Happy New Year!!

Let us face this new year with a bang!

 

May the desires of your hearts be granted. 

Do not forget to thank God for your 2013 despite the hurdles you faced.

Keep Rockin'!!

Move on..

live..

What Can you Give When You Have Nothing?

This is for my one and only sister who is celebrating her birthday on October 20. Like the title of this blog says, I have nothing expensive to give her..I have nothing..what I do have is something that cannot be given any monetary value. My love.

my sister with her family. They are now living in Ontario, Canada

Dear Manang,

As you celebrate another year in your life, I would like to congratulate you for the things that you have achieved. In order for the people who are reading this to truly appreciate the impact of what I am saying, I am enumerating all the things that you have done in life that will prove how successful you are..

..You are a second parent to your siblings and you love us unconditionally..

..You helped me graduate in school and provided me with something to get on with my life   post college..This is something I could never repay..And your helping hand and encouragements in my current undertakings has a major impact on me..I am trying to reach my ultimate dream, with God's grace..and I owe you for helping me every step of the way..I will strive harder most especially for you so that your sacrifices will not be put to waste..

..You helped our brothers graduate in college..

..You helped Mamang and Papang when Manong Jayson and I had to undergo surgeries..It was a difficult time for us but you were too resourceful and determined to help us get through with it..you were not required to do so but you did it anyway..And you continued to help us every single time..offering help without need of notice..

..You helped our parents regain what they have lost - their business..but most importantly, you helped them regain their confidence and trust that things will get better in time..and it did..Life is far better for us now than before..

..You have set an example to us when you built a good family for yourself..

..You taught us to not settle for anything less and to dream big..

..You taught us to enjoy the better things in life and to savor the best while it last..

..You taught me to ignore the people who are underestimating us and to walk with pride because despite the hardships, we overcame them all..

..You taught us that family is everything..that when everyone leaves us, our family will not..and despite the things that we have done and the things that we will still do, our family will always be there to support us in every aspect..

Although materially speaking, you are successful enough, it's the things in life that cannot be equated with money or things that truly matters..and with that, you are a certified fulfilled person.

I truly appreciate how good you are as a sister. I don't know about the sisters of other people but I think you project a character not many sisters possess..or not many people possess for that matter. You are not just a strong, determined woman, you are also brave and resolved. I know life is a bit hard at the moment but you never ceases to try to make things become better.

I thank God for giving us a family like you..it would definitely be different had God decided to give you to other family and we are lucky..your husband and daughter is equally lucky..

I love you so much..I look up to you..

You matter to me a lot more than what you think you do..

Happy happy birthday manang!!!!

Lovelots,

lovelove..

The Apple of our eyes..

Today, I have something to thank God for..4 years ago today, God gave us a very precious gift our family have ever received.. It's the birth of Zieanna Reyn Knoelle..our Baby Zie..and today is her birthday.

I can't kiss her or hug her tight today because she's too far away from us. I can't cuddle her or tell stories to her. But I am writing this letter for her so when she grows up and read this, she'll know that she's truly loved and treasured by me and the entire family.. :)

 

Dearest baby Zie,

This might be the most unconventional intimate letter I have ever made/written to a loved-one because this can be seen by the public. But this is the only way I can tell you and the world how much you mean to Mima..

I never saw your Mommy while she's still carrying you. I was not around when she gave birth to you a month before you should be out of her tummy.You couldn't wait for another month! I saw you the first when you were three weeks or one month old when I went home to Mama Bebing and Papa Nono. You were so tiny and so fragile. You were asleep the entire time and when you're awake, your eyes were still closed but your little hands were moving as if you're boxing the air around you..You only cried when you were hungry..The moment I saw you, I discovered a kind of love that is almost deadly..it's the kind of love that energizes me and made me feel like I could die if that love is not within me..as if I was the one who gave birth to you..I became a mother also when my sister, your mommy gave birth to you..My love is hard to contain..And it was a struggle not to kiss you because you were so delicate..

 As you grew older, you became cuter and more adorable..when you learned to walk, mommy, daddy, Papa, Tatay, Mama, Nanay, and your Mima, Dadas, and Kuyas were having difficult time running after you..guarded you and made sure you're away from danger although you always found your way to it and kept hurting yourself because of your kalikutan..

