#Trending2014 : God's Version of His Dreams for Thina

Time flies so fast. 2014 is about to bid goodbye, while 2015 will say hi.

If 2013 was my Bibo Year and 2012 was my Hyped Year.

I'm very happy to say (err. I mean to write) that 2014's a mixture of bold and light colors in my life, thus I'll name my year at the conclusion part.

So, sit back and relax. Join me in reading this fun ride! :D

January 2014

January 10, 2014- The seven year old relationship of MeAnt (Meanne and Anthony) two of the most beautiful persons I know took it in a higher level- their engagement. Sooo Kilig and happy for them. <3

They're really 'meant' to be.

 Glad that our past and current friends were present to witness this lovely event.

January 26, 2014- Pao and I auditioned for the Voice of the Philippines at Lucky Chinatown, Binondo. Braving the longest line ever, eating solely our Presto Peanut butter biscuits with our water, talking to aspirants co-auditionees about their singing contest experiences, praying, sometimes sleeping and alas' grasping the heart pounding moment of audition.

Thank you Lord, for this awesome experience! :)

still went to the Feast after such ngarag moment.

February 2014

February 02, 2014-I distinctly remember that I had a jampacked Sunday the week after The Voice auds:

* Carl invited me to be part of his shirt biz's shoot with Tony, Niko and Joyce.

Do we look awesome, don't we? :) Ask our Daddy in Heaven. :)

 I served with my loves in Chorus Ministry.

Celebrating the birthdays of Migs, Coco, and Mark :)

February 14, 2014- I sang at the stunning wedding at church at the Hill, Tagaytay. I can call the couple as super servants, who fell inlove with each other while serving at He Cares Foundation. The venue was parallel to the wonderful sight of Mt. Batulao.

The Legally Blonde ladies

February 19, 2014- My first of class at the Feast Bible Study. This made me love History more, stronger and deeper. :)

With Melo, my baby girl :)

March 2014

March 15, 2014- I sang Let It Go at Singles Min's Kilig uch Conference.

I literally let it all gooo my heart, soul, throat, diaphragm, and voice! Wooh! :)

March 28, 2014- Last Screening for the Blind Auds. Didn't make it. But it's okay. I know God has a better plan and He surely does. :)

April 2014

April 08, 2014- Tita C, my favorite EIC sent me an email admitting to me her mistake, asking for my forgiveness, and telling me that she's proud and happy for me. I must say, that repentance is one of the most beautiful things in the world. I felt like I opened a closed window and allowed the fresh air to embrace me again! :)

April 12, 2014- Teltrade, PLDT supplier company's recollection at Tagaytay.

April 20, 2014- Grand Easter Feast at MOA Arena. :) Celebrating the Feast of the Risen Lord, with 18,000 throng of people.

Chorus, the singing bees and sunflowers

April 27, 2014- A week before this event, Bugs surprised me with an invitation to be part of the Praise Team for Popes John Paul II and John VI's canonization at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Someone remarked me that this was better than The Voice, indeed! Praise God!

May 2014

May 1-2, 2014- Chorus Team Building at Philip Sanctuary, Antipolo.

This acting workshop stirs us to unleash our energy to its 2000th power!

May 17, 2014- My team and I coordinated Uyan-Tan Nuptial at Bayanihan Events Center. I can do such coordination for long hours, because it made me alive!

I had a convesation with Meanne regarding this.

Me: Sis, I love weddings.

Meanne: No, Thina. Weddings love you! hihihi

June 2014

June 14, 2014- My family and I went to Tagaytay. :)

Thank you Lord, for their presence :)

June 18, 2014- Pre-auds for Quartet. What happened next? Idk. But, I'm thankful for the indefinite hold, maybe it's not yet the right time.

June 21, 2014- For fighting a good fight last Pistara in Rizal Stadium.

Let it Blue: Ansaya-saya sa legs! ^_^

June 28, 2014- Tony invited his intimate friends and some of his R4 brothers to attend the SAFE seminar. It actually opened more my radical soul and stirred a certain maturity in me.

Fight for Life! 

