The Celebration of Days

Because of the drudgery what life brings and news after news of evil, hatred, and those things we couldn't imagine it is possible of its dastardly born cowards, hurting the innocent, committing heinous crimes everywhere in every part of the world where the prince reigns, we tend to forget the wonder and the miracle of life itself. Like what Bro. Soriano points out in one of his exposition, that out of the millions of possibilities to form an embryo, only one of each seed must join to create the most important creature in the world- human beings. We should realize how a person could be so low, cheap, disposable the deaths of every children, must acknowledge that every individual is special. Why do you think we work hard for every plate? To whom is it for? All the drudgery, the sacrifice of every blood will not replace the person one could bring.

Number Candle

When I was still very young about six years old maybe, when it's time for my birthday, my parents would give me my birthday cake with a number candle, a candle that is shaped like a number with red borders and white fill. Sometime I wondered and asked my mother why that candle will always add by one every time it's my birthday, and she said as I could remember that birthdays are special days where a person gets older and have to add one when it is celebrated and assured me it is normal for all people everywhere. Today, I have to add one candle again, and I'm sure I'm getting older; not those numbered candles but the candles that is lit inside my heart.

Present

Mine tomorrow birthday is. I happy they invited them and me not. But, happy as I'm. Mommy Daddy go to eat inside restaurant me maybe too but sure if not. They cash in pocket myself only pocket but happy themselves invite myself there too. Mommy call phone friendship and lovers one also daddy maybe sisters maybe empire also so happy them and I. Given me gifted of smile and happy faces and also rapped ribbon around present. Myself and I very happy will be peoples there me everybody present. :)

Car

Car zoom-zoom and brake stop. Color are very beautiful like hair of daddy. When day go to car and ride not everyday only day need my mommy go to. Also sister get to upstairs and get keys ask myself and very alright. I happy very to car when alright. I see very beautiful car when ride and not but see only car very not cheap. Peoples very not poor but country is poor. They go to house and get car go to their car also when only ride car only person not people. Very hard thought but understand because them very not poor but country is poor. Them car get from country rich to country very poor like ourselves. Very sad but them happy beautiful very car zoom-zoom where 12AM hear car zoom-zoom like watch TV and game in computer. People them like people look and look them and not cheap cash car.

Church

I go church but now not. But very happy watch church. There see church very beautiful and glass first floor and second floor and third floor to top. See church but not see house. Very nice inside church like see watch TV. Peoples working not cheap but not pay. Thought and think but not make church very beautiful but pastor very happy everyday. People not pay not happy but happy work but not pay. Church not cheap but house cheap. Work peoples and work peoples. Player one in car but get police where watch person talk and talk and talk. Talk but play and play talk. I happy watch church but think church telling good, very good. I loving Church not church.

Sing

I singing hear like everyday. I make singing also where happy me and sad only days rainy. I put sing to computer and put computer to diskette flasher. I getting microphone and put microphone to standing only alright. I loving my guitar songs sing like love not everyday but very very happy put to computer and computer to diskette flasher. I hear and hear only beautiful MP3 to diskette flasher and put earphone to ears and ears to earphones not loud but alright. Very happy birthday gift me bought it. But mommy not like I thinking but like sing. When buy diskette flasher, beautiful lady not telling my correct me not happy but happy later. Very good flasher and helper save MP3 of my sing.

Balcony

I like to staying balcony. I thought and thought everyday and saws people walkers with bicycle them not riding. Boys holds basket ball to playing in the basketball court but hit car ours. The peoples very very happy and boys very very happy also not like birthday everyday. When happy me sad, when sad me happy them everyday. But happy everyday when looking they and very happy. See peoples and boy have call phone and very happy. I seeing clouds going there to there then white to black and rainy. I like rainy also. Very very beautiful, not cold, not hot, it's alright. Very alright peoples at the side of houses, them very happy everyday. The peoples very loves talk and talk and talk and walk road were me in balcony.

