Reporting for duty @ 7 something in the morning

Anticipating mass actions, closed roads, counter flows and traffic rerouting along Commonwealth Avenue due to SONA, I left home very early (after struggling to resist the temptation of hugging my pillows and sticking to my bed on a cold and rainy dawn). Arrived @ 7 something in the office this morning. After jumping off the jeepney with my backpack ang Jollibee, Pancho (the guard on duty) couldn't contain his wide grin as he greeted me, "good morning ma'am, ang aga mo ah!" walking through the still dimly-lit lobby of the main building, Ana (the usually silent lady assigned to clean that area) smiled at me and said, "ma'am ang aga mo ngayon!" Nah, don't dare ask me why they're surprised... I just laughed and told them, "traffic sa Batasan ngayon, kapag mamaya pa ko umalis eh hindi na ko papasok!" (^_^) mag explain ba? Isip ulit ako ng reason bukas! hehehe...

On being "mean"

I used to be silent. I'd rather keep mum, conform to the rules, settle for what's offered, and the list could go on. I come across as a snob for people who don't know me; for those who dared to dig deeper, I am Ms. Goody Two-shoes; for those few who dived with me as I swim through life, I am a living oxymoron. Circumstances change, people grow up; and when I finally gathered enough courage to speak out and say what really runs through my mind (yep, not only the good ones), some would say I am mean. Oh, whatever! Just add that to the list of oxymoron that I am because anyway, I am Honey –  you find me either sweet or stingy. 

harnessing mutual understanding and respect through listening thoughtfully

Mutual understanding and mutual respect grows out of listening thoughtfully. We need to master the skill of holding our judgment until we fully understand what others are saying. We need not agree with other people’s ideas but we must strive to treat them and their ideas with respect. We need to learn how to listen without condemnation; listen long enough to truly understand their ideas, and how strongly they feel about it before sharing our own perspective on the matter. If all people can master this, imagine how much better this world would be. But we live in an imperfect world where not everything is ideal. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt us much if we try to thoughtfully listen to people whom we interact.

Aklan Photoblog #1

Another opportunity to explore the Philippines; this time, it's the Province of Aklan -- home to the Ati-atihan Festival and the famous Boracay Island. I was both challenged and excited when I learned that our project there will push through. Being the usual me who try to see something that can be a source of fun even when faced with the most daunting task, I just tried to think of the brighter side of it -- the fulfillment when we get positive results from the project + a chance to explore yet another province of the Philippines.

The initial trip was for our baseline study on the Province's systems in place to address violence against women (VAW) cases. The study is a preparatory work for the province-wide roll-out of the VAW Documentation System which the Philippine Commission on Women is putting in place. It is a rather ambitious endeavor, but we wouldn't see any grand dream come to reality if no one dared to make it come true, right? So, there we go...how do we make it happen in the entire Province of Aklan? First things first, know the place and what it has to offer thus, the baseline study. We decided to use the Performance Standards and Assessment Tools for Services Addressing Violence against Women in the Philippines in conducting the research, so that's my part. Our other agenda was to checkout available training venues in the Province in preparation for the series of training that we will conduct in the following months. Our original itinerary:

June 6, 2012 | AM flight to Kalibo then checkout nearby training venues with people from the Provincial Government

June 7, 2012 | whole day orientation for the service providers regarding the project and the baseline study

June 8, 2012 | continuation of training venue scouting, PM flight back to Manila 

 *Oh, we initially planned to have our return flight booked on a later date so that we can go to Boracay (our own expense of course!) but the plan didn't materialize because I have to fly back to Manila after the orientation on June 7 in order to be present in the writeshop that the office scheduled June 8 to prepare concept notes for another major project proposal. 

So here, here is a glimpse of my first trip to Aklan...

*Photo credit: Kuya Darwin Tejerero's Nikkon D300. My bad, I left my Sony point and shoot in the van that we used in Kalibo! :(

Registration and Kit Distribution Lineup. The brown envelope and pencil kit reminds me of grade school days!

