I can still vividly remember the very first hour that I stepped my feet on the land of Coconuts. I will be serving as a missionary for the Philippines Tacloban Mission which covers the whole Region 8. It includes the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern, Northern, and Western Samar plus Biliran Island.
After arrving at their Romuladez Airport, we went straight to the Mission Office located in Tacloban City. It was a wonderful day to see my President and his wife who is so lovely and so sweet. President and Sister Elggren will be our mission parents for two years. Never did I imagine that I would have an American parent. (Smile)… Even just for two years.
Then they drove us to the famous Leyte Landing Park. It is remembered it is in this very place that General McArthur of the World Ward II uttered the famous “I Shall Return”. This time, Pres. Elggren gave his orientation for the new missionaries (including me). It is in this place as well that he had announced our companionship. My trainer then was Elder Caballes from La Union. A very good singer indeed and a industrious servant of God.
The next day, after all the other orientations, we went straight to our area of responsibility – DAGAMI, LEYTE: Land of the Loving, a place never to be forgotten!
Our house was not that very nice but it was homey. We were greeted by a very quiet community considering it’s still early for people to sleep. Late in the afternoon, we met our house help but I would prefer calling her Nanay cause she deserves to be respected. Nanay Gina Rondon played a very vital role in our work as a missionary in this area. We will be reopening the area for missionary work which was closed for about 3 to 5 months I think. It is a huge responsibility but I felt so lucky to have been given the chance to do so.
My companion, Elder Caballes, speaks Ilocano (a Philippine dialect) and so do I. When we learned about DAGAMI being the name of the place, we smiled! Because in Ilocano, it means “Our Land” (daga mi). And so this land is given to us by Heavenly Father to be nourished by the good word of God.
To be continued….
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
People, Places and Faces: Two Years Worth of Treasured Memories!
I was at my very exciting stint as a media reporter when I decided to change course and leave everything, including the ticket to fame, and went for charity work – serving the Lord for 2 years in the Islands of Leyte and Samar, Philippines. Two years of worth-treasuring moments and experiences in life that I would never trade to anything precious a human can have.
This would be probably a 5 series special blog which includes the following:
Dagami, Leyte: A Place Never to be Forgotten
Tacloban: City of History and Promise
Dolores, Eastern Samar: Fun under the Hot Sun
Borongan, Eastern Samar: Such a Lovely Place
Two Years is Not Enough for a Missionary Man!
It is in this view that I would like to invite everyone to seat back and relax as I bring to you, in the comfort of your home or office or even on your travel, the essence of charity work with which I was given the privilege to enjoy and have realized that life full of love, more than anything else, is worth thanking for.
This would be probably a 5 series special blog which includes the following:
Dagami, Leyte: A Place Never to be Forgotten
Tacloban: City of History and Promise
Dolores, Eastern Samar: Fun under the Hot Sun
Borongan, Eastern Samar: Such a Lovely Place
Two Years is Not Enough for a Missionary Man!
It is in this view that I would like to invite everyone to seat back and relax as I bring to you, in the comfort of your home or office or even on your travel, the essence of charity work with which I was given the privilege to enjoy and have realized that life full of love, more than anything else, is worth thanking for.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
“Life’s Questions Left Unanswered” Part 1
I was born in a place that I would say had never progressed since the last time I saw it. Given that some buildings were established, but would you believe that until now that very place where I used to live and play has no hospital for its citizens? Poor place, it should have been a progressive one for it is located near the river and all I can remember in my world history subjects that places near this kind are the one that progresses first for business is already there. But that’s not seemed to be the case in this place of mine. And so I left the place with a question unanswered: Why is the place suffering where in fact, from the time it became independent from a larger place, people have the chance to manage it and make it progressive than expected? Will it stay that way forever?
As I leave the place, I left a childhood history in there. Bringing with me a promise of an adolescent life. Meeting new friends and people whom I can consider have played a big role on my life as a teenager. Living with my mother is not that easy. From a very luxurious life, now I live in a house we cannot call our own. I study in a school up in the mountains supported by the government. A pretty good school with amazing teachers of discipline. There I started to dream and dream big! With all the struggles in life that we are experiencing, I promised to myself I would go and do whatever it takes to make me feel the comfort of life again. This new place where I started to see a brighter future has given me a new hope in life…. at the start. Because as I go on dreaming and making waves and great steps to success, some people are unhappy that they would do the same, doing whatever it takes to pull me down. Even I am greatly and emotionally affected, I can’t let them step down on me. I am strong, I think, and I have a dream to fulfill. And so I did struggle a lot and have succeeded, I think. For on the end of the year, I emerged as the first among the thousand people who have dreamed as well. And I was readying myself to leave this new place again, I felt still incomplete and uncertain. Does this medallion really will give me a good future? But with my family’s situation, how would this piece of gold-plated thing help me?
