Do not be afraid…. for He is with you.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”
Psalm 46:1

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.”
Psalms 118:6

The word, “Do not be afraid” in the bible has been mentioned hundreds of times. I am not sure how many but a friend of mine told me that it is mentioned 365 times. I am not astonished with the words, “Do not be afraid”; what makes me more amazed are the words that come after that, “…For I am with you.” You can see so many of these lines in the bible (Mostly in the Old Testament). This was said by God to many of His chosen people in which I will name a few as I go on with the discussion.

He didn’t say
“Do not be afraid for you have the intelligence,”
Or
“Do not be afraid for you have the skills to defeat your enemies”
Or
“Do not be afraid because you are well-built and strong and courageous.”

What he said was
“Do not be afraid because I am with you.”
See how God’s presence can do so much?
Can you see how much God can do just because He is with you?
Without God, do you think Moses will be able to deliver the Israelites out of the Egyptians hands? Without God’s favor, do you think the Israelites would reach the Land the Lord has promised them? Without God, do you think the Israelites would win against other stronger nations? Without God’s favor, do you think Gideon will be able to win the fight against the Philistines? Without the favor of God, do you think a boy shepherd like David could win his fight against the giant fighter Goliath? If you’d ask me, I would say no. Apart from God, there is nothing. Victory comes not in the numbers of battles they’ve won but genuine victory is when God’s favor was upon them. God called the Israelites as his chosen people; what could ever be more rewarding than to be one of God’s people? God is there to rescue us in times of trouble; He is there to oppose the evil hands of the enemies. The enemies shall flee because they know that we are God’s chosen people. We don’t need so many things in this world. We only need God and how will we receive God’s favor? By simply having faith in Him. We can get His favor by believing in Him, by believing in what His son Jesus Christ did for humanity at the cross and if we believe that He fulfills all his promises. God is perfect. He is our armor in battles and he is the greatest protector we could ever have. Apart from God, we die. Death is not the most tragic thing to happen in life, the most tragic is when we exist without even knowing that a living GOD is there to shield us from harm and share our pains and happiness, sorrows and joys, loses and victories. Smile always and do not be afraid for God is with you 
He will have no fear of bad news;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 112 : 7

God Looks at the Heart, nothing else.

As I start this blog, I would like to tell a story.
There is this weekly gathering in a Church. Everyone is well dressed up until one day; a boy came in to join. He was a young teenager who wore untidy and shaggy clothes. His shirt and jeans were obviously worn out and his slippers were muddy. All eyes were on this boy and believe me, they were looking at him as if he were a criminal or a threat to their safety. When the boy sat in one of the benches at the rightmost corner, many of the people originally sitting there moved to other places. The boy didn’t mind. The mass started and ended just the way it is and before the priest took his exit, he said, “Next week, I want you to read in advance Romans 17:1” The people nodded and then went to their respective homes, including the boy.

When the next meeting came, all the people were there including the boy who still wore the same way he did and sat where he sat last time.
Then the priest asked,
“Who among you have read what I’ve asked you to read?”
Everybody raised their hands except for the boy. All eyes were at him again and the people were looking at the boy as if he had committed murder. The crowd began to whisper and talked about the boy’s behavior. The murmur was getting louder and louder until the priest ordered silence.
The priest then asked, “Why didn’t you read Romans 17:1?”

The boy nervously answered, “Good day sir. Honestly, I tried to look for that chapter and verse in the bible but I didn’t so I wasn’t able to read.”

The priest smiled at the boy and looked at the people,
“This boy is telling the truth, there is no Romans 17:1”

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7

This is what makes God a God. God is not a God if He was just looking at the same way the man looks at other people. There maybe some moments in our lives where we tend to judge a person by how he looks or how he stands, how he dresses up or how he speaks; but you know what? We can never tell what’s in a person’s heart. Are we God for us to tell that the person is not living for God? Physical appearance is not important to God, what’s most important to Him is our hearts. It’s not proper to ask “What’s in you heart?” because honestly, it is not a “What” but a “Who is in your heart?” When you see people happy, it’s not actually a “what” that’s in their hearts. The reason why you see believers so happy is because CHRIST is in them. Do you have Christ in your heart? God is not concerned about our riches or fame or whatsoever, he is more concerned about the contents of our hearts. Is your heart filled with anger? Do you find money in it?, Relationships perhaps?, Riches or Fame?, or is your heart filled with so much love for Christ? In prayer, we cannot say that person who says a longer prayer is praying better than the one who prays a short one. In fact, this is not a length-of-prayer contest. Before, when I wasn’t saved and I haven’t accepted Jesus as my Lord, I didn’t actually want to pray. I’ve always thought someone else was better at it and I was not used to do it. I always pushed someone to lead us in prayer, most of the times I refused. But I want you to know that there is no right or wrong prayer; only sincere and insincere ones. A prayer is a conversation with God. You can actually tell God just about anything under the sun. Prayer is one way of worshipping God and God is well pleased with those who worship and honor him whole heartedly. In singing Christian songs, you can’t actually tell that a person who raises his hands and closes his eyes is better than the worshipper who just stands at the corner. We don’t know what is in a person’s heart, but God does. He knows what we feel, what we desire, what we know, what we want, he knows just about everything about us. The heart is the core of being human and the soul is the core of our being. In the heart, we feel pain, happiness, grief, satisfaction, joy, loneliness, and the list goes on. This is why the heart is stated a lot of times in the bibles because God values the content of our hearts. Be careful of what you feel. Before you acknowledge the feeling, ask God first if He will be pleased if you will feel that way. For instance, someone has sinned against you. Asked God first if being angry at the person would glorify Him; ask God first if feeling anger will please Him. If you are truly in love with God, then you would try your very best to please Him in every way possible. Let God take over your lives. Let Him be the master of your emotions, relationships, decisions, time and finances. God is the all-knowing God as well as the “best-knowing” God. He always knows what is best for us and that’s why trusting in Him completely is never a wrong decision. It is perhaps the only decision you should make. Nothing else will work in this life.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE CHRIST’S DISCIPLE?