That's a police officer signing the registration sheet. One grand salute to PNP-Aklan Women and Children Protection Desk Officers -- they are the early birds and they come in full force!

Opening Program | An officer from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office speaks before the audience.

Opening Program | Mr. Franklin Quimpo represented and conveyed the Governor's message. Incidentally, Sir Frank is also an active member of MOVE (men opposed to violence against women everywhere) a group of male advocates who commit to be actively involved in the elimination of VAW. 

Robert Matthew Romero, PCW-ICT Unit

Head introduces the project to the audience

Robert also gave an overview of the

VAW Documentation System

Robert's illustration on the VAWDocS

Honey M. Castro of PCW Policy Development and Advocacy Division (Yep, that's me!) discussing the baseline study that PCW is conducting as a preparatory work for the roll-out of VAWDocS in the entire Province of Aklan.

...This is the moment when all I've done; when all the dreaming scheming and screaming become one. This is the day see it sparkle and shine when all I've lived for becomes mine.. Nah, I didn't sing! I just told them that we are going to use the Performance Standards and Assessment Tool for the baseline study and guided them to how to answer the tool.

Okey class, get your books and turn to page 54, where you will find the assessment questionnaires.   :) Feeling teacher lang! But see, I've got attentive audience :) 

Kuya Darwin got to talk too! Impromptu talk to discuss the ICT survey that he prepared.

Oh no, may quiz? Nah, that's not a quiz

but we gave them homework. :)

Discussion of next steps | Robert 

facilitated the discussion, while I 

take notes of the agreements for 

everyone to see on the screen.

Photo ops | Saludo ako sa Aklan-PNP Women and Children Protection Desk Officers!

Keep up the good work mga Ateng Pulis, ipakita niyo ang tunay na kahulugan ng public service!

POST-ORIENTATION

Official Visit | The Provincial Prosecutor was unable to attend the orientation due to an urgent concern. Fortunately, Ms. Grace Quimpo of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office who is a dedicated member of the Gender and Development Team of Aklan, thought of trying to visit the Prosecutor's Office after our activity. So, we went to this office located inside the Provincial Capitol Compound.

That's me discussing the VAWDocS Project and the baseline study that we are conducting using the VAW Performance Standards with Atty. Lourdes Q. Mayor, Provincial Prosecutor of Aklan. She said that it was her first time to hear about and see the tool, and thanked us for giving her a copy of it so she can study and see what she can do so that they will be able to follow and meet the standards. 

QUICK TOUR
Since we accomplished everything rather early for my 7:15 PM flight, our partners from the Provincial Government was kind enough to bring me and the guys to the nearest tourist destination in Kalibo -- New Washington Aklan's Sampaguita Gardens, home to Precious Moments cutie stuff!

Welcome billboard at the entrance. 

A seemingly endless number of this angel statue are lined up on both sides of the entrance road.

The person behind Sampaguita Gardens: Samuel John Butcher, an American artist and creator of Precious Moments artworks that promote messages of loving, caring and sharing. 

The Chapel's walls are painted with these...

Can you find me? 

That's me at the souvenir shop :)

With Kuya Darwin @ the souvenir shop where he bought a super cute doll for the dear daughter. Sweet!

Just one of the many good spots for photo ops. Since we have to rush back to Kalibo for my flight, we were not able to take much photos. For sure, I will go back to this place and have enough time to appreciate its beauty, and capture great photos of a happy me!

With our accommodating hosts from the Provincial Government of Aklan. 

Maraming salamat! Promise, I will be back to get to experience more of Aklan.

A new year's gift from Ate Nova, this book

saved me from eternal boredom while waiting

for my boarding time. I find it an interesting 
and thought-provoking read, so I got hooked 
and continued reading it on board until my 
plane landed in Manila.

JOURNEY BACK TO HOME
We rushed back to Ati-atihan Hostel in Kalibo to get my things. Since it was already around 5:30 and I have to be in the airport at 6PM, I told them that I will just skip our scheduled dinner and they can just drop me off at the airport.

