Tinkering with my guitar

In my trip to La Union, I stayed with the family of Jason, who owns a guitar! Seeing that guitar got me interested in playing the guitar again, after about a year already. So when I got back home, I got my guitar and songbook and played some songs. One of the favorite songs to play and sing is Somewhere Down the Road by Barry Manilow. I adjusted the chords a bit so it would fit my female voice :)

SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD

G

We had the right love
C

At the wrong time

Am
Guess I always knew inside

Dsus G
I wouldn't have you for a long time

CM7
Those dreams of yours

G Em
Are shining on distant shores

Am7 G
And if they're calling you away

CM7 D7sus
I have no right to make you stay

G
Refrain: (But/And/Cause) somewhere down the road

C
Our roads are gonna cross again

Am7 D7sus D7
It doesn't really matter when

G
But somewhere down the road

C G
I know that heart of yours

C D7sus
will come to see

Am G D7sus G
That you belong with me

Sometimes goodbyes are not forever
It doesn't matter if you're gone
I still believe in us together
I understand more than you think I can
You have to go out on your own
So you can find your way back home

Bb G Am7 G
Letting go is just another way to say

Ebm Dm7 Am7
I'll always love you so

G

We had the right love

CM7
At the wrong time

G Am7 G
Maybe we've only just begun

Am7 D7sus
Maybe the best is yet to come

Repeat Refrain

Inspirational Message 3

Obeying God sometimes seems like the hardest road to take but in the long run it is the only lifestyle that brings real peace and joy...

Inspirational Messages 2

Don't let someone become a priority in your life, when you are just an option in their life...
Relationships work best when they are balanced.

Never explain yourself to anyone.
Because the person who likes you doesn't need it, and the person who dislikes you won't believe it.

When you keep saying that you are busy, then you are never free.
When you keep saying that you have no time, then you have no time.
When you keep saying that you will do it tomorrow, then your tomorrow will never come.

When we wake up in the morning, we have two simple choices:
Go back to sleep and dream, or wake up and chase your dreams. Choice is yours...

We make them cry who care for us.
We cry for those who never care for us.
And we care for those who will never cry for us.
This is the truth of life, strange but true.
Once you realize this, it's never too late to change.

Don't make promises when you are in joy.
Don't reply when you are sad.
Don't make a decision when you are angry.
Think twice. Act wise.

Inspirational Message

Know why God blessed you with another morning to wake up?

It's to forget the pains of yesterday and see the chance the new day has brought...

to dance and laugh again...

to make up for the wrong things you've done...

to see your friends...

to love again...

to make others feel happy and loved...

You see, it's more than just another long day ahead...

it's God's way of reminding you that He cares and loves everyone of us...

Tori Amos - Sleeps With Butterflies

Airplanes
Take you away again
Are you flying
Above where we live
Then I look up a glare in my eyes
Are you having regrets about last night
I'm not but I like rivers that rush in
So then I dove in
Is there trouble ahead
For you the acrobat
I won't push you unless you have a net

You say the word
You know I will find you
Or if you need some time
I don't mind
I don't hold on
To the tail of your kite
I'm not like the girls that you've known
But I believe I'm worth coming home to
Kiss away night
This girl only sleeps with butterflies
With butterflies
So go on and fly then boy

Balloons
Look good from on the ground
I fear with pins and needles around
We may fall then stumble
Upon a carousel
It could take us anywhere

I'm not like the girls that you've known
But I believe I'm worth coming home to
Kiss away night
This girl only sleeps with butterflies
With butterflies
With butterflies
So go on and fly boy

The Sign

I, I gotta new life
You would hardly recognize me I'm so glad
How could a person like me care for you?
(Why?)Why do I bother
When you're not the one for me
Is enough, enough?

I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes
I saw the sign
Life is demanding without understanding
I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes
I saw the sign
No one's gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong...
But where do you belong?
Under the clean moon
For so many years I've wondered who you are
How could a person like you bring me joy?
Under the pale moon
Where I see a lot of stars
Ooooo Is enough, enough

I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes
I saw the sign
Life is demanding without understanding
I saw the si-ign and it opened up my eyes
I saw the sign
No one's gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong...
But where do you belong?

I saw the sign and it opened up my mind!
And I am happy now living without you
I've left you!
I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign
No one's gonna drag you up to get into the light where you belong

Thanks Google!

