Reorganization: 'Blessing in Keeping the Covenants'

The La Carlota First Branch Presidency of La Carlota District, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was reorganized today during the Branch Conference of the said branch presided by Bacolod Philippines Mission, President Sumagpao.

Keeping the Covenants

As a concluding speaker in the said conference, President Sumagpao counseled the new Branch Presidency so as with the members to keep the covenants they have made before the Lord when they became member of the Church.

He expressed that they should do something with their one-time love and care for there is blessing in keeping their covenants. In every covenant there is a blessing and the greatest blessing is eternal life.

4 Things To Do To Get Perfect Happiness

As far as I know God has created the first man and woman and put them on this earth to take care of all His creation. And one of the commandments God has given them is "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" under God's will to give everyone the spiritual happiness and to earn the highest exaltation in life and enjoy the eternal life.

On their course of living, the man and the woman in spite of their sins they have committed before the eyes of God, have been given the grace for their sins to be forgiven and it was done by God's Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ by offering His life for those sinners. In so doing, the sinners would have the big opportunity to improve themselves and forsake all their sinful ways and be forgiven, and be entitled for the gift of eternal life.

Personally, I may relate this man's search for happiness in the guise of the greatest virtue which God Himself has exemplified for the salvation of His people. And that is the so-called LOVE.

Read more...

And Now They Walk Hand in Hand

"Walk hand in hand with me through all eternity/ Have faith, believe in me, give me your hand/ Love is a symphony of perfect harmony/ When lovers such as we walk hand in hand.. This is our DESTINY..."

There goes the popular love song that served as the background music while Edjie Montoya and Narlyn Vegafria walk down the aisle to exchange I do's at the San Isidro Labrador Parish church, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City late in the afternoon of Friday, August 8, 2014.

Reverend Father Mitchelle Guadalupe who solemnized the marriage inspired the would-be couple of his practical bits of advice in making their married life enjoyable, enduring, and avoiding possible break-up. Even the whole congregation and the principal sponsors did absorb the said down-to-earth counsel.

The Beauty of DepEd Family

School principal on group activity

Doing something our of nothing, what would it be? This is a challenge by Mayor Bambi Villarosa, as the discussant/facilitator in the 3-day workshop on school governance to the school principals of the division of La Carlota City.

With their collaborative efforts, they molded a colored clay given to them into a meaningful creation to depict the importance of a family in the Department of Education (DepEd).

The group is composed of SDS Portia M. Mallorca, ASDS Gladys Amylaine D. Sales, Carole C. Abalajon of Cainaman ES, Tracy Hiceta of Haguimit ES II, Perpetua Morales of Ferlou ES, Leny Nillos of La Carlota South ES II, and this blogger of Balabag ES.

The True Essence of Recognition

Late this afternoon, I was busy preparing for our recognition and closing exercises for my latest school, Cubay Elementary School tomorrow. What a coincidence! I was able to retrieve from my old file my recognition message to our outstanding and honor pupils of Yubo Elementary School in their 40th recognition program 5 years ago.

The School Principal

I decided to post it here. Since I don't want to miss every word of it, so I am posting here the entire message. To wit:

All of us is every proud of you as mentors and your parents too for what you have achieved in your own academic endeavor. And what we are doing today is an act of concern, an act of honor, and an act of love of your exemplary works and deeds academically for your parents, for your family, for your school, for your community, for your country, for yourself, and foremost for your loving Heavenly Father.

Functional Definition of Recognition

In this manner, I may define recognition as a thanksgiving for Heavenly Father's love - an unfeigned love, unconditional, sincere kind of love. Therefore, it may stand for living an exemplary life for other's to emulate just what Jesus did for you. It is very difficult to do it but it is possible. It may be referred to obeying God's commandments in order for you to receive God's divine blessings and protection from any untoward eventualities. It may also be leading to venerating or giving due profound respect and reverence to God's divinity, well-being and creation  And it may finally be a commitment of enduring to the end by overcoming trials, tribulations, afflictions, and challenges in life in any form, be it small or big, and finally coming out conqueror and successful.

Panie Birthday Wish

The other day, one of our six grandchildren, Stephanie Gyn, fondly known to us as Panie, celebrated her 6th birthday. She had it in a simple, austere celebration with homemade foods prepared by her mama An An.

Panie, the birthday girl

Panie is a smart, a good dancer and talented kid. Her happy family is very proud of her.

Before her birthday, Panie asked her parents to prepare something for her to make it more sumptuous and memorable with balloons and other birthday decors.

