robbshine

Cravings

2020-11-05T00:37:00.001-08:00

During this pandemic when travel is extremely restricted and you have cravings but these are available only in cities several hundred miles away, you have to rely on those so called "pasabuy" to get a taste of these goodies.

Reply 1988 My thoughts.

2020-10-25T23:07:00.003-07:00

REPLY 1988 REVIEW

"A time so warm and pure that it was painful. Can you hear me? If you can, Answer me. My 1988, the days of my youth" Deok Sun.

This line tugs so much that when I think about this series, I still have this lump in my throat.

I know that I've watched this series 3 years after its airing. This series never seemed to appeal to me. Its poster does not seem to be that attractive. However, as I've been watching Park Bo Gum’s series lately, I convinced myself to watch just one episode of Reply 1988 series and that if Im not hooked after the 1^st episode, I would stop.

Alas, after the 1^st episode, I just could not stop. I've spent three nights sleeping around 2am since I have work during daytime.

This series made me laugh and cry so hard all at the same time. The story line, the way the story was told, each character and the simple and relatable plot combined together to produce what I consider to date as my favorite Kdrama.

I love how the characters resolved conflict in a simple approach and talk about uncomfortable and awkward topics in a light manner.

I don’t know maybe because their characters are just 4 years older than me. I want to live in that kind neighborhood. I want a neighbor like Mr. Kim who is a very funny man yet deeply care and love his family.

I want to take care of Taek and teach him the ways of this world. Good thing there’s Deok sun to do that for him.

I want to play with Jin ju and make silly arguments with her.

I want to eat with all these families, taste the ramen of Jung Dong, cucumber kimchi of Sunwoo's Mom, the soybean stew of Deok Sun’s mom and the abalone porridge of Mrs. Kim and the galbi of Ryo.

My heart bleeds for Jeung Wan. I want to comfort him, I want to know if he is happy, if he found someone to love as he loved Deok Sun and for that woman to love him back as much. Yes, he lost several chances to pursue Deok sun, he is not good in expressing his feelings as he is often sarcastic towards Deok sun. Even if Taek took a step back (that was heartbreaking) so Jeung Wan can pursue Deok sun, he still failed to make a move.

Perhaps Taek needed someone like Deoksun in his life more than Jeung Wan. Taek, though a genius, does not know a lot about how to navigate this world. He needs being taken cared of considering how he fails to eat at times, how he has to take pills just so he can sleep, how he does not know how to park or even say no to the point of sometimes being a push over. Deoksun knows how to deal with all those things. And she has been taking care of Taek since their childhood. Hence, it is just right for them to end up together. No one knows better Taek than Deok Sun.

Jeung Wan on the other hand is very intelligent and a strong person. He knows how to go about this life. He also has strong EQ I think. And he still has both parents, unlike Taek whose mom died when he was young. Jeung Wan I think is resilient and is able to deal with this “rejection” well.

I need to justify the ending because I still feel bad for Jeung Wan and the foregoing reasons will help me somehow deal with this heartbreak.

Farewell to their youth. Farewell Reply 1988 characters. Farewell to my youth. Your memories is stored forever in my heart. I will never look and hear a goat's sound the same way ever again.

Start Up Kdrama short review 1st episode

2020-10-17T10:08:00.001-07:00

I like Bae Suzy. Ive watched her in Vagabond and While you were sleeping. Nam Joo Hyuk's portrayal of his role in Weightlifting Fairy is unforgettable. I have high expectations for this drama knowing that these 2 are top Hallyu stars. And the 1st episode I've watched on Netflix did not disappoint. The episode have both heartbreaking and heartwarming scenes and from this episode, I look forward to the next ones as I find this drama very promising.

It deals with the internet and tech world in which we live in today but each characters have a back story that are intertwined. Let's see how it goes but I am already excited for Episode 2 tomorrow.

Update:

I am predicting another 2nd lead symdrome here. Please don't break my heart like in Reply 1988. I hope in the end the show will be satisfying its audience with happy ending for all the characters including the 2nd lead.

Quick trip to see the beach with my doggylove

2020-10-16T20:43:00.004-07:00

When ECQ was lifted, I took this furry love to see the beach. Look at him smiling. 😍🐶

Cheese in the Trap Kdrama Review

2020-10-16T20:23:00.000-07:00

CHEESE IN TRAP

In the early 2000s, I used to binge watch Kdramas however I stopped watching as I got busy with work and family life. My interest in Kdramas was revived with Crash Landing on You. I think so far this is my all time favorite. With home quarantine for several weeks, I binge watch several Kdramas like Goblin, Touch my heart, what’s wrong with Secretary Kim, Fight for my way, The heirs, even Boys over flowers, Cinderella and the Four Knights, My Secret Romance, Love Alarm, String Girl Bon Soon. I started watching Kingdom, Marriage Contract, Legend of the Blue Sea but I haven’t finished it yet. I also watch Korean movies like Tune in for Love, and Parasite.

I most recently finished Cheese in the Trap and this series really got me. It got me thinking about how people turned out to be who they are, how others affect them, how their childhood affect them and how differently people turned out to be despite being placed in a similar situation.

Baek In Ho for instance became an orphan, experienced maltreatment in the hands of his aunt and was raised in a wealthy family. He had a falling out with Jeong, the main lead who is like a brother to him all these years. He resented Jeong and blamed him for his misfortune, particularly his career in piano. He seemed tough and a punk and violent on the outside but he is actually caring, does not expect much in return and is hard working. The series showed that he seemed to be happy in the household of Jeong so it is unfortunate that he did not know until the very end of the series why Jeong turned out that way towards him. For me it was not actually about the planned adoption of Bek In ho and his sister by Jeong’s father but rather how he badmouthed jeong to another. Jeong heard that and their relationship went downhill from there. Despite his misfortunes, he just wanted an apology from Jeong but he never gave it to him. Instead jeong asked him if it should be Baek In ho who should apologize to Jeong.

In Ho fell in love with Seol but he did not try to win her, he did not asked that his feelings be reciprocated, he cared for Seol, was there for her always but never made Seol feel that she had to like him back. It was enough for him that he is able to somehow care for Seol and be her friend.

With all the hardships he experienced, he did not become bitter nor vengeful. Instead, he strived to get out of the mess he created for himself. There was just one instance when he asked for help from Jeong’s father but the latter reminded him for all the help they got from Jeong’s family. He became angry telling Jeong’s father that he is like his son. This made me realize that most often when people extends help, they somehow feel entitled to later on ask for something from that person later on.

I would like to tell Bael In Ho that indeed in this world there is no free loader, only God can give to us no matter how undeserving we are. He only wants us to love Him back with all that we are because He knows that we can only be truly happy with Him.

Seol is intelligent, hardworking and tries to understand people even if they are abusing her kindness. Despite that, she did not become bitter but she just learned to stand up to them and not allow them to trample on her. She just keeps her emotions bottled inside until she blows up.

The character of Jeong is the one that really affected me. His father has anger management issues so when he sees that his son is becoming like him, he tried to do something for his son to prevent him from becoming like him. Instead, his son got so much worse than he is. Jeong was taught not to show anger specially in front of people and to instead just smile. Jeong learned well to just suppress his feelings, learned not to show his true feelings. He learned to smile at people whom he is angry with. In the process, he became vindictive, manipulative without remorse.

There are sides of him that is childlike and playful. He is intelligent, he excels in what he does. However, being a rich kid, people suck up to him, taking advantage of him, asking him for favors. I think because of this, he does not easily warm up to people and when people call him weird or think differently of him makes him angry. Instead of showing his anger, he will just manipulate people and scheme into ruining their lives. Being rich and well connected, he is very capable of doing this. And he seemed to not having any remorse at all.

I could not blame him entirely. He was raised as such as a child. With In ho, they seemed to be brothers growing up but it turned out, it was In Ho and his sister who spied on Jeong and reported what he was doing to Jeong’s dad. In ho of course being beholden to Jeong’s dad had to. However, Jeong felt betrayed and what broke the camel’s back so to speak was when he heard In ho bad mouthing him to another person.

When people “sin” against him, he would manipulate and scheme to execute his revenge. Jeong was not even remorseful, justifying his actions as not his even his he is the one who manipulates. He did not care about the consequences of his actions and how ruins other people’s lives.

I think he loves Seol because in more ways than one, they seemed to be similar. People suck up to them to get favors, Seol, because she is intelligent and patient. Jeong, because he is rich. While Seol tries to put up with these people and understand them to the point of being a push over. Jeong on the other hand responds differently, he would instead take revenge. He smiles and act all friendly in front but he is actually vindictive.

It is only when Seol got badly hurt that he realized the consequences of his actions. That his manipulation of people that eventually hurt Seol.

What I learned from this series is while we cannot control how people act towards us, we can control how we respond. As much as possible, we don’t go around hurting people, being all vindictive towards them. We do not need to be always right nor proven right. We don’t need to have every mistake or sin against us be corrected if in the process we also hurt others. This can only be done if we have a right relationship with God. We are able to forgive, we are capable of understanding where they are coming from and even pray about them. Then we can somehow live in peace and extend help when we can even to someone we don’t like.

Marco Polo versus Waterfront

2018-09-04T19:57:00.000-07:00

Waterfron Insular Hotel in Davao may be preferred by outdoor persons as it has a swimming pool and one can likewise enjoy the beach. It has buildings 1, 2 and 3 for the guests has only two floors each hence no elevator. However, the buildings are quite apart from each other and you have to walk to the function rooms and the dining areas which are a little bit some distance from the buildings.

The downside for me is that this hotel is far from the malls and other establishments. The nearest would be SM Lanang which you have to pay about a hundred pesos.

Marco Polo on the other hand is a multi floor hotel, all rooms and functions and restaurants are carpeted. Its breakfast buffet has a wide selection. For me it has more food and drinks selection than Waterfront. It also has a pool, a gym and several function rooms. What I love most about Marco Polo is right in the center of the city. A few steps away is Ateneo de Davao and Roxas night market.

Taking care of Shih Tzu

2018-08-22T04:11:00.002-07:00

We got our pet shih tzu when he was around 2 months old. It took a while before he was potty trained, meaning, he would urinate and defecate in rags or basahan and not in beds, chairs or other places. You just have to be patient and not get tried of repeating.

Shih Tzus are very clingy to their masters. They would follow you around the house and just sit beside you.

However, they are also very picky when it comes to food. If you give them a certain brand of dog food and you keep on repeating it, they will not eat it anymore. Get another brand and then you can give back that previous brand. Or you can just alternate.

They are also very sweet. They would lie down and cuddle with you specially at dawn.

Tips for 1st timers in Singapore

2018-08-22T03:43:00.001-07:00

Before we went to #Singapore with my small family, I combed the internet reading blogs about everything I thought I needed to know about Singapore. I thought I have covered all aspects but there are certain things which I encountered which were not discussed in the blogs that I read.

1st: While it is true that Singapore public transport is very organized and their trains are so unlike in the Philippines in terms of the volume of passengers and efficiency, me and my family opted to take the taxi most of the time. For me, this is more convenient and time saving specially when there are around three or more of you in a group. While it is a little more expensive than taking the bus or the MRT or trains, since there are 3 or 4 of you in the group, the amount difference is not that big. Besides, for 1st timers,trains in SG is quite difficult to familiarize as there are a lot of routes that you have to contend with. There are blue, yellow, orange, etc lines which reflects different routes. In fact, we have to get off the train and ride again as we took the wrong route. Hassle.
Moreover, after a whole of walking in different attractions int he city, sore feet and all, we did not have the strenght anymore to walk longer just to get to the train station. It is easier to just hail a taxi and get to your next destination.

2nd: We took the bus once from Universal Studios to Lucky Plaza Mall supposedly to save money but in the process we lost a lot of time. From Sentosa, we took Bus 123 to get to Lucky Plaza in Orchard and then we get off somewhere, I forgot the place then took another Bus Number 14. Oh em gee, the whole travel time took us more than two (2) hours. Sayang the time. We could have used that to do other things. Had we took the taxi, perhaps the whole trip could have only been around 30 minutes.

3rd: If you want to eat Filipino food, Lucky Plaza Mall is the place. They have Bulalo, Menudo, etc and Jollibee too. And its not very costly. They also have stalls there where you could buy pasalubong. SG shirts costs 10 SG dollars for 5 pieces. They have keychains, 36 pieces for 10 SG dollars. We bought our pasalubong at the stalls at the same floor where Jollibee is. However, if you want cheaper pasalubongs specially chocolates, read on.

4th: Value Dollar Store in SG is the place to be. The chocolates there and other items are cheap. They have branded chocolates and SG chocolates which are very inexpensive. The price in Lucky Plaza can't even compare. There us a Value Dollar Store at Changi City Point which is the mall near the airport. They have in fact two stores there. You can just drop by there before taking your flight but make sure you have an extra bag for your shopping and also be mindful of your baggage allowance with the airlines.

5th: At the airport, you can get your tax refund for the purchases you made while in SG. However, and I was not informed about this so we were not able to get a refund. when you make a purchase, chocolates, shoes, clothes, bags, etc. show your passport to the cashier so that they could issue a different receipt. Keep that receipt and once you get to the airport, ask the Information Desk and they will tell you where in the airport, you can get your tax refund.

6th: Beware of photographers who says "free service" and then you pose and they take your pictures. once you get to the exit or at the cashier, your photos are already there and the price is usually 50 SG dollars. Of course, you have the option not to pay and not to take your photos.

Lastly, be prepared for a lot of walking as you tour the attractions in SG. Wear comfortable shoes and bring extra shirts because you will get all sweaty.

NOT ALL OF US ARE GOD'S CHILDREN

2016-01-29T16:39:00.002-08:00

You've heard it said, "We are all God's children." This rings flowery and nice. It's an insidious lie.
Indeed, God both created and loves – in a way most unfathomable – everyone who ever lived. He wove us together in our mother's womb and numbered our every hair. But God the Father has only one begotten Son. The rest of us, in order to become one of God's children, must be adopted – in, by and through – the One Who is the Son: Jesus Christ. Those who are not adopted are not children of God. Christ and Christ alone is "the way, the truth and the life."
Indeed, to become a child of God, we must ask God – through Christ – to adopt us. We mustn't just believe upon Him – for "Even the demons believe that" (see James 2:19) – but, rather, we must also accept Him. We must follow Jesus, the one true God, as our only God. "But to all who believed him and accepted him (Jesus), he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12)
Don't believe? Don't accept? You have no right to become a child of God.
And that's unholy hell.
I'm not here to question God. I can neither fully understand nor explain why what He says is so. I can only convey to you that He unmistakably, unequivocally and without stuttering, says it is so. (Source:ChristianPost)

Question: "Are we all God's children, or only Christians?"

Answer: The Bible is clear that all people are God’s creation (Colossians 1:16), and that God loves the entire world (John 3:16), but only those who are born again are children of God (John 1:12; 11:52; Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:1-10).

In Scripture, the lost are never referred to as God’s children. Ephesians 2:3 tells us that before we were saved we were “by nature objects of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1-3). Romans 9:8 says that “it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.” Instead of being born as God’s children, we are born in sin, which separates us from God and aligns us with Satan as God’s enemy (James 4:4; 1 John 3:8). Jesus said, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me” (John 8:42). Then a few verses later in John 8:44, Jesus told the Pharisees that they “belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire.” The fact that those who are not saved are not children of God is also seen in 1 John 3:10: “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”

We become God’s children when we are saved because we are adopted into God’s family through our relationship with Jesus Christ (Galatians 4:5-6; Ephesians 1:5). This can be clearly seen in verses like Romans 8:14-17: “…because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Those who are saved are children “of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26) because God has “predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” (Ephesians 1:5). (Source:GotQuestion)

What is a CHRISTIAN, really?

2016-01-29T16:31:00.001-08:00

Question: "What is a Christian?"

Answer: A dictionary definition of a Christian would be something similar to “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus.” While this is a good starting point, like many dictionary definitions, it falls somewhat short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian. The word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. The word “Christian” literally means, “belonging to the party of Christ” or a “follower of Christ.”

Unfortunately over time, the word “Christian” has lost a great deal of its significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values but who may or may not be a true follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a “Christian” nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile. Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church does not make you a Christian.

The Bible teaches that the good works we do cannot make us acceptable to God. Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” So, a Christian is someone who has been born again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it is “…by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

A true Christian is a person who has put faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for sins and His resurrection on the third day. John 1:12 tells us, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4, 10). A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Jesus Christ.

RAPTURE and how not to get left behind

2016-01-29T16:28:00.003-08:00

My niece asked me about the Rapture yesterday. I know God is moving in her heart so she will come to know Jesus in a personal way.

What is the rapture of the church?"

Answer: The word rapture does not occur in the Bible. The term comes from a Latin word meaning “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.” The concept of the “carrying off” or the rapture of the church is clearly taught in Scripture.

The rapture of the church is the event in which God “snatches away” all believers from the earth in order to make way for His righteous judgment to be poured out on the earth during the tribulation period. The rapture is described primarily in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50–54. God will resurrect all believers who have died, give them glorified bodies, and take them from the earth, along with all living believers, who will also be given glorified bodies at that time. “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).

The rapture will involve an instantaneous transformation of our bodies to fit us for eternity. “We know that when he [Christ] appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). The rapture is to be distinguished from the second coming. At the rapture, the Lord comes “in the clouds” to meet us “in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, the Lord descends all the way to the earth to stand on the Mount of Olives, resulting in a great earthquake followed by a defeat of God’s enemies (Zechariah 14:3–4).

The doctrine of the rapture was not taught in the Old Testament, which is why Paul calls it a “mystery” now revealed: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52).

The rapture of the church is a glorious event we should all be longing for. We will finally be free from sin. We will be in God’s presence forever. There is far too much debate over the meaning and scope of the rapture. This is not God’s intent. Rather, the rapture should be a comforting doctrine full of hope; God wants us to “encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Question: "How can I be sure I won’t be left behind in the rapture?"

Answer: The series of Left Behind novels and movies has prompted a lot of questions from a lot of people: is the rapture for real? (Answer: yes.) Will the rapture be followed by a time of divine judgment on earth? (Answer: yes.) Will I be left behind in the rapture? (Answer: that depends.)

The rapture is what we call the event in which Jesus comes again to take believers out of this world. The Bible calls it a “catching away” (1 Thessalonians 4:17) and describes it as an instantaneous “change” of the body that bypasses death (1 Corinthians 15:51–52). Those raptured “will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Believers in Jesus Christ are taken in the rapture; unbelievers will be left behind when the rapture occurs.

Those left behind in the rapture will face a quickly changing world—and the change will not be for the better. Second Thessalonians 2:11 says that the “power of lawlessness” is currently being held in check by the Holy Spirit. At the rapture, the true church is removed from the earth, and the Holy Spirit’s restraint will be “taken out of the way.” At that moment, the world will have no born-again believers anywhere. All the Christian workers in hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, rescue missions, relief agencies—gone. Every Christian in law enforcement, social work, and health care—gone. And of course many churches will sit empty. In addition to the great void in the service community will be the commencement of God’s judgment on a rebellious world, detailed in Revelation 6—16.

Don’t be left behind. Make sure you are ready for the rapture. Since the rapture is for believers, it is vital that you place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (Acts 16:31). Repent of your sin and fully trust in Jesus alone as the payment for your sin. Believe in Him, and you will not perish (John 3:16). The Lord knows who are His, and He will leave none of them behind (John 10:14).

Those who are saved by faith in Christ will not be left behind in the rapture. The saved are like the five wise virgins in Jesus’ parable who are ready for the coming of the bridegroom; they have their lamps trimmed and burning and full of oil—a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:1–13). To make sure that you are not left behind, trust Christ. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Do not delay another moment. The matter is urgent. Trust Christ now. (Source:GotQuestion)

Boracay Sunset

2015-12-27T19:47:00.001-08:00

Nature is really God's masterpiece and Boracay sunset is one of its manifestation. The dazzling orange rays kissing the blue clear waters of the sea is spectacular.

Lunch Buffet at Vikings by Niu, SM Aura

2015-12-20T18:35:00.000-08:00

The place has this "sosyal" ambiance but the food selection is not that plentiful as that in Vikings MOA. Lunch on weekdays cost P1000.00. The place is lengthy but the width is not that wide hence it is crowded. But overall, the food experience is still pleasant.

Sights and sounds at White Beach, Boracay

2015-12-20T17:58:00.003-08:00

Just strolling and frolicking along White Beach may already make you lost track of time. There are several stores, restaurants, bars to choose from and there are people from all walks of life and of different nationalities.

Boracay transfers

2015-12-08T19:22:00.001-08:00

From Kalibo, we still need to travel an hour and a half to get to Caticlan. We opted to book for transfers so that our travel will be swift and smooth. We paid P2870.00 to IslandStar Express, that's inclusive of the environmental and boat fees. When we get to Kalibo airport, they have a booth outside and a mini bus. There's no time to order and eat so I just bought biscuits and piyaya to munch on the road. When we get to Caticlan port, there were a lot of people and some of those who booked with IslandStar did not pay yet their boat and environmental fees so that this caused delay of the rest of us. I was getting pissed and my son was already restless and impatient from all the waiting. But in the end, we get to board the boat and took the 5 to 10 min ride to Boracay. Waiting at the port is a L300 FB, which is airconditioned. It took us to La Carmela and there, an attendant took us to Boracay Travel Lodge which is a sister company with La Carmela.

APECtado kami

2015-12-03T19:05:00.000-08:00

We were all set for our Boracay family short vacay. We checked the flights and ours was not one of those cancelled by the airlines but a week before we were to fly, I got an email, cancelling our trip back. So we opted for a re booking the week after. It was a good decision because some of those whose flights were not cancelled were still not able to catch theirs because they did not arrive at the airport on time due to the traffic. God really makes things work out. And when our flight was re booked, there was no more direct flight to Manila so we opted for a connecting flight via Cebu. At the airport there, we were able to have a cebu lechon lunch and it was just an hour stop over.

Pizza in Borcay

2015-12-03T18:42:00.001-08:00

There are several popular pizza restaurants in Boracay and we ate at two of those for our snacks.

Mcdo in Boracay

2015-12-03T18:31:00.000-08:00

My little boy opted for Mcdo even at Boracay despite having been at a buffet dinner. He barely ate at the buffet so we have no choice but to bring him to where we know he will eat a lot.

Yes, that's me with Alden at Boracay. hahaha.

Dinner Buffet at Boracay

2015-11-30T17:57:00.001-08:00

We went to Boracay recently. There, dinner buffet is literally everywhere. My husband opted for Filipno Buffet at Villa de Oro. It costs only P275.00 Half rate for my eight year old boy. There are only about I think ten (10) dishes. Ice tea is unlimited.

Spiral Buffet

2015-11-30T17:53:00.002-08:00

My niece took me to Spiral Buffet at Sofitel Hotel one November lunch. Upon entrance, since it's already Christmas Season, a big tree is there to welcome you. There is indeed a wide selection of food but for me there is no wow factor. There's a room full of different varieties of cheese. At there's the desert section, there's two fondue, chocolate and I think it was mint chocolate coz the color was green.

The key to the good things in life

2015-11-08T16:35:00.001-08:00

Perhaps the title of this blog entry sounds like that of a self-help book promising fame, wealth, and prestige if you’ll follow 10 easy steps. But when you consider how the culture defines the good things in life, you’ll realize that God’s definition doesn’t quite match the world’s—truly good things are achieved only by seeking Him.
Read | Ezra 8:22

When we make God our top priority, we can expect His blessings of. . .
An intimate love relationship. Those who earnestly seek God learn to know Him deeply and experience an amazing sense of oneness with Him. Then He’s no longer a distant deity but He becomes a close friend. As your commitment grows, you’ll experience a love that transcends any human relationship.

Satisfaction. Only the Lord can fill the empty place in every heart. All earthly pursuits of pleasure or purpose fade in comparison to the satisfaction found in His presence.

Joy. When seeking the Lord is your priority, you’ll find a new joy that circumstances cannot steal, since it’s based in your relationship with Christ. Suffering and difficulties won’t devastate you, because you’ll trust Him and see the situation from His perspective.

God’s help. As today’s verse explains, the Lord’s hand of favor is upon those who seek Him. In fact, He delights in coming to their aid and providing for their needs.

Are these the kind of good things you’re experiencing, or have worldly values sidetracked you? Your thoughts reveal your true priorities. If you can go all day without thinking of the Lord, you’re not earnestly seeking Him. But when He’s the delight of your life, you won’t be able to forget Him. (Source:InTouchMinistries)

Halloween Loot

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My son had trick or treat at my office and upon arriving home, he called his neighborhood friends and shared with them all that he got from the event.

Healthy Snack found in convenience stores

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I discovered some healthy snacks which we can find at some convenience stores, using healthy local ingredients.

I found the kamias drink from 7-11 and the malunggay garlic pasta at Family Mart. No need to elaborate on the healthy benefits from kamias, malunggay and garlic. You can actually see and taste that those are real malunggay leaves and chopped garlic on the pasta.

The Greatest Sin

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The greatest sin is the rejection of the greatest revelation; and the greatest revelation is Christ, and the greatest sin is to reject Him. He is saying, “If I hadn’t come and completely revealed God, manifest God, men would not be able to commit the greatest of all sins against that perfect revelation.” That’s why Acts 17 says it was a time in the past before Christ came where God overlooked sin. It doesn’t mean that it didn’t matter to Him; it meant that there was a kind of tolerance of God because Christ hadn’t come.
“But now – ” says Paul on Mars Hill in Acts 17 “ – God commands all men to repent because He has revealed Christ.” And Hebrews 10 puts it this way: “Of how much severer punishment in hell will the person be thought worthy who has trampled underfoot the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice.” To hate God is to be doomed to hell. To hate God in the full revelation of Christ is to bring upon yourself an eternal judgment of far greater degree, far greater degree. Christ came and revealed God in a way He’d never been revealed before. Sin in man reaches is apex when they reject Christ. (GraceToYou)

What most people say

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The majority said, “We sin a little, but by nature, we’re good. We do good, and God rewards our good deeds by loving us. We have the ability to turn to God on our own initiative. And salvation involves us taking the initiative, and then God responds to us.” That is a massive lie believed by most people.
“Why do you believe in the doctrines of grace, or sovereignty of God?” It’s pretty simple; it’s really simple. It comes down to this – you ready for this: “Can a person unaided by God – a person, a sinful person, born into this world, any person? Can a sinner, unaided by God, left on his own, choose Christ, turn from sin, embrace the truth, receive the gospel, believe and be saved?”
If you say yes, then you don’t understand man’s sinful nature. If man is blind and dead and double-blinded by Satan, and cut off from God, and in the deeds of his flesh he can do no good thing, and all his righteousness is filthy rags, and no one seeks after God, and they’re all poison and corruption –
Source:GraceToYou