After getting oriented on various Google products (thanks Aileen!), I really got impressed with Google, and all its various tools! Though I've been using Google products already such as GMail, Picasa and iGoogle, after the orientation, I'm now going to use Reader and Blogger.

For a start, I have customized my Google reader to include the feeds that I want to read, such as Inquirer.net, as well as blogs of my friends, and even some interesting updates on photography, technology, and Google.

And now, I am going to use Blogger to post my blogs, as it allows feeding in Multiply. :)

Thank you, Google, for making my life easier and more productive!

Computer Clubhouse's New Look

Since the Ayala Foundation turned over the Intel Computer Clubhouse program to their respective communities, I am not able to oversee its day to day operations. But nonetheless, I continue to do my share in supporting the program. I owe so much to this program, not only for my professional and personal development, but also allowing me to do my share in the development of the Filipino youth through the use of technology.

For those of you who may not know, the Intel Computer Clubhouse is an after school center that allow young people to explore and develop their own talents through the use of technology. For more information, you may visit http://www.computerclubhouse.org/.

I hope that you guys can find the time to visit the Computer Clubhouses here in the Philippines. The one I used to manage is in East Rembo, Makati City. But there is another one in General Trias, Cavite. I'm sure you will have a fascinating experience. Last weekend, I got a chance to visit the Clubhouse again after a long while. And I was very glad to see the Clubhouse's New Look!

OLD Look:



NEW Look:




From the previous color of blue and purple, the Clubhouse now is now filled with color YELLOW! I like the color yellow, and I also thought that the Clubhouse now looks more fun and inviting! I hope that this new look of the Clubhouse will be a haven to more kids, as well as volunteers and supporters.

I am posting this information about the Clubhouse in order to promote it and to gather more support so that the Clubhouse may continue its programs for the youth. There are a number of things you can do to support the Clubhouse:

1. DONATE! Donations can be in cash or in kind. You can donate a computer (at least Pentium III or higher), printer, art materials, office supplies, even snacks for the kids and the volunteers.
2. VOLUNTEER! If you can be at the Clubhouse every week or every month to spend time with the kids, then you can become a Mentor. If you can't commit on a regular schedule to be with the kids, you can volunteer to do a workshop or seminar with the kids for a couple of hours. If you are not the type who wish to interact with the kids but still want to help, the Clubhouse also needs some back end, administrative and fundraising support.

If you are interested to help, you may contact me or the Computer Clubhouse staff (Paul or Amy) at 632-7574384 or 7575704.

Thank you!

===
first posted July 18, 2007

Catholic Devotions

Recently I was able to listen to a Protestant show on radio. While I have been a Catholic for the longest time, the things that I have heard in the radio show have somehow affected me. The announcer was very critical about Catholic devotions. I remember I was told before that one of the reasons why a lot of Catholics have left the faith because all these other religions have convinced them of their expertise in the Bible, and that these other religions have criticized Catholic practices because they are not written in the Bible.

Of course my initial reaction was to feel bad about what the announcer had said. How come he seems to be critical only of Catholics and not included other religions? And why are they (Protestants) calling us (Catholics) unbelievers? Isn’t that unfair? It is true that the Catholic Church have had its mistakes before. The Church is human. It is not perfect. But it is trying to be through God’s grace. And I’m pretty sure that all the other churches are not perfect either. So why be critical on us only?

Another point that he has criticized was the Catholics’ devotion to Mary and the saints. He said that we are worshipping them well in fact we are asking for their intercession. That we are committing the gravest sin to God. I remember a scripture passage in the New Testament about the Wedding at Cana. Isn’t this a reason why we ask for Mary’s intercession to pray for us to God? We Catholics DO PRAY to GOD, and ask the help of the saints in our prayers. And the announcer is also critical of novenas and praying the rosary. It really broke my heart when the announcer said that the devotion that we practice is evil. True, there are Catholics that depend on novenas and other devotions to get their requests granted, and are being criticized for being fatalistic and who seem to be more DEVOTED to the saints rather than to God. But what about those Catholics who ask for Mary and the saints’ intercessions so they can be closer to God and become better persons/Christians? Can we judge a person’s faith as wrong if he/she has changed from his/her sinful ways to become a more charitable person through the rosary or a devotion to a saint?

