Turning Pages

Remembering Happiness

2012-01-20T16:49:00.013+08:00

I feel sad. Just needing to remember happiness today. Revisiting a blog I made awhile back. I'm not afraid of being alone but this week kind of felt lonely. On these days, it is nice to remember the simple pleasures in life. Happiness is truly a choice, as most of the things that matter. Sharing with you my Happy Bucket List:

1. Spending time with a friend, talking about life.

2. Listening to a good song especially from the Beatles (never fails to make me feel better, I really don't know why.)

3. Eating spaghetti (all kinds, sour Italian, sweet Pinoy, Old Spaghetti House recipe, Jollibee)

4. Eating Curly Tops

5. Drinking vanilla coffee or chai latte in an earthen mug (yes my friends, coffee tastes better in a mug. I especially like it when the pottery is so beautiful, I want to take it home)

6. Writing a blog :)

7. Reading a good book in bed

8. Watching inspiring films like Walt Disney. Watching movies in theaters even on my own.

9. Browsing inside a bookstore or admiring paintings and photographs in an art gallery. Learning new things.

10. Walking without a preconceived destination and discovering something delightful along the way. Running.

11. Going to a GK village in the province.

12. Riding the bus to the province or the city train and looking outside; also cheesy as it may sound, looking at the stars in the sky.

Ah, happy quiet.

How about you? What makes you happy? Whether it be cooking, playing the guitar, diving, preparing for a marathon, spending play time with the kids, a movie date with your loved one, I hope you make the time for it. I realized that if you are content within yourself, you find more love to give to others. I guess, it is true that loving yourself in a healthy way, translates to loving others in a better way too. Take care and God bless! :)

Okay I feel better now. Time to take a walk...

New year is joy!

2012-01-03T14:31:00.003+08:00

Today is a happy day.

At 1pm today, raindrops fell but instead of feeling sad that such kind of weather often evokes in me, I felt happy. Strange, I thought. As I breathed in the smell of the after-rain that normally brings to mind childhood memories, I am amazed that I feel content. I think something significant changed in me last year.

But it is the kind of change that is subtle, something that is slow but steady to reveal itself. It's as if peace alighted upon me, the kind that do not need announcements nor press conferences but the quiet assurance that everything will be alright and that God will always provide.

Hope does not disappoint. Keeping the faith doesn't either. Following one's dreams, no matter how difficult, gives us that lasting happiness that temporary pleasures can never give. Simple joys are however a different story, and most of it can be experienced for free.

Good things come to those who wait and are faithful to who they are, to their purpose in life. Last year was spent many days waking up early to write, there were plenty of times I had wanted to give up, but thank grace I didn't. I realized then that the cliche is so true, success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.

Writing a long story (too long, hehe) was at times painful but it was worth it in the end. I am grateful for having tried and as I revise it to share with the world hopefully soon, my heart is like flying without wings, eager to share something of myself, something that would hopefully make the world a little brighter, better, even for just one.

There is no price for art nor life. We are masterpieces, works of art by the Great Creator, Designer, Author, Singer, Your Passion Here. I truly believe each of us reflects an aspect of our Maker and it is our duty to shine brightly for Him, to share our light with others. Imagine a world where everyone is fulfilling their purpose and potential, I imagine happiness everywhere! There would be no more suicides and people falling in despair, which disturbs my heart the most. There is always hope and may it shine brightly for you this year. Let us imagine a world where each willingly shares the best of themselves. What a wonderful world that would be, a beautiful mural where each of us contribute our time, gifts and love.

It is my hope that this year we try to become the best that we can be with lots of grace and hard work and may it be this best self that we share with others so that they too can become the best that they can be, especially those who need our help the most.

Happy New Year to You! May all our dreams come true.

"I praise you, so wonderfully you made me;

wonderful are your works!" -Psalms 139:14

Heart Catcher

2011-12-04T12:47:00.003+08:00

"Many things will catch your attention but only a few will capture your heart, pursue those," says one of my favorite quotes which encourages me to pursue the dreams God has placed in my heart. I wondered if this principle could also be applied to finding a partner in life.

Tweaking it a little, I thought about how "many people will catch our attention, but only a few will capture our hearts," but as I thought about it further I realized that we don't really need many people, not even a few, but only one who will accept us completely, unconditionally.

I believe that if we find the person with whom we can be truly ourselves with then we have found a treasure.

Relationships work best when we enter it because we want to share of ourselves, not because we want someone to fill a need. Only God can fill the cracks in our hearts. It is he who heals us and the love that comes from him is what we share. We enter a relationship to give and not to take. If the other person gives back, it is a wonderful gift that we receive with a grateful heart.

When we enter a commitment, we must ask ourselves instead: How can I make this person happy? How can I help this person be the best that he or she can be? How can I help him or her to be truly alive?

For me that is true love. The kind of love that reflects the love of God.

On another note, I have heard people say that there are two important things that require careful and thoughtful decision-making:

1.What we do with our lives (our mission), 2. Whom to spend it with (our life partner). It is true we should spend more time on decisions that are irreversible than those that can easily be changed.

Imagine this: your happiness or misery depends on the decision you make about what you choose to do and whom you spend your life with. It's a decision that requires careful reflection and prayer, before a leap of faith is taken. I remember a friend saying, "I'd rather be happy alone than miserable with someone."

That thought chipped the ice on my otherwise stubborn heart. There is a question that can prevent unnecessary pain in this area of choosing a partner: Can I see myself spending a lifetime with this person?

Can he/she be a partner in my mission, in fulfilling my purpose in life?

Will I be able to support him in his?

If there should be any doubt, one should take a step back and listen. It is better to be safe than sorry your whole life. I've seen so many relationships broken because they did not spend enough time praying about such a life-changing decision. Some relationships suck the life out of you that it hurts and leaves you in pieces afterwards. Relationships should be life-giving and helps your partner become the best that God created them to be.

A relationship focused on caring and sharing is the key to happiness. May we all out-give each other in love.

Something to Remember

2011-11-02T12:27:00.007+08:00

Just something I wrote a few years ago that I need to remember these days...
Look where you're going and No worries!

"Stepping into the Land Down Under was in many ways a leap of faith. A new place, and my first time overseas. Many times, I've had to look at fear in the face and tell it to step aside so I can get on to where I wanted to go and experience Australia at her best.

Like the calm Sydney Harbour, I learned how it was to go with the flow and understand what the Aussies mean when they say "No Worries!"

I've discovered this while learning how to snowboard at the Snowy Mountains in Perisher Valley, about 6 hours from Sydney. In this snowy mountain, I fell down many times and endured pain. There was a point, I slid so fast that I fell backwards and hit my head. But on this pivotal moment, while lying there with my aching head, I caught a glimpse of the classic Australian sky so clear and so blue. I felt so grateful to be there and I began to sit up grasping pure snow with my freezing hands.

There was simply nothing to do but not give up! Stand up again, clutch the snowboard, walk uphill and ride it out...until finally you get down that hill without falling down! and experience the relief of conquering your fear of falling, by embracing the reality that you will fall down. Strangely enough, the less I feared falling, or the moment I accepted the reality of falling and that it was alright to do so (after all it's part of learning) - I began not to fall and managed to balance myself on a snowboard for a perfect downhill slide. Amazing. Accept your fear, release it and you find your balance.

Perhaps it is the first and the last time I will ever go snowboarding but I will never forget the lessons it taught me. I take to the advice of Ewan McGregor in his book the Long Way Round: Part of the adventure is to try. If you fail , then that's fine. As long as you have given it a good chance.

You never do fail as long as you learn your lessons well. From this once-in-a-lifetime snowboarding experience I am taking one simple but crucial lesson home, "Always look where you are going," this is the very first instruction our snowboard teacher gave us. Where your feet-strapped snowboard goes is where you are looking. If you look to your right, your snowboard will head to your right. I figured the same goes in life, where you set your eyes on is where you will most likely end up. So perhaps it is best to be keenly aware at where you are looking. And if you don't like where you are headed, why don't you change your direction by looking somewhere else...perhaps into the direction of your dreams."

It's time I remembered this lesson and keep on focusing on those experiences and activities that give meaning and fullness of life.

Search for a Happy Song

2011-10-27T11:00:00.000+08:00

It's been a few weeks since I moved. It's both beautiful and sad. It's like leaving something behind and in a way it feels like dying. But any growth that is deliberate is painful. I hope that it would be all worth in the end. Writing a book, starting a business, preparing to be a good wife, such high standards I have set for myself. Doing the necessary sacrifices to live a happy, full life is not easy but something worth trying.

Sometimes, I forget that I am worth it no matter what, and it's not what I do but who I am by virtue of being God's child. I deserve the best. The reason I want to dream big is to love more. Setting up something that is beyond my own strength needs God's abundant grace.

But God provides, I needed a white board and there was one in my room. I wanted something zen-like, uncluttered space, and sliding doors, I got all that I wished for. It's like a halfway house where I am training to become the woman I was created to be. I am your daughter, Papa God. Please remember me today. It's been a week of tears and I know you just want me to be strong. It's so difficult Lord. Today, I am needing the strength to go on.

I am tired of being someone's option or alternative. For once I would like to be listened to, not the one always listening. I am tired of writing the stories of other people, I would like to write my own. I am tired of people thinking they know me but they don't.

Life is giving me a test and I'm hoping to pass it with flying colors. To hear my Father say someday, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Help me not to settle, Lord. Help me to let go of what's good so I can follow what's best. Help me. I need your grace ever more.

Help me to let go fully and trust You. November is fast approaching, I really hope it's going to be a happy month. Thank you in advance!

Magic Number 33

2011-10-19T18:53:00.007+08:00

Never Hide. I saw this from a tagline of an eyeware company and I thought to myself, what does that mean? Further reflection revealed that one should never hide their gifts and talents because as Oprah would say, “Your playing small does not serve the world.” We need to become the best version of ourselves so that we can give our best to others.

Today, I feel like my world has just changed. I am writing this blog from a place where I won’t normally consider myself being in. But suddenly, I find myself in it. At 33, I feel that my life is just beginning to unfold. As Steve Jobs would put it, the dots are starting to connect. It is quite exciting and I need so much grace and courage to make it happen, to connect these dots. Although I will always be a child at heart, my mind is racing a hundred miles per hour with all the things I want to accomplish in the coming months.

I just transferred to a new home which ironically is addressed #33 and the office I often go to dream and write is found on the 33^rd floor of a building. I don’t mean to give too much meaning to it but I am kind of amused and delighted at such a coincidence.

At the new room where I am staying, I was given the gift of a white board, and the wooden floor gives me a lot of space to dream and to think on my feet. I love the touch of these wooden floors. I am like a plant transferred to another pot where my roots can finally stretch and grow. I really hope I would become a good steward of these many blessings thrown in my path. To be able to use them and harness them and to pay it forward in the near future.

It is a time to build, a time to never hide. A time to bloom if I may be allowed to say so, as a good friend says, I should claim it! I should. So be it. The Japanese would often say the words: “Itadakimasu” right before a meal. It means "Let's eat!" It is also translated to mean “I humbly receive.”

I am humbly receiving at this stage in my life. To humbly receive is to acknowledge our dependence on God who is the Source of everything. When we have God, we have everything. I am finding that it is true what St. Teresa of Avila says, God alone is sufficient.

I am learning to humbly receive, so that when it’s time for me to give, I would give as I have received. May our dreams come true and may our hearts be in the right place when they do.

Eyes to heaven with our feet firmly planted on the ground.

Budding Dreams of a Young GKonomist

2011-08-23T15:19:00.011+08:00

Many stories have been told about people who rose from rags to riches, but few are written about the young ones who carry others in their dreams.

Mara Salvacion first saw the sun in Tacloban, Leyte on October 7, 1986. Her parents moved to Metro Manila when she was only 5 years old. For a few years, they shared a home with her aunt’s growing family in Tayuman until her father decided to build their own house using his carpentry skills at the Smokey Mountain in Tondo.

Mara’s father Maciano worked hard daily to put food on their table while her mother Anita did what was common trade at the slum area – produce charcoal to augment the family’s income. But the smoke from charcoal-making proved to be hazardous to the children’s health and so the family decided to distribute the younger ones to other relatives, with the eldest Mara left behind.

“Kapag nag-uuling, mahirap makahinga, mausok. (When we are making charcoal, it’s hard to breathe, it is smoky),” Mara shared.

When the children were growing up, they dreaded Thursdays because it was the day of the week when they would no longer have money for food and they would end up asking from their neighbors or just endure their hunger pangs.

But through the hard work of her father, the family survived and Mara was able to go to elementary school at General Vicente Luna. When she reached Grade 4, the family were relocated to temporary housing at Road Ten, Bitas, just across her school.

“Nag-focus talaga ako sa pag-aaral. Lagi akong umuuwi sa bahay, sumusunod ako sa mga magulang ko. (I focused on my studies. I always went home and obeyed my parents),” Mara reflected on the past.

Being a good student, Mara was granted a scholarship by the Educational Research Development Assistance Foundation which allowed her to finish high school. Through ERDA’s recommendation, Mara also became a PGMA Scholar and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree major in Cooperative Business Management at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Her family was also blessed with a permanent home at GK Paradise Heights in 2004.

“Nung pumasok ako sa GK, mas lalo akong napalapit kay Lord, especially yung pamilya ko (When I came to GK, I grew closer to the Lord, especially my family),” Mara said.

After graduation, she served her community as part of the staff that starts livelihood programs there. She also serves as the Water Officer in their building’s homeowner’s association where she deals with all kinds of issues such as swindlers and syndicates – so brave for such a young petite girl willing to face such challenges.

In 2009, she was taken in by GKonomics International as the executive assistant of GKonomist Rose Cabrera. Now also an entrepreneur-in-training, Mara manages Bayanihan Rentals which rents out tables and chairs during special gatherings and events.

“Dati ang iniisip ko lang yung para sa mga kapatid ko, pag laki nila matutulungan ko ba sila? (Before I was only thinking of my siblings. When they grow up, will I be able to help them?),” she shared.

“Gusto ko rin mabigyan yung family ko ng magandang buhay. Pero ngayon iniisip ko na rin yung mga tao sa community ko, yung mga tao na gusto kong tulungan. (I also want to give my family a beautiful life. But now I also think about my community, the people I want to help),” Mara said.

“Matutulungan ko sila in a way na mapasok ko sila sa trabaho, para sila din tumulong sa iba. (I can help them by helping them get jobs, so that they can help others too),” Mara said.

Her dream of helping others more was granted when Mara received a scholarship from Spanish foundation CODESPA, providing her with training in social entrepreneurship.

Along with 21 entrepreneurs from all over the Philippines, Mara underwent educational training this year on business principles, accounting, marketing and human resources.

During the training, Mara was inspired by one of her co-participants from Mindanao whose business was marketing Tinalak merchandise and products from the Tiboli tribe.

“Nakita ko na hindi lang mayaman ang gustong tumulong, na may mga mahirap din na gustong tulungan ang kapwa nya mahirap. (I saw that not only the rich wants to help, but the poor also wants to help their fellow poor),” Mara shared.

Her work in GKonomics has exposed Mara to a very different world – the world of the privileged, where monthly rent of a residential unit equals the entire purchase price of two housing units in her building; a world where a single restaurant meal is equal to one week of food for their family of 7 and that a price of a dress is comparable to her younger sister’s annual tuition fee. Seeing such disparity however has not made her bitter but has rather strengthened her resolve to work even harder in GKonomics as her own little contribution towards narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor.

Now armed with lessons learned from CODESPA and with the guidance of her mentor GKonomist Rose Cabrera, Mara sets her sights on growing her social enterprise.

“Pag-pinalaki ko yun, makak-employ pa kami ng marami, marami ring matutulungan. (When I make the business grow, we can employ more people and we can help a lot more),” Mara dreams.

Her hidden talents are also being harnessed in GKonomics as she assists in other social enterprises such as the GK Performing Arts Group and Mich Dulce’s business where she helps the internationally famous hat designer find good sewers from GK Paradise Heights.

“This is the essence of empowerment in GK,” GKonomist Rose Cabrera said, “Having the poor develop their potentials to the fullest and enabling them to actively seek opportunities for themselves and their community.”

Mara Salvacion with her mentor Rose Cabrera

With the support of the growing GKonomics family, greater things are in store for Mara and her community.

What does it take to become World Class?

2011-08-15T16:15:00.011+08:00

Last week’s quarterly GKonomics Forum gathered some 40 social entrepreneurs who wanted to learn how to protect their products and what it takes to become world-class. Lawyers from the Intellectual Property Alumni Association and the Chief Marketing Officer of Jollibee offered their valuable insights and knowledge on how to achieve these goals.

Attorney John Paul Gaba focused on copyrights. He said that anything literary and artistic such as music and stories can and should be copyrighted. After finishing an original creation, the maker can simply place the © copyright symbol on his product alongside the date of completion. By doing so, the creator has successfully copyrighted his or her work.

“From the time you finish your work, you should stamp the copyright symbol and date of completion,” Atty. Gaba said. For Filipinos, copyright certificates of registration may be obtained at the National Library or through the Intellectual Property Rights Office with 2 original copies of your birth certificate, an accomplished registration form and payment of a registration fee.

Atty. Gaba also advised his audience to mail the work they produced to themselves. A self-registered mail of your work can confirm that the work was done by you.

“Copyright protection depends on the lifetime of the owner plus 50 years then it becomes part of the public domain,” he said.

Atty. Gaba, speaking on copyrights warned about piracy. Having helped develop the Optical Media Act, he warned that “anyone who is caught in possession of 4 unregistered CDs of the same content or 6 unregistered CDs of different content are presumed to be in the business of selling pirated CDs,” this is against the law and has corresponding penalties.

Meanwhile, Atty. Divina Gracia Pedron discussed that entrepreneurs need to protect their trademarks per jurisdiction and that enterprises doing business overseas must also register their trademarks in those countries.

“Brands are covered by the trademark law and need to be registered,” she said.

She mentioned that in the past, before 1998, Filipinos only needed to use their products as proof of ownership. However, after the Philippines joined trade organizations, businesses needed to register their trademarks.

“Trademark has value. World famous brands are protected by trademarks,” she said, adding that product packaging including logos should be registered to prevent others from using the same symbol, word or words that represent your product or company.

Atty. Celeste Jumadla, for her part, talked about patents, explaining that the government grants exclusive rights for an invention, utility models, and industrial designs for a limited period of time, usually a minimum of 20 years. These Exclusive Rights mean the right to exclude others from making, using, selling and distributing products just like your own invention without permission.

She advised entrepreneurs to exercise due diligence and to check for the state of your art first at every stage of research and development. “Do your research and check existing patents in the world even though you are not aware of it,” she said.

Dondi Gomez, Vice President and Group Marketing Head of Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), was the last to speak, inspiring social entrepreneurs with his talk entitled “Going for World Class.”

He began with John Maxwell’s encouraging insight: “Desire reveals design. You’re naturally intuitive in your area of giftedness.”

Dondi believed that self-mastery is necessary to succeed in business, noting that, “God-given desire reveals design. You have a gift, follow it.” He also advised the social entrepreneurs to “always follow your passion.”

"Identify and commit to your strengths and build that unique skill you possess,” he said. Dondi also mentioned the need for a stretch project - “achievements that prove the relevance of your strength.”

He also noted that successful entrepreneurs have the charisma to sell their vision, guided by their “mission for others,” and are able to share their dream with "authenticity, energy and empathy.”

He said that if you are truly passionate about what you do and are in-tune with your strengths and apply them; you will eventually attract mentors who will open doors for you. These are “influential supporters who will fight for the success of your mission.”

Dondi shared the example of one of his mentors Tony Tan Caktiong, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of JFC, whose big dream is for Jollibee to become a truly global brand by year 2020 with 4,000 stores worldwide.

He is known for starting Jollibee, now the number one fast-food chain in the Philippines, the undisputed market leader who beat international fast food giant McDonald's.

While proving that David can overcome Goliath, Tony is one who will not rest on his laurels: “If you get distracted by the success of the past, it will get in the way of the success of the future,” he was noted as saying. “If we remain humble and live by the tenets of JFC, we will succeed.”

Jollibee, best known for its Chicken Joy, continuously improves its flagship product which Dondi says as key to their success. He also shared that simplicity must be at the heart of operations. “If it’s not simple, it can’t be scalable; if it’s not scalable, it can’t be world-class.”

He added that the secret to successful marketing campaigns is to break marketing formulas while following its principles. Having successfully launched marketing campaigns for Unilever Philippines in the past, he shared that the best selling lines are made with a maximum of seven words. “In three words, you should be able to tell me, why I should buy your product.”

He also shared that challenges are inevitable but they are necessities for innovation. “There is value in failure,” he said. Failures teach us valuable lessons and help us become better once we learn from our mistakes. “The good news is everybody who makes a mistake has to weather it through,” he said.

Dondi emphasized the necessity of courage in order to succeed. “We need to play to win.”

“What will make us win is the courage to win,” he said, “You need courage to focus. You’ve got to know who you are.”

Dondi noted that, “Filipinos are fundamentally world-class. It can only go as far as you believe it. There’s only an absence of courage. Courage is the difference.”

“It takes more courage to be in your world, entrepreneurs. Believe,” he said.

GKonomist Pinky Velez Poe ended the Forum by reminding everyone to “always keep our poor brothers and sisters in mind” in our journey to entrepreneurship, leaving no one behind in the pursuit of progress.

“Use your time, talent and resources to benefit the community,” she said, concluding a very inspiring Social Entrepreneurs Forum on August 10 at Magallanes, Pasay City.

There are no boundaries...

2011-07-29T19:29:00.013+08:00

I am writing today from the 33rd floor of a cyberzone building, in a room with white walls. I feel liberated but I also feel alone. Outside the glass windows, I can see the classic Manila traffic on a payday Friday. Everyone is on the road craving for home or friends after a week of hard work.

I just made my very first online purchase, buying a book for a friend miles away to send as a gift for her birthday. I don't know if this is considered a cliche now, but the power of technology is truly amazing. I know I've been a bit slow in adapting to it, having just recently activated my paypal account. I am still a bit traditional, and I like browsing through bookstores and looking around to find the perfect gift for someone. But I am now trying new things, like buying online stuff, which I know is very normal to most in the developed world. I find online transactions very convenient but sometimes its simplicity scares me. It can't be that easy, can it? It is indeed the role of technology to make things simpler, more convenient so we can do more things.

But more things of what, I wonder? I've seen two people in cafe's before, friends whose attention are fixed on their laptop screens, occasionally distracted by the beeps on their mobile phones. Ears covered in earplugs.Where has the conversation gone? Maybe at times, presence is enough. Just knowing there is someone there with you is comfortable while you explore the world wide web... a little bit funny though when there is an actual person just seating across, who you can talk to. In a way technology can be self-consuming, in other times mind-expanding, depending on the way one uses it, I guess.

Technology is only a tool. It can be used well or used badly. One good use of it that I have discovered recently is e-publishing. Technology has opened the doors for authors who had no access to opportunities before in the traditional publishing world. It has leveled the playing field and cast a deeper net to discovering new gems in the literary world.

I learned this week that Borders in the US has filed for bankruptcy while Barnes and Nobles is being sold, because purchase of paperbacks are declining drastically, assisted by the increased sales of tablets overtaking laptops and PCs, over 50 million pieces sold in the early part of 2011 alone. E-books are outselling printed ones in Amazon 3:1.

I feel sad at the impending demise of print though, I love my paperbacks! Do you think someday we will find books in museums instead of libraries? Although, bookworms will definitely find it hard to let go of the touch of paper, a friend says that the electronic versions can and will save so many trees. Caring for the environment is indeed an utmost priority.

It is in this way, that technology is best used. Sometimes though it is kind of scary how dependent we have become on technology. Children as young as 2 yrs old can already open an iPad and type on computers. They might be deprived of the joy and wonder of exploring the real, physical world, of discovering things with their own touch and vision... There should be some sense of balance somewhere.

What happens when things break down, where do we go? What about things done by hand; will we one day look at them as part of ancient history, to be admired as a heritage from a distant past but no longer part of life. What will the future look like? I know there will be no boundaries. I believe that it will be a borderless world. But I do hope that technology will foster understanding among countries, serve as a bridge, a common ground that brings people together like the social networking sites. I wish for technology that not just connects people but makes people work together to build a better world.

There goes the dreamer. I am tired now and ready to go home. Why didn't I just work remotely? haha. Ah because as you know technology is just a tool. When it fulfills its purpose, people must do their part. At the end of the day, it's the people not the technology that counts.

music tonight: "There are No Boundaries," Kris Allen

The Light Bearer from Laguna

2011-07-10T17:05:00.011+08:00

I met a light bearer from Laguna. His graying hair spoke of wisdom while his calloused hands revealed years of hard work.

Arturo Tabunda (Tito Art) generously shared his knowledge to 15 residents from GK Alaska and GK Freedomville during their skills-training last July 1.

Supported by Accenture’s Skills to Succeed Program, the 3-day training sought to teach additional skills to GK residents to help them start a livelihood. Many of those who attended the workshop were out-of-school youth and fathers willing to learn.

Tito Art, a resident of GK Landco, was asked to teach his fellow beneficiaries how to make products from stone, resin and fiber glass.

Art, true to his name, is a craftsman who discovered a passion for working with his hands, crafting candles in particular.

As a young man, he was curious and observant. When he saw things that interested him, he always wondered how he could make them. He taught himself from scratch and began sculpting wax when he was 18 years old. He took inspiration from a dentist’s mold on how to make his own. Soon after, he began designing candles and sold them and it became his source of livelihood. Light began to shine in his world.

The turning point when he discovered his true mission in life was when he volunteered with Caritas Manila and visited the Bilibid Prison. A man he talked to moves him to this day.

The man he met in prison was depressed even though was going out of the jail in a week’s time. “I wondered why he was so sad when he was going to be free,” Tito Art reflects. “I can still remember his eyes. He did not see any hope in life after prison.” The next thing he knew, the man was found dead inside his cell. He had committed suicide.

Tito Art was so disturbed by the incident. With the help of a Jesuit priest Fr. Vic Labao, they started the Pag-Asa sa Paglaya Foundation. The priest loaned the land beside his church to start a livelihood center - a halfway house - where the men could go once they were released. They were given livelihood as they started a new life outside prison.

Tito Art taught the men how to make candles and ceramics to help them to start their new lives anew.

When the foundation could already stand on its own, Art went on to share his knowledge of candle-making to GK Freedomville.

The candles produced by the residents were brought to 23 cities in the United States during the WOW GK Events in 2008 which was aimed at raising awareness and funds to build more GK communities in the Philippines.

The sales of these candles enabled them to buy the land for their multipurpose center in which a pre-school will be built. The community fund also provided for the health and education needs of the families here.

The light bearer from Laguna continued to shine his light when he came to train the residents of GK Alaska on stone craft, fiberglass and resin-making.

The plan is that the GK communities in the province will form a supply chain where they will collaborate in producing quality items for customized orders and retail.

GK Freedomville will continue to produce the candles and products made from wax. GK Alaska will make stone craft and wood products while GK Landco will make items from resin and fiberglass. The GK community in Pangil will then produce packaging for these products from recycled materials.

This emerging social enterprise, a mini-economy that does not leave the poor behind, seeks to provide sustainable livelihood through the support of GKonomics which seeks to instill a culture of productivity in GK communities.

The focus on handicrafts making or products made by hands is to help more people. With a manpower based production, 75% of earnings go directly to labor, and more families are helped as a result.

Mid-Year Report

2011-07-01T00:52:00.016+08:00

It's 1 in the morning and I am still up. I am kind of glad it is July. The half of 2011 has passed us by so quickly.

So far 2011 has been really good to me in terms of experiences and goals being met. I am halfway through a personal writing project which I hope to turn into a book come November which is a dream of mine for a very long time. I'm finding myself also in the midst of starting a business which I pray will succeed but we're taking baby steps.

I am grateful to God that He has helped me to balance work and friendships this year. I think I'm getting used to having these one-on-one conversations over coffee. I've been listening a lot and getting to know people in a very personal way.

I'm also getting out of my shell and becoming more of who I truly am. I still have so much to learn. I hope to use all the gifts that heaven has given me and be a good steward. I still need heaps of self-discipline though. I rely on grace for the most part.

I believe in the saying, "Clarity of purpose is clarity of soul." Sometimes I get distracted and I have to bring myself back on track again. Thank God for new beginnings and second chances. Every day is a new day to start anew. I have to tell myself to keep moving forward.

I'm happy to note that I've gone to all the events (weddings, in particular) that I have been invited to so far. I consider it a real feat because sometimes it's been quite challenging. But I am learning to keep my word no matter how difficult and I am glad too that I was able to witness these special occasions for it keeps the heart hopeful and the spirit renewed.

I long to grow more in the next half of the year and with all my heart hope to complete all the things I have set out to do. I also pray for the courage to go to where I am called, to venture into the unknown, to go out of my comfort zone. To be true to my purpose and not to lose sight of what matters most.

These three questions developed by John Maxwell have been particularly helpful. He shares that before deciding where to invest his time, he asks himself the 3R's of Decision-Making. The following are adapted from his book, Today Matters:

1. What is REQUIRED of me?
"Any realistic assessment of priorities in any area of life must start with a realistic assessment of what you must do. For you to be a good spouse or parent, what is required of you? To satisfy your employer, what must you do? If you lead others, then what must you personally do that cannot be delegated to anyone else? "

2. What gives me the greatest RETURN?
"As you progress in your career, you begin to discover that some activities yield a much higher return for the effort than others. After determining requirements, focus on choices with a high return on investment."

3. What gives me the greatest REWARD?
"If you do only what you must, along with what is effective, then you will probably be highly productive. But you may not be content. I think it’s also important to consider what gives you personal satisfaction."

But I would like to add a valuable insight I learned today from a friend and entrepreneur, Reyna Tio, owner of Creative Styles on Shapes Inc., who pointed out something important.

"No matter how much our toil, if God does not bless it, we will only be grasping winds."

She adds, "I do agree that we ought to do the steps now that would lead us to achieve what we hope for in the future. But more than this, I also believe that God is the ultimate author, the beginning and the end. The finisher of our fate. What would be best though is to ask God to align our plans, hopes, dreams and efforts to HIS will and plan."

It is the true secret to success. I think it's the best advice I've heard today that will guide me to right path in the coming months. May God bless the plans of our hearts and the work of our hands.

A Hundred Million Pieces

2011-06-28T18:23:00.014+08:00

Blaaagggggg. I think my heart just hit the ground, breaking into a million pieces.

Last week, I was listening to someone talk about issues of the heart, and it got me very sad. I think my heart broke too. Today, I need to let it go as well.

I know it is cliche to say that things happen for a reason, but it doesn't help a heart at the moment when they are suffering. How do you say that the hurt will go away someday? What does a person need to hear? What did I want to know when I was hurting too?

...That life goes on because it must. That if you keep on walking, you'll find the sun warming your face again even though you feel cold inside. That the lessons you learned will make you a better person and better equipped at loving the right one. That by letting go, you can hold on to hope of better things to come.

I look to the ground and pick a piece and try to put it back in its proper place. I remember in the past when my heart was badly broken too and I did not know where to begin. Looking back, I thought that pain will never end. But here I am now fully recovered and free, a testimony to the cliche that time indeed heals all wounds.

In my ideal world, love is easy and simple. It is not difficult nor does it have to be complicated. Yes, we must work hard to express it in action. But I do believe that true love is light. It might be a naive thing for me to say but I believe that love is something that falls into its rightful place. I believe that there is someone for each one, and that God knows what's best for everyone. After all, He is the author of love.

I think about the people that I have had to let go because they can no longer journey with me. I realize now that love is not about me but about the other person. About allowing them to be happy in the path they have chosen, letting them be where they want to be.

And perhaps, someday, someone will stay... Incidentally, I was at the airport over the weekend and witnessed again all the comings and goings of fellow wanderers, and found that life is a lot like that. Maybe someday, someone will choose to travel with me where I want to go, wherever that might be. Maybe that time will come for me too and time will be my friend.

Like everyone else, I long for a happy ending.

Speaking of which, I am glad to report that I have attended all the weddings I have been invited to this year, with one more left, my cousin's wedding in LA.

I love weddings simply because it reminds me of the triumph of the heart, a time when the heart is at its best, full and complete. I see couples happily embracing a new future together and all the heartaches from before are left behind, the past no longer matters and rightly so.

I love weddings because it reveals to me how people can overcome pain, its shadows, and all the frustrations of relationships that did not work out as well as the many what-ifs and figments of imaginations of what- might-have-beens are put to rest. They have finally found the love that is meant for them. I know it sounds cheesy but it's true. It is beautiful when the heart is victorious and the hopeful romantic reigns.

I look at the bride and the groom and I see how happy they are that they are finally found, that their hearts are in the right place after all the heartaches and pain and the waiting for the time to come. I find tears in the bride not of sorrow but of joy. Because all the letting go and the things that made no sense in the past will no longer matter from now on.

And so I am filled with hope again because true love triumphs in the end. Whatever sadness I feel right now over the what-may-have-been will be offset by the hope of a beautiful tomorrow. God loves me and you. All the hurting hearts tonight can look forward to something wonderful when the heart will be fully restored.

As for me, I will keep walking until then...when there will no longer be a hundred million pieces, but only one finding its rightful place.

The Best for the Least: Songs From Her Heart

2011-05-25T14:33:00.004+08:00

It is 7 in the morning on May 17 and singer Anezka Alvarez is already up, preparing herself to judge the auditions at GK Baseco with other Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS) members. In spite having stayed up late the night before, singing her heart out in a fundraising concert for her ailing father, Anezka still woke up very early this day to honor her commitment to the many GK residents waiting for the opportunity to sing their hearts out to her for a chance to join the performing arts workshop this month.

GK Baseco was only one among 10 GK communities around Metro Manila that held auditions for aspiring singers, dancers and actors, in an effort to discover 100 talented GK residents who would be trained in the performing arts.

The GK residents who passed the auditions are now in an all expense paid week-long summer camp at Ateneo de Manila University. In partnership with the GK Ateneo Heroes Academy, Ateneo performing arts cluster and GKonomics, the RCS will be training GK residents this week, culminating in a Grand Recital on May 28 (postponed to June 4 due to typhoon) where participants will be performing the play “Batang Rizal” by Christine Bellen with music by Allan Elgar.

Anezka who is conducting the voice workshops along with her co-RCS members is excited about the possibilities.

“There are so many undiscovered talents in Gawad Kalinga,”she shared excitedly, remembering the people who came to the auditions from young children to adults.

Anezka, who came home from Ireland in 2007 after a year-long journey to self discovery, decided to stay in the Philippines for good to join the Ryan Cayabyab Singers. She also had to audition for the privilege to be trained by the maestro and was chosen among 200 auditionees to become one of the 7 members of the RCS group.

“Music is my number one love,” she shares about the beginning of her journey with RCS. Little did she know then that it will be the start of other amazing journeys that will give her life its truest meaning.

In 2008, Mr. C who is a staunch GK volunteer, took RCS to join WOW GK USA for a concert to raise funds for Gawad Kalinga.

“Before we just sang but now I sing with a purpose. Every note and melody becomes deeper. It’s for our fellow Filipinos,” Anezka shares.

“It’s just a perfect way to help GK, by sharing our talents,” she says, realizing that not everyone can teach singing.

“We are very privileged that we’re the ones who can share our knowledge of music,” Anezka shares about the training camp for the GK residents.

“I am happy that God gave me these talents so that I can help others,” she adds, grateful that as a kid she was privileged to receive voice lessons to hone her skills. It saddens her to think that many undiscovered talents will go to waste simply because they could not afford to go to training.

“I can do a lot. I realized I can actually help build somebody’s life. I can help him build his own path to his dream,” Anezka says. It can be done simply by sharing one’s time and talents to those who need them the most.

So in spite juggling a very busy schedule with her career and caring for her father in the hospital, Anezka makes time for her service to GK.

“My heart is in it,” she says, “Naka-instill na sa akin yung sa GK slogan na Walang Iwanan.”

It is now her dream to have a concert with GK residents along with RCS and the first step to that dream will be to train them in the performing arts.

“I hope this workshop will be the beginning of their journey to reach their dreams and become an inspiration to their generation,” Anezka shares, as she dreams for the many undiscovered talents in GK communities waiting for their chance to shine and fulfill their potential.

You are cordially invited to witness stars being born at their Grand Recital on June 4, 7 pm at the Ateneo de Manila Grade School Auditorium. Tickets are at P200.

A Maiden Voyage

2011-04-27T18:59:00.013+08:00

The whole world celebrated Earth Day last April 22. I was very fortunate to celebrate it in my own little way two weeks before when we were blessed to plant seedlings in the soil and mangroves of Bantayan Island in Cebu province, as part of Gawad Kalinga's week-long Bayani Challenge activities this April.

Seemingly ordinary days turn to out to be special ones. I still remember vividly those days spent planting under the very warm sun and how one afternoon led us to an eco-friendly area in Bantayan which I never knew existed.

An encounter that deeply rooted my love for mother Earth began with meeting the no-holds barred environmental lawyer Antonio Oposa whose house we visited.

His home turned School of the SEAs (an acronym which stands for Sea and Earth Advocates) is an Experiential Learning Center which holds environment classes by the sea.

Before beginning the tour of his school, Atty. Oposa asked us to spend 5 minutes looking at the body of water in front of his house, which was simply breathtaking. Seeing only the surface, one wonders more about the beauty it holds underneath since it has been cared for as a marine sanctuary.

The five minute silence offered to the sea reminded me of the phrase in one of my favorite songs, "I hope you dance" by LeeAnn Womack.

"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean," she sings.

It is always awe inspiring to watch the sea, to observe its ebb and flow, and check out the many wonders it holds in its bossom. I felt blessed to realize that such beauty was free for us to enjoy if we take the time in our hurried world to go back to the countryside and smell the ocean breeze. Sadly, we have neglected nature's beauty and some have abused it, which may mean that future generations will no longer be able to enjoy what we have now.

Still, it's never to late to prevent that from happening. We need to take time to enjoy true beauty and in becoming inspired, act responsibly to preserve it for others so that they can experience what we have been privileged to experience.

Another AHA moment for me was realizing the truth of Atty. Oposa's words when he says, we learn by Example and Experience.

I remember one precious moment during the GK Bayani Challenge when we were doing a coastal cleanup along the shores of one town. My companions and I were walking along the shore line, picking up rubbish on the way.

Families were there watching us from a distance. Then suddenly their children came one by one. And as one kid picked a piece of trash, the rest of the children were pushing him to give it to my friends who were standing by with an open sack.

Like a scene from a movie, the child finds the courage to put it into the sack and when he finally did it, all the kids suddenly and simultaneously started picking up the trash! Children do learn by example and us from experience.

Meantime, back at the School of the Seas which Atty. Oposa built from local materials, we discovered the power of renewable energy. The house's electricity is supplied by the sun and the wind. At night, the whole area becomes dark and electricity is used minimally so as to conserve energy and to let nature take its natural course. Amidst the darkness, you could see the stars shining brightly in all its grandeur. Oh, what a sight!

The good lawyer also showed us how his house recycles water from bathing to flushing. I realized then how used we have been to flushing water without giving it a second thought, we forget that it is actually precious fresh water that we are using. A Filipino inventor once said that water will be the next scarce resource we will face if we don't take care of it. Perhaps, we can think twice about flushing fresh water until it's absolutely necessary to do so or better yet use recycled water if we can.

But what truly opened my mind was the definition of Atty. Oposa of the Environment as a Life Source, or life-giving sources. He compared the human body to the environment and it struck me how true it was. Rivers and oceans are very much like our blood, water runs through us since we are mostly composed of water. Our lungs are like the trees that breathe in air and provide oxygen that help us live. The soil of the earth is like our skin that covers our bodies. The environment is not just a place we live in, it gives us life.

When we do not care for them, we risk our own death. Think about that for a moment.

I've also discovered through Atty. Oposa that in the Philippines, 4 out of 10 people who reside along the coastlines live below the poverty line, which is approximately 22 million Filipinos.

With the global climate change and rising water levels, their lives are placed more and more in danger. Also their source of livelihood, fishing, is threatened, which also results from the use of destructive fishing methods that destroys corals and disrupts the ecosystem.

It is most unfortunate because our waters is one of the richest on earth. There are 500 to 700 coral species in the world and the Philippines has 488, more than those found in the Carribean Sea and the Great Barrier Reef.

The Indo-Malay-Philippine Archipelago has long been considered the area of highest marine biodiversity in a study made by renowned scientists Kent E. Carpenter and Victor G. Springer of the World Conservation Union and the US National Museum Smithsonian Institution.

They discovered that the Philippines is at the center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity.

Atty. Oposa's advocacy is to restore and save the Philippine seas which is the wealth of our people. This May will be the maiden voyage of the sailing ship docked at the School of the SEAs which will help restore coral reefs in the Visayan seas starting with Bantayan Island.

Atty. Oposa hopes to transform sailboats into informal classrooms which will go around several islands to teach the youth on how to protect the marine environment.

Restoration begins with coral planting and there will be scuba diving operations for volunteer divers who will work with local fishermen to set up marine protected areas and restore coral reefs.

Let us support this noble quest and hope many more will be able to join the journey of healing Mother Earth and caring for our environment. Leaving you now with Atty. Oposa's favorite quote:

"Let it be said that during our watch...while gifted with intelligence and insight, with privilege and position, with the wealth of wisdom, and with the freedom and power of the human will. Let it be said that in our time, and during our watch, we did our share. And maybe, just maybe...we will make a little difference."

May God bless the School of the Seas' journey. Her maiden voyage begins on May 2 at Bantayan Island, Cebu.

My Countryside: The Secret Garden

2011-03-26T12:05:00.012+08:00

Aklan’s hidden treasure is Sampaguita Gardens. Located in the sleepy town of New Washington, this secret hideaway is a 15-minute tricycle ride from Kalibo airport. It offers a quiet respite for tourists looking for a restful alternative to party island Boracay, which is also found in Aklan.

The two and a half hectare resort is in itself a work of art, bearing the imprint of American artist Samuel J. Butcher, creator of world-renowned Precious Moments designs – a collection of teardrop-eyed children for every special occasion. As part owner of the resort, he is responsible for the creative designs around the area from his beautiful paintings on surrounding walls to sculpted doors masterfully crafted by locals. The resort is managed and partly-owned by Ilonggo Jojo Sonillo, Sam’s friend and long time administrative and creative assistant in his Precious Moments Company.

Originally intended to be his retirement place when he bought the land in 2001, Sam decided to share his swimming pool with the community in 2002. As more Aklanons came to enjoy the place, they requested for a little canteen then a restaurant, rooms to rest in and a convention center to hold assemblies, until the property became a full-blown resort in June 2003.

Named after the country’s national flower and after Butcher’s nickname, Sampaguita Gardens is a special place for the young and the young at heart. The kind and humble artist designed his resort to be family-oriented and kid friendly, an environment where guests can regain a childlike sense of wonder and joy.

Indeed there are a lot of beautiful details in the resort that will leave you in awe. Upon stepping into its carved stone pathway, a first-time visitor would immediately feel the serenity of the area amidst beautifully landscaped gardens and the fresh air coming from the nearby ocean. One cannot help but feel the presence of unseen guests, real angels hovering around to protect and preserve this beautiful retreat. Around the area, Sam’s Precious Moments angel artworks reveal themselves to remind guests to be quiet and enjoy the peace.

Sampaguita Gardens’ focal point is Butcher’s residence called The Mansion, which displays his rare Asian finds and Thai-inspired designs and artifacts. His home beside the sea has become a favorite among students and guests who tour his living room and library and appreciate his collections with picture taking.
At the center of the resort complex, is Jojo’s Christmas Cottage, the only all-year round Christmas store in the Philippines and the resort’s souvenir shop. This three-storey Victorian house holds a selection of Precious Moments collectibles such as figurines, dolls, journals, children’s clothes, Christmas ornaments, local food delicacies and native products.

Other unique amenities include Sammy’s Circus Rides for children; Sammy’s Showboat set in a middle of a lagoon, a venue for children’s parties; the first Butterfly Farm in Panay Island and the Aquarium, a 43-feet structure which holds a variety of tropical fishes for kids and adults to enjoy.

Hotel guests and walk-in visitors should not leave town without trying the resort’s Oriental Flavors, the first fine dining restaurant in Aklan serving authentic Thai and Chinese cuisine. Apart from tasting the best spicy squid in town, diners will already have their fill with visual delights of the restaurant’s superb Chinese interior design.

“The long-term goal of the company is to develop the place into a unique, world-class destination,” says Sonillo. The company seeks to do this by becoming a one-stop resort providing a wide range of amenities, excellent food choices, superb ambience, and quality services, all these at competitive prices.“We create new amenities every quarter, so that people can always look forward to something new,” he adds.

As a masterpiece-in-progress, the resort opened Jojo’s Fitness Center with state-of-the-art gym equipment and the Sampaguita Gardens Spa which offers their relaxing signature massage to soothe the weary traveler. Sam also built the Meditation Chapel which he designed as a smaller version of his famous Precious Moments chapel in Carthage, Missouri, known for his 2600-square foot ceiling mural of heavenly angels.

At the back of the resort is their Waterfront venue, an open space that can accommodate 500 people. It is a perfect spot for special occasions, since the ocean can be found behind it and serves as a beautiful backdrop to a wonderful evening. Meanwhile, the Precious Moments Gallery, a museum about Sam Butcher and his Precious Moments collection can be converted to a fine dining venue that can accommodate 100 people.

As an additional service, Sampaguita Gardens also takes its guests on a city tour to see the 70-hectare mangrove reforestration in Bakhawan Eco Park considered to be the best in Asia, Aklan’s famous piña weavers, the Ati-Atihan Village, Museo it Akean and the Pink Sisters Convent among others. It also conducts day tours to Boracay island, and can make arrangements with its partner resorts to accommodate its guests.

Despite stiff competition from nearby Boracay, Sampaguita Gardens gem is Sam Butcher and Precious Moments. “I’ve learned from Mr. Butcher: to share what you have with people, to place no price on beauty, to see people really enjoy your place, I cannot equate that to money,” Sonillo says.

Point of Origin:
Sampaguita Gardens
506 Rizal St.
New Washington, Aklan
+6336.264.3422

A Cup of Tea and Thoughts on Marriage

2011-03-23T15:36:00.007+08:00

Warning: this entry is going to be cheesy. Read no further, if you don't want cheese. So, you've been warned :) and here we go...

I know I promised to write every week but life happened. I'm sorry I know it is not an excuse but I will do my best to cram all that I learned in the past few weeks.

Attended a friend's wedding last Monday, the first of five weddings to be attended this year. It is always nice and heartwarming to see people in love tie the knot. It think it's one of the best moments in life. I wish them all the best that married life has to offer especially the gift of friendship, companionship, shared dreams, and children that will give them joy and fullness of life.

When God writes a love story, it is always fascinating to me... I would like to experience it one day. I feel I have been a late bloomer in my career and personal life and I still feel like I am growing and have so much to learn.

But in spite of the promise of a beautiful future in terms of career opportunities, I still think motherhood is still the best job in the world. From my friends' experiences I have learned that raising children is not easy, but it is the most satisfying and rewarding work of all.

Early this month, I attended the christening of my first "halfie" godchild Amber. She is half-Filipina, half-British. She is adorable and gorgeous and looks like an angel. It's so nice to witness a baby getting baptized. It's like witnessing the beginning of something wonderful. Hope I will still be around in the future to see her grow up and find her calling in life and maybe offer some helpful guidance along the way.

Her parents met in Boracay where her father said to her mother the first time he saw her: "You don't know this yet but you are going to marry me." Who doesn't like a man who is certain and knows what he wants? They got married the following year and the fruit is beautiful Amber.

I saw them again last month (they are based in the UK), and it was nice to see the camaraderie of the couple. It made me realize the essentials of a good marriage are: laughter, understanding, respect and honesty.

These values are essential to making any type of relationship work, more so with couples. You have got to learn to make each other smile :) and bring out the best in each other.

And in the worst of times, be there for each other.

I learned that one friend just had surgery to remove her breast cancer. She is one strong woman and you would be inspired by her journey at http://34andhopeful.blogspot.com.

A couple's fight is good when you are fighting the same thing. Indeed, united you stand, divided you fall. Perhaps, one of the best gifts that marriage has to offer is that you are not alone in whatever you are going through. There is always a ready support in your other half and you know that you are loved no matter what.

Marriage is one of the greatest gifts in life, I have observed. It would be nice to take that leap of faith one day. I know I am a work-in-progress and I am a bit scared to take that step but when I am ready, I pray and hope that I will be a good wife and mom, in the tradition of the Proverbs 31 woman. That is such a tough standard but the one deserves nothing less but the best that I can give. But I am not perfect, and so I will try to make use of my imperfect love and infuse it with God's grace.

May all be well like a warm cup of tea that soothes the body and comforts the soul. I wish you well in all the journeys you are taking today...and remember always what matters most: Relationships. People over things.

Swimwear with a Twist

2011-03-15T21:12:00.004+08:00

Summer's here! Just wanted to share the interview I did on two inspiring young entrepreneurs, Sawi Puyat-Perez and Liza Puyat, owners of Sun Fun and Play, retailer of export-quality swim wear. They have an outlet at the 3^rd Level, East Wing, Robinsons Galleria Mall, in Ortigas.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Perez: My mom went into the business of making swimwear 30 years ago. My brothers and sisters helped her with the business when she began exporting her products. That was the time she closed our local stores.

Puyat: Sawi and I were never involved in the family business, although I wanted to have my own and do something meaningful with my life. I approached my sister because she took up business in college and resigned from her job after she got married.

DIVINE INSPIRATION

Puyat: Before I got the idea for our store, I prayed that I find a business that will provide a source of livelihood not just for me but for a lot of people. And then one day while sitting in my car an idea hit me: “Why don’t I sell bathing suits?” It’s a business I am familiar with.

THE ‘SPF’ FACTOR

Puyat: We wanted a catchy name for the store that would also highlight the sun protection factor our products provide. The fabric we use for our bathing suit has a built-in ultraviolet ray protection. One already gets 50+ the UV protection just by wearing our swimsuit.

Perez: Since we started this business, we’ve discovered that swimming is a yearlong activity. We’re surprised to find that people go swimming even in the cold months of October to December.

QUALITY AT A LOW PRICE

Perez: We want to offer very affordable yet good quality swimwear. People are usually shocked when they look at the price tag because we don’t scrimp on quality. They’re the same products we sell abroad.

ONE-STOP SHOP

Puyat: Our store is a one-stop shop for the family. We carry items for men and women of all ages. We even have a line for plus-size women. We offer men’s board shorts and trunks, protective rash guards (skin tight shirts) for kids, swimwear with long sleeves for those who are averse to tan lines, one-piece suits with sleeves for kids, as well as suits for swimming lessons and competitive swimming.

VALUE FOR MONEY
Puyat: The buyers are getting the latest in designs and the best in sun protection from our store. We can offer the best prices because we keep our markups low and we get the best deals from our suppliers.

Perez: We concentrate on selling volume rather than put a huge mark up on a few items.

SLOW AND STEADY

Puyat: We are very conservative when it comes to expanding the business. Branching out too fast is like having too many babies and not being able to take care of all of them. We want to be hands-on so we can give good service.

The Incovenient Truth

2011-02-08T19:38:00.006+08:00

I'm feeling a bit sad today. Please forgive this in not my usual sunshiny entry. Yesterday, I went to visit my friend's father's wake and the way going there took longer than expected. While in the jeepney, I learned that the reason for the crawling traffic was that someone was shot while on his motorcycle and his body remained splattered on the road.

I felt sad because given that there was a man who was murdered, people grumbled that he was causing traffic. I wanted to say out loud to fellow passengers, that sorry he incoveniently died at the time you were going home. Look, here was a man who was no longer going home to his family. Perhaps, it would be okay to be more patient on his behalf.

I feel so sad also because I learned that one of our GK resident's brother was killed by his co-worker. It is too much to bear the thought that life could be taken just like that without remorse, so callously, as if life was a garbage that could be easily discarded.

Life, it's so fragile and so precious. Those that died in a bus bombing or the construction workers who fell to their death from a building a few weeks ago, knew not that the day would be their last. There are accidents and there are tragedies. But those who take life away is most disturbing to me.

To hear a former general accused of alleged corruption committing suicide today also makes me sad. Will taking one's life solve any problem? How can it be an honorable act? I understand that desperation and depression may have caused him to take his own life and I really feel sad that he felt so bad that he had to resort to such a recourse. Did he feel there was no hope left, no one to help him? I feel it is a selfish and a cowardly act to take one's life. How about the loved ones you will leave behind, think of the people who care for you? Even just for them, will you not have courage to live! Will going away solve anything? What changes can one do when one is dead?

Is death an inconvenient truth? When we face the certainty death, we can live our lives with more meaning, always conscious of the fact that life has a deadline and because of it we must make most of every moment we have. I don't think we have the right to end it anytime we want. Life is a gift, only the Giver has the right to take it back.

There is always hope as long as we are alive. Let us not give up! Despite the loneliness or the disappointments, let's fight for life. Let's fight for all that is good in this life. May perfect love cast out all desperation. And may life in all its forms be respected.

"With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

It is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." (Desiderata)

Our prayer today: May the souls of the dearly departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Love and other Sushi

2011-02-04T18:16:00.032+08:00

In this officially designated month of love, I thought that I might try to dabble on this proverbial topic. It is so massive a theme that I don't know where to begin.

