Gung-Ho

I attended the BIGKIS Summer Youth Camp last May 19-22 in Tanay Rizal. It's a retreat mixed with exciting activities...the ones that will truly make one's body and soul fully alive.

It was indeed an experience filled with so much fun, laughter and talking to the Lord. I made friends with some wonderful people and reunited with some of my old friends. Masarap sanang magkwento kaya lang, it will really spoil Bigkis' main objective...

Eto lang ang tanging masasabi ko: I hope more people (both young and the young at heart) will join Bigkis and get Gung-ho about Christ Jesus!

Gullible Me

May dalawang klase daw ng tao na nabubuhay sa mundo: (1) ang mga manloloko, at (2) ang mga nagpapaloko...

...masakit mang aminin, subalit ang isang taong matalinong tulad ko (aherm!) ay naloko ng isang higit na matalino (kaya?) at tusong manloloko...

Just recently, kumanta ako sa isang kasal...the concerned parties were referred to me by a friend...in short, kaya ko lang sila nakilala ay dahil sa kaibigan ko...talks between me and the concerned parties went smoothly...I was to sing DURING the wedding and get paid AFTER the wedding...since kilala sila nung friend ko, okay na rin sa akin...sabi ko sa sarili ko, mukha namang matinong kausap ang mga taong ito at wala sa hilatsa ng mukha nila ang manloko...dumating ang araw ng kasal...syempre pa, ganda ng repertoire na hinanda ko...hinusayan ko rin ang pagkanta ko dahil ayokong mapahiya ang friend ko...natapos ang kasal...sabi nung kausap ko, "I'll get in touch with you tomorrow"...ever trusting that I was, I hold on to that promise...kaso mo, hindi sya tumawag kinabukasan...tumawag sya twice several days later, pero wala ako...alam mo naman, super hectic ang sked ko...when my mom told me na tumawag nga sya, nag-text ako sa kanya, apologizing for not being able to return the call...nag-text back naman sya, ang sabi, tatawagan nya ako later in the evening...dumating ang gabi, naghintay ako sa tawag nya...NADA!...at hanggang ngayon di pa rin sya tumatawag...as for my friend, well, na-mention ko sa kanya pero nagsabi na ako na wag na nya habulin kasi kung talagang magbabayad sila, di na sila kailangan pang i-remind...

…ok lang sa akin kung magbabayad sila...okay pa rin naman kung di na sila magbabayad...basta, hindi natutulog ang Diyos...at naniniwala ako sa KARMA...

overjoyed

Overnight outing ng choir...kaya naman, marami ring "over" na naganap sa loob ng humigit-kumulang na labing-walong oras naming pagsasama:

Over # 1: Naligaw kami papuntang Villa Madonna sa Antipolo
And to think tatlong beses na naming napuntahan ang farm resort…pero ang nakakaloka dun, yung naging tour guide namin na, ayun sa kanya, "oo, alam ko ang papunta dun. Dire-diretso lang!" Talaga lang ha, kaya pala ng mamalayan namin eh nasa Teresa, Rizal na kami...wowee!!! (background music: "Be brave, little one...")

Over # 2: Bumabaha ng gamit sa pagluluto
Dalawang 1.5 na bote ng generic na matika...isang banig ng paminta...kalahating kilo ng siling labuyo...isang kilong sibuyas...isang kilong kalamansi...isang tray ng itlog at maraming talong na nag-disappearing act...at pang-isang daang katao na basong pinoy...yehey! Pwede na kaming magtayo ng sari-sari store!!!

Over # 3: Super biritan sa karaoke
Hay! Kung napapaos lang ang karaoke, malamang wala na syang boses dahil sa 18 hours straight na walang tigil na pagpapatugtog…at ang reigning Karaoke Diva: si Jingjing! Panalo talaga ang timing at ang choice of songs! Walang sinabi si Sam na music student...tsk,tsk,tsk...

Over # 3: Guest namin si Darna, si Ding, ang dalawang alien at si Buboy

Over # 4: Muntikan nang malunod si Ice
At ang salarin ay ang aming pinagkakatiwalaang tour guide! Hala, lagot ka kay Dada...

Over # 5: "Kinasal" ako...sa isang lalaki na ang gusto ay kapwa lalaki…at ang nagkasal sa amin...um, well...no comment...

Over # 6: Problema na naman...suyang-suya na ako...

Sa kabuuan, masaya naman ang aming ginanap na pagtitipon...next year ulit...pero sana wala na ang mga ka-"over"-an na ito!

another survey

1. FIRST & MIDDLE NAME:
Jessica Santiago

2. HOW DID YOU GET YOUR NAME?
Sabi ng mom ko, she derived the first syllable of my name to that of Jesus Christ, nilagyan na lang ng "sica" para girly-girly...if I were a boy, my name would be Jess.

3. DO YOU WISH ON STARS?
oo naman...

4. WHICH FINGER IS YOUR FAVORITE?
wala, lahat sila pantay-pantay ang billing...i can't imagine kung paano ako tutugtog ng piano kung may isang daliring magtampo dahil sa favorite-favorite na yan!

5. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
April 2, 2005

6. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
yes...

7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAL?
Depends on my cravings at kung ano ang masarap…

8. ANY BAD HABITS?
minsan may pagka sarcastic ako at palagi akong late

9. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF?
yung mga pirated CDs na song compilations

10. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
oh, yes definitely!

11. TWO QUESTION THAT YOU HATE TO ANSWER AND WHY?
1. Bakit wala ka pang boyfriend? Kasi di ko naman alam talaga kung bakit!
2. Galit ka ba? Kasi when I'm angry, you don’t need to ask questions 'coz you're more likely to feel it.

11. HAVE YOU EVER TOLD A SECRET YOU SWORE NOT TO TELL?
yes

12. DO LOOKS MATTER?
Sometimes...pero if I get to choose between looks and character, I'd put some weight on one's character over looks.

13. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
when i was kid, nagbabali ako ng pencil or ballpen or sumisigaw ako habang nakatakip yung pillow sa bibig ko...now, i count from one-to-ten and... get even (joke lang!)

14. WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME?
Church

15. DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY?
sobra...kaya palagi rin ako nahu-hurt...waaaaahhh!

16. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
barbie dolls, chinese jackstone at saka yung doll na kulay yellow ang hair na naka-braid na malaki ang bibig na character sa Sesame Street (sorry, hindi si Big Bird!)

17. WHAT CLASS IN SCHOOL DO YOU THINK IS TOTALLY USELESS?
JRizal - Life & Works of Jose Rizal

18. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?
I used to have one before, yung handwritten...napagod na lang ako ng kakasulat. But now I do maintain an online blog...

19. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
oh yes, most of the time!

20. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A BULL SESSION?
yes…kaka-tense, sobra!

21. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
may sense of humor, loving, responsible, sensible, malapit kay Lord pero hindi pari or hindi magpa-pari, has a deep concern for his parents, emotionally stable, and understanding

22. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Jhie (sa bahay), Gigi (sa office)

23. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
yes

24. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Sometimes

25. DO YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes

26. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
chocolate

27. SHOE SIZE?
5½ or 6

28. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE COLORS?
violet, black

29. HOW MANY WISDOM TEETH DO YOU HAVE?
Two

30. WHO DO YOU MISS MOST RIGHT NOW?
Si Alfredo...si Lorrie Ann...si Geraldine...yung mga dati kong ka-choir mates na hindi ko na masyadong nakaka-chicka...

33. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
White Houses by Vanessa Carlton

34. LAST THING YOU ATE?
Chicken Teriyaki ng Kitaro

35. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Jun

36. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Eyes and nape

37. LAST PERSON YOU TEXTED?
Roehl

38. HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
happy

39. FAVORITE DRINK?
iced tea, four seasons, at saka Rhumba Frap ng Starbucks

40. FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK?
smirnoff mule & mudshake

41. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT?
Wala...pero I’m beginning to like badminton though di ako makapaglaro these days kasi sobrang toxic ng sked ko...

42. YOUR HAIR COLOR?
black

43. YOUR EYE COLOR?
dark brown

44. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
no...bawal... kasi sasayaw ang contact lens sa right eye ko!

45. SIBLINGS?
none...ako ay nag-iisang tagapag-mana (ng ano kaya?)

46. FAVORITE MONTH?
april and december

47. FAVORITE FOOD?
McChicken at fried chicken ng mcdo...siomai ng henlin...donuts ng go nuts donuts...munchkins ng dunkin'...death by chocolate ng bennigan's...carbonarra ng spaghetti factory...chicken teriyaki ng kitaro...sinigang, porkchop, inihaw na bangus at syempre, yung ginataang pusit na luto ng nanay ko :)

48. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
The Phantom of the Opera

49. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
April 2

50. ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT?
nope

52. SUMMER OR WINTER?
summer

53. HUGS OR KISSES?
both

54. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
relationships

55. ONE THING THAT PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU
sensitive ako (both the negative and the positive side of it)...di lang halata

56. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE OTHER PEOPLE TO REMEMBER YOU?
I'd like other people to remember me as somebody who has touched their lives even in the slightest way.

57. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?
fiction and inspirational books

59. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?
Monopoly

60. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Full House…final episode na kasi eh…

61. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Clinique Happy, Wings (GBH), Roasted Almond by Bath & Body Works, Vanilla Fantasy, Light Blue (Dolce & Gabanna), Eternity for Women, GAP

62. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP?
Anong oras na...anong araw na...hay, salamat GOD, buhay pa ako...ano kayang breakfast ko...pag weekdays, anong una kong gagawin pagdating ko ng office...pag weekends at hindi ako mag-o-OT, matutulog ulit ako or mag vvi-videoke (yehey!)

62. WHAT ARE YOU SCARED OF?
tragic death and being outlived by my parents

63. DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN ONE WORD
Cranky...hehehe...

CFS...the reunion

Tonight, one of my earnest wish for the year has come true. To be with the people I love and grew up with...the people whose lives are etched with mine...all in in one place at the same time...

