2008 LAE results

look who's No. 177... :-)

2008 LAW APTITUDE EXAMINATION (LAE) RESULTS

The U.P. College of Law announces the names of LAE Examinees who qualified for interview. The U.P. College of Law will admit for enrollment this AY 2008-2009 only 200 interviewees. Those who will qualify for enrollment shall be required to submit: a) Certificate of Graduation; b) Official Transcript of Records and c) Certification of good standing for those who have previously enrolled or are enrolled in other law schools, before they are allowed to enroll.

The schedule of interviews will be announced later.

1	ABAD, KATRINA NESSA MANUEL
2	ABELINDE, RACHEL JANE ADORNA
3	ABOLA, RAMON MIGUEL GONZALES
4	ACHA, MAE ANN SARTE
5	ACLA, CYRUS JOHN ORGANO
6	AGORILLA, MERIELLE ANGELIE GO
7	ALBANO, PIA URSULA PEKAS
8	ALCANTARA, AUSTIN CLAUDE SEVILLA
9	ALEJANDRE, PAULINE FERRER
10	ALMOJUELA, ANNIE REGIDOR

11	ALVAREZ, MA. JESSA MARTIN
12	AMADOR, TINA ANDREA VALERA
13	AMBROCIO, MA. CARMENCITA CALDERON
14	ANDAL, EMMANUEL GENESIS TOMAGAN
15	ANG, MONICA HAZEL CRUZ
16	ANGELES, DARWIN POBRE
17	APUAN, MEDIATRIX II LOTERTE
18	ARANZASO, DESIREE CLARRISSE KING
19	ARIAS, MICHELLE CATAPANG
20	AUSAN, ANNIEFAIR ACLADO
21	AVESTRUZ, KIRK DAVASOL
22	AVILA, ALDAN SUBION
23	AXALAN, MIKKO ANGELA CRUZ
24	BACLAY, FRANCIS PAUL UMAHAG
25	BAGUISI, ALAIN BAÑGUG
26	BAINTO, NEAL VINCENT MERCADO
27	BALAQUIAO, ELEANOR NELLASCA
28	BALMES, IRENE BALMES
29	BALTAO, VANESSA ANNA NACU
30	BANTOL, RAISA ATHENA GULLE
31	BANZON, MELVIN JOSEPH LIWAG
32	BARRETTO, MIGUEL ANGELO TANSENGCO
33	BARTOLOME, DIANE MERCE BARCENA
34	BASE, MARIA GRACIELA DELOS SANTOS
35	BASMAN, ANNA TALIA SUMANDE
36	BASMAYOR, MELISSA VILLA-REAL
37	BATNAG, ODINA ESGUERRA
38	BAUTISTA, KRYSTEL JEHAN MAGSAKAY
39	BERNARDINO, CRISELA LALUNIO
40	BERNARDO, NICOLO FERNANDEZ
41	BLEZA, MA. KEALA MAE MARCELO
42	BUADO, MARIA EDSIE VITERBO
43	BUENAVENTURA, MA. CLARISSA HEARTY VILLACORTA
44	BUNAG, JAN NICKLAUS SALVO
45	BUNAGAN, ROBERT MELCHOR ESPIRITU
46	BUNDOC, JESUS KRISTOFFER GINES
47	BUNYI, JUDITH MARIE GRIMALDO
48	BUSTAMANTE, BLESIE MAE PARADO
49	BUSTOS, ADRIAN FRANCIS SARMIENTO
50	CALIBO, JANUSZ SALAMAT
51	CAMISO, ALDOUS BENJAMIN CLEMENTE
52	CAÑETE, CHARNEM BAL
53	CAPUNFUERZA, EVERGLOW VITUG
54	CARDENAS, KENNETH LAWRENCE FONDEVILLA
55	CARLOS, RICHARD LEE VI BALINA
56	CARPIO, PETER LLOYD DORIA
57	CASADOR, ANGELI NESS PADRONES
58	CAYCO, NATASHA DAVID
59	CEDEÑO, JESSA MARY ANN CELO
60	CERRO-CRUZ, MARIA ALOHA MERCADO
61	CERVANTES, MARIA FLORENCE CRISELDA VERANO
62	CHANG, LEICA TORRES
63	CIMAGALA, ALEXIS NOLASCO
64	COLOBONG, ROYELYNNE JESSA KRIS GARCIA
65	COLUMNA, CHRISTOPHER POLA
66	CONTI, MARIA KRISTINA CALINGASAN
67	CONVOCAR, DANIEL LUIS RODRIGUEZ
68	CORTES, INEZ CHIARA CALAPIT
69	CRISOSTOMO, JAIM MARI MARCOS
70	CRUZ, BERNADETTE SO
71	CRUZ, EMMANUEL REY PINE
72	CRUZ, RHEENA LYN LAPLANA
73	DABALOS, NERISSA ANN PUNZAL
74	DACANAY, MA. CECILIA YLAGAN
75	DE DUMO, JILLIANE JOYCE RAPSING
76	DE GUZMAN, ELAINE PADRE
77	DE GUZMAN, MARIA GERALDINE MERCADO
78	DE JESUS, JADE HUANG
79	DE JESUS, NERISSA NEPOMUCENO
80	DE MESA, JENA CHRISTINE ESTEVES
81	DE SANTOS, JONATHAN FREDERIC PAUL
82	DE TORRES, CRISTAL FAITH LORENO
83	DECLARO, RUTH AGNES DIMAYACYAC
84	DEINLA, JOSALEE SANTOS
85	DELA CRUZ, ALMA ISABEL TALOB
86	DELA CRUZ, ROLANDO SINAGUINAN
87	DELA CUESTA, ROGIE LERIDA
88	DELGADO, DARYLL JANE SUMAYOD
89	DELOS REYES, DIANNE MARGARETTE TINIO
90	DELOS REYES, NORIETESS PASAHOL