Let me start by acknowledging that it is so amazing that I shall find myself attending 4 scheduled weddings this year, each couple with their own unique love stories. I have to say I am such a fan of love stories. I can listen all day to one! I am truly blessed to witness many of them unfold before my very eyes.

So many of my friends are getting engaged. As I sip my Japanese cherry tea, I smell love in the 18-degree Celsius air, that I just had to capture a passing thought that it might actually be nice to fall in love this year.

in search for love and light

This week in particular has also been quite interesting as a few people have told me about some "complicated" relationships/friendships they found themselves in. As I don't know exactly what to say, I could only offer them a listening ear and an open heart.

It might be naive to say that love conquers all, although in my ideal world it does. In reality though, one faces societal expectations , prejudices and judgement that need to be overcome.

My dear friend's question to me stuck like a glue, "Are you willing to fall in love with someone who is poor and uneducated and not "suited" for you according to the world's standards?" It is a valid question since a person would naturally fall for or get attracted to someone who is of the same "kind", so to speak. But once in a while, one falls for someone totally unexpected, seemingly out of one's league, or from a different race, age, religion and culture, what happens then?

Although, I don't know exactly where the confusion comes from when such circumstances come into play, I do think that the fear comes from the outside. We could be mostly concerned with what other people would say than really being true to ourselves.

As I have had time to think about the question and my delayed reaction is that I go with the argument that it doesn't matter what other people would say. We are responsible for our choices and decisions, and that at the end of the day we have to live with them. As long as we are not intentionally hurting anyone or intending to do something that we know is wrong or unjust, our relationship decisions need not seek the approval of others. What we only truly need is the approval of God and the support of family and friends who truly care and wants the best for us.

To you who wonder what people would think now that you've become dis-"engaged" and in just a few months found someone more suitable for you, I hope that you will feel free one day to express the love you have in your heart. I've seen the story of dis-engagement happen quite a few times and so far, it has always turned out for the best.

I think it is better and more considerate to get out of a relationship that makes you doubt in your gut or makes you wonder if you are making the right decision, than to suffer for the rest of your life and make the other person suffer as well. Can you imagine what an awful life that would be, so much unnecessary pain. If there is any hint of doubt, it would be good to stop and pray.

I believe that those who truly love you really only wants the best for you and that they want to protect you from pain, hence their concern. In the midst of confusion though, you may find that in the stillness of the night, you can listen to your heart speak clearly. You will find the answer when you are true to yourself.

To you who wonder if you you should give your non-stereotype a chance, I believe that we are all created equal and that socio-economic status and other superficial standards of beauty and success are not reliable guides when it comes to answering crucial questions about love. What should truly matter are character and values.

Take away all the trappings, and you are left with a person with a heart and soul. Are you willing to get to know the real person, including his/her wounds and weaknesses? Are you able to connect with the person?Are you willing to take the time to know who he/she really is deep inside? Can you share laughter often and are you willing to carry each other's burden?

More importantly, I am inclined to refer to Scott Peck's definition of love as a wise guide:

“Love is not a feeling. Love is an action, an activity. Genuine love implies commitment and the exercise of wisdom. Love as the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth."

I think the valuable questions to ask should be: Do I care enough about the other person that I am willing to encourage and support his or her growth? Am I willing to give my best to him so that he can become the best person he can be?

"True love is an act of will that often transcends ephemeral feelings of love or cathexis, it is correct to say, 'Love is as love does'.”

Love, true love that is, as you know is a decision made and an action expressed. Love without action (or the giving of one's self for the growth of the other) is dead.

I realize that true love, the kind that we all want, is for the mature. Is there hope for us, when we are all works-in-progress? I believe, there is always hope. We mature as we love. We learn from our mistakes, and we grow. When we enter into a relationship and seek to share ourselves for the good of the other and find that the other person is willing to also work with us as we try to grow ourselves too, then we are well on our way to experiencing the genuine thing. How wonderful that would be, a true partnership that provides encouragement, acceptance and support.

Some have pointed out gray areas when it comes to some relationship issues and we will never know what truly goes on between two individuals and we should always respect other people's choices. If there is any concern that will endanger them, we must speak the truth, but to do so lovingly. Despite the complications of a love life, I believe that true love is crystal clear. St. Paul correctly captures love's light when he says,

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13)

This is the kind of love that can only come from the Source of love itself. It is the right principle to follow for loving relationships, romantic or otherwise. May God help us love true.

A friend once said, "Love (sure) is hard work," that's true, but it is so worth giving all our efforts to; to communicate, to respect, to understand and to trust in order to build a relationship that is more precious than whatever else we may desire.

I believe that love is worth the investment because it is the only thing that lasts forever.

What do you think? Let's talk over sushi!

Love is like a sushi platter, you decide what you're going to get and when you do, savor every moment.

A Lesson from the Snows

2011-01-24T12:53:00.005+08:00

Have I told you about the snow gum tree?

The lovely tree sheds its bark in the winter because the bark dries up. It peels off its flesh to reveal layers of green, red, and beige within.

I always believed nature has much to teach us.

We can adapt to anything like the lovely snow gum tree. Shedding the old to reveal the new. Unfolding the many aspects of ourselves. While we try to adapt to our environment, we must not lose our identity. Our core remains the same.

The snow gum is still a snow gum tree whether it grows or shrinks. But why shrink when you were meant to grow. It remains dependent on its roots for nourishment. The taller it grows, the deeper its roots go. I was told that the height of the tree is proportional to the depth of its roots.

Roots for me include prayer, family and friends and all the gifts we have been blessed with.

Wherever we go we can adapt but still remain who we are when our roots are deep.

May we grow more this year and bear fruits that will nourish, as our roots dig deeper.

Lovely Snow Gum

Clock is Ticking

2011-01-17T16:17:00.005+08:00

It struck me today, how short life is. Last year, I knew of many people who died. Three people in their 40s were taken back to heaven, one after a lingering illness, the other two so suddenly. I was also talking to the caretaker of an internet cafe one time, she seemed healthy and eager to work and the next week she was gone.

Last year, my friends and I found ourselves hopping from one wake to another. It was surreal. There are lessons to be learned in witnessing these things.

You may have lost a loved one too last year. My deepest condolences. For us who are fortunate enough to live through this new decade, I wonder what we are going to do with the next 50 years of our lives.

Life is indeed short, my friend. The healthiest of us can live up to 90 years and more and more people fade away at the age of 70. I'm sorry to be talking about things like these at the start of the year but I believe it is always wise to begin with the end in mind. What will we be doing this year? Will it be spent on pursuing things that we must eventually leave behind? Will we be saying along with King Solomon in Ecclesiastes that life is useless?

Indeed, life is useless when it is lived only for one's self. When in the pursuit of success, we forget others. In the contentment and satisfaction of living our lives, we forget that there are people who need us in their poverty. Will we help them also achieve their dreams? Will the latest gadget received last Christmas be used for the good? Will it be used to love? Will things remain things, and people matter most?

Life is useful when it is used for a purpose. I believe only God can tell us what our purpose is in this world. It is always best to consult the Maker. It is beautiful to discover our purpose in His grace and live it accordingly since only then can our lives truly have meaning.

The clock is ticking. Are you doing the purpose for which you are made? I pray that you will discover it soon. May we live everday of our lives before it's too late.

At the end of it all, only love remains.

My prayer this year: Father, teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Food for thought this week: Life is short, God's way of encouraging a bit of focus. ~Robert Brault

To write or not to write, that is the question

2011-01-09T16:23:00.002+08:00

What to write on a Sunday afternoon, when the household is asleep and the sky is shedding tears (of joy, i hope). Seeking to keep my promise to blog once a week for the next 52 weeks, and so here it goes...

The writing life is a life of discipline, even when you are not inspired, you must gather all your strength to write. In sum, you just have to sit down and do it. Tapitaptaptap... even when the words make no sense until finally there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I believe that everyone can write. But not everyone has the discipline for writing. But like every skill in life, I believe wholeheartedly that it can be learned. I struggle with the discipline of writing too but it's just like being an athlete-in-training, you have to show up and exercise your writing muscles. Just do it. Begin even when you don't feel like doing it. Keep moving forward. Suddenly, inspiration strikes as you type, even words that make no sense act to prime the water of ideas until it overflows.

Sometimes when I write, it feels like I'm jotting down notes. Most of the ideas do not come from me, it comes from a source that is wiser, kinder and more loving. Some call her the Muse, for others still - the higher self, I acknowledge it as divine inspiration, the Spirit generously sharing his kind thoughts through me. I am just an instrument in the hands of Greatest Author of all and I humbly receive.

It is a privilege to write and indeed one of the greatest blessings of my life. I hope that I would be able to share something beautiful with you every week, be your friend even only through this blog. It is my prayer that you live every day of your life fully as I try to live mine. Let us struggle together and let us be victorious together in God's grace. May His inspiration kindle the hope in your heart until it burns brightly for all to see so that others may also dream, and dare to achieve their dreams. Not to us but to His name be the glory.

Let us keep on doing what we were meant to do. God bless us in 2011!

My Top 3 Lessons of 2010

2011-01-02T12:05:00.008+08:00

1. You cannot give what you do not have: I learned this the hard way, that it is truly important to love one’s self in a healthy way so as to be able to love others in the truest sense. To love your neighbor as one’s self constitutes a given, that you love yourself too. And the true love that overflows from within is one that you share and give to others. In this way, you give without expecting anything in return. You love because it naturally flows out from you. And when we draw from the Source of Love, we find so much more to give. God's spirit is within us, let us share his kind of love to the world, one that gives life to others.

2. You cannot please everyone: And that IS okay. There are six billion people in the world and counting, everyone with different personalities, tastes and preferences and it’s quite impossible for one person to attend to everyone’s needs. So, I’ve learned to serve those I am called to serve, those who I am called to "please" - to make happy. One of the most popular words of the past decade is “niche” and wisely so. Let us begin by serving our niche, the people whom we were designed to serve and do well what we can do best. I resolve to now stay focused on my purpose because at the end of it all, the only one we truly need to delight is God and everything else follows. Think Matthew 6:33. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” We were created for a purpose. May we grow deeper in our purpose this year and if we haven't found it yet, may we discover it soon in prayer and application.

3. In order to do the BEST that you can, you have to say NO to other (lesser) things: I am reminded in particular of the quotable quote “Many things will catch your attention but only a few will capture your heart. Pursue those.” Indeed. Many things will want to want to divide our time and attention that in the end we cannot focus on what we truly want to accomplish. In truth, we must remain true to our calling, because this is how we will best serve others. May our soul dreams come true not only for our sake but for others too.

PostScript:

I started 2010 on a positive note, hoping that it would be an awesome year and it was! It’s amazing how words can become reality and how words truly have life in them. (And the word was made flesh…) Pleasant surprises included a free trip to Boracay courtesy of my good friend Dette, it was a prize during her wedding for the person who catches her bouquet. During the ceremonial throwing, the bouquet landed on my hand, literally. I did not have to move from where I was standing. I guess it’s true what they say, when it’s yours, it is yours. One only needs to be open to receiving. Itadakimasu! I humbly receive.

That was at the beginning of the year when the moon was full and as Dette and James celebrates their first wedding anniversary today, I wish for them a wonderful and love-filled married life. What joy it is to receive baby Amber Raine at the close of 2010. What a blessing indeed!

I am also truly grateful that I got to spend more time with my cousins who grew up in L.A. It was great to reconnect with them and to discover that in spite of the distance and differences in the influences and environment that we grew up in, the core of who we are remain, the values and traits we have inherited from our elders will remain as we continue forge new memories and traditions of our own. I am excited Jing and Klet about the future as you re-discover your Filipino roots. I believe I’ll be seeing more of you in our beloved Philippines. Cheers to new and wonderful memories together!

I am filled with hope and wonderful expectation at what this new year and new decade will bring. I pray with all my heart that 2011 and the coming years would be good and filled with pleasant surprises.

I believe that I will see God’s promises fulfilled before my very eyes. For He said, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future full of hope.”(Jeremiah29:11).

Cheers to an amazing year ahead! May God continue to bless and keep us in his loving heart! Amen. So be it.

Reel Life musings

2010-08-23T20:49:00.033+08:00

Last weekend was spent watching movies for some quiet time that left me renewed in spirit.

I was hesitant to watch Invictus at first but I'm glad I did for it exceeded my expectations. It spoke to the very heart of me, about love of country and the need for inspiration and heroes for our generation.

I was reminded of my own motherland, needing to be liberated from the things that are holding it back - poverty and corruption. South Africa's Nelson Mandela, the main character being portrayed, reminded me so much of Ninoy Aquino, a Filipino hero who died for his country 27 years ago, seeking freedom for his people who were oppressed by a dictator.

Both Mandela and Aquino espoused non-violent change, following the inspiration of India's Mahatma Gandhi and America's Martin Luther King. All great men they were. Men who had integrity and faith, and a deep love for their country.

What can unite a country? What can bring it inspiration? Perhaps, through something as neutral as sports, where dreams and aspirations are played out, or through the universal language of music and art. I was quite amazed at how South Africa's Springboks rugby team can unite a nation wounded by apartheid, just like how the Philippine's Manny Pacquiao can bring Filipinos together wherever they are in the world whenever he steps into a boxing ring.

I believe change is possible without blood being spilled. That spirit of non-violent transformation was felt during the 1986 People Power, now finding its concrete expression on the ground through Gawad Kalinga, which seeks to bring change in the grassroots through the simple but profound means of caring and sharing. Some dreams bear fruit in time.

After Invictus, I was inspired to watch Crossing Over , a story about the many desperate ways illegal immigrants employ in order to stay in the land of milk and honey and how it would often rob them of dignity and cause them unnecessary pain. The story reminded me how blessed I was to be living in my own country, a first-class citizen, with opportunities that abound in a developing economy.

It also reminded me of the many poor people in our land who live in the slums, deprived of human basic needs, feeling that they are second-class citizens in their own motherland. I share the dream of seeing them restored in dignity and helping them realize that they are a first-class race with the blood of noble heroes running through their veins. I believe it would happen in my lifetime, with God's grace.

I ended the movie marathon with What Dreams may Come, a surreal but beautiful depiction of what happens in the after life. Reminds me also of the of the often hard certainty that we all will die sooner or later. This is a cliche but it is true, love is one of the few things that endures to eternity.

What struck me about this movie is its portrayal of the gates of hell with broken, sinking ships. Ships that never reached their destination.

I've always likened life's journey to a ship traveling in the vast wide ocean. Our destination is heaven, our home is a journey towards God. A lot of people live their lives like there is no deadline, like there is no end. I am scared to live my life with regrets. I reckon that to love someone in any way each day is to live each day to the fullest.

Placing importance on making beautiful moments and cherishing experiences over the pursuit of material things which are only tools in the pursuit of happiness but not the source of it, puts things into perspective.

I particularly like Max Lucado's metaphor on life being a cruise in a big ship: Explore the amenities, appreciate the surroundings, make good friends along the way, but be ready to get off when you arrive at your destination.

While in the journey, savor every experience, learn from them, never give up, grow, share, love. When the end credits comes, we would have made a beautiful ending to our real life.. Would it be a story of inspiration or one of regret? The choice is ours to make every day, reflected in the way we live our lives.

Invictus

by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.

May our lives reach its destination.

Uncovering a Gem

2010-07-27T17:35:00.007+08:00

Discovering a hidden gem in GK Libmanan, Camarines Sur. Photo by Dan Bercasio.

Trissia Joy Aldave, 16 years old, from GK Libmanan village in Camarines Sur joined and won the Miss Libmanan pageant in Camarines Sur, beating 20 official candidates from 75 barangays. The Miss Libmanan contest is the highlight of the celebration of the town fiesta held on July 23, 2010.

Trissia grew up thinking she was ugly because of the color of her skin. The offspring of an African-American father and a Filipina mother, Trissia grew up in the poor area of Bagong Silang, Caloocan city where she experienced being ridiculed by her playmates, teasing her for having dark skin. The teasing made her feel insecure, resulting in her lack of self-worth and low self-esteem.

"Kapag sinasabi kong maganda siya, hindi sya naniniwala. Sabi nya kasi nanay nya ako kaya sinasabi ko yun. Nasasaktan ako pag mababa ang tingin nya sa sarili nya," shared Josephine Aldavia, Trissia's mother. (When I tell her she is beautiful, she doesn't believe me. She says I say it because I am her mother. I feel hurt when she thinks so lowly of herself.) In tears, Mrs. Aldavia related how happy she is that her daughter won Ms. Libmanan since now she would believe in herself because other people were affirming her that she was indeed beautiful.

As a single parent, Josephine brought her daughter to Libmanan when she was 11 years old after suffering from all the teasing from their former community. Having no home of their own, they became beneficiaries of GK Libmanan where they now reside.

Beautiful Trissia. Photo by Dan Bercasio.

Trissia, who is an excellent singer, was discovered by a talent manager and a Singles for Christ member Jerick Moral who saw her potential when he saw her joining a singing contest. He took her under his wing, trained her and encouraged her to join the Miss Libmanan contest.

Now standing tall at 5"8, and loving herself, Trissia credits the activities she joined in GK as a member of GK SIGA youth group which helped build her confidence. She realized that she is a valuable and precious daugther of God.

"Based on my experiences from the past, I learned not to listen to negative comments and to keep on dreaming," Trissia said, thankful for joining GK activities that restored her self-esteem.

Trissia, now represents the hidden beauty of GK Libmanan, whose poor residents have been restored in dignity and worth. Many more beautiful poor people are waiting to be discovered in many slum communities. Let us continue in our mission of restoring God's original design of beauty and abundance, restoring the dignity of our people and being proud of the beautiful brown color of our skin.

Faith Like a Child

2010-06-15T09:18:00.007+08:00

Listening today to Jars of Clay's Faith like a Child. I am so early in the office today. I woke up at 3 am and can't sleep again. I've only slept for less than 4 hours but my mind is active though my back needs some rest.

These past 3 days has been rather fascinating. I have been discerning for the next steps in life and I have been spending time in prayer. It is amazing when heaven speaks. I've realized that God does speak clearly, not in cryptic signs you need to decode, but that he speaks plainly in the language you know. The Spirit speaks to us in the way we will understand.

In my experience, I have felt God talking to me through phrases in books, to the lines of a song or a movie. Sometimes it can be amusing. God can be funny too and he can make you laugh with how spot-on he can be.

I am just very grateful today because when I asked for courage, I received it. I prayed for wisdom and insights came like a flood. It is kind of overwhelming, scary and exciting, at the same time. I am certain right now that God wants me to grow and to pursue the path that will allow me to be the best that I can be, where I can best serve others at this time in my life. Changes can be daunting and uncomfortable but I have hope because God is already there, victory is at hand. We just need to take the steps of trust towards the destiny that awaits us.

Faith is a gift. Sometimes, I struggle with doubts with my self. But I pray that I would never lose my faith in God because to not know him is to walk and stumble in darkness. God is light. Faith is what helps us see beyond what our minds can't grasp at the moment. The knowledge of him shouts from the very atom of the universe. He is both art and science combined. I believe and it is true. It is truly a blessing to see with the eyes of the heart. I wish the same for you.

They say that I can move the mountains
And send them crashing to the sea
They say that I can walk on water
If I would follow and believe
with faith like a child

They say that love can heal the broken
They say that hope can make you see
They say that faith can find a Savior
If you would follow and believe
with faith like a child

My Greatest Dream

2010-06-03T21:15:00.008+08:00

A visit to Tito Joey V. in the hospital got me all sad and pensive today. I admire his quiet strength despite his sufferings and even amidst all of the pain, the natural cheerfulness of his spirit comes shining through.

So, I am both sad and happy at the same time. I admire Tito Joey for the way he has blessed the world with his work. But most of all, I admire his love for his children.

Which brought me to a simple realization. This week has rather been lonely with some hints of longingness for something I can't put a finger on. On my computer, there is a photo that says: "My greatest dream will come true..." As a very visual person, I surround my self with pictures of things I long for in the future. But this particular photo, which I daily see on my desktop, and has possibly been embedded in my subconscious, remains a mystery to me.

I would look at it daily and ask myself, what exactly is my greatest dream?

And so I wondered for months, not really knowing but trusting that it will somehow at some point dawn on me. I thought, Lord, is it about writing a book or starting a business. Even though I feel, they are beautiful dreams, I couldn't bring myself to think, that one of them was the greatest one of all.

And there it came, over chili con carne and ice cream, a sudden light arriving in the evening. At the home of Jaja O., while helping her prepare for her dear mom's 60th birthday celebration, it hit me.

Hugging her child, while shedding tears for the best memory she has of her mom, something touched my heart. How can our simple conversation turn out to be an extraordinary one? Seeing Bernadette's postings of the child in her womb on the same day, placed the icing on the cake. How wonderful it is to see a dear friend's dreams coming true and another one living it.

And I felt that despite the grandness of my dreams, I realized all I wanted above all was to be a good mom in the future, in the tradition of all the great mothers in the world. What a privilege to raise children who will be blessing the world with their gifts. The greatest treasure one gives to the world is what one leaves behind. Hopefully for me, it will be children who will grow up in love with God and their country, helping make the world a better place, better than ours.

The dreamer in me continues to hope that someday it will all come true. But today, I am just happy that I am reminded of what matters most in life - the love of family - and how the greatest gift someone can receive is the unconditional love of their parents, and if orphaned or needy, the awesome love of the greatest Father of all.

Thank you dear friend for inspiring me with your beauty and strength. Mabuhay ang mga nanay! God bless you! Thank you tito Joey for inspiring me with the way you live your life, by raising children who will bless the world just like you do.

My Classic Ilocos

2010-06-01T20:11:00.013+08:00

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern living, a visit to the Ilocos region is a journey back through time, like watching your favorite movie in sepia color. My Ilocano elders would often say that to look with confidence towards the future, one must first embrace the past, learn from your roots. Steeped in old-world charm, the spirit of Ilocos takes this adage to heart.

From Laoag, the capital city of Ilocos Norte, one can begin a renewing, spirit-filled journey in many of the region’s centuries-old churches whose quiet strength echoes the stories of old. Some horse-drawn carriages still take locals around the town for P10 per passenger.

Begin your visit to Spanish colonial churches at the Laoag Cathedral constructed between 1650 to1700. The Carmelite Monastery at P.Gomez Street has a serene, lovely chapel and unforgettable kamias sweets, a perfect gift for family and friends.

A few kilometers away is Paoay church completed in 1894 by the Augustinian friars. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the best known earthquake baroque style church in the Philippines. One would be awed at the sheer massiveness of the place, with its large coral stones and 24 carved, exceptionally thick buttresses.

Across Paoay is the town of Batac where even the dead endure the test of time. Here, one can view the former President Ferdinand Marcos’s body (wax version) enclosed in a glass case, a piece of Philippine history preserved in a museum.

Nearby Currimao town is picturesque place to relax in some of Ilocos’ ancestral homes adorned with checkered windows made of capiz shells. A visit to Sitio Remedios, a heritage village facing the South China sea is a must see if only to view spectacular, fiery sunsets.

One can stay in one of their seven Balays for a nostalgic experience of mid-century Ilocos Norte. The heritage village dedicated to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is a place of retreat for weary travelers.

Each balay with room sharing ranges from 4,000 to 14,000 per night, and is furnished with Ilocano furnitures, authentic crocheted bedspreads and inabel sheets. A renewing massage at the Ablon, an Ilocano term for healing massage, can also be had near the beach.

If one wants to stay at the heart of Laoag city, there is also red-bricked Fort Ilocandia Resort nestled among fetching sand hills in coastal Calayab.

Boracay of the North

Laoag is a good pit stop on the way to Pagudpud, christened the Boracay of the North for its white sand beaches. From Laoag, one can take a tricycle to any Cagayan bound mini-buses such as St. Joseph, for an hour and a half journey to bliss. Some resorts like Kapuluan Resort in Pagudpud offers Laoag pick-ups and drop-offs for P3,000 one-way. Families and group of friends can also simply hire a jeepney for about P2,500 pesos.

On the way to Pagudpud, one must visit the old Spanish Lighthouse in Baranggay Burgos on the way. Faro Cabo Cape Bojeador is set majestically on a hill overlooking the South China Sea and is the most accessible of all lighthouses in Luzon. The enduring lighthouse has guided ships in these parts for more than a century since 1892. A climb to the top of the lighthouse, about 79 winding steps is an experience in itself.

After Burgos town proper, one should pass by Baranggay Bangui to check out the massive windmills beside the Bangui bay, where the sea is driven by the wind producing a milky froth. The man-made turbines built by NorthWind Development Corporation is a best practice in renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere while providing 40% of the power requirements of Ilocos Norte.

It is also a beautiful pre-requel of some of the powerful waves of Pagudpud, which is also a good spot for surfing.

The atmosphere of Pagudpud is unhurried and rural, it is Boracay minus the crowd. The town’s idea of a perfect nightlife is an evening of good company and good food beside the beach followed by stargazing.

The Kapuluan Resort is not on the main beach but is a pleasant 10-minute stroll through coconut groves. It is an innovative resort that has distinguished itself by combining natural beauty and volunteer activities for its visitors like planting trees.

However, along the main beach are many resorts to choose from, the famous ones are located at Saud Beach and Malinga Cove, known as the Blue Lagoon. To get there from Pagudpud town proper, take a tricycle to Baranggay Saud which costs around P40 per trip (less than a dollar). In Saud, try Polaris Beach Resort which offers P1,000 per room, in the same shoreline as the renowned Saud Beach Resort.

Meanwhile, Blue Lagoon is a hidden bay found at Maira-ira Point. Reaching the place is quite tiresome for it is around 2.5 kilometers away from the highway and found at the interior part of Sitio Malingay. On the way is thick forest but it's worth getting to for its crystal blue water and fine white sand.

From here you can trek to the Nacatnagan Cliff, a virgin forest good for camping and communing with nature. Also visit the Bantay Abot Caves and the Dos Hermanos Rocks were the delicious Ilocano seaweeds gamet are taken.

On the way home, stop at Patapat bridge for photos, it is a winding bridge found at the foot of the cliff of the North Cordillera Mountain Ranges, often referred to as the “French Riviera of the North”.

Take a Stroll in Romantic Vigan

On the way back from Pagudpud to Ilocos Sur, one should pass by the first baranggay of Ilocos Norte, Badoc, hometown of Filipino painter Juan Luna where a copy of his Spolarium can be found in a museum. Less than 45 minutes along the way from here is Vigan, the unique Spanish city in Ilocos Sur.

Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. It is here where it is best to do recreational shopping while in the Ilocos region. The Kamestizoan district contains Calle Crisologo, a preserved cobbled stone street, a quaint road with lampshades where one can experience a romantic stroll through Ilocos’ colonial days where the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages offer a nostalgic musical background. It is here that you will find antique items and their reproductions for sale as well as religious artifacts, look out for the infant Jesus sculptures. Hiring a calesa will take you around Vigan for P150 an hour.

