Extending the Yultide Cheers....

Finally! I got my hands on the computer--not to mention the net.

Christmas came and Christmas still remains, even after the 25th of December. And I must admit, so far it's been great. As a young adult, I now see the deeper meaning of Christmas behind the gifts and carols. It's been one heck of a week before Christmas, attending Misa de Gallo which afterwards went with me packing up goodies to give away to kids at Christmas morning. Then there's also my family whole this Christmas after school came to vacation and my siblings with my dad coming here (and as yours truly writes this, shares the room with sister-dearest).

Christmas came this year with a fulfilled heart. Misa de Gallo ended well, with my family coming to mass with me (except for my youngest brother who had to stay home to watch over my grandmother) and with me finally taking communion, which I must admit was a bit emotional experience (as I knelt down to thank the Lord for the opportunity to take him once again). Christmas was celebrated with Ham and spaghetti and salad--and a Korean flick (which I surprisingly enjoyed....)

Thus Christmas came with our belly's full and everyone tired. We may have slept earlier than most people did yet that was because we have to prepare for another Christmas celebration. Morning came busy for us. We all woke up early with the sounds of kids knocking on our doors for Christmas treats. As my sister goes distributing the goodies I packed (which I think I need to increase by next year), the rest of us went cleaning and cooking for Luncheon. Though still sleepy and tired from cleaning up, I found myself in a good mood (though a bit annoyed with some teenagers competing with kids for treats (OMG!).

The day went by nicely with family and friends gathering for lunch, and cards dealt later on at the veranda for a game. After the card game, I found myself in front of the television watching Harry Potter, that we have to stop soon to go to the neighbors house for yet another session of eating (ha! another inch added on my waistline).

So merry making went on 'till evening as we yet pushed our stomach's limit with a family friend dining with us for a night snack as we watched Marimar and later on continuing Harry Potter.

This may not be the usual Christmas many of us may have wished for and though 'till now I still feel as if we're celebrating, this is actually the first time I celebrated Christmas at an adults view point, behind the glitter of lights and decor.

My family's together...There's nothing more I could wish for...

Christ was born on the manger--in all simplicity and glory, a family created with his presence. He came to bring us salvation thus we have a lot to thank.....

And let me begin my thanks to God for giving me a wider view of what being blessed is all about--especially this Christmas....

When we are meek....

Just when I thought they were there for the chats.

The fifth night of Simbang Gabi started with the priest running late again (since he had also led a mass at another parish). And before all the prayers and the songs began that night, the chapel was filled with buzzings of adults chatting and kids running around, if not, making tantrums. There were few, I must say, whom I saw, whether kneeled or just sitting, who are praying while waiting.

A fast forward to the mass--with some kids still having fun, if not, sleeping, while mass was going on, I somehow felt a certain cheer within me. Something that night tells me that it was a night where I'd see something that should be seen from church goers--and it took me to sit back and wait while the communion was going on.

From the playing of kids to the chatting of adults, to certain teenage sweethearts and buddies fooling around (sorry!), The communion seem to have captured my attention unlike the previous nights. hhhmmm...maybe it's my view from where I sat.

Though the church was still jammed pack, it seem that that night there were only small numbers. Still, the huge number of those taking the communion was still undeniable. It was then that I saw that these people were there not just to hang out or make the church as their meeting place for date (or stop overs), there was also a lot of faith.

I don't know whether it was the homily that made that night's misa extra special. Definitely there were more faith intact that night, not that I'm saying that the previous nights never had. It just that the misa seemed more solemn that the previous ones.

It was also then that I saw the number of people falling in line to take Christ's body, or should I say "noticed". I've been there almost every night yet never realize the number of takers (maybe it's really the view where I sat).

Definitely, in the middle of the itchy nose and cold atmosphere, I saw that when it comes to worshiping God, there is always unity and eagerness to be the best.

As they said in the homily--nothing is impossible with the Lord....

Trinkets of Happiness

It's been a week since I saw a one of Mel and Joey's (a weekend show in GMA7) about a tinapa vendor who always makes it a point to shower kids in their place, candies, as a way of showing her thanksgiving to the Lord, for all the blessings she and her family received. And inspired as I am by her actions, I'll be doing the same.

