Trapik

Nakaranas ka na ng mabagal na trapik sa kalsada? Nakasakay ka sa jeep, ang alam mong dapat isang oras lang na byahe, naging isa't kalahati, dalawa, dalawa't kalahating oras na. Nananakit na ang puwitan mo, nangangalay na ang mga paa, nakatulog ka na at paggising ay parang halos isang metro pa lang ang itinakbo ng sinasakyan mo. Maiinis ka? Mangangarap na sana'y wala ka sa kinalalagyan mong yon? Iisipin na sana'y di ka na umalis at nanatili na lang sa kung nasan ka kanina? Siguro magkakandahaba ang leeg mo sa pagtanaw sa unahan. Di mo naman makikita kasi nahaharangan pa ng ibang mga sasakyan. Maghihintay ka na lang. Gagawa ng sariling mapagkakaabalahan. Alam mong aandar din yan. Pero minsan iniisip mo ring bakit hindi na lang lakarin at gumawa ng sarili mong daan.

May mga pagkakataon sa buhay na parang tengga ka na sa trapik. O may pakiramdam na naabutan na ng pulang ilaw sa stoplight. Walang magawa, hindi naman makababa sa sinasakyan. Hindi alam kung ano ba talagang nagpatigil sa unahan. Basta dun ka lang.

Pero matapos ang paghihintay, uusad din yan. Sa panahong hindi tayo ang may hawak. Luluwag din ang daan sa harap, mabubuhay ang pag-asang makakarating din kayo sa destinasyon nyo. Nakikita ng Diyos ang pinagsimulan ng lahat hanggang sa pupuntahan mo. Pinadadaan lang nya tayo marahil sa trapik para matuto tayong pagtiwalaan Siya. Alam mong wala ka namang magagawa sa sarili mo. Mapapagod ka lang kung magpupumilit ka sa isang bagay na wala pa. Di mo kasi hawak ang manibela. Ang mga delays ay ginagamit Nya rin para magkaroon tayo ng panahon na mas maintindihan ang kalooban Nya sa pagkakataon na kasalukuyang nasa harap natin.

(December 4, 2010. Sabado)

Oct. 17, 2010

When she thought she had learned to run forward, overcoming the frustrations and pointless expectations of yesterday, how weak of her to keep looking back at that someone who should have been running with her along the way.

Sneak Peek

Link

Check out the new titles written by Pinoy authors to be unveiled during the Manila International Book Fair!

Waiting requires patience

"Waiting requires patience -- a willingness to calmly accept what we have or have not, where we are or where we wish we were, whomever we live or work with.

"To want what we don't have is impatience, for one thing, and it is to mistrust God. Is He not in complete control of all circumstances, events, and conditions? If some are beyond His control, He is not God.

"A spirit of resistance cannot wait on God. I believe it is this spirit which is the reason for some of our greatest suffering."

-Elisabeth Elliot, an excerpt from Keep a Quiet Heart (Waiting, page 134)

anong mas nakakatakot buksan--ang pinto ng isang madilim na bahay na hindi mo alam kung anong iyong madadatnan, o ang toilet bowl sa isang public cr na nakatakip at hindi mo alam kung anong laman?

"Minsan binubulag tayo ng mga sarili nating expectations." -ate menchie, officemate

When God tells you to do something, as long as it's within the limits set by Scripture, we don't have to understand it. All we need to do is obey and trust God to use our obedience to accomplish His will." -Bill Hybels, Too Busy Not to Pray

taken out from the journal

Maybe the Lord sends specific people in our lives to make us cry (literally)--to challenge us, motivate us, cause us to see beyond what we think we are or how we think we are doing.

The Lord is not at all surprised by our responses to every word that this "person He sends" throw on us. God knows where to meet us. We can always find comfort in Him.

Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Stand Firm

(Taken from "The Experience Day-by-Day with God" Devotional by Henry & Richard Blackaby)

"Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

1 Corinthians 15:58

Whenever you sin, Satan is pleased. When you are lazy and waste your time, Satan is content. But when you commit yourself to do the work of the Lord, Satan is vehemently opposed to you. It may surprise you to discover that life becomes most difficult when you are trying to do the right thing. When you make a commitment to obey what God is asking you to do, you might come up against a lot of opposition. Perhaps it will come from your friends, or maybe your finances will give you a challenge. Maybe your parents will try to discourage you from obeying what God is telling you to do. Whatever it is, you will be tempted to ask, "Why me? I'm just trying to do what God told me to do!"

Paul has two things to say to you; the first is a word of advice and the second, a note of encouragement. First, he urges you to stand firm. Paul, of all people, knew that serving God isn't always easy. Satan will try to sabotage your efforts. Those around you may not understand what you are doing. But Paul advises you not to hold back. Obey your Lord with everything you've got, because there are eternal consequences at stake. Second, when you stay faithful to your commitment, your efforts are never in vain. Don't get frustrated and give up. When you are obeying God, victory is a given.

If you are facing some difficult times because of your desire to obey God, rest assured, your efforts are not wasted. God sees your heart, and he will give you the victory (Romans 8:37).

Moses answered, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance that the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again." - Exodus 14:13

The "OK lang" Syndrome

Let’s start off with this simple exercise. If you have encountered/ will be asked the following questions, how did/will you respond?

