A Complete Christmas

Thank, god. For the first time, I got a complete attendance for the Simbang Gabi. I am so happy God has answered my prayers for the best of health. Homilies were great; they were so inspiring.

A Star without a Shimmer

To stay away from the limelight, and to work behind the scene is the best way to live life with a meaning.

True Investments

We often think that the best investments are inside our bank passbooks, real estate properties, pieces of jewelry, and other valuable items. There will come a time when we realize that the most important investments are those that will live after us, a book of life that is filled with stories of good deeds and prayers and a sparkling space in heaven that can only be gained by a life of giving and loving.

Remembering

I pray to God to bless all people who have gone ahead of us especially my loved ones. I wouldn't be alive today if not for them. The gift of life given to me by God passed through them. Hence, to pray for them is a God-given duty. Eternal rest may shine on them!

Earning More

The secret in increasing one's income is by reducing one's expenses.

Be Happy for Other's Succcess

"If someone else's candle goes out, yours doesn't burn any brighter. It just makes the whole room darker."(Unknown). Let us learn to be grateful for other's success. With them, our light burns brighter.

Let them Stay at your Back

When you have plenty of backbiters, rejoice! It only means that they are following on you because your are ahead of them and they are always at your back. That is why they are called backbiters.

Success Does Not Come Easy

Borrowed from Mac Anderson's "The Nature of Success", Mr. Anderson talks about the lesson he learned from a friend's grandmother. Mac was having such a rough week and his friend shared with him what his grandmother told him: "Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard." Mac says that " success doesn't come cascading like the Niagara Falls; it comes one drop at a time through short-term realistic goals. If you believe you can do something (the goals are realistic) , you're likely to be highly motivated. If, however, you think you can't (because the goals unrealistic) your motivation level falls greatly." (Taken from Tenacity Book by Francisco Colayco)

Action Speaks Louder Than Words

According to PJ Lanot communication is 7 percent words 38 percent tone and 55 percent body language.

Be Passionate

Starting with what you are passionate about is the key to success and happiness. Discover and develop the mold by which God has put you into. At all times, give all your best. Never stop.

The Power to Delegate

Delegating is a reserved power to a leader. However, one has to strike the right balance. In delegating jobs to a subordinate, one should be very careful in delineating the parameters of the authority that is being delegated. One must be careful not to create abuse, exploitation and injustice.

Excel, Do Not Compete

Life is not all about getting better by competing with others. It is all about competing with yourself by struggling to make yourself a better version of your old self. I totally disagree having children competing with each other. It will not help them to experience pressure and frustration at this stage of their lives when they are still developing their self-esteem and self-confidence. In the long run, children whose lives are centered on winning a competition end up lazy and without sense of direction.

Inspire!

We are a failure as a human being if we fail to inspire others to make themselves better than they think they are. Inspiring others is deeply-rooted in love and compassion.

Ways of the Truth

The journey in finding for the truth is full of setbacks. Courage and strength of character are much needed no matter what the costs will be. But once truth comes out, there comes an immeasurable sense of relief and fullfilment. Some people are hasty to judge or jump into conclusion. But of course, truth is always deeper than most people know.

Can't Hear Them

"During dark days, I cannot remember the noise of my enemies; I can only remember the silence of my friends." True friends are those who stay with you when you are being push to the wall.

I am Anti-Pork

At one pm today, the church bells rang for three minutes to show its unity with the entire Church in protesting against pork barrel. As for me, the pork barrel system only fuels the ills that afflects the government and our people that includes political patronage, dysnastic politics, graft and corruption and weak political party system. Scrap Pork Now!

The Challenge of Climate Change

Climate change is a global problem that requires global solution. Local institutions should install programs and projects related to this that include massive education campaign, institutionalization of local environmental bodies, strong public and private collaboration and strict implementation of laws. The time to act is now!

God is my only Hope

When all else is crumbling apart, God's abiding presence gives me hope that better days are coming ahead.

Humility and Education

Humility is the mother of knowledge and wisdom. It is the foundation of learning.

Faith in God

Faith in God is believing, trusting, and obeying. Even during rainy days, we still believe that there is sun. Trusting that afterwards it will come out; obeying its light and warmth. Faith is loving no matter what. Faith is holistic. It is manifested in everything that man thinks and does. When reason ends, faith begins.

Love of God

Learning to love yourself entails loving God with all your mind, soul and body. Loving God means loving people. We may not have seen God but we can feel his presence in our fellowmen. In the cross, God opens wide His arms. God commands us to do the same. Let all us stretch our arms before God by serving other people with arms widely open. Share the love of God wth others!

Missing My Teachers

I miss my teachers. Life is easier now because of them. I miss being a teacher. Teaching is the noblest thing to do. A good teacher brings out the best and the beautiful in a student. Before we have inventors, lawyers, engineers, doctors and all professions, we first have good students who were inspired by good teachers.

Environmentalist daw?

I easily getd pissed off  whenever I see some people who claim to be an environmentalist but do the opposite. The right hand protects and the other hand allows abuses. Tsk tsk...

Be a Blessing

Being a blessing to others is the most meaningful way to live life. Blessings should not stop in us, it is meant to be shared to all. Our talents and treasures do not belong to us, they belong to the world.

A True Lavezaresnon

A true Lavezaresnon is the one who helps his town without any condition. It just take a moment of reflection to know that lots of people are depending on you and you cannot fail them.

God's Love

The thought that God loves me more than I love myself is a great consolation for me especially in my most trying moments.

Grow Where You are Planted

It is not by accident that I was born here in Lavezares, rather it is according to God's plan. Like a tree, God planted me here to germinate,to sprout, to flourish, to grow big and bear good fruits. I am here not just to live for myself but to be part of a bigger body, that is the community, not just as an spectator but to be one of the main movers in its journey as one caring and sharing community.

Peace Corp Volunteers for Lavezares

Aimee Allen and Tasia King are our two PCVs here in Lavezares. They will be working here in the next two years.

Thank You Note. FB netizens of Lavezares tagged me as Most Trusted for this year. Of course, the glory belongs to God. I am just so thankful God loves me so much He always put me in a particular place and time where I am most needed, inspite of my human weaknesses and limitations. To the netizens, who love and believe in me more than I do to myself, thank you very much for your kind words. Praise God!