Lipat Bahay

Ang Lumang Tsinelas po ay lilipat na ng bahay

Click here to visit the new site! Kitakits! 

Pwede magtanong, 'wag lang Math

You complete me.

I can’t live without you.

I want to be with you only on two occasions – now and forever.

Ayan na ang mga pamatay na linya.

Bago yan, sino muna ang magaling sa Math? Ako. Hindi. Kaya nga nag-nursing ako eh. Ikaw ba? Buti na lang di kailangan magaling sa Math para i-analyze ang mga sumusunod na equation:

1.)    Me + You = Happiness

Akala natin isang tao ang magpapasaya sa’tin, na kapag may the one tayo ay happily ever after na. Pag nawalasiya, hindi natin kayang maging masaya.

2.)    Me + You = Me

Medyo kamukha nung no. 1 pero malaki ang pinagkaiba. Eto daw yung kapag may the one ka, dun ka lang magiging ikaw. Yung identity mo nakadepende sa isang relationship. Pag nawala siya, wala ka na din. Hindi ka tao. Alien? Ewan. Basta wala sa sarili.

3.)    Me + You = Us

Pag sinubstitute, ang ibig sabihin ½ + ½ = 1. Ibig sabihin hindi tayo buo pag wala siya. Kaya naman never ending ang search ng lolo at lola mo para sa the one na magiging bitter better half niya.

Kapag chineck ni titser, lalagyan niya ng tatlong malalaking EKIS gamit ang pulang Pentel pen.

Read more here :)

True Love, False Love

Paano malalaman kung true love na ang nararamdaman mo?

Kung may true love, meron bang false love? Parang quiz lang, ganun?

Nagsulputan na naman ang mga salitang love, love life, date, ligaw, bulaklak, chocolates, echetera echetera. Ultimo sa twi-err (twitter), pagpatak ng unang araw ng Pebrero, nagtrend ang 1^st of February sa Pilipinas. February 1. So huwat?!

Pansin ko lang, nagpalpitate at aligaga na naman ang mga miyembro ng SAM or Singles Awareness Month. Pebrero na naman... Ka-holding hands mo pa rin ang iyong sarili. Ang iyong true love... ay wala pa din. Capital HAY.

Pero wag ka, pati mga in a relationship ay nagmumuni-muni rin habang hawak ang palad ng kasalukuyang iniibig. True love ba ito? Siya na ba? Pano yung ex mo bago siya? False love ba yun?

Ano ba kasi yang true love na ‘yan? Nakakain ba ‘yan?

Para makatulong sa’ting pagkukuro, nagtanong-tanong ako kung ano para sa kanila ang true love. Ito po ang ilan sa aking nakalap:

“Ang true love ay buwis-buhay. Handa kang magsakripisyo para sa mahal mo.”

-Tambay sa kanto

“True love ‘pag tangap mo siya kung ano o sino pa man siya.”

-Security guard

“True love kapag lagi siyang nasa isip mo. Tingin mo kulang ang buhay pag wala siya.”

-Ginang na maybahay

Ang daming definition. May pare-pareho, may nakakaloka. Pero ang lahat ng napagtanungan ko, binalik sa’kin ang tanong: Ikaw, paano mo malalaman kung true love na yun? Hmm. Ang hirap pala sagutin.

Ang alam ko, ang pag-ibig ay katulad ng pera. Kasi mahal. Haha, joke. Kasi ‘pag alam mo kung ano ang tunay, malalaman mo din kung ano ang peke. Anything that falls below the standard of a genuine is counterfeit.

Dalawang bagay:

Alamin ang katangian ng tunay. Naglabas ng mga poster ang Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas upang ipagbigay-alam sa mga mamamayan ang katangian ng salapi ng Republika ng Pilipinas. Kung ang Diyos ang lumikha ng pag-ibig, kanino tayo magtatanong kung ano Kanyang pamantayan?

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.”

– 1 John 3:16

Ang ginawang sakripisyo ni Hesus sa krus para sa ating lahat ay Siya mismong pamantayan ng true love. Ito na ang tunay na buwis-buhay.

Imulat mo ang iyong mga mata. Kabisado na ng mga daliri ko ang katangian ng tunay na pera. Masasalat ito dahil magaspang. Pero hindi ito sapat. Something can feel so right but is actually wrong. Pano kung magaspang pero si Mickey Mouse pala ang naka-imprenta sa harapan? Epic fail. Kaya wag sana tayong magpakabulag sa definition ng mundo sa pag-ibig. Love is not blind; we just close our eyes and ignore the truth. Let’s ask God to heal us from our blindness so that we may see the Truth in His capital L-O-V-E.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is he who takes refuge in him.”

