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!