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”
–Matthew 17:24

For me, this line seemed so ordinary that I didn’t really understand what Jesus meant with “taking up my cross.” I know I am nothing without Him and He can build up His kingdom even without me but if there is any way, anything where He could use me in establishing His kingdom, then I would humbly submit my whole self to Him. Then, when I finally prayed for Him to use me as an instrument for other people to also be saved, I realized how hard it is to follow Him. True enough, it is not easy to be a disciple of Christ.

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”
–Matthew 17:24

As Jesus said, “Men would hate you because of me, but stand firm and you will be saved. You are my servant and I am your master. No servant is greater than his master so if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. In this world I will not promise that there is no trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world.”
I never really imagined how hard it is to follow him. I never thought it would be this painful yet as the song goes, “I’m trading my sorrows, I’m trading my shame, I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord,” I will find joy in all of my sorrows. He also said that “Find delight in your weaknesses; boast in all your sufferings for I am always with you even in your lowest moments. I will never abandon you nor forsake you. When you are weak, then you are strong” What would life be without Him? I’d rather suffer than live a life without Him. Why would I worry when He said in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I am holding on to His promises. I am one of the “endangered species” in this world who lives by true faith and God has chosen me. In Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart.” I would be His disciple and take in with a light heart all of the insults, hardships and sufferings because it is when I am weak that I am truly strong. Why would I be anxious about my tomorrow when I know that the God who is high above but looks low is praying for me and is mindful of me? He would calm every storm in my heart because He is in control. Worrying is an insult to Him, it is just an affirmation of how little my faith is to Him so in my every day, I will not worry nor be anxious because with Him there is joy and He will always be enough.

In all days of my life, I would continue to live by faith and pray that He will water the seed of faith that he has planted in my heart. I would wait for the day when the seed he has planted in me will grow into a tree where birds could find food in it, where people could rest under it, and where people could find refuge in it.

I am a Princess and He is my Prince. <3

I could still remember how Ms. Loyola, my english teacher, made me feel when she discussed about making a reflection paper. I then thought of what to write. Honestly, all I had in my mind was to write about my one and only love – Jesus Christ. I am His princess and He is my prince charming.
Many times in my life, I thought I was so lost and He was so far away. Every night when I pray, I doubted if He even hears me. We have met so many times before yet I didn’t care at all. But suddenly, at the most unexpected circumstance, we met again. I found myself buried 6 ft. or perhaps 60 ft. below the ground somewhere in the largest desert in MY world. Then, this prince charming of mine came into MY world and searched me in the cold and dark desert. He dug me up using his hands. I could see Him sweating so hard, yet He didn’t care. I heard Him calling out my name every second but I didn’t notice Him tire nor did I see Him at the peak of giving up. In that desert, He dug up in places where I wasn’t there until finally, He was successful in finding me. After He found me, He embraced me so tight and it overwhelmed me. How can the prince of the world love me this much? Why would the king of all kings care to look for me and patiently dig the whole desert just to find me? I have hurt this man so many times before yet He told me, “I will love you until you hurt me no more.” I found myself swimming in my own tears, “how can someone love me so much?” I asked myself every day. Later did I know I had fallen in love with him. I don’t remember the exact day I fell in love with Him but one morning, I just woke up realizing that I was undeniable and irrevocably in love with Him. Every day I read his word and talked to him about 101% of my whole day. His love is just so perfect that I couldn’t think of anything else. His love is unfailing and constant. Truly, even if I lost the world, so long as I have my prince, why would I care? I don’t care whoever rejects me because they are nothing compared to Him who accepts me. I have fallen so many times and in my every fall, he helped me stood up yet I took him for granted but this time, I will devote my whole self to him. He is my one true love, my soul mate, my savior. My life is all that I could offer and yet even my life, I don’t consider enough but this is all I have. I would let my every day be a conversation with him and I would let myself be a signboard that would lead everyone to him. I will let my life become a living testimony that He is true, alive and good. No matter what challenges and obstacles I will meet in this world, I would never give up. I would never fear. His love for me will save me. His pure and unfailing love will comfort me.
I have finally found the one who can give me true happiness; a happiness that is beyond measure; a happiness that is too complicated to put into words. He is the reason of my being and truth of my existence, what else could I ask for? Now, if anyone would ask me, “Who are you”, I would then say “I am Jesus’ princess,” then give to the person my warmest smile.

How about you? Who are you? 

CENTER OF MY BEING

“Now that I have accepted Christ in my life, I shall never allow myself to be far away from Him again; for He is my way, my life and my salvation – my heart can only find peace if it is filled with Christ and Christ alone is more than enough.”

I am so happy and blessed for despite all the challenges and struggles I’m dealing with, I can really feel God’s miracle working in my life. He works to inspire me and to give me hope. He tells me to have faith in Him and so here I stand before Him saying YES to everything He desires me to do. I know I am the right path when I am with Him. I have never felt this contented and happy in my entire human existence. It just feels so different when I had accepted Him to work in my life. I just remembered what I said to my co-chess players, “In Chess, the game ends the moment you surrender but with LIFE, it truly begins the moment you surrender it to Christ.” I, with all my heart, believe in this and I have no doubt.

