pic to pick

just sharing some pics taken at Gawad Kalinga, where we contributed effort and time for the victims of Ondoy.

(Maan, Me, and Gracias)

I feel blessed ^-^

In time of need, unity is an essential factor for survival. This is what I saw after the devastating wrath of typhoon Ondoy. Indeed, many have not recovered yet. But through unity and the passion to help each other, everyone will surely survive.

Yesterday, my friends and I went to Gawad Kalinga, a non-government organization with the purpose of helping those in need. Gawad Kalinga also enforced relief operation for the victims of typhoon Ondoy. It was relieving to see how many fellow lending hands for others. Many fellow volunteered their time and effort in repacking relief goods. Everyone was active in helping. Young and old, poor and rich, prominent and ordinary people were there. Everyone was sweating but no one seems tired after an arduous and continues work. Each one of us there was contributing in making the job easier and faster.

The repacking is also non-stop because the donations coming from different good-hearted people and entities continued to pour. There were boxes and boxes of canned goods, sacks of rice, clothing and support from various people. Hour from hour, trucks of repacked goods are deployed in many affected areas. Despite the tiring job of non-stop repacking, everyone was smiling and happy especially when the in-charge announces how many goods were deployed.

In times of need, you would not really feel the boundary that separates the people. In this society, yes, there are poor and rich, educated and not, but when everyone united for the same purpose, such boundary is erased. As for my experience, it was gratifying to see people happy in helping those in need with no strings attached. For this, I salute everyone who volunteered and donated for the victims of the typhoon Ondoy. Let us keep the sense of unity and generosity for us to survive.

My “Floody” Birthday Experience

On Saturday morning, I woke up with a smile on my face. This is because few two days more and I’m gonna be celebrating my birthday again. The rain continues to pour but we felt like it was a normal rain. Nothing extraordinary would gonna happen on that day. Like an ordinary day, we had our breakfast and then lunch. After watching noontime show, we played chess. As the fight of mind becomes intense, the rain is becoming stronger as well. The rain is now accompanied with whirling wind. The disturbing noise made by the wind and every angry drop of rain were enough to catch our attention that that day is not an ordinary day.

                At around 4 pm, quantity of water began to creep near the gate door. Few minutes more and the water was now inside the house. The water creeping in the house made me stunned for a moment while my heart was pumping fast. Though I wanted to run for help, I couldn’t because my knees cannot be moved. When I had the chance to make one step and collected my thoughts, fear continued to weaken me. So many things were running in my mind. Hope and death were rumbling and fighting over in my head.

                When I had my bag, I joined my housemates to find refuge. As we climb to the second floor, the water continued to pursue us. There was no place where we can find safe haven. On that very moment, everything moved fast like a thunder. It could have also been fast in taking our lives.

                On the verge of death, there was nothing more important that saving your life. I realized that everything I have is of no importance in times of calamities like flash flood. There was no one to turn to but God. You would not wish of anything but forgiveness and saving your soul so that in case death comes to you, you will be safe in the hands of God. I felt that life is no worth at all and everything you have planned can be swept in one instance if God wills for it. I also felt the desire to help people I saw who are in need of help, but I just cannot do it because my life is also at stake. It was actually impossible. The only thing you do is to cry and pray fervently while watching more quantity of water eats up properties and people.

                But despite the fear and nearing death, hope and faith strengthened me. I firmly believed that God would not grant me a gift of death on my birthday. I believed that God will save us and will stop the water from pursuing us. Then, the flash flood stopped before it reached the roof of the house. Thank God, you spared our life. Thank you also for the experience because I realized how worthless life is without You. For people who had the same experience, I feel the same for you. The calamity that visited us and devastated properties and lives should not weaken our faith but should remind us that God hold our lives and it’s only Him that can save us.

Still, happy birthday to me :)

Project Runway Season 2

I'm not fashionista, but I love learning about it. Project Runway is just among few resources I utilize in learning about fashion. My interest in fashion, however, bloomed only when I started watching Project Runway. Good things about this is that contestants are rated and are informed about the do's and dont's and plus and minus of their creation. Challege becomes stiffer that really make one reveal his or her talent. Since Jas has been eliminated, my bet is now MAnny Marquez coz he is really good.

Introducing New Toshiba Creation

after enjoying my Toshiba Satellite, now I want to have this new masterpiece of Toshiba. It is Toshiba Satellite U__. Aside from its lighter weight, it has sure feautures that you will surely love.

Misconceptions About Sunblock

In today’s temperature, the need to apply sunblock has become a necessity. The serious skin cancer has become among the common diseases that attacks people who failed to protect their skin from the Ultra-violet (UV) rays. Before swimming, applying sunblock is also a prerequisite. For many of us, sunblock becomes only a necessity when going out for a swim to protect the skin from sunburn or from having tan lines. However, today, applying sunblock should be made daily.

Apart from skin cancer, UV rays can also cause melasma. There are a lot of people having unbalanced facial skin color. This is because the sun rays have gradually burnt their skin. Sun rays can really be a danger to human skin nowadays.

