the kids are alright

 

I’m on a high.  It’s because of the last gig I attended.  ATD (--> click to see the link) is an NGO supported by France.  An organization that  was more intimate and more upfront than the other NGOs I've been to.. hardcore to say the least… that shoot up my mojo to keep on doing what I really love doing.

 

 

My friend Nhamay and I went up to meet Mon to go to Pandacan where the office and the area we’re supposed to go were stationed.  We attended the second to the last leg of the summer event which was focused on giving the street kids learning experience in a very fun way.

 I met Guy (pronounced as “gii”) and Anna, full time volunteers from France and Switzerland.  They were very soft spoken and very attentive.  Some volunteers that arrived were fresh grads from Ateneo, and some ladies from around Pandacan who have been supporting the event for months.

 

When we got to the area (by the way – the location was just a pavement near Nagtahan Bridge big enough to park 5 cars) – the first thing we did was to spread out the banigs we brought along so we could all sit and do our thing with the kids.

 When we arrived some kids were there already, excited to see what we have brought along.  I was given a heads up that the kids wholl going to be there might get annoying – BUT surprisingly almost all of them were well-behaved.  Seriously – 40++ kids could have made me go crazy with the running around but there was no running around that happened.  They all just sat down and quietly read th children’s books  ATD brought along.

 

 So the first event  was for the kids to choose what children’s books hey like and read it to themselves.  I sat down with a girl who was already starting to read her chosen book when I asked her to read it to me.  I focused on one kid at first.  We got to finish three books and these are what I learned from her: her name’s Monica, 10 years old, with 5 brothers and 3 sisters.  Her father’s a carpenter / painter while their mother takes care of them.  And that they will be living in Laguna this coming December.  And that she wants to be a teacher (as well!) when she grows up.

 

The second event was the book reading of two volunteers for all the kids.  While setting up the mic and the speakers, I did to Monica (and the other kids around) some of the things I know I am good at:  complimenting her reading, giving her encouragement and showing her all the positive things of being a teacher someday.

 

 The last event was segregating the kids with ages 3-6, 7-9 and 10-13.  Mon, Nhamay and I got assigned to Technology (ages 10-13) and we taught the kids on how to operate a digital camera and on how to upload the photos in the laptop.

 The other activities for 3-6 / 7-9 was more fun: the volunteers provided recyclable materials and taught the kids on making improvised toys – like toy microphones, toy telescope and letter holders.

 

Seeing the kids very, very happy with their new toy that they created themselves was already rewarding.  ATD even taught the kids to be resourceful and to continue enjoying children’s books in the age of PSPs and network gaming. 

 

Everyone didn’t mind the scorching heat and the smell of the kids while they hug you, because you really wouldn’t get to think of it when you’re with them.  Your focus was to make them feel important and that’s it.  You don’t volunteer to feel good about yourself.  Volunteering is taking your time to make effort and do productive and proactive things than to just lay around and do nothing.  Volunteering is like getting your first-hand information that you wouldn’t get to experience if you just read on it in the internet.

 

This was FUN. The kids are all right. =)

*photos from Ms. Tracy Cruz

 

 

lol pic of the week



magtanim ay 'di biro.

trying out blogspot's new layout after logging in. hmn. maybe i'll like it, maybe i won't. either way i'm stuck to the site <3

"We believe we are hurt when we don’t receive love. But that is not what hurts us. Our pain comes when we do not give love. We were born to love. You might say that we are divinely created love machines. We function most powerfully when we are giving love. The world has led us to believe that our wellbeing is dependent on other people loving us. But this is kind of upside down thinking that has caused so many of our problems. The truth is our well being is dependent on our giving love. It is not about what comes back; it is about what goes out!" (-Alan Cohen)

cats and dogs

(click on the photo to enlarge)

the simpsons' funny take on "game of thrones" opening credits

better get your love advice from THE Ramon Bautista.



http://www.formspring.me/ramonbautista

 



  

nice story, i had to share.. i thought you might like this as well

*source: Inquirer.net

(This was translated from a beautifully written letter in Tagalog; I hope the translation captured the essence of the sender’s poignant story.)

 

 

DEAR EMILY,

I had a seven-year affair with a woman 32 years my senior. I met her right after I graduated from college, a case of serendipity because by then, she was separating legally from her gallivanting husband. She was managing her father’s business while I was just starting out in life.

I was a stupid young boy before I met her. I had girlfriends left and right, thinking that that was all there was to life. I even got a girl pregnant when I was 15! She helped me find a good job that allowed me to save and get a place of my own. She insisted, though, on spending for our out-of-town trips. She always joked that she would let me know when she started needing help from me.

Those seven years were the best times of my life. She passed on to me her taste in simple clothes, good table manners, and speaking well, and desperately tried to improve my grammar, to no avail. She taught me the value of generosity, kindness (to those less fortunate than me, and I came from a very poor family), humility and humor. In spite her accomplishments, she never took herself seriously.