The youth, they say is the hope of our country, but can we still call them HOPE when they are so busy engaging themselves in activities that would harm them and their future? With activities I mean, Pre-marital Sex, Drug Addiction, Clubbing, Drinking, Smoking and the list goes on. I remember someone asked me if smoking or even drinking is bad, and so I asked him in return, “do you believe that God is in you? Do you believe that your body is holy and that you must take care of it so that when the time comes that the Lord will rise again, you will be so proud to present yourself to him cleanly?” he didn’t answer. Well, I guess, he never told me what his answer was but I know, I can feel it that he got my point. I want the youth of today to know Christ for a life is more meaningful if Christ is involve in it.  AMEN.

HATE OR FORGIVE;

Have you ever tried having a feeling of hatred and after all the days, months, or years that have passed, this hatred has consumed your being?

For so long I’ve hated and I thought that I could never forgive. I just have to forget that the person ever existed in my life. There came a time when I was asked why I hated that person so much. Honestly, I didn’t have an answer. I’m clueless. Maybe I was just used to hating this someone until the hatred grew more and more until I already forgot the reasons behind this feeling. I know this isn’t right but how can you forgive someone who have caused you so much pain?

Some people exist to make your life happy, some exist to make it meaningful, and some exist to teach you lessons.

Maybe this person was meant to teach me lessons which are really hard to learn.

This may still be unclear to me today, but as time continues to help me understand, then maybe all the terrible feelings I have will vanish into thin air. I am hypocrite to hate someone while I’m asking forgiveness from God for the wrong things I’ve done.

Maybe this is the time that I should let go of all the anguish inside of me.

If I don’t start to forgive now, then when will I?

I will not wait until this emotion will win over me and destroy me as a person.

Maybe I’m not yet ready to smile at this person, but I also have no right to hate.

I remember a phrase my dad said, “Even a small hole in a plastic container can drain up all the water inside it.” Just like hatred. Even if you have a slightest hatred in your heart, it will soon consume you without you knowing it, and soon, all the love that you have in your heart will die.

Nothing good will bear out of hatred and nothing bad will happen when you do things with love.

Let’s start small and forgive those who have done wrong things to us.

According to Mother Theresa,
“We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.”

ANOTHER CRAZY DAY WITH MY SUPER BRO :)

Ha-ha. So I guess I just have to write about this thing that is making me laugh my heart out. I have to let go of this humor just so I could get over it. Ha-ha. Well, it was just this afternoon when my bro and I had talked about this.

He kind of said something like,

“Ay o, masunog ka. Plastic man gud ka. Duslitan bi” Ha-ha.
(Oh, yes. You’ll burn because you’re plastic. I’ll throw a match at you.)

If only you guys could see his face while he said that. He grinned and his eyes were playful. He was teasing. We both were laughing. There is no particular person we were referring to at that time, but I had one in mind. Ha-ha. So much for that, before the name slips out of my mouth, I better move to the next humor.

We were singing “My Humps” together, well, that’s not the kind of news that will startle you, but we sang it without having a hard time remembering the words.

So my bro said

“Hey, the song bugs me a lot. I mean, before, it had been playing in like everywhere we went to for almost two months.”

(I just have to translate them into English, before my eyes get hurt because of those tiny red lines under each word not included in the English dictionary) ha-ha.

“Yeah right. If I’ll be having a minor amnesia, I might retrieve the lyrics of the song and I might sing it as perfectly as I am singing it now. It’s kind of stored in my long term memory you know.” Then I burst into laughter. Ha-ha.

“Well, I am curios about the Amnesia thing. I really want to experience what it’s like to lose some of your memories. Amnesia interests me.” he replied, now serious.

I didn’t want the humorous atmosphere to be gone so I was laughing in response, “It might be a better idea for me. You just don’t know how much I wish to have amnesia”

We both ended up laughing. We both knew what it meant of course.

Well, there are just things that we want to forget and the things we want to remain in our not-so-genius minds. I prefer letting the short term memories go, and keeping those of my long term memory. Ha-ha. Well that may not be a perfect idea when I deal about my studies. I just might not remember the things taught to me within the last 6 months. Good luck. I may get myself a B or a C. Ha-ha. (D to F is a little overboard you know. I wouldn’t want to get that and I’m sure that I’ll be killing my brain to get the answer out of my head if I had to.)

I had enough humor today; I might as well save up for more tomorrow;

Until next time then.

My April 25 Experience

Yesterday, I was really up for a big Challenge. Well, I guess only a few people know that my real age is 17 and yesterday I was given an opportunity to host a very big event at SM CITY CEBU. The good thing was I had a co-host, Mr. Cerj Michael, my family’s support, Mr. Charlie’s support, the rest of the Salad Dressing Family and of course, I was gifted with God’s grace. It was my first time to host an event like that with hundreds of people watching. The title of the event is “Get up and Dance 2009 – Modern Dance Competition”. We have also invited top performers to do the intermission numbers. It was also my pleasure to host an event with the “Miss Mandaue 2009 Finalists” as our special guests. The first lady of Mandaue City, Mme. Sarah Walker Cortes was also there so I was pressured a little bit. Nobody would think that a 17-year old (I just turned 17 last March 31) would dare to come up on stage, face such a big crowd and present the 12 dance contestants, the performers, the Miss Mandaue 2009 Finalists and of course to endorse Salad Dressing.

