2011 and Still Counting

Instead of counting sheeps, why not count blessings. And that's what I'm gonna do while ending 2011 with praises for God who provides for all of this.

As the Gospel for today (December 31, 2011) says in John 1:

All things cam to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; --John 1:3-4 (NAB)

Here are some of 2011's highlights.
In between are households and meetings.

JANUARY
1-Happy new year for 2011. Lunch at the Rafael's. Mass at the Our Lady of the Annunciation of Parish.
5-Campus team meeting
6-8, 13-15-RLE: SLMC OR
8-CFC FFL Community conference. Kev and Meme's BDC.
11-13-Campus youth camp
15-Nova core: Laser tag and Shakey's
17-19-Completion for DR cases at Shalom
20-22, 27-29-RLE: ARMMC Pediatrics
23-Family with tita Glo
30-Core servants assembly

FEBRUARY
3-SLCN 8th year over-all champion
10-11-RLE: School nursing (TSNHS)
11-Live Pure Movement (LPM) forums at TSNHS and SMCQC HS
22-24-RLE: Community nursing (Kamandag)
24-25-C3 sisters' overnight
26-Truth & Dare: Jason Evert and Michael Voris

MARCH
11-13-All out! Campus youth camp
19-20-Mock NLE (SLCN-InReP)
20-Novaliches Diocese Chastity Youth Conference
21-22-Skills revalida
24-Clinical graduation
25-Prolife rally
25-26-Campus planning
26-Huling Hirit and Handog
28-University Graduation

APRIL
4-NLE Review starts
7-HC iSikat practice; WYC story conference
14-Dagupan-bound for WYC; WYC recollection; Mass at Lingayen-Dagupan Cathedral
15-17-World Youth Congress 2011: Lakas ng Diyos (Isaiah 49:5)
17-24-Holy Week
21-Pabasa
22-Visita Iglesia
23-2,000 Hail Mary's
25-Ynah's debut
28-Mission trip training
29-May 1-World Kids Congress

MAY
1-Divine Mercy Sunday
3-7-SHouT! ParaNoMa
15-Fiesta in Bulacan
20-22-Youth camp Pandi, Bulacan

JUNE
12-Back-to-school event
26-CFC FFL 30th Anniversary
26-27-NLE Mock Exam
27-Mass for NLE

JULY
1-3-CFC YFL HC Mid-year planning
2-Nurse Licensure Exam (Day 1)
3-Nurse Licensure Exam (Day 2)
12-VMobile
13-Start of Total consecration to Jesus through Mary
15-TUA Campus fair
22-LPM at Quezon
22-24-Youth camp at Lucena, Quezon
30-Campus PLUS (+) Party

AUGUST
12-14-Campus youth camp
14-Youth camp training at Mariveles, Bataan
15-Total Consecration to Jesus, Incarnate Wisdom, through the Hands of Mary
17-HC LeftoverTeam Dinner at Leslie's in Tagaytay: Bulalo FTW!
19-21-Campus youth camp
20-NLE Results: Registered Nurse
20-SFL CLS starts
28-Feast of St. Augustine
29-30-Youth camp at Mariveles, Bataan
31-LPM at FEU-FERN

SEPTEMBER
1-Overnight at Kapatid's house
8-Happy Birthday Mama Mary
16-Applied for a teaching job at I.EXCEL. Teaching demo
20-Long day
Met with Meme at West Avenue
Breakfast at McDo Morayta
PRC Registration. YES! R.N.
Lunch at KFC Morayta
Walk trip at Cubao
St. Pio de Pietrelcina Shrine
Dinner at Jobee Mega
Mass at Megamall Chapel
HC Meeting
24-Another teaching demo
25-At kuya Coi's house

OCTOBER
1-First teaching day
1-Love forum at PYM of Vicariate of Sto. Nino
8-Grand Rosary Rally
10-A Million Roses for the World
16-Work With the Poor (WWP) Medical Mission
20-Broadway Specials
22-Youth camp at Baras, Rizal
31-Nov.1-Baras, Rizal with Family and Meme