July 2014

July 06, 2014- I was invited to be one of the facilitators for the Feast Bible Study Batch 5... Answered prayer. :)

Tama si Ate Che, gagawin ko lahat para kay Lord...=)

July 12, 2014- I applied in Accenture, then watched Carl and UPeepz's HHI fund raising concert at SM North Skydome. :)

July 14, 2014- I wrote a narrative prompt about Cris, my favorite photographer friend. :)

July 18, 2014- Wedding of Mayi and Didoy, Single's darling couple. I sang again for their AfterParty (what's new?hahaha)

With Bibo Sibs :)

July 31, 2014- Bayanihan Events Center, once more?!? This time, I sang Girl on Fire for the first ever Single's GIG (Gathering In God).

Orange is complemented with aqua! Perfect! =)

August 2014

August 12, 2014- Pao and I were asked to join as Music Ministers at BCBP (Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals).

We love Tito Danny and Tita Beck! =)

August 29, 2014- Mass Choir auds. Chorus has never been the same again. I know God will win that battle.

September Saturdays made us busy for ministering the participants in Metropolitan Club, Rockwell.

October 2014

October 12, 2014- For the first time in four-ever, I'll be dancing Crazy in love. haha!

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. – Marcel Proust

October 19, 2014- Batch 4's GIG! Praise God for the awesome Praise Team! :)

Who Wants to be a Millionaire: Be R.I.C.H to Reach

October 27, 2014- My 2nd year to judge with Pao and Coco, Write 'N Play Preschool Costume Party.

We didn't expect that 3 Queen Elsa's won their best costume

October 31, 2014- I received love letters from Chorus Ministry.

Ganu ako mahal ni Loooord???? 

Supeeeer! Megaaaa! Ubeeeer! (Just imagine me shouting these words!:D)

November 2014

November 02, 2014- I felt an incredible love from the people of Feast. God had a way of making my birthday special through the people. <3

November 03, 2014- My Amazing Birthday! <3

Meanne: Describe your birthday sis!

Me: My birthday is happy, contented, loved, matured and certain. :)

Meanne: Ulala. Love the adjectives. It sounds so 27 ;)

November 04, 2014- I celebrated my birthday in the office and with BCBP family. <3

November 23, 2014- Kerygma Conference Grand Feast. 

Sinung mag-aakalang sasayaw ako sa MOA Arena with these versatile and multi-talented people??? Galing ng Panginoon!

November 24, 2014- Bonding with Dreamteam @ Yakimix and Starbucks. Updating our current life status and reminiscin' some from our past-- as always it's laughtrip! :D

I have more friends than I know!

November 30, 2014- Pao, Tony, JL, Cris, Meanne and I celebrated our birthmonth altogether. :D We ate thrice on that day! We really spent our quality time together...<3 It was also the birthday of the best dancer at the Feast, Carl Flor, and I gave him a letter. :)

Pagkakaibigang Pinaglaban! =)

December 2014

December 06, 2014- Single's Christmas Party. Team Bravo (Bibo and Brave) bragged the best presentation as we performed, All I want for Christmas is You. Ahem! :)

We're the Dreamgirls... :)

December 07, 2014- Carl and I had a friendly date and bonding at Greenbelt. It was great that we're getting to know each other in a better, funnier, more realistic, and deeper perspective. :) Then he unexpectedly joined Pao and I in BCBP's Christmas Disco Party at AIM. Katuwaaaa! :D

Carl, are you our long lost brother? :)

Mejo kamukha ka na namin. haha

....And the winner is... MARJ! ^_^

Bongga ka 'day! :)

December 13, 2014- We annually visit Carmel of Our Lady of Mary Mediatrix of all Grace at Lipa City. We also went to Lomi King and ate their the luscious Lomi in town. :)

Mama Mary's face is the most beautiful face I've ever seen--altogether lovely and graceful!:)

December 17, 2014- I led and hosted our Project's Christmas Party in IDX. :) Natuwa naman sila. hahaha

December 21, 2014- Music Min's Christmas party at San Andres Ele School which centers at the theme, Palarong Pinoy Kiddie Style.

