Life's Adversity
By Leeh IgnacioI used to always wonder what is happening in my life. I can put up a lot of discomfort and even misery if i know why. I always knew as well that God promised never to leave me. But if all that is true - and it is - why did i went through such a hard time? Why has all this happened? I felt anxious and fear grips my heart.
I just want to share a very brief speech i delivered last December 2008 during a speech class i attended here in Dubai. And i guess, it would also be appropriate to share this in my blog to further inspire people and remind them that life goes on and that God promised to not leave us nor forsake us.
Maybe some of you have heard
the phrase “You’ll never know that God is all you need until God
is all you’ve got.”
I’m a single mom to my little girl who just turned 1 last 07 of
December. She was seven months old when I decided to accept a job
opportunity here in Dubai and I had to leave her to my mom. It
was such a difficult decision for me to make since we have
recently lost Eric, her dad that same year. Eric died due to
Pneumonia last February 2008.
Pneumonia is one of the causes of death for bed ridden patients.
I was 5 months pregnant when he had a heart attack following a severe brain damage
and was bed ridden for 6 months before he died. Six months …..
Six months of torture of pain and uncertainty. Just when I
thought everything is nearly perfect, suddenly in just a blink of
an eye everything has changed, everything was gone …he’s
gone… all of our savings, apartment, car, business ….. and
believe it or not some of our friends. Moreover, what breaks my
heart the most was the fact that he didn’t even had a glimpse of
our daughter, and the reality that my little girl will never see
her daddy ever. To say that I was devastated would be an
understatement. I wanted to die first. Almost all life support
was removed from him as I supposed they were also removed from
me. It was so hard. God, It was so …. hard.
I’ve been through a lot since childhood –problems in
poverty, love, spiritual uncertainty, depression, abuses– name
it! But if you look around, you’ll know that there are people who
had worst. Life is difficult…..we all know that. All the dealings
and connections in our life must be considered as a kind of a
passing phase and as they say “this too shall pass”. God has
reasons. Being the eldest among 5 siblings, God, has developed me
to become a strong person and I understand that I had to go
through terrible pains in life to become a better person.
Acceptance together with extreme
courage and faith has helped me go through life’s adversities.
God’s ways aren’t always easy and painless. So I guess we should
pray for Him not to take away the pain but to give us the
strength, courage and faith to win through all life’s
difficulty.
Let me offer this to the two most important men in my life … Eric and to my Dad. To Eric who made me feel loved and needed for the seven years that we shared together and to whom I spent the happiest moments of my life. To my dad who also died 3 years ago, my greatest mentor and my number one critic. I owe him everything that I am today. I know you’re both proud of me.
Good day
Perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18) -
That love is the supreme weapon against fear. When i truly
understand how much God loves me, fear leaves my heart. Thats
because love always says "I want the best for you,
always..."
My extra-ordinary experience during the Typhoon Ondoy
By Genalyn BalabboOnce upon a time… heheh, its a long story to tell kaya medyo kelangan mo ng something to eat kung interesado kang mabasa ang kwento ng pag-ibig ko na nabuo sa tulong ng bagyong ondoy…
To begin with, hayaan nyo akong umpisahan ko ito kung paano kami nagkakilala ng lalaking nakabihag ng puso ko. ehehe, ganito yata ang epekto ng inlove, nagiging makata.
Sept. 10, 2009 at around 11pm… kachat ko ang aking bestfriend sa SFC community, her name is flory… si flory pla ay siya yung naging facilitator ko at household head ko sa Singles for Christ. We became close friends dahil halos lahat ng bagay magkasundo kmi… at heto na po ang simula ng kwentong pag-ibig ko.
Marahil nagtataka kayo kung bakit kasama ang aking bff(flory) sa kwento ko… bakit? kasi sya po ang dahilan kung bakit nakilala ko si cris(my bf/gg). sa mga nakakakilala kay bro. Bo Sanchez, isa po kami ni flory sa mga nag-aatend ng feast during sundays sa Valle Verde Country Club. Si bro. Bo at ang kanyang team ay may bagong site na ginawa na parang facebook daw ayon kay flory. habang kachat ko sya ng gabing iyon, nabanggit nya sa akin na gawa daw ako ng account ko sa boplanet site.
September 11, 2009 at around 12:10 pm… mga lunch time nag sign-up ako sa bo planet site. ayan eh di ok na.. after 30mins. may nag-add sakin sa ym… nung una duda ako kung i accept ko, kasi di ko naman siya kilala. Pero dahil mukhang mabait yung picture niya na nasa profile nya kaya inaccept ko na. Pagka-add ko nagmessage siya sakin… heto yung mga naging usapan namin…
cloudstrife21ph (12:40:50 PM): Hi sis..
genbalabbo (12:40:58 PM): hi bro
cloudstrife21ph (12:41:02 PM): thanks for accepting me as ur
fren hir in YM..
genbalabbo (12:41:10 PM): ur welcome
genbalabbo (12:41:16 PM): my pleasure:)
cloudstrife21ph (12:41:28 PM): ang ganda nung song sa profile
mo..
genbalabbo (12:41:45 PM): ahh yun ba? yep! ganda nga
cloudstrife21ph (12:41:54 PM): what session ka uma-attend ng
feast?
genbalabbo (12:42:00 PM): madami ako inuplod kaya lng 3 lng
nauplod
genbalabbo (12:42:22 PM): depende… pero kadalasan 1pm
genbalabbo (12:42:34 PM): kapag nalate ng gising last session
na
genbalabbo (12:42:35 PM): heheh
cloudstrife21ph (12:43:00 PM): ahh oks, same pala tau.. ako
regular din s 3rd session, then after ng feast, CG naman
genbalabbo (12:43:24 PM): hehe
genbalabbo (12:43:33 PM): nice:)
cloudstrife21ph (12:44:11 PM): may CG k na sis?
genbalabbo (12:44:38 PM): CG? yun ba yung small group?
cloudstrife21ph (12:44:46 PM): yup
genbalabbo (12:44:53 PM): ahh ok
genbalabbo (12:45:07 PM): actually wla pa.. di na kasi kaya ng
sked..hehe
cloudstrife21ph (12:45:21 PM): ahh i see.. at least your
able to attend the feast cloudstrife21ph (12:45:30 PM): anong work mo
sis?
genbalabbo (12:45:33 PM): kaya nga eh…
genbalabbo (12:45:43 PM): executive secretary po
genbalabbo (12:45:51 PM): ikaw bro?
cloudstrife21ph (12:46:23 PM): computer programmer here in
oracle..
cloudstrife21ph (12:50:35 PM): matagal k ng uma-attend ng
feast?
genbalabbo (12:50:50 PM): medyo, almost a year na din
cloudstrife21ph (12:51:37 PM): ahh oks,, halos same pala tau..
ako naman aug 2008 nag-start.. more than one yr n rin..
cloudstrife21ph (12:51:44 PM): same pala tau ng bday..
hehehe
genbalabbo (12:52:04 PM): really? when bday mo?
cloudstrife21ph (12:52:45 PM): june 10
genbalabbo (12:52:56 PM): hindi nga
genbalabbo (12:53:00 PM): u must be kidding
cloudstrife21ph (12:53:27 PM): promise..
cloudstrife21ph (12:53:51 PM): nagulat nga ko same tau ng bday
eh.. check ko kac ung profiles ng mga online sa boplanet
Akalain mo yun pareho pa pala kami ng birthday… well anyway, mahaba pa yung naging usapan namin pero cut ko na baka kasi mainip kayo… until we both agreed na siguro baka pwede kami magmeet after the feast.
