Back to Work

What am I doing 4AM in the morning? I'm back at work. I'm doing US outsource projects again. It's been almost 2 years (Nov '05) since I left the company where I worked. Now I'm back. Why? Well, many things. I have been struggling and praying for a go these past few weeks if I revive my flash artist profession. Ministry has been very fruitful and the need is huge. But I gotta take care of some things especially my family. My funds are running out and I'm lagging with my contributions in the house bills. Something that really convinced me to return was just this week, my mom, dad and I went to the hospital to get checked up. I had recurring flu which was getting worse everyday. My dad had this lump on his back that after diagnosis, the doctor declared it was an early stage of tumor. Now the doctor reassured us that it is not a serious thing, as long as it's removed ASAP before it becomes infected, but hearing those words really shook me up. I mean that was my dad. Anyway, he's going under operation today for the lump to be removed. Praying that everything's gonna be okay. But you get the picture. I need to work for my family.

Also this week, two of my friends back in college got engaged. Ganito pala kapag mid-20s na. You hear friends getting married one after another. And of course, I also have my own wedding to attend to ... in the near future, hehe. But yeah, I need to prepare for that.

So far so good.

+

PSALM 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Life in A Nutshell: House-cleaning

Here are some highlights of my day:

• Last week was the bummest day. Life halt--thanks to typhoon Egay--no ministry, no class, just stayed at home and watch movie marathons. Made me also to rest and restore lost strength.
  
• Had a meeting this morning with friends in youth ministry. It was a great time spending time with them again after a long time not having seen and talk to each other because of our own ministries. Received and was assigned to quite a challenging task which I realized God somehow prepared me that something like this is coming. Nevertheless I am excited and can't wait conquer new territories and challenges ahead. More details later.
• My Carecell spent some bonding time this afternoon. Haven't gone out with them these past few months. So it was a welcome relaxation. No meetings, we had it the previous day, so we could just enjoy and relax today. Went to Trinoma, Riverbanks and Tiendesitas. My carecell, also our youth core group, is the greatest and I am really proud having them as part of the team. I've seen them grow after all these years. Some God has called to ministry, others to excel in their studies and workplace. I've committed myself to personally invest my life, experiences and knowledge to them.
  
• I'm doing some house-cleaning in my spiritual life and ministry these days. Finally, after sometime idling around I got the push to pick up where I left off. I realized today the greatness of His compassion and lordship, how He sees a polished diamond through a rough stone. I can only stand amazed and in awe of Him.

This verse really helped me get up from that mud pile and shamelessly follow Him again:

"If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I should say, "My foot has slipped," Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul ... the Lord has been my stronghold and my God the rock of my refuge." ~ Psalm 94:17-19, 22

Color of the Day

Last Tuesday night I and Netty went out to dinner. I got out off class quite early so I got time to get a haircut. And when it was time to pick her up at the clinic, we were wearing the same color of shirt. Now, blue, black or something dark would be fine. It was not the first time we find ourselves wearing the same color of clothes on a date, we find ourselves wearing yellow one time. This time I was wearing baby pink and she was wearing brighter shade of pink! I know some people would perceive this as something cute. And I know a couple who took it as a 'sign' that they were meant for each other. It was funny and awkward at the same time when we got to the mall 'cause you would feel everyone's looking at you. I could imagine people thinking, "Of all the colors they would agree on wearing, pink pa." But nevertheless, after a while the consciousness wears off and we had a great time. We had Thai dinner and a regular stop at DQ. It was all good.

There are days when most people that you would meet and come across with are wearing the same color of shirt. It was like that yesterday. I took the train to Recto and there were a handful of people wearing the same color as mine--yellow!

Cruising the Fast Lane

Rainy days has finally started. I like it because I can cuddle into bed and put on a blanket and be covered all over because its chilly. Few people know that I'm "scared" of cold, just like a cat. Nowadays the warm and cold weathers are like tugging each other so people are getting sick. I myself am experiencing a little throat irritation...

Anyway, things have been fast-paced lately. School and ministry. School is great. I'm really enjoying this semester. Yesterday had a class with Dr. T, which finally I was able to come to his class after two consecutive absences--first was because of my Indonesia trip and second because of the flat tire! I am really blessed in his class. The way he teaches narrative is very engaging. He always tell us that he teaches differently that's why some people get weirdoed with him. But actually I really get his method. Did I tell you that Dr. T became a devoted student of George E. Ladd during his Fuller Seminary days? So I was telling a friend that we are grand-students of Ladd. Hehe. In my Hebrew 3 class, it's very cool to read Genesis in Hebrew. But learning new insights about the texts that we're reading pays off the most.