As every one unchained their inner child :D

December 28, 2014- We went to Padre Pio and asked him to intercede for us in granting our prayer for 2015. :)

December 30, 2014- Christmas Party with Dreamteam. :))

2014 is a colorful year for me.

I know the hope and love that I have brings out my faith in another level. My faith kept me alive and active. Unstoppable, maybe.

For the Catholic church, 2014 is the year of the laity which centers with the theme: Choose to be Brave!

I praise God, for I think I obeyed it, not perfectly, but in the best and most colorful that I can! 

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 
Praise the LORD!"(Psalm 150:6)

--30--

She Embraces Her Time

She sets out at dawn, with an entire city to discover in a single day. Her schedule is full. The museum of history, the museum of art, the city monuments, the view from the top of a skyscraper, a meal in a typical old quartet restaurant... and that's just part of her itinerary. With all of her destinations marked on her tourist map like a constellation of jewels, she finds herself in the street outside her hotel, impatient embark on her journey of discovery. The watch on her wrist shows 07:08; she starts walking.

After just a few meters, a window grabs her attention: local life painted by street artists. The exhibition has only just opened; she hesitates... can she afford to deviate from her itinerary, probably not? Her watch shows 07:12 and seems to be saying that her indecisiveness has already cost her 2 minutes. Finally her curiosity gets the better of her and she heads the museum... but again she stops: a hidden church, a little marvel tucked away on the corner of the street. Gothic? Roman? Impossible to say. She disappears inside to find out. Emerging in a state of wonder, already she knows she'll be distracted by her another treasure in a matter of seconds. She has given up trying to resist her curiosity; her original itinerary seems distant and irrelevant. 10:30, according to her watch. 11:00... midday... 02:00...She's unstoppable. Hidden arcades, charming fountains, little cafes, and hideaways, musicians, flea markets, building facades, bazaars... Riches everywhere she turns... So afraid is she missing something that she devours this microcosm of the giant city with her eyes, as if tomorrow she might wake up blind. 

Her time shows 5:00. Turning around, she is stunned to realize that she is 500 meters from her hotel. She hasn't even left the district where she started. All this beauty, so close to her left unobserved. She had never taken the time to notice it. 

She smiles as she ponders her day, her journey of 500 meters which took skyscrapers, no official museums, no imperial monuments, no chic restaurants. And yet, she reflects, she didn't miss a single part of the real spectacle, the true hidden beauty visible to those who really look. 

She turns around and heads back, feeling light and happy, this time she didn't bring her camera. She's just being with herself. 

Cris is her name, and she definitely has time to discover the world! :)

Ang Sasakyang Kahel ni Lolo

Ang tagal na nong huli kong balik dito sa Pilipinas. Modernong-moderno na ang mga gusali lalo na dito sa Makati. Fashionista na rin ang mga kababaihan. Halus lahat ng mga sasakyang nakakasabay ko sa kalsada ay Porsche, Mercedes-Benz. Nalula ako sa ganda ng mga iyon.

“Ate, sobrang namiss kita. Ang laki na ng pinagbago dito matapos kang mangibang bansa,” banggit ni Cathy sa akin.

“Oo nga eh,” maikling sagot ko sa kanya bago ako pumunta sa isa sa mga byaheng di ko makakalimutan.

Unting oras na lang at makikita na kita.

Sa halus labin-limang taon kong pagtatrabaho sa Italya, nakapundar naman ako ng bahay at nakabili ng itim na kotse para sa pamilya ko. Naiibigay ko din naman sa kanila ang mga luho nila at higit doon plano ka na ring maging supplier ng mga Auto parts, sana palarin na makahanap ng mga kliyente.

Laking pasasalamat ko sa sasakyan ng lolo ko’t nakatulong iyon para makapangibang-bansa ako. Noong namayapa si lolo ay naibenta ng nanay at tatay sa isang Vintage shop ang kahel na sasakyan ni lolo.

“Bpppp,” busina ng nasa likod kong drayber.

