I wish to put a smile on your face

There are many ways of helping and one is to donate a time. My cousin and I made it to be a volunteer in the DSWD's  relief operation. I actually thought of this since day 2 after the Yolanda disaster but didn't have the courage to do right away. And...today i finally found myself submitting in to a so called humanitarian mission.. :) and it is a good feeling. Yeah it's a bit tiring but it's worth it. 

I agree of what the crowd coordinator have said. Indeed, the volume of people who willingly donate their time and sweat is overwhelming. From students, teachers, private company employees, government employees, unemployed citizen, people with different walks in life gathered all together for a mission.- a mission to help! I estimated that there were about 200 volunteers present today. It was a huge number of volunteers for a huge amount of goods to be packed for a huge number of people in need. The experience to be on hand was great. I sneaked a bit for photo to remember this and in a way to inspire.

This is the i.d. This is issued to us as we entered the gate of the DSWD. This has to be wear at all times within the DSWD premises.

This is one of the areas where the packing is taking place. Busy good hearted people is at work. and they are having fun while doing it.

 Well, the good thing about the operation was that they take care for the volunteers as well. They have free water stations for us and...coffee.. :)

 These are canned goods to be brought in the packaging area. As shown, the men from the PNP were assigned to the work.

 I failed to take a photo from the packaging area coz it was a real hard work being there and it was a bit awkward if il take photos. Just to give you an idea of what happens in the packaging area.. Volunteers are divided in to groups one in the packaging of the 6 kilos of rice two the packing of 8 pcs of noodles and 8 pcs of coffee and three the packing of 4 cans sardines and 4 cans of corned beef. There were volunteers as well who were assigned to do the writing of the sacks naming it with DSWD the date and the cost of the food pack (by the way each pack costs 365.32 pesos ) I tried to do in each area except in the packing of noodles, coffee and canned goods. I concentrated more on the packing of rice.

Now, here is the ready to go packs. Straight from the packing area in the warehouse of the DSWD this pax van will be going to Tacloban. So help is coming....

And that was my Volunteering experience. It was fun and fulfilling.. :)

Zen

Came across with this post on FB and whoever is behind this page..to you i say- thank you..

What is your Passion?

What is your Passion?
I came across with this question a lot of times..

Every person should know what their passion is. For some it takes a long time to discover what it is. On this context, Parents I guess play the crucial role on finding it.      ( though I am not yet a parent ) When a child is growing up it is important for parents to expose their children in to different kinds of activities that will eventually interests their kids and will result to their passion.

I always admire people whose passion becomes their profession. Lucky are they. One of the luckiest people I ever know who found passion as His profession is my Father. I grew up watching him enjoying cultivating a land. Aside from rubber trees ( which is the main crop of my town ) He likes planting crops, may it be a fruit a vegetable, literally everything that grows.  Around High School, I remember asking him why he likes to be a farmer and He said I guess I found this interest from my Uncle. When I was a kid and my father died ( this was how my Papa narrates on me ) I had the chance to stay in their house and live with them for a while. I noticed, He wakes up as early as 4am to go to farm, by sunrise He’s had his siesta already. And I asked why do you always get up so early? And Uncle would answer me. It is always good to wake up early while most people are still sleeping that way I am ahead of them.  Land is good, there is wealth in every Land, only if you are willing to plant and sweat but if not it’s nothing. Take for example this one plant of banana this will produce 20 bunches, if a bunch costs 50cents  ( that was around 1960’s ) you will get 10 pesos already. So what if you have 50 plants of Bananas. It’s a big money already Carlito. So, from there my father looked up to his Uncle while He was growing up. He was a very good agriculturist he says. And I think I would agree. He was once an endorser of a Pesticide on TV! J

Growing up in a community where white- collared jobs were assumed as the best jobs, I honestly didn’t feel so proud then of what my father’s way on making our living. I feel like He can do something more of what he can aside from being a farmer. But then it came to me that for my father Farming is not just his way of making our living. It is his passion, his life, he was born for it. He always tells me that he find God’s manifestation of His mighty and wonder in every living creature especially in plants. To this day, He never stop planting and looking after his plants which made him still sooooo very productive even in his old age. He is a philanthropist to Sustainable Farming and with all his capabilities and his limited strength he still finding ways to continue being so. J

