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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A Date with My Dad

Two days ago, my dad and I left the house at 6 o’clock in the morning to attend a free admission conference of Go Negosyo Caravan held at the auditorium of Philam Life, Manila. It was an hour and a half ride from our place to Doroteo Jose via Sta. Cruz bus or more popularly known as “Esperanza” bus (if you watched Juday’s soap opera Esperanza, you know what I mean) and an additional 15 minute travel to UN Avenue. It was a long trip and kinda nauseating (because of the vehicular smoke I inhaled, moderately heavy traffic along NLEX and a sardine-like condition of the passengers). However, I was elated because finally I had the chance to see Avenida after Mayor Lim ordered to reopen it to vehicles. Actually, I really miss the city of Manila. The roads of Avenida, Taft Avenue and Ayala Boulevard were very significant for it were once part of my teenage years - college days. Oh, it was like yesterday!

Ok, enough of the reminiscing.

The forum started at nearly 10 am. Imagine how early we were? But the funnier thing was most of the participants were students. So apparently my father felt awkward because he seemed to be the oldest in the group. He wanted to back out but I refused to so he had no choice but to be with me (My dad loves me so much, don’t you think? I’m so proud of you, Daddy.). Going back to the main topic, Paolo Bediones, Senator Mar Roxas, and Atty. Gozon of GMA Network were some of the prominent guest speakers. Their stories and entrepreneurial mindset were really inspiring (if you look at the non-monetary angle). As a whole, it was a learning conference that lasted for three hours. Immediately after, we went to Robinson’s Place, entered KFC and ordered two value meals (1 piece chicken with rice and ice tea) for our starving stomachs. Solve!

After lunch, I was planning to go to World Trade Center to see a Food Expo but my dad wanted to go somewhere else. I insisted. For the second time, I won. Yahoo! It was my dad’s first time there. We paid P100 each for the entrance fee. We strolled around, watched free cooking demo, saw giant and high-technology food processors and machineries, observed how businessmen market their product and of course savored the “free taste” foodstuffs. In short, “Sinulit namin ang isang daan.” Sarap!

At 3:30 we decided to go to Quiapo church because it was Friday. It was Quiapo day. Unfortunately, we were not able to enter the church because it was jam packed. So, we just prayed for few minutes outside the church. Then, I wanted to ride a jeepney from Carriedo to Doroteo Jose but my dad would like to walk. This time, I followed him. He won. When we reached the terminal, I wanted to ride FX because my legs were too tired and I assumed he was feeling the same way too. But he preferred the Esperanza bus. The result: We got even at two all. Hehe! As expected, the traffic was heavy and the bus was so full. We were all like sweating mannequins inside the mini-bus. Despite the terrible scenario, I was glad because my dad and I had an opportunity to talk. Nothing so important or serious but the fact that he was sharing a story and I reacting and asking questions that’s quite unusual. After that, I could no longer control my eyes from shutting, so I laid my head on my father’s shoulder. I guess I had a ten minute siesta. We arrived at the subdivision’s main gate at nearly 7:00 pm. Luckily, there was already one passenger. He already wanted me to pay for three passengers so we could go ahead but I refused. I believed it would not take us too long to wait for the last one. The final score: 3-2. Yes, I was victorious. Hehe!

End of the story.

To sum this up, I had a long and exhausting trip yet a very nostalgic, unforgettable, blissful and once in a blue moon date with my dad. I just hope it won’t be the last.

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One Morning

I wonder why I woke up this morning with a vibrant feeling. Did I have an exciting dream last night? I can’t remember. Did I do something special before I went to sleep? I don’t think so. As far as I know, I just had the usual evening routine.

My eyes opened 15 minutes earlier than my regular wake up time. At 6:45 in the morning, I felt that I was too excited to stand up and start a new day with a smile on my face. That’s odd. Because honestly, my usual morning mindset is: “Oh! Another ordinary day.” Now that the sun is about to go down, I should say I had a pretty good day. It’s typical yet the feeling is different. Hopefully, it’s a sign of good things to come. :)

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