The original CFS gang came together...everybody was there...Ate Minda, Carlos, Elsa, Sheila (& husband, Owen), Dwayne, Liza, Joie, John, me, and our "mom", Tita Fe (with Tito Nick, of course!)...



There were two reasons for the reunion: my birthday, and that of Sheila's homecoming...

We had dinner at Good Earth, Greenbelt III...



and had desserts at Max Brenner's Chocolate Bar, also at Greenbelt III...

The entire night was filled with reminiscing, laughter, and revelation...truly, despite our differences, the changes in our personality (yes, even our sexual preferences), and the years of being apart from one another, one thing has remained over the years...FRIENDSHIP

Thanks guys for making my birthday celebration finale a memorable one...

29 random facts about me

29 Random Facts About Me 1. I am an only child, but never a spoiled brat

2. I really wanted to be a journalist or a TV newscaster

3. I have a lucky thumb ring.

4. I have a teary-right eye. I’ve had it since birth.

5. I love butterflies.

6. I’m very close to my mom and dad

7. I'm a
"what-you-see-is-what-you-get" person

8. I had my share of media hype when the Love Bug Virus thingy broke out last May 2000. I got interviewed by CNN, Washington Post, etc., and was featured in Balitang K (ABS-CBN 2), Debate (GMA7), and in a documentary aired exclusively in Germany. The supposed author of the virus, Onel de Guzman, was my former student.

9. I love chocolates (especially the dark ones) and I want them plain.

10. I learned playing the piano/organ at the age of 12.

11. I hate tunnels and vast bodies of water

12. The worst thing somebody said about me was: "marami ka nang tinatapakang tao"

13. I prefer chocolate-flavored ice cream and cakes

14. I love collecting poems and song lyrics

15. I started my church service when I was 13. The first mass on which I served as an organist was August 19, 1990, 5:00pm.

16. I'm very particular with color combinations on the clothes and accessories that I wear.

17. I have no patience for makulit and "slow" people – they are my greatest annoyance

18. I easily get bored

19. I love surprises

20. The qualities that I look for in a guy consist of the following: God-fearing, family oriented or someone who has deep concern for his parents, emotionally stable, intellectually stimulating, responsible, and has a good sense of humor.

21. I love black and shades of purple

22. It really takes me soooooo long to finally decide on whether to buy a particular thing or not.

23. My Hebrew name is YISHAV, which means, 'God's grace' or 'the wealthy one'

24. My birthday landed on a Good Friday when I turned 23...my favorite number

25. I have loved and lost him forever.

26. I love sinigang na baboy, porkchop, inihaw na bangus, and ginataang pusit.

27. My ultimate goal for the choir is to be able to let them sing and be accompanied by an orchestra.

28. I'm looking forward to having my own music school and manage my own planning and coordination business (for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and yes, even funerals!)

29. The most important thing I've ever learned is that no matter how much I care, some people are just assholes. ;p

Twice A Victim

I just turned 29 today...lagpas na sa kalendaryo…yun eh kung ang tinitingnan mo ay ang buwan ng Pebrero na hindi naman leap year...

Last night, I had my first visitor...si John...my best buddy-brother...he went to our place shortly before midnight...sabi nya gusto nya salubungin namin birthday ko...ang mokong...he sure has his own unique way of making me feel special...he stayed until 3:00 AM...maraming kwentuhan...tungkol sa buhay nya, sa buhay ko...noon at ngayon...lahat na yata ng memories namin, naungkat: funny, sad, outrageous, jologs, pa-cute, pa-senti...pati mga espesyal na tao na naging bahagi ng aming mga buhay...at minsan pa, isang 1.5 Coke na naman ang aming napatumba...

...sa sobrang puyat, inaantok tuloy ako nung magsimba kami ni Mama sa Quiapo...(yawn!)

Later during the evening, I was supposed to attend the SPP Children’s Choir rehearsal at 7:30pm...Phoebe texted me na kung pwede 7:40 na daw ako pumunta dahil hindi pa sila kumpleto...Bago pa man ako makarating ng simbahan, sinalubong na ako ni Phoebe...she blindfolded me and led me to a place and asked me to sit down...pagkatanggal ng blindfold, I found myself sitting in front of the altar and before me are the members of the Children’s Choir in formation...then they sang Thanked God I Found You…sa sobrang overwhelmed, I really cried profusely that somebody had to give me a tissue...tapos when I turned around, there were a handful of members of the Couples for Christ who were supposed to use the church at that time for their CFC seminar...they were all clapping their hands and greeting me...umiyak na naman ako...then the kids led me to another room where I saw Derps, our parish priest, Mike, Ryan, and the food that the kids prepared for me...spaghetti, hotdog cocktails, refrigerator cake, and juice..."what you reap is what you sow", sabi ni Derps..."love freely given deserves love in return"...