Fruit

I like very fruit. Mommy put tree here there in garden very healthy and winds. See there up in tree bird and ant and worm and fliers and lizard and butterfly and fruit. Fruit looks good for pick up. People look and look for fruit walker on road and look if good, if not good not look when good them looking and ask maybe if not maybe not. Boys, girls look fruit too and maybe asking and maybe get up tree and pick up fruit very very dangerous mommy told myself. Fruit not squash to tree but mangoes Indian. I go to roof pick up fruit by stick and stick gets fruit. I goes to house making shakes very delicious and alright, but mommy not like thinking stomach very not good. But me and people loving pick up fruit.

Birds

Bird eat when fly on roof when wait minute look outside window. Very nice bird flown, bird inside tree make house and give eating for small birds. Bird different see very beautiful not like other birds flown. One day, rainy water from clouds then bird flown window. Others bird call others bird then others bird flown to others bird then waiting then rain stop then birds flown. I buys popcorn then put popcorns to roof then birds flown to roof then I do not see if eat or not eat, but hope eat birds them. Animal are bird and others birds. Very beautiful is birds.

My Pet

When I was a boy, I had pet. I pet my dog licks my hand. My pet see me, wags his tail. I take him and bath him with soap and shampoo, pet wags tail but do not like bath. The pet go up table, and chair. The pet barks neighbors if not like them. They were noisy also, bark at me. My pet run get hot dog and give to me. Pet licks my hand, pet sit, pet stretch, pet is with fur. One day, pet get hurt, I don't maybe mommy or daddy. I get wound heal and pet my pet. Pet love me, I love my pewt.

Worth

I was watching TV listening to good, sound scriptures; learning about psychology and behavior of humans by Bro. Eli preaching the Bible. What I learned though that people hurl insults to other people like to the blind, deaf, mute, handicapped and these same poor people however underprivileged, are targets of mockery and scorn. People laugh at those people who are cross-eyed and those who walk like penguins because of their disfigured feet or people who look like whales, horses, bull-dogs, or any other creature which resembles animals, for they believe that these people are lower, sub-humans, freaks of nature, below them. Those same people who make fun of others are those people who thinks they are much more important; who thinks highly of themselves that they are perfect, gods, smarter, beautiful, and worthy.

But, the truth is all people are important in God's eyes. Actually, the Bible tells us that we are much worthy than angels because as it is written that we, people chosen by God, will judge those angels in the Last Days 1 Corinthians 6:3 (It is also written that angels are created higher than humans, but according to power, not worth). In the book of Revelation, an angel said to John that he should not worship him for angels are like us, servants who serve God.

Mind and Heart

Almost my entire life I am a Born-Again Christian. They call us born-again because as the scriptures say and we believed that unless we are born in water and of the Spirit, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. My search of the true church never stopped even though I was convinced that I am in the right church. It started when I remembered what the apostle James said, “...faith without actions is dead.” Here I am believing that our faith alone could save us that salvation is a gift and is freely received from God that no one could boast. But, that gift can be lost by us. If we are not careful on how we obey God and do His ways, that free gift we might never receive. As the scriptures said that we must work out our salvation. Will God give to you what He promised if you reject Christ's teachings? When you say, “I accept Jesus as personal Lord and Saviour,” does this mean that you are already saved? When you accept Jesus, it is also an acceptance of Christ's message. When you say accept that means you have to follow and obey His words. If the Word say we must free ourselves from the love of money, if we are truly God's children then we should accept it. Just like the Parable of the Sower (Please read Luke 8:11-15). It says there that those seeds that fell on good soil stand for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit. Some will “receive” the word gladly, But it does not sink deep in them; they believe only for a while but when the time of testing comes, they fall away. Accepting Jesus is not as easy as raising your hands.

Recently, I am watching a TV program called “Ang Dating Daan” by Eli Soriano. Of course as every spirit, we must test it if it is really from God. So far, I learned answers from difficult questions, things of spiritual matters. Answering every question thrown at him and blurting verses from the scriptures like some sort of a computer, is quite amazing. And, given the fact that he never got into college, I guess maybe it is of God's spirit or a blatant sham. But as he is quoted by himself that we must focus of the teachings, the message that he preach and not the preacher.