Gigi, her aunt was kidding her and asked her: "What about if there could be no birthday party, for your parents don't have money yet? Payday is too far."

"Ti indi lang ako anay mag-six years old eh. Kun  wala sang handa o birthday party eh," (I wouldn't be turning 6 years old then if there's no celebration or birthday party.) replied Panie.

How Did I Court My Wife in High School?

It was sometime in 1968 when I met my wife in an open study hall where we used to hold our music class under Miss Mercy Parroco in La Carlota City High School. She drifted to the said hall to take shelter for a sudden afternoon rain that fell unexpectedly.

Gil and Rebecca at the Mabolo Tree 2011

I came to know her from Mila Tapales, her classmate who was my neighbor and lived just across San Agustin Street, La Carlota City where I lived.

I was attracted to her mysterious actuation and to her lovely black long hair. I surmised that it was probably due to the adjustment period she faced for she's a third-year high school transferee from Saint Vincent Ferrer Academy, a private Catholic High School in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

Our friendship grew and edified as we used to meet at the flagpole just across the facade of high school main building where we held our literature class under Mrs. Angeles Garin and where they had their community class too in one of the rooms there.

'Strength and Love'

Following is the complete message of Engineer Rodolfo Niere given to the alumni of La Carlota High School/La Carlota City High School/Doña Hortencia Salas Benedicto National High School during the 65th general alumni homecoming in a simple program at the covered court, Saturday, May 19, 2012.

Engr. Rodolfo Niere

"It is my pleasure and honor to address the alumni of this school.

"The theme of our gathering, the 65th general alumni homecoming is the "strength and love of the alumni." At first glance, I thought that strength and love go hand in hand. But now I have realized that this may not always be the case. At my age and graduating from this high school in 1954, I can feel my strength slowly leaving my side. Strength now seems to be a distant group of memories of what I used to do in this high school Love on the other hand continues to take root deeper in me and to take hold stronger of me.

How To Be Forgiving?

Uchtdorf

It seems to be very difficult for us to be forgiving, especially when we're angry, when we're hurt and embarrassed. Isn't it?

I found the solution to this and was spiritually clarified on the immediacy and the extent of forgiving from the message, "The Merciful Obtain Mercy" shared by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency in the last day of the delayed broadcast of the 182nd General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for this month of April 2012.

"When it comes to our own prejudices and grievances, we too often justify our anger as righteous and our judgment as reliable and only appropriate. Though we cannot look into another’s heart, we assume that we know a bad motive or even a bad person when we see one. We make exceptions when it comes to our own bitterness because we feel that, in our case, we have all the information we need to hold someone else in contempt," Uchtdorf said.

Agustin: 'Happy Life. Happy Home'

Happy life could be tantamount to a happy home when there's love. And this is what I've personally gained from the message of Elder Manuel Agustin of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in one of semi-annual conferences of La Carlota District.

Elder Agustin

Elder Agustin emphasized his spiritual instructions on family by citing Browning's "How Do I Love Thee?" to the Church members.

"Home can be a heaven on earth/ when we are filled with love/ Bringing happiness and joy,/ Rich blessings from above/" - some lines from Church hymn were also cited by Elder Agustin to substantiate his claim that family is very important in the eyes of the Lord.

Happy Valentine, Sir Camporazo!

I'm very appreciative for the thoughtfulness of the 11 preschool pupils of our school, Cubay Elementary School, and have given me a hand-printed valentine cards in this Valentine's Day.

While I was supervising some of my teachers in their respective subject taught in their classroom, I was surprised when some of these kids kept on coming in one by one and handed me a handdrawn valentine card. I just quipped, "Thank you."

After awhile I proceeded to my office. Another group of preschool pupils rushed in with a hand-made valentine card in their hand. I was amused of such excitement displayed by those kids. Again, I said, "Thank you, kid. Happy Valentine's Day, too!"

I read those cards with a sketchy shape of a heart in the cover and it's colored by a red crayon. The common message written in a black pencil was: "Happy Valentine, Sir Camporazo!"

La Carlota Guintubdan Visitor's Pavilion, a Place for Lovers Too

Inaugurated recently, the Guintubdan Visitor's Pavillon and Garden in Brgy. Ara-al, La Carlota City, is one of the tourist destinations of the Province [of Negros Occidental]. Overlooking its top are clean and green botanical garden, ornamental plants, hybrid flowers, waterfalls, spring water, among others.

It is furnished with tourist class amenities like rooms, beds, viewing center for meetings and conferences. It is also ideal for overnight stay with a cool, cozy atmosphere enhanced with clean, green landscape environs.