When you learned to talk, you're unstoppable. You're like Mommy and Mima..super talkative..and at a tender age, you demonstrated an advance intelligence seldom seen or observed in babies your age..you're full of questions and your questions made me wonder if you're really just three years old. What I could not forget is when you asked Tito Jhon this.. "Friend, if magkasal kayo ni Mima, magkiss kayo?"..

I miss you so much baby zie..I miss those nights when I came home from work and you kept insisting to Mom and Dad to come out of your room shared with Mommy and Daddy just to see me, kiss me, hug me, and ask me.."Ano ang surprise mo sa akin Mima?"..

I miss our moments together when we laughed together and scared ourselves together when I made up scary stories just to make you sleep..I miss the nights when Mommy and Daddy were not around and you wanted so bad to sleep beside me, embracing me to make sure I don't come out of the bed when you're asleep and when you asked for me when you woke up without me in sight..Those were some of the moments that you made me feel like a mother..

The last time we had a bonding seems too far away in the past but it still lingers in my mind.. I still have our recorded voices when we sang 'Kahit maputi na ang buhok mo" and when we exchanged 'I love you's"..It will never ever be deleted in my phone..

 I miss you everyday..I cry everytime I remember how sweet a baby you are and how adorable you are..

I consider you my first child 'nak..I love you..of course, Mommy and Daddy's love for you cannot be equated..But I love you on that same level.. 

I hope you grow old to be a God fearing, kind, smart, and responsible person and strong and sweet and beautiful..I hope that you remain adorable and loveable as what you are now. Even though you are miles away from us, remember that our love for you remains the same..

HAPPY HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY BABY ZIE!!! 

 

On A Greater Scheme Of Things - Rotten Philippine System!

Conspiracy or Diversionary Tactics? Or both?

Time and time again, I observe that when Philippines is in the midst of a great crisis and mind-blowing issue (like the Pork Barrel Scam), a "greater" one emerges (like MNLF-caused trouble in Zamboanga). It seems to me that this kind of pattern has been established already in the News History of this country.

I strongly believe that this intends to divert the attention of the Filipino people from the more pressing issues. Why oh why does an event like the Zamboanga crisis has to occur while the heat of the Pork Barrel scam is steadily increasing? Is this a matter of coincidence or a perfectly planned timing?

Come to think of it, billions of pesos have disappeared from the nation's coffers for the bogus NGOs which I presume went to the pockets of the crocs and since the amount is so staggering, naturally, these crocs have the money to pay off these trouble-makers to make a noise just to divert us from Janet-Lim Napoles horror.

I am not saying that the grievances of our Muslim brothers and sisters are not genuine and I am not saying that they are not entitled to it but I am not inclined to discuss this since they've been fighting for whatever they are fighting since time immemorial that I could no longer remember what they are. However, I am wondering why this has to happen at the same time. We have not yet recovered from the shock of the PDAF scandal, and now, another one.

I don't know. Does this show how powerful money and influence are in this society or does this show how selfish and insensitive some people are?

Selfish because they are only thinking for themselves. They are like brat kids who are making tantrums just because they thought they are being neglected and set aside in the talks of the government with MILF. You have issues with MILF, you seat down and talk and discuss what you are fighting for and become one so the government can come up with an "inclusive" win-win solutions. You are unjustly sowing fear to the heart of the innocent people.


We've had enough.

Business and tourism are affected already. "No Travel" orders had been released by several countries addressed to their people not to travel to Mindanao. Students lost the days they could have learned how to become useful citizens, the effects are too many to mention. It's frustrating. The move of this group caused a negative domino effect to almost all sectors. These are the instances when I am not proud to be called a Filipino.

And these instances are exactly what the crocs need so the PDAF scam will become just one of the everyday news (much like the Maguindanao Massacre). They might be hoping that the people will soon forget.

I hope not. We've been fooled a million times. Due to the scale of the pork barrel scandal, I think people will not forget. And we should not. 