Now, I am ready, I think, to face a higher level of experience; a more rigorous and mentally-demanding dream and goal. Leaving my family to pursue this dream of a higher education’s diploma is not that easy as well. For with me is a new faith I acquired from a place before here. A faith that I hope will help me quicken and awaken. It is not that easy for moving back to the old place where I left a question answered will just add another question I believe will be hard to answer. Can the family whom I have grown up with and with the luxurious stuff I have before with them give the same? Or I would again start from zero …alone?
As I leave the place, I left a childhood history in there. Bringing with me a promise of an adolescent life. Meeting new friends and people whom I can consider have played a big role on my life as a teenager. Living with my mother is not that easy. From a very luxurious life, now I live in a house we cannot call our own. I study in a school up in the mountains supported by the government. A pretty good school with amazing teachers of discipline. There I started to dream and dream big! With all the struggles in life that we are experiencing, I promised to myself I would go and do whatever it takes to make me feel the comfort of life again. This new place where I started to see a brighter future has given me a new hope in life…. at the start. Because as I go on dreaming and making waves and great steps to success, some people are unhappy that they would do the same, doing whatever it takes to pull me down. Even I am greatly and emotionally affected, I can’t let them step down on me. I am strong, I think, and I have a dream to fulfill. And so I did struggle a lot and have succeeded, I think. For on the end of the year, I emerged as the first among the thousand people who have dreamed as well. And I was readying myself to leave this new place again, I felt still incomplete and uncertain. Does this medallion really will give me a good future? But with my family’s situation, how would this piece of gold-plated thing help me?
Now, I am ready, I think, to face a higher level of experience; a more rigorous and mentally-demanding dream and goal. Leaving my family to pursue this dream of a higher education’s diploma is not that easy as well. For with me is a new faith I acquired from a place before here. A faith that I hope will help me quicken and awaken. It is not that easy for moving back to the old place where I left a question answered will just add another question I believe will be hard to answer. Can the family whom I have grown up with and with the luxurious stuff I have before with them give the same? Or I would again start from zero …alone?
A Whole New World
When I started dreaming of going to the different places in the world, I got this biggest smile on earth that a man could ever wear. Not that I know I can make it happen but because it is really amazing to dream an impossible dream. Funny isn’t it? Funny it is for me today for I can’t even afford to buy a ticket going back to a place I long to go to even here in my home country.
And so I told myself I would just dream and dream until a good creature would make that happen for me. Hopefully before I bid farewell to this life I just borrowed.
As the days pass by, I realized dreaming is fun and enjoying even if sometimes when you wake up, you would feel so incomplete knowing it was just a dream. So I went on and on dreaming; looking forward the day that my dream would come true. Until one day, when I am on my knees, I felt like a traveled so much and had come to a Whole New World! A world where everything is here… though I have to find them for they are hidden in my naked eyes.
After many seasons of reckoning, I was awaken to the realization that the world and places I wanted to see are the same places I have been into even in just a small town where I lived. For everything that I dreamed of seeing, I have seen already; For everything that I wanted to feel, I have felt already; And for everything that I wanted to enjoy, I am enjoying them already. Here where life I have lived with my family and friends and even with some people I don’t know. With these people whom have made my life complete… no more dreaming… only reality!
And so I told myself I would just dream and dream until a good creature would make that happen for me. Hopefully before I bid farewell to this life I just borrowed.
As the days pass by, I realized dreaming is fun and enjoying even if sometimes when you wake up, you would feel so incomplete knowing it was just a dream. So I went on and on dreaming; looking forward the day that my dream would come true. Until one day, when I am on my knees, I felt like a traveled so much and had come to a Whole New World! A world where everything is here… though I have to find them for they are hidden in my naked eyes.
After many seasons of reckoning, I was awaken to the realization that the world and places I wanted to see are the same places I have been into even in just a small town where I lived. For everything that I dreamed of seeing, I have seen already; For everything that I wanted to feel, I have felt already; And for everything that I wanted to enjoy, I am enjoying them already. Here where life I have lived with my family and friends and even with some people I don’t know. With these people whom have made my life complete… no more dreaming… only reality!
HALALAN 2007: An Experience
May 14, 2007. This is the very day I have been waiting for. The day when I can exercise my right again to VOTE! I was not able to vote last 2004 Elections because I was on my missionary duty in Tacloban City. All I can do then for the country is to clean the election’s wastes like the posters of the candidates posted on the walls on the different part of the city.
