Smiling Angels

Today I am blessed to see face to face genuine smiles of angels.

The sudden eruption of Mayon Volcano came as a surprise to all Albayanos. This catastrophe frightened children and adults alike. After spending some time with the kids, I definitely knew that these young survivors are pretty well aware of their parents' worries and fears from the time the local government imposed the forced evacuation to the people living within the dangerous zones. LIke other trauma victims, these kids became particularly sensitive. For some visitors of the evacuation centers, these kids may appear normal especially because they seem to have huge energy-deposits for playing and rolling over the dusty classrooms. But as I observed and talked to some kids, distress symptoms became apparent like clinging to parents, persistent fear of another disaster, loss of concentration and even jumpiness. These are red flags that should alert every mental health professionals serving these special populations.

Driven by the thought of providing fun and interactive activites for the kids, I organized a kids day in one of the evacuation centers of the province. This activity became a reality with the help of the young people who said "yes" to the informal invitation (the facebook power!). These volunteers unconsiously made great deposits of life points in heaven! I was tremendously touched by their dedication and ability to respond. How I wish I was given the same oppurtunity to reach out voluntarily to causes that makes a difference in the world one step at a time.

The volunteers willingly shared their gifts to the kids and invested efforts in facilitating the games, storytelling activity, leading the group singing, showing their magical abilities and even dancing for the kids. The smile on the faces of the children were priceless! I hope the volunteers saw and felt the ripple effect of what they did for the most vulnerable members of the population. They may not know it but a whole bunch of kids (160 in exact figure) benefited from their participation. I hope the experience will continue to broaden their perspective on what is actually happening in the world around them. The commitment they exhibited was sky beyond the limit!

Dios mabalos to the volunteers! I hope you let the fire for service burning! Truly--you made angels smile with your commitment and care!

Sa uulitin!

Loving "Sa Buhay Ko"

This morning my niece asked me to drop her off to school. While driving the car, she turned on the cd player and suddenly told me to listen to her new favorite song--then--the music played---I knew i've heared of the song many times--but this morning--that song had a very different effect on me--I don't know why--maybe because I was curious why my little 9 year old niece loved it--or maybe because I felt the love and spiritual bug so my spirit inspired me to deeply listen beyond the melody and the lyrics of the song. When I asked my niece why she loved it--she innocently told me (with her little twang!)--"kasi tita its about buhay--its about life, kaya nga sa buhay ko!."

On my way to the office alone, I can't help but listen to the song for the second time. While listening, I felt so--different--so weird yet so peaceful. It was as if my spirit drifted to a spiritual wonderland. Balancing my thoughts--I told myself that maybe its the melody--it was slow and relaxing awakening my melancholic persona--or maybe its the lyrics--so dramatic yet so real--or maybe it was the voice behind the song-- so up front that made this song so unforgettably raw--producing an intimate quality of adoration. Later in my introspection--my mind and my heart agreed to one conclusion--its the over-all package that made this song so spiritually enriching. The song inspired me to readdress my feelings about God's lingering love for me.

Sa Buhay ko is a song in the album Called by Love of Fr. Raul Caga, SVD--I've heared the songs in the album over and over again but this special track moved my spirit! This song embraced a new wave of modern gospel in a traditional musical stance. I find the music so peaceful (be it spiritually or romantically!) the consistency of the song in one course of moving music line and melody made it so spiritually unique.

When I reviewed the details of the song--luckily I found out that it was written and put to music by two good people I personally know--Raymund Marcaida (RAMA) and Nez Marcelo (NEZ). After knowing this, the more the song felt closer to me. With proper promotion and exposure, I know this song would reach its stratospheric height!

Now I am spreading the good news---try listening to this song and you will be as spiritually-struck as I am! We now live in the world that is increasingly becoming hostile to gospel--this song will give us the avenue to renew our wonderful and loving relationship with Christ.

Happy Listening!

Note:

The album, CALLED BY LOVE by Fr. Raul Caga and the Arnoldus Company is available at all CAtholic Trade Stores and SVD Seminaries. You can likewise inquire at any SVD run schools for the availability of the album.

Change is Possible!

