cluttered in my room. I barely recognize my personal things because of those stress-embedded papers. So I decided to clean and organize my things. I threw all the papers that has nothing to do with my previous and present status as a law student.

Whew!

Watch out for the Part Two: Sembreak Fever. More stories. More life!

Thanks. God bless.

Gusto Ko Ng Mag-Sembreak

Haayy!!

Sa mahigit 16 years kong pag-aaral, parang ngayon ko lang hiniling na magkaroon ng sembreak. Nung college pa ako (Hmm… Parang mahabang panahon na ang nakalipas.. Hehehe..), mga 7 buwan na ang nakakalipas, hindi ko inaantabayanan na mag-sembreak na. Sa totoo lang, parang regular Saturday at Sunday lang siya sa akin. Kasi parang wala rin naman siyang epekto sa sobrang ikli at bilis ng panahon. Pero ngayong nasa law school na ako, parang very special holiday siya sa akin. Para siyang pinagsama-samang Christmas, New Year, Valentines Day at Birthday ko. Nakaka-excite na sa wakas makapagpapahinga na rin ako kahit isang saglit. (Wow! Title yun ng kanta ha… Hehehe..) Sa sobrang daming ng ginagawa at kailangang gawin dito sa law school, panigurado na hindi lang ako ang naghihintay na mag-sembreak na.

Nung pumasok ako sa law school, akala ko tulad ng mga Post Graduate Studies, eh wala masyadong pressure at stress. Yun pala, dumoble at trumiple pa. Para siyang pinaghalong Highschool, College at Post Graduate Studies. Bakit?

Para siyang Highschool kasi:

1. Laging may assignment na binibigay. Walang palya sa pagbibigay ang mga law professors ng mga bulto-bultong babasahin. Parang walang normal na tao ang makakatapos sa pagbabasa nito. Kulang ang 24 oras sa pagbabasa sa patung-patong na mga kaso at babasahin. Parang malapit ko na ngang maging motto ang philosophy ni Kuya Germs na “Walang tulugan!!” Syempre pa, kasama pa ang Monday hanggang Saturday Group ng ‘That’s Entertainment’. Hehehe.. By the way, Monday hanggang Saturday pasok naming at walang rest day. Wala na nga ata akong sense of time eh.
2. Syempre pa, napaka-importante ng attendance. No more, no less.
3. Kailangan mong hintayin ang law professor, kahit 15 minutes na lang ang natitira sa time niya at mag-uuwian na. Kasi paghindi ka naghintay at dumating siya, lugi ka pa. Ganun din ang mararamdaman mo kahit hindi man siya dumating. Haay.. The key word is: kailangang sulitin ang tuition fee.
4. Eto pa, siyempre dahil kailangan sulitin ang tuition fee, edi magtiis ka dahil sinusulit ng din ng law professor ang panahong inilalaan niya sa pagpunta sa klase kaya sasagarin niya ang time niyo hanggang sa mapapansin mong pinapatayan na kayo ng ilaw ng security guard nung school. In other words, kayo na lang hinihintay para magsara na sila.
5. Siyempre pa ulit, ang grading system, 1-100, hindi 1.0-5.0. Kaya parang sa sobrang lawak at precise nung grade na matatanggap mo ay hihimatayin ka at walang poknat ang kaka-compare ng grades mo sa iba. Di tulad nung college, at least kapag 88 ka, alam mong 2.0 ka na kahit 90 yung grade nung pinakamataas niyo, magka-level lang kayo. Hehehe.. Edi mas favorable sa’yo yun. Pero sa law school, kalimutan mo na yun.

Para siyang College kasi:

1. Present lagi ang class cards. Pero nung college kami, 1^st year lang kami nag-class cards, the rest of our stay ay through the internet na ang grades namin. Mas high-tech. Ngayon, back to basics and antiquity kami, depende ata sa school yun eh.
2. Syempre, pwede pa ring hindi pumasok sa isa sa mga subjects mo sa araw na iyon. Pero, siguraduhin mo na hindi ka lugi kasi tuso rin ang mga law professors mas tuso kesa sa mga college professors. Andyan yung mag-quiquiz kasi wala ka o magbibigay ng bonus, na once-in-a-bluemoon lang ata mangyari yun, o di kaya tatawagin ka sa recitation at dahil wala ka edi double 50 ang grade mo for that day.
3. Naku, napaka-simple rin ang pagcompute ng grades dito: 1/3 midterms, 1/3 recit/quiz after midterms at 1/3 finals. Syempre, subject to change yan depende kung ka-fraternity or ka-sorority mo yung prof or kung tamad magcompute yung professor mo edi anu pa ba, ang ancient grading system, Madam Auring kaw bay an?! Hehehe..
4. Halos sa gabi lahat ng klase mo. Yung tipong fresh na fresh ka na papasok tapos yung mga nakakasalubong amoy araw na. At ikaw na lang ang nag-aabang sa kabilang side ng kalye samantalang nasa kabilang side na ang lahat na nag-aabang. Tsaka yung buong pamilya mo nasa bahay na, tapos ikaw papasok pa lang. Ang ganda ng schedule mo di ba. Bakit ganito ang schedule? Simple, kasi yung law professors ay nagtatrabaho sa umaga at sa gabi lang sila pwedeng magturo. Yung iba nga ‘hobby’ na lang nila eh. Hobby meaning, pwedeng papasukan nila kung kelan nila gusto parang nag-gogolf, naggagantsilyo o nag-crocross-stitch lang sila.
5. Syempre may sembreak, pero ang sembreak ay parang umihi ka lang sa bahay niyo from school, tapos babalik na kayo. Haay.. At least pina-ihi ka pa, sa bahay niyo nga lang. Sorry na lang kung malapit ang bahay mo.

Para siyang Post Graduate Studies kasi:

1. Post Graduate Studies talaga siya kung tutuusin, pero mixed with Highschool at College lifestyle. Eto lang post-graduate studies with a twist, kasi two occasions in one event.
2. Kasi ina-assume na nung mga law professors na alam mo na ang lahat kahit ang pre-law course mo eh B.S. Biology, B.S. Civil Engineering, B.S. Meteorology, B.S. Agriculture major in Feeds and Breeds (Hehehe.. meron ba nun?!) at kung anu-ano pang course na napakalayo sa field of law. Ganyan talaga, graduate ka na eh.
3. Pwede ka pa rin naman mag-work habang nag-aarala, yun eh kung kakayanin ng powers mo ang bulto-bultong mga readings at cases.
4. Walang pakialamanan, except kung may frat or soro ka. Kanya-kanya, yun lang.
5. They’ll say na mature individuals na kayo, pero ang approach nila sa inyo ay parang kahapon lang kayo ipinanganak, lalo na sa recitation. Degrading at excruciatingly embarassing everyday. Parang nagbayad ka para pahiyain at yurakan. Malapit na nga ito sa pagiging masokista. Well, they’ll say that it’s a part of the training. Hmm.. Sige na, training to be ferocious animals?!

And many more reasons to ask for a sembreak.
Pero bago muna magsembreak, kailangan munang dumaan sa apoy ng finals.

Thank God for such an overwhelming journey.
At the end of the day, it’s not only the learning that counts;
Neither the prestige and riches, neither fame and brilliance..

It’s the greatest reward that you can have----
the GODLY CHARACTER, that will spell the big difference after all.

When It's All Been Said And Done (Part Three)

Whew!! At last, I’m down to the last part of the Caticlan Mission and Boracay Escapade blog series. Actually, on this part, I would like to be more personal. (As if was not in Part 1 and 2, Hehehe…) I must reflect on certain things that made a great impact not only to me but also to my friends/co-missionaries.

It was early in the morning, when we left Caticlan and rode a motorboat which has a capacity of 30-40 passengers. (Wow! Grabe na yung lahat kami nagkasya, eh 45 kami nun. Kulang na lang katabi na ng mga mukha namin yung motor sa likod ng bangka. Kaya naisip nalang naming na tumahimik at mag-picture-ran.)

Si Gospel, Ako at Steff. Habang nasa isang maingay na bangka. Hehehe...

Si Gospel na malungkot, Ako na inaantok pa, si Sam nanagugutom at inaantok all at the same time. Hehehe..

