Life in Crescendo

MARILAG MEMORIES

2014-05-07T21:47:00.000-07:00

Bwaha! I'm back...and it's been a long time since I have blogged here. Ok, what has revived me to do this sort of time-consuming passion? The need to keep an account of present events that I/we may have something notable to dig in to in the future.

My week has been filled with surveying the cultural and historical background of Santa Maria, Laguna. Ate Narlie, a cultural education student of Letran Calamba, invited me to accompany her in her cultural mapping. What a privilege! Even if I'm busy preparing the historical gallery for our church's 59th anniversary (ok, that's another similar and exciting activity), I gave her time. While searching my blog and fb account for photos and articles of the past, I sensed the need to really take account of what happens now. One will never know how important it will be once he/she looks at those writeups in the future.

Here are some spoils of memories from the past:

I'm holding a portrait of our former mayor, Benjamin Real. The location of the shot was on our old municipal building.

Again, I have with me an old model of Canon camera owned by Mr. Ruben Vidal, a resident of Bgy. 2, Santa Maria, Laguna

Old teachers at an old building in SMES. At the center (with left hand on his hip) was Mr. Fidel Real, the District Supervisor.

A list of families who originated from our town.

An old phonograph.

Mr. Oscar and Mely Real's stuff.

Former Mayor Benjamin Real standing beside President Marcos.

Mr. Dan Real welcomed us in his abode and showed us a handful of old pictures stacked in his room.

A Redeemed Life

2014-02-23T02:39:00.001-08:00

A Wooden cross

Symbol of shame

Despised by the world

Embraced by the Savior

A Hardened Heart

Filled with dirt

Condemned and hellbound

Redeemed by His blood

The gospel of Salvation

Made available by grace

To cleanse and to forgive

Those who deserve wrath

A life of worship

Offered to God

Filled with joyful melody

Satisfied by His beauty!

Laganap na Nakawan! It's Not Fun!

2013-07-16T20:41:00.002-07:00

Theft is prevalent in Brgy. Dos. We've had numerous incidents last year. I never thought I would be the next victim. The morning I woke up, my important belongings are gone. Nada.

I use to sleep in Ninang Eldie's living room. I always leave the windows and kitchen light open. I didn't have the clue that the thief can barge in through the gate.

This early morning, a swift movement by the main window woke me up. I saw someone going out through the window. Being half awake, I thought it was a cat, but I also suspected that it could be a robber. I disregarded that small suspicion because our gates were always padlocked. Sai's laptop was also sitting under the table. So, I continued my sweet sleep, not knowing that he took my bag containing 4k, important ID's and ATM and my gadgets.

And he left my yellow tumbler near the front door.

When I woke up for good, I picked 'Breaking Free', the title of the book I just bought using my second 'sweldo.' I felt much rested for a whole day's work. When I tried to find my laptop, I looked at the gate---the padlock was gone! We called Capt. Raoul Nitro and the police who queried the details of the incident.

At first I did not feel the sting of losing important belongings. Then lately, I realized that losing your important ID's, essential files (which contained some school, ministry and photography documents) and laptop was a sad experience. I remained silenced for several hours, but God remained my comfort and faith, my assurance. This incident reminded me that if God is your utmost treasure, you can't be shaken.

So let's get serious here, Experiencing loss is part of life. Our belongings, positions, loved ones and even facebook accounts can be taken from us (my twitter account just got hacked this June!). But what will assure us that we will remain intact when that happens? It's having a relationship with God.

I was encouraged by a young friend who put a post on my facebook timelineline. It says:

A woman experienced being robbed by thieves. in her diary, she wrote: "let me be thankful first, because they took my bag and laptop and not my life; second, although they took my all, it was not that much as my faith; and third, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed."

Let us see God's purpose behind every trial and the good things behind the worst situations.

Being in tuned with God's purpose enables us to see what He is teaching us in good and bad situations. Having our hearts set on what God sees as important sustains us in tough times. Indeed, NOTHING can really be taken from us if God is our treasure and not the things of this world. The worst thing in this life is not the loss of belongings, it's the loss of one's soul. For eternity.

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Matthew 16:26.

There is someone who risked losing His life that I won't be lost forever. Though He was rich, He lived poor, rejected and despised. It was as if He was taken advantaged of all the time. But He suffered it all for us because He wanted us to experience everlasting joy in God and not in material possession, worldly definition of success and temporary pleasures of sin.

When living for Him who died for us becomes our priority, bad things become blessings. They can be avenues where He can do His deepest work. Because of His power working in us, we can have the right response when such things happen.