• Kamusta ka? (Or for the jejemons out there, mUzHta p0whz?!~~)
• How do you feel about it?
• Masaya ka ba?
• Kamusta kayo ni ____?
• How’s life?

For some, especially when talking with a relatively close friend, the responses may lengthen into two or more sentences, depending on how the other party would follow up on your initial response. But it would usually start with this—okay lang. How was yours?

Description

If most of your responses above are “okay lang,” “fine,” “I’m okay,” and other variety of such phrase, then you’re one of the many people who obviously acquired the syndrome. The OK lang syndrome is heard (or read) from a number of majority, in a given situation, with a given mode of communication (whether through personal conversation, text messaging, chat, or call). Do you count yourself in?

To answer okay lang is vague. Sometimes, responding okay lang to those who ask about how we are is an action unknowingly done. Sometimes it’s not, which leads us to listing down the other reasons why.

Reasons

You may have answered “okay lang” because ______:

1. you really do not want to talk further and spend time with the person who asked you.
2. you are not comfortable sharing what you’re feeling (due to some more reasons).
3. you consciously feel that the other person is not really concerned about your answer and that he just asked you out of courtesy.
4. you haven’t really thought about what to answer since you yourself cannot even comprehend what you’re exactly going through.
5. you just can’t find anymore words to say and those phrases automatically jumped out of your mouth.
6. you sense that the other person has more to say than he has more time to listen to you elaborating your situation.
7. it’s to affirm the other party that yes, you’re completely fine.
8. the question, for you, is also as vague as your reply.
9. you just believe you’re okay lang (even if you’re actually not, and friends around you sense that, too).
10. that’s just the façade that you have learned to live with.

I can encircle multiple letters there as I am an avid okay-lang-user myself (and so I’m writing this entry for myself most especially). Given these (you may even have a personal reason apart from those mentioned), I believe there’s more to having this syndrome that we may want to see the “dangers” that this kind of mere response can do affecting your relationships and yourself.

Dangers

Never better, just okay. We may have been used to describing how we were or how we have been as just okay. It’s boxed that way. Aren’t there any events that took place that made your life better (or worse) or exciting… at all?

Overlooking what really is. When you merely say okay lang, it’s like letting things pass by without confronting what’s really needed to be dealt with. How would one prevent and fix the unnoticed crack that could soon lead to brokenness? (Remember Carmina Villaroel and her kids’ toothpaste commercial as they paint the fence and the door?)

Trust and accountability are not established. The answers that we are giving towards the other person concerned may be his only reliable gateway to know how you really are. And you may be preventing him/her and yourself to experience genuine accountability.

Okay is not okay. Our lives are so dynamic that describing life and how do we do should not be contained into just saying life is okay.

Keep-out-of-me!-attitude. That two-word reply may send a message to the other person to back off. Read: “Do not dig too deep anymore. I’m okay.” Any opportunity to give or receive help or experience fellowship has been ceased right away.

Recommendations and Future Benefits

Offer more than what’s asked. Open up and share. Overcome yourself. If you’re okay, it will help to give supporting sentences why. The same will do if you’re not. Surprisingly, as we relate our situation to a willing ear, we get full grasp about how we actually are and get the support we just needed. Voicing out your feelings sometimes helps you analyze your situation better, and make insightful steps for its improvement after.

Know. It may not be you at times, but it’s the other person whom you asked to tell you the dreadful okay lang. Of course it would be approving to hear that your friend is okay lang. But take the initiative to know why (if he pleases, and with prudent probing) so you can rejoice (or empathize) with him/her better.

Appreciate the person who asked you and make him feel that he’s one great encouragement in merely asking how you are.

Your answer matters. Language (using words) is a very important tool humans are blessed with. We do not just buzz or bark or howl or tweet (well this one, we do now). We say, explain, teach, talk (a lot), rebuke, confess, express (in a variety of creative ways!). How would you like to take good advantage of communication? Your answer matters.

You reap what you sow

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

~Galatians 6:7-9

today is June 3. 205 days before christmas (given na december 25)! tama ba bilang?

"The only person who can stop you from becoming what God intends you to become is you." -John Maxwell

"When God gives you a vision and you answer the call, you'll stretch and grow in new ways no matter what happens.. If your dream succeeds, live in thanksgiving; if it fails, take joy in growing."

11 days to go

Lately, some of my friends would fancy themselves over countdowns. One, as she approached her wedding day, which came last April 17, and another as she's counting the days toward her own wedding day as well, which will be happening on June next year. I count with them, too. But well, my own countdown is focused towards December 5 which is 220 days from today. I'll leave it there.

Now, what's with the "11 days"?

If you're mentally counting while reading this, you would obviously know that it's the big day when (hopefully) everyone who loves the country enough would make the wise step of exercising their privilege through shading the right circles that correspond the name of the people who they believe will live out the positions they're running for with integrity and with genuine love for the country and its people.

I haven't completed my list yet. But somehow have trimmed down my choices and learned to set my standards of whom to entitle my "yes" to.

There's been a number of posts that educate us about this whole election thing (and I'm so much grateful about them), which made you and me realize that the coming one would not be that ordinary. There's this certain desperation that has led to passion exercised by many that shouts for the real-deal and clamors for this country's reconstruction.