When we arrived in Boracay, we all felt like pampering ourselves. Sleeping, shopping at D-Mall (Tiangge na paulit-ulit at parang iisang lang ang may-ari.), eating ice cream, and even watching beautiful, alluring and tempting bodies of foreigners. Of course, what do you expect, it’s Boracay, and I think everyone needs a great and sumptuous showcase (Kahit wala namang dapat ipakita). There are many beautiful women especially foreigners (Dahil sila lang naman ang may lakas ng loob.) in skimpy bathing suits. (Mga two-piece na parang gawa lang sa limampung sinulid. Mga bathing suits na pang-panyo lang ng bata ang size.) Here's a shot while observing them:

Si Gospel na puno ng buhangin ang katawan, si Mawhi na pumuputi pag bumibilad sa araw, si Steff na napaka-sexy at may balak na i-tumba nag mga sexy foreigners dun at Ako na inaantok pa rin. Hehehe...

Si Gospel, Mawhi, Ako at Yen na may sumbreron na ang hirap hanapin at tawaran... Hehehe...

Si Gospel, Mawhi, Ako, Sam na hindi namin alm kung saan galing basta na lang sumulpot, at si Yen at ang kanyang mahiwagang sumbrero. Hehehe...

Then, we enjoyed sharing our different stories and memories that we had during the Medical and Dental Mission. Gospel shared the funny experience he had during the circumcision sessions. Steff and Mawhi shared the little yet juicy discussions that we had together with the Dental Team. Yen shared about his new friend, Darius. We were surprised when Yen talked about Darius. It’s because we didn’t expect that for that short period, Yen and Darius bonded as if they have known each other for so long. We enjoyed how Darius showed his thoughtfulness to Yen; that even before we go back to Manila, he brought Yen a bunch of ‘sineguelas’ as his pa-baon. Then, we also prayed for him before we left Caticlan.

The last night before we go home was one of the best parts in this trip. It’s when after being refreshed through a good shower. Steff, Gospel, Mawhi, Yen, Phillip and I, after having a good dinner, decided to walk and explore the night life in Boracay. But Yen and Phillip had their henna tattoo done first so we let them go ahead of us. Mawhi fixed her things. So Steff, Gospel and I went to a shop and talked about our personal stories. Steff opened the talk with ‘love life’ as the topic. (Kamusta naman ang mag-usap sa tabi ng dagat habang umiinom ng nakakangilong shake?! Hehehe..) Then Gospel, continued the discussion. He revealed his ‘crush’ to us. I was shocked to hear him talk about his ‘crush’ because unfortunately, I’m very close to her. (As in. Hehehe…) In fact, he even told us that he has plans of courting her. (Tama ba namang, pangunahan ko na?! Hehehe…) Then, both of them looked at me with eyes forcing me to share mine. I hesitated at first. I’m not used to share that aspect of my life. It’s not that I’m being unfair to them. It’s just that I’m not comfortable talking about that part of my life. Anyway, Yen and Phillip came and they heard my story. Then, we asked Yen and Phillip about their share. Yen concurred with my story, telling the group that we have the same situation. I was surprised with that. Phillip told us about his present situation. Then, our discussion prolonged with different matters led us to go back to our room and talk about it discretely.

We started the first day of our cell group in Boracay. Each of us telling our deepest secrets and sharing each other’s past pains and present burdens. I prayed for each one of them. I felt that the Holy Spirit was there. God was there. Every eye was filled with tears. The room was filled with the anointing as each surrendered, once and for all, all the pain, burdens and worries. We had a great bonding, though we didn’t have the chance to roam around. Indeed, we all concurred that that night was a very special Divine appointment.

The next day, we woke up with different testimonies of how God talked to them personally. Everybody felt that there was a big change that happened. It’s funny that I told them, “Dito sa mission trip natin, hindi lang tayo ang nag-mimission, mi-nission din tayo ni Lord.” Then all of us, agreed and praised God because of what happened.

Here are some of the pictures before leaving Boracay:

L.A.U.G.H.S. cellgroup wala lang si Phillip. Asan na yun? Hehehe...

Ganun pa din. Plus, Ian minus Steff. Hehehe...

Pauwi na kami, tawa pa rin ng tawa. Kunyari lang naman... Hehehe..

My personal shots before going home:

Of course, this article wouldn’t end with just a bunch of stories. Again, as what I’ve said before, I had many realizations about this whole Mission Trip. And I’m excited to share some (if not all) of them as I have a series for this Mission Trip. For this Part Three, the last part, I want to share the realizations I had while we were in Boracay and as we go home.