91	DEVERATURDA, JOAN PAULA ANTAZO
92	DIAZ, JIANESSA CAMILLE DOMINGO
93	DIAZ, RONA APRIL DELA VEGA
94	DIMACULANGAN, ROBERTO MIGUEL ILUSTRE
95	DIONELA, VIRMARIE BARRIENTOS
96	DIZON, JUSTINNE DY
97	DIZON, MA. LIBERTY RIO PIQUERO
98	DOMINGO, FRANCES YANI PINE
99	DOMINGO, MIGUEL BABILONIA
100	ESCOSURA, LESLIE CEDILLO
101	ESPERAS, ERIKA MARIZ VALEDA
102	ESPINOSA, MYRAFLOR TATEL
103	ESTRELLA, MARICOR DE VERA
104	EUROPA, ROSE CELINE REYES
105	FELICIA, LUZ ANGELA DAPAL
106	FERRER, ROSETTE SORIANO
107	FLORES, SOLEIL CHUA
108	FRANCISCO, ROSA PILIPINAS FADRI
109	GAMO, CISELIE MARIE TORRES
110	GANDIA, TEPHANIE MAGNO
111	GANZON, MINA ANGELES LIM
112	GARCIA, CHARLENE LORENA DAYRIT
113	GARCIA, RON MICHAEL BONTIGAO
114	GAYARES, CEDRIK BEN ABOGA
115	GERVACIO, DIANA SIA
116	GO, JOSEPH III MANGASER
117	GO, MARIE MICHELLE BAYOTAS
118	GOINGO, FRANCIS JOSEF TOMOTORGO
119	GOMEZ, JONI ROJAS
120	GONONG, JUNO ATHENA NONES
121	GONZALES, ANDREA MONICA VALLE
122	GONZALES, ATHANASIA ZOE AMURAO
123	GONZALES, MARK LESLIE PACUDAN
124	GREGORIO, MAURA ROSARIO AVELINO
125	GUERRERO, KATRINA ELENA DELA FUENTE
126	GUIDOTE, JOSE ANGEL JR. BASKIÑAS
127	GUILLEN, ANGELO KARLO TAGAMOLILA
128	GUINTO, CELENI KRISTINE GAWIRAN
129	GUMABAO, REILAND GUERRERO
130	GUMBAN, VANESSA JAVELLANA
131	GURREA, FAY IRENE LONGNO
132	GUTIERREZ, EVA MARIE GARCIA
133	GUY-UYCO, CHASTINE GRACE SEQUITO
134	HADLOCON, FATIMA FAYE CO
135	HERNANDEZ, JILL MAUREEN SULAYAO
136	HERNANDEZ, PATRICIA ANDREA ORDOÑEZ
137	HIDALGO, PHOEBE CORAZON CABIGAS
138	IBAÑEZ, JONATHAN JURADO
139	ICALLA, LEO MEL DENNIS BOTE
140	INCIONG, JHOAN ANDREI ATENGCO
141	INOCENTES, KATRINA BIANCA TROGO
142	JAMON, TANYA GRACE GOROSPE
143	JULIANO, JEREMIAH BARRIOS
144	JUSI, GENEVIEVE ENCINA
145	KINTANAR, SILAYAN CRUZ
146	KUHUTAN, IBN KHALDON SAHIBUDDIN
147	LACHICA, JOSEPH ANTHONY DE JESUS
148	LACSINA, CONRAD SMITH CACULBA
149	LAGASON, PAULA GRACE CASTRO
150	LAGGUI, MARIE HYACINTH GUZON
151	LAMBINO, MARY RHAULINE DE GUZMAN
152	LAMUG, GUILLER KRISTOFFER LOMBOS
153	LANGIT, EARLA KAHLILA MIKHAILA CAGUIOA
154	LAPERAL, FATIMA PALCES
155	LAPID, RAFAEL AUGUSTINE SIONGCO
156	LASAM, NORMAN CLARENCE TRINIDAD
157	LAURON, DIANA MARGARET CEDRO
158	LAZARO, GRACE ANN CORNEJO
159	LEDESMA, LEOFRED IAN TIRADOR
160	LEIDO, JUAN PAOLO MIGUEL BAROA
161	LENA, ANDREW JOHN MOLEN
162	LIBANAN, STELLA MARIS ELLADO
163	LOGROÑO, PRINCESS JAZMINE CABANBAN
164	LOON, JOSE MARTIN AZCARRAGA
165	LOPEZ, FIDES CARISSA BIANCA REYES
166	LOZADA, AARON ERICK AGUILAR
167	LUCAS, DANJUN GARCIA
168	LUCIANO, MARK CHRISTIAN DEL ROSARIO
169	MACABODBOD, LOU BRYAN RANA
170	MACANAN, MA. FATIMA APINADO
171	MACATANGAY, JOSEPH MIRRO AGUADO
172	MADARIETA, MARIA CRISTINA MURILLO
173	MADRID, KRISTOFFER GABRIEL LAURIO
174	MANCAO, KATRINA MICHELLE FERRAREN
175	MANIEGO, CATRIONA RHIANNON GALINDEZ
176	MANLAGÑIT, FRANCIS ANTONIO VARGAS
177	MANLANGIT, DONNA PATRICIA CALIZAR
178	MANOTOC, FERDINAND RICHARD MICHAEL MARCOS
179	MARANAN, JEWELYN CABRERA
180	MARANAN, MARIA CARMELA TEODORO
181	MARASIGAN, NATHAN JABAN
182	MARCOS, PORFERIO JR. GELERA
183	MAROTO, MA. ALEXANDRIA IXARA BALAMBAM
184	MARQUEZ, LEANDER PENASO
185	MARQUEZ, MARIA MYLENE DABU
186	MASCENON, ERNESTO MARIO JR SONGCUYA
187	MEJIA, VENUS AMELIE GUARIN
188	MENDOZA, DANIEL ANGELO VILLANUEVA
189	MENDOZA, GERARDO ESTOLAS
190	MENDOZA, MARYCHELLE TEVES
191	MINA, JAMES ANTHONY RESPICIO
192	MOLINA, JAMILLE FILOMENA AQUINO
193	MONDRAGON, MARY GRETCHEN SILOS
194	MORILLO, LEO ADRIAN BANIQUED
