Curbside Stories

Ask yourself a hundred times: "Am I ready to tie the knot? Am I ready for a lifetime commitment?" If you answer yes without any hint of doubt, go ahead. Otherwise, rethink and postpone before it is too late.

While driving to work this morning, I suddenly thought of the relationship between speed, distance and time--contemplating about how we sometimes describe distance as how fast we could get to our desired destination. It's easier for our sentimental and always longing self to accept distance as 17 hours away than 7 thousand miles away. If you are in a long distance relationship, the concept of distance tires us because its measurement seems unfathomable so we'd rather describe it in terms that has shorter limits like time in a day. In our mind when we say 17 hours away, we know that in less than day, we will be with the one we love.

They say "Love is blind", while others say "the lovers are". Whichever you believe in, one thing is for sure, love comes in the most unexpected way. Kita Kita  (I See You) is not the typical romantic comedy film you see regularly in theaters. Lea (Alessandra de Rossi) and Tonyo (Empoy Marquez) are the main characters of the movie--they are the most unconventional pair but I was surprised by their chemistry. Their acting was so unbelievable that they made me believe everything is real.  I laughed and cried. It made me think. It made me see what the eyes can't.

I had a quick nap this afternoon. I have been frequently sleepy these past few days because of my late night vice of watching videos in YouTube... or was it probably because of the cocktail drink in a pouch (yes, in a pouch like a juice) that I bought from a convenience store out of curiosity? Nevertheless, I bet it was not enough to cause me to have such an unusual dream. The sequence of my dream is already mixed up in my head but I vividly remember one man, my lover, who was with me and we were swimming with friends in a river. Funny how I remember he was an engineer, older than me by 5 years, and he bears a very familiar surname. He's tall, around 5 feet and ten inches, with black straight hair. His scruffy round face did not hide his good looks. Yes, I was attracted to him--he was my lover in my dream. A few swims and I noticed that the river had dried up. Another scene was in the exact same room where I took a nap. He entered the room and laid down beside me, hugging ...

I love this. Probably because I've collided with another star.

It's Holy Week and I succumb myself into watching the television with my son. I have to take this opportunity to spend the long vacation with him because I have a really busy schedule. Yesterday's show was about the 7 Last Words, the first word of Jesus Christ is what really brought me into deep reflection. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) A married couple shared about their struggles in life. The husband was a drug addict, philander, and plainly irresponsible father. For ten years the wife endured everything but her faith and trust in the Lord did not falter. One day, the wife's prayer was answered. Her husband completely turned his back away from his old ways and sought the Lord's hands for healing.  What struck me about the couple's story is the wife's commitment to their marriage. Yes, her husband drifted away from them but she remained steadfast and loving. She was ready to forgive and forget everything...

No Valentine's Day blues for me. I celebrated it with friends over coffee. And besides, Valentine's Day is a year-round event for me because this little guy never fails to give me morning hugs and kisses.

Are you in a relationship wherein you absolutely feel that he is the right guy for you and he also loves you dearly yet he just couldn't commit to being with you forever? I know a lot of women has this issue with guys. I am sure that generically they will answer "I am not yet ready". But, what would you do if this "right guy" just won't commit? Would you say bye-bye or would you extend your patience and believe that he'll change his mind eventually?

It is the 20th century but believe it or not, ending a relationship because the parents doesn't approve of it still happens. Parents have various reason for disapproval--religion, family background, social status, looks, etc. Regardless of the reason, still many couples separate ways because one of the partners value and respect their parents and are afraid of being disowned by their own family. I have a colleague who had an unplanned pregnancy with her boyfriend for years. Despite being in a relationship with the guy for years, her parents are still against their relationship. When she discovered they were pregnant, they eloped but eventually decided to face their parents to sort things out. At first, the parents were furious to the point of really disowning her. Fortunately, her parents finally accepted the fact that she is pregnant with the guy they despise and were married soon after. Another story that I would like to share has a sad ending. The guy decided to end his ...