Call me not original but the fact of sharing is enough to say at least I did something unselfish, especially this season of giving.

Earlier this afternoon, my mom and dad went to the grocery to pick up something for the fridge (hahaha--it's almost empty), and remembering what I wanted to do, my mom did extra shopping by adding to her list the goodies I planned to give. Promise, these are not candies with formalin....hahaha.

I plan to give this goodies to the carolers. Instead of giving coins to them for their banging and clinking of their instrument as they sing those Christmas carols (including a Christmas station ID of one of the television network), I'll be giving these little trinkets to them, hoping they will like it, and not fight over it (unlike past Christmas where kids are fighting over their share of carol earnings).

Tomorrow will be a busy day. And tonight, as I end my venture in cyberspace, I leave you with a note:

If in the past you've felt down with the way your life has been, try to look in front of you. For the tiniest smile that appears on your face is already a promise of a great day for the rest of the universe......

Be thankful for your blessing....

Simbang Gabi....

December 15, 2007--Instead of tomorrow early morn, Misa de Gallo (Rooster's mass), was held earlier, this night, in our local parish, for the folks of our subdivision who wishes to attend and complete the nine day mass without having to wake early morn.

The church was full of chirping of his and hellos from the good people of our community as we waited for the priest who came just in time. Aaahhhh! it was indeed a good beginning for us.

Misa de Gallo, or most popularly known in Filipino as Simbang Gabi (Night mass), is a nine day novena mass in preparation for Christmas. This is a very important tradition as it is an act of showing devotion to one's faith and the high anticipation to the Nativity of Christ. Usually it starts at the sixteenth of December 'till the twenty-fourth or Bisperas ng Pasko (Christmas Eve), starting as early as four in the morning. . But besides passion behind the mass, there is also a traditional Filipino belief that completing the mass may mean God granting a faithful's favor or wish.

A faithful's wish....

I have had my part in wishing and completing the mass. So far there were wished that were granted and those not. This time, though I am very much aware that I won't be able to complete it--to give way to my mom and dad who wishes to attend the mass as while yours truly will be taking with them in watching over my grandma--I still kept hold of my faith in God upon granting my wish (an unselfish wish that right now I cannot tell).

Misa de gallo gave a good start earlier as we were led by a priest from Bangladesh. I must admit, though at first, I was a bit worried whether I'll have a difficult time in understanding what he spoke (due to his accent), I found his homily's message clear....

It was indeed very enlightening to listen to his homily. Behind the wandering and chattering of children at the back, where I am seated, I find myself awake and zealously listening to his words. It was indeed, I must admit, one of the best Simbang gabi that I attended.

He started off the homily with a little trivia of where the Misa de gallo started--that it dated back during the Spanish era. Then he mentioned the three decades of the filipinos' state during those times when this nation was under the Spaniards rule. It was then that he had connected this to the Exodus where us, God's children, has seen the light as we break free from all that has oppressed us. That was indeed a reminder of appreciating a speck of light in the dark where we truly see its beauty.

The message of the homily? Attending mass isn't just about asking for favors, but actually reflecting and awaiting Jesus Christ's coming. In the end, as we break free, we must always keep hold of faith and give thanks to the Lord for every bit of blessing he has given, no matter the quantity.

Tomorrow will be my parents' turn to attend. As I type this, I bear in mind the faith I have so pledge my confidence to--the faith in God that he'll be answering this prayer of mine. And this faith I offer to him in thanks for all the kindness he has given me and my family--thanking him for giving me blessings enough for me to share....

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Reference:

Christmas in the Philippines

Computerdotcom

I have recently decided to take the opportunity of having an Internet connection a shot. After graduating and still staying home with no job except to do house chores and blog, I have taken the step to try reviewing, or learning, certain lessons back in college.

It is indeed very hard for me to so this but I must admit that I am not fully satisfied with what I've learned in school. I do not blame teachers for any lack--I place the blame on myself for my own lack of effort under the reason which I would like to shut my mouth as to not say it....(SECRET!!!!)