I woke up around 6:00AMfeeling somewhat lazy because I have to leave my house this early to be able to vote early and not rush into traffic and the heat of the temperature due to summer season. As I go out and vote, I was approached by my aunt and told me about the candidates that they think are qualified for their respective positions. It is in this view that I had reflected on my experiences as a media reporter having the chance to talk to some political figures both national and local positions. I have tackled in my former stories about a mayor who have not given his employee’s salary due to conflicts of interests, etc. Now I am here, standing before my aunt and listening to the same situation, that she wanted me to vote this particular guy because he is better than the other candidates. I just gave my aunt a smile because since I haven’t been living in my home province, most of the candidates are not familiar to me and so I left the local positions to my aunt’s decision. She then gave me a list of which to vote. But for the NATIONAL POSITIONS, I make my self clear that I would be the one to decide on this. As I look for my designated precinct, I was still accompanied by my aunt rehearsing on and on the people she wanted me to vote. Again, I gave her a smile. At last I found the precinct and now I am ready to vote.
I woke up around 6:00AMfeeling somewhat lazy because I have to leave my house this early to be able to vote early and not rush into traffic and the heat of the temperature due to summer season. As I go out and vote, I was approached by my aunt and told me about the candidates that they think are qualified for their respective positions. It is in this view that I had reflected on my experiences as a media reporter having the chance to talk to some political figures both national and local positions. I have tackled in my former stories about a mayor who have not given his employee’s salary due to conflicts of interests, etc. Now I am here, standing before my aunt and listening to the same situation, that she wanted me to vote this particular guy because he is better than the other candidates. I just gave my aunt a smile because since I haven’t been living in my home province, most of the candidates are not familiar to me and so I left the local positions to my aunt’s decision. She then gave me a list of which to vote. But for the NATIONAL POSITIONS, I make my self clear that I would be the one to decide on this. As I look for my designated precinct, I was still accompanied by my aunt rehearsing on and on the people she wanted me to vote. Again, I gave her a smile. At last I found the precinct and now I am ready to vote.
As I hold the election sheet and look for the nearest chair, I look around and I sat on the chair which I think is the same chair I had used during my elementary years in the school were the voting is being held, and even the same room I had spent my first grade. And so I am all set to fill out the blank page of the election sheet but there is somewhat a problem… At the precinct which I think should be free from harassment is now so crowded with flashing eyes of the poll watchers of the different parties of the elections. And so the supposed to be five minute writing/voting became like 10 minutes because I am avoiding this poll watcher who is like walking back and forth at my back I think making sure which I voted for? I hated to make people think I am so sensitive but I have to cover my paper as if I am in an examination room and filling out the blank sheet of the test paper. Truly, this is a test of courage, voting for the people whom you know can be able to help every member of the citizenry.
As I am voting, writing the names of which I have trusted, I was brought to the scene where television news brought to people the election’s whereabouts and the different happenings as the country reach the May 14 election.
The TV networks has made this day a very special day that they pull all their efforts and force for a wide range of election coverage! News here and abroad dominates the airwaves about people on their choices and even their struggles for free election. Sad to learn that the absentee-voting for the OFWs was not that successful; maybe because of the week-long voting period seem to be not enough to make the Filipinos abroad be excited on the election. A lot of factors have been laid as consideration of the failure.Ahhh…. Whew! At last, I am done. I have made myself proud for I have voted; I had exercised my right and the freedom to choose in some way. Though the election is generally for me a not so in-order process, still I am counting myself as one citizen who is helping the country bring changes to its history even in politics!
A Time to Give
Since childhood, I have dreamt of having a good and a happy family. Probably because my parents are separated since I was 5 years old yet. And now I am trying to make my own. Though there are a lot of things yet to prepare, I believed God will be very giving since I had spent time for him that I called "A Time to Give"
I started realizing that I have to give back the blessing that god had poured upon my shoulders when I am in my college years. I just rememeber that during those days that I needed help, people would come to me and help. And that was a result of a sincere prayer that I always carry inside my heart. Though working, I had finished my degree within four years. With the help of people like my teachers, and mentors, financially, and emotionally, and others stuff, I had proudly received my diploma!
And within seasons, like problems occur, but still God is there to help me make decisions and be of good cheer. And so I decided to serve him and I was assigned in the paradise-like ISLANDS of LEYTE, and SAMAR. These are in the region 8. Speaking another language was a hard thing. I ned to learn their native language which is Wara-waray. And so I did, I started making new friends, and building trust upon them. And Those days were fruitful. helping people change lives through the gospel. And gain-speaking, I gained so much of my testimony to our Maker! Indeed that was "A Time to Give", though you will also receive while serving sincerely.