But on the other hand, I feel that I have so much to learn about my faith. Admittedly, even if I have been trying to be a devout Catholic, there are some things about my faith that I do not know why we practice them. Maybe I was already sold to the faith and trust that what I am doing is right in the eyes of God. But for the things that the announcer has told me, I somehow felt lost. What if I was seeing him face to face while he is talking? How will I be able to defend my faith? I may have some answers to some of his arguments, but not all. And the way he makes his statements is very convincing. At some point while listening to him I became confused. But later on realized and resolved to learn more about my faith, and hopefully to become the person that God wants me to be.

===

first posted Nov. 5, 2006

Paying it forward through simple acts of kindness

Kaninang umaga pagsakay ko sa jeep, nag-abot ako ng fifty peso bill. Ang tigas nga ng ulo ko kasi dapat magbayad ng barya sa umaga. E nagkataon ito ang smallest bill sa wallet ko, so wala akong choice kundi ibayad ito.

Ang mamang drayber naman ay naghanap ng mapapapalitan ng aking fifty pesos na bayad. Sumubok sya dun sa isang kapwa drayber, pero wala rin syang maipapalit. Hanggang nung malapit na akong bumaba, inabutan ako ng isang ale ng seven fifty (P7.50) para ipambayad sa drayber. Nasabi ko sa sarili ko na napakabuti naman ng aleng ito. Kinuha ko ang seven fifty sa ale, nagpasalamat, at inabot ito sa drayber. Bago ako bumaba nagpasalamat ako muli sa ale. Iniisip ko na minsan makakabawi din ako.

Dahil sa nangyaring ito naalala ko ang kaibigan ko. Minsan meron ding nagbayad ng kanyang pamasahe sa jeep dahil wala syang barya. At minsan din nagkaroon sya ng pagkakataon na makapagbayad din ng pamasahe ng isang tao na wala ring baryang pambayad sa jeep.

Nakakatuwa ang pagpapasa ng kabutihan sa mga pangyayaring ito. At naipasa na rin sya sa akin. :)

Nang sumakay muli ako ng jeep nakasabay ko naman ang isang opismeyt. Sinabi ko sa kanya na ililibre ko na sya ng pamasahe. At kinwento ko ang pangyayari bago kami nagtagpo. Sabi naman nya sa akin na pag may nakasabay sya, ililibre rin nya sya ng pamasahe :)

Nakakatuwa naman na ang mga simpleng Acts of Kindness na ito ay umiikot. Sana marami pang mga pangyayaring ganito nang gumanda at pumayapa ang ating mundo...

===
first posted Oct. 10, 2006

Getting into daily prayer

I have been close to neglecting my prayer life during weekdays. I don't think I could give my daily activities as an excuse for failing to pray. It has been tough, but I have to give time for prayer even for a few minutes during the day.

I remember during college when I used to go to mass daily in school. These have been truly the blessed times of my life. After college I still tried to get into the habit but has been quite a struggle because of so many activities going on in my life. There were weeks that I am able to go to mass daily, and there were weeks when I am only able to go only during Sundays. Though this doesn't seem so bad, Sunday is about the only day when I am really able to pray. Actually, there were days that I am not able to really spend quiet time in prayer. I could say that I am almost a failure in my prayer life.

So to help me get back with my prayer life, I go to two websites:

1. http://www.sacredspace.ie/. Website developed by the Jesuits in Ireland. This website contains prayers and the gospel for the day. This website makes praying more convenient as I just access the website, select the calendar date, and pray. I do this as soon as I get to my desk at the office. In this way I am able to "start my day right" in prayer.

2. http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/. Website produced by the Jesuits in Britain. This website allows you to download prayers for the day or week. And these prayers are in mp3 files. You may store these audio files in your iPod or mp3 player and listen to it. I listen to these files while commuting on the way to work.

And for those times that I don't feel like being techie, I pray the Rosary. I liked what the Irish Jesuits said about the Rosary: "Prayer is a lifting of the mind and heart to God, and for that the rosary is only a springboard. Feel free. It is our Lady's gift, to be used as it helps us." Indeed the Rosary is our Lady's gift. For those times that I really don't know what to say to God in prayer, I just pray the Rosary. It really helps!