It was still early when I checked-in. I traveled back to Manila alone since the guys will have to continue scouting for training venues the next day. The airport was rather small and jam-packed -- there were notices of delayed flights, complaining passengers, food distribution for stranded ones, pinoys and foreigners mostly travelling with family or friends, food and coffee stalls, massage therapy stalls etc. I sat there alone with my sling bag containing my wallet, mobile phone, i-pod and a book which I just grabbed from my shelf and stuck in my backpack the morning I left. I opted not to use the i-pod so that I will be able to hear the announcements, so I just sat there and read the book.

Luckily, my PAL flight was just right on time (oh boy, when I traveled to Gen. Santos last March via Cebu Pacific, my flight from and to Manila was so delayed!), although it was kind of turbulent most of the time. Good thing it was just an hour flight, and I don't really freak out with that. I took a yellow metered cab from Terminal 2 (it rained in Manila and on times like that, it is best to take NAIA taxi because they have to choice but to bring you to your destination no matter where it is in the Metropolis. Yep, they are more expensive than regular cabs but you cannot guarantee that the regular cabs will take you when your destination is just so far -- yep they are prohibited from choosing passengers/destination, but they do that anyway.) For some unfortunate reason, my cab's left headlight died down somewhere in Pasay (it was still near the airport). Manong driver was apologetic and asked me is it was alright if he transfer me to a regular cab. I was quite frustrated but what can I do? Good thing, the first white cab which he buzzed for me agreed to take me to Commonwealth Avenue-Don Antonio without hesitation. I actually had fun talking with the driver as we go through the snail-paced traffic of metro cities going to my place. I was finally home before midnight. I just put down my bags, rest for a while then prepared to call it a night, since I have to catch the 7:30 AM van at Philcoa which will bring us to the venue of our writeshop in Ortigas.

PNoy at iba pa...usapang naiinip lang, walang pikunan!

Originally posted via FB Notes on Sunday, July 4, 2010 at 9:27pm

Kulit lang ng photo na ito na kuha
sa conference room namin. May
konek naman sa topic ng post na ito.

Isang umaga, habang binabagtas ng bus ang kalye mula Elliptical Road hanggang Quiapo, naaliw ako sa pag-iisip tungkol sa pagka-humorous at malikhain ng mga Pinoy. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang nagpa-uso na tawaging P.Noy si P.Noy, pero mahusay ang kanyang ideya para mapalapit sa damdamin ng mga Pinoy ang imahe ni P.Noy. Pero dahil sa pausong iyan, naisip ko tuloy na may mga sikat na taong hindi dapat naisin na maging presidente ng Pinas kasi magiging kakatwa ang bansag sa kanila, kung susundin ang naumpisahan kay P.Noy.

Parang katulad lang ito ng joke ko noon sa bestfriend ng ate ko na si Ate Malou. High school pa lang ako noon, at tuwing mapapadalaw si Ate Malou sa bahay ay sinasabihan ko siyang iwasan mag-asawa ng may apelyidong Chinese-sounding tulad ng Wang, Kong, Pit, Tong at Toh. Isipin mo na lang kako kung ano ang magiging tawag sa iyo kapag pinagdugtong ang nickname mo at ang mga apelyidong nabanggit ko!

Sa ganitong konteksto ko rin naumpisahan ang listahan ko ng mga taong magkakaroon ng kakatwang bansag kapag naging P. ng Pinas:

Ang aktres na si Iza Calzado dahil tatawagin siyang P.Iza (pizza)

Si dating Senador Kit Tatad dahil tatawagin siyang P.Kit

Si Irma Daldal (kilala ito ng mga Batang Batibot) dahil tatawagin siyang P.irma

Ang singer na si Kuh Ledesma dahil tatawagin siyang P.Kuh

Ang aktres na si Coney Reyes dahil tatawagin siyang P.Con (pikon)

Si Cong. Sonny Belmonte dahil tatawagin siyang P.Son

Ating Alamin host Gerry Geronimo dahil tatawagin siyang P.Gerry (piggery – sa isang banda, pwedeng maging flagship program ng administrasyon niya ang pagpapa-unlad ng industriya ng paghahayupan)

Ang pop princess na si Sarah Geronimo dahil tatawagin siyang P.Sara (pero baka sa ilalim ng administrasyon niya ay mapagtuunan ng pansin ang sektor ng edukasyon)

Yun pa lang ang naisip ko pero for sure, marami pang iba.

