And Everything Went Well

Wifey loved their moist cake so much...

My day started very early today, about 12:30 a.m. as I shared hot beverages and moist cake with the 2 moms I have in the moment, my wife and mom.  Coming from a night shift and with the election being afterwards in the morning, we celebrated Mother's day short but sweet.  I just couldn't let the day pass by without giving due appreciation to the mothers who risk their lives just to have us in the world today.

Election day came.  We got to our voting precinct just minutes before lunch time.  We had our meals before going so my wife and I won't have trouble with hypoglycemia (LOL!!!).  We chose such time since not a lot of people wants to vote at noon and most of the voters would be having lunch at that time.  And so it was, there were not much people there, though there was still a line of about 20 people in our cluster, but that's very bearable.  We just waited for 15 minutes or less, then filled up my ballot for less than a minute, I guess (since I already had my list with me).  Our votes were accepted and registered by the designated PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan) machine... and were done.  We just want to thank the Lord that we finished swiftly as hearing a lot of voting related problems nationwide.

I vote!!!

My brother was asking who's complaining about their inked finger? LOL!

At the end of the day, I find it kind of fulfilling doing my obligation to our country, that is for that moment, to vote.  And although, a lot of candidates which I voted for were still not in the top 12 until now (though I'm still crossing my fingers), I still have faith that whatever happens and who ever will become our next leaders, the Lord has reason for everything.  I just pray that He guides them, that in everything they do, they think of the greater good and not of that of one's self or the benefit of a few.  To Yahweh be the glory always.

Voted and hoping for the best...

    

In Choosing The Right Candidate

As the Philippine general election for congress and municipal/city officials is about to come, this May 13, 2013 to be more exact.  I'm currently having a hard time thinking whom to vote for both national and local positions.  It really isn't easy to look for people who we can entrust our nation to.  I personally don't see a lot of option with those who are running right now.  But still, it's our duty to vote for our country.  And besides not all countries are given the same freedom in choosing for their leaders.  Many people had died and willing to die just so to have such freedom... let's not put it to waste.

Here are some criteria which I made up to serve as basis to pick up my candidates:

• Those who stand alone.  It's okay to have supporters (legal ones) or to belong to a group or party and help each other, got no problem with them... but for those who uses the popularity of their parents or relatives in their campaign, I'm thinking otherwise.  Some candidates even have posters whose image of their popular family member or relative are much bigger than them, that I find it misleading.  I would choose the candidates because of their first name and not their surname.  Just simply saying, prove your worth first.
• Based on experience.  Having said "candidates proving their worth", means that they had previously experienced serving as a government official, especially for those running in the key positions such as senators, congressmen, governors and mayors.  Newbies should start first serving the people as vice(s) or in other lower positions in the government and create a reputation for their names first by gaining needed exposure and experience and doing good on their jobs.   Let me put it this way, I wouldn't let someone drive a car with my family inside, if he doesn't know how to drive. 
   
• With good reputation.  There were those politicians whose names were tagged with controversies, graft and corruption, immorality, those who previously used illegal means or cheated their way to a seat in the government and even those who haven't done anything during their terms... those who served themselves first and not the people... very unbecoming of a public servant, definitely not voting for them.  There are even candidates that can't or just won't follow simple regulations in campaigning, more doing illegal activities like vote buying, using threat or cheat just to insure they win.  What more will they do if they are already in the position?
  
  
• A person with strong faith and conviction.  They say, vote for those who's already rich for they won't need to steal money anymore.  While some say, choose someone who's from the masses, for he knew and felt how hard it is to have less, and thus will have sympathy to the people.  But history would tell, it doesn't follow.  Many of those who doesn't need money became abusive with their position and power and many of those who have less became rich because of their position and power.  But a person with strong faith will fear to commit sin before our Lord.  There's no amount of riches or power that would destroy his relationship with Him. 

I haven't seen anybody from those who are running in this election passing all the criteria I made, might be too good to be true, especially to what is politics as of today.  But if there are those having even one of the above mentioned traits, without a doubt, I'm voting for them.  Our nation is yet to find leaders with  convictions to do what is right for the greater good, those who do not tolerate dirty politics and not afraid to confront and influence those who do otherwise.