In the terms that I claimed my faults and accused no one for it, therefore it is my job to ensure that this time around, as tools are more accessible as it were before (I think--well with the Internet, yeah I guess), I have taken full responsibility on myself to supplement the voids in my learning.

And so I did....

I started reading again and found that I need to practice my vocabulary (my what happened to me!). I visited some sites and tried to understand their content (which I am very willing to share with you in my next blogs). And as I've said earlier regarding my vocabulary I have found some useful sites that has helped me with my quest to heighten up my knowledge:

1. About.com
2. techdictionary.com
3. computeruser.com

I know there are still lots out there to check out, but for now, here's my share.....

Now all I have to do is motivate me more--especially in loosing weight...hehehe....

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I would gladly appreciate suggestions of sites that may help me in my study (especially regarding techy stuffs)....Thanks....

In hold of FAITH...

We need not question GOD as to why things came to how it is presently. All we need to do is hold on to faith....
I have thought of myself as lost--lost in the sense that I have struggled hard to fight foolhardiness brought about by petty insecurities over nonsense. I have pitied myself long enough about how my life has turned about--not as I have planned....
But recently, I have realized why I was placed in such a situation that I'm presently living in.
Things happen for a reason, and it is still unknown except for He who is All Mighty. We are his creations and every situation is brought about by his will, either to remind us or to reward us. After the many questions I've asked, I saw what God wanted me to do....What made him decide to keep me here longer....
My friends maybe asking what's taking me so long to return to the province or why I haven't made a move to break free from my shackles of the so called boredom, well here's my answer: It's because I learned that boredom is a choice in as much as one chooses to do what's right from what's wrong. Now that belief is being tested.
Earlier this morning I made my prayer to God to give me strength for this new worry I face. It was then that I realize how selfish I have been for worrying those petty insecurities of mine while others are facing graver problems than--and how they've handled it, and still handling it, with head held high.
I thank God for placing me in the position I am right now....
I thank God he made me learn to gather strength the hard way....
I thank God for his presence in my life....
Folks, I may not be ready to tell you the problem I presently face, but with regards to my being lost, I recently found out that I'm still here and just forgetting to breathe. Ha!!!! No one can dare shatter me. No one can dare bury my identity. I am me, they are they. And right now, I have faith, that after I have seen the light, I know this new problem is going to disappear and be forgotten as if it never happened....
Please bear with me and pray that everything is going to be fine....

God is Everywhere

I woke up late this morning and I could have woken up more late if my uncle hadn't come for a visit. being a late sleeper may have caused me to, but unlike previous nights, I slept rather earlier and have no reason to why I had woken up late--except for a dream....

I have dreams lately that seems to be telling me something--but usually I always end up thinking that it was but a product of my imagination. But last nights dream got me more curious as I nearly woke up wanting to cry.

My dream was set in a building. I was with my god sister who was taking a shower, as I waited for her for my turn. The minute she called for me, saying some trouble, I changed my clothes and later found her fully clothed and done. We went outside the room, and headed for a nearby comfort room since she was in need to use a toilet.

As I wait for her to come out, a good friend of mine came. In want to change my clothes, I asked my friend to go with me to the locker room. But instead of heading to the locker room, I seemed to have gotten lost as she led me to the lower area of the building where a grocery was. She left me near the stairs, by the entrance of the said grocery and went to a nearby booth.

Thinking of my god sister who was in the comfort room, I asked my friend to assist me up. She seems to be busy and couldn't hear me. Fortunately, a girl, who seems younger than me, wearing a pink shirt and jeans, with short hair and headband, offered help. At that time something in me says she's an angel.

As we came up, I saw another friend who was walking at the other side of the corridors, by the stalls. I called to her but she seems to be smiling at someone else, not hearing my call. Unable to get her attention, I went off with the girl who still continued to assist me. We were going for the stairs to go to where my god sister was, but instead I found myself entering yet a smaller grocery with tables and chairs everywhere. Thinking what we were doing there, I decided to just buy a toffee candy as a treat to the girl with me.