We did not spare Justice Corona whose alleged stolen wealth amounts to just hundreds of millions, why spare those involve in a P10 Billion PDAF Scam?? A televised trial was even conducted for the impeachment of Corona! Why not do this also with those involved in PDAF scam??

We should nail the bastards! 

Minsan talagang mapapamura ka na lang..

Who wants to stay young?

1. Try everything twice. On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph: "Tried everything twice. Loved it both times!"

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever... Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.  

7. Surround yourself with what you love: whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever...Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, even to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. 

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance...

12. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. 

by Arcamax

Selfish Old People

I have read a story somewhere about how selfish old people are and  I realized, I could only hope that they remained selfish..for such selfishness could have saved us..but no, their selfishness was never followed by the new generation..and now we are going towards our doom..

This is the story..

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized and explained, 

“We didn’t have this green thing back in my earlier days.” The young clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations.” 



She was right — our generation didn’t have the green thing in its day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were truely recycled. 

But we didn’t have the green thing back in our day. 

Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property, (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. 

But too bad we didn’t do the green thing back then. 

We walked up stairs, because we didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. 

But she was right. We didn’t have the green thing in our day. Back then, we washed the baby’s diapers because we didn’t have the throwaway kind. 

We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts — wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. 

But that young lady is right; we didn’t have the green thing back in our day. 

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house — not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana. 

In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. 

Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. 

But she’s right; we didn’t have the green thing back then. 

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. 

But we didn’t have the green thing back then. 

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. 

And we didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint. But isn’t it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn’t have the green thing back then? 

Please forward this on to another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smartyboots young person.

by ArcaMax

Goodbye Forever

When there is life, there is death. When one is born, one is bound to die. But despite this simple fact, it does not make death an easy one to accept especially if it is one of our loved ones, one who is a part of our family, whose blood runs through ours, and without whom, there is no way we will ever be born.

I just lost my maternal grandmother, Lola Carmen  due to multiple organ failure. She was 79. She was the last grandparent I had. My paternal grandparents died when I was still so young to understand death. My maternal grandfather died just a few years back due to cardiac arrest. That one was the most shocking because it was an unexpected one. Lolo Esteban was a healthy old man...or so we thought.

My Lola Carmen however had been going back and forth to the hospital. She frequently needed medical attention because of shortness of breath. Her first stroke proved to be fatal to her health. It rendered her incapable of walking and talking. She was bedridden the entire time. The only way she communicated with us was through moans and through eye contact. It was heart-wrenching. Seeing her in her hospital bed in all her frailties pained me much. 

In the early 2012, when she was again hospitalized, that was the last time I saw her alive before I relocated for work. She was so weak. And she was suffering too much enough for her to even ask God when will she die. However, it was not her time yet. God gave her another Christmas with us and now, finally let her rest.

Loss because of the demise of a loved-one is never easy. It is always hard to accept. 

In my Lola's case, when I learned that she passed away, I cried for sadness. I cried because I already miss her. It is different when your loved-ones are still alive because even if you don't see them or talk to them more often, you are secure with the fact that they are still with us in this world and that we can still see them anytime, in our case, every Family Reunion. It's different when they're gone forever. You can never talk to them anymore, touch them, kiss them, hug them. You can no longer see them smile or laugh or cry. They become forever absent. What's left are the memories.

However, I thank God that she let my Lola rest already. I am somehow glad that she is finally free from the physical afflictions that rendered it difficult for her to be truly alive. I know, deep in my heart, Lola wanted to live longer to look after her children and grandchildren, to be able to savor life at its fullest. But God has different plans for us and who are we to question Him? I am sure that Lola Carmen is in a far better place right now, reunited with Lolo Esteban and at peace with God. 

And I believe that Lola had no regrets whatsoever during her lifetime. Surely, there were hardships that she faced but that is innate in this life and I am sure she accepted that fact. I am also sure that she still had many plans had God allowed her to live longer. But our lives are borrowed from the Almighty and who are we to decide for ourselves the length of time we should stay on Earth?