I'm praying that robbery incidents in our area would be solutioned. Let's take care of our belongings!

Halalan Heat

2013-05-12T22:27:00.000-07:00

THE PHENOMENAL PANSIT LOMI

2013-01-23T18:35:00.003-08:00

Regular or special? Dine-in or take out? Susan's or El Batangueno's? What lures many to avail lomi? What's so special about it?

Originally from Batangas, this cuisine has become the people's pick. The sticky soup, freshly-made noodles and tasty toppings (atay, kikiam and pork) make it a sought-after meal even by our kababayans who work overseas.

LOCAL LOMI HOUSES
Currently, we have 7+ lomi restaurants. We have Susan's Lomi Haus (Brgy. 4) and El Batangueno 1&2 (Brgy.4 & Coralan), Azon's and the lomi house near the town plaza. Surprisingly, there are lomi houses in Parang and Saksak.

The number of customers who visit these stores vary from day to day. Usually, these establishments, which open at sunrise and close at late afternoon, get crowded during Sundays due to tiannge.

Photo Above: Susan's Lomi Haus in P. Aguja Street, Brgy. 4;
Left: El Batangueno at Victorina Street, same baranggay;
Right: Lomi store at Parang ng Buho;
Bottom: Restaurant at J. Santiago.

Price Range. I'll go for the Regular.

HOW TO EAT IT
This food is best eaten when hot. Soy sauce, calamansi and red hot chili pepper complete this tasty treat.

Terrific food at an amazingly low price.

BEHIND THE SCENES: PREPARING THE MAIN INGREDIENTS

Ate Evelyn Pontipedra, the former manager of El Batangueno, accompanied me to the noodle 'factory' located near the market's covered court. When the workers realized that they were being documented, they were quited alarmed. One exclaimed laughingly, 'baka bukas puntahan kami ng Imbestigador (paraphrase mine).'

When the flour is mixed, it goes to the roller and
turns into long, tender strip.

It is then put into this machine to be chopped into
thin strands.

Voila! We have our pansit!

The last step: packing and distributing them to lomi houses nearby.

Days after, I visited her restaurant. Having arrived a bit late, I caught a cook in the kitchen. He is done with the meat. Yet he had been eager to show me how he prepared the other main ingredients used in this dish. They include noodles, broth and meat toppings which are separately prepared.

Outside the store, the people roamed here and there, preparing for a day's work. I realized that it's great to be in the market area during early morning for you'll have the glimpse on how hardworking our townspeople are.

(1) El Batangueno's worker's cup of coffee. (2) A lugaw stall is situated a few steps
from the lomi house. (3) Early bird catches the worm!

(1) Market sight during early mornings. (2) A perfect meal before a day's work.
(3) Lomi shop beside EB.

NEXT ARTICLE:

On our next entry, we'll feature Mr. Bench Carpio, the current Manager of El Batangueno. He'll let us
know how the restaurant started and how he runs it.

2012-11-05T02:33:00.003-08:00

Lovely Reading Nook

2012-10-19T04:31:00.001-07:00

It has been my dream to set up a personal library. I never thought this would happen.

Our living room got expanded, and I'm thankful that my mom had the idea of using the additional space as a reading area. We have 6 shelves and we were able place 200+ books on 3 of them. The book categories include apologetics, theology, language and literature, christian living, christian classics, missions, bible study materials, non-fiction, health, and philosophy. There are mags too :)

Quotes that made my day

2012-10-09T18:53:00.001-07:00

Browsing my newsfeed, I was encouraged by these truths

The same sovereign God who planned the details of your life sent his Son so you would have what you need to face what he willed for you. -Paul Tripp

Only when God drives us to the end of ourselves do we begin to see life in the gospel.
-Tullian Tchividjian

‎"To be fully known and truly loved...liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us." - Tim Keller

Christ fulfilled the law's requirement, not so you would be a law breaker, but one who celebrates the grace that enables you to keep it. -Paul Tripp

‎"And if You had not loved me first, I would refuse You still." // So, so thankful for sovereign grace. -Bob Kauflin

Notes from Ravi Zacharias:: The New Spirituality

2012-08-12T03:33:00.002-07:00

APOLOGETICS
reason for the hope in you

TESTS OF TRUTH (three things to do when u assert something)

logical consistency
empirical adequacy
experiential relevance

WORLDVIEW (four questions)
origin - where do i come from
meaning- what life really means
morality- what does it say about good and evil
destiny- what happens when we die

define life starting from what happens when you die
define life backwards not forward