Even those who are running for office knew from the start that it's a big risk setting yourself under public scrutiny and proving them that you're the person they need to lift up the Philippines again, not to mention, to eradicate corruption. Coming from the present administration, it sure is a big leap of guts and faith for these political candidates. (I remember the infamous Eddie Gil who made himself popular during the 2004 elections when he said that he will pay for all the Philippines' debt. Of course, what happened was he was given a short-lived showbiz career afterward. Then I haven't heard of him lately.)

Jethro told Moses (Exodus 18:21), "You will need to appoint some competent leaders who respect God and are trustworthy and honest." The Bible has set the ground of the qualities of a leader whom we must choose. Even if one is not a Bible-believer, he may succumb to this “principle” as good and a fitting one to base your judgment from.

I encountered that verse above when Ptr. Peter Tan-Chi spoke about it before the crowd in Araneta Coliseum during Puso sa Puso. My head just kept nodding. The event was one perfect time to capture what really is in the hearts of the seven (We're informed that Gibo and Erap weren't able to come because they're stuck with their political sorties.) presidentiables (thus, the event's title). They had their fair share of opportunity on the couch. I had my initial judgment though that they maybe just saying things that the audience would want to hear, especially that it's sort of a Christian gathering.

At the end of the day, I cannot accurately judge their hearts. Nonetheless, I believe that these people knew about the higher authority that could accurately determine the outcome of man's activities.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  ~2 Chronicles 7:14

Someone once said that the most crucial position is being down on your knees. Most of us are presently in the most crucial time of our history, I believe. This may be the latest possible hour, our "11th hour".

The Lord has given us the freewill to choose. He made us both critical and wise. Whether you're bagging for an official seat or not, you do have a position, and it matters. I will make my vote count, knowing that He's sovereign above all things.

I'm looking forward to 11 days from today and to the days after that. He will heal our land.

“Trying to earn God’s favor is exhausting. Accepting the grace He offers is life changing.” ~Blackaby, The Experience Day-by-Day

Why does Monday come before Tuesday? Why do summers start in June? Why do winters come too soon? ...

May Kwento ang Email Add Ko.

11 October 2007, 3:11 am

Freshman high school, dahil sa impluwensiya ng classmate kong si Diane* na maagang nahilig sa internet at pakikipag-chat, gumawa ako ng email address. Trenta pesos ata ang renta ng computer noon. Ang mahal pala ah! Unang beses, sa malapit na kompyuteran sa kanila, tinuruan niya ako kung paano i-search ang profile ni Ben Adams at iba pang miyembro ng A1, nina Marit at Marion ng M2M, at ng Westlife lalo na ni Marcus Michael Patrick Verdon “Mark” Feehily na crush ko, at makakita ng sandamukal na pictures nila! Pinakita niya rin sa akin kung paano ba makipag-chat sa MIRC at makakilala ng mga tao na tagalabas ng Pilipinas. Andaming pinipindot. Tapos kailangan meron kang email address. Sinubukan kong kaibiganin ang teknolohiya at ang internet. ASL pls? sasagutin ko ng: 15 f qc.

Sumunod na pagkakataon, hindi na niya ako nagawang samahan. Di ko alam sa kanya kung bakit. Pero sabik na ako noon na makasingit sa malawak na cyberspace at makasilip sa anong meron dito. Kaya naman, sinuong ko mag-isa ang dagat na teknolohiya gamit ang keyboard, mouse at trenta pesos sa bulsa ng palda kong checkered. Simula rin noon, nagkaroon na ng partikular na amoy sa akin ang mga computer shops. At nalulunod pa rin ako ngayon sa dagat na una kong sinubukang languyin nung kinse ako.

Hindi ko alam kung paano gumawa ng email address. Pero madali lang naman. Sumunod ka lang sa panuto, pati gumaya sa ginagawa ng katabi mo. Makakaraos ka. Sa website ng Yahoo! daw pwedeng gumawa ng email add. SIGN UP. Klinik ko iyon. Nagsimula na ang proseso. Ilang gabi akong naglalaan ng oras bago matulog sa kakaisip kung ano ba ang magiging email address ko. Ano ba? Ano kaya?

Sa wakas, tinipa ko ang: marit_mark@yahoo.com. (Hindi na pala kailangan ang @yahoo.com). Ito ang napagbuno ko sa maraming beses na pag-iisip. Ako si Marit ng M2M habang ang bestfriend ko na si Ivy* si Marion. Asawa namin si Mark Feehily**. Pwede sa amin ang polygamy ‘pag kay Mark. Bestfriends naman kami.

Humihingi naman ng password! Hindi ko alam kung anong ilalagay. Hindi ko rin alam kung para saan iyon. Paglingon ko sa katabi kong babae, may tinitipa rin siya sa patlang para sa password. Pinanood ko. Buti na lang. (Pero ngayon, naisip kong hindi pala tama na nakikitingin ka sa pagsasagwan ng katabi mo sa computer shop.) May apat na asterisks (****) siyang nilagay. Aha! Ganun pala. Dahil doon, limang asterisks ang nilagay ko sa akin para hindi kami magkapareho. Saka ko nadiskubre na dahil password iyon, sadyang asterisks ang lalabas kahit ano pang karakter ang itipa mo. Isa pa, hindi pala asterisks ang nilagay kong password talaga. Katumbas noon ay limang number eight (88888).