NOVEMBER
3-Advanced birthday gift: Watch from my sister
4-Youthfest Recollection and story con
5-IIAP Exam and Passed
6-Gripped Youthfest 2011
6-Blast of Praise
7-Legend of the Guardians
13-Happy 21st Birthday to Me!
14-Happy One Year of Sisterhood with my Kapatid Meme! BFFAEAE! Pizza Hut. There Be Dragons.
14-18-National Youth Day (NYD)
16-Community Week at Academia de Bellarmino
16-NYD Praise Concert
17-E.S.
18-Chastity Forum (LPM) at Batangas State University
22-Chastity Forum (LPM) at Lyceum, Batangas
28-Got my Nurse License
30-QC Circle with Family

DECEMBER
2-4-SMCQC Fair
4-Nova Chirstmas Party
7-8-LPM Isabela. 1st airplane ride. Rode a bus with CR.
16-Missa de Gallo
16-Catechesis on the New Roman Missal
17-Bataan Christmas Party
18-Life Direction Seminar
19-Ate April's Arrival. Resorts World Manila
20-MOA with Family. Bowling.
22-Eco park: Zipline and Wall climbing. Make-over Day. HC Christmas Party
23-Kuya Tony's Arrival. Lazer tag.
24-Last night of Missa de Gallo. Christmas Eve Mass. Family exchange gift.
25-Christmas Day with Family
25-29-Boracay, Malay, Aklan!!
26-Banana boat. Helmet dive.
27-Boat sailing. Red pirates.
28-Island hopping at Pulka Beach. Skim boarding. Grotto: Mama Mary!
29-Kalibo, Aklan then Manila bound
30-Seafood Island
31-Last day of the year

God has blessed me with so much this 2011. There are so much more than what is written in here. And I cling unto His promises for more in 2012.

For 2012, I will Choose Life. I will Choose Christ.

Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, (cf. Deuteronomy 30:19, NAB)

Heart Status

Boracay from the 25th to the 29th of December 2011. It was my first time. Yey!

I am with (from Left to Right) ate April, kuya Tony, Paolo, Nino, (and that's me), Kevin, Daddy, and tito Pol, who took the picture.

BORACAY FORMED MY HEART.

Banana boat. Helmet diving. Boat sailing. Island hopping at Puka Beach. Skim boarding. Eating. Sleeping. Food coma (Sleeping right after eating). Walking and lots of it.

Doing this new things (plus the Zipline and Wall climbing done in Eco Park, QC.), all of them for the first time except for the eating-sleeping-food coma part, reminded me of what I stood up for God at the beginning of the year 2011: To live a FEARLESS life for Him. And to live a fearless life is to always grip on to God's sufficient, saving, sanctifying GRACE because He is always gripping on us. If I have remained in my fear of doing new things, I wouldn't be able to experience how great those things are, and ultimately, how Great GOD is.

I don't have much interest in adventurous stuffs, but as I did the above-mentioned activities, the more I became awed of how great God is. The more I get to bask in the greatness of our Creator. 

God is the Master of all. In all the things I saw and did, what I always say is: "Ang galing ng Diyos!" (Great is our God). That for every wave tossed in the ocean, He is in control. That the coordination of His creation, sea, wind, and all, was designed very well. That the entire scene is God's artwork. And that Boracay is one big playground created by God for His children.


BORACAY BROKE MY HEART.

As hotels and restaurants were all over the place, so are bars and beers. We went there on the 25th. And it was heartbreaking to see some who celebrates Christmas without having the real Reason of celebrating it: JESUS. It breaks my heart that Christmas--God becoming Man, uniting Himself fully: physically and spiritually, with man--became just a holiday to some.

It breaks my heart to see some who do not respect their bodies as exposing them as if they are having a private time, forgetting that they are in a public place. And that there are also a lot of shops offering temporary and permanent tattoo; and I even saw kids having one.

