Rodeo de MAsbate

I love MAsbate! Two weeks ago--Rich and I once again got our travelling pants together and visited the gateway to the south--MASBATE. The City of Masbate is a blessed land, with its innumerable bounty and few blights. It is situated strategically in the center of the Philippine archipelago . We are actually on official business trip but i was surprised that I enjoyed this trip so much that i felt that its more of a leisure trip than work! The travel of course had little hitches but as a whole--it was fun! we were at Pilar port a little over 4AM. We originally planned of taking the 5AM fast craft but bad luck stroke us on our face coz when it was our turn to book---the booking staff closed the window bacause it was allegedly fully booked?!! (pagka minamalas ka nga naman!). but of course--instead of crying our hearts out---I silently prayed for God's immediate intervention---and within 5 minutes---God answered my prayer--suddenly--the MOntenegro line staff announced that another boat will leave for Masbate at 6Am! Really--God proved to be the best savior of all!

We took the 6 Am Boat and arrived masbate city at around 9 Am--we had hotel hopping--choosing for the most descent accomodation and ended up staying at GV Hotel. The place was so far "okay"--cheap and simple. After washing-up for the days work---we went out and was surprised to see a beautiful parade--the Lapay Bantigue Dance Performers were marvelous! lapay bantigue Dance is a local folk dance very much rightfully originated from the graceful movements of the Lapay (bird) and the harmonious relationship it has created to the lives of the fisher folks in Masbate-- (although I just cant believe that almost all the dancers were gay!!!!! I was shocked with the enormous number of young gay performers in masbate!). After inquiring--we later learned that it was at the same time--the RODEO National Championhip Week! Our excitement grew when we learned that we have coincidentally scheduled our work with the only rodeo show in Asia. After our work--we went out and explored this beautiful island (thanks to Sir Wenter Barruga--a dear friend who was so kind enough to show us what Masbate City can offer!). The foods were truly sumptous and the people were really extraordinarily friendly.

Truly---I am proud of my country! Masbate--until our next visit!

Panlilio for President?

The evening news have it all! Many social advocates want Panlilio to run for presidency! Of course, the usual kontrabidas laugh at the idea--"where the hell is he going to get the minimum of 2Million candidacy machineries?" I'm just going gaga over understanding why its not possible? Does having 2 M enough to guarantee winning for a seat in Malacanang?Oh--to hell with the TRAPOS--but if Panlilio decides to run for president, he can count on my vote!!really---ONE VOTE with pure and genuine intention!

Honestly, I will vote for Panlilio not because he is a priest, not because he is religious man, not because he likes to evangelize but because--- he is an honest man, he is a descent and respectable man and he is a simple man. PANLILIO IS THE MORAL CHOICE. HE IS THE LESSER EVIL in the Philippine political arena!

This election, I believe that I still have the capacity to want what is good and what is better. If we want change in the country---we have to make use of this capacity--believe that we still have a choice!

LeSSoNs fRom MoThEr ThEreSa

"Do not wait for leaders;
do it alone,
person to person.”

Mother Teresa taught us by her sample what it really means to ‘live’ the Gospel.

“I think today the world is upside down, and is suffering so much because there is so very little love in the home, and in family life. We have no time for our children, we have no time for each other, there is no time to enjoy each other.”

“Love begins at home; love lives in homes, and that is why there is so much suffering and so much unhappiness in the world today...Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that children have very little time for their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home begins the disruption of the peace of the world.”

ON POVERTY

"I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?" -- 1974 interview.

"When I see waste here, I feel angry on the inside. I don't approve of myself getting angry. But it's something you can't help after seeing Ethiopia." -- Washington 1984.

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.”

“The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.”

“There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation than for bread.”

“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”

ON WAR

"I have never been in a war before, but I have seen famine and death. I was asking (myself), 'What do they feel when they do this?' I don't understand it. They are all children of God. Why do they do it? I don't understand."

"Please choose the way of peace. ... In the short term there may be winners and losers in this war that we all dread. But that never can, nor never will justify the suffering, pain and loss of life your weapons will cause."
-- Letter to U.S. President George Bush and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, January 1991.


ON ABORTION

Abortion "is murder in the womb ... A child is a gift of God. If you do not want him, give him to me."

“The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing between.”

“It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.”


ON LOVE

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

•“I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn't touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God.”

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I do know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will NOT ask, How many good things have you done in your life?, rather he will ask, How much LOVE did you put into what you did?”

“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”

“Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.”