195	NAVARRO, DAN RUDOLPH MERILLO
196	NAVERA, JOCELYN AMOR SOLIS
197	NGUI, NICOLE ALEXANDRA CABASAG
198	NISPEROS, BENEDICT GUIRNALDA
199	NOGRALES, JUAN FIDEL FELIPE FUENTES
200	NONATO, ROSELLE JEAN LAO
201	OBIAS, JOHN DOMINIC SALGADO
202	OMNES, REYNALDO RAMOSO
203	ONG, TRACY ANNE ANG
204	OPLE, FELIX FRANCIS BAUN
205	OPOSA, JUAN ANTONIO REMULLA
206	ORBETA, FRANCES GRACE ALLYANA ESPINOSA
207	ORTILE, NEIL GOTIS
208	ORTINEZ, RANELENE SUAVERDE
209	PAGLICAWAN, MARIA ANGELICA AGUILAR
210	PALAY, MABELLE GRACE ALVARADO
211	PANA, MELBOURNE ZIRO DIOKNO
212	PANGAN, NIELSON GARCIA
213	PARADO, MARIEL JANCES NHAYIN DUARTE
214	PARAS, RONALDO JOVES
215	PARCO, JOHN JOSEPH SUN
216	PASILIAO, EMILY GRACE SAJULGA
217	PATAGAN, GERILLE HOPE ESPIN
218	PAUSO, KATHRYN VICENTE
219	PEÑARANDA, JON DOMINIC PANGANIBAN
220	PENDATUN, SITTIE AMIRAH KADALUM
221	PEREZ, LILIBETH CABILLO
222	PIMENTEL, JOANNA PAULINE CRUZ
223	PIPO, EMIR CARLO REYES
224	POON, CLAUDIA UY
225	PRADO, CARLOS MANUEL SISON
226	PRE, MARIA TERESA DIAZ
227	PULIDO, KARINA NEBAB
228	QUINTANA, OLIVER JOHN CONCEPCION
229	RAMIZO, DOROTHEA MESA
230	RAMOS, AGATHA KRISTY FAJILAN
231	RAÑOLA, MARY ANN IBAÑEZ
232	REFRAN, YASMIN SINGH
233	REGALADO, RIANA CAMILLE ABAD
234	REGIS, LORD REX ABELLAR
235	REYES, MISHEIL RED
236	REYES, JAYMIE ANN RAMIREZ
237	REYES, JOSE ANTONIO SANTILLAN
238	REYES, MARIA KLARIDELLE ANDAYA
239	RILLON, NIGEL GAVILAN BANDONILL
240	RIOSA, LIEZL ENRIQUEZ
241	RIVERA, ROY IAN SALAZAR
242	RIVERO, REIANNA PRIS LAZARO
243	ROBERTO, RAUL PERALTA
244	RODRIGUEZ, ANNA KATARINA BANTEGUI
245	ROLDAN, JOYCE ANNE CAJAYON
246	RUBIO, DARWIN PERRY BRAGA
247	RUIVIVAR, MA. SCHEHERAZADE OBRA
248	RUIZO, LIWAY CZARINA SALEM
249	SACRAMENTO, ANNE JAYCELLE CRUZ
250	SAGARINO, RODELYNN RAJINI APOSTOL
251	SALAZAR, PATRICK HENRY DIZON
252	SALI, MOHAMAD JUMER CUISON
253	SALVADOR, FARINA REYNOSO
254	SALVADOR, ZYRA MAE BALCE
255	SAN JOSE, PHILLIP ESPIRITU
256	SANDALO, PURITA ANGELA LABANG
257	SANDOVAL, JOSEPHINE GRACE ROSALES
258	SANTOS, CELIE MARI BALAGTAS
259	SANTOS, JOHN BOITTE CONCEPCION
260	SANTOS, KARICHI ESCALANTE
261	SANTOS, REVYREN BAISA
262	SARTHOU, RONALD LUKE JR. TINTE
263	SEBASTIAN, BOBBY JOHNSON OLAVIDES
264	SEE, CANDICE FAYE TAN
265	SEGUI, ADRIAN DONALD LUNA
266	SERAPIO, ANGELI IBISATE
267	SERENO, JOSE LORENZO ARANAL
268	SERONA, MAY HAYDEE FATIMA MARTIN
269	SIAZON, NESTOR FERNANDO TIO CUISON
270	SILVA, AIDA MAY PONFERRADA
271	SINGZON, MARIA ELOISA IMELDA SERRANO
272	SOBREPEÑA, DEBORAH MIRIAM DE LA HOZ
273	SOLIMAN, NELLAINE ANNABELLE LORENZO
274	SOTTO, LEIGHTON JOHN MANANGHAYA
275	SUAREZ, SHIELA MAY ALCANTARA
276	SY, GRETCHEN CLAIRE CO
277	TABORA, JAKE RUPERT TALOBAN
278	TAN, MA. DONNABEL TABORA
279	TENORIO, REGINE AMOR PASCUAL
280	TENSUAN, MIGUEL ANTONIO SANTO TOMAS
281	TIOPIANCO, FRANCIS PAOLO PANALIGAN
282	TOBIAS, ANA PATRICIA RUIZ
283	TOLEDO, DARRYL KARL DANAZART VON TENORIO
284	TOLENTINO, JOSE LUIS ALLID
285	TORCUATOR, KAREN BALDERAMOS
286	TORDILLA, DONN GREITON DULCE
287	UY, MARTIN CHRISTOPHER CRUZ
288	UY, SHERRILL BLANCA YU
289	VALENTON, JOHVIE MAGBUO
290	VELASCO, LADY IVY VANITY DIMACULANGAN
291	VICTORIANO, SERGIO JR. LLANTOS
292	VILLANUEVA, OLGA PINTO
293	VILLANUEVA, VICTOR LORENZO LLAMAS
294	VILLAR, VIFERLYN DE VERA
295	VILLARUEL, ANDRES III TIGLAO
296	VILORIA, JESSIE VILLAMORE II JACINTO
297	YAM, MARK BENJAMIN CHENG
298	YAP, MARY GRACE CRUZ
299	ZARAGOZA, ANICKA NICOLI SINGSON
300	ZARENO, JEWELYNN GAY BATINO
301	ZUÑIGA, FATIMA ELIZA OLIVA