If you don't respect your body, who will? . . . Our bodies is an invitation to love, and not an invitation to lust. --Jason Evert, Catholic chastity speaker.

It is heartbreaking to see that the virtue of chastity and purity of life, of body and soul, were abandoned by many. Maybe because they just don't know or, worse, they have forgotten about it. My heart breaks when I see people missing out the point of living life to the purest. 

As these things broke my heart, it also affirmed me that there are a lot of work to be done and we are on the right track.


MMH.

When Jesus saw [his] Mother, and the disciple, he said to [his] Mother, "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "There is your mother." And from that moment the disciple took her to his own home. --John 19:26-27, NAB

At the very last day of our stay in Boracay, by God's plan and grace we saw a grotto of Mother Mary; elevated, situated in a rock. I wasn't expecting it in Boracay. And it reminded me that even Boracay is under the Motherly love of our Perpetual Blessed Virgin; and that Mary will not forsake us. She is our Mother, and we are her children.

I noticed, as well, that when some climbed up to the grotto to take picture, they won't include Mary in. They'd just take advantage of the elevation of the place. And yes, it broke my heart again.


There is really a lot of things that needs to be done. And I have to have a heart like Mary: MMH (Mama Mary Heart). A heart full of obedience, trust, and courage. 


God will meet us right where we are. Whether on mission or on vacation, God will. He never stops surprising His children. And as He surprises them, He teaches them. He assures His children that He is God. 


I have to remain FEARLESS for my God is now my Strength!


Most Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.


A blog of Boracay pictures will follow; I just don't know when that will be.

Because All Was Without Cost

Without cost you have received, without cost shall you give. --cf. Matthew 10:8, NAB

All things came from God, and from God all things came to be. And all things from Him is good and is free; for He is a Generous God. The gift of mission is freely given to us; and to be available for God's work is our gift. Without cost we have received the joy of mission; without cost shall must we also give for God's work.

We've gone to Isabela to bring the good news of chastity and purity. The kuya's gave the sessions. My part? To share the story of my life, my own conviction of being chaste and pure. Most of what's in store for us in that mission, we have received for free. All costs in the transport, the food, the accomodations, treated like V.I.P.'s, and all others were freely given. I was thinking that I'd just share to high school students  what God taught me and all other things in this mission was for free?

But don't get me wrong, it is not because those material things have been freely made available that we have freely given ourselves. But it is because of God's love being poured on us without cost that enables us to give without cost.

The more we give freely, the more we receive freely. What a paradox, that is! That the gift of mission has been freely given (that is why it is called a gift) to us, it allowed us to openly give ourselves, and that we are able to receive more. Such is the generosity of God. He does not only pamper His children materially, as how He did to us in Isabela. He, as well, nourished us spiritually through the reception of the Eucharist every morning of our stay, the realizations we learned in every act we've done, the joy of seeing lives starting to have the same conviction of chastity and purity, and us being more deeply rooted in our stand to live a holy life.

The generosity of God allowed us to experience more of Him, that He really met us in Isabela, teaching us more about chastity and purity. And this same generosity asks us to be generous of our time, our talent, our treasure, and our all for Him, who freely gives.

With this, may God be praised.

Some pictures from the mission:

The Team: Kuya Jo-I, Ate Raine, Kuya Ej, Me, and Kuya Fyron,.
With the Isabela SK Chairman Jerald and the High School Principal of one of the schools in Isabela.

My first plane ride. Yey! Thank you Lord!

Live Pure with the carabaos.

Sharing my conviction of living a chaste and pure life.

You can also view this same blog here: http://cfcffl.net/index.php/because-all-was-without-cost

E.S.

This happened one Thursday night, last November of 2011. Note that I am writing from memory.

I was sitting alone at a fast food chain, waiting for my best friend to arrive. Beside me was a man, maybe at his 50's or 60's. Just by sitting there and looking at him something in me whispered: "You'd be talking to that man; you have to speak with him". He was eating; and I'm not. With him are books about Math and an abacus. He was cleaning one of his books when he looked at me (and he caught me looking at him as well) and he smiled. I smiled back.

