Climate Change or Let's make a Change?

Masyado ng nakakabahala ang pagbabago ng panahon dito satin sa Pilipinas. Mainit na nga sa umaga, mainit padin sa gabi tapos minsan bigla namang uulan. Grabe na talaga ang init sa bansa parang kulang nalang buhangin, kamelyo at cactus para disyerto na tong lugar natin. Sabi nga ng papa ganito rin daw ang klima sa saudi arabia nung nandun pa siya. This is more than what summer is. Parang gusto kong magswimming araw araw.

Tuwing Mayo, may Agua de Mayo na tinatawag samin, yun ay ang unang ulan sa buwan ng Mayo. Sinasabing kapag naligo ka sa Agua de Mayo, pagagalingin nito ang sakit mo, pero hindi na naman ito katanggap tanggap ngayon dahil hindi natin alam baka ang pagbuhos ng ulan ay isa lang Acid rain at lalo lamang itong makasama sa kalusugan ng tao.

Isa lang naman ang dahilan kung bakit naramdaman natin ang mga ganitong panahon: ito ay Tao. Ang dami dami nang tao sa mundo ngunit limitado naman ang resources, ang dami dami ding umuusbong na teknolohiya na hindi naman lahat ay maganda ang madudulot para sa ating kapaligiran. Sobrang dami na ng Carbon dioxide na bumabalot sa ating atmospera kaya sobrang init na talaga ang nararanasan nating panahon, hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo nadin. Di bale sana kung marurunong magtanim ang tao ng halaman sa kanilang paligid ngunit hindi naman, walang humpay sa pagputol ng puno; pagsunog ng gubat at basura; pagtatapon ng dumi sa dagat at kung saan saan kaya sa halip na gumanda at luminis ang paligid ay lalo lamang pumapangit.

Kaya tao, mabahala ka, kumilos ka and Let's make a change. Sabi nga ni Michael Jackson "Heal the World, make it a better Place, For You and For Me and The Entire Human Race, There are People dying If you Care Enough For the Living, Make it a Better Place For You an For Me". Di bat napaka inspiring ng ibig ipahiwatig ng mga linyang yan. Eto pa ang isa - "I'm starting with the Man In The Mirror, I'm Asking Him to Change His Ways, And no Message Could have been any Clearer, If You wanna Make the World a Better Place Take a look at Yourself, and Then Make a Change".

Paano nga ba sisimulan ang pagbabago upang maligtas ang ating mother earth? Sa mga simpleng bagay maaari nyong simulan ito:

1. Iwasan ang bisyo gaya ng paninigarilyo (anti carbon dioxide)

2. Magtanim ng halaman o kaya itanim ang buto ng mga pinagkainan nyong prutas

3. Magtipid ng tubig at enerhiya

4. Itapon sa wasto ang inyong basura o use 3R

5. Huwag mag-aksaya ng pagkain (anti methane gas)

6. Kung malapit lang ang pupuntahan ay maglakad na lamang o gumamit ng bisekleta anti carbon dioxide pa

7. Makiisa o tumulong sa paglilinis, pagpapanatili at pangangalaga ng ating kapaligiran. O kaya ay suportanhan ninyo ang mga programang pangkalikasan sa inyong lugar.

Simple lang yan ngunit malaki ang maitutulong nito upang magbago ang kapalaran ng ating mundo at masugpo ang nakababahalang climate change. Kaya pumili kayo Climate Change or Let's make a Change? ^_^

My Trip to Cam Sur (April 9, 10 & 11)

I am excited to tell about this very special trip of mine; actually it’s my first time to be in Bicol. The 97^th convention for the churches of Christ ministry was a week before my graduation. After all the superstitious conversation with my mother, nothing stops us (thanks to my sister niña and anna for the support).

Actually I am not so prepared with my video presentation and I’m a little bit worried about the fact of going to a place that I’m not familiar with the peoples language (because I don’t know how to speak Bicolano, what If we get lost? Hehe) but still, I am excited. The trip was long, long that it seems for me to feel kind of woozy, but as I look at the window to see the panoramic view of the trees, beaches, farm (ville ^_^) and mountains - I felt so overwhelm.

As we came at the Cam Sur, we rode a pedicab that looks kinda different, it has a passenger seats for ten persons (cool hehe). The venue was at the convention hall of Cam Sur Watersports Complex or CWC, my friend accompanied us as we arrive there @ 3pm. I’m so glad to see hundreds of delegates that came from different part of our country. It’s good to see some friends that I’ve known in Laguna and Manila.