I am crying for the death of my Lola without asking God why. I am crying for sadness that another family member had gone to a place where the living could not reach. I am crying for the voidness I feel in my heart, for the empty space where my grandmother had been. A space that no one can ever fill. But, despite the voidness because of her death, the spirit of love keeps burning in my heart.  She will forever remain in this heart for as long as I live.

I lift unto God all the pain and sorrow caused by this loss secure with the fact that Lola Carmen is now in the presence of God in His Holy Place. And I thank God for my grandmother's life. He made her the vessel through which we were brought to this life and savor God's miracles. And I can say that Lola accomplished her purpose. And now is the time to go back Home.

Good bye Lola. We love you.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, 

love leaves a memory no one can steal"

==============

John 14:1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Love?

How to determine when you're in love or you are just admiring?

..when everything else is lost and what's left is the person, without his wealth, his beauty, his cloak, his good attitude..when the person is devoid of beauty - in and out - and you still want to be with that person..that's love..

Pag nawala na ang lahat ng yaman at ganda sa tao..kung nakita mo na ang kasamaan ng kanyang ugali..kung nakita mo na ang totoong sya..at mahal mo pa rin at tanggap mo pa rin sya, napapatawad kung sya ay nagkakamali, inuunawa kung ikaw ay nasasaktan..ikaw ay  totoong umiibig..

It cannot be measured by how long you are together..but only time can tell if it will endure..

(Heard in 700 Club Asia) 

1 Cor 13:4-7

Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy nor boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

I Need You So Bad..

I thought of using this page to invite qualified people to join our company.

I am quite busy right now to post ideas so, I am posting our vacancy instead. :)

You may be the one we are looking for or you might know someone who may qualify. I'd be waiting for y'all!

Company Profile

SMX Convention Specialist Corporation (SMX Corp.) is a subsidiary of the SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation. It is the management company behind the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Megatrade Halls in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, and the Cebu Trade Halls in SM City Cebu. Incorporated and launched in July 2009, SMX Corp. will be handling other SMX Convention Centers in the Philippines, as well as other exhibit trade halls in the different SM Malls.

SMX Davao Convention Center is the newest facility under the management of SMX Convention Specialist Corporation. Being the flagship venue for the Meetings, Conventions, and Exhibitions, SMX expands its reach to Davao, one of the more progressive cities in the Philippines. With venues that are flexible to accommodate trade, corporate and social events, SMX Davao is positioned to be the premiere events venue in the southern region.

AUDIO-VISUAL SPECIALIST 

Graduate of Bachelor's/College degree in Arts/Media/Design/Creative Multimedia, Engineering (Electronics/Communication, Audio-Visual) or equivalent

Atleast 2 years intensive and extensive experience in related field

Familiarity in Audio-Visual equipment is a requirement

Experience in Audio-visual equipment management is an advantage

With good inter-personal skills

Can work on flexible hours

Has the ability to process and find solutions to related problems

Must be living within Davao City or willing to relocate 

Can start immediately

1 full time position available

COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT PACKAGE AWAITS QUALIFIED CANDIDATE!

Send comprehensive resume with latest picture at:

HR Department

SMX Convention Center Davao

3rd Level, SM Lanang Premier, JP Laurel Avenue

Brgy. San Antonio, Agdao, Davao City

smxcc.davao@gmail.com

When things turn upside down..

When God tests us, He does so in the most extreme way. Though it's a cliche already but people tell themselves that when God give them the kind of trials they have now, He knows they can handle it well and they can come out of it victorious. This is sort of a "comforter" to probably downplay the level of hardship they have to face or they are currently facing.

I am at the lowest point in my life now. Relationships are strained, finances are drained, health is not at its best, dreams are in peril..

I am not sure if God is certain that I can handle this.

Life offers many great and beautiful things. Things that make us appreciate that we are born in this world. We have our family, friends, and countless inanimate things that cause us to feel good and happy. We have numerous sources of joy in this lifetime but not every-time that they manifest themselves to us. They are elusive.

Despite the wonderful things, thorns are scattered along the way. And they are not there for nothing. We are bound to be "thorned"..we are bound to be "pricked" and we are bound to lose blood before we can reach the full blessedness of life. All that is asked of us is to adapt and survive.