Then the conversation starts.

We talked about Math and the books he has with him that night, they are all about Math and Numbers. I asked him if he's a professor in Mathematics or a Mathematician; he just simply said, he's a retired accountant. I asked him about one of the things that struck me that was with him: the abacus. He told me that it's different than the others; that it is actually a Filipino Abacus. I asked him to teach me how to use it. I learned a lot. Actually, just the basics. But it's "a lot" for me already. And my sister-best friend arrived.

He asked us what we are doing with our lives? I understand it with regard to "work". I was to say that I'm a nurse and that I'm a lecturer/ reviewer for NLE. Then I got reminded: Before anything else, I am a Missionary. And that's what I told him. And him knowing my answer, we take on from Math to Religion and Philosophies. Man, that's way far from one another!

God taught me that to every man I meet, I am responsible for that man's soul. I am a Catholic missionary. He said he's Catholic but not anymore practicing. And I get perplexed. How can that be? If one is a Catholic, one is either a Catholic through and through or not Catholic at all. The way I see it, he's a humanist-relativist.

There was this question he asked, "Hindi ko ba matitibag ang mga pinaniniwalaan ninyo?" We answered, "Hindi po." This answer of ours, allowed us to be engaged in a deeper conversation. The very word I could give to describe the man's reaction to our answer of "hindi po" is: "Nang-gigil" siyang makipag-usap sa amin. With this, you'd think that he's trying to break the very foundation of the Faith that is in us. But. Podering from his reaction, we (my sister and I) arrived at two conclusions:

1. He wants to test us and our adherence to our beliefs; or,
2. He just wants to share his thoughts with us without bearing the responsibility of him changing our beliefs.

He poses questions on us, about our faith and our beliefs. The moment I felt this was going to happen, right then and there I prayed. I prayed to St. Michael the Archangel for defense in battles like this (not that this is a debate; but it is a spiritual warfare). I prayed to St. Anthony de Padua for eloquence of words. And to St. Augustine of Hippo as well, because he's my patron saint. And I know my sister is also praying.

The man poses questions of which questions I also asked myself back then; of which questions I also failed to answer myself. Instead of worrying what I have to say, I held on to God's promise:

When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of the Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:19-20, NAB)

Truly, our God inspired me with His wisdom. I was able to speak, for God's glory, for that man's questions. I don't want to just nod with everything he says; if I did that it would be a burden for me whenever I'd recalled the event. I don't want to be left hanging without even answering for my Faith and what I believe in. I remembered what St. Peter said:

... Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. (cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16, NAB)

When someone asks you an answer for your faith, our first Pope made it clear: when you answer you do it with gentleness and reverence (respect). Your goal is not to win the conversation, but to win the person and his soul for Christ. Before you answer, you pray for God's wisdom, knowledge, and presence. After you answer, you pray in thanksgiving and you pray for the man's soul.

The man told us, "Believe, not because it's true, but because it is beautiful". That's quite good. But isn't it that the fact that it is beautiful is because it is true? It is the truth that is why it is beautiful. It is not the truth that is why it is not beautiful.

I learned from him to always seize the moment, to enjoy the moment. Well, that's true. He enjoyed our talk. We also enjoyed talking to him. He thanked us. We also thanked him.

There's also one thing I can be proud of, that if ever the Filipino Abacus subject be added into the primary education curriculum, then I can say that I have met and actually spoke with the man who finds it essential for basic Mathematics.

Lord, I am a Catholic; and I will die a Catholic.

*NAB - New American Bible

This is Your Lesson Number One

Lesson #1 to becoming SAINT:

SELF-DENIAL

That I almost cried denying myself.

I thought self-denial was something easy to do. 

But this is what God taught me, to deny myself because of His LOVE for me and for LOVE of Him.

