Jerusalem House Chronicles! :D

Could you believe that somewhere in the tarmac Ninoy died? 

On this historical part of Manila [Remembering People Power 1]

Combination of beads to create bracelets for our foreign sisters! It was Thea's idea!! :)

Meet Roshni & Princely - they are really gook cooks! ;)

Alicia playing with the cat.. :)

Avi on a cool pose!

Because of this board, who would not be excited to do their household chores? ;)

Dried banana  chips all the way from India!!! :)

Road trip to Antipolo.. leaving Princeton Street for now..

We had our morning prayers inside the chapel of the resort. :) it was such a lovely session and we sang "i Bow my Knee" by Bonnie Deuschle

My sisters kept donating veggies for my lunch knowing that i cannot eat the other viands which are meat..
and Ghea especially gave me all her mushrooms, remembering how much i love mushrooms. :) isn't she thoughtful?

We didn't see this coming: make way for the Fitbar endorsers! :)

The hibiscus plant/gumamela in bloom

This for me is our little sanctuary in Jerusalem House

There are so many fire trees in this part of Luzon.. i am loving it!!

i just wanna capture the shades of sunset

i am not supposed to eat anything with egg on them.. but because of my sisters, i had to break rules that night.. oh well... :)

So sweet of Roshni to write this on my palm.. :)

with her Jesus tattoo.. :)

So cute with their flowery accents..

Our little darling, Tasha. :)

And because i was fascinated with the candle container and the artificial, craft flowers...

Is that Flounder? :)

As night draws near, village kids swim out to the reef. The happy trio make a game of hunting for sea urchins and snails to eat. Unless we can protect Danajon Bank from overfishing and destructive fishing practices, younger generations will face an uncertain future in this beautiful and important corner of the Pacific. (photo by Luciano Candisani/iLCP)

A man mopping the floor behind the large aquarium

This is wonderful! ;)

my first time to ride the MRT train.. it isn't that challenging as in TV, though..

A little something for my sisters before we part ways the day after the day i was working on those cups

The second flower of the same plant in bloom.. A hibiscus plant was featured in Tuesdays with Morrie.. It is Tuesday that day and i also wrote in my journal: Tuesdays with sisters.. and who would've thought that my Angel's gonna give me another book from Mitch Albom that night? Wow, Lord! :)

It is general cleaning day! My roommate Tania is ready to send all the dust and dirt away!

Our last dinner with my housemates. On my plate is a cassava jelly - my Mama always brought this home with her everytime she goes to the market.

if i could boast, i'll boast only of the goodness of the Lord.. the goodness that He has shown me through the sisters & brothers i have met during the sisters' household and during the Kairos Arise conference

But more than the gifts, what matters most is the sisterhood that cannot be broken, because it has already been united by Christ Himself. ;)

Our household theme song:

1568 Princeton Street, Wack-wack Village
(Music & Lyrics by Abie Custodio & Aiana Dalangin)

It's summer i just wanna relax
Household is coming should i pack?
1568 Princeton Street
That's my new address for more than 2 weeks

More than 20 that's how many we are
We are so different yet we're so alike
You like to read while i like to bike
But we love the same God
That's what i like

Chorus:
La la la we're singing a song
Praying to our Father while we worship along
La la la we do things together
I'll keep you in my heart where you'll stay forever

Road trippin' just cause we can
Antipolo, Batangas and Bulacab
Swimming in the beach and getting a tan
It's hot in the Philippines, please give me a fan

[CHORUS]

We never follow
The given lights out
We got so noisy
Cause we like shout
We find it so hard to take a bath
If you take more than 5 minutes 
Then you'll feel my wrath

[CHORUS]

(My gosh, You ha, Hart hart we lab you)

Last Chorus:
Gone are the days 
When we wake up together
We pack our suitcase, 
Nothing lasts forever
We'll chat on facebook,
Write our letters
Household may end,
But sisterhood will never

[CHORUS]

1568 Princeton Street
That's my new address for more than 2 weeks

P.S. Thanks to Hannah & Abie for the pic, and Ghea for the video

The CYA iced tea: wanna try? ;)

"The service I had was to help in preparing the snacks for the Next CLP. We washed the green plastic cups and the water jug, and prepare the iced tea. Honestly speaking, i get used to CYA iced tea taste. It tasted like sweetened water. But everytime that iced tea tasted less sweet we are happy because it meant that there were more participants and we need to add more water so that everyone can have a drink." ~ Ate Lovey 

This helped me a lot! USe this knowledge for the common good, ok? :)

Studying corruption.