A visit to the Padre Jose Burgos House contains the memorabilia of the martyred priest Jose Burgos as well as the ethnic artworks of the Tinggians while you will find beautiful collections of pottery and porcelain at the Magsingal Museum.

If you want to try your hand at pottery, visit the Vigan House of Pottery which produces burnay jars made of sand, fire-blasted in a huge kiln. Also, you can learn from the hardworking, Ilocano elders who patiently weave abel clothe at Camangaan.

When it’s time to eat, get droped-off at Café Uno in Bonifacio Street to partake of their home-cooked Ilocano dishes like pinakbet with bagnet, a vegetable dish with the renowned Ilocano pork delicacy.

Café Angela at Quirino Boulevard serves the best Vigan longganisa in a plate of garlicky rice, a must-try.

Adventurous ones should try eating at the public market stalls such as Gaizel’s to partake of the famous Ilocano empanada, a crepe-like concoction made with eggs, Vigan sausage and vegetables wrapped in a rice flour shell.

A perfect night cap can be had at Villa Angela with rooms ranging from 1,800 to 3,200 per night on peak season for 2 to 4 people. A cheaper alternative maybe Granpa’s Inn, with rooms starting from P500 and kids can sleep in kalesa beds for a unique experience.

When returning home, one must not forget to take with you the delicious Ilocano rice cake from Tongson's Royal Bibingka at Florentino Street, just a street away from Plaza Burgos. Tinubong, a sticky sweet rice delicacy that's sold in bamboo tubes is also a must-taste. They can be found in the stalls at Calle Crisologo and Calle Plaridel in bundles of three to five sold along with fried tasty corn bits and basi, a native rum from sugarcane.

A journey to the Ilocos region is one to be remembered for years, reminding us of the lessons of the past so we can move forward into the future. Its centuries-old churches, lighthouse and age-old traditions reflect the Ilocano people’s resilient spirit and reverence for things that last.

---
Many thanks to photographer friends Adam Long and Dan Bercasio for capturing the spirit of Ilocos.

In Between Dreams

2010-05-28T20:32:00.003+08:00

Stuck in Ateneo today, after a heavy downpour. Coming from a meeting, I got dropped off at National bookstore and my hungry stomach found its way to the Mushroom Burger just a few steps sideways, never mind that I was drenched, the hungry must be fed.

Lo and behold, some free wi-fi! and a blessed corner in which to transcribe some random musings, while looking outside the window, waiting for the drops to subside.

This week, on my way to work and home, I remember seeing a poor man scavenging the garbage for some piece of heaven and three small children pushing a kariton (cart) with their most treasured belongings wrapped in a black plastic bag. Even until now, it gets to me. I still feel bad and sad at the same time. So much arable land in the entire Philippines, still so many hungry people. So many young kids still needing our care and concern.

Reminded me also of the sad statistics, "24,000 children die each day due to poverty and they die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.” (UNICEF)

Seeing them everyday still gets to me, and it should. It is so much worse when we get desensitized to the harsh reality facing so many of our brethren, accepting things as normal because it has become all too familiar.

As I thought of satisfying my own hunger and fortunate enough to have money to feed myself, I felt sad that that I could not share so much more. What I could offer at the moment was a simple prayer that somehow someone who had more than enough would be able to share more so that others may live.

That simple moment that broke my heart strengthened a dream to give more. To generate and create more resources to support others until no child should have to look to the trash for his next meal, until the dream of a poverty-free country becomes a reality...Somehow, someday it will all come true.

Going home now, the rains have subsided. "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13).

Dreaming of fullness of life for all children. (Painting by Joey Velasco)

Fields of Gold

2010-05-15T15:23:00.009+08:00

Listening to Fields of Gold poignantly sang by Eva Cassidy reminds me so much of summers gone by, of my childhood in the provinces — Ilocos and Cebu, when I walked in fields of gold.

I remember simple joys with my grandparents when we had to buy ice from the local market because there was no refrigerator. There were plenty of trips to the beach and lots of eating. I especially miss them today particularly my lola Matilde who passed away four years ago. I remember spending many summers with her in Cebu growing up. She would take me to Church at the break of dawn, as in 5 in the morning. She had a deep abiding faith.

May was our favorite month since it was fiesta time in our town and the church was teeming with activities. I remember her making angel wings for me as I joined the parade of children in church dressed as angels throwing rose petals in the path towards the altar, preparing the way for Mama Mary. She loved her.

I miss her so much now, this was our month. May was the time when flowers would be in full bloom. She was a hard working lady, and she loved to sing those Visayan love songs. Legend says my lolo saw her while she was singing on stage in a town event. She was always the outspoken one, my lolo was the reserved calming presence. It was an interesting match. They tended a farm together growing corn, rice and sugracane (tubo). I had lots of tubo growing up (maybe that is where I got my sweet tooth and toothache;) Sometimes it was just me and them and it would be awfully quiet and she would sing and everything would be alright.

I miss you very much lola and I remember you today…Always, always, summer goes too soon…

—
Heart Song:

Many years have passed since those summer days
among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
as you lie in fields of gold…

You’ll remember me
when the west wind moves
among the fields of barley
You can tell the sun
in his jealous sky
when we walked in fields of gold…

A Different Kind of Adventure

2010-04-19T17:15:00.017+08:00

Six hundred individuals set out for an adventure of a lifetime, and found out they were one people all along.

The sun in Palawan was hot and perky at 10 in the morning. It cheerfully welcomed the planes from Manila as it landed in the sizzling tarmac. The new arrivals trooped to the Holy Trinity University in Puerto Princesa on Holy Monday, March 29.

Many have come from all over the country while some were left jet-lagged having traveled as far as the United States, Australia and Singapore. The team from Bagong Silang, Quezon City had arrived late as a local airline overbooked their flight. But they were happy, having stayed in a posh hotel, most of them not having experienced it before as they were all GK beneficiaries from Globe TM GK village, partners funding their trip to Palawan so that they could serve their fellow poor.

The team from Compostella Valley in Mindanao had patiently awaited for their arrival after having finished the customary tour of the “City within a Forest” and the world-famous Subterranean Underground River, about 3 hours away from Puerto Princesa.

Refreshed, they came early to the HTU gym, welcoming their fellow GK volunteers, people from different walks of life. Some of them were students and professionals from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila and De La Salle University, College of St. Benilde. They all chose to forego their vacations and offer their Holy Week to be one with those who have been forgotten by society, the indigenous tribe of Palaw’ans who have settled in the mountains, without homes to call their own.

About 600 volunteers responded to the call to be heroes for the poor in the 5th GK Bayani Challenge at Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan.

The Challenge Begins

Six non-airconditioned buses set out on a journey carrying the intrepid volunteers towards Bataraza, southern Palawan where they will build a GK community for the natives. Seventy-five members of the Philippine navy took to the ocean taking with them the local teams from Palawan and Bagong Silang. Everyone were expected to meet up at the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) village, the base camp.

However the bus that carried the Filipino-Americans, Australians and GK workers did not come on time, breaking down three times. Amidst the scorching heat and dust that could trigger an asthma attack, their journey felt like the Stations of the Cross. What was to be a six hour travel to Bataraza turned out to be 18 hours in reality with an evening pit stop at St. Joseph’s Church in the town of Narra, where a black-out took place at 12 midnight.

But thanks to the brave soldiers from the Philippine Marines, the foreigners were kept safe amidst security threats. Then it was back on to rough roads at 2 in the morning, arriving early Tuesday at RTNMC village, welcomed by fellow volunteers who have gotten ready to start building at the GK sites of Culimbawang and Bohoy.

The Eyes that said Thanks

The volunteers appointed to GK Bohoy climbed on massive mining trucks provided by RTNMC and Coral Bay Nickel Corp who were caring for the indigenous community. The nomadic tribe who were unable to read and write, unaware of their birthdays, welcomed their newly-arrived guests. Living in the mountains, far from government’s help, they wondered where all these people have come from.

Amidst the build activities, one of the natives Lola Daria sat along with her family outside an earlier completed GK model house in Culimbawang. She was observing her grandson at the Paraisong Pambata area where volunteer-teachers engaged the kids in a coloring activity. Asked how she was doing, water began to gather in her eyes. Despite the language barrier, she expressed more than words how she felt. She was grateful to the volunteers who have come to build their homes, feeling at last, they were not alone. Someone cared about them to have traveled so far.

Looking Back. Paying Forward.
Indeed, the farthest to have made the journey was a 5-man team from San Diego, USA.

Turning 60 years old this year, it was the first time for Felix Duyay to set foot on Philippine soil. Born and bred in America, his parents migrated from Camarines Norte. Along with a good friend from University of San Diego, Salvador Flor, they came to understand more of their rich heritage.

“It’s priceless for me. Going to the place where the people are. I’m impressed at the strength of the people, even with their struggles in life,” he shared. “There is more connection now, actually feeling it, my parent’s heritage,” he said while taking a break from building.

His pal Sal explained that one issue they faced in America was their search for identity. “My parents came as Filipinos. I look at myself as Filipino-American. My daughter was born in the US, she considers herself as American-Filipino. You have 3 sets of perspectives growing up. What ties it all together is that we are Filipino but there was no way to transmit that from one generation to the next as to exactly who we are.”

“This particular village is our connection to the homeland because this was where we worked at,” he said, grateful that “GK gives the Filipino-Americans the opportunity to connect with the home country.”

For Dr. Boy Abay, who left during the Martial Law years, it was time to give back. “We knew that when went to the US, it would take 20 years before we would return. It’s been 26 years and we’ve been blessed,” he said, “My dream for my country is to see the poor lifted up.”

A sentiment shared by fellow Filipino Curtis Alejo who lived a continent away, migrating to Australia in the 1980s, “I want to give something back, to give a lot of hope to our people. As I grow older, I want to share to our countrymen. I promised God if I am healthy, I will continue coming here to the Bayani Challenge,” he said.

A Vow Made. A Promise Kept.

It was another vow that anchored the heart of second generation Filipino-American Marcel Ocampo to the country that his parents had left behind. At 7-years old living in Olongapo, he saw a poor mother with her child living in abject poverty, their plight moved him and he made a promise to himself to do something about the injustice.

After 24 years, he came back to fulfill the promise he made to help the poorest of the poor. “It’s good to go back and get to know our brothers and sisters, to make sure we don’t forget one another,” he said.

Keeping his fellow Fil-Ams close to his mind, he wanted to let them know of their duty to their country, “In the Philippines, they lost the best and the brightest that could have turned around a nation, to seek a better life elsewhere, and those were our parents, that’s a big debt that we’ve got to pay back, we got to come back and make it right,” he said.

It was the desire to provide the same opportunities and blessings she has been given, that made Filipina-Australian Donabele Tungul return to her roots.

As a young child living in Iba, Zambales, she remembered having not enough eat, her parents having been unemployed because there were simply no jobs available for them.

“Keeping that memory in my heart, I thought, one day I will have a different situation in life and I’ll be able to help other people.”

“Now we are able to have a little to share. It’s not much but it’s something to share. I have learned that from my family, to have a giving spirit. It’s a Filipino culture that we have a very generous heart,” she said.

Fellow Filipino-Australian Joekarl Diaz whose family migrated when he was just 12 years old joined the Bayani Challenge to really live out the GK slogan, Walang Iwanan (Leave No One Behind).

“We are here to also send ourselves. The best present you can give someone is yourself and we want to show that in a more physical way, more than prayers and the money that we send through.”

Asked how it was to be a Filipino living in another country, he shared, “GK strengthened the Filipino blood in me. After it started its work in Papua New Guinea, I realized that my race is actually making a big difference in the world.”

“I’m a proud young Filipino in Australia. I’m making my mark. I’m not shy, reluctant about it, not anymore.”

One Team, One Filipino.

If there is one lesson to be learned from this Bayani Challege, it was that we have the same blood running through our veins, no matter where we came from in the world, wherever province we hailed from, whether one is rich or poor.

It couldn’t have been more aptly expressed by the teaming up of Ateneo and La Salle. “For the longest time, we have been rivals. What if for one week, we worked as a team. At the end of the day, hindi naman tayo Atenista, hindi naman tayo Lasallista, tayo ay Pilipino. It’s our core identity,” team leader Frank Chiu wisely said who brought along to their team beneficiaries from GK Baseco, Pingasama, Payatas and the Ateneo Maintenance Group who came to build for their fellow Filipinos.

Friends from Mindanao led by team head Bong Carmelotes who has been present in all the Bayani Challenges from Bicol, Bukidnon, Sulu, Palawan and most likely in Cebu next year, have been passionately building the country of their dreams. “Pangarap natin yung buong Pilipinas maging isang Paraiso na wala ng mahihirap.” (We dream for the entire Philippines to become a Paradise where there are no more poor people.)

With his team of passionate heroes from Compostella Valley, they committed to continue joining the Bayani Challenge as long as they live. “Habang may buhay pa, puntahan namin kahit saan. Para makatulong sa nangangailan, kasi may pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas,” ( As long as we still have life, we will go to the Bayani Challege no matter where it will be held. So that we could help those who are in need, because there is still hope for the Philippines), shared Aqui Santiago. He was the oldest volunteer at 62 years old. “Nakita ko sa build, nandyan si Jesus Christ, kaya everytime na build sasama talaga ako,” (I see that during builds, Jesus Christ is there, that's why, everytime there is a build, I really join), he shared with tears in his eyes.

GK resident Francis Awa from Bagong Silang has was also present to give of himself. “Nagkaroon ako ng bahay dahil sa Gawad Kalinga, ibubuhos ko ang buhay ko sa bayanihan,” (I received a home because of Gawad Kalinga, I will pour out my life in bayanihan - being a hero to my neighbor), he said with conviction.

Many lives changed that Holy Week. Many of them brought home lasting friendships and a renewed love for God and country. Leaving beautiful Palawan at dusk, Marcel Ocampo planted a knee on the tarmac, faced the setting sun, touched the earth and gave thanks for the land.

Many GK volunteers like him will bring home a valuable truth in their hearts, that wherever we are in the world, we belong to one family. We are Filipino and no one of our brothers and sisters should be left behind. The heroes from Mindanao had summed it all up beautifully: “Pareho-pareho lang tayong Filipino, kaya dapat magmahalan tayo.” (We are all Filipinos, let us love one another.)

When Duty Calls, Take Courage

2010-04-15T21:36:00.004+08:00

Last week was kind of sad and challenging but this week was filled with contentment and peace. You never really know what’s going to happen in life. Many people quit before the upswing that they don’t see how beautiful life can be.

I remember a new friend relating to a particular metaphor of life where someone drives a car with no gas signal, he does not know that he has ran out of gas because there is no signal informing him.

Relating it to life and what is worth living for he says, many people can live for something bigger than themselves but they do not know how because no one is letting them know. It may take an event, an experience, or a person's words to trigger the hero in them, which has been within them all along.

I realized in our simple conversation how important it was to speak up, to inform, to inspire, to spread hope and to share in any way you can because you’ll never know when your words can impact someone’s life and lead them to where they should be.

So, the speakers must speak and the writers must write. Those who are called to do business, must do it with a heart for service. Those who are called to govern must lead well.

We all have roles to play. “If you do not find a way, no one will.” (LOTR).

I say, let’s just do what we must do. Let’s do it for others that they may live.

For people like me who are "ambivert" (half introvert, half extroverted), it takes courage to get out of our comfort zone, but we must. Because we should. For others.

Trembling and afraid, still I will trust where the heavens will lead me. And from now on, I will not be afraid to speak up.

Life is an Airport

2010-04-08T23:39:00.004+08:00

There is something beautiful about airports. Whenever I step upon a tarmac, I feel all giddy and excited inside. It's nice to feel like you are going somewhere where new experiences await or going back to the place you love. At the airport, people feel welcomed, loved ones are awaited, strangers get ready for a time of adventure.

Airports facilitate our comings and goings. The in-between, the waiting to fly, makes it all worth it when your time arrives.

In many ways, life is a journey. We must keep on moving on, growing. Travel allows us to do that. It helps us understand what matters most. The preparation for travel allows us to take only what we need (or else we suffer from the consequences of excess baggage or the frustration of having to carry heavy stuff we can do without). Travel helps us to take stock. And in a lot of ways, heals us. We begin to consider the things we take for granted and remember those who mean most to us. Travelers, I believe, learn to live their lives wiser, to choose better, to risk more, to open their minds without losing their core (identity).

In lonely times, when I am wanting a friend to talk to, I just dream of places I long to see, new friends yet to meet, and new adventures to discover and I feel better.

I have a map of the world in my room, which I turn to when I feel sad or bored and just want to expand my sense of earth. I dream of traveling and meeting new people, immersing in cultures, writing about them. I want to describe God's magnificent creation, the diversity and uniqueness of it all, taking the time to talk to people, touching the trees, mesmerized by the sea.

I hope someday my dreams will turn into tarmac and geography into faces and fellow travelers sharing the wonders of the world.

Exploring Palawan

2010-03-24T17:14:00.012+08:00

In beautiful Palawan today, arrived March 23 (Tuesday) at Puerto Princesa city, its capital. Refreshing to smell the sea breeze and to witness a really perky sun. The first night found us eating affordable Chao Long (Vietnamese noodle soup) at semi-al fresco Bonas restaurant along Manalo extension. The city was known to be a former haven for Vietnamese refugees.

Considered the largest province in the Philippines (Palawan, from the Chinese word "Pa-Lao-Yu" meaning Land of Beautiful Harbours) is remarkably sparse in population, around 750,000 people dispersed in 23 municipalities (from Busuanga/Coron in the north to Balabac island in the south). The largest baranggay in Metro Manila, Bagong Silang in Caloocan city, is actually more dense with over 1 million residents (and that is just one area in Manila).

The sense of community here can be deeply felt. On our first night, we went to the wake of the late Judge Filomeno Vergara and felt like the whole town was present! or were aware that he passed away. The Philippine flags around the city were at half-mast. We then slept at the Holy Trinity University retreat house and today at the home of kind CFC members Tito Raffy and Tita Tess.

I am currently in this beautiful island preparing for the Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge 2010.

About 50 teams (approximately 750 participants from all over the Philippines, US, Australia and Singapore) are headed to Palawan from March 29 to April 4 to build homes for the neglected Pala'wans, one of the island's indigenous peoples (IP).

Sharing their time, resources and sweat, they will work side by side with the indigenous tribe in building their homes.

The Pala'wans belong to the large Manobo-based linguistic groups of the southern Philippines. Being nomadic, the tribe do not legally own the lands they till, have no permanent homes and are unable to go to schools.

Residing in the forests, the Pala'wan's are the usual victims of injustice, often neglected and considered as second-class residents of the community. Basic services provided by the government can barely reach their temporary places, and they suffer from hunger due to extreme poverty and children cannot read nor write and deprived of basic life skills.

Concerned about the plight of the indigenous tribe, Palawan-based companies Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) and Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) partnered with Gawad Kalinga in 2006 to provide holistic GK communities for them, committing P10 million for 10 years to help the Pala'wan tribe to endure in this age, as part of their corporate social responsibility to the community here.

RTNMC and CBNC made all their mining machineries available for land development and committed to finance the construction of GK houses, multi-purpose building, productivity and educational facilities.

So far, six villages have been built serving approcimately 300 families; about 80 homes are on target to be built by next week by GK volunteers who are coming from all over the country to serve their fellow Filipinos in Palawan.

Seventy-five men from the Philippine Navy will be coming by ship to lend their strength while volunteers from the United States, Singapore and Australia are also flying in to help build in the two sites: Culimbawang and Bohoy GK villages at Baranggay Rio Tuba in the municipality of Bataraza, in the southern part of beautiful Palawan.

Welcome to the Digital Age

2010-02-11T15:41:00.009+08:00

Just came from an interview with a wonderful professor at the Asian Institute of Management for a business article I am trying to write. I remember looking for mini-cassette tapes yesterday to use in my Sony recorder but the stores had none. Perplexed and confused, I realized it had been quite awhile since I tried buying a tape, more than 5 years perhaps. I've gotten used to recycling old ones which are now worn-out from hearing far too many voices.

An old soul when it comes to writing, I still love to record thoughts in longhand (trying to preserve the art of scripts in an age of fonts), I decided I would recycle another tape and hope for the best. It turns out that even tape recorders have to retire. Especially when it zonked out in the middle of an interview and could not be revived, while the kind professor considered lending me a tape from his old archives. Had to rely on the best recorder of all, the mind,while writing fast to capture his thoughts. It was time for my dependable companion (the manual recorder) to take a much deserved rest.

This entry is an attempt to record a turning point in my life from a seemingly simple day. Walking out of the university, I decided right there and there I would buy a digital recorder.

I know it's not an earth-shaking realization but to me it was :) I am normally a cheapskate when it comes to gadgets, but today was a day I tried something new without thinking too much of the cost. As the good professor would say, "Invest on the right tools so you can improve your capacity," a business advice that is also applicable to personal concerns.

So what little savings I had, I decided to invest today on a tool which I hope will help me become more productive. I bought it already without regret.

So, I welcome myself properly today to the digital age. Although I use the internet quite a lot, I'm still technology-challenged when it comes to a lot of gadgets. There is a lot to learn. Have to remember though that it is just a tool, what matters is what I do with it, and to use it well so that we recover the investment, so to speak.

They say, when you enter the digital age, there is not turning back. In a way, it is quite an advantage to be delayed in jumping on the bandwagon because the price becomes lower after a while, new gadgets having a fast turnover, getting replaced by new and improved versions. Sometimes, it's great to buy when it's no longer the fad. As you know, the lesser the demand and the higher the supply, prices go down. As to why one would buy into a fad is another question. I believe it's good to buy what you need, and not scrimp on quality, because it saves you more in the long run. Some things, "wants" as they are called are okay to simmer for awhile. Good things come to those who wait. But also it is best to know when to act.

Suffice to say, I love my digital recorder :-) maybe a laptop, next time?

Who's got your back?

2010-02-01T19:46:00.008+08:00

So sad today. Even the ever-dependable Michael Buble is not cheering me up. It's that time again when the hormones wreak havoc in an already stressed body. Just feeling low and a bit alone. But I don't really want to talk to anyone because I feel so sensitive. Oh well. "Just haven't met you yet," I suppose.

I admire dreamers who make their dreams come true. People who keep on working until they make it happen. I've always believed anything is possible to one who believes. But when there are times of doubt, it is really a blessing when someone believes in you until you believe in yourself again.

"I might have to wait. I'll never give up. I guess it's half timing and the other half's luck."

Don't get me wrong, I am not in a hurry. There are still so many things to do. "Wherever you are, whenever it's right, you'll come out of nowhere and into my life."

I have finally given up pleasing just about everyone and the only way to be true to others, is to be true to yourself.

I just remembered a dear friend's dilemma last week. How she found it hard to trust others since her dad died about two years ago. She could always depend on her father to support her and affirm her decisions. Forced to become the head of the family, she had to grow up fast and have to be their tower of strength. Everyone now depends on her. With this responsibility, she would sometimes break down. Because when everyone else depends on you, she asks, who can you turn to? "Who's got your back?"

Hard question to answer.

When there's no one else to go and life gives you these lonely times...who can you trust? My dearest friend, I believe
God has our back. God is the Father that we all need, our rock and refuge on days we just want to hide from the world. And maybe someday, someone will come along who will be heaven's physical expression of that steady, firm support.

"And I know that we can be so amazing. And baby your love is gonna change me. And now I can see every possibility..."

At the end of the day...

2010-01-12T17:31:00.007+08:00

Welcome 2010! This is my first blog for the year. Apologies for my delayed reaction. Haven't had time to reflect on the lessons of 2009. But one valuable thing I have learned last year which keeps things in perspective is summed up in just one phrase.

Last year, I heard it from lots of people, said often, up to three times a day. I wondered what they meant when they said it. And why it mattered.

"At the end of the day", they say, despite the challenges and difficulties, the joys and victories, what matters is that we are being true to ourselves and to the people we love. What mattered were not things but people, our relationships. At the end of the day, when you lay yourself down to sleep, what matters is that you were able to love. If you made people around you happy, if you were able to help, to serve, to make someone's burden a little lighter or the world a little better.

Coming out of a disastrous typhoon last year where people found themselves bereft of material things, they have reason to rejoice because what mattered most was that their loved ones were safe. If there is any blessing in any tragedy, this is it. Finding that at the end of the day, what matters to us has been with us all along. I hope this year that it won't take any more unfortunate events to bring us to this enlightenment.

In my heart, I begin 2010 with the end in mind. Because at the end of the day, what matters is that our lives mattered somehow in terms of giving and receiving love and multiplying care to as many people as we can.No longer taking the people we love for granted, making time for them, taking the risk to express our care and concern.

I found that at the end of the day, it is really between you and your God as you reflect on the days, months, years and you fall asleep, surrendering to dreams. Every day, we wake up blessed with a fresh start. A time to change. The time to live without regrets happens at the very moment we wake up, breathing in life deeply. As the day draws to a close, I pray that we will always choose joy. Because no matter how bleak things seem to be, there is always something to smile about, if you would take the time to notice them.

At the end of the day, love remains.

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! God bless us in 2010!

Lost and Found

2009-11-12T10:39:00.014+08:00

Looking back today on the years that have gone before, eye ducts begin to swell. This time around though, they are tears of happiness. I feel so blessed. There were many times in the past when I wondered when the loneliness will end. Aimless, I wandered around looking outside for some love to fill my heart. I made so many mistakes and went through so much pain, most of them unnecessary.

Today, I have a different story. My cup of gratitude overflows.

I want to thank our dear Father for restoring me. For His great love that brought me to wholeness and freed me from all my fears. Today, I feel truly free and complete! The struggles of the past are over and the waiting has been worth it. I feel like a child who just turned one.

I remember the past which my good friend and I like to refer to as the “Dark Ages.” I did not love my self then. The healing was a journey to wholeness taken in tiny steps. But I learned that if you keep moving forward, you will surely get there.

I now recall the wise words of our Savior to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” I couldn’t relate to it before. I thought I was already loving a lot. But I was loving from a needy place. A place that was easily hurt, a place that needed to be loved first.

I had to learn to love my self in a healthy way. And it did not come easy for me because I did not know how. It seems weird I know, but I struggled with the insecurities growing up. I did not trust in my own worth and giftings. Picture a lost soul in a sea and that would likely be me. I had to find my self but I searched for love outside too much.

Today, as I look back on those years, I feel very grateful for the lessons learned and the wisdom they bring.

I have forgiven completely. It has been so effective that recently I was trying to recall some things but could not remember the details anymore. Call it memory gap, but I have truly forgotten. Perhaps, that is why I feel truly free. Forgive and forget, the wise ones say, and it is true. Just like inbox messages all read and trash emptied. I have kept the good memories and now recall the mistakes for what they’re worth, to be able to help another. To give them hope that things can be better.

As I turn a year older today, I thought it fitting to reflect on the beginning. It can be recalled that my name meant pearl. I can relate to the particular journey of the pearl which begins as a dirt inside an oyster. The oyster then covers the irritant with its shiny white protective thing. I call it grace.

