Blessings Over Problems.

Feeling a little chillhopjazzamentals here... Feel good song for y'all!

This is one of my favorites. Enjoy :)

These Precious Gems.

I never thought I would post something pink in any form here in my blog (pink-ish, is it? I might be color blind) but this one is an exception... It's an entry that a friend blogged about me and the relationship I have with Him.

Others may think that the reason I'm doing this is just to return the favor to that friend of mine. I think not, this is just me recognizing what people do to me and how they touch me deeply. Given the fact that it's my first time to have someone give me so much credit. Who am I? I'm just no one.

I can't believe how she still remembers detail by detail how our friendship started. How we've outgrown the things we used to do and like or love. Including a few people as well. I dislike the thought that outgrowing certain people seems to make a statement in a way, it may look like I'm too proud to be a step ahead of them.

No...

In my own opinion, it was actually a form of humbling myself down. Taking a step back to make a leap forward. A leap of faith considering you will never know what will happen next. Taking the initiative to give way for one to grow for oneself. Even if it takes cutting corners and separating yourself to them. And from that, you've grown yourself. That's just one angle.

Another one. Outgrowing for me, means to change, or also good to say, to stop... To stop settling for a thing or two, whatever it is significant in your doing; and always find a way to extend yourself to anything and everything possible in your power. So we continue to grow, we continue to learn... Learn to accept that what you thought is best for today, may not be the best for tomorrow.

Reaching out... I help others not only because it's my personal choice but it's also my obligation to my fellow people because I'm His servant. And I know, I am capable of doing anything and be of help to anyone. I don't have casualties, I don't have any physical disabilities, I don't have mental disorders and I am very grateful for that... Though partially, I have a few damaged brain cells caused by all the alcohol and drugs I took in (Haha! Kidding aside, Jokes are half meant; I know, I could be a retard sometimes). But even if I do have these, let's say a broken arm or leg (Nick Vijicic was born without arms and legs but he's a world famous motivational speaker), it's still not a good excuse for me to stop doing what I do. And that's to help others through my own little ways. such as feeding projects, volunteer works and sharing my life-changing experiences with God in little groups and ministries of the younger generation. It's not because I want them to be like me, but for them to understand that change is good and each one of us has their own life experiences to tell that could serve as an inspiration to the world in different ways by their different stories.

Being a single parent is very hard, no one could really understand the feeling of handling the daily struggles and physical activities of raising a child or children alone (especially in their toddler years) except for those who are experiencing the same. See, if I don't have a job, I'm a moocher who's probably on welfare. But if I do have a job, I'm not taking care of my kid... Even though with all my struggles and hardships raising a child, I still managed to squeeze in, in my well-being, a life I am born to live, what I am significantly born to do. Clearly, it is the answer to the question "Why am I here?". I have to give credits to my Big Daddy above, for granting me the wisdom and helping me find my place in His plan. I must give thanks to Him for giving me these people, these precious gems He graciously handpicked and placed in my life. I can't wait for Him to add some more. These people truly inspire me, they light my fire. I want to be of inspiration to them too, with my enlightened words at least, to give a profound effect in the hearts and minds of the rest.

Thank you Xiomara, for inspiring me and supporting me to mold me to be the best (bukod kay mummi). You are the best. We have are Daddyow that's why our relationship grew stronger. I love you BOTH! :)

Here's the blog my friend wrote:

http://gloriousbites.blogspot.com/2013/09/vision-for-friend.html

For those who are lazy to click the blog link, here's an option:

Vision for a Friend

Saturday, September 28, 2013

I never expected we'd be this great friends. I never expected to last in a friendship or relationship with anyone because I'm just like that. But this person never pressured me to be anyone im not. Nobody has ever made me feel so comfortable when it comes to giving my 100% trust. I can comfortably tell her my worries, problems, and sad moments and I know she would never judge me.

I can easily ignore a lot of people when they text or call me, but it's amazing how she could get me to stop what I'm doing when she gives me a call. No matter how busy our lives are, we still continue to see each other and update each other about our lives. It's not difficult to love her as a friend because she's so supportive in everything I tell her. But if you know how we started out in our friendship, you wouldn't think that we could be this close.