updated blog

finally... i was able to update this blog. I've been wanting to finish it for the longest time but I just didn't have the stamina to do it. whew! I'm so proud of myself. I know I'm not the techie type but i finally managed to somehow comprehend the links.. and voila.. I bring you Pilgrim's Notions..

hmm.. i hope this would motivate me to blog more often.. we'll see!

Factotum @ Work

5 March 2008

The Parks and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) invited the Office for a workshop on Philippine Policy Conference Initiative on Biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples' Rights and Intellectual Property Rights. It was an inter-agency workshop to outline the country's position on the international regime on access and benefit sharing. Beats me! I didn't even understand the discussion half of the time. I even got lost in their jargon of TKs, IPs, GRs, CBD, BP and all those hullabaloo. All I know is that our Office was instrumental in ratifying the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and International Treaty on Plant and Genetic Resources. Despite that, I chose to focus and observe the proceedings 'coz I've come to realize that there is a lesson behind every experience.

True enough, after much concentration I was amazed with the passion of these government representatives in defending their position and it seemed to me that they really know their stuff. I was inspired by this passion and it made me think that with the recent political uprisings, most Filipinos may have a negative perception of the government but what they don't know is that there are still people in the government who remain true to their mandate of delivering public service. These meetings should be the ones publicized to project an image that the government is still working to promote and uphold the rights of Filipino people.

Finally, I came to the conclusion that humans have a way of complicating things. They have a knack of instituting mechanisms to complicate things which are originally created to be shared by all. But since natural resources are limited, it is imperative for each country to protect its resources because the reality is - other societies are out to exploit for their own benefit.

inhibitions

I haven't written anything in a long time. Its not that I don't have anything to blog about - I've got a million things to write about. But I never got around to writing about it because I have a lot of inhibitions. I'm not a good writer, i'm aware of that. It seems like I don't know how to vividly describe what I had in mind. I'm so conscious about my grammar and I'm not sure if my thoughts are even coherent. I'm afraid somebody would comment about my entry. I just want to be inconspicuous. But at the same time I want to document all the things that happened to me. All the blessings that God has given me. I want to share it with all the people who's fond of reading blogs. And most importantly, I want to do this for me - so that I would be able to remember everything. So now, I'm trying hard to let go of all my inhibitions and just write. I don't care if someone reacts negatively towards it. I don't care anymore. I wanna do this for me and for all the people who would be inspired by what I write.

old songs

haay.. its a lazy tuesday afternoon and I just finished cleaning my desk (above it and underneath it) as in mega-general clean up! oha, ako ba to? hehe.. I felt this sudden urge to clean my surroundings so that I can function well. sabi kasi dun sa personality test that we took last night in our unit hold - Let's get organized, sanguines! so, here's the first step to getting organized.

Anyway, while cleaning my desk, I've uncovered some old cd's which I haven't paid any attention to for the longest time. One is a cd from Joms containing old yfc songs. It just felt great to listen to these songs and reminisce my yfc experiences. One song is my all time favorite - Strong Arm 'coz there was a funny and humbling experience associated with it. :-)


Strong Arm

My child I knew you
Before the world began
I was there every time you wrote your name in the sand
And lately I know you've been through quite a storm
My child, I've been there since the day you were born

Oh, and I rule the wind
And yes I calm the sea
And the sun won't go down until I say it can leave
And as sure as my word I 'll stand here right by your side
And if you're just too weak to go on
Remember child, that I'm your strong arm

Now people will wonder and they'll stand amazed
They'll say you are a miracle and I will be praised
And even though your pain has been so hard to bear
Just know that I'm with you there's no need to despair

Lean on me, I'm your strong arm
I will never leave you


I do miss those yfc days - when we were young and carefree and our main concern was to make it through the sem. But, come to think of it, that wasn't my main concern after all. I was very busy with extra-curricular activities especially yfc events. That was the highlight of my college life.

Its just sad to think of the various issues confronting the CFC community right now. In reply to a friend's email, I was able to gather my thoughts and came up with this..

