Noynoy-Mar for 2010

It's Noynoy-Mar tandem in 2010. And it will be made official on September 21, 2009 at
Club Filipino.

It's a positive news, I believe, because here is a tandem that can represent genuine political change for the country AND WILL LEAD in changing the country. Two respectable senators, dedicated in their respected causes. Two individual coming from two influential and respectable political clans.

ABOUT NOYNOY
Noynoy or Benigno Simeon Aquino III, is the only son of democracy icons, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr and the late former president Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. An economics graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, he relentlessly espouses public accountability, and a staunch advocate of liberal democracy.

The Aquino-Cojuangco clan, one of the premier political clans in the country, has already produced one president, three senators, several congressmen and one mayor. The clan had seven members in the 13th Congress namely: Agapito Aquino (2nd, Makati City), Benigno Aquino III (2nd, Tarlac), Jesli A. Lapus (3rd, Tarlac), Carlos Cojuangco (4th, Negros Occidental), Marcos Cojuangco (5th, Pangasinan), Victor Sumulong (Lone, Antipolo City) and Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. (1st, Tarlac).


Among the accomplishments of Noynoy include:

* House Bill No. 4251 – granting annual productivity incentives to all workers
in the private sector
* House Bill No. 4397 – strengthening the regulatory power of the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) to effectively enforce consumer
laws
* House Bill No. 4252 – increasing the penalties for non-compliance of the
prescribed increases and adjustments in the wage rates
of workers
* House Bill No. 3616 – extending the reglementary period for the educational
qualification for PNP members
* House Bill No. 1842 – providing for the codification of criminal laws
* House Resolution No. 65 – inquiry in aid of legislation into the policies and
processes of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in
granting rate increases to electric utilities
* House Resolution No. 788 – creating a select Congressional Oversight Committee
on intelligence funds to check and study the use of
intelligence funds by government agencies to ensure
that funds allocated therefor are utilized for the
purpose they are intended

Noynoy also made the procurement of the petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) requirements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines transparent by requiring public bidding.

ABOUT MAR
Mar Roxas or more popularly know as Mr. Palengke, is the son of the illustrious Senator Gerry Roxas, and the grandson of the venerable President Manuel Roxas whose public service careers have greatly benefited the country. MAR graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1974 and the Wharton School of Economics at the University of Pennsylvania in 1979. Before entering public service, MAR worked as an investment banker, mobilizing venture capital funds for Small and Medium Enterprises.

As a congressman, MAR espoused consumer protection, underscoring the right of every Filipino to affordable medicines, as his personal advocacy. His landmark laws include, among others:

* RA 8759 - establishing in all municipalities a Public Employment Service
Office which serves as employment facilitation and information
center, and links all job opportunities within the region;
* RA 8748 - amending the Special Economic Zone Act by directly allocating to the
municipality or city 2% (out of the 5%) gross tax to be collected
from the establishments operating in the ecozone and providing for
disturbance compensation for persons to be displaced or evicted by
publicly-owned ecozones;
* RA 8756 - incentivizing the establishment of regional headquarters to
encourage investment and operation of multinational companies in the
country and to generate more jobs.

MAR's stint in the House is most noted for his principal authorship of RA 7880, also known as the Roxas Law, which ensures fair distribution of the education capital budget among all the provinces. This gave life to his advocacy for fair and equitable access to education, free from regional bias and political patronage considerations.

If during their stints as senators have produced so much, then it will not be a surprise that together, they can achieve more and greater results.

EAT BULAGA!

I've been watching EAT BULAGA since I was very young. What made me continue to do so is the constant evolution of the program to become better each time. Even when I left for Dubai, my husband and I followed it through ORBIT (GMA's counterpart in UAE). We love Pinoy Henyo and KSP segments. In fact, in our free time, we will take turns guessing and giving clues, Pinoy Henyo-style.

August 17 2009 is definitely one of those dates I won't forget (at least for the next months). I brought my family, in-laws and friends to watch the show live. I was happy and truly satisfied with the presentation. The directors and staffs are very warm and efficient. It's what I want to call, organized chaos. Kudos too to the hosts for entertaining the audience.

I remember the hosts of Eat Bulaga aside from Tito, Vic and Joey: there was Aiza, LadyLee, Connie Reyes, Toni Rose, Jimmy and Ruby. Now, the EB family has grown. New bloods so to speak.