In recent years, changes in the economy, globalization and market pressures have forced many organizations to change the way they do business. In rapid changes, usually it's the administration that initiates change. Unfortunately, not all employees have the right attitude to embrace these changes. Given the fact that change is here to stay, I don't personally understand why people would dig their heads high just to resist these changes (at all cost!) and instead of giving the enthusiastic attitude to be part of these challenges---they are the ones who makes everything (work, relationships, etc..) difficult. As I slowly reflect, the following theories came into my mind:

1. That maybe people resist change because they are AFRAID-- afraid of the unknown! It's easier to cling on to the past because it is more secure and predictable. Maybe they think that--with a new scheme-- they may not achieve what they did in the past. Not seeing the big picture--they will not see the effect of the change!

2. Or maybe because they became too COMFORTABLE. Doing what is routinary for a long time in a predictable manner becomes their comfort zone. And going beyond the thin line of comfort and pressure might be difficult for them. "We have been doing this since time immemorial--so why change this routine?" a known battlecry! Or because change will disrupt their sense of control--familiar routines will always give them sense of control!

3. Or when new people comes in (as part of the change) people may resist his/her presence because it will shake their confidence on their support system. Will this person make my job difficult? or will this person impose new trends and strategies I am not prepared of

4. Or is it because of their unwillingness to learn? the hesitance to learn new tricks and new routines may make them resistant to change. Thinking that they already learned what they need to learn will precisely halt the process of transformation.

On a personal note, I always believe that CHANGE IS NOT THE PROBLEM--ITS THE RESISTANCE AND THE ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE RECEIVING END. Believing that getting what you want when you want it is a clear indication of resistance. Change don't happen overnight and I believe that realizing that change is going to happen or is happening should be the key step. In life, no one could live and work by yesterdays reality--transformation involves change!

Bipolar Simplified!

Ms. Tin (from Holy Child Educational Center) asked me to write a little about Bipolar Disorder. Although I am tempted to ask why. i didnt because I'd like to leave the real story to her. :-) I hope this will give you answers to your questions Ms. Tin! Happy Reading!

Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual and erratic changes in moods, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out day to day activities. Bipolar is not your typical mood shifts because bipolar disoder symptoms can result to damage relationships, ineffective job performance and worst--even suicide for some! Many studies stated that bipolar disorder usually become apparent in late teens or early adulthood stage. Some symptoms may appear in childhood and for some, symptoms develop late in life.

The symptoms of bipolar can either be through an overly joyful and excited state (manic episodes) or through extremely hopeless or sad state (depressive episodes) or sometimes (and worst!) if these two episodes come together at the same time (mixed state). Along with the shifts in moods, changes in sleeping, activity and behavior may accompany the symptoms. Severe cases may exhibit these symptoms everyday, all day or at least one or two times week (not severe).

To date there is no cure for bipolar disorder, however, pharmacological intervetions are available to help the person control and manage his/her mood swings and the other related symptoms. Because bipolar is a lifelong and recurrent condition, long term treatment is required. MOOD STABILIZING medications are the first line of medication. Although most of the medications are anti-convulsants, this form of medication controls mood swings more than other types of drugs.

With the medications available in the market now, bipolar disorder can be treated and patients can still live a full and productive life!

Ask your professional mental health experts for additional information on Bipolar Disorder.

The Happiness Merchant

I always believe that happiness is a mental state and a fuel to a sound mental health. However, maintaining happiness in this lifetime (and in this country?!!!) is a challenge. The constant pressure and stresses of life (health and financial problems, national issues, etc..) make happiness a fantasy, elusive to life for the majority! Happiness seem to be a simple and natural concept but how come it's difficult to attain?

Many people look for happiness outside--thinking that happiness is just around the corner--waiting for them to be found! By not looking so far---one can find happiness. After 32 years of existence I knew that happiness is inside us--never outside us. It cannot come from outside sources--relying happiness from the outside world can just give us transitory pleasures but surely--these will lead to disappointments in the end.