Born Against Christians

Just recently, I received an email from a church member about what kind of a dog I am. How cute. Maybe because of my wonderful and pleasing blogs I wrote about them, they sent me this one. I never opened it, and I don't care. Maybe, all they care about is how well-groomed they are and what dog food they eat, and how they sit on command (by their owners). A chua-hua? I think not! A poodle? Of course not! But, maybe a Bully-dog, yeah I think that suits them. I can't wait to see my inbox next week.

The truth is I have nothing against Born-Agains since I was also one before. I learned from a few good pastors lessons that gave me knowledge of Christ and it stuck in my mind and heart. There are also people who commit mistakes like myself and I don't want to judge others without basis. It's not wrong to judge others IF you are right. It says in the bible that you should shout as loud as you can and tell the people of their sins (Isaiah 58:1). For the Bible is a book to remind our faults and mend those and walk the right path. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed (2Timothy 3:16-17).

Comes From Hearing

Even before the offensive of Israel, I was following the news about the casualties of Israelis caused by rockets fired by Hezbollah militants, and I might say even after Israel made the pull-out from Gaza, these militants never stopped pestering the Israelis. Occasionally, I read news about some deaths by these violent actions of these militants. It might be few but a death even of one person can save the whole world. It's that important life really is.

Lately, I've learned that our country men are second to the list of foreigners working in Lebanon about 30,000. First, the problem is getting them to safety, and that means ships from sea, or helicopters by air (since air planes need runways, and the runways were bombed by the Israelis), it's even difficult on how to get them out. We are just a poor country; we don't have ships, or helicopters, not even enough money to fly them to our country. Our president are appealing for other countries capable and have sufficient resources to lend a hand to our dear brothers and sisters by accepting them and giving them aid and the much needed help. Second, those people are now jobless. Where could they find work when they only can think about is their own safety? No wonder that those stranded Filipinos are willing to take the risk and stay; risking their lives for their own family.

Maybe, this is just a wake-up call to everyone that nothing is certain. One day you are happy and secured then the next day you just found out your out of job, unemployed out on the streets, sleeping with strangers. “...You have ignored all my advice and have not willing to let me correct you. So when you get into trouble, I will laugh at you. I will make fun of you when terror strikes- when it comes on you like a storm, bringing fierce winds of trouble, and you are in pain and misery. Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me. You have never had any use for knowledge and have always refused to obey the Lord. You have never wanted my advice or paid any attention when I corrected you. So then, you will get what you deserve, and your own actions will make you sick. Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern. But whoever listens to me will have security. He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid.” Proverbs 1:25-33.

Beta v.1

I am glad to announce the unofficial launch of my music website (www.soundchemistry.com). Yep, it's still in beta, and maybe I could ask your help to try it. If you know someone or a band who has MP3s lying around (of course, it should be an ORIGINAL COMPOSITION), please use the site; it is FREE! And, give us some comments regarding it. For starters, I've uploaded my own song, “Hinahanap Ka Niya.” To be honest, the title of that song should be “Hinihintay Ka Niya,” I made a blunder in saving the demo that made it to the final mixdown. I guess my musical creativity is also in beta stages.

A Gift for Myself

Some people would wait till their birthday to open their gifts, but I did the opposite and even defied tradition: I bought a gift for myself. I sold my drum set; thinking it consumes space and so kissing my musical dreams away, afar never to realize again. I just had it with people; the same people I am trying and willing to help, giving them a chance to make it even just for once, just for once to offer fame, glory and everything except the kitchen sink. So, instead of sulking and being rainy every day, I bought an MP3 player. Not for others, but for me, myself and I. I'm loving it so far. There is no such Happy Days without listening to good 'ol music. AND, without disturbing others' own private life (The Weezer is here to stay:).