At first, when the General Manager of Salad Dressing, Mr. Charlie Garces told me that I was going to host the event, I directly turned down the offer and told him that I will be a judge of the Dance Competition instead. Afterall, it was a battle of champions because the competing groups have already been champions of different other dance competitions.My excuse was, I lack experience and that I was too young for a big role. Later that day, I have decided that there’s no harm in trying. I said that I lack experience, but if I will never try, how could I GAIN EXPERIENCE? I remember the time when I decided to run for a position in the mass communicators organization in our school, I have learned from our mentor that I must grow where I am planted. Mr. Charlie Garces gave me that opportunity to host his event and I know how important this event was to him, and to trust it with a 17 year old? That is very flattering. Of course, I would like to thank my co-host, Mr. Cerj michael for guiding me all through out and for giving me tips before and after the show. I was even flattered because he gave me some more tips because he saw potential in me in hosting. For a very good host to say that to a beginner, I am very flattered. It was all because of God, believe me Guys, prayer works. I know that if I hadn’t prayed, I will be a total mess on stage.

I could say that it was a big challenge but I was able to make it through because of the people who are always there for me and the people who believe in my capabilities. I owe this to my family because they give me courage when I am afraid, the assure me when I am in doubt, and they inspire me when I am uncertain. That is a wonderful memory that I shall forever keep in my heart.

-Thank You-

MY LIFE’S GREATEST TREASURE

As a Catholic, I really believe that my dreams do have meanings. It doesn’t happen just because it happens. God wants to send me a message and this time, it was about my life’s greatest treasure – MY FAMILY.

I know that in a family of four (My mom, my dad, me, and my younger brother) and a pet dog, I am not an ideal sister or a daughter. Sometimes I talk back, I whine, I complain about nonsense, I get angry at them so much, but I tell you, none of these feelings is greater than the love I have for them. I know that my family isn’t aware of how great my love is for them; nobody in this world is and now I’m so proud to tell it. Our family is not a perfect family, but at least, we don’t leave each other behind.

My mom – LORETA P. ANDRADA
Even though sometimes I get irritated with how she nags at us, I still adore her and am very touched by how she cares for me and my younger brother. If she nags at me, I understand that I had made something wrong because if I hadn’t, then there’s no reason for me to get scolded.
I love my mom’s recipe. If only the world can taste it also. I love everything she cooks and prepares for us for meals. When I praise her ways in the kitchen, she says its love that makes her dishes so delicious.
My mom would do anything in this world to protect me and my brother. Believe me – anything.
She may be not a perfect mom but I tell you, she’s one of the greatest in the world.

My dad – ANTONIO S. ANDRADA JR.
My dad is where the family gets strength from. There was a time when he was really weak and downhearted, we really tried to encourage him and tell him that no matter how big a problem is, there is always a solution. We can’t afford to see him that way.
He is a corny joker. Haha. He can’t throw jokes well but I still laugh at them (the jokes) because of his funny expression. He appears very strict to other people but when he’s inside the house, he’s a whole lot different.
My dad is a hard worker. He does his best just to provide us with our needs – food, shelter, clothing, etc.
Sometimes, I really hate my dad when he nags at us because he had a bad day at work or there is something that had irritated him, but we know that he’s under a lot of pressure being the breadwinner of the family so we try to understand.
He may be not a perfect dad, but I tell you, he’s one of the greatest in the world.

These things may seem a small matter to another person, but the little efforts my parents exert shows how much they love us and what I am doing now, says how much I appreciate every little effort.

My brother – PAULO P. ANDRADA
My brother often gets on my nerves. Sometimes, I really hate the things he does. When we were younger, there was no day that we don’t fight. Well, I got tired of it, so I kind of tried to extend my patience a little bit for my dear younger brother.
I really want to spend so much time with him. Well, nobody in this world knows everything (oops! close to everything) other than my brother and my parents. I want to give my brother everything he wants as long as it will not give him misfortune.
Because of my brother, I am inspired to be a better sister. I so love my brother because even if there are times that I scold at him, he never keeps any grudge and he does the little things that I tell him to do. (Like to hand me something from afar)
He may not be a perfect brother, but he’s one of the greatest in the world.

My younger sister (a dog) – PAULA
haha. I have a pet dog in the house which we call Paula. Everything she does is just so utterly adorable.
How I wish she could learn language and talk to us if she wants to eat something else when she doesn’t like her food.
My family and I really adores her intelligence. She shows that she is also a part of the family because of her actions. (e.g. tail wags, licks our faces even we left her at home alone all day)
He may not be a perfect pet, but I tell you, she’s one of the greatest in the world.

This is my family. Well, sort of. If a calamity will arrive at our place, the first things that I would save are the pictures – Because none of these events will again happen in our lives. The expressions imprinted on the pictures, the memory it brings, and the infinite happiness that flows in my body every time I see them.