It's amazing how we've become friends. Back in college, we knew each other by name because she's popular and she said her brother had a crush on me. HAHAHA We started getting to know each other online on multiply. We added each other as contacts on multiply but we still did not comment nor spoke to each other. There was a night when we couldn't sleep. She noticed my post about the band 311 and that drew her. She messaged me and we started to chat. Back then, i wouldn't have thought we would be great friends. when we would pass by each other in school, it's as if we never talked online! We wouldn't even nod at each other. we never existed to each other. Looking back, it just makes me laugh. She's my only friend today that I know I'd grow up with telling my whole life to. We just understand each other.

Today, we're both single and I guess God has a reason for everything.  Our last conversation was just so funny because we both realized we were thinking of the same thing. we shared to each other that somehow we wonder if we're ever going to get married and how God is enough for us. But, I guess our being single today says a lot about our fellowship. God has a purpose for everything. Maybe God just wants us to be strong as women and encourage each other in our journey with Christ. God showed us that the most important thing we need to be focused on right now is Jesus. And being who we are in relationships, it would be difficult to get us to love God knowing that we're into other people (haha. just telling the truth). 

She's one of the gifts I know God has given me just because of the fact that I'm in fellowship with her. Today, she gave me a call and told me about ministering to younger people about their relationship with Christ and how she went through the same struggles that they are facing right now.

We were both crazy growing up in that we gave ourselves away to worldly living, but who would've thought that Jesus won't just let us go like that. i know that building our relationship with God is our ultimate reason why we are in this journey, but sometimes I delight in the thought of seeing family and friends in Heaven where every day is a holiday. I can't help but think about our time in heaven where I would see her there enjoying the beaches she can never see anywhere in the world. :) More importantly, I'd see her enjoying the company of a great Person who is perfect in His love for her.

and Yes, that's what she deserves. I pray nothing but the best for her. i am blessed to witness her growth in Christ. I love her like a sister. You know, I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I share about this part of her life on my blog because this is her life's testimony. how she is right now will give nothing but glory to God. I met her as a person whom everybody loves to be with because of her charisma, at least that's what I see. She is always out there, partying and going out with friends. She was far from worshipping God the way she does now. But God changed her heart.

She's changed a lot. i know we're supposed to have dinner today but because im not well i postponed it. But even when she planned this dinner last week, she said "no. don't worry. we will not drink. just chill and eat and talk." Amazing, right? :)

I want her to grow in her ministry. She's been helping out in planting seeds to the poor and my vision for her is to travel the world not to exactly have fun but receive God's joy in her heart by praying for the poor and turning their ways from pity and to an expectation of God's blessings and favor. She loves to travel, and even though she's so busy in her domestic life right now, I know that God will open doors for her and everything will work out for her good.

Won't you just join me tonight in prayer for the Holy Spirit to work in her life in the ministry?

I'm already so excited for her! I claim every blessing for her right now in Jesus'

name. :)

Paying It Forward.

Yesterday, I joined the batch 100 and donated some stuff to True Manila to help flood victims of the typhoon Maring that hit Philippines recently. I made good use of my idle time to make my Sunday extra ordinary...and it was. 

True Manila is about Sharing and Friendship. By showing around foreigners (and locals as well) for free and sharing a little help to poor families and street kids, everyday making a difference by helping others and to pay it forward to more people who need help. 