Nakatigil pa rin ang sasakyan ko kahit na berde na ang kulay ng stop light. Siniko ako ni Cathy at tinanong kung ok lang ako. Sumagot ako ng oo. Matapos ay nag-maneho ako muli. Nag-umpisa nang bumalik ang mga ala-ala ng byahe ko kasama ang aking lolo.

“Lolo, nakakahiya naman itong sasakyan natin. Ang ingay ng tambutso at kitang-kita tayo tayo sa labas,” sambit ng 7 gulang na si Cynthia.

“Mahal na mahal ko tong sasakyan kong ito,” sagot nya habang nakasuot sa bibig nya ang bimpo, pananggalang sa usok.

Ang aming sinasakyan ay tinatawag na Sakbayan. Pinag-ipunan yun ng lolo habang sya’y nag-tuturo ng mga mag-pipiloto balang araw. Iyon ay kulay kahel, maaring makasakay ang 5 hanggang 6 na katao. Wala itong pintuan at tanging itim na trapal lang ang pumoprotekta sa amin mula sa loob. Ramdam ko ang hiya sa tuwing kami ay babyahe gamit ang sasakyang iyon. Palaging katabi ni lolo si lola sa kanan nya, samantalang kaming mga mag-kakapatid ay nasa likod. Nakayuko at pahapyaw lang tumingin sa kalsada.

“O, Ate Cynthia andito na tayo sa Quezon City. Naalala mo na naman ang makasaysayang byahe natin noon?” napansin ni Cathy ang byahe ng isip ko sa ibang lugar.

‘Oo,” sabay tingin sa kanya’t humagikgik na kami sa katatawa.

“Naalala mo ba yung tumigil ang sasakyan natin sa kahabaan ne EDSA at kailangan nating itulak iyon?”

“Oo naman. Pano ko makakalimutan yung mga matang nakatingin sa sasakyan natin habang nagtataka sa kakaiba nitong itsura?”

“ Buti na lang at may mga nag-magandang loob para tayo tulungan doon kungdi ay nako sasakay na ko sa ibang jeep.”

Ang daming nakikipagsabayan sa ming mga sasakyan, ang iba'y talagang humaharurot sa byahe-- baka na-llbm iniisip ko na lang. At sa kahabaan ng Kamuning Road, napakapit ako sa manibela ko nang makita ko ito.

Rallos Street.

“ O ate, liko ka na sa kalsadang yan.”

Paliko na kami ni Cathy sa isang kalsada at napansin ko na ang napakaraming nakaparada na lumang sasakyan. Merong Beetles, Mustangs, Chevrolet, Sakbayan. Nanlambot ako nong nakita ko ang Sakbayan. Pinaganda at binago ng pagawaan nito ang mga mistulang lumang tsikot, pero mas natuwa ako nang makita kong di nila binago ang kulay kahel na sasakyan ni lolo at mas lalo pa nila itong pinatingkad.

“Ma’am, bibilhin nyo po ba ito?” tanong ng May-ari sa akin.

“Oo naman, matagal na ba ito dito?” umaasang ang pinagbentahan ng sakbayan ni lolo ay ang may-ari nito.

"Opo, ma'am," sagot nya habang patuloy ko itong pinagmasdan.

Hindi man iyon ang mismong sasakyan ng lolo ko dahil marahil iba na ang nag-aalaga dito. Nakita ko naman ang kamukhang kamukha nyang sasakyan. Sapat na para ito’y aking bilhin, mas lalong pagandahin nang maibyahe ko naman sa kahabaan ng EDSA nang nakangiti, magaan ang loob at ipinagmamalaki ang bagong luma kong sasakyan.   

Inuna ko ito, higit sa kung ano pang gastusin. Sa susunod na ang mga makabagong sasakyan pag kumita na ako ng malaki sa aking negosyo.

Sakbayan

--30--

David, the Wisest King of Israel

Fresh 'baon' from The Feast Bibletimeline last night. I got most from Bro Rolly, though I inserted some of my learnings too. =) : 

David established the family of God as one Holy Kingdom (2 Samuel 6-7). He brought the Ark of Covenant to Jerusalem. He's like much of a priest than of a king as he danced and rejoiced before the Lord wearing a linen ephod, and become true to himself even if the people would see him, and even blessed the people around him! He understood who is the true king of Israel. God promised to make his name great and will give him a kingdom that will reign forever. It's a prophesy about Jesus, yes, he came from the line of David.