THE DREAM:
It was dawn, my family and I are all sleeping until I heard a wake up call from a band outside. When I opened the door, I see big fire from the neighborhood. I can hear crying voices, the sound of the fire truck approaching the place, and I can hear the wind. I really panicked. Even though I am a dean’s lister, nothing seems to process into my brain because I can do nothing to protect my family from a calamity like such. Without anymore thinking, I picked up a handful of leaves and tried to know where the direction of the wind was to alert me if it was to our house. The leaves followed the direction of the wind, it was in a circular motion, sort of a hurricane or more likely a tornado. I looked at the big fire that was in contrast with the dark color of the skies. True enough, the fire was like a tornado – circular in motion. After that I couldn’t think of anything else, I looked at something I can’t remember in the ground and after a few seconds, a familiar face started to call out my name and pointed to the fire. The tree near our house grabbed the fire, the good thing was, it wasn’t so bad. It had just affected the leaves form the top and some parts of the tree. I tried to stop the fire to spread by rubbing the area of the tree that has fire with anything I have in hand. When the fire in the tree was put off, I saw the fire so near to our roof. It even touched the roof already. At that moment, I was so blank and still. I said to myself that I am willing to give up anything in this world just to protect my family. I was so helpless so I prayed and I prayed really hard to keep my family safe. Believe me – it rained.

With this dream, it showed how much I believe that there is truly a God that hears prayers and a God that wants me to write inspiring stories such as this for other teens to realize how much their family is worth to them. This dream had also inspired me to write something about my family and the great love I have for them.

With this dream I realized that if there is a bucket of problems, fear and hesitations, there is a continuous and endless river flow of blessings.

ENDLESS SHOW OF LOVE:
In every occasion,like “Christmas”, “Valentines Day”, “Mother and Father’s Day”, “Birthdays”, my brother and I try to prepare little things for our parents like cards and presents to show that we value them and they’re always in our top list of the people we want to give gifts to.

MiSS TEEN PHILIPPINES 2008

(a blog that was posted in my other sites.. this had been written last JUNE 27, 2008)

MS TEEN PHOTOS ARE IN MY WEBSITE; analoretaandrada.multiply.com / zhannij.multiply.com

thank you MS TEEN PHIL INT’L for that memorable vacation we had.

the memories,
the laughter,
the tears,
the “pose-like-a-pro” day to day scene with the photographers and cameramen,
the lechon feast every meal,
the chaotic scenario in every candidate’s room,
the “OMG” moments,
the whitewater rafting experience with team bisaya,
the parties we have attended,
the VIP treatment in every place we visited,
the 3 to 5 hrs sleep,
the funny moments caught on cameras,
the stiff necks we had when we slept in the BUS,
haha
all of those things,
i will never forget and i will treasure it in my heart.

to all the MS TEEN PHIL INT’L 2008 candidates, i’ll miss you guys so much! take care and GOD BLESS

i would like to say thank you to:
the photographers and cameramen
thank you for capturing precious moments guys.. i’ll never forget all of you and the times we’ve spent together..
Ms Mae Unchuan
thank you Ms, for giving us the privilege to be part of the MS TEEN PHILIPPINES INTERNATIONAL and for being a second mom to us during the caravan.
Ms Joanne
thank you for being our mommy and for giving us advices. thank you also for caring for me when i was sick. i’ll never forget you Ms.
Mr Glenn
thank you sir for all the support during the pageant week and for your patience. thank you also for disciplining all of us because without you we could have never matured.
Mr Jacki Aquino, Paulie, Pablo
thank you for directing the show and for working with us patiently
Mr Joe Phoenix Luna
thank you for giving me the chance to represent Cebu in the national pageant
Mr. Dexter Alazas
for being so patient with us (:P) during the Miss Teen Philippines – Central visayas pageant. we love you.

to all the guys i haven’t mentioned, it doesn’t mean that i have forgotten you. none of you guys, staff and candidate, i shall forget because your names have been carved in my heart.

i wish you the best of everything in life..

(i will further write about MS TEEN PHIL, as of now, this is all that i could say)

I LOVE YOU GUYS. take care and God Bless!

MY BIRTHDAY WISH

I feel like crying and wanting to just stay being 16 but what can I do if God wants me to move on and be 17? (sigh) There have been so many ups and downs, successes and failures, achievements and disappointments in my life but I tell you, I’ve had one hell of a roller coaster ride. God had given me so many blessings. Every time I think about the groups I’m involved with and the activities I’ve had and will have, I think I’ll have a headache. These are just the few:
A.D. Models Homme Et Femme
ABSCBN
The Photo Society
Speakers Academy
Theresian Communicator’s Organization
Activities with Mr. Charlie Garces of Salad Dressing and Belvieu

Aside from those, I am also a Student, a daughter, a sister and a friend. See? It’s just a miracle how God juggles up all of these things. Sometimes I just wish I was superwoman so I could do everything I’m tasked to do.

Now that I’m already 17, I wish that God will make me a better person, someone who is more responsible and humble, someone who can make the right choices and can also learn from mistakes, someone who rejoices in success and graceful in every defeat and most of all, someone who trusts and fears God. I know I can’t be perfect, no one will ever be, what I wish for is just to become somebody better. I wish to help other people and punish those who are guilty. If only God asked me what my birthday wish would be, I would wish for a better world; a world where everyone is smiling and happy. But what I’ve learned from a movie I watched is, “We can’t change the world, sometimes, the world changes us”. However, I still wish to make a difference, I still wish to be THE difference.

The greatest man in my life. :)

He is far more than my knight in shining armor.

He is my idol,
My best friend,
My hero,
My superman,
My teddy bear,
My favorite coffee,

He is my dad.

I am so lucky to have a really great dad, one that would wipe my tears when I cry and laugh with me when I throw even the corniest joke. He does everything just to provide us with what we need in life. I’ll always be his daddy’s girl and no one and nothing could ever change that. If time comes I’ll get married, I want him to be the one who will escort me to the altar and see the man similar to what he is waiting for me at the end of the aisle. I would choose a man like him, responsible and kind, thoughtful and sweet, faithful to my mother, and most of all loving. He might appear strict to most of the people who know him but for his family, he is the dad a child could ever wish of having.