Finally I got to settle today at home. Wednesday is my new day-off. I just go for bible study in our Valenzuela church in the evening.

After much prayer and hope, our youth ministry finally got a major breakthrough in our Universidad de Manila outreach (whose name was reverted again to City College of Manila). On Saturday, we are going to conduct a Spiritual Formation seminar from 9-3PM. We'll be doing Maximizing Your Learning Power, Discovering Your Purpose in Life Seminar and an Inspirational Challenge (Extra challenge) at the end of the seminars. The dean of the nursing college who goes to ICS, Netty's church, have been supporting us since day one buy allowing us to conduct bible study in the campus so that we have much presence now in the campus. Netty herself have been a blessing to me when we minister to students there. We're currently doing three campus Carecells in UDM (Weds, 6PM; Fri, 3PM and Sat, 3PM) and praying that in these cellgroups leaders will be born and more Carecells will be formed.

Please pray with us that hearts will be turned and surrendered to our Lord during this event. Even now the enemy is trying to hinder our work by weighing some of our volunteers down with sicknesses and evil visitations. But as I pray and meditated on His Word, he reminds me of Luke 10:19, "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." Praise God for His mighty promises!

Life in a Nutshell

Here are some random thoughts thats been going on with me in the past few weeks:

Yesterday while I was driving along North Harbor on the way to my 2-5 class. I caught a flat tire. It was the first time that it happened to me on the road, so I was quite scared. Good thing my dad taught me one time how to change a flat tire. Changing the front-left tire along North Harbor would be suicide because of the 18-wheelers. So I went inside a pier to find a suitable place to change it. Somehow I managed to lift the car with a jack, but couldn't unscrew the tire, so halfway through the process the porters in the pier came to give a hand. It was like midday so it was very hot and I was sweating. After they got the tire replaced. I drove to a vulcanizing shop to have the tire vulcanized and replaced again and had the car washed since it was impossible to catch up to class. This is my second consecutive time to be absent in Dr. T's class.

My subjects are starting to get demanding. Especially my Hebrew Book Study class. Our professor is intimidating. We are expected to read, translate and parse a chapter of Genesis in Hebrew every meeting. I'm enjoying it actually, but the pressure plus the intimidation sometimes are nerve-wracking. Originally this was my Thursday PM class but it was moved to Monday PM. I kinda lost my rest day which is Monday because of this and I'm slowly feeling exhaustion weighing down on my body in the morning.

Finally I was able to watch Transformers with Netty last Friday. A total guy movie. The visuals are too cool to handle. It became dragging when the Autobots came with their colorful bodies especially when you put Optimus Prime and Bumblebee together like a children's party. Human supporting characters--too comical and stereotyped (The black hip-hop nerd did it.) Forget my rants. The movie is still awesome. Perhaps movie of the year. Can't wait for the proposed sequels.

Life in a Nutshell

It's been a while since I last blogged. It's second week at school and it's great. I'm quite motivated by my subjects this semester, hugely because the professors are very gifted and effective. Even my 8AM class in during Thursday kept me from being late for two weeks now. Let me share a bit about my subjects this sem. My favorite subject for this sem is old testament theology. Now, I was traumatized by my first theology (new testament) class last sem that I got a grade of 75 (my first! Grr ... Primarily because I was too unmotivated with my professor in this 8AM class. The teaching style and industry of a professor is always a big factor for me in dictating how well I will excel in his class). This theology class is different. Primarily because finally I get to sit in Dr. Daniel Tappeiner's class. Dr. T is like the highest spiritual and academic authority in school (well for me). It's weird that it took two years before I enrolled in one of his class and I hear my batchmates tell me how good he was. For the last few sems he's undergoing chemotherapy because of leukemia. I'm so amazed with this guy because even at a very old age (I heard he's like 70? I'm not sure) and with regular visit to chemo which sometimes he comes to class a bit weak, he's still passionate and energetic about imparting his knowledge and experience to students like me. This morning our school introduced the new staff and Dr. T is now our spiritual director, after serving as academic dean for 6 years. And even with this kind of credential he remains as he is, without even a wisp of arrogance.

