Thank you, September

The first Ber month of the year is about to end. There are a lot of things I've got to thank for this past month. 

My post count here started to increase again. It's been a while since I had this many posts in a month, perhaps when I was just starting this blog 3 years ago. I'm glad to be back to my good old self. I am so happy to be writing like this again. 

One of the reasons for this is the CLP. My retreat had really started the change I wanted to see in me. After all the trials, sorrows, endings and misfortunes, there's no better way to restart but to turn to Him. With this in mind, I went on that fateful two-day retreat - had total silence, a perfect time for self-reflection and listening to what God wants me to hear. A broken heart has been healed. I'm back to the light, and I will continue along this way as long as I can. I have found my peace with Him. 

A weekly account of the events in CLP gave me a motivation to write here. With those records, I can look back at what I have learned, and hopefully, share this with others. It was one of my missions for joining after all.

Another one: I am thankful for the heaven's brightest star. It was like I was back at school due to my daily/weekly assignment. I have never "forced" myself to write literary works (if those will really qualify as one) just to express myself. I was proud of the product of my labor. I was able to deliver my message, my only intention for taking my pen and notebook with me. I wish that my message went through. Now, I had the response which I was expecting. Though not the result I was hoping for (hoping and expecting are two different things),  I'm still proud of it anyway. It is my own work after all, though it may have had a different meaning to her. I'm glad that I prepared myself for the outcome of my literary work. Thanks to the peace I found, I can feel like I'll be strong enough to face any trial or misfortune that will come my way. 

I just tried to reach a dream. I may have failed, but I'm more than happy that I tried. I have no regrets. My intention to be heard have reached her. I will welcome the result with open arms and a peaceful heart. It is good to move forward with a bit of courage, something I have learned from my past experiences. 

I will continue my journey. I will still be amazed by the beauty of that star. I will still cherish the light she shared with me and use it as a motivation to keep on the reaching my other dreams. But this time, I will stop chasing her light. I can't thank God enough for letting me see that light of revival in the time I was in total darkness. That light made me better.

September has been a great month for me. For my writing, faith, heart, and dreams. I pray that the next months will be the same like this one, or perhaps even better. Along with the prayer, I will commit myself to choose the right path, and take a stand on everything. 

Thank you, September. 

Repentance and Faith: CLP Day 5 Talk 4

Here goes the last talk to complete Module 1. Majority of the brothers and sisters mentioned that this is one of the talks that change their outlook in life. With an overview of the theme, I guess this will also apply to me. 

The skies are quite clear by 6:00 in the evening this Saturday - an indication that there will be more participants this time. And yet, it is. I'm glad that we're almost double in numbers compared last week. 

It is unusual not seeing Bro. Elmar around as he is the Team Leader for this CLP. Apparently, he can't come this session. Bro. Ross took over his role for this day. (Speaking of Bro. Ross, he showed me a magic trick just before the talk started, something to entertain us. I guess I'm not really good at those hand tricks. I wanna thank him for reaching out to us and giving a warm welcome.) Bro. Jhat, the Chapter Head, was back as well. He's the one of those who told us how this talk has changed him. Not just the talk, but also the worship song. 

It is also the first time that I had a chat with one of the sister participants , though I haven't asked her name (I've heard it was Shy, will ask her next week). It is nice having this short conversations with the people around you, it boosts up my sense of belongingness, something good for a naturally silent and timid person like me. 

Let's proceed with the songs. I don't feel like my voice is in good condition today, but nonetheless, I will sing Him praises and worship. 

Oh God is enough for me

Nothing else will ever be

And I am satisfied 

For I have found my peace

==

I stand on higher ground

I was lost but now I'm here

With you, my refuge

My stronghold, always

With you, faithful one

Holding on

I am always with you

==

Jesus, I believe in you

And I would go 

To the ends of the earth

For you alone are the son of God

And all the world will see

That you are God

You are God

Bro. Arnold, a member of Couples for Christ and previously SFC as well was our speaker for the day. He started with a short tale on the wrongdoings he'd committed as a child and before joining SFC. Somehow, I can connect to what he is saying, for I myself have done those in the past. For all these, we need repentance: not just a simple mindset of avoiding the sins, but actually working on it. It is about taking that step. It doesn't need to be all at once. A step at a time is enough. I have just had my confession last July on my solo retreat, so I felt like I'm feeling lesser guilt for the sins I previously committed. But as Bro. Arnold said, they will come back. There will be temptations to lure as away from God, for us to commit those sins once more. I for one have seen those temptations: most I was able to withstand, but some are still coming back. This battle will continue for quite some time. But with God, I know I will always emerge victorious. Because along with repentance, we need Faith to keep us away from sins. The stronger our faith, the weaker the other forces will be.

Faith is believing without seeing.  Our eyes alone is not enough in faith. What we need is our hearts - and the conviction to follow Him. So we ask, Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.