–Psalm 34:8

 True or False. Multiple choice. Matching type. Ganyan natin sinisukat ang love. Pero si Jesus, ganito: 

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
- John 15:13

Can't Wait on Love? iJowa 7.0 is for You!

Sick of your boyfriend/girlfriend and need a quick fix?
Down and need to perk up your day?
Bored and want to spice up your life?

'Wag nang malumbay. We have the greatest offers for you!

Check out the latest iJowa 7.0

The all new iJowa 7.0

Hindi lang kape ang instant. Ngayon, pati boyfriend at girlfriend na rin.

Comes in iBoylet and iSyota versions. We have one (or two) for everyone.

Can be customized. Add and delete features that suits your needs.

Hundreds of exciting themes to choose from. Cats & Dogs (away-bati ang peg), No Other Woman (the more the merrier daw), and many more.

Voice command system. Follows orders such as "Mag-diet ka na, ang taba mo" or "Bili mo ko nun, bili mo ko nyan", and more.

Easy to switch off and on again. Just switch off the phone and viola, you can forget about your iJowa for a  while.

Outright replacement within 7 days. We have anticipated your short attention span and flickering interests. In case you change your mind within the warranty period, we will happily replace your device. Just visit any iJowa outlets near you.

Easy to get started with. Simply download and install the following applications:
1. iPanic: How old are you? You're still single. Mawawala na edad mo sa kalendaryo.

2. iFlirt: Try out different features to help you find the one that suits your taste. You need a cellphone and an unlitext subscription for this. (Go unlicalls to speed up the process.)

3. iCompromise: Lower your standards. 'Wag nang choosy.

4. iRush: Why wait when you can have everything? Now. Get yours. Now. Baka maunahan ka pa ng iba. Now. **

5. iIndulge: Go ahead! You deserve this. Life's a party. Tugs tugs. **

**Bundled with a postpaid plan. Use all you can, pay later. Low interest rates.

Hurry! Get this awesome package. Now na. Agad agad.

Why settle for less when you can have more? Why settle for less when you can have the best?

Want something that won't bug down on you anytime, you can treasure and lasts a lifetime? 

Know this plan exclusive for the patient and faithfuls. Go old school with the tried and tested iWait 101 by God.

100% handmade. Lovingly handcrafted by the Master Creator in His workshop called Heaven.

100% perfect for you. May have some a lot of flaws but guaranteed God's best for you.

100% unique design for everyone. He/She's the top of the line designed especially for you alone.

With FREE lifetime connection to the source of Grace. Easy to get started with (but hard to finish off -- that's why you need lifetime Grace). Simply download and install the following applications:

1. iSurrender: Give up the pen to God; He's in charge of the writing.

2. iWait: God's best needs months, years or even decades of pruning, sharpening and molding. Wait 'til the Maker is done. 'Wag excited much; may lakad?

3. iServe: Test run for the real deal without compromising your standards. Gusto mo na mag-asawa, marunong ka ba magwalis man lang?

4. iYield: Submit to the Potter's hand. You're also a work in progress -- God's best for someone.

5. iCommit: No return, no exchange. Go for the lifetime warranty.

All applications are FREE from the Master's Guide Book called the Bible. Go ahead. Read it.

O, ano pang hinihintay mo, Pasko?

Love is waiting

Valentines muna noh. At para mas malinaw ang pananaw mo sa pag-ibig, hindi parang nag-cacanvass ng panibagong gadget, tayo na't mag-chacha-cha/tumambling/kumembot/umisplit papuntang Victory Greenhills Center sa February 16, 2013 (Saturday), 3:00 - 6:00 PM.

Makinig at matuto sa kwentong pag-ibig nina Joseph Bonifacio at Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio.

Hard sell na kung hard sell. Ano man ang relationship status mo, invited ka! IT'S A DATE!!!!

What will you do?

Are YOU an Answered Prayer?

"A gift received, a gift given away."

No, it's not about recycling gifts you receive on Christmas day, as some of us are in the habit of doing so. (Hep, be honest).

Before I get to what it is about, let me greet you a *HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!*

I know my greeting is late and, yeah, where have I been? I've been counting people's bonuses, the 13th and, 14th months pay. That's where I've been. Hey, the holidays are over. Banks look like banks again and not movie houses with long queues. So, yay!