Most important of all, she taught me how to make love to a woman, the right way—not the hurried stuff young boys passed on to each other, or learned from porn films or cheap hookers or ignorant girls like them. It was that wonderful kind of lovemaking that satisfied both of us completely. I became the man I am because of her—thousands of miles away from what I was before I met her.

She passed away recently and very suddenly—thus, this sharing.

Many men are so shallow in believing that only young and beautiful women can give them happiness, restore their youth, or satisfy their waning sex drive. They cannot get past the female exterior packaging, not realizing that behind the inevitable wrinkles, or the flab here and there, they may discover a passionate and sublimely wonderful, older, mature woman. Some leave their wives for these exact reasons, not realizing that happiness is very much a state of mind.

I miss my great love. She was funny and crazy and always kind. I never saw our age difference. She is gone, and she left a gaping emptiness in my life.—M.G.

 

 

Answer:

Your heartwarming story is truly touching! Bravo! There aren’t many relationships like what you’ve been through that end up a glowing success. You and your love had seven years of blissful existence, “getting on,” to paraphrase one writer, “with the simple business of giving each other simple natural happiness.” You had the good fortune of being “color-blind,” waving away all the unnecessary trappings of bias, bigotry or nitpicking.

Her sudden death, though lamentable, has spared you the agony of a waning love or just plain boredom. The tragedy of love, it’s been said, is not death or separation.  The tragedy of love is indifference. As it happens to the best of us, you were lucky not to have been even nicked by any of those.

That’s a riveting, albeit sad love story.  You clearly didn’t need any advice in the love department. It’s a nice story to share around the campfire, to learn from, and to teach those men who never grew up the true meaning of falling in love.

Are there any more of you out there, or was the mold thrown away after you were made?

lol pic of the week

The Eight Principles of Spiritual Living

*this was taken from an article in Inquirer I've recently read.  really cool article, Mr. Anthony Strano beautifully explained what I had in mind =P

---o0o---

The Eight Principles of Spiritual Living

Principle 1: Observe, Don’t Absorb

Observation is a silent skill we need if we are to access positive changes. To be a detached observer means to keep the mind clear and free and, therefore, open to new perspectives.

Being able to observe enables us to be creative, productive and effective because we have made space for true and better understanding. If we fail to learn this skill, we are likely to be absorbed in the negativity of any given circumstance.  We get lost in the quicksand of “What’s wrong?” This prevents us from putting things right.

Principle 2: Be aware, not judgmental

There is an Indian saying, “See but don’t see! Hear but don’t hear!” This means to remain aware of all realities, including the negative, but not to focus on them. We get caught up in the negative because reactions manifest themselves as judgments, accusations, criticisms or labeling.

As soon as we judge or criticize, we put everything into convenient boxes and mentally seal the fate of another person or of a situation.

Our vision and attitude remain judgmental or critical if there is no input to encourage a positive change. There cannot be a positive output when there is a negative input. We want others to be better but, instead of helping, or having faith in them and seeing their good qualities, we concentrate on their past, weaknesses and mistakes!

Principle 3: Focus and flow

The example of the sun and earth illustrates a basic and fundamental law of function we can learn from, and that is of paramount significance in the accurate movement of all of life’s aspects. The sun gives life to the earth in the form of light; the earth continually moves in repetitive cycles around the sun.

The phenomenon of time is a direct result of the earth’s balanced and harmonious cyclic rhythms.

We need focus—a concentration of thought, will and understanding—to reach depth and newness. However, when we become over-focused, rigidity and pressure set in. This leads to an imbalance that makes us lose creativity and openness.

A person needs to move gracefully between focus and flow. And then the flow of expression and experimentation will become natural.

Principle 4: Stepping in, stepping out

For any activity or relationship to remain harmonious and successful, we should know how far to step in, and then how far to step out—like a gardener who sows seeds at the right time, steps in to water the plant, and then steps out of the picture to allow nature to carry out her work.

The wise gardener does not step in too much; that would be called interference. After planting the seeds, he does not dig them up the next day to see if roots have sprouted. Nor does he withdraw too much. If he did, the plants would die from lack of care.

In the same way, we have the privilege of planting seeds of good intention, respect and tolerance, at the same time allowing others and the forces of the universe the space to work according to their nature.

Very often we plant those seeds and want immediate results. We become attached to what we do, so there is no space for things to happen in their own appropriate time. It is an art to know when to step back and when to step forward, and a very necessary one.

Principle 5: Complement, don’t compete

Harmony, well-being and the fulfillment of individual purpose are possible only when our consciousness is inclusive, rather than exclusive. This means a consciousness recognizes and appreciates the purpose of all things in life.

When people, individually or collectively, become exclusive—that is, when the foundation of their identity is based on prerogative and privilege—harmony, peace and certainly love, are lost. While it is healthy and necessary to value who we are, it becomes most unhealthy and violent to become attached to our special qualities, making others feel inferior because they do not possess those same qualities.

Almost always, the reason for conflict on any level is this sense of right to dominate or suppress because we feel we are better than others in one way or another.

When we learn to complement rather than compete, there will be peace and, better still, self-respect.