September 13, 2009 nasa feast na kami…wla akong kamalay malay na nasa bandang harap lang pala namin si cris… when i saw him bigla ako kinabahan at naging concious… hahah, natawa ako sa sarili ko. di ko alam kung bakit ganun yung naramdaman ko noon. kalaunan, napansin na rin ni flory si cris, ayan na nag-umpisa na akong kantyawan ng lola nyo na lalo tuloy ako naconcious… during offeratory, di ko alam kung paano ko siya(cris) iaapproach kasi dadaanan lng namin sya… ayun tinapik ko sya sa balikat then nagulat yta sya… nginitian nya ako, nginitian ko rin…hehehe, ang landi ng lola nyo…
Finally natapos na yung feast… nilapitan nya kami at dun kami formally nagkakakilala kasama si flory. nung malapit na kami sa pinto palabas iniwan kmi ni flory dahil balik muna daw sya sa loob para sa counseling. nako, nalagot na. di ko alam kung paano kakausapin si cris. hanggang sa pinakilala nya ako sa mga ka-CG nya. at first syempre nahiya ako, buti na lng mababait sila. at around 4pm natapos na rin si flory sa counselling niya kaya nagdecide na kaming umuwi… habang naglalakad kami sa may bandang ultra. sinabi sakin ni flory na may kakaiba daw sakin… nako, nagbublush daw ako. hahah… nagawa pa akong asarin ng bff ko hanggang sa pagdating namin sa kanila tuksuhan pa din. heto na, seryosong usapan na… sabi ni flory, ” ghen if ever si cris na yung GGG na pinagdarasal mo, ok sya sakin. Basta ang advice ko sayo, make yourself available and lovable kasi mukhang nanjan na…” hehe, natawa lng ako sa sinabi niya. no comment. pero deep inside, kumakabog yung dibdib ko sa dahilang di ko malaman kung ano.
September 14, 2009 lunes yun, pumasok ako sa ofis… medyo may kakaiba sa pagpasok ko dahil iba tingin sakin ng ofismate ko na wari ay nagtatanong… hanggang sa nalaman ko na lng mali pala ang naisuot kong uniform…hahaha, natawa at nahiya talaga ako nun. di ko alam kung bakit iba naisuot ko. nasabi ko sa sarili ko, epekto ba ito ni cris? hindi naman cguro baka namali lang talaga ako ng naisuot. hehe…
Naging constant yung conversation namin… palitan ng mga point of views, mga kwento sa buhay buhay namin, kasama na rin mga heartaches sa mga naging past relationships namin.heheh… habang dumadaan ang mga araw, napapansin ko parang iba na dating niya sakin… ewan ko, kasi mukhang crush ko na sya… masaya ako kapag kausap ko siya. Napapakakwento ako ng mga bagay na hindi ko pa nakukwento sa iba. Habang nag-uusap kami niyaya niya ako manood ng sine ” In my life” movie nila john loyd, luis at vilma santos. Nung una, parang ayaw ko pa kasi di nman talaga ako sumasama ng basta basta lalo na kapag hindi ko masyadong kilala. Pero dahil nakilala ko siya sa feast feeling ko mabait nman sya at mapagkakatiwalaan, ayun pumayag ako na manood ksama sya.
September 21, 2009 ang schedule ng date namin sa panonood ng sine…that was ninoy aquino day..buti na lng walang pasok. 3pm ang usapan namin na magkita sa LRT santolan, akala ko di na matutuloy, kasi mga 2:30pm biglang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. Unfortunately, tumila nman ang ulan before mag 3pm so inshort tumuloy na ako sa LRT santolan station to meet him. When i saw him, di ko maipaliwanag yung nararamdaman ko, biglang bumilis yung heartbeat ko…heheh, sumakay kami ng jeep papuntang sta. lucia., mainit nun kahit umulan, infairness may dala syang pamaypay, instant electric fan ko sya kasi pinapaypayan nya ako.hahah, kilig nman daw ako… pagbaba namin ng jeep, sobrang alalay sya sakin na akala ko dati yung first bf(ex bf) ko lng nakakagawa. Hanggang sa pagpasok ng mall, sa sinehan, nauuna sya para pagbuksan ako ng pinto, kahit sa pag-upo nung kamain kami for dinner after ng movie, todo alalay sya… hehehe, di ko tuloy maiwasan ikumpara sya sa ex ko. After kami magdinner, nagsabi syang ihatid ako sa bahay namin kasi mabigat daw yung book na pinapahiram nya sakin…java book po yun. Mabigat nga naman kasi sobrang kapal. Dahil gusto ko naman na ihatid nya ako, pumayag na ako kahit alam ko na kayang kaya ko naman iuwi yun, wla pa nga sa bigat ng laptop ko kung tutuusin.
Nasa bahay na kami, pinakilala ko sya sa mga kasambahay ko. naging ok naman yung paghatid nya sakin, di na sya nagtagal kasi hahabulin pa nya yung last trip ng LRT2 santolan. Quarter to 10pm nag open ako ng ym ko.. nagulat ako online sya… nasa house na daw sya…
Rioflorido (9/21/2009 9:58:45 PM): hello
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 9:58:50 PM): ei
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 9:58:52 PM): just got home
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 9:58:54 PM): san ka
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 9:59:04 PM): im glad ur home na
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 9:59:31 PM): thanks pala, pumayag k
manood with me
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 9:59:56 PM): hehheh… ako nga dapat
magpasalamat
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 10:00:47 PM): you look great pala
kanina,.. nakalimutan ko sabihin..
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:03:53 PM): naks nman… hindi nga eh
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:04:04 PM): wla kasi akong gaanong tulog
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:04:32 PM): hahahaha
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 10:04:24 PM): partida pala.. wla pang tulog yan..
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:05:30 PM): salamat talaga
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 10:05:55 PM): ur welcome.. nag-enjoy nga ko kasama ka… Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 10:53:53 PM): sana maulet ung labas natin..
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:53:58 PM): sleep na ako maya
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:54:02 PM): sure
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:54:09 PM): its my pleasure
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 10:54:17 PM): na-hot seat pala ko
dati sa my kfam forum..