Since the topic is about repentance and faith, the story of the Prodigal Son will never be missed. The sharers also told of stories similar to the Prodigal Son. I can relate to the story. I have just returned, and I pray that I will keep on threading this path.  I was once blinded by a relationship, that I failed to observe the other things in life, specially my faith in Him. I was glad to be back here. And of course, it is Bro. Den (Pogi ^_^)'s turn to share. The group sharing we had is also an eye opener to me. I had a flashback of my past, and smiled after thinking how those memories had molded me. 

Before the start of the new module next week, we have scheduled our One-To-Ones with our facilitators. I'll be looking forward to my OTO with Bro. Den. I hope to share some more, and learn more as well. 

I have found my peace.

Till next time!

My Poem

Unspoken words
Unwritten letters
Random lines
Misquoted passages
Broken rhymes
Miscalculated syllables
Misused styles
Unstructured verses
Thoughts and messages
Dressed as poetry

Day 4 Session 3: What it means to be a Christian

I guess every Saturday night will be a rainy one. God showers His grace, and we are blessed to receive it.

It was quite a quiet day as there were only 6 of us (participants) for this session. Could be attributed to the continuous downpour, I assume. I hope that we’ll gain numbers again by next week.

The talk started at around 8 in the evening. Again, I seem to recall the praise songs we had that night. It’s time to sing once more:

We will rise

We will run

We will exalt the name of Jesus

By His blood we overcome

We will sing

We will dance

Come on and celebrate the kingdom of our God

==

There’s nothing more I want

There’s nothing more I need

There’s nothing more I want

There’s nothing more I need

Than to be with You

==

Lord I wanna be in heaven with You

Right by your side I stay

Worshipping you all day

I will live and die for you

Anything I will do

For Heaven is here in my heart…

Bro. Sid, the former Chapter Head, conducted the talk. He started by sharing how he have been invited to do the talk on the same topic three times already, but could not make the first two. God is good, for he felt that he was really meant to share his thoughts on the theme, and has finally done it with us. His talk revolved on three parts: misconceptions, essence, and practical implications of Christianity in our lives. I for one have experienced/believed the misconceptions or incomplete notions about Christianity. It is not a mere religious, moral, social or humanitarian system. It is not even an escape to the realities of life. We tend to think about it in one or more of the following. What we fail to see is that there is a deeper meaning to being a Christian. Being a Christian means a union with God, made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (as what was mentioned in Talk 2). It is about accepting God in our lives, making Him lead it. He has a good plan for us after all (Jr: 29:11-13). God is our Father; we are all brothers and sisters. We should not worry for God will provide for us (Lk 12:22-31).

While hearing these bible verses and insights, I remembered the retreat I previously had at Tagaytay. These are the same verses I have read and pondered in those two days of solitude. I was glad to hear them again. Since then, I’ve been feeling better, for I know “heaven is here in my heart”.  And of all the things I really appreciate right now is the peace and joy in my heart despite anything that happens around me. I feel like I’m doing better at work and in my relationship with other people with this peace and joy. At times, negative thoughts are trying to creep in my mind. This same peace and joy helps me overpower those negative thoughts and see the brighter side of things. Also, this will keep my heart happy and contented although I just failed to reach something that only exists in my dreams. It is God’s will, so be it. I believe He has a better plan for me. :)

The first module is almost done. See you in Session 4. 

Day 3 Talk 2: Who is Jesus Christ?

I wasn’t able to attend this session due to a separate commitment. Nonetheless, I thank God for Bro. Den (Pogi ^_^) for granting my previous request to save me a copy of the participant’s handout. Now I can share something regarding the topic. I hope that after the makeup session two weeks from now, I can make some changes here and add a few more insights. Also, I want to add the “musical” side of the day, as it was one of the things I’m looking forward to every session. After all, it is my chance to sing my heart out and loud (though out of tune) with praises and worship to Him.

Way back to the Old Testament, the coming of Jesus has been announced a couple of times. And with his birth, He made such an impact in history that it also made way for the division of those times to BC and AD. He came into the world not to live, but to die for us and to save us. They say that Christianity started on that fateful day.

Through the daily readings, Jesus was described in many ways: First, Jesus as the bread of life (Jn 6:32-40); Second, Jesus as the good shepherd (Jn 10:7-15); third, Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life; fourth, Jesus working as the Son of God (Jn 5 : 18-24); and so on and so forth. Jesus claimed to be a God, something no other religious leader was able to do so. He has done the work of God through the miracles of healing the sick and raising the dead.

Again, I hope to share more regarding the topic by the time I attended the makeup session for this talk. I will go back here, and look forward to a better story. 

Long Time No See

"Long time no see!"

--- The very first line I can remember when I think of the first days we met back in our elementary days. I can only say the same line right now, 'coz it's been so long since I last saw you.

Six years ago --  those were the days I considered the "golden age of my cellphone". That was when I found your account in Friendster, we became textmates, you've mistaken me for a namesake, but still, we ended up being good , if not, close friends. Going back to those days makes me realize that it was the year when I started to experience the best of my times. My life has been filled with thrill, music, excitement, friendship, love, heartaches, hello's and goodbye's since then. It all began when I met you, the bestfriend who changed half of my life back then.