Due to the consciousness about sun rays, UVA and UVB radiation, many sunscreen products have been made available in the market. However, much to our surprise, the sunscreen or sunblock that we have bought is not effective in reflecting UVA and UVB radiation. We may have relied much on the commercials about sunblock without our knowledge that it will not protect our skin from the UV rays.

Like me, I had misconceptions about sunblock. I thought the more expensive the product the more effective it is. And so, I usually bought Nivea brands for my sunblock. Every time I am invited for outing, I always bring with me sunblock. However, it did not provide the result I expected. After swimming, I had tan lines, sometimes, sun burn. Worst, it has become difficult for me to revive my skin color. Yes, I have become darker.

In determining the effectives of sunblock you buy, always make sure that it contains 2% of Lead Oxide or Titanium Oxide. This will make the sunblock effective in protecting the skin from UVA and UVB radiation. Do not go for branded if it does not contain the said substances because it will just give no result.

Benj: A New Pride of Baguio

 

Yes, indeed! A new Igorot pride has emerged in the mainstream of music industry. Benj has been into music despite his promising career as a flight steward. Finally, he has his own album entitled Benj. His album contains 10 songs including the top hit song, “I don’t wanna talk about it.” This song has hit local radio's playlists and has been the most requested song. He has been called as the Rock Balladeer because of the melody introduced in his songs.

Benj has been into music since childhood. He has been joining gigs and auditioned in several contest for his talent to be discovered. Finally, he has risen into a handsome rock balladeer. Thanks to Umagang Kay Ganda, that I got to discover this fellow. Now, I’ve got another reason to be proud of my bloodline. Two thumbs up to you Benj! For more info about Benj please follow this link.

Boggling Question

One time, my friend and I applied for a writing position. After several filling up of application papers, we were required to take an exam. The exam wasn’t that difficult. However, I found it hard to answer the essay question, i.e. “What is your greatest achievement?”

I am having no trouble really answering an essay question. But this one made my mind boggle. It is basically I have no achievement to brag about or to write in answer to the essay question. Finishing college is not one I can be proud of. As for me, I consider it as my parents’ achievements, not mine. Having job is also not an achievement I consider because it is not a lifetime career I can be proud of. Besides, it is not my dream to be landed in such a job. Apart from that, I have no real estate or cash amount in my bank account. Precisely, I have no achievements to say. My mind was really boggled thinking of a particular achievement in life which I can say that it was from my own blood, sweat, and tears.

However, my mind settled when I thought of my sister. At my age now, I have been able to support my sister’s education. Sending her to college is a burden yet relieving obligation. Though, it was only a financial support but; knowing that I am directly involve in achieving her dreams is a big thing to be proud of. Upon realizing this fact, I was then able to answer the question. As I continue in the journey of my life, I hope to achieve more so that I won’t find it hard anymore to answer the same question.

I longed to be an Angel, too

There was this one moment when I wished I could have been an angel. My fascination to be an angel is my desire to be a soldier of God, as how biblical authorities define angel. At that very moment, I really wanted to be an angel literally. Like an angel, I wished to have wings and able to fly too. Like an angel, I wished to guide people on their daily lives. I wanted to be a soldier of God in leading every person to God’s glory. But then, the question is how?

            It was quite imprudent for me to think that I would like to die to be an angel. According to my Biblical background, after death, the soul either goes purgatory, to wilderness, to hell, or to heaven depending upon how one lived his life here on earth. Besides, I am a child who, we believe, automatically becomes an angel after death. Much more, I am not a righteous person who attends mass every day, actively participates in church, visits the sick, and helping the poor. Instead, I am only an ordinary here on earth who strives to survive in this world of uncertainties. And, so I have no choice but to laugh at myself of my childish thoughts.

            Needless to say, I found a rational answer to my childish question and the possible fulfillment of my dream. Being an angel, certainly, does not entail having wings to fly or having no physical body but a mere soul. Being an angel can be possible even one is alive and kicking. Being an angel does not need to be rich and extravagantly supply the people with their needs. It is not necessarily being religious and be participative in every activities and organizations of the churches. It is not being popular in championing the cause of the poor.

Instead, it is just being simple yet living a life that Jesus has taught people should live. It is being good to everyone regardless of their financial status, gender, culture, etc. Being a living angel is being an exemplar of simple and contented life. It is having a clean and happy life. It is being available when someone needed you most. It is being helpful to those who needed you. It is being a light to those suffering in darkness. It is fostering peace among friends, family members, and other people. It is giving hope to those who thinks life is hopeless. It is upholding justice despite the corrupted system. It is making people believe that there is God. It is living like an angel.

In my journey here on earth, I wish that God would grant me the values needed in living like an angel. I wish to be of help to those in need, but not on financial matters. I hope to foster friendship and peace. I hope that I can be an example that some would find inspiration. I hope to fulfill angelic obligations before I find my final curtain. I pray that God will make me an angel even for few people around me. With this simple thought, I wish many more others would wish to be an angel.