Principle 6: The individual and the collective

A person who wishes to live fully as a human being needs to understand that the collective has to be acknowledged as much as the individual. One cannot exist without the other, although many people have explored both extremes, with very damaging results.

Individuals who are evolving spiritually develop a clear sense of personal value. Because they don’t succumb to false humility, they recognize and accept their uniqueness and embrace the realization that they are free to be whatever they choose to be.

Simultaneously, their sense of independence allows them to come close to others without prejudice and successfully work with them because they have found fulfillment within themselves.

Principle 7: Faith

What we believe comes true.  What we believe is the reflection of our deepest-held thoughts, which, in one way or another, are present at every moment of our lives.

Faith is the energy of understanding that enables us to realize that anything is possible—even if it is not within our line of vision and, most especially, even if it is not within the bounds of reason.

With faith, it is not necessary to analyze and know everything in detail before doing something. All that is needed are a few basic facts, then we can take action. When we drive a car, do we insist on knowing beforehand how the engine works?

In the modern world, there is a tendency to over-think, to want to control and direct every outcome. Such a life lacks spontaneity and simplicity. Although we do need a framework, it must be flexible enough to allow space for the unexpected, the unpredictable and the great surprise.

Principle 8: The Unconditional Source

There is One Being in the universe who is not conditioned by any need or desire. Since He does not want anything, everything belongs to Him, but not in the sense of owning and controlling.

Rather, all things gravitate to this Unconditional Source simply because He gives pure love freely to all and selflessly serves. Like a radiant magnet beyond the limits of time and matter, beyond give and take, beyond measurement and calculation, the Source attracts all because He desires nothing and gives everything He has.

The love of the Source is like spiritual sunlight that reveals to us our forgotten realities, hidden potential and original goodness.

In silence, the human being finds a personal and benevolent friendship with the Source— God, who listens and helps and, best of all, is always just there.

"A sense of humor... is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life."   (Hugh Sidey)

lol pic of the week (2)

for you

"The Heart Of The Matter"


I got the call today, I didn't wanna hear
But I knew that it would come
An old true friend of ours was talkin' on the phone
She said you found someone
And I thought of all the bad luck,
And all the struggles we went through
How I lost me and you lost you
What are these voices outside love's open door
Make us throw off our contentment
And beg for something more?

I've been learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning them again
I've been tryin' to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

These times are so uncertain
There's a yearning undefined
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age
And the trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They're the very things we kill, I guess
Pride and competition cannot fill these empty arms
And the work they put between us,
You know it doesn't keep us warm

I've been trying to live without you now
But I miss you, baby
The more I know, the less I understand
And all the things I thought I figured out, I have to learn again
I've been tryin' to get down to the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my heart is so shattered
But I think it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

All the people in your life who've come and gone
They let you down, you know they hurt your pride
Better put it all behind you; cause life goes on
You keep carrin' that anger, it'll eat you up inside

I wanna be happily everafter
And my heart is so shattered
But I know it's about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

I've been tryin' to get down to the Heart of the Matter
Because the flesh will get weak
And the ashes will scatter
So I'm thinkin' about forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if you don't love me anymore
Even if you don't love me anymore

a walk in the clouds

“A pessimist only sees the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides and shrugs; an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all--he's walking on them.” - Leonard Levinson

dr love, prescription N

"The truth is, no one can save anyone... people who are suffering have to save themselves first, they usually take time to sit it out and struggle their way around.. and when the time comes that they are ready to change, they will save themselves.  They will find their way out.. All we have to do is be around in times of the struggle, the fall and the getting back up."

this photo indicates name of the bands. please help me find out all 72 of them.

lol pic of the week

instagram - the new grace before meals. aww kids. lalamig ang pagkain niyan =P

“Bless us, oh, Lord, for this food we’re about to …..  wait Imma get

my iphone first.. just a second… nice lighting.. and post it on my

wall… 

Posted.

Thank You, Lord.”

summer lovin' and breakin'

It’s summer and it seems like almost everyone’s got the blues.  These past few weeks I have friends who were going through love problems and it makes me sad that I could only do so much.  If only I could take away even just half of their pain (since I know how to handle it).  All I could ever do is to be there and just listen.  Giving out advices won’t help – I tried to but they just don’t follow hahaa.  Well it’s their choice and I respect that.  They would rather stay hurt than do something about it.  Everyone around me seems to be doing the same thing – prolong the pain.  I think everyone’s  ought to go to that path and I’m pretty sure that when they look back at this moment years from now, they’d just laugh it off.  Of course, I know.  Been there, done that.  The difference with them was that when I was hurting, I didn’t overthink and I never shared it with others.  I forced myself to be mature about it and take it like a man.  And it worked out fine. 

--

I can only tell them this: that the heart has its natural way of healing.  We can’t fast-forward the process.  We just have to let nature take its course.  And all that we have to do is take what we have learned from the heartbreak and keep on striving to be a better person (not for revenge but for self-fulfillment).. because that is what it takes to move on.  Our hearts heal on its own and we just have to wait until it’s good again for yet another heartbreak I mean another chance at love =)

--

Famous last words:

“Let God write your love story so you will spare yourself of the pain.”