I felt my tears about to crawl down my face while Edwin, the founder of True Manila, told us the story behind the non-profit organization he created. I was dumbfounded... 27 years ago, there is a kid playing in the street, while playing, he saw two foreigners walking on the street looking around and taking photos of the neighborhood. For the first time, he saw a tall, white skin, blonde hair man and woman. He was so surprised to see them and the foreigners were so happy to see this kid smiling looking at them too, the kid followed the two foreigners, he kept following them wherever they go, and because of that, they become friends, the two foreigners helped this kid by teaching him first how to speak English, how to brush his teeth properly, how to exercise and how to be a better person, they also bought a guitar for him and teach him how to play guitar and sing, after few months they went back to USA, the kid was left alone and back to the street working by selling newspapers, cigarettes and collecting garbage, but the two foreigners kept helping the kid by sending some financial support for buying some things he needed for school, the kid grew up and he continued studying high school until he finished college. Now that he is all grown up and that kid is Edwin, that is the reason he is doing it for free, because they (the foreigners) planted a seed of kindness in Edwin's heart since he was 9 years old, and he is here just to pay it forward, so that maybe everyone will do the same to other people. And that is the main reason why Edwin is doing it almost everyday. And it really moved me and inspired me to do a lot more for these people who needs help. I'm really grateful to our eternal Father for giving me much blessings and a chance of life to share them. 

Here's Edwin Pamanian's own words to reach out to you what True Manila's main priorities are:

"I want you to experience what I have experienced in this country for 36 years of my life, and I can only do that if we can show you to the places that you don't know, not on a guidebook, this is the real thing, I am not your regular tourist guide, this is not a sight-seeing tour. Reality is what we want to show you, I am here just to share to you our culture, our life, how we work, how we cook our food, where we live, why people are poor, why people are living in the street, under the bridge and in a very small space with big family members. If someone will show and explain you this, you can understand more, you can see the reason why Filipinos are still smiling, friendly and happy even if they are suffering from poor life, you can meet hundreds of kids, they are our true Manila kids, our goal is to make them smile, teach them how to be a better person, and play with them, spend a little time with them and you can also meet the neighborhood, talk to the neighbors, and introduce friendship. Like what the two foreigners did for me.

The more you know about my country, the more you will understand us and see how lucky you are living in a simple and nice life in your country, this will make you appreciate your country and your life.

We are not blaming the government, we are not blaming other people, if we can do something to make this country or the whole world a better place to live especially for the kids, we are here to help. We are here to volunteer and to teach kids.

True Manila is new, but we would like you to know that there are about 30 countries around the world who are a part of it already. And it doesn't matter if your skin is white, black or brown. You are always welcome to join us. Everyone is invited. So it doesn't matter if I don't know you, what is important is how I can share you something and you, if you can do the same to other people, then slowly...we can change the world, a world with RESPECT and DESIRE to HELP OTHER PEOPLE THAT WE DON'T KNOW... It can be started today if someone share some help to people who needs it most without expecting anything in return." - Edwin Nombre Pamanian

I'm posting this to raise awareness to everyone of what really is happening here, this not only applies to Manila or the Philippine nation, but with the rest of the world. Like what the saying says, BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE.

I'm more than happy I joined this project and cheers to new friends I made during this experience! Thank you Edwin and the rest of True Manila! 

Tired

I have come to realize that sometimes our sad, lonely feelings have little to do with our lack of spiritual maturity and more to do with being physically exhausted.

Proverbs 15:13 and17:22 remind us of the necessity of cultivating a good sense of humor about life: "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken"; "a joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones."

In addition to this, I love the well-known prayer, "Lord, grant me the serenity to change the things I can change, to accept the things I cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Ahhhhhhhh just pouring out all mental activities for today, ending it with another prayer... Lord God, send peaceful sleep to refresh my tired body. May your help always renew me and keep me strong in your service. May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.

We Are Alive.