The 25th typhoon

Recently, my father and I were glued on watching the tele about the news of the typoon Yolanda. How strong and how destructive it was. I cannot avoid to ask myself why? What is happening to the Philippines? From time to time we have a breaking news for the world, and I mean the WORLD! Bohol wasn't through yet with the aftermath of the Earthquake and now here comes another awful horror. I am always out of words everytime I see the situation may it be on tele or in the social network. I felt like my heart was squeezed. I cannot imagine how much more for those people who were there having and facing the real situation. The typhoon treated everything and everyone so fairly may they be rich or poor. Times like this everyone gets back to its very foundation - Faith. Every time I hear sorts of stories like this The text from the Bible that says " Even gold is tested by fire, so as your Faith which is more valuable than gold shall be tested" reminds me. On a personal note I always have a follow up request that though I am sinner please do not look at my sins but on my faith in you. Please do not make it too heavy, I am weak but a weak who  always trusts in your Unconditional Love.
One way of accepting and getting through this I tell myself that maybe this is part of knowing God. His might, power and Love. And maybe this is part of knowing ourselves, our roles, Faith and how much we can Love. The sympathy together with actions I've seeing from different parts of the world alleviates the pain a little bit. Somehow, it's the time to give out and show compassion.
Good Lord i may not know the whole reason why but the Bible tells us not to be too concerned about the things that are not revealed to us. I am lifting all these unto you, may all the souls be granted eternal peace and for all the Survivors may they be able to find comfort in your Love trusting that all these shall pass and there still a bright tomorrow in the near future. May all the authorities be guided as they do their respective duties. Lead them in to an effective and quickest way in clearing, restoring all the affected provinces. And for all the people especially those who has the equipment/ capabilities to bring the relief and the help of all sorts may you give them the willingness/courage to give help. You are the the strongest, the biggest, and the mightiest God.- You are the Creator. 

A Little Princess

Do you know that feeling when every time you hear a particular song it reminds something to you. May it be a person, a place or even a certain phase of your life. If I have a song that marks my childhood, it would be John Lennon’s “Imagine”  I guess that’s what my Mother used to play to lull me.

I was watching on HBO’s A Little Princess this Sunday morning and it reminds me of my Childhood. I grew up watching the cartoon version of the story on a local TV Network. It was airing at 5 o’clock in the afternoon ( weekdays ) right after school. So I get to watched it every day.

The Story was about an amiable girl named Sarah. Her father left her in an All girls School to fulfil his duties. While in the middle of the battle His father gone missing and feared to be dead by the authorities. The government then held all his assets leaving Sarah not a single penny. The School administrator ( Ms. Minchin ) broke the news to Sarah informing her that She can no longer stay in that School anymore but since Sarah has nowhere to go to Ms. Minchin let her stay in the School provided that Sarah will do the household chores. She became a servant together with Vicky her friend. She was taken out from her beautiful room and transferred to the attic where she found her new other friends such as the mousses, the brids and the little monkey from a house next door. Sarah has done all works she is not used to do every day including the dealing of Ms. Minchin’s fury. Despite all these, it didn’t hinder her to be still friends to some of her classmates who truly loved and adored her. One day her classmates wanted to surprise her and decided to take back the locket of Sarah which Ms. Minchin took from her when She found out that Sarah’s father was missing and is feared to be dead. ( That was a breath taking scene ) The classmates made it to give back the locket to Sarah. On the following night her classmates went to the attic again and listened to the Story-telling of Sarah. They were laughing when Ms. Minchin surprisingly showed up and was very angry. She punished Sarah and Vicky. Vicky was locked in her room without any meal while Sarah was punished to do all the household chores without having any meal as well. They were so hungry and to their surprise they woke up with a beautiful, well-decorated room which is in the attic plus a sumptuous breakfast. The monkey friend of Sarah was there. Ms. Minchin found out all about these and accused her of stealing. She reported Sarah to the Police. The Police was about to pick her up, but then Sarah sneaked out to the door next house. To her surprise, She saw her father. Her father didn’t recognized her right away since He had a head injury ( kinda amnesia ) Sarah was about to be taken with the Police when her Father remembered everything. He rushed out and called Sarah.. yehey J They hugged so tightly and cried a river J missing each other so much.. Sarah’s father has taken back all his assets which made them get back to their normal lives while Ms. Minchin was taken out from her position as the School administrator leading her to be poor. And that was how the story ended.

Ms. Minchin: You are no longer a Princess Sarah.

Sarah: No, I am still a princess. Every girl is a princess even if she is poor, even if she holds rags, every girl is a princess, Didn’t your father tell you that?

