" Darkness In My Journey..."

Life's journey is not always of happiness, joy and success...Sometimes we experience sadness, failures and sufferings in life...

We are given the freedom to choose our destiny...For as long as we are happy in our decision and with our choices in life, then we are responsible for whatever consequences we will have....

Father God, I know that you are a loving Father...I know that you will always be with me in times when I have worries, cares and troubles in life.  Thanks for the gift of wisdom and thanks for directing my thoughts and my actions to reach my goals and to serve my purpose in life. Embrace me with your LOVE and COMPASSION as I continue my journey.

VILLA ESCUDERO ADVENTURE WITH HUBBY...

I have heard of Villa Escudero from my friends.  So hubby and I decided to explore it.  We went there for an overnight stay...

                                    

                                                    

                                                                @ the waterfalls...
                                                 

                                                     SANGGUMAY ACCOMMODATION

                                                       Waterfalls Restaurant

                                                     A pose at Carabao Cart...

                                                                        Bamboo Rafting...

Carabao Cart Ride...

     Rural Village tour....

PLETHORA OF BLESSINGS FOR 2012

Wow...I am late with this...well, better late than never...I still would want to share some of the   graces and blessings I had last year.

GRATITUDE has always been the language of my HEART and  expressing my gratitude and my appreciation  in life is my way of THANKSGIVING.

Counting my blessings...here are the BLESSINGS I am grateful for...
   

1.  I am blessed with the gift of NICHOLE in our family.  She is a precious angel.  I love watching her grow...every moment is precious...I am delighted with her presence in my life and in our family.  She is amazing because she is able to connect all the members of the family through her pictures in Facebook.  She is truly a blessing because she brings JOY to all of us.  Thank God for the gift of Nichole.

2.  The travels I had this year have made my journey in life exciting.  I love to explore places and I am just thankful for I was able to visit GenSan for our reunion.  I was also with my sisters in Davao, with my IFG family in Bato Spring in San Pablo City and in Palawan's 7th wonder of the world, the Underground River. How will I foget in the list Disneyland in Hong Kong during my golden birthday?  Hmm...I had fun with my only daughter, Gizelle.  Of course, not to forget Boracay as the year ends.  


3.My Work

Mansgold Children Embrace PaCEF's Values Education...

One of the challenging tasks I had last year in my professional life was to organize the Values Education program for Pampanga Children's Education Fund (PaCEF) in Mansgold Elementary School in Sta. Lucia, City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Well, I can't believe that the PaCEF scholars have two remaining months before the academic year ends. How time flies indeed.

As I try to recall how we started, I can say that it was not easy at all to develop and implement a program that nurtures the values we have as Filipinos. There was a need to network and collaborate with DepEd, Mansgold Elementary School and Mary the Queen College.  After some arrangements were made by the PaCEF President Dr. Roque with these institutions, Values Ed in Mansgold finally evolved.

Thanks to PaCEF  for its endeavor in inculcating value system to the school children that includes virtues like self-reliance, integrity, moral sensitivity, respect, creativity, discipline, love of country, love for truth (honesty) and commitment to serve God and humanity. These values have to thrive and should not be eroded as time passes.

Absolutely, with the implementation of the  project, a challenge was posted to the PaCEF group...to support and address a gamut of problems that results from misconduct and misbehavior of the schoolchildren nowadays. Well, PaCEF has responded to this call to action and challenge.  I believe that somehow through the project, it has impacted the lives of the children in Mansgold Elementary School.

I have thought of sharing some pictures that have captured some moments.

Coordination of the program with the School Principal, Ms. Alice Santos.

During the Seminar-Workshop

Awarding of Certificates to PaCEF scholars and Mansgold teachers.

CLTV's interview with the PaCEF President, Dr. Rouel S. Roque

A certificate of Achievement...

PaCEF Scholars with Dr. Rouel S. Roque

Mansgold Children during their Values Education class

Mansgold Kids fall in line for an activity...

The scholars do not only teach Values...they also feed them. 

Teaching the non-readers how to read.

Through a game the values of camaraderie and sportsmanship are developed.

                                     

                   Kids enthusiastically raise their hands for a reading activity.
 They just need to be motivated in order to be interested to learn how to read.

             The scholars and some of the kids after their class...so happy together.

It was a challenge for Che to work towards building positive relationships with the kids.

 PaCEF receives DepEd's Certificate of Appreciation...Many thanks to all the scholars for the hard work     and commitment to Values Education...A huge thanks also to PaCEF and to all the benefactors and sponsors.

                                Just being cool with the Girls after the meeting...