I hope that they will return the SPELLING BEE segment. I enjoyed learning new words and I believe it will be a great help in teaching students the English language.

I'll be leaving soon but when I come back, I'll definitely make reservations again to watch EAT BULAGA. This time, I'll bring the whole barangay =D

More pics.

Kenny Urbanite 09 Open Run

Kenny Urbanite 09 Open Run is definitely one of my accomplishments in life.
It was my first time to participate in a 5k marathon. I'm not much of a jogger nor a runner but I give it a go anyway.
It started at The Fort while ago, at 9:00 p.m.
It was really fun seeing other first time runners
getting ready for the run, eager to start the race.
I think there were more than 3000 runners all in all who participated in the 5k, 10k and 15k runs.
I'll say it again, it was really fun.
Then it reminded me of a line from our Legion Handbook, "Must finish the race".


My personal objective was to simply finish the race. I thought of being in the top three but that would be asking too much. In reality, I am not a regular runner so it's kind of a exaggeration if I insist on being in the top three, less I want to end up in a medic ambulance. So I settled on the goal of finishing it and it does not matter how long it will take me.

Half in the race, I'm already experiencing leg cramps and shortness of breathing but I keep on. My left ankle hurt and so I took occasional strides and brisk walking but I didn't totally stop. Like the rest of the Kenny Urbanite runners, I moved on. The sight of the finish line pushed me to continue even if I almost thought that I will faint even before I reach it.

In life, we do set goals or dreams. We also exert our best effort to realize them. And the difference between achieving it or losing it is a matter of focus and consistency in doing it. I once read that the secret to success is constancy in purpose. Like in a marathon, if you want to finish or win it, you have to continue running/jogging; you have to push yourself to keep going even if it seems too far or too hard to finish.

It was a good run for me because I finished it. Better because I did it under 50 minutes and I'm a first time 5k runner. Not bad.


I look forward to a second Kenny Urbanite 09 Open Run. It's not only the race. I am happy that I can help other Filipinos by donating to Hands On Manila and 57-75 movement.

Let's keep running for a good cause.

Amb. Grace R. Princesa: Handmaid of the Lord

She is the appointed Philippine Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Arab Emirates. I'd like to remember her as a woman of courage and unwavering faith in God.

I met her at the Feast, a Sunday religious gathering at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig. She was given the opportunity to relate her experiences not only as a diplomat, but as a wife, a mother, and a servant of the Lord.

During the Feast, she shared her successes as the Philippine representative to various Arab countries. She has received citations for her work in helping our OFWs abroad. However, she also shared that she was a battered wife.

For many years, she endured both physical and psychological abuse from her husband. But she remained strong particularly for her children.

What I admire in her is that she did not hate her husband for what he has done but continued to love him and even taught her children to be loving to their father despite his behavior. Finally, her husband left her and their children.

Now, she happily shares that 4 of her 5 children are college graduates and shares her passion for helping others. One now works for the United Nations. The youngest is still in high school. She raised not to hate but to love.

There are two lessons to be learned from her sharing: One, love yourself. When her husband started abusing her, she sought psychological help and filed for annulment to prevent further beatings. Second, give, give and give happily. Give not only finances, but your core gifts and time as well to serve others. In doing so, God continuously fills your needs so you can give more.

What a happy thought!

Read more about her life.

Cory and the Catholic Faith

As I write this they have already buried her. Pres. Cory Aquino has been taken to her resting place finally. And now she is re-united with her husband, Ninoy.

Watching ABS-CBN covered the requiem mass at the Manila Cathedral, I came across a video recorded earlier on Bishol Tagle's sermon. In his speech, he narrated Pres. Aquino telling him how proud she was to be a Catholic.

I don't know anyone who will be bold enough to claim pride in a religion beset with many controversies and scandals over many centuries: the Schism, the Inquisition, the pedophile cases against priests, among others. In the Philippines, Catholicism seemed to have lost its amore among the people, particularly the young.

But when Bishop Tagle narrated that Pres. Cory's remark, I was comforted. Because here is a respectable woman who continued to believe in the teachings of the Catholic faith. Here is a woman who not only paid lip service to the merits of Catholicism but live it well.

Catholicism, I believe, does not differ from Protestantism, Islam, nor Buddhism in that we are called to love and respect one another. The question is how can we manifest it in the modern times. Tita Cory showed us how it is done: her unwavering belief in the strength and resiliency of the Filipino people, her dedication to the upliftment of women and better education to the young. More so, her unconditional love for her children and her children's children.