I will never forget the days when I got so hooked on my radio, waiting for the "song without title", while you're listening there . I miss singing thru text messages, exchanging lines to somehow render a duet of "Alipin".  I miss the words of wisdom, the memorable quotes, our "hopeless romantic" love stories back then, texting from day to night, sharing stories of what happened the entire day. I miss everything. Even when you lost your phone, we continued the exchange of messages thru FS. I miss giving you updates on Bituing Walang Ningning, Dorina and Lavina. I miss giving you a report on my school performance, schedule and subjects for the next semester, and my hopeless stories of the girl I wanted to take care of. I miss your advice on school, family, and even on lovelife (though there really is none back then, ^_^). I considered you a sister, a mother, my best friend, and of course, my Kambal. My life turned from nothing to something. That is how much your friendship meant to me.

Times change. And so do people. I can still remember at one point, we made a promise that no matter what happens, that we may fail to keep in touch with one another, yet, we will remain as good friends. We've been busy with our lives, our studies, families, friends and career. So it happened. We've been parted in silence, just like most childhood friends. During those days, I enjoyed the company of another circle of friends, but most of the time, I was alone. I can only read your 1-3 year old messages to save a smile in my face. I was so attached to our friendship back then, that I can only write a couple of notes carrying my sentiments to the most missed bestfriend. I was weak, you are strong. Moving forward has been difficult for me. Just then, I must apologize if some of those notes made you cry. It was never my intention to bring you into tears. I'm just a selfish guy who wants to be with his bestfriend back then. I'm sorry.

Then we found a way to communicate once more. Though not the same as it used to be, I'm just glad to learn more about you again, the bestfriend who had the most influence over me during my transition from school life to the corporate world. I've accepted that things change. It's human nature. We've grown apart. We had our share of great experiences while we're away. I was hoping to share a new set of stories with you again. I became a better storyteller because of you. I became a good listener as well, as you said, an "absorber". This time, we're older, wiser. Though things have changed, and we may not be like how we once were, I'm still looking forward to the day I can tell you those stories again. I'm hoping to receive and share the old text messages/quotes I memorized before. And finally, I'm hoping to call you "kambal" again, even for just one last time.

I haven't really given you a birthday present ever since I met you again. I owe you six years worth of gifts. I hope this works as one. I'll compensate for the remaining somehow :D

Happy Birthday, my good old bestfriend!

Thank you for the life-changing lessons you taught me. And of course, for the great friendship you offered. I'll treasure them here ----> <3 .="." br="br">
And of course...

Long time no see!

To my dream star

i

Dashing ahead
She passed by my seat
A split second eye contact
A familiar face I thought it was


ii

Standing beside her in a crowd
Inches separating us
I glanced at her and leapt for joy
The familiar face now has a name


iii

Her name appeared again
First conversation
A training session
And a silent film


iv

First question
First response
First pages of the book opened
First thread of knowledge shared


v

The star grew wiser
Another year on the record
A stranger can only offer
A short greeting and a note


vi

A few more questions
A couple of even better answers
The learning gets deeper
The respect and admiration grew stronger


vii

The unlucky day's the exact opposite
I never learned more enough
I never smiled longer enough
The first smile of the star - Priceless


viii

The teacher became a master
Conversations with a bit of laughter
A few words of encouragement
Made the disciple a whole lot better


ix

A self-professed fan
To a noteworthy star
Admiring from afar
Silently wishing for an unexpected plan


x

Try-to-stay-awake-Mondays
Even a star gets sleepy these days
What will keep her up?
A cup of coffee and a pudding cup?


xi

A tough problem
A new lesson
I took it as a challenge
From the star of the endless horizon


xii

A goal declared
Try and be like her
With her unsolicited advice
On patience and willingness


xiii

A present for her
A sign of gratitude
The first time I heard her voice
The first real conversation


xiv

Taking accountability a notch higher
Holding myself back from asking
Another words of encouragement
So my direction indeed is right


xv

Another broken note
Along the strong wind
And a heavy downpour
Wishing the star a safe trip back home


xvi

A surprise greeting from the star
Along with a question
My turn to give back something
Turned out to be another failure


xvii

"Curiosity kills the cat
But you're not a cat so..."
Can I be curious not about the subject matter
But of the subject master?


xviii

Accepted defeat before the battle started
Revived hope as the star initiated
My pen and notebook became lively again
A hopeless romantic in action once more

God's Love: CLP Day 2 Talk 1

"For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3: 16 . One of the most popular descriptions of how God loves us.

Again, it is a rainy Saturday night. We're off to the first talk of the program. Everything went well, as always.

The talk started at around 8. We have to wait for the other participants to come in before session went on. New faces, new people, new conversation. These greeted me on the second day. I was looking forward to the main theme/talk since it's been a while since I had one like this. Off we go.

To heat things up, the usual two-praise songs and a worship song put everyone on fire (especially me). I recognize some of the songs from my first CLP experience, so I can't help but smile all the way until the last line of the songs 'coz the nostalgia is just overflowing in me. Another LSS, it seems. Here goes:

And you lived
You died
You rose again on high
You opened the way
For the world to live again
Hallelujah
For all you've done

Another one! Here's the song that brought memories back to me.

