Celebrating Independence

To this country, who fought hard to stand on its own feet, congratulations to 115 years of maintaining that independence. :)

I also want to greet the relation-ally independent men and women, especially the single ladies. You are so loved by God that He wants to protect you from the pains that wrong relationships bring. He is preparing you and the one meant for you. Just wait. God will amaze you when you finally meet the one (or realize that someone you know is actually the one). 

This waiting time is not for nothing. You are going through great change, beautiful, wonderful change. You are being reformed into a person so much like God himself. And when the right time comes, and God knows when, He will open not just your eyes, but also your heart to welcome that special person. :)

And for those who are in a relationship, stay loyal but stay true to yourself. Even in the middle of that relationship, establish a sense of independence. Don’t be overly attached and dependent on your other half. You don’t have to do everything with that person; you don’t have to be with that person all day; and you don’t have to base your life decisions on what the other person wants for you. Do what you want because if they truly love you, they will support you as long as you’re not hurting yourself. 

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:1

Happy Independence Day, everyone! :))

2 Corinthians 4:16
good night! :))
#keepgoing

We’ve been through both good & bad, but with God we can smile because either way we survive. :)

Day 2!!! Super fired up with all the striking messages! :) Na-excite din ako sa mga performances ng mga artists & performing arts ministry :))))) Indeed, “we are a chosen generation”

We didn’t have large UPM banners on the first day so ok Hi UPLB friends :) Day 1 was wonderful starter! :)

Koala’s response to being petted

(via inozoa)

Awww!! :’) this completed my day! na-encourage ako sa message mo :)

you’re very welcome, friend. :) pero thank God more kasi ginamit niya lang naman niya ako para makausap ka. siya talaga yung gustong makipag-usap sayo. Stay strong through everything, nandyan lagi si God for you. :)

God bless! :)) ❤ 

"All for the glory of God and for the Salvation of Mankind!"

- (via imhopelanika)

A little unfair

Sad moment talaga. Na-hurt ako for Lolo. 

Nag-stay ako sa CBTL-Rob starting around 4PM para mag-alone time. Dun ako naupo sa malapit sa door, kadikit ng glass wall, and kita ko yung nasa loob ng mall, may mga chairs pa sa labas ng shop (na inside ng mall).

May table dun sa labas ng shop, may korean/chinese (not sure, I can’t discern eh, basta foreigner), tapos may matandang artist. As in atleast 65/70 years old na siguro si Lolo. Dino-drawing niya ‘yung foreigner sa isang 1/8 illustration board. Kitang-kita mo na mahirap ang buhay ni Lolo. Although maayos naman yung damit niya, feel mo lang na ‘yung pagiging artist niya lang ang source of income niya, a very fluctuating, unsteady source of income. Napa-ngiti ako na, wow, may mga artists pa rin tayo na passionate sa work nila & even if matanda na si Lolo, yun pa rin ang ginagawa niya. 

I went back to reading personal notes & stuff, bought something to drink and after less than an hour, napatingin ako ulit sa labas. Inaabot na ni Lolo yung art work niya dun sa foreigner & actually maganda yung gawa ni Lolo. Simple pero kita mong kamukha nung babae yung drawing ni Lolo. Hindi kulot yung hair sa drawing (naka-curls yung foreigner), pero appreciable naman. 

Tapos AYAW tanggapin nung foreigner. As in inaabot ni Lolo, ayaw niyang kunin. Nakita ko 1K yung price, so sige medyo mahal, eh simple lang yung pagkakagawa. So pinababaan ni Lolo, signaling 500 pesos with his hands. Ayaw pa rin. Na-start akong mainis kasi, bakit ka pa pumayag na magpa-drawing, you took his time, tapos hindi mo babayaran? Hindi kaya normal yung ganung effort, and sana kahit sa awa na lang bigyan mo man lang ng bayad yung effort. Nag-signal na si Lolo ng 300 pesos. Ayaw pa rin nung foreigner. So sige, inaabot na ni Lolo yung drawing, wala nang bayad to ‘ha. Pero tinatanggihan pa rin nung babae.

Naiiyak na ko dun sa scene. Nakaka-hurt eh. Siguro factor na rin na naisip ko, ang yaman yaman niya, hindi man lang siya magbigay ng konting pera? Siguro naman pansin niyang tag-hirap si Lolo sa itsura ni Lolo diba? 

