HOME

♫♫ Created for a place I’ve never known… this is home. Now I’m finally where I belong... where I belong. Yeah, this is home. I’ve been searching for a place of my own, and now I found. This is home… ♪♫

images.google.com

WHAT MAKES YOU HOME?

Aren’t a house and a home the same? They are both places with people living in them. But I’m sure, that there is something distinct in the word ‘home’.

One can say, “I am home,” but not “I am house.” I realized that this ‘home’ is not just a noun – a place, as we all know; rather it is an adjective which describes you. Home is who you are. Home can be found in you. It is you.

CREATED FOR A PLACE CALLED ‘HOME’

It is very humane to look for something where you can be home. People long for happiness, security, peace and comfort. Money and other material things may be the frontline of their needs but a place where they can say, “I am home,” is more than a need but a desire.

You may have all the things that you want – money, the latest gadgets or expensive stuffs, a big house where you live in, a prestigious school where you study, or maybe a big company, you may also be managing a successful business, and you have elite friends whom you hang out with. These are good but a place called home goes beyond all these things.

All of us search for this home. Some people easily have it, some people don’t. Do you believe that we don’t reside in home? It is home that resides in us. It is deep within us. It is love. Love empowers the home within you. You are created to love. You are created to be loved. You are created because you are loved. Home is just always within you. It’s never missing, it’s just that, sometimes, you stay away from it, because of the things that are opposite of love. If you don’t have love, you are far away from home.

Again, you don’t reside in home. Home resides in you.

And what makes you home is love.

HOME IS WHERE YOU BELONG

True belonging ignites love and brings comfort. We all experience being loved especially by our family and friends. We experience home because we belong.

We all want to belong. We all need people in our lives. Belonging is not about wanting people to be like us. It is about giving each other a space of learning and loving each other with the similarities and differences we have.

You’ll only know where you belong if you know who you are. A fish belongs to its school and swims with them together under the water. A bird belongs to its nest with its fellow birds and flies with them together in the sky. A person belongs with whom she can be himself with, if, he really knows his identity. It means, if you belong, you are comfortable. You need not to wear mask. You need not to cover up. You can be who you are.

Sometimes, we say we are “out of place.” The reason is simply because we are not home. We are not with the right people. Yes, with the wrong ones. Because, in home there is understanding, there is acceptance, there is family. And the bottom line of it is still, love.

THIS IS HOME

Right now, maybe you think you are happy. There’s nothing more in life that you wish for. But at the end of the day, are you really happy? Are you really contented? Are you really in the joy that home brings?

Home is not just about you loving and being loved; it’s not just about you who belong. It’s also about how home can change you. You cannot say that you are home if you are living a life of mess and at the same time, happy. You cannot say you are home being with the people who support you and influence you doing things that are not helpful to you, and at the same time, happy. Don’t sugarcoat things that you know deep inside of you, are wrong.

Being home gives you the power to dream, to do good and beautiful things, to love and give more, to serve, to build and make your life better and better every day.

Home is a place where lives get changed. It is changing you inside and out.

Now, what is your home? Who is your home? Only you can answer that. Does it give you the power to dream great things? Does it help you do good and beautiful things that are helpful to everyone? Do you love more and give more? Does it teach you to serve? Does it make you a better person every day? If not, maybe there is a missing piece inside of you which leads you far away from home.

You know what? The One who created you knows it. In fact, He is the only One who can make you home. He is your identity because He created you. That’s who you are. You can only have love if you know and experience His great love for you. Just accept and receive Him in your life. Go back to this real home, because you are missing a lot in your life. Just give it a try.

Where there is love, that great and true love, there is home. Now, can you say, “I am home.”?

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The Chronicle of the Ruined Building

Everything in this world has the beauty of their past. There is always a story to tell behind a story, and a history hidden behind a history. Once living, now passing away. Nevertheless, it would always leave a mark.

I took time to visit Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros to know the story of the ruined building.

Intramuros, the walled city, is the heart of Manila. Beautiful and historical buildings in it bear out the magnificence of the place. And if you would only dig deeper on the tale of it, you would rekindle the nationalism in you because the residences and offices of the principal public servants reside in it. Some edifices in Intramuros, throughout the years, are still preserved and restored, or either redesigned and reconstructed. But there is one that was left stagnant and ruined, leaving questions to one’s mind, “What will happen to it?” “Will it be totally destroyed?” “Will it be revived?” “Who will own it?” “Will it be deserted forever?”

Abandoned, damaged, deteriorated – these are the words to depict an existing building in the walled city that once served as the Customs House in Manila, the Aduana or more popularly known as the Intendencia.

If you happen to pass by Andres Soriano Avenue (which was the Aduana Street before it was renamed on Dec. 7, 1985), near the northern bank of Pasig, there still stands the Intendencia that was the Customs House during the Spanish period. The once handsome structure is now left ruined.

Browsing through the files of the Intramuros Administration in Palacio del Gobernador in Plaza Roma, General Luna Street, the books and pictures of the Intendencia when it was still functioning as customs until it was ruined, continually invigorate its olden times.

It was on 1796 when it was indicated that the Aduana or the Customs House be erected within the walled city to attract merchants, or what we call nowadays as entrepreneurs or businessmen, not to get outside but to remain doing trades within the walls.

Tomas Cortes, a Spanish engineer, was given charge of the project. The design of the building was entrusted under his care. In 1822, he began submitting plans for the project.