Delivering her message at the inauguration of GVP, La Carlota City Mayor Juliet Marie D. Ferrer relayed her personal attachment to the place, "This a place close to my heart, the place where Congressman Jeffrey P. Ferrer told me how he felt about me."

No More War in Iraq!

By 2012 the 9-year war in Iraq will be over.

President Obama will withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq by the end of the year, ending a long war that deeply divided the country over its origins and the American lives it consumed, the news said.

“The rest of our troops in Iraq will come home,” Obama said Friday at the White House, adding that they will “be home for the holidays.”

“After nearly nine years, America’s war in Iraq will be over,” he said.

13-year-old Pupil Hangs Self

Ramzel Halos, 13, a grade six pupil and an honor pupil killed himself in a mango tree growing outside his classroom at the Maghanoy Elementary School in Barili town, Cebu Wednesday, several hours after the celebration of Teachers Day in his school, the local news said.

He was rushed to the Barili District Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

Barili Police Station Chief Marlon Gumabao told local news that there was no foul play in the boy’s death.

No signs indicated that the boy was attacked that he struggled to fight back.

“We only saw strangulation marks on his neck. He died because of suffocation. Mas madaling mamatay sa maliliit na tali (One easily gets strangled on fine ropes),” Gumabao said

The incident took place several hours after their Teachers' Day program held in their school. Before the incident at 3:30 p.m., Halos was seen being in high spirits and dancing in the school program, the news said.

The teachers were shocked upon learning that Halos had just hanged himself.

Parental neglect of love and care is believed to be the cause of Halos' death as alleged by a school guidance counselor.

Vivelyn Balucos, grade one teacher and the school guidance counselor said she had heard Halos telling his classmates that he was going to kill himself that day for his grandmother did not buy him a Boy Scout uniform, the news said.

But Balucos dismissed that report for “that was foolish." "There were more serious problems he faced,” Balucos said in Cebuano.

As a school’s guidance counselor, Balucos recalled that she was confided by Halos of his problems at home. She noticed that the boy "felt neglected, unloved and uncared for.”

The boy longed for his parents to be with him and his siblings. He was looking for maternal love.

She said Halos wanted her to be his real mother as written in a card given him in several occasion.

Halos was the third of seven children. He was born out of wedlock and his father was his mother’s second husband.

His parents are separated. The family used to live in Punta Princesa, Cebu City.

When he was seven, he was left in the care of his grandmother in Barangay Maghanoy in Barili town. He was with his mother only during vacations.

In a separate interview, Esmeralda Halos, 41, the boy's mother blamed herself for the death of her son.

The boy will be buried tomorrow at the town cemetery.

Halos’s death was the third suicide in the family. An uncle killed himself at age 27 in 2000, and a 17-year-old cousin hanged himself in 2008.

source: Sun Star Cebu

9/11: A Legacy to Filipinos

Marie Rose Abad

A legacy to the poor residents of slum area in Manila was left by Marie Rose Abad, the American business woman and Sept. 11 victim, the news said.

Marie Rose through her beloved Philippine-born American husband, Rudy Abad transformed the once-notorious Manila slum into an orderly village that now bears the name of her wife.

The 50 one-story houses were built in her memory in 2004, after 3 years of  Twin Tower tragedy as a tribute to their 26 years of marriage and her unfulfilled benevolent gesture to help the poor in the Philippines.

The community which is used to be a shantytown rife with garbage, human waste and crime was converted into a decent place of refuge. For the residents now see Marie Rose Abad Village as a bright spot spun out of the disaster thousands of miles away at ground zero.

Marie Rose Abad, 49, is a New York-born daughter from an Italian immigrant family is not only benevolent, but she has also a generous heart for children and the underprivileged.

An incident was told while they were out jogging near a cathedral one day, some street children aged 4 and 5 sold them lottery tickets. No money cash on hand, they were remorse for they couldn't help the kids.

"That was the first time she felt the pain," Rudy told. Marie Rose asked him to take her to a bank, where she got about $12 worth of Philippine coins. Then they got back to the church and her wife bought all the kid's tickets. The kids were all smiles.

"I don't know when, where and how but some day, I'm going to come back and I'm going to do more than this." Rudy overheard his wife saying this.

Marie Rose met her fateful day on September 11, 2001 where her 89th floor office at the World Trade Center at the twin towers, was slammed by the second plane. She was one of those 2,800 fatalities in terrorist attacks at the said WTC.

Grievously Rudy saw her tower collapse to the ground.