We didn't have class this evening but instead we were made to attend this counseling seminar which was surprisingly beneficial for me as a minister. After the seminar, I met Dr. T's wife Dr. Zonia Tappeiner, I call her Ma'am Zonia in the elevator and she told me how Dr. T told her about me. Medyo kina-career at may pagka-"valedictorian" kasi ako sa class niya. Ako naman palakpak tenga hehe. I remember Ma'am Zonia pray for me and Netty when we attended our school chapel last semester. It was really very nice of her.

The other two subjects I have is communications and public speaking, and Hebrew book study both taught by very gifted professors. I've noticed that this sem I became more confident in speaking and interacting in class which is good. Unlike before when I was too shy speaking my mind in class (I'm still shy even now at campus I'd pass for Mr. Suplado) and not too afraid that my answer would be wrong. Just like the proverb that said a person who asks question is not ignorant for long, but one who does not ask will be ignorant forever. The class has become a space for molding and sharing.

I've been also busy coordinating our sectional youth ministries network. We have events coming up 2nd half of the year plus a camp on December. This week and last week we've made ocular visits to Tagaytay, Cavite, Antipolo and Batangas to find the elusive campsite. Finally we found one at Nasugbu.

Local youth ministries at Binondo and Valenzuela are doing well because of responsible and passionate youth leaders serving and ministering on both places.

I'm also leaving this Wednesday for Jakarta. I'm attending this year's Asia Pacific Youth Alive Conference there so I've been quite busy arranging finance, flights and passport. I believe this will again be a major breakthrough in my personal ministry and experience.

On a side note, I've become an avid listener of Good Times with Mo in Magic 89.9 when I'm driving in the morning. So funny ...

God is good. All the time!

Please do pray for me:

• My Jakarta trip on June 20-26.
• Ministry breakthrough and balance ...
• Financial support
• Please pray for my family, without them I woudn't be where I am.
• Personal health and guidance
  

Until It Comes Out of Your Nostrils

I've been wanting to blog about this. Recently I've been experiencing what I would call "ministry withdrawal symptoms". For a few weeks now, I was doing so much tasks in ministry that I feel it's so in my system I wanted to withdraw. I remember what God said about the Israelites' complaint about His no-meat diet that He's gonna fill the Israelites with quail meat "until it comes out of [their] nostrils and [they] loathe it." It felt like that. For a while I didn't even want to talk and blog about it. There are some that I still find joy doing, while some I now consider tiresome and unnecessary. It's my fault in the first place. I placed too much on my plate and I feel I'm on my way to spiritual burn-out. But there's always Hope. Can't do without your prayers too. Lead me, Lord.

It's a breath of fresh air coming to school for enrollment. I'm taking again three subjects and a field education (which I've enrolled three times in the past but didn't complete). I also got last sem's class cards. I did good on two subjects (line of 9) while one morning subject that was just one point from tipping off because of too much tardiness and theology-shock. It was my first theology subject. Finally I'm taking a subject with a very beloved professor at school. He's teaching Old Testament Theology. I haven't finished enrolling, I still have to pay my fees next week.

Mr. Taxi Driver's Guide to Life

Sunday afternoon. I, Bambi and Zarah Grace set out on half-day church visitation and promotion for our upcoming District Concert. After our visit to Manila Faith Assembly of God in Tondo, we set our eyes on Grace Christian Assembly of God in Sampaloc, Manila. And we hailed a cab to take us there.

On the way to our next destination, we meet a long parade of election campaign of a candidate for counselor whose surname is "Tan." He stands on a top window of a car waving to the people, preceded by a long line of more or less 30 tricycles donned with campaign paraphernalia. Then our driver beside me remarked something like this, "300 pesos daw ang ibinayad diyan sa mga tricycle drivers na yan, biruin mo nga naman ang nagagawa ng pera." Then he followed, "Dapat hindi binoboto ang mga ganyan..." With an amused chuckle I asked why. "Kasi tignan mo, 'Tan' ang apelido!" Then something like a big red siren popped on my head. "Alam niyo po, 'Tan' din ho ang apelido ko, bakit naman ho hindi dapat iboto kapag 'Tan'?" I thought unraveling this fact would somehow embarrass him but he kept on going. He was angry with foreigners, 'Intsik' and Americans alike.