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 10:54:27 PM): para makilala mo rin
ako
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 10:54:29 PM): http://www.kerygmafamily.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=70320#p70320
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:54:48 PM): cge
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 10:54:49 PM): read mo rin kapag may
time ka
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:54:58 PM): salamat for allowing me na
makilala kita
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 10:55:15 PM): im interested to know
you more sana
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:55:37 PM): my pleasure ulit
Cris Rioflorido (9/21/2009 10:55:37 PM): cge next time,
kwentuhan ulet tau
genbalabbo (9/21/2009 10:55:42 PM): okidok
Ayan kinikilig ako habang kausap ko sya, sabi ko sa sarili ko nako mukhang iba na ito, nagkaroon ako ng past relationship pero hindi ganito ka intense yung feelings…feeling ko parang teen ager lng ako and to think 27 na ako.hahah. So, i texted my bestfriend flory… kinwento ko yung date namin ni cris. hahah, todo kilig din ang lola ninyo, sabi niya kwentuhan daw kami kasi mag-oovernyt siya sa haws bukas ng gabi.
September 22, 2009 natulog si flory sa bahay, at around 3am ng sept. 23 binasa namin ang mga sagot ni cris ng nahot seat sya sa kfam forum…
1. Where would you rather go on a first date? Movies? Bar?
Park? Restaurant? (Anything else pls. specify)
watch a movie then kain sa restaurant, tamang kwentuhan
lng…
2. What important qualities do you look for in a
girl friend or wife to be?
- member din ng catholic community or uma-attend ng prayer
meeting (spiritually mature)
- yung merong passion sa career/ministry nya
- positive person
- a happy person
- someone with a balanced life
Itong dalawang tanong na ito ang sobrang nagcatch ng attention ko. Question no. 1, hindi na ako magtataka sa sagot nya kasi ginawa na nya… yung no. 2 naman habang binabasa namin ni flory, tawa kami ng tawa kasi sabi ko mukhang lahat ng qualities na hinahanap nya nasa akin…hahaha, ayan nagbuhat na ako ng upuan. heheh…
September 24, 2009, a friend mine named leah…heheh, nag-invite sya manood kami ng Ako’y Pinoy Concert. dahil gusto ko makasama si cris ininvite ko din sya… yung concert naka sked ng sept. 26, 7:30pm sa araneta coliseum. Sabi niya susunduin daw niya ako sa ofis namin kung ok lng sa akin. syempre dahil gusto ko nman pumayag ako. Sobrang natuwa ako kay cris dahil hinanap pa talaga niya sa map sa google yung address ng opisina namin. heheh, todong effort naman siya. niloko tuloy ako ng ofismate ko, pasado na daw siya kasi mukhang interesado talagang malaman kung saan ako nagtatrabaho.
September 26, 2009, gumising ako ng may ngiti sa mukha kasi sa wakas concert na. excited na ako to see cris. &:30am papasok na ako ng ofis ng dumaan ako sa may court malapit sa amin, nagulat ako may tubig na… akala ko tubig ulan lng kasi magdamag umulan dahil sa bagyong ondoy… at around 11am, nagtext yung misis ng ofismate ko na kung pwede maghalfday daw ang asawa nya kasi may tubig na sa kanila. after 20 mins. yung ofismate ko nman na si ate noemi nagwowori na kasi nagtext daw anak nya na pinasok na rin sila ng tubig, nagtataka siya kasi for the first time nun lang mababaha yung bahay nila. so, nagpaalam syang maghalfday na lng kasi wla daw silang 2nd floor. nung una, cool lng ako, kampante ang loob ko na hindi kami mababaha dahil sa 2nd floor yung apartment na tinitirhan namin. sabay sabay pa nga kami naglunch ng mga ofismates ko, nagtatawanan kami dahil sa akin… sila problema nila mga pamilya nila dahil pinasok na ng baha mga bahay nila, samantalang ako ang problema ko ay plantsa dahil gusot yung damit na isusuot ko para sa concert. hehehe, syempre dapat magmukha nman akong tao sa pangalawang date namin ni cris.
Mga around 12:30pm niyaya na akong umuwi ng mga ofismates ko kasi mukhang tuloy tuloy daw yung ulan, at baka hindi na rin daw matuloy yung concert na panonoorin namin. sabi ko naman, cge mauna na kayo, dahil tatapusin ko pa yung ginagawa kong for signature na mga checks at hintayin ko na lng si cris na sunduin ako. hanggang sa nakaalis na sila. past 1pm habang nagpiprint ako biglang nawalan na ng ilaw. natakot ako bigla kasi madilim at mag-isa lng ako. sinubukan kong gamitin yung mga telepono pero hindi na ako makakontak, yung celphone ko palobat na rin. nagtext si flory, pinapauwi na ako kasi mukhang magtuloy tuloy daw ang ulan dahil sa bagyong ondoy… nagalit pa sya kasi ang lakas daw ng loob ko magpaiwan sa ofis. medyo natakot na rin ako kaya tinext ko si kuya, nagpapasundo ako kasi ang lalim na ng baha sa labas ng ofis lagpas tuhod na. habang hinihintay ko text ni kuya, nareceive ko text ni leah na pospone na rin daw yung concert… i texted cris na bukas na lng kami magkikita sa feast dahil cancelled na ang concert. maya maya nagreply na si kuya, ang sabi nya akyat na lng ako sa 2nd floor di nya ako masundo kasi malapit na daw kami makuha… pagkaintindi ko sa text yung 2nd floor na sinasabi nya akala ko sa bahay yun pla sa ofis namin, dahil hindi na rin pla ako makapunta sa amin dahil lagpas tao na sa first floor.
Dahil sa text ni kuya, mas lalo ako nagdecide na umuwi na dahil madami din akong gamit na isasave lalo na ang laptop ko. Nilusong ko yung tubig sa harap ng ofis na lagpas tuhod na akala ko tubig ulan lng dahil natural na laging bumabaha kapag malakas ulan. paglabas ko ng highway nagulat ako baha na rin. sabi ko sa loob ko nung mga oras na yun, grabeh namang ulan to. bumaha na kahit saan. pagdating ko ng sta lucia, nakita ko lahat ng tao naglalakad dahil baha na. walang pampasaherong jeep na dumadaan. dahil malakas ang ulan at hangin, nasira ang gamit kong payong hanggang sa hindi na sya pwedeng gamitin kaya naman basa na ako sa ulan. nasa tapat pa lng ako dela paz basang basa na ako ng ulan at lalong lumalalim ang tubig. hindi ko ramdam ang lamig at pagod sa paglalakad dahil marami akong kasabay na naglalakad pati mga sasakyan na stranded na dahil sa baha.
At around 3pm medyo natuwa na ako kasi malapit na ako sa amin sa santolan. kahit nanghihina na ako sa lamig, pagod at gutom cge pa rin sa paglalakad. pagdating ko sa may bandang pababa sa amin, nagulat ako kasi halos wala na akong makitang bubong ng mga bahay sa baba at tumambad din sa mga mata ko ang mga taong nirerescue nila gamit ang improvise na bangka… sobrang nagwowori na ako, tinatawagan ko si kuya ngunit hindi ko na makontak. maya maya nawalan na ng signal ang globe ko kaya tinext ko si cris na kung pwede palodan nya muna ang sun ko para may magamit akong pantawag at pangtext…
Around 5pm nakita ko yung kapitbahay namin, ang sabi nya sila kuya ko daw lumipat na ng 3rd floor dahil nakuha na daw ang 2nd floor. mas lalo pa ako nagpanic nung sinabi nyang nag-alala nga din daw sya dahil may crack na sa 2nd floor eh kasama din daw ang asawa at anak nya na lumipat ng 3rd floor. tinext ko c cris sa situation nila kuya bka sakaling may pumunta na magrescue sa kanila dahil wla ng nakakapunta na bangka dun sa lugar namin so, ang pwede na lng ay helicopter… pasaway pa na cellphone ko lobat na… kaya ang ginawa ko, after ako magtext off ko muna para makatipid sa battery.