We have the saints of old to emulate on being better Catholics but I guess real persons liked Tita Cory made the most impact of inspiring us to be the best we can. May her examples and memories not go to waste nor unrecognized.

Rest in Peace Tita Cory. And please continue to pray for the Filipinos here and around the world.

Jess Espanola's Secret to Success

Ever heard of Jess Espanola? Probably not. Unless you watch The Simpsons.

Jess Espanola is the assistant director of the popular TV show, The Simpsopns. He received an Emmy award in 2008 for his work in one of the show's episodes, Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind. Oh and he's PINOY.

Jess has been in the animation industry for quite some time now and has been in other successful projects such as: The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible, Adams Family, The Jetsons Family Specials, Bill and Ted, Police Academy, The Flintstones Specials, Hallmark’s Timeless Tales, Scooby Doo, Smurfs, Tom and Jerry Kids, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Hiawatha, Ace Ventura the CD-ROM Game, Microsoft’s Barney and Friends, Howie Mandel’s Great World Adventure, and Kidsworld Online. However his road to fame was not a walk in the park.

Jess got his first break when his former company, Fil-Cartoons Studio, sent him to LA for an orientation tour. Then in 1994, an American company started hiring Filipino animators and Jess was one of the lucky ones to get recruited and earned a free fare going to California. From then on there's no turning back.

Disney and Japanese animation studios are among those who employ Filipino animators.

If Jess' win proves anything it is this: Pinoys are world-class artists.

In an interview with GMANews, Jess gave this piece of advise to aspiring animators.

“Whatever talent you have, if you enjoy it, you have to pursue it. You should not be discouraged when people tell you that there’s no money there. Money will come. Your work will find a way towards financial stability."

Bo Sanchez: Catholic Lay Preacher and Entrepreneur

Success is often defined with how much material wealth you are able to accumulate. Often too we associate being rich with graft and corruption, greed and deceit. Well Br. Bo Sanchez will disagree.

To those who know him, he is an inspiring Catholic lay preacher. Those who regularly attend The Feast at the Ultra every Sunday mornings can attest that he is an inspiration and a true servant of God. He writes and contributes articles to many ShepherdsVoice Publications like KERYGMA, FISH and MUSTARD. He has also written numerous books and articles about love, growing in abundance, facing fears, among other topics. And he never stops there.

He has established a number of communities to address the many needs of the people like ANAWIM, the center for the elderly; Light of Jesus, charismatic and renewal community and just recently, Grace to be Born, a center for teenage pregnant girls or women in crisis.

No wonder he has received awards like the Serviam Award given by the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA), the Golden Gavel Awards from Toastmasters International and TOYM Award from no less than the president herself, Gloria Arroyo, for the many outstanding accomplishments he has made.

By the way, he is also an entrepreneur. No he doesn't make money out of the love offerings given every Sunday. He said that himself. He makes a living doing what he loves -- speaking and writing.

So what do these things have to do with being rich and successful? There are 3 points worthy of your attention here.

#1 Success is not about getting but about GIVING. The same is true with richness. A man's true wealth can be measured by how much he has given. Remember the Bible Story on an old woman who dropped 2 coins in the temple as oppose to the rich man who gave one bag of gold coins? Why was the old woman more pleasing to God? BECAUSE SHE HAS GIVEN ALL THAT SHE HAS AND NOT FROM HER EXCESS.You're NOT ENCOURAGE give up your money! Learn to share not just your treasures but your time and talent as well to serve others. You will be greatly rewarded.

#2 Know your God's gifts. Br. Bo realize that he can make money with his gifts of speaking and writing. If you search about his business ventures, the primary ones are related to his talents. From there, he ventured to other not-so-related ones like the stock market and real estate.

# 3 To be rich, you must think rich. It has been said that poverty is just in the head. If you think you are poor, you are. If you think you are rich, you are. It's not just a play of words. It's more of conditioning. To think rich is to be creative in finding ways to earn more money. To think rich is to be resourceful and open to opportunities to grow money THE LEGAL WAY.

We are rich if we nurture the talents God gave us to benefit not only ourselves nor our loved ones, but every one, for we all have the right to experience God's abundance in this life.

The ultimate purpose of wealth is to help others. -- Bo Sanchez

Think Rich, Pinoy! Yayaman Ako!

I can't explain my emotions now. I'm just reading books and I get high. I'm confused yet inspired. Excited yet anxious.