Bigla ko rin naisip na mabuti na lang DILG ang naisip hawakan pansamantala raw bilang Kalihim ni P.Noy, at hindi DOT. Ang pangit lang kasi pakinggan kung tatawagin siyang P. n DOT Secretary Benigno Aquino III. Hay, eto ang nagaganap kapag trapik..kung anu-ano naiisip ko.

• Abigail:  Kung si Nat manalo, ang presidential nickname niya nice din. Hahahaha!
  

  July 4, 2010 at 10:13pm ·
• Evelyn:  
  

  i

  ba ka talaga nihan! dati ang tawag sa kanya PEnoy - kasi daw president elect pa lang siya. when he assumed office na P.noy na, mas preferred nya ito dahil mas makamasa ang dating, pag formal naman at kelangan daw PBSA (Benigno Simeon Aquino - Benigno S. Aquino) yan ang initials ni ninoy dahil naisakatuparan nya ang nabigong pangarap ng kanyang ama na maging pangulo... yan naman ang nasagap ko sa araw-araw kong pakikinig ng radyo.:)
  

  July 4, 2010 at 10:38pm ·
• Louie: Kung si Gibo pala nanalo...magiging P.Gi hehehehe
  

  July 5, 2010 at 11:50am · 
• Aileen: ako P.Nats : )
  

  July 5, 2010 at 12:27pm · 
• 
  

  Honey: ‎@ Abi: haha..sir Nat will then be called P.Nat --- at least peborit cartoon mo yun right, Lucy? hehe
  
  @ Lyn: oo nga, siya ay forme Pe.Noy..hehe..cool!
  
  @ Louie: P.Gi nga siya.. kapag surname naman eh P.Teo (petso). panalo!
  

  July 5, 2010 at 12:27pm · 
• 
  

  Honey: ‎@ Nats, oo nga...swak na swak sa peborit cartoons ni abi, Peanuts! hehe
  

  July 5, 2010 at 12:28pm · 
• Editha: nakakatuwa naman ito....okay n okay
  

  July 5, 2010 at 12:38pm · 
• 
  

  Honey: ‎@ tita edith: kapag ikaw naging pangulo, tawag sa iyo eh P.Sa (Saus)
  
  si sylvia naman ay tatawaging P.Syl (pisil)
  

  July 5, 2010 at 12:46pm · 
• Wanet: P.Net?
  

  July 5, 2010 at 12:53pm · 
• 
  

  Honey: ‎@ wanet: mas bagay ang P.Lac (pilak=silver) ahihi..
  

  July 5, 2010 at 12:54pm · 
• Wanet: Honga! sige silver na lang. :-)
  

  July 5, 2010 at 1:03pm ·
• Sylvia: dahil sa isinama mo na naman ako, ikaw ay P.Honey (phoney ang pag-pronounce)..nye! di ba macapagal middle name mo? cheers to P.Honey Macapagal Castro (naku, double take!)
  

  July 8, 2010 at 1:07pm · 
• Meyps: Wahahahahahaaha!!! Adik ka, adik! Hahahaha... P.Honey! Naku, hindi magandang pangitain! Pangit rin akin, kontra vaw - P.Asa.... Pero buti naman dinocument mo thoughts mo. May mapag-uumpisahan na tayo! For that, hooray for traffic!
  

  July 8, 2010 at 10:56pm · 
• Honey: update: kapag si Sec. Ging Deles ay naging Pangulo, tatawagin siyang P.Ging (parang tsibugan lang eh noh!)
  

  July 21, 2010 at 1:18pm ·

moment of solitude

That's me, photographed by my friend Michelle Domingo,
who was surprised to see me already up and about so early
in the morning during a trip to Real, Quezon.

I love this photo. 