6pm na madilim na sa buong paligid. ang tubig baha ang bilis lumaki, patuloy pa din sa paglikas yung mga tao. pinapanood ko lng sila habang nakaupo ako sa tricycle na nakagarahe, dati yung paanan ko lng nakukuha ng tubig ngaun abot na hanggang upuan. feeling hopeless na ako that time kasi patuloy pa din ang ulan, ibig sabihin may tendency pa na lalong lalaki yung tubig baha.
Quarter to 8pm di ko na kaya yung lamig… basang basa ako ng ulan, tapos naiihi pa ako at gutom. di ko maintidihan kung ano nararamdaman ko dahil halo halo na… naisip ko tuloy yung kwento ng titanic. si jack namatay sa lamig… sabi ko sa sarili ko, may namamatay nga kaya sa lamig? kasi kapag inabot pa ako ng ilang oras d2 baka nga posibleng mamatay ako sa lamig at gutom. nagugutom ako kasi nakatatlong subo lng ako during our lunch dahil balak ko kainin ko yung tira ko ng 3pm.
8pm na, patuloy pa din pagtaas ng tubig baha, iniisip ko paano kaya ako kapag patuloy na tumaas ang tubig? wla akong alam na matutuluyan, yung malaking bahay sa tapat ng tricycle na inuupuan ko, bahay ng relatives ni john loyd cruz. ang sabi ko sa sarili ko, kapag di pa rin humupa ang baha, aakyatin ko na lng bakod nila para sa kanila ako tutuloy. heheh, grabeh noh?! naisip ko talaga yun kasi mukhang yun lng ang choice ko. i keep on praying, sabi ko…” Lord, grabe namang pagsubok to. tama na! patigilin nyo na ang ulan pls… kawawa nman kaming lahat kapag patuloy na tataas pa ang tubig.” patuloy pa din ako sa pagdadasal, sabi ko ulit sa prayer ko…” Lord sana may magmagandang loob na tulungan ako kasi mukhang bibigay na ako. sobrang nanghihina na ako sa sobrang lamig. di ko na kaya Lord. anuman ang mangyari sakin, Lord kayo na po bahala sa mga mahal ko sa buhay.” after few minutes, may dumaan sa harap ng tricycle.. Praise God ang bilis naman ng sagot sa dasal ko…sumilip sya at tinanong ako…
kuya bong: ok ka lng ba jan miss? naku, mukhang lamig na lamig ka na… may kasama ka ba?
ako: wla po kuya.. ako lng mag-isa.
kuya bong: halika, sama ka sakin, kaya lng baha din sa bahay… kaysa mag-isa ka jan sumama ka na lng sakin para makapagpalit ka ng damit kasi mukhang lamig na lamig ka.
ako: cge po kuya, salamat! saka ihing ihi na rin ako, kahit makiihi lng ako tapos alis din ako agad.
kuya bong: dalaga ka ba o may-asawa?
Nagulat nman ako sa tanong nya… natakot tuloy ako bigla, ganunpaman sumama pa rin ako kasi hindi ko na matiis yung lamig saka isa pa ihing ihi na ako. ayaw ko nman ihian yung salawal ko kahit pa sabihin mong basa na sa baha… bka lalo ako mangamoy panghi kapag umihi ako sa salawal ko.
Nasa bahay na ako nila kuya bong, wla pla silang 2nd floor, bungalow type lng bahay nila. sabi ko sa loob ko, hindi rin pla ako safe d2 kasi kapag patuloy na tumaas ang tubig bka malunod ako, isa pa dalawa lng kami bka kung anong gawin nya sakin.
kuya bong: taga saan ka? galing ka ba ng trabaho kaya wla ka sa inyo? taga iloilo pla ako, single, 28yrs old and searching. ang ganda mo nman, imposibleng wla ka pang boyfriend. wag ka matakot sakin ha kasi di nman ako nangangain ng tao. halika, magpalit ka ng damit kasi basang basa ka oh.
Natakot ako lalo sa mga sinabi nya..dahil sa takot ko, nagkunwari akong di na ako nilalamig, tapos kahit wla akong boyfriend sinabi ko na lng din na may bf na ako at ang pangalan niya ay cris.heheh, para isipin nyang hindi na ako available.
Dahil lumalalim na ang gabi at hindi pa rin tumitila ang ulan, nagdecide ako to stay kahit alam kong delikado ako kay kuya bong dahil bka kung ano ang gawin nya sakin. i started to pray the rosary… buti na lng lagi kong dala rosary ko. nakamasid lng sya sakin at halatang di mapakali. sa sobrang takot ko, isa sa mga prayer intention ko ay sana masave kami lahat sa baha at sana di ako ma-rape… pagkatapos kong magpray, inalok ulit nya ako na magpalit ng damit kasi naaawa na daw sya sakin. halata kasi ng nachichill ako sa lamig dahil gumagaralgal ang boses ko. di ko na tinanggihan kasi mukhang kelangan ko na rin makapagpalit. nagpalit ako sa kwarto nila. buti na lng medyo mataas ang kama nila. dun ako nag-stay, hanggang maka-idlip ako ng basa ang buhok ko. naalimpungatan ako sa salitang narinig ko galing sa kanya…
kuya bong: pwede ba akong tumabi sau kasi nilalamig na din ako. wag kang matakot di nman kita kakainin.
ako: napaatras ako bigla… biniro ko sya… si kuya nman niloloko pa ako.
Tumabi nga sya pero may distance kahit papano… masyado lng cguro akong praning. nangawit na rin yung buong katawan ko kasi ang liit ng space sa kama dahil puno ng gamit nila. di ko namalayan naidlip ako ulit. nagising ako mga 1:00am na yta. nakita ko medyo nagsubside na ang tubig. binuksan ko cp ko, salamat sa Diyos dahil may battery pa kahit papano, tinxt ko si cris kung saan ako naroon, nararamdaman ko na rin ang gutom ko nung mga oras na yun dahil lunch at dinner di ako nakakain.kinaumagahan, narinig kong may mga nag-uusap na sa labas. hindi pla totoong single si kuya bong. binibiro lang pala niya ako ng sinabi nyang single sya. may asawa na sya at atty. pa. kwentuhan muna kami ng asawa nya. akala daw ng asawa nya nagbibiro lng si kuya bong ng sinabi niyang may bago silang boarder. heheh, at sinabi pa nya mabait daw si kuya bong, mapagbiro lng talaga. Pagkatapos ng usapan namin nagpaalam na rin ako para umuwi sa amin dahil gusto kong alamin kung ano condition ng mga mahal ko sa buhay. pagdating ko sa bahay.. nadatnan kong naglilinis ang byenan ni kuya..pero sila kuya at dalawa kong pamangkin wla. mangiyak ngiyak ang byenan ni kuya na sinabing si ashley, nahulog sa hagdan, tinakbo sa hospital. lalo akong nanghina sa narinig ko. nagpray muna ako sandali na sana ligtas yung pamangkin ko.
