Wish List with a Twist

Bro. Bo Sanchez (a Catholic preacher, author of some best-selling books in the country, a successful businessman and head of different ministries for the works of the Lord) once said “Do not postpone your happiness.”

I remember this phrase just recently and for some unexplainable reason I have become really excited. My mind is now packed with so many activities that I want to accomplish this week. In a separate talk, Bro. Bo has also encouraged us to write down the things that we enjoy doing. He calls it "The Joy List.”

What is Joy List?

In my own definition, Joy List is quite identical to Wish List. However, there is a twist. A Wish List is a list of desires which a person can choose to pour out his own sweat or others can do it for him in order to make a dream a reality. A Joy List, on the other hand, is a compilation of yearnings in which one compels himself to make things happen.

Let’s continue…

Writing for me is a burden to a certain extent (because it usually takes me hours or a few days to finish an anecdote or a short essay). Apparently, I never followed him (Bro Bo sorry for being stubborn and disobedient). However, the story doesn’t end there. The white flag is up. I surrender! It's time to squeeze, smash, crush, hammer these plans in my head. Therefore, I have finally decided to post my “Joy List” specifically for this week. Here it is…

· I want to finish wrapping Christmas gifts for my relatives in Quezon province (My dear friends, one of my goals for next year is to include you in my list. Sorry the budget is really tight. Hehe!).

· I want to visit Mrs. Romela Rubio, one of my mentors in life; have few minutes talk; and thank her for everything that she has done for me.

· I want to see my friends (that include my high school and college friends and former officemates) if not all at least even some of them. I wish we could have long chit-chats while enjoying lunch or dinner or any junk food/street food available.

· I want to read two books in the bible so my spiritual life will continue to grow. I hope it will become a habit eventually.

· I want to read more informational and inspirational articles rather than reading gossips in various entertainment websites.

· I want to clean my room to make it more pleasing not just in my eyes but in the sight of my housemates as well. Or perhaps it would be better to also include the living room, the dining room, the kitchen and the hallway. After that, I will be my parents favorite daughter. Yahoo!!!

· I want to iron clothes even though it would take me hours to finish it. After all, I’m doing it for me and the love of my family.

Oh gosh! I have so many things to do. I am elated.


P.S. Time to sleep. My schedule seems toxic. Toxic but happy.

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Swak na Swak

I love my slippers!

I consider it as one of my most treasured assets. Why? Because it seems to me that it was deliberately molded for my small feet. Hehe!

It was daytime. I was about to go home when I happened to pass by a store of flip-flops in a market near the jeepney terminal A young lady vendor immediately approached me and told me “Ate ano po gusto nyo? Sige po pili lang.” To my surprise, an estimated 21 cm long brown-colored rubber made slippers with golden brown strap showed up. But the good news doesn’t end there - it was sold to me at fifty pesos. That made my day!

I have been using my slippers for several months now and it has become my frequent travel companion – inside the house, in the mall, in church etc. It recently brought me to one of the most memorable places that I’ve been through – Anawim, a home for abandoned elderly plus a few orphans and physically and mentally handicapped persons. I also wore it when I attended the second Kerygma Conference held at the Philsports Arena last November 29.

My slippers have definitely carried me to a lot of places and have witnessed several events in my life. Tangible and lifeless as it seems, its worth is invaluable.

Worn out? Of course not.

P.S. I only have one pair of slippers so I hope it won't.

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The Grandma Beside Me

Her body is quite hefty.

Her skin is fair and wrinkled.

Her hair is short and grey.

Her smile is sparkling.

That’s grandma - the old woman that I see almost every morning. Without noticing it, she has become my instant companion before I reach the office. It’s either I would seat beside her in the bus or vice versa.

One morning, there was a twist in the usual scenario (just a bit). She came first inside the bus. I saw her but decided not to sit beside her because she was with her husband. That was the first time I saw them together inside a bus. After few minutes, she asked me to transfer and so I followed. I was happy to see them together because I noticed how much love they have for each other. At their age, they still hold hands. Isn’t that sweet?: )

After a week I heard from my mother that her husband died of heart attack. I didn’t saw her for a couple of weeks. I thought I was not going to see her again. Until one day, I bumped with her still with the same radiance in her face.

After that we rarely see each other. I miss her. I hope she is ok until we meet again.


P.S. During those times that we were seated together, we never had a conversation.

And so, her name is Anonymous.

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Ako si Pare. Ikaw, sino ka?

“Pare.” That’s how most people call me for the past 13 months.

Most people who do not know me personally would probably perceive me as a serious and mischievous creature since my face is mostly identical to a fuming tiger and my body movement is like always geared up for a boxing match. There maybe some truth about this but definitely I don’t have any plans of following Manny Pacquiao’s career path.


The Brief History

Sir Nonoy started it. Then, sir Freddie followed. Sir RCG imitated the two. And eventually everyone did. From Joan to Pare of RG Meditron.

Am I offended about being called “Pare?” Maybe I should. But, honestly, I loved it. For me that was my officemates’ way of showing their love for me - in a nasty manner. Hehe!

To all my kumpares, Merry Christmas sa inyong lahat! Tagay tayo mamaya!!!