After I sent the children home, go na kami kina Carol kasi may double celebration: surprise graduation party for Carol and birthday din ni Tita Sylvia…pagdating ko, everybody was there na except for Tita Sylvia and Carol...nag-text pa si Tita Sylvia na masakit na daw paa ni Carol kakalakad...hala, pagdating sa bahay nina Carol, nagpatay na kami ng ilaw para pagdating ni Carol masu-surprise sya...chikahan habang nasa dilim…naging moment ko kasi tinanong nila kung anong nangyari sa asalto ng Children's Choir...syempre, ako naman, si kwento...dialogue pa ni Dida, "kahiya naman, wala tayong surprise para kay ate Jhie"...tapos panandaliang katahimikan...bumukas ang pinto…nag-switch on ang ilaw...sumigaw ako ng "SURPRISE! Congratulations Carol!" pero silang lahat, sumigaw ng "SURPRISE" at kumanta ng "Happy Birthday"...si Carol kumakanta ng "Happy Birthday" habang nakatingin sa akin...may dalang cake si Tita Sylvia...sa banding kanan ko, may banner...pero baliktad...ano ito!!!...before I knew it ako pala ang kinakantahan...nabaligtad na rin ang banner, at nang mabasa ko ang nakasulat: "Happy Birthday, Jhie!" (sa bandang ibaba, nandun din yung pangalan ni Tita Sylvia)...ako pala ang victim! Ang nakakatuwa pa, ako ang super nag-text sa lahat na may surprise party si Tita Sylvia for Carol...nalaman ko na lang later na it was part of the plan: mapaniwala ako na may party for Carol…

Ito pala ang dahilan kaya:
- ang dialogue ni Tita Sylvia sa text ay: "Please let me know if you are coming so I can push it through"
- matagal mag-text back si Tita Sylvia...kasi pala, nipo-forward pa sa organizing committee at saka may screening pa sa dapat na i-reply sa text message ko
- nagtataka ako kung bakit after ko mag-text kay Tita Sylvia na after 8pm pa ako makakarating, saka lang na-establish yung idea na may pinuntahan si Carol at 8:30 pm sya dadating...saan kaya sya mangagaling?
- may sense of excitement yung mga reply ni Marvin sa mga text messages ko
- walang pakialam si Mike at si Ryan kesehodang di namin maabutan yung execution ng "surprise party" for Carol
- ready na ang tables and chairs sa labas samantalang wala akong nakita ni isang food pagpasok ko sa loob ng bahay nila Carol
- walang tension habang hinihintay si Carol...proof? halos lahat ay nagti-text at naka-ilaw ang cellphone...lahat sila cool na cool
- 5 minutes pa daw bago dumating sina Tita Sylvia at Carol pero wala pang 5 minutes, nandun na sila
- hindi nila ako sinaway sa kakadaldal ko habang hinihintay si Carol
- hindi nagulat si Carol nung buksan ang ilaw
- may dalang cake si Tita Sylvia samantalang kasama nya si Carol

Ang galing! I’m totally speechless and overwhelmed...daming food na ni-prepare: spaghetti, hotdog cocktails, liempo, fried chicken, fried lumpia, sago’t gulaman at cake...

I couldn’t imagine what my kids from the Children's Choir and my friends from the Youth Choir went through just to show how much they appreciate me...many thanks, guys...May God bless you all...

Meanwhile, far across the globe, a very significant person also celebrated life – eternally, that is. At 8:37pm, (3:37 AM of April 3, Manila Time), our beloved Pope John II joined his Creator.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord...and let Your perpetual Light shine upon Him.

May his soul rest in peace. Amen.

John Paul II…we love you...

The Rituals

Maundy Thursday...

Maganda at maayos ang kanta namin during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper...na-late si Ate Minda...may solo pa naman sya...kasi naman, late ng 5 minutes ang relo nila sa bahay, yan tuloy, naging Mike and the Pussy Cats ang dating ng entrance song :p

Kumain kami ng chocolate porridge (champorado) at tuyo after the Mass...



Had dinner over at John's place...matagal-tagal na rin bago naulit ang ritual na ito: ang kare-kare ni Mommy Violy at ang mga batang yagit (kami yun!)...it’s been quite sometime...kung di pa umuwi si Sheila, di pa kami magkakasama ulit...the original tropa minus two – Dwayne and Elsa...si Elsa, understandable...as usual, marami na namang excuses...nasanay na kami sa kanya...we still love her kahit pa isa syang walking alibi...si Dwayne naman...naku, yun nga ang naging topic ng usapan...oh, how we miss the old Dwayne that we used to know...pero ganun talaga, seasons change and so do people...kaya ka nga friend di ba, nandyan ka para umintindi...