Now, the term 'Intsik' is a derogatory word for the Filipino-Chinese, similar to the term 'Indio,' and a person who knows someone who is Chinese should know that. Sometimes I let it pass for benefit of the doubt and friendship

He was angry because somehow he believed that ALL foreigners are out to get all the power and money of Filipinos. He was angry at the rich because he thinks ALL of them got their wealth from evil gain. He was angry at the government, he was pro-Marcos, in good terms with Estrada, but very disappointed with Gloria because of her lack of concern with the price-hike of consumer products. As I reason with him, I told him that not all Chinese are like that. Not all rich people are like that. In fact, if a person works hard and keeps an honest hand, I believe he will prosper and his work will not be in vain. On both sides of the economic spectrum dwell both good and evil. Good bosses and good employees. But also from the rich dwell those who are corrupt and seek to take advantage of the poor. From the poor rise drug users, snatchers and prostitutes.

I asked him, "Wala ka na bang pag-asa sa bansa natin?" "Ay wala na po. Dati may business ako, bumagsak. Nagsisipag ako pero wala namang nangyari. Wala ring nangyayari." With those remarks, I was stunned with the bitter reality we're in. We arrive at our destination.

It's sad that there are millions of people like Mr. Taxi Driver who because of poverty somehow lost the sense of openness, goodwill and hope. They have become narrow-minded, paranoid and bitter with their state of life. Utak-squatter (the Proverb's "simple ones"). A proverb once said that the last one to die is hope. And what's there to life if there is no more hope? After that episode I accepted the fact that somehow we cannot blame this person for reacting to life this way. Who's fault is it? Why? Questions answered perhaps when we finally meet Him. But I believe that if we just stop blaming other people for our misery and start taking responsibility and make right decisions in our own lives, the realization of who God is and who we are in His eyes, that would be the beginning of true transformation.

I had a very trying day today. I had a strenuous meeting this afternoon. And this morning the neighbor's daughter is celebrating their wedding and they've decided to turn our street into a mini-street party. So as we went home, dad calls telling me the car can't pass through and I have to find another parking place. The search for a parking place in this very cramp community proved to be very stressful. I suffered a headache and intense perspiration trying to find one. It's five minutes walk from to our place, where the wedding party continues as drunk men sang on the karaoke. I was fuming hot. Even on the third floor we can hear their drunk revelry. Buti kung ang gaganda ng mga boses, I thought. I tried listening to music: gospel songs and nature sounds, to no avail. Until suddenly a familiar voice, hurting and tired. And through listening and ministering to that beautiful soul He came to purge my fuming coals of anger into a heart of compassion and self-denial. A reinforced commitment: Lift others and be lifted yourself. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." I'm taking a hot shower.

Man on A Billboard

It was traffic in EDSA on my way to Quezon City. Suddenly there were lots of people crowding in the center isle. Media vans of ABS-CBN and GMA had their satellites up. On a huge billboard near SM City, a man clings and stirs up attention from pedestrians and motorists alike. A firetruck extends its ladder to reach the man. And as traffic moves slowly, I left the site without any knowledge what happened next.

I am unimpressed with people who try to do something and then change their minds. They put up great feats just to get attention. If you're going to jump, then jump. They say those who just wait for a crowd doesn't really want to kill themselves because if they did they'd just jump whenever. I ask, "Why? Why go to such ordeal (climb a billboard) just to get attention? Is your problem greater than AIDS or what just happened at Virginia Tech? If not then stop over-reacting. There's always hope.

I instantly fell asleep after I got home. Yesterday, I was out all day visiting the student outreach with Ptr. Sur and had our discipleship group in the evening. On the way to Emilio Aguinaldo College (that's where I'm picking them up) the traffic was so heavy and the weather was so hot that I was like imprisoned on a metal chamber. I shouted a few times in "agony." After picking them up (Taft Strip is one of three sites they're trying to reach), we went to Intramuros Strip and meet another group. I did some interviewing and video footages for documentation. We had lunch at McDonalds Recto, and went to the Student Center in Recto. Went to FEU to do some more footages. And then took Ptr. Sur and some guests back to Paco church.

After that, went to Robinsons' Place and walked around. I wasn't sure if the church is still open. But after I got the confirmation I went to church by 5:30PM. And discipleship group afterwards. Got home by past 9.