Moving forward, I want to come back with a BANG! And what bang-er way than to give a praise report? I'll share now one of the many praise reports I have of God's faithfulness in my life.

Dec. 29, 2012
After my pagpapacute and pasimpleng hirits, my dear friend Kim Santiago gave me her Starbucks 2103 Planner. To my over the top joy, I hugged and twirled her around. Later on, at home, I was about to rip the plastic covering when God impressed something.

Give it away.

I said, "What, Lord?"

GIVE IT AWAY.

"But... It's a Starbucks Planner. What about my collection?"

GIVE IT AWAY.

"Okay po."

One person kept appearing in my head -- Mikhaela de Leon. She's an amazing woman who does lots of things, meet lots of people, and goes to lots of places for an international NGO.

At that time, I believe God wanted to teach me an aspect of giving. We pray for things we desire, we get it, and that's just awesome. But sometimes, He blesses us so we can bless others. Like seeds, the gifts we receive are not for us to keep. They are to be sown on good soil where it will be more fruitful.

Jan. 6, 2013
After the service, I handed her a brown bag with the planner in it. Said bye and went off. I was heading for the elevator when I saw her walking-running to me, tears flowing from her eyes. Little did I know, she was praying for a planner and intended to buy one that afternoon. She recalled, "Sabi ko, kung planner 'to, iiyak talaga ako." (If this is a planner, I would really be moved to tears). Her friends, who are now also my friends, showed me the photos of her sitting by the stairs, crying tears of joy and oblivious to the stares of passers-by.

It was a humbling experience to be an answered prayer to someone else. God wants to use us to be channels of His blessings. And the best part is, when we give, He doesn't leave us empty handed. He has mind-blowing ways of rewarding our faithfulness and generosity.

Jan. 7, 2013
I got a call from Mommy Gigi Alcantara asking me if I already had an SB Planner. I was grinning from ear to ear as I said, "Wala pa po." She promised to give me one and here it is!

If you are reading this, Mommy Gi, thank you so much.

She's always been generous and thoughtful of me. God will continue to reward her in full.

"A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great."

Proverbs 18:16

I asked God if I can open it this time, and He said yes. :)

~

What if I decided to keep the first planner? Lighting wouldn't strike me. God would still love me. Ela would get her planner, SB or not, in one way or another. God would use someone else. I would have a planner but missed a great lesson on generosity.

I'm just thankful that through God's grace, I was able to obey. Now, Ela has an SB Planner and her praise report. I have my SB Planner and a valuable lesson I can impart to the next generation. Lord, thank you!

Ang Multong Nagpaparamdam

Boy: Hindi ako natatakot sa multo.

Girl: Bakit?

Boy: Mas natatakot ako na mawala ka sa buhay ko.

Boom!

Girl: Multo ka ba?

Boy: Bakit?

Girl: Ang hilig mo kasi magparamdam.

BOOM!

Banatan na. Dahil November 1 ngayon, babanat din ako.

Totoo ba ang multo? Hindi ko masasagot yan; ‘di ako ang expert dyan. Pero sigurado ako, may mga lalaking parang mga multo... mahilig magparamdam. Awoooo.

Sila yung mga mahilig mag-text or mag-PM ng alin man sa mga sumusunod:

     Pst.

     Oist.

      :)

     Yow!

     ....

     [Blank message]

Ito yung tipong out of nowhere at di mo alam pano rereplayan. Dahil iba-iba ang pinanggalingan natin, iba-iba din ang pwede natin maging reaksyon dyan

      

     Oh, bakit?

     Pst ka din
     :)
     Yow!
     Hus dis? (Paborito ko ‘to. Haha.)

Pero ang recommended ko ay itong dalawang bagay lang:

1. ‘WAG MO NA REPLAYAN. Period. No erase.

Ang taray naman. Okay, magpapaliwanag ako. Kapag kasi ginamit mo ang unang limang nabanggit, hahaba lang ang usapan. Kung sa una naweweirdo-han ka pa, di mo namalayan, nag-eenjoy ka na din pala na ka-text siya. Reply dito, reply doon. Biglang, Oops, malayo na pala ang narating ng usapan. Saan man kayo makarating, ito ang intindihin mo, yung nagsimula sa ‘wala lang’ ay mauuwi sa ‘wala lang’.

"Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts."
Proverbs 4:23 (The Message)

Pwera na lang kung gusto mo talaga humaba ang usapan dahil gusto mo rin yung guy na nag-text. Kung ganun na nga, girrrl, isip-isip din. You deserve a real man who can and will pray about his intentions, act on it and is direct-to-the point about it. ‘Wag na ‘yung guy na nagtatago sa anino ng mapanlinlang at nakakalitong paramdam message.

2. PAG-PRAY (OVER) MO. Multo nga kasi.

Pag may mga multo na matigas ang ulo at mahirap papaalisin, who are you gonna call? This time, hindi ang ghost-busters. Call unto Jesus and lift up the guy to Him. Pag-pray mo na mapag-isip isip nung guy na hindi pagiging tunay na lalaki ang pag-paparamdam at pakikiramdam sa text. Pag-pray mo na sa tulong ni Hesu Kristo sa buhay niya, unti-unti ay matutunan niya how to actlikeaman.

Taympers Muna

"Taympers! Taympers!"

Naalala ko si Kenneth (hindi niya tunay na pangalan), tulo ang sipon, sumisigaw.

"Taya ka na!" duro niya kay Toti (kapangalan lang ng kuya ko).

Pinandilatan ni Toti si Kenneth.

"Hindi kaya! Hindi mo naman ako nahawakan."

"Nahawakan kita!"

"Hindi! Wala akong naramdaman!"

Lahat ng mga bata ay sisigaw ng,"Ah burot! Burot!"

"Ang duga nyo! Ayoko na nga!"

*burot (boo-rhot) - laging taya

*duga (doo-gah) - daya; maduga - madaya

Nakatulis ang nguso, nagpupunas ng sipon gamit ang harap ng sandong putim (puti + itim), padabog na pumasok ng bahay si Kenneth.

Sino sila? Sila ang ilan sa mga kalaro ko sa kalye nung musmos pa ako, kung kelan ang mahalaga lang ay matulog, kumain, maglaro, at maglaro ng maglaro.

Patintero, agawan-base, taguan, tumbang preso, bangsak, langit-lupa, shake shake shampoo, luksong baka, luksong tinik, ten-twenty, piko at jumping rope (aylabyu teleber teleber). Kung nalaro mo ang mga ito sa kalye nang naka-paa lang, umakyat sa puno ng aratilis, nag-amoy araw kahit gabi na at umuwi sa bahay nang may malaking sugat sa tuhod, welcome to my generation! Relate tayo at tiyak 'di nagkakalayo ang edad natin.

Ang "The Hulk" ng Victory Greenhills :p

Photo © Bryan Villamor

Hindi ba't nakaka-miss balikan at sariwain ang mga alaala ng ating kabataan?

Ngayon, ang ka-patintero natin ay ang mga tao sa Makati o mga bus sa Edsa. Ang kaagawan-base ng mga lalaki ay ang karibal sa nililigawan. At may mga kalaro tayong wala na dito sa lupa. May ilang nagtatanong, nasaan kaya sila napunta, sa langit o sa im-impyerno?

Salamat sa Victory Greenhills Singles family ko at naiisipan nilang bumuo ng event na pinamagatang "Taympers". Ginanap ito noong Oktubre 20, 2012 sa La Mesa Eco Park.

Team Orange "OA" - Winners!

Sa mga henerasyon ng PS2, PSP, PS3, Wii, XBox, iTouch, iPad, Angry Birds, Plants vs. Zombies at World of Goo, ang salitang taympers ay hango sa Ingles na salitang time first. Sa madaling salita, tigil muna ang laro kasi:

a. ihing-ihi ka na, di mo na kayang pigilin

b. tinatawag ka na ng nanay mo para matulog sa hapon

c. feeling mo kanina ka pa taya at dinadaya ka na ng mga kalaro mo

d. lahat sa nabanggit

Mahigit siyamnapu kaming mga binata at dalaga na nagbuhay totoy at nene muli. Nag-taympers muna at kinalimutan ang pending na trabaho. Nagpawis nang 'di nag-aalala kung nagusot ang corporate attire o kung kailangan mag-retouch na.

Ang sarap maging bata ulit kahit isang araw lang! Ang saya saya! Sabi ko, sana ganito na lang ulit. Bakit ganun? Dati, nung bata tayo gusto na natin maging matanda. Ngayon, matanda na tayo, gusto  naman natin maging bata.