Hindi ko na tinangkang ibahin pa ang password ko. Basta nabubuksan ko naman ang email add ko. Bininyagan ng mensahe galing sa Yahoo! ang inbox ko at marami pang mensahe galing sa ewan-kung-totoong-tao-ba na resulta naman ng pagche-check ko ng “interests” nung nag-sign up ako. Subscription pala ‘yun. Di ko naman napakinabangan.

Matagal kong gamit-gamit ang marit_mark@yahoo.com. Sa palagay ko ay hindi naman masyadong naging pabigat ang pagkakaroon ko nun sa buhay estudyante ko. May mailalagay pa kong sagot sa ‘Email Add:’ sa slum book ng kaklase ko.

Siguro ay junior (o senior ba) na ako sa high school nung maisipan kong gumawa ng mas presentableng email add. Hindi ko na masyadong gusto si Mark kasi marami nang nagkakagusto sa kanya. Pansamantalang nalimutan ko naman ang M2M dahil hindi na ako makapanood ng mga MTVs nila.

Pero tulad nung una akong gumawa ng email add, pinag-isipan ko uli iyon ng husto. Sa katunayan, nagawa kong nakarambol na puro letra na buong pangalan ko ang email add ko. Ang kinalabasan ay zaipril02@yahoo.com.

Hindi ko gustong nauuna sa anumang bagay at ayoko rin naman ng nahuhuli. Sa gitna lang. Kaya 02 ang kadugtong ng zaipril.

Nakakapunta na ako at nakakalamyerda sa internet nang mag-isa at hindi na dumedepende sa katabi para sagutin ang mga bagay na di ako sigurado.

Hindi ko naman matandaan kung ano na nga bang unang password ko roon. Basta sa ngayon, natutunan kong mas praktikal pala kapag pagpapareho-pareho-in mo ang password mo. Ito’y para hindi ka malito sa dami nang nagsulputang kagaya ng patok na patok na Friendster na sinayn-apan mo ng account.

Pansamantala akong nakuntento ng matagal-tagal din naman sa zaipril02@yahoo.com kong email add. Nung nagkaroon ako ng account sa Friendster, nalulunod na ako sa updates na dumadating sa inbox ko. Ang panahon na ginugugol ko sa pagbura niyon (dahil melancholic ako), sa palagay ko, ay nakakabigat na sa buhay estudyante ko. May dumating na solusyon para sa akin dun. Halina’t magbasa pa.

Sa pamamagitan uli ng isa ko pang kaklase na si Dianne* (Double ‘n’ na ang spelling ng pangalan nito. Hindi siya ‘yung dati), gumawa ako ng email add sa hellokitty.com. Imbakan iyon ng mga mensahe gawa ng Friendster updates. Dahil biglaan lang at wala talaga sa plano ko ang pagkakaroon ng panibago, ginawa ko na lang na riza02@hellokitty.com ang email add ko. Nakakawili din naman magbukas ng email na may kulay pink na screen at may mga Sanrio characters sa paligid ng inbox mo. Pero imbakan lang nga talaga ang email kong ito. Di pa rin ako nadala ng dekorasyon at pambabaeng/pambatang hellokitty. Ngayong taon lang, nalungkot ako dahil nawala na ng tuluyan ang email add kong ‘yon. Tiningnan ko sa mismong site pero di na ata sila sumusuporta sa paggawa ng email add sa kanila. Nabuko kaya na ginawa ko lang imbakan ‘yon?

Sa pagitan ng paggawa ng email add sa Yahoo! at hellokitty, sumubok akong gumawa rin ng iba’t iba pang klase ng email add sa hotmail at sa hindi-ko-na-matandaan pa. Subok lang naman. At ni hindi ko nabuksan ang mga ‘yon. Parang joke lang.

Habang tumatanda ka pala ay nagkakaroon ka na rin ng kamulatan kung alin ang pambata sa hindi. College nung gawin kong ‘pormal’ ang tunog at itsura ng email add ko. Lalo’t magpa-practicum na ako at magpapasa ng resume sa ilang ‘tunay’/businesslike/professional (talaga) na mga kumpanya. Dati ko pa naman gusto gawin iyon. Wala lang akong pagkakataon. Pero dumating na ang tamang panahon. Third year college, ang opisyal ko nang email add ay riza.pilapil@yahoo.com.ph.

Pakiramdam ko, ang personal sa akin ng email add ko na ‘yan. Hindi lang dahil sa buong pangalan ko ang nakabalandra, o dahil may .ph sa dulo na nagsasabing taga-Pilipinas ang may-ari ng email add na ‘yan. Siguro nga kasama ang mga ito sa dahilan. Ang mas naiisip ko rin kasi ay ang parang wala kang pagtatago sa likod ng kung anong inimbento mong pseudonym. Hindi na kailangang pagrambolin pa ang letra ng iyong pangalan o magbago ng nickname (at iba pang impormasyon) katulad ng ginagawa kapag nakikipagchat sa MIRC. Sa paggamit mo ng tunay mong pangalan, saka pwedeng makikita na naiiba ka.

Buhay na buhay pa ang zaipril02@yahoo.com kong email. Pero parang nakikita kong sa dami ng mga pumupuno ditong mensahe (na nabura ko na pala kahapon!), napapalayo na ito sa akin.

