12.02.2009
8.11.2009
Historical
"Mama, makasaysayan na pala ako, kasi sumama ako sa burol ni President Cory."
(Si Rio, habang pinapanuod na sa TV ang mga huling kaganapan sa Manila Memorial.)
Tama naman, dahil tayo din ang gumagawa ng kasaysayan. Sana makabuluhan ang ating iwan gaya ni Tita Cory.
(Si Rio, habang pinapanuod na sa TV ang mga huling kaganapan sa Manila Memorial.)
Tama naman, dahil tayo din ang gumagawa ng kasaysayan. Sana makabuluhan ang ating iwan gaya ni Tita Cory.
Salamat, Tita Cory.
This small yellow banner was tied to my head. Rommel wore a Cory shirt, Rio had a yellow balloon, and I some yellow beaded bracelets. Yellow was the new black, as in mourning. But yellow has also become the new green, a symbol of hope for the Philippines.
Only selected guests were allowed inside the Manila Cathedral for the final funeral mass. It did not matter. Crowds of people still went to pay respect. Some on top of the adjacent buildings, others in front of the church. We chose to stay connected through a big screen in the parking lot just outside. Rain was heavily pouring and typhoon Kiko's angry wind was pounding on our umbrellas. The rain-gears were quite useless, and we would end up drenched in tears anyway. Walang kaso.
When Lea Salonga sung Bayan Ko, we were singing just as loud.
It was a sad yet heartwarming day. Some friends from Canada, US and Malaysia were texting me -- they were watching from TFC or CNN. One asked me to sign on the message wall on his behalf. Indeed, even in death Tita Cory united the Filipinos around the world.
May this national awakening be a reminder to us all to guard our freedom and exercise our responsibilities. May it drive those who abuse power to humble themselves in repentance and seek real transformation. A long shot, but nothing is impossible.
1993 to 2009 -- a life well-lived. Thank God for you, Tita Cory.
4.24.2009
Smile and Move
This came to my inbox today, from John Maxwell's "Leadership Wired" e-newletter. A beautiful reminder. Enjoy!
4.16.2009
Rio (Portrait)
The last sketch I did of her was as a sleeping one-month-old baby. Now she's almost nine!
Here I had trouble doing the lips, as she would always end up looking like her best friend Icah. They do have the same smile sometimes.
Here I had trouble doing the lips, as she would always end up looking like her best friend Icah. They do have the same smile sometimes.
4.09.2009
NAGANAP NA.
Tuldok.
Wakas ng nakahahapong
pagpupumiglas, pakikibaka;
Pait ng damdaming
Hindi bumibitaw.
Paghupa.
Pananahimik at pagsuko
Sa di maikakailang
Katotohanan ng
pagkakaganap sa naitakda.
Natupad na.
Ikutin man bawat sulok,
Halughugin bawat dulo,
Himayin bawat hibla;
Hindi makakasumpong ng
dahilan upang ipagpatuloy ang:
- pagkataong tinatalikuran
- mapagpanggap na kabutihan
- hinanakit na dinuduyan
- pag-aatubili, takot, kabalisahan.
Naganap na.
Kalayaan.
Tunay,
Buo,
Sapat,
Para sa Iyo.
Ngayon.
Tenebrae Service
Lenten Retreat & Tenebrae Service
April 8, 2009
Sambahay Retreat House, East Fairview Quezon City
MORNING REFLECTIONS:
Seven prayer stations were set up according to the seven last words of Christ(with cloths, lit candles, symbols, icons, and images related to the passage). With some guidance we were allowed time for personal reflection til lunch.
IT IS FINISHED.
Why do I try so hard?
No need to perform.
No need to flee.
No reason for doubt.
No room for despair.
No need to rush so much.
Or prove so much.
It is finished,
By God's love
On the cross.
Period.
Just be.
AFTERNOON MOVIE:
Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ".
Three scenes that resonated with me, as per this viewing:
a) Christ standing up again after the first round of whipping. I wish he feigned passing out or something. It was too much. But, he was like a sheep brought to the slaughter. And endured every single agony and pain.
b) Mary's heartache as a mother.
c) Christ's face in the resurrection (last frame). After hours of gory bloody details of torture scenes to the crucifixion, the contrast of the clean face vividly captures our new hope. Christ was victorious. We are, too.
EVENING TENEBRAE [latin: shadows] SERVICE.
I came out of this community refelection in silence and darkness. Carried in my heart a glimpse of the sacrifice Christ had to go through, for me.
April 8, 2009
Sambahay Retreat House, East Fairview Quezon City
MORNING REFLECTIONS:
Seven prayer stations were set up according to the seven last words of Christ(with cloths, lit candles, symbols, icons, and images related to the passage). With some guidance we were allowed time for personal reflection til lunch.
IT IS FINISHED.
Why do I try so hard?
No need to perform.
No need to flee.
No reason for doubt.
No room for despair.
No need to rush so much.
Or prove so much.
It is finished,
By God's love
On the cross.
Period.
Just be.
AFTERNOON MOVIE:
Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ".
Three scenes that resonated with me, as per this viewing:
a) Christ standing up again after the first round of whipping. I wish he feigned passing out or something. It was too much. But, he was like a sheep brought to the slaughter. And endured every single agony and pain.
b) Mary's heartache as a mother.
c) Christ's face in the resurrection (last frame). After hours of gory bloody details of torture scenes to the crucifixion, the contrast of the clean face vividly captures our new hope. Christ was victorious. We are, too.
EVENING TENEBRAE [latin: shadows] SERVICE.
I came out of this community refelection in silence and darkness. Carried in my heart a glimpse of the sacrifice Christ had to go through, for me.
4.06.2009
Family Retreat Day 4
Rommel & Rio fulfilled their promise to jog around the neighborhood. That way they found the talipapa (mini-market) so we now have charcoals for grilling, and fresh calamansi for sauce.
General cleaning! Plants get extra watering and kois are extra happy because they were fed early.
Prayer journal now had stick figures -- my first drawing entry. Dream house and dream of another baby (!).
Final outcome of russian egg art very satisfactory. Rommel made a note of us needing to do the same project back at home. Yey!
Later in the afternoon, we had dinner with the Clementes. Kids bonding, parents dreaming together. Lotsa laughter. And tea. Awesome time.
Homeowners back by 10PM. They seemed exhausted by the long drive, but looked refreshed by the trip overall.
Some soft music to cap the night...
General cleaning! Plants get extra watering and kois are extra happy because they were fed early.
Prayer journal now had stick figures -- my first drawing entry. Dream house and dream of another baby (!).
Final outcome of russian egg art very satisfactory. Rommel made a note of us needing to do the same project back at home. Yey!
Later in the afternoon, we had dinner with the Clementes. Kids bonding, parents dreaming together. Lotsa laughter. And tea. Awesome time.
Homeowners back by 10PM. They seemed exhausted by the long drive, but looked refreshed by the trip overall.
Some soft music to cap the night...
Family Retreat Day 3
For yesterday -- Sunday!
Went to DCBC in the morning. Butch led the worship. KC expounded on the crucifixion account. No one in the family had part in the service except sing, pray, and listen. A retreat, too, in that sense.
Finished the remaining 3 easter eggs - we had to make new ones, because one cracked and the two others won't dry! We used too much tinting color I guess. This time we resorted to liquid crayola instead. Cool pastel colors, and quick drying too.
Started a new sketch: a baby in a rotavirus info brochure, which I got from one Mommy Academy event.
Loaded some music onto the laptop. (Happiness found in Mr. C's The Sacred Works of Ryan Cayabyab, Chin-chin's Uyayi, and Josh Groban's Closer).
Taboo rematch: we lost, as in completely no chance of making a comeback, huhuhu. Score was 13 to 45 in favor of Rio and Papa's team. Go R-R!
Bought fresh and nice-looking bangus for grilling on Monday. It will go with pinakbet (glad we found eggplants in the round variety on our way home). Yumm!
Went to DCBC in the morning. Butch led the worship. KC expounded on the crucifixion account. No one in the family had part in the service except sing, pray, and listen. A retreat, too, in that sense.
Finished the remaining 3 easter eggs - we had to make new ones, because one cracked and the two others won't dry! We used too much tinting color I guess. This time we resorted to liquid crayola instead. Cool pastel colors, and quick drying too.
Started a new sketch: a baby in a rotavirus info brochure, which I got from one Mommy Academy event.
Loaded some music onto the laptop. (Happiness found in Mr. C's The Sacred Works of Ryan Cayabyab, Chin-chin's Uyayi, and Josh Groban's Closer).
Taboo rematch: we lost, as in completely no chance of making a comeback, huhuhu. Score was 13 to 45 in favor of Rio and Papa's team. Go R-R!
Bought fresh and nice-looking bangus for grilling on Monday. It will go with pinakbet (glad we found eggplants in the round variety on our way home). Yumm!
4.05.2009
Family Retreat Day 2
(This was supposed to be yesterday's entry.)
In between relaxation activities (yes, chores included ... the therapeutic ones anyway!) I checked mails for a concept paper being reviewed by a team of friends.
Anyways, the day was "light" in that there was no stressful moment, but it was full nonetheless:
- Sketching exercises by Rio and I (we'll be taking art lessons from a friend this summer). She did a sketch of the tissue holder's flower design and copied a girl face from a children's activity book.
I tried my hand at a cartoon (Sophia, the tenth muse in B. Amoss' book), a portrait (Ignatius Loyola), and a stylized art (african design from a coffee mug).
- The three of us tried to make Russian egg art (or easter eggs!?) as a thank you gift for the homeowners who made this retreat possible. On one side a lettering of the family name (one letter per egg) and a drawing of a Philippine national symbol that starts with that letter (e.g. A = Anahaw). Took most of the day and early night, trying to find designs, leftover paints, and searching the house for pentel pens and scrap lace. In the end we finished 2, while allowing the 3 others to dry. Fun!
- Rommel watched back episodes of GO Negosyo on youtube. GO mahal!
- Fave music for the day: Bahay Kubo (Timeless Filipino Folk Music in Classical Guitar), Acoustic Hymns Volume 2, Praise Music OPM Sampler.
- Lotsa green tea for me. Local herbal teas for Rommel.
- Rio ate 3 eggs for snacks (growing girl)! Will make sure to get her something to munch on tomorrow after church.
- Played Taboo! Team B (Leslie & I) won over Team A (Rio & Rommel). A rematch scheduled for next night.
- Made polvoron (Ninang Elaine's order from Rio; pasalubong for the Lolo & Lola in Cavite).
- Of course, at the end of the day, had to list our expenses separately. We're doing a 2-week daily list, then re-structure our budget. Larry Burket's advise. He's been our guru since day 1 of marriage. (Not that we were diligent pupils anyway, but we're trying. And now trying harder. Good!)
In between relaxation activities (yes, chores included ... the therapeutic ones anyway!) I checked mails for a concept paper being reviewed by a team of friends.
Anyways, the day was "light" in that there was no stressful moment, but it was full nonetheless:
- Sketching exercises by Rio and I (we'll be taking art lessons from a friend this summer). She did a sketch of the tissue holder's flower design and copied a girl face from a children's activity book. I tried my hand at a cartoon (Sophia, the tenth muse in B. Amoss' book), a portrait (Ignatius Loyola), and a stylized art (african design from a coffee mug).
- The three of us tried to make Russian egg art (or easter eggs!?) as a thank you gift for the homeowners who made this retreat possible. On one side a lettering of the family name (one letter per egg) and a drawing of a Philippine national symbol that starts with that letter (e.g. A = Anahaw). Took most of the day and early night, trying to find designs, leftover paints, and searching the house for pentel pens and scrap lace. In the end we finished 2, while allowing the 3 others to dry. Fun!
- Rommel watched back episodes of GO Negosyo on youtube. GO mahal!
- Fave music for the day: Bahay Kubo (Timeless Filipino Folk Music in Classical Guitar), Acoustic Hymns Volume 2, Praise Music OPM Sampler.
- Lotsa green tea for me. Local herbal teas for Rommel.
- Rio ate 3 eggs for snacks (growing girl)! Will make sure to get her something to munch on tomorrow after church.