1. God never runs out of surprises. You’ll hate it at first but you’ll love it in the end, believe me.
2. Life is like a box of chocolates, you’ll never know what you’ll get.
3. 2 Corinthians 13 said it very well.
4. Moving on is a decision, not just a feeling or a desire.
5. Where there is a vision, there is a provision. (quoted from Tatay)
6. Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens another.
7. God is a God of second chances. His love never fails.
8. Christianity is not a religion. It’s having a relationship with Him. It’s accepting Jesus as your personal SAVIOR and LORD. It’s a lifestyle.
9. God loves us though we are not lovable. Then, who are we not to love others?
10. Though you don’t feel like doing what is good. DO IT ANYWAY.
    
    Thank God for this one of a kind experience. God bless.

When It’s All Been Said And Done (Part Two)

It was early in the evening when we arrived at Caticlan. We stayed at the rest house of Tita Beth’s family (Actually, it’s Tita Beth Dingle’s “clan-ic” community. Hehehe… To the extent that, almost everybody that lives there is very close to there family. How territorial! Hehehe... Anyway, thank you po, Tita Beth). The whole stay was so great. Though the house is limited of rooms to accommodate us, we enjoyed sleeping together and do our side-by-side sleeping technique (Come on! We’re so close now. I mean very close, literally. Hehehe... We almost exchange faces with each other). But thank God, we survived the “sleeping-adaptation challenge”, as I call it. It’s so hard to sleep on the floor even though we have a thin mattress to support our backs; it’s still painful, considering my “scoliosis” (Lumbo-sacral Case----it’s fatal. I’ll talk more about this in another entry). Anyway, God gave us a “goodnight sleep” while we were there.

Moreover, we woke up very early to have our morning devotions with our assigned small groups. Of course, morning routines wouldn’t be complete without taking a bath first before anything else. Surprisingly, I didn’t know that there are only two available bathrooms for all of us. Thank God, Ptr. Beni came early to us with a good news; that there are bathrooms being offered by our neighbors. So I eagerly went to the house Ptr. Beni referred. I met the owner of the house and talked to them first (Siyempre kailangan munang chika-hin para maging “close” sila. Anyway, I enjoyed having a conversation with them. I just forgot their names. You know, I’m not good at names. Hehehe…). In short, I had a good bath plus I gained more friends. As I remember, we talked about Philippine Politics because they know that I’m taking up Law; and I really love talking about such topics. After taking a bath, I was struck with a question, “Ano ka ba ‘Pro-’ or ‘Anti-‘Gloria?” (Kamusta naman ang mga ganung tanong pagkatapos mong maligo?! Hehehe…) Of course, for me, that question is not hard to answer. It’s just that sometimes people ask questions to gauge another person of his disposition on that matter. And sometimes, they just want secure that the person they’re asking is one of them. So without hesitation, I answered, “Anti-Gloria po ako.” They were astonished and shocked with my answer. Then I turn around the table and ask them the same, “Bakit ano po ba ang ‘stand’ niyo?” They immediately and confidently answered that they are Pro-Gloria. Now I know why they reacted that way to my answer. (Pero naalala ko sa kanila ang bahay at nakikiligo lang ako dapat akong makipag-compromise this time. Hehehe…) I supported my answer with a statement telling them that Gloria has been a ‘good’ president too. (Hehehe… Come on! Kelangan ito kung gusto ko pang makaulit sa kanila.) Then, I shifted the topic through inviting them to join us and support our Medical and Dental Mission. They eagerly agreed with that matter. (Thank God for a ‘saving grace’. Hehehe…)

Furthermore, the whole three-day Medical and Dental Mission is very successful. There had been a massive circumcision that was led by Doc Jay (though he is not yet licensed) together with his ‘surgical team’, the “Tulisans” (tuli=circumcision; -san=pseudo-practitioners), gathered and did the task of welcoming young boys to adulthood. The “Tulisans” were Ptr. Richard (graduated at UP Baguio, B.S. Biology), Gospel (2nd year, B.S. Nursing, O.L.F.U.), Philip (2nd year, B.S. Nursing, O.L.F.U.) and Kuya Marnie (graduated at Mapua, B.S. E.C.E.). Thank God! There were no records of any malpractice committed by them so far. The Medical team was also assisted by the group who took the vital signs and gave the medicines as well.