===
first posted Sept. 14, 2006

My Ateneo Education

This piece was inspired by Hanna's blog entry and the Loyola Schools Bulletin Special Edition.

When I was younger (about 15-20 years ago), I already admired the Ateneo. It was a reputable educational institution. It provides excellent training in one’s chosen degree and a Catholic education at the same time. I even admired the natural ‘ere’ of Ateneans who are proud of their school no matter what. I have never seen such kind of passion and loyalty in a school in all the schools that I have studied. I remember the instances when my Lolo passionately cheers for his alma mater during UAAP basketball games. I was really curious about why this institution called Ateneo is most admired by my Lolo and all its other students and alumni whom I am acquainted with. For me this was the ideal school. But like many others, I thought that Ateneo was for the elite and for the smart. And the likelihood of a person like me to be admitted in this institution was remote, even close to impossible.

When I was about to graduate from high school I took the college entrance test at the Ateneo. After the entrance test I want to forget about entering the Ateneo. That test was the most difficult that I have taken. But I passed! This is one step of making my dream to study in the Ateneo come true. But the next, and more difficult step was to find a way to fund my education there. Without a scholarship, I would have gone to the University of the Philippines. But a very kind Jesuit priest, who happens to be my mentor, helped me to get a scholarship at the Ateneo. So it became an obvious choice as to where I was going to study for college.

Entering the Ateneo was a dream, but the whole experience of my Ateneo education went far beyond what I expected. I discovered that an Atenean’s passion lies in his/her quest for “magis”, of always giving more and striving to be better than your best. The education is excellent not only because it stimulates the mind, but because it touches the heart and the soul. Who would ever forget the study of Metaphysics with Padre Roque and Theology of Liberation with Bobby Guevarra? They, and the many other teachers in the Ateneo, are not only brilliant teachers during class, but are also the best examples of teachers who “walked the talk.” Even the beautiful campus invigorates the mind and the spirit. I also liked the Ateneo’s sense of community, where students, teachers, staff and alumni are not nameless faces that you see, but are people whom you relate to in one way or another. There was always that Ateneo connection that binds each and everyone. The sense of service, of becoming a “person for others”, has been shown by the many talented men and women of the Ateneo who are giving so much of themselves not only for their school, but also for their country and fellow Filipinos. This school has also nourished my spirituality and found a way for me to be closer to the Lord.

I will always be grateful to the Ateneo for extending their generosity to me. Of helping me fulfill my dream of having not only a good education, but an excellent home and community.

===
first post Jan. 27, 2006

Filipina and the Philippines

Found these info while surfing the net from Marc Hil Macalua. I think this is important to change the image of the Filipina.

Do a Google search for “Filipina” and “Philippines”. Notice how the top search result pages for the keyword “Filipina” is littered with websites dealing with mail order brides. It’s demeaning. Think of your moms and your sisters. For the keyword “Philippines”, we have a CIA.gov website occupying the top spot. I bet they have that nasty travel advisory posted there for everyone to see. Puts our country and every Filipino in a bad light. I’ve just about had it with that sick man of Asia crap. Let’s open their eyes, there’s more to the Philippines. Let’s put our best foot forward.

I’m starting a campaign among Filipino bloggers, more like a crusade, to “take back” these keywords. There’s a way, and it’s so simple. It’s called Google bombing. Read about it here . If you want to help now, read on.

How to Fight Back
If you have a blog, a website or a webpage, you can make a difference. We just need to gather enough links to point to our preferred website/s. For the keyword “Philippines”, I selected the Wow Philippines website. For the keyword “Filipina” it’s the website of the GABRIELA Network .

Make a difference. Add a link to the two websites mentioned above in your posts or your tagboards. For convenience, just copy the code below and paste onto your webpages.

Philippines
Filipina

Please link to this post or pass it on to your friends to spread the message. The more Filipino bloggers we can get, the better. Our goal is to reach the number 1 Google ranking for both keywords and to remain there for eternity. If we reach critical mass, we should start to see improvements in less than 3 weeks :) See you at the top. Mabuhay tayong lahat!

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first post Jan. 15, 2006

Moving On

Admittedly, I still have to master the skill of the title I wrote here. This is a reality that people often face. There is nothing permanent, only change.