The Best That I Can Do

Maybe you're tired of hearing or reading discouraging news after news every day in your whole life. Well, that's news. Although we get weary or sad, we still log-on and read hoping that everything is getting better and it is! We may come to a point in life that we wish the world would stop and just hold its beauty and magnificence, trying to have a glimpse of wonder of God's creation. Lately, I saw a featured article of a woman who lives in a van dreaming to become a professional photographer. I never read it just saw its heading yet I felt something that I felt years ago when I was still a teenager. There is this spark, a flame that burns deep inside our hearts, the hunger of something ideal and noble. Maybe some of you have this dream once. It's a secret dream of mine that if I become rich, I would try anyway I can to help the needy, the poor and afflicted. That was my dream. Now, I just dream to live a normal life where I could contribute part of what I learned that maybe someday people will see me as I am really is. I may have a snobbish looking photo, or a proud mannerism, only God could tell because He looks into our hearts. If only people are blind yet they were, for they can never see the true self, the inner being that deep persona.

As I have said, it's getting better. Like that beatles song: “I got to admit it's getting better, getting better all the time.” Yet for others, it's damnation. Now, I am realizing the truthfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ when He said, “The Kingdom of God is in you.” It is real, and you may see all the ugliness of this world, still there is hope- a joy that brings to anyone who believes. “Come to me and I will give you rest.”

There is no other joy that I can feel when I see the fruits of my labor. I will be the happiest man in the world if I see this happen in my lifetime. It happened to me yet we are still alive and the battle is not yet won. There are still things we must do, to serve our purpose, our calling. “Purpose Driven Life,” I like that catchy phrase, and its meaning. I was blind then, but through God's help, He is lifting the veil and slowly giving me eyes to gleam to the light that beams. I've been to that path before; somehow I lost my way, getting enticed by worldly pleasures.

Recently, I've been busy creating my web site for Sound Chemistry. Still, I'm working alone so that is my challenge. My friends are busy also at the moment, so I couldn't ask their help. God willing, I would launch it after my birthday this July 30. Yehey!! (Yikes! It means I'm getting older)

Rainy Days

Here, days are gloomy as if the sun shied away from its glorious light and hid from the maddening darkness. I might sound like those introductions in theaters or those movies where the narrator gives the audience some sense of what happened and what else to come and expect. Like when we rise up in the morning expecting something else that will surprise us in our dreary existence. The day started as routine as anyone else being a “normal” person, but we always ask this question of anticipation that seeks adventure. A day will never pass without one?

I got out and planned to buy something. Got my umbrella, wore a T-shirt, shorts (which I don't normally), and slipped on my slippers. As I was going to the store, I came across the slippery slick and glossy overpass, managing to walk like crossing a rope bridge steadily and carefully looking for traction from slippers. Sorry to disappoint you but I never slipped.

After buying stuff, I went to a cafe serving keyboards, mice, monitors and DSL. And the duel with the forces of evil took off. I read somewhere that on-line games is a billion-dollar industry. Because of them, they are making the rich even richer, reaching audiences from grade-schoolers, teen agers, the unemployed and the miserable. Finding the sense of into a world created by himself while bad-mouthing, laughing and insulting others. I guess, they were dueling with evil in the real world and their self-made world. Two worlds that exist and sometimes recursive until reaching hell itself. Nevertheless, it was one good-old piratey swash buckling sword-fighting. I remember those days when I was like them playing games like Monkey Island, Aztec, Comers, Myst-a personal favorite.

I am totally saddened by what I read in the news yesterday that 5,000 Filipinos were left homeless because of a wild fire that blazed across houses in Manila. How terrible it was! Now, life got even harder. Gas prices, hurricanes, competition what else is left there? As prophesised in the scriptures that life will get even worse. The world now has wars, pestilence, famine and deaths people should think to help each other rather than hurting, selfishness and killings! What were they thinking?! Will it solve their problems in the real world by doing these things? Of course not! They could predict the weather but they can't predict the times that all of these are happening. Have we saved someone for Rainy days?

Holy Hours

Every time our church invites us to a retreat, I'm always happy to join because it's always fun while leaving out the stress behind. Before, we had our retreat in Tagaytay, which is a place known for its natural beauty and cool climate to beat the heat in dusty Manila. My friend car-pooled with me having the eagerness with enthusiastic anticipation.

