Sunday Gospel May 29 - The Promise of Holy Spirit

Sunday Gospel May 29 - The Promise of Holy Spirit

John 14:15-21

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you for ever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.’

Water Of Life - Sunday Gospel Mar 27

Water Of Life - Sunday Gospel Mar 27

Water is one of the most important need in our daily life.  According to today's Gospel  “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Let us continue read the gospel.

New International Version

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5So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.^a)

10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?”

13Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

16He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

17“I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

19“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

21Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

25The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”

The Disciples Rejoin Jesus

27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,29“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ^b?” 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

31Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”

32But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”

33Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”

34“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.35Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

Many Samaritans Believe

39Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41And because of his words many more became believers.

42They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” source biblos

A Time for Everything

A Time for Everything 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
 ¹ There is a time for everything,
       and a season for every activity under heaven:
 ² a time to be born and a time to die,
       a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 ³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
       a time to tear down and a time to build,
 ⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
       a time to mourn and a time to dance,
 ⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
       a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
 ⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
       a time to keep and a time to throw away,
 ⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
       a time to be silent and a time to speak,
 ⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
       a time for war and a time for peace.

Finish Line

Finish Line

This is a repost from unknown author. Very inspiring of a known runner.

*********

Derek Redmond was favoured to win the 400 m race at the1992 Barcelona Olympics.
However, dissapointment came about 250 m from the finish, his hamstring tore.
As a stretcher beares made their way over to him, he knew that he wanted to finish the race.
He began to hobble along the track with pain atched upon his face.

Suddenly, a large man pushed through the crowds, fighting back security.
The man was his father, Jim Redmond.
"You don't have to finish this", he told to his weeping son.
"Yes I do", Dereck Declared.
"Well, then," said Jim, " We're going to finish this together".

What made the father do that... to leave the stands and meet his son on the tracks?
It was the pain of his child.
His son was hurt and fighting to finish the race so the father came to help him.

God is like that. When we are hurting fighting to finish, He comes and help us.
Our prayers may be awkward, aor attempts may be feeble.
But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it,
not the one who says it, our prayers do make difference.

Sometimes when we encounter pain and problems, we blame God of our misfortune. But the Lord promise us that He will not leave us. He allows these things to happen in our life so that we learn to love & close to Him.

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

 

A Blue Ribbon For You - Who I Am Makes A Difference

A Blue Ribbon  For  You - Who I Am Makes A Difference

The First Man In My Life

The First Man In My Life

By:MLK

What is a Father?

The definition will depend on each of our story about them. A Father is like my Dad. 80% of his influence and principle in life had marked my personality. I was so much like him in all aspect. Persistence- high aimed-finisher. I have so much memories of time spent with him more than I have with Mom. He used to take me to sleep and be the first one to wake me up in the morning. He kissed me goodnight to sleep and carry me to bed. I remember of faking my sleep just to be carried by him. I just love his arms wrapping my body and feel the security it brings to me. I couldn’t forget how he sings for me before I sleep and during my birthdays. He loves to sing for me and my Mom. My Dad had a good voice and it was a regret of not inheriting that gift from him.

My Dad used to bring me with him in all his construction projects. We slept most in their project site quarters and as young as I am, I have earlier exposure to various building construction. I witnessed the construction of U.P Los Banos, the Lourdes Hospital in Mandaluyong, The Folk Arts Theatre which project was pioneered by the former First Lady. It was built to accommodate the first hosting of Miss Universe Pageant. My dad was one of the hundreds of workers involve in building that landmark. There are many others, the Westin Plaza Hotel, The New World Hotel in Makati, The Twin Tower Makati, The Greenbelt Park which use to house the Quad Cinema, the Makati Square Cinema, Fil-invest Alabang, Gerry's Grill in Greenhills, Chilis and Superbowl etc,. etc.

My Dad experiences with construction projects gave me the nerve to enter university and take Architecture degree. Not much of my liking but more of his desire and dream. Being the eldest of the two siblings, I have ventured out to do his divine will. My Fathers will. My calling to become an Architect is not as much as my Father's calling to have an architect daughter. I gave way because of his strictness and determination that I will be the one to deliver us from poverty.