And I will climb this mountain
And I'll step off the shore
And I have chosen to follow
To be by Your side forevermore

Our worship song:

You are God of this world I am living
You are God of these dreams I've been longing
You are God of this life that I've been striving for
You're larger than life


"We feel Love when there is acceptance, belongingness, companionship, encouragement, and so on."
"When we are alone, grieving, lost a loved one, abused and hurt, we tend to doubt ourselves and the love of God."

I admit that at a certain point in my life, I have experienced both. But after I have seen that light once more, I will no longer doubt the absence of love. I may be alone sometimes, I may lost another love one, I may be rejected and be hurt once again, but this time, I won't question the existence of God and the love He has given us. His Love gives me the will to accept anything. I'm holding on to this Love, and make this my guiding light.

Bro. Rodel from SFC Taguig Chapter conducted the talk. His presentation contained the definitions of love, a flashback of the stories from the Bible (Creation, Original Sin, Cain and Abel, Noah's Ark, The Promise to Abraham, Tower of Babel, destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, etc), and some video clips. The first one was from the movie "Most". It was the second time I have seen the clip "Bridgemaster" , which shows the same sacrifice God has done to save the world he loves the most. Another clip reenacting Einstein's discussion with his professor on the Presence of God, on how the some things (cold, darkness, evil) we're not really present as they were only there due to the absence of their counterparts. As parting theme, there's another presentation on "God's Love Letter to You", a well-crafted "letter" from several bible verses (fathersloveletter.com).  I remember hearing this once in my Faith and Revelation class 8 years ago. Good thing I got to learn of this again. And of course, one of the "twists" I really liked from the presentation was the "theme song" on God's Love. "Wag ka Nang Umiyak", by Sugarfree, my favorite band. Let me sing again.

Kung wala ka nang maintindihan
Kung wala ka nang malapitan
Kapit ka sa amin
Kumapit ka sa amin
Hindi kita bibitawan

I never thought of singing this song as a manifestation of God's love. Now that I've "heard" of it, I'll be playing this song over and over again.

And since this is the start of the Talks, we also had our group sharing. I was group with fellow brothers Cyril, Rix, and Bent. Bro. Den and Vic were our facilitators. It was a fun sharing that we had. Bro. Den epitomized the "age doesn't matter" factor and kept the discussion lively (I guess I have to do the same, being one of the older participants). I also can't help but smile as I hear the young ones say that they believe that joining the CLP will change their life and make it better. In that group sharing, I was able to speak myself out, freely and spontaneously. I hope to be better at this, in sharing my experiences, and how God has been a great part of it.

Not to miss is the sharing of two SFC members. Sis. Melai and Bro. Elmar, two of the first from the group who entertained me. Sis. Melai had such an upbeat tone, and story of course. She said that nobody from her class and circle of friends thought that she really joined SFC. But look how she's doing now. Inspiring stories indeed. I'm looking forward to hear more stories, the same way I wanted to share mine.

Til my next tale. See you in Day 3.

One Piece Music - A Compilation of Quotable Lyrics

One Piece is not just an "EPIC" Manga and Anime; it also features a great genre of music and of course, meaningful lyrics (a common characteristic of Japanese anime theme songs). There are just too many of these lines on dreams, inspiration, friendship, love, journeys, etc. I was so caught up with these words/lines that I unconsciously used them in most of my writings.

Instead of simply making those as FB Status updates, let me share some of the best ones I consider.

Here goes:



===

Gathering up all of our dreams
Going to search for our desires -- One Piece


(We Are!)


===
It is our promise to keep going ahead.
From that day when our dream began,
we have always aimed for the same future.
We can't just stay still! We can't let ourselves stop!
The sun in our heart will never set.
One, two, three (sunshine), four... We go!


We...have come this far.
We are heading...for where our dream is.
We will not leave anyone behind!


(We Go!)


===


The sky, the sea, and everything, Ah, it sparkles beautifully
Because I love you
Always, always beside, Ah, the one I love
Forever, mm, and ever


(Watashi Ga Iru Yo / I'm Here with You)

===

I sensed it when I saw you for the first time
you and I will be comrades


I want my first dream to come true
I'm totally confident that I can'd do it alone


(Wanted)


===


Taking the helm, I spread out the map of miracles I had shut in my heart
And thought, "What course can I set that will lead to a more amazing tomorrow?