How I wish that every moment could be so serene, so simple, and so full of hope as I watch to the sun shine its rays through the clouds. 

How I wish that the sea could always be like this -- alive but calm as marvel at the fact that it doesn't get tired. 

How I wish that I could have its strength, its will -- to keep sending waves after waves unto the shores, to keep holding up to big and small things that come to it, to keep on giving and sharing a part of its treasures for others.

No need to rush...

If it's meant to be, it will happen

in the right time

at a right place

with the right person

for the best reason

and a perfect situation

Random Thoughts No. 1, Series of 2012

- Big Business vs. Small Business: The Incongruity of CSR Programs with Business Location Strategies

Hindi ito thesis. Pero siguro kung kukuha ako ng MBA at may subject about corporate social responsibility, isa ito sa possible topics ko. Gusto ko lang i-share through my blog ang naiisip ko sa araw-araw kong pagmamasid sa paligid.

Yun isang supermarket chain, nags-sponsor ng events to encourage people to put up their own business (i.e. sari-sari store), nagpapamigay pa ng lots of freebies sa TV shows na parang business starter kit. Maganda itong CSR program nila, PERO ironic lang para sa akin yun fact na mukhang sila rin mismo ay kumakalaban sa mga small businesses na gusto raw nilang palaganapin. 

Sa area namin, abot-tanaw lang mula sa isa't-isa ang supermarkets (hindi pa kasama ang convenience stores at korean marts); pero itong store chain na ito ay mas malupit kung lumapit sa tao...bukod sa branch sa highway, meron din itong branch sa looban, right beside the area na dikit-dikit ang kabahayan. So naisip ko lang, kung doon sa area na yun nakatira si Aling Puring, nakakatulong ba ang presence nila sa loob ng subdivision area in promoting and boosting sari-sari stores? Bakit pa ako bibili ng mantika, toyo, suka, asukal, asin, sabon at shampoo kay Aling Puring kung pwede naman dun na lang sa katabi lang namin na supermarket bumili -- mas mura na (dahil walang mark up price), may libreng aircon pa..minsan nga, may free taste pa sila at kung anu-anong pakwela! 

I have nothing against them, really...napapa-isip lang ako kasi ironic talaga. Or, baka naman based sa kanilang study eh mga adik lang talaga mag-grocery shopping ang mga tao sa lugar namin?! 

Suddenly, naisip ko na siguro may bibili pa rin kay Aling Puring -- yun mga nagpapalista. Hindi naman kasi pwede magpalista lang sa supermarket, dapat big time mangungutang ka para makautang sa kanila (i.e. may credit card ka). Kung karaniwang contractual worker ka o yun paextra-extra lang eh malamang wala kang credit card, so si Aling Puring ang iyong takbuhan sa oras ng pangangailangan. Pero kung ako si Aling Puring, bakit ko naman patutulugin sa utangan ang puhunan ko (sensing na yun mga may cash pambayad ay sa katabing supermarket na lang bibili, para magpalamig na rin kasi super init ng panahon)? Mamumuhunan na lang ako sa ibang maliit na negosyo at baka duon kumita pa ako ng cold cash!