As I was paying the candies we bought, an old man, who was sitting nearby smiled to us. I approached the man who seems to be saying something to me. At first I thought that he was kind but as I heard what he said further, I somehow got mad at him and tried to make my point (as if we were debating).

He was asking me about God. He was convincing me there is no God. And I ended up arguing about it.

At first, I seem to be trying to be level headed but in the end, annoyed with this old man, I went closer and said with all my gut spilled in his face: "God is EVERYWHERE..."

He slowly turned to look at me, with his eyes seemingly piercing at me, but I stood with all might, asking for a miracle as I wait for his response. He seemed mad at me for saying those words and his eyes were becoming very scary, but I still stood knowing that I was right.

As he was about to speak I heard a woman's voice came from behind me. "God is everywhere..."

I turned to see who it was and saw a woman, who stood from where she sat, smiling at me. I again looked at the old man, more courageous than ever. Then I heard another voice. It was the man in the counter. "Yes, God is everywhere...". and he was smiling too.

Much stronger than ever I stood more proud for standing my ground as the whole room seem to silence with them watching us. Then I turned to the girl with me who seems to be uncomfortable with what was happening. She seems mad at something and uneasy--she can't seem to look at me.

I smiled at the man by the counter as he looks at me beaming. I thanked him and started for the exit with the girl who was now walking in front of me. But before we could go out, the man at the counter shouted something which made the whole room roar with applause. He said something which made me really touched that I almost cried. Not wanting to cry in front of such a crowd, I then headed for exit. Then and there, I noticed something with my companion as she started out first, her feet where smoking--as if it was on fire, though there was no fire. What happened next was gone as I find myself in my room once more, after my mom woke me up telling me of my uncle's arrival....

Was it a sign for something? A test?

After my uncle had left, I talked to my mother about it. She said it was a trial--a test of my faith. It was then that I understood why the man behind the counter, in my dream, led the applause for me.

The dream makes me want to cry as I thought of it further, moved by the power of faith. Right now, all I know is my faith--Faith in Someone higher than all around us. There are times when things may go uncertain for us but all we can cling to is faith.

Faith in God's promise of better days.....

Faith in God for there is nothing impossible through Him....

May GOD Bless us all....

Makati Standoff on Probe

It's been a week since the incident in the Manila Pen. Presently, Trillianes and his men, including civilians with them in the siege, are kept in Camp Bagong Diwa as they are trialed at court for rebellion. And last night, after deciding to watch the news, I was lucky enough to be one of those late night TV enthusiast who are watching the PROBE....

Last night's Probe features the unseen footage of the Standoff in Makati, starting with the walk out of Sen. Trillianes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim from the court. It may have appeared to be rash but as I saw the supposed civilians joining them and later on putting on red bands with the Magdalo symbol, I was intrigued (was it really rash or planned?)

There was a call for change by the two men of the hour.....

And there were those who followed....

Everyone was surprised at the action done by Sen. Trillianes' group especially as they entered the Manila Pen. The next scenes became more tense as Sr. Supt. Jaime Calunsod came in to convince the group to surrender and PNP Dir. Geary Barrias was there to tell the civilians, including the media to get out. This was followed by phone calls to the media men in the Pen, from their respected offices, to get out.

There were media men who came out and found the group of armed soldiers getting ready for the war. But with some media men, still many decided to remain including known faces like Fr. Robert Reyes who said that though he's not part of Trillianes' group, he'll still stay there with them.

Media men seems to be everywhere. There were those waiting for further statement from Trillianes, those by the fire exit shooting a video of the tank trying to break in the pen, and those posted by the upper lobby with some Magdalo Soldiers, securing the media after they have heard the warning shot, assuring them that the men outside cannot, of course, risk the lives of the remaining civilians (media). But they were wrong for sooner than they have said it tear gas was thrown in....

The next scenes were chaotic as media men gets a dose of tear gas, covering their noses with damped towels, as they suffered from its inevitable effect . It was also because of this scene, plus the continuous shooting of the AFP outside that Sen. Trillianes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim decided to surrender.