The Cam Sur Watersports Complex Park is near at the back of the wooden cabin near the convention hall, this is where the people do wakeboarding and waterskiing. CWC Park has a cable ski system, grand stand, restaurants, shops, sand bars and sederas. How I wish that I could learn how to do wakeboarding, whoa how cool. So with the beautiful amenities there, taking a lot of pictures was a great thing to do. We slept at the cute wooden cabin. Being there refreshes our mind and soul that’s why everybody enjoyed the place. I spend a sleepless night that day preparing for the presentation. A little editing in my AE project and all goes well done.

Everybody was really happy and excited. Some of the local churches representatives have showcased their talents in singing, dancing and playing different kinds instruments giving praise to the God. That day was the release of the book souvenir of the 97^th convention and I am happy to see myself at the back cover of it, advertising the Christian Camp in Pagsanjan. My friend was the one who think for the concept and I’m the one who made the advertisement for the book cover. I’m delighted to see the output done.

On the night of April 10 9pm, it was the time that we came out for the video presentation introducing the official website of COC. Me and my partner do the honour to stand at the stage and introduce ourselves as the maker and administrator of the site. After we spoke in the convention, they congratulate us. One asks for how much but actually we don’t ask for it because it was our gift for them and being part of the show was already a credit. I felt like I was blessed with compliment. After the show ended, we took time to explore more of the CWC Park and enjoyed taking pictures with my friends.

April 11 - time for Sunday service and this is the last day of the convention. I took time to bid goodbye to my friends and elders. Me and my sister was actually looking forward to see the Mount Mayon but if we do that beause we’re going to run out of time going back home and so we skip doing it.

At SM naga, me and my sister shopped for clothes and pasalubong. I bought my graduation dress and CWC shirts. At the terminal we bought pili tarts, native slipper, keychain and wallet from Bicol. Later part was another long travel back home. Blissfully I look at the pictures of my best trip ever in Cam Sur.

Visita Iglesia in Quezon

It’s a holy week so everybody prefers not to eat meat as a tradition of abstinence and fasting too (but I’m not so sure if I can really do fasting). The idea of fasting and abstinence is to gain self control, a simplification of life-style, a solidarity with the poor and hungry, and to return to Paradise.We, Christians take a step to look back on what Jesus did in his last week of life.

April 1 of 2010, me and cousins decided to have a Visita Iglesia, like what we usually does every holy week, but this time we were only few because most of our cousin’s now on abroad. Although there’s a so called trend of online Visita Iglesia Stations of the Cross (I actually don’t find it acceptable but its good intention counts), we just wanted something that was real to feel the essence of the greatness of Jesus Christ Station of the Cross and to express our own faith. Click here for the online Visita Iglesia.

After eating fish with gata for dinner, we get ourselves ready for the Visita Iglesia, wherein we’re going to meditate on the sufferings of Jesus Christ through the traditional Station of the Cross.

Opening prayer: ACT OF CONTRITION “O my God, my Redeemer, behold me here at Thy feet. From the bottom of my heart I am sorry for all my sins, because by them I have offended Thee, Who art infinitely good. I will die rather than offend thee again.”

First station: Jesus Christ institutes the Last Supper, we prayed at the Basilica of St. Michael Archangel (Tayabas, Quezon) One of the old and biggest church in the country. (Click here to see the article ) We should take the Holy Eucharist in every Holy Communion. "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Second Station: He prays in Gethsemane, we prayed at the Sanctuaryo Chapel. For God so loved the world he gave us His only Son. Jesus Christ as the only Son of our Lord accepted the divine will of His Father.

Third Station: Christ is taken before the Sanhedrin (high court), we prayed at the (MCST) Missionary Catechists of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus. 2 years ago, our school went there for a retreat and I remembered those memories as we got there. For those times that people criticize me at home or at school or elsewhere, I have learned to accept criticism and unfairness just like what Jesus did.

Forth Station: He is scourged and crowned with thorns, we prayed at the parish of Peñafrancia. Sometimes I feel like I’m not appreciated and I do feel sorry for myself, even though the crosses others carry are much larger than my own. I learned that I should accept and overcome the hardship just like what He did for us.

