God is far too wonderful

God is far too wonderful! It is truly a blessing to me when the LDP compassion gave this Great Days with Great Lives by Charles R.  Swindoll, during our LAMBAT 2K10 in Caliraya with the theme of TATAKBO AKO!

my favorite book as of now...

“I never ceased to be amazed at how perfectly God weaves His will together without our help!”- GDGL

“You may think some skill you learned or used years ago is lost, or that you’ve wasted all the time doing whatever, but don’t you believe it. God can use what may seem to be most insignificant part of our past and put you exactly in the right place to use that particular gift or skill.”-GDGL

These are cool. It was been meant for me Today I watched the Paraisong Parisukat (theatrical play in our senior Development Communication student as their final requirement for a certain major subject) and the Karate do game during our University Intramurals week. I envied them much that times; since I wasn’t able to be permitted by my mother to be part of the Karate do team of our very own College of Agriculture. I love Karate do, but I am afraid of where it could lead me. Up to where I can stand and face the consequences after joining again (if ever).

I believe this was knit together by God. All things work together…, that leads me to my insight that my skilled learned or used ago that was lost, is not in vain. God has a purpose of allowing me to learn/ practice something today, for me to be equipped in someday battle.

Not only will that, because of this time now I believe that my biological father who had left us will soon comeback and my family be complete again.

I’m looking forward that the Lord will continue to show His wonders to me. Continue to mold, purify, anoint and use me for His glory.

Source: GDGL and My Journal 2010

Healing Wounds of the Past

It’s the time of year when someone commemorates its birthday with his/ her family. But what is really a birthday celebration? Is it about foods? Shared by family and friends, gift wrapped and serenade for the celebrant? Is this birthday celebration all about?

For many people, birthdays may not be an occasion to get excited about. They may not have foods to share with; money to spend for things to be wrapped or even receiving greeting cards from loved ones who were way for various reasons.

She stands behinds the photocopying machine, waiting for her work to be done, only to beat the deadline of her academic works with the students who are all anxious to have their lunch at the canteen. As she was standing with the crowd, undeterred by the noise circulating around, she had reminisced her high school life.

To most of her high school classmates and friend, she is just some ordinary serious “KJ” student. To her family she is a protective eldest sister, silent and respectful yet sometimes acts masculine, when circumstances pushes her to be. Because of her favorite past time which is to imagine his love of life to come home someday-his father. At the age of fourteen, she started to hate high school life, for its Family Day Celebration in the school. With this she started to envy her classmates as she saw them with a complete family. Her mother is a working mom or self employed mother for their father had left them while she was two years old and her youngest sister as five months old baby. Since then, the head of the family had not kept in touch with them.

Then the prom season came, where every high school students were dreaming of and she was so excited. Nevertheless her have shattered into pieces when their school principal had declared of no prom night to that year’s of batch due to financial crisis.

After four years in high school she graduated with awards and was given an opportunity to be one of the LDP (Leadership Development Program) Compassion International-Philippines’ Batch 14 scholars. Her prayer has been heard from heaven now, little by little. She was enrolled in a prestigious university the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan as a Development Communication student. But still her past is dragging her away towards recovery. Hatred fades out as the longing for her father starts to creep in his young heart when she saw the debut party picture of her classmate with her dad and family. She started to draw possibilities in her mind, “Unsa kah noh kung mutunga si papa sa akong 18^th birthday? Dawaton o masuko ba mi niya kay iya ming gibiyaan og kalit?” she still can’t move on of her past, where her father attempts to give her away to Muslim couples who can’t have a child in exchange to money. His anger towards his wife leads him to do such wicked thing to his own daughter.

Presently, she lives with her co-scholars in a pad which is paid by the scholarship program they are in. She’s already 17 years old. As her 18^th birthday is fast approaching, she started to prayed and begged God to grant her birthday wish- to see, kiss, hug, dance with her biological father during her debut and treasure that only moment for a lifetime.

The moment she wrote this feature story of her life, tears are rolling down from her cheeks… not because of grief, loneliness nor hatred to someone else but tears of joy and with a brave heart to share to others that though she were left abandon by her biological father, she still have a Father up there, who loves her unconditionally, who mend her broken heart and dreams whole again and who will never her family behind.

She’s not just writing today for the glorification of herself but to the one who sustained her family all through these years. This is more than just a course requirement but a testimony of God’s greatness and goodness.

Over centuries and lifetime birthdays has meant different things for different people. But for the one named Irish Mae it is about giving thanks to her Father and Maker in everything she had gone through.

To forgive others as the Lord forgives my shortcomings, helps me to move on and enjoy life in line to God’s plan and will, leaving everything under His control…trusting Him with all my heart, is one of my life’s lesson learned as the healing process continues.