September 27, 2009, 10am umuwi si kuya para kumuha ng pera dahil ayaw daw i citi scan yung pamangkin ko kapag wlang cash. nakita ko kung paano gumilid yung luha sa mga mata ni kuya. gusto kong maiyak pero hindi nangyari yun. inopen ko cp ko, cnubukan kong magtext kay cris… ang sabi ko sa kanya papunta ako ng hospital malapit sa anonas. hindi ko alam kung nasend ko yun kasi namatay na cp ko.
Pagdating ko ng hospital, nakita ko yung hipag ko, kalong kalong si ashley, puno ng putik ang damit at walang tsinelas, si kuya din walang tsinelas. ulit umiyak si kuya sa harapan ko. sabi ni kuya ” nabaha na nga nadisgrasya pa bunso ko. ang mahal ng citi scan 6,700.00, plus pa yung ibang gamot. sabi ko sa knya, pera lng yan… basta importante ligtas sya. di na pinaconfine pamangkin ko, kaya umuwi din kami agad ng 12noon. pagsakay namin sa LRT lahat ng tao nakatingin kina kuya kasi wla silang tsinelas at puro putik pa ang damit.
Past 3pm, iniisip ko si cris kung nareceive ba nya yung text ko o hindi, nagwowori kasi ako dahil nabasa ko yung isang text nya na nasa ospital na daw sya ng past 12pm. saan na kaya siya? umuwi na kaya siya kasi wla nman kami sa hospital?… di nman ako makareply dahil lobat na lahat ng cp ko, pati rin kay kuya. buti na lng dumalaw sila kuya noy ang bayaw ni kuya. nakitext ako, tinext ko si cris. nagulat ako nung sinabi nyang nasa mini stop siya malapit sa ospital, naghihintay daw ng text ko kung ano nangyari sakin. grabeh nman talaga ang effort nyang maghintay ng mahigit 3hours. so, ayun katext ko na sya, nag-offer syang puntahan ako sa bahay para tumulong sa paglilinis. nung una ayaw ko, kasi nakakahiya. pero pumayag na rin ako kasi gusto ko rin syang makita. hindi ko maintindihan ang feelings ko noon pero ramdam ko talaga yung pagcacare nya.
4pm dumating sya sa bahay, mukha akong gusgusin noon. may putik yung damit ko at buhok, halatang pagod at hagard..hehe, pagkakita ko sa kanya, parang gusto kong yakapin at tipong gusto kong magsumbong. pero syempre, nahiya nman akong gawin yun. dahil sa binaha lahat ng bahay, lahat ay gumagamit ng tubig, kaya wlang tumutulo na tubig sa taas.. sa baba lng meron. nag-igib ng tubig si cris sa baba at nag-umpisa na syang tumulong sa paglilinis ng bahay…natutuwa ako sa nakikita ko. before kasi siya dumating para tumulong sa paglilinis, masama talaga pakiramdam ko dahil na rin cguro sa pagod at puyat. pero nung nakita ko siya parang bumuti agad yung pakiramdam ko. oh diba may ganung factor…heheh
8pm nag-evacuate sila kuya sa STV school kasama ng mga pamangkin ko. sa sobrang takot nya, lnilipat mga pamangkin ko dahil binalita daw sa radyo na magpapakawala ulit ng tubig sa dam. i keep on reminding cris na baka late na sya makauwi sa kanila, pero sabi nya ok lng daw kasi nagpaalam naman sya. sa laki ng tiwala ni kuya sa amin iniwan nya kami ni cris sa bahay. candle light dinner kami kasi wla nga kuryente. hehe, kahit pagod masaya pa din kasi kasama ko si cris. around 9pm kwentuhan kami ni cris. nasabi niya na hindi ko daw siya pinatulog nung gabing binaha kami. umiiyak na lng daw siya kasi wla siyang magawa na tulungan ako aside from praying for my safety. pero nung nakita na daw niya ako, sobrang natuwa daw siya dahil sa wakas kasama na niya ako. di rin daw nya maintindihan kung bakit ganun na lng siya mag-alala sa akin eh hindi pa nman kami ganun katagal na magkakilala. kahit mukhang pagod at may putik pa daw ako sa buhok, maganda pa rin daw akong tingnan. heheh, habang nagkukwento siya di ko maiwasang kiligin ng patago. hanggang sa inantok na ako, tinanong ko sya kung pwedeng matulog na kami. sabi niya ok daw dahil alam niyang pagod ako pero nagulat ako, ng sinabi nya na kung pwede daw nya ako yakapin kasi namiss daw nya ako. hehehe… gulat kayo noh? syempre pati ako nagulat din at natuwa… bkit? kasi during that time parang kelangan ko ng comfort sa lahat ng pinagdaanan ko sa loob ng 24hours. nagulat ako kasi di ko inasahan na sabihin nya yun. sabi ko sa sarili ko, kapag pumayag ako na mayakap nya ako baka nman isipin nyang gusto ko sya? (totoo nman talaga..hehe) o bka isipin nyang easy to get ako. ask nyo ako kung ano ginawa ko? heheh
Syempre pumayag ako, at nung yakap nya ako. bigla syang nag-open up…lagot na… bumibilis na heart beat ko.
cris: naalala mo pa ba yung mga qualities na hinahanap ko sa magiging gf/gg/otl ko?
ako: yep, bkit ano tungkol dun…
cris: kasi lahat ng yun nahanap ko sau, ahmmm… pwede ba akong mag-apply as ur gg?
nagulat ako sa lahat ng sinabi nya… akala ko nananaginip lng ako. kasi una sa lahat gusto ko sya, at lahat ng qualities ng ideal bf/gg na hinahanap ko nasa kanya… hindi ako agad nakasagot sa tanong nya. kaya tinanong ko sya…
ako: cgurado ka ba? hindi kaya nabibigla ka lng? cge nasaan ang resume mo?…sinabi kong pabiro.
cris: yup, cgurado ako, pwede ba to follow na lng yung resume ko…
ako: ganun ba? (nagbublush na ako, di ko alam kung anong next na sasabihin ko.) ahmm, actually gusto kita pasalamatan kasi ang laki ng tulong mo sakin sa mga nangyari.ahmmm bka isipin mong basta basta akong babae kapag nalaman mo sagot ko, pero magpapakipot pa ba ako? gusto rin kita…
cris: (nagulat siya) talaga! sinasagot mo na ako?