I started realizing that I have to give back the blessing that god had poured upon my shoulders when I am in my college years. I just rememeber that during those days that I needed help, people would come to me and help. And that was a result of a sincere prayer that I always carry inside my heart. Though working, I had finished my degree within four years. With the help of people like my teachers, and mentors, financially, and emotionally, and others stuff, I had proudly received my diploma!
And within seasons, like problems occur, but still God is there to help me make decisions and be of good cheer. And so I decided to serve him and I was assigned in the paradise-like ISLANDS of LEYTE, and SAMAR. These are in the region 8. Speaking another language was a hard thing. I ned to learn their native language which is Wara-waray. And so I did, I started making new friends, and building trust upon them. And Those days were fruitful. helping people change lives through the gospel. And gain-speaking, I gained so much of my testimony to our Maker! Indeed that was "A Time to Give", though you will also receive while serving sincerely.
An Inspiring Inspiration
This is a very nice experience that everybody would just want to experience as well.
It happened on a Sunday at our Church. A brother was assigned to be the speaker for today’s sacrament service. He is to speak about “Love in the Family”.
But prior to this event, the preceding Sunday was a Testimony Sunday and everybody is invited to share one. We are sitting together and this brother felt somewhat that he wanted to share his testimony especially because now he is coming to church with his whole family (minus the mother who died a few years ago). The feeling was added with our cheer that he should go up and bear his testimony. But this brother was really somewhat shy for if it would happen, that would be the first time that he would bear in front of the congregation. And so, time has lapsed be his strength to stand up and bear was not enough and he lost the chance to say his testimony.
And so back to the current Sunday, he spoke about the topic he was assigned to speak about. And with great sincerity, the congregation felt his love for his family and the family that the church has given him. I, in particular, was touched when he uttered these words, “During those times that I fell and slipped, and then decided to go back again (to the Church), YOU are more than happy to ACCEPT ME…”
With these words, I felt so spiritually overwhelmed. I remember those times that I also slipped and fell and then had the time to decide and go back to the Church. And in the every counts of my inactivity, the members from our Church are more than GLAD to ACCEPT ME!
To whatever I am now, to whatever I become now… this partly I owe to myself, my parents, my love, and to my friends and church mates who have been there to support me during the hard times of my life. And I appreciate and PRAISED our HEAVENLY FATHER for all of these.
Everybody needs acceptance. Everyone needs a helping hand and open arms to cry with. Everybody deserves to be happy that includes YOU!
It happened on a Sunday at our Church. A brother was assigned to be the speaker for today’s sacrament service. He is to speak about “Love in the Family”.
But prior to this event, the preceding Sunday was a Testimony Sunday and everybody is invited to share one. We are sitting together and this brother felt somewhat that he wanted to share his testimony especially because now he is coming to church with his whole family (minus the mother who died a few years ago). The feeling was added with our cheer that he should go up and bear his testimony. But this brother was really somewhat shy for if it would happen, that would be the first time that he would bear in front of the congregation. And so, time has lapsed be his strength to stand up and bear was not enough and he lost the chance to say his testimony.
And so back to the current Sunday, he spoke about the topic he was assigned to speak about. And with great sincerity, the congregation felt his love for his family and the family that the church has given him. I, in particular, was touched when he uttered these words, “During those times that I fell and slipped, and then decided to go back again (to the Church), YOU are more than happy to ACCEPT ME…”
With these words, I felt so spiritually overwhelmed. I remember those times that I also slipped and fell and then had the time to decide and go back to the Church. And in the every counts of my inactivity, the members from our Church are more than GLAD to ACCEPT ME!
To whatever I am now, to whatever I become now… this partly I owe to myself, my parents, my love, and to my friends and church mates who have been there to support me during the hard times of my life. And I appreciate and PRAISED our HEAVENLY FATHER for all of these.
Everybody needs acceptance. Everyone needs a helping hand and open arms to cry with. Everybody deserves to be happy that includes YOU!
MY MISSIONARY PARENTS
Year 1993 was a very life-changing year for me and my family. My parents got separated when I was just 5 years of age. Both of them decided to have their own separate families. I grew up in my grandmother's keep. I must say she has raised me well. But I still long for that love and caress by a real mother and a father as well.
After I graduated from elementary, Mom came to visit and ask permission from my granny for us to have a sort of vacation in my mother's place. After a long arguments or discussion, my granny permitted mom to take us with her into a vacation that changes me in a lot of ways...