For sure, life is a bed of roses. Sometimes, because of this truth, the idea of ending it all is such a convenient option. You know, ending it all so we can be spared from more difficulties and we can finally be set free from the bonds that suck the life out of us. There's no point in fighting when we can all still die in the end, right? Why prolong the agony?

However, we are not justified to do so. It would be a big sin. We own our lives, God gave this life for us to enjoy and savor the essence of His Love. Even though it is ours to spend, it is not ours to end. And besides, deliberate dying is painful. And we cannot tolerate self-inflicted pain for we are just humans with limitations. So live we should.

We sin. We commit mistakes. We misjudge situations. We hurt other people. We trust life so much. We rely too much on the help of God to the point that we exert less effort to get what we want or need. We trust too much which lead us to be assuming things. And it's painful when it doesn't happen and when things end differently. But it only takes a brave leap of faith to cope with all these.

God never goes wrong. Everything has a purpose - to make us better persons and make us become His creation deserving of His Love and Mercy. And with that, my Faith is still intact. It is unwavering despite the trials, despite the heartaches, despite the hardships. And He never fails to answer prayers -- in His most fashionable, surprising ways..and I am sure that I will be surprised again one of these days. He never ceases to shower miracles in my life even though I am sinful and at times, unrepentant with my wrongdoings. People close to my heart oftentimes second-thought in helping me but not Him. He provides. He is making sure I survive.

Therefore, I am lifting up my worries to him and trust that everything will be okay. If things are not meant for me, even if I so desire it in my heart, I cannot question Him and His plans for me. 

I will let myself be drawn by the pull that will lead me to contentment and happiness. 

God knows best.

I am on twitter: @kareenlacorte

The Anchor of My Ship

I would be devoting this entry to the first man in my life, to the first man who taught me love, the first man who took my kisses and hugs away, the first man who saw me ran with wild abandon to this unpredictable world.

My father. My Papang.
 

"Nono" or "Bulano" as he is fondly called by his family and closest friends, my father is a tall, 51 years old man who at the age of 18, fell in love with our mother and gave us - his four biological children - the chance to experience life. He never finished High school but his means of providing for our family and for being a good father competes with and even surpass those who have PhDs. 

He reared us under a very disciplined environment. Back in the days when spanking was not yet considered child abuse, my father would subject us to unforgiving belt-slashing punishment in order for us to realize our mistakes and correct our bad manners. The disciplining proved to be useful as we grew older as it gave us the necessary pain tolerance while struggling to face life's challenges and in dealing with hardships. The disciplinarian character of our father helped us to become stronger and to become reliant in our own strengths. It did not just harden our characters and strengthen our spirits but  it also taught us to become good people whether in dealing with others or in dealing with ourselves.

As a father, he is usually quiet when it comes to our personal choices - college course, lovelife, etc. But he never missed to advise us to lead a good life and strive for more than what we are used to. He is always telling us to be better than what we can do on the average. My father sometimes has a strange way of telling this..sometimes, in a very calm voice..other times, in a very "challenging" manner. That's just he is. But he sure delivered his point well. Those advises were well taken by far. We ended better than what other people (I call them haters) thought we would be.

 

As a husband, my father is my mother's constant frenemy. Both of them can't stand each other when together but can't stand together apart. After we, their children, have outgrown our sibling quarrels, our parents became the cat and dog in the house.It's their daily dose of vitamins without which, both of them will find the day so damn boring. My father is not expressive to our mother (atleast when they are around us or around other people) but they are each other's best friends. My father is my mother's anchor and her constant strength in times of need. 

My father is my mother's errand boy and her personal driver, he is my mother's "muscle", he is my mother's protector. He may not be the best husband in the entire world, but he is perfect for my Mama. My mother gave her life up to be with my father at the age of 18 and they've been together for thirty-three (33) long years now so, my father must have been a good man for my mother to stick with him that long, don't you think? 

As a grandfather, he is completely different. When we were tiny, he won't hesitate to discipline us when he sees that we are being spoiled brats. But to his first apo, his granddaughter Zieanna, he is so soft as a marshmallow. He is so proud of his apo and always wants her to tell him "Papa Nono ko 'yan!". He wants his apo to completely own him!