Tapos as in patayo na sila, the companion of the lady convinced her na lang to take the artwork and give something. Ayun, binigyan niya ng 100 pesos, kinuha yung illus board tapos umalis. Halatang pilit pa yung paglabas niya ng pera sa pouch niya.

Gusto ko lang sanang maiyak, pero nasa coffee shop ako tapos wala akong kasama, so pinigilan ko na lang. Naisip ko, mas mahal pa yung nabili kong inumin kesa sa binayad kay Lolo, samantalang nag-effort siyang mag-drawing dun habang nakaupo lang ako nagbabasa ng Bible. 

Somehow, na-hurt na rin ako dahil naka-relate ako sa pain niya. Doing something and not receiving the recognition that you deserve. Natuwa actually ako nung inaabot ni Lolo yung illustration board dun sa girl na kahit wala nang bayad basta kunin na lang niya.

Pero whyyyyy? You know you’re in this country tapos yung dumayo lang, sila pa yung mas mayaman, and nagkakandarapa yung mga taga-rito talaga para sa pera. Naka-sense lang ako ng injustice.

Maya-maya tumayo na si Lolo, and tinititigan ko siya. Kita lang sa face niya yung disappointment pero he knows na wala siyang magagawa kung hindi nagustuhan nung babae yung gawa niya.

Then, pumasok siya sa shop and lumapit sa ibang customers para i-convince na magpa-drawing sila ng sarili nila. Gusto ko sanang bigyan ng pera, pero na-realize ko rin na marami pala akong babayaran this week, plus pamasahe ko rin na pang-uwi sa Pangasinan.

I told myself, maybe someday when I earn my own money, I will provide for people like that. Papa-upuin ko sila tas papakainin ko, bibigyan ko na rin ng extrang pera. Kasi hindi naman siya ‘yung tipong inaabot lang yung kamay para humingi ng pera eh. Nagtatrabaho siya. He’s working hard, approaching random people who might be interested. He wasn’t being a parasite. Sana ganito rin ‘yung iba noh? Kahit na mahirap ang buhay, humahanap pa rin ng magandang way para humanap ng pera. Using what talent God has given him to find money and noble enough to respond properly even though people are not recognizing his efforts.

Sigh. :’(

To a talented, beautiful lady I know :)

Sorry kung na-late ako. :(

Ayun, Happy Birthday Yana!!! :))) I miss you, yah know. Don’t know when I’m gonna see you again. Pero for now, I just really hope na your transition to college is smooth. ‘Yun naman ang importante eh. Sana makahanap ka kaagad ng mga taong makakasama mo talaga and hindi ka iiwan. Sabi sa isang article about college life na nabasa ko: “Your circle of friends will change. Accept it.” Accept change in your life as you move into the life in the university. :)

Mapapalayo ka ibang friends mo, totoo ‘yun. Distance is challenge, pero don’t let it rust your relationships. :) Clingy pa rin!! =))

I hope you’re more serious na studies this college, ha? ;) Galingan mo, girl! :) Wag mo ko gayahin, pangit grades ko nung first sem ng college, AS IN. hahaha. Ayun, ingat ka sa university na pupuntahan mo (ayaw mo kasi sabihin sakin kung san yun :P) haha. Keep safe, wag masyado gala-gala at night, ha? And don’t go around alone!!! :)

Also, be strong in everything. Wag magpapatalo sa fears and doubts. :) When academics and other activities are consuming you, don’t allow yourself to forget to go to church or to talk to God, ha. :))

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. -Deuteronomy 31:6

Enjoy your new life. :) Love you, Yana! Happy birthday ulit!! God bless! :) 

PS I’m just a text/call/tweet away if you need anything or just someone to talk to. :)

Sometimes life is sunny. When everything is going well, no burdens, everything’s okay, life is a breeze. You can’t help but smile at everything around you because there’s literally no worries, no problems, no concerns that take up your time. :)))

When life is sunny, I hope we don’t forget about the wonderful sun that shines through our lives—-the Son. :)

With my friends from LifeBox, after kuwentuhan sa may damuhan sa CCP :)) Ang saya lang, knowing you’re welcome and when you speak, they listen talaga. You know lang na when you’re with them, you are loved, you are growing. :) 

Funny lang din, kung hindi kami pinapaalis ng guard (12:something na nun haha), feeling ko magtatagal pa kami dun :D haha

(via spiritualinspiration)