Kasi sa pagtanda natin, na-realize natin na ang buhay, nakaka-burot pala. Feeling natin lagi na lang tayong taya; pinagtutulungan. Feeling natin hindi sapat ang kinikita o sinusweldo sa dami ng gastusin. Feeling na baka tumandang binata/dalaga kasi hanggang ngayon wala parin yung promise ni God na right person.

Kahit maglaro tayo sa kalye maghapon, pag-uwi natin, andyan pa rin ang bayarin sa kuryente, tubig, renta at tuition; andyan pa rin ang sakit na matagal nang tinitiis; andyan pa rin ang pagkutya, pagdead-ma at pagtakwil ng mga importanteng tao sa buhay natin.

Sana bata na lang tayo ulit.

Pwede naman, eh!

Sasabihin mo, Katerina, hindi ako nag-Medicine and/or nag-Law at nakapasa ng board and/or bar exam para lang sabihan mo na bumalik ako sa pagkabata. Gusto mo maglaro na lang ako at 'wag na tuparin ang mga tungkulin ko?

Siyempre, hindi. Mag-long islivs at kurbata ka pa rin; mag-stilleto at mag-foundation ng todo-todo. Pumasok ka sa trabaho o mag-negosyo. Pero ito ang tandaan mo: Ang bata 'pag napagod, taympers lang. Pahinga o inom ng tubig, game na ulit. Bilang matatanda ngayon, pwede pa rin tayo mag-taympers. Pero kulang ang energy drink o isang pitsel ng kape na may double, triple, quadruple shot ng espresso. 'Pag nag-taympers tayo, isa lang ang katapat niyan:

Si Jesus.

Lang.

Si Jesus. Lang? Korek ang nabasa mo.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

Sabi Niya, ALL you who are weary. Bata, matanda, paslit, propesyonal. ALL. Siguro naman lahat tayo napapagod at nabibigatan sa mga hamon ng buhay. Kung hindi ka nakakaramdam ng pagod at ALL, aba, halika dito at i-share mo ang sikreto.

Siya yung rest na napagod ka, taympers, hinga, inom tubig, tapos okay na. Ang the best pa nito, alay Niya'y kapahingahan para sa lahat ng bagay. Pisikal. Emosyonal. Sikolohikal. Pinansyal. Kapahingahan sa kabila ng lahat ng kabigatan.

Naalala mo nung nagkasugat ka sa tuhod tapos sabi ng lola mo may lalabas na kanin doon? Naniwala ka 'di ba? Natakot ka nga eh at nag-abang pa kung may lalabas talaga. Oh,  'wag mong sabihing hindi.

Ngayon, ito naman ang paniwalan mo: Dahil sa pagka-lampa natin dulot ng kasalanan, out na dapat tayo; game-over na. Pero dahil mahal tayo ng Diyos, pinadala Niya si Kristo para i-save tayo, bigyan ng buhay at makasali ulit sa laro.

Neknek mo, Yna. Ganun ka-simple?

Oo, peksman. Cross my heart. Hope to die.. (and live again with Christ).

'Wag ka na magduda. Parang isang bata, maniwala ka na lang.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Mark 10:14-15

Pag si Jesus ang kasama mo, hindi pa naman magsisigawan ang lahat ng: uwian na, uwian na! Tuloy parin ang laban. Pero wala na tayong kailangan gawin. Tapos na. Nakalusot na Siya sa linya ng kamatayan; naagaw na Niya ang base ng kalaban. Ilang beses ka man ma-burot sa buhay, panalo na. PANALO NA.

Ang tanong na lang, sino ang kakampi mo?

Little Mr. Bright Boy

I always tell Neil that when it comes to studying, grades are not everything. You may get high grades but it doesn't mean you're REALLY learning. What's important is that you take what you've learned in the classroom and apply it to your daily life.

I make it to a point that he doesn't feel guilty or condemned if he doesn't perfect an exam.

Just enjoy what you do.

Today, I went to his school for a parent-teacher conference and to receive his first quarter report card.

A couple of parents got there before me so I had to wait for my turn. I scanned the classroom. Observing the children's art works on the walls. Finally, my gaze fell upon the board. And this made my heart smile.

I am so blessed to have a son who has learned that getting high grades means honoring God and his parents.

Congratulations Neil! We are all so proud of you.