Di ko tuloy maiwasan ang mag-senti...nakakatuwang balikan ang mga magagandang alaala sa piling nila: breakfast club...ang llanera ng leche flan...ang milo na sing-tigas ng bato...ang tapa ni elsa...ang pag-iinarte ng majorette naming si Liza…ang initiation rites ng Center For Stupidity (the dead malice treatment)...ang high-waist ni Elsa...ang matapang na pabango ni John...Dwayne's double-socks...ang "wig" ko...ang malakas na tawa ni Sheila...mga pictorial sessions na umubos ng rolyo-rolyong negatives...sleepover sa bahay ni Dwayne...video marathon sa bahay nina Kuya Nog...sandamakmak na fries at iced tea ng Wendy's...Christmas exchange gifts...pagtambay sa mga bahay-bahay...ang panlilimos sa mga nakatatandang members ng choir para meron kaming pangkain sa Wendy's...surprise visits kina Tita Fe para makikain in dinner...ang iyakan sa despedida ni Sheila...ang mga mumunti naming tampuhan...ang pangungupit ni John sa wallet ni Kuya Nog...ang bukol sa noo ni Sheila nung Sister's Act presentation...ang walang humpay na puyatan at panda-daot sa mga taong dumaraan sa harap ng bahay namin...

Sa ngayon, may kanya-kanya na kaming buhay...marami na ring nabago sa aming pagkatao...hiwa-hiwalay man kami, patuloy kaming pinagbubuklod ng mga alaalang ito na talaga namang mapapangiti ako tuwing sasagi sa aking isipan...

The Cake & The Lamb

Sa susunod, kapag magpapa-deliver kayo ng cake sa Red Ribbon, tanungin nyo muna kung nagde-deliver yung particular branch na iyon bago umorder.

Alaine and I went to the Park Square branch of Red Ribbon kahapon to have a cake delivered to Ate Minda sa office nya kasi it’s her happy birthday…before kasi nagpadeliver na rin ako ng cake para kay Alfredo dun sa branch na yon kaya di na ako nagtanong…eh malay ko bang nagbabago ang panahon…ayun, super order ako only to cancel it later on dahil wala na pala silang delivery pero sa Greenbelt daw meron…

Para mawala ang init ng ulo ko habang naglalakad kami ni Alaine papuntang Greenbelt, binasa ko yung menu leaflet na inabot sa amin nung isang babae…Lamb Kaldereta…kita mo nga naman, pati lamb eh pwede na palang i-kaldereta! Tapos kumanta ako ng Mary Had A Little Lamb…nay, nakalimutan ko ang lyrics! Buti na lang, sumagot si Alaine ng…”and Jill came tumbling after”…nyek, mali! Marami akong tinext, lahat sila di alam ang lyrics…pambihira! Nai-deliver na’t lahat ang cake na binili ko para kay Ate Minda pero iniisip ko pa rin ang lyrics nya hanggang sa choir practice kagabi…ang nakasagot sa akin, si Mike… eto yung kumpletong lyrics…

Mary had a little lamb
Little lamb, little lamb
Mary had a little lamb
It's fleece was white as snow

Everywhere that Mary went,
Mary went, Mary went.
Everywhere that Mary went,
The lamb was sure to go.

It followed her to school one day
School one day, school one day
It followed her to school one day
Which was against the rules.

It made the children laugh and play,
laugh and play, laugh and play.
It made the children laugh and play,
To see a lamb at school.

Promise, ime-memorize ko na sya…

The Gift

I love it when friends come up to me and tell me that they liked the gift that I bought for them. Making other people happy is one thing that gives joy to me...and having them appreciate it affirms my being.

A friend once told me, "Your gift made me realize a lot of things in life…and I have to thank you for that."

"No life is a waste. The only time we waste is the time we spend thinking we are alone."

Very true.

A Blessing

Our stint at Shangri-La Hotel Makati for CIGI’s 25th Anniversary was great...much to our surprise, we got paid 5K!...Joie’s friend told me that if she had known we were that great, she could have asked for 10K...sayang...Anyway, we ate at Spaghetti Factory (Glorietta) and had ice cream afterwards at Icebergs…

I have learned a great lesson yesterday.

Don’t lose hope.

not-so-ordinary sunday

Nag sing-and-play ako kanina sa 9AM mass...Bodie came in late but he never bothered to sing 'coz he's afraid of the priest...oks lang, sanay na ako...Badette was early for the 10AM mass...aba! Naka-hanging shirt...dyaskeng bata, ire, magso-songlead na litaw ang pusod!...well, she did change her top into a more decent shirt (ngek, shirt pa rin!)

Mass Confirmation at 2PM...tagal ng mass pero sulit sa food...sarap ng cassava cake...yummy rin yung ultra thin crust pizza ng L' Inncontro (ooops, ako lang pala kumain nun...pumasok kasi ako sa loob kaya pinatikim ako ni Tita Adela ng pizza)...tapos, hiniritan nila ng ice cream si Derps, syempre ako ang namili ng flavor...rocky road...sarap!

It was nice to find myself singing with the choir during the 6pm mass...na-miss ko tuloy yung pagiging simpleng member ng choir...ngayon, naiintindihan ko na kung ano ang feeling pag katabi mo si mike at kung bakit minsan bingi si ryan...hehehe...

later during the practice, may nagka-pikunan...dejavu...ang theme song nila: Let's Get Physical.