---

beyond the issue, here's what i think - that rift was inevitable. for an organization composed of unique individuals with different principles and different levels of maturity, who have grown into very large proportions, it would be hard to unite all of these people under one banner because they are bound to promote their own principles. conflict starts when the individual member perceives that his principles are no longer compatible with the organization's beliefs. one way to resolve this would be to reconcile these differences and reach an agreement. but if the number of members who must be feeling this way reach a significant level, it would be very hard to reconcile - thus the natural thing to do would be to break away from the organization and form another group which would espouse their principles.

so i say, nobody is at fault here. they are just doing what they believe is the right thing - and that is fighting for their principles. that's the way human organizations work.

i do agree with you friend, "it doesn't matter in which organization i am in. the organization is there as a vessel to do the mission that was given to me." di ba yan ang lagi nating sinasabi nung nasa yfc pa tayo - do not find yourselves in yfc, find yourself in God. aptly put, do not find yourself in cfc, find yourself in God.

as for me, i'll be forever grateful for my yfc experience. i learned a lot of things and met a lot of good people whom i consider as my true friends (brothers and sisters in Christ) - kayo yun :-) and i'll treasure those memories.

the CFC community was instrumental in my renewal of commitment to Christ but i think i've outgrown that stage. i'm moving on in my journey towards living a more fruitful life for God with and without the help of any organization. this is my personal journey but i do appreciate the aid of people i meet along the way who have touched my life in various ways. at the end of it all, i think God would not ask me how many organizations i've joined but how much I've loved.

gratefulness

This morning, I resolved to wake up early and jog at the Circle. Obviously, for vanity reasons, I felt like I was gaining weight and I don't like it. hehe.. Actually, the Circle is a good place to jog. I just don't like crossing from NHA towards the crossing. I felt like all those wheezing cars would bump me and leave me for dead. I swear, that'll be the death of me(God forbid!) its been a long time since I've been there, I noted several stores that I'd like to visit when I have the time - the Butterfly garden, Herbal garden and the skating rink.

Anyway, on my way home, I was tempted to buy taho. Its been quite some time since I've eaten taho and I was greatly disappointed. It didn't taste too good. So, when I saw a scruffy old man, sitting by the sidewalk, I decided to do my good deed right then and there. (The motive wasn't really that noble 'coz I wanted to dispose the taho and it was the perfect excuse.. ) And I thought he looked kinda hungry too so I'm sure he'd appreciate my taho.

But when I offered my taho to him, here's what he said to me, in straight english. "My Child, I am so grateful that you're sharing your food with me. But I can't take it coz I have arthritis. Thank you, thank you."

That's it? No punchline? It blew my mind away. It was the ultimate humbling experience. As I was looking into his clear eyes, trying to gauge the sincerity of his statement, I still had doubts in my mind. I was thinking that he'd end his statement with, "But you can give me some money instead." I swear, I'll walk out on him. But after he finished speaking those sincere words, I was speechless. I just managed to smile and walk on with all these thoughts racing through my mind.

I'm so ashamed of myself. I realized that my view of the world is so jaded. I'm paranoid that everybody is out to outwit anybody. It feels great to know that there are still kind hearted people out there who also see the goodness in everybody. I'd like to take that attitude to heart and live it. Gratefulness is also one trait which many of us have forgotten. All I hear are complaints - its too hot (be thankful there's no storm), i have so many things to do at the office (be thankful you have a job), the food does not taste good (be thankful you have something to eat).. the list is endless for things that we can be thankful about.

Be grateful - make it a habit!


P.S.

Also, Paulo Coelho's book entitled Veronika Decides to Die came to mind. What if he's one of those people? Someone who doesn't want to live within the bounds of societal norms. Society calls them crazy - they call it, freedom. And yes, I remember, I once wanted to have that kind of freedom but was too afraid to risk.
Maybe I'll talk more about this in my future posts.

Personal Resolution

16 August 2007

After several years of hee-hawing on my decision, I finally resolved to pursue the study of law for the following reasons:

* I want to learn the intricacies of law - I want to understand the technical aspects of law and its contribution in promoting a harmonious environment.

* I want to be able to affect other people's lives and have a direct impact and contribution in helping them.

* My personal advocacy would be juvenile delinquency and sexual abuse. I want to assure them that they are not alone in this fight and that they still have a hope for a brighter future despite the things that happened to them.

* I want to be able to help my local government. If the local officials are willing, I can help them devise plans to improve the locality.

* I do think that these reasons would motivate me to wake up in the morning and help me fulfill my mission in this life.

* Moreover, a solid grounding in the study of law would help me form my own opinion regarding pertinent issues in the society.

All of these things, I lift up to God and implore His Divine guidance and blessings for my future decisions.

Plan of Action
1. start reviewing for LAE
2. enroll in a review program
3. ask Rude is she'd like to take the entrance exam
4. keep it mum :)
5. pray and pray for guidance
6. talk to ate sansu and atty viva regarding plans

30 March 2009
On Retrospect: I made it to law school. And now, I'm struggling to survive this madness :)

On death and living

21 July 2007

With the recent deaths of Dr. Fredegusto David and Bro. Gene Sanchez, I realized how fleeting life is. There's no sense pursuing mundane things. The mission of every human being is to touch and directly impact other people's lives. In the lives of these two gentlemen, God has truly guided them. They led quiet lives but they impacted a lot of people by the way they lived their lives. They have shown us how to live a life of passion for what they deemed as important. May God help us to be more like them - in patience, perseverance and quiet contentment.

Understanding of God

15 July 2007

What if Mary and God are one Supreme Being?
He/she/it has no gender. Its just a manifestation of the human gender but its one and the same. We attribute or attempt to understand the Supreme Being's personification in the way we understand it as humans.

The human's spiritual experience of the manifestation of the Supreme Being is relative to the Spirit's need to gain a deeper understanding of the entirety of the Supreme Being.

