Beyond Beyond

On the third session of The Yoghurt Brigade, we jump-started the 5-part series, The Prayer.  It aims to dive deep into The Lord's Prayer and learn from it. There is more to it than a memorized prayer. 

Here is the New International Version of The Lord's Prayer: 

Our Father in Heaven

Hallowed be Your name

Your Kingdom come

Your will be done

On earth as it is in Heaven

Give us today our daily bread

And forgive us our debts

As we also have forgiven our debtors

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from the evil one.

The first session concentrates on the first two lines. The Message version of the Bible states: 

Our Father in Heaven

Reveal who You are

This was a chance to talk about the greatness of God in our lives; how He reveals Himself in every situation we go through even in the dark days. 

We were asked of three adjectives to describe who He has been and still is in our lives. I wrote: 

1. Gracious - Amazing Grace is more than just a song. It is a testimony of who God is. We don't deserve His grace yet we are given a lot every day. It's funny that even in coming to Him, we need His grace to be able to do it. To wake up in the morning, to be able to sleep at night, to feel pain and hunger and still find the will to move on; these and a  lot more are merely because of His unwavering grace.

2. Forgiving -  Humans can forgive but will never forget. We can forgive one person but once that person does the same offence old grudges will surface, pain will come back adn forgiving becomes more difficult. 

It's a different story with our Father. When he forgives, He forgives completely. Everything in the past is completely forgotten. When we come to Him and sincerely ask for forgiveness, You will get it. This, I believe, also comes out of His grace. 

3. Indescribable - As I was down to one more adjective I found myself having difficulty to decide which. I should write all-powerful, or amazing, or fatherly, or genius until I can no longer decide which; I wrote indescribable. 

No human mind can ever fathom who God is. Just when you think you already know Him, He reveals himself in a more glorious form. He cannot be boxed and limited into three adjectives. Adjectives are not even enough to fully describe Him. He goes beyond words, beyond human understanding, beyond beyond. 

Who is God to you? 

My Bwakaw Aftemath

Photo Source: Cinemalaya.com

I have always been a fan of independent films. My Literature professors in PNU have trained us well in being able to see a film more than its commercial value. I always look forward to Cinemalaya movies. I see to it that I get to watch at least one of its entries every year. For more information about Cinemalaya, take time to see this. 

One of its Director’s Showcase entries is Bwakaw directed by Jun Robles Lana. The movie is about a grumpy old man, Rene, living the last days of his life in irony - live to wait for death. 

Photo Source: Interaksyon.com

Last Saturday, my friends and I weathered the heavy downpour to watch Bwakaw in Trinoma. Needless to say, the movie was graced by the brilliant acting of veteran actors like Eddie Garcia, Rez Cortez, Bibeth Orteza, Beverly Salviejo, Armida Segion-Reyna, Gardo Versoza, Soxie Topacio and a lot more. Equally brilliant, is the Aspin (asong Pinoy or Filipino native dog), Princess - the dog who played Bwakaw. We couldn't stop commenting about her over-the-top acting while watching the movie. Human actors can learn from her. I later found out that Princess is a highly-trained bomb sniffing dog. Hail to Aspins!

More than the brilliant acting was the story of the movie which I will try hard to conceal as I write this. 

The greatest part of the story is showcasing the friendship between the human and the dog. It was the kind of relationship developed by circumstances. It wasn't planned. It just happened. It was a decision the human had to make. I bet the dog didn't even have to think about it.  

Nurturing the friendship, just like any relationship, every single day is another decision to make; especially in a human-dog friendship where the dog cannot really give you anything material in return. If things get rough, there's that choice to give up the dog. If bills pile up because of medical concerns or everyday expenses, and you know you can't even fend for yourself, it is so easy to just give up and let the dog survive on its own. But as you show concern one circumstance at a time, you also invest time and emotion. As you decide to rub that tummy the dog shows you, you also make a decision to think less of yourself and more of your dog. As The Little Prince puts it,   It's the time you put on your rose that makes your rose so important and You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. 