He succeeded to my amazement and going back to where my family used to be, I could say, we progress better. I used to contradict his agenda. That’s me. I did get it from him, my mom confirmed it. Truly that once you get educated, your intellect by- passes of that our parents level of knowledge. And that’s where the bickering and misunderstanding started. My will or my Dad's will. But my Dad was someone I couldn’t ignore.

He had suffered many sacrificial acts for the good of his family. He travelled so far with great distance from us. For 20 years he was separated from us, working in different places just to make our education fulfilled. After 20 years, I hardly know him. He became a stranger to us. His absence in our childhood days made a bad impact in our growing up. He was able to miss out the very important events and difficulties we have experienced in our adolescence years. He was not there when we graduated from Elementary and High School. He was not there when my brother started to get interested with girls. He was not there when I received my diploma with a degree that he desired long time for me. He was not with us to celebrate those remarkable endings of my school years, my jubilations that I indeed leaped from what I used to be. I have missed him to the most important event in my life.

Of course, he ended up and get tire up being a contract worker. Immediately, after my brother finished his degree, my Dad went home for good. He looked at us like we are his colleagues in Saudi. He takes care of himself more than he takes care of us. His psychological situation deranged him from us. It took us two years to adjust with him and him from us. Mom entered us into a therapy with Dad. We went back to zero.

And how is that? We have to make Dad feel that we are his children. We bring slipper upon his arrival at home. We gave him towel and wipe his back when he perspires. We kissed him goodbye to work and welcome him with a hug after his work. We prepared his dinner and told him stories about our day. We ask for his advice and his approval to things that pertains to our personal problems. It happened in my 21th year. My Dad never asked anything from me when I began working, but Mom insisted us to spend time with him. We have time to go out as a family and treated them over dinner or lunch. I became close again with my Dad and spend much time building our dreams together. Whenever he planned on something, we would have a family meeting. There will be discussions and exchange of ideas. Since, my Dad is a very responsible man, we never question his plan because it is always for the better of us and whatever he plans; we saw it fulfilled.

My admiration and respect for my Dad have grown high that even he didn’t reached my level of education, his wisdom was well acknowledge. He had even bigger salary than us. Enough that even I don’t work, we'll be okay. He had plenty of connection and well-of friends. He was very popular in his work and eventually in our subdivision. My Dad was well-respected by many people in variety.

But one day, He fell and went into sin. Once again, it marked my life with many impacts. I couldn’t follow his footsteps any longer. He lost everything when he followed his own sin. He lost his job, the trust of other people who look upon him, He made a big hole in my umbrella. A hole that stained his integrity and I was the first one to get devastated. There was so much pain and yet I wanted to give him a chance to come back and prove his worth again. I wanted to build bridges so that he could return safely back to us without looking back at the jammed he went through with.

But I'm hoping one day…praying so much that one day.. I will see him back with his normal self. It has been two years now since he fell to the enemy's trap and he is not asking for any help. He doesn’t want my help and even God's grace and mercy. He was totally being complacent to the new world that he was living now. He doesn’t know how much I missed him so much. He doesn’t know that it affected me so much that I lose the sight of the shore with this perfect storm he brought our family in. He used to be the path I am following with, but now I have stopped walking behind him.

The outlook changed the way I looked at marriage. I began to drop all my expectations. The growth started to slow down. He will not be able to read this, I'm sure. But I wanted to tell him, that I couldn’t forget him and that I still love him so much. There were no days and nights that I didn’t cry to God to ask for a miracle; to awaken my Dad from his worst nightmare " Dad, whoever you are with, I have spare a space in my heart for understanding you, though you love them now more than you have loved us, though it cuts like a knife for me and Mom, just don’t forget to take a peek on what we had before as a family.

Bring your memory back to us. Memories I'm keeping dearly within my heart because now it’s the only thing that connects you and me." I missed you so much Daddy. Please find the lost shore for me.
Happy Fathers Day.

*********************

I would like to thank MLK to allow me to share her life story. I hope that one day a house become a home again, in God's perfect time. Let not time and place bewildered our relationship. Let the Lord be the center of our family.

Intimacy in Marriage

Intimacy in Marriage 

I receive and read this this story a couple of times. I believe it is worth to share this to those married couple (like us), plan to get married or not yet married.Please take a moment to continue read this touching story.

