It’s been a week after an excruciating pain of depression, dissapointnent and hatred. I thought it will be the last of me. i cant even fall asleep cause everytime i close my eyes, there it is, thousand spoons instead of a knife that brought so much pain and tears. I cant go out cause i have nowhere to go with my 5peso coin in my pocket. Brain freezes as if my sanity evaporated out of my head. The sadness was claustrophobic.

i forgot to ask HIM.
i knelt down and asked “what to do Lord?”

-“Listen”-

i stopped crying and picked up my phone.

one by one, they came, they listened, they offered, they helped. it was the moment when all u have to do is to cry like a newborn when u are really trying to say thank you.

i thought friends are highschool stuff, party-buddies, gossip-makers, window shopping-complainers, etc…but they are more than that. i did not know they are those wings that GOD gave you to take you to a happy place in case you fall off to sadness. They are the sweetest sugar on your chocolates and candies and they are the sparkles on yout teeth that make you show off to a smile.

today, my problems are not yet through. but one step at a time, i am getting back on track.

GOD said, “if you can’t find a way out, look up”.

and i add:

if you have a problem, “pick up that damn phone and answer it!”

thank you guys. from the bottom of my heart, i say thank you.

Tell-tale signs of jealousy.

- Some jealous people literally become very mean, and start openly putting you down before others. It’s a counter-strategy to pull you down to their level. This hurtful behavior can really damage your relationship, unless you ignore it by focusing on the the reason behind it: jealousy.

Now that you know that a person is jealous of you, what do you do?

- Ignore them. Yes, it IS easier said than done. But really, think about it! Do you want to ruin your composure, peace of mind and jovial mood by thinking about these jealous people? Why bother? Use your time, positive energy and talents for more productive pursuits, and you won’t be able to do that until you learn to detach yourself by ignoring their shenanigans. They are not worth the sweat.

- Never stoop to their level! Don’t fight fire with fire. If you start returning tit for tat, you are no better than they. Two negatives don’t make a positive. Don’t resort to revenge, no matter how tempted you might be. Some gossip-mongers might entice you to a cat-fight by saying, “Did you hear what [jealous person] said about you?”. Ignore these attempts at war; others just want to be entertained at your expense. It will make the situation even worse if you returned the favours.

1. 1
   Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and understand the reasons behind his or her feelings.
2. 2
   Offer encouragement and praise when something goes right for your friend.
3. 3
   Try to help the other person get what they are wishing to have.
4. 4
   Try not to say things that would make the person jealous.
5. 5
   Look before you get involved with a very jealous person in a romantic relationship.
6. 6
   Realize that jealousy can be the root of many evil behaviors/ painful thoughts and even ruin a person.
7. 7
   Listen to the little voice inside of you.
8. 8
   Some people who get jealous are actually wanting to improve in that area but need to work it out after having a bad experience from trusting before.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (1995 World Youth Day Theme)

It was 17 years ago when my family decided to attend the thanksgiving mass of our beloved HH Pope John Paul II at the Luneta Grandstand for the celebration of the World Youth Day ’95.

Saturday, on the eve of the thanksgiving mass, my whole family, including the family of my Uncle Felipe and Uncle Cesong parked our vehicle at the V.Cruz area of the Roxas Blvd. There were so much people from different nation crowded the boulevard thus giving up any means of transportation. We then began our walk towards the Luneta Park. Along the way, we met different faces and races painted with happy and festive mood. Then there he was, standing inside the Pope Mobile and waving to the crowd. Tired yet happy to see the nation celebrates life. The Pope was not flushing in red because of the tropical Manila heat nor the tiring day did he have meeting the Youth of the World. It was because he was filled with Holiness and love showered by GOD. And at that moment, we knew, we were blessed. I can still feel the happiness up to now, seeing the Pope, in flesh for the first time in my life, waving and smiling back at me. 

Later that night, we arrived at the front of the Luneta Grandstand at the area of Manila Chinese Garden. We settled our mats and called it a night. Before I closed my eyes, I saw a 2 peso coin right beside me and I knew it was my father’s which fell off from his pocket.  I kept it.