The plot of the story thickens when Princess falls ill.  (That's the last spoiler you'll get!) In Rene's struggle to keep Princess alive, he also finds his own reasons to continue to live life. 

If you have a pet, be prepared to love your pet even more after watching this movie. I hugged my pets tight when I got home. If you don't and you are thinking of getting one, please bear in mind that having a pet is a lifetime decision. It is not a passing fascination or fad. Remember, you become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. 

Woodwork Angels

In the second session of the The Yoghurt Brigade, we discussed about Woodwork Angels. It's a phrase used by Varda One (who submitted a story to a book) to refer to a dentist who gave her free services when she expressed she can't pay as she was still in college. The stranger told her that she can pay the services when she graduates and gets a job. 

Woodwork from the idiom out of the woodwork which means out of obscurity or a place of seclusion; thus woodwork angels are people who come out from nowhere and help us. 

I have a list of my own woodwork angels. On the top of my list is a Christian man from Japan who became my school sponsor when I was in grade school to am not sure when. I don't even know his name.

Let me give you the details:

I came from a poor family. Don't get me wrong! I am glad I did. It taught me to value the more important things in life. It also makes me sleep well at night even if I don't have new clothes or even if I don't have the latest gadget. It also made me feel good about how I look and where I am because it taught me how to appreciate whatever I have and pray and wait for whatever I don't.

We go to a church who is connected to different Christian churches worldwide. These churches are usually from the US and Japan. These men and women are professionals who would go on mission trips to our church to render free medical services, teach Sunday schools and help bring kids to school. I remember, at the age of 12, I'd volunteer to be their interpreter. I had a pretty decent grasp of English at an early age. Thanks to the influence of my father.

They handpicked students with good school records and are active in church. This ensures we are cared for in all aspects - spiritually, intellectually, socially and emotionally. They will send money (at that time, P700 a month) to help our school needs. Occasionally, they will send gifts. 

I strived harder in school because I wanted my sponsor to know that none of his efforts will be put in vain. By God's grace, I became a consistent honor student and graduated Salutatorian. 

Before my graduation, he visited me. He came over and asked my mother and our church staff to visit him in the hotel where he stays. From my memory, it looks like it was in a hotel along Bayview. I was told to bring my report card to show him my good grades and the good comments of my teacher. I remember being a little bit scared. I was also trying to imagine what he looks like. 

The hotel door opened and I saw his smile. He did look Japanese to me. He has thick eyebrows, small eyes, wearing white shirt and gray shorts. Gauging his age now, I'd say he's 45-50. He smiled at me and said something that didn't register to me. They talked and we ate pizza. Before we left he gave me a pretty white watch that I held dearly in my heart until I can no longer use it. 

That was the first and last time I saw him. Now that am older, I wish I had gotten his name and contact information so he'd see where God has taken me now. He wasn't sending big amounts of money every month but it was his heart that brought me to school. Life is hard for any child whose family cannot afford everything you need. But knowing that there are people out of the woodwork whom God can use to bless us, I was contented. 

To my Woodwork Angel, how I wish you can read this. How I wish I can buy you coffee to thank you for helping a stranger like me. I don't even know if you're still alive but it is my prayer that you find peace knowing that you have been God's instrument of His love and faithfulness. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Travel Snippets: Laguna de Apoyo, Nicaragua

Photo taken by Peter Traña.

When life gets tough, travel has always been my go-to therapy. There is something about traveling that God reveals before my eyes that I don't get anywhere else.

I am so blessed to have been given a chance to travel to Nicaragua twice. In both visits, I have found astounding places ; one of which is, Laguna de Apoyo.

Laguna de Apoyo (Apoyo Lagoon) is located between Masaya and Granada in Nicaragua, Central America. It was also declared as a natural reserve. A natural reserve is a protected area which is usually managed by a local environment group to conserve its riches.