I can say that the year was a success and with the remaining months, I know in my heart that the PaCEF scholars have made a difference in the lives of the children. I am certainly humbled of this achievement and proud to be a part of the Values Education program.

As I end, I express my sincerest gratitude to PaCEF, to the supporters and sponsors of PaCEF, to DepEd, Mansgold Elementary School faculty and employees, Ma'am Alice, the Principal, all the pupils and of course, to the PaCEF scholars for their commitment and effort.  THANKS everyone and GOD bless us all for this noble endeavor!


“Your beliefs become your thoughts, 
 Your thoughts become your words, 
 Your words become your actions, 
 Your actions become your habits, 
 Your habits become your values, 
 Your values become your destiny.” 
                    ― Mahatma Gandhi

NAKAKA...

MGA NAKAKA…

Malalim na ang gabi pero di pa ako dinadalaw ng antok, kaya naisipan kong magsulat….hmmm…ano nga ba ang magandang topic? Hmmm...I want something light...Para maiba naman, naisip ko lang ang tungkol sa mga NAKAKA…

NAKAKAGULAT

Ito ang mararamdaman mo kapag ikaw ay down na down or down spirited, tapos biglang me surprise kang darating….kagaya ng…biglang darating ang pinsan mo na matagal mo ng di nakikita, biglang me  perang darating na di mo inaasahan, or biglang may magbigigay sa iyo ng pera...hehe...Isa pa ay yung biglang me mag aabot sa iyo ng regalo na di mo naman expect o biglang me dadalaw sa iskul mo at bibigyan ka ng pasalubong na di mo naman expect.  Kakagulat din kapag  me tumatawag sa iyo at paglingon mo ay wala naman….Ayyys....at lalong nakakagulat yung tulog ka tapos mananaginip ka na nahuhulog ka sa kama…nakakagulat din pag tinanggap mo ang pay slip mo tapos sobrang dami ang pay mo, o puedeng bakit wala kang sinahod….waahhh…Hmmm..

NAKAKAINIS

Hmmmph…Kainis Talaga!  Anong nakakainis? Ayyys…eh di kapag isang oras ka ng naghihintay tapos di pa dumarating ang kausap mo, tapos sasabihin….nakatulog kasi ako or nakalimutan ko…waahhh….Kainis din kapag sarap na ng tulog mo tapos maririnig mo ang beep ng cel mo…at pag binasa mo, wrong sent lang pala…huhu….hirap na kayang bumalik sa sleep kapag ganon.  Kainis din kapag me mga taong sumisira ng araw mo…like umagang umaga,may  mag te text at hihiram lang pala ng pera...Isa pa, kapag nasa mall ka, tapos me gusto kang bilhin, only to find out na wala ka na palang pera…ahaha….so punta ka sa ATM, tapos offline…waahh….di ba uuwi kang luhaan…isa pa ay yung sisingilin ka sa utang mo lalo na kung wala kang pambayad, or the other way around, sisingilin mo ang may utang sa iyo at sasabihin n’yang wala s’yang pera… pero panay naman ang bili ng kung ano ano at pasyal kung saan saan…o dib a po, nakakainis talaga…kalokaaa....bakit nga ba ganyan?

NAKAKATAWA

Ahaha….Kalokaaa….Kakatawa kapag nasa mall ka, tapos lalapitan ka at hahawakan, kasi akala ikaw yung kasama nya…waahh…Eh di syempre funny talaga kapag nagkamali ka dahil akala mo kilala mo yun pala hindi naman…Nakakatawa lalo kapag tawa ka ng tawa at nakikitawa kahit di mo alam kung bakit sila tumatawa…nyahaha…Isa pang nakakatawa ay kapag baliktad ang suot mong damit….wahaha…nakapag malling ka na at lahat at nakapagsimba…hehe…Kakatawa din kapag pipi ang kausap mo tapos di kayo magkaintindihan so wala ka naman choice kung hindi mag sign language pero dahil di ka alam…mali pa rin ang intindi ng kausap mo…so tatawa ka nalang ng tatawa. Nyahaha….

NAKAKAIYAK

Huhuhu…Syempre pag may pumanaw na mahal mo sa buhay…alangan naman pong tatawa ka….Tapos, kapag nawalan ka ng malaking halaga ng pera….waaahhhh….nasaan na yung wallet ko? Bakit nyo tinangay? Nakakaiyak din kapag yung movie na pinapanood mo  ay tungkol sa confrontation ng mag ina o mag ama na heavy drama ang dating…tipong yung me sumbatan at yakapan in the end.  Kakaiyak din kapag nalulungkot ka dahil miss mo mga anak at asawa mo na nasa malayo.  At lalong nakakaiyak kapag ikaw ay sinaktan sa puso kagaya ng, waahhh…nalaman mong may iba na palang kinakasama ang asawa mo…or may anak na pala sya sa iba….waaahhhhhh….huhuhu…

How To Be A Blessing to Others...