And Ms. Minchin sobs..

That was my favourite line of the movie.

I didn’t know that there is a movie ( Hollywood version ) on Princess Sarah. So, the kid of heart in me was sooo amazed while watching the film. The movie did not fail me. It was an A movie for me. The Cinematography was superb and the kids who portrayed the roles has done it very well… J

Momma and Pap went out for a date!

It is beautiful to see how my parents grew old together. Indeed, if there is an ideal couple I look up to, I wouldn’t look too far, they are with me. And luckily I’m their product. J They are my parents.

They’ve gone through a long road together, full of twists and turns. I witnessed that. Mama was 25 then when She submitted herself to marriage with my 29 years old father in 1974. The supposedly eldest among their children ( my brother ) died when he was still in my Mother’s womb. Which made my sister Lili became the eldest, followed by my brother Bong and me as the youngest.

As newlyweds they didn’t have an easy start. When they decided to got married my father took the decision to quit from their respective jobs and started a brand new life together, away from the Capalong based company they used to work for. To cut the story short they started their own in my father’s hometown.- Makilala. It was never easy but as what I always hear from him, which I guess he lives with this quote “ This will pass-everything shall pass-nothing will stay the same. “ Now, 39 years had passed. Their children-We, have grown in to persons that we are today. As witness to how their story as couple unfolds I bow my head unto them. They are amazing. - They live in the simplest way. With a clear goal and complete trust to God above.  And with all the capabilities and wisdom that are bestowed in them they utilized it to have this kind of family we have today.

With worldly matters, such as financial status. My parents just had-have enough- never gone too much and never gone too little. How they manage that? It’s a little bit of mystery, but they find joy in the most simple way. I don’t remember them bringing us in to a luxurious vacation or in any sorts. Even if they can. Just fine, just a couple of days with my relatives who was then residing on a nearby beach in Bohol was a treat for us. Indeed, it is not so necessary how much money we have-for we will never have enough. It is what we do of what we already have. As I ponder, I realized that life is life..it is a gift- for I didn’t asked for this nor I didn’t chose to be them- as my parent. Now, with that it is up to us what we do with this gift that defines life.

I had a very nice conversation with my brother two days ago. At first I was startled and I disagree with what his plans are, but eventually I realized it is not for me to make or contradict that plan/decision he has.. instead..it is for me- to support him. After all, it is for his family’s benefits he’s after to. What is the use of too much money if you are sacrificing the distance the physical presence which will eventually make him unhappy,... To that..brotha I am with you! J

Here is a beautiful morning scene of today.

It is an ordinary day for us, I woke up with my Mother’s voice asking me to text the driver to drive her going to town. I got up and I found my father having his breakfast-had already taken his bath and almost ready to go. I asked,  where is Mama? She’s doing the laundry, he replied. Where are you going? I asked again. I’ll go with her he said. And I teased him. A-ha you guys are going on a date! Hahaha.

Simple joys such as this. Lying all together on the same bed. Sharing opinions, experiences and stories of all sorts.-This is the moments I missed most. Now I am sooo alone in the house, having my reflections and about to start my movie marathon. J

Nene's 7th birthday

And t'was my goddaughter's birthday today..I had fun! It is always nice to be with children. My sister hosted games for them and they enjoyed it. Actually, it wasn't in the plan to host such game for them so the lack of plan adds up the fun..-element of surprise!yey..The kids had a great time so are we...I had a good laugh with them. We played 6 different kinds of game from which they got their respective prizes. From there I saw how competitive the kiddos are.. though we ran out of coins but nothing equates the joy it brings to the kids. What a wonderful day. ( Nessa ) My goddaughter turned 7 years old today. Oh time you are like a flash! 

Random Thoughts of the day

1. It is always best to wake up early especially if I have errands to attend to. :)

2. Native Chicken dinuguan is great, and that made my lunch so as dinner sumptuos.

3. Indeed, in unity there is strength. And proper division of labor makes the loads of work easier.

4. My sister is a very good event coordinator.. Jollibee should hire her..hehehe :)

5. We should create beautiful memories like this to these children- for this priceless memory will remain in them, hopefully until they grow old :)

6. My brother is considering the idea of stopping his career instead, remain home and be with His family. Whatta a love..I just wish he'd be that financially ready when He turns that idea into reality.

7. My brother is showing a deep admiration on my father's way of fathering us..( my father did a good job on him ) 

Here is a photo taken from the game they played..