There were times I lost my way, aiming for the sky and searching for a dream
But it wasn't a dream: I found my amazing self when I met you


With a small bit of courage, we attained big things
Right now, change your "wish" into a "vow"


Shining ray! Find your brand new way
A never ending journey to be together
I'll chase it anywhere, Shining Ray


Etching the memories of my journey in my heart, I came this far
But even now, I can't find that answer


I don't mind taking detours, I just want to learn what it means to live
As long as this light is shining on my heart


(Shining Ray)

===

Until we reach the huge sky above I'm gonna try and try again
Let's go and make it right now I believe towards the one tomorrow
You're there waiting for me at the other side of an unseen wall
I'll come to you soon as possible I believe towards the one tomorrow


(Share the World)
===

I wanted to catch the running feeling
I even outrun my own self
just wanting to embrace the overflowed dream
if we're together, I can continue to run


I continue to believe that this feeling will reach you someday


(Run, Run, Run)
===
Ready to, steady go the overwhelming
feeling becomes one and
at that moment it dripped
please grant my wish
lovin' you, lovin' me the light hidden
within my heart is true
the eternal shooting star that
shines forever and ever


(Ready)


===
Every time I look at the sky after the rain
I think of the past when I was only a crybaby
I was frantically going after
someone's back
And saying "I wanna become stronger"


Now there's the "Thank you" the wind faded
Can I really become stronger?
I wonder because it seems there's no answer yet
As I thought,
I have to go even farther


Come on, let's go
Never having a break
Trying not to lose to the time that passes by
I'll face it up all the times that it'll need
Because I don't wanna lose anything important


(One Day)

=== if the world ever changes
take me to myself that never knew a thing
making sure that memories won't fade away


making sure that loneliness can't catch up


(Memories)

===
So bright, when I look up at the blue sky
I don't even worry about the direction of the wind, I don't turn around
As I search for the puzzle of my dreams
Between the endless sky and sea, I'm being guided


Searching for the words that were carved and then neglected, longing for an imitation
Even as I fought with you, saying "I won't back down", I noticed your kindness


I'll stop pretending to be strong now and tell you; let's be united in our strength now

(Mabushikute/ So Bright)

===
Though it’s a voyage full of injury, something precious is there.
Even when we’re in trouble, no matter what, because I will protect you.


If we do it together, we can succeed!Combining our Hearts.
The song of the migrating birds. Turns to courage.


Even though we don’t have wings, we are flying at ease in freedom.
The sky is capricious, so let’s be allies.


It’s alright! Yes, let’s move forward to those rainlike tears
When we return to the blue ocean, passion shines brightly.
As heated thoughts gather, they call the endless winds.
Always together under the same star, because we have an unbreakable bond.
Let’s share these miracles.


(Kokoro no Chizu/ Map of the Heart)

===
Feel the wind, just feel the wind
Let's go looking for the wind that will dry our tears away
The journey of adventures is for meeting someone special
I won't stop here
Look, just ahead there's you, my dear,who's waiting for me.


The time I couldn't help being sad
You were the one who cried with me
The time I cannot help being happy
There is always a smiling friend
The 6 billion ONE PIECE
We met like a miracle
At the same time watching the same scenery
It comes blowing into our dreams (Yeah)


The time people shed their tears they become stronger
The time we shed our tears our memories
Rapidly keep growing (yeah)


(Kaze o Sagashite/ Search the Wind)
===

Maybe to wake up the lingering heart?
Or is the lingering heart itself the dream?
Sometimes the truth is calm
but no one knows it yet...


(Katayoku no Taka / One - Winged Hawk)

===
I've just now begun to search, over the splashing waves,
For the everlasting world
With this overflowing passion in my chest, I will go anywhere,
Seeking the light yet unseen

A current of repetitious days and mundane clouds
I see reflected in you a future you can't possibly know
Even if I avoid pain by not changing
That leaves me without dreams or even hope -- so let's go!


(Hikari e / To the Light)
===
always wanted to tell you, but couldn't even tell half
I was able to meet those gaze that surrounds me everytime we met
I'll be near, the dreams shine everytime we tell it
that soft smile of yours made me happy, it was kind


even the flowing clouds and the swaying wind
changes into courage because of you
without letting go of these warmth in my hands


glory glory you're my shine no matter when
I can still see dreams because of you
I want to be strong, understand each other, probably to arrive someday


(Glory -kimi ga iru kara / Glory - Because you're Here)


===
even if the dream happens to be impossible
believe in the small hope
there are days I feel like losing to myself
but there was a warm place for me
the thing I was proud of, it probably pushed my back


under this sky where stars rain upon
I etch out this moment that'll never come again in my heart
I'll deliver this endless dream on
a free bird that can fly to anywhere


moving on without fearing being hurt
you were always shining like that
if you were to get lost someday, I want to encourage you


on such days that the stars whisper
I feel this time as it turns into memories
I'll someday grasp that future I saw in
the freely continuing endless sky


(Free Will)

==== So let's start
A new world is calling
Hey, look there
No matter how many seas will separate us
I'll always be there for you
Without any fear, heading straight
Don't ever forget
We fight together


I do believe it
One day we'll go find together
The future that connect us as one
There's no one who can substitute you
Don't ever forget
We fight together


(Fight Together)

===
Start running, start running, with the flag waving up high in the sky
Let's cross this endless sea and search
for the miracle of a world no one has discovered yet
Just as we imagined, only our pounding hearts are plunging forward
Following the footsteps left by the people that follow their dreams


Whatever night of storm may come, if we make our hearts as one
We'll get across it, always


(Brand New World)

===
Back when we set sail, everyone has drawn his own goal, the horizon he had imagined.
But now we can all see through the same telescope.