His other awards:

Excellence in Christian Living Education - When he was four, one of his ninongs gave him a Children's Bible. He'd insist that I read it to him EVERY night. Eventually, he began to practice reading with it. A while ago, his class moderator and teacher in CLE applauded him for knowing all the bible stories

Excellence in Mathematics - Teaching him the value of money

Excellence in SIBIKA - This made my heart jump! I remembered our trip to Fort Santiago

Excellence in Science and Health - There were nights when he'd insist that I read to him a junior anatomy book. Though I was so tired then, I'd still do it.

One by one, I went through the certificates and thought of the parties and barkada hang-out I missed because I had to go home early.

It was all worth missing them.

And oh, this is my favorite. Every morning, before he boards the school service, I don't tell him to be a good boy. Instead, I tell him:

"Be a loving person." <3

(I got this from Ate Thammie Sy's blog.)

Sometimes, he'd give me a good-bye kiss and say those lines before I can.

And this special award showed me that he really applies it.

I only prayed for my child to grow up Christ-like but God gave me bright Christ-like child for a bonus. I am so blessed.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

God and I, we are in the business of raising up a godly man. Isang tunay na lalaki. ;)

Ang Tunay na Lalaki

Setyembre 1, 2012

Sabado.

Tanghali. Late na ako sa meeting. Nakakahiya naman, o. May humintong jeep sa tapat ko. Nagdalawang isip ako kung sasakay ako o hindi. Ang mga pasahero: dalawang mag-asawang may edad na, tatlong lalaki, isang bata na anak siguro ng isa sa mga lalaki at isang aso na bitbit ng isa sa mga lalaki. Oo, isang aso sa pampasaherong jeep. Dahil nga sa nagmamadali na’ko, wala na akong karapatan maging choosy. Nakabusal ang bibig ni Bantay (pinangalanan ko na talaga siya) kaya mukang safe naman siya. Pero siyempre dun pa rin ako umupo sa malayo.

Katulad ng dati, mabilis pa sa takbo ng jeep ang takbo ng isipan ko. Nakarating na yata ako sa Pluto. Pero iba ang biyahe na ‘to. Pasimple, tiningnan ko ulit si Bantay at ang manong na may dala sa kanya. San kaya sila papunta?

Magkakakilala pala ang tatlong lalaki. At tama ako, yung bata ay anak nga nung isang manong. Mautak daw si kumander, wika niya. “Pinasama ‘to (tinuro ang bata) para daw siguradong uuwi ako ng maaga.” Napunta ang usapan nila tungkol sa kanilang trabaho. Damay na pati ang boss nila. Bandang huli na ng maintindihan ko kung bakit kasama  nila si Bantay. Masarap daw siya ‘pag niluto sa tomato sauce.

Sa isip ko, HA? Pulutan pala. Kawawang Bantay.

Nakakalungkot. Dahil gagawing pagkain si Bantay ng wala sa oras. Pero mas nakakalungkot ang realidad na ang nagiging batayan ng pagkalalaki ay gano ka kalakas uminom at ilan na ang babaeng pinaiyak mo.

Tatlong lalaki. Haligi ng tahanan. Hindi ko po nais manghuhusga ng ibang tao. Ngunit sa mga sandaling iyon, naisip ko: Nasaan po ang asawa nila? Ang mga anak nila? Kumain na kaya ng tanghalian? Pwedeng oo, pwedeng hindi.

Sa puso ko, umasa ako na may ibang bagay na pwedeng pag-ukulan ng panahon at pera ang mga ama na’to. Sana sa mas makabuluhang bagay nila nilaan ang kanilang oras. Naiisip ko, ilang mga tatay ang katulad nila? Isa pang nakakalungkot na katotohanan: Marami pa.

Sa puntong ‘yon, kinausap ko ang Panginoon at itinaas ko ang lahat ng tatay at magiging tatay sa bansang ito. Na ang Diyos nawa ang kumilos ang magtaguyod ng mga lalaki na may pagmamahal sa Kanya upang maging responsableng mga ama. Mga ama na aalagaan at gagabayan ang kanilang asawa at mga anak. Magsisikap at pagyaymanin ang mga biyaya na ipagkakatiwala sa kanila ng Diyos.

Hapon.

Nanggaling ako sa volunteer’s rally ng RightStart Foundation at papunta sa Cord of 3 Strands meeting sa Promenade, Greenhills. Nakisabay naman ako sa sasakyan kasama ang tatlong kaibigan na lalaki. Kung saan saan din napunta ang usapan nila. At habang nakikitawa sa mga biruan at kulitan nila, naalala ko ang tatlong lalaki sa jeep at ang aking maikling panalangin.