Though, David went through a lot of pain. Trouble chases sinners (Prov. 13:21). He pursued Bathsheba and committed adultery. He plotted the death of Bathsheba's husband, Uriah. The consequences of his actions: his son with Bathsheba died. His son raped his daughter. His another son rebelled against him. He went through adversities. But sometimes God used adversities to deepen our commitment to him. During David's reign, Israel was the most powerful nation. After David committed his sin, he repented with a contrition and retribution. His beautiful response about repentance was written in Psalms 51. Yes, adversities can bring out the best in him even to us!

Our irritations become our gems, because God wants to refine and purify us. Solomon wasn't the wisest man, because in the end he didn't use it for goodness. He can be knowledgeable because he had written his wisdom literature in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon but he overlooked his common sense. He didn't follow Moses' prophetic warnings in Deuteronomy 17 regarding a King shouldn't multiply his gold, chariots and wives. Solomon has 700 wives, 300 concubines, and 666 talents of gold. His foreign wives made his heart turned to other gods. And during his reign, he became tyrant. He didn't put his wisdom into practice thus he ended in ruin, later on it caused the kingdom's division, in which his father David built and united.

In today's generation, temptation is related to pride and sexual immorality. We must be careful and be guarded not to fall in any of those.

It's still good to be wise in the way, God's wise.

David, a Man after God's Heart

--30--

Joseph the Dreamer

This may sound personal, but all of us have our own favorite bible character. Mine, aside from Jesus Christ, who was the seed of the woman,  was his almost counterpart in the Old testament, Joseph. In recounting his life during Session 5 at the Feast Bible Study, I don’t know but his life is somehow related to mine. I’m sure a lot of people could relate or even get awed once they piece by piece study Joseph’s life. You may refer to Genesis 37-50.

Jacob/Israel is now the father of twelve songs from whom will come the twelve tribes of Israel. This “account of Jacob” zeroes in on Joseph, who is eleventh son of the firstborn son of his beloved wife Rachel. Like those before him, Joseph is tested. Inspite of dreams indicating that he will rule over his brothers, circumstances are against him for years. “Will you trust God?” is still the question. 

Who would've thought his life can change forever?

Joseph never loses his faith in God, inspite of mistreatment by his brothers, being sold as a slave, unjust accusations, and languishing forgotten in prison. He is honest, hardworking, thoughtful, and courageous. He is humble and gives all credit to God rather than trying to advance himself in the eyes of others. He does not grasp what has been promised but waits patiently for it, trusting that God will do as he has said. Consequently, he rises to the chief position of leadership under Pharoah and is able to bless not only Egypt, but the surrounding countries as well.

After Jacob’s death, his brothers ask forgiveness and offer themselves as slaves. This was Joseph’s reply to them, “As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20). This was a foreshadowing of Bible verse from the New Testament, “All things work for good, to those who love him and those whom he called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Joseph had learned through years of patient waiting and through tribulation that God had his hand in their affairs—that whatever things looked like on the outside, God was working it for good. Joseph’s faith gave him eyes to take this eternal perspective on events, while his brothers’ lack of faith and guilt fixed their eyes on temporal.

According to Jeff Cavins, Joseph is the forerunner of Jesus. These are the many parallels, similarities in character, in circumstances, and in what they accomplish.

Both Joseph and Jesus:

* are humble, forgiving, and strong in the face of temptation

* are beloved sons of their fathers

* see beyond the appearance of things and trust in God

* are betrayed and sold for silver

* are wrongly accused

* are brought out of captivity/death to life and glory

* reconcile their brethren to their father

* save the world

* become the source of food and life

* both have a big heart

Joseph blesses the foreign land, Egypt, and other nations by the end of Genesis. It shows that it's another stage in the growth of God's family when the seventy strong family of Jacob stayed there and completed the 12 tribes of Israel.