Before the Intendencia was the Alcaceria de San Fernando located in the northern bank of Pasig which was built on 1752. The Intendencia was built starting from the year 1823 and was completed on 1829. Its neoclassical design truly made its structure distinct. Put up around two halls, it had three arched entrances and two main staircases at the central bay. It was bordered by two proportioned wings of three stories. Its rectangular window design and French windows on the uppermost floor were embellished with rustication. The building roof was repaired in 1861 by the firm of Manuel Perez.

The beautiful structure was not just damaged once, but six times; repaired not just once, but twice.

An 1863 earthquake left the structure so unsafe, followed by 1869 and 1872 earthquakes, wherein on that same year of 1872, it was ordered to be demolished. The Customs office then transferred to the San Nicolas district across the river.

A new building was built in 1876 based on the reconstruction project of Luis Perez Yap-Sionjue who began the work in 1874, in which he was awarded in it. Some of the Customs offices were housed there such as the Intendencia General de Hacienda or the Central Administration, the Treasury, and the new Casa de Moneda or Mint.

The building was damaged for the fourth time by Japanese bombs in 1941 and for the fifth time by the American artillery in 1945. During the American period, the Customs offices moved to the new Port Area leaving the Intendencia and the Treasury in the Aduana building.

It was again restored and served as a central treasury. In the 20th century, it was used successively as the offices of the Central Bank of the Philippines where a cement vault was built in the atrium, the National Treasury, and the Commission on Elections.

For the sixth time, it was put to an end by a fire in 1979. Since then, it was abandoned for a long time.

A plan for restoration, several years after of being destroyed by fire, began to spring up in 1996 during the centennial of the Philippine Revolution. The work started to restore the building to house the Records Management and Archives Office (RMAO), or commonly known as the National Archives for the records of the Spanish colonial period.

In the present year, there is still no obvious progress about the restoration of the building for it still looked the same as the building that was gutted by the fire many years ago.

The Aduana or the Intendencia is hoping to be the new home of the National Archives but there is still no exact day on when will it come to pass. The historic structure and remarkable design will just be in shape for the continuous history that the National Archives stores.

The Intendencia, though called ‘ruined’, will always be a wonderful part of history not just in the entirety of Intramuros but will always part of the exceptional ones in the Philippine history. Its story and structure will always be a treasure in the land, that’s why there’s no way to throw it away. It will always live.

Meet the Taho Vendor Millionaire!

I AM INSPIRED. Who would dare to believe that a 24-year-old man who just finished Grade 4 is earning more or less a hundred thousand a month just by selling taho? What? Earning thousands just by selling taho? Yes! You’ve read it right. To my surprise, he's earning millions in a year! Unbelievable as it may seem, it came to pass in the life of Nelson Dugayo.

To a man who was tall and skinny when he was young, he didn’t have the courage to study again. “Sobrang mahiyain ko talaga noong bata ako. Sobrang payat ko at ang tangkad ko pa, kaya palagi akong binubully ng mga tao. Kaya hindi na ako nag-aral ulit kasi sobrang nahihiya ako,” Nelson recalled.

Despite being shy, he started working at an early age. At 15, he already worked in a canteen, and at 17, he worked as a waiter in a catering where he had the chance to roam around different places in the metro, meeting different people. That’s when he learned to face life boldly.

It was in 2007 when Nelson embraced the profession of selling taho. He used to sell in the streets of Makati, particularly in Rockwell, enduring the weather uncertainties and the ups and downs of his earnings, until a day came when his hard work was finally paid off more than what he had expected.

It was just a usual day then, when someone bought taho from him and asked if his business was going well. “Ok na ok po! Ang laki po ng benta ko eh,” Nelson replied happily. To his amazement, he was just talking to Mr. Nestor Padilla, the president of Rockwell.

“Gusto mo bang magtinda dito?” These were the words that turned his life around. Nelson didn’t even have a vision of how his profession would level up to its exceptionality, of where it could take him. “Eh, para pong imposible naman po ‘yon, kasi iba ‘yung level ng tao dito, nanliliit ako na taho lang ‘yung dala ko. Nanliliit ako kasi, puro artista pa ang nakikita ko, tsaka mayayaman talaga. Parang imposible naman po,” he admits.

“Pero gusto mo?” Upon receiving these words, a new hope began to leap off his heart. And that was it! At 2009, he moved inside the Power Plant Mall surrounded by fine dining restaurants, leaving a new attraction to the elite people that were able to rekindle the childhood in them.

Nelson’s Taho is no extraordinary. It’s the same taho that we used to love. Wondering what makes it different? This time, it’s his taho that is being ran after and craved for, even by prominent people.

Lovi Poe, Vicky Morales, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Cesar Montano? Well, they are just some of his loyal buyers. Well, there’s no automatic. There was even no magic, just passion and hard work.

Nelson remains his feet on the ground, just enjoying the success that God has placed on his hands, and living a simple life with his wife and two kids.

This taho vendor is just one of the living testimonies that it’s not about where you’ve been; it’s about where you’re going. It’s not about what you’ve accomplished; it’s about where your hard work will take you.

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Try Kuya Nelson's Taho located in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati! Ang sarap, nainspire na ako, nalibre pa ako ng tahooooooooo! :D

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...


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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. :)

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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?

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