Life in A Nugget

I will go to the Church-Planting outreach down in University Belt after this so I'll just do some speed blogging...

• Been following the Virginia Tech massacre. Very sad at the lost of students and faculty.
• Spoke at a youth camp in Malvar, Batangas last Tuesday. Met kuya Kiko there (we met last District Consultation in Pila). We didn't know we will be speaking at the same camp. Did one inspiration and lecture on worship. Prayed with students to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
• Had almost 24 hours no sleep before youth camp.
• Did our first youth bible study last night at Valenzuela church. Glad to lead young people to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
• Next week I'm going to Olongapo to speak in youth camp as representative of Chi Alpha Campus Ministry. Please pray that God's will be sent across the students as I connect with them.
• Did I say that it's official - the road in Alabang, Muntinlupa below Skyway is the WORST place to be stuck on. It kills your 5 senses. I was on the open bus back to Manila from Malvar. It was hot and the smoke of buses are unbearable, then add the horns and just the chaotic sight. Arrggh. I just closed my eyes, pop on my iPod, covered my already allergic nose and just bore the night.
  

Yesterday was my first time to preach in our Valenzuela church. It was great. Happy that I was able to preach in straight Tagalog which I've been painstakingly construct days before, a few tongue twisters with some Filipino words. But it was all great. Seeing people come to the Lord in this new church is worth all the work.

After we went to visit our uncle in Tondo who just came from Taiwan. They're having their first granddaughter christened next week. We had lunch there and watch Manny Pacquiao win yet again. Secretly I've been wishing that he would lose because I feel his popularity is getting into his head, especially when he started running for congress. But yet he won again, for the Filipino. So I'm happy with that. Solis clearly is no match for Pacquiao.

After the win, we bade our goodbyes and went to downtown. My brother went to Binondo, my parents in SM San Lazaro and I took the train to Gateway Cubao to meet a faculty in APTS. He's interested in hiring me as their web designer in exchange for scholarship in APTS. That's quite an offer. I've been dreaming of studying there I told him, but my current commitments just cannot accommodate a full-time commitment in Baguio. He suggested an arrangement of 3 days up in Baguio and the week-end for my ministry in Manila. It's a tempting offer. I just have to pay for the 25% of my school fee by working for them as the media man. I've been praying before going there that He may lead me where He's leading me. And I am impressed even before that it isn't the right time yet to go up there. I DON'T WANT TO MISS GOD'S MOVE AMONG THE YOUTH HERE IN MANILA. In this high-time where there's so much movement and advancing of forces among the youth in the past few months. I don't want to miss the battles that need to be fought and see His glory manifested when students and young people turn back to Him.

Lord, direct my steps. Forgive me when I look back sometimes. Help me to trust in You more ... daily.

Oh I feel like dancing, it's foolishness I know
But when the world has seen the light
They will dance with joy like we're dancing now

Today I went to Bethel Bible College to visit my friends at the Church-planting Laboratory. Church-planting Lab is like an annual summer event across the nation where AG churches collaborate to plant a church in a certain place where there's none. My friends are part of a church planting of two student churches in University Belt and Los Banos. Glad to see friends from Iloilo, Rianne and Melchi. We also had a meeting for an upcoming fund-raising concert in May. Enjoyed planning and fellowship over Ate Chai's tiramisu and super supreme and peperoni pizzas.

Went home at 5 with Kuya Alvin. Enjoyed a time of bonding as we lost our way on our search for the alternate route to Manila via NLEx. I met Kuya Alvin or Kuya A. for short during AIYS and got to know him better when we shared rooms in Immanuel Bible College during our National Youth Convergence in Cebu City back in May 2006. A small guy with a big passion for youth. He is now a pastor of a church in Rodriguez, Rizal and a husband to Ate Angie, also a good friend.

I'm going back to BBC tomorrow with Netty and take some more footage. These are good times.

Just came home a few minutes ago from our visit to our church in Valenzuela. We just inaugurated our new church in Valenzuela last week. Quite tired. My family went there to train the workers there in praise and worship and programming for the service on Sunday. I'm preaching there this Sunday. This is quite a stretch for me since I'm already preaching twice or thrice a month in Binondo and Valenzuela. Please include me in your prayers. It's all good. It's a new and exciting adventure.