I'm reading about becoming rich. Yes you read it right. I want to be rich. But being rich not only for myself, nor my family. I want to be rich so I can help others become rich. Difficult to understand? No. If you are reading Larry Gamboa's Think Rich, Pinoy! and Grow Rich Pinoy!, this won't be a far-fetched idea. Being out of the rat race and into the fast track is now made possible in simple practical ways.

Sir Larry is a Pinoy Real Estate investor who's book is an adaption of the principles he learned from Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Being in the business for four years now, Sir Larry learns to be financially independent and helps others gain financial freedom as well. He's mentor to well-known lay preacher, Bo Sanchez.

I'm still trying to digest and organize the information I'm learning and to unlearn myths about money and making-money. One thing is clear: I will not be an employee for the rest of my life. I will not be an OFW for long. I will be a business owner. I will be an investor. I will be a Pinoy capitalist. But a capitalist with a strong sense of social responsibility. A millionaire missionary (as Br. Bo coined it). And I will start it when I come home this August. I WILL MAKE MONEY WORK FOR ME. Instead of the other way around.

I will be ONE OF THE ONE MILLION PINOY MILLIONAIRES by 2020. (Not just me, but my husband as well and my siblings and my in-laws and my friends =)). Recession or no recession. Whoever is the next Philippine president.

Do you share the same dream? A life of financial freedom for you and your family?

Read more.

Tita Cory

“I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.”
-- Corazon Aquino

If there is any indication of the healing masses offered daily by her friends it is this...Tita Cory is well-loved and admired. The X and Y generation may no longer know her accomplishments other than being the mother of TV personality Kris Aquino so I took the time to write about her and what she has done.

The Philippines has shown the world that a peaceful transition of power from dictatorship to democracy can be done. The turning point was 1986. And the person who emerged as the country's beacon of hope for a new Philippines was Tita Cory.

Born Maria Corazon Cojuangco on January 25, 1933, Tita Cory belonged to the wealthy Cojuangco clan of Tarlac. She received her basic and secondary education from Assumption in Manila, an exclusive school for girls. She earned her Bachelor of Arts major in French and minor in Mathematics from College of Mount Saint Vincent, New York City. Upon her return to the Philippines to pursue law, she met Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., a brilliant young senator, whom she later married. What could have been a blissful marriage turned bitter at the turn of events.

Wanting to end Marcos' tyrannical rule, Sen. Ninoy Aquino returned from his US exile on August 21, 1983 amidst the objections of his family. He was shot dead on his way down the tarmac at the Manila International Airport. The Philippines hope for freedom seemingly crushed with his untimely demise.

In order to unite the opposition, Tita Cory reluctantly agreed to run for president against Ferdinand Marcos. Being the widow of a well-respected senator, support from various groups rallied behind her: the Roman Catholic church, the civil society and the military. The 1986 presidential elections gave the win to Marcos to the dismay of Filipinos. Nonetheless, a series of non-violent civil disturbances were launched by Aquino supporters that culminated in the peaceful People Power in EDSA on February 25, 1986. Marcos and his cronies fled and Tita Cory assumed the presidency from 1986-1992.

For her works to restore democracy in the country, Tita Cory received numerous accolades and honorary degrees. Among them were TIME Magazine's Woman of the Year (1986) and TIME Asia's Asian Heroes (2006).

Visit her official website to learn more.

TAKBO TAYO!

I used to jog at The Fort with my friends from the Legion of Mary. Those were Sunday mornings. We would wake up at 5 am and text or call others to meet at the Staff House. From the area near Market!Market! we jog (well, mostly walk) to the area near where Jollibee and Chowking now stand. We join strangers in the aerobic workout conducted by a health group. There is a fee of 20Php but many times we get away without paying for it (We stay a block from the exercise area and imitate the steps =), evil).

I dreamt of joining fun run events especially if they are aimed to benefit foundations or charities. The last attempt I made was in late 2008 when the La Salle Brothers organized a Fun Run to benefit the ONE LA SALLE scholarship fund. I was supposed to join my students from the SACB in the event but sadly I wasn't able to go.

Now, I'm grabbing this chance to realize my dream. On August 15 at 8pm, I will join my friend Mavic along with husband and fiance in the Kenny's Open Urbanite Run at the Fort.Organized by Finishline, the event aims to raise funds for Hands On Manila and the 57-75 Movement.

Join us in this worthy endeavor. Click here for registration details.