Being happy and getting the happiness we deserve is our birthright! It exist within us--infinite, powerful and always available. Finding little pleasures and happiness in what we do is the key element. BY just thinking that you can be happy anytime, anywhere and not costing you anything to make things happen--that should console all of us. Believe that happiness is a choice! The more you open yourself to that belief, the more it will come continously. Allow me to share 5 simple life lessons to help you find the happiness within:

• Dont be afraid to COMMUNICATE.... open communication lines with the significant people in your life, be it your partner, your classmate, trusted adults, etc.. Ignite your innate soft skills by injecting fun and clean humor, cool conversations and light moments. Happiness is infectious and be the virus-carrier! LAUGH as often as you can! This will exercise your heart muscle, increase your immune system and will give you the much needed "feel good" hormones!
• Find a constructive hobby that will absorb all the pressing problems in your current life. Something that will completely absorb you to overcome the meager problems around you.


• Always find satisfaction from the available opportunities in your life! Many of life's frustrations comes from overly high expectations which are not met simply because they were not achievable!


• Be your own bestfriend! spend sometime for yourself--appraise yourself often--take time to enjoy doing what you love!


• Face problems with sporting spirit! Dont be afraid of the little problems--they are spices of life!

The challenge remains---find the always available bliss in your life! Make positive thinking as your choice! Believe me--when you believe that you are happy--you can move mountains!

The MOURNING After

Navigating the swirling emotions of letting go of a loved one (in death or in other circumstances) needs a quentessential people skills. Talking about grieving is a nostalgic event for me. Recently, I lost a friend--she finally succumb to cancer. Our relationship started on a professional level--as counselor-counsellee. After going through series of life-moving sessions, we finally ended the relationship as she flew to the States for a much more advanced mode of treatment. Our constant communication continued while she battled with the disease in a foreign land. After a year, she came back and finally chose to die in her home, with her family and with what she described as " dying in the warmth of friends". Two days before she died, she asked for me and we had the most meaningful talk ever--not as counselor-counsellee but as friends, as life companions. Her readiness to face her mortality was amazing!

Her family though appeared to be more ready than her. This somehow bothered me... Her mother told me that they will easily move on after her passing. Somehow, it was a consolation but it bothered me so much. Knowing my own feelings--I cannot help but ask if there's a need to ressurect grieving! I know we are in an instant society--after losing someone--we are expected to move on easily and immediately. we have the technical and environmental tools to help us move on--but are we forgetting really that grieving and mourning is a natural phenomenon in men. Grief is a natural and normal reaction to loss, that is a reality.

I attended my friends final burial rites and I felt so heavy when instead of finding a rather melancholic atmosphere--it was too joyful (there was videoke, 24 hours television, bingo games, card games, drinking spree, etc..)The family were part of these celebration--the mother managing the card games, the brother was singing so loudly in the videoke, the aunt loudly ranting the bingo card numbers, etc...

I fairly know that people vary in their reactions to loss but what shook me from this experience was the fact that the family seem not to show their emotions of grief. I know my friend's family love her so much. They fought with her when she battled with cancer. They invested so much when she was sent to the US for treatment. I cannot question the love of her family---I knew how much they love her.

After reflecting, with a common thread running through my mind--i came up with simple reflection that maybe--grieving now is not a pressing human-option because of the incorrect information we got from our society --that it is not proper to show your real feelings at any cost. We were taught to bury our feelings with statements like "im fine" although deep inside we are hurting. We were taught to bury all feelings that has something to do with sadness. We were conditioned to think that "when you laugh--the whole world will laugh with you--and when you cry--you will cry alone!"...These and other cliches about grieving has taught us to deny our true feelings--concealing it in the presence of technology and fun activities while we are supposed to grieve. Unresolved and unexpressed grief are cummulative--the effect will also be cummulative...let us all reflect on that.

I always believe that in moving on after a love one dies, we must be willing to re-experience the grief and the feeling of loss and make ways to recognize the incompleteness. From there, our healing starts....

My Favorite Movie Quotes!

Allow me to share with you all my favorite movie quotes( short but catchy, enticing phrases or conversations that sums up the plot, tone or theme of the story)....enjoy reminiscing some of them!

Ace Ventura (1995): "Pride is an abomination. One must forego the self to obtain spiritual creaminess, and avoid the chewy chunks of degradation"

Dennis the Menace (1993): " Why is it that when everyone else feasts on the pleasures of life, I get indigestions?" or "keep your mouth open but dont talk!"

The Last Samurai (2003): "Tell me how he died..." reply: "No, I will tell you how he lived!"
"You believe a man can change his destiny?" reply: "I think a man can do what he can, until destiny is revealed to him"

American Pie (1999): "I need you to reattached your balls!"