Stairway To Friendship

Tagaytay bonding...we were 15mins late from the appointed departure time...late kasi si Ryan...kaya bad trip si Mike...hmmmmm...anyway, nakarating din kami...disappointed ako kasi hindi malamig sa Tagaytay...apparently, there are some reasons kung bakit nag-enjoy ako:

1. maganda yung napili naming place...malayo nga lang (sorry sa mga napagod ng kakalakad) pero malilim
2. everybody was affirmed in one way or the other
3. masarap ang adobo at tuna spread na ginawa ni Marvin.
4. masaya yung stairway to friendship na board game na ginawa ni jing...nag-go back to start sina dada at mike...bwahahaha!
5. maraming revelations & we got to know mike better (kasi sya yung na-"hot seat"!)
6. I was able to fulfill one of my goals for this year: to go to a butterfly farm!

Maraming tanong na gusto kong sagutin dun sa board game ni Jing, unfortunately, di napunta sa akin yung questions...kaya, dito ko na lang sasagutin...

What emotional problem bothers you very often?
...all the "what-ifs" and "could’ve-beens" of my life...hay!

What are the things you would not tolerate in a friendship?
...yung gagamitin ka...deadma na sya kung malagay ka sa alanganin basta favorable ang ending sa kanya...di bale, may karma naman eh…

What is scary in relating intimately with someone?
...di naman sinabi kung romantic relationship di ba?...siguro, kung sa babae, yung fear of losing a dear friend...it has happened many times at maraming beses na akong umiyak...kung sa lalaki naman, yung pag-isipan ka ng ibang tao na may other motive ka dun sa guy aside from friendship...yung mga taong nag-iisip ng ganun ay maaring isa sa mga ito: a) they don’t experience this kind of friendship, b) malisyoso sila, or, c) sila ay mga insecure na tao, as in insecurity personified…c’mon, pwede namang maging mag-best buddy ang babae at lalaki nang walang romantic angle...and believe me, kadalasan, ito pa yung talagang for keeps...

Describe your perfect partner in life.
...God-fearing, family oriented or someone who has deep concern for his parents, emotionally stable, intellectually stimulating, responsible, and has a good sense of humor

We arrived home shortly before 9pm...just in time for Stairway To Heaven...

I know what you did last night

Last night's choir practice was back to normal...back to normal in the sense na ako ang nagturo at madaling na-pick-up ng mga tinuturuan ko...call it revenge, if you wish...eto kasing mga nakaraang practice namin, medyo observer muna ang naging drama ko kasi nandun si teacher sampy...I was really hoping to learn a couple of choral techniques from her kaya lang medyo nadismaya ang beauty ko...my choir friends really had a hard time learning the pieces...I know the capability of my group kaya hindi ako papayag kung sasabihan silang "slow" dahil siguradong away ito! Neither will I allow other people to belittle my friends, no way!!! Kaya I decided to review them and tried correcting the minor flaws dun sa repertoire nila...now that they’ve learned the "proper" way of singing the songs, I rest my case...if only she'll do justice with the way she will conduct the choir...whew!

Later on, Carol and I went to Gasoline Alley at Robinson's Galleria to watch Milk 'n Money and Urban Dub...Alaine was there with her buddies...She’s a friend of Pinay and Pres (Milk 'n Money’s vocalist and bassist respectively)...Once again, the critic in me emerged...well, you can't blame me, I really couldn't understand what they were saying, este, singing pala...ayan tuloy, nalipat ang attention ko sa iba...there was this erratic girl na feeling too-close-for comfort...then there was this boy who couldn't get his body to be in sync with the beat (wag na kasing ipagpilitan eh!)...yuck, ang sama ni ate Jhie!

Well, it was fun naman...simply because I like Carol's company... :)

a letter to the one that God has prepared for me

I am wondering at this very minute if you are thinking of me, if like me, you are wondering what is taking us so long to find each other. Many times I thought I finally found you only to be disillusioned by the fact that my
wait has not yet ended. I get up each morning hoping, dreaming, longing to meet you. I am thinking of how we will meet, would it be as romantic as the ones I have seen in movies? Or is it possible that I have known you
all my life but we have yet to realize that we are meant for each other?

Oh how I wish you were here right now because you are the only one who has the answers to all my questions. Sometimes I ask myself if I have ever really known "love". I do not have the answer to that question either but
I believe that, more often than not, we will never really know what love is until we find that right person.... and since I have not found you yet, then maybe I do not really know what love is!

You just don't know how often I dream of finally knowing what it feels like to be in your arms. Even at this very moment I am imagining how you will simply sweep me off my feet! Perhaps I would be drawn to you by your
smile, or your eyes, or maybe even how you manage to make me laugh by your silly little ways! I don't really know for sure but I am praying that God will help me recognize you when the right time comes.