Nagpapasalamat uli ako sa kwento ng email add. Nakita ko ang ebolusyon ng personalidad ko at iba pa. Pero nandun pa rin ang minsan-minsang pagkalunod ko sa dagat na kahit ayawan ko, tanggap ko naman na kailangan ko. Nakakainom nga ako minsan ng tubig. Ang alat. Pero mahalaga ang alat. Tara, let’s surf the net.

______________________

*Tunay na pangalan (Hello, kamusta na kayo?!)

**Single pa talaga ako. Nag-divorce na kami ni Mark (joke).

subjunctive mood

if i were a droplet,

a droplet of rain,

i'd slide by your window pane

and stare at your eyes dreaming.

if i were a soil,

a piece of that you walked on,

i'd stick myself in the soles of your shoes

and be just where you're heading to.

if i were a page,

a page of calendar on your desk,

i'd own one saturday

and mark it with our date.

if only i could be right next to you..

just so i hope these lines would do.

Shine! Women's Conference

Start:	May 22, '10 08:00a
End:	May 22, '10 4:00p
Location:	IBC Makati (140 HV Dela Costa cor. Tordesillas, Salcedo Village, Makati City)

Celebrate womanhood!

We will feature CSM’s leading women writers and speakers who will address women about their relationship with God (Cory Varela, Discovering My Highest Pleasure in God), about shining in their roles in the home (Evelyn Ramos Pajaron, Parenting Teens and DZAS’ “Mommy” Bessie Rios, Memo ni Mommy), and about shining in their workplace (Maloi Malibiran Salumbides, ProTips: Shining Attitudes for Women at Work).

There will also be a special feature--the launch of Walking On: the Best of Women on the Journey in its new two-volume packaging, as well as CSM’s other new titles especially for women.

We hope to see you there! Let’s be inspired and equipped to be Christian women who radiate Christ in the various roles God has given us.

'wag sanang tingi lang ang iyong ngiti. : )

If the Lord asks you to let go of something, it may be that He's freeing your hands to receive something better, or one that is truly meant for you to hold.

Way to Extinction (an excerpt from the book "Called to Excel")

by Rene “Rex” Resurreccion

It is said that dinosaurs became extinct because they failed to adjust and that superior creatures took over their place. The same thing could happen to people and companies who fail to adjust to the challenges before them. No one can truly relax from being excellent; otherwise he or she may become “extinct.”

The present and the future belongs to believers and practitioners of excellence; not to the “dinosaurs.” The excellent employee is flexible. He is willing to change when required. Learning for him is an unending process. Confucius said, “As water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it, so a wise man adapts himself to circumstances.” Part of professional excellence is willingness to change and learn new things.

Take the following quiz. Here are ten questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you say on Monday morning, “Oh, no! It's Monday again!”?

2. Do you say on Friday evening, “Thank God, it's Friday. Bakasyon na naman.” (It's vacation time again)?

3. When the phone rings, is your immediate reaction, “Ay buwisit! Istorbo naman iyan!” (How irritating! What a disturbance!)?

4. Do your officemates find you difficult to deal with (mahirap pakibagayan)?

5. Do you habitually come late to office or for appointments?

6. Do you often fail to submit work or reports on their deadlines?

7. Do you say negative things about your company, boss or fellow employees?

8. Do you fail to give VIP treatment to office visitors or clients who might need help that someone else (who is not around) is supposed to give?

9. Do you ignore the office dress code or do you dress in an unprofessional sloppy manner?

10. Do you tend to break your promise to customers, clients or officemates, or take your commitments lightly?

To score, count the number of No responses.

To interpret, use the following guide:

10 No: You are flying like an eagle. You are the top in your class. You are a high potential person (HPP), the “jackpot,” world-class employee.

7-9 No: You are flying with a flock of geese . You fly high but with great effort. You need to keep on benchmarking with the best in the industry. You are a sure candidate for promotion.

4-6 No: You have the ibong maya (sparrow) mindset. You are not taken seriously by others. You are vulnerable to the onslaught of competition. You may be called the “classic mediocre” employee.

1-3 No: You have the chicken mindset. You desperately need to overhaul your entire life philosophy and behavior if you want to stay in the running.

0 No: You have the worm mindset. You might just want to consider putting up your own sari-sari store to spare your poor company unnecessary pain. Your company may be suffering in silence by considering you a “pain in the neck.” You are probably not fit for employment.

Read more of these motivating insights from Rene “Rex” Resurreccion's book, Called to Excel: Developing a Passion for Excellence in Your Workplace. He is the owner and president of Passion for Perfection, a company that implements human resource development programs and produces business and development games.

Sabi sa jeep

Ang Pinoy hindi nauubusan sa kasabihan. Nakapaskil kahit saan. Marami sa jeep, sa likuran ng drayber. Heto ang ilan:

*Mga warning sa pagbabayad*
Barat ang tawag sa kulang ang bayad
Magbayad ng maaga ng di maabala
Basta sexy libre sa driver lang tatabi
Yan ang pasahero alisto sa bayad ay husto
Miss angkinin mo na ako wag lang ang kita ko

*Tunog isang concerned citizen*
Miss hita mo'y takpan pagkat matang maloko ang nakaabang
Sexy love kita payag ka ba?

