Giants

On yesterday's chapel, the speaker reminded us of this quote "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants" (Newton). Here are two of the giants who offered me their shoulders and more. Audacious authenticity. Thank you and we love you Kuya Ed and Ate Page!

Graduation Newsletter

Dear friend,

God’s grace and faithfulness are truly amazing! I am happy to let you know that I successfully finished the Master in Development Management Program from the Asian Institute of Management on July 11, 2008.
My family would like to thank you for all your prayer and support for the past 11 months.
My Sabbath Year ends this month, and I am so glad that I acted on the Lord’s prompting to take the year off for rest, retooling, and redirection. It was a time of exposure to development activities within the Asian region, intensive multicultural experience, and a truly remarkable encounter with the Father who supplied our needs according to His riches.
What’s next? To be honest, I have no definite answer except to say that I am waiting on the Lord. What I shall do for the longer term remains a matter of continuous discernment for the family. So, if you could please continue to pray with us, the following are the apparent options for me (in random order):
a) Full-time consultancy;
b) Employment with an INGO;
c) Resume ministry with Compassion International.

Meanwhile, I do consultancy with four nonprofit organizations, helping out with community-based project management and training.

We are blessed to have you part of our network of supporters. Once again, thank you for coming alongside us in this journey, and do let us know how we can pray for you, too!

Much love from our family to yours,
Jing

MRR Acknowledgment

A major requirement to finish Masters in Development Management was the writing of an MRR (Management Research Report). Mine was a "Strategy for Compassion International - Philippine's Expansion to Indigenous People Groups". I wish to share the acknowledgment page to honor all of you who supported, inspired, and encouraged me through my MRR in particular and my studies at AIM in general:

The following were instrumental in the completion of this MRR, the fulfillment of my other MDM requirements, and the realization of a Sabbatical Year that was better than I have hoped for:

My advisers Prof. Sol Hernando, Prof. Tony Perez, and Prof. Nieves Confesor, for the words of guidance, challenge, and affirmation, and for allowing me time when I most needed it;

Our professors from all three modules, who facilitated my learning of tools, skills, and perspectives on management and leadership;

Associate Dean Mayo Lopez and the CDM staff who inspired me to learn, live, and laugh; Ms. Chinks, saludo ako sa ‘yo, as in! Also, AIM security, maintenance, and support staff whose friendliness and efficiency assured me from day one that I came to the right institution;

MDM Class of 2008, sige, sige! I am nine countries richer because of your friendship. Kapwa Pinoys Pipo, Kat, Father Kim, Father Dex, Bambi and Lei – sa damayan chuvaness; KISS’D Learning Team (CL, Mercy, Huyen, Murty, Al, Akbar, Dil) – it was one amazing roller-coaster ride! I would do it all over again with you guys, no doubt about that; Shanaz, you became my MRR “buddy” whether you realized it or not; Twin, you are worth all the green teas in the world;

Compassion International family for your blessings, prayer, and encouragement: CMT, NACS, LDP students and alumni who kept sending encouraging SMS, all staff, SINGLES, WIVES, my guarantors Wonz and Vy for sticking your necks out, Kuya Toyditz and Ate Manet Cosico for the consistent advisory support from beginning to end of my study;

NAVpeeps: Ram, Jean, Charm, Grace, Trins, Roovin, Maela, Faith, Aleks, Shebs, KJaims – our Wednesday night meetings have kept my sanity; Gracey, thanks ading for going over my work despite your busy-ness; also,all the menises who kept in touch - thankee!;

Friends and loved ones here and overseas who supported me with resources and prayers at various times during the past 11 months, especially Ate Care, Ricci, Mai, Marlon & Elaine, DCBC family & council, young couples fellowship, Student Center family: Kuya Caloy at mga anakis Mark, Jan, Junjun, Joy, Malyn, D-na, Jojee; Kuya Rico & Ate Menchit Wong, pareng Dan, Kuya Ed & Ate Page Cvelich, my dearest Faye;

Ading ko ra: Margs, Bhynes, Edison, Tet, JR and their families, Nanay & my in-laws, for the generous support and understanding; Tita Tet, for the loving assistance to Rio while I was away, and for helping me de-stress;

Dad, thank you for believing in me and for the timely financial support; Mom, you have taught by example that relationship matters as much as results – I had to draw from that wisdom many times in my stay at AIM;

My husband Rommel and daughter Rio Gabrielle – because of your love I have nothing to prove.

You are all an affirmation that God has been with me in this journey. His Name be praised!

celebrating a beautiful disaster

Yesterday Rommel and I turned 9. What started as a beautiful disaster (read: hilarious wedding, which I plan to write about after MRR defense week!) is still going strong. Still disastrous, still beautiful, marriage.