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

•Good works are links that form a chain of love.

GREATEST LESSON!

“At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.’”

WhY WoMeN RuLEs!

Today I received an email about why women should be proud of their gender! Funny but---that's life! (Sorry gentlemen!)..read and happy smiling!

REASONS WHY WOMEN RULES!

YES SIR!!WE ARE PERFECT ….( This is for all the perfect women I know and to all the men whom I believe are capable of acknowledging why women rocks!... )

Because:

-We don’t go bald.

-We have an international day, and a national day too.

-We can use pink as well as blue.

-We always know our kids are ours.

-We have priority in a shipwreck.

-We don’t pay the bill

-We’re the first hostages to go free

-If we are cheated on, we’re the victims

-If we cheat, the men are the ones with the horns

-We can sleep with a girlfriend and not be labeled as homosexuals

-We can pay attention to several things at a time

-The wife of a President is the First Lady, What is the husband of a female President?

-If we decide to do a man’s job, we’re pioneers;If a man decides to do a woman’s job, he’a a fag!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST:

We can do everyyyyyyyything a man does .....while...WEARING HEELS…!!!

BE PROUD TO BE A WOMAN!

GrEaT LoVeStOrY

tO LoVe and To lOst

The Bachelor Reality TV has proven once again that love made out of media coverage can be cold. The finale of the Bachelor proved to be the most historic finale ever! Single dad, Seattle account executive and all-around nice man-"Bachelor" Jason Mesnick took breaking hearts to a whole new level! First he chose Melissa over Molly in the final rose ceremony and proposed to her on national television. Then ten minutes later, he told Melissa that he didn't love her — because he still has feelings for Molly. Again, ON NATIONAL TELEVISION!! Jason shocked his putative fiancée when he told her that, well, he just wasn't that into her! What the heck!

I would like to share this article because I always believe that LOVE is a gift that two people should share in time--molded by circumstances and life happenings! Truly--media-hyped love story does not endure! No wonder why hollywood couples would get on eachother's arms one day and after few days (or months)--they will claim that they are not into them anymore!

So, why do you think there are people who would jump into relationship as if there is no tomorrow and then breaks it as soon as they feel that they are not into it anymore? Sudden break ups are a mess! So before hooking up with someone--i think we have to learn from the bachelor reality show! lets take note of the following:

Dr. Susan Barnett, assistant professor of psychology, said it's important for would-be couples to realize their sense of identity before they get caught up into a relationship. There are many things that should be considered when you want to enter into a relationship. Differences, attitudes and your way of life matters. Actually not all people who get involved in a relationship are physically and emotionally ready.

1. Do you have the ability to have faith in yourself and in your partner? TRUST is an essential ingredient in a lasting relationship. As long as both of you maintains trust for each other, problems will always be easier to manage or deal with.

2. Do you have the ability to express yourself freely especially with the person? In a relationship it is very important that you know how to tell your partner your desires, your needs, your problems and your life plans. You also need to have the ability to make your own decisions as well.

3. The ability to remain stable without the need for someone: This is because not all relationships last forever. You should not cling to everything that your partner is providing you. You should have know-how in certain things especially the one you already have. Your talents. Pay attention to it and enrich. Being able to stand up alone is good especially if you think you and your partner needs to end up the relationship, whether it's because you can not tolerate his attitudes anymore or you lost your feelings with each other.

4. The ability to stand up for your individuality: Standing up for what you believe and being able to express who you really are. Do not let your partner change that. You are who you are especially if you know that there's nothing wrong with your personality.

Loving is a good feeling--so long as you're sharing it with the right person......happy loving!

ThE mAgIc oF MoVieS

I dont tell this to many of my friends--but--if i have the luxury of time to rest--one thing I love doing is sitting on acouch--with my fav junkfood--and just enjoy the world of movies! For some who read my past entries--you will immediately observe my love for movies. If there is one thing I'd like to do during my idle moments--it is to watch movies! Like songs and of course--shopping-- movie is a therapy for me. In movies, I get to imagine (even the wildest ones!), I get to experience the immediate shifting of emotions (like the one i got from watching--"the notebook"!--i got bored, I felt happy, I felt loved and I felt sad!) and I get to be in the magical world even for a moment. Now, let me share with you again movies that touched my heart lately---these movies are feel good movies that everyone of us should watch (from time to time) to make us appreciate life and art.