It was said that this crater was formed some 23, 000 years ago. A tragic volcanic explosion created an amazingly serene sight. The said explosion created a hole which was eventually filled by water and, its surrounding, with vegetation. Some believe it can heal. 

Taken August 29, 2009

I have been to this place more than twice during my stay in Nicaragua. There is something serene and assuring about this place that merely looking at it takes my breath away. Photos can never give justice to its real beauty.

With my Filaguan sisters, Agnes and Vanessa
September 7, 2009

With my good friend, Jhunnie.
Post-edited a photo taken by Peter Traña.
February 28, 2010

There's another favorite lagoon I have been to in Nica, it's called Tiscapa. It is just as breathtaking as Apoyo only there's less visitors. It is more for the more adventurous as it offers a canopy zip line tour. I went here on the last day of my first trip and didn't really have the time to go for this adventure. Nevertheless, I wasn't shortchanged at all. 

Image not mine.
See signature of photo owner.  

Travel Snippets: Strawberry Farm, La Trinidad Benguet PH

Do you like strawberries? 

Do you like strawberry shake or strawberry jam? 

Have you tasted strawberry taho in Baguio?

How about picking your strawberries straight from the farm? 

You should.

On a business trip to Baguio in 2009, I made sure this became a part of my itinerary. I, also, invited one of my brothers to come over so he can celebrate his birthday since he hasn't been to Baguio.

The Strawberry Farm is located in La Trinidad, Benguet, which is just a few minutes away from Baguio. As you travel to La Trinidad, you will get to see these houses erected on the mountain slopes of the municipality. You wonder how it survived raging storms in the past. I tell you, it is a sight to see.

March 27, 2009 

You can make your strawberry shopping easy by just buying from the vendors around the farm. They sell it in baskets. See this photo taken from one of my recent trips there.

With Erika and Joy
(Sugar, Bryce and Liz are not on the photo)
March 6, 2011 

March 27, 2009 

I opted to experience it rather than just buy it.

March 27, 2009 

With my brother, Denver.
March 27, 2009 

I was curious about the nutrients one can get from strawberries:

According to the Fruit Nutrient Chart of healthalternatives ,  one cup of whole strawberries contains 0.96 grams of proteins, 46 calories, and 2.9 grams of dietary fiber. It also has potassium, calcium, iron, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and E. You can do more research to find out more. 

Getting all these nutrients and the wonder of the experience of picking your own strawberries, you get twice the fun for a few more pesos.

I'm glad I got the chance to see and experience La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. With the tropical weather of my country, this may be the only place I can do it since strawberries naturally grow only in highland places. 

This strawberry farm has gone through storms, floods and bad weathers. But it always amazingly rises proud, beautiful and sweet. Every time I visit, I always wonder how the farmers must have felt every time the land is destroyed by a calamity. Then when I get to taste this flavorful fruit, I am reminded of the resiliency of Filipinos. We always rise above any storm. We bend, crawl and tighten our belts when we have to but we never give up life. We never give up trying again and again. 

We always come out victorious and we never let go of our belief that life is, just like the strawberries, sweet.

Proud of the handful strawberries I picked.
March 27, 2009

40: Even Heroes Need Company

TOSH

July 15, 2012

Forum, Mandaluyong PH
Project: Food and Thoughts No. 40

This day was a tight day for me. I had to do some errands, house general cleaning, photo upload backlogs, current office project, a Feeding program for The Project Tenfold Circle, back-blog, some long overdue catching-up-with-friends, checking on friends who are in a not-so-happy situations, church and the kick off our own version of a small group. A handful of tasks in one day. 

I tried to squeeze in all but there are a few items that I missed. I got so tired physically and emotionally that by the time I saw Thel (for our small group kick off and church time), I almost burst into tears...but not quite! 

We tried to make things light while waiting for Tine and Jem. We did so by ordering food (of course!) and by encouraging each other. 