Fate is a ruthless compass forcing your heart into frenzy.
I'll make sure I take it from your hands.


Bon Voyage! Leave behind the remains of our past;
I'm sure we can still laugh no matter what comes.
If it were to make our dreams come true,
I'll never regret those priceless tears I shed.


Bon Voyage! The bottled letter riding on the roaring waves,
That's our promise that will never fade.
Let's go! We can do it with that courage in our very souls.
This exact moment is just so precious to me.


I can see our ship heading to a bright tomorrow.

(Bon Voyage)
===
I'll keep believing in the future, not caring if anyone laughs at me
The passion running within you makes you shine
It's too dazzling, but I want to keep watching you
Somehow, sensing those aesthetics makes me really really stuck on you


Chasing, chasing after the one in my dreams
That is like no one else
With a feeling that burns like it's kindling the dawn
I don't know yet what the consequences will be
Instead of these boring times, it's gotta be dramatic
Until we achieve that, believe in wonderland!


Holding on, we keep holding on
To a dream that no one else can see
Because I'm with you, we have such hot feelings
We don't really need consistency
Instead of a mundane routine,
Run towards paradise and believe in wonderland!


(Believe)
===
We couldn't wait for the light to change, so we drove on through
The more painful the memory, the better it is to forget it
I want you to always watch as I advance without hesitating


I felt your kindness, even if you didn't put it into words
You stayed with me, without any questions
Before dawn


(Before Dawn)
===

I know I'm a fool, but there are things that I just gotta do!
trying to reach an impossible dream is a good ambition, afterall

(Shōchi no suke / That's a Fact)
===

The more I tried to stop carrying it, the more I embraced the starry sky
Trying to release and leave it behind
Like the adventures I dreamed of when I was a child
I’ll continue extending the limits of these feelings

(Fish)
===

The future will begin to change color
With strong faith
No matter how many detours you take
I know someday you'll get there


We talked til dawn on the phone
Forgetting the passage of time
You always gave me courage
With your casual words


So we don't regret the present, which will never come again
Let's not look back at the hurt in our past...


I won't give up our distant love
I won't let it end as a dream


The eternal light everyone searches for
Is surely in your hands


(Faith)
===
A future lies before us waiting to begin
Let's take to the wind!
and search the world for answers
to all the questions in our minds


Exploring day and night we'll...
...live out our dreams in paradise!


(Dreamship)
===
A small memory, I quietly open my notebook
This notebook detailing long-past actions
It's a precious treasure even now
Stuck in the very back of my drawer
The content of the dreams that come in my sleep
Changes form little by little and without realizing it, I've grown up


How to make my dream come true
There's no way to know, so I'm blue
The hard times come, making me cry, but my dreaming heart still remains


Fragments of a dream, scattered like stardust
They've disappeared now, but the light
Is still a precious treasure forever, somewhere deep within our hearts


A childhood dream, following the unforgettable thread of a memory
So that the embers that still burn my heart won't go out
With my friends, I entrust our hopes to this familiar, clear sky
Across the changing times to eternity, eternity...


Can I say it's fate?
We all met because we had the same thing
We talked through the night, laughed and played
That night we found the first star
I wrote those memories in a new notebook
The method and direction to get to the next page
Now we're putting up the sail and finally racing off together
Down the course we've set, go!
Spending many seasons together


(Eternal Pose)

===
I'm a dreamer,
But that's just how I am.
It's alright if you don't
Want to be broken like a jigsaw puzzle


When the wind blows toward tomorrow,
Even if the puzzle is broken,

No one will blame us.


That day, we believed
That our dreams weren't so wrong.
We just traveled across
The rough seas.


I always knew about
The pain you carried in your heart...


Even if you leave this ship,
And end up in another world,
I'm sure we'll all be able to smile in the end.


Even now,
We'll keep on dreaming.
Keep riding along with those
Dearest dreams...


We'll fight over the rough seas,
Even through our pain,
So that our promises won't become lies.


I will send that completed puzzle...


(Dear Friends)
===

In a distant, faraway corner of the universe
The two of us met by chance
I want to call it a miracle, this feeling,
And I want you alone to know


But I'm no good at saying what I really want to say
Wandering, searching...that's how I've lived
Now, I think I've found my one and only light
But if I chase after it, it only flees away... the future is so uncertain

v While stopping along the way over and over again,
We've shared smiles and tears alike
You and I have made this journey
And that's the only truth of which I am certain

When rain falls, I'll be the umbrella that covers you
When the wind blows, I'll be the wall that shields you
But no matter how deep the darkness of night may be,
Tomorrow will always come


(Asu wa Kuru Kara/ Because Tomorrow Comes)

===

We're not acquaintances.
We're not friends...
We are family! (Never be alone!)
We're not relatives... We're not even siblings!
We are family!


(Family)
===

Farewell to the harbor, To my old hometown
Lets all sing out with a Don! As the ship sets sail
Waves of gold and silver dissolve to salty spray
As we all set sail to the ends of the sea


Going to deliver Binks' Sake!
Today, and tomorrow, our dreams through the night!
Waving our goodbyes, we'll never meet again!
But don't look so down, For at night the moon will rise!