Fifth Station: Christ carries the cross to Cavalry, we prayed at the St. Andrew d apostle church. There are times that I give up so easily but I realized that I should have the courage to overcome the burden because Jesus carried the heavy cross (burden our sins) to redeemed us.

Sixth Station: He falls under the weight of the cross, we prayed at the Carmel of St. Joseph. Sometimes I tend to be impatient with myself and find it hard to believe in myself when I fail. Also sometimes I do get depressed in small things but as what He did, I should try not gave up easily and to do my best even when things doesn’t seem to be on my way. After praying we took some picture taking at the nuns’ place and bought some holy bread or Ostiya flakes and Ostiya Pulboron at the gate side and continued.

Seventh Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Him carry the cross, we prayed at the mother of good counsel. There are times that others asked for my help but I sometimes claim to be too busy. I learned that I should be helpful because it brings happiness not only to those I’ve helped but also to me.

Eighth Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem, we prayed at the St. Alphonsus Regional Seminary. Just like what He did, I wanted to become more anxious to others when they have a problem so that I can respond to them even when I'm busy or preoccupied with my own problems.

Ninth Station: He is stripped of his garments, we prayed at the Lourdes Cathedral. To become more like Him who is pure and clean, I should say things that build up the people around me, overcome worldly desires and set a good example for others to follow.

Tenth Station: Christ promises Heaven to Dimas, the repentant thief; we prayed at the Maryhill Chapel. Just like what He did, we should learn how to forgive others who have sin to us.

Eleventh Station: He entrusts John, his cousin, and Mary, his mother, to each other; we prayed at the Ferdinand Cathedral. There is no other occupation in the world that compares to quality mothering from birth to death just like what Mama Mary did. In the midst of dying, He was still thinking of others and so He wants us to love even when we are dying.

Twelfth Station: Jesus dies on the cross, we prayed at the St. Isidore Cathedral. I praised and thank Jesus for his great love, sacrifice and willingness to die on the cross for us.

Thirteenth Station: His body is laid in the tomb, we prayed at the Holy face of Jesus parish. I learned that I should become more gentle and loving person through my greater appreciation for those around me while they’re still alive. I should live each day as if it was my last.

Fourteenth Station: Christ is resurrected, we prayed at the St. Anne diocesan cathedral. Jesus Christ ascended into the heavens, is ruling and reigning even now, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. Let us all repent, believe in Him and be saved forever.

It feels so good to finish the 14 Station of the Cross, may our wishes be granted from above. This Holy week, just always remember to put up share of differences like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Let’s be thankful to Jesus Christ because by the Holy Cross He redeemed the world.

After the Visita Iglesia we go to QNAS to visit my sister and eat some ice cream (love it). We arrive at home by 1 a.m. and we saw many people walking in the street, they’re going to visit the beautiful grotto of Kamay ni Jesus in Lucban. I am so amazed that they were willing to walk that far (from Tayabas to Lucban), this tradition is the so called indulgentia or plenary indulgence, they does it to express release from punishment. It is a remission of the temporal punishment due to sin which has been forgiven.

My Blog^^

Yeah, last semester in college and it's been a long time since I engaged again in writing a blog article because I'm very busy doing my social network thesis, but today was a fresh new start.

I'm glad that after all the sleepless nights (zombie mode) of coding relying on my chocolate drink (i prefer it than coffee), budgeting money for a heavy data gathering from Laguna to Manila and also to cover up some important church events or conventions, complexity in finding a good design, cramming and so on... now graduation is so near and within a few more weeks of class, I can almost taste it.

I've been blessed because of being part of Him, although I've cut out being active in Singles for Christ due to my thesis schedule, I am still attached to Him because my former client in thesis is the Churches of Christ Ministry which I've been very thankful for because they have been so open and supportive that my Pre-Defense ended up to qualify the Social Network for the Churches of Christ ministry to be a topnotch. Although the first part turn so well, there's still a lot of struggle and pressure. The final defense is better and at last I can say that I am near to my Bachelors diploma.

I'm about to step up on the real world where I can meet more people and extend my networks. I'm a bit afraid but I am excited. I still don't know what would be my exact career but I do have a prospect. Life is a continues learning so keep believing and pursue your goals. Let your family give you their support, and you'll master every challenging transition.

Please visit http://myfaithfullife.com/ - the very first social network for the Churches of Christ Ministry. Connect with people, share your experience, build a better world with love, peace and strong faith to God. Have a nice day and God bless.