*Meron din namang expression ng pananampalataya*
Diyos ang patnubay sa ating paglalakbay
God bless our trip

*Laban sa pagti-take advantage*
Sat/sun/holiday student no discount

*Ito ay karaniwang makikita sa mga high-tech na dyip na may nakakabinging tugtog kasabay ng pasuray-suray na takbo ng dyip (ex: mga rutang Rizal)
Full d string 2 stop
batak mo hinto ako

(sampu sa mga ito ang nakalagay sa iisang jeep lang. yung nasakyan namin kagabi, rutang Sucat Hi-way Tatawid. kaya naman, ito ay dedicated kina Grace Ann, Ate Faye, at Kuya Mark.)

Don't bet on chances. Trust God's wisdom. Life will be a lot less complicated.

You Shall Not Murder Time

"Maraming tao hindi sila makapamuhay ngayon. Wala silang tunay na life kasi nakakulong pa sila sa kahapon.

Maaring nakakulong pa sa isang pag-ibig na tapos na. O pag-ibig na hindi nangyari dahil ikaw lang pala ang umibig hindi ka naman inibig. Dapat bitawan mo na ‘yung past na ‘yun para ‘yung kamay mo walang laman puwede kang umibig muli.

Maraming mga tao hindi na makapagnegosyo kasi minsang nalugi, hawak sila ng past. Hindi na sila ngayon makapag-commit ng present o ng future.

Maraming mga tao nadala, nasaktan, nasugatan ayaw nang mabuhay. Playing it too safe. You know that playing it too safe maybe safe but not it is not really very nice. So maraming mga ganyan, nasaktan, ayaw nang magpatawad, ayaw nang makipag-renew ng mga relationships, wala na tuloy buhay."

~Pastor Ed Lapiz, You Shall Not Murder Time

Coming out on video soon.
Brought to you by Church Strengthening Ministry.
www.csm-publishing.org

Let's do this together! Earth Hour 2010. March 27 Saturday 8:30-9:30pm Let's heed the "call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future." It's only a matter of 60 minutes off your electricity plug. http://www.earthhour.org/

woah! http://mi9.com/datawallpapers/data/14/1076/1209396838/tulips-under-the-sun_1280x1024.jpg

Let's SUMMER-SAYA! Dive on our coolest resources on SALE! Starting this 3rd week of March @ CSM Book Corner, Parañaque. Ü

CSMI - Christian Resources in the Philippines

http://www.csm-publishing.org

why don't you just go out and take a walk?

This note is dedicated to Ching Dee and Lambert Grantoza and Dorcas Grace Dela Peña. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Ü

Moved sa March 27 yung Layout and Design Workshop.

Are you interested to attend a free layout & design workshop? On Mar.20 (Sat), 8am-5pm at CSM Parañaque. This will be for book layouts and cover designs. You must be willing and committed to receive projects pag kelangan. If interested, please PM me here. Thanks.

You'd want to go to Palawan

Feb. 18-22, 2010

When was your last jaw-dropping experience? I had mine last weekend at Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

I wish I could take it all in. Palawan is not just a destination to spend your retreat or vacation. It’s an experience, a worthwhile encounter with nature.

*I didn't bring a camera. So these pictures were uploaded from various sources. Hehe. Buti na lang. Thanks to CSM family.

*All thanks to God for allowing me to join the trip and have my first time experiences (ride a plane, snorkel and fish-feed, breathe fresh air), and be awestruck with Him than ever before.

Note: By the way, the 3rd leg of voting for the New 7 Wonders of Nature is still on until this year. On 2011, the final list will be declared. Please vote for the Puerto Princesa Underground River (http://www.new7wonders.com/n7w/nature/finalists/puerto-princesa-underground-river)

Let's vote for the Puerto Princesa-Palawan Underground River as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Cast your votes through http://www.new7wonders.com/ and together, let's shout about God's wonderful creation!

i will ride a plane, for the first time. it will take me to palawan. hoping it will also take me to you.

hanah katrina tumanon, muah muah. happy birthday! ♥

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” -Luke 22:42 NLT

Matter of choice

For a material to write about, I’d rather blog about a book that contributed some valuable insights than about a soap that whitened my skin.

For a shopping spree, I’d rather look over the shelves of flat shoes than choose upon a line of high-heeled boots.
 
For some recreation, I’d rather lay some picnic mat under a tree than stand in line to experience my stomach somersault on a rollercoaster ride.
 
For a movie trip, I’d rather pay a ticket for a cheesy Star Cinema flick than spend my money for a heart-pounding, suspense-thriller movie.
 
For some teaching opportunity, I’d rather coach you one-on-one than lecture in front of large class.
 
On a birthday party, I’d rather fill my plate with pancit than fork on the red spaghetti.
 
For some outdoor games, I’d rather play patintero and monkey-monkey-annabel, than go climbing on a rocky hill.
 
For an exchange gift, I’d be happier to receive some notebooks or pen or something I could practically use (including photo album and mug and handkerchief), than some glamorous figurine that’ll just function as accessory on our living room.
 
For some music pleasure, I’d rather be lulled by the Mabuhay singers than rock on with Lady Gaga or the Wonder Girls.
 
For another pleasure, I’d rather sleep than take a morning walk and exercise. (Talk about laziness.)
 