Tatlong lalaki. Ang mga kaibigan ko ay pwede rin maging katulad ng tatlong manong sa jeep. Kung gugustuhin nila, meron din silang dalang aso at mga rekados para sa ulam na ipapares sa alak. Pero pinili nilang ilaan ang panahon at lakas para tumulong sa mga nangangailangan.

Tunay na buhay ang Diyos dahil kumikilos siya sa puso ng tatlong lalaki na ‘to. Ang Diyos ang patuloy na nagbubuhos ng Kanyang pagmamahal at kadakilaan sa buhay nila. At iyon din ang humuhubog sa kanilang karakter upang maging mga tunay na lalaki at balang araw, mga tunay na ama.

At ang isang masayang paalala sa’kin ng Panginoon: Marami pa sila. Patuloy lang natin itaas sa Kanya ang ating ama, kapatid, pinsan, kaibigan, ka-ibigan, tito, lolo, boss, katrabaho, guard, janitor at lahat ng kalalakihan sa buhay natin.

Kung ikaw naman ay isang lalaki, ang hamon at tanong ko sa'yo: Isa ka bang tunay na lalaki?

P.S.

Gusto ko lang bigyang pugay ang tatlong kolokoy, este, lalaki na nakasabay ko sa sasakyan. Nawa'y patuloy kayong maging magandang halimbawa sa mga kapwa niyo kalalakihan.

Val Baguios III -
IT Service Desk shift supervisor,
Author of Brokenmindset.org

Mark Ezekiel Cahiles -
Interior Desinger by profession,
Photographer by passion

Dave Milton Uy -
Marketing Specialist

My Monsoon Rain and Flood Experience

In the Philippines, flooding after heavy rains is close to normal. But this August's monsoon rains and floods taught me a lot on emergency preparedness, finding joy in awful circumstances and waiting.

Emergency Preparedness

August 7, 2012 (4:15 am)

"Ma, nasa garahe na yung tubig. Malapit na pumasok na sa loob ng bahay!" (Ma, the water has reached the garage. It's almost inside the house!") my youngest brother Nikolai blurted out at the wee hours of that rainy morning.

I heard him in the middle of dreams and wakefulness. I bolted up from my bed and ran to the front door. I saw slippers swimming in the garage and knew he wasn't over-reacting.

One of the things I learned from the Emergency Preparedness and Response Training I attended at Victory Greenhills last month is this: Keep a whistle on-hand.

In terms of emergency response, a whistle is used to call attention to lead a group of people to safety or a team to act in behalf of the victims. It's also for calling attention if you're the one who needs rescue. Remember Rose was rescued at the end of the movie?

As for me, I used this to wake up the whole household. ;)

In split seconds, my family, in our zombies-out-of-bed-looks, was all standing at the sala watching as flood water licked our doorstep. And you want to know what was our first move in times like that?

Pray. With the moment's level of urgency, we could have ran back to our rooms to ransack our closets. But the most important thing one must do is to pray and ask for God's protection from harm, wisdom to act and faith to believe that everything will be fine.

After approximately one hour of evacuating our belongings to the second floor, we -- my mother, my sister, my two brothers, my two pamangkins (my neice and my nephew), my yaya (okay, Neil's yaya) and I -- we're huddled at the second floor, watching news. Our basic needs like food, water, medicines, clothes and candles were all secured with us.

Another lesson from the training is to ALWAYS stock up on your emergency kit. The kit contains:

1.     Food supply good for one week for the whole family – these are instant and canned goods, we’re not sure if we’d be able to cook. And frozen goods will only last for maximum of 2 days in room temp

2.     Drinking water – a normal human being can last up to 3 weeks without food but die of thirst in 3 days

3.     First aid kit – self-explanatory; I also suggest to stock up on Vitamin C to help boost immune system. Sodium ascorbate is safe to take on an empty stomach.

4.     Clothes – for hygiene purposes; of course, you need to change just in case you get soaked in the rain

5.     Flash light (with extra batteries) and/or candles – in times of heavy rains and flooding, don’t take the risk of NOT pulling down your power breaker; water is a good conductor of electricity

6. Protective gears - examples are boots, rain coats, umbrella, etc.; just in case you really have to go through the flood

Did we have all these? Shamefully, no. Thankfully, though, we have school children and with that, the most responsible thing every household head must do is to stock up food supplies.