They were coming out alright, but with the second shot of tear gas, the group, with the media, went back to the Rizal room where Trillianes' group had engaged themselves while in the Pen. With everyone packed in the room like sardines, and with the news from the few media men who first came out, the whole room began to feel tensed that the divisions of networks were forgotten (who cares who gets the exclusive). At that point the media men helped each other with their equipments, hiding whatever piece of equipment they can hide (including cellphones), as news from outside came to them, warning of confiscations.....

Confiscations? Why were the SAF (Special Action Force), confiscating the media equipment.

As I further watched the footage, I can't help but pity the media, including Trillianes' group and the civilians who stood with them, as they are escorted out of the Rizal room. It was indeed very disappointing to see how the SAF acted towards the group--their bombarding command, the guns, and their not so considerate attitude, as the group is commanded to go down the stairs with the whole pen dark. One of the camera man, present in the group even turned on the lights of his camera with the Bishop, assisted by Lim and Fr. Reyes, and others more, going down the stairs. But this too faced the angry command of the group's escorts which ended with the lights being turned off.

Everyone was treated like criminals. The media, who were just doing their job, even faced the cruel reality that their freedom to express had gone to chains that very moment. With Sen. Trillianes, led first outside the pen, the media were left to defend their rights which ended with cuffed hands and a ride at the bus to Camp Bagong Diwa.

At that moment I felt a chill--a chill which I never thought I could feel at the staggering sight of the media. But with the thrilling chill also comes the spirit of brotherhood as I saw the media men's unity, especially with other media men, as they are parked outside the said camp, handing boxes of water and packs of food to those in the bus.

There are some situations that, though we may find it as unreasonable or foolhardiness yet in the end will serve its purpose. Everything is willed by God. As I've always believed, everything, even a disappointing situation is a blessing....

I've seen what I need to see....A proof of what is evidently still protected by those who claim the power over the law, instead of abiding it.

The media has shown strength during the time when their necks seems to be tied up. I pray that their freedom will not submerged into frailty like what history has shown us....

Beware and Be Aware!

"Beware and Be Aware!"--this has been the text message sent to the victim shown on tonight's episode of XXX (a weekly investigative show in the Kapamilya station). A victim of harassment as she is blackmailed by a guy whom she just met through texting.

After seeing tonight's episode of XXX, I felt relieved that I, even with the encouragement of friends in the past, never took seriously any of those strangers who once bombarded my cellphone--asking to be text mates....

Tonight's episode states of a 23-year old girl who is being blackmailed by her text mate. The blackmailing started after their first meeting where the suspect invited her for a drink at a friend's house. After getting her drunk, the next was history--a history which the victim forgets the next day as she woke up, finding herself already in front of their house.

It took a text message from her supposedly newly-founded friend to remind her of an event she'll regret for the rest of her life--an event that started her misery.

She met her text mate again showing her what was saved in his cell phone--a sex video starring the suspect and her. Threatening to release the scandal via the Internet, the girl agreed to the suspects demands: firstly to break up with her boyfriend and lastly to make the suspect her boyfriend.

...'till time came when she had enough of him.....

After learning that he was once again at his game, this time blackmailing a minor, she took courage and approach the XXX team--after she made contact with said minor victim.

Learning that the minor was asked 100,ooophp so as not to show this new sex scandal, the entrapment operation was planned. Using the minor as bait, as she sent a text message to the guy telling him of the said payment, they agreed to meet at a fast food. There, after she handed him the marked money, the group was called to catch the culprit and as he was brought to the police station, he came face to face with the complainant herself--his victim claimed-girlfriend.....

While some are lucky enough to meet their respective prince charmings through texting, sad to say there are those who becomes unsuspecting victims of people whom they thought are there to make friends.

It's sad to think that with the fast paced advancement of technology, giving new innovations that has given ease to our daily duties, there are those who abuses it giving havoc to someone's life. But when there is yin, there is also yang (and that positive view in technology is from the media)....

Let this be a lesson--a lesson that should be kept in the minds of today's youth. Learn to be objective in the things you do. It is not wrong to make friends through chatting or texting, we just have to always put caution first. And remember, that in this advance age, where complexity gives ease, be responsible enough and put to right every use of whatever God has given us--knowledge.....