I think of all the pain that I have gone through in the past and of how much I have cried since the day I began my search. I just wanted you to know that I find my strength in clinging onto my vision of the beautiful
life ahead of me --- the life I shall spend with you. In my mind and in my heart I know that you are worth all that pain and sacrifice. After all, the tears have become a part of my life and I believe that they are slowly
washing away my flaws so that I would become perfect, not perfect in its truest sense, but perfect --- for YOU! I wonder if you've gone through so much pain as well. I wonder if you've been hurt so many times along the
journey. But my dearest one, please don't ever give up because I am right there... patiently waiting for you! I assure you that when we finally find each other I would slowly heal those wounds by my love.

At night, I would look out my window and stare at the beautiful sky, hoping that somehow you are also looking up and wondering about me. I utter a silent prayer and send all my cries to the heavens above thinking
that in time they would reach you. And when I feel impatient, I just close my eyes and believe that you are on your way and that you are longing to see me as well. It is funny but when I finally fall asleep, it is still you
that I think of, for you are always in my dreams. It seems that, for now, that is the only place where I can hold on to you, long enough to tell you how much I love you. In my dreams you would kiss away my fears and wrap me
with your arms of love. And this, all the more, makes me want to wake up and face the new day ahead with the hope that soon enough, you will no longer be a dream but a reality and once again I am assured that you are
worth the wait. And when that time comes, everything will fall into its place, just as I had imagined, just as I had thought and dreamed, just as I had believed it would be! By then, I would simply look back and smile at
all that I have gone through, in spite of the pain and amidst the simple joys of life --- and I would be very thankful because they all led me to you!

In the meantime, take care of yourself for me. Hold on to our dream and don't even think of letting go. Believe in your heart that we will find each other no matter what happens. God has planned the course and it is up
to us to follow the directions. Don't worry, don't be afraid about getting lost, God saw to it that all the roads, no matter which one you choose to follow, lead to me.

last things

1) Last book you read?
When God Writes Your Love Story

2) Last album you listened to:
The Company Anthology

3) Last time you thought you were going to die:
nung nag-earthquake...sometime in October yata...nasa office ako (15th floor ng RCBC Plaza)

4) Last time you cried:
December 2004

5) Last piece of clothing you bought:
black maong shorts

6) Last food you ate:
Oishi Cheeze on Chips and Presto Peanut-Butter Creams

7) Last dream you had:
VI-Gold Class Reunion

8) Last TV show you watched:
Last night's late evening newscast

9) Last computer program you bought:
none

10) Last time you felt inspired:
February 3, 2005

11) Last time you lied:
err, kanina lang...

12) Last time you got into a fight:
November 2001

13) Last time you were confused:
December 2004

13) Last magazine you read:
Kerygma, January issue

14) Last person you talked to on the telephone:
Darline

15) Last time you were in the hospital:
December 5, 2004...when we visited Marvin at Makati Medical Center

16) Last video you watched:
A Walk In The Clouds

17) Last movie you saw at the theater:
Meet The Fockers

18) Last contest you entered:
RCBC Star Search

19) Last photo shoot you went on:
Last year, with the officers of the SPP Children's Choir

20) Last song you listened to:
Kasama Ka...yung Coke commercial jingle

21) Last time you were betrayed:
December 2004

22) Last poster pinned in your bedroom wall:
i'm not into posters...puro glow-in-the-dark lang

23) Last time you thought you were going to war:
January 22, 2005...muntik ko nang awayin si Michael

24) Last pair of shoes you bought:
black strappy shoes with heels

forces of nature

Had an extremely busy day at work today...very draining...nevertheless, I still find a couple of reasons for me to be happy despite the, um, not so good stuff:

- Alfredo said he missed me soooooo much
- I was able to eat a decent lunch for only 35 pesos...grabe, pang-Guinness ito!
- Ate Minda gave me a bear hug
- Carol told me na nami-miss nya yung pagtuturo ko sa choir (andun kasi si Teacher Sampy kaya pang-gulo muna ang beauty ko!)

Minsan mahirap talagang espelengin (arrgh, my Tagalong spelling really sucks!) ang isang tao...Take the case of my friend, Jing...dahil lang sa isang maling salita na binitiwan nya, nag-react si Dida...because of this, Jing has to leave the practice early to cool down...well, I just hope she feels better soon...(yes, she shouldn't dapat...ha? Ano daw?...ang gulo no?)

Lesson learned: For every force, there is always an equal and opposite reaction. ;p

Yehey! Friday na naman bukas...

ash wednesday reflection

Go the extra mile this Lenten season
By Jerry M. Orbos, Svd

TODAY, Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. According to
Church precepts, those between 18 and 60 years old are obliged to fast,
i.e., to take only one full meal. Those who are 14 years old and above
are obliged to refrain from meat. The reason for fasting and abstinence
is repentance of one's sins and sacrifice to obtain special graces from
God.

The core of true fasting is the heart, the heart that wants to repent,
the heart that wants to love. Without the heart, we miss the whole
point. We may end up as Jesus sternly warns in today's Gospel (Mt.
6:1-6, 16-18) performing righteous deeds, giving alms, praying and
fasting, just for show and publicity.