Pretty Woman (1990): "We both screw for money!"

Scent of a Woman (1992): "Women. What could you say? Who made em?God must've been funcking genius!" "The day we stop looking, we stop living!"

Angels Among Us (Part 2)

My 8 days vacation with friends was a realization of a much needed dream to finally leave work (temporarily) and just focus on smelling the flowers around me! For the past 3 years I know I've been working so hard.....that vacation truly rejuvenated me physically, emotionally and of course..spiritually. Thanks to Fr. Rikki, Iris, Ronan and Frat Gilbert who willingly shared those beautiful days with me. Our shared experiences was a refreshing change in my world.

Now that I am back home, I cannot help but really appreciate the special angels who made our trip an exceptional experience. These people provided us with quick service, support, attention to details, warm hospitality and great comfort!! WE had such a relaxing time at the Holy Name University SVD House with the SVD Fathers. Special mention goes to Fr. Ted (the ever articulate and smart rector of the community), Fr Andy (his charm and friendship is unquestionable!Thank you Father for the inspiring experience!Your gentle presence and friendship was a gift we will keep in our hearts for a lifetime!), FR, Kito (whose warmth and hospitality made our stay extra special! Thank you for the Bee Farm Experience!), Fr. Milo (and his scary stories!) and Fr. Boboy (with his serious but unexpectedly funny persona!). It is not often that you meet and make friends instantly--we did when we stayed at HNU. Their personal touches, all the little extras, advices and suggestions made our stay extraordinarily beautiful. All of them became our special angels! Our stay with them will become part of the unforgettable memories of beauty, friendship, tranquility, kindness and hospitality beyond expectations! Thank you for opening your home and hearts for us!

Our Cebu vacation of course will never be complete without the support and friendship of the San Carlos University Community. Fr. Jingjong (the vice provincial) became an amazing host and surely, we will never forget our extra pasta experience (with balls!) and the amazingly beautiful "busay". HIs willingness to make special arrangements were admirable. Thank you so much Fr, Jungjong!

Thank you to all of you! We had fantastic time with you all! We look forward to hosting you in Legazpi soon! WE shall never forget your hospitality and will sincerely treausure your friendship!

Angels Among us

I always believe that among us are angels--sending hope and inspiration during beautiful and trying times..

The word angel has always been associated with supernatural beings clothed in white and suddenly appearing from nowhere to rescue people from impending danger----the old conservative idea of angels exists. But--lets open our eyes and see beyond what our consciousness tells us...

You? how about Me? the taxi driver you just met this morning? or the gentle baker when you regularly buy "pandesal" after a morning jog? or the student in your class with the sweetest look? or how about the mechanic who help you out when you suddenly had an unexpected flat tire? Are they angels too?

MY recent experiences of meeting "angels" among us--in human forms--penetrated my consciousness lately. I bet they were God-sent for me! They came to me in different forms, faces and sizes...all of them in one instant--placed a genuine grin on my face and made me appreciate the warmth of God's love.

Few days ago, while enjoying the rainy morning (while driving), I suddenly heared a strong bang! I knew immediately knew it was a flat tire. With heavy heart, I went out of the car and got even frustrated when I saw the damage. While staring at the totally flat-lined tire--two men came out of the passing jeepney and offered help. Scared, fearful and doubtful, I tried telling them that I am okay and that I would just call my mechanic---but these two young men chose to stay and see how they could help. Eventually I gave in and allowed them to do wonder on my car... after an hour---they told me that the car is ready to bring me home! With so much happiness, I tried giving them some little amount but they refused..they told me that knowing that I will be home safely is already a reward for them. They boarded another jeepney--and soon--they were out of my sight--in that instant!

While driving back home, countless memories came of the same incidents as if reminding me of the numerous people who became angels in my life. People who came to comfort, to inspire, to teach me, to lift me up, to save me and much more.

Look around you---count the angels in your midst..I bet God sent you one today!

24 Things to Remember

Your presence is a present to the world.
You are unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You will make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Do not put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal and you prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem the heavier it gets.
Do not take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot … goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life’s treasure are people together.

Realize that it is never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have hearth and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a start.

AND DO NOT EVER FORGET ….
FOR EVEN A DAY
HOW VERY SPECIAL YOU ARE !

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