The Dental Team was headed by Dr. Rod and Dra. Ellen (They are licensed dentists anyway). I don’t know them personally but I got know them more when I was assigned to be one of their assistants. Steff and Mawhi were also a part of the team. They were the ones who wash Dr. Rod’s and Dra. Ellen’s color-coded dental tools (The greens are for Dr. Rod and the violets are for Dra. Ellen, how organized! I like it, very O.C.!) I also helped them in washing those dental tools with various blood streaks on it. I’m not really afraid of blood, I just don’t like touching them. Anyway, we survived that part. Then, I was promoted to be Dra. Ellen’s assistant. It was a pretty tough job, but I enjoyed it. I was very interested in asking Dra. Ellen for dental advises rather than the patients asking her about their situations. (Come on! It’s like a talk show featuring a dentist doing the dental necessities. Hehehe…) Here are some of our pictures during our most ‘controversial’ breaks (Hehehe…):

Si Steph, Mawhi at ako. Mag-memerienda na sana kami pero naisip namin na mag-picture muna. Bakit kaya kami nakangiti, eh naka 'surgical mask' naman kami? Hehehe...

Habang gumagawa sa Dental Team. Eto mas seryoso. Hindi na nakangiti masyado.

Pauwi na kami, kaso naiwanan na kami ng bus. Pero syempre masaya pa rin...

Si Mawhi, Sam at ako. Papunta pa lang kami sa Caticlan Health Center...

I have a very long story to tell about my most favorite task group, the Dental Team. Honestly, I really enjoyed most of the time doing the whole of the mission work with them. Considering that we’re just an auxiliary department, having the least number of members as I’ve mentioned above, together with Kuya Ronald, the forger of the dental prescription (Hehehe..), and Kenzy, assistant of Dr. Rod; we still managed to entertain and even influence the dental patients through our ‘controversial’ chit-chats about life and other aspects (i.e. love, money, family, issues, Christianity, etc. Come on! Aren’t they familiar?!). As in, everybody’s laughing out loud! That even made the outsiders be intrigued on what’s happening in our room. Thank God, we ministered not only through a direct act but also in an indirect manner. Almost every patient asked us to join them and eat lunch with their family. Wow! How sweet! We didn’t do anything big or extravagant but I think we touched their hearts; and that made them feel secured and comfortable with us. Others thought that we were just talking about non-sense things. Thank God for He vindicated us through the good and surprising feedback of the dental patients that we served.

Some may not know the value or the impact that we had with the people of Caticlan, but I know that God never sleeps. He knows everything that we did. I don’t even care if others won’t appreciate what we’ve done. Enough of their pettifogging and gibberish criticisms, I know God is just. Though we may not play a very important role in the Mission, I believe God knows everything that we did. And we did it all for His glory alone. (Ooppss. Nothing. Steff and Mawhi knew about this matter. Hehehe...) This is not self-pity. This is a personal assessment.

Of course, this article wouldn’t end with just a bunch of stories. Again, as what I’ve said before, I had many realizations about this whole Mission Trip. And I’m excited to share some (if not all) of them as I have a series for this Mission Trip. For this Part Two I want to share the realizations I had while we were having the 3-day Medical and Dental Mission.

1. God never sleeps. Though men may not see how you work, not even the fruits of your labor, God will reveal it to them in due time.
2. In the absence of big things, small things become big to small minds.
3. It’s not important if you made others cry or laugh, it’s the reason why they do it. If it’s out of emotions or because of God’s ministrations through you. That’s the real thing!
4. PAIN is also a blessing. (I’ll discuss more about this in another post.)
5. The test of success in ministering to others is not about being remembered by them. It’s having a deeper relationship with them; and truly leading them to God’s family and that can last longer than a trip.
6. All our good works are just filthy rags compared to God’s goodness to all of us.
7. What is pity without compassion? Nothing.
8. Service is not just about giving; it’s about leading them to seek the GIVER more than the gift.
9. We can be a blessing to others directly and indirectly. We should not force something to others, because neither God forced Himself to us. It’s His love for us that paved the way for a clear option called free will.
10. God doesn’t trivialize our needs. He knows what we need them. It’s us who doesn’t know why we really need them.

Catch the last part of the Caticlan Mission Experience... Part Three will also melt your hearts! God bless!

When It's All Been Said And Done (Part One)

It’s over. I overcame it.

Last May 15-20, 2006, Cornerstone Christian Church, our church, had its first Medical and Dental Mission Trip. It was held in Caticlan, Aklan with the coordination of the Assembly of God Church. The whole mission trip was great and successful through God’s grace, mercy and guidance.