- Credit Card, Debit Card, Cash, Bank

Napag-usapan na rin lang ang credit cards...I remember nag-apply ako for a credit card nun bago pa lang ako nagtatrabaho. Gusto ko kasi bumili ng laptop (nun early 2000's ito pa ang dala ng mga yuppies, hindi pa smartphones o tablets) pero dahil nga mahal pa ito dati inisip ko na mag-avail ng zero% interest through a credit card. Mga ilang envelope din ang natanggap ko mula sa mga banko, excited pa akong buksan at feeling ko, naamoy ko na yun medyo amoy electric wire na package ng brand new laptop ko; kaya lang parati naman sulat lang ang laman na nagsasabing "sorry we cannot issue a card to you at this time." Meron isang bank na nag-offer ng "secured credit card" ito yun dapat may savings account ka sa kanila tapos ang credit limit mo ay kung magkano laman ng account mo. Mautak ano, sinisigurado nilang may pambayad ka sa "uutangin" mo. Kung tutuusin, parang ATM used as debit card lang din naman ang concept nun..ang kaibahan lang eh pwede mo gamitin yun sa mga establishments with visa or mastercard; hindi pa kasi gaano katalamak dati ang paggamit ng ATM bilang debit card (BPI pa ang banko ko dati at kasama ito sa services nila). Ayaw ko naman lumipat ng bank...loyal ako sa BPI noon, pero siguro hindi rin loyalty ang tawag doon -- mas convenient lang kasi ito yun malapit sa bahay namin at ito ang banko ko mula nun high school. Naalala ko lang bigla yun mga tellers nila dati na dahil paulit-ulit ka nilang nakikita sa banko eh kahit masalubong mo sa mall babatiin ka at ngingitian...sila yun magagaling na frontline service providers, mga seasoned na sa trabaho (read: yep, hindi ageist ang BPI at hindi rin required na pang artista o model ang kagandahan o kagwapuhan mo, ewan ko lang ngayon ha, wala na kasi akong account sa BPI). Matapos makatanggap ng ilang "sorry" letters, naisip ko na kung ayaw nila eh di huwag! Naalala ko, after a few months may tumawag sa akin offering a card; wala ako sa mood noon kaya I told the lady straight that I already applied for one but was denied. Makulit pa, try ko raw ulit (duda ko, marketing agent ito), so lalo akong naiinis and I said, "what's the point to applying again if I will be sending your bank the same documents? Nothing has changed with my employment and financial status, so better offer your card to another prospective customer." (Ang taong naiinis, straight kung mag-english! hahaha...). After that incident, ilang ulit na rin akong nakasagot ng tawag sa office, mula sa mga nag-ooffer ng credit card. Kanya-kanya silang style ng pangungulit, minsan nakaka-irita na lalo na kung tumawag sila while you're in the middle of typing a great sentence in the paper that you're doing. I remember coining a standard answer for them: "okay, thank you for the offer {insert name here, if nagpakilala siya at maganda ang araw ko}, but right now I am not interested because I prefer to pay in cash." Cool and effective ang line na 'yan, except for one guy na humirit pa about the benefits of having a credit card. Dahil sinira niya ang pagiging foolproof ng aking credit card rejection spiel, nasabi ko tuloy bigla sa kanya na, "eh ayaw ko nga kasi, 'wag mo na akong kulitin!"

One time, I was walking around the mall to meet a friend. May nag-aabot ng fliers, credit card applications. Nilapitan ako ng isang babae (parang pagod na siya pero nagpupumilit maging cheerful). Nakinig lang ako sa kanyang marketing spiel, pero ang iniisip ko talaga nun mga sandaling iyon eh blessed pa rin ako (oo, kahit pasaway ako) dahil hindi ko gusto ang work nila at hindi ako napilitan na pumasok sa ganun para lang kumita ng pera (ewan, hindi ko siguro talaga gift ang magbenta tulad ng mga nasa malls). For some reason, naipit sa notebook ko ang payslip ko that day so naisubmit ko na rin agad with the application ang photocopy nun. Ayun, after around two weeks ay dumating ang aking credit card! Bumili rin pala ako ng laptop nun nagkaroon ako ng credit card -- pero I paid the unit in cold cash! Hehehe...

After a few months, nagtataka ako dahil dumarating ang mga cards sa akin kahit hindi ako nagapply. Sabi lang sa letter itawag ko sa kanila to activate. Hanggang ngayon nga may tumatawag pa rin para mag-offer, yun iba pa ang sinasabi ay mula sa banko kung saan nagmula ang card ko. Naisip ko na siguro mga telemarketer mga yun..or pwede rin mga manggugulang. Nakakakunsume na minsan yun kung anu-anong ino-offer nila na loan, cash advance, etc. etc. Nakapag coin na rin ako ng standard responses:

• Thank you for the information. Right now I'm not interested / I don't need it, but I'll keep that in mind.
• If you're from {insert bank name}, your database/file should inform you that you already issued a card to me and you don't have to ask for my personal information which is supposed to be in your file.
• Your bank already sent me a card.
• You already sent me a card, and I called your bank to have it cancelled since I do not intend to use it and I don't want to receive a bill asking me to pay for an annual fee for a service that I am not using.
• Thanks for the offer, but I am not the one paying for utility bills.