As I walked out the car, instantly I felt that we have arrived. The place is neat and tidy: tall trees, a building that looks like an amphitheater, parking areas and welcome mats. You can see piles of bags lying around the hall, people chatting while drinking sponsored coffee, and volunteers giving out tag names in case they forget you.

In the evening, when we were preparing for our good-night sleep, my room mates voiced out something regarding going out in the night and find a place to hang-out. I mean, it's already dark outside and late and they are still thinking of a happy hour?

What happened was they did went and I slept while waiting in case I have to open the door. As we got together in the morning having breakfast I asked them, and told me they just bought something in the store during those holy hours.

Crabs

According to my previous post that I volunteered in our church as sound engineer. At first, all is well and everyone welcomes you with smiles and gladness. Although I have my own music recording business at that time, you can never really say I'm an expert in my craft, but I try to perfect the learning. As it was since before from my experience, people will never teach you in a straightforward manner, so what I did and always do is ask questions. This is fine and I never complained since they do answer my questions.

One Sunday afternoon, during worship service and I was assigned to do the audio, and at some point I noticed the sound meter is having some noise, so I called the attention of my mentor. As he looked at it, the meter dropped and never noticed anything, although I warned him. Actually, my fellow worker noticed it also and told our mentor. What happened was as I raised the volume, the microphone produced a screeching noise so irritating it halted the service. I was so embarrassed and humiliated since I was at the helm at that time and something went wrong. It was never my mistake yet it never kept them from insinuating later that week.

Maybe you would say that by saying these, I am also committing a sin. But, the Lord says, “Shout as loud as you can! Tell my people Israel about their sins! They worship me everyday, claiming that they are eager to know my ways and obey my laws... Please read Isaiah 58:1-12. It will explain true fasting.

I just pray that God will lift up those with a sorrowful heart, and give justice to all His beloved people. So, keep on doing what is right in God's eyes.

To Whom It May Concern

When I was still studying and when I come up in writing letters to be given to someone I don't recall or have forgotten their names, I would usually address the person, “To Whom It May Concern.” This was taught to me by my mother, and so made it routine but never thought of its meaning.

Before, that was one year ago, my friends and I would often meet and talk about anything spiritual, everything under the heaven. We encourage ourselves to invite other friends who needs to hear God's words and be saved. As the scripture says that salvation comes from hearing the word of God. Eventually, they were sincere about bringing their friends and so I made new friends even if they are older than me.

One day, I got news that her son was ill. She is a volunteer like myself in our church; she's in the video ministry, and I'm in the audio ministry. So, I made a little prayer and hoped for her son to get well. But, the Lord urged me to visit her and offer help in her situation and so I did.

The church should be true enough to share what they have to those who are in need. Yes, it's true that salvation comes from listening, but we should put it into practice. I've tried to be an example. I'm not claiming to be better; I am also human that sometimes fall. It is also said that by ourselves, we cannot straighten our path but only by God's help. It was an envelope bearing the marks of concern. I hope our pastor was even concerned to pray for his fellow helper in the church ministry: To Whom It May Concern.

Sari-sari Store

Then Jesus went into the Temple and began to drive out the merchants, saying to them, “It is written in the Scriptures that God said, 'My Temple will be a house of prayer.' But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!” Luke 19:45-48

Our church even took it one step further. When you arrived at our church, you would say that it looks like a commercial building like those you see in Makati. Like those glass buildings that have signs that read every business names housed inside that building. Our church also have those signs of different business names of travel agencies, kiddie schools, and in the future might have McDonalds or Jollibee. Those rented spaces not only improve businesses but also improves image. Just like in marketing, when you like to improve a company image, you would make commercials that gives the product branding. For example, you like your company to be cool and hip, you would advertise your product showing music videos with their favorite artist endorsing them, making them accepted by their idols. Now, if I have a business to look more holy and squeaky clean, I would rent out spaces in our church and get endorsements from glad-to-mention-it pastors.

