Revolution Not Rebellion

Written Aug. 26, 2013

The time has come, once again, for the Filipinos to rise up.

One by one, little by little, from People Power to EDSA Revolution, the different faces of corruption in the Philippines slowly unfold. The pretensions hidden in the dark are undeniably being revealed now in the light. Very true it is that you cannot really run away from the truth; it will always haunt you. It’s either it will free you or kill you.

On one of the most remembered days in the country, the National Heroes’ Day every 26th of August, the Filipinos made history again. A “Million People March” was pushed through by the netizens in the social media to protest about the Pork Barrel Scam and has come to its actuality this year in Manila.

President Benigno Aquino III earlier declared that he is going to abolish the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) upon receiving a lot of protests. Netizens, however, did not stop and still want to see the President’s word come to flesh.

The pork barrel, that is alloted to the congressmen, is supposed to finance their proposed or ongoing projects in their respective communities. Unfortunately, it often slides directly from their hands to their big big pockets.

Thousands to a million Filipinos, then, from different walks of life, all joined the march in Luneta, as one. Everyone was waived from their upbringing and status in life and started voicing out their stand to abolish pork barrel, punish the sinner, and have transparency in the country. There is only one common in them: they are Filipinos who hunger for righteousness and thirst not just for good but Godly governance.

The Million People March is just the beginning of the awakening in the Philippines.

Other people may call this rebellion, maybe they’re right. But to know that the Filipinos have been sleeping in silence for so long about the things that they should fight for? Maybe they’re wrong. It’s just high time for every Juan dela Cruz to keep ranks and cry for change.

Indeed, this is the start of a revolution.

See you later, my friend.

We recorded this song sa ilalim ng puno sa Intramuros, kasi nga aalis ka na, malapit na. Kaya naman, ayan, lapatan na natin ng mga litrato para madrama nang konti, tama?  ^_^

 

 Song: Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko (Cover)
I was on the lead vocals, Sed and Veron also in vocals, Veron on guitar, and syempre, Irish, the song writer! (copy of the lyrics) haha.

Kahit maputi na ang buhok ko, I will still be the same "Perla" that you knew. I hope ikaw din Rene, Thelma at Vicky. Sino nga ba si Ferly? Haha!

Well, this friendship is really a gift of God. ♥

I can still remember when we were freshmen in CoE, we were the perfect description of "young, wild and free." We were very immature by that time, we've done things na hindi dapat ginagawa ng isang matinong bata. So thankful that God has changed our lives and turned them 180 degrees.

Kahit na si Irish, Veron at Ferly na lang ang natira sa CoE, at nag-ibang landas na kami ni Sed. Still, our hearts are never separated. Yung kahit anong layo natin or tagal nating hindi mag-usap, still, we are very comfortable with each other.

At ngayon, lalayo ka na talaga SED. Haha! I know nothing will change. SURELY! Let's make more memories when you come back. I LOVE YOU! IHBLY! WHBLY! ^_^

Mahal mo naman kasi talaga Ako, eh!

"Naaalala mo pa ba noong una mo akong makilala? Alam ko, ayaw mo naman talaga sa'kin nung una, eh. Tama ba? Napilit ka lang ata eh?

Pero, nagbago ka simula nang nalaman mo at naramdaman mo kung GAANO KITA KAMAHAL. Na sa lahat, ibang iba ako. Alam mo 'yan. At take note, todo iyak ka pa! Aminin! Overwhelmed ka kasi sa pagmamahal ko, hehehe, tama ba? At ang hindi ko makakalimutan, ay nang sinabi mong mahal mo rin ako.
Simula noon, naging iba na ang takbo ng mundo para sa'yo. Lahat nagkaroon ng kulay. Lahat nagkaroon ng saysay. Palaging ako pa nga ang nasa isip mo, diba? Lahat ng ginagawa mo ay para sa akin. At naku, punong puno ng mga ngiti ang araw mo, kahit tambakan ka man ng maraming problema, dahil nalaman mong KASAMA MO AKO.

Naaalala mo pa ba?? Parang hindi na ata. Mukhang marami ka na kasing pinagkakaabalahan. Nawawalan ka na kasi ng time sa'kin.

Pero, masayang masaya ako sa kahit ilang minuto o segundong pagpikit ng mata mo habang binabanggit mo ang pangalan ko. At doon ay mariing nakikinig ako. Marami kang sinasabi tapos sa dulo, sasabihin mong "Mahal na mahal kita." Kitam, mahal mo naman kasi talaga ako, eh!