Early next day, the crowd grew and the space where we sleep was being stepped by people trying to squeeze in onto another free but limited space. We got up and realized that the whole Luneta Grandstand is so much packed with people now. With kids as part of our delegation, half-heartedly, we packed up and decided to go home. We struggled to get our way through the crowd but the people grew thicker and thicker as we move way heading back to the area of the US Embassy and back to the boulevard. My cousin Jongjong (Oliver Ravelo) and I were blocked-off and decided to climb the Chinese Garden fence to move on. When we came down the fence, my heart froze as I had realized what we had done wrong. It was very sudden. We got lost in the middle of the park. With my back pack on my back and a small casserole on my cousin’s hands, I took over the lead and headed towards the LRT location thinking that will be the best area to start heading home. We were 13 years old.

Staring at the foot of the LRT United Nation Station, I can’t seem to move on. The fare was Php 10.00 each going to EDSA Station (LRT fare year 1995). I almost cried when I realize that we only got Php 2.00 which fell off from my father’s pocket the night before.

Inhaling all the courage I can get, I told my cousin that we will walk as far as we can just to lessen our fare. At 13, we only managed to walk up to the Philippine General Hospital. Finally, we took the jeepney ride.

We gave our last money to the driver and told him we are heading to EDSA-Rotonda. “You’ve got the wrong route”, “this is up to Libertad only”. Every eye inside the jeep stared at us. Not knowing what to do next, we just agreed to hop off at Libertad.  The fare was P1.50 minimum per person so I have to had my cousin sat on my lap (I was bigger than him).

It was very traffic and we were routed to exit the Quirino Hiway due to the advancing crowd towards the Luneta Grandstand. Our jeepney driver was redirected by policemen to stop at the shoulder gutter and give way to a motorcade.

Hunger, lack of sleep, anxiety and fear set us in as we stop but like a heavy steel lifted up from my shoulders, I saw the familiar face. Smiling, waving, still blushing and filled with holiness, Pope John Paul II passes by. I cannot explain the joy the Holy Spirit casted upon me. It was his Holiness, waving to two kids who were lost and scared but patient and brave. Everyone seems to be light-hearted. Right at that moment, the Holy Spirit was with us. JP2 was with us. We are blessed. God was with us, all the time. HE never left us a single second, of our lives. 

We continue to head home, drop off at the last jeepney stop and walked towards EDSA up to my Mama’s office in Tramo, Pasay. When we arrived at the office, I immediately phoned home and everybody was there anxiously waiting for any feedback from the two of us. They were in the event of reporting us to the police as missing kids.

My cousin, who has been very supportive on that journey back in World Youth Day 1995, went to Cagayan De Oro to move on with his own life. Oliver returned back here in Manila last year to apply for an overseas job, and in the event of the beatification of our beloved pontiff, we were united, unconsciously, to witness the solemn blessing of our JP2 as he enters Blessedness.

Now the Pope, even after life, never fails to share his blessings, by curing his faithful follower from Parkinson’s disease. This miracle gave way to our beloved JP2 to be beatified and to give more blessing.

It was not an easy journey, but one well worth the effort. For when we reach our final destination, it will be a new life with Christ. This Lenten season, our hearts need to be open to God’s message. 

Oliver and I, 13 years old, taken at a beach in Batangas, same year after the World Youth Day.

The accident rate for Wester-built jets was the lowest in aviation history last year. The safest regions to flY were in Asia-Pacific while the accident rate for Africa improved.

On my last day, I accidentally lost my personal padlock key and I can’t think of anything to do at the moment. I have my phone, a tumbler and a towel with me and the rest are inside the locker.

Thinking of requesting to boltcut the lock but I don’t think this branch had the equipment to do so.

Then suddenly a person approached me, in an office attire, and informed me that the key was surrendered to the reception because I left it stuck in the lock itself.

You were always the early bird to workout. I saw you once while walking around Ayala. You always glance my way, and sometimes you caught me glancing back. I am curious. And on my last day, we finally got the chance to talk.

Of course I was so relieved. I said thanks, but forgot to ask your name.