For a husband, I’d love him to be very Filipino than for him to be some citizen of another country.
 
(Here’s the Disclaimer: You might perceive my kind of personality given these. Further, my choices do not stand unchangeable and exclusive on their own. I may do the otherwise if I get to do them with the people I love. Spending time with them will be my first choice; the activity itself will fall on the secondary. But please read on…)
 
Life presents us with so many choices. But actually, those choices are reduced to just two, the black and white options are: to follow God or not. Of either choice, we’re to answer the rewards or consequences that each entails.

Matter of choice

For a material to write about, I’d rather blog about a book that contributed some valuable insights than about a soap that whitened my skin.

For a shopping spree, I’d rather look over the shelves of flat shoes than choose upon a line of high-heeled boots.

For some recreation, I’d rather lay some picnic mat under a tree than stand in line to experience my stomach somersault on a rollercoaster ride.

For a movie trip, I’d rather pay a ticket for a cheesy Star Cinema flick than spend my money for a heart-pounding, suspense-thriller movie.

For some teaching opportunity, I’d rather coach you one-on-one than lecture in front of large class.

On a birthday party, I’d rather fill my plate with pancit than fork on the red spaghetti.

For some outdoor games, I’d rather play patintero and monkey-monkey-annabel, than go climbing on a rocky hill.

For an exchange gift, I’d be happier to receive some notebooks or pen or something I could practically use (including photo album and mug and handkerchief), than some glamorous figurine that’ll just function as accessory on our living room.

For some music pleasure, I’d rather be lulled by the Mabuhay singers than rock on with Lady Gaga or the Wonder Girls.

For another pleasure, I’d rather sleep than take a morning walk and exercise. (Talk about laziness.)

For a husband, I’d love him to be very Filipino than for him to be some citizen of another country.

(Here’s the Disclaimer: You might perceive my kind of personality given these. Further, my choices do not stand unchangeable and exclusive on their own. I may do the otherwise if I get to do them with the people I love. Spending time with them will be my first choice; the activity itself will fall on the secondary. But please read on…)

Life presents us with so many choices. But actually, those choices are reduced to just two, the black and white options: to follow God or not. Of either choice, we’re to answer the rewards or consequences that each entails.

My Nokia 1100

Three years ago, my brother gave me a gift out of the fruit of his job as a bagger in Walter Mart. It was unusual! For one, I’m not used about my brother giving me something wholeheartedly and two, we constantly fight over our own needs, whether over food or pillows or school things or chores (and the long list goes on).

So one afternoon while sitting quietly in the sofa and he harshly handed to me a purple paper bag as he got inside the house, I was consciously trying to hide a smile upon realizing what’s inside.

My brother told me long before that if he already can, he would buy me a cellphone—while he would constantly ridicule me about my kind of lifestyle and the second-hand Nokia 3210 that I own. If you’re in my shoes, I think you’d be irritated, too. But you’ll be equally pleased when in exchange for that your brother would thoughtfully give you a brand new cellphone. In spite of the booming camera phones on the market back then, I felt that I got to be a notch higher with 1100 than with the bulky 3210 (though I enjoyed playing Snake and Memory Game in there). It was also my brother’s first gift to me (I think). So I felt that the price for that phone just got doubled than any other camera phones available.

Aside from the larger storage for messages and phonebook (as compared with my 3210), its built-in flashlight is equally useful! There are also two kinds of Snake games in it that you can battle with. My thank you to my brother was done in just a soft and abrupt manner, though my heart shouts with so much appreciation.

So there’s the story of my original 1100. If I wasn’t that forgetful and careless that I was able to keep my phone in safe places, I would have saved it from numerously falling that its LCD would not have given up. The backlights first waned away, and then I couldn’t see anything on the screen anymore, until finally I felt it just needed to retire from service. I had to remove my SIM card and find another phone for it to settle.

From my salary as a call center agent, I was able to buy a Samsung E250, which life didn’t last long as well because of its problematic slide design. I ended up phone-less. Then, as if it resurrected, my aunt gave me another phone, her Nokia 1100. I’m still enjoying it today though the keypad’s letters and numbers have already been erased. Its built-in flashlight is my helpful companion especially when I go home late at night because I could avoid the dogs’ poops that may be scattered somewhere in the neighborhood. I also don’t have to be overly cautious to bring it out in public places while I text or save my immediate ideas in the Drafts folder.

By the way, I’m still keeping my first, old and busted 1100. Why not have it repaired? Or for a more environment-friendly act, shoot it in the Nokia-gadgets bin located on the malls?

There are some things I cannot let go of just yet. Do you have that kind of sentiments, too, especially if you associate a certain thing with a person?

On writing and being read

When you write, you actually give yourself to the world also known as readers, while breaking down your guards and exposing your insides.

 

As much as I can and if I have that option, I would just confine between my desk and my chair so the words on my journal would remain unseen by any other being unless I already died. With this in mind, I’m actually being stingy not just to those whom I could’ve ministered to, but much to myself for locking down my doors to the feedbacks on what I can improve on. I’m not saying that I publish my thoughts to every person that I would come across with. Of course I know you know better. But being confident in this: each one of us has a story to tell and that we’re also designed to express. One avenue given to us is through our written works.