We got ourselves the following: 

FSC Classic @ P80-

Mango Yoghurt @ P110-
Tine got herself a glass of Strawberry Yoghurt @ P105-

Jem didn't make it but Tine did. Before we headed to church and meet Sugar we talked about how important it is to provide oneself with support system. No matter how strong we are emotionally, and even spiritually, we need others. God has designed us with the need to need and the need to be needed. We need people who will pray for us, grow with us, make mistakes with us and learn with us.

Do not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, instead, encourage one another... - Hebrews 10:25

The Book of Answers

After my ‘me’ time yesterday (see this link), I went to Fully Booked to check out their books on sale.  I can still clearly remember how I used to spend time in Powerbooks in Megamall when it was still spacious and cozy. I'd sit on the floor and read books especially those I could not afford. 

While going through the books in Fully Booked, I stumbled upon this book entitled "The Book of Answers" by Carol Bolt. I was curious. I thought it was an IQ Test book or a bunch of trivias. 

It was not. For you to enjoy the book, you should do the following steps:

Just hold it  closed in your hands and concentrate on any question you might have for a few a seconds. While visualizing or speaking your question, place one palm down on the book's front and stroke the edge of the pages back to the front. When you sense that the time is right, open to the page your fingers landed and there is your answer! It's fun, satisfying, and a lot less time-consuming than asking everyone you know for advice. - SOURCE: thebookofanswers.com

It was actually fun. I flipped through the pages to find out what the 'answers' are. Some of the answers are:

Don't force it.

Wait for a better offer.

Make a list of why.

Ask again.

Don't ask for any more at this time.

Ask your mother.

A year from now it won't matter.

Finish something else first.

Seek out more options.

No.

I swear I was secretly smiling with the answers am getting to every question I thought of. I just hope the people around me didn't notice my 'smiling' which I find myself doing a lot when reading something funny.

It was fun. But it got me to thinking about how easy it is for anyone to get attracted to this kind of search for answers. With the impatience  that we, humans, innately have, we can go for fast answers, fast food, instant snacks, fast downloads and other easy-access answers. We, Filipinos, even go to the lengths of religiously checking our daily horoscopes to find answers. With all these sources available to us, we skip the most important source of answer - God. 

It is so easy to get a book like this and trust our life on it. It is so easy to subscribe to daily horoscopes and let it dictate our actions and shape our goals. It is so easy to ask the closest friend on what to do...while it is difficult to get ourselves together to ask our Father "What shall I do?". 

Why? Because we need a tangible answer, something direct, an answer that is specific to our question. We are too lazy to figure things out and too impatient to wait. We need someone who talks and responds the way we want it. 

"For I know my plans for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

It was fun playing with 'The Book of Answers". And sometimes, a friend of mine and I would also read our horoscopes for fun and, most of the time, laugh about it. But I know deep in my heart, the answers will come from the One who knows it. Our first action for every crossroad should be to pray.

To make this book hunt more interesting, I asked (so to speak) the book one last question, "Should I buy this book?" 

The book said... 

Trust your intuition.

39: 'Me'

Swensen's
July 14, 2012
Food and Thoughts No. 39

I didn’t make it to work yesterday. I needed some time off. Things have not been going well for me but I wa sustained by God's grace every day. Jem and Thel (two of my very good friends) went to meet me for breakfast. I decided it will also be a good time for me to go somewhere else and have some 'me' time after the breakfast.

Jem was nice enough to give me company on my way to the Mall of Asia. It's his way home too. We went around the mall for an hour or so and when I found the right place I want to spend the whole afternoon in, we stayed for a load of sweet in Swensen's. 

We ordered the following: 

Crispy cocktail P265- 

A crispy waffle basket served w/ tropical fruits & top w/ almonds.

Iced Lemon Tea @ P65- 

When I was already comfortable with where I was I let Jem leave so he can also have some rest. I had a good one last night. Besides, I know I am ready for my 'me' time.