God may be molding me into a pearl. I only pray I could be true to the name I have been blessed with.

Today, I choose to keep the faith. Because there is always hope. I have lived this truth in my life. I now love from a place of abundance, from a place that overflows, I can't help but give the love away. Moving on from loneliness to contentment, I am free.

Thank you fellow traveler for walking my way. Heaven bless our path. Keep Moving Forward.

Listen to my Heart's Song: The Journey By Lea Salonga
Thank you to Ms. Anne Weirich for her beautiful pearl painting.

Thank You For Not Leaving Us

2009-10-20T18:57:00.009+08:00

GK Camacho, Marikina - It was 12 noon and Tita Delia Labrador,54 years old, was still busy helping clean up her community. In the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy, their homes were left in knee-deep mud, the water had risen 20 feet submerging homes. Earlier in the morning, some 58 employee volunteers from Globe Telecoms including chief executive officer Ernest Cu have lent a helping hand to clean up their park and surroundings. Slowly but surely, order is being restored.

Tita Delia said she was very grateful that all of them are safe, no one died. She still feels disturbed about seeing a mother and child on their shanty's roof, their whole house being swept away along the Marikina River, waving to them for help. But they too were trapped, cold and wet, but found higher ground.

At night, she thinks of them and prays fervently that they are okay, thankful too that God has saved them from danger through GK. Their homes were secure. It can be recalled that GK Camacho was a relocation site for the squatters along Provident village in Marikina. This subdivision inhabited by the privileged was badly flooded with waters immersing two story houses.

One shudders to think what could have happened to Tita Delia if they remained in the slums. Thirty families have been relocated from this area since 2005 and have homes now at GK Camacho, Phase 2, sheltering 59 kids. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos, iniligtas niya kami sa kapahamakan. Diyos pa rin ang nagbigay ng daan." (I am thankful to God, He saved us from danger. He provided the way)," said Tita Delia who was one of the squatters along Provident village.

"Ito na siguro ang lupang pangako na ipinagdadasal namin. Nagpapasalamat kami at nakatayo pa ang bahay namin at lahat buhay," said Tita Linda Junio, 43 years old while taking a break from her cleaning activities. (This must be the promised land that we have been praying for. We are thankful that our GK homes are still standing and everyone is alive.)

"Nagpapasalamat kami sa Gawad Kalinga, talagang hindi kami iniwan sa oras ng pangangailangan, kinumusta kami, dinalhan ng pagkain, damit, gamit," affirmed Tita Delia. (We are thankful to Gawad Kalinga, we were not left behind in the time of our need. They asked how we were and gave us food, clothes, things we need)," Tita Delia said.

Globe, GK and the Kapitbahayan.

The week-long relief provision has helped them survive the disaster and gain the strength to clean and continue their life. She said that their neighbors in Balubad, Baranggay Nangka were also grateful that GK also provided relief packs to them, about 1,500 families basic needs were met. "Salamat sa GK na nakatulong sa amin," they said. (Thank you to GK who were able to help us).

Tita Delia thanks her brothers and sisters from Couples for Christ East-B who prayed unceasingly for them to be safe as the typhoon was raging on that fateful day. They provided immediate assistance to the community's needs. "Hindi kami pinabayaan," she said. (They did not forsake us).

The Tzuchi Buddhist Foundation provided livelihood by paying workers from within the community to assist in the clean up operations. Members from Knights of Columbus came to assist and Ricky Reyes held a feeding. Selecta provided ice cream and RFM Corporation gave relief packs. Gawad Kalusugan and Red Cross held a medical mission. Bayanihan thrived over tragedy in the past three weeks and today clean up and rehabilitation are underway.

Run for Love

2009-09-20T22:22:00.011+08:00

Today, I ran 5 kilometers for Enervon Prime's marathon to benefit Hands on Manila, an organization in the Philippines which moblizes individuals wanting to volunteer and extend a helping hand to charities and non-profits.

What makes runs like these special is that you run for a purpose and that gives marathons a whole new meaning.

I was so excited that I only slept for 3 hours, not a very good idea I know! I was scared I was off to a bad start. Thankfully though, I survived. In a way, the run was like a small victory for me, as I finished the race on borrowed rubber shoes (thanks Acel:) in under 40 minutes, a goal I set for myself. The first to cross the finish line was at 15 minutes and 5 seconds. He was a breeze. I wish I could run like that.

But I am happy to report about my progress because two years ago, I ran a 10 kilometer fun run for 2 gruelling hours at the Gawad Kalinga-Adidas King of the Road race. When I finally reached the end, everyone was already busy doing their own thing, mindless that there are still people limping their way in.hehe. I was the second to the last to reach the finish line. It was a very humbling experience in which I learned a lot.

To be honest, there were so many times in that race that I wanted to give up or to take the shortcut but I knew I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. What kept me going was remembering the reason why I was doing it in the first place. It was because we were running for love.

We were running for those who were losing hope and those who could not run for themselves because of poverty. I know, life can be tough. But it is even tougher for those who have nothing short of a foundation in which to begin a dignified life. In a way, we run to lend our strength. A means to be in fellowship with those who suffer, to show by example that there is a path to hope. Together, as my brother's keeper, we could finish the race of life no matter how difficult. It has been proven that at the end of it all, our efforts would not be in vain. Lives restored, even if only one, would make all the sacrifice worth it. For this, I ran. For them, I sought to finish the race.

The work of nation building and development (and life in general) is one of endurance. The key is to persevere and to always keep your vision in mind. We must keep moving forwad but also not leave the poor behind on the way to progress and our personal pursuit of happiness and success. We need to give one another a chance to succeed. Walang Iwanan.

Today, I remembered Tatay Sergio, GK Libmanan's very own village haircutter. His face kept popping into my head. The sufferings he has endured throughout his life inspired me to keep moving forward.

Now at last he can breathe in the beauty that he so rightfully deserves because there were heroes who journeyed to his community and chose to also carry his burden, gave him a good home, a pair of sharp scissors, and a concrete source of hope that things were possible, that heaven has not abandoned them...

On the final lap as exhaustion began to set in and the lack of sleep began to take it's toll, a song came out of nowhere and found itself on my mouth and I sang to myself: "Prepare the Way...(by Darrel Evans)." Time is clicking away and it is time to make a difference when the mind is still sharp and the body is capable.

Life is a race. Life is more meaningful though when you have someone to run it for. Dear friend, always run for love and don't give up because someone needs you in this world.

See http://gkieadvocate.blogspot.com for more meaningful runs.

How do you make fish sleep?

2009-09-05T22:10:00.006+08:00

Boni Comandante Jr. made the discovery of his life in 1987 while studying sex reversal of groupers or lapu-lapu in Palawan. Once he inadvertently left some fish in an ice bucket at night, and the next morning he was surprised to see them alive. “The day I saw the fish, I saw dollars in my hand,” he says.

Intrigued, he began experimenting on fish hibernation to develop an anti-stress solution called buhi (Visayan word for alive) blend, which conditioned fish to sleep. “What happens to the fish is that you slow down their metabolism so they consume less oxygen and spend less energy,” he says. “You then have a few hours to transport them without water and still keep them alive.”

Comandante tested his invention in 1989 by transporting live fish to Hong Kong for 12 hours without water. The fish reached their destination alive, but he kept the technology to himself until he could back it up with scientific evidence.

He got sidetracked for 14 years until he discovered the Coastal Resources Management program of Silliman University and presented his invention for his master’s thesis in 2003. The same year, he entered his invention in 1st Negros Oriental Business Development Foundation Innovations Awards, where it won the grand prize of P50,000 as seed money.

Comandante then approached Silliman university economics professor Wilma Tejero to develop his technical paper into a business plan. Eventually the Department of Trade and Industry introduced partners Comandante and Tejero to Dumaguete City entrepreneur Edward Du, who offered P2 million to finance their venture. On June 8, 2004 the partners launched their technology for transporting live fish without water under the company Buhi Marine Worldwide Supply Inc. with a starting capital of P5 million.

Initially, Buhi Marine offered its technology as a franchise to local government units in Negros Oriental, and Bais became the first municipality to acquire its franchise for P150,000 for five years. The company started buying freshly caught fish at the Bais fish port at double their market prices to help the fishermen. It then supplied the fish to the local wet markets and to some restaurants in Metro Manila.

“For every kilo of fish that we buy, we give P2 to the municipality,” says Tejero. “They can expect to recoup their investment in less than two years.”

Comandante says local fish traders could save up to P10 million in shipping costs annually and ship more live fish than the 300 tons they transport each year from the Visayas and Mindanao to Manila by eliminating water, which accounts for 75 percent of their shipments’ weight. (They could also do away with the 10 percent mortality of fish shipped in tanks, because all the fish transported using Buhi Marine’s technology are said to survive the journey.) International shippers could save about $248 million form the 55,000 tons of live fish that they ship annually.

Buhi Marine started receiving proposals from foreign investors after it showcased its technology in a trade show organized by the Center for International trade Expositions and Missions. Later, two Australian investors offered, and Buhi Marine agreed, to form Buhi International to offer the franchise abroad. “It is one of the most innovative solutions for this decade,” said Australian investor Gavin Wilson. “It’s revolutionary – like the invention of the motor. We want to take it to the next level by offering the best service for this product to the world.”

Wilson and his partner pledged to invest $4.5 million in the partnership and discussed the possibility of shipping live tuna without water. (Comandante says he has tested the technology on several fish species including bangus and tilapia and succeeded in stretching their hibernation to 24 hours from 12. he has also tested his technology on prawns and oysters, which “slept” for 12 and 48 hours, respectively.)

Comandante and his partners will soon set a plant in his native Siquijor to train 36 technicians, who would later be assigned to help franchisees. He has also applied for an international patent for his technology in Geneva. “The technology and we supply the technicians to apply it. We call it a black box that only Filipinos can handle. We want to take advantage of the technology so we can supply Filipino technician worldwide.”

In March 2005, Comandante became the first Filipino to win in San Francisco, in the 7th University of San Francisco Business Plan contest, where his invention placed third and bested 150 entries from 18 countries. Still, getting people to accept his invention had once been a challenge. “Some people thought I was using drugs,” he says. “I kept telling them that the compound that triggers fish hibernation was actually naturally occurring. It was out there at sea. You just had to use it.”

He had his moment when specialists at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources studied his technology and then pronounced it safe. “Now I can present the idea to people without them thinking I’m crazy,” says Comandante who has completed his doctorate in marine biology at Silliman University in Dumaguete: “If it’s a gadget you invent, people will see it; but for ideas such as this, you need a scientific basis. That’s why I went back to school."

Builder of Dreams Launched

2009-09-01T19:04:00.011+08:00

The Builder of Dreams book by Antonio Meloto, father of Gawad Kalinga, was successfully launched at the Asian Institute of Management last August 31, 2009.

The event gathered Gawad Kalinga's friends from business, government, the academe, and volunteers from here and abroad as well as the youth of Bagong Silang, where GK first began.

Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III graciously received the Builder of Dreams book dedicated to his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino whose 40th day of passing will be commemorated on September 9, 2009.

The special People Power edition of the Builders of Dreams book is dedicated to the beloved president, in honor of her trust and support to the work of Gawad Kalinga and her love for the Filipino people.

When GK was just starting out, President Cory was the first to express her support for the heroic work. In June 25, 2004, she declared that: "GK is People Power and People Power is Gawad Kalinga." She also donated a portion of her land in Tarlac for GK beneficiaries.

"My affection for Tita Cory was deep and personal. She believed in my integrity as I believed in hers. In a corrupt setting trust must go with hope," wrote Meloto in his note, Ninoy and Cory: The Heart and Soul of Gawad Kalinga.

Sen. Noynoy Aquino receives the book in behalf of his beloved parents.

"The challenge to Gawad Kalinga as an expression of People Power is for us to be living everyday heroes," Meloto said.

"Our country needs lifetime heroes, millions of them - not the once-in-a-lifetime great leader who will lead us to glory. There is only one Ninoy and only one Cory in our lifetime - but there are millions of Filipinos who can love this country as much as they did."

Guests were serenaded by the GK Tatalon choir composed of former street children and garbage scavengers whose lives have been transformed through the help of living heroes quietly working on the ground to build a truly free Philippines for all Filipinos especially the poor.

To avail of the special People Power edition Builder of Dreams book, please send an email through: cococastrocruz@gmail.com.

Amazing Banglos: Fishermen turned Sculptors

2009-08-28T11:46:00.027+08:00

Banglos means "Bangon at Kilos" (Rise and Act)

The fishermen-turned-Banglos sculptors of the GK Smart Amazing Village in General Nakkar, Quezon continue to wow collectors of their masterpieces at Le Souffle Rockwell, one of Manila's famous art spaces.

The sculptors who turned their tragedy into triumph by creating delightful pieces of wooden art inspired the guests who attended their exhibit titled, "The Art of Nation Building."

The residents of the tiny fishing village in General Nakkar have come a long way from their tragic past. In 2004, the residents of General Nakar were displaced by a strong typhoon that struck the province. With their homes and livelihood destroyed, the residents most of whom were fishermen, had nothing left but the drift woods that were dislodged from the mountains.

On a visit to the typhoon-ravaged area, Gawad Kalinga partner Smart Communications saw an opportunity amidst the tragedy. The residents were introduced to Rey Paz Contreras, a renowned Filipino sculptor, who helped them transform the source of their pain into works of art.

"Sculpture was like therapy for us. It made us forget our unfortunate past,” recounted the fishermen. Today, the Banglos Sculptors has made a name in the art scene as a model of a successful community-based art group.

Their artworks were so precious that they almost sold out during their launch. Many leaders from the business industry came and were inspired. Among their patrons were movers and shakers in business such as SGV & Co.'s Washington Sycip and Meralco's Oscar Lopez who bought some of the art pieces.

This photo was taken by the Philippine Star.

Alongside the Banglos sculptures, Filipino artist Manch Carpio's beautiful paintings are also on display at Le Souffle. He has kindly donated a portion of the proceeds of his paintings to Gawad Kalinga.

The launch of the exhibit was made possible through the generosity of Chef Jessie Sincioco of Le Souffle Rockwell and organized by friends and GK volunteers Marivic Pineda, Pinky Poe, Divine Duran, Rose Cabrera and Cecile Manheimer, the team behind GKonomics.

GKonomics is helping build a prosperous Philippines by promoting the beautiful products made by poor residents in GK communities. They also bridge the gap between the rich and the poor by facilitating private and public enterprise partnerships to start and mentor livelihood programs in GK communities.

One of their successful patriotic ventures is GKoncepts, a merchandising arm that develops innovative product ideas manufactured in GK communities such as Hope in a Box, rosaries and trendy bags made of recycled materials. When you buy an item from GKConcepts you are able to help a GK community rise from poverty and become sustainable. "Every product a story, every purchase a purpose," believed the GK volunteers.

The fishermen turned sculptors now live in a safe haven at the GK Smart Amazing Village in General Nakkar, Quezon province in the Philippines. With their earnings from their sculptures, they have helped build another village in Cebu for fellow GK beneficiaries.

For further information about GK products including the Banglos sculptures, please send an email to gkoncepts.info@gmail.com. The Banglos sculptures will be on display at Le Souffle at Rockwell until August 31, 2009.

Maraming salamat po at Paalam Ina ng Bayan, Corazon Aquino (1933 - 2009)

2009-08-05T11:20:00.008+08:00

Today (August 5, 2009), the Filipino people are out on the streets or are glued on their television sets, paying their respects to the passing of a great Filipino leader and mother, President Corazon Aquino.

Tita Cory as she is fondly called by Filipinos, is remembered as the mother of Philippine democracy who lead the country after the peaceful People Power Revolution at Edsa in 1986. She is also known as the devoted wife of the erstwhile late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. who was assisinated in 1983, coming home from a 3-year exile in Boston. He spent most of his life fighting the oppressions and dictatorship of the Marcos regime.

The sacrifice of this couple is truly amazing. Ninoy died for the freedom of his country. Cory gave birth to democracy and nurtured it. She was indeed the Ina ng Bayan (the country's mother). Even until her death, she has spawned that Cory magic, uniting Filipinos from all walks of life.

But aside from being the first woman president of the Philippines and in Asia, what I truly admire most about this inspiring lady is her beautiful soul. She embodies all that is good in the Filipino. Her integrity and quiet strength are to be emulated. She was courageous and brave amidst challenges. She was a loving mother and a great friend to those who were blessed to know her personally. She treated all people with equal respect. She left a legacy of hope and a great faith in God and the Filipino people. Indeed, Corazon was true to her name, becoming the heart of a country and her family.

Today is a sad, rainy day. Sad but hopeful. Both sweet and sentimental. It feels like the passing of a generation, like a beginning and an end. It is also hopeful because Tita Cory left us a great legacy. A legacy of loght which the present generation and the generations to come will have to pass on. She has given us her yellow light even in death. We thank our great God for the gift of Cory, for helping us all realize that it is indeed a great blessing to be a Filipino.

I agree that the song composed by Jim Paredes sums up Cory's legacy: "Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo, mapayapang paraang pagbabago. Katotohanan, Kalayaan, Katarungan, ay kayang makamit ng walang dahas basta't magkaisa tayong lahat."

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas Niyang Mahal.

Things I Wish I Learned Earlier:

2009-07-26T12:50:00.001+08:00

10. Not everyone thinks like you do. And that's okay. We all have something to learn from each other.

9. Be yourself.

8. The things we regret are those risks we did not take.

7. Life is what we make it.

6. Happiness is a choice.

5. Parents do the best that they can, given their own personal experiences. Forgive, love them unconditionally, and take responsibility for your own life.

4. Don't be afraid of failure because failure leads to success when you learn from your mistakes.

3. It's never too late to make your dreams come true.

2. Love finds you. (Perfect love casts out fear.)

1.God's will for our lives is so much better than what we can imagine. There is always hope.

What Makes You Happy?

2009-07-26T12:49:00.002+08:00

This week, I've been feeling down and out. I feel sick again (fever, muscle aches) but I am trying to fight it because I don't want to waste any more time. I am not afraid of being alone, but this week, I kind of felt lonely. On these days, it is nice to remember the simple pleasures in life. Happiness is truly a choice, as most of the things that matter. Sharing with you my Happy Bucket List:

1. Spending time with a friend, talking about life and love.

2. Listening to the Beatles (never fails to make me feel better, I don't really know why.)

3. Eating spaghetti (all kinds, sour Italian, sweet Pinoy, Old Spaghetti House recipe, Jollibee)

4. Eating Curly Tops (a local chocolate)

5. Drinking vanilla coffee or chai latte in an earthen mug (yes my friend, coffee tastes better in a mug. I especially like it when the pottery is so beautiful, I want to take it home)

6. Writing a blog :)

7. Reading a good book in bed (Lately reading "Book by Book" by Pulitzer winning critic Michael Dirda who recommends books of every genre worth reading. Along the way, he shares his own insights which is no less than brilliant.)

8. Watching inspiring films like Walt Disney movies ( I recently chanced upon "Invincible" starring Mark Wahlberg who plays the true story of a Philadelphia fan, Vincent Papale, who makes it to his favourite football team at the age of 30. It's never too late to make one's dreams come true... And I finally understand American football. hehe.)

9. Browsing inside a bookstore or admiring paintings and photographs.

10. Walking without a preconceived destination and discovering something delightful along the way. Running.

11. Going to a GK village in the province.

12. Riding the bus to the province or the metro train and looking outside; also cheesy as it may sound, looking at the stars in the sky.

Ah, happy quiet.

How about you? What makes you happy? What fills your cup? Whether it be cooking, playing the guitar, diving, preparing for a marathon, spending play time with the kids, a quiet date with your loved one, I hope you make the time for it. I realized that if you are content within yourself, you find more love to give to others. I guess, it is true that loving yourself in a healthy way, translates to loving others in a better way too. Take care and God bless! :)

Hello, Citizen of the World

2009-07-24T10:30:00.005+08:00

Most countries are best known globally by the character traits of their people. The following are the traits and values I admire most. Please note that these are the countries I'm only familiar with or whose citizens I have come across. And also I believe there are lots of things a country can be known for. I hope you can add more, would love to hear it. So far, this is what I've observed, national traits that I love the most:

British diplomacy and wit
Australian spirit of adventure and friendliness (sense of mate-ship)
Japanese industry and discipline
Chinese excellent business sense and thriftiness
The French's good taste
Italian passion and craftsmanship
Kiwi good-naturedness and gentleness
The Greek sense of family
Irish luck (hehe),love their music!
Swiss precision
Brazilian beauty
Indonesian artistry
American bravery

And of course, unabashedly biased :) the Filipino creativity/ingenuity, great faith and sense of community.

What is yours? What describes your country and your people?

Kissed by Heaven 2

2009-07-21T15:38:00.009+08:00

Yesterday (July 20) was the anniversary of our trip to Sydney for the World Youth Day. Although, I am getting older by the minute, I do still feel very much a kid at heart. I will always be a "wonderer" and a wanderer. I love exploring, discovering new things, stumbling upon miracles one after another. How else can I have survived Sydney with only $100 (a gift from a Tita) for 3 weeks. I reckon God must really love me :-) He has prepared the journey for me beforehand, allowing me to get to know good Aussie mates even before I even stepped to the Land Down Under.

I remember laying on my bed one night, worrying about where to get the money for my airplane ticket and wanting to give up the dream altogether and talking to God aloud about my anxieties. The next day, I opened my email, and lo and behold, someone wanted to pay for my ticket by sponsoring a cake sale on my behalf. How amazing is that! How great is our God! Thanks again Adrian, Winey, and the parish of St. Monica in Sydney. I was truly blessed by heaven through you.

I spent the next 3 weeks in different homes, getting to know the families of Aadrik, Adam, Indako, and Winey. Learning how to snowboard at Perisher Blue courtesy of good friend Ads (see Lessons from Down Under), walking at a North Shore beach with dear Kate, and biking at Canada bay. It was a beautiful experience, which to this day is vivid in my mind. Life is indeed about creating beautiful memories.

On another note, I remember the good Pope St.Benedict XVI saying, "Faith is everywhere." Indeed, much like the air we breathe. We can't see it but it doesn't mean it's not there. Faith like air gives us life. I breathed in the air deeply in a sky of clear blue. God is good. Life is good. May your dreams come true too!

Madrid 2011, here we come!

Builder of Dreams

2009-07-01T14:51:00.006+08:00

Sharing with you a poignant poem written by GK's Father.

WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE POOR IS GOOD FOR MY SOUL
By Antonio Meloto

It took me more than half a century
To embrace the most amazing reality
That love for the least of humanity
Is the ultimate measure of divinity.

The Master-builder told me from the start
I am not whole without the missing parts;
I cannot grow without a nurturing heart
For shivering Lazarus when I have so much.

The disconnected complete me,
The powerless make me strong.
My children will be sheltered
If I build the strays a home.

My descendants will be fed
If I make the hungry my own.
I won’t cross the finish alone,
I must bring the lame along.

Next year in January as I turn sixty
I ask this from friends and family;
Please do not abandon the poor,
Do not give up the dream of 2024:

Our children will not know poverty
Because it will be gone.
They will not understand corruption
Because there will be none.

Glad tidings to the poor is good for my family;
Freedom to the captives liberates my country;
The world bleeds when hate is fed to the hungry;
Heaven weeps when neglect is justified by hypocrisy.

Loving the poor is the key to a life of grace
And the best exit strategy to the next place.
To dreamers and repairers of the breached
Our reward on earth and in heaven is peace.

Season of Love

2009-06-26T13:53:00.012+08:00

Sharing with you a story written by one of my favorite living heroines.

GK Moments - A Journey of Love
By Issa Cuevas-Santos
wife, mom, missionary

It's a couple of hours before my flight back home to the Philippines. It's been several days since the historic GK Global Summit in Boston ended, but I can still feel that all too familiar lump in my throat whenever I think of what just transpired. I've gone around Boston and LA, and people continue to tell me their own Summit experience. Each one has a favorite speech, joke or conversation, but one thing is very clear.

This Summit was life-changing for all of us. It is especially meaningful for me. 2009 is my 10th year as a fulltime worker for GK, and I am also turning 30. And it is the pivotal year before we reach our first major milestone - GK777 on World Hope Day, October 10, 2010.

A lot has changed in the past ten years. In the early days, we would go around the country talking about Gawad Kalinga or GK, and nobody knew what it was. Today, I wear a GK shirt and it starts a conversation.

We would usually have "conferences" in small rooms in various parts of the country. We only needed a small venue because there weren't a lot of volunteers or caretakers. It was like the voice of one (actually, three, Tito Tones, Luis and me) calling out in the desert. Last weekend, we found ourselves presenting GK to the world, in Boston, the most prestigious academic setting in the world. The voice has been heard, and the world is now listening.

In those days, the who's who in government were difficult to reach. Thankfully, Tito Tony never asked us to. He said, "Just build, and they will come." And so we built, and they have come. In the Summit, we had the Vice President Noli De Castro, 2 senators (Sen. Pangilinan and Sen. Zubiri), 1 cabinet secretary (Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap), 1 congressman (Cong. Rufus Rodriguez), 3 governors (Cam Sur Gov LRay Villafuerte, Sorsogon Gov Sally Lee, Tarlac Gov Victor Yap), 3 former cabinet secretaries (Nonong Cruz, Bebet Gozun, Tony Gonzalez), several mayors (Paranaque Mayor Bernabe, Taguig Mayor Tinga, Makati Mayor Binay, Iloilo Mayor Trenas, Dingle Mayor Palabrica, Pototan Mayor Perez, Gerona Mayor Go, San Isidro Mayor Lorenzo, St. Bernard Mayor Rentuza, Daet Mayor Sarion, Murcia Mayor Coscolluela). They represent the more than 400 towns and cities that GK is currently in partnership with.

Some people said it would be difficult to get big business to be part of what we wanted to do. And yet the Summit gathered Globe's Gerry Ablaza, Shell Country Chairman Ed Chua, PLDT-Smart Foundation President Butch Meilly, Saladmaster President Keith Peterson, Angelo King Foundation's Archie King, Former Wyeth Philippines Chairman Boy de Claro, ODM Chairman Tony Olaes, Former Businessman of the Year Cito Lorenzo. They, together with the over 200 major corporations that GK is in partnership with, have made nation-building their business.

However, in all these ten years, there is one thing that remains constant and unchanging - the courageous love of the GK volunteer.

It is this unrelenting passion to give beyond oneself that has propelled GK to the global stage, with world leaders now listening. It this unwavering commitment to the mission that has inspired countries like India and Columbia to come to the Philippines and ask to be trained on the GK Way, an emerging global template for development.

This was very clearly captured in every speech, and more importantly, in the everyday actions of those that comprise GK's massive army on the ground, and all over the world. It was the driving force behind the awe-inspiring work of the Boston team led by Eugene and Evita Florendo, behind the bold decision of many from the Philippines and all over the world to converge in Boston despite difficult times.