Intimacy in Marriage

author unknown

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce.. I raised the topic calmly. She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man!

That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her! With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces.

The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning.. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions.. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.. My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed.

So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time.. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger. She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.

Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head. Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day. But her much lighter weight made me sad.

On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore. She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead.. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart. That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead.

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy.

Do have a real happy marriage! If you don't share this, nothing will happen to you. If you do, you just might save a marriage. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

But the Greatest of These is Love

But the Greatest of These is Love

1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in human or angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body [to hardship] that I may boast,  but do not have love, I gain nothing. .

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

Dad How Much Is Your Time?

Dad How Much Is Your Time?

Author: Unknown

This is very inspiring story of a father and son.

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.


SON : 'Daddy, may I ask you a question?'

DAD : 'Yeah sure, what it is?' replied the man.

SON : 'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD : 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?' the man said angrily.

SON : 'I just want to know.. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD : 'If you must know, I make $20.00 an hour.'

SON : 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: 'Daddy, may I please borrow $10.00 ?'


The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior.'

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think:

Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10..00 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

'Are you asleep, son?' He asked..

'No daddy, I'm awake,' replied the boy.

'I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the man.

'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you.

Here's the $10.00 you asked for..'

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. 'Oh, thank you daddy!' He yelled.

Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

'Why do you want more money if you already have some?' the father grumbled.

'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied.

'Daddy, I have $20.00 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?

Please come home early tomorrow.. I would like to have dinner with you.'

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts..

Do remember to share that $20.00 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days....

But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family.

Inspirational Quotes "Courage"

Inspirational Quotes "Courage"

Remember Who You Are

Remember Who You Are

 The decisions we make and how we live our lives would be drastically different...if we knew who we really were.

Kulungan na Walang Rehas Sa Gitnang Silangan

Kulungan na Walang Rehas Sa Gitnang Silangan

Life Story: By Bobot P. Erpelo – Jan 6, 2010 – SA)

Nitong Abril 2009 ay dinayo ko ang (SA) dito sa Gitnang Silangan. Dito nadestino ang aking asawa matapos ang ilang taon na pagtatrabaho sa Bahrain. Kasama ko ang aking bunsong anak na si EJ noong mga panahong iyon. Inabot din kami ng isang buwang bakasyon para samahan ang aking asawa.

Habang naririto ako, unti-unti kong naramdaman ang buhay na masasabi kong ‘mahirap.’

Taong 1991, dinala kami ng aking asawa sa Bahrain kasama ang aming tatlong anak. Anim na taong gulang palang ang aming panganay, apat na taon ang pangalawa, at isang-taong gulang ang pangatlo. Doon na sila nag-aral mula ‘grade school’ hanggang hayskul. Doon ko na rin isinilang ang aming pang-apat na anak na si EJ.

Masasabi ko na ang buhay sa Bahrain ay napakagaan. Masaya lalo na kapag kasama mo ang pamilya at mga kapatiran. Sampung taon din kaming namalagi doon. Nang mag-kolehiyo na ang aming panganay at pangalawa ay napagdesisyunan naming mag-iina na sa Pilipinas nalang mamalagi. Noong mga panahong iyon ay nailipat ang aking asawa mula Bahrain patungong SA.

Naikumpara ko ang buhay sa Bahrain at estilo ng pamumuhay sa SA.

Sa Bahrain, ano mang oras ay pwede akong lumabas o mamasyal kasama ang aking mga anak. Dito sa SA ay hindi basta-basta pwedeng lumabas lalo na kung nag-iisa ka lang. Kailangan na palagi mong kasama ang iyong asawa at laging bitbit ang mga papeles bilang katibayan na ‘legal’ ang pag-aasawa niyo para sa ano mang biglaang pag-iinspeksyon.

Sa Bahrain ay pwede kang magsuot ng kahit anong ‘casual’ na damit. Dito sa SA ay kailangang naka- abaya ang mga babae tuwing lalabas.

Kung ikaw ay isang ‘dependent’, buong araw kang nasa loob lang ng bahay. Makakalabas ka lang kung dumating na ang iyong asawa. Minsan ay ‘di ka pa rin makalabas dahil mula sa trabaho ay pagod na rin ang iyong asawa kaya mas nanaisin pa niyang magpahinga.