- "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Tama nga! (^_^)

- Umaga na pala! Pasok na ko at may hearing pa mamaya!


- Good morning sunshine! 


At I almost expect Ms. Gemma Ifurong to ask me, "sino si sunshine?"

Kimmidoll Yoko (Expressive)

They're growing...yehey!

Women's Crisis Center (WCC) Helpline Number

Sharing with everyone this message from Ms. Mary "Mae" G. Jardiniano, Administrative Officer of the Women's Crisis Center (WCC):

Mahal naming mga Kapatid, Kapuso at Kapamilya!

Ito po ang bagong WCC Helpline no. +632-545-0836. Maari po itong tawagan simula 8:00 o'clock ng umaga hanggang 9:00 o'clock ng gabi, Lunes hanggang Biyernes. Tuwing Sabado hanggang Linggo, bukas po ang linya mula 9:00 o'clock ng umaga hanggang 5:00 o'clock ng hapon. Bagama't may takdang oras, maari naman pong tawagan kung may mga EMERGENCY CASES.

Hinihingi namin ang tulong ninyo sa pamamagitan ng pagpasa ng nasabing numero sa mga partners at ka network.

Sa ngalan ng Women's Crisis Center, maraming salamat sa patuloy ninyong pagsuporta.

Mabuhay po kayo!

iced tea, kasi...

N: Ampalaya talaga?! Hindi naman siya ganun ka-old no...makinis naman kaya skin niya!

Z: Ay, sori naman! sige,anong klaseng food siya?

N: Hindi siya food; isa siyang iced tea!

Z: Bakit iced tea?

N: Iced tea, kasi...

...siya ang solusyon sa nauuhaw kong puso!

 Z: Pati ba naman sa pick-up line eh may talent...kainis ka na ha!!!

N: Iced tea, kasi...

...he makes me feel refreshed

...hindi super sweet, hindi rin bitter...tamang-tama lang kaya better

...umaraw man o umulan, yummy pa rin

But the best line is...

...he's perfect with Honey!

 

Who Am I

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name; would care to feel my hurt?

Who am I, that the bright and morning star would choose to light the way; for my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done, but because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow;
A wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling; Lord You catch me when I'm falling

And You told me who I am; I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see our sin would look on me with love, and watch me rise again?

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea would call out through the rain, and calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am but because what of You've done

Not because of what I've done, but because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading; here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling; Lord You catch me when I'm falling

And You told me who I am; I am Yours

Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done, but because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading; here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling; Lord You catch me when I'm falling

You told me who I am; I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

'Cause I am Yours, I am Yours

© SWECS MUSIC; CLUB ZOO MUSIC; MY REFUGE MUSIC

reclusion perpetua

sorry na nga...kung hindi mo pa rin ako mapatawad, okey lang sa akin kung ikulong mo na lang ako...

...basta diyan lang sa mga bisig mo, kahit habang-buhay na pagkakulong, tatanggapin ko ng buong puso!

Kimmidoll Nagisa (Peaceful)

My Kimmidoll Keychain (-_-)

12 years after...

I didn't expect that the sight of you would still paint a smile on my face.

No, I wasn't only smiling..I was laughing in disbelief!

I find myself laughing at the memories of how carefree I have been during those days.

I am dazed, remembering all the "exploits" with my two BFFs -- scenes at the library, covered walk, koi pond, classroom, elevator, food shops, and the post office vividly flashed through my mind, as if they were only from yesterday. 

Perhaps someday I'll let you know how I feel so blessed for knowing you. 

...and yep, I am still inspired by your wisdom and your presence.

...and hey, I love the way you make me smile.

Thank you.

Searching for True Love?