Its like language - we have different languages, different ways of expressing ourselves and understanding things. But there's a universal truth -we all believe in the Supreme Being. That our world originated from something or someone more powerful than we are - all knowing, omniscient, omnipotent. Since our senses are limited, we can only grasp a certain facet of this Being's entirety and we use this as our guiding principle / living motto in how we live our lives, how we attempt to understand how this Being work and how we give back our praises to the Supreme Being in gratitude. The Being's gender is not a hindrance to our understanding of the Being's entirety. So, Our Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Mother could all be personifications of the human being's understanding of the Supreme Being given one's human capacity. Although a semblance of form and structure is also essential so that the believers will have a common understanding of the Supreme Being - much like Wittgenstein's language game.

Like the language, it originated from the human being's desire to communicate with another individual. First, it may have started with only two beings understanding each other using a particular form or semblance of language and then when they became many and many people understand each other using this form - it became established as a formal language.

To each according to his needs. So we attach a certain attribute to the Supreme Being based on our needs. For example, the birds may have or believe in a Supreme Being of worms because they would need someone to guide them / lead them to an abundance of worms. In Jesus' teaching, even the birds of the air are important to him, much more is the human being whom the Supreme Being created in one's own image and likeness.

Maybe that's the reason why we call upon the saints who have spent their lives contemplating on the entirety of the Supreme Being - so that we can follow their steps and grasp what they have grasped and gain an understanding of the Supreme Being.

Religion places a semblance of structure in the human being's understanding of a particular facet or attribute of the Supreme Being.

So, what is the implication of this in our daily Christian living?

silencio

I was invited to a retreat last weekend. I didn't really know what the retreat was all about but I thought I really needed a break so I decided to join anyway. Apparently, the retreat, which was sponsored by Notre Dame de Vie, was all about prayer symbolically represented by quenching one's thirst by meeting Jesus at the well.

It was a new experience for me since the community espouses the importance of silence within the halls of the retreat house. They believe that one can be in communion with the Spirit through silence. For someone who really loves to talk, it was awkward at first. But after a while, silence becomes your company - in everything that you do, like eating, washing the dishes, walking, etc.

There was one session facilitated by Fr. Em (short for Emmanuel) which was all about prayer. Initially, i thought i already knew everything there is to know about prayer. I mean, at a very young age I was already taught how to pray. By sharing the story about Jesus and the Samaritan woman, Fr. Em presented a new aspect about prayer, which gave me food for thought throughout the retreat. Here are a few points that he raised:

- In order to pray, one must have the will to pray. One must learn how to pray.
- According to St. Therese of Avila, prayer is nothing else than the close sharing between friends. This means taking time frequently to be alone with him whom we know loves us.
- Each encounter with Jesus is a prayer.
- Notice that Jesus met the Samaritan woman at a well in the outskirts of the town. This could mean that if you want to have a special encounter with Jesus, you need to get out of the noise.
- It is also possible to meet Jesus daily, even in ordinary places.
- There was also a verse about Jesus becoming very tired from the journey - he can empathize with our weaknesses.
- One doesn't have to wait until you feel worthy in order to pray. Even sinners can meet Jesus in prayer.
- In the dialogue between Jesus and the women, both friends are thirsty when they came to the well. Jesus starts the dialogue in prayer. And he is waiting for you at the well.
- Its a comforting thought that God desires us and prayer is an encounter of God's thirst for us.
- When he asked the woman to give him a drink, it was the love of the woman that he was seeking. Jesus is thirsty for our love.
- Love is giving and receiving. We just have to allow God to love us. God is waiting for someone who will accept his love.
- For us to accept his love, we have to enter into the covenant and open up our hearts to him. Although, God respects your will to accept or reject his love.
- St. John of the Cross declares that: "It should be known that if a person is seeking God, his beloved is seeking him more."
- The Holy Spirit is the living water.
- There are several wellsprings of faith such as the Word of God and liturgical prayer within us. Faith is something that belongs to us. It can also be a talent that one can exercise through actions. Do your little acts of faith and at the end of the dialogue, Jesus reveals himself.
- We cannot measure God's presence according to our own feelings.
- True adoration is the movement of body and soul. ad- to want and oration-oral. It is an act of bringing or giving oneself to God and to come to him in a free and personal way.
- If you want to discern your vocation, start doing / fulfilling your eternal vocation and your practical vocation will be revealed.


Let me end this with three statements. I came... I saw... I left..
I came... not knowing what to expect from the retreat.
I saw... a different aspect of prayer and a contemplative attitude towards it. I realized that a lot of people are also thirsting for more of Him, including me. And our thirst can only be quenched in prayer.
I left... with a lighter bounce to my step knowing that my God is just waiting for me to come to him in prayer.

affirmations

undated journal entry

I was feeling kinda low at that time and I just thought of jotting down something in my journal. My hands couldn't stop writing and I can barely read my handwriting. My persistent question at that time was, What do you want to say Lord?

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Repent and I will forgive your sins. Come back to me and I will bless you and your family. Keep strong. Plans. Do not be afraid of the Spirit. Let Him guide you and inspire you as you continue living your life for me. Keep him in your heart always. I feel hurt when you deny me, when you don't stand up for me. Be confident in my love for you. Do not think about what other people think. What matters most is my opinion of you. I sent my Son to go against that - to prove that one can be capable of laying His life for the people for the sake of love. Claim my promises - that I will use you as my instrument, that I will prosper your plans. Repent now. I have shown you many signs. I have spoken to you many times. I introduced myself to you. I'm teaching you of a new and radical way to live your earthly life. All of these material things will come to pass but my love will last forever. So be wise in your decisions. I have called you to my Kingdom time and time again. Invite me into your life. Allow me to bless you. Hold on to my words and my promises. Do not doubt me. I alone can change your life. Obey me. Keep my words in your heart. Tell other people about me - do not be afraid to speak out. Don't be afraid of ridicules. Remember that you're doing it for your Lord. I want you to be with me in my kingdom forever. Keep the strength. Open your senses - I'm performing small miracles everyday to remind you of the heavenly kingdom, when you will rest with me forever. Don't be stuck in this world. I love you son. I love you my daughter. Don't waste this one time chance that I gave you. Don't be lazy. Make haste for your time is drawing near. Call to the Holy Spirit for help. I am sending him to you. Do not lack faith. Believe. Believe always. Say this to yourself many times. Believe in me. Believe in all the things that happened in the past, of what's happening at present and what will happen in the future. I

inspired!