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I'm Home

Hi! I’m back. After several months of not being able to write anything, I finally have the time and hopefully good stuff to share.

This is it! I’m home.

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Ang saya! Ang saya, saya!!!

Thank God it's Saturday.

Walang pasok pero tulad ng nakasanayan na ang aga aga ko nagising. Marahil na rin sa init ng panahon at hindi gumaling galing na ubo na nasa ika-4 na linggo na. Monthsary? Hehe!!! Sa kabila nito, parang ang gaan naman ng pakiramdam ko. Nakatulog naman ako ng mahimbing.

Kagabi habang sinisikap kong matapos ang pinapagawa sa akin, tinawagan ako ni tito Lando upang sabihin na nakaparada ang Melbourne Taxi (ang bagong panggalan ng taxi ng tito ko) sa may Kowloon West. Hindi ko na sinunod ang una kong plano na mag-OT hanggang 9pm dahil masakit na rin naman ang tiyan ko at sigurado akong di ko naman matatapos yung ginagawa ko. Sa makatuwid nagpasya na lamang ako na iuwi ang trabaho na mamaya ko na gagawin kasi nasa mood pa ko magtype at magkwento ng mga bagay bagay na hindi naman gaanong mahalaga at siguradong wala kang bagong matututunan. Basta feel ko lang. Salamat sa tawag nya dahil mukhang maganda naman idinulot nito sa "pare" nyo. Dahil dyan itutuloy ko na ang kwento.

Alam nyo bang nitong ilang mga nakaraang araw ay masaya ako. Hindi nyo man maaaninag sa mukha ko (as usual dahil mas madalas nyo kong makitang nakasimangot kesa nakangiti), ang puso ko nama'y punong puno ng kagalakan. Ang dahilan? Answered prayers. Kung alam nyo ang work history ko o nabasa ang ilang posts ko sa ibang blog kapansinpansin na tila punong puno ako ng bitterness. Ngayon happy story naman ako. Dito ko na lang pinost para mas mabilis ang daloy ng storya. Sige, sabihin na natin na hirap akong iconvert ang nararamdaman ko ngayon sa wikang Ingles. Hehe!!!
Ang sarap ng feeling kasi naranasan ko na rin sa wakas na hindi pumasok ng Lunes dahil legal holiday. Tulad noong april 7 - araw ng kagitingan (na dapat ay april 10 talaga. Oops! april 10 nga ba?). Di ko akalain sinicelebrate pala yon. Hehe!!! Hindi naman masyadong obvious na hindi ko kabisado ang Philippine History no! Nalalpit na rin ang Labor Day na ipagdiriwang sa May 1 (in fairness, alam ko yun). Sa makatuwid bakasyon na naman. Yehey!

Eto seryoso na talaga. Tulad ng sinabi ko answered prayers ang dahilan. Tunay ngang makapangyarihan ang panalangin. Unit-unti, nararamdaman ko ang mga pagbabago sa buhay ko. Mas nakikita ko na rin ang magaganda kesa sa hindi gano kagandahan. Masasabi kong mas may direksyon ako. Sympre may ilang pagkakataon pa rin na nadadampian ako ng takot pero marunong na kong lumaban ngayon. Bakit? Dahil kakampi ko si God. Sya ang pangunahing dahilan. Ang main source ng kasiyahang dumadaloy sa aking dugo. Naks! Kaya naman nababanggit ko na ang mga katagang “Thank God the long wait is over!”

Naku alas otso na pala! Hindi ko na hihimayin pa ang buong storya. Kailangan ko na palang maghanda dahil may lakad pa kami nina John, Mommy at Daddy mamaya. Oo, tama ang nabasa mo. Nandito si daddy ngayon. Yahoo!!!

Magkakaron ba ng "A Date with my Dad Part II?" Let's see. Hanggang dito na lang. Kwentuhan kita uli pag nasa mood ako.

Oops! Abangan ko rin ang kwento mo ha. Sa susunod kwentuhan tayo.

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A Short Reflection

Recently, there were a lot of thoughts that were bouncing inside my head and had thought of sharing it here. Most of them, however, were products of negative feelings that haunted me for sometime. Since the entire Christian community is observing the Lent, I think it is much better to reflect on the positive side of life.

Last year was really a fantastic year for me. Not because of the absence of problem, but because the difficulties I experienced have turned out to be magnificent blessings.

I am very thankful because I've met Mrs. Romela Rubio in the midst of my confusion. She is a psychologist who showered me with a lot of life’s lessons for three consecutive weeks. Now, I consider her as an inspiration; a drive when life seems tough and hopeless. Next, I happened to recognize a great Catholic forum in the internet which is www.kerygmafamily.com/forum. Then I started attending the Kerygma Feast every Sunday in Valle Verde Country Club, Ortigas – the church where a lot of positive changes start to happen. In fact, my friends have tremendously multiplied in less than a year (My YM and Friendster accounts are my official evidence to this. Hehe!) Oh, wonderful! Third, I found a job which is almost exactly as I have written in my Novena to God’s Love. The five working days requirement has given me the opportunity to savor a balanced life and the company being situated in Quezon City is very favorable for me.

Should I call these things miracles?

No. These are simply God’s eternal love for me. And there are absolutely more blessings to add in the list.

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