These past few weeks or months, there are a lot of death news in the family, close family friends and in my close circle likewise. My mum and I had a few talks regarding the sad news, nothing of a big issue just an ordinary random conversation about it. But then we realize, that our lives REALLY are short, I know most of us always hear the saying "life is short" everywhere and we don't really apply nor understand it beyond those words. I came to realize with all the deaths surrounding me, that I want to, besides that I need to start making my life more meaningful. Now yes, we feel more worthy when we are productive earning big bucks from our works and being busy making a living with all that other shenanigans.. I agree, because I myself, came to a point when my eyes are just all focused on this "goal" I have, of course it's for me to live a happy life with my luxuries. I was a ruthless mthrfckr, I would kill rather than be killed. But when death comes to us, we may have the money, the house, the car or even the lifestyle one must work hard for... Think again. There will be a lot of silence. Does everyone just loves you when you're dead? Did you help a person get his/her life back on track while you were alive? Or as for me as my thoughts are off wandering, what if it's not you who dies? What if it's your spouse, or worse, your son or your daughter? Well, for me that's the worst thing that can happen, I don't see myself having a reason to live anymore. The reason I'm here is for my family; to love and care for them and give them what they need. If they die, how about me? What will happen to me? I will be devastated for sure. When I took in that idea, my belief and vision changed. It all again led to LOVE. We shouldn't be selfish, we should be selfless; not only for your family but also with the rest of the world. Love unconditionally like how you treat your sons and daughters, I'm not saying to just love one person. Love everyone... Love the world! It's true, happiness is not about chasing greater net-worth - it's about cultivating a greater self-worth. It's not about having more money but finding more meaning. And it's not about only being successful but about being truly significant - a person who creates lasting value in the world. How would you want to be remembered when you die? What will you leave here that will not die when you do? What would it take for you to help change the life of a friend or a stranger for the better? Even for someone you are not related to? As far as I know we are all connected, I wouldn't let anyone face it all alone. Would you? It will start from us... Not from them. Pay it forward.

I wrote this because with the random chat I had with my mum, I thought I wouldn't want my mum to feel sad altogether, I want her to live a happy life that she deserves. I want her to stop worrying about everything. Sometimes she fails to be aware of that, she's stressing too much about life. I love my mother so much and I'm happy I still get to remind her to just chill from time to time and make her life much more meaningful. I wish through this writing, everyone else who'd read this would appreciate what my thoughts are... I just want everyone to come out of their shell and let out their potential powers to love and more. We have so much to give. Let's give it to the ones who need it the most. It could be anyone...the beggar at the street, the old woman riding the train alone needing assistance or even a starving stray dog. Love life and die happy. This blog entry is for my mum and for you all out there. 

shots taken by yours truly at the streets of Malate, Manila. 

Eros Clothing Philippines x The Glorieuse Bites

Watch out for this new clothing brand that's just lurking around the corner as it awaits to pounce at the great timing of God to release their items this July-August 2013!

Designs have been well-thought of by great artists and people of good taste! We're excited about this project because they have partnered with The Glorieuse Bites Feeding Program, the feeding ministry that was once just a dream to two great friends; now ready to serve God and soar High for His glory.

If you patronize Eros, 10% of your purchases will benefit the homeless and street children of Metro Manila. What best way to live but by being fueled by the joy of giving?

Do "LIKE" their Facebook page (Eros Philippines) and Instagram (@erosclothing_ph) for updates and feeds!

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31

For donations and inquiries, please be in an attitude of thanksgiving and contact them via their temporary email accounts below as The Glorieuse Bites' site is still under construction:

gloriousbites2@gmail.com
t.maraonline@yahoo.com
or directly send messages at the page of Eros Philippines.

Thank you! :)

Praise and honor be to God! :)

Love WIll Take You.... Home.

"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." 1 John 4:20-21

Yes... This verse got me today. My life gets meaningful each passing day as the traces of the scars left fades day by day. And I thought life is too short, let us not waste our time. By this moment, we should all create memories worth watching when our life flashbacks before our eyes when we die. It clearly says that we should love one another. There's simply no more room for hate. God gave us our tongues to either bless or hurt another. Now, why would we choose to hurt? I know for sure no one wants to get hurt. God bless those tongues who speak of love and praise to Him.

If God leads you to (whatever you may be thinking), you may never again know a time like the one you're in right now. With God's help and leading, you have the freedom to invest yourself, your time, your resources, your youth and your flexibility in relationships, ministries, and causes that can bear unbelievable fruit.

We all want to go out there... We all want to see more of life and the rest of the world. 

But at some point, we all wanted to go home... Let's go home...

I pray for my uncle fighting for his life right now. Tito Boy, I know I couldn't help in any other  way but all I could offer is my prayers... Kapit lang po, laban po tayo. This is for you.