Granpa Gives Me 50 bucks Everyday

This last week, my mom and dad went to a 3-day retreat of their church. After being left alone, I pondered on what the religious leader taught me about the hidden dangers of following those blind leaders, or those so-called pastors pretending to be like tender, mild-mannered sheep. Surely as I observed when I was still attending their church, I can see on how good they preach. There are those flapping gestures, the pointing to heaven gestures, and the famous crying gestures. As you have guessed they are truly remarkable piece of work because for them it is work. After the service, it will lead you to the exit towards their mini bookstore, and there you will see plastic covered books, CDs of their past sermons; more books and even have it on cassette tapes. So, I glanced some books and saw a good book, but I decided to buy later. After lunch we went to the mall, and seeing the opportunity, I went to the bookstore to compare prices. It was shocking to me that I learned that their prices in the church bookstore is almost 100% over the bookstore price at the mall! Not only that, the CDs with their Sunday sermons is worth 80 bucks and one blank CDR will only cost 35 bucks, so that gives them 45 income, AND the mere fact that there are 2,000 members per service, therefore making it 45 times 2,000 members they would get 90,000 bucks just for one service, AND there are 4 services in one Sunday, so that is 90,000 times 4 equals a whopping 360,000 bucks just for a sermon you heard before recycled just to rake in money. As the scriptures says, “Freely you receive, freely you must give.” I wondered how much is the retreat costs?

Intelligent Imps

Yesterday I just watched my favorite superhero for the nth time, and every time I watch it, I learn something. Seeing movies with superheroes and super villains fighting to take control over the world may sound boring and kiddy, we must ponder carefully for its value since these films were created by mature adults. Just like cartoons. You may never see old men watching cartoons, but people who made those are old men themselves who have studied in colleges even earned degrees just to make cartoons for kids. This suggests that it too is a challenging occupation and no easy task.

“Intelligence is a privilege and should be used for the good of mankind.” It may be a cliche, but it is a universal truth that we must not take for granted. As I have heard from others, in the U.S., having a college degree is for those who have money that can afford. Here, almost everyone has a college degree, and almost no company hires people without it. The notion is if you haven't had any college, you are poor and therefore has no chance of getting a white collar job or be successful and rich. Although, the funny part is our country is still poor. I even encountered one question posted by someone in the message board that says, “Why our country is poor?” Then I could see a flow of replies from others voicing out their views and theories that may even claim their superior answers that should be published on the front page of the most popular newspaper. They blame this and that, those corrupt politicians, lawmakers, lawbreakers and lawtakers. High and low, earth and hell, angels, demons, cartoon characters, and even Taz. Sigh.

I recently discovered here in our country, that there is this local bookstore, which is well-known and no mall that haven't got one that its owner where just a high school graduate. After being very successful already, it took him years to study accounting.

Dream of Flying

Early morning when I was half awake and half asleep, my ears can hear the thunderous noise of airplanes flying over my head, noticing that people has departed or arrived in this country. When I was a kid, I always dreamed of flying no matter where it goes, but just to see the white, fluffy clouds passing under my feet-an experience no one could ever forget. Before the airline industry, before world wars, before steel airplanes, people have dreamed of flying. I could still remember those old movie clips that shows inventors trying to build a flying contraption out of bulky wings that flaps like a chicken. Even those people risked their lives by going off a cliff believing it will fly.

Here in our country, people still have this dream. Because of poverty, corruption or what else you can think of, people especially parents dreamed of their children to go to America, Europe, or anywhere just to leave and have a decent pay for their family. They even have posters making OFWs synonymous to present-day heroes. My friend's sister is working abroad, even my other friend is working in the middle east. My other friends were always talking about going there also, and the ins and outs of agencies regarding that matter that every time I see them, they will complain about this and can't get off that subject matter. It's that hard and irritating.

Like those inventors during those days, they will put their lives just to see if they could fly successfully or not. The question is why Filipinos have this dream? Only they could answer.