I feel like the most naive person in the world. I overheard from fellow commuters earlier this day about their date rendezvous last weekend. I was actually shock to hear them talk about personal matter inside a public utility vehicle. Anyways, the girl is 10 years my junior. Hold your calculators and let us not talk about my age. She was telling her friend that she finally agreed to have a date with a guy who's been wooing him for quite some time. He likes the guy but she could not find the time to have a date. So, finally she did and she admitted to kissing the guy before they separated ways that memorable evening. The question now is, would you kiss on a first date? How does it feel? Does that permit a new level of relationship?

I have a friend who had a relationship with a Muslim guy. My friend is Roman Catholic. Their relationship was good but when my friend had to go back to the Philippines for a vacation, her then-boyfriend married another Muslim woman because the guy's parents doesn't approve of her. It was a fixed marriage, a norm in where the guy lives. My friend told me that one of the factors why she did not expect the relationship to last is because she is of a different religion. Although the guy didn't ask her to change her religion, it was obvious on the part of the parents... it was a requirement. Would you change religion for love? Does religion ever matter for a relationship to pursue and to last? Can't we just all respect each other's beliefs?

Is there a rule not to have a relationship with your best friend's ex-boyfriend? It didn't happen to me but I don't think I will be comfortable hanging out with my best friend with my ex-boyfriend as her new boyfriend tagging along. It will just bring in memories. Even if you have moved on completely, I can't say to my friend "I am happy for you two" when at the back of my mind I am really saying "It should be me". I will be too paranoid to think that he's maybe telling my best friend that she is better than I was when we were together. I think it will be awkward too for my best friend because she knows our better days. When it happens to you, how are you going to deal with it? Would you still be friends with your best friend? Would you rather slowly drift away?

PSALMS 94:18 Whenever I feel my foot slipping, your faithful love steadies me, Lord. I was searching last night of a Bible passage about love using a Bible app in my iPad. I guess more than a hundred passages matched with the word love but of all that I was able to read, it is this passage that made an impact on me. I hope this passage will inspire you today and for always.

Love is that feeling of rest and contentment beside him.

Click here . Happy Valentine's Day!

Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around.  You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more.  You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you.  When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement.  They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself.  Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful.  There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around.  You can be yourself and not worry about ...

My son was born on January 18, 2008 at around 10:15 PM via Caesarian Section. He weighed 7.9 pounds, pretty large boy.  After five years, I could still vividly remember the first time I held him when the doctor put him on my chest when he came out. I was still at the operating room. I was groggy because of anesthesia, but, I could still remember his loud cry, his pinkish and wrinkly skin, and his angelic face. He is such a darling! He is my life and the only person who brings constant happiness in my life.

This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him.  1 John 4:9 Never forget that HE is always with us... no matter what.

Merry Christmas! I could not ask for more. God has blessed me with so many things this year that I am deeply humbled by His generosity. If there are things that I would wish to have, it would be for other people. I pray for the victims of Typhoon Pablo and the rest of the calamity-stricken areas to be safe and to continue to gather their faith and strength to build their lives again. I pray for the people to continue to help and extend their generosity to those who need their help the most. I pray for the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary and their loved ones to find healing, peace, acceptance and forgiveness so that they may be able to live their lives better than today like what the innocent children wants them to have. I pray for wisdom to all country leaders to exert extra effort to promote harmonious living within their country and among other nations. I pray for Your continued mercy. May You guide us towards the right path through your Son Jesus Christ, o...

There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves. The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. Then they will see the Human One coming on a cloud with power and great splendor. Now when these things happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near. Luke 21:25-28 Take care that your hearts aren't dulled by drinking parties, drunkenness, and the anxieties of day-to-day life. Don't let that day fall upon you unexpectedly, like a trap. It will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen and to stand before the Human One. Luke 21:34-36 Are we prepared for the second coming of Christ?  That was the question ...