My father is a kid lover. As proof, he decided to add a baby boy to our family whom he can play with and be a father to - Azing, our adopted brother. He loves this boy so much and his attention is with the kid now that all of us are grown up already and are living separately with them already.

 My father gave up his youth for us, his children. Along with my mother, he hurdled all the challenges in order to provide for us. He protected us against the harsh elements of this world, provided us with secure shelter and fed us. He was not able to protect us from some hardships but he is always there to support and guide us. His teachings and examples are inculcated in our minds and which serves as our guide to succeed in every endeavor we find ourselves into. He would lay his life for us. If we would ever face pain and if he would be given the choice to take away those pain from us, he would, without conditions and without hesitations.

I love my father so dearly. He is getting old and is now feeling sickly because of his stubbornness sometimes. I am living away from them now and I always ache for their presence. I wish that one day, I will be able to fulfill my dreams of becoming a lawyer and in effect, fulfill theirs.

If I have to live again, I would love to still be his daughter. If I have to choose my father again, I won't have anyone but him. We deserve him in this family and we can't thank God enough for his life. 

I am praying that he lives to be a hundred and more and witness all of us, his children live our lives the way he has prayed for to God.

You deserve nothing less from us than our complete devotion and unconditional love.

Happy Father's Day Papang. 

 “That was when the world wasn't so big and I could see everywhere. It was when my father was a hero and not a human.”

                                                                             ― Markus Zusak, I am the Messenger

I am on twitter: @kareenlacorte


+Fretzie Layos +Fretzie Lacorte Layos 

My Landmark Moments

My life is not as simple as you may think. Nowadays, apart from the "regular" few lucks, few roadblocks, several dangerous risks, impulsive decisions that put me in the most difficult situations, and some "muntik na!" moments, my day is composed mainly of boring stuff. :)

You might say, "who cares?"..Well, I can say that despite my age, I have experienced things that not so many people faced, I journeyed in less traveled roads, stumbled hard but stood up brave. 

You might say, "So?"..Well, I learned valuable lessons in those experiences and you might want to know what are those so you won't or you would do the same for yourself.

I want to share this to you because, today, I realized that  extraordinary blessings are given to me everyday without me noticing them (apart from the fact that I am still alive which is in itself, a miracle..) and I want you to notice yours too and so you won't waste your time NOT thanking the ONLY ENTITY responsible for this. You know Who. 

Landmark Moment #01: 

Self-supported my studies

I graduated in college struggling to provide for myself when things were too difficult for our family. While in college I worked as a househelp and applied as a secretary/personal assistant aka house help pa rin in two different years under two different employers. It helped that I had tuition privileges back in college. It decreased my expenses dramatically.

 I also tried to sell bread sticks and stick-o when I was in 2nd year High school while studying in a private school and experienced to be called by my teacher telling me to stop selling because I was competing with the school canteen, all of these only to be able to buy one kilo of tilapia that will be our viand (my younger brother and I) for three days. My father visited twice the Principal's office to make a promise when to settle my accounts before I was allowed to take the periodic exams. Still, when I was in 2nd year high school, my brother and I learned to play tong-its and played against our boarding house' old landlady and we always won most of time, by playing tricks against the old woman. :)

My entire family struggled during those times when we hit rock-bottom financially due to  El-Niño / La Niña crisis. My sister and brother had to stop schooling and looked for jobs to support the family.

This is a landmark moment for me and my family because our family have proven that we can survive together despite the absence of help from our relatives. This is one of the greatest moments in our family. We were devastated, but we were not broken. We emerged triumphant. With the constant support of my family, I graduated in college with a high mark.

This goes to show that YOUR FAMILY GOT YOUR BACK. Do not worry.

Landmark Moment #02: 

Tried activism

I am a Political Science graduate from a state university where freedom of expression is tolerated and actively practiced. I tried attending rallies and shouted "Tama na! Sobra na! Palitan na!". It was an exhilarating experience. There came a point that I was NOT talking to my mother without injecting some nationalistic, patriotic principles in the conversation. There was one time that my professor had to make a note in my essay paper which read like this: "Please tone down. This is a test!". I was ranting about inequality, injustice, and cried idealism and socialism in my essays!