Sa Totoo Lang Po

I AM FOR THE FAMILY AND LIFE!
I AM AGAINST THE RH BILL.

Ang mga ibon
Na lumilipad
Ay mahal ng Diyos
'Di kumukupas

Ang mga ibon na lumilipad
Ay mahal ng Diyos 'di kumukupas
'Wag ka nang malungkot
Oh! Praise the Lord!

Ang mga aso
Na tumatahol
Ay mahal ng Diyos
'Di kumukupas

Ang mga aso na tumatahol
Ay mahal ng Diyos 'di kumukupas
'Wag ka nang malungkot
Oh! Praise the Lord!

Ang mga tao
Sino pa man
Ay mahal ng Diyos
'Di kumukupas


Ang mga tao sino pa man
Ay mahal ng Diyos 'di kumukupas
'Wag ka ng malungkot
Oh! Praise the Lord!

Best Friends For GOD

Our hearts are knitted together by GOD
He is the Thread that keeps us close to one another
He mends the fabric of our brokenness
He is the Tailor of our lives.

Our stories become one with GOD
He writes our purpose in a perfect manner
He gives light to the dead letters of our sinfulness
He is the Author of our lives.

Our existence finds its true meaning in GOD
He commands us to be righteous just like every father
He leads us on the exact way of holiness
He is the Master of our lives.

Written by my sister. Meme Asejo.
Thank you!

Theology of the Body

Everyone is invited to attend the Theology of the Body course details as follows:

Fr. Joel Jason, Dean of Studies at the San Carlos Seminary and Prof. of Moral Theology and Sexuality, will be our main formator.

The details of the program are as follows:

Venue : Multi-Purpose Hall
San Carlos Seminary Lay Formation Center
Guadalupe, Makati City

Time : 7:30 – 10:00 PM

Dates : Aug. 10, 17, 24, 31, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28

Fee : PHP 50.00/session

Since the program is an integrated course, we request all participants to attend all sessions consecutively. A certificate will be issued to those completing the program.

Let us continue to cherish the gift of life, family and community given to us we move forward in studying and living out the Theology of the Body of Blessed John Paul II.

sense of the sacred: Statement of Bishops Before The Blue Ribbon Commit...

sense of the sacred: Statement of Bishops Before The Blue Ribbon Commit...: "This is how the vehicles were used! Thank you, dear Bishops for your witness! In humbling yourselves, you stand very tall! 'Honorable ..."

Discernment: Active and Prayerful

Good discernment is both active and prayerful. It means to seek to give yourself and to reflect on the events of your life. "Man can only find out who he is by making a gift of himself."
--- Blessed John Paul II

Discernment Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You love me and you call me every moment of my life.
You have a plan for me, a plan that will help me grace the world in the unique way that only I can.
Send your Spirit into my heart and mind.
Enlighten me with your wisdom that I may come to know today where you are calling me in life.
Give me the strength today to answer that call and inspire others to help me.
I make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

They Are...

Wednesday of the 14th Week

First reading: Gn 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:2-3, 10-11, 18-19
Gospel: Mt 10:1-7

The disciples of Christ:
1. They are Called.
2. They are given Authority.
3. They are Named.
4. They are Instructed.
5. They are Sent.

The disciples of Christ also teaches us the virtue of SIMPLICITY. When the list of their names was presented they are merely called only by one name: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddeus, Simon. Just for the purpose of differentiation where they called as "the Son of ..." and the like. Also, it was only the traitor who had two names: Judas Iscariot.

The Gospel today also gives emphasis to FAMILIES SERVING GOD.

The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John      [Matthew 10:2 (NAB)]

God wants us to be families; to serve Him with our families, and as families. To strengthen our relationships: to create bonds of Brotherhood and Sisterhood.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Saint Maria Gorretti, virgin and martyr, Pray for us!

Visit the website created for her.

*Clicking "Saint" would lead you to the "Saints we celebrate on the 6th of July" at www.saints.sqpn.com.
*Clicking "Maria Gorretti" would lead you to the page of "Saint Maria Gorretti" at www.saints.sqpn.com.