My 'me' time is nothing special but a combination of  a good book, a cup of coffee or good food outside the comforts of my home, and a peaceful mind. While others have trouble dining out alone, I find a different kind of peace in doing it. Like I said on a previous post, I believe every one should experience this at least once in their lives. 

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and attention. - Buddha

Cafe Mocha @P85




E N D

Swensen's
Mall Of Asia
HOOP: Mall Hours

Facebook: See this link.
All photos were from Jem. They were post-edited.

37: HIGH vs. LOW

J. Co Donuts 
July 7, 2012

Project: Food and Thoughts No. 37

Ever since Jem found out there’s J.Co in Megamall, we have been making plans of trying their famous donuts. All attempts did not push thru until last 7^th when we just decided to go there without any prior planning. Sometimes, ‘no planning’ is the way to make things happen.

We ordered the following: 

Frappe Cappuccino Avocado with Mocca Cream @ P120-
J.Club Coffee of the Day (with Cheezy Rich) @ P110 - 

Alcapone @ P 42-
(The bestseller)

Cheezy Rich which goes with C.O.D/Hot Tea @ P 110- 

Avocado Dicaprio @ P 42-
Jacky Chunk @ P42-

We went there at 8AM right after our shift to get good seats. We have gone there once but it was full and there were no seats available for us. The place was nice and cozy. 

If you have read the very first entry to these 2012 Food Adventures (see this link) you will know that my intention is really just to visit these food places that I have never been. I don't really have plans of writing a review of food and accommodation. If that's what you are looking for, my blog isn't the one for you. 

HOWEVER, this entry will probably be an exception. 

One tiring week and all you can think of  is a nice weekend to rest and relax. You want to kick it off with a nice coffee and pastry on a nice place with a good friend whom you always share conversations with. The last thing you want is a 'so-and-so' customer service. 

You see, am not a very demanding customer. A lot of times, I would just let things pass. But when I see one great customer service, I really make noise. I was so close to just ignoring the 'so-so' customer service we got from this place but I guess I couldn't because it was what kept our conversation going.

The lady cashier took my order. She seemed in a hurry and she never looked at me. When I talk to people (even strangers) I look them in the eye. I asked her questions about the food am ordering, the wifi password and other things and she would look at me briefly and do something else. I actually felt like I was disturbing her. 

Next scene - the coffee Jem got was extremely hot but nobody warned him about it. What's even worse was when we had to ask for everything we need - everything, one at a time!

A couple of days prior to this food trip, I brought my niece and family to Shakey's in Maysilo and  I was blown away by the great customer service I got from their crew. I noticed that Shakey's offers good customer service training to their people because the service I get seems to be the same in all branches. I commended the crew. It was really great.

You see, it is one thing to do your job - get payments, hand over receipts, give a spoon and open a door. But it is also another thing to do it with attitude. 

Smile when you hand over the receipt, be grateful to your customers who are the very reasons you have a job, keep a good tone when you talk to them, it could be your 100th customer but it could also be your customer's only relaxing day. Look them in the eye. Don't wait for customers to ask what they need, you should know what they need. If they order a bread and you place it on a plate, you know they're gonna need a table napkin or a tissue paper or a fork and a knife. Don't wait for them to ask for it. 

I work for a company where my job is to train people to provide excellent customer service. I also have very high respect for any type of job. You can say that my standards are too high. But to me, it only becomes high when yours is low. The standards that I know of are merely the good customer service standards - no more, no less and non-negotiable. Maybe it is what we need to make our services world class. If we think that these standards are too high then maybe it's time to put it a notch higher. With the kind of hospitality that we Filipinos innately have? It shouldn't be much of an effort. 

J.CO donuts got my heart. The donuts are tender and the flavors are to die for.

 I will definitely come back ... for the donuts. 

_ E  N  D  _ 

J.CO Philippines

SM Megamall

HOOP: 8AM - end of mall hours

Facebook: See this link. 

Website: See this link.