 

I realized that my being reserved in that way actually roots from fear and insecurity. For the most part, I do not take the risk to stand up and say my piece because I don’t want to remove my guards and expose my vulnerability to men. I didn’t like the thought that they would come to me with attacks of you’re-this-and-that. Another thing is, when I attempt to give it a shot, the way I consider that the works of others are way better than mine would shoot me back. Now I had to reassess my life and look on what and who really matters. Who am I trying to please?

 

“God was pleased to trust us with His message. We didn’t speak to please people, but to please God who knows our motives.”

-1 Thessalonians 2:4

 

If you are or have been in the same struggle as I was, then it would help you much to be more honest with yourself. As I recall my activities in the past, the moments that I try to pose an I’m-okay-with-no-need-for-correction façade only ends up with more mess for me to clean up. For me, these points can somehow sum up the most vital steps to recover from a lot of red marks on your paper:

·         Put your confidence in the Lord, not on yourself, not on men. The most valuable comment comes from Him who deeply knows you.

·         Be humble with who you really are by accepting your shortcomings and weaknesses, and learning from them.

·         Understand that you have been given the potentials and the opportunities to grow.

·         Be in gratitude so in all you do, you do them for God’s glory, which will cause you to aim for excellence. That kind motivation is what matters.

 

I’m still a struggling, learning writer. We have the best author and editor of our lives, though. And His big embrace of grace is always welcome for you to receive.

On writing and being read

When you write, you actually give yourself to the world also known as readers, while breaking down your guards and exposing your insides.

As much as I can and if I have that option, I would just confine between my desk and my chair so the words on my journal would remain unseen by any other being unless I already died. With this in mind, I’m actually being stingy not just to those whom I could’ve ministered to, but much to myself for locking down my doors to the feedbacks on what I can improve on. I’m not saying that I publish my thoughts to every person that I would come across with. Of course I know you know better. But being confident in this: each one of us has a story to tell and that we’re also designed to express. One avenue given to us is through our written works.

I realized that my being reserved in that way actually roots from fear and insecurity. For the most part, I do not take the risk to stand up and say my piece because I don’t want to remove my guards and expose my vulnerability to men. I didn’t like the thought that they would come to me with attacks of you’re-this-and-that. Another thing is, when I attempt to give it a shot, the way I consider that the works of others are way better than mine would shoot me back. Now I had to reassess my life and look on what and who really matters. Who am I trying to please?

“God was pleased to trust us with His message. We didn’t speak to please people, but to please God who knows our motives.”
-1 Thessalonians 2:4 (CEV)

If you are or have been in the same struggle as I was, then it would help you much to be more honest with yourself. As I recall my activities in the past, the moments that I try to pose an I’m-okay-with-no-need-for-correction façade only ends up with more mess for me to clean up. For me, these points can somehow sum up the most vital steps to recover from a lot of red marks on your paper:

· Put your confidence in the Lord, not on yourself, not on men. The most valuable comment comes from Him who deeply knows you.
· Be humble with who you really are by accepting your shortcomings and weaknesses, and learning from them.
· Understand that you have been given the potentials and the opportunities to grow.
· Be in gratitude so in all you do, you do them for God’s glory, which will cause you to aim for excellence. That kind motivation is what matters.

I’m still a struggling, learning writer. We have the best author and editor of our lives, though. And His big embrace of grace is always welcome for you to receive.

What's in your name?

You may throw a weird look upon this blog site's title. Or you may think that the writer must have been trying to search for some quite catchy phrase which would induce some interest in her readers about what could be this blog site's all about. Well, it's really some effort for me to come up with something like that. So I decided to just start this whole thing off from something that basically would identify me. And it's my name--Riza Pilapil.

Learning from my French dictionary during college, "riz," which is actually what my few close friends call me, literally means "rice" in such language. Now, when I got to introduce myself (in full name) to some new acquaintances, or one time when the saleslady in Watsons to whom I gave my SM Advantage Card as I did my purchase saw my imprinted name on it, the immediate reaction was: "Kaano-ano mo si Pilar Pilapil?" (How are you related to Pilar Pilapil?) Now, I won't contest on Ms. Pilapil's popularity that the people is so used to connect with my being (or to those with the same surname as hers... or mine). I don't also mind if those who have asked me that question cares about the importance of knowing someone who's closely related to a celebrity (at least by surname). By the way, I found this site, and maybe this is one helpful link for those trying to search their roots.

Now after all my declarations on the previous paragraph, I would also associate my name to the muddy pathway along the rice fields, which is so useful for the farmers in getting through their daily tasks. Yeah, that's the pilapil. If you're a Filipino, I hope you would know this. I have also been the center of teasing by my classmates when during one point in the 90's, a commercial about this bathroom tissue in its easy pull-it packaging came out. The commercial's recall was because of this catchy jingle centering on hygiene. I won't elaborate more on that. I'll just give away the lines: "sa bukid walang papel, ikiskis mo sa pilapil." I didn't like the idea. But I think it created the identity the ad team aimed for.

I don't try to get away from the name that has been gifted to me since I was born into this world. I thank my parents for cluelessly putting together my name that complemented each other and that gave me a subject to start off with my blogspot.com. The more important thing is my identity belongs to God. And my name is written in his heart.

As it is written in John 1:12, I am God's child.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

What's in your name?