Rudy thought the only means which he can immortalize her beloved wife, Marie Rose is to fulfill his wife's promise to help the poor Filipino especially those in Manila's Tondo slum. Therefore he donated more than $60,000 for the construction of a village for those destitute families through Gawad Kalinga charity which seeks to transform slums across the country into decent, productive communities through volunteer work and donations.

Gawad Kalinga volunteer Jun Valbuena expressed, "It's the good side of 9/11."

Rudy Abad, who has retired and now shuttles between homes in Las Vegas and Manila, has become an advocate of philanthropy, urging rich Filipinos to help the poor beyond giving alms. He says Sept. 11 transformed him, teaching him about suffering.

Rudy has learned from such tragic experience. He said the tragedy that opened up his eyes, that made him want to do something far and beyond.

And for the Tondo residents, Marie Rose is their hero who converted their place into a peaceful one - "no more fighting, no more stabbings, no more drinking on the street."

Marie Rose's tragedy is a legacy to the Filipinos in ameliorating their standard of living. The black-and-white image of Marie Rose is on the side of a framed, rectangular sign welcoming visitors to the community is  reverentially wiped by the resident each day with cloth. For them she is a part of their family, though she is a stranger to some.

Related Sources:

• Who Is Marie Rose Abad?
• A Legacy Village (video)

Ninoy Aquino Falling In Love Three Times

Slain Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. fell in love with the late Corazon Cojuangco three times. He fell in love with her for the first time when she was in her teenage years. The second time when she bore their child. And the third time when she morally, courageously and patriotically supporting Ninoy who was fighting for Filipino's freedom against the Marcos suppressive government for 20 years.

To gratefully acknowledge Cory's endearing love and care for him, Ninoy wrote a poem, "I Have Fallen in Love", for her. Read the poem and ponder about it:

I Love You Not Because You're Beautiful!

"I love you," not because you're beautiful, not because you're rich and wealthy, not because you're extra-ordinary, not because of your good attitude, but just because "you are what you are."

"I LOVE YOU" - these three little words make and unmake my love life. These words when I uttered for the first time to express my feeling to my idolized coed during my high school days, didn't mean so much to me. I treated them as a password to my "love" which later I realized that it was an infatuation, an affection of "falling in love." I fell in love with her because that was I felt. I wanted to see here everyday. I couldn't explain my emotion every time I couldn't see her in school. I wanted to hasten the night to become a day so that I could be with her again. It was because I fell in love with here. I was in "love."

Another point I realize that love is blind. Some lovers are realistic. Some are not. Some are attracted to others because of their beauty, of their good physical attributes, of their loving-and-caring, thoughtful attitude. They love each other subjectively. But others love their opposite sex whoever they are. Their affection is focused on the whole being of their sweethearts. What really counts for them is their relationship that takes care for their future.

'Love Is What We Make It'

Valentine's Day is approaching. I thoughtfully greet my better-half, Rebecca, an advanced Happy Valentine. I do really love Rebing. My love for her has never failed.

"Love is what we make it", a line from a love song popularized by Kenny Rogers, yields an idea on how love developed among sweethearts and couples for the happiness, satisfaction and the never-ending joy for that matter.

In my notes, I've 9 major qualities of love which I culled from the experiences of many wise and inspired men:

Are They Made for Each Other?

Sometime in 1968 when Gil was then a third year high school student of La Carlota City High School, one afternoon, he had just finished attending his music class in the study hall when the rain began to fall. While all of his classmates rushed to the Science Hall building to take shelter for the study hall is open, no walls and only improvised board and benches were there, he was left all alone. In this solicitude, he noticed a girl of his age took shelter in the same place where he was stranded. He took a glimpse of the girl who was carrying some notebooks, books, and a magazine. To break the silence and being curious, he attempted to borrow the magazine from her. But before doing that, he took momentarily a deep, long breath while turning back from her to get rid of his nervousness. Just on time to get back to her, he found her gone unnoticed.

Many days and months passed. When he was about to attend their Mathematics class in the extension building just across the back of the main building of the school, he saw the girl, whom he guessed the same girl he had seen lately in the study hall. She was heading toward him where he was standing. He spotted a magazine from her hand and what a coincidence the same magazine she had last time he first met her. Meeting her again brightened him up for she was with his neighbor, Mila Tapales. He greeted Mila hello with a little shame. He bargained with Mila if she could request her companion to let him borrow her magazine. Assured by Mila that they were neighbors and nothing will happen to her magazine, the girl lent it to him. Alas! They were not introduced to each other for both of them were in a hurry to catch with their classes.