1. August Rush- What a title! The story of a charismatic young Irish guitarist and a sheltered young cellist who have a chance encounter one magical night above New York's Washington Square, but are soon torn apart, leaving in their wake an infant, August Rush, orphaned by circumstance. Now performing on the streets of New York and cared for by a mysterious stranger, August uses his remarkable musical talent to seek the parents from whom he was separated at birth. What I like about this movie is on how the boy (august Rush) made his way to his parents through his music. His passion for music led him home. I always believe that in time---we will all go back to what we want--to where our passion will lead us. Recommended for music lovers like me!

2. The Notebook-The movie starts in a nursing home with Duke reading to an older woman, whose memory is slipping from her more and more everyday. Duke reads the story of two lovers who meet in the south at a carnival. Allie was 17. A city girl from money, and Noah was a country boy. The two spend the whole summer together but Allie is forced to move and go to college although she was willing to give it up for Noah. Noah writes Allie 365 letters and she never gets them. So he restores the house him and ALlie went to one night out of 'labor of love'. Seven years pass and Allie meets and falls in love with a wealthy soldier Lon. When seeing Noah's picture in the paper, Allie is drawn back to him. They spent a few days together and she doesn't want to leave. Allie has to chose between her fiancé and Noah.The Notebook is not one of those cheesy chick flicks that often come out, it is a brilliantly written intriguing story about two young lovers that most people can relate to. The story was magical with a little twist in the end. Fall in love all over and over with this movie!

3. 12 Angry Men- Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 6 nominations --this movie focuses on a jury's deliberations in a capital murder case. Just watched for the first time, and was very impressed. Very engaging. A 12-man jury is sent to begin deliberations in the first-degree murder trial of an 18-year-old Latino accused in the stabbing death of his father, where a guilty verdict means an automatic death sentence. The case appears to be open-and-shut: The defendant has a weak alibi; a knife he claimed to have lost is found at the murder scene; and several witnesses either heard screaming, saw the killing or the boy fleeing the scene. Eleven of the jurors immediately vote guilty; only Juror No. 8 (Mr. Davis) casts a not guilty vote. At first Mr. Davis' bases his vote more so for the sake of discussion after all, the jurors must believe beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. As the deliberations unfold, the story quickly becomes a study of the jurors' complex personalities (which range from wise, bright and empathetic to arrogant, prejudiced and merciless), preconceptions, backgrounds and interactions. That provides the backdrop to Mr. Davis' attempts in convincing the other jurors that a "not guilty" verdict might be appropriate. After watching this movie--i can give you the go signal to scream if you want (hehehe).

Happy Viewing!

CoNFeSSiOns Of a sHopaHoLiC

LAst saturday, my sister (ian) and I went to see a movie at greenbelt--i dont know why i had that adrenaline rush to watch the movie--deep inside i know there is something inside of me (maybe subliminal!) asking me to watch this movie and to just learn from whatever I will be getting from what I will see. The movie I mean is nothing but the famous---CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC!

Let me share the synopsis of this "feel-good" movie: In the glamorous world of New York City, Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fischer) is a fun-loving girl who is really good at shopping –- a little too good, perhaps. She dreams of working for her favorite fashion magazine, but can’t quite get her foot in the door –- until ironically, she snags a job as an advice columnist for a financial magazine published by the same company. As her dreams are finally coming true, she goes to ever more hilarious and extreme efforts to keep her past from ruining her future. Her problems with debts and shopping (too much!) made this movie a blast! The movie as a whole is pretty predictable but it was fun!

Okay, let's face it. Shopping can be fun! For me, its a therapy! But of course, when it gets out of hand, it can be too much...The movie clearly showed this sickening ode to consumerist greed comes just in time for the recession! Well, I'm not like the girl in the movie though--i feel that I am not yet (yet?!) in the borderline for this type of addiction (though I feel that I am progressing towards it--HEHEHEHE!). People who "shop 'till they drop" and run their credit cards up to the limit often have a shopping addiction. They believe that if they shop they will feel better. Compulsive shopping and spending generally makes a person feel worse. It is similar to other addictive behaviors and has some of the same characteristics as as problem drinking (alcoholism), gambling and overeating addictions. Compulsive shopping or spending can be a seasonal balm for the depression, anxiety and loneliness. It also can occur when a person feels depressed, lonely and angry. Shopping and spending will not assure more love, bolster self-esteem, or heal the hurts, regrets, stress, and the problems of daily living. It generally makes these feelings worse because of the increased financial debt the person has obtained from compulsive shopping.