For more fun run events, visit Takbo.ph for schedule.

Choose Love

"At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity..." Matthew 9:36

It took me a while to write another article about inspiring Filipinos because I had to research about this one particular person. I was watching Pinoy Meets World last week and it featured Thailand. More than the wonderful sights and interesting facts about this country in the Southeast Asian region, it caught my attention about an unheralded Filipina caring unceasingly for the unwanted and abandoned. Her name is Sis. Eliza Dumapit.

Sis. Eliza Dumapit, a member of the Daughters of Charity, has been working in St. Clare's Hospice in Thailand for 11 years. Her job? Nursing people afflicted with AIDS (Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome). Despite many awareness campaigns to educate and foster understanding regarding this illness, not very many will be willing to care for those afflicted with it. But not Sis. Eliza. Everyday, she attends to the medical needs of her 16 wards. Everyday, she would lovingly feed them, dress them, listen to their stories, bring smiles on their haggard faces and bless them with her presence. She has seen death many times but still she continues to do what she does every single day. I don't think a lot of people will be willing to work or endure a day in the company of people with AIDS but Sis. Eliza negates this seemingly unthinkable task. What is the reason why she continues to do so? COMPASSION. It is SELFLESS LOVE for others.

I am reminded of Mother Teresa because she belongs to the same congregation as Sis. Eliza. And who would not know her? Just like Sis. Eliza, she cares for the poor and the sick in India. She continued to do so even until her death. Her simple acts of charity showed how much love this world can still give only if people will allow themselves to do so. I believe this is also what heroism is about -- to love others more than yourself.

In Jesus' time, we have read how he spend most of his days helping the needy and preaching the good news. He had died in the cross for our sins and the single reason for that is His UNCONDITIONAL LOVE for all mankind. And there are many people in our present time who, like Sis. Eliza and Mother Teresa continue to care and help -- a love that is UNCONDITIONAL and UNREQUITED!

I believe that God calls us, first and foremost, to love our neighbors. By and through what means is up to us. We are given so many blessings every single day there is no reason for us not to share. So choose to care. Choose to help. Choose to LOVE.

Success is fueled by Passion

I was watching GMA's World Class Pinoy episode on Japan since last Monday. The good thing about the show is that it features Filipinos who made it big abroad. Let me tell you about Maria Mercedes M. Corrales.

Does the name ring a bell? Probably not. But she's a big name in Japan. I don't know if she's related to our Philippine singer Pilita Corrales, the mother of actress Jackielou Blanco. Currently, she is the Representative Director CEO & COO of Starbucks Coffee, Japan Ltd. Prior to her involvement with the largest coffee company, she worked for 31 years with Levi Strauss and Co as an executive officer in charge of international marketing. In the TV interview, she said that the ingredient to her success is that she loves what she's doing. She loves meeting people and learning more about their culture. This is her motivation. I call that Passion.

Time and again we have proven to be a very resilient and hardworking people. Wherever we go, no matter what the obstacles are we continue to strive, to dream and succeed. The key to all these is PASSION. If a person REALLY DESIRES to make her dreams come true, it will come true. But PASSION must be complemented with ACTION. As Albert Einstein says, nothing changes if nothing moves (or something to that effect.) One must ACT to REALIZE her goals. PASSION is what sustains her.

If you have read my article about Soul Dreams then it's time to ACT on those dreams. They won't come on a silver platter. They will not be easy to realize. But as I said, if you are determined to get it (and if it will bring you closer to God), then God's resources will flow to you like a rampaging river! I learned that from Br. Bo (watch the July 1 & 2 videos in www.preacherinbluejeans.com).

We need to be inspired. Enough of the bad news. We have enough disappointments to deal with. Now is time to be motivated to live another day and fulfill our dreams.

Choose your thoughts for they become your words.
Choose your words for they become your actions.
Choose your actions for they become your habits.
Choose your habits for it forms your character.
Choose your character for it forms your destiny.

BELIEVE in the POWER OF YOUR DREAMS (THOUGHTS), for even if it takes a long and winding road to reach your DESTINY, PASSION will make you reach your destination in the end.

Read more about Ms. Mercy Corrales at http://www.ea-tokyo.com/seminars/speakers/MercedesCorrales.php

What are your Soul Dreams?

This morning I was reading Bo Sanchez' e-book, "How to Know if Your Dreams are God's Dreams" and it is a wonderful reading material. Each chapter is short but loaded with personal stories and reflections on how to identify soul dreams and passions.