I haven't written anything in a while. Yes, there were times when I really wanted to write something but I just didn't have the right words to describe my experiences. But, right now, I just feel so happy.. inspired even.. :-) hehe.. sheez, I just can't seem to wipe this smile off my face. Owel, i don't wanna dwell too much on the reason behind this sudden inspiration. Maybe I'll discuss it in my future posts. ;-)

Anyway, today is MDS's 62nd birthday. And for the second time, she spent it in PGH, in time for the inauguration of the medical wards that she donated to the said hospital through her PDAF. According to her, instead of allocating the funds to public works projects where the DPWH gets a huge chunk of the budget, she'd rather give it to the PGH for additional medical equipments - in turn, she would be able to help the 600,000 patients who avail of the hospital's services annually. Its not everyday that you get to see a politician like that. Although she has her moods, I really admire her courage and determination to change a lot of things in this country. It might seem like she failed, considering the current state of our nation, but one should never discount the impact of her deeds on the people's psyche. Maybe that's one of the reason why I've stayed with her all these years (3 years on the job come July). And I really love it when she ends her speech with these lines from William Henley's Invictus:

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul!

limbo

I feel like I'm floating in a limbo. I don't know where I'm going but I know I have a lot of things to do - I just can't find the motivation to move and perform. Maybe I'm just overwhelmed with a lot of things - family concerns, work (and the lack of motivation to work), community service, business sideline. I feel like well, floating.......

busy weekend

I really can't get enough of the weekend. I got so many things to do, people to meet, books to read and opportunities to grab. For starters, last Friday, I attended a grad party hosted by my high school batchmate at a bar in Malate. After 7 years in college, she finally graduated with a degree in Dentistry and I'm very happy for her. Its been a long time since I mingled with this kind of crowd and I felt out of place. I'm not much of a drinker so I gotta limit my drinks to 1 or 2 bottles of beer. But it was great to see another high school batchmate who was "hiding" from us all this time. I really love it when i meet old friends and chat with them again.

The night after, Saturday night, we arranged a mini-reunion for our high school batchmates. The mini-reunion was composed of 6 batchmates and 1 girlfriend. Owel, at least we enjoyed each other's stories and we lasted till the wee hours of the morning. Too bad for me coz I had to get up early for the Sunday Feast. After which, I had to meet my upline in the network business that I joined. And I had to stay up late coz I had to wait for my bro and sis. Whew, full house.

Network Twenty One

I finally made the big move. I joined Network Twenty One, which is the marketing arm of Amway Corp. Its actually a networking company. Oopps, I can see you raising your eyebrows. Yeah, yeah, you might think its bogus or an impending scam. But I've thought about this long and hard. Honestly, I'm not in it for the money but for the education that I can get from their business seminars. The type of education that I can use for my own business in the future. Actually, I've been skeptical about joining networking businesses since I joined one last 2004. It seems like easy money that's why many people are attracted to it. However, Network Twenty One offers a comprehensive educational program which teaches you the basics about sales, marketing, personal development and the like. And that's what I'd like to learn. I don't know much about it yet but I'm very much willing to learn and see how effective their programs are. So, I guess you'll be reading about my experiences in this business for the coming days.

Thinking Rich

My life has just been revitalized by a book. I just finished reading Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad and it really changed my perspective on things especially about money. It shattered a lot of misconceptions and made me think about this rat race that I've been living for the past 3 years. My ultimate goal would be to get out of this rat race and make my money work for me.

In order to get started, I developed several short term goals like:
1. join a networking company so that I would be exposed to the world of sales and learn how to establish a network of people which would be my biggest asset
2. apply for a part time job as a real estate agent in order to learn the trade of investing in real estate properties
3. keep my daytime job so that I'll still have a steady income while I'm building my business networks; i'll probably resign early next year

I know I still have a long way to go but I'm very positive about all these plans.

au revoir for now..

I'm just squeezing this into my otherwise busy schedule. I'll be leaving for davao at 4am tomorrow. Weeehhh.. I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it. hehe.. but going home means I wouldn't be able to post my thoughts in this blog. But don't you worry, I'll just write in my journal whatever comes to my mind and I'll post it here once I get the chance.

So, au revoir for now mon amis. Je m'ennuierai de toi. Je vous verrai bientôt. Joyeux Noël et nouvelle année heureuse.

Dieu bénissent.

longing to be HOME....

Im so excited to go home.. 3 more nights and i'll be back in the company of my family. I only get this opportunity once a year and now I'll be maximizing my vacation coz I'll be on leave for a month. whew.. I guess that's enough time to get my bearings and acquaint myself once more with the neighborhood where I grew up. You see, for the past six years, I haven't stayed at home for more than two weeks. And during those times, I'm always out with friends or visiting some relatives. God, I really miss my home.. If it were not for the dusty and bumpy 6-hour ride, I would be going home everytime the airlines offer promo flights.