...the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning; great is Your faithfulness oh Lord, great is Your faithfulness...

The super long week end and suncellular's 7-day unlimited surf promotion gave me an opportunity to be online and catch up with long lost colleagues. The catching up lines usually goes like:

Hello! Kumusta na? Saan ka na ngayon? Ano work mo? Dun ka pa rin ba umuuwi? Kumusta si *blah..blah..*? Ilan na anak mo? May asawa ka na? Girl/Boy friend? Bakit?

...and the list continues, depending on who am I chatting with. I noticed that most of my classmates and schoolmates are either married, single parents, have gf/bf, or are engaged to be married; but not all. I honestly admire those who post photos of their own kids or their own family. Sometimes I see sweet exchanges from my friends and their kids or partner online (via FB). I admire them, for having the will to go on with their life, albeit some real life drama, which at times I also see via FB. I wish them well...all of them, including those whom I may have never even talked with back in school. And I do hope that someday, they will enjoy the privilege of having raised such great kids. Yesterday, one of my long lost friends asked me, "wala ka bang balak hanapin ang true love mo?" Oh well, I wasn't prepared for that question so I coyly answered, "hindi ko alam. hindi ko rin alam paano. ikaw, alam mo ba?" and our chat continued...

That question somehow made me think even hours after our chat. I never tried to search for true love; I just wait for it to present itself, perhaps at the right time, at any place, in a right person. Yep, I do ask God to guide me along that line. Looking back, I realized how my views on matters of love and relationship changed as I mature little by little. I remember how I used to ask the Lord to make someone I really like love me -- oh well, that didn't work out. And as I grow up, I realized that as in all other things, it is not my will which God will follow; I should be the one following His will. And so I asked Him, okay if it's not him then just please teach me to forget all about it, and please show me whom You want. Someone came along one day, and I thought..oh, I guess I should have heeded to some people's advice that I describe what I like, because this one is almost the exact opposite of that! But then, just like the message last night, the passion of Christ also teach us the important virtue of humility in all aspects of our life. Part of our becoming mature is letting go of our pride, controlling our ego, learning to accept with an open mind and an open heart. Now I know that  love is not about finding the exact replica of what you've long dreamed for in your mind. I've learned that love is not all about chocolates and flowers (I never liked flowers anyway, but I do love chocolates), or finding a knight in shining armor, or finding a man who will give me 500% financial security. I realized that loving someone is more than just feeling kilig all the time; it's not about looking for that spark; it's more than just finding a shoulder to cry on when I feel sad. After all those years of "almost"  "undefined"  and "pseudo" relationships, I realized that I want a man who is humble enough, who trusts and loves me enough to treat me as a partner in the relationship, rather than a fragile little girl whom he must protect from getting hurt at whatever cost. I've had my own share of feeling badly hurt my a man who claim that he loves me and doesn't want me to get hurt. Truth is, his lack of trust in my ability to understand, help him and stick with him through whatever storm that he is going through did hurt a lot. It's been quite a long time and I've really forgotten much of the details but when I look back, I know that somehow those circumstances have shown me what it takes to have a real relationship.

For the past minutes, I've been meditating on the meaning of the song I quoted above and the question about finding true love.

1. True love is given freely -- as free as the love of God to people; but just like the gift of salvation that Christ offers, true love must be accepted with an open heart.
2. As Christ shown His love for us through His humility by accepting to be crucified like a criminal, we must also learn to go easy on our ego. Love is not a competition to show who is this or that...it is a series of drawing and redrawing your limits and expectations.
3. As God's love is new every morning, so do true love...it doesn't end with one problem (no matter how big) or one quarrel. We must all learn to forgive, ask for, and accept forgiveness. 
4. Just like God's unending love and faithfulness; human love must also be cultivated with faith -- faith in each other, and faith in the One who brought you unto each others life. 
5. A midst all the storms in life and in love, there will always be someone up there who can see and hear all your pain, and will love you unconditionally. In His chosen time, things will fall into place. In the meantime, take care of yourself and your heart; savor every moment; live and enjoy life to its fullest.