I like to reflect (or daydream) in the sense that I want to be constantly aware that what I am doing are what God wants me to do. Once in a while in a middle of a chore, I would recall the days passed and asked myself, "Lord did you like what I did?", "How can I improve it?".

But to really IDENTIFY what my DREAMS are is something that I am not serious thinking about. Maybe because I've been contented with what I have right now. I have a loving and supportive family in Manila; a wonderful husband (God's gift I often tell myself); a new job (I was recently hired to teach History here in Dubai, even if it is difficult for Filipinos to get hired to teach in non-Filipino schools. Read about it in a related post, In His Perfect Time); friends I can talk to once in a while for source of strength; stable employment for my husband; an affordable private room with attached bathroom (living in Dubai is expensive mind you), among other things.

Reading Br. Bo's e-book made me think hard and start writing down my dreams. Some of these dreams I had them when I was very young while the others are just recent. I'd share my most recent -- a dream me and my husband shares and hopes to fulfill soon.

After maybe some years of working abroad, we want to start a business that would allow us to be our own bosses. A business that would generate a lot of money to finance other businesses but at the same time become a source of fund to help poor but deserving children in our community, or any one who needs help. I believe this is one of my soul dreams. In short, we want to be rich. But we want to be financially and spiritually rich at the same time. Like Br. Bo, we want to be millionaire missionaries. =)

So I urge you to start thinking hard and writing down your dreams. Just write them down. And then read the e-book (just go to bosanchez.ph) and find out how you can identify your soul dreams in your list. And please, do pass this info to your friends. I don't get paid for this you know, I just want to share this with you because I believe to know God's dreams for our lives is what will truly make us happy persons. =)

In His Perfect Time

I got the job! I'll be teaching again!

I was thrilled to hear from the other end of the phone that the school headmistress wants to meet me. I scrambled to take a bath and get dress as I only have 40 minutes before my scheduled interview. The temperature outside at 10 a.m.indicates that it is not a good time to go out. But the school isn't that far and I was able to get a taxi immediately to get me to Sahara mall. From there, I will ride another taxi to get me to the school. Good thing it wasn't traffic and I was able to ride a taxi whose driver knows exactly where to go.

When I arrived here in Sharjah last April, I told myself that I will give teaching a break. I wanted to try out other positions that suit my interests and qualifications. But I am not so lucky. Companies and recruitment agencies are looking for someone with years of UAE experience. That, or the job is far from where we live, or the salary is not enough to sustain our basic needs here. Most of the time, it is a strong negative gut feel that makes me disinterested to pursue the job.

Also, when Filipino acquaintances asked me about my desire to practice teaching here, they were not so optimistic and instead, advice me to apply for secretarial/office staff vacancies instead. And I understood what they meant when I started browsing for teaching vacancies. Qualifications include but are not limited to: preference for native English speakers, with TOEFL or IELTS certification, has a Western university degree or someone with years of UAE experience, or IGCSE/CBSE training. If Filipinos do land jobs in schools, they usually are in the administrative/ secretarial positions or assistant teachers or helpers/nannies. Unless you're applying in schools with Philippine curriculum, I think chances of landing a teaching post will be higher. So I started to pray harder to God. I prayed that He will direct my path in finding a teaching job. In my heart I knew that teaching is my calling (although I tried to put it aside for a while), not because I don't have a choice but because it is what I like doing. I find my sense of purpose in teaching. And so I asked God to help me grow in patience and perseverance that, despite many rejections/non-responses from schools, the right job for me will come... IN HIS PERFECT TIME.

Then I got a call one late afternoon telling me that I should go to this school and be prepared to give a teaching demonstration for History. I was really thrilled and nervous at the same time! I slept late preparing for it, reading and re-reading the textbook I got as a parting gift from my co-teacher and creating and editing the PowerPoint presentation for visuals. And my husband is so supportive! He printed and photocopied my lesson plan and bought me colored cartolinas and pens on his way home from office (Now, I have more reasons to love him =)).

On the day itself, I sought God's help again. I will give my best in this demonstration, the rest is up to Him. After the demonstration, I am thrilled (again) and happy to hear that the teachers and coordinator are impressed with my lesson delivery. The History teacher, who resigned and is looking for replacement, personally congratulated me as he was impressed with me demo. So it is with the subject coordinator. Though the coordinator find my demonstration interesting (I do not know if it is the same as impressive =)), she has second thoughts about accepting me because I do not have the necessary IGCSE training. Nonetheless, she will carefully consider my application and will give me a call before their last school day.