Reminder: Be reminded!

Does you grade define you? Are you in school for learning or only earning a degree? Are you a real Atenista?

This has been my questions to my friends. Having been a student of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan), it become part of my daily routine to drop by and buy something in our canteen, in front the College of Agriculture building. The only place in the university thats always thickly settled.

Being a second year student who loves to stay and eat in the canteen, a crew caught my attention. While students are having fun, chatting with their friends and enjoying their meals. Rushing to leave the venue as the school bell rings, leaves their trashes around with their utensils after eating then a canteen crew cleanse it organize the chairs they neglect to arrange.

But most often, disappointment would always hound me every time I see these Ateneans as they claim to themselves yet doesn’t even care to the person who will next use the area.

It was really a blessing that the Central Student Government (CSG) had taken an initiative to post a reminder to the students upon leaving the place where they have eaten to clean and organize for the next users comfy.

 I was then reminded of my First Year Formation Program (FFP) Class last year. Since I learned the Ignatian principle of “Magis” and “Cura Personalis” it helps me to understand how should an Atenean be. TO aim for excellence in everything you do; care for the other persons who walked along with you my journey as a student and a Filipino Youth. Not just to think of myself but also to the welfare of others.

As I certainly had a great time reminiscing the past and relating it to the present, upon observing the life of a canteen crew, I noticed their sweat rolling  down from their forehead, to its back, as they wipe the messy table, carrying in their hand the tray full of plates, gasses, spoons, forks and many more utensils. Then on the other hand was gripping on a soft drinks bottles neck. What a heroic deed. Indeed everyone is a hero in their own little way. They are less appreciated, recognized and complimented for their status in life. They are working for them to earn money and pay their debts and other household expenses and necessities.

Every wipe of a messy table, every tray full of utensils and leftovers to lift, bottles to carry and sometimes clamor, complains to gain from the students and staff, - builds their attitude of patience, heart of servant hood and the most neglected part, leadership skills. I as a Youth leader in our church compliment them, for they are the one of the best example of a servant leader- humble, patient, pays back a smile to others though their heart is frowning due to tired body and peoples complains and demands.

As an Atenean we need to be reminded that we are leaders that should care for the others welfare and strive for excellence in everything we do.

Let’s put into action all we learned, apply it into our life and do everything not for men but to the One who created us wonderfully. Our grades would not totally define us, nor do our degrees acquire, for what it profits for a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul.

In school we learn, aim for excellence and earn a degree. Nevertheless in the long run our relationship to God and people define us. Dare you to be a real Atenista. Be one!

Where to Look?

Look to the left
Look to the right
Crisis is everywhere
Problem is in the air

If you look at the world,
You will be distressed
If you look within,
You will be depressed.

But if you look at Christ
You will be at rest and all right.
Do not worry of what life may bring
Just Leave everything to our Great King

Capturing thoughts and emotions

Being a DevCom student of Xavier University, it is necessary for us to join an immersion, which will enable us to understand the dynamics of certain community and hopefully find meaning in the course in which we chose to belong.

Part of my immersion experience in Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon last January 30-February 2, 2010 is to mingle with my co-BSDC students and especially to the Talaandig tribal people, who welcomed us warmly despite of the cold yet cozy place they have. I had a beautiful experience of living with a community of artists, where culture is very much alive and preserved.

In the first day of our immersion I discover that the tribal people are so cunning based on the soil paintings I’ve seen below in our quarters. They are friendly and hospitable too, as an evidence of it is that I met some of the Talaandig girls who were assigned by the Datu to watch over us namely Sharon, Joan and El2x. As Bahi had a conversation with us about her journey in different countries, I apprehended that you can never underestimate the tribal people like the Talaandig for they had gone so many places just to exhibit their artworks and they were also invited by various countries to share about the preserved culture of their tribe. Because of this people of different nationalities came to visit their tribe for immersion and learn from their traditions.