GOD Bless--

Hands Can Heal

Monday of the 14th Week. (July 4, 2011)

First reading: Genesis 28:10-22a
Reponsorial Psalm: Psalm 91 "In you, my God, I place my trust."
Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26

Our GOD is a Faithful GOD, who teaches us to be faithful to HIM.

The Gospel today tells us of Jesus' healing of the official's daughter and a woman suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. Notice how these two events differ in the way Jesus healed them (the official's daughter and the woman with hemorrhage); but are healed by the one and same God.

Both the official's daughter and the woman with hemorrhage had their Jesus-experience. First, the OFFICIAL'S DAUGHTER:

[An official came to Jesus and said:] “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” ... ... [Jesus] came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. [Matthew 9:18, 25 (NAB)]

Second, THE WOMAN WITH HEMORRHAGE:

She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. [Matthew 9:21-22 (NAB)]

Put simply:

Their only difference is how they are healed. The official's daughter was TOUCHED BY CHRIST. While the woman with hemorrhage was the one who TOUCHED JESUS CHRIST.  But both recipient's of GOD'S HEALING never got  short of being healed. Their common denominator was their FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

In our everyday lives, we should allow Jesus to "touch our lives" because HE LOVES US SO. Allow Him to direct our lives; allow Him to heal us; allow Him to unload our unnecessary burdens;  allow Him to be our God. Just like what Jacob did in the first reading:

Jacob then made this vow: “If God remains with me, to protect me on this journey I am making and to give me enough bread to eat and clothing to wear, and I come back safe to my father’s house, the LORD shall be my God. This stone that I have set up as a memorial stone shall be God’s abode.” [Genesis 28 :20-22 (NAB); Emphasis mine.]

Not only should we open ourselves to Jesus, but we should also "touch Christ" by seeking HIM and loving HIM. Who we are, where we are, and in whatever state our life maybe, always look for a Jesus-Experience. Ask, "Lord, what do you want to teach me right now? Lord, what are You revealing to me? Lord, what are you telling me?" And the Lord will never fail for He is a faithful GOD for such is His promise:

[The LORD said to Jacob in a dream: " ... ] Know that I am with you;  I will protect you wherever you go, and bring you back to this land. I will never leave you until I have done what I promised you. [Genesis 28:15 (NAB)]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, pray for us!

*Clicking "Saint" would lead you to the "Saints we celebrate on the 4th of July" at www.saints.sqpn.com.
*Clicking on "Elizabeth of Portugal" would lead you to the page of "St. Elizabeth of Portugal" at www.saints.sqpn.com.

GOD bless-

Fearless

LORD, make me always remember that Sunday morning when I stood in front of almost 1,500 young men and women, together with my missionary brothers and sisters, and declared that we'll be FEARLESS FOR YOU!

Despite of our fears, we'll be FEARLESS FOR YOU!
Despite of the pain, we'll be FEARLESS FOR YOU!
Despite of our difficulties, we'll be FEARLESS FOR YOU!
Despite of the persecutions, we'll be FEARLESS FOR YOU!
Despite of our uncertainties, we'll be FEARLESS FOR YOU!
Despite of the unknown, we'll be FEARLESS FOR YOU!

We'll be FEARLESS FOR YOU, because YOU LOVED US FIRST!

BilMoKo!!

1. St. Benedict's Cross 

(I only have the medal.)

2. Cathechism of the Catholic Church 

(or even just the Compendium of the CCC)

3. The Faith Explained
by Leo J. Trese

4. The Catholic Youth Prayer Book

5. Light of the World The Pope, the Church, and the Signs of the Times
by Pope Benedict XVI

6. The Way-Furrow-The Forge
by St. Josemaria Escriva

7. External Hard Disk

8. USB Flash Drive

or

or

or

'Yan na muna. :)

My GOD is now my Strength [Part 1]

I've lost myself for good within God's promise.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011.

