Dreaming of You, Iloilo!

Last April 14, the Philippines set a new Guinness World Record for the largest flaming image using candles after almost 57,000 candles were lit during the "Light of Peace in the Philippines" event held in Iloilo.

Photo Credit: Iloilo Travel Guide

In the "Summer Break" segment of GMA News, Tricia Zafra also featured what is known as the "Heart of the Philippines", and its capital as the "City of Love". Actually, the places she visited were all in the northernmost parts of Iloilo: Bakwitan Cave and Tangke Saltwater Lake Lagoon are in Islas de Gigantes in Carles, while Polopiña and Agho Islands are in Concepcion. These are the areas that were badly hit by typhoon Yolanda. And I loved Tricia's concluding words, "hindi mahalaga kung ano ang nawala, ngunit kung ano ang naiwan."

Having seen the news about my beloved province, I am even more eager to go and be there this summer. But aside from the obvious reason of just wanting to travel, my more important purpose is family.

Tomorrow, Lola Rosa will celebrate her 89th birthday. And how I love to spend it with her and the whole Lopez-Martinete clan.

Since Lolo Amen died in 2001, I have told myself that I would visit Iloilo as often as I can or at least once a year, every April. When Lola Rosa was diagnosed with a terminal disease, I committed to go home every year during her birthday.

I had my plans. I would leave on Holy Wednesday and join in the GK Bayani Challenge, go home to Lola's house on Tuesday, spend the rest of the week with her and my relatives, then go back to Manila on Sunday, April 27.

It's already Thursday and I still don't have a ticket for Iloilo. I'm still hoping against hope that I can go. But if the universe is not cooperating with my plans, then, I guess I'll just try to convince myself that probably God has better plans. I never doubted Him. And I know He would understand why I am quite disappointed. Kaya nga siguro bumawi Siya agad kanina. Naka-libre ako ng pamasahe papuntang center. Thanks to Kuya Onnel and Ate Maia. And of course, thanks to the God of surprises. :)

So, I'm not giving up yet, but I am surrendering to the God who knows what is best and only gives nothing but the best. ♥

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Understanding Lupang Hinirang

Every Filipino knows Lupang Hinirang (though some know it better as " Bayang Magiliw "). How can you not know it when it is the national anthem of the Philippines? But do we really mean the lyrics that we sing? Do we understand it in the first place? Photo Credit: http://diazi.ism-online.org This video has gone viral weeks ago. This afternoon, I shared it to my teammates, and one commented, "Yun pala yun . Ngayon ko lang naintindihan." He immediately downloaded it and converted to MP3. So for those who have not seen it, once again, here is Joey Ayala's version of Lupang Hinirang. And I agree, you would never want to sing it in another way. (But that's just me. :D) This rendition is simply beautiful. Truly Filipino. :) Of course that doesn't mean we need to revise our national anthem but maybe we can consider about correcting the way we sing it (read: proper pronunciation). Read more about the Philippine National Anthem here .

Jesus Week 2015: A Time To HEAL ♥

I had the best, most meaningful HOLY WEEK ever, so far (the best is yet to come!). :) Thanks to Joy who shared the Jesus Week poster on Facebook. It was God's personal invitation, and I couldn't thank Him enough for the grace that He also gave me to respond. Everything is grace. It was not just my personal decision to join. It was God's grace that allowed me to. So how did it go? Well, as what I have told my friends, it was amazingly beautiful! The experience was priceless! On Holy Monday, I posted Fr. Jerry Orbos' acronym for HOLY WEEK . I experienced all of that and more! :) I won't be able to share everything as there is just a lot of personal, intimate encounters with the Lord. But if I were to summarize, it was a time for me to HEAL. :) H alt . Indeed, I was able to stop and just rest in the Lord. Before leaving Manila, I have already told myself that this retreat will be all about Jesus ( Jesus Week nga e :D ). No emails, no texts, no calls. I

Thank You, Lord! :)

It has been a long and stressful day (the past three days have been lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng and stressssssssssssssssssssssssssssssful), but You are just so amazing, Lord that I couldn't sleep without telling You how grateful I am. :) Thank You, Lord for the miracle that You did yesterday. Break even and more. :) Thank You, Lord for the laughter and stories shared during the post-mission meeting with Team Thailand. :) Team Thailand - Princesses from SFC Metro Manila :) Thank You, Lord for Lawrence. He is just the (almost) perfect man. He has his flaws, but they are acceptable; he makes mistakes, but they are all forgivable. There are a lot of men but there can never be anyone else. He's really the one. And You know it very well. :) ♥ Nemo. Love. ♥ Thank You, Lord for giving me strength and endurance each day. :) Thank You, Lord for the short but restful sleeps. :) Thank You, Lord for every waking moment and every opportunity that You give

The Holy Spirit*

*Cluster 4 Household Topic Reflections from John 15:26-16:4 True friendship is strengthened in adversity. Jesus offers His disciples the best and truest of friends. Who is this promised friend? Jesus calls the Holy Spirit our Counselor and Advocate (also translated Paraclete or Helper). Counselor is a legal term for the one who will defend someone against an adversary and who guides that person during the ordeal of trial. The Holy Spirit is our Advocate and Helper who brings us safely through the challenges and adversities we must face in this life. As Jesus approaches the hour that He was to be glorified - through His death on the cross and His resurrection - He revealed more fully to His disciples the person and the role of the Holy Spirit. What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit? First, the Holy Spirit is inseparably one with the Father and the Son. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life - the very life of God - and who kindles faith in hearts receptive

Interesting Facts Courtesy of Celebrity Bluff :)

I was writing a different post, but Celebrity Bluff is just so fun and informative, I had to stop from blogging to list down the fun facts that I learn from each round. :) Thought it would be nice to share them here as well. For future reference. :D Q: In 2012, what kind of animal was named after Beyonce? A: Horse Fly Q: What rare job in China will pay you US$50,000 a year? A: Fart Smeller Q: What alcoholic drink literally means "water of life"? A: Whisky Q: In which part of the body can you find the tragus? A: Ear Q: According to Merriam-Webster, what is the female equivalent of dude? A: Dudine Q: What is longer in the male turtles than in the females? A: Nails And the final question is... Q: According to Box Office Mojo what are the top four (4) movies of 2013 according to global profit? A: (1) Iron Man 3, (2) Despicable Me 2, (3) Fast and the Furious 6 (4) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire That's all

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