ako: ahmm di ko pa naririnig yung magic word eh…(sabay ngiti)
cris: (natawa sya) i love you ghen!…
ako: i love you too. (muntik na akong maiyak ng sinabi ko yun sa kanya kasi never ko inexpect na gusto nya rin ako. He is an answered prayer… pinagdasal ko talaga sya kay Lord. sobrang natuwa ako kasi after ko sinabi yung mga katagang yun, nagdasal sya at nagpasalamat sa Diyos dahil dumating daw ako sa buhay nya… pinangako nya kay Lord na hindi na daw ako mag-iisa, at mamahalin, aalagaan at hindi daw nya ako sasaktan. habang pinapakinggan ko sya di ko namalayang napaluha na ako sa sobrang tuwa. after nya magpray, niyakap nya ako ng mahigpit at sinabing…” TOGETHER LETS SERVE THE LORD”.
sobrang saya ko ng mga oras na yun. sabi nga namin, hindi man natuloy yung date namin sa panonood ng concert atleast natuloy dahil sa bagyong ondoy… dahil sa tulong ni ondoy, nagkaroon ako ng God’s gift na matagal ko ng hiniling kay Lord. kinwento ko rin yung experience ko with kuya bong yung tumulong sakin, ang sabi nya minsan dalawin daw namin sya at ang asawa nya para makapagpasalamat sa pagtulong nila sakin.
ayun, buong magdamag, pinaypayan nya ako dahil walang kuryente at malamok hanggang sa makatulog ako. Oops, bka iniisip niyo may ginawa kaming kababalaghan siyempre wla…hehe, bawal muna yun! kasi kelangan ng basbas ng pari. hehe, ayun hindi ko alam kung nakatulog din sya. kinaumagahan, hinatid nya ako sa ofis at umuwi na rin sya sa kanila.
God gave cris at the right time. ang galing lng talaga ni Lord kasi binigay niya si cris sa tamang pagkakataon. dahil sa mga pinagdaanan ko, isa si cris sa naging sandalan ko. kahit kasi sa ofis binaha din, lahat ng files ko basa, even my computer binaha na hanggang ngaun di malaman kung gagana pa. problema man ang dala ni ondoy di ko alintana kasi alam kong may cris na akong karamay sa lahat ng pagkakataon. masaya ako sa kung ano kami ngayon. naging maiksi man ang aming pagkakilala, hindi sukatan yun para mahalin namin ang isa’t isa. dahil sa konting panahon na nakasama at nakilala ko sya, ramdam ko kung gaano nya ako kamahal… we’re taking our time to know each other. and i know our love is forever because God is the center of our relationship… korni man sabihin pero we loved each other kahit maiksi pa lng yung time na magkakilala kami. love does not measure kung gaano kahaba or kaiksi ang panahon na magkakilala kayo. as long as you love each other sapat na cgurong reason yun para ipagtuloy ang pagmamahalan na naramdaman niyo sa isa’t isa. im blessed to have cris as my GGG. thanks to flory, and boplanet site.. God used them to be the instrument of our love. atleast ngaun, kapag dumating ang june 10, isang celebration na lng kami dahil pareho kami ng birthday… dahil gemini kami malamang kami nga yung kambal na tinadhana..hehehe. mahaba pa yung kwento pero hanggang dito na lng muna… pag may time ituloy ko ulit. heheh
To Give or Not To Give...?
By Rayniel ZabalaI am a fan of Bro. Bo. Ever since I found this Great Preacher, I never stopped following his blogs and TV shows be it on the internet and on TV. He said that if we want to gain abundance and more blessings, we should be ready to help others in every way we can. If we do that, blessings will come pouring in more than you can imagine. It may not be seen immediately but its sure to come. Actually, I already know that God has blessed me so much in such a way that even before I decide to help someone in need, HE already "advances" HIS blessings... There's no question about it. Now, my dilemma is about the streetchildren .... and I would like to shoot this question straight from my mind. IS IT RIGHT TO GIVE MONEY TO THEM? I personally think that by giving them alms, they tend to be dependent and make a career out of it. As I see it, the long term effect does more harm than good if we give them money. I am sure that you know that some of them are professional beggars worst being managed by a syndicate or they are being exploited by their parents. Some of them choose not to go back to school anymore because they are already preoccupied earning money on the streets. Some of these kids use the money to buy solvents... and eventually become a burden to the society. Now, going back to my title - TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE..? Am I sinning if I ignore their beggings? Please share you opinion..
Fr. Bo Sanchez
By Jerson CalinawanAs I was pondering on the images of our dear priests, whatever congregation they may be... I suddenly think of Bro. Bo. Hahaha.. I don't know how would Bro. Bo looked like if he is one of our priests today.
Would you agree with the idea that Bro. Bo becomes a priest? If you'll ask me, I will surely agree... (It's a dream...my dream for him). But as we all know, he was already taken by her lovely wife Marowe. Having 2 children is well enough to pursue the burdens and blessings of life..
But just in case Bro. Bo would become a priest, I edited some photos that would give us the picture of who is Fr. Bo Sanchez..
Check out the photos and please send me comments out from those photos..
Take a look at it:
Is this a good looking Fr. Bo?
Or how about this smiling Fr. Bo in front the altar?
Or this Fr. Bo inviting us to be one in Christ through a consecrated bread?
Well, you decide!
p.s. (1)
I just hope Bro. Bo wont get angry at me and ban me in this coummunity site..
p.s.(2)
Sorry in advance Bro. Bo... PEACE..!
Ang tagal naman..
By Ace Kenneth GebilaguinWorry Kills
By Leeh Ignacio
A few months ago, I woke up and prayed. I asked God to help me have the faith I had when I started my life back after Eric’s death. The night before, I couldn’t sleep and spent the whole night crying. My past was constantly flashing back. Somehow my mind was full of worries from my personal troubles and very complicated family problems.
I've been worrying a lot these past few months. Economic crisis could let me lose my job anytime, my siblings are clashing, my daughter’s future, my moms health, my youngest brother schooling, all the enormous expenses including my siblings own kids and unbelievably all of them (as in all) are not working, NO JOB at all and they are all living in one roof except for my youngest brother who is studying in Manila.
After a short prayer, I prepared for work. Usually, before I start my usual task I would surf the internet. My officemate had mentioned Kerygma magazine and suddenly remembered Bro. Bo Sanchez. I attended one of his preachings about 9 years ago and read some of Kerygma issue. I immediately surfed the internet and read Kerygma Jan 09 issue. There is column in the magazine entitled DON’T WORRY and it stricken me.
Part of the column has a story about a man who has seen the angel of death and was told that the angel will get 10 people. He was terrified and texted all his relatives and friends and the news spread all over. That night a thousand people die. The angel of death made it clear again to this man that he only got 10 persons and doesn’t know why they died. And why they died? They worried too much! They thought they could be one of the 10. Worry kills.