I entered my review class with a heavy heart. Everything the reviewer says was mere noise to me. I was not in the mood to study and learn. And since everything was just noise and I can’t digest and understand anything, I moved out of the room, went to the veranda of the building. I tried to cool myself: Nagpahangin ako ng magulong puso.

It was supposed to be a me-time moment. But God made it as a God-time moment. As to where I am, I had a view of the houses, the cars, the other buildings, etc. As I sit in the veranda, I saw a flock of birds just flying in circular manner. This is where the Lord spoke to me.

God says:

See the birds fly? As they fly, they are able to worship Me. In their very act of flying and in simply flying, they are worshipping Me. They are able to worship Me by just doing what they are made to do. And Kaye, I made you for Me. By simply being human, you are worshipping Me. In doing the things I made you to do, you are able to worship Me. I MADE YOU FOR ME; and not for anyone else, not even for yourself. And with this, I promise that you are DESTINED AND MADE FOR GREATNESS, that I may be worshipped.

With this, it occurred to me that I should get back to class and review. This is because by just reviewing and doing it for God, I am able to worship Him. What God told me created both fear and excitement. Fear of not even having myself; and excitement for what the Lord will further do for me to witness and experience. Before going back to review, I prayed and thanked God for the affirmation. I went back to review, and heard another affirmation.

Through our reviewer, I believed that God affirmed our work of being missionaries. Our reviewer was discussing “transcultural nursing”; and in the latest book of Madeleine Leininger (proponent of transcultural nursing), she says that Filipinos is the best example of transcultural nursing. With this discussion, I am affirmed that God has really set the Filipino people for His Work: that God would use the Filipinos in the Church’s work of evangelization and mission.

Thursday, April 14, 2011.

A day before the much-awaited World Youth Congress 2011. It was about 6AM. A carpool of missionaries was bound to the north of Luzon at Dagupan City, Pangasinan, for a five-hour drive. We were able to reach Dagupan City by almost 12PM. As we enter the main venue, CSI Stadia, and as I saw the stage, aesthetics, the largeness of the venue, etc., I said to myself: “Huwaw! This is the life! Ang lakas! Sure win ang congress.” Everything in Stadia was big. Ang laki ng stage. Larger than twice the human height ang mga designs. Kakainin ka ng venue if you are not prepared for its greatness.

Then we had our Mass at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist. After celebrating the Mass there, we went to the Blessed Sacrament. Everything was just beautiful and everything was worth experiencing. ‘Yung pag-Simba ko lang sa Cathedral at sa pagpunta sa presensya ni Kristo sa Blessed Sacrament, panalo na ang congress ko!

In the evening, we went back to Stadia for our recollection. The message was very powerful: 

JESUS CHRIST IS THE MASTER OF BOTH THE SEEN AND THE UNSEEN.

The congress proper has not even started. 

But the strength of God was very present. 
On the feeding of the five thousand: Lahat kayang pakainin.

Totoo, Walang Imposible Sa Lakas Ng Diyos!


My God is now my strength.
-cf. Isaiah 49:5

What the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill is Not

What the RH Bill is not

MANILA BULLETIN

Business Option

By MERCEDES B. SULEIK

March 24, 2011, 1:14am

  

MANILA, Philippines – The Reproductive Health Bill is not what it purports to be. It is not about reproductive health rights. It is not about women’s maternal health. It is not about preventing infant mortality. It is not about responsible parenthood. Nor is it about poverty alleviation.

The RH Bill is in fact a tyranny of half-truths. This Bill, which has gone through so many permutations and attempts to be passed, is a melange of obfuscations and inadequate information.

  

Efforts to ram it down our throats through apparently tainted media coverage, through surveys that ask leading questions, and through taking advantage of general ignorance of the substance of the bill, not to mention apathy of fence-sitters, is perhaps the reason why it is vaunted that the RH Bill is the best thing that could ever happen to the Filipino family and nation.

