Curbside Stories

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...

The view of Mactan Island from our boat. I can't believe I forgot to post my first ever Cebu trip with my sisters! We went there last October 2013. It almost didn't happen because Cebu and Bohol were rocked by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. We were so scared because of the reports of aftershocks but we can no longer move the date because my younger sister will be back in the US the following week. So we went, with all courage and prayers for guidance and safety.  We stayed in a cheap but decent hotel in Mandaue, it is about 30 to 40 minute taxi drive from Mactan Cebu International Airport. Although there were many public transportations, we opted to ride a taxi for convenience. If I remember it correctly, we paid a little over 6 thousand pesos for two family rooms for three days. Not bad, eh? The Magellan's Cross. Day 1 of our stay started with a tour at the Magellan's Cross in the compound of Basilica del Sto. Nino in Cebu City. There were many tourists ...

These kids are just a few of the 177 children together with their families who were relocated from Tacloban, Leyte to Rosario, Cavite after their homes were destroyed by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). I was lucky enough to be able to organize a feeding program for these kids for five days through the help of the company where I work and my co-workers. We began weighing the kids last February 28 and true to our suspicion, the kids were underweight. The actual feeding program started on March 3 and ended on March 7. On the 5th day, we weighed the kids again and they gained weight, thank goodness. I know what we did was not enough to help these kids live healthier lives and I promise to help them, whatever help I can give them as my way of paying it forward... my thanksgiving for keeping me and the rest of my family safe and healthy. This video pretty summed up what we did in the entire 5 days. I will never forget their smiles, their satisfied faces after each meal and their since...

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.

My photo taken by my travel buddy. I am not wearing an appropriate beach attire, again. It was five years ago when I  first visited  Munting Buhangin Beach Camp in Nasugbu, Batangas together with my two friends. It was a random trip borne out of boredom. Yesterday, my travel buddy and I only planned to have lunch in Tagaytay City but we ended up driving to Batangas. We initially thought of going to a resort we haven't visited yet, in fact, we inquired at Canyon Cove--but we ended up in Munting Buhangin again... The white sand beach that is overlooked by a neighbor members only resort--Terrazas De Punta Fuego. Me waiting for the sun to set  in one of the tents. I noticed they added more tents to accommodate day tour guests. They were also painting and repairing cottages as one of the preparations for the summer vacation. The same nipa cottages that are lined up on the beach are still there. The entrance fee for day tour is Php180 but if ...

This is a late post. Before the start of the first regular work-day of the new year, my family and I went to Kaybiang Tunnel in Maragondon, Cavite. It is a new road that leads to Nasugbu, Batangas. This is not a regular road-tunnel, though... it is the first in Cavite. It boasts a spectacular view of the South China Sea and the mountainous side of Cavite. When it was formally opened last year by President Noynoy Aquino, it opened a new gate for adventure seekers like me. It is around 40 minutes drive from our house. There is no traffic. When we got there, there were a bunch of motorcycle riders going to and fro the tunnel. There were also families who pull over from time to time to take pictures of the magnificent view. This photo was taken halfway through the tunnel. My son enjoyed screaming and hearing his echo. That's me. Obviously, the tunnel is 96 kilometers away from the Rizal Park in Manila. This photo was taken from the Nasugbu side of t...

I am currently studying for my comprehensive exam on the 18th. It is one of the requirements for me to finish my MBA. It has been twice postponed and I am hoping that it will not affect my thesis timetable.  While having a hot chocolate drink break from studying, I read the bible for some inspiration.  By surrendering our lives to Him and to His will, we get to understand how our faith works in our lives.