Sa pangalawang pagbabalik ko sa SA nitong October 8, 2009 ay mag-isa nalang akong naglakbay at naiwan na ang aming bunso sa Pilipinas. Naramdaman ko ang kalungkutan na kailanma’y hindi ko pa nararamdaman sa buong buhay ko… sa Bahrain man o maging sa Pilipinas.

May mga oras na sa aking pag-iisa (habang ako ay kumakain) ay bigla nalang akong napapaluha. Naaalala ko ang aking mga anak na naiwan ko sa Pilipinas. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, “Bakit ka umiiyak? ‘Di ba gusto mong samahan ang iyong asawa?”

Dito ko biglang naisip, “Paano pa kaya ang aking asawa noong mga panahong siya lang ang naririto sa SA… at nag-iisa?

Ipinadama sa akin ng Panginoon kung ano ang nararamdaman ng mga taong nakatira sa lugar na ito.
Nasabi ko tuloy sa sarili ko na kung ako nga na may Panginoon na tinatawag ay nakakaranas pa rin ng ganitong lungkot… paano pa kaya ang ating mga kababayang wala pang relasyon sa ating Panginoon?

Dito ko na naisip na mas mahirap ang kanilang kalagayan dahil marami sa kanila ang talagang hindi makalabas ng bahay… lalo na ang mga domestic helper. Kapag nakikita ko sila sa mall kasama ang kanilang mga amo, bakas sa kanilang mukha ang matinding pananabik tuwing nakakakita sila ng kababayan!

Lalong nagsikip ang dibdib ko nang makita ko sila… at sinabi ko sa aking sarili na mas mapalad pa rin ako dahil kasama ko ang asawa ko…

Kung gaano ako nalulungkot ay mas doble pa ang kanilang nararamdaman dahil ‘total strangers’ ang kanilang mga kasama sa bahay (mga locals dito sa lugar na ito). Masuwerte kung sila ay nakahanap ng mabait at maunawain na amo… pero paano nalang kung ang amo nila ay tulad ng mga sinasabi ng iba na malulupit at mapang-abuso? Naisip ko na ito na rin siguro ang dahilan kung bakit nawawala na sa sarili ang ilan… sanhi ng lungkot na hindi nila makayanan. (‘Wag naman pong mangyari ito sa akin… sa grasya ng Panginoon.)

Tanong ko… sa isip ko… “Paano na pala sila? Ano na kaya ang nangyayari sa kanila? Kumakain kaya sila ng tatlong beses sa isang araw?” Maraming bagay ang naglalaro sa aking isipan. Paano ko sila maaabot o matutulungan? Biglang ipinaisip lang ng Panginoon sa akin ang manalangin at isama sila sa bawat panalangin ko habang ako’y naririto sa lupain ng mga taga-SA.

Sa araw-araw na lumipas ay unti-unting napapawi ang aking kalungkutan dahil sa dami ng aking dapat ipanalangin. Halos buong oras ko ay nabubuhos sa panalangin. Matapos nito ay magbubukas ako ng computer para mag-surf sa internet at bisitahin ang aking mga kaibigan sa facebook. Napakapalad ko pa rin talaga dahil kahit maghapon akong nakakulong sa bahay ay may ‘access’ pa rin ako sa mga mahal ko sa buhay, mga kapatiran, at mga kaibigang nasa iba’t-ibang sulok ng mundo. Sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila, nae-express ko ang aking sarili.

Napakaimportante ang ‘constant communication’ dahil ito lang ang pwedeng gawin habang naririto ka sa ganitong lugar. Marami siguro sa atin ang may mga pamilya at kapatid sa Gitnang Silangan o kung saan mang panig ng mundo. Ito’y isang panawagan… na kung maari lamang ay gawin ninyong ‘regular’ ang pakikipag-usap o ugnayan sa kanila. Iba po talaga ang nararanasan kapag malayo sa pamilya.

Sa sobrang lungkot ko po dito ay nakagawa ako ng isang tula… na ibabahagi ko sa inyo. Ang pamagat ay, “Si Juan… ang Pinoy.”