A little knowledge used to draw conclusions is dangerous.
So let's begin studying.

Corruption is the abuse of exhausted power for private gain, need not only be in the public sector
When and when does corruption thrive/flourish:

Corruption= Monopoly + discretion – accountability

Discretion:  the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation

• Everytime you have a monopolistic condition, there is a high risk of corruption
• Managers/businessmen/politicians need discretion - because we cannot plan all our daily activities/transactions 
• Discretion cannot be eliminated. You eliminate discretion , you eliminate the leadership abilities/skills of the individual in position
• But a balancing act  is needed. IT should be made sure that those in position, in the government or in business, should not abuse their power.
• Erase the crime in one generation, then replace all of them with new faces from the new generation, then it will look like everything is already clean.. this is what is happening in the Philippines

Data from Global Corruption Barometer 2013

Corruption Perceptions Index 2014

Extortion  the crime of getting money from someone by the use of force or threats

Some important points:

• Corruption greases sale growth, particularly when the firm approaches the bureaucrat
• True competitiveness of firms – state support
• Fake competitiveness – life support

Ph: Human Development Index as of 2008/2009

As presented in Wikipedia

Mr. Ronald said, as i've understood, that there is a correlation between the the HDI and the frequency and depth of occurrence of corruption in a certain province. A low occurrence of corruption results in an increase in HDI.

Bridges of Hope

Hopelessness is a luxury we cannot afford

WE cannot just settle into our seats and sink into thinking, "That's it! Politics is really dirty." For most of us, it is very easy to say that because we are not among the most vulnerable in the society. We do not belong to those at or below the poverty line. 

Good news, however: hope is here!Lots of people are fighting against corruption. Lots, even, have sacrificed their lives to fight even just one corrupt person. There are groups who battle corruption: Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, anti-corruption watchdogs and of course, the Church. It is really very true that those who are corrupt are even more organized than those who are not corrupt. That is why we have to be aware of those organizations established to fight corruption and let us support them. Those who have good access with media should use it to the advantage of looking after the "Kaban ng Bayan". Spread the RISK! There should be a community of whistle blowers and we should share in their burden!

It is not enough also for us to just fight corruption through criticisms. Good people, i'm talking about people with sound moral values should run for government positions. We cannot lose by default by leaving our government in the hands of the corrupt. We should not be just content when elections come, and then we just go over the candidates and choose among them who the lesser evil are. So let us support good people and encourage them to lead the people. 

There was also a part wherein Mr. Joey discussed that it is not enough to fight corruption, we should also support reforms. i did not exactly comprehend the whole idea of it but i'll research about it, though.

Fighting Corruption: Vicious to a Virtuous Cycle

1. Lower opportunities for corruption. (Computerization, lowering the number of administrative steps and permits to start a business, more open and consultative budget policy making)
2. Maybe this could be integrated into the system, but this actually also means that ordinary citizens like us should also be vigilant and help in the detection of corrupt acts.
3. Self-explanatory
4. Teach not only the younger generations, but the wiser and experienced ones should also walk the talk, lead the way, be good examples.

To fight the culture of corruption, let’s fight it culturally: family, schools, Church, arts and sciences.

• Included in transparency is precision and accuracy.. Your computations as you deal with data should be correct. Never forget that even though your intention is pure and you did not mean to make a mistake, incorrect data are also what constitute corruption.. In other words, those in offices should be well educated and trained.

Basically, a moral revolution is needed here - a cultural change. We cannot do it overnight, that's what we all say. But we need do it now. Fight corruption. Let's not wait another day to pass. And we cannot do it alone. Let us allow God to fight for us! Let's just do His will and love one another.
Is that too much to ask of us?

by the way, thou shan't forget:
7 social sins acdg to Mahatma Gandhi:

1. Wealth without work.
2. Pleasure without conscience.
3. Knowledge without character.
4. Commerce without morality.
5. Science without humanity.
6. Worship without sacrifice.
7. Politics without principle.

Because although this is such an ugly topic, we have to be interested in it to fight it.

...

Thanks to kuya Cesar for inviting all of us to the informative forum. And thank God for this opportunity. 