I know, with much conviction, that it is this clarity of mission that inspired many of the speeches of the speakers during the Summit. Allow me to share some with you.
Tony Olaes, a successful second generation Filipino American based in the US, thanked Gawad Kalinga for giving him back his identity and pride as a Filipino - the small work that we do everyday, quietly and faithfully, in every GK community is breathing new life to a whole generation of Filipinos throughout the world who do not know their heritage. We are building the highways of the heart back to the motherland.

Ed Chua said that GK had all the qualities that corporations were looking for in a partner - transparency, accountability, track record. I continue to stand in awe at the fact that GK is such a young organization, with very Filipino roots, and yet multinationals are flocking to the work because they value the integrity of the people behind the cause.

I was especially touched with Mayor Freddie Tinga, who very humbly accepted that a lot of people looked at government officials with great distrust. And so he tells big developers in Taguig who doubt his administration to just give their government compliance for 20% socialized housing directly to Gawad Kalinga. He does with confidence because everything given to GK is leveraged, and his constituents can only get greater benefits through the GK model. His actions honor the silent but critical work of our caretakers.

Bukas Loob sa Diyos, also came in full force to the Summit, and it was wonderful to see many more communities getting involved. The history of organizations within the Catholic Church is sometimes filled with its own stories of division, but GK has been able to successfully unite not only people of various faiths, but even organizations belonging to the same faith. CFC Director Joe Tale reiterated there was no split between CFC and GK, and that no member would be asked to choose between the two. This was wonderful to hear, and it was symbolic to see our brethren in Couples for Christ standing right alongside BLD as community caretakers - it is this convergence that will break the chains of poverty.

I chanced upon Gerry Ablaza during breakfast on Sunday, and he told me that he had arrived the night before, and was leaving the following day -- he was only there for the Summit. He shared that he didn't think he could still make these short trips, but he would gladly do anything for GK because he was simply honored to be part of it. But someone that surprised me was really Archie King and his wife, who stayed throughout the whole Summit and really participated in all the activities. He spoke with his heart on the last day, sharing how difficult it was to actually "spend" money because credible organizations were hard to find. He spoke of his deep admiration for the people behind GK, and said that he was overwhelmed with the passion that he could feel pulsating in the conference venue for the three days that he was there.

Secretary Arthur Yap said during his speech that GK was able to gather people who would most likely not sit together in the same room, if not for GK's transcendent cause. I looked at our delegates then - some of them very "simple" people, some the most powerful in their areas of influence, others had given so much financially while others had given so much of themselves in service... It was true. Our paths would not have crossed, and our lives would not be so intimately linked to one another through the mission, if not for Gawad Kalinga.

But perhaps what was most meaningful for me were the observations of Dean Laurence Simon of Brandeis University. He was asked to be a reactor for the Food and Health workshop which I was lucky to be part of, so please allow me to share them with you.

He said that he was very struck by the outstanding achievements of Gawad Kalinga despite its young age as an organization. He especially shared how pleased he was to see that GK obviously had faith-based roots, but it was not afraid to expand and reach out to become a global movement beyond just small communities. He said he had studied many such organizations from various countries in the past, and although many had been successful in the areas where they operated, very few were able to expand to the scale that he was seeing in GK. He was particularly struck by the Health presentation, which highlighted that GK was God's healing hands at work. He said this was a very bold proclamation that the world needed to hear, and GK was now becoming the strong voice that the world would listen to.

I saw all the GK presentations, and not once did any of the speakers mention social justice. And yet, he said he could see very clearly that GK was striking at the very heart of poverty, addressing its very roots -- social justice. He said GK dared to ask the difficult questions -- not just why is the man hungry, or why is a child malnourished. Instead, GK asks, why is there poverty in the world and challenges every person to do something about it.

He was so inspired by GK that he decided, on the spot, to give one full scholarship to any person that Gawad Kalinga chooses, to Brandeis University. I am confident that this is how the world will respond to the outstanding work that we have all done together, and the floodgates will just open for GK.

His words only affirmed one thing -- the mission is clear. We may not always have the right words to describe it, but our actions and the work that we do is the most powerful testament to what is in our heart. This point of realization is now part of my list of "GK moments."

Luis challenged delegates to capture these "GK moments," and from there draw out their own declarations because this is what would change the world. My declaration remains the same.
I gladly offer all that I am, and all that I hope to be, to the service of my God and my country.

I saw Tony del Rosario come up with his wife Annette, and kids Maiki and Xavi. I knew then that I was looking at the future, and my heart felt peace knowing that the work we started many years ago in Bagong Silang will be continued by the next generation. They are in place, they are ready to make their declaration.

What is yours?

I have asked myself many times how we are going to measure the success of the Summit, and what we have achieved together in the past ten years. It is now dawning on me that the most powerful measure is our LOVE. Our love for God. Our love for country. Our love for the poor. Our love for each other. It is this ONE LOVE that will unite our country, that will build our nation, and that will inspire the world to end poverty.

Love is the greatest measure, and our cup doth overflow.

I am reminded of the lyrics of my favorite Rent song, Seasons of Love :

"525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear
525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?

How about love? Measure in love. Seasons of love."

It has been the greatest privilege to share so many seasons of love with you throughout the years. I look forward to a lifetime of service with all of you. On to 2024!

The Art of Living

2009-06-24T15:00:00.028+08:00

Last week was spent studying painting under maestro Tito Joey Velasco whose freshly painted masterpiece is shown above. Amazingly, I learned more than sketching and got a crash course on the art of living.

I've been reflecting on the certainty of death since last Tuesday when I tagged along Tito Joey to visit his friend's dad who was dying. Since I didn't know anyone, I quietly waited and witnessed the family waiting for their father to breathe in his last. I noticed that when a person is dying his breathing is farther-in-between, takes longer, is much deeper and more deliberate. It is so far from how we normally breathe as we inhale and exhale without even thinking. At about 6 in the morning, Tatay Poly inhaled his last.

A big lesson I'm taking home is learning how to breathe deeply, sucking the marrow out of life. Ah, breath of life. The free gift we normally take for granted.

A lot of things come to mind after this night: the movie Bucket List where 2 cancer patients make a list of the things they want to do in life given their limited amount of time. Tito Joey's realization of the freedom and courage that the certainty of dying gives for one to do the things he wants without fearing what other people would say. After all, there is nothing left to lose only regret. This wise advice coming from a survivor of a terminal disease himself. And recently, I am reminded of Bo Sanchez's advice to Live like a Dying Man. I agree with him when he says, that "You don't need to have cancer to change your life."

Life is short, my friends. Unless we accept this truth, we can never really truly live because we will have the tendency to take time for granted as if our days are without end. I am equally guilty of squandering time as I love to sleep a lot, too much, that I miss on some wonderful awakenings.

"Time is a slippery thing," Tito Joey said. "A lot of people go through life half-awake." I was jolted from my sleepiness.

Tito Joey shared that, "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important realization I've ever had to help trigger God's gifts. Because all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. There is no reason anymore not to follow your heart."

He counsels, quoting Steve Jobs who said, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become."

I realized that anything is possible in this life. It's really up to us if we want to create a masterpiece out of our lives. Beginning today, I choose to breathe more deeply and start living life with zest.

On a final note, seated there at Tatay Poly's death bed, I saw what was truly important. He was surrounded by family and friends whispering loving words to him. He even managed to teach a total stranger (me) without saying anything. Such is the kindness of his life.

This must be the art of living: For death to have meaning, our lives must have meant something. And that something is all about love...

---
Here's to seizing the day. I managed to check one of the "things to do" on my bucket list. Ah the smell of fresh paint! I love it. Here are my very amateur paintings. The first one, I copied a picture from an American artist, the original is sooo much better. But I love how the French define amateur to mean "lover of". Amateur, from the Latin amatorem "lover," and from amare "to love." If this is the case, then let us live life like amateurs, with passion and zest! :) Trying is better than regretting. Trying is everything. In this spirit, I humbly share with you my very first paintings.

Happy Mid-Year!

2009-06-24T13:53:00.011+08:00

Wow, time does fly very fast! It's been a very eventful first half of the year. I hope the best is yet to come! Just wanted to share 3 video-discoveries I've loved for the past few months. They've helped me get through the rough patches of life. Also, I've just recently learned how to embed youtube videos on blog, hence this. hehe. My apologies :) More serious stuff on my next post. In the meantime, enjoy life. Live long and prosper! :) Happy Belated Summer (US/UK), Winter (Aus/NZ) Solstice last June 21!

1. Little Wonders by Rob Thomas

2. Running by Evermore (New Zealand)

3. Planets bend between us by Snow Patrol (UK/Ireland)

Catching Sight of the Vision

2009-06-23T12:59:00.007+08:00

Now this is one vision worth catching like the flu.

They say the Philippines is now known for three main things in the international community: world-class beaches, Manny Pacquiao, and Gawad Kalinga. Just wanted to share with you GK's dream that was unveiled in the recent Global Summit in Boston.

The Vision: Gawad Kalinga seeks to uplift 5 million Filipinos out of extreme poverty by the year 2024, thereby building a first-class Philippines and a world-class Filipino.

The Time Frame: 21 years starting October 4, 2003 until October 4, 2024.

The first phase of the GK journey seeks to address social injustice by raising 700,000 home lots and start-up 7,000 communities by the end of 2010. The goal of the campaign called GK 777 or the time for Social Justice is to "unsquat” the poorest of the poor, heal their woundedness, regain their trust, build their confidence, help them to think and act as a community and share in the joy of a country rising from poverty.

Moving on to the next 7 years from 2011 to 2017 is the stewardship phase called Social Artistry: strengthening governance; developing community-based programs for health, education, environment, and productivity; building a village culture that honors Filipino values and heritage. The goal is to empower the powerless for self- governance, self- reliance, and self- sufficiency.

The final phase in the last 7 years from 2018 to 2024 is envisioned as a time of Social Progress. This phase seeks to achieve scale and sustainability by developing the grassroots economy and expanding the reach and influence of GK to 5 million families with support from key sectors of society in the Philippines and partners abroad. We will make the Filipino poor “unpoor” by unleashing his potential for productivity and hard work in the right environment.

According to GK visionary Tony Meloto, the 21-year journey of GK represents one generation of Filipinos who will journey from poverty to prosperity, from neglect to respect, from shame to honor, from third-world to first-world, from second-class to first-class citizen of the world.

The term first-world is not a statement that everything in the West or in a developed country is superior or desirable; it simply refers to greater opportunities, higher standards, and better quality of life available to more of its citizens.

Thanks to Galenne for this beautiful video.

---
Like King David in the Scriptures, I pray that I would live to see the goodness of the Lord in this present life. (Psalm 27:13)

Good Morning, Pilipinas

2009-06-12T00:56:00.008+08:00

Rise and Shine!

Today, we celebrate our Independence Day. I know some of you wonder, are we really, truly free?

I have been thinking of that too. I know we are not completely free as long as many of our people do not have homes of their own, are hungry most of the time and fear for their lives.

The recent events in our national government such as the sneaky passing of the resolution for a Constituent Assembly to change the constitution and the death of the hardworking and heroic Sumilao farmer Ka Rene, are enough news to break our hearts.

But you know what, I continue to have hope. There is always hope!

In Davao, a prominent landed family has donated several hectares of land to their farmers, built homes for them and provided them with livelihood.

In Nueva Ecija, volunteers cleaned and restored a school in the spirit of bayanihan (teamwork), now young kids do not have to study uncomfortably while seated on a floor of mud.

In Makati, companies and employees are pooling their resources to build homes for their poor neighbors.

In Quezon City, former street children who lived under the bridges and in cemeteries are back in school and living securely in their own homes.

In Sulu, a poor Muslim community is living in their new GK village after 200 brave young men and women came to build in Panglima Estino three months ago.

In Hong Kong, a Filipino overseas worker returned a large amount of money despite being in need and homeless too.

In America, Australia, the Middle East, and Ireland, Filipino immigrants are working hard not only for their kin but for building GK villages to care for the poor in their towns.

In Boston today, government officials are setting aside political agendas in lieu of development goals, seeking the best answer to the question: How can I best help my people?

Every day in GK communities, residents are building homes for their neighbors with the help of volunteers who give of their time and skills, setting aside competing school affiliations, realizing that their true identity is Filipino above all.

The youth in the GK villages are growing up witnessing living heroes in their midst, learning about age-old Filipino values like bayanihan and malasakit (genuine concern) expressed in concrete terms.

I have hope because every day I see the greatness of the ordinary Filipino making extraordinary change.

There is hope for the Philippines, I believe that with all my heart. Filipino talent is starting to leave a mark in the international scene. The boxer, the singer, and the director are but the tip of the ice berg.

Many more talents remain undiscovered and untapped like the recent softball player champ who hailed from Smokey Mountain, like the kids who are roaming the streets begging for your attention and love.

Let me share more good news! Today, we are planting the seeds of true freedom.

Today in the United States, the vision for a first-class, slum-free, healthy, abundant and progressive Philippines is going to be unveiled. Today, all sectors of our society from the government, business, academe, church, military, media, private citizens and the overseas Filipinos are represented, taking that bold step towards unity, honoring their commitment to help their countrymen.

Today, the greatness in the Filipino prevails. We are born to a country of heroes. Nobility is in our blood. Sure, there is weakness. But there is also strength and courage! Courage not only to stand against corruption and poverty; but brave enough to trust and believe in all that is good in the beautiful, talented, heroic Pearl of the Orient.

“They say I'm a dreamer,” John Lennon sings, oh, but I am not the only one! And I am pleased to share that the country of our dreams is steadily becoming a reality.

The GK Global Summit in Boston will unveil this day the emerging Asian model for development. With over 1,700 GK communities all over the country, addressing the needs of the majority of Filipinos, our hope for a bright future for the Philippines is well on its way.

Today Filipinos are standing tall, embracing their roots, recognizing their true worth, and reaching out.

Rise my country, for you are deeply loved. One day soon, you will be completely free and God's plan of prosperity and joy for you will be fulfilled.

This is reason enough to celebrate because we have hope and our hope is in our hands.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Maligayang Muling Pagsilang!

About the Photo: A poor Filipino family in Bicol whose house was destroyed by a raging typhoon has a new home because of the care of ordinary Filipinos. This picture was taken at dawn by Hyds Valencia, a GK volunteer. There is always hope. Bawat Pilipino Bayani!

A Reason to be Brave

2009-05-28T04:10:00.032+08:00

Today, I reflected on a colleague's news about a college mate of hers who recently killed herself because an illegal recruiter robbed her of money. Ashamed of returning to her family, she decided to end her life instead. The sad death reminded me of another young friend who also took his own life because he was afraid to tell his family the truth about himself.

These stories really break my heart. What makes people lose hope?

"The men are saying we will not live out the night."

One of my favorite heroes, Aragorn from Lord of the Rings poignantly reminds the young boy that:

"There is always hope!"

No matter how bleak the future seems. The soldiers of Rohan, 300 men, were facing a massive army of ten thousand orcs and impending death. But we now know how this battle ends, they gain victory despite the seemingly impossible odds, as they chose to bravely face their opponents head on.

When all hope was seemingly lost, they trusted in their capacity to overcome, overcoming fear with trust -- trusting their capacity to get through obstacles, trusting that help would come. They trusted in providence and the support of allies otherwise known as friends. They hoped for dawn to come, and it did. Their hope paid off. You just have to wait how the story will end.

"It's like in the great stories," Sam advises Frodo, " the ones that really matter, full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end, because you didn't know if the end would be happy."

"How can the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happens? But in the end it's only a passing thing. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. When the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer."

I think I understand now, as Sam puts it, "in those stories, they had lots of chances to turn back, only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something."

What is it that we can we hold on to?

"That there is some good in this world. And it's worth fighting for!"

There is always hope! I believe what Samwise the Brave said is true for those who are losing hope in themselves, and in the world. You have got to see through how your story will go. For it is always full of hope. And when you feel lonely, there is always something good in your world that you can hold on to and it's worth living for whether it be your loved ones, your dreams, your ideals, other people.

My colleague says that not everyone know this to be true and that sometimes we take for granted the things that come naturally to us such as faith, which some of my friends who are atheists call a gift. Indeed, it is a gift, a gift that I also hope you would someday be open to receiving. But I speak of hope today, because like faith, it cannot be seen like the air we breathe but it can surely be felt by the heart. Hope springs eternal, no matter how dark the situation, no matter how impossible things appear. There is always an answer. Seek and you shall find.

I realized however that it is more difficult to be brave on your own, that is why we were given family and friends. It helps a great deal when someone believes in you, giving you the courage you need to keep running the race, to stay the course. When you cannot find hope within yourself, you can find it in others, and others can give it to you. It takes courage to seek help, but it is the first step to healing.

Today, I wish to live and love more bravely for those who feel empty because one never knows when a simple smile, a tap on the back, a word of encouragement, or your simple company could give a person a reason to keep on going.

I am grateful today for the gift of family and friends, faith and dreams, the knowledge that God is love and our lives have a purpose...In many ways I am blessed and deeply thankful. I want to be brave for others who need courage, I want them to know they are not alone in this world.

You are not alone. Dearest friend, please don't give up on life. There is always hope! A loving Father assures us, "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future full of hope!" Now, that's a good reason to be brave.

Where else do we turn to when our strengths fail? "My help is in the Lord, who made heaven and earth," a psalmist sings from long ago.

My Heart Song tonight:

When you're lonely
and it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus

(Cry Out to Jesus By Third Day)

Photos courtesy of http://www.tk421.net/lotr/film/ttt/24.html.

The Pacquiao Connection

2009-05-05T09:39:00.008+08:00

It's hard when you get hit on a blindside. But this is what you get when you underestimate your opponent, especially when he comes from a small country in the map that you know nothing about. The amazing 2nd round knockout victory of Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao over the Englishman Ricky Hatton reveals to us many things.

Faith, hardwork, and passion can make all things possible for someone with a dream. Pacquiao's storied boxing career is one for the books, and he is just beginning to show the world that the Filipino can, and he will.

Pacquiao carries with him the hope of a country burdened with poverty but teeming with talent and skills. The potential only needs an opportunity as Manny did.

In a lot ways, Pacquiao is like the Philippines. He represents the poor among us who still live in the slums and hope for a better future in the midst of their dire physical surroundings. As many of you know, Pacquiao was born in Bukidnon, grew up in the southern part of the Philippines known as General Santos province, home of the sumptuous tuna.

Like many poor Filipinos, he slept on a cardboard box and sold donuts and water on the streets, then a small child but already with a big heart. He is used to difficulty and therefore not afraid of challenge, and eager to learn.

He started winning bouts early in his teens and earning P100 (about USD 2) for every fight, to help his family earn a living.

A Filipino manager saw something special in him and he got training in the fundamentals of boxing. Seeing the potential for even greater things, he brought him to America, in search for a trainer who could further develop his raw talent and speed.

They went from the East coast to the West Coast in the US, only be turned down one-by-one. No one would believe that the small Filipino boxer from Asia can make it in the international ring. Just when they were supposed to return to the Philippines brokenhearted, they come to meet Freddie Roach in Los Angeles who after seeing his raw talent, saw something special in him and took him in. Of course, the rest, as they say is history... a history in the making as we speak.

I believe Walt Disney would love this inspiring story. You have the coach Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao connection, the best team in boxing history with Roach fighting his own battle of Parkinson's disease. There is Aling Dionisia, Pacquiao's mum, praying alone in a room away from the maddening crowd while his son fights, who also kneels in a corner asking God for protection not only for himself but for his opponent. With every punch Pacquiao makes, he offers for love of God and country. And when he connects, a whole country rejoices!

It's a classic rags-to-riches story but I believe we are still in for some big surprise Also, reminds me so much of Slumdog Millionaire. But the only difference is the Pacquiao story is true.

As Manny would say, nothing is impossible to one who believes. Of course, there are still many who underestimate people coming from developing countries. And that's the way the world works. However, heaven favors those who fights for others so that they may have hope.

It will be no surprise that while the world celebrates Manny's victory, somewhere in the Philippines, a young boy sleeping on a cardboard box begins to dream big dreams and a seed is sown. Someday, he too will become a champion in the field he chooses to pursue.

Rise, Pearl of the Orient, your time has come.

How many times do you find the right one?

2009-04-15T22:06:00.025+08:00

"Once."

This is the tagline of the Irish movie of the same title, about a musician and an immigrant who meet and fall in love while making music together. A brief encounter that changes their lives.

One of the beautiful songs sang within this masterpiece is "Falling Slowly" from Glen Hansard's solo album "The Swell Season." The song won an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2007.

Ah, I've always loved Ireland in my mind. I guess, it's their mystery and natural beauty that compels me to want to visit the land someday. The country's music from its instrumental bagpipes to its rock bands are always thoughtful and awesome. Take U2, the Corrs, the Frames, Snow Patrol and Ronan Keating. Their music has rock n' soul.

"Falling Slowly," is another one of those haunting melodies with awesome lyrics that can easily move. A very nice rendition was sang recently by Kris Allen of the American Idol, top 7. It's simply beautiful.

I don't know you
but I want you
all the more for that
Words fall through me
always fool me
and I can't react

Games that never amount
to more than they're meant
will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice
You have a choice
You'll make it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
and I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
and I'll paint it black

Well, you have suffered enough
and warred with yourself
It's time that you won
Take this sinking boat
and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice
You have a choice
You've made it now

Falling slowly
sing your melody
I'll sing along...

I've played the chorus too late
Now you're gone...

By Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

Face the Truth

2009-03-20T11:50:00.011+08:00

And the truth shall set you free...

This week has been filled with lessons on acceptance. Facing the truth can be a bit scary especially when it hurts you or the people you love. But in a great paradox, the truth hurts now but heals in the long term.

I have learned that to tell the truth, doesn't even have to constitute a lie. There are just things that we don't want admit to ourselves, things we deny. Facing the truth about ourselves can be tough. And yet being true is the only way to be truly free.

Last night, spent quality time with good friends from University... There were good news and some not-so-good. After 20 years, a guy friend who was celebrating his birthday shares he has finally told his mum he is gay. He is about to celebrate 10 years of relationship with his partner in life. He says he feels free, and I believe his mum who has been in denial feels the same way.

Another couple whom I deeply admire admits that their son has signs of autism. It breaks their heart to be confronted with the truth because they had great plans for their child as any good parent wanting the best for their kids. Now, they are not sure as to what life holds for him but they are bravely facing this piece of truth by seeking therapy for their kid and managing their fears. My friend recounts of other mums faced in similar situations who found it difficult to accept, taking some years before they came into therapy when their children were much older, when the problem was much harder to manage.

Indeed, how many times have we learned that the longer we deny a problem, the worse it becomes. And science proves to us that early detection provides the best cure. If faced head-on, the matter is easier solved. It is true, I guess, that the faster you can accept something, the faster you can move on. But I also know that it takes courage. I have to admit I easily fall into the trap of denying because I am afraid to get hurt and so I don't face it, but I die a little each day...

Today, I walked behind a young woman who was blind finding her way with a crane. I wanted to hold her hand. I wondered at what point she had accepted the truth about herself. Did she feel pain, did she feel bad, did she feel it was unfair? When did she embrace reality no matter how hard and started living life as best as she knew she could.

And then I looked back, and saw how truly blessed most people are , we who can read and write and afforded the opportunities we so easily take for granted, like seeing where we are going. In fact, we have everything we really need -- a body that is healthy enough to do the tasks required of us, a mind whose thoughts can change the world, a heart that loves...

And all we need to do is to accept what we can do, to be true. To accept the truth.

Truth is a range, it can be as deep as accepting that your parent is dying, the relationship is not working or you are not happy with your job, and as simple as accepting that he or she is not just into you...

Yet faced at the first signs, makes it easy to solve, to let go, and to move on. Sometimes, acceptance is enough. And we can begin to truly live. Tell the truth, in order to be free.

May love save the empty...

---
Dearest God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things that we can and the wisdom to know the difference.

A Walk to Remember...

2009-03-16T18:21:00.008+08:00

I walked for approximately 45 minutes today, from our office until a mall, about 2 kilometres. I don't know I am not precise with distance. But I'm sure I walked very far. I wish I could have gone further though. Maybe I am walking away from something, I actually feel like running...But walking always inspires. It makes me happy even when I get tired and hungry.

As always, I miss writing. I miss writing from the heart. Not about news or stuff that make one head spin but not touch the heart.

I want to walk away. But I don't want to regret. I don't want to waste time because life is short. Although life is long as well, when we are doing what we don't love. If I were given the opportunity, I would just write all day, about things that matter...write a novel, an essay or a song perhaps.

I would like to do it all the time even when no one reads it. I wish I could earn a living writing about things that I love, things that matter. But at the same time, I don't want to be selfish because I know it is not only about me. But if I weren't true to my self, who am I?

It's always this struggle to be true to one's self. I think it is precisely the moment when you don't care about what people think, that you become who you really are.

Now, if I only were THAT brave...to pursue those things that make my heart skip a beat, even when people may not understand...

I don't want to regret looking back at things I did not do. I want to help others. I want to be true. Is there a way to help others in a way that allows me to be true to my self...

I'd like to write a screenplay, a book, travel and write. I wonder if the future partner will understand me, and my need to be free, but at the same time needing to be understood and loved. I hope he is more stable than I am, more secured, and able to ground me (or encourage me) when ideas start to fly over my head, because of my imagination which I'd like to call over-creativity ;P I sometimes wish he writes too so he would understand...

But what is life without risks? All life is a risk. I wish I were brave enough to let go of security and take the plunge. How will I live? or how wil I eat? But life is so much more than food... I can let go of food, if only to write. It makes me full and satisfied.

I like quote I read today, which says: After all that's said and done, more is said than done.

So, more and more, I feel like hiding, and just doing. I don't want to keep on planning and not doing things, it is never productive. I feel like closing the doors and just needing to write. It takes a lot of energy for me now just to leave the house. All I want is some peace and quiet.

The walk always does me good. I am not afraid of being alone. But it is always nice to have someone to walk with...

I wish I could do some things over and correct the mistakes I have made. I hope it's not too late to do what I want to do and to be...

The Luckiest

2009-02-14T16:15:00.011+08:00

Thought I would get a few thoughts down on this thing called love since it's Valentines day. Watched two movies today on my own, and at both times was joined by two elderlies. One movie was for teens and the other about a dog and a family. It's beautiful for me to see old people still going on a date even after all these years, maybe 50 and more years down the road. It is one of the beautiful things...one thing that hopefully lasts in a ever-changing world.

It's always exciting to find a new love interest, but feelings are fleeting and when the honeymoon phase is over, one must learn to truly love...accepting everything about the person, accepting your partner as a whole and loving him/her completely. I know it's ideal, and in reality we see a lot of people giving in to divorce rather than working it out. It's always the easy way out, it's so much harder to work on a relationship.

Yet, there are people who hold on through thick and thin, because they realise that the person is more important than any difficult circumstance.