Which reminds me of one particular Ash Wednesday. There I was applying
ashes on the forehead with the words: ''Remember thou art dust and to
dust you will return.'' This bejeweled and all made-up lady comes up and
tells me, ''Father, little only ha, kasi my make-up''! Here she was
being reminded of the death and dying to oneself, and all she could
think about was her make-up!

I made sure she would never forget the message of Lent all right by
putting a very big cross all the way down to her nose and all across her
forehead.

Beyond the rituals and obligations, go the ''extra mile'' this Lenten
season. Fast and abstain not only from food, but from bad habits and
vices as well, such as smoking, drinking, gossiping and hot temper.

Abstain from meat, and have lobsters and blue marlin instead? That's
not making it.

There is no real sense of sacrifice involved if you fast only to lose
weight or to reduce your blood cholesterol and uric acid.

There is no real sacrifice if you end up cranky, angry and resentful.
God wants sacrifice offered with a joyful heart, and a sincere heart
that really wants to give.

Reach out to loved ones

Reach out and take time for your loved ones now. When was the last time
you ''wasted'' time with the people whom God has given to you, who may
not speak the language of your so-called friends and acquaintances but
who for sure will be there for you and will go the ''extra mile'' for
you more than anybody else in this world?

A phone call. A letter. A text message. A little gift. A pat at the
back. Little, little things. They do mean a lot. But please. Do it now.
Not when he/she is dead and gone.

By ''extra mile,'' I definitely do not mean the funeral mile. And when
was the last time you really gave an ''extra mile'' for the less
fortunate people around?

Don't forget the social aspect of fasting in your family or community.
Perhaps you can agree to skip soft drinks, dessert, or shopping, and
give the money you saved for the less fortunate. What have you done for
others? Have you ever really given time, talent, and treasure till it
hurt. Please remember again that your mission in this world is not just
to become rich, powerful, or famous. We are all pilgrims in this world,
and we carry nothing with us when we leave except the love we shared.

Sit still

Reach out to your God. When was the last time you really sat still and
listened to God and allowed Him just to embrace and love you? When was
the last time you dropped by a lonely church just to say Hello? And when
was the last time you said ''sorry'' to the Lord, and really, really
meant it.

Don't wait for dead-end

Go the ''extra mile'' now, and not when you are already dying or dead.
For there would be no ''extra mile'' then when you've literally reached
the dead-end.

Ash Wednesday is just the beginning. There are 40 days (Cuaresma) of
prayers, fasting, and good works ahead of us. You will never experience
the true joy of Easter if you just let this 40 days pass you by without
offering sacrifices (till it hurts) and without true conversion in the
heart. Maybe there's a bad habit or two that you can work on. Perhaps
there's a positive thing or two, you can offer to God like, smiling more
often, being more giving and more affirming. Go the ''extra mile.''

Finally, when was the last time you really took the ''extra mile'' for
your true self--not the strong superman nor the unruffled hero, not the
fearless advocate you claim to be. When will you accept that you too are
human, needing rest, needing love and needing warmth?

Be good to yourself. Be true. Go beyond the rituals and obligations.
Walk the ''extra mile'' especially this Lenten Season. Walk it in
secret, and begin each mile with an S (Smile!).

That ''extra mile'' begins wherever you are, wherever you're at, right
now.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We will be the choir sponsor for tonight's mass at 6:30...our rehearsals were quite cranky and ecstatic last night...sana we'll do well tonight...for God's glory... :)

swallowing one's pride

I feel bad...a past issue has recently resurfaced and they are making fun of it…they are giving their unsolicited and malicious remarks, well in fact, they don’t know anything about the story, how it started and who started it...looking back, I must admit, I still feel bad...like it just happened yesterday...there I was, trying to help a friend...in one snap of a finger, I became the nemesis to the heroine... as for my friend, well, they don’t even know that it all started with her , anyway...how did the story end? Well, I was the one who apologized instead...talk about "swallowing one's pride"...hindi sya masarap, promise!

sometimes, being too kind is risky...and the price you have to pay is your dignity...

one sunday morning

Hyatt stint was good except for Ryan and Jan's Latin lyrics during the Gloria...

...di ako mapakali, Trish was texting and calling me during the mass kasi wala pa ni isang tao sa bahay namin...the guys assigned for rockwell were supposed to meet at 9am in our house...for the nth time, Badette proved how irresponsible she really is! Imagine, nasa kanya yung pyesa na tutugtugin ni Trish pero late sya dumating...syempre, I, as well as the rest of the guys in Hyatt were panicking!!! Di tuloy kami nakakain ng maayos...later on I found out na naka-abot naman pala si badette...according to my mom, she went to the house at 9:20 followed by Dada at 9:30 (and he was the one assigned to carry the keyboard pa!)...nainis talaga ako sobra...how can some people be so insensitive, irresponsible, and....waaah!!!

Anyway, the guys at rockwell were given 1K for breakfast, half of which went to the group's fund...we, at Hyatt, were paid 1K...we only managed to shell out 200 bucks for our taxi fare...

1,300 pesos in cash...well, tuloy na ang tagaytay bonding namin on Feb. 25...yehey!!!