Early bird catches many worms. Yes, we rose early at 3:35 in the morning to prepare the breakfast for the group. Tasks were disseminated to each member for faster and efficient way of accomplishing our job and that was the start of our getting to know you moment and bonding as a group. Right after our breakfast we visited our first Foster family (Amay Danilo Tecson and his household). We had a chance to take a walk and peek to Amay’s farm and along our way he told us how important for them Mother Earth is to our living yet we the people who supposedly take good care of her is abusing it and doesn’t care at all. He also shared to us that Inay and him was once a worker of DOLE and was awarded for being an outstanding employee, through this I salute them for they are so diligent and dedicated to their work. I will never forget also the moment he told us to do excellently in our studies for it is the only way that a man can have a brighter future. Our group had discovered that the spoon which is normally used for dining utensils can be a good tool also to open canned goods. In addition to our discovery, we were informed not to wash the household plates unless we will spend a night and sleep with them in their house which is one of their tribal laws. At 3pm we returned to our quarters, and as I greet Merlyn a good afternoon, she informed me in return that Jame was so sick and was sent to the guest room to be isolated. The tribe, Ma’am Trell, Carlo Odchige and I took care of him. As soon as the session with Datu started Carlo and I stayed to watch Jame’s condition. Though I miss the talk of Datu Mikutay Victorino L. “Vic” Saway, I was given the opportunity to nurse Jame and had a bonding moment with the Talaandig girls and Carlo. The girls taught me too about different greetings using their language. Such as, “Maayad ha (masalum, maudto, mahapon, mahadalumon) inyo alan” for Good (morning, noon, afternoon and evening) everyone. At night, we were so lucky to experience and join the tribe in the Moon Dance celebration. That was a wonderful night, the rhythmic music of drums moved us to dance and enjoy the night in fellowship with the tribal people and the DevCom family. It is my second night in staying yet it is my first time to spend night in the guest room with Ma’am Trell and Carlo Odchige. As the darkness of night fall I realize that Prayer united us regardless of different religions, beliefs and doctrines we had.

We started our third day in an evaluation of yeaterday’s assigned tasks. Ma’am Trell also affirmed us in praying for Jame’s recovery. Truly prayer is a powerful weapon and unites all human race. In line to this, we thanked God for Jame’s recovery. Afterwards we proceed to our breakfast and to our visitation of the second foster family. This time we were assigned to Kuya Balugto, Kuya Soliman and Kuya Francis who were one of the artists in their tribe. Henceforth, they taught us how to do Soil Painting and play the Katyapi and Kudyapi instrument in the “Hunter’s Song”.

Hunter’s Song

By: Talaandig Tribe

I. Os gali ayani no diyan Chorus:

Diyan tani baloy Duminagpo sa manok

Dagi-dagi ha baboy Diyan ta hagudan

Os-os bunsalagan man diay Huda din ag ka tuka

Abi ko labog Ta udan en paman

Kamote man diay La la la la la la

Sudaan kay dakan (repeat I)

Nabuhi kay alan

(repeat I)

We celebrated also the 19^th birthday of Carlo Odchige through the tribal ritual of the Talaandig. Later in evening we had our cultural night wherein each XU DC group of students and Talaandig artists. The group 3, our group presented the Hunter’s Song. I played the Katyapi, Mikee did the Kudyapi playing while Ma’am Trell and other members of our group do the singing and dancing. That night I realize that it was already our last night in the tribe so Chum, Jandri, and I spend the rest of our time in fellowship with the Talaandig people until 3:40am. But our conversation is full of knowledge and worth remembering to.

One of the community issues came out after being in the community of artists in three days is

inadequate education of their youth, yet other than that I adored them for their clean, cozy, and peaceful place. Not only that they are so rich in culture and they were able to preserved it and be proud of it. The people are so cunning, friendly and open-minded. Upon staying in the community, I now understand clearly and able to identify the Berlo’s model (SMCRE/F) that Ma’am Trell discussed to the group.

In consequence, this exposure activity helps me to appreciate the role of communication as a tool to push for development and discern as to how best I can respond to a situation even as a student. Henceforth, it did capture my thoughts and emotions to the realities outside the classroom with the hope that I can work for a change and be an advocate for peace.

So Blessed and proud to be one of the DevCom Family.

The reason for the season

Christmas here in Philippines is so wonderful. You know why? Though the world is facing crisis and still at present, still people tend not to forget buy gifts for their loved ones only not to loose the spirit of giving this Christmas season. In addition we also rush in the supermarkets to have our groceries for the Noche Buena; some didn’t forget to buy fireworks too. I also enjoyed some of our Filipino traditions such as caroling, fireworks display, Noche Buena and my favorite part exchanging of gifts for by this I was able to look back when God sent His only son for us to be aware of His great love and salvation of our sins. I view Christmas as more than giving but it is more of loving. As I had learned from one of the preaching’s of our pastor: You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving, that is why I am so thankful to God every Christmas not for the material gifts I had received but for His son Jesus Christ’s who was once born and died for a wretched like me.

Christ is the reason for the season. May we give our gift to the One who deserves it. Let’s give our wounded hearts; broken relationships; ruined life to Christ who understands us and sees our pains and joy. The Lord loves to deal with the issues of our lives, let’s start draw near to Him; ask for forgiveness and inner healing, then we will enjoy His peace and comfort that was given to us and be satisfied in unfailing love. Let's allow our savior to mold and develop our lives according to His will. This season has filled my heart with gladness and learnings from God during our Christmas vacation. Hope you do too.

God Bless. Merry Christmas and welcome to the year of the tiger!