A Country of Thieves

I was a thief when I was in college. But, I never stole or snatched bags, or wallets, nor purses, instead I stole someone's work. Later on after college, almost everyday, I would go to the mall and buy CD Roms and play games on my PC. Thinking I would save money for more important things, but rather wasted it on buying another. It was a drug that slowly eroded my precious time and money. Only years later, after working in a tech company as a programmer, then I realized my ignorance. I saw that buying pirated CDs would eventually hurt programmers like myself. Instead of using the money bought from pirated CDs to hire programmers and build start-ups, the money is put to cold-hearted, selfish law-breakers' pockets. The money that could have been used for creating jobs, paying taxes that fuels the economy, goes to illegal businesses that could even run drug cartels. I mean, if they are doing wrong what could stop them for doing other illegal things like selling illegal drugs, prostitution, and illegal gambling? The only losers here are ourselves.

Fourth of July

The fourth of July is near, and everyone is recharging their digital cameras or buying age-old films at the counter. Well, in the U.S., but not here in our country. Though others say and we even believe it that Filipinos are good imitators, I guess we too will celebrate this occasion even if people here are not Americans. Here, we always love to have fiestas, parties, day-off, and celebrating every event that comes just to have some form of relief from day-to-day drudgery from work. If people here have one wish and that is to win the lottery and become millionaires and quit their day jobs, open their own business and be their own boss and have their picture taken and get published in newspapers for others to see their glory and how God blessed them because they are faithful and lucky. This is the same dream for everyone. I guess, we are never satisfied. It's like that song, “We are all on drugs, yeah, never get enough.” Always searching for that elusive happiness. If they can't find it, they'll find it from others. There is this film I watched before about a young woman who dreams of becoming a boxer. She is poor and even saved all she had just to buy boxing gloves. She has done everything she could by practicing very hard everyday at the worn out gym, for she believed that she has what it takes to become a boxer. A boxing coach saw her determination and began to train her even the coach doesn't accept women like her. After her training, the coach gave her a chance to fight and prove herself as a true boxer. And she won. Fight after fight, she won victoriously, knocking her opponents without too much effort. Finally, she got her break and made it to the major match. She got cheated by hitting her during the time-out. Her head slammed to the wooden chair, broke her neck and got paralyzed from the neck down. So, what am I driving at? You see, people watch boxing and loves to see their opponent to lose and suffer, not even caring for that other person even if they get hurt, for I too feel the same way before. I hated watching that cruel sport, but people still love to watch it even bet on it, brags and loves to see a knockout if it happens, or blood gushing out from their cheeks or eyes. Sadly, this sport became someone's dream to win it and call themselves lucky.

Being Single

I am 30 years of age this July and still single. The reason I’m saying this is not of promoting myself to beautiful women out there, but because there is a purpose. In my high school years, I fell in love with a girl I hardly knew. It was a time when my feelings took over me and led me into music and singing that I thought I never had any talent for it. Because of this, I realized my gift and explored it further. It even inspired me to put up my own humble music studio and made it into business. Bass Clef was born and right that moment it was a learning experience. I learned that having my own business is no laughing matter. Although I developed to love music, but even that love has its own limit. Today, Bass Clef is gone. It was the easiest thing to do at that time since I have to keep my respect for others. Soon, I realized that those were just dreams and will never find its way to reality. Being single is a choice I made out of necessity and because I have no choice. Those notes of my music still linger in my head until now. I wish for it so stop but it can never be. It is said that whoever endures up to the end will be saved.

Salvation through Obedience

Writing again has been difficult for me since I believed that it is God’s will. It never came to me or doubted that this will help me recover what has been forgotten, or I thought that this was my gift and therefore shall not hide it under a bowl. And so, I wrote. It’s been awhile; I’ve come to the crossroads where I should make an important decision that would influence my future. I surely believe that I am not alone; I am not the only one who came to this point for everyone has to make a choice in every which way even that we try to avoid it and just live through each day. There are always challenges and this is what made us human. My book never became successful, or made it even to a stranger’s hands but despite this tragedy, I am happy. There is this truth that it is better to die dreams fulfilled than to live forever. What I realized that these dreams we are chasing is not ours. It is for someone better. “Rather, how happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” There were no parties, celebrations or treasures at the end of the rainbow, but I obeyed the Lord God, and I am happy.

Please read: Luke 10:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Peter 1:5-9, 10-11.