In a few days a good friend of mine will be moving on to his new assignment. At the start of this year, there will be a general transfer of parish priests in the Diocese of Cubao. Up until November I would not like to believe that it will happen. But it did. I guess our conversations with the Bishop about letting our parish priest stay did not matter. The transfers are pushing through.

Fr. Raymond is one of the best parish priests I've met, and one of the best priests I've met as well. He has done great things for the parish. What the parishioners will remember the most is the beautiful parish center which was put up during his term. He worked hard to raise funds to put up the parish center, approaching his friends and campaigning in wealthier parishes just to get the funds needed. He has always practiced transparency in reporting to the parish community about the fundraising activities done and how funds were spent, which, by the way, is the only time I've seen a parish priest in our parish doing it. He is also a very good pastor, very articulate, always prepared well-written homilies that sometimes you feel like you are attending a recollection. I also find him to be a perfectionist. He can be frank in delivering his comments, especially if they are negative. I understand that perfection is necessary, a must even, if what you are doing is for the Lord. Comments are also necessary to help us improve in what we do, especially in serving the church and the Lord. Fr. Ray is also an amazing co-worker and very easy to deal with. Our parish newsletter, which we've been consistent in delivering twice a month, is produced by an amazing team of Father and I! I appreciate that he delivers his part on time (in fact he is always on time!), and that he trusts and appreciates what I do to produce the newsletter. Fr. Ray is not only my parish priest but has also become a good friend, and badminton buddy :)

The announcement about him leaving made me sad. I will not be working with him on the newsletter anymore (maybe the new parish priest will, if he still wants to). I will not see him as often. But the movement has to happen, for the parish's good, and especially for Fr. Ray's. I should think that, hey, this also happened when Fr. Mac left, and that I can visit him still in UP (Fr. Ray's new parish).

I wish Fr. Ray all the best in his new parish, and that he will always be in my prayers...

===
first posted Jan. 9, 2006

Pollution in Espana

I do not travel in España so much. Except maybe if I am going to Quiapo to buy bargain stuff, usually on a Sunday, or to UST, to accompany or visit my sister who is studying there. But last Thursday, I had to go to Manila Science High School to talk with an administrator there. There were actually two routes by which I could get there. One was to ride a jeepney going to Taft from Frisco via Sta. Cruz. The other one was to ride a jeepney going to Taft or Kalaw from West Ave. The latter's route will pass by España. I chose to take the jeepney from West Ave., since West Ave. is near our house (just walking distance), and that I will save a few pesos on my jeepney fare.

So I rode the jeepney and travelled. Going past the Mabuhay Rotonda, I noticed something weird happening to me. I'm having headache and stomach pains, and I was also feeling dizzy. Oh my! What's happening to me? Immediately I thought it must be the pollution at España that is causing my weird feeling. But I wondered also, since I've been commuting many many years now, am I still not used to the pollution? Or maybe I'm so used to the comfort of riding the MRT--airconditioned and pretty much secured from the pollution around. I have travelled España before, even went farther routes, weekday and weekend, but have not experienced that weird feeling. Maybe the pollution now is really terrible. Upon arriving at my destination, I was so tired, even if I had travelled only a few kilometers with not much traffic. Pollution, no doubt, is the culprit.

I worried about my sister, who commutes everyday to España. I wonder how she survives it. I worry about her health, given this terrible state of pollution. I would suggest that she gets a gas mask!

===
first posted Jan. 6, 2006

Faith or Fanaticism

Doy and I talked about our issues regarding religious fanatics. I must admit, that even if I am a loyal follower of my religion, I just hate the guts of people who tend to be fanatics of organized religion. People who take the Bible too literally. People who are very critical of others' faiths and regarding their own's as the only way to salvation. And worse, sometimes these avid followers look too loyal when in the church. But outside the church? They do not even practice what their church teaches!

The Bible is written more than 2 millennia ago, in various languages such as Hebrew and Greek. The study of theology taught me that what is written in the Bible should be taken into proper context in order to figure out its true message. I just hope that people were more respectful of other people's faiths. I believe that salvation is freely given by God because of His great love for humanity. And faith without good works, is vain.

Conversing with Doy about these things has always been a fruitful experience, considering that we are from different religions. I guess that's what makes it enriching: being different. But despite the difference, the beliefs that we hold dear in our lives are the same.

===
first posted Jan. 3, 2006

Hello!

Hello! This is my new blog!