Another reason why I'm so excited to go home is to see for myself how the CFC community is growing in our hometown. You see, I've been praying and dreaming about this for the past 4 years. Ever since I joined YFC and experienced the loving embrace of brothers and sisters in the community, I always prayed that my parents, 2 brothers and 1 sister would be able to experience this feeling. Before I joined this community, I've always felt that there's nothing wrong with me. I'm just an ordinary Christian who attends mass every Sunday and prays to God regularly (thanks to my Catholic education). But then, I've never been so wrong about that. In this community, I realized that God is ever-present and ever faithful and that He has a divine plan for everybody - including me and my family. And I'm holding on to that assurance that someday, somehow the rest of my family will be able to realize that too..

I never knew that God had something up on His sleeve. For 4 years, I just kept on praying and hoping - but nothing happened. Nevertheless, I still pushed on with my service in the community - attending youth camps, joining the production numbers for the conferences, giving talks, and all that jazz. But at the back of my mind, I kept on wishing that someone would be doing the same thing in my hometown. Recently, my fervent hope became more of a mantra. We've been having minor problems with my dad and his vices. And these problems escalated to a level which me and my siblings cannot tolerate anymore. I don't wanna put him in a negative light. Its just that I'm overly concerned for my siblings who are in their formative years. But I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. Putting myself in his shoes, I know that its very hard to raise a family during these trying times. And considering his background, he was able to hold a prominent position in an NGO and now he's back in our hometown trying to establish his businesses most of which did not yield any profit, life wasn't very easy on him. Maybe that's the reason why he resorted to his vices - to be able to escape reality for a while. In the long run, this kind of life wouldn't be good for his health. I've tried various ways of convincing him - writing a research paper about the ill effects of smoking, talking to him about it, trying the technique of reverse psychology - all to no avail. My last hope was a community who would support him and understand what he's going through. After four years of waiting, it finally came during the time when I least expect it. The CFC couples conducted a 3-day retreat for the parents in our school which served as their entrypoint to the community. My father did not change overnight but Im so thankful to notice small changes in him. Truly, God cannot be outdone in His faithfulness.. The verse in Mt. 7:7 always comes to mind whenever I reflect on this blessing.. "Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will be opened to you."

gentle reminders

another one of my journal entries. i must have read quite a number of self-help books and everything came tumbling into this article. this is what I believe in. I know these are tough rules to follow but at the very least, im struggling real hard to live with them..

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5 September 2006
Journal Entry

Practice the habit of thinking out of the box. Do not conform with the way of the world. Do not be contented with the norm. Strive for excellence in whatever you do - acads, work, service, relationships. Do not settle for mediocrity. If you can still do something to improve your work, do it. It will pay off in the long run. Your creator deserves far better than your mediocre results. You were given many talents, blessings and opportunities - uose them all for the glory of God.

Save for the future. Learn to live within your means and allot a little part for savings. But don't forget your tithes. Give to the Lord with a cheerful heart. Give to your neighbors in any way you can.

Do not be shortsighted. See beyond your comfort zones. Live on the edge. Do not be complacent. Keep the fire burning. Never lose hope that there will be a better tomorrow, if you'll only believe. Keep the faith always.

Count your blessings and be grateful for it. Learn to share it with those who are in need of your love. Be instruments of peace. Show people that you truly care. In building relationships with them, be sincere. Integrity matters a lot.

Know your non-negotiables and live with it. Do not compromise always. Learn to take a stand but broaden your understanding of other people's viewpoint. Learn to say NO.

Keep your pride in check. Remember, you're just an instrument. Rein in your jealousy, envy and malicious thoughts. They will get you nowhere. The longer you think about them, the more they control your actions. So stop these thoughts whenever you can.

Believe in the innate goodness of every human. You just have to believe it in order to see it in them. Give complements and stop criticizing. Your words can easily influence others so take note of what you spread around. Live by these mottos one day at a time with the Lord's grace... :-)

Divine inspiration...

20 January 2005
Journal Entry

Life is not all about pleasures. Experiences are meant to help you grow and strengthen you so that you can face future trials in your life. You have to make the conscious effort to overcome your weaknesses. Only after having done so will you be able to understand the reason behind the experience. Have faith, my child. Look towards the heaven. Do not be confined in this world. These are just temporary pursuits but they will aid you in your journey towards my kingdom. Do not lose hope. Trust me and trust yourself.

im back...

After a very long time, im back to blogging. I have so many things to write about that I don't know where to start. I guess I'll have to begin with my explanations for the blog lag. As usual, I got caught up with my acads stuff. Yes, Im learning a lot but I had to invest a lot of time with these things. I'm actually happy with psychology but I don't think I'll be able to complete my masters degree. If you'll ask me why? I think I'm just lazy to do my thesis.. pathetic eh?!? But I do have a lot of questions in mind.. Questions that I'd like to answer but I may not have the time and the stamina to pursue all of these and turn it into a full blown thesis.

And now, I'm planning to change courses.. hehe.. Looks like im heading nowhere. I guess I'm in a point where I want to learn and study everything that interests me. If only I didn't have to worry about working and earning money I'd like to learn a lot of things like the French language so that one day I'll be able to read French books. I'd also like to learn the formal way of dancing, whether jazz, ballroom, streetdance or even ballet. I think I can just go on dancing forever. For me, dancing is like flying with your feet planted on the ground but your spirit is soaring towards the skies. I'd also like to learn how to cook properly and discover new recipes. Oh, cooking for my family on Sundays would be very fulfilling for me. I'd like to have my very own state-of-the-art kitchen someday. That would be fun, fun, fun. I'd also like to learn how to play professional badminton so that I wouldn't get the feeling that I'm a disappointment to my badminton partner. Finally, I'd like to learn how to write properly. One way to do it would be to familiarize myself with the Elements of Style by Strunk and White. Another way would be to practice writing here in my blog.. :-)

See.. I have a lot of things to learn in this world and I don't know how I'm gonna get the resources or the time to do all these.. owel, Im not gonna worry about that for now. Im just happy that i'm finally back to blogging...