Pinagsabi mo pa nga sa mga kaibigan mo at kapamilya mo kung paano tayo nagkakilala at kung anong klaseng pagmamahal ang meron ako. Kaya naman, ginusto din nilang makilala ako. Kaso... hindi natuloy.

Maraming naging hadlang.
Nagpadala ka sa mga taong nagsasabing, hindi ako totoo at katulad lang din ako ng madami! Sinabi nilang nababaliw ka na at nagpapaniwala ka sa akin! Tapos, sinabayan pa ng mga problema at pressure! Ayun, nanghina ka.
Namiss mo ang mga bagay na dati mong ginagawa na alam mong hindi makakabuti sa'yo kasi lahat ng kaibigan mo ginagawa pa rin nila ang mga bagay na 'yon.
Feeling mo, out of place ka na, kahit hindi naman.
Feeling mo, wala ka ng time sa ibang bagay.

Nasaktan ka, kasi sila pang mga taong mahal mo, ang hindi tanggap kung ano mang relasyon ang meron tayo. Dahil doon, pinili mong sumuko.

Nasaktan ako dahil nakalimutan mo ang lahat.
Nakalimutan mong may bago ka ng buhay, isang buhay na ninanais ng bawat tao.
Nakalimutan mong lahat ng pangako ko ay hindi mapapako.
Nakalimutan mong lahat ng ginagawa ko ay para sa kabutihan mo.
Nakalimutan mo maging ang mga pangako mo.
Nakalimutan mong ako ang PANGINOON mo.

Sabi ko nga sa'yo diba, marami akong magagandang plano at pangako para sa'yo. At anuman ang mangyari, hindi magbabago ang pagmamahal ko sa'yo.
Hihintayin kita... mahal na mahal kita, ANAK.

Sana ako pa rin ang first love mo."

Love never dies.

TT

Yes. I admit. He broke my heart. I almost didn't know how and what to react. My favorite student, the one I really love to talk to, the one I'm very close with, has just broken my heart upon hearing these words from him, "Do you have some hobby bothering me?" I was just trying to change something about the problem matter of the lesson while he was answering because I thought it was very easy for him. I wanted to see how smart he is. "Do you have some hobby bothering me?" WHAT!?!?!?!? He almost forgot that I am the teacher and he is the student. Nakakainis! Ang bastos! Totoo ngang kung sino ang malapit sa'yo, masakit makasakit.

Hanggang Kailan?

♫♪ Two years or later, are you still on my mind? ♪♪

 May mga bagay na hindi mawala sa isip mo.
May mga taong hindi mo kayang isuko,
dahil sobrang mahal mo.

May mga pangyayaring hindi mo basta basta makakalimutan.
May mga sitwasyong iyo ngayong pinagsisisihan.

May mga paniniwalang hindi mo kayang itapon.
May mga aral na  gusto mong kasama sa habang panahon.

Ano ba ang mga pinanghahawakan mo ngayon?
Ano ang mga pinapaniwalaan mo?
Ano ang ipinaglalaban mo?
Ano ang mga bagay na ayaw mong mawala sa'yo?

Ano't anuman,
Handa ka bang protektahan ito?
Handa ka bang makipaglaban anuman ang pagdaanan mo?

Ang buhay nga siguro ay parang isang soap opera.
Mapunta man saan, palaging may kontrabida.
Pero nasa kamay pa rin ng Diyos nakasalalay ang  magandang istorya.
Ang tanong, susunod ka ba sa gusto Niya?

Maaaring ang nasa isip mo ay ang pag-aaral ng mabuti,
maganda 'yan, pero hanggang kailan?
Maaaring ang nasa isip mo ay ang maging mabuting anak o kapamilya,
maganda 'yan, pero hanggang kailan?
Maaaring ang puso mo ay magsilbi sa kapwa mo,
maganda 'yan, hanggang kailan?
Maaaring ang puso mo ay maisakatuparan ang mga pangarap mo,
maganda 'yan, hanggang kailan?
 Maaaring ang puso mo ay maging kapaki-pakinabang ang buhay mo,
hanggang kailan?

Sa bawat gagawin mo, maraming susubok na magpasuko sa'yo.
Kaya siguraduhin mong matibay ang iyong pundasyon,
dahil maaaring sa isang iglap...


#

To my student Lee Do Han

Today is (Lee Do Han) Harry's graduation day in high school. That's why, I made a little effort to congratulate him. 

 

I am indeed happy for him because I've seen how dedicated he is to his studies and
 how he is looking forward to go to the military academy and become a military officer someday. This student studies from 8AM up to 2AM the next day. That's how determined he is to reach his dream.

For almost a year now, I haven't just taught him things about the English language but I myself also learned from him a lot of things as we shared each others' experiences. This guy at the age of 19 has a lot of things to say about life. That's why I really appreciate him.