We celebrated by dining out (courtesy of a friend's gift) at Kamay Kainan in Trinoma (QC), an eat-all-you can chain featuring all Pinoy food. We were planning on Banana Leaf, but found they had no branch here, and we didn't feel like walking to the other mall. Rio was happy with the news, because KK is her favoritEST place.

As we were savoring our third trip to the buffet table (by this time we were onto the seafoods: Guinataang Kuhol, Tahong Soup, Inihaw na Tilapia, Mangga't Bagoong, Tempura, Sinigang na Hipon, Pritong Alimasag) we played a game of You-can-ask-what-you-want-from-mama-&-papa, obviously with a single player. Rio's queries revolved mostly on dating stuff. This one was a winner: Since you are now married 9 years, what are 9 things you love about each other?

Knowing Rio, each one of course had to be backed up by example, but am not writing that here for fear of turning the place mushy. With burps and chews in between:

Mama'a answer
Papa is...
1. Guwapo
2. Thoughtful
3. Funny
4. Hardworking
5. Matulungin sa kapwa
6. Masarap magluto
7. Willing to sacrifice
8. Wise decision-maker
9. Loving

Papa's answer:
Mama is...
1. Maganda [Cheh! gaya-gaya hehe ...]
2. Matapang
3. Thoughtful
4. Patient
5. Smart
6. Malambing
7. Understanding
8. Hindi madamot sa kapwa
9. Loving

We are too caught up with the routines in life, it takes a little child to help us remember these things sometimes.

Thank you, Rio. You gave us the best Anniversary reflection, in addition to the awesome hand-made album you made especially for this day. We love you, baby.

Takin' a break :D

Havana Family KTV here we come! Err..came, and went. We did visit a couple of days back, and found out that the hourly rate is non-consumable -- which is very reasonable, actually. But I was out for a good bargain, so no thanks this time :(

Driving off, moving on...Try Encore! Encore? Sure! Off to SM North ... huwaaat? No more Encore! The space was being re-constructed for a fastfood chain. Tongkantangtong para Chowking. Ok :(





But wait! There's more! How bout the KTV at the foodcourt? Aha! The video-game-arcade has come up with a fantabulous idea --- videoke rooms! Except it's limited to 10 songs at a time :) Good enough! Plus, you are right smack where the food is, baby.




Cheap thrill? Priceless fun! And oh, Rio had a blast 'coz she's literally a step away from the arcade games. (won some, too!)


Now that's a real good time!!! That's all folks :)

The Art of Being Misunderstood

Four months in grad school (may have) provided my most valuable lesson for the year --- the art of being misunderstood.

Coming to AIM on such short finances earned me differing reviews: crazy, brave, faithful, careless, courageous, carefree, unwise, obedient, stubborn. Suffice it to say that to date all these labels are still hanging around waiting to pounce on me once an "i-told-you-so" moment presents itself.
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Well, baby, the situation in the classroom and around it is not entirely different.
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Be a female, be misunderstood. Be young, be misunderstood. Be Filipino, be misunderstood. Be a foreigner, be misunderstood. Talk much, be misunderstood. Talk little, be misunderstood. Be nice, be misunderstood. Be naughty, be misunderstood.

And so on and so on and so on.
----
Perhaps this is what we pay so much for, in institutes of higher learning such as AIM. To learn this delicate art. Making a difference at the risk (and certainty) of being misunderstood.
----
Be Rizal. Be misunderstood.

Be Mother Theresa. Be misunderstood.

Be Gandhi. Be misunderstood.

Be Princess Di. Be misunderstood.

Be Benazir. Be misunderstood.

Be Jesus. Be misunderstood.
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Go ahead and make a difference, anyway.
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Understood?

Purr-fect

DO NOT AIM FOR A PERFECT MARRIAGE - there is no such thing, says Manong Willie at today's discussion group. Four or five of us young couples meet every month to discuss about marriage, using Manong's book "To Have and To Hold".

This afternoon we had the privilege to hear directly from the author himself, and he has this to say: Strive only to improve the relationship.

How?

We have heard the answer a million times. Proven true a million times, too. C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-I-O-N. Manong says 95% of all problems have to do with communication.(The remaining 5% is due to deliberate wickedness -- hah!).

Two words for me: SHUT UP. Communication involves listening, and that's where I fail most of the time, at least with my hubby.

So okay, wish me the best, because I'm shutting up now. (I'm glad wiser people tell us what we need to know.)

Peace on earth!