(Bink's Sake)
===

since I have a dream, I can become stronger
If I say I can, then I can do it
"I'm going to become the Pirate King!"


(Jungle Fever)

===

Tears of farewell, the happiness of meeting,
Like a baton, it'll unite us from now on,
The journey continues with new nakama

(A Thousand Dreamers)

===
Even a thick fog that seems to continue forever
Disappears in an instant and we see the blue sky


Today is the day　Depart and set sail to dreams
Let's go kick around in the world we long for


(New World)
===

There's still a lot more. It may take me 10 pages if I were to include everything that I love. Yes, I am a One Piece addict, and I'm proud of it :)



Set Sail!!!

Of Paper Planes and Rainy Days (CLP Day 1: Orientation)

September 1, 2012. It was a rainy Saturday night. It was the start of the CLP, a program I previously committed myself with. There's no way a mere rain can stop me from going to what I believe as a celebration of faith and joy.

I know what to expect when I first learned that there will also be a CLP in the community I'm currently located. Ever since I found something that gives joy to my heart, I have started looking for others that can make it last. It so happened that this has just about to start. I'm fortunate to be given a second chance to finish this, and blessed that I can be back to Him.

7 o'clock in the evening was the call time. I made sure to come early for I'm not familiar with the venue. I made it in time. I just waited for the other participants to arrive, then we'll start the orientation. Since it's raining, I somehow expected that the others will come in late. It's OK for me, waiting no big deal anymore, especially if you're enjoying the atmosphere in the venue.

It is nice to start a conversation with a new group of people with a common interest. I am not much of a "speaker", I was actually the quiet type who won't have the guts to throw the first question to someone I have just met. Good thing is that the Service Team has been very accommodating so I was not left out sitting in that side of the chapel. While waiting, some of the ST started practicing the Praise and Worship songs we'll be singing in a while. I'm not a good singer, but that time, I felt like I want to make my voice be heard (though out of tune) and joined the group in singing. It's the first time I heard those songs, but they're somehow familiar, or nostalgic perhaps, since I was there before. I loved the lyrics of the songs. They were prayers as well. Some of the lines I can still remember to date:

Truly Home
You have called me by name and I followed You
My heart is in flame for I know I'm one of the few
Though unworthy I am
You gave me a chance
To be the best I can
For I was away and I was astray
But here I am standing before You


I am home (back into your arms)
I am home (in the warmth of your love)


I lose my hold and you reach my hand
You held me up
I'm truly home


--- I can see myself saying these words. I have just experienced this story. So while singing, I can't hide a smile in my face.

Here's another one.

Open the Eyes of my Heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see you
I want to see you


to see you high and lifted up
shining in the light of your glory
Lord, pour out your power and love
as we sing Holy, Holy, Holy


Holy, Holy, Holy,
you are Holy, Holy Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy
I want to see you


--- In silence, we can find God. We can talk to Him. That's one of the ways to keep our relationship with Him.

These songs reminded me of the First CLP I attended, and the two songs I loved the most: Whom Shall I Fear and Refiner's Fire. Some things never change. I haven't enjoyed singing this much again for quite some time. :)

One by One, my co-participants came in. All in all, we're 13. (I hope more will join us in this activity). I think I'm the oldest among the "Brothers". I'm still young though, I may not look like one :D The group of sisters were somehow in my age bracket. Most , if not all, are employed as well (with teachers among their ranks). And my fellow Brothers, it seems that I will truly be a "Big Brother" this time.

The talk started, with a note that the first day is just the orientation. (Uhmmm, I'm really losing touch of my good memory, I forgot the name of the speaker from CFC, sorry brother). I can only remember him cracking up jokes and keeping the talk alive, and also, the four kinds of people he mentioned. The Poor, the Captives, the Blind, and the Oppressed. At some point, I know I have been in one of these categories - another reason why I'm seeking Him again.

It was a good free-flowing talk, until "Bro. Speaker" suddenly asked me a question. I thought I was ready to answer anything, but then, I got blanked, or perhaps, shy, uncomfortable, and the like. "What was the greatest lie you ever said?" Until now, I'm still contemplating on the answer I should have said. In God's grace, I hope that the time will come that I can freely express myself and let these silly emotions prevent me from sharing something about myself. It will come, I'm sure it will.

And here comes another activity. We were asked to make paper planes. I forgot how to make one. I relied on my 12-15 year old memory of old school origami and came up with a paper plane that could not fly :) . In those paper planes, we wrote our names , likes and dislikes, and questions. I felt like a child again by that time. Doing those things like you're in school for an arts and religion class is somehow enjoyable. My paper plane may not have flown up high, but at least, it carried a part of myself, and someone has willingly picked it up. The same way that God has held me up again in my most trying times.

The spark in me is growing again. The seed has been selected. In time, it will be planted slowly, until a plant comes from it and grows into a tree.

Looking forward to another session. Next stop: God's Love.