Life is just not life without my daddy.
I love you so much dad.

I’m just here for you and mom no matter what. I may not be the best daughter in the world, and I may give you headaches often, but still you loved me for who I am and who I am not. In all my struggles and pain, you have always been there to inspire me that there is always a rainbow after rain. I may not say this often, but I’m so thankful to have you as my dad. Mama is also thankful that she has a husband like you. Thank you for being the best dad for me, my younger brother, Paulo and for Paula. (Paula is our pet dog)

It doesn’t matter for me where we are, or what we are doing, as long as we’re all together, you, mama, Paulo, Paula and me, then I know that everything will be just fine.

VERACITY OF LOVE

Have you noticed that everyone is talking about love? Why does it have to be all about it? As far as I know, it does not sound as intricate as it really is. Some choose to figure out what it is and some just know that it exists between two souls but never had a chance to experience it. It is a four letter word, so short yet so complex, it can even make you whole or tear yourself apart, it is a million times wider than the never-ending horizons, more vast than the whole universe, more powerful than the force which keeps us all on the ground, more intriguing than any secret kept untold, more fascinating than the most colorful rainbow, more captivating than sunsets in the beach, and it is even older than time itself.

Often, I hear heartbreaking stories of it; failure, heartaches, grief, and death. It comes from the people who have given so much love and failed in the end. They had entrusted their hearts to someone but unfortunately, these people whom they love so much have caused them wounds which can never heal through time, wounds which will grow deeper in their hearts and will put their lives into total abyss, their hearts become hard as stone, or probably harder, their feelings numb to emotion, their spirits locked up in a place of entire darkness, their eyes filled with agony and sorrow which they can never figure out how to put in plain words. I can’t help but be compassionate enough to those who don’t anymore believe in love. We can’t blame them, can we? They have been enthusiastic about the love they shared, hoping it will be forever, but they must also realize that life doesn’t end there. There is more to life than just locking yourself up in the bedroom mourning all day and night hoping that all was just a nightmare. They have made themselves prisoners of the past which is ridiculous. They can never do anything about what has happened so they might as well move on. I know that it is not an easy thing to do, but if you will dedicate yourself into starting out again, there is absolutely a possibility that these wounds will heal, though scars are still pretty obvious. We can heal the pain, but we can never hide the scars.

Love depends on how we see it. Come to think of it, those who believe in love are the ones who end up happy. Life isn’t a fairytale where you just lay on your bed hoping that your fairy godmother will appear next to you and give you your princess or knight in shining armor. No, not all stories of love end up happy, but if we want to achieve genuine happiness, one that will truly last a lifetime, we must be patient enough to wait for someone who will sweep us off our feet and believe that somewhere at the other side of the globe, is somebody who is also eager to find us. Being happy is not controlled by fate; it is a matter of choice and not chances. Have you ever wondered why most stories in fairytale books end up finding their soul mates? Well, it is to inspire us to continue, to believe in love and to realize that we need to go through a lot of trouble first before we can actually lay in the bed of roses. I accept as true, in the deepest corners of my heart, that if you aren’t happy, then it is not the end yet. Go further. Find your happiness J

Truly, Love is an enigma to humanity, but somehow, we can understand it with the help of a single soul, whom we will devote ourselves to, whom we will entrust ourselves with, whom we can share our deepest secrets, whom we will kiss in their failures and embrace in their worst downfalls; One that we will see at their best, forgive and forget their faults, and hold when they are scared to face the future.

We are in cloud nine when we are in love and we could just give up our life to feel that one single touch and you know that we are in the right track walking hand in hand with the person whom we would want to take the journey with.

The feeling of loneliness is washed away by a single kiss; one that is gentle and passionate; filled with so much love and longing; one that would defy all known laws; one that can tell you that finally, you have found the other half of you; one that you would want to spend an eternity with; one that will make you realize that you just want to give all the love in the world to make him/ her feel special and a kiss that will tell you that you two are truly meant to be together forever, oh no…not forever, but as long as time will exist, as long as the sun still rises at the east and until the oceans run dry.

That individual can make the stars fall from the vast dark skies, he can turn to reality your wildest dreams, he can make the sun rise and set only for you, he can be a poet or a song writer or a composer or anything you want him to be, he will be a God that will hear all your prayers, he will be the angel who will be with you when you’re alone, he will be your protector who’ll defend you from harm, he will be your professor who will teach you lessons which you can never learn in school, he will be a pilot who can take you to heaven, he can give you unutterable pleasure just by being next to him and he will be there to stay with you when everybody has left you. He will appreciate every little thing you do for him; he will wipe your tears away and wish that the pain in you will be moved to him, he will kiss you when you are mad, he will forgive you when you are an hour late in a date, he will hold your hand in public and make every girl jealous, he will make you feel warm when you are cold, he will wake up early just to prepare breakfast in bed for you, he will dance with you under the night sky, he will be thoughtful enough to prepare a dinner for two on anniversaries, he will share his blanket and stay under it with you until dawn, he hugs you as if he doesn’t want to let you go and when he kisses you, you just know that no one can ever take your breath away the way he did.

Life is indeed a long journey, full of trials and hardships, which is why our good Lord has given us somebody whom we can count on to remind us how wonderful life can be.