And of course, I share my faith to him. He knows a lot of things about me like my Christian life that's why I always take opportunity to share Christ to him in different ways, like being a friend unconsciously ministering to him whenever he's got a problem or just mere sharing. I really thank God that he gave me the power to minister overseas! Hallelujah! I am so indeed privileged and happy to know that Harry's becoming part of the church now unlike before; as well as he enjoys being with friends with good influence, as he told me. :)

#

The Call

(Now playing...)

“Don't wanna go back Lord to the way I used to live, the way I used to live..
I won't go back Lord to the way I used to be before you rescue me..”

images.google.com

“Where am I?

“What am I doing here!?

“ I've seen this place for almost nineteen years, like how others have seen it and how they see it now. Broken hearts, broken families, poverty, exclusive education, discrimination, corruption, shame, slavery, wickedness, masks, pretensions, deceptions, hidden agendas -- these are what I've seen in this place. I just don’t understand why many people want to live here. This place is very dark but everyone enjoys it, and they’re so much afraid of the light. But.. wait, why am I here, too?”

By then, I found myself lost. I was lost because I didn't know where I belong. I was lost because I realized that someone owns me and I’m separated from him.

“I don’t want to live here anymore!!!”

Right after that, someone was calling me. I paused for a while, feeling the awakening in my soul that I have to answer the call. And I answered it. I recognized that voice. I was right. The one who called was my Father. He called to say that He was looking for me and He was the one who found me in that place. He didn't want me to live there. And I knew in myself that He still loves me and He wanted me to come back to Him. He said that I don’t belong to that place. Tears fell from my eyes because I was so ashamed of everything I did there. I did what the people there did. I had fun to the extent of trying to gain everything and allowing my soul to perish. But my value in His eyes is still the same. I’m still the same person He created fearfully and wonderfully. I said, “Father, forgive me. I am no longer worthy to be called your daughter. Forgive me.” But He is like no other, He lifted me up and little did I know that He’s just waiting for me all the time.

Now I’m back at home. The happiness and peace that I have now in my life cannot be compared to that fun that I felt before. I am totally changed and continually changing from the inside out. I met my brothers and sisters who always bring out the best in me by bringing out the worst in me. From someone who always brags about everything that she has, she who was religious, selfish, annoying, disobedient, and irresponsible, and she who thought life was all about her, into a person who was like slapped on the face as a wake-up call to change -- is me.

The greatest decision that I have ever made in my life was to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

I was named Jane, and now I know who I am. I am His princess.

I'm not good but because of the blood of Jesus, I was clothed with righteousness. I'm not great. I am a just a child of a great God.

The culture of Christ is the culture of my life. And now I am busy about my Father’s business. I am now part of His team that reaches out people who still live in that place. I am a disciple and I am a cell leader. Life is never about me but it’s all about Him.

I am what He says I am. I can be what He says I can be. I can do what He says I can do.

^27” My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

I HAVE A QUESTION: ARE YOU STILL THERE?

#

Amazing!

While I was on my way to the entrance of PICC Forum, I noticed two people -- a boy and a girl -- looking at the sky. The boy was pointing out something to the girl while looking above, which also turned my eyes into what they are looking at. Oh. I see. It was just this. Well, it's light surrounded by dark shades of clouds. Dawn, right? It's the sun saying goodbye to the day.

I was listening then to, of course, a worship song "You Are Faithful". And I just kept thinking about Jesus -- how good He is, how amazing He is, how beautiful and faithful He is! I just enjoyed that moment with God while walking to the entrance. The moment I saw that boy and that girl talking about something, I thought their conversation goes like this: 

Girl: "Siguro ganyan kapag dadating na si Lord noh! Heavens will open!"

Boy: "Tapos kukunin na tayo! Hehehe!"

Funny, but somehow, true. :) I cannot take my eyes off the sky. Thoughts kept brewing in my mind. Heavens. Jesus. God. Glory. Goodness. Everything. Shapes. Faces on the sky. Then, suddenly, I stopped for a while when I saw this face. 

WOW. GLORIOUS!

IN MY MIND WAS: JESUS, CROWNED WITH THORNS, AT THE CROSS.

AT THE CROSS. AT THE CROSS. AT THE CROSS. JESUS.

I didn't let this moment to just pass away. I wanted to treasure what I saw. I took a picture of it. BEAUTIFUL. AMAZING. It reminded me again of what Jesus did 2000 years ago on the cross to fulfill the purpose of the Father -- to pay for the penalty of our sins by His blood in able to restore our relationship with God.