5 disciplines
1. GOD
who is God?
2. REALITY/METAPHYSICS
how to deal with philosophical issues not in the laboratory.
meaning is not a scientific question
you don't define meaning with empirical sicence
3. EPISTEMOLOGY
how do you know something is true?
how do you verify it
diff. fields of discipline have diff views
4. MORALITY
neurologically engendered
x values are totally autonomous
5. ANTHROPOLOGY

Photoediting Trick: Color Splash

2012-07-05T21:29:00.001-07:00

One hearty meal at Cajun in Robinson's Galleria, Ortigas

1. Go to Pixlr.com/express

2. Upload a photo

3. Go to the 'Adjustment Box'

4. Choose the 'Color Splash Box'. The photo will suddenly turn to grayscale mode.

5. Choose 'Brush'. A circle will then appear. Choose whatever object you'd like to 'color'.

Travel Blog

2012-07-02T22:02:00.003-07:00

i have a new travel blog:

click the following link:
morefuninsantamarialaguna.blogspot.com

DISCOVERIES: BIGNAY

2012-07-01T06:37:00.000-07:00

Bignay branch found beside the Country Mansion,
Laguna, Philippines

Mind you, I'm a nature-lover too! I love to take pictures of plants and appreciate the mountains, seas and the fields.

When we went to Talangka this afternoon, we discovered a bunch of freshly-cut branches laid beside the street where our 'resthouse' (or bahay sa bukid in tagalog) was built. I learned that its tree is called bignay.

I've done a little research regarding this plant and realized that its kind is found in only Southeast Asia, Australia and India. It's termed currant in English. It's edible and contains calcium and iron.

Source: Bignay. Philippine Medicinal Plants. < http://stuartxchange.com/Bignay.html >.

I-K-I-P

2012-01-03T05:24:00.000-08:00

I-K-I-P: GMYX Small Group Teaching Outline

I - Introduction (Attention-catcher)
K- Knowledge (Biblical Background)
I- Insight (observations)
P- Practical Application(Action Point)

thanks, Sai.

Tata's Arrangement

2011-11-07T18:16:00.001-08:00

Sabas San Pascual

DEC. 5, 1900-MAY 26, 1984

5 Ways to Enjoy Summer

2011-03-21T01:36:00.000-07:00

1. Hike. Visit the nearest jungle and be surprised to see what nature offers you. Don't forget to bring your digicam; capture whatever comes your path: an animal, a bird's eye view of your hometown, towering trees. Have important stuffs with you such as water, food, extra clothes and safety knives. Oh, an important reminder...make sure to go to the CR first before embarking on a long journey. I remembered the time we went on a hike with my stomach full...that call of nature was distracting!

2. Eat halu-halo. The very thing I like about summer is being able to eat this dessert. I wonder why they don't sell it the whole year round. Its mouthwatering ingredients, namely, nata, shaved ice, evaporated milk, yema, leche flan, beans, jackfruit, ube, gulaman, sago, pinipig, beat any food available down the streets.

Before eating the whole thing, I make sure I have consumed the caramel or yema. Why? Because my cousins will surely see me eating and will surely covet that sweet stuff!

3. Make money. You would not want to waste time doing nothing, so better use that golden opportunity to roll your sleeves up and stay productive! One great way to earn is to launch a workshop. If you are musically talented, you might want to set up tutorial lessons for kids; if you are a math wizard, you may offer the students math sessions. You can also do online writing jobs. Suite101, hubpages, and triond are some of the sites you could visit.

4. Attend camps. Joining such activities will help enhance your relational skills, physical being and even your spiritual life. Several Churches and Christian Organizations regularly launch annual camps. I spent most of my summer seasons attending such events. I always go home encouraged, refreshed and inspired.

5. Learn a new skill. Writing, playing the guitar, survival skills and self-defense are some of the choices. Having a friend who is expert on the field you have chosen is an advantage. You may also learn how to cook. Or speak a new language. Or even drive a car. The list is endless.

Santa Maria

2011-03-17T04:21:00.001-07:00

Calangay

Brgy 2

Calangay

GOSPEL

2010-11-13T03:49:00.001-08:00

the good news of salvation purchased by the Lord Jesus Christ to reconcile sinful men to a holy God ♥

Hiking

2010-09-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

Suddenly I became interested to trek around the different remote places here in Santa Maria.

Yesterday, we went to Brgy. Cueva. The hike will cost you all your energies, but man, the scene is worth it! We picked rambutans, took pictures of the trees, boulders, ants, coconuts, mountains.

