These Little Wonders

Thus speak those who know their weaknesses and little faith. We will be more prudent if we know that the enemy is not simply evil , but the evil one . Somebody stronger than ourselves is watching to deceive us, to make us lose faith and fall, as soon as we feel sure of ourselves and abandon the means given by Jesus for perseverance in the faith and in the Church.  *Source: Christian Community Bible Catholic Pastoral Edition ♥ 8th of The Lord's Prayer Series ♥

True gratitude leads to generosity.  Writer David McCasland said, "Be thankful for God's many blessings, but be sure to remember those who have less."  This is also one of the main messages of yesterday's GMC Advent Recollection facilitated by Fr. Benedict. " Tuloy ang pagdiriwang ng Pasko ngunit hindi natin sila (Earthquake and Yolanda victims, and all those who suffer) kakalimutan. We will remember them and lift them up in our prayers." And so let me share this beautiful prayer by Pauline Phillips (a.k.a Abigail Van Buren):  O HEAVENLY FATHER:   We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry. We thank Thee for health and remember the sick. We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless. We thank Thee for freedom and remember the slaved. May these remembrances stir us to service, That Thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen. Photo Credit: Jen Mguni "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer t...

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 . ...

Ika-19 ng Nobyembre, 2013 Kaninang umaga, may nakita akong matandang lalaking nagbibisekleta angkas ang dalawang bata, isang babae, isang lalaki. Hinala ko apo niya ang mga batang iyon. Nung napadaan sila sa tabi ko, narinig kong umaawit ang matanda at masayang nagpe-pedal.  Naalala kita, Lolo. Lalo na ngayong nagdiriwang si Papa ng kanyang ika-limampu't pitong kaarawan. Kung hindi mo siguro isinakripisyo ang buhay mo para sa kanya, marahil hindi na namin siya kasamang nagdiriwang ngayon.  Salamat, Lolo. Kailanman, hindi kita makakalimutan. Kung paanong inalagaan mo kami, lalo na ako, nung tumira kami sa inyo; kung paanong pinagluluto mo ako ng pagkain at pinagtitimpla ng Milo tuwing umuuwi ako galing eskwela; kung paanong inaalala mo ang kalagayan namin lalo na nung bumalik kami ng Manila; at kung paanong ipinaramdam mo sa amin ang iyong pagmamahal.  Maraming maraming salamat, Lolo. Mahal na mahal kita. Hanggang ngayon, masakit pa rin sa akin na sa patio na...

What I thought was the best proposal is not even close to this: I didn't know anything about Justin Baldoni until I saw his epic proposal to his very beautiful (and lucky) girlfriend, now wife, Emily . :) I'm a fan!  It was the best thing I've seen and experienced in 27 minutes. One pack of tissue is not enough. Haha. It was just... perfect! I couldn't think of any other word to describe it. Pure bliss! ♥ By the way, they already got married. And their wedding vows? Absolutely the best - the most sincere I have ever heard. :) Justin + Emily :: Corona, CA :: Extended Trailer from FFDC :: Jeffrey Holland on Vimeo . ************* Now the "sense-making" part, as what Fr. Benedict calls it. :D I saw these videos at a time when I am exhausted, drained, troubled, and in a way, feeling that "so many things to do so little time" syndrome. And in both videos, `Abdu'l-Bahá was quoted:  "Where there is love nothing i...

Sometimes, the best way to comfort someone in need is to say, "I am praying for you." Prayer In Time of Calamity (by Cardinal Tagle) God, our Father, in faith, we acknowledge You Care for us, Your children.  In hope, we trust in Your divine providence to give us wisdom and courage as we face the challenges of life. In love, we invoke Your help and guidance during these difficult days of death and destruction in our land.  Grant eternal peace to those who lost their lives. Embrace the children who died in their innocence. Console those who are grieving. Help those who are hurt and cure those who are sick.  Encourage those who suffer the destruction of their homes and properties as they rise from the ruins and rebuild their future. Bless all those who extend a helping hand to those in need of food, shelter, and clothing, and provide an assuring presence to those who are lost and confused. At Your command the wind and the seas...

Indeed, the worst of calamities bring out the best in humanity.  Last Saturday, I was privileged to have attended Blogapalooza 2013  at SMX Aura. The event offered lots of freebies and substantial talks for every participant - bloggers and businesses alike. Attendees were also able to help in their own little way the victims of the strongest typhoon that ever hit the Philippines (and the world), Yolanda, through the Piggybank Movement . One of the exhibitors in the said event is Enjoy Philippines . They gave out free membership cards to the bloggers who visited their booth. Just today, I got an email from their Marketing Director, Mr. Alfonso Sy Jr. thanking us bloggers for checking out their booth. The email also contained essential information regarding the privilege card that we received during the event.  Enjoy Philippines Booth at the Blogapalooza held last Nov. 16 What I liked best about the email was it mentioned that  Enjoy Philippines ...