I keep on believing that dreams do come true, in God's perfect time. :)

Joseph, the real guiding star.

--30--

SAY YES TO LIFE

There was this guy who told me before, “Get a life!”

I actually got choked and didn’t reply.

His words opened my heart and mind into a reality if I’m having a good life or not. To think that this guy came from the same faith community where I belonged before.

In retrospection, I was convinced that I was having a good kind of life. I had a supportive family, intelligent friends, humorous and faithful faith community friends, building houses for the poor, showcasing our talent, getting good grades, having a sort of an influence, had a colorful past and experiences which made me who I am right now. Maybe during that time he was pertaining to me about getting in or diving in a sort of like adventure. Maybe for him, living a comfortable life isn’t enough to say that you’re living a life to the fullest. I think he was being subjective in telling that to me. Anyway, his comment was thought provoking.

So here’s the list to say YES TO A BEAUTIFUL LIFE GOD HAS GIVEN US. A YES TO EVERY SEASON. A RESOUNDING YES TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW. Some maybe applicable and some may not to you and me. It really depends where we are right now. Say yes:

1.       To be a hero or heroine for someone or a group of people.

2.      To accept someone’s invitation for lunch or dinner.

3.      To sit down, relax, pray, and reflect upon God’s goodness in your life.

4.      To study and deepen your relationship with God.

5.      To sing in a videoke whole heartedly with friends and laugh like you’ve never laughed before.

6.      To write a thank you note to your loved ones.

7.      To hold a hand of your grandparents and whisper to them that they’re still beautiful and handsome despite of their age. (I hope I can return to this time while I can do this to my grannies.)

8.      To do scuba diving, mountain climbing, snorkeling, bunjee jumping and shout at the top of your lungs.

9.      To serve in your faith community or even do some mercy missions.

10.   To listen to someone’s story of defeat, victory, joy, upset, dreams and vision.

11.    To build true, deep, and awesome friendship.

12.   To kiss your mom or your dad on their cheek or forehead. (believe me, they’d melt when you do that.)

13.   To invite someone for a cup of coffee or just a chitchat.

14.   To show your care and on being a credible, efficient, and effective employee to your boss.

15.   To promotion and salary increase! J

16.   To be brave enough to stand up for your right and dignity as a person.

17.   To jog, exercise, and do some warm up stretching.

18.   To give a smile to a sad and down-trodden friend or officemate.

19.   To have an awesome photoshoot with friends.

20.  To the man of your dreams.

21.   To motherhood and fatherhood.

22.  To join a band, literary, dance, singing, art or any competition where you can enhance and challenge to the limit your talent.

23.  To open a business and to embrace financial literacy.

24.  To shout to the world you’re the awesomest person in the world. J

25.  To love yourself in the depths of your being.

26.  To believe in the power of your dreams and visions.

27.  To drive a car.

28.  To clean your house, cook a meal, and serve your family.

29.  To joke and play around, make silly face and tap your inner child again. J

30.  To read a novel, self-help book, or even comics. Be well-informed.

31.   To bounce back after reaching your breaking point.

32.  To improve your social skills, and on being charismatic.

33.  To clean as you go.

34.  To develop your good habits. Dress up. Work on your posture.

35.  To paint your future with different color hues.

36.  To never underestimate and downgrade the lowly people.

37.  To return to your old-fashioned values and restore them now.

38.  To confess your weaknesses.

39.  To ride a bike alone or with someone.

40. To fly a kite.

I believe that when we say yes to life, we say yes to Jesus. For that let’s encourage one another to create an awesome life now and as he said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

I think what’s more helpful is to take the time to reflect on our seasons and be deliberately aware of how God is moving in this time of our life. For only then do the seasons become more beautiful, purposeful, fruitful, meaningful, in our eyes.

Oh, lastly, when I see that guy again, and he'll tell me that same comment. I’ll reply in confidence, “I just didn’t get a life. I’m actually embracing it and loving it to the fullest. So I wish you do the same.” Then, I'll put a smile on my face.

Note: That guy I’m pertaining to was just an acquaintance. J

Mind to add some of your yes moments… J You may leave a comment below. Thanks.