There, I've begun to appreciate nature. The quietness, simplicity of the surrounding refreshed me. Brgy. Cueva, I shall return. See you soon, friendly mosquitoes!

Summer Scenes

2010-03-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

Towering trees

Sandy beach. Pero wala naman sa beach...

Summer people

Summer smiles

Summer shot (tin's debut)

Summer jam

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SUMMER

2010-03-07T22:26:00.000-08:00

One> The weather. Sweating gives me comfort. Now I won't 'suffer' coz cold nights are long gone.
Two> Haluhalo.
Three> HS students don't have classes... and that means youth ministry will surely flourish
Four> Being able to roam around the remotest areas of Santa Maria
Five> No more noisy tricycles in our streets (coz we live near SMNHS)
Six> Youth Camps, DVBS, Music Workshops, Church Anniv, Jamming all along
Seven> We'll be able to focus on discipleship

ON RULES AND METHODS OF SCIENCE

2009-11-05T23:13:00.001-08:00

June 16, 2009

As defined, science is a method of problem solving that is concerned with the empirical; a systematic body of knowledge. It mainly consists laws, theories and certain fixed principles on observable phenomena. But then there were some thinkers who did not view science as such but rather questioned its exclusivity and ‘infallibility. One of them is Feyerabend, who, in his ‘Against Method’, claimed that science had a chaotic history, and questioned the certainty of rules and systematic methods on which it was founded upon. This paper will discuss what the rules and systematic methods in science are for and how Feyerabend viewed the purposes given. Right then, it will provide an evaluation regarding the arguments presented.

PURPOSES OF RULES AND METHODS

We acquire knowledge through these methods and rules. Here is where we base our experimentations and observations. Science could not be considered as an ‘organized’ body of knowledge without these laws and methods governing them. Using these methods, we may be able to verify, test, and validate certain phenomena and solve a problem. Methods and laws seek to simplify what is complex when it comes in observing or describing a phenomenon. ‘It provides an objective process to find solutions to problems in a number of scientific and technological fields.’1

FEYERABEND’S VIEW

Inductions, generalizations, experimentations, investigations, etc. are all enclosed in a box called ‘scientific method’. Certain rules and systematic procedures could be said as the final authority governing this body or discipline. Laws and theories are the firm foundations on which every scientist stand upon. Mainly, these rules were made to simplify science and make it more ‘objective’. Science, up close and personal, is ‘complex, chaotic, and full of mistakes’. So maybe, a ‘little repair’ would do, like making it simple and eclosing it with strict rules. Fragments, consisting of simple, complex, and ridiculous ideas were collected, polished and packaged into seemingly firm and certain methodologies. Secondly, rules and methods were established to exclude science from other disciplines. It simply implies that it has a logic, language and system of its own. The boundary line it has built was merely a defensive wall for it not to be intruded by other disciplines (or people under this discipline) that might weaken it. This is seen in the uniformity of its actions and secrecy of its ‘historical processes’. Now, we consider science different from philosophy, theology, arts, and other given disciplines. Now, we 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science are facing the dilemma of whether we will give science the right in dealing with knowledge. Science has become limited and restricted due to the manipulation of its nature and history. In his attack against the tradition that has proliferated in this discipline, Feyerabend emphasized the ‘anything goes’ principle. Simplifying science and making it exclusive hinder growth and progress, so his assertions, ‘we must keep our options open because the world is a largely unknown entity,’ and ‘liberal practice is necessary for the growth of knowledge makes a lot of sense. Major changes and revolutions in science were due to violation of certain principles (Einstein vs. Newton; Galileo vs. Copernicus). ‘We find, then, that there is not a single rule, however plausible, and however firmly grounded on epistemology, that is not violated at some time or another’. Certain violations are springboard for progress. Thinkers who are lawbreakers and who have decided not to be bound by strict rules are the major revolutionaries. Without them and their discoveries, science would not be as it is today. We could not solely owe the growth of knowledge and scientific progress to these fixed rules and methodologies. I am not saying that these rules are hindrance to progress—but only there are times that they hinder progress. There are times that it is better to abide by these laws, but there will come a time that you have to let go of them to achieve a better result. Of all the factors and characteristics, it is tentativeness that the scientist must hold on to. In experimentation, ‘he must be aware that his descriptions are incomplete and not permanent and is always subject to the discovery of new data. He must not put a period when it comes to its finality or totality (William James, paraphrased)’. Feyerabend intruded science and tried to analyze it under the light of a discipline outside it. The ideas and realizations may look sound, but this action may not work at all times.