The last school day went by without a call from the school. I was down but not hopeless. So I continued to send CVs to schools for any suitable and available positions. I gave myself until the end of June to apply for teaching posts. If not, then I will focus on applying for non-teaching positions. Then it came. At 9:38 a.m. yesterday, I got the call that brought me the great news. I was hired a teacher! I met the principal along with my new subject coordinator to discuss salary details and other benefits. I am hired on a 3-month probation period. After that time, they will again evaluate my performance and should I meet or exceed their expectations, they will employ me permanently. I am still overwhelmed with the thought! I have no IGCSE training (yet) but still they hired me! And the other details I've been praying for like salary and transportation were included! More than I hoped for!

What is significant about yesterday, June 28? In the Catholic liturgical calendar, it is the joint Feasts of Sts. Peter and Paul. It was also the day I was accepted as a History teacher. It was indeed God's Perfect Time. It is also, I believe, my Harvest Time. After two months of planting(sending CVs and attending interviews), my efforts finally paid off.

Indeed, God generously rewards His faithful servants in HIS PERFECT TIME. =)

Of Dying and Living

Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
–Psalms 90:12

The news of Michael Jackson's untimely demise came as a shockwave throughout the world. People thought that MJ will live long enough to finish his series of comeback concerts which is to start on July. Our very own Charice Pempengco is supposed to perform a dance showdown with him. Unfortunately, that will never happen. MJ died at the age of 50 in his home.

MJ's sudden death reminded me of Francis Magalona. For those of you who do not know him, his the King of Philippine Rap. He popularized a nationalistic rap song, Mga Kababayan, which speaks about being proud of your color and upholding good Filipino values of love and respect for family and fellowmen. (I remember watching a sing and dance contests of it in Eat Bulaga when I was very young.) A promising photographer, a father of 7 wonderful children and a loving husband. He succumbed to leukemia last March 2009 at the age of 44.

These deaths made me reflect on my own life. And this morning when I open my email, I received my usual daily God's messages from Bro. Bo Sanchez. The topic is timely -- Live like a Dying Man. I know most of us will avoid discussing it, let alone think about it. For parents, we often believe that we will live long enough to see our children grow up and have their own families. For the young ones, we believe that we'll die of old age. It isn't a question of HOW LONG we will live. It is a question of HOW WELL we spend our lives. If you knew that you only have 30 days left, how will you spend it? Br. Bo's article (http://bosanchez.ph/live-like-a-dying-man/) guides us to a 30-day retreat of what it means to die and to live. I invite you to join me in this activity. Think of it as God's invitation to get to know Him more.

Regard each day as if it were your last. It is a morose thought but I think it will make us appreciate our lives more, particularly the people around us. Treasure each day and pursue activities that will make your last days meaningful. Believe me, you'll be a happier person when you do that.

May the souls of our loved ones who have gone ahead of us, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Reflections on Charice, the Wonder Kid

This site is intended to be about inspiring Filipinos so let's get started.

I am reminded of Charice Pempengco, a young girl who joined a singing talent search in a Philippine TV show. I do not know if she won that one.I am not a follower of her story. Even if she made international TV appearances in Ellen De Generes and Oprah's shows and had shared the stage with Josh Groban, THE Celine Dion, among other prominent international stars, I never really bothered to know more about here. But I must admit I am VERY impressed and happy of what she has achieved. And I think her growing popularity is a good point of reflection about our own lives.

During one interview, a reporter asked about Charice's career plans. The young lass said she wants to continue doing her passion, which is singing. She dreams about being able to make it big internationally and try out different music genres. A simple answer that reveals a number of life truths.

First, I believe people enjoy and succeed in life most if they are doing their PASSION. You cannot stop people driven by their greatest desire. Of course by desire I meant life dreams like a house of their own, a steady growing business, a promotion, or graduation honors. These maybe short-term or long-term goals. But want I want to stress is that passion motivates people to do there best and continue being better than best. Passion also motivates us to work harder no matter what the cost. I used to teach in the Philippines and I enjoy what I'm doing. No, I LOVE what I am doing. And even if it entails a lot of lesson preparation on top of activity planning and other administrative errands, I do not mind. It's because it's my Passion. Plain and simple.