My Saturday nights will never be the same again. :)

Tales from my CLP Experience

Christian Life Program - The road to know more about God, and also to become a member of Singles For Christ. A good friend introduced me to this program six years ago. Though I failed to finish it the first time, I'm taking another shot at it. I've been waiting for this. To make this more interesting, I guess I have to make something out of it.

This is my second try to finish the program. I now have a new mindset. I must also think of new ways to keep the lessons "fresh" in my memory. So I'm making a record of the sessions we'll be attending for the next 13 weeks. This way, I can always go back and read whatever I have written here and be reminded of the great experience the CLP has to offer.

My next posts will be about the talks, experiences, and a first-person view of the events that will take place on the duration of the program. I pray to God to grant me the wisdom, the willing heart and loads of paper and pen to complete this. Also I hope to make a good account of the insights I will gain from this program. Through this, I pray that I can finally share the Word of God and my reflection on this.

Cheers to a start of a brand new adventure!

Back to September

So it's September. I have a number of things to celebrate/commemorate/hope for this year.

Things to commemorate/celebrate:

> Here comes the "Ber" months. The Christmas countdown begins. It's been my habit to greet "Merry Christmas" every 1st of September. So let me give a shout out to everyone. Have a Merry Christmas! Please don't forget my presents! LOL!

> A bittersweet thought: Last year was the first (and last) time I celebrated someone special's birthday. I loved that experience anyways, so I won't have any regrets right no, though our story has come to a close. I can only wish that she's doing well right now. :)

> September also happens to be the birth month of one of my best friends who had the greatest influence over me during the latter half of my college years. I will be able to greet my good old friend again for the sixth straight year. Long lost friend no more. Her thoughts are still resounding in my ears. I'm grateful I can still apply those in my current situation. Thanks to my Kambal. :)

> It's been almost a year since my closest friend and her family (whom I consider as my second) had migrated to Canada. The last time I saw her was September last year. Though parted by seas, I'm just glad we're still in touch with each other. I can continue sharing my stories and experiences with her. I'm glad that she's always there to listen, especially during my days of trial. I'm missing the entire family as well. How I wish I can take another taste of Tita Nanay's mouth-watering dishes and desserts. Hopefully, I can see the entire family again. In God's time, I know it will happen. :)

Something to hope for:

> I have been waiting for this day to come for more than two weeks. Now it has arrived. It's time to go back to the glory days, to celebrate my restored faith in Him, to sing Him praises and thank Him for everything.

Welcome back to Christian Life Program, Macoy :)

Six years ago, this has been one of the reasons I gained a lot of happy memories to date. I may have failed to complete it, but the lessons I learned and the experience I earned was something I cannot forget. During those days, I enjoyed singing to my heart's content. I became quite a better speaker. I was able to share the bible stories I know of and my own thoughts and reflection on the weekly theme. Only by that time have I really felt that I was able to "preach/share" the Word of God. From what I know, the Word of God must undergo this Four-Way Process: Read, Understand, Apply, and Share. I have read a lot. I understood some. I applied a little. I shared a bit. I think it's about time to change what I used to practice before.

Back on my late elementary and early high school days, I was able to read a lot of bible stories. I lent my copy of "My Book of Bible Stories" to my childhood friends for them to better understand what I have shared with them. I was very comfortable playing the role of a priest when I was in high school. I even thought of entering the seminary due to this interest. However, years passed and I seemed to have lost my urge to do so. Then here comes another checkpoint. I had two options on the course I wanted to take in college: Legal Management or Education Major in Religious Studies. I chose the former, although I kept my high interest in religion. I was able to get high grades in my Religion subjects, thanks to bible stories I have read in my childhood. I think I fared better in religion than my in major subjects (why have I only realized this just now? It might have been some sign for things to come). But after the last religion subject I took, I'm back to my old self. I became preoccupied with the worldly matters: Work, money, hobbies. Bit by bit, I (seem to) have ignored the spiritual aspect of life. I failed to attend the regular Sunday masses. In fact, I was only able to attend them during special occasions. I failed to pray regularly. I stopped communicating with Him. I will only call Him during the days I felt like I'm lost and needed guidance. For these reasons, I slowly realized that I have been missing something huge in my life. Life has been normal without me praying and going to church. What I do not know or pay attention to is that it will be special if I can fulfill my obligation as a Catholic, once more.

So here I am again. I just experienced that great lost. I called to Him once again, and He welcomed me with open arms.

Is it really necessary to lose something or to experience major problems or life-changing situations before we go back to Him? I'm quite ashamed that I have to, without thinking that we can call Him anytime. He is just waiting for our call. If there is someone who will never leave us, that will be God. We will never be alone if we have Him in our lives. He is the Greatest Source of Happiness. The Omnipotent, Ever-present, and Omniscient One. God is always with us. :)

Now that I had a chance to be back to Him, I will happily take this road again. This time, there's no going back. I will sing Him praises once more. I will try to Read, Understand, Apply, and Share the Word of God again. I will ask for the same Gift of the Holy Spirit once again. He brought back the joy in my heart, so it is but right to be a good son to Him.

Let me be an instrument of peace.

Happy to be back in CLP :)