So, for the shopaholic addicts like me---what did I learned from this piece of movie? ( a lesson for all of us on materialism in this troubled time!)

• Avoid the stores that you love most unless you truly need something (believe me--ask yourself ten times ("do I need this?")before rushing to the cashier and swipping that mastercard!)


• If you truly do need to shop for new items, take a friend or family member shopping with you, and tell them to keep you in check. (at least someone to balance your decisions and your cravings before IT BECOMES AN ADDICTION!


• Pay for purchases by cash, check, debit card.


• Make a shopping list and only buy what is on the list.


• Avoid discount warehouses. Allocate only a certain amount of cash to be spent if you do visit one.


• "Window shop" only after stores have closed. If you do "look" during the day, leave your wallet at home.


• Avoid phoning in catalog orders and don't watch TV shopping channels.


• Take a walk or exercise when the urge to shop comes on.

Happy Shopping!

FinDinG Mr. RiGhT (& AvOiDing Mr. WRoNg!)

This weekend, I went out with a close friend (just a friend--really!he's an american--thats why he was brutally frank and direct!) and he asked me one very intriguing question---"NET--i want to know why you seem to have no plan to marry. Are you still looking for mR RIGHT? because if you do--I'm telling you now--MR RIGHT will not come--he's a fantasy character you know!". What an honest question and remark! I answered by just smiling--and remembered the same question from friends (believe me--i've been asked that same question for like a hundred times!). When I asked him why he's upset with my being single (still!)--he told me "neth--im upset because people whom i know will do good as parents are not married--and you're one of them!" (ouch!).

After that meeting--i reflected on our conversation and it really made me realize that marriage--just like any commitment should not be rushed (unless you risk yourself 50-50 in becoming an abused wife--or another unhappy wife in the statistics!). I was touched by my friend's concern but i always believe that the right time to marry should not be defined by age. I personally believe that marriage--just like any other commitments--should be studied well (like contracts!), should be prepared well (financially!) and mind and heart should be put into it! Like any corporate projects---partnership should always be looked into (if you give the project to wrong people--like marriage--it will collapse). I know many people can relate to my experiences of societal pressure to marry!Over and above the pressure--the society places the rough challenge on young adults that are expected to raise a family over a career!

• After reflecting on my friend's question--i felt that over and above finding MR right--I should get a life first by being the Ms. Right myself. I often asked myself these questions: are you willing to give up your "busy-as bee hectic" life? your charity work? or your little shopping adventures? for a life of marriage (settling-down thing?).



• Do you actually know what you are looking for in a man? like maybe-- having common values and similar culture, ability to forgive and be forgiven, ability to be challenged and confronted without defensiveness, desire to raise children and common goals?! (at least looking at one direction!)



• Or are you willing to rise above your past relationship mistakes. Remembering that you are not doomed to an endless series of losers and that you are half-way to Mr. RIGHT by seeing what you have done wrong in the past? (why my past relationships didnt worked?



• Or if I am open to matchmaking (thats the scary part!)--(i guess i will prefer dating my friends than strangers!)



• Or do i have the specific detail to expect a human being as a partner, not someone perfect?! Believing that no one is going to be everything I have ever dreamed of. Reminding myself that I am not Ms. Perfect as well and allow for human frailty?!

Whew! Reflecting can really suck your energy! But more than the realizations after these reflections--i believe that the most important thing in life--wether you are for marriage or single-blessedness is to LOVE YOURSELF!Decide who you are and love that person first. If you couldn't love yourself, nobody else would love you either. What you feel about yourself will radiate in your actions and this is what your potential mate will see in you--

So for people under so much pressure like me (societal pressure!), lets keep in mind that before finding mr right---let's learn to love ourselve more than anything else (but not in an egotistical way!) and start developing the MS/MR RIGHT in us--and everything will flow naturally.

To sum it all-- be proud of who you are. You are genuine, you are beautiful in your own ways and you should never change any of that for anyone. Always walk tall with your head held high, there is nothing more attractive to a man than a woman with confidence (vice-versa).

You see, everything starts within! Good luck!

Be ThAnKfUl

I reviewed my training materials today and I happen to open this beautiful hand-out (though I can't remember who gave this nice article to me!) about why we should be thank ful. I'd like to share this article with you---to inspire you just like what it did to me today! The world is full of negative woes but there are so many things that we should be thankful---so many things that should make us really appreciate life even more.

BE THANKFUL!

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness…
…you are more blessed than the millions who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 900 million people in the world.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received.
Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling.
Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.
—Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933)