Let’s start by considering the premise on which this bill rests. An early title of the bill said “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act,” which in its present “consolidated form” now has been revised to include “Responsible Parenthood” in the title, hijacking this very proper term to dissimulate and thus appear to indeed be for everyone’s good! Its view of development is very narrow, averring that the Philippines is overpopulated, and only by lowering the birth and fertility rates will this country finally burst out of its mire, and alleluia! We become a first world country!

  

In the first place, the Malthusian (and its other manifestations) population argument has already been shot to pieces, with most of the developed world in fact facing a demographic winter, threatening the prospects of these economies over the long term. Picking up a quotation from an article by former Secretary of Finance Roberto de Ocampo, he said that according to some researches, “in order for a culture to maintain itself for more than 25 years, there must be a fertility rate of 2.11 children per family. With anything less, the culture will decline. Historically, no culture has ever reversed a 1.9 fertility rate.” Is this what we want for the Philippines?

Regarding its claim to provide the “right to complete information” particularly about contraceptive options: the advocates completely forget to inform women about the health risks of hormonal contraceptives. The World Health Organization itself has classified these as bringing about the risks of cancer, particularly breast cancer, in their WHO/IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) Report wherein it was found that hormonal contraceptives do cause cancer. At least, let the women know the risks!

   

It’s the same with other contraceptive devices, such as the condom. It has been found that these do not prevent pregnancy from occurring, nor has it been proven that it protects against AIDS. Moreover, failure of contraception eventually leads to abortion, which while it is claimed that the bill has taken note of the fact that abortion is illegal, the effect of failed contraceptions is an implicit support of abortion.

  

Another obfuscatory provision hidden in the bill are the punitive sanctions that are, if truth be told, attempts to curtail the Filipino’s civil liberties: obligatory requirements for medical health practitioners to actively promote artificial birth control without regard for their consciential rights, for example, if they in conscience cannot do it themselves, they are obliged to refer to someone else who don’t have the same misgivings. And hey, there are even sanctions for “criticizing” the bill (if passed).

  

The bill, while pretending to be for the benefit of the Filipino and the family, overreaches itself. Why is it taking over areas best left to the decision of the Filipino married couple, such as whether they want to have children or not, such as their right to educate their children on matters related to sex and morality. The State should govern, and not meddle in the Filipino individual’s decision.

  

A key principle in corporate governance is that the Board should govern, and let Management take care of the micro aspects of business.

  

Another hidden provision is to consider contraceptives as “essential medicines,” which effectively means that there is no need for bidding nor for COA restrictions. As far as I know, no other medicine has been declared “essential”...(and I do have a quarrel with calling contraceptives as “medicine” because pregnancy is not a disease!) This provision thus leads to the use of tax money on what many citizens consider offensive to their beliefs – is this not a devious way of allocating money which have been paid into the government’s coffers by a majority of Christian taxpayers?

  

Let me repeat. The RH bill is not about reproductive health. It is not about giving women a choice. It is not about poverty alleviation. It is not about the Filipino and his family. It is about state control.

merci.suleik@gmail.com

Latin Title

This blog post is written by the author to simply CONGRATULATE HER BELOVED SISTER!!

MARIA ELEANOR P. ASEJO

For being one of Class 2011's

CUM LAUDE

I am so proud of you kapatid!!

Kaya pakainin mo na ako!!

This blog post is, as well, written by the author to GIVE PRAISE AND GLORY to our

AWESOME GOD

who had given this blessing simply because HE IS STRONG!

Possible 'to dahil sa Lakas Ng Diyos!

* "Cum Laude" are Latin words meaning "with praise".

** Cum Laude: a grade-point average of 1.75-1.50 with no grade lower than 2.50.

What's On Your Mind?

Basically don't know.
Feel tired. Feel restless.
Bewildered. Perplexed. Confused.
In short, "windang".
A lot of things piled the "to do" list.
Want to talk. But gone. Asleep, perhaps.
Projection? Blame it?
Need strength for all of these.

RATHER PRAY.