Remember my article “Hating Ships, Loving Water and Loving God More”? Yes. I know I appeared to be a coward in raising such an issue of having a phobia in riding ships. But thank God I overcame it gradually. Thank God! At first, I was hesitant of joining the Mission Trip for many reasonable and unreasonable causes. But I met God on my devotion time the day before I need to decide if I’m joining or not. I gave it a try. I cannot say that I made it on my own. God was there. He was with me. I felt the comfort that only He can assure.

THE JOURNEY TO CATICLAN

We left the church at 11:00pm (May 14, 2006). The whole bus was jam-packed with different things----with bags and suitcases of all sizes, with ministers from different ministries, and mixed with various emotions of excitement to meet new friends, eagerness to serve, enthusiasm for the whole experience, and a bit of apprehensions along the way. (Take note: Typhoon “Caloy” hasn’t completely left the area of responsibility. Hehehe…) We waited for approximately five to seven hours at Batangas Port. The waiting part for me was a bit frightening because I know in a few minutes I would be facing one of my greatest fears----riding in a ship. At first, I had to deal with it through a simple prayer of trust and obedience. I did not tell anybody about it. I just prayed silently. Though I know it will be corny and funny to some, I believe that time it was the only way out available for me. (Now they know. Hehehe…) Then, we arrived at Mindoro to ride another ship going to Caticlan. The whole trip was exhilarating and startling for me. Here are some the pictures that I took while everybody was sleeping:

Tulog ang lahat. Ang mahiwagang hita at paa ni Tatay

Malapit nang umalis. Isakay na ang lahat, pati yung buong Mindoro. Hehehe..

Ang paglalayag.

Habang tulog ang lahat at may nag-iisa at walang kupas na videoke singer.

I had many realizations about this whole Mission Trip. And I’m excited to share some (if not all) of them as I have a series for this Mission Trip. But for now, I want to share the realizations I had while we were on our journey to Caticlan.

1. PRAYER is an inevitable thing. No need for an explanation. It’s proven to be effective. It’s actually a life-long explanation.
2. God has His own way of doing things in our lives; never put Him into a box. Anyway, He’s too big to fit in any box available physically or virtually.
3. There are really some “gifted” individuals who will be a source of strength and encouragement in times of need. You will never notice who they are because they come in different shapes, colors, and even sizes.
4. Now, I understand why Jesus slept while He was with His disciples in a boat amidst the raging storm. It’s more than calming the storm. It’s more than making His disciples’ realize about the importance of having faith in Him. It’s about how you know Him. Kung gaano mo Siya kakilala. Kung gaano Siya ka-lapit sa puso mo. It’s about how you trust Him.
5. Philippians 4:19 works well with Malachi 3:10. It enables Acts 1:8 to become a reality. It makes John 3:16 worth believing. It gives John 10:10 a meaning even though there will be John 16:33. Gets?!
6. God is the ultimate “Maestro”. He made a “paradise” here on earth.
7. Obedience is better than sacrifice. It is better than a compromise.
8. If it’s your time, it’s your time. Anyways, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Don’t waste it. Remember, time is gold. Enjoy. Breathe. Live.
9. Waiting is a journey by itself. (Kaya pala may waiting shed. Hehehe..)
10. To see the vastness of the ocean, you must lose sight of the shore.
    
    Wait for more…. Catch the Part Two of this article… God bless..

Hating Ships, Loving Water and Loving God More

I really hate riding on ships.

Thank God, I haven’t had any chance to ride any of those; and I’m not planning to. (How about a ‘special escapade cruise’?!----It depends where, when and with whom. You know, special escapade cruises, though very expensive, are more relaxing and has a soothing, calming and tranquilizing effect for its passengers unlike the normal course of sailing: boring and very tedious. Hehehe..)

I just hate it. I really hate the feeling of vomiting, the “nausea-tic” effect while traversing the monotonous view of the ranging waters----the queasiness that it brings and perturbed feeling while spending long hours of waiting and wandering. It’s like having emetophobia (fear of vomiting), illyngophobia (fear of vertigo or feeling dizzy when looking down), cymophobia (fear of waves), potamophobia (fear of rivers or running water) and selachophobia (fear of sharks) ----all rolled into one. Actually, I don’t have any of those; I just feel researching and stating them. Hehehe… I feel threatened whenever I hear stories of sharks playing under the ship and eventually surrounding it. I hate ‘Titanic effects’, though romantic still it’s tragic. (Wow! How poetic! Hehehe… I can’t stand romance trapped into a tragedy. And who wants to?! Maybe Romeo and Juliet?!) I feel uncomfortable not because I don’t know how to swim, (huh, I had my swimming lessons when I was still in grade school with my village friends.) but because of the threatening stories I hear from those who have ridden ships most of their lives.