Nawa po any maging halimbawa ang aking karanasan sa bawat isa sa inyo. Nakita ko po rito… na kung wala sa ating puso ang ating Panginoon… maaaring hindi ko ito makakayanan nang ako lang. Sa araw -araw ay Siya lang talaga ang aking kalakasan. Sa Kanya ako kumukuha ng karunungan upang gawin ang mga bagay na dapat kong gawin sa araw-araw. Purihin ang Panginoon dahil dito ko rin nailabas ang mga ibinigay Niyang talento sa akin.

Sa pamamagitan ng aking pagsusulat… ito’y nagsilbing paraan para makapag-encourage pa rin ako ng ibang tao… kahit na minsan ay ako mismo ang nangangailangan nito.

Dito ko rin naranasan ang maghintay… na ma-exercise ko ang paghihintay… tulad ng paghihintay natin sa pagdating ng ating Panginoon…

Wala tayong pwedeng sabihin na dahilan kung bakit ‘di natin nararanasan ang Kanyang kabutihan. Sa mga pagsubok… lahat ay ating makakayanan kung tayo ay magtitiwala lamang sa Kanya. Matuto tayong makinig at gawin ang mga ipinag-uutos Niya.

Masasabi kong nanaisin ko pa ring bumalik sa lugar na tulad nito kung ang kapalit naman ay walang hanggang pakikipag-ugnayan sa aking Diyos na Siyang nagbibigay ng lakas, aral, at kulay sa aking buhay.

Gusto ko lang ibahagi sa inyo ang kabutihan ng ating Panginoon.

Sa mga taong may mga kamag-anak, asawa, o kaibigan na malayo sa inyo… hayaan ninyong maging pagpapala kayo sa kanila. Bigyan ninyo ng oras at panahon ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanila.
Isang sakripisyo na sa inyo ay inalay…

Nawa ay kapulutan n’yo ng aral ang aking mga naging karanasan habang ako’y naririto sa Gitnang Silangan sa SA.
.
Maraming salamat po sa inyong oras at panahon para sa pagbabasa’t pakikinig.

2 Days Before Christmas - ChrisTmas Karoling

2 Days Before Christmas - ChrisTmas Karoling

DBTC High School Batch 86 Choral

2 Days na lang at Christmas na. Kaya gusto kong mag countdown by counting the Filipino customs and traditions during this Holiday seasons. My eleventh item Chrismas Karoling

"Ang pasko ay sumapit tayo ay mangag si awit. Sa may bahay ang bati Merry Christmas nang maluwalhati. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year... Thank you! thank you ang babait ninyo Thank you!"

Ito ang mga typical na awitin na maririnig natin sa tapat ng ating bahay pag sapit ng gabi tuwing kapaskuhan, na nagmumula sa matitinis na timig ng mga bata. Ilan lang 'yan sa kanilang mga kanta na ang sarap pakinggan at hindi nakasawang ulitin. Kahit wala na ito minsan sa tono at sali saliwa ang mga lyrics ay tuloy pa rin ang awitan. Maiindak ka sa hampas ng latang tambol, ala marakas na yari sa pinitpit na tantsan at pukpok ng bato. Pagkatapos ng kanilang karoling ay masaya na sila sa miliit na kinita at ito'y paghahatian na.

Ang karoling ay hindi lamang sa mga bata. Mula sa mga teen ager hanggang sa mga propesyonal na singer ay nagbuo ng kani kanilang koro para sa pangangaroling. May mga dahilan kung bakit nila ginagawa ito. Una na syempre ay para kumita, may magamit sa Christmas party at higit sa lahat ay para makatulong sa ibang tao or institution.

Isa na dito ay ang Don Bosco Technical College (High School Batch 86) Choral. Suporta ng kanilang mga asawa't anak ay nagkaroon ng adhikaan na makalikom ng pondo para sa iba't ibang proyekto. Una ay para sa aming silver home coming sa 2011, digital library, pagsasaayos ng gym, support sa mga athletes, financial support sa mga families ng mga naulila, naapektohan ng mga kalamidad at marami pang iba.

Maging sa amin mga nasa iba't ibang bahagi ng mundo ay hindi nila kami nakakalimutan alayan ng kanilang magagadang awiting pamasko.