I tried holding placards, rallying against imperialism, corruption, and other anti-poor policies of the administration. I met so many activists whose lives were devoted to "serving the people". I met a lady who graduated Magna Cum Laude from UP, met broadcast journalists, human rights activists, leaders of civic organizations, and even went as far as joining a dangerous fact-finding mission in pursuit of finding the truth about a certain human rights violation committed in one of the most dangerous places in Mindanao.

I eventually outgrew the idealism injected to me during my studies and detached myself from the group when I started working to earn money for my allowance in school. There were more pressing personal issues that I had to deal with than deal with the decays of our nation.

But these moments taught me great things about being selfless and becoming an advocate of something universally good. This experience taught me to be involved in my society and be one of the catalysts of change. It was a rewarding moment.

Landmark Moment #03: 

I decided to fall in love many times 

until I fell in love involuntarily..

I first had a boyfriend when I was in 3rd year High School. In my entire life, I had two "childish" relationships (3rd & 4th year High School), I had two "scary" relationships (2nd year college and while I was already working), and then I had two "serious" relationships (3rd year college and now, the present).

You might think that I was such a play girl. Oh no! I am not pretty nor attractive. I don't make a man glance at me twice. The men I had were people I met and became friends with before I developed romantic relationships with them. The childish relationships were those that made me feel "kilig" and made my young heart beat fast..more of a puppy love. The feeling was really good and I kinda miss the feeling. When I became older, I kept wishing to turn back time and experience the same feeling. It was not because of the "boys" but more because of the wonderful feeling and I wanted to experience it again.

The scary once were the risky relationships that I dared enter. Those were destructive relationships that made me hurt other people and made me ignore other people's feelings. It is a bad way to treat people - hurting them intentionally. Intentionally in the sense that, I knew I could cause pain but I continued anyway. It was risky also because I didn't realize back then that people are capable of causing danger to you if they could not handle pain so well. Bottom line is, try not to hurt other people. Karma is very real.

Finally, the serious relationships. Yeah, I think it is true that we could romantically love opposite sex (or same sex to the LGBT) more than once. The first one was a trial-and-error. A disaster waiting to happen. Luckily, I was brave enough to fight the feelings and moved on quickly. I am now in a 7-years old relationship with a person I CHOSE to stick with.  I did not wish for him in my life but he came anyway. I am happy.

I learned that people come and go and that no matter how strong you fight for each other if the bond that ties you together is not strong, the relationship will fail and you will eventually drift apart. 

I learned that we should not waste our lives spending time with the people who only MAKE US LOOK GOOD. We should instead spend those times with the people who MAKE US HAPPY and ACCEPT us regardless of our appearance, of our possessions, of our social status. 

But I also learned not to regret the experiences I had with my past relationships because it made me appreciate my man now..the pain and heartaches are worth it for the person we truly cherish. 

Landmark Moment #04: 

I Chose my Best Friends Well..

I have so many friends in different circles. I have high school friends, friends when I was just a "nene", friends in college, at work, and many other circles. But whoever I meet in my journey in this lifetime, I will only have two best friends. 

I shared many great moments with them and I am amazed by the bond that we built over the years because despite the physical separation for many years, we are still in-love with each other. I love them truly. 

My bestfriends never miss to tell me what's happening to them and how much they miss and love me. I love them too. Best friends never forget. Best friends keep to their hearts how valuable and irreplaceable you are in their lives.. @lemuel C. Leal and @marc lynch maguan.

Landmark Moment #05: 

I Chose to pursue my dream

I am continuing my Law studies this year 2013. It has always been an aspiration and it has always been my family's dream for me. I want to become a lawyer and make a difference to the lives of other people.  I want to honor my family by reaching this dream.

I want to become an inspiration.

*****

There are more landmark moments in my life that taught me valuable life lessons, both happy and sad experiences. The five (5) landmark moments in this entry are those that I am willing to share. The rest, maybe I will share later. Or maybe not.

I hope that at the very least, I shared something that made an impact to you.