Second, I believe having DREAMS make us feel alive and optimistic. There is a sense of purpose for our existence. I have a friend who dreamed about having their own house. Since her parents are both unemployed and her older brothers have families of their own, instinctly I believe, that she took it upon herself to strive hard to achieve this dream. Guess what? Her family now resides in the house of their own. And she now sells houses & properties to others who want the same dream as hers. And now she can get marry, which is another dream of hers hehehe.

Lastly, I believe that those who already are successful in life, NEVER rest on their LAURELS. They never stop working and pursuing goals in life! They continue to explore opportunities for growth and learn from other successful people. The dreaming never stops! The passion is continued to be fueled! Look again at Charice's career, it continues to take momentum in the international scene. Look at my friend's story. She has bought her own house and NOW she is helping others have their own as well. Never stop with success.Never stop pursuing your passion no matter what the obstacles maybe. And NEVER stop dreaming BIG.

Pinay Pride

Notice my header? It speaks for what this blog is about - Filipino Nationalism. Not that of the colonial times when we're still struggling to gain our autonomy from the oppressive bondage of the West. It is passe. Rather, it is that which is rooted in the steadfast commitment to be proud of one's heritage wherever he or she maybe not only in thoughts and words but more so in actions.

Do I mean wearing nationalistic shirts? That could count. And it is also a popular fashion statement nowadays particularly overseas, young and old. Here in Dubai, you would see Filipinos wearing shirts like the three stars and a sun brand set-up by the late great Pinoy rapper, Francis Magalona. There is also the Philippine map shirt collections by Collezione. Moreover, there are Yabang Pinoy bracelets popular among the national-conscious students. But while they are excellent visual representations of a Filipino's sense of nationalism, I do believe that loving one's country is not just a matter of making a fashion statement. It is also about action.

I believe helping a poor Filipino student get a decent education or supporting a social program aimed at uplifting the lives of poor Filipino families are perfect examples of nationalism in action. I also believe that being actively involved in issues concerning our economic, social and political development is an expression of our love for our country.

Filipino nationalism should transcend geographical boundaries. Just because you're no longer residing in the Philippines or have been gone for a very long time, does not justify your lack of interest and concern for the land of your birth. This may be hard for someone who has a lot of bad experiences growing up there, or has lost hope in its economic recovery, considering the current political conditions that seemingly makes it impossible to happen. But kabayan, it does not make things any better. So I urge you, in your own way, express your love for the Philippines. Do something that will make your country better. Do something that will instill national pride. Wherever you are, ipagmalaking ika'y Pilipino. Mabuhay tayong lahat!

A Pinay's Independence Prayer

On June 12, 2009, my husband gave an invocation prayer to start the program of the Philippines' 111th Independence Day celebration here in Dubai. I am proud that he was tapped again to lead the Filipino community in the prayer, as he did last year. I wrote the prayer for him -- well most part of it. I am happy that he read it to hundreds of Filipinos gathered at Al Nasr Leisureland. He did not publicly say that his wife wrote it, and it did not matter. It's gratifying enough to hear your work being read.

I find it difficult initially to write the prayer because I want the prayer to reflect the theme of the celebration: Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan tungo sa tunay na Kaunlaran but at the same time can be recited in a minute. Plus, I don't want to sound like it's a prayer for a political rally. On second thought, I think that is what the celebration is about, to rally the Filipinos in rekindling the spirit of pride and heroism even while leaving in a foreign land. It is a call to act together in achieving real freedom for all Filipinos-- freedom from economic poverty, political oppression and moral degradation. So can you now understand why it's so hard to do the prayer?

The activity reminded me why thousands of Filipinos leave the country every year. It is not only to seek better jobs, it is more about to give better living for their children and families. A chance that our own government, unfortunately, cannot adequately provide. It is not just about being able to send foreign remittances, it is more of securing the basic needs of food, clothing, housing and education. The essentials that the current national leaders promised but remained unfulfilled. I am reminded of the dreams they have for their loved ones and how they hold on to it despite the hardships of living here in Dubai. Consequently, I am reminded of the struggles of early Filipinos in fighting the corrupt and oppressive colonial government and attaining independence for the islands. It is not just a matter of removing the tyrants but earning back the human dignity that has been long and repeatedly trampled upon.

And so my prayer remains -- that the overseas Filipinos remain committed and faithful to their familial obligations, that they continue to hope for the best for the country despite the disappointments, and that they trust God's ways, always. Mabuhay tayong lahat!