Two things happen when you trust God
1. You are not afraid of uncertainties. You have no worries.
When Eric was bed ridden for six months before he died, I was 5 months pregnant. I slowly lose all the savings we had and sold all the things I could sell and I had to borrow money. I was afraid for my daughter’s future and family’s situation but I never stop praying. While I was in deep pain of losing everything, I knew that I have to do something. I surrender to God and trust Him. I had an incredibly soaring faith in Him during that time. After two weeks of giving birth, I send my resume to different company and in three weeks I got a new job and after five months i accepted another offer here in Dubai for a 3 year contract.
2. Your leaf stays green. You keep bearing fruit.
When you trust God, you remain young.
Well, of course… I still worry about everything. I invented the word worry hehehe!. But I realized that I only worry when I forget that God is always in control. Nobody’s perfect. I still fall short in His eyes of course. I sometimes feel lazy of being in touch with Him through prayers, that’s why He sometimes allow me to worry and be anxious to remind me that He’s always there. Kailangan nga ba naman nia ako pinabayaan? We just have to trust Him. But as Bo says, “Don’t just pray. God also wants you to act. Maybe He wants you to fail a bit too” I know i have to do something on my family's situation and trust God for everyhting.
you find that somehow everything tumbles at
some point in your life, have the strength to start all over
again… Let go. Let God
When you have nothing left but God, then you become aware that God is enough.
- Rayden
Enjoy Toastmasters but Becareful
By Violeta ImperialPosition Paper
Gentlemen:
I would like to bring to your attention the alarming state of affairs in one of the Toastmasters Club in District 75. I am referring to Alabang Community Toastmasters (ACT), the membership of which is being wracked by the unscrupulous acts by one of its senior officers no less.
I am Violeta Imperial and I joined ACT last July 2008. I even attended the Toastmasters Conference in Bacolod, and I have enjoyed every moment in our Toastmasters Club. I have paid my membership dues diligently and on time, as valued my membership.
Last June 2009, I was elected as Secretary of the Club, and attended the Officers’ Training in July. We were made aware of the Officer’s Turnover Ceremony to be held at Villamor Airbase, but PDHG a DTM, who is a past VP for Education of ACT and currently Sgt.-at-Arms, said that we were better off attending the Officers’ Training instead of the Turnover Ceremony.
I, thus, attended the Officers’ Training and received the Secretary’s Manual and the CD. I started reading it immediately to familiarize myself with my duties and responsibilities. Our Club VP for PR (who has since resigned) and I then requested from Ms. Lolet the official list of members and their email addresses so that we could perform our duties effectively. I then requested PDHG to mentor me in my function as a Secretary.
The copy of ACT Member Roster and Speech Progress Chart was emailed to me on July 25, 2009.
This is where the problem started.
When I was started to browse the website of Toastmasters International to check what our Club membership roster looked like, I discovered my name was not on the list of Club members. I was a NON-MEMBER.
I called up our PCP and asked him to check it out. He then emailed to me the roster of the member as of August 17, 2009, which still did not include my name. (Attachment B: Only 8 ACT members are officially in the roster of Toastmaster International)
I voiced my concerns to PDHG and she replied as follows:
Via email: “will update it in September”
Via Text: “Don’t worry, I already updated it last June, and your turn to update the roster is still on May 2010.”
Via Text: “Treasurer Isa is not yet trained; when the next officers’ training, she doesn’t know”
I sensed that there was an effort on her part to prevent me from performing my duties. She wanted to meet me personally to update me on the Club membership, and I agreed but told her that we should include all the officers as it is everybody’s concern. She agreed, but did not show up at the set meeting.
I informed IPCP about my concern that I was not an official member even if I had already paid my annual dues. He then decided to call an emergency Execom meeting.
First Execom Meeting
First Meeting: 25 August 2009, Tuesday, at Henlin. The issue of my (and apparently of other new TMs) non-member status was discussed. PDHG reasoned that she didn’t trust that the new members would renew, which could be bad for the club, thus she kept the money for the meantime (she did not mention how much).
She proposed that the club collect the annual dues of the members for October 2009 to March 2010, despite the amount that she already has with her, and apply the total amount for the March to September 2010 period. We said no and asked her to return the money ASAP. She promised to do so to PCP on August 29, Saturday, during the Officers’ Training at Villamor.
I asked for a copy of the By-laws and Constitution, but she refused and said that it was her personal copy that she paid for.
August 29 came, but no payment was made. And it was also first time I saw the Toastmasters’ Official Receipt because I was assigned to handle the registration and payment during the Officers’ Training. It became apparent to me that such ORs were never given to us when we paid our membership dues.
Then I surveyed the Club members to find out the following:
1. If they had a Membership Number as emailed by Toastmaster International;
2. If they received the monthly Toastmaster Magazine;
3. If their manuals arrived via Aboitiz or if these were handed out personally by PDHG (apparently, most of them received their manuals directly from PDHG, but she even asked new members to photocopy at their own expense);
4. How much they paid and when.
Based on the information the members gave me, I did some accounting (Attachment C as of September 2009) and I discovered that 16 members had trustingly paid their dues but were not reported to TI as members and their payments not remitted).
Second Execom Meeting: 7 September 2009, Monday, at Henlin. We again confronted PDHG on the status of the payments that she promised to refund. She reasoned that she used the money to buy medicine for her son. She even brought some medical documents (which she did not let us hold to see for ourselves if the dates reconciled).
IPAG and Acting Treasurer said something about the ACT’s status being a group concern. However, PDHG grew hysterical and exclaimed: “ACT is mine! I am one of the Charter members. ACT is mine, mine, mine! It’s my club!”
If she truly spend the money on her son, how come she was able to afford:
1. Trip to Bacolod Conference 2008
2. Trip to Davao Conference and able to pay for the airfare of one of the contestant.
3. Join the USANA multilevel Marketing of IPAG worth estimated P 11,000
4. Booked her whole family to the Midyear conference on Oct 2009.
12 September, Saturday. IPAG called me up and asked: What would I do if they didn’t reinstate me? I replied that I would use my blog to expose publicly what was happening. I asked him if there was any action plan by the past area governor and the past president, and he said that they have plan.
13 September, Sunday. IPAG suggested that I resign as Club Secretary. His reason was that he wanted peace in the Club and that PDGH had voluntarily resigned as she was apparently so hurt by my discoveries.
If I remember what I read in the Toastmasters Bylaws and Constitution, nobody can ask a member to resign. It must be done voluntarily.
16 September, Wednesday
I decided to seek PDG wisdom. She advise me to stay with the Club and give this report to her and with the evidence.
17 September, Thursday
IPAG emailed me that I should drop the investigation because I look so burdened. I said, no, I am not burdened. He reiterated that I should resign as Secretary because I needed to be “disciplined” because I had hurt PDHG.
During our Club’s business meeting, IPAG distributed the P9,000 refund to the members, but then encourage them to pay again to legalized their membership. He added that Alabang Community Toastmaster need to report at least six paid members to Toastmasters International so that the club could remain in good standing. However, there was no assurance made that the rest of the money the members had paid earlier would be returned by PDHG. Nevertheless, I and some of the members decided to take the risk because we valued our membership and the great time we had during the TM meetings. I thus, paid my reinstatement fee of P1,350 to be applied for October 2009 to March 2010.