Ironically, I love water. In fact, I can’t live without it. Everyday I consume many liters of water just to keep me going for the rest of the day. As an effect, I sweat a lot. There are times I just feel that I have more water than blood in my body. (Doc, is that a fact?! Hehehe...)

I remember when I was confined in the hospital for almost 2 weeks because of Dengue. My doctor told me that I was also suffering from dehydration. Huh?! I was shocked. Almost all my life, every night and day, I always have a bottle of water with me. And I see to it that it is always empty before I sleep at night. And now, a doctor telling me that I was also suffering from dehydration?! Eventually, he explained to me the secondary effects of Dengue such as dehydration. It’s funny that almost all of my visitors have this uniformity of idea of bringing lots of liquids such Gatorade (except the dark-colored ones) and almost all brands of mineral water available. Every hour, I get to drink at least 10 liters of water and 5 bottles of Gatorade. (Isn’t that enough?!) I almost drown myself with water and Gatorade trying to hydrate myself once again. It seems like I had an insatiable thirst that no liquid could or will ever quench. (Hmm…O.A.?! Hehehe...) Yeah, that’s true. Thank God, as I was discharged from the hospital, I felt like I have no more blood running through the veins of my body instead I have tons of water flowing in my system keeping me alive. Hehehe... I almost considered the idea of passing a ‘two-week VTR’ to the advertisers of Gatorade and almost all brands of mineral water, thinking that I would be a very efficient and effective endorser of the said brands; and to prove that they have healing effects in a regular usage. Hehehe... At least now, I’m back to my normal life of drinking normal liters of water everyday. And thank God, I’m also normally hydrated.

See how I love water and I hate ships.

This coming May 15-20, 2006, our church has organized a medical/dental mission, film showing and concert in Caticlan (Boracay). I really love to join in that mission work. But I’m also caught in a dilemma of whether joining them in a ship (Come on! Have I not over-emphasized how I hate riding on ships?!) or taking a delayed flight on May 18 (Grr… all flights going to Aklan: fully booked. I don’t believe it. My mom said, some airlines do not allow passengers to occupy the seats at the back part of the plane. And they are not explaining why.) Take note, the whole mission trip will end on May 20, don’t you think it’s not worth going if I only have at least 2 days to spend it with them? (How impractical!) To think, if I will take that May 18 flight to Aklan, the only flight available coming back to Manila will be on May 30. (Don’t you think that’s too much for a vacation?! Hehehe… Plus the fact that I have to enroll on May 26 for law school.) Or the option of joining them, forgetting my anxieties, surrendering my ‘fears’ to God (How spiritual, but it’s true, and that’s the way it should be.) and overcoming the things that I hate for the sake of loving God more and deeply serving Him through this mission, film showing and concert.

I know some would say that it is not a dilemma. Some would even think that this problem is so petty considering that financial difficulties should be given more emphasis. But come to think of it, inasmuch as I want to think about the financial predicaments that this trip would entail, I believe that each participant-minister of this mission work should have the right reasons for doing this mission. That there are still issues that one should consider before going to the mission field. I thank God for dealing mine as 'petty' as it may appear; and other things that need a revamp and repair. Others may have concerns bigger and more serious issues than hating ships, abhorring nausea and dizziness, overcoming phobias, and being threatened by playful sharks. Others may have certain issues of the heart, or attitudes, or character, we don’t know. But it’s not my business to criticize neither to scrutinize anyone. I believe that God has prepared each minister that He sends to the mission field to sow more souls for Him; and harvest fruits for His glory. That’s the big deal!

Come to think of it, it’s more than---hating ships and loving water, it’s all about loving God MORE!!!!

P.S.: Please pray for our Caticlan Mission. Please pray also for the people of Caticlan that may God open their spiritual eyes and ears for the God’s Word of salvation and healing. Please pray for a continuous financial support for our mission works.

Thanks. God bless!