PERRY PAUL LAMANILAO: Inspires Your Life Everyday!

How do you pray?

2012-06-03T01:35:00.002-07:00

Today, my friend, I want to share with you the Catholic Prayers by the Mary's Little Children Community. I made this video so we can say these powerful prayers altogether anywhere you are in the world. Please take time, perhaps 30 minutes of your time, to pray these prayers and reflect upon the greatness of our God. Two Marian Songs were also included at the last part of this video.

God bless us all.

PS: You may download this video for free and share this to your family and friends. :)

Bro. Jing's reaction to my article: WHAT CAN YOU SAY?

2012-01-25T00:47:00.000-08:00

SO THE PUBLIC MAY KNOW:

This is how MR. ORLANDO "JING" STO DOMINGO (a.k.a. BROTHER JING), Feast Builder and Spiritual Leader of Light of Jesus Family Davao, reacted to my blog article last January 18, 2012 entitled 'Modern-Age Teachings of Bo Sanchez'. Please click here to read my previous post.

Friends, in such a time like this, silent prayer is our best response. By the end of the day, THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE!

Let us continue praying. Let God be our judge.

STOP DECEPTION: Listen to the true teachings!

2012-01-21T00:29:00.000-08:00

After having published my blog article entitled "Modern-age (or New-age) Teachings of Bo Sanchez, my college friend, Jennie, sent me an email yesterday. She asked me, "Perry, magbuhat na ka'g sarili nimong relihiyon?" (Perry, are you going to create your own religion?)

I laughed. Why? First, I don't want to deceive people. Hey, I am a Catholic since the day I was baptized and until the day I will die. Second, importantly, I believe that the true, authentic, original, solid, real faith is Catholicism.

But I know she was just joking around. Then she told me one thing that shocked me. She said "Perry, because of your article, I'm now in doubt whether I should buy more of Bo Sanchez's books or not."

Praise God! Now, I pray she won't buy them again. I burnt all Bo Sanchez's books, magazines, cd's, etc. yesterday, remember?

So, I will say it again today: STOP DECEPTION. Listen to the true teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Go to the real church anyway, a place of worship and house of God, every Sunday. It is where you will encounter the living (as in, present) body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Not somewhere else.

NEED PROOFS?

Real faith dos not need proofs. Faith, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is a firm belief in something for which there is no proof or it's a complete trust.

But for the sake of giving "satisfaction" to my readers, I would like to copy-paste an article from the website of Mr. Jef Menguin, a leadership and personal development speaker in the Philippines. I read this article many times. And I hope and I pray that this article will open doors to the reality of our Faith -- in God, through Jesus and Mary, our mother.

I chose Mr. Jef Menguin's article because it is not biased both on spiritual and personal aspects of the issue.

So here it is. Please continue reading...

God Is Not A Genie

by Jef Menguin
as published on http://jefmenguin.com/?p=7576.

(This is being published with the permission from the author.)

As a leader, it is very important that you are clear and consistent about your messages. As a follower, it is very important that you do not allow your leaders to think for you.
I like to share with you what I have been thinking since the other day.

The Lay Preacher’s Video

My friend was watching Bo Sanchez on video. He preached that by changing your word, you can change your world.

Thousands of self help books from the US teach the same principle. I say the same in my leadership seminars especially when I teach people about assertive communication and stress management. The book The Secret made this even more famous among “financial freedom” evangelists in Manila. But these are secular guys. Most personal development gurus do not talk about God. They talk about your immense power to change your life.

Back to Bo Sanchez’s video. My attention was caught when he sang ” let the weak say I am strong, let the poor say I am rich”. Then he stopped to explain that by changing words, man can change his reality. I knew this to be the core teaching of the new age movement, and was made very famous by Napoleon Hill in this book Think and Grow Rich when he discussed visualization and the inherent power of man to change his world through his words. I have an audiobook and must have read the book fifty times when I was doing MLM for Amway.

I found out that he also has a blog entry on this here- http://bosanchez.ph/change-your-words-change-your-life/

The Impact On Me

I was disturbed. I realized that this preaching sound more like the Ascendant Masters of the new age movement, of Napoleon Hill. But not of St. Paul. And not of Jesus.

He sang the Don Moen song Give Thanks. I know how powerful it would have been if Bo Sanchez continued to the next line. By then people would have heard, “because of what the Lord has done for us”.

Not Because I Changed My Words

Let the weak say that I am strong, not because I told them that I am strong. I am because of what God had done for me. Let the poor say that I am rich not because I told them that I am rich, but because of what God had done for me. I thought that the song was used to deliver a different and opposite message.

I hear this often. A pastor or an abundant guru will quote the Bible, but he usually stops where it is convenient to advance his proposition. Quotes from the Bible do not make a teaching biblical. This is why followers must not allow their leaders to think for them. This is why leaders must be very careful about what they read. If they read more of Kiyosaki, James Allen, and Napoleon Hill, it is very likely for them to find the verses in the Bible which conform to their teachings and ignore those which do not agree.

This taught me a very important lesson.

As a corporate speaker, I do not quote the bible often. But when I do, it is very important that I quote it in context. The Bible did not teach that I can change my world by changing my words. That will make God unnecessary, and every prayer an affirmation that obeys the law of attraction.

No, I am Not Holier Than You

Because I labeled myself as a corporate speaker, I realized that I too sounded like Napoleon Hill and other personal development gurus. I compromised my faith to please people. Though I do not chop-chop the verse of the Bible, I tend to quote Einstein and other dead people. On the other hand, the new age believers quote the Bible to advance their money-magnet-law-of-affirmation teachings.

To promote self confidence and self mastery, for example, the abundant guru can say ” I can do all things…” then proceed to explain the power given to us by God and our ability to change our life by changed thinking and massive action. That will sound like Napoleon Hill or to the extreme T Harv Ecker who believe that you do not have to work hard. You simply need to believe that you have a millionaire mind.

But to quote the Bible that way is to mislead your listener. The whole verse said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.

Not everyone who quotes the Bible believes in it. Be discerning. Do not allow others to think for you. Do not allow others to show you how to believe. God is not a Genie.

My personal belief: When you surrender yourself to God you become a new person. God created in you a new reality. You see things differently. You say things differently. You feel things differently. You think differently. You are a new creation.

(End of his article)

Friends, I would suggest you read the comments of this article on his (Mr. Jef Menguins) website. Please click here.

I laid-out an easy-to-print article (in PDF format) of this article. You may download it below, print it, and share it to others.

MAY GOD'S LIGHT CONTINUE TO SHINE INTO THE DARKNESS. WITH THE POWERFUL INTERCESSION OF OUR HOLY MOTHER, MARY AND THE PRAYER SUPPORT OF THE TRIUMPHANT, SUFFERING AND MILITANT CHURCHES. IN JESUS NAME...

AMEN.

Bo Sanchez New Age Teachings

New-Age Teachings of Bo Sanchez

2012-01-18T20:15:00.000-08:00

"You cannot use a hammer to sew a piece of cloth."
-Perry Paul Lamanilao

I was once an avid fan of Bo Sanchez, international lay preacher, evangelist and founder of Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement named Light of Jesus Community (now Light of Jesus Family). I was engaged in the community for three years. I had been attending their Sunday "Feast" (a weekly prayer gathering of the said community) at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City before they transferred to Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Manila.

When I moved back to Davao, I even served the local "Feast" here and exposed myself to Bo's ministries as well as the Kerygma Conference.

Since the age 13, I was already reading the Kerygma Magazine, a Catholic-inspired inspirational magazine published every month by the Shepherd Voice Publication founded by Bo Sanchez.

I was a non-practicing Catholic for years. To add, I was almost converted to Protestantism. And then one day, God called me back home…

Last 2008, I came to encounter Jesus again and renewed my Catholic faith through the community. It’s through the LOJF that I realized how happy it is to be with God in the true and universal church.

DO NOT BE DECEIVED!

However, as time goes by, I become more thirsty in knowing God more. So I seek and soak myself to some (quite a few only for now) of the many teachings of the Catholic faith. In the process, knowing more the devotion and tradition of the church, I opened my entire being to the reality of God's plan of salvation, through Jesus with Mary.

Here, with the guidance of priests and bishop who give real/genuine/true and ultimate teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, I realized that Bo Sanchez himself is altering the real message of the Gospel (which is totally an offense against the Catholic church) and thus, delivering a new-age teachings to his followers.

Just to clarify: I AM NOT AGAINSTS BO SANCHEZ HIMSELF (as he is a very good servant of God), the FEAST, the KERYGMA CONFERENCE, etc. but I am against his (Bo Sanchez) new-age teachings which are, obviously, not of the Roman Catholic church.

Prosperity Gospel.

Practical teachings (seems everything is okay in fact is not).

To name a few…...

"For the rest of my life I'm going to trust that God is always at work in all things, and give thanks long before my simplest prayers are answered." -Nancy Parker Brummett, Inspirational Author and Speaker

Today, I am offering everything to God Almighty, through Jesus, and with the powerful intercession of the holy Mother of the Church, Mama Mary, and all the heavenly angels and saints that all of us will be enlighten with the Word – to give more time in knowing God through the church.

I am a Catholic. Therefore, I should be in the real house of God. Thanks to my spiritual director, to our father moderator, and to the archbishop of the Diocese of Davao.

Thanks to my family and friends for continued guidance and prayers.

May God through Jesus and Mary be praised, forever!

AMEN.

STOP DECEPTION! Bo Sanchez's new-age teachings on books, cd's, magazine, etc.

PS: I am going to burn all these books, video and audio CD’s, etc. of Bo Sanchez. Yes, all of them! You know so well why I am going to do this. Well, it’s a bit hard for me since I was an avid fan of Bo. But it’s time to move on, you know. Please pray for me. God bless! Be happy! DO NOT BE DECEIVED! It's time to go back home.

PLEASE SHARE THIS ARTICLE. Thank you.

Make a difference this Christmas!

2011-12-09T01:01:00.001-08:00

This is just quick!

Friends, I'm looking for USED CLOTHES and TOYS, etc. for poor families this Christmas. Please share your blessings to them. Help me help them as well...

You can e-mail me at perry_lamanilao@yahoo.com
Or search me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/perrylamanilao
Or follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/perrylamanilao
Or call/text me: +63.921.242.8074 (Smart Telecom)

Note: STRICTLY NO CASH DONATIONS. Just simply your old clothes and toys. Nothing else. We will give them to the poorest of the poor families of the MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY - DAVAO CITY PHILIPPINES.

SERVE MORE. GIVE MORE. SHARE MORE. LOVE MORE.

May God bless us all. Thank you!

"Think about Christmas" is my own Christmas Slogan this year 2011.

DAVAO'S "LIFE IS HERE" CAMPAIGN: A reaction review for Econ211B

2011-09-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

'Life is Here' campaign tarps along JP Laurel Avenue (fronting Gaisano Mall of Davao). Photo by Perry Paul Lamanilao.

"Life is Here’ for me because my family lives here. Each of you, ask yourself why life is here..." - Sarah Duterte, Mayor

Davao bares ‘Life is Here’ tourism campaign

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/21 Sept) – To boost its tourism industry, the city government on Wednesday unveiled its new campaign branding bearing the Phillipine Eagle with a tagline “Life is Here.”

But the campaign, Mayor Sara Duterte said, does not only target tourists from other places but also aims to raise the awareness of Dabawenyos to support the initiatives of the city.

“What is it in Davao that we want to present to the market? We have the Philippine Eagle, we have the durian and pomelo. We go to Samal (beaches) for lunch or we go to Eden (Nature Resort) to picnic. These are the things we need to promote,” Duterte told foreign diplomats, businessmen and government officials who attended the launch at the Grand Menseng Hotel.

She noted that these are the things, too, that people in this city have taken for granted. “But for our market, for those who do not live here, these are the reasons why they come to Davao. This is where the money is,” the mayor stressed.

Among Davao’s top tourist destinations are the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos, Baguio District, the Malagos Garden Resort also in Malagos, whitewater rafting in Calinan, Davao Crocodile Park, Matina Town Square and several zipline adventures in the outskirts of the city.

Thus, the city government launched the campaign not just for tourists but for residents of the city as well.

“We wanted a campaign that every Dabawenyo should put in their hearts,” Duterte said of the “Life is Here” campaign.

“‘Life is Here’ for me because my family lives here. Each of you, ask yourself why life is here,” she told the audience.

In her second State of the City Address on Tuesday, Duterte urged tourism stakeholders to support the campaign by helping spread promotional materials.

“We intend to localize the campaign so that Dabawenyos will always be reminded of how we should give value to our city as our way of exemplifying patriotism,” the mayor said in her SOCA.

Duterte cited major events that attract tourists – the Araw ng Dabaw every March 16, Summerfest, the Kadayawan Festival every third week of August and Pasko Fiesta.

Jayson Magnaye, city investment and tourism director, told reporters that with the new branding campaign, Davao aims to be the number one destination in the country. “For now our target is the domestic market since it is more doable,” he added.

He said they have initially spent P1.5 million for the branding campaign. “We will see how far it will take us,” he said.

Rey “Bai” Manginsay, a creative consultant for marketing and advertising hired by the city government, said that it took him 10 years to understand and appreciate life in Davao.

Manginsay, who hails from Lanao del Norte but now lives here, explained that he chose the Philippine Eagle as a brand identifier for its very strong image, further reinforced by the giant bird’s “kingdom” that is Mt. Apo.

“Mother nature. The source of life and nurturer of mankind. Provider of food and keeper of our animals in the forests. She carved the mountains creating multifarious captivating views for us to marvel at and exciting places of adventure and thrill.” These are the concepts behind Manginsay’s “Life is Here” tagline.

In a related development, Duterte also inaugurated the Visitors’ Information Center at the Davao International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.

The booth serves as an information desk for tourists coming to the city. The staff of the City Tourism Office will distribute travel guides and the city map to tourists. Several brochures from restaurants and resorts are also available at the booth. (Keith Bacongco / MindaNews)

Source:

http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/22/davao-bares-%E2%80%98life-is-here%E2%80%99-tourism-campaign/

MAGNIFICENT LIFE IN THE SOUTH!
by Perry Paul Lamanilao

Reaction to be posted soon...

Intra-Asian Trade: A reaction review for Econ211B

2011-08-22T03:02:00.000-07:00

Increased intra-Asian trade pushed

THE ASSOCIATION of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can insulate itself from the economic woes of the United States and Europe by strengthening relations within the trade bloc and with regional giants, a Cabinet official said.

"What is becoming very clear is that [for] countries like the Philippines and other members of ASEAN, we’ll have to look ... at how we can continue to pursue our growth strategy with domestic consumption within our own country, within ASEAN and intra-Asia," Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said at last week’s Credit Suisse ASEAN+India Conference in Singapore.

Mr. Purisima pointed out that a quarter of ASEAN trade was done among member countries, with the US just the fifth biggest trading partner, trailing China and Japan. This shows that the region is becoming less reliant on developed countries, he said.

It is also a sign that ASEAN is becoming more integrated, the Finance chief added, and with this the region, and also India, could be a counterbalance to China.

"An ASEAN engagement with India is going to be crucial in really fulfilling that vision ... It’s important that we grow with India," Mr. Purisima said. He called for an improvement of trade relations, noting that India only accounted for 2.5% of ASEAN trade.

The Philippines, in particular, is on track to improving its trade with India, he added.

"I’m referring to the BPO (business process outsourcing) industry where the Philippines is now third, next to India and China. We’re seeing increased engagement of Philippine-based companies with Indian companies and Indian companies competing in the Philippine BPO space," Mr. Purisima said.

Closer ties, he said, will allow the region to weigh in on the global financial situation, alongside the "giants of the world."

"We, as developing markets, not one individually but together, need to become a bigger portion of the global economy. We have to find a way to put together our influence so that we can have a say in the direction of the global economy," he said. -- DCJJ

Source:
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=Increased-intra-Asian-trade-pushed-&id=36913
Posted on August 21, 2011 10:35:05 PM

CALL CENTER TRADE

I was working in Sitel, a business process outsource (BPO) company based in Eastwood, Quezon City from the year 2007 to the late 2009. The company has several multibillion-dollar accounts of different companies from the United States to Europe to Asia and so on. As a call center agent before, I came to understand now how important it is to trade from nearby countries to sustain economic growth in our country.

Call center trading is giving jobs to unemployed. Based on the given report, the Philippines is now ranking as third, next to India and China in the BPO industry. True enough that India has the most number of call center companies like Sitel, Sutherland Global Services, Synnex Concentrix, 24/7 Customer Services and many more. While here in the Philippines, the emerging number of call center companies is booming since the late 2006. And today, call center job has been one of the first-pick preferences of the fresh graduates.

Call center trading is offering greener Pasteur to employed. In a call center, you will meet different people from different learning expertise. You’ll meet teachers, chemists, IT specialist, nurses, therapists, journalist, and among others. So why do these people working in a call center then? One major factor is the salary. As we all know, call center companies are offering high salaries and incentives to its employees. It’s a fat check every fifteen and thirtieth. Aside from that, the application is quite no-hassle at all. You will get the job offer within the day for as long as you meet the given criteria. That fast and furious!

Call center trading is allowing employees to work abroad. Singapore has several call center companies which are accepting foreign applicants to work as customer services representative and technical assistants. But one of the requirements to get these job is at least the applicant have worked in a local call center here in the Philippines. Marivick, one of my friends in Sitel before, resigned from her job and applied in Tele-centre Services Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based call center. Behold, she is working now in Singapore since 2009.

Call center agents taking-in calls.

How call center trade helps our country?

Mr. Purisima is right when he said that we, as developing markets, not one individually but together, need to become a bigger portion of the global economy. We have to find a way to put together our influence so that we can have a say in the direction of the global economy. As we all know now, call center companies play a big role in increasing our potential to weight-in on the global financial situation. The main goals of intra-Asian trade like Philippines to India and vice versa are to decrease numbers of unemployed, give jobs to fresh graduates and later on, alleviate poverty in our country.

Thus, trade is important as it is a vital interaction for every country in the world. In the Philippines, we export agricultural products to South Korea. While South Korea imports cars to the Philippines. Hence, without trade, countries would have to provide their own resources for every aspect in their daily life. This would mean, therefore, that a country is completely self-reliant which is real difficult as the resource capacity for each country is limited. This is a known issue for developing or less developed countries that cannot fully provide for themselves due to a lack of technology or education for instance.

Our country, Philippines, is so blessed with many resources – from agriculture, to biodiversity, to people, to education and so on. If we could only maximize our resources to its full potential, then we can be part of a bigger pie and compete with the giants of the world.

UNTIL MY LAST BREATH: Personal Eulogy

2011-07-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

I remember the time when I was still in grade school, my father kept on telling me to study well. I didn’t feel any pressure on it. Well, I loved to read books. Studying was my passion. I just thought that when I study and make my assignments, I will pass my subjects. True enough, academically, I was doing great. I got medals, recognitions and awards from kindergarten to graduate school. Ah, school was real fun!

I also loved to travel. I went from Europe to Asia and Africa. World tour was awesome! I met different people from different walks of life. I came to know more about the creation by seeing many faces both of sadness and of joy, met people who were the poorest of the poor and to the richest of the rich. These experiences were fun, exciting and full of learning.

You see... These things in life were good. But I don’t want to be remembered as a multibillionaire guy who owns the all the lucks in the world.

    Despite a good family, I want people to know that was disciplined with a belt and became a good man.
    Despite academic treasures, I want people to know that I was a normal student who aimed for excellence.
    Despite the luxurious travels and vacations, I want people to remember that I lived a life to the full.
    Despite wealth and power, I want people to know that I served others.

I know most people might not remember all these. That’s perfectly fine for me. But while I was on my deathbed, I only asked for one simple thing – that my children will remember that I was the best father they can have in the entire universe. Not the academic recognitions. Not the money. Not the wealth and power.

Only love.

To my children, I will miss you. You are all so special to me. You are the greatest gift I ever received from God. You are all priceless. I pray that you will grow in love, be the person for others, and live simply. Love one another as I have loved you before. Thank you for loving and taking care of me until to my last breath.

To my wife, I will miss the moments in waking up each day with gladness. You are as brilliant as ever, beautiful as the roses of a new dawn. You completed me. If I will see you again in heaven, I will still marry the woman I found in you. I love you so dearly. Thank you for making my life so beautiful.

In memory of love and compassion, Perry.

How Forgiveness Forgives

2011-07-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today, I won't talk so much here. My friend will do it for me. *Laugh*

I want to share this brilliant article about forgiveness. So I'm sharing this one to you dear readers. Be blessed as you read this article today.

With love, Perry.

THE MIRACLE OF FORGIVENESS

By MJBA

(published with a permission from the author)

The Lord inspired me to share to you my journey, from forgiveness to freedom then to the avenue of finding my “One True Love”.

Love life is the most talked about subject that people who have loved and lost love untiringly discussed. This is not something new but my piece would somehow edify singles on how to be prepared towards their desired vocation – to find someone to grow old with. I bet this time you are feeling lonely, empty, anxious and you don’t know where you’re heading..... I felt them too before.... a very normal feeling I should say, especially when you have gone by the numbers of the calendar. Don’t fret! I married at the age of 37. There’s always hope and God hears a trusting heart, no matter how old you are. This may help those who want to forgive their offenders too, but don’t know where to start.

My miracle all started during one of the Sunday masses in our province, when Ed (my husband) spotted me near the choir, and deep inside he whispered to God that he desired to marry somebody like me. (I was flattered when I first heard it from him..... feeling beautiful hehe) On the other hand, at that moment, I was also praying for a faithful and responsible somebody who would love me for me. What a stroke of divine intervention, our prayers were blessed! This happened on November 2004 when we went home for vacation. More than three years after we were introduced, that was March 4, 2008 to be exact and got married last year, December 19, 2009. I didn’t mean you will wait that long too.... It depends on how prepared your heart is. The Lord will prepare you for your big day - emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

“The Path to your future is open wide, do you have the key?” My key to freedom and finding my “One True Love” is FORGIVENESS. How? There are 4 keys to moving forward and passed a feeling of hurt according to Brian Lebow. I will discuss and relate each key to my love story. Let us walk together and uncover the issues you’re holding on. Along the way, you will learn to value and love yourself.

I grew up with overprotective, religious and loving parents but I was not that serious with my spirituality at that time. I would often go to mass because of obligation, nothing else. My parents were my idols because I witnessed how they love each other, they’re indeed soul mates. I never heard my parents quarrel or shouting at each other. I always dreamt of having that kind of relationship since I was a kid, from then on I decided to have a boyfriend when I’m already a professional. I was thinking that mature individuals will make any relationship work. I never consider of welcoming God with all my decisions. Whoever would that man be I would want him to be my first and last.

Without intense prayers, I had my first boyfriend at the age of 25. I was working in Cebu during that time. I suffered emotionally just to hold on to the relationship. I was abused verbally, emotionally and mentally. I have the heroic instinct that someday I could change him for the better or best. I brought him to the renewal. We joined a charismatic community in Cebu hoping that he will be enlightened and our relationship will have a happy ending. To my mind, somehow my effort was not shattered since he changed a lot according to his mom. Our relationship lasted for almost 4 years with my mom being the villain. Mother knows best, that’s true! My mom didn’t like him. My mom sensed his over possessiveness, arrogance and his charm with women. I was expecting that everything will be fine until I gave up on him. He was very mad at me because we already planned of exchanging vows . I felt that my quest was worthless that time because he made no effort for the relationship. He did not fight for me as I fought for him. There was a betrayal! I was deeply hurt and it turned into grudge. I resented everything that happened to us. I felt I wasted my life for him. He was indeed a dead investment! During those times, I constantly dwell on the thought that, “I have never stepped on anybody nor ever made fool out of someone. I am a straight person. Why would someone hurt me that much? Do I deserve such?

Give thanks and appreciate all you have in life! Appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow through challenging situations, you can do it! This is the first step to forgiveness. This stage requires forgiveness of self too!

I lost everything in me, my very self, because I trade it to someone who’s not worth it. I lost my dream! How did I transcend over my struggle to accept, forgive myself and my x-boyfriend, and appreciate that everything happened for a reason? How grateful was I? How did I consider a misfortune an opportunity to learn and grow?

I was a salesperson and there were lots of temptations around but I chose to serve God over any worldly incitement. I preferred the right diversion and I decided to be in God’s service.

Truly, I was devastated, wrecked and defeated. I never thought I could recover. Every minute of the day, especially when my thoughts would dwell on my x, I prayed to God with tears for healing, acceptance and forgiveness. It’s not that easy for me because we already had plans of getting married plus we had apportioned an amount for it. The pain was so terrible as if my heart was pierced by ten edged-swords. Through prayer and by the grace of the Lord, I met religious people who directed my path to God’s service. I became a lector, psalmist and commentator at Sto. Rosario Parish-Cebu. I also became a missionary and propagator of the Alliance of Two Hearts in bringing back the sacredness into the Filipino families. My group would always go around Visayas for a mission almost every weekend and even weekdays. This was my life after my excruciating break-up. Along the way, I was purified, pruned and polished by the Lord. Every people I met while serving the Lord and every mission we had gradually opened my senses. I realized that I don’t have to look and go far to forget the pain, the person or turn my back from embarrassment. I progressively understand God’s purpose. I learned to appreciate God’s goodness because I was blessed to know the HIM better. “Many are called but few are chosen,” as the bible connotes and I’m glad I’m one of those whom God has chosen to serve HIM. I was strengthened by the Lord. He made me humble. And eventually I was sharpened to be charitable in word and in deeds.

“Don’t look anywhere. Just look up to God and He will give you the best that is beyond your imagination” – this statement from one of the articles that I read inspired me a lot. I held on to God’s word and became more patient because I know God will rearrange everything in my life in accordance to His plan. He is not a God of mediocrity; He is a God of the all that is BEST! From then on I became more appreciative of myself, and God have made me feel that I am very much loved by HIM, my family and friends. I indeed became a better person inside and out. I reclaimed my self-respect and self-love.

The second step is to acknowledge the feelings, the situation and your part in it. Outline why you felt hurt and be honest when thinking about your role in how it came about. It takes two to tango, right? While serving the Lord that time, I became more aware of my faults also. Not allowing my x to explain his side was one of my mistakes and I told him that I want to be out of the relationship only on the phone. I declared too that we won’t be seeing each other anymore. WWheeww! PRIDE had stiffened my heart because of the emotional pain he caused me. I became very selfish. I just thought about my hurts but what about his? From that realization, I picked up every bit that was broken in me; I acknowledged my mistakes and hurts. Little by little I learned to love myself back and I was even more grateful of my experience. Likewise I was able to look into the bigger perspective, my lapses and the things that should be rightfully done. I turned out to be mindful about the need to discern and pray for direction.

The third step is to get together and discuss the situation or problem, with the person included. Tell them how you feel, and explain your role in the situation, and apologize for your part. Regardless of whether they apologize to you, the problem needs to be resolved in your mind, and you must know that it’s over and done. You cannot control anyone, and cannot expect them to apologize. If they do, fine, if not – that also has to be acceptable. You have only yourself, no one else that is responsible for how you feel. Take responsibility, express yourself, and move on.

It took six long years before me and my x discussed about our break-up. I seemed to forget discussing all about it because I was too busy with my work and my religious affiliations. I also don’t want to dwell on it. That’s why during that time, even though I was serving the Lord, I’m still feeling empty sometimes and I didn’t grasp any idea why. Hang-ups? Absolutely yes for an unresolved issue! A baggage! I thought that by mere forgiving without discussing is completely moving on. I thought all will be suppressed and concealed by religious service. All the while I thought I am ok. Until I transferred here in Davao last December of 2005 and I brought the baggage with me. God is really at work in fixing my life!

It was November of 2007 that my officemate was terminally ill. I witnessed how he was sorry, particularly for those people whom he has wronged. He asked forgiveness to his family, his wife most especially, and friends. I volunteered to look for a priest for his last sacrament (anointing of the sick). My nun friend also gave him enlightenment. That time I beheld how my officemate’s face transformed. I saw his immense happiness as if he was experiencing the bliss of heaven. From that instant, I recalled my unresolved issue. Immediately I called my cousin in Cebu to get the email address of my x. I opted for an email ad because he was already in the US that time. And........ he’s been married for 3 years already.

I sent him a letter via email. I asked forgiveness for not giving him any room to explain and for hurting him. I wished him well too with his wife and that he would love his wife as she is. Then he emailed back at once. He told me that I don’t have any fault and it’s him who was hard. He also mentioned how he tried to search my name at friendster.com but he was just disappointed. He just wanted that time to talk to me and ask permission from me that he’ll be getting married. Maybe he yearned for a proper closure. I thought I was that easy to forget... Eheh (joke)..... He suggested that we will constantly communicate as well. However, I only sent him 3 mails. I don’t want to be the cause of any future arguments between him and his wife, as I sensed something which not worth analyzing. It was just a no to further complications. Anyway, everything was settled between us and I felt light and at peace. At last I gained freedom!

Lastly, once you’ve cleared this issue from your heart and mind – you may feel lighter and more at ease. You may find yourself open to people and situations that were once beyond you. You may feel more connected and in touch with your heart and emotions. Love yourself and forgive your neighbor, you’ll find it growing your strength and lightening your load.

This is very true! I have accepted my very self without wishing to be somebody else. I became more sensitive to the needs of others. At length, I trust God all the more. I entrusted to HIM my life, my family and my earthly journey. And I increasingly comprehend God’s works and surprises as He prepared me to become worthy of my vocation - marriage. I thank God for His goodness; that because of my painful experience, I was tested by fire, and I turned out to be the person God wants me to be. I am super grateful too for God has given me a good man and a partner for this life’s journey. I felt it the moment we were introduced, that he was the one prepared for me. The saying is indeed true that “When the lightning strikes, your heart will know.”

No matter how painful an experience is, God allows us to plunge in it and lets us realize its essence until we will become God’s precious gem – pure and tested by fire.

The Lord inspired me to share to you my journey, from forgiveness to freedom then to the avenue of finding my “One True Love”.

Love life is the most talked about subject that people who have loved and lost love untiringly discussed. This is not something new but my piece would somehow edify singles on how to be prepared towards their desired vocation – to find someone to grow old with. I bet this time you are feeling lonely, empty, anxious and you don’t know where you’re heading..... I felt them too before.... a very normal feeling I should say, especially when you have gone by the numbers of the calendar. Don’t fret! I married at the age of 37. There’s always hope and God hears a trusting heart, no matter how old you are. This may help those who want to forgive their offenders too, but don’t know where to start.

My miracle all started during one of the Sunday masses in our province, when Ed (my husband) spotted me near the choir, and deep inside he whispered to God that he desired to marry somebody like me. (I was flattered when I first heard it from him..... feeling beautiful hehe) On the other hand, at that moment, I was also praying for a faithful and responsible somebody who would love me for me. What a stroke of divine intervention, our prayers were blessed! This happened on November 2004 when we went home for vacation. More than three years after we were introduced, that was March 4, 2008 to be exact and got married last year, December 19, 2009. I didn’t mean you will wait that long too.... It depends on how prepared your heart is. The Lord will prepare you for your big day - emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

“The Path to your future is open wide, do you have the key?” My key to freedom and finding my “One True Love” is FORGIVENESS. How? There are 4 keys to moving forward and passed a feeling of hurt according to Brian Lebow. I will discuss and relate each key to my love story. Let us walk together and uncover the issues you’re holding on. Along the way, you will learn to value and love yourself.

I grew up with overprotective, religious and loving parents but I was not that serious with my spirituality at that time. I would often go to mass because of obligation, nothing else. My parents were my idols because I witnessed how they love each other, they’re indeed soul mates. I never heard my parents quarrel or shouting at each other. I always dreamt of having that kind of relationship since I was a kid, from then on I decided to have a boyfriend when I’m already a professional. I was thinking that mature individuals will make any relationship work. I never consider of welcoming God with all my decisions. Whoever would that man be I would want him to be my first and last.

Without intense prayers, I had my first boyfriend at the age of 25. I was working in Cebu during that time. I suffered emotionally just to hold on to the relationship. I was abused verbally, emotionally and mentally. I have the heroic instinct that someday I could change him for the better or best. I brought him to the renewal. We joined a charismatic community in Cebu hoping that he will be enlightened and our relationship will have a happy ending. To my mind, somehow my effort was not shattered since he changed a lot according to his mom. Our relationship lasted for almost 4 years with my mom being the villain. Mother knows best, that’s true! My mom didn’t like him. My mom sensed his over possessiveness, arrogance and his charm with women. I was expecting that everything will be fine until I gave up on him. He was very mad at me because we already planned of exchanging vows . I felt that my quest was worthless that time because he made no effort for the relationship. He did not fight for me as I fought for him. There was a betrayal! I was deeply hurt and it turned into grudge. I resented everything that happened to us. I felt I wasted my life for him. He was indeed a dead investment! During those times, I constantly dwell on the thought that, “I have never stepped on anybody nor ever made fool out of someone. I am a straight person. Why would someone hurt me that much? Do I deserve such?

Give thanks and appreciate all you have in life! Appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow through challenging situations, you can do it! This is the first step to forgiveness. This stage requires forgiveness of self too!

I lost everything in me, my very self, because I trade it to someone who’s not worth it. I lost my dream! How did I transcend over my struggle to accept, forgive myself and my x-boyfriend, and appreciate that everything happened for a reason? How grateful was I? How did I consider a misfortune an opportunity to learn and grow?

I was a salesperson and there were lots of temptations around but I chose to serve God over any worldly incitement. I preferred the right diversion and I decided to be in God’s service.

Truly, I was devastated, wrecked and defeated. I never thought I could recover. Every minute of the day, especially when my thoughts would dwell on my x, I prayed to God with tears for healing, acceptance and forgiveness. It’s not that easy for me because we already had plans of getting married plus we had apportioned an amount for it. The pain was so terrible as if my heart was pierced by ten edged-swords. Through prayer and by the grace of the Lord, I met religious people who directed my path to God’s service. I became a lector, psalmist and commentator at Sto. Rosario Parish-Cebu. I also became a missionary and propagator of the Alliance of Two Hearts in bringing back the sacredness into the Filipino families. My group would always go around Visayas for a mission almost every weekend and even weekdays. This was my life after my excruciating break-up. Along the way, I was purified, pruned and polished by the Lord. Every people I met while serving the Lord and every mission we had gradually opened my senses. I realized that I don’t have to look and go far to forget the pain, the person or turn my back from embarrassment. I progressively understand God’s purpose. I learned to appreciate God’s goodness because I was blessed to know the HIM better. “Many are called but few are chosen,” as the bible connotes and I’m glad I’m one of those whom God has chosen to serve HIM. I was strengthened by the Lord. He made me humble. And eventually I was sharpened to be charitable in word and in deeds.

“Don’t look anywhere. Just look up to God and He will give you the best that is beyond your imagination” – this statement from one of the articles that I read inspired me a lot. I held on to God’s word and became more patient because I know God will rearrange everything in my life in accordance to His plan. He is not a God of mediocrity; He is a God of the all that is BEST! From then on I became more appreciative of myself, and God have made me feel that I am very much loved by HIM, my family and friends. I indeed became a better person inside and out. I reclaimed my self-respect and self-love.

The second step is to acknowledge the feelings, the situation and your part in it. Outline why you felt hurt and be honest when thinking about your role in how it came about. It takes two to tango, right? While serving the Lord that time, I became more aware of my faults also. Not allowing my x to explain his side was one of my mistakes and I told him that I want to be out of the relationship only on the phone. I declared too that we won’t be seeing each other anymore. WWheeww! PRIDE had stiffened my heart because of the emotional pain he caused me. I became very selfish. I just thought about my hurts but what about his? From that realization, I picked up every bit that was broken in me; I acknowledged my mistakes and hurts. Little by little I learned to love myself back and I was even more grateful of my experience. Likewise I was able to look into the bigger perspective, my lapses and the things that should be rightfully done. I turned out to be mindful about the need to discern and pray for direction.

The third step is to get together and discuss the situation or problem, with the person included. Tell them how you feel, and explain your role in the situation, and apologize for your part. Regardless of whether they apologize to you, the problem needs to be resolved in your mind, and you must know that it’s over and done. You cannot control anyone, and cannot expect them to apologize. If they do, fine, if not – that also has to be acceptable. You have only yourself, no one else that is responsible for how you feel. Take responsibility, express yourself, and move on.

It took six long years before me and my x discussed about our break-up. I seemed to forget discussing all about it because I was too busy with my work and my religious affiliations. I also don’t want to dwell on it. That’s why during that time, even though I was serving the Lord, I’m still feeling empty sometimes and I didn’t grasp any idea why. Hang-ups? Absolutely yes for an unresolved issue! A baggage! I thought that by mere forgiving without discussing is completely moving on. I thought all will be suppressed and concealed by religious service. All the while I thought I am ok. Until I transferred here in Davao last December of 2005 and I brought the baggage with me. God is really at work in fixing my life!

It was November of 2007 that my officemate was terminally ill. I witnessed how he was sorry, particularly for those people whom he has wronged. He asked forgiveness to his family, his wife most especially, and friends. I volunteered to look for a priest for his last sacrament (anointing of the sick). My nun friend also gave him enlightenment. That time I beheld how my officemate’s face transformed. I saw his immense happiness as if he was experiencing the bliss of heaven. From that instant, I recalled my unresolved issue. Immediately I called my cousin in Cebu to get the email address of my x. I opted for an email ad because he was already in the US that time. And........ he’s been married for 3 years already.

I sent him a letter via email. I asked forgiveness for not giving him any room to explain and for hurting him. I wished him well too with his wife and that he would love his wife as she is. Then he emailed back at once. He told me that I don’t have any fault and it’s him who was hard. He also mentioned how he tried to search my name at friendster.com but he was just disappointed. He just wanted that time to talk to me and ask permission from me that he’ll be getting married. Maybe he yearned for a proper closure. I thought I was that easy to forget... Eheh (joke)..... He suggested that we will constantly communicate as well. However, I only sent him 3 mails. I don’t want to be the cause of any future arguments between him and his wife, as I sensed something which not worth analyzing. It was just a no to further complications. Anyway, everything was settled between us and I felt light and at peace. At last I gained freedom!

Lastly, once you’ve cleared this issue from your heart and mind – you may feel lighter and more at ease. You may find yourself open to people and situations that were once beyond you. You may feel more connected and in touch with your heart and emotions. Love yourself and forgive your neighbor, you’ll find it growing your strength and lightening your load.

This is very true! I have accepted my very self without wishing to be somebody else. I became more sensitive to the needs of others. At length, I trust God all the more. I entrusted to HIM my life, my family and my earthly journey. And I increasingly comprehend God’s works and surprises as He prepared me to become worthy of my vocation - marriage. I thank God for His goodness; that because of my painful experience, I was tested by fire, and I turned out to be the person God wants me to be. I am super grateful too for God has given me a good man and a partner for this life’s journey. I felt it the moment we were introduced, that he was the one prepared for me. The saying is indeed true that “When the lightning strikes, your heart will know.”

No matter how painful an experience is, God allows us to plunge in it and lets us realize its essence until we will become God’s precious gem – pure and tested by fire.

POVERTY AND FOOD-POOR: A reaction review for Econ211B

2011-07-09T05:46:00.000-07:00

SWS: Poverty, hunger drop but 'gains' were uneven

Fewer Filipino families – about 9.8 million – consider themselves "mahirap" (poor) than in the last three months, according to a new survey by pollster Social Weather Stations.

In its poll conducted June 3 to 6, the SWS noted the poverty figure was a two-percent drop to 49 percent from 51 percent (about 10.4 million families) in March.

The SWS also noted a four-point decline in terms of being food-poor, to 36 percent (7.2 million families), from 40 percent (8.1 million) in March.

But the SWS, which on Friday released the results of its June 3–6 survey on its media partner BusinessWorld, also noted the improvement has been "uneven."

It also noted poor families have tightened their belts further.

Significant advances, worse numbers

In its survey, the SWS noted significant advances in “Balance Luzon" (Luzon minus Metro Manila), but also cited worse numbers in Metro Manila and Mindanao.

Self-rated poverty fell to a near record low of 38 percent in Balance Luzon, down 16 points from 54 percent in March.

The SWS said this was the lowest for the area since the 22 percent in March 1987.

But self-rated poverty rose by 13 points in Mindanao to 62 percent from 49 percent, and by nine points in Metro Manila to 43 percent from 34 percent.

It remained at 61 percent in the Visayas.

Self-rated poverty fell two points to 43 percent in the urban areas and by six points to 53 percent in the rural areas

Food poverty

Self-rated food poverty dropped to a record 28 percent in Balance Luzon from 42 percent in March, surpassing the previous low of 29 percent in March 2010.

But the food-poor ratio also worsened in Mindanao, by seven points to 45 percent, and in Metro Manila where it rose by four points to 28 percent.

Fewer families declared themselves food-poor in the Visayas, where the figure improved to 48 percent from 51 percent in March.

The SWS noted self-rated poverty/food poverty thresholds, or monthly budgets that poor households say they need so they will not consider themselves poor/food-poor, remained sluggish despite considerable inflation.

In turn, this indicated that families are continuing to lower their living standards.

Compared to the previous quarter, the median poverty threshold for poor households fell by P4,000 in Metro Manila (P11,000), by P1,300 in “Balance Luzon" (P7,700) and by P1,000 in Mindanao (P6,000).

It stayed at P8,000 in the Visayas.

The median food-poverty threshold for poor households fell by P2,000 in Metro Manila (P6,000) and “Balance Luzon" (P3,000) and by less than P1,000 in Mindanao (P3,000).

It stayed at P4,000 in the Visayas.

Hunger

The SWS said the poverty/food-poverty findings are consistent with those on hunger.

The survey found hunger at 23.8 percent among self-rated poor, more than three times the 7.1 percent among the “not poor" and 6.7 percent among those on the borderline.

Among the self-rated food-poor, hunger was at 27 percent, around four times the 7.1 percent among the “not food-poor" and almost three times the 9.9 percent among those on the food borderline.

Severe hunger, defined as experiencing having nothing to eat “often" or “always" in the last three months, was at 2.9 percent among poor households, 1.9 percent among the not poor and 0.5 percent among families on the borderline.

It was at 3.2 percent among the self-rated food-poor, 1.8 percent among the not food-poor and 0.8 percent among those on the food borderline.

Moderate hunger, experiencing hunger “only once" or “a few times" in the last three months, was at 20.9 percent among poor households, 5.2 percent among the not poor and 6.2 percent among those on the borderline.

It was at 23.7 percent among the self-rated food-poor, 5.2 percent among the not food-poor, and 9.1 percent among families on the food borderline.

“As a concept, poverty allows for various degrees of deprivation. Those who suffer from hunger are much more deprived than those who simply suffer from poverty," the SWS said.

The latest SWS survey used face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide. It had error margins of +/-3% and +/-6% for national and area percentages, respectively. — LBG, GMA News

Source: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/sws-poverty-hunger-drop-gains-were-uneven-002005171.html

A simple Life

One noon time, I had lunch with Tita Bing, owner of the Davao Basic Steel Industries Incorporated. We were having a good time over a law-uy (or utan for Cebuanos, an oil-free vegetable stew). I was amazed when she told me that the ingredients like the squash, okra, taro and the rest were actually taken from their own backyard at Rolling Hills Village in making the stew. How can a CEO of a big company, having several branches in Visayas and Mindanao be able to cook food taken right from her own backyard?

Most of us Filipinos were taught to be simple in life since the kinder days. We can even observe this today by how we prepare our foods. I remember one of the things my mother used to tell me before, “Perry, you should eat vegetables because vegetables are good for your health!” That time, I really thought that the primary reason of eating vegetable was to become healthy. But as I grew up, I found out that reason was not really a reason. It was her excuse. We simply could not afford to buy pork of beef. Instead, since vegetable was a lot cheaper than pork and beef, she usually prepared veggies for my lunch and dinner.

Simplicity in life according to Larry Gamboa, author of 'Think Rich, Pinoy' is living within the means. I believe that this is the top secret to alleviate the idea of poverty. Many of us believe that we are poor if we don’t have the nicest car in town, if we don’t have three houses in different high-end subdivisions, if we don’t have a touch-screen phone and so on. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, poverty simply means the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions. For me, poverty is simply just a state of mind. When you think you’re poor, then you are. But if you think that you can earn for a living and survive, then you’re rich.

In the recent survey conducted by the pollster Social Weather Station (SWS), fewer Filipino families, consider themselves poor than in the last three months. This is incredibly a good thing because Filipinos are starting to overcome poverty. In addition, SWS also reported that there are fewer families declared themselves food-poor in some parts of Luzon and Visayas. However, the food-poor ratio also worsened in Mindanao and in Metro Manila.

The SWS says that poverty or food-poor findings are consistent with those on hunger. Also, as a concept, poverty allows for various degrees of deprivation.

It’s true.

It’s better to stay poor than to die in hunger. When you are poor, you have the ability to set goals in life and overcome poverty. When you are hungry, you don’t have the ability to focus and set goals in life. When you are poor, you have a chance to move and earn a living. When you are hungry, you don’t have a chance to move around and look for some opportunity. Hence, those who suffer from hunger are much more deprived than those who simply suffer from poverty.

Few years back, my mother and I used to almost sleep literally beside the highway going to Calinan. We didn’t have proper place to stay. Our stomachs were always hungry. Our pockets were empty. We were literally suffering from poverty and food-poor.

Today, we overcome that stage. These are all because of two things – faith in God that He will do all things for your good and a positive mindset.

Amidst poverty and hunger, I was able to strengthen our faith in God. Through ups and downs, our Lord has been so perfectly good to me. There were moments before that I cannot understand God’s purpose for me. Here’s my belief: my future, though uncertain, is always brighter with God.

Amidst poverty and hunger, I was able to set goals in life. I have my dreams within me that I want to fulfil. I stayed focus and determined in doing things possibly. I had a positive outlook in life that one day I will not remain poor.

I guess these two things I have mentioned here are the things that each Filipino families should have. You can’t blame your past since it doesn’t define your future. You can’t blame the government since it is being run by a system. You can’t blame the church since it teaches the right thing.

I invite you to watch this video by the CNN: Face of Poverty in the Philippines.

Friends, you can do something in your life right now to alleviate poverty and hunger and help our Filipino people.

Bo, the Leader and Dino, the Manager

2011-06-27T20:30:00.000-07:00

I still remember the time when I saw him preaching last October of 2007 at St. Paul Parish in Matina. He was a thin young man in his mid 30’s, profoundly simple yet very effective in communicating to his audience. I know him since the age thirteen when I read his first book entitled “Thank God, His Boss!” and the magazine he publishes called “Kerygma” which is the most-read Catholic inspirational magazine in the country. Today, Bo has thousands upon thousands of followers not only here in the Philippines but also abroad. He is the founder of Light of Jesus Family, a Catholic charismatic renewal movement. He is a sought-after inspirational speaker and a best-selling author of more than 18 books.

With Bo Sanchez at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao.

On the other hand, Dino Suelto is different. He is my good friend who owns the Maerkon, a construction firm here in Davao City. He manages people from engineers to architects to workers. These people have different personalities and up-bringing yet he’s able to manage his business well. Today, Dino’s work as a top manager in his own company is indeed rewarding. He travels in different parts of the world and sends his children to study abroad, too.

With Boss Dino, on our way to Davao from Bukidnon.

Bo Sanchez and Dino Suelto have things in common, of course. But in a clearer context, what really makes a leader different from a manager?

Bo takes charge, is influential, and sets an example while Dino manages and takes responsibility of a situation.
Bo creates success stories to inspire many while Dino imitates success stories to motivate him in doing business.

Bo is an example for others and is someone who doesn’t necessarily have a large responsibility while Dino has responsibilities and is able to delegate and implement plans.

Bo has individuals who believe in what he says, otherwise known as followers while Dino have subordinates who follow his rules.

Bo focuses on human emotion and charisma to lead while Dino focuses on concise, scientifically proven methods to lead.

However, I believe many people can lead and manage at the same time. These people may display a combination of behaviours. One might just be a leader. One might just be a manager. Or even both.
And for you to know it by yourself is to ask this question now: ARE YOU A LEADER OR A MANAGER?

Remain Positive in Life

2011-06-27T02:41:00.000-07:00

If there is only one friend I know who is full of wisdom, it's Ate Jane! Mary Jane Braga-Amoguis, a university professor from the University of the Immaculate Conception (Davao City) shares her words of wisdom with you today.

I met her two years ago through the Light of Jesus Family Davao. Friend, is she so humble and great. Well, she's also beautiful and sexy. (She owes me a lot by saying these words. Ha-ha. Just kidding.) She's not only a very good friend of mine but she's also a mentor and sister so dear to me.

I want to share this video to let you know how beautiful it is live a positive life amidst our problems. Learn from her and be super blessed!

Leandro Locsin and the Transfiguration (Reaction Article)

2011-06-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

It was early in the morning when I, together with my friends, departed from Davao going to Malaybalay Bukidnon. It was early in the afternoon when we arrived at the Transfiguration, a monastery which provides facilities for retreats and recollections for both lay and religious. It was where we spent our holy week last April of 2011.

The Transfiguration

Inside the Monastery of the Transfiguration Church, Malaybalay Bukidnon. Seen on my back is the altar.

Going there for a retreat was something new to me. First, I haven’t experienced a religious retreat before. Second, it was my first time to visit the place. I heard about the Benedictine monks long time ago but seeing them in real is such a chance.
But what amazed me the most was the amazing Monastery of Transfiguration Church designed by the Leandro V. Locsin last 2006. The church was stunning surrounded by green lashes of beautiful trees and mountains. Ah, the place was a real heaven!

Leandro Locsin: Philippines' National Artist

Leandro V. Locsin was a Filipino architect, artist, and interior designer, known for his use of concrete, floating volume and simplistic design in his various projects. An avid collector, he was fond of modern painting and Chinese ceramics. He was proclaimed a National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture in 1990 by President Corazon C. Aquino.

As an architect, has reshaped the urban landscape with a distinctive architecture reflective of Philippine Art and Culture. He believes that the true Philippine Architecture is "the product of two great streams of culture, the oriental and the occidental to produce a new object of profound harmony." It is this synthesis that underlies all his works, with his achievements in concrete reflecting his mastery of space and scale. Every Locsin Building is an original, and identifiable as a Locsin with themes of floating volume, the duality of light and heavy, buoyant and massive running in his major works. From 1955 to 1994, Locsin has produced 75 residences and 88 buildings, including 11 churches and chapels, 23 public buildings, 48 commercial buildings, six major hotels, and an airport terminal building.

Locsin's largest single work is the Istana Nurul Iman, the palace of the Sultan of Brunei, which has a floor area of 2.2 million square feet. The CCP Complex itself is a virtual Locsin Complex with all five buildings designed by him -- the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts Theater, Philippine International Convention Center, Philcite and The Westin Hotel.

For me, he deserved to be awarded as Philippines’ National Artist. His artworks were genuinely crafted from his own ideas and perspective. Truly, Leandro Locsin created a distinctive footprint in the field of art – not only in our country but also in Asia and beyond. As a student, I come to learn more and appreciate his works by knowing art as additive to a more meaningful life.

References:

National Commission for Culture and the Arts, ncca.gov.ph
Monastery of the Transfiguration, transfiguration.ph
Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org

It's a Madness: An Inspirational Video

2011-06-26T03:39:00.000-07:00

I would like to share this video I created few months back. I won't write any article about this video for now as it will tell you more by just watching it.

So there! Please do share this inspirational video to your loved ones. Keep inspiring others. Bring them closer to God.

Enjoy life to the full...

My Message before bedtime

2011-06-26T03:34:00.000-07:00

First KERYGMA CONFERENCE Davao City this 2010

2010-10-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

Visit this link for more infomation:

KERYGMA CONFERENCE [davao city]: First KERYGMA CONFERENCE Davao City this 2010

Why Start an Online Business Today?

2010-09-17T22:19:00.000-07:00

I also asked this exact same question when I knew the online business last July, 2008. That was more than two years ago.

That time, e-commerce business or online business was something new to me because at that time, I even don’t have a computer. The business was a total alien to me coming from the planet Nowhere. Second, I was not into business. I was raised in a family where everyone might be either an employee or housekeeper. Third, I just ‘heard’ about it. I didn’t know how the business works. And lastly, I was not that technically-inclined to work on computers.

No, the business was not for me.

THEN WHY ONLINE BUSINESS?

I know my story might be familiar to you. You’re reading this article right now because you want to know more about this business. Be honest. I know because I did what you’re doing right now few years back.

I kept on searching for an answer to get rid of my pessimistic thoughts about the business. I landed on different online marketing pages over the internet. Oh yes, countless pages that I’ve read.

But there was only one definite answer to my question: ONLINE MARKETING IS A GOOD TOOL TO GENERATE MONEY SEMI-PASSIVELY.

Of course, you need to learn the ways and means to do the business properly and legally like any other clean businesses do. If set your business up properly, you’ll have the fruit of your labor in no-time.

I’ve been doing online business for more than two years now. Everyday, I grow my passion in writing through this business. My social circle grows tremendously because of my classmates (yes, you will always have you classmates) online. I love getting mentors that could help and guide me. I have more time with other things more important than money like time for my God, my family and for my self.

Here are few more reasons why you should go for online business:

1. LESSER MARKETING COST. You will do it all online. Few clicks a day keep you from being broke.

2. LOW MAINTENANCE COST. You will do it at home. No need to rent for an office or employ people to help you run your business. You can do and manage the business two or three hours a day. Isn't it wonderful to spend more time with your family?

3. FLEXIBILITY. This is what I like most. Whether I'll work today or not, or maybe next week -- the earnings might still become passive. No boss. No supervisor. No log-ins and log-outs. I'm the CEO of my own time. I know you want time freedom, right?

4. BORDERLESS MARKET. Since your business is all online, you will have the entire world as your market. In the first place, it's 'www' which means 'world-wide web.' Does it make sense?

5. LOW START-UP COST. Be honest, you also want this reason. Of course, money is the first issue in every business. For example, for only US $ 39 (or PhP 1,755) you can start it right away. Work it out then expect the unexpected earnings! Friend, where can you find a business like this with a yield of ++100 %?

Just do it right and you will have lesser problem.

Ops why lesser? Think about this: Is there a business without a problem? If there is, there is no reason to invest at all. You will never learn out of that business. it might even be a scam. Every good and clean business does. BUT here in online marketing, it has a lesser headache. Because it's manageable, trust me.

BUT WAIT! Before starting your online business, YOU NEED A MENTOR! Again, YOU REALLY NEED TO HAVE A MENTOR. It's prerequisite. It's 101 on this kind of business. Don't waste your money, efforts and hopes in doing a thing you don't really know in the first place (unless you want stress and wrinkles).

I also have my mentors. Oh yes, many of them teaching me how to do these and those. They are from Manila and Cebu. And I'm in Davao, how could it be possible?

Again, all online at your very own place!

PS: Start it today through CPA or Cost-Per-Action Marketing. The lessons are priceless! Click here to start.

START YOUR ONLINE BUSINESS TODAY!

LETTERS TO GOD: Hope is contagious!

2010-09-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

Letters to God was shown last April 2010 in theaters worldwide.

“You are a letter...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.”

2 Corinthians 3:3 NIV

Yet, another superb inspirational movie of this year 2010 -- LETTERS TO GOD. Friend, was I touched by this great movie! And I would love to share this to you today.

A heartfelt tale of inspiration, hope and redemption, Letters to God is the story of what happens when one boy’s walk of faith crosses paths with one man’s search for meaning—the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone around them.

Tyler Doherty (TANNER MAGUIRE) is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy. Surrounded by a loving family and community, and armed with the courage of his faith, he faces his daily battle against cancer with bravery and grace. To Tyler, God is a friend, a teacher and the ultimate pen pal—Tyler’s prayers take the form of letters, which he composes and mails on a daily basis.

The letters find their way into the hands of Brady McDaniels (JEFFREY S.S. JOHNSON), a beleaguered postman standing at a crossroads in his life. At first, he is confused and conflicted over what to do with the letters. Overtime he begins to form a friendship with the Doherty family – getting to know not just Tyler but his tough, tender yet overwhelmed mom (ROBYN LIVELY), stalwart grandmother (MAREE CHEATHAM) and teen brother Ben (MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER BOLTEN) -- who are each trying to stand strong against the doubts that come with the chaotic turn their lives have taken.

Moved by Tyler’s courage, Brady realizes what he must do with the letters, a surprise decision that will transform his heart and uplift his newfound friends and community –in an exhilarating act of testament to the contagious effect of one boy’s unwavering faith against the odds.

Inspired by a true story, Letters to God is an intimate, moving and often funny story about the galvanizing effect one child’s belief can have on his family, friends and community. (REF: www.letterstogodthemovie.com)

Letters to God is a 2010 Christian drama film directed by David Nixon and starring Robyn Lively, Jeffrey Johnson, Tanner Maguire, Michael Bolten and Bailee Madison. The story was written by Patrick Doughtie about his son Tyler, with the screenplay penned by Doughtie, Art D'Alessandro, Thrift Douglas and Cullen Douglas. The actual story took place in Nashville, Tennessee, but the movie was filmed in Orlando, Florida.

Letters to God is based on the true story of Tyler Doherty, who was played in the film by Tanner Maguire. Parts of the story are real, and others were fictionalized; such as the character of a drunken mailman named Brady McDaniels (Jeffrey Johnson), who receives Tyler's "letters to God". The film was released to theaters on April 9, 2010, with mixed reviews. Despite opening at #10 at the box office, it fell just $150,000 short of its' $3 million budget with a final gross of $2.85 million. (REF: en.wikipedia.org)

Here's the movie trailer from YouTube.com.

Be super blessed! Go, watch and share this movie.

DIGG IT: The Kevin Rose Story of Success

2010-08-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

One faithful evening, when I was at the office, I sat down on my chair and opened my computer to search for inspiring stories from successful people. It's not for something that I need to publish online the following day. Not for that reason. I just want to inspire my self. Oh, I just love reading stories that inspire me.

As I kept on searching on Google, I landed on rd.com. There, I found one of the most simple yet amazing story. Today, I can't help but to share this awesome story of Kevin Rose.

Share this to your family and friends. Hold on. Dreams are for real!

Dreamers: The Digg Idea

"How one man parlayed a childhood fascination with computers into one of the nation's most-visited news websites."

For two months after he launched digg.com, Kevin Rose didn't need an alarm clock. "By 6 a.m., I was up and on the computer," he recalls. "It was the sheer fear of not knowing what was on my own home page."

Kevin Rose
Photographed by Michael Sexton
Kevin Rose started Digg as an "experiment." But he quit his day job within months.

Here's why: Seasoned editors do not deliberate over Digg's front page. It's strictly a popularity contest. Users post news stories and images—found anywhere from the websites of big newspapers to small blogs—and with the click of a button, other users either "digg" the items (meaning they like them) or "bury" them (meaning they don't). On a given day, you can find breaking news about Iraq next to such headlines as "Bacon Flavored Jelly Beans!" and "Another Road Sign Warns of Zombies." "Sometimes you'll look at two headlines and say, No sane editor would ever put these next to each other," says Rose, 32. "That's part of the charm."

Today, the site gets 35 million different visitors a month. One link from Digg's home page can produce a tsunami of traffic that can turn a Web newcomer into a real player—or crash an ill-equipped smaller site. And investors are banking on the idea's value; just last September, Digg secured $28.7 million in new venture-capital funding. Many believe Digg is worth much more: Last summer, Google was reportedly in talks to buy it for $200 million. (Neither company will comment.)

Rose says a big cash-in was never part of his plan. When he started Digg, he thought, "If this can pay my rent and I can chill in my apartment and drink my tea and have an awesome little office, that'd be more than I could ask for." It's the kind of dream you'd expect from a Web wunderkind. As a child in Las Vegas, Rose was "the most unpopular kid in school," who at age eight spent hours on his family's Commodore 64, typing code to summon an animated balloon. In the early '90s, he persuaded his parents to buy him his own computer, which he used to talk tech with other "nerds" in chat rooms.

Rose's passion sometimes took precedence over schoolwork, prompting his mother to confiscate his keyboard when bad report cards arrived. "I drilled a hole in my desk and put a chain through it so she couldn't take it again," Rose says. At 15, he was repairing computers. By 19, he had a computer-support job at the Department of Energy's Nevada Test Site while he was going to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. And by 21, he'd dropped out and moved to Silicon Valley.

Rose came up with the idea for Digg in 2004 while hosting a cable news show about tech trends. Social networking sites like Facebook had just taken off, drawing users who could post photos, links, and video and then talk about them. Rose created a site that would take that approach to news. It debuted in November 2004. "It was an experiment," he says. "I wanted to see what kind of news would surface and whether it would be of good quality." But when the number of people visiting Digg reached a few thousand a month—enough to garner ads—Rose quit his day job. By 2005, Digg's monthly traffic had hit 200,000, and he'd hired a CEO and a staff and raised $2.8 million. Today, Digg is among the most-visited sites in the United States.

Like many sites, Digg hasn't yet figured out how to transform its traffic into profit. Nonetheless, it continues to evolve. Digg now recommends stories to users based on other stories they like. It also lets them vote on questions they want to ask politicians and celebrities.

In the meantime, Rose is sleeping through the night. He still checks the home page every morning when he gets up. But he makes a cup of tea first, then sits back to enjoy the mutiny.

Getting Ahead with Kevin Rose

Q. Is starting an Internet business as easy as it seems?
A. Oh, absolutely. Back in 2000, just to get a site off the ground, you had to buy expensive servers. There weren't as many freelance developers. Now you can get a rented server for $100 or less per month and hire a freelance coder for 10 to 12 bucks an hour and get off the ground for a few thousand dollars.

Q. What's your advice for someone who wants to launch a site?
A. People spend too much time planning and trying to get everything perfect before they launch. You're never going to know what users think until you get a site into their hands. Get something out there, find out what the community thinks, then refine and rerelease, refine and rerelease. You're going to get a lot of things wrong, and that's okay. You can always kill anything you don't like. Other than that, hold off as long as possible before taking investments, because the longer you wait, the higher your valuation and the less of your company you'll have to give away.

Q. Are you ever off the computer?
A. It's easy to get lost in the computer; I probably spend 12 to 14 hours a day on it. But on the weekends, I need to unplug. As I get older, I realize I can't live online. It's going to burn me out or kill me. I also just got glasses for the first time in my life.

Q. What's the best business advice you've ever gotten?
A. You don't have to work for other people; you can do your own thing and it can work out. Also, do something you love. In my family, we've each followed our passions in life. That's the most important thing.

Q. Are there certain entrepreneurs or businesspeople who've inspired you?
A. Growing up, it was Bill Gates for sure. And of course, Steve Jobs. I love the fact that he pays extreme attention to detail in his products. There's something about opening an Apple product and everything from the lettering on the manual to the way it's packaged is perfect—that means a lot.

From Reader's Digest - August 2009

PS: Thanks to Reader's Digest for this wonderful post!

KENKEN: The world’s bravest baby boy!

2010-08-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

I want to share a beautiful story from the Bible today. You might be so familiar with this story in 1 Samuel Chapters 16 and 17.

One day, David delivered food to his brothers who were battling the Philistines. He heard a Philistine shouting and making fun of them.

"Who is that man?" asked David.

They told him about Goliath, the mighty warrior. No one could defeat him! But David wasn't afraid of the giant. When King Saul heard of David's bravery, he called David before him.

"Don't worry, I'll go fight that giant," said David.

"But he's a warrior," said Saul. "You're only a boy."

"I killed a lion and bear to protect my father's sheep," said David. "God will help me kill this giant."

Saul gave David his armor and weapons. But they were too big for David. So without any armor, David went to face the giant. He stopped by a stream to pick up some stones and placed them in his bag. Then he stood before Goliath.

"Am I a dog that you come at me with sticks?" bellowed Goliath.

David looked up and said, "You come against me with',' weapons, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty. This is God's battle!"

Then David put a stone in his sling and swung it around and around until the sling whistled. The stone whizzed through the air and smacked Goliath right in the forehead. And the giant fell to the ground with a mighty earth-shaking thud!

I like this story in the Bible. It portrays how small itsy-bitsy David was yet he was able to conquer Goliath.

He was brave enough to fight the enemy.

Not just David, Kenken does also

Last Sunday afternoon, I received a text message from Ate Michelle. Kenken (Dwynne Kenneth Barerra, our two-year old baby at home) got sick. His body temperature went up to 40 (that’s 104-degree Fahrenheit).

I rushed going home to bring medicine and cool fever patch. The following day, his condition became worse.

Ate Michelle brought Kenken to Brokenshire Hospital, one of the nearest hospitals from home.

Kenken in his room at Brokenshire Hospital.

When I visited Kenken at his room afternoon that day, I felt pain in my heart. It’s so unusual to see this little itsy-bitsy baby boy sleeping on the bed. He’s almost quarter the size of the bed. Dextrose was attached to his right hand. And he could hardly breathe.

When he heard the door as I came in, he moved a little and stared at me. He couldn’t even open his eyes but I saw him trying to glance at me.

“Hello bey,” I greeted him with a little excitement. We use to greet each other hello bey (short for hello baby; or for him, it’s hello Perry) every single day.

Look at this boy: he never refused to acknowledge me despite of his condition. He coughed a lot. He couldn’t even breathe well. But boy, did he love to see me there.

Few minutes after, the nurse came inside the room to conduct skin test. As far as I know, skin test hurts a lot. I experienced that too.

Ate Michelle, being the motivator of Kenken that day, was telling him that it’s not painful. She told Kenken not to cry. She told Kenken to stay composed.

Kenken, having no choice at all, listened and agreed to her.

What do you expect? During skin test, he shouted to cry. (Of course, it’s painful.)

“That’s okay Ken. It’s okay,” Ate Michelle said. “The nurse is leaving now. Say thank you to her.”

“Thank you.” (Crying.)

He even managed to say thanks to the nurse, while crying. He’s so cute that time, believe me.

But after few seconds after the skin test, he stopped crying. And it seemed everything was fine for him. The nurse had to put the oxygen on him.

And Kenken just liked it.

Kenken stays cheerful and positive.

It’s from the family where you develop a brave heart

I’ve seen Kenken’s braveness. Unlike other children, he fought the sickness with ease. All the while, Kenken was raised to be a fighter. To be a conqueror. To be a champion.

He never heard “Kenken, you’re just small. You can’t do that.” Everyday, he hears “Kenken, you’re a fighter. You can do it. You’re a champion.”

And I believe that all parents in the world should never belittle their children too while they growing up. Because it’s from the family where you develop a brave heart.

NJ Yap, Kenken's first cousin.

It is also important to have the family members to support and encourage each one another.

Like David, he defeated Goliath because he was raised to be a fighter. God is also doing the same. He made us to be a champion. To be fighter. To be a leader. To be a blessing to others.

Kenken is one of the most positive-minded people I’ve known in my entire life. He don’t see weakness, instead he sees strengths. He don’t feel defeat, instead he feels victory.

Even if he’s just a little itsy-bitsy creature.

How about your Goliath (problems, anxieties, sicknesses)? How far will you go?

Be brave. With God, you can fight them!

KADAYAWAN 2010: My first. My Experiences. Events. Happenings. And Realization.

2010-08-21T12:11:00.000-07:00

I’m a pure Davaonueño. I was born here. I spent my childhood here. I studied here. But believe me – this year (2010) is my first time to truly hear, smell, feel and see Kadayawan Festival.

Thank God.

Today, Kadayawan is a living entity for me. It’s not only a celebration or merely a commemoration of traditional, most of the time a ritual, customs of Davao people. It should be fun, fruitful, colorful, and exciting; and importantly bringing back and showcasing the authentic culture of Davaonueño.

What is Kadayawan?

The Kadayawan Festival, as defined in Wikipedia, is Davao’s annual festival. The word “Kadayawan” was derived from the friendly greeting "Madayaw", from the Dabawenyo word "dayaw", meaning good, and valuable, superior or beautiful. The festival is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living.

Earlier today, I saw different tribes coming in to the city to honor Davao’s artistic, cultural and historical heritage. In cultural sense, we call them “lumads” as they celebrate on the streets like the street dancing called “indak indak sa kadalanan.” The street dancing usually starts on the first day as a form of opening the event in the city. Also, the floral float parade in full regalia is also a full highlight in thanksgiving for the blessings granted on the city which is usually shown on the second day of the festival.

Indeed, Kadayawan is a celebration that interface the three aspects: tribal; industrial and; arts and entertainment. In short, the festivities are highlighted with floral floats, street-dancing competitions and exhibits to showcase the island's tourism products and services.

What to expect during the event?

I arrived in Rizal Park afternoon today. Rizal Park, adjacently located from the City Hall of Davao, is where most of the main Kadayawan events happen.

It was quite warn over the entire city but the beat of music on the streets made it pleasurable to celebrate Kadayawan. Street dancing participated by students from different schools of Mindanao was on-going.

I was late by 9 entries. But boy, did I enjoy the other few entries. They were all great!

Here are some the photos I took during the event in Rizal Park.

Colorful street-dancing costumes and overwhelming moves (represented by students across Mindanao) bringing the best of the bests of Davao City's unique culture and Tribes.


This how you dance "indak indak." Ka-da-ya-wan, Ka-da-ya-wan, He! He! He!.

Props add drama to dance moves.

I was near the judges when I took these photos earlier. (Thanks for the people who helped me get inside the stage esp. to the Modern Teknika Corporation Davao esp. to Ate Michelle and among others.) I felt the tension. It was a close-fight competition. But the best must take it all. Here are the list of winners for Street Dancing Competion.

-Purok Sison, Surallah, South Cotabato as Champion. They got PhP 300,000.00.
-Esperanza, Compostela Valley Province as the 1st Runner Up. They got PhP 200,000.00.
-Catalunan Grande Elementary School (Davao City) as the 2nd Runner Up. They got 100,000.00.
-Magallanes Elementary School (Davao City) as the 3rd Runner Up. They got PhP 75,000.00.
-Surallah Central Elementary School as the 4th Runner Up. They got 50,000.00
And last but not the least…
-Tribu Mapawa of Maragusan Compostela Valley Province as the 5th Runner. They got 30,000.00

Congratulations to everyone! Great street dance performance.

During the awarding. This is really a cccrrroooowwwddd!!!

Meanwhile, I've seen also some familiar people. Hmmm... Who else? Photographers. Videographers. Press. Media. And also... Bloggers!


Standing under the heat of the sun, these people are full of passion capturing photos and documenting the event. Amazing folks!

Some bloggers were also present all the way from the different cities in the Philippines...

In this photo (the one wearing eyeglasses) is a cute 19-year old student, blogger, traveler and photographer named Michael Sinjin A. Pineda. He's all the way from Cebu. In fact, he is the current VP for Marketing of the Cebu Bloggers Society. You can visit his travel-oriented website at http://www.libotero.com and be amazed how he writes journals, takes photos and brings out the best of his passion.

AND of course, to complete the day, I was with the the beautiful and ever-intelligent City Mayor of Davao herself -- Atty. Sara "Inday Sarah" Zimmerman Duterte. She's really beautiful. I think she's a mere reflection of the genuine beauty of Davao City. Won't believe me? Here's the proof.

She's not really only beautiful -- she's angelic. Agree?

These happened all in Rizal Park. I also tried to visit two of the biggest shopping malls in Davao, too -- the Gaisano Mall in JP Laurel Avenue Bajada and SM City Davao at Quimpo Boulevard.

G-Mall Shoppers enjoy the Midnight Sale.


Shoppers (Window Shoppers, to be specific) at G-Mall Davao.

And also the SM City...

The SM City Davao. What do you expect? Midnight Sale.

But let us face the reality. Though the street dances were perfectly awesome. But afterall, not the street itself...


Bumper-to-bumper traffic! This is along Magallanes St. just at the back of the Rizal Park and City Hall of Davao. Oh no!

I should have witnessed the previous Kadayawan Festivals in Davao. I missed a lot, I know. But as long as Davao remains a living entity, Kadayawan will always be the highlight every year. This is my first time to really celebrate Kadayawan but definitely, this is not the last. Certainly, this is just a beginning.

I love Davao. And I always will. How about you?

Maglipay. Magsadya. Magsaulog kita ug KADAYAWAN sa Davao! See you on next year’s KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL 2011!

Online Marketing + Virtual Assistance

2010-08-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

Doing online marketing for more than a year now has greatly help me a lot. First, I grow my passion in writing. Second, my social circle grows tremendously. Third, blogging helps me transact businesses easily. And a lot more. Online marketing is far beyond passion and business all at once -- mainly, it offers lot of opportunities to help you maximize what's already available for you just right under your nose. For example, today, many companies mostly in US are looking for virtual assistants, for example, here in the Philippines.

What is virtual assistant?

In Wikipedia, virtual assistant (typically abbreviated to VA, also called a virtual office assistant) is defined as an entrepreneur who provides professional administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients from a home office. VA usually works for other small businesses, brokers and consultancy groups. In fact, it is estimated that there are as few as 5,000-8,000 or as many as 35,000 Virtual Assistants worldwide.

The key word is entrepreneur.

Not only doing online marketing business, you will also get paid being virtual office assistant. Great stuff!

Today, I would like to share one of the essentials of online marketing -- the SEO or Search Engine Optimization. This is to help you start you career online with ease. Thanks to Yola for providing this learning material.

1. What is SEO (search engine optimization)?

Search engine optimization is becoming a big part of web design? But what is SEO? It's a bit of science and marketing mingled together! It is the practice of improving where your site appears when people perform searches, and uses techniques that are both on page (within the pages of the site) and off page (outside the pages of the site) in order to increase the traffic a site receives from the search engines. An example of an on page technique would be adding keywords to your pages, and an example of an off page technique would be exchanging links with another website. We will discuss these techniques in more depth later.

It's very important to note with search engine optimization that pleasing your site visitor and providing a good user experience will often also lead to good results with the search engine. It is the search engine's goal to provide the best results to Internet users - make this your goal as well!

2. Why is search engine optimization important?

To better understand what SEO is, you need to understand why it is important. Any website that needs traffic to survive needs search engine optimization. There are millions of WebPages on the Internet, and it is the search engines job to add all of those pages to its index and whenever a query is performed find the very best webpages to display to the searcher.

There are many, many factors that the search engines take into account when choosing which WebPages to display in what order in the search results. They look at factors such as the amount and quality of links coming into a site which is considered extremely important, and the site tags and page content. Performing various search engine optimization techniques on your site will help your site get noticed by the search engines and give them reasons to send searchers to you.

3. What is a search engine?

Search engines provide Internet users with a way to find information in an organized fashion. A search engine uses special software called an algorithm or spider to go through the entire web and add pages to its index. These engines are used by millions of people every day, and it is up to the search engines to provide the people who use their service with the best information possible. When you do a search the search engine will pull the most relevant web pages from their index to show you.

The three major search engines are Google, Yahoo and Bing, although there are various smaller engines.

4. What is indexing?

Indexing is an important part of having a presence on the web, but what does it mean to be indexed? Search engines have extremely large indexes which hold a copy of all of the webpages they have crawled and chosen to add to their index. The search engine spider crawls through the web, following links, and when it finds a page to add, it will make a copy of it, and add it to its index. When this has happened to your site, you can consider it as having been "indexed". This can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months for a site to be indexed, and the process must take place for every new website. Your site will only show up in search results after it has been indexed.

5. How to find out if your site has been indexed

Go to Google and in the search box type site:mysite.com (substituting your website for mysite.com). This will give you a list of your website pages that are in the index. If there are no results, the indexing has not happened yet. You can do this same search at Yahoo and MSN.

6. What is "search engine ranking" and how do search engines rank pages?

Search engine ranking refers to where a website or page appears in the search engine results page.

Failures mean more Success

2010-08-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

This not a typical five-paragraph article I usually write. I just want to share a very inspirational video today which I know will bless you.

I believe this fact long time ago that when you fail a lot, then you'll succeed a lot if you will just keep believing in God and to your self too. Say this everyday: "Yes, I can do it!" Remember that you know yourself more than others know you. God sees the best in you. God knows that you can go further. God expects you to become a champion and bless the world.

How about you?

Hold on! Don't stop! Make your dreams happens! Keep going!

PS: Share this post on your Facebook or Twitter account.

Top 10 Reasons to Come Back

2010-08-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

No matter how long you have been away from the Catholic Church, you can always come home. You can start going to Mass again (find a parish) and become a part of a parish community that is ready to welcome you with open arms. God is inviting you to dive into your faith in a deeper way than you ever have before.

You may already be feeling a strange inner pull to look into the Church again. That spiritual longing you feel is God drawing you back to Himself. God never forces; He only invites. He leaves the decision to return to the Catholic Church up to you.

There are numerous reasons for coming back to the Church. Though Christ is at the heart of the many reasons to come home to the Church, each individual’s experience in returning can be unique, depending upon whatever speaks to his or her heart.

Here are ten reasons (by Lorene Hanley Duqin of Our Sunday Visitor: http://www.osv.com and edited by Catholics Come Home) that influenced the decision of many of us to return to the practice of the Catholic faith:
Number 10: Because we want meaning in life.

In the hustle of today's busy lifestyles, many of us suddenly realize that our lives have lost a sense of meaning or purpose. We begin to ask ourselves, “What is my life all about? Why do I do what I do?” There is widespread confusion in our culture with regard to morality and truth. The Catholic Church offers a beacon of light that gives meaning to our existence and leads to eternal life if we persevere.

Number 9: Because childhood memories surface.

Some people say childhood memories of feeling connected to God surface in later life. We begin to ask ourselves, “Is it possible to recapture that simplicity of faith? Can I ever really believe that God is watching out for me?” The secularization of our society leads people away from the spiritual side of themselves. The Catholic Church offers BOTH religious and mystical experiences that feed the heart, the mind, the body and the soul AS WELL AS an array of active lay ministries that interface and interact with the secular world in order to make it a holier world to live in.

Number 8: Because we made mistakes.

Some of us become burdened with the weight of accumulated sin. We want to get rid of the guilt of having hurt others. We begin to ask ourselves, “Will God ever forgive me? Is there any way I can start over with a clean slate?” You can always tell God that you're sorry, but through the Sacrament of Reconciliation you have a complete assurance of God's forgiveness. In addition, you are reconciled not only with God but with all the members in the Church, the Body of Christ (CCC 1440) and given the grace to start again with that new slate.

Number 7: Because we need to forgive others.

Sometimes we hold on to anger and resentment toward individuals who have hurt us deeply. Maybe it was a family member or friend. Perhaps it was someone, (a sister or a priest), or something in the Church. “Will God ever forgive me?” Our modern culture condones and encourages anger and revenge. But hatred and bitterness are spiritual cancers that eat at the heart of a person. The Catholic Church provides the opportunity to seek God's help in forgiving others, even when the other person does not ask for forgiveness or does not deserve it. The ability to forgive is a gift that opens a person's heart more fully to God's love and peace.

Number 6: Because we want to be healed.

Some of us carry deep spiritual wounds. We struggle with anger at God over bad things that happen–a terminal illness, a debilitating injury, a broken relationship, mental or emotional problems, an act of violence against an innocent person, an unexplainable accident, some natural disaster, the death of a loved one or some other deep disappointment. The Catholic Church cannot change these situations or explain why they happened. But there are people in the Church who can assist in the process of spiritual healing and help you get on with your life.

Number 5: Because the Catholic Church has the fullness of truth and grace.

Many of us who leave the Catholic Church are blessed by the experience of worshiping for awhile in various Christian denominations. But some people come back when they realize that Catholicism has the fullness of truth and grace. The Catholic Church was not founded by a single reformer or historical movement. It is not fragmented by individual interpretations of Scripture. There are thousands of Christian denominations, but only one Catholic Church. This Church has been guided by the Holy Spirit and protected from teaching error on issues of faith and morals from generation to generation for some two thousand years, as Our Lord Jesus promised: (foretold Isaiah 22:15-25) Matt 16:13-20; Matthew 18:15-18 (in this verse the word is church, not community); 1 Tim 3:15.

Number 4: Because we want our children to have a faith foundation.

Some of us return to the Catholic Church because we recognize that raising children in a culture that promotes "doing your own thing" can lead to disaster. Children need to experience the spiritual dimensions of life. They need a structured system of belief and a firm moral foundation that goes beyond human logic and reasoning. We return because we want a solid foundation upon which our children can build their lives.

Number 3: Because we want to be part of a faith community.

Many of us seek a sense of belonging. But community is more than just friendly people, good sermons and interesting activities. A Catholic Christian community is a group of people who gather around the person of Jesus Christ to worship God and live in the light of the Holy Spirit. Catholics come together at Mass, in the Sacraments and in parish activities to pray, to celebrate joys, to mourn losses, to serve others, to provide support and to receive strength for daily life. A Catholic parish offers all of this - and much more - to people who recognize the importance of walking with others toward union with God.

Number 2: Because we want to help other people.

There are lots of opportunities within the secular world to volunteer. What's missing is the spiritual dimension that service within the Catholic Church provides. It's more than just a "feel good" activity. It's part of the "great commandment" (See Mark 12:28) to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. In reaching out to others, Catholic volunteers become instruments of God's love. The Catholic Church offers opportunities to touch the lives of people at home or around the world.

Number 1: Because we hunger for the Eucharist.
[The Eucharist is the number one reason that people come back to the Church.]

Many people come back to the Catholic Church because they feel an intense longing for the Eucharist. Sometimes it happens at a wedding, a funeral, a baptism, a First Communion or a Confirmation. Sometimes it happens when people are alone or facing difficulties in life. They describe it as a deep hunger for the spiritual nourishment that comes when they receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. This hunger for the Eucharist triggers a recognition of the presence of Christ in other sacraments, which draws them even more deeply into the practice of their faith. It is, without exception, the number one reason that people come back to the Catholic Church.

Most people discover that coming back to the Church is not an event as much as it is a process that involves a little pain, a little laughter, some thinking, some prayer, some discernment and a lot of letting go. “My actual return to full participation in a parish took about three years after I felt the first longing,” one person admitted.

And what do we get in return? The Catholic Church offers union with Jesus Christ:

o in the Scripture
o in prayer
o in the community of others
o in the Eucharist
o and in the other sacraments.

It offers spiritual support in good times and bad. It offers divine wisdom which is thousands of years old from people just like YOU who lived in each and every century throughout Christian history: 33AD, 100AD, 800AD, 1000AD, 1300AD, 1964AD and 2005AD. It offers meaning and purpose in this life and the promise of eternal life with Him after death for those who persevere to the end.

You'll know you are home when you begin to feel a deep sense of peace.

My personal side note: For those (families, husbands, wives, etc.) who have left the Church OR non-Catholic Christians who have ruled out becoming a Catholic due to the recent problems in our Church, I want to share the following.

We do have problems, but using the crisis in the Church as an excuse for not being a practicing Catholic or, for non-Catholic Christians, not becoming a Catholic, is no excuse. We are and will always be a Church of saints and sinners. Through the Eucharist, where we REALLY partake in Divine Nature, Our Lord molds us in maturity and, if needed, pulls the grudges we have been holding in our hearts for years from our soul. We have to work with Him in prayer though, not run away.

Let's hope and pray that over the next few years the divinely appointed leaders of our Church will take a serious look [accompanied by serious actions] at the spiritual life and environment of Catholic seminaries in the United States, from assessing and evaluating rectors, seminary professors, vocational directors and sisters who are employed there.

Though the mass media tends to paint the problems in our Church with a broad brush and never in a positive light, remember, there are many holy priests who carry out their vocation in silence and ARE truly holy witnesses of Jesus. (These are the priests you'll NEVER see on the 6 P.M. evening news.) Just as Jesus was rejected by the world, so will the Church He founded and true followers of that Church be rejected.

Within the past seven years, a study on sexual abuse within churches was done based on an incident/church population.

Guess which Church had the lowest incident of sexual abuse? You guessed it: The Catholic Church.

Are you going to hear that from your local news media?

Published by Catholics Come Home

Kerygma Conference 2010: RESTORATION

2010-08-06T04:21:00.001-07:00

“Beloved, I pray you may prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prosper.” – 3 John 2

Do you want to experience the healing embrace of our Lord? The Light of Jesus (LOJ) Family invites you to join and take an active participation in the upcoming annual Kerygma Conference (KCon) on December 4, 2010, 8:00am to 5:00pm, at the Central Bank of Davao City.

The Kerygma Conference 2010, entitled:”RESTORATION” will be headed by our LOJ founder, Bro Bo Sanchez along with other LOJ speakers from Manila. The conference will focus on guiding families, couples and individuals on restoring marriages, faith and relationships.

This celebration of God’s providence and blessings will be completed with a Eucharistic celebration, praise and worship and healing by Fr. Joey Faller.

Kerygma Conference is a Catholic learning event that started in 2007. It aims to create a profound impact on the participants so that they may be able to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. It is the brainchild of Bro Bo Sanchez, Catholic lay preacher, celebrity, entrepreneur and best-selling author of “You Can Make Your Life Beautiful” and “How To Find Your One True Love”.

The Light of Jesus Community, Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Shepherd’s Voice Radio and TV, and the Kerygma Family support Bo Sanchez in staging this annual event.

Proceeds from the Conference will help support the various foundations of Bro. Bo Sanchez, namely: ANAWIM LAY MISSIONS, a home for the abandoned elderly and the HE CARE FOUNDATION, a refuge for street children that not only seeks to provide food and shelter, but also lead children to know the Lord in a personal way

Everyone is invited to grace the conference and be restored in the goodness of the Lord!

For sponsorships and ticket reservation, you may text 0929.371.2844 or call 286.5081.