Can you also see what I see?

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son that if whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

Hari ng Pick-Up... Siya nga!

Pick up lines? Talaga naman! Usong uso pa din ngayon kahit matagal nang nauso!

Parang eto,

"Miss, kapuso ka ba?" (Bakit?)

"Sabi kasi ng nanay ko, gusto ka raw niyang maging kapamilya!"

Eto pa isa,

"Huwag kang masyadong malikot ha?" (Bakit?)

"Baka kasi matabig mo 'yung puso ko... mahulog sa'yo."

Dalawa lang 'yan sa marami pang cheesy/corny/banat pick up lines na napauso sa panahon natin ngayon.

At ngayon nga, Ogie Alcasid a.k.a. Boy Pick Up is so sikat and trending nowadays, right? Those nonsense lines that really catch the attention of the public. Walang konek pero bentang benta ano! Tama? :) Pero actually, wala naman siyang kinalaman sa post na 'to. Hihi.

Gusto ko lang malaman mo na.. pambihira! Hindi pa pala siya ang hari ng pick up!

Oo hindi siya!

May idea ka ba kung sino??

Well, none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. :D

Siguro nagtataka ka, talaga? Weh? Pa'no?

I arrived late at work today because I've been in a conference -- "Luzon G12 Regional Conference: Paint The Town Red". The first day was BOOM!!! And I just wanna share this thing about pick up line that one of the pastors there had shared.

Since uso nga ang pick-up-an, he told us that, don't we know that there is someone na mas magaling pa magpick up line kesa kay Boy Pick Up? At siya nga ay si Jesus. :)

Eto yung pinakamatindeng pick up. Pwede mong sabihing cheesy pick up line or banat, but for me, it's a LIFE CHANGING pick up line!

I just don't know, but men, if you know and love Jesus, I don't know how will you feel. :)


Jesus: "Miss, uhaw ka ba?"

Woman: "Bakit...?"

Jesus: (with the most gentle........ soothing......... relaxing........ heavenly........... voice that you could ever hear) "Kasi... TUBIG Ako.." :)

Wow! Boom!!! Goosebumps!! Knowing that these modernly translated words ay hindi inimbento ni Pastor Carlo Panlilio, kundi galing mismo sa Bible!

John 4, when Jesus talks to a woman in Samaria..

Why don't you guys check this out and see?? ..how Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman and how she responded to Jesus. C'mon take time!

Jesus Talks to a Woman in Samaria [John 4:5-19]

In Samaria Jesus came to the town called Sychar, which is near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus was tired from his long trip, so he sat down beside the well. It was about noon. A Samaritan woman came to the well to get some water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” This happened while his followers were in town buying some food.

The woman answered, “I am surprised that you ask me for a drink! You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman!” (Jews have nothing to do with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered, “You don’t know what God can give you. And you don’t know who I am, the one who asked you for a drink. If you knew, you would have asked me, and I would have given you living water.”

The woman said, “Sir, where will you get that living water? The well is very deep, and you have nothing to get water with. Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob? He is the one who gave us this well. He drank from it himself, and his sons and all his animals drank from it too.”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.”

The woman said to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water. Then I will never be thirsty again and won’t have to come back here to get more water.”

Jesus told her, “Go get your husband and come back.”

The woman answered, “But I have no husband.”

Jesus said to her, “You are right to say you have no husband. That’s because, although you have had five husbands, the man you live with now is not your husband. That much was the truth.”

The woman said, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet."

And I want to share to you this short video.. that Pastor Carlo shared in the conference.. with the song "How did you know?" I know that this speaks for all of us...

And you'll see yourself in that woman, that at one point in your life, you were also THIRSTY, searching for something that can ease your thirst.. for a desperate need-- love, affection, and anything... and unexpectedly, someone came.... at the right place, at the right time... JESUS, the living water!

Which are you?

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

A young woman went to her mother and told her how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.


Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.


Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what you see?” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.


She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter tasted its rich aroma.


The daughter then asked. “What does it mean, mother?”


Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water—but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. After being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.


“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength? Or are you an egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Do you have a fluid spirit, but after a loved-one’s death, a relationship breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have you become hardened and stiff? Does your shell look the same, but on the inside you are bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or are you like a coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If I am like the bean, when things are at their worst, I get better and change the situation around me through Christ-likeness.


My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be. -James 1:2-4


When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity?

RESPONSE: Christians are like carrots, eggs or coffee beans. They don’t know how strong their response is until they get into hot water. Which are you?


PRAYER: Lord, help me realize that every experience You give me, every person You put in my path, is the perfect preparation only You can see.


Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS)
A daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks


© 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission