Laughter in the rain

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are the few of my favorite thing."

Carla hums that song as she watches the raindrops outside her window. She quietly shivers with the low temperature and as her eyes set unexpectedly on the scar on her arms. That scar came from being too happy. She recalls that one memorable afternoon of boisterous laughter, sweaty little bodies, hyperactive and flexible movements with her friend.

“Carla, chase after me.” Rolly said to her.

“Woah, are you challenging me?” She asked proudly.

“Yeah, let’s see if you can beat me!”

“Game!”

They run after each other, not even bother if they sometimes fall. Girls will cheer for Carla and the boys, nonetheless for Rolly. Playground---literally turned out to be an adventure spot for these two kids. They possess that time, as Carla thought, but their silliness and cheerfulness had its limit when Carla’s mom—a very strict teacher gripped her hand as she looked hostile to her daughter. 

The children looked shocked with their teacher’s action.

“Why are you running after that little boy?” Her mom angrily asked.

“Mom, we’re just playing since its recess time.” She shockingly answered.

“How many times did I tell you to lock inside the library and study-- How many times?”

Carla didn’t answer back.

She remembers how her mom strikes a thick ruler on her arms—leaving her in crippling pain.  While looking at the scars, she knows that her sweet memory about herself and her mother fades.

Is she growing up stiffly without any reason to find joy?

Is she meant to tire herself in a small room without any chance to roam in a playground?

And on that night, the 12-year old girl went out from her house. She ran in the rain, the way she chased Rolly. The raindrops sound like the laughter of his classmate. She tiptoed and danced circling in the shower. All she wanted is to play in the rain as part of her favorite thing…And she appreciates again the two lost years of boring and restricting herself.

Carla's not aware that her grandma saw her—she called her and said, “Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes, grandma.” She answered with a twinkling eyes and smile.

She won’t forget that night.

She would always remember the rain.

She’ll always laugh like she once did in a playground.

She’ll be carrying the scars, but not the wound anymore.

"When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad"

Her grandma sang to her while wrapping a towel on her wet shirt.

Google photo

--30--

Dreaming of a bliss world

Uhhmm. Uhmmm.

Recalling my student's remark on me:

"You like an Indian Princess!"

Waiting for the one--where I should have had.

Happy 49th Birthday, Ma!

On Loving Long Walk

Time’s up! 4 o’clock striked! Sometimes pressure at work takes hold on me, so instead it completely eats me up, finding ways to recharge comes out naturally.

I invited a new friend by the name of Princess to grab an ice cream in a nearby Mini Stop. Instead of staying inside and looking around the gondollas with its stare-all-you-can snacks. I decided to go out with her to walk around.

While we’re both loosening up the unseemingly tightness grip of our job, I asked Princess if we could walk longer. There’s an endless joy and giddiness in me when I walk. Whether I’m alone, with someone, or with a group of crazy friends.

It makes me reflect. Reminisce. Laugh--lots of that actually. I can even invite someone to know me, get interested to other person’s life and story too.

I’m loving Ayala Triangle and Greenbelt more as it unveils the beauty of nature.

We almost talk about our family, loved-ones, importance of faith—even trivial things like our fave cartoons to movies. As we cycled those topic, work wasn’t included in the picture. The Task Master in me faded. Did I say faded for a while?

And during those precious time—it’s only me, Princess and the simplicity of life. I’m sure I could walk longer in this life’s adventure believing that friendship is far better than anything else.

Swooosh!!! How time flies. 4:30 ticks! Alright, gonna go back to work but this time with a boost spirit and mind.

Greeny sidewalk

The fourth phone booth

Do you believe in foreshadowing?

Ok, whether your answer is Yes or No, or you don’t have an idea what it means, I do.

Alright, let’s get in to my point. I want to tell you a story on how I got in my new job. So, for more than  two months, I’m a job hunter and the days in between— a bummer or a freelancer.

I literally see myself as a hunter holding a riffle, ready to hunt an eagle or any animal that I could see in a wild forest, or sometimes getting lost in that unknown place, and praying for a survival against the vicious creatures surrounding that place.

I’ve done researches and applications from jobstreet to walk-in to referral to newspaper ads. I’ve submitted my resume plenty of times.

Whenever I got an invitation for an interview via call or text, I’ m like a giggly teenager, jumping and rolling around because my crush have texted me. I’m done with my teaching experience, so this time I’m targeting to work in my one and only cup of tea- COMMUNICATION. Whether it’s a copywriting/content writing, marketing, advertising and public relations, I swear to be the happiest.

I’ve crazily applied to more than 200 companies and it’s not funny though, especially when my money is tight. Honestly, whenever an Interviewer found out that I had a good credentials, I felt like convincing them that I’m good, and I can be their company’s asset, then I’ll be hired immediately. 


“Congratulations, you’ve got a job offer!” No ifs. No Buts—or so I thought.

However, the word “but” is always included in the picture. My credentials are impressive, but not qualified on their standards. I look confident, but I’m shortlisted. I’m good but not enough. During those times, it made me doubt my capacity. I felt rejected, but since I’m surrounded by God’s Grace, I learn to bounce back. I told myself that they didn’t reject me as who I am, but as what I can give. And I’m grateful to remain wise in separating my character to my capacity. Enough for self-pity and doubt again. So, I continue to hustle and bustle in job hunting and keep on asking…and asking..and asking others for referrals. There’s no room for quitting.

As I persevere, some of my friend will give me a company’s phone number. I will hurriedly go to the PLDT payphone booth near our house. Actually, there are four booths but the last and farthest booth is the only one functioning.

Then, last April, I received a call from one of the companies that I’m dying to work at. The recruitment manager asked me if I’m available to work on their company. Of course, I said yes. So I went to their office immediately, talked about the pre-employment stuff and pay. All I have to do is to wait for the President’s approval about completing my requirements.

I finally sighed with all my hopes to that company. I’m even excited to start on that day. Yet….days and weeks have passed by, I’ve got neither text nor call.

“Oh come on! Am I going to be a bummer?” I disgustingly asked myself.

WAITING is indeed the hardest part and leaving without an option—I give in.

However, during those days of praying deeply and working hard, Tita Chay, our Ministry Editor-in-chief became God’s instrument to regain my trust in my capacity. She gave me a task as an Editorial Assistant on our Feast Bulletin and it feels good at the moment. I know that its part of the ebb and flow before a better job arrives.

Truly, our humorous and creative God listened to my plea. Remember the fourth phone booth? It unexpectedly bridges the gap between my request and dreams. One sister from the same ministry called and interviewed me to work in PLDT as a Marketing Product Admin Assistant. I said yes without a battling of eyelashes. Though, I’ve waited for quite awhile to start— it’s all worth itIt’s now my 2^nd week now in the country’s leading Telecommunication Company.

I’m praying for longevity, productivity and success.

TRIVIA:

• PLDT stands for Philippine Long Distance Company.
• Our PLDT landline # before was: 8532323.. (I miss those days when I’ll stay for hours talking over that gray phone.)

Tagline: Bahagi na ng Buhay

Go back to where you started ( Media Ministry Booth)

NEWSPAPER. Pen. Camera—words to describe Media, but as the years of traditions of using those stuff pass by, and as the technology sets in, and the arise of Social Media; Still, nothing beats penning an article, covering an event and doing it because that entails in using your Core Gift. One of the milestones in developing my core gift occurred last May 6, Sunday when Feast PICC founded by Bro. Bo Sanchez organized a Ministry Fair. Each cluster comes up with outrageous booths to show off their booths to sign up for new servants.

 Nevertheless, Media Ministry Booth centers on the theme Funky and Vintage. To give a touch of classiness, we displayed on our booth some old cameras, tripod and even the treasure box. We also exhibit some of the photos we used in the Bulletin plus mounted on the box is our colored Feast Bulletin. Not to mention how cool is it to share your blessings by writing it. And the funky frame that could tadah-turned  you to a cover girl/boy pro. Don't worry if you don't want to be a cover girl/bro, the consolation is that it made you closer to your family and friends.

 To lessen the stress in making the booth presentable--- most of the servants are engaging in a storytelling and laughing at each other's joke!

T'was fun to organize such event because that task is for the Lord plus doing it with a humble servant like my Media Friends. :) Till next week!:) 

God bless!:)

Our Booth with our youngest Photographer, Christian Banal

Blast from the past

Best of the Feast

Lesson from a Teacher in Me

Praising and Thanking God for these wonderful and gifted servants

Random Photos By David Apalla, Cris Legazpi, Arlene Batislaong and Shem Ochoco

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Meet this Wonder kiddo!

AT THIRTEEN YEAR of age, Scott Lee Chua is an inspiration for everyone.

A Grade Seven student at Xavier School in Greenhills (Manila), Scott is a consistent first honor student who loves subjects from math, science, literature, arts, history, music, travel and even magic.

It was 2 months ago when my sister who's a travel junkie eagerly told me about Scott's books, Ten Travels in Tokyo; Kuala Lumpur and New Zealand. Scott's family annually traveled here, abroad  and places wherein this boy had already tasted the different cuisines, observed the beauty of every metropolis and urban areas as his tickling feet and imagination pounded the city's pavement.

Scott Lee Chua with his mom Dr. Queena Lee Chua

Finally read Scott's masterpiece

After I finished my job interview yesterday, I went straight ahead to Powerbooks, Greenbelt. I got the Marketing plan book, business books, Bro. Bo Sanchez's book then Scott Lee Chua's Top 10 Pinoy travels Manila (left) from Anvil Publishing.

I essentially bore myself in reading the first two books, then was inspired by Bro. Bo's book--but  I felt a sense of amazement and refreshed as I read Scott's book.

He describes Manila in a different shade- vividly colorful, widely appreciated, and with a child-like humor. No wonder, his inspiration of becoming a writer is Dr. Seuss.

It is also chromatically presented with playful illustrations by graphic artist Rommel “Omeng” Estanislao.

Mirroring my passion in his writings

From then on, he'll be one of my inspirations in writing a Children's book. He even gave an advises to the budding artists, "write as much as you can."  That influencing statement makes me hope to meet this Wonder Kiddo someday!:)