HOROSCOPE

I guess nobody existed in this world without even hearing the word “horoscope”. Well, I might let go that one or two that didn’t, but I came to realize that this horoscope thing had gotten to be a part of our life. When you’d ask a teenager my age about what part of the newspaper he’d look into first, he’d probably say the “horoscope” along with a shy, uncomfortable grin. Ha-ha. Well, I’m so over with the introductions. My point is that, these horoscopes have had a great effect to us. I wonder why. (sigh)

Well, maybe people just want to have any idea about the future, and when the things predicted happened, they get panicky and all. They already believe in the stuff. Well, who can blame them? ; It what makes us human. Humans tend to follow more of what other people see things as, rather than thinking it logically themselves. Why on earth can a psychopath tell about the future of every human being belonging to the same zodiac? It doesn’t follow.

Ha-ha. Even if I say these things, I know that I’d still love to look at the horoscope and see what’s written, not because I’ll believe it, but because there is a possibility that what’s predicted might happen. If it does, well, it just might be a coincidence. If these future tellers can tell about the future, then why can’t they tell what their future will be? People change their decisions from time to time, and these changes contribute to the fallacies of these futuristic predictions.

It is not someone who can tell our future, nobody can. It is only us who can shape and create our future.

It’s about that 4-letter word again.

I was thinking about the text message I have received this morning. It read,

A man once asked, “What is more important, to love or to be loved?”

The other man replied, “Which is more important to the bird, its left wing or its right wing?”

Get the point?

Some people just settle loving someone without the person they love knowing it. Well, I don’t see it as a noble act. By the way things are, I think it’s not bravery but cowardice. The person is too afraid to be rejected. In whatever situation the two people involved are in, it’s always better to let the person you love know about how you feel about her. At least, the person will have an idea about what you truly feel. If she will stay away from you after you have confessed, then you must accept it whole heartedly. Respect her decision. Maybe she isn’t really the one for you. If she had fallen for someone else already, tell her still. It’s, anyway, up to her whether to still make friends with you or not. If ever the person stays, then keep her, take care of her, love her, respect her, and don’t hurt her. You must never waste an opportunity that life presents you because it will never be the same the next day. Life is like a river, it never ceases to flow and it will never be the same water. Everyday is a constant, never-ending change. If you die tomorrow, you will never worry because you have told the person already. Tell her while you still can.

Some say that the question isn’t “When will my heart talk?” but it’s “Will you listen?”

You will never know the answer until you try.

In a relationship, it must be 2 way process – a give and take. If it is important to love, it is also important to know that you are being loved. Why? It affects us as persons. If we think that we’re not being loved, if we feel that we’re being taken for granted, then we think of ourselves as less important. If we think this way, we don’t care if someone steps on our pride and dignity. If we feel this way, we become impulsive by how we decide on things. For example, if you have found someone who gave you much attention than the others, you will right then and there fall for this person even if there is still so much to know about him. If this person has hurt you, you don’t give a damn. You just let things to be the way they are because you’re too scared that this person will abandon you and you’ll get back to your dead life with no one to turn to. It is not enough that he stays with you, what is enough is when he really shows you how much he loves you.

If someone loves you, appreciate this person. You may not love him as much as he does but at least be a friend. You must be thankful that someone loves you, in return, love this person, it may be in a different degree, but love him.

Remember, it’s not about being loved, it also learning and showing love.

Jesus knocked at my heart today

I just would like to share an experience.

Today, February 09, 2009, so many things have happened.

1. My friends and I had an open forum and it strengthened our relationship as friends.
2. I realized I am falling for someone.
3. I was able to touch someone’s life.

What I would share to you is the thing in my number 3 spot. Well, this afternoon, I was admitted to the Clinic of our school because I had difficulties in breathing. I didn’t want to go to the hospital so my classmate brought me to the clinic instead. With a paper bag in my hand, my eyes were rolling and unsteady. I didn’t know what to focus on. I can’t even differentiate if my eyes were open or not. At that one point, I realized how close I was to dying. I didn’t fear anything at all.

time went by so quickly, but then i knew that i was feeling a lot better.

There were only three of us in the clinic, me, my classmate, and this little girl. I was curious that’s why I asked her why she was in the clinic. She honestly told me that she had stomach ache because she skipped meals. They had no food to cook at home. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. My heart was touched by her honesty and sincerity. Even though I still felt dizzy, I offered to buy her meals. All three of us went to the canteen to eat. I bought some noodles for myself and I let her choose what she wanted to eat. My classmate said she was fine and didn’t want to eat.
While we were eating, she cried. I told her that she should not cry, she should even be thankful because there are even other children who have worse experiences. I told her to look at the positive side of things, to count her blessings and to think of the hardships as blessings in disguise. I told her that she should not lose hope and she should give her best in her studies so when she becomes a mom herself, her children wouldn’t experience what she is going through now. I told her that she has so many opportunities to make her life better, she just has to give her best at anything and at everything that comes her way. She should repay the kindness someone did to her to other people. She should also let others experience the happiness she felt that time.
Sometimes, it’s better to talk to people not so close to us. We will learn lessons from them – who knows? They just might be the ones who will have the greatest impact in our lives. That was a small act of kindness, yet I know I had made a difference to that little girl.

You know what? Jesus knocked at my heart today and I let him in.
He said, “What you do to your neighbors, you do to Me”

An act of kindness is an act of love; an act of love is an act Christ-like.