Holy Monday on SLEX

Holy Monday. I was on my way to Laguna for an overnight youth leaders meeting of our district. We were 7 in the car, with me are 6 of our youth staff. It was a fine day, no rain; traffic in SLEx is light. It was my second time to traverse the highway with much confidence and prayer. 8 kilometers to Calamba exit, Suddenly we heard a huge explosion. It was an old black delivery fierra just front-right of us, it was the rear right tire that exploded. As it tried to turn to the shoulder side of the highway he went out of control. Right before our eyes, he spun out of control and turned over many times crushing its passengers in the front end. Speeding at 100kph, the massive metal was heading straight toward us! On my mind I said that that was it, we are going to die. A few inches toward impact I swerved a little (we were on the left-most lane) and missed the wreck which by that time already stopped. Swerving more than that we would've ran over the central gutter and suffered similar fate. As we drove away the cars behind us began to stop in aid of the accident.

As we drove off, we were left with total shock. It was like being in a Steven Spielberg episode. We were witnesses to a tragedy as it unfolded. My hands and feet were cold and stiff. And because of immense fear my chest began to stiff up as if having a heart attack. The thought of the fate of those two unfortunate passengers was frightening. Arriving at the toll gate, I told the personnel about what happened so the authorities would know.

It was out of question that God has protected us from the accident. I reflected about what if the wreck did hit us and killed us. I felt a sense of grief of not having spent time with the people I love. It was not about the physical and the material, but in face with death, there are more eternal things that matter - my relationship with God. It is during these "brushes with death" that we are awaken to re-evaluate our direction in life. Living today like it was the last. Doing the things we really wanted to do. Pursuing our personal legend. During our meeting we recounted our experience and testified of His saving protection. The Psalm 139 verse about God's hand enclosing me from behind and before with has become more alive to me. I live today given another chance, another opportunity, just like before, to give Him glory. God has proven it again and again. He lives and is on the move. Indeed He is the God of Second Chances.

Woke up this morning and a hostage drama is on TV. Some guy, who would soon be known as Jun Ducat, made hostage of 32 pre-school children with their teachers. The news was even on cable news channels. I left home with not knowing if the hostage drama was resolved. But as it turns out, the hostage taker surrendered, after negotiations from political celebrities and the children were safe. This guy ought to be in jail. I think he’s mad. Putting helpless children in danger for motives however of good intent is unjust. He was like a child who threw tantrums because he didn’t get what he wanted – a government free of corruption. I mean we all want that. But this isn’t the way to do it, fighting evil with evil. I was even more irked watching an interview of a grandmother of a released child sympathizing with the hostage taker and justifying his actions. That makes me think, what kind of a society do we have? Could that be the general mindset of the masang Filipino (masses)? I feel that people are frustrated and losing hope and there's no other resolve but to give in, diluting our judgments. I hope not. I think we ought to stop blaming other people for our conditions because we in some ways have dipped in to make it so. Do your duty and let others follow. And even if nobody else follows, God upholds the righteous and never lets his work go down the drain.

I’ve been reading Paulo Coelho’s “Like the Flowing River” and it keeps on speaking to me. A writer does have a way with words that are sometimes hard to express and concretize. His views are Christian-like and it makes me think that he could be a believer or a really good enlightened Catholic. He’s been speaking to me about solitude; that sometimes I need to just stop and smell the roses. Reflect on the day that has past. What good have I done? What have contributed today in the fulfillment of my “personal legend”? It is true when he wrote that often we equate our importance and value by our busyness. And we view solitude as uselessness to the world. But it is when we are in solitude that we see who we really are and listen to that still small voice that affirms that we are loved and cared for. I think I am going to be influenced by Coelho’s philosophy of life.

I hope that I could be like him in the aspect of traveling, less than halfway through the book he has accounted for staying and traveling to various places on the planet. And the better thing is that while he does it he sees the meaning of life.

Technology has become one of soul’s worst enemies. Television and the Internet has placed us in a receiving mode robbing us of time to contemplate and give out.

In lieu of recent events I think being a negotiator is a really cool job. I like the thought of dismantling tragedy by untangling a distorted person’s emotion and mind. It is now one of my dream jobs or jobs-in-a-parallel-universe along with being a scientist/researcher in field such as archeologists or biologists and being a flight attendant (just ask me why when we meet). Nonetheless, being a youth pastor, designer and student is a really cool job.