- Played Taboo! Team B (Leslie & I) won over Team A (Rio & Rommel). A rematch scheduled for next night.
- Made polvoron (Ninang Elaine's order from Rio; pasalubong for the Lolo & Lola in Cavite).
- Of course, at the end of the day, had to list our expenses separately. We're doing a 2-week daily list, then re-structure our budget. Larry Burket's advise. He's been our guru since day 1 of marriage. (Not that we were diligent pupils anyway, but we're trying. And now trying harder. Good!)
4.03.2009
Family Retreat Day 1
More like Day 2, actually. Last night at 10PM we arrived at this warm and friendly home (Okay, I admit I'd like to call it a "dream abode". Major Confession.), which we will house-sit for the next 4 days. (Again, a misnomer -- we were actually given this treat, a vacation in a peaceful awesome place where we can relax and just be.) Got the keys, important phone numbers, and off to a very restful night.
Breaking out easily into a lovely morning that was today.
Rommel: Quiet time.Book Reading, Brennan Manning's "The Importance of Being Foolish". Errands (get Rio's report card , buy DVD, polvoron ingredients, fetch laptop and my sketch pad.). Taught Rio chores (feeding fish). Rest. Check emails. Read. TV.
Jing: Prepare meals. Book Reading, Berthe Amoss' "Pencil Prayer". Taught Rio chores (watering plants). Rest. Read. Draft a project brief. Check emails. Read to Rio "The Littlest angel". TV.
Rio: QT. Breakfast. Feed goldfish, feed kois. Water plants. Jigsaw. Imagination Game. Computer game. Prepare snacks. Rest. Read. Pretend play. TV. Bedtime story.
Nyt nyte! :)
Breaking out easily into a lovely morning that was today.
Rommel: Quiet time.Book Reading, Brennan Manning's "The Importance of Being Foolish". Errands (get Rio's report card , buy DVD, polvoron ingredients, fetch laptop and my sketch pad.). Taught Rio chores (feeding fish). Rest. Check emails. Read. TV.
Jing: Prepare meals. Book Reading, Berthe Amoss' "Pencil Prayer". Taught Rio chores (watering plants). Rest. Read. Draft a project brief. Check emails. Read to Rio "The Littlest angel". TV.
Rio: QT. Breakfast. Feed goldfish, feed kois. Water plants. Jigsaw. Imagination Game. Computer game. Prepare snacks. Rest. Read. Pretend play. TV. Bedtime story.
Nyt nyte! :)
3.17.2009
Shacked!
Saw William Paul Young's video yesterday, a speech at a House Church Conference. As of this writing am downloading "The Shack" from audible.com.
In January I was at a 3-day training by renowned counselors and authors Dan Allender ("Breaking the Idols of Your Heart", "To Be Told") and Jan Meyers ("The Allure of Hope: God’s Pursuit of a Woman’s Heart").
The agenda? RESTORING THE HEART. A timely way to start the year, searching deep into me, that is. Discovering the vows I made (knowingly or otherwise) to protect myself from the world (read: pain, rejection, disappointment, un-recognition).
Two months later, still journeying. As I have been since 14 years ago when my twisted idea of God as a remote, unreliable Father who played with my emotions, was shattered by the truth.
This is another installment. A welcome follow-through, before the dark old self overcomes (as it does from time to time).
I am about to see the shack of my life. For what it is.
The truth will set you free. What an awesome gift.
In January I was at a 3-day training by renowned counselors and authors Dan Allender ("Breaking the Idols of Your Heart", "To Be Told") and Jan Meyers ("The Allure of Hope: God’s Pursuit of a Woman’s Heart").
The agenda? RESTORING THE HEART. A timely way to start the year, searching deep into me, that is. Discovering the vows I made (knowingly or otherwise) to protect myself from the world (read: pain, rejection, disappointment, un-recognition).
Two months later, still journeying. As I have been since 14 years ago when my twisted idea of God as a remote, unreliable Father who played with my emotions, was shattered by the truth.
This is another installment. A welcome follow-through, before the dark old self overcomes (as it does from time to time).
I am about to see the shack of my life. For what it is.
The truth will set you free. What an awesome gift.
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