Mistakes? quite a lot; Regrets? None at all

Every second that passes by, the more I get closer to death. Yes- death. A word feared by many, but asked by some. Me? I welcome death as gracefully as every person ready for it. I am not ready for it, but I welcome it if it will come my way. In my 16 years of stay here in this wonderful place,
I have known great people,
I have been to so many places,
I have learned how it is to love and how it is to have my heart broken,
I have learned to be angry and to forgive,
I have learned to laugh and to cry,
I have learned to say yes and to say no.
I can say that I have, so far, lived a beautiful life.
That is why, if God permits it, I would love to continue living, to continue learning and to continue experiencing His never ending love. I want to continue to live, but also accept death if it comes. The reason why I would want to continue living is for me to correct the mistakes I have done in the past. I know that I have done so many things that had hurt so many people but as time passed; my enemies have become my friends. If people ask me if I had wrong decisions, I would definitely say “a lot”; but if people would ask me if I had regrets, I would say “No, there is absolutely none”.
It is true that I have done quite a number of wrong things, but I don’t regret all of them. My mistakes have taught me lessons in life. I don’t care if I had made a hundred or even thousands of mistakes, what is more important for me is I have learned from them. I have grown as a better person. I am not someone who is perfect, but I’m also not someone who cries over spilled milk either. What’s past is past, what’s done is already done.

I know that I can never go back and redo things, but I have a choice to correct them.

The three wishes

There was one point in my life when I had been questioned about my 3 wildest dreams. Without any hesitation, I then answered,
1. I want to be an astronaut and see Earth from outer space
2. I want to be President Barack Obama’s personal Adviser (rank 1)
3. I want to be able to publish a world top seller book.
Ah. These dreams are quite amazing for some. I had always dreamt of fulfilling these dreams. As time passed by, my dreams changed. I have realized that there are more important things to consider, more important things to wish for and more important things to pray for. Maybe when I had wanted all of these things, I still wasn’t aware of what I truly wanted. If ever a genie would appear right before me and asks me what my three wishes are, I will tell him:
1. World Peace
2. I would wish for people to know what is right, and have the courage to do what is.
3. Happiness.

For me, I always include in my prayers world peace, though it may sound odd for some, so that the children in our future generation, our children, will not be able to see chaotic events. They will still find the beauty in living. Next thing I wish is for people to know what is right and do what is. People often know what is right and what is not, but they do not have the courage to choose to do what is right. If only people will choose to do what is right, we will live in peace. Lastly, I will wish for happiness. Happiness is just nine-letter word that can be easily said, but the question is, are you really happy? There are various ways where we can find happiness – love life, spirituality, friendship, and etcetera. I want everyone to know the things that make them happy and go for it. Some people would rather choose responsibility over happiness. But, it is important to remember that if you choose the thing that can make you happy, you will never regret about a single thing, but if you choose your responsibility, then you will always find yourself sitting in a corner thinking of the what-ifs.
Wishes, I believe, need not to benefit oneself, it is even better if wishes are to benefit everyone.

A METEORITE?

I would mark this day, January 29, 2009 as a memorable day for me. At about 6:10 pm, something miraculous, something I never expected had happened. For the first time, I saw a real meteorite. God! It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my entire life. It was so magical, it was so unbelievable, I even tried to pinch myself just in case I was dreaming. It was so much different from the meteorites I see on TV. I was about to cry when I had realized that it was not a dream. What I saw was real. Words are not enough to express my awe to that thing I show. Then, my friends and I were talking about aliens, invasions, and U.F.Os. When I saw the meteorite, I just can’t help but be amazed of how God had planned this to happen. All day, I was tired from all of the school work. I was also stressed having read in the papers articles about killings and murders. God had made that appear to provide hope and light to the people. Despite all the struggles and pains, there is hope and that there will always be a God who hears prayers. It is a symbol that anything unexpected could happen, and often, the unexpected is always the most beautiful. All we have to do is to believe that miracles could happen. We need to pray for the whole world.
Like any other people who have seen a meteorite, I closed my eyes and made my wish. I would not say my wish because I don’t’ want to spoil it. (laughs) here’s the clue, it’s about the most important people in my life-my family. and I wished for world peace.

It would always be the talk of the town

My blog site is considered as my other world. Here, I am able to express whatever comes into my not-so-genius mind. Often, I receive comments of appreciation from people. Well, maybe because we are Filipinos and we tend to be fond of using euphemisms (laughs). Filipinos have been taught by the elders that if you don’t have something good to say, then you better keep quiet. There came a time, just 3 days ago I think, wherein I have received a comment from a friendster buddy saying that my new blog site is boring (I have another blog site in my friendster account). Well, that’s new. Nobody has ever said that before. (laughs) I sent him a message asking him why he said such. It is for the reason that I want to know what else to improve and what else to add for me to grow as a writer. I accept criticisms healthily. Unfortunately, he never replied back.
It got me thinking of what possible reasons could there be for him to arrive into that idea; maybe because I discuss about topics that doesn’t concern the majority. People always like to talk about one topic – Love. I am not writing about it simply because I can’t be a good writer about it. My teacher had once said that the best writer of love, is the one in love. Yes, I may consider myself in love in one way or another, to friends for example or to my family. But I think that this is not the kind of “love” people want to converse about. All of us are more interested in reading love stories and anything that has to do with it; failures, dating, conflicts, and etcetera. Here, in my blog site, I would want to write on things which I think I can be good at. (laughs) I may be not in love with a specific person, but I am actually contented with where I am now.

I may be alone, but I am not lonely. *wink*