It is both strange and beautiful, that two people could make each other's life complete and better in a partnership that builds up a new world for them. People who love and are loved make much more better people as a whole, given that they are in a healthy relationship.

Whether it is destiny or a choice, to find one's self in a loving relationship that spans a lifetime is blessed. I know life can be difficult at times, yet it is so much easier when you have someone to share it with, even when there are crappy days when you can't stand each other's quirks. Still, it is great to be accepted for who you are and be cared for anyway.

Forevermore is such a concept so hard to grasp in a world plagued by separation. But to find someone willing and able to stay with you no matter what is a rare treasure that so many seek to find.

So, the classic question is often said, How do you know?

And often, the blessed ones say, You just know.

Well, that's very helpful, I guess.

We will just know.

In the meantime, I just hope to be the best person I can be for the person who I should know when he arrives...

Ambient Noise: The Luckiest By Ben Folds Five

...Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
His wife, she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away
I'm sorry, I know that's a strange way to tell you
that I know we belong
That I know
That I am
I am, I am
The luckiest...

Filling the Gap and all that Jazz...

2009-02-11T18:39:00.003+08:00

Whew, it's been a long time. I've been shying away from the page, scared to disclose my thoughts. I know I shouldn't be hiding. I know the way to make change happen is to face one's fears. I don't even know why I am so afraid. Is it the possibility of failure? Or do I care too much that I fear failure.

But I have recently learned that there is nothing to fear about failure, since it is just another step in the path to success. Thomas Edison failed a thousand times before getting the light bulb right. you know what they say, learn from your mistake, and you finally get it. But what is success if it is not shared. That is why, i GK. ( I know there is a gap in there that I have no time to explain...)

...Being involved in the development work takes a lot of personal energy. Well, this is what you offer to the world, your very self. Lose your self to a worthy cause so that others can and may have better opportunities...

Workers in development must be like marathoners, learning to pace themselves, so that they do not burn out. It's quite overwhelming to begin from the start and look towards the finish line, and wonder how one is going to get there... Every marathoner knows, in the long run, in the middle of the race, doubts begin to seep in and you wonder if it is worth it after all... When legs begin to shake and you lose the energy and the next lapses feel like eternity as you are about to physically give up...what do you do? Here is when you think about why you begin the race in the first place. You look back at where you have started, be grateful for the things accomplished and keep moving forward...

But I know it is easier said than done...you just grit your teeth and suck it up because the race and the work is so much more than who you are...and so you learn to keep on going because you know no matter the obstacles, external or internal (which is hardest), you must keep going because it is not about you.

How to run a race that spans 14 more years? Personally, I know I need to be free. I would love to do a variety of things and not feel trapped. My heart needs to be free to travel and to explore and to see new things, meet new people, learn more...How does one incorporate one's personal needs to that of the common good. There are necessary sacrifices, and I guess there are things to give up, a giving up of the self, with its desires in order to be able to fully there for others. How to fully embrace the work but still be true to who you are at the core?

The start and the finish constitutes a very large gap. The vision of an organisation, no matter how ambitious, is where we set our eyes on. Because no matter how big, if we keep on going at it, we will get there eventually. I believe that it is God's work and it will not falter. But how do we work around human weaknesses...we must continue to move on and learn from our mistakes and build from our strengths...The organization and the person involved must grow continuously. Because again, it is not about us. But we work using our selves, and I guess, we must also take care of our selves. How do you give what you do not have? - love, respect, wisdom...material needs are easy to give, money comes and goes...but building someone else's potential...you need to be the best you can be to help someone better themselves. One cannot build up someone from a place of weakness...And so we too must grow.

Sometimes, it can get frustrating and overwhelming when we realise the things that still need to be done, for they are many, and maybe it will take our lifetime and then some...And sometimes what we expect are not met and we must deal with challenging realities... When who we (personally) want to be and who we are now are still worlds apart, and the vision of what an organization should be is still far from what it is now. How does one fill the gap, or traverse it. How does one continue to run the race set before us? And in what capacity...I am sure there will always be someone to pass the torch to when a runner needs to rest and run another race...

It is so easy to be distracted by fears and doubts, but we must press on and do what we can, with what he have at the moment and make our contribution, however small it may be... we can lay the first bricks and perhaps someone else can take our place who is more capable of building the whole house...still we need whatever we can, however insignificant or small in the greater scheme of things, because we are building the foundation for others who will carry on.

The gap is wide, but every day, in spite that gap in the work and the vision, we must continue to work, because it is the only way to make the gap smaller and we work towards the vision as if it is already here ( a work in progress). How does one not lose hope or give up? always look at the people we serve and remain true to who you are...

learning from our mistakes and doing better every day...keep on walking until we get there. oh boy, it's a long walk... but as certain as the man who walked himself around the globe, we will get there. Every day, take a few steps further... and keep on walking...

(to be continued...)

Random thoughts on Change

2009-01-28T16:16:00.008+08:00

Change...such a big word, but so elusive as the word itself. I cannot quite grasp it because well, it's changing... What is Change? What constitutes Change?

Is it pre-determined or do we have a choice?

Some things just happen and we adapt. But I am inclined to think that some things we can do something about... we can facilitate change. We can make things happen. When to let it be and when we need to act, is that sacred space that requires wisdom.

Change is always happening, always...even in subtle, quiet ways, we do not notice, escapes our attention. What is there to hold on to? What is never changing?...

Given the premise, that everything changes...so holding lightly things is the best recourse...But what to do with people, relationships...

We always must make the most out of what available time we have. Enjoy each other but also give spaces to grow...How do people change and not grow apart? Is there something that doesn't change at the core? Is there a common ground upon which relationships can thrive even when the externals change (or even something within themselves). We all change but I believe our core does not. There is something definitely unchanging about the essence of who we really are. And that gives one comfort amidst the uncertainties of the world. Isn't it that we always say Be who you are. If the self is constantly changing, then who am I? But there really is a true you, and somehow in the great scheme of things, it doesn't change -- your essence (call it dna), call it spirit, for Christians, it is the soul. If one believes in God, it knows it is created for a purpose. If one doesn't, it knows it's natural dna imprint does not change from conception.

But what doesn't really change aside from our DNAs, spirit or soul? I reckon it's that tiny detail called -- History.

When we've got history, we can grow together but never grow apart... unless we want to.
How does one build a good history, a good foundation...

it's a moment by moment thing...it's the daily seeds of kindness, understanding, patience, gentleness, and compassion...

i know these are all ideals, but they work. in an ever changing world (hopefully for the better) we can hold on to shared history (whether in a personal or a global level) and you know what i bet we can make a better history given what we have now... this is when we make things happen.

...On a personal note, we can hold on to good memories, while leaving regrets behind. But now -- -- no matter how temporary now is...we can build something good and lasting at least for the next generation to work upon, give them a sort of a head start, a new beginning...

A good foundation/history...that hopefully transcends time and space and change... it's something metaphysical, something spiritual. after all matter decays...but I have to say something remains...

More appropriately, Someone. Like the air we breathe, we can't see, but it is definitely There.

Listen...

2009-01-26T16:04:00.009+08:00

Ambient Noise for the day: http://www.myspace.com/starfkradium

Love Blue Siberia and Travel, these are songs that make me want to write and also the pensive Morning Star. I am indebted to music for helping me to write and get back on track. Whereas some people get distracted by music, I tend to focus more when I hear one and write better, albeit more fluidly, as if there is rhythm. I guess this is how one art influences another. Writing is more like painting, only with the use of words. Music is something else. It is equally special. It complements my words. It makes me more attuned with my emotions (as if there is not enough of that already!) and provides the inspiration to keep pushing the pen... It is not easy to write and music often is a balm...Perhaps, it's the sense of continuity, the musical landscape that provides the backdrop to what is in my head. I wonder paintings don't have music embedded on them...but maybe there is, you just can't hear them! It is expressed in the stroke of a paint, there is rhythm and rest. How amazing, when two art forms touch. It's something one can't put a finger on...but leaves one free.

Last Friday, was one of the best days of my life. I went on what Julia Cameron calls, an "artist's date" where one goes on a date with one's self, doing things one loves...For me it's nothing grand, just a simple trip to the bookstore...(I discovered one while on my walks, and thought I would go there when I had the time) I found the time finally and I'm so glad I did. I could stay there forever. While I am wanderer, bookstores come close to finding a home...

But I digress! I usually am easily distracted by what's going on around and I have forgotten that I do need time for my self.

Last December was just chaotic but fun. Having to take care of other people, I didn't really have time for my self and was a beautiful mess. I felt so tired, I couldn't wake up early when the only time I'd be able to have time for my self was in the wee hours of the morning. I did feel like a battery being drained. I couldn't really give more than I should. But you cannot really give what you do not have. And one needs to fill up everyday, soak in love or inspiration so that one can
give to others as well.

The first two weeks of January was also spent caring for our volunteers but was glad to have some quiet time but not enough. Last week, my body felt ill and I knew the days of spreading one's self too thin was catching up. I felt like hiding, or sleeping for three straight days...I was lonely. I felt kind of lost..just had to remember who I am...

At Fully Booked, I rediscovered it. A book and a coffee was all that I needed. Michael Gayle's A Brand New Friend (a light reading) and the Vanilla frap was great combination. I forgotten how I loved reading and it doesn't have to be so serious. I remembered who I was. Imagine by John Lennon (and the Secret Dreams book based on his life) reminded me that deep down I'll always be a dreamer, perhaps a hopeless romantic, and an artist. I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one!, so he sings. I do want to do my part in making a better world and it may not even be in the way people expect me to. But no more fears. What has one got to lose? Only regret, I suppose. I have to be true to my self. And I know I always want to be free...to express my self. And not to think of what other people would think or say. At the end of the day, your self is the only one you've got and God. (This is all you need). Still, this is the very self that loves others...Your own vehicle to the world. And when you lay down your head and turn down all the noises in your head...you need to hear that faint music reminding you who you are...

In a complicated world, we are lost. But the truth is simple...contentment lies in being who you truly are...and this is what you share to the world.

Random Musings at 3

2008-12-10T17:35:00.018+08:00

Building Bridges. I realize that no matter how hard I try, I, perhaps, will not get used to this saying hello and goodbye bit. What to do, when all of life is a matter of moving on and chasing after waves that never stay in place.

Sitting on a beautiful house fronting a gorgeous river in Bicol recently, I thought all about this moving on constantly. I thought to have peace, one needed to remain very still... I believe that works, as it is the traditional view of peace.

But I've discovered as well that to be at peace is not necessarily to remain on a stand still but to continue on its journey...in its comings and goings...gently, silently, letting go of the things that were and pushing onwards...simply put, moving on.

It's difficult for me as I get easily attached to people and so I must learn how not to, and still be a bridge, connecting people, providing that stable platform upon which changes underneath (sometimes turbulent, sometimes peaceful) must come through...

How does one listen to differing views and still remain intact at the core?

How does one remain true to himself, and still manage to adapt to change?

Are you and I strong enough to remain as we are and still embrace the world and all its disparities... How do we remember who we are and not get lost and yet continue to evolve?

Lost in Translation. There are music that make you want to write. Ikebana by Kevin Shields is one of them. I love the tones that remind me of waves that keep moving on for some reason. It makes me think of movement and a beautiful music in which to write. Which makes me wish I knew how to play the piano. I've always found myself wanting to play. I wished I paid attention when I was younger and someone did want to teach me... Musicians, they paint the world with tones whereas writers paint the world with words.

I am very hungry at the moment but if music were food, I would be full and it would be enough. What lies ahead, one wonders? Will I be wandering more and more each year. How does one meet new people and not get attached to them? If life were predetermined then one just have to go with the flow? without thinking? without needing to plan? but what is life without choices? or knowing the consequences of your actions or choosing to do the right thing in a given circumstance that has plenty of alternatives? What is the right thing? I believe that there are absolute truths which in the world's language means laws and principles that govern our actions like a formidable lighthouse that guides boats and ships at sea. There are truths that govern science, born out of years and years of research and proven to be true until another discovery comes along...where does it end...yet there are such truths that are very simple that escape our grasp... what would we give to have that simple faith and trust of a child...anything is possible to one who believes.

Generation 2024: Our One Chance

2008-11-10T08:35:00.006+08:00

Just returned from the GK1MB camp at GK Reunion village in Batangas. What a privilege to witness young people taking their place in the greater scheme of things and realizing how we play such a valuable role -- providing the much needed energy to move and propel the movement onwards the vision of a slum-free Philippines. We strain towards the goal. Like the pioneering St. Paul, we run in such a way that we intend to finish the race, to reach the goal and win the prize. This is the Joshua generation. Our generation. The next generation of leaders, movers and shakers of the soon-to-be first class Philippines and builders of a more humane and loving world.

We are changing ourselves and our country one day at a time,keeping our eyes on the year 2024 when 21 years would have passed (one generation, our generation) and we are leaving behind social progress and prosperity based on a culture of caring and sharing. These are exciting times! There is a lot of talk about change. But we are not after any kind of change. We want change that is positive and good and full hope, the kind of change that carries in itself a transformative power that the changees become the changers, change that is like a forest fire that sweeps across the 7,107 islands and the world...but we hold in our hands a special kind of change, the kind that builds and not destroys. Change that gives life! And not just any kind of life,but a fullness of it.

In the Philippines, we are building a nation. We are building a nation from the ground-up, from the poorest of the poor, all the way down to its roots. Our roots are the source of our strength. The roots of the Filipino people are their faith in God and in themselves... The greatest assest of our country are its people who have been long abandoned, neglected and deprived of the many opportunities many privileged people take for granted.

It is such a great opportunity to witness the coming out of the budding light, like a streak of sunlight breaking free, such a beautiful thing to witness young people stepping up and taking their stand, placing their lives at stake for that one chance, placing themselves on a lamp stand so that other people may eventually see and find their way. And all we need is faith and courage, so that the budding light may become a torch.

We have this one chance to make a difference. We have this one chance to make a change. Life is short. We will not leave the world as we received it. We will make it better. And we are doing it with GK.

---(A Spanish poetry): Todo pasa y todo queda, pero lo nuestro es pasar, pasar haciendo caminos, caminos sobre el mar.

In Tagalog: Lahat ay dadaan at lahat ay iiwanan, ngunit tayo ay dadaan, dadaang gumagawa ng mga daanan sa ibabaw ng karagatan.

In English: Everyone will pass and everyone will leave, but we shall be going on our way, creating pathways upon the ocean.

The world's best and longest Christmas celebration

2008-11-01T16:42:00.008+08:00

Woohoo it's November! They say everything's late in my country, oh, but never Christmas! :)

Filipinos are a fun-loving people, even when facing huge problems, the Pinoy can stilll manage a smile, and a joke or two. The Christmas season is sacred to us and a time for family and friends. A time to express love and to enjoy the company of loved ones. People often ask when is the best time to visit the Philippines. I think Christmas season is the best time to visit aside from summer time. Here are some things to see and enjoy during the Christmas season in the Philippines:

Join a Noche Buena: The traditional Filipino Christmas dinner

The Christmas eve dinner or commonly called Noche Buena in the Philippines is one of the highlights of the Filipino Christmas celebration.

Foreigners who are dining with Filipino families or are hosted in a Filipino home will surely be treated to a sumptuous fare of Filipino cuisine. Traditionally, Christmas dinner is usually done in buffet style which offers 15 to 20 food items in a table beautifully decorated with Christmas wreath or flowers and dining wares used only during special occasions such as this. The Noche Buena is eaten around midnight, after the Christmas eve Mass.

Among the typical dishes served during the Christmas dinner are lechon (roasted pig), kare-kare (oxtail stew in peanut butter sauce), rellenong manok (baked stuff chicken), noodle and pasta dishes like pancit or spaghetti, barbecue, adobo, native rice cakes, lumpia (spring rolls) and Queso de Bola (cheese that is shaped like a ball). In most Filipino tables, the queen of the dinner table is the Chinese ham made from cured and sweetened pork meat that can be cooked from home or bought in many supermarkets.

Other traditional Christmas liquids to try are the hot "tsokolate," a native chocolate drink and the "salabat" or ginger tea which are great for cold early mornings. You may also try the internationally renowned San Miguel beer made in the Philippines.

The Filipino Noche Buena is like an open house celebration. Family, friends, relatives, and neighbors drop in to wish family members a "Maligayang Pasko" or Merry Christmas. Many major hotels in the Philippines also serve the traditional dishes in their Filipino restaurants during the Christmas season.

Try the Filipino native cakes

Friends who are visiting over the holidays must try the Filipino native cakes abundant during the Christmas season. A local delicacy to try is the bibingka, a rice cake topped with salted eggs and served in banana leaf with fresh coconut meat and brown sugar, a favorite of many locals. It is best eaten when it is still hot, where you can also put butter and it melts on the rice cake.

Another must try Filipino native cake, usually found along street stalls in the early morning when the locals have gone to dawn mass, is the delicious puto bumbong, rice steamed inside a "bumbong" or a small bamboo tube. It is delicious colored purple and topped with coconut meat and butter.

Suman or steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves can also be bought outside the Church.Suman is best pared with a hot chocolate and eaten with fresh mango on the side. Truly delicious! You can also find these local rice cakes in local restaurants inside malls who serve these native delicacies.

Experience the Misa de Gallo

Filipinos are known to have the longest and the merriest Christmas celebration in the world. As early as September, Christmas songs are already being played in the local radio and Christmas trees are put up in most homes after the commemoration of All Soul's Day on November 2.

Although the Christmas cheer informally begins at the turn of the "ber" months in most Filipino homes, the Christmas holidays formally begin on December 16, when the first of the nine novena masses is began. Most Filipinos observe the traditional "Simbang Gabi" to honor the child Jesus whose birthday is celebrated on December 25, Christmas Day.

The tradition is also known by its popular Spanish name, "Misa de Gallo" which means mass of the rooster since Catholic churches throughout the country will be sounding their bells around 3 in the morning long before the roosters crow to wake up the faithful to worship. The bells carry a message of hope in the love of God and peace on earth.

Given that the Philippines is predominantly a Catholic nation, most Filipinos look forward to and honor this Christmas tradition. They go to the pre-dawn mass for nine days before Christmas as their gift to Jesus. On December 24 when the last of the nine pre-dawn masses is held, most families still attend the Christmas Eve Mass in the evening, where there is a joyful gathering of family and friends offering thanksgiving to their new born King.

After the Mass ends on midnight, families gather for the Noche Buena, a family feast of Filipino food and cuisines inherited by the Filipinos from the Spanish, Chinese and Americans among others. It is a night without sleep and a continuous celebration until Christmas Day.

The celebrations do not end on Christmas day however and the season of good cheer continues until the first Sunday of January, the Feast of the Ephipany, that commemorates the three kings who presented their gifts to the child Jesus.

So, if you wish to see the Philippines at its best and partake of its unique culture, do visit during the Christmas season when the breeze is cold but not freezing and you can enjoy the warmth of fun loving Filipinos.

Pick Up Your Pen

2008-10-30T14:13:00.006+08:00

By now, you have discovered a potent weapon in your hand
One that can start a revolution and topple a government
For human history itself is influenced
By the written word than by any other war

Today, we face a different battle
And you are being called to take up arms
To be at the forefront in the fight against poverty
With the very stroke of your hand

A brick can make a home
But a learned pen can build a nation
kill despair and spread hope
change a life
with the power of words

It is time
to pick up your weapon
Pick up your pen
And begin.

---

Be a GK volunteer. Write history as it unfolds. Email volunteers@gk1world.com.

Lessons from Down Under: Look where you're going and No Worries!

2008-10-30T14:07:00.004+08:00

Stepping into the Land Down Under was in many ways a leap of faith. A new place, and my first time overseas. I figured I would just pretend I did not know English and quietly amble by. But many times, I've had to look at fear in the face and tell it to step aside so I can get on to where I wanted to go and experience Australia at her best.

Letting go of my many fears was the best souvenir I am bringing home. Like the calm Sydney Harbour, I have learned how it was to go with the flow and to fully understand what they mean when they say "No Worries!"

It is a awesome event when dreams finally come true after years of waiting. I am pretty happy I stuck around for moments like these when there were times I did want to walk away. A little faith does reward you beyond your wildest dreams.

Stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing the unknown was definitely worth every risk and even every discomfort or pain. Facing your fear and insecurities seems to be the hardest part, and then the rest becomes as easy as a winter breeze.

I've discovered this while learning how to snowboard at the Snowy Mountains in Perisher Blue. God knows how many times I fell down and how painful it was, at one point falling down so badly and hitting my head (thankful for my helmet), waking me up out of my wits and thinking, dear God, that really hurts, but quietly lying there on my back and seeing the beautiful Australian blue sky, I felt grateful I was there, and I began to sit up grasping pure snow with my freezing hands.

There is simply nothing to do but not give up, stand up again, clutch the snowboard, walk uphill on my "moon suit" and ride again...until finally you get down that hill without falling down! and experience the relief conquering your fear of falling, by embracing the reality that you will fall down. Strangely enough, the less I feared falling, meaning - the moment I accepted the reality of falling and that it was alright to do so (after all it's part of learning) - I began not to fall and managed to balance my self on a snowboard for a perfect downhill slide. Amazing. Accept your fear, release it and you find your balance.

Perhaps it is the first and the last time I will ever go snowboarding but I will never forget the lessons it has taught me. I take to the advice of Ewan McGregor in his book the Long Way Round: Part of the adventure is to try. If you fail , then that's fine. As long as you have given it a good chance.

You never do fail as long as you learn your lessons well. From this once-in-a-lifetime snowboarding experience I am taking one simple but crucial lesson home, "Always look where you are going," this is the very first instruction our snowboard teacher gave us. Where your feet-strapped snowboard goes is where you are looking. I figured the same goes in life, where you set your eyes on is where you will most likely end up. So perhaps it is best to be keenly aware at where you are looking. And if you don't like where you are headed, why don't you change your direction by looking somewhere else? A place that calls to you... the way Australia has called me to explore her world.

It was fun going through the touristy places in Sydney such as well known landmarks like the Sydney Opera House. I was grateful to have had a chance to conquer my fear of heights by climbing the 134-metres Harbour Bridge courtesy of fellow adventurer, historian and "magician" Adam (who had the uncanny ability of getting freebies while leading the way to secret portals where we can get inside some of Sydney's famous spots for free by using his charms). At about 46 metres (the height of the Statue of Liberty all the way to its torch), I found myself in the middle section of the Harbour Bridge and felt my knees buckle while walking a narrow section where down below you can see cars whizzing by in the early evening. One cannot forget the heady feeling on top of that world. It's dizzying but exciting at the same time.

It's like you want to crawl the whole way through and get it over with. But we had to continue walking, grasping at diagonal cold steel bars until we get to the top where the Australian flag is perched. It was raining and lightning was all around us, but the fear slowly faded away upon seeing the city of Sydney and its suburbs lit like stars in an inverted sky. These are times you were glad you had persevered. It simply was magical. Our Bridge Climb leader tells us that kids are the best climbers because they never complain and all they say is woohoo!!! They have no idea about "fear" and they just savor every moment in wonder and a spirit of adventure.

Back on land and on another day, I remembered how it was to be a kid again while visiting the Sydney Aquarium and seeing a replica of the Great Barrier Reef with the large and endangered Grey Nurse sharks swimming about unaware of their human visitors outside their glass cages. Again, had to overcome that weird anxiety of the glass breaking in and we would be swimming along with them. Perhaps, that would not be scary after all. Seeing these great fishes was a sight to behold, the next best thing to seeing them in their natural habitat. I believe that they are well taken cared of here...Australia after all is big on conservation and taking care of their environment. One thing I noticed about Australia's domesticated animals (dogs and cats) is that they are so free and friendly, and not aggressive unlike the animals back home who are a bit feisty probably after having to cope with the difficulties of life in a developing country. I figured that if you weren't afraid of having no food or having to compete for food, and having your needs taken cared of by a loving family or an an efficient government, both animals and humans, will have no reason to feel defensive or aggressive because they already feel secure?

Or perhaps, that is just me thinking too much... I did find time to think more and sit in two of the classes of Aadrik at the Australian National University in Canberra, reputedly the premiere university in Australia. It amazed me that I could just enter the university and sit in and pretend I was one of their students. And realized I could never bring in someone inside my own university without he or she going through security and having his/her bags checked. The general trust the land gives to its guests here is simply overwhelming and I felt really free.

Winding down the last three weeks, I must admit I was enamored by the beauty that is Sydney but amidst its glitter and glamour, it was in fact -- the quiet walks in the Sydney suburbs to ride the train on my own, the bicycle ride along Canada Bay to see the inner Sydney harbour with Adam, the deep and meaningful conversation along Collaroy beach at the North Shore with Kate, and the delightful meals inside the homes of Aadrik, Winey and Adam while getting to know their families -- these were the very simple but more valuable gifts I will be taking home, beautiful memories I will be pondering on until the next adventure beckons.

Today, I am most likely to agree with playwright George Bernard Shaw when he said: "I hate it when I feel at home abroad." And don't you just hate it when you have to leave so soon. But travelers must always keep moving on, and there is always a next time. Perhaps, it is not the end but only the beginning of many wonderful journeys ahead over and under.

What's great is that, I am no longer afraid. And that all it took was a little faith... faith in the kindness of strangers and friends, faith in your self, and faith in Someone up there who takes care of your every need.

The Before Story (b.GK)

2008-10-26T10:53:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, went to visit a Gk site in Quezon City with a couple of new volunteers, along with the head of the Builders Corps. It's always fascinating to see the impressions of new volunteers especially the foreign ones on their first time to see a GK community. Understably, they will take photos, lots of them. The site was picture perfect, in a sense, that the left and side of the road displayed starkly the difference between a slum with its tattered look, vulnerably held together by slabs of wood and just a few steps away to your right of the street are the rows of colourful GK homes. It was a stark contrast, and a great photo opportunity of the "before" and "after" work of Gawad Kalinga.

As one of the volunteers puts it, it would be darn sad to wake up every morning on the other side of the road. Fortunately, through dedicated GK caretakers and volunteers there will not be a "before" anymore, but more of the "after"...

It is fascinating to me how our foreign volunteers would often take photos of the "before," it's but natural to take photos of the unknown, and they have never seen a slum before. So, this is what it looks like...and uploaded in social networks, it shows what the Philippines is (currently) about to their friends.

I remember Jonathan from New Zealand, writing long paragraphs describing the slums of Manila in writing a story about a GK site in Cavite. Then I realised why he wrote in that way, with a foreign readership, it was necessary to describe what a slum was all about because they haven't seen one. From my perspective, Filipino readers want to focus more on the heart of the story of transformation because they all know (too well) what a slum was all about. So, as in all things, people find a common ground and I learned some valuable lessons along the way.

Back to the recent day, I observed that the new volunteers would tend to take more photos of the slums more than the GK villages. While, on a trip to Sydney, I would take photos of all the beautiful homes because this is where I want my country to be 24 years from now, that' one generation from now. And I can really see it happening before my very eyes.