After the Club meeting, IPAG personally told me that there would be a reelection of officers on September 24, and since I was not technically a member, I had no reason to stay as Secretary. But at the same time, he offered me the Treasurer position.
I sense that IPAG wants to save PDHG neck from the mess that she made, and he even campaigned that she continue to stay and mentor the club because she is the most experienced and senior member, being the only DTM in the club.
18 September, Friday
IPAG called me up for me to sign my reinstatement form, although he was still pushing hard for me to resign. (He been harassing me about this since September 13 Sunday).
September 23 Wednesday
PCP called me up to help her with the Toastmaster meeting for Thursday and requested me to resign as Secretary that I am not legally a member when I was elected Secretary, because my annual fee was embezzled. As this date, my reinstatement payment is already with IPAG.
September 24 Thursday
After one week of reinstatement payment, I followed up IPAG to discover, he did not fax my application form to U.S. Feeling that there is a great effort to get rid of me to become a member because I was the one who discovered the one year non remittance of 16 people paid membership fee and annual dues, I asked for my money back.
ACT Toastmaster Meeting
DHG is present with PAG and PG at the meeting. PDHG made a passionate defensive speech about her sick son.
No reelection was made because most of the nonmembers did not came, and might not renew because the full payment of the money was returned yet. Neil returned my money back.
Later that evening, I learned from PCP that PDHG want to be appointed a VP for Education, after all the offenses she made.
October 18 Sunday, one month had pass, and no Toastmaster Manual arrived to those who paid last September 17.
That is a chronology of the events that have transpired in ACT. In this light, I would like to seek the guidance and action of the esteemed leaders of District 75.
I am a victim, 16 people in Alabang Community Toastmaster are victimized. Have a friend who got victimized 10 years ago, she is with the 16 pax victimized. A present Div. Gov was also a victim. And a clubs in Visayas and more. Most victims never had justice. The offending party are let go to save the name of the Organization or Club. The Offeding party are chosen to stay because they are competition material. Other Toastmaster Officers know that she is already doing it.
I implore the District Leaders:
- To make actions on how to prevent more victims in the future.
- To provide a new mentor/s to Alabang Community Toastmasters, particularly one with imbued with integrity, honesty, and dignity, one who is God-fearing. We need someone to guide us and our Club in rebuilding ourselves, and not to manipulate us or exploit our trust. Somebody who is whole and not broken and bitter.
- To ban PDHG from staying as a member or holding any official position or business (whether in the Club, Area, Division or District level) in Toastmasters Philippines because she has the talent and skill to organize another club and most likely repeat her manipulative cycle of embezzlement.
To offend and take advantage of someone one time is bad already. But to do so to 15 people (or more) who trusted the PDHG for one whole year in collecting their hard-earned money that was intended for their TM membership and annual dues, but then spend it personally, is totally outrageous! I truly hope that District 75 leaders will not tolerate this kind of behavior as it reflects badly not just on the affected club or division, but on the entire District.
For your kind consideration and immediate action, please.
Violeta C. Imperial
Quasi Secretary ACT 2009 – 2010
Competent Communicator
Ex Member, Alabang Community Toastmaster
Area 73, Division H, District 75
Ode to my mother
By Julius Caezar BayonetaAs pragmatist at young age, I did not follow the teacher’s instruction and opted to cut it down to about 4 years. Visualizing of what I WANT in the future may be easy but creating in my mind what I NEED was a lot more uncomplicated.
My first job was a ball boy (pulot boy) in the tennis court a block away from our house. I have to be in bed by the time evening news is aired and must be wide awake before mid night until the wee hours when most of the young professionals are sweating their agility in the courtyard. I was nine years old then. Subsequently, I became errand boy to most of our neighbors and was promoted to car wash boy during high school. By errand I mean; including completing assignments or school projects, buying beers and cigarettes for weekend drinking session, cleaning garage, date chaperone, buying groceries, cleaning glass windows, painting wooden gates and joining neighbor’s delinquent kids in Sunday catechesis.
Clean clothes, decent meal and a sound sleep are the most important necessities I seek and so when this essay of envisioning our selves after ten years was assigned; all I can write of was better job that will secure me to at least pay rent for a upright room, wear enough clothes and ensure that square meals will not be a problem at all. While a good family tried to take care of me amidst their own predicaments; I can say I experienced a lot of thing you would not imagine. To name a few; that is, sleeping in the dining table, sleeping inside parked jeepney or cab, sleeping in the countertop of sports complex canteen, playing with childhood buddies close to meal time to have free lunch or dinner in their homes, attending non-Catholic Sunday service in exchange for free slightly used clothes and free meals, borrowing school uniform from friends when joining school competition (i.e. Math Olympiad, Chorale Fest, etc) and various sacrifices for a young orphan.
I vividly remember now that what I wrote turned out to be factual; after High School, I studied in Meralco Foundation Institute while working as service crew in Jollibee. I was already renting a small room in close proximity to school and work place. While dream of studying in University was put to halt, I recall then that I should have written down a different mental picture of the future and maybe, things would have been different. Now, I realized that we are writing future everyday, if not every minute. Imagination is a ticket to a dream. Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or state, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new splendor waiting to be born. Our dreams were put to test; my dream was put to test on that day the essay was assigned to us. And so, I re-write the said dream test essay numerous times and things eventually have changed.
While many of you who would try to read this, are aware that numerous things happened afterwards. I went to seminary school… met my biological father after 17 long years… searched for biological mother… worked for several parish communities… tried a career in freelance research and now part of the big workforce employed in the BPO sector. I still don’t have a house I may say I own; but I am residing to better-brought-up residence compared to “jeepneys” and dining table. I still keep practical number of shoes and clothes but at least not borrowing from friends similar to what happened during school days. I eat on time now (except when I am working of reports deadline) but it is far better than nearly begging for food when I was a kid.
Allow me to borrow what Albert Einstein mentioned about fantasy or vision; he said and I quote, “When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge”
Positive imagery may sure be of help in achieving our dreams. All of you will agree that it is not enough. Will power, sacrifice, passion, and other success formulas should be at hand yet; this idea of dream test surely taught me to survive in this world full of dreariness.
And let me end this ode with what Starbucks founder, Howard Schultz has to say about creativity and imagination – “One thing I’ve noticed about romantics: They try to create a new and better world from the drabness of everyday life”.
Bursting With Good News
By Myrna OrtegaThe orphanage, Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children's Home Inc., houses 15 orphaned and abandoned children...
The scholarship foundation, Pag-Asa ng Pamilya Scholarship Foundation - supports the schooling of almost a hundred poor but deserving elementary, high school and college students...
and finally - still in the works - Grace to be Born Foundation- a home for unwed mothers who will be assisted till childbirth...
All of these ministries are now alive because a group of people were willing to share their time, talent and treasure...God is soo good!
And this is what I want to share in this blog...the people who came, who gave, who shared...with God's poor. till next time
Great Launching
By Joseph MartinezYo!