From the bottom of my heart, again,

Thank You.

I will get to see you no more.

When I was young, I stumbled upon an anime one Saturday afternoon. It caught my attention because the animation was in Tagalog in the first place. The story was interesting because the characters were at my age and they were fighting bad elements. In short, they have special powers and skills. The very best part of it is when they transform from ordinary high school to students hot sailor ladies with powers. The animation was very colorful and it was the first time I saw large-eyed character with glowing lenses and very hilarious and funny facial expressions.

I enjoyed the show so much I did not realized that It made me draw one of the characters on a page of my notebook. I drew the character of SailorVenus (since i don’t find SailorMoon’s hair easy to draw) and rendered the skirt in pink. It was not the exact replica of the character, but one realization dawned in me —— I can draw.

Since then, It was already my habit to scribble all the back pages of my notebook and draw pretty sailor soldiers. I practiced drawing their large expressive eyes, sharp chin and long legs on heels. I continue to watch the animation and even got interested on the plot each series. I was so hook up with the show and each series it gave me inspiration to draw more and even encourage me to watch other japanese anime. Eventually, I learned to draw nude ladies artistically.  

Thanks to SailorMoon, I have learned how to enhance my drawing skills and loving the visual art of pen and paper.

Sometimes you meet someone and before you know their name, before you know where they are from, you know that sometime in the future this person is going to mean something to you.

Both of them are constrained in the sexual relations and consider love as a basis for something more important - partnership in life. They are responsible, sensitive, intelligent, and take love seriously. They also share passions of the mind, and will never bore each other. The requirements in a bedroom are not too great and do not cause many complaints and criticism. Both the intense affair and the marriage are possible in case these perfectionists curb their instincts for finding fault. There will probably also be a continual contest over who is leader, but they have too much else in common for that to matter.

Virgo and Virgo love compatibility 

Both of them are constrained in the sexual relations and consider love as a basis for something more important - partnership in life. They are responsible, sensitive, intelligent, and take love seriously. They also share passions of the mind, and will never bore each other. The requirements in a bedroom are not too great and do not cause many complaints and criticism. Both the intense affair and the marriage are possible in case these perfectionists curb their instincts for finding fault. There will probably also be a continual contest over who is leader, but they have too much else in common for that to matter.

Virgo lives according to her/his rules while Libra is absolutely different creature. There are also other discrepancies of characters. Virgo is more interested in money, than in sex. Libra finds it inexcusable. Stay-at-home Virgo resents Libra’s socialbutterfly instincts and pursuit of pleasure. Libra’s tastes are expensive. Virgo is careful, not to say miserly. Libra finds Virgo fussy, critical, completely inflexible. Virgo can also be a grumbling and tiresome person with dictatorial propensity. Libra will not stand it too long and start searching for support somewhere else. Virgo, is more straight forward about his/her approach to sex and Libra methods of the “dance” can drive him or her up the wall. This is a doubtful connection and extremely complicated marriage.

Libra and Virgo love compatibility 

Virgo lives according to her/his rules while Libra is absolutely different creature. There are also other discrepancies of characters. Virgo is more interested in money, than in sex. Libra finds it inexcusable. Stay-at-home Virgo resents Libra’s socialbutterfly instincts and pursuit of pleasure. Libra’s tastes are expensive. Virgo is careful, not to say miserly. Libra finds Virgo fussy, critical, completely inflexible. Virgo can also be a grumbling and tiresome person with dictatorial propensity. Libra will not stand it too long and start searching for support somewhere else. Virgo, is more straight forward about his/her approach to sex and Libra methods of the “dance” can drive him or her up the wall. This is a doubtful connection and extremely complicated marriage.

Sometimes I look at you… and you seem to be looking back at me… but sometimes you look away… like you’re afraid of what might happen if you look a second longer.

I don’t think of you as a crush anymore… you’re more like a bad habit that I can’t shake.

• People say whats the point in liking someone who doesn’t like you back. They are right, there isn’t a point. But you can’t help who you like, it’s not up to you. Your heart kinda just decides for you and there is no turning back once your heart makes up its mind.