So, how can a person be a blessing to others? Hmmm...I was actually asked by a friend to write about this topic and so here I am with my thoughts.

As I start to figure out how one can be a blessing to other people, I have realized that sometimes, it is the small things that make an impact on other people's lives. A person becomes a blessing when he or she:

1. Smiles and says hello to a stranger.
2. Pays the fare of an old woman or man who is totally a stranger.
3. Lends money to somebody who needs it.
4. Buys a stranger a water when he or she knows that he or she is thirsty.
5. Pays for the bill of the food when he or she knows that a friend doesn't have the money.
6. Serves as an inspiration to a person at times when he or she already wants to give up.
7. Humbles himself or herself and helps those who are in need.
8. Shares his or her time, talent and treasure to others.
9. Makes herself or himself available to people who need somebody to listen to them.
10 Prays for those who are sick and dying.
11. Becomes a witness of God's genuine charity and love to other people.
12. Supports the noble cause of a friend or an institution.
13. Volunteers to help in the community project that is for a good cause.
14. Says, "I love you" and "I care" to somebody who is down-spirited.
15. Cooks and prepares food for the malnourished children of a community.
16. Shares his or her own food to people who are hungry.
17. Does somebody a favor like pay one's bills because the other person has no time to do it and is so busy.
18. Lightens one's day by doing him or her a favor...take the person to snacks of dinner and have a friendly talk.
19. Shares his or her clothes to others who do not have something to wear.

I have also asked some family and friends about it and here are some of their responses:

YOU ARE A BLESSING TO OTHERS VIA YOUR GOOD DEEDS, ACTIONS AND RHETORIC FUELED BY YOUR UNUSUAL GENEROSITY. HOW? LOVE, RESPECT, HUMILITY AND SERVICE. BE YOURSELF."
-Lolo Alex Tano-

I am a blessing because of my laughter !! a day is wasted when you did not laugh !!
- Cecile -

"when we give to the needy, we do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men"...(Matt 6:2)
-Irene Dayon-

Express your love... share your enthusiam ^_^
-Helen Joy Daquil Santiago-

Hmmm...See? There are many ways to bless someone's day. Sometimes it doesn't really require much effort on your part to make a big difference for someone else.

Be BLESSED and be a BLESSING!

NICHOLE, Our ANGEL..

I just turned 50 last October 12 and many of my friends and acquaintances say I look younger than my age...not only that, some can't believe that I am already a grandmother. I was trying to figure out the words that would best describe the feeling and was able to come up with these words...PURE JOY...

It never occurred to me that the feeling of a granny will be like this. It is something amazing and wonderful.

Nichole, our precious angel, will be one year old on January 13, 2013. That will be almost two months from now. She had grown fast since she was born ten months ago. I love watching her grow...every moment is precious...I love our constant rapport through phone and most especially when we do our "picture picture" Nichole.

I am fascinated and I love her gummy smile...haha...especially when she does facial expressions...Her smiles take my breath away...I am delighted...

I love it when she flashes her crooked smile...it has a magical power associated with it...everyone in the family becomes connected because of Nichole.

As I see Nichole, I have become comfortable with aging because I know that with her around, I will definitely grow old mentoring and mellowing and will surely have the wisdom about children and life.

The JOY she brings is evident to every member of our families...even if they are far, I can feel how happy they are as they see her pictures on Face Book...thanks Nichole for the joy you bring to us.

I love her face whenever she projects a shy charm...I love her innocent look too...I just love her for what she is at this stage of her life.

With Nichole, I was reminded of motherhood, and I as recount the memories, I can't forget those hazy days. She has brought back into my mind, these forgotten memories of a jumbled and pathetic motherhood...gone are those days...Congratulations to me...I was able to face and overcome these challenges! I am overwhelmed though of these experiences...

At present I am hooked up on being a grand mom to Nichole and definitely this is one of the reasons why my journey to life is meaningful. As she grows, I promise to make her see herself as I see her and just to be there for her. I know in my heart that for as long as I live, I will always have a blissful and unconditional love for Nichole.

Thank you Nichole for the gift of you in my life...thank you for the JOY that you bring...thank you for transforming my world as a grandmother and for giving me new perspectives...

I love you, Nichole!

Oftentimes in life we allow other people to live it for us...so we give them the opportunities to decide for us, make decisions and follow what they want. But, is this how we should live our lives? All I know is we are given free will by the Lord to make decisions and choices in life...Let us then live the life God has given us according to His plans.