This is what the presentations were all about:

Justice – Integrity – Peace
Ronald: Statistics of truth
Heidi: Stories of Hope
Joey: Systems Reform

P.S. Make use of the Commission on Audit online reports and visit Bureau of Customs website.

i also got some contact numbers.. If we have any more questions or comments, maybe we could contact them: 0919 261 5987 || bcbpforum@gmail.com 

Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals
AIM Alumni

Q & A: Mom and Son

Happy Mama's day!

Undiluted, mother and child blue rain art print
Painting from Etsy

"Years ago, a young mother was making her way across the hills of South Wales, carrying her tiny baby in her arms when she was overtaken by a blinding blizzard. She never reached her destination; and when the blizzard had subsided, searchers found her body beneath a mound of snow. But they discovered that before her death, she had taken off all her outer clothing and wrapped it about her baby. When they unwrapped the child, to their great surprise and joy, they found he was alive and well. She had mounded her body over his and given her life for her child, proving the depths of her mother love. Years later that child, David Lloyd George, grown to manhood, became prime minister of Great Britain and, without doubt, one of England's greatest statesmen."

from Sermons.Logos.com

This story, however, is untrue because Lloyd's mother was still alive even after his childhood years. But it is an inspiring story though.. And i know that lot's of mothers, or even other people, would not think twice to do the same to protect someone they love. Anyhow, this is how i'd like to die - to die like Jesus, dying to save someone's life. i just like the thought of it because at least i know that i died not for nothing, right? But anyhow, if i do that, i know that dying would not scare me that much anymore.. :)

P.S. Just so you know, i achieved something yesterday.. i greeted Mama a happy mother's day at about 11:40pm.. So there! :)

Nakatawa ko sa comment.. in fairness, creative ning guy ha... ;)

Before leaving for Canada, we, CYA brothers and sisters, had a chance to honor and thank  our sister Alyssa Jean for all the memories we've shared with each other. Good news: no one was teary-eyed in the room! Hehehe..

i've made a simple stone art: one written with the words: "Expect a miracle"

And Hannah made a really beautiful caricature of Alyssa... aww.. isn't she sweet?

 

Everybody chipped in, writing messages for Alyssa and helping create a wonderful scrapbook to remind Alyssa of her journey with all of us. :)

We're all just looking forward to happier and more joyful moments ahead!

Express to inspire and to help!

Read more: PRessing on Freedom

"You may choose to look the other way, but you can never again say that you did not know."

~ William Wilberforce

Pic from Philipstown.info

Some important points in the movie:

Trafficking - exploitation of vulnerability in any situation.. Often, traffickers don't need to force women to become sex slaves.. they don't have to scare them whatsoever, they just have to manipulate them and take advantage of their needs and vulnerabilities

Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. Lots of it are very well-organized.

There were people flying from across the world to come and buy children for sex

There is a Culture of complicity in selling (complicity the act of helping to commit a crime or do wrong in some way). Lots of parents sell their daughters to prostitute managers to earn money. They let their daughters become prostitutes even at a young age.

Women in prostitution have a mortality rate 40 times higher than the national average

What can we do about it?
1. Pray to God. Continue to ask Him for help in behalf of the victims. Have faith that He hears and answers our prayers.
2. Be aware and inform others, especially people within our social circle.
3. Help and support those who are agents against human trafficking. Donate money. Serve and assist them.

You may watch the movie here for free - Vimeo
God bless you! Let us be agents of peace.

Sometimes you live a day and it feels like that day is not 'that' day but another day..

IT was Friday, May 1. i had no work because it was labor day.. And in a way, it felt like it was a Saturday.. i was used to not having work on a Saturday. :)

Anyway, today, Sunday.. i had to travel to Catalunan Grande.. Going home, i had to travel of course.. but this time i had to walk.. it was a nice, hot day for walking.. And by hot, i mean the sun was scorching through anything underneath it.. Nevertheless, i can't help being awed by these beauties:

Clouds dancing in the horizon. so fluffy. Appears like they're shining too

Fire tree flowers leave the side road dressed in pretty orange colors. Felt like we are having the autumn season over the Philippines. ;)

Sunflowers! And why are they not facing the sun?

P.S. i thank the Lord for sparing Mary Jane Veloso's life last April 29. But i pray for peace for the souls of the 8 who were already executed on the said date. The fight is not yet over though. NO to Death Penalty! And NO to Drug Smuggling!! NO to the use of illegal drugs!

This pic is the cover photo of my ex crush,...

i'll get back to you once i've found out the title and artist of this work. ;)

^
Leonid Afremov - Lost love ;)