Will these guarantee our safety and survival? No. But God is calling is to break our Pinoy bahala-na mindsets and act responsibly.

Joy in all circumstances

With no electricity, rain pouring, flood getting higher every hour, our activities consisted of eating, sleeping, meditating on God’s word, praying, waiting and we go back to eating.

You might be wondering, where is Neil? The day before the flood crept all over Metro Manila, I receive a call from Neil’s grandparents. Classes were suspended so they picked him up from school, brought him home and picked him up again to attend a classmate’s birthday party. Night fell and it was still raining cats and dogs, so they called again to inform me that Neil would be staying with them for the night.

One thing in my mind: “Thank God Neil is not here.”

Even if things don’t go as we expected, God still has our best in His mind.

The most beautiful thing that happened during the three days out-pour was our family’s bond got tighter. With nothing but the candle light to illuminate our storm-sick faces, my siblings and I reminisced about our wacky childhood adventures and misadventures. Our stomachs ached in laughter as we played games like “Dugtungan-ng-Kanta”, “P.A.N.T.S.” and our made-up game “Random Signages”.

My sister with the flood scenario as background

If you’re familiar with these games, you know how hilarious it can get. In PANTS, you have to come up with Places, Animals, Name, Things and (we added) Veggies/Fruits that start with the given letter. Two game highlights:

1.     Veggies/Fruits starting with N: Nabubulok na Saging

2.     Animal starting with P: Patay na daga

My brothers are crazy and weird to some extent, but I learned to love them more after this experience.

I also want to honor my Kuya Vladimir who acted as leader during the evacuation period. 

Relief operations
c/o Bgy. Dela Paz Kagawads

On our second day, our neighbours were crying out for relief goods. We thought, "buti na lang may supplies pa tayo" (Good thing, we still have supplies here). 

But rain kept on pouring that day so by night, we were running low. Kuya braved through the murky chest-deep flood to get out and buy more food.

Before, I always thought he was stoic and apathetic but his words echoed in my heart. “Tingin niyo papayag ako na magkaganyan tayo?” (Do you think I’d let that happen to us?) Pertaining to our neighbour crying out for food.

My Hero Kuya

Waiting on Jesus

I’ll always remember that midnight when the candle lights are out and the family has gone to our cots.

Rain was pounding on the roof like there’s no tomorrow. It was pitch black outside. I strained to assess the flood level. It has gone up! And with this kind of torrent, I thought, water may get higher overnight.

What if we’re not safe on the second floor anymore? Do I need to call for rescue now? Can we climb up the roof? We have enough umbrellas to cover our heads until rescue comes.

These are the desperate thoughts racing through my fear-stricken mind. I went back to bed, trying to drown out the roars of thunder. I heard some sniffling. It’s my younger brother, Nikolai. He was panicking, too. Mama sat up on her bed when she sensed that we’re agitated. She reassured us that Jesus is covering us under His wings of protection. But I was still afraid. I, who was so brave to lead the prayer and evacuation, who posted in my Facebook status that God is in control earlier that day, was trembling in fear.

I remembered when Jesus’ disciples woke Him up as huge waves slapped every sides of the boat. Like they did, I panicked close to desperation. I imagined Jesus telling me, “You, of little faith. Why did you doubt?”

It’s okay to be afraid and tell God. He wants us to run to Him for comfort. I cried out. Tears choked back the words so Mama continued the prayer. Together, we asked for His divine intervention and declared that He is sovereign. I asked that He would increase my dwindling faith. Then, like a warm blanket on a freezing night, the peace that transcends all understanding pacified my terrified soul.

In a tiny, broken voice, I began singing:

“When the oceans rise and thunders roar, I will soar with You above the storm. Father, You are King over the flood. I will be still, know You are God.”

Mama and Nikolai joined me in singing. In the dark, water rising outside every minute, we sang praises to the only one God of the universe, to Jesus, the name above all other names.

After five minutes, we heard the rain hushing down to stop.

When we see the sun shining, it’s easy to praise Jesus and say He is good. But in dark and stormy nights, are you willing to trust Him to bring you through?

In our life, we will encounter many storms, be it literal or not. Learn to depend on God’s grace. Ask and believe for Him to show us that He is mighty and sovereign. Let Him be the anchor that will hold you safe and secure in stormy seasons.

Faith believes that beyond these relentless dark clouds the Son is waiting to pierce through with His Light.