Hindi nila tangan ang pagod at hirap ng practice at halos gabi gabi pangangaroling.May kagalakan sa kanilang puso na gawin ito. Dahil batid nila na marami silang matutulungan sa kanilang pagpapagal. Kaya lalo tumitibay ang samahan ng bawat isa. Hindi man sila mga professional singers pero meron silang pusong professional. Ika nga give love on Christmas Day. I personally thank to our batch-mates for the advocacy.

High School Batch 86 Choral with there families

Life Moto
life is worth living for...

6 Days Before Christmas - Ang Star ng Pasko

6 Days Before Christmas - Ang Star ng Pasko (Parol)

6 Days na lang at Christmas na. Kaya gusto kong mag countdown by counting the Filipino customs and traditions during this Holiday seasons. My sixth item Ang Star ng Pasko (Parol)


Ang Star ay liwanag nagbibigay liwanag sa kadiliman ng gabi. Ito rin ang nagbigay ng gabay sa tatlong pantas para makarating sa kinaroroonan ng ating Panginoon Jesus.

Tuwing sumasapit ang kapaskuhan ay hindi nawawala sa ating tahanan at kapaligiran ang mga parol. Itoy nakakapagbigay ng liwanag at ligaya sa ating buhay. Dahil sa pagiging kretib at artistik ng Pinoy ay marami uri ng Parol ang ginagawa sa ating bansa. May Yari sa capiz, bamboo, plastic, coconut hush at kung anu ano.

Sa pag ilaw ng ating parol ay ating alalahanin ang Liwanag na binibigay sa atin ng Panginoon. Ang ilaw ng buhay bilang pag gabay sa tamang landas sa pang araw-arw ng pamumuhay.

Bro Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko - ABS-CBN Christmas Sation ID 2009

Words of Wisdom

"I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who
believes in Me will not remain in darkness. ...
John 12:46

Ten Days Before Christmas - Santa Claus or Kris Kringle

Ten Days Before Christmas - Santa Claus or Kris Kringle

10 Days na lang at Christmas na. Kaya gusto kong mag countdown by counting the things that we make and do during this Holiday seasons. My third item is Santa Claus. Sino nga ba si Santa Claus?

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Oh! You better watch out,
You better not cry,
You better not pout,
I'm telling you why:

Santa Claus is coming to town!

He's making a list,
He's checking it twice,
He's gonna find out
who's naughty or nice.

Santa Claus is coming to town!

He sees you when you're sleeping,
He knows when you're awake.
He knows when you've been bad or good,
So be good for goodness sake!

Ito ang madalas na babala ng mga magulang sa mga anak lalo na tuwing Christmas seasons. Syempre nga naman wala kang gift if you are naughty. So you have to be nice.

Sa ating murang kaisipan ay namulat na sa atin ang imahe ni Santa Claus na mataba, may puting balbas at buhok, naka pula ang kasuotan, suot ang malaking boots, may dala-dalang sakong puno ng regalo. Nakasakay sya sa kanyang sleight at dumadaan sa chimney para mag lagay ng mga regalo.

Lagi rin tayo nagsasabit ng medyas at nagbabakasakali na maglagay ng gift si Santa. Kahit minsan ay hindi nalagyan ng gift ang medyas kong nakasabit kaya tinigilan ko na rin. hohohohehe! Makikita mo ang excitement ng mga bata paggising nila sa umaga at umaasang may regalo na nilagay si Santa.

Alamin natin kung meron nga ba talagang Santa Claus or ito'y isang imagination lamang.

Early Christians church remembered St. Nicholas of Myra as Santa Claus. For his help to the poor, Nicholas is the patron saint of pawnbrokers; the three gold balls traditionally hung outside a pawnshop symbolize the three sacks of gold. People then began to suspect that he was behind a large number of other anonymous gifts to the poor, using the inheritance from his wealthy parents. After he died, people in the region continued to give to the poor anonymously, and such gifts were still often attributed to St. Nicholas. source wikipedia

The figure of Santa Claus first begins to show up among the Pennsylvania Dutch in the mid 1820s in the form of Kris Kringle, or as he was also known, Belsnickle. Belsnickle is a derivative of the German "Pelz-nickle", which means "Nicholas in Furs ".