Today I did multimedia for our school’s graduation. It’s always great when people’s goals become a reality. It’s sad though because most of my classmates during my first semester in ASCM of which became some of my friends in school has graduated and will be going back to their country and ministry. Two finished their doctorates. I still haven’t got the motivation to pursue doctorate studies. I must look back on my calling God has given me. I still have a long way to go. I have already completed 45 of the 96 required units to complete. I am afraid to ask why am I doing this for fear that I may get a confused answer. Am I still doing it for God or for men? Coelho writes about the danger of missing the value of what we are doing because we when we focus too much on the rules, we start not to enjoy the task that we are doing. Indeed my existence in bible school has equipped and molded me to become the person I am today. I hope that when I reach the end of this race my goal will still be the same and more refined since the day I entered it.



Tonight Netty and I celebrated our 3rd monthsary. It’s as if it’s been a long time. Tonight she really looked lovely, though I forgot to tell her that. Sometimes she catches me just studying her profile. We had a delightful pasta dinner and dessert at DQ which has become a habit of ours every time we go to G4 or Gateway. She gave me a gift – an electric toothbrush – which recently I told her that I wanted one but not because I was hinting for a monthsary gift. I gave her a Patrick Star stuffed toy so that she will be reminded of me minus the dumbness of Patrick Star. Third month, the initial romance level is being normalized. She tease me as unromantic and un-gentleman which I am not – totally. But with our feet returning to the ground I have realized that our commitment for each other is revealed. And with that I am really, really happy and content. Pray that our commitment for each other will be as hard as diamond.

Pray for me:

• I’m traveling on April 2-3 to Pila, Laguna for a ministry meeting. I might be driving. Please pray for safety on the road.
• I’ll be speaking in two camps on April 24-25 in Olongapo and May 3 in Taytay. Please pray that God will use me as His mouthpiece and touch the heart and soul of the ears that will hear me speak. Lord empty me so that You’ll flow thru me.
• Pray for my financial provisions. Indeed God is always faithful and I continue to learn to trust Him in this aspect.

Today I went to Makati to pick up the graduation pics of our school. I'm in charge of the multimedia on our school's graduation ceremonies. Before that I went to pick up the Hebrew Book I photocopied in Asturias. Ahh, the UST days. Went to Glorietta, Netty and I were gonna watch 300, finally much anticipation because everyone who saw it recommended it. So for 3 hours I walked around G4 and Greenbelt 3, going around bookstores free reading. Finally I was able to find the book I was looking for months now, I forgot the title and author until I saw it on the shelf again. It is Paulo Coehlo's "Like the Flowing River." It's a collection of the authors reflections and thoughts. After spending some time reading its first 30 pages at Fruit Magic, I am more amazed at how this guy writes. Some memorable entries are "The Story of the Pencil," "How to Climb a Mountain," and the story about Genghis Khan.



"300" was a good movie. I am reminded by the movie "Gladiator" when I saw it. The movie is about the king of Sparta and how he and his 300 men fought the advancing Persian kingdom. The movie was rated R for violence and nudity. I liked the cinematography of the film which by the way was 100% shot behind blue/green screens. But most of all, I liked it because I was affirmed by the movie's leadership insights (though it's hardly their intention). His leadership is something to be admired and acquired. He lead his men to war: Leaders ought to be in the front lines, not like chess players playing their soldiers. He was relevant yet had commanding authority. He was respected by his men and they were loyal to him. I hope that's how I'm practicing my leadership.

I'm here now at SM San Lazaro waiting for my parents while they went to the grocery. Feeling laid-back. Actually I want to go home and rest. Today, Kuya Jess, one of whom I considered to be my mentors, spoke at church. He's gonna be in Bontoc for two months to do mission. In the afternoon, I had a meeting with the disciplers in our youth ministry in order to rally them to maximize these summer months in discipling other youth. Our youth is getting better. We've been growing in number this year and we're confident that we will exceed our goal for this year.

I don't have much to talk about. Since there's not much activity yet. School's out, and ministry activities are still on their way.

Hi there! Haven't blog for the longest time. I was so busy with school and ministry work. School's out and summer's getting revved up with ministry activities. I will be back to blog some more. But for now, I gotta sleep. I'm leading praise and worship tomorrow. Ciao!