I remember Aussie friend Adam saying, we should visit the slums in the Philippines because a few years from now, you wouldn't be able to see one anymore! and that's history in the making and that's part of the "places you should see before it's gone" like the Berlin Wall. you would want those "before" photos, they would be worth a million. But I think most Filipinos would rather have the "after" photos now. They have the before photos all too imprinted on their minds.

It is quite ironic how foreigners come to the Philippines to find out what exactly is a slum while more and more Pinoys leave the country to look for a "better" life outside. One day soon, I hope our people will no longer be forced to leave their families and loved ones to seek better opportunities elsewhere. Someday their own land will be able to provide for them.

Thousands Walk the GK Way

2008-10-18T03:51:00.005+08:00

Thousands walk the GK way of friendship, as Gawad Kalinga celebrated its 5th anniversary last October 11 at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig city, attended by thousands of GK residents, builders, workers, volunteers, partners from the government, corporate, academe, NGOs, religious organizations and the civil society -- all in solidarity for love of God and country.

It was an amazing sight to behold: the rich and the poor together in unity, competitors in business encouraging each other, rival schools setting aside differences to walk as one, government leaders inspiring their compatriots towards integrity and excellence, and GK's residents, the kapitbahayan with their caretaker teams walking proudly with their dignity fully restored.

Here is a run-down of the events that transpired during the 2008 Gawad Kalinga Expo, an annual anniversary celebration of the pioneering movement that seeks to alleviate extreme poverty in the Philippines and the world.

THE GK Expo Highlights:
The Caretaker Summit (October 10, Ateneo)
Focusing on the heart of Gawad Kalinga, the caretaker teams soaked in a day of information and inspiration to renew and encourage them in their work as mentors for the poor. The Field Book Manual, aimed at providing the science and system to the faith-based movement, was officially launched by GK and the Ateneo GK Builders Institute. Program Heads and GK champions recounted their mission and goals for the caretakers who will empower their army working with them on the ground while partners from government and GK1MB shared their best practices and strategies.

The caretaker team were exhorted to plan and "dream for your community" as executive director Luis Oquinena emphasized the importance of their presence on the ground. "Our presence tells them that you are important to me," operations head Mari Oquinena affirmed while enumerating the building blocks of GK which is W.I.S.E: [w]holisitc, integrated, sustainable, and empowering. "There is no exclusivity in caring for others," he said and encouraged the caretakers of the vision to help the kapitbahayan become benefactors.

Meanwhile, GK visionary Tony Meloto, laid out the vision for Gawad Kalinga. He said that 2003-2010 or GK777 was a time for Social Healing, providing social justice and just structures for the poorest of the poor while moving towards the designer phase or Social Artistry (2011-2017) furthering empowering them by providing the best for the least and helping them achieve their fullest potentials, onwards to Social Progress and sustainability (2018-2024) where the dream of a first-class Philippines will have been fully realized. He announced that Gawad Kalinga's global model for development will be officially launched at the GK Global Summit at Harvard University in Boston, Massachussetts on June 12 to 15, 2009.

The First GK Mabuhay Pageant Held (October 10, Ateneo)
It was a time for celebration. GK's very own Mabuhay Ladies from various GK communities in Metro Manila came together to showcase the true beauty of the Filipino people. The Mabuhay pageant night saw an inspiring show of support from GK residents who came to cheer on their respective candidates as they participated in the talent, evening gown, and question and answer portions.

Mabuhay Lady Violeta Julian of GK Roque, West-C shone brightly among the nine finalists, winning the crown Ms. Mabuhay, as well as the titles Ms. Friendship, Best in Talent, and Best in Evening Gown. "I am very happy. I am am mother already and I did not expect to reach this, God is really good," the radiant Mabuhay Lady expressed, grateful for her neigbors who came to pray and support her. Charisma Espanol of GK Amparo-North A and Marivic Enal of GK Busilak-Central A were the first and second runners-up. Former Tourism Secretary and now GK Champion Tony Gonazalez lead the judges in choosing the winners based on the following criteria: social relationships, personality and leadership.

GK's Tony Meloto who happily graced the event said, "Mabuhay is a celebration of the life and the greatness of the Filipino spirit." "Matagal nilang tiniis ang pangit na kapaligiran, ngayon sila po ang bida," he added. (They long endured an ugly environment, now they are the stars). He added that everyone in GK is beautiful, good, and excellent and that there was no room for the ugly whether it be the house or their character. The Mabuhay pageant is set to become an annual event, to include GK beauties from the provinces.

Running for your country, the GK - Adidas Marathon (October 11, Fort Bonifacio)
Running for you country has now become an annual event held during the GK Expo, a tradition that began last year in partnership with Adidas King of the Road marathon. As early as two weeks before the event, registrations at P300 each to join the marathon was closed, the event was sold out with the proceeds set to go to building GK communities for the poorest of the poor.

About 5,500 runners joined the event that kicked-off the GK celebrations last October 11, with a blast signalling 21 kilometer runners to start pounding the roads of Fort Bonifacio in Taguig city, followed by 5K and 10K runners. Young and old alike - the youngest being a 2-year old in a jogger accompanied by his family and the oldest a 77 year-old doctor - gave their individual contributions to the country by running for the poor.

The Executive Director's Report (October 11, Fort Bonifacio)
Attended by Gawad Kalinga's friends from the government, corporate and private sectors, GK's executive director Luis Oquinena noted the movement's milestones for 2008. "GK is a work of renewal, it brings new things. We have had a lot of breakthroughs," he said. He announced that the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) has already signed the resolution which makes GK an official beneficiary of real estate developers who are mandated by law to give 20% of their building budget to socialized housing. This recent development provides additional resources for helping reach the goal of building 7,000 GK communities by 2010.

Business competitors SMART Communications and GK Expo-sponsor Globe Telecoms, shared what they learned working with GK. "We learned what partnership and collaboration is all about, that competing corporations can come together for nation-building," said Smart's Mon Isberto. "We are very happy to see Globe as a partner of GK," he said. "Kahit umuunlad tayo, kung hindi ninyo tutulungan ang katabi nyo, maraming maiiwan," he said while sharing the story of their adopted community in General Nakkar, Quezon, whose fishermen turned sculptors gave P100,000 of the proceeds of their art sales to help build the community in GK Budlaan in Cebu.

Globe's said that working with GK, "gave the company a sense of purpose and meaning for its corporate existence." "It's not [only] the resources that we bring to the community but it's the friendship we make along the way," said Globe family's vice-president Ferdz De La Cruz who noted the hundreds of Globe employees who have been touched by GK and quietly volunteering in GK villages on their own.

Armed Forces of the Philippines General Natalio Ecarma III committed his service to the Filipinos, "Ang uniporme ay hindi importante. Ang importante ay ang samahan...Sa GK walang iwanan. Kami ay sundalo ninyo." The general is one of the dreamers for the building of a GK Village in Patikul, Sulu scheduled for the annual Bayani Challenge in April 2009. It is a major step towards pursuing peace in Mindanao through the GK way, the kind of peace that the Moslem community represented by Sultan Akraman Saripada of GK Wao, Lanao del Sur and Bangsamoro commander Hadji Sangcopan Bansil seeks to end the war in Mindanao and alleviate their poor people's sufferings. "Kapatid ko kayo. Magkakapatid tayong lahat, walang iwanan!," Sultan Akraman said. The general and sultan would be seen shaking hands during the event as a sign of unity towards this shared vision of peace in Mindanao, and in solidarity with One UTAK, the united transport group composed of the nation's jeepney and bus drivers who initiated the tie a white ribbon for peace in jeepneys and buses throughout the troubled region.

The Executive Director Luis Oquinena reiterated the expo's them: Walang Iwanan, Anong taya mo para sa Bayan? "Yung walang ginagawa para sa bayan, yun ang squatter," he said and encouraged everyone to be anchored in their motherland, to make their stake in the country.
GK Expo Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga capped the session with his inspiring realization that GK is the glue that brings people together for a nation long beset by division exemplified by the city of Taguig, that has a big gap between the rich and poor. Taguig which is working towards closing this gap and is one with the GK's vision in creating it a designer city. "The one thing that GK tells us is we cannot do it alone. We are changing and learning...GK is telling everyone that it can be done," he said. "If it can be done here in Taguig, it can be done anywhere in the country," he believed. "Dito sa GK, patapos na ang dilim at nagsisimula na ang umaga," he said.

Echoing his predecessor's realization that "the national government cannot do it alone," the Department of Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap committed to working with GK in producing sustainable farms so that the poor will have food on their people and Filipinos will not be hungry in a land so blessed with an abundance of natural resources. This synergy and alliance with the agriculture government will convert idle lands to productive ones, starting with 300 GK sites, where the technical expertise and support of the agriculture department will be applied in partnership with GK.

The executive director noted that the road ahead is full of hard work as GK aims to build 3,500 communities in 2009 and build a million homes. He exhorted those present to protect unity at all cost. "Do not allow cracks," he said. "The Filipino poor is the priority."

Goldilock's Birthday Blow-Out for 7,000 GK Kids (October 11, Fort Bonifacio)
In celebration of Gawad Kalinga's 5th anniversary, Goldilocks Bakeshop treated the SIBOL, SAGIP children and Kids for Christ members to a big birthday blow-out with an hourly party from catering to 1,000 kids per batch. Many of the kids, who have never had a birthday party before in their lives and cannot afford a birthday cake, were all happy to have the opportunity to celebrate their birthday with other kids, the next generation of Filipinos. The children were treated to a program with games and blowing of their birthday cakes. All were happy bringing their gift packs from Goldilocks after the party.

Building a Nation (October 11, Fort Bonifacio)
The session began with a riveting performance of GK SIGA members in a powerful play written by Ron Capinding entitled Tao Po (It is I), co-presented by Gawad Kalinga and the Department of Foreign Affairs. It was a show of world-class excellence featuring the talents of our GK youth who just came from Indonesia to teach and perform with fellow Siga members there. Their performance during the GK Expo with foreign dignitaries and company presidents as their guests, was simply exceptional. It showed that the poor can really excel given the opportunity and empowerment. The famous choir from GK Tatalon also performed to an amazed audience.

"You just have seen the transformation of our greatest asset," GK visionary Tony Meloto began as he welcomed honorable diplomats from different countries. "These are the lost Filipinos," Meloto said, noting that there are talents in the most depressed areas. "Today, we see a convergence of our people, raising the least of our brethren to their highest potential for excellence," he said as he introduced Gawad Kalinga's next phase of development, Social Artistry or the designer phase where the best Filipinos give of their excellence to help the least attain to their fullest potentials as well.

He honored the caretakers from Couples for Christ in Bagong Silang who started GK with a sense of mission. "In the spirit of sacrifice, we have built GK," said the chief inspirational officer as he presented the Addurru family, whose house was the very first home built by GK. They represent the many GK communities since then whose lives have been changed. Bagong Silang, the largest baranggay in Metro Manila and formerly the haven of dangerous gangs and criminals, has been transformed from within, evolving steadily into GK's designer baranggay.

Former Philippine Ambassador to Milan, honorable Amb. Peter Chan while representing the DFA diplomatic corps handed out a cheque to Meloto saying it was "a gift from the heart" from overseas Filipino workers in the country were he served.

Bukas Loob sa Diyos represented by Bro. Ric Pascua said they are striving to raise 1,000 GK communities. "We are all children of God. This work is too big for any one community to handle. It is for everyone," he said.

Meloto called on competing schools Ateneo and La Salle to participate in a "Patriot Games", which unlike the coveted men's basketball championship, would compete
instead for the most number of land donated for the poor of the country. "Now, we are united as a people. We have a dream that unites us," he said as he spoke of the vision for the Philippines, as the first world-class nation in Southeast Asia.

Partners from local government lead by inspiring mayors Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte, and Taguig's Freddie Tinga who all espoused good governance, integrity and excellence, agreeing that GK is integrative. "It brings people together and it integrates the dreams of the poor," Mayor Lorenzo said. Our motto now is "Maka-Diyos, maka-bayan, at maka-deliver," as she affirmed her commitment with GK.

"I sought change - and with unrelenting determination, took off to a path that was unexpected, unconventional and untested," shared Governor Villafuerte of how he transformed Camarines Sur into a world-class tourist destination with its now famous wakeboarding facility. Akin to the revolutionary and faith-filled spirit of GK: Build it and they will come, the inspiring governor embraces wholeheartedly GK's vision of christening Cam Sur as a Designer province with world-class GK villages complete with bed and breakfast homes for guests, a livelihood ran by GK's residents.

"The partnership of GK and Cam Sur is a match made in heaven - it is an answered prayer - because it came at a time when I felt the compelling need to do more for my people," shared Gov. Villafuerte. " I wanted to elevate our humble success to a more meaningful level," he said.
Meanwhile, dynamic mayor Freddie Tinga affirmed his all-out support for GK's vision for Taguig as a designer city, " Taguig is going to be a great city. GK is making people believe lalo na ang mga mahihirap na kaya pala!" Paranaque mayor Jun Bernabe also reaffirmed his commitment,
"Itinaya ko na po ang aking sarili, and aking pamilya," he said.

Former Wyeth chief and marketing brain, now GK champion Boy de Claro said that he now has the best brand to sell to the world: The Filipino.
"It is a great gift and a great privilege to be a Filipino," Meloto affirmed.

40,000 GK heroes join Martsa ng mga Bayani
(October 11, GK Expo Grounds)
The annual GK tradition -- the parade of heroes honors the caretaker teams, kapitbahayan, partners and volunteers who tirelessly work on the ground to build the country of their dreams. This year, the GK expo ground was filled to the brim. A 40,000-strong army of GK heroes from all over the country and the world, joined this year's march for a massive show of unity.

What is notable of this year's march is its changing face: the rich and the poor march together in full equality, and many more partners fully adopting their GK communities. The kapitbahayans were the main focus with their caretaker teams proudly marching alongside them as friends. It was the emergence of "The New Middle Class" as GK's Tony Meloto puts it. GK heroes from as far as Mindanao and patriots returning from America, all waited in line to join the parade. Many GK communities showcased their province's treasures in a float, notable of them were Batangas and Laguna. Some came with full marching and dancing bands such as Metro Manila's West sector that reminded one of great festivals in the Philippines.

Company presidents marched with their employees and GK1MB volunteers from schools, universities and fraternities marched fully in support of the GK vision. Even Ateneo and La Salle laid aside school pride, sharing a float together acknowledging that they were only rivals in the basketball court but more imporantly, co-builders of the country. Lastly, it is significant to mention that almost all the baranggays of Taguig came, having the longest delegation in an all out show of their support for Gawad Kalinga.

This year's Martsa ng mga Bayani, showed the significant growth of the movement. Indeed, we might need a bigger area in the future as GK continues to grow to its fullest potential.

The GK1World Concert
(October 11, Fort Bonifacio)
The renowned Fort Bonifacio grounds used for international concerts, was filled to the brim. The only difference now is that the poor who cannot afford to go to these international events, were the very important guests for GK1World's concert aired worldwide through internet television.

Vice President Noli de Castro graced the auspicious event affirming that: "Ganyan talaga ang magkakaibigan, walang iwanan!" He thanked Gawad Kalinga's gift of building transformative friendships. "True friendship brings about change in those involved in the relationship."
He said that his friendship with GK transformed him personally as the inspiration of ordinary citizen sacrificing for their country, humbles him, engages him and allows him to be focused on providing the basic needs of the poor Filipinos. "Your own zeal and enthusiasm for the mission is contangious," he said as he honored the many heroes of Gawad Kalinga. "We must remain focused on our mission in GK," said the servant of the people.

"Walang atrasan, at ito ang taya ko!," the vice president said. He encouraged everyone to resolve to keep moving forward in spite of the current global crisis and challenges faced, and to rely on those transformative friendships to keep moving on towards the fulfillment of GK's dreams for the poor.

Representing the corporate sector, SMART committed to send a team to Sulu for the 2009 Bayani Challenge for a peaceful Mindanao, pledged to send a representative to the GK Global Summit in Boston, and vowed to provide internet connection to GK communities all over the Philippines. Meralco committed to continue building Sibol schools and provide light to GK villages while Shell committed to growing and develping its GK farms and to be a staunch ally of Green Kalinga. Wyeth committed to continue raising healthy homes and developing healthy kids in GK communities.

"My fellow citizens, ano yung taya ninyo?" challenged GK's executive director Luis Oquinena. "Pamilya ko, eto ang taya ko" as he committed his kids and family. Many people expressed their commitments through SMS or text as they quietly prayed and considered their personal contributions to their country.

Representing GK's international network, Dr. Charlie Capati who has lived in the USA for 37 years, committed to helping spread the vision of GK in America. "This is our time. [Let us] embrace our destiny," he said. Filipino-American entrepreneur Tony Olaes, committed to never forget the Philippines. "My heart is for the Philippines and it will never leave you, I promise you that," he affirmed as he continues to promote the work of GK in States and raise villages with other Fil-Ams in business.

The expo drew to a close with everyone renewing their commitment and hope hope for the Philippines. The GK heroes on stage and on the ground locked arms in a show of solidarity singing together "Bayan Ko."The concert ended with a praise fest, everyone expressing their love for God.

World-class Filipino talents Ryan Cayabyab, River Maya, 6Cycle Mind, Imago, Sponge Cola, Cueshe and Gloc9 contributed their talents towards a first-class Philippines. According to many participants, the GK1World Expo Walang Iwanan: Anong Taya mo Para sa Bayan? was the best expo to date.

Happy Anniversary GK Bayani!

Franchising ABCs

2008-09-22T16:33:00.005+08:00

I attended a franchise trade show last Saturday (September 20) sponsored by the Association of Filipino Franchisers and it reminded me again of my dream of starting a business...to have the chance to live life to the fullest and be a blessing to others...

How do you know if franchising is right for you or you're better off starting on your own? This question led me to a story I wrote two years ago for a local magazine focused on parents, the ideas are still very much relevant today. Hope you will learn as much as I did...

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Increasingly more couples are planning to have their own businesses to secure their growing family and ensure a good future for their children in these trying times. But few realize that having a business is like having another baby. It must be nurtured and attended to with its growing pains, parents who know what it takes to care of children can also understand that the rewards of a business if handled properly. With great risks and hard work bears much fruit not only materially but psychologically as well with the peace of mind that comes with financial freedom and the joy of doing what you love.Yet some don’t know where to begin or can’t figure out what they would like to get into.

For Marvey Mariño, father of two boys, ages 3 and 5, buying a franchise was the way to go.“ I did not have time to ‘invent’ a new business and experiment along the way. I was in a hurry to recover my investment and make a profit since at the time my wife and I were expecting a child,” he shares. He relates having found a good location in Batangas city even before he knew what type of food franchise he would get into. He would stand across an abandoned structure in the middle of a commercial intersection at P.Burgos street , daily observing countless workers and students passing by the area that also became a favorite route at night coming home from gimmicks and parties. Going with his guts, he wasted no time depositing money to secure the lot.

And then began his search for a 24-hour food business that will serve his market and finally bought a Goto King franchise with his sister-in-law who invested additional capital. That was in 1999, and he hasn’t looked back since then because his instincts have been right. Now, his store has the most sales among Goto King franchisees in the country today.Robert Trota, president of the Philippine Franchise Association says buying a franchise business is more beneficial than putting up your own from scratch.

“When you buy a franchise, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Instead of developing your own business system, you just need to use theirs, which is already proven and tested.” He says the benefits are immediate because you already have an established brand and therefore a guaranteed market. “If you follow the procedures already set, in most cases, your franchise will already be successful,” he adds.

Indeed, research has shown that most franchised businesses have higher chances of survival and success than developing a new business since it already has a working blueprint and has gained a loyal following with its recognized brand. Even banks are kinder to grant loans to franchisees rather than entrepreneurs with new ventures since they are backed with an established company’s history and track record. Mall owners also prefer to have tenants with recognized and reputable brands, usually franchise companies, to attract more customers. To get a franchise for a business means you are actually buying the business system a company which works for them.

You will benefit from the lessons they have learned and their technology and skills along with valuable information that have made them successful, knowledge they will transfer to you. You may get a franchise business anywhere from P50,000 to P25 million depending on your budget and the type of business concept you want to get into. You can choose from low, middle and high cost investments. Aside from what interests you based on your personality, skills, and preferences, the capital is usually a main consideration in choosing what franchise to get.

Low-cost franchises would include kiosks and stalls such as those offering potato fries, soft serve ice cream, cell phone cards and accessories while the more sophisticated and capital intensive franchises include your fast food joints, coffee shops, casual dining restaurants, and clothing retail stores among many others. The PFA alone have 150 members having a total of 800 business concepts. Franchisees usually give a franchise package which include the use of their trade name and logos, store design and layout, equipment, uniform, initial inventory, recruitment assistance and training, use of operations manual and pre-opening assistance.

Be sure to ask for the total investment required to set up shop, which is different from the franchise fee you pay up-front for the use of their system. The franchiser requires you to write them a letter of intent, fill-up an application form and send directions to your proposed site. Be ready for a location visit and personal interview with you to assess if you are fit to be a franchisee. They may decline your application if they see that the location is unsuitable, have a lack of resources or lack of skills in running the business.

Your values and character are also a big consideration as well as your enthusiasm, commitment and passion for the business. “It goes both ways. You and your franchiser want to make sure that your investment will not go to waste,” says Trota. The relationship of a franchiser (one who owns the business) and a franchisee (the one who buys the business system) is comparable to marriage. You and your franchiser must have the same vision and values that prevents a strained relationship.

“Divorce is very hard. With legal battles, it is not going to be good for both of you. The brand is going to be affected as well,” explains Trota. So, one must be very sure first, before taking the plunge by doing your home work and asking the experience of fellow franchisees who are in the business you want to get into. Although you have an option to sell a franchise if you want out and the franchiser has the first option to buy it or have another buyer to run it, both parties always hope for the best in the beginning of the relationship and expect to stay for the long haul, usually the franchise terms have a minimum of three years to as long as 24.

When you finally tie the knot with a franchise agreement, be sure to read it even if it’s 30-pages long, to make sure you understanding everything before the franchiser can start transferring his knowledge and system to you. Because it is up to you to grow it, with the support of the franchiser who receives royalty fees or a percentage of sales which he in turns invests into marketing campaigns and advertisements which translates to more sales for you.

A good franchiser should be able to give you continuous training, guidance and support in the duration of your business relationship. Bards Montanido, owner of Chicharific by J.E.E. Lapid, now with 12 franchisees, says having a franchise does not necessarily guarantee success. “You have to nurture it also to make it grow. Para ring anak iyon, you also have to take care of it,” says Montanido. “It’s so easy to put up a business. It’s hard to sustain,” says Trota.

Although franchises offer you better chances of success, the hard work is still up to you.

Montanido shares that her franchisees can except to recoup their investment of P200,000 at an average of 8 months, but her franchisee in Baguio city’s Session Road recouped their investment in just two months. The franchiser is also a big brother or sister you can go to when problems arise. “We can tell them what to do since we’ve been there,” explains Montanido of the value of experience. With a proven system in place, franchisees do not have to go through trial and error and the possibility of making mistakes are less. However, some people are simply too creative to be bound and limited by a system and will probably not make good franchisees.

“Some entrepreneurs would want to create their own businesses and control the direction of their companies rather than follow the standards of the franchiser,” explains Mariño. Creative people may be able to work better putting up their own businesses where they can have more freedom.Having a franchise can have its side-effects too. “The more obvious disadvantage is having couples fight or spend a lot of time in the business and neglect the kids,” says Trota. Mariño admits that the first two years of his business was very difficult since he was really working at the restaurant on a daily basis.

“Eventually I re-organized my priorities and put time with the family on top of the list,” he says. Now that he has learned to delegate operations and has empowered to make decisions when he is not around he says, ““I have more time for family and more time to pursue other interests like other businesses.”

He also takes his young children to Goto King to say hello to customers that can help develop their people skills and tags them along when going to the bank to teach them values of proper handling of money.For Oscar and Gail Santos who owns a Max’s franchise in Olongapo and SM Marilao expanding their family business through a franchised restaurant has been a good decision. When they opened their store, all the children who were studying in Manila came home to help. “It was a family undertaking,” they say.

Two children are now assisting them with their business particularly in handing the technology side and have been given management reins over the family’s donut franchise. “We have grown closer now that they take part in our business.” Santos says the secret for a harmonious relationship in business is harmony at home. Max’s Restaurant which require a larger investment, with a franchise fee of P3 million and a total investment of P10 million to P20 million, observes that 12 out of their 30 franchisees thus far are wife and husband tandems who complement each other.

They are able to balance their time for business and accommodate the needs of a growing family by managing their time well. “You can schedule in the way that would fit you best. As against working professionally, you are dictated with the company’s policies and time,” says Trota.
Montanido agrees and believes that as long as “you can manage your time properly, you can have quality time with children,” says the single mother of three.

The key is to prioritize, schedule the needs of the family and the needs of the business and stick to it. Parents who want to go into business together must also share responsibilities and complement each other. The Goto King franchisee advises that if you are planning to buy a franchise, make sure you do your homework and research. “Look for reputation, quality of product or service and support,” he says.

For the franchiser’s part, they have to make sure that prospective franchisees like what they are getting into. “My first question is, Do you really like chicharon?,” says Montanido. She also advises that they ask other franchisees of their experience to learn what the business is. You must also have clear plans on who and how will the business be managed. Ask your self if you can live with a prospective franchiser’s business system- which has been proven—even if you don’t fully agree with it. Remember that once you buy into its franchise, you can’t stray from its established rules and procedure.

Make sure also you have the money to invest in the franchise and if it is better for you to have one than put up all the expenses it will require for your to put up and run your own business concept. Taking out a loan will help you cover all you initial expenses but it will also add up to your costs and affect your returns.

Trota says, the best time to scout for possible franchise business is in during the annual franchise show held every July where you can get as much information you need from franchisers who join the exhibition. While you wait for this, it’s best to start your business with your own savings while you are working. “Maganda rin talaga yung nagtrabaho ka muna sa iba, it helps you learn, how to take care of your own people,” Montanido says.

Look for a franchiser with the same goals and values as yours, one who is committed, dedicated, and adheres to quality standards and seeks to continuously improve his business. And when you do find the perfect match: “Go into it wholeheartedly. If you find out that you like it, it would be a very successful business. You’ll be able to share it with your kids,” ends Trota.

Shopping for the right franchise?

It is best to ask from recognized associations like the 10-year old Philippine Franchise Association that include local and international franchisers as members, and the Association of Filipino Franchisers composed of local and home-grown businesses.

Search their web sites at the http://www.philippinefranchiseassociation.com/ and http://www.affi.com.ph/ for a listing of your preferred concepts or call PFA at (632) 687-0635to 67 and AFFI at (632) 873-8435 and ask for a list of legitimate franchises and their contact details. Their members undergo a screening process before they can join. This will secure your self from fly-by –night franchisers. Good luck!