Belsnickle would travel the Pennsylvania countryside ringing his bell looking for good children to give out his small gifts of cakes and nuts to. If Belsnickle came across a child who had not been behaving in the past year, he would warn the child to be good or else he might give them a smack with his rod. source stcharleschristmas.com

"Unleash The Hero in You"-Efren Peñaflorida CNN Hero 2009

"Unleash The Hero in You"-Efren Peñaflorida CNN Hero 2009
Life Story

Efren Peñaflorida has been selected as CNN Hero of the year after getting the highest number of online vote, More than 2.75 million were cast for 7 weeks. For bringing education to the poor children though his "Kariton Klasroom". Efren received $100,000 cash prize . He also received $25,000 when he was elected as one of the top 10 finalist CNN Heroes. The 90% of the prize will go to Dynamic Teen Company and their projects. While the 10% of it will go to the church.






In his acceptance speech at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday night encourage to the crowd to "Unleash the Hero in You".

"Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry," Peñaflorida said. "Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.”

He also urged them to “serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve.”

“As I always tell to my co-volunteers ... you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be," he added.

The Order Lakandula

Upon Efren return from America, he will be conferred "The Order Of Lakandula" by President Aroyo. The Order of Lakandula is the one of the highest honor given by Republic of the Philippines. Those who are dedicated themselves to the welfare of society, perform meritorious political and civic service and lead lives worthy of emulation.

Congratulation Efren Peñaflorida, you are truly a modern day hero! We are proud of you. More power and God bless you and your team...

Words of Wisdom

“serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve.”

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 21:26)

From Rugs to Riches - Isko Moreno and Arnel Pineda

From Rugs to Riches - Isko Moreno and Arnel Pineda

What do Arnel Pineda and Isko Moreno have in commons? Isko Moreno (Francisco Domagoso) & Arnel Pineda came from the poor family. They are both from Manila District. At the early age, they learned and strived hard to survive. They collecting scrap metal, used bottles and old news paper and reselling them to the junk shop.



They are celebrity icons. They become successful in their respective entertainment careers. Isko Moreno is a well known actor. He is currently Vice Mayor of Manila, Philippines and a former three terms counselor. Arnel Pineda is one of the rising singing star here and in America. Where is the lead singer of the well known American band The Journey.

They have a kind heart and wiling to reach out to the unfortunate ones. Isko Moreno is continuously serving his constituent as a public servant. Recently Arnel Pineda donated substantial amount of money to the victims of typhoon Ondoy. He still raising fund for the typhoon victims thru his concert.

"Despite all these hardships they tried to remain optimistic about their future.

They never stop in believing."

Vote Efren Peñaflorida For 2009 Top CNN Hero

Vote Efren Peñaflorida For 2009 Top CNN Hero

Click Image to Cast Your vote

Efren Peñaflorida is one of the 2009 Top 10 CNN Heroes. We don’t need another super hero; a man of steel, a friendly neighborhood or the x-men. Heroes are just around the corner. CNN Heroes are ordinary people with extra ordinary impact.




Efren Peñaflorida is a teacher and a social worker. He grew up in Cavite City, Philippines. He has been recognized as one of the 2009 CNN Heroes for his outstanding advocacy to educate Filipino out of school youth through “Push Cart Classes.” Efren recalled to standing against a gang leader and refuse to join the gang, in high school. At the age of 16, he and his friends conceptualize an idea to divert teenagers like them to be productive. He was born from a poor family and lived in a shanty near dump site. Despite of the poverty he managed to finished his study.

He concern for the unschooled children in his hometown. He then established Dynamic Teen Company (DTC). After a decade DTC has gained around 10,000 memberships. They conducted tutorials for approximately 1,500 children. Pushcart classroom teaches basic reading and writing to street children every Saturday. DTC also runs a hygiene clinic, where children can get a bath and learn how to brush their teeth

Among their awards are:

* Outstanding Volunteer Award
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and United Nations Volunteer Program (UNVP) – 2008


* Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO)
National Youth Commission of the Philippines – 2008
TAYO Awards Foundation – 2008
Coca-cola Foundation, Philippines – 2008


* Bayaning Samahang Pilipino
ABS-CBN Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. – 2007
14th Congress Republic of the Philippines – 2007

DTC Official website: http://dynamicteencompany.org/

Let support our own hero! Be Proud to be a Filipino

Vote For Efren Peñaflorida 2009 CNN Hero