Little did my grandmother knew that we were not coming back. With much thinking, all I knew then was that I want to be with my mom and dad. But father is not there instead a replacement. My step dad. Whom until now, I am not at ease to call him that way. I always call him and treat him like my real father. "Papa" that is how we call him. Enough to show our gratitude to him that spent life and effort and money for the children whom he just call his own.
Back in my granny's place, I am always into religious activities. Aunt would bringme to prayer meetings with songs and dances... of which I always enjoy because I really love to sing and dance... But I never knew of the word MISSIONARY WORK until I came to my mother's place.
That summer vacation, I learned that Mama and Papa are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or fondly called as Mormons. Mama introduced us to the Missionaries. They were girl missionaries. They have the sweetest smile and the softest voice like angels. They were really servants from God. They taught us the restoraton of the gospel of Jesus Christ which I never knew before was lost.
April 1993, my sister with my aunt and I got baptized. I agree to be because all I can remember is that I felt good, warm feelings, and a security of a better and a true guidance from above as I go along the way with this new faith.
I would admit I have those times that I got inactives due to some personal and family conflicts. But I will never deny the truth that I found in this Church.
In 2003, I went on my mission to the Philippines Tacloban Mission where I met wonderful people of Faith and obedience! People I never imagined would give such great inspiration to me.
Now, as I celebrate my 14th year in Church this April, I am so overwhelmed with the knowledge that I have indeed gifted with MISSIONARY PARENTS whom I love so much! Because of them I realized what path to take, not take the problems as aliteral damage to me but as a challenge to overcome and a ticket to success. Because of them, I am with a wonderful fellowship of kind and loving people. Because of them I learned and knew Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ whom I am so greatful of. Because of them... I am who I am!
After I graduated from elementary, Mom came to visit and ask permission from my granny for us to have a sort of vacation in my mother's place. After a long arguments or discussion, my granny permitted mom to take us with her into a vacation that changes me in a lot of ways...
Little did my grandmother knew that we were not coming back. With much thinking, all I knew then was that I want to be with my mom and dad. But father is not there instead a replacement. My step dad. Whom until now, I am not at ease to call him that way. I always call him and treat him like my real father. "Papa" that is how we call him. Enough to show our gratitude to him that spent life and effort and money for the children whom he just call his own.
Back in my granny's place, I am always into religious activities. Aunt would bringme to prayer meetings with songs and dances... of which I always enjoy because I really love to sing and dance... But I never knew of the word MISSIONARY WORK until I came to my mother's place.
That summer vacation, I learned that Mama and Papa are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or fondly called as Mormons. Mama introduced us to the Missionaries. They were girl missionaries. They have the sweetest smile and the softest voice like angels. They were really servants from God. They taught us the restoraton of the gospel of Jesus Christ which I never knew before was lost.
April 1993, my sister with my aunt and I got baptized. I agree to be because all I can remember is that I felt good, warm feelings, and a security of a better and a true guidance from above as I go along the way with this new faith.
I would admit I have those times that I got inactives due to some personal and family conflicts. But I will never deny the truth that I found in this Church.
In 2003, I went on my mission to the Philippines Tacloban Mission where I met wonderful people of Faith and obedience! People I never imagined would give such great inspiration to me.
Now, as I celebrate my 14th year in Church this April, I am so overwhelmed with the knowledge that I have indeed gifted with MISSIONARY PARENTS whom I love so much! Because of them I realized what path to take, not take the problems as aliteral damage to me but as a challenge to overcome and a ticket to success. Because of them, I am with a wonderful fellowship of kind and loving people. Because of them I learned and knew Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ whom I am so greatful of. Because of them... I am who I am!
For a Start: WELCOME REMARKS!
"Hello Philippines and Hello World plus hello Universe!"
Welcome to MY LIFE'S JOURNEY: AN Everyday Insight! This is my new blog!
Just wanna write something as a start of my blog. A friend recommended this site for my blogs. Since I love to write things, he said this site is a helpful tool for me to better send my messages for the people whose life may change in a way of messages.
Writing has been my passion since grade school. I have been an Editor-in-Chief during my High School years back in the 90's. I pursued Mass Communication hoping to continue that passion and added to it the production of good projects.
Words have played a vital role in every aspect of our life. When collected can form a powerful tool called communication. It is by this that people may and may not understand each other. And so as my advocasy of bringing wonderful words to people from my life's journey: An Everyday Insight.
Hope you enjoy reading and please any comment or you may leave a request of what topic you want me to write for you.
Maraming Salamat po!
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