I fervently hope that all Filipinos would vote wisely now, that we won't choose to give our votes in exchange for some money or personal advantage.  Let us think, not of ourselves, but that of others and our future generation.  It might be a wishful thinking and too good to be true, that's why I'm praying that He guides us all, that we may choose and elect the right people to lead our government.  Yahweh bless. 

   

What A May Day

Back to the days of sleepless nights again...  My son's biological clock changed again, he started it yesterday with my mom.  Maybe because he slept a lot during daytime and at night, a few hours before bedtime.  We wanted to return his normal time of sleep but it wasn't that easy to keep him awake.  Any parent can't bear keeping a very sleepy child awake.  Unless you're really that kind who can afford to make the rest of the baby's night uncomfortable and ruined with non stop crying.  More, ruining a baby's sleep would also affect his development.  So I was left with no choice but to stay awake for him.

It's 4:00 in the morning when our baby was finally asleep.  Good thing today's a holiday in our country (No work!!!).   It's Labor Day, coincidentally, it's also our village's foundation day and  my son's 6th month.  And though I was looking forward to join the fun run organized for our village's homeowners, I chose to sleep, since I also needed some.  So I did sleep with my son and then my wife joined us when she got home from a night shift work.  So tired, that I woke up passed lunchtime.

At night, we attended the coronation of my daughter as first runner up in the pageant.  She looked stunning and very beautiful in her red gown that I can't help but notice that our girl is already a young lady.  She handled herself confidently in front all audiences and we, her family, were just proud of her.
  

It was a long day and it definitely ended well... that is if we speak about our foundation day celebration.  But for me and my wife, our son just woke up from a long evening sleep.  So once again good luck to both of us, looking forward to another sleepless day.  And what's more is that, tomorrow's no longer a holiday.  Just thinking positive now, there are a lot of things to be thankful about for the day and I will always be grateful for my kids, so bring it on.  All for His glory... Yahweh bless.

Not For The Single Blessedness

When my family went to church last Sunday, in the entrance I noticed this poster of the Redemptorist congregation inviting people to join them.  In the poster was a life-size image of a priest's body and one can actually stand at it's back and place his head in the face portion (just like in some theme parks or photo booth).  Curious of what I would look like, I said to my self that I'm going to take photos with it.

We were too early for church that day (about 3 hours before the first afternoon mass), so in silence we said our very own prayers.  It was good though, since there were very few people which made it very conducive for having a personal conversation with the Lord.  We were not able to wait for the mass, so we left the church after we finished praying.

But before we could leave, I took the opportunity to ask my wife a favor to take a pic of me with the poster.  I handed to her my cellphone and positioned myself at the back of the poster.  When she showed me my pic, and I told her that I looked great being a priest (jokingly praising myself).  She did not comment at first and just smiled with a familiar grin on her face.  So I asked her directly, why not?  She just answered me, that aside from the obvious reason that you're married, you definitely can not be a priest nor a brother... and showing me that grin again... Owww!!!  Don't get me wrong, but I just love it when she does that.  LOL.

Well, honestly, it never came to me entering priesthood even in my younger years.  But you see, even the disciples of Jesus, were not also prepared when they were called to be with Him.  So no one really knows what our Heavenly Father prepared for each one of us.  There will always be those chosen to live the life of single blessedness, more being a priest or a brother... even if it is not in their wildest dream of becoming one, they'll just find out they're already embracing their calling with all their heart.  For me, my calling would be, to be a good and responsible father and husband, and I'm happy with it.  Yahweh bless.

   

Birthday Alert!!!

As humans, we are prone to being forgetful whether we like it or not.  There is no one in this world that can say, he remembers everything he encountered in his life.  And so as birthdays... So we should be thankful to Facebook and other social networks for keeping us updated and informed.

So, what did I do during my birthday?  I lighted some candles in the church and gave thanks for another pleasant year the Lord had given me.  And for the wonderful family that I have.  I prayed for good health, protection and guidance for another year in my life... that I may always be at the right path, the path in my life that had been prepared for me... His reason, why I was born in this world.

Then, we bought a gift for my niece, and attended her birthday celebration at Zoofari, a local children playhouse.   Well, that's the good thing about having someone in the family being born on a date the same as yours.  It seemed that I had a free children's party on my birthday (speaking of not having one when I was a child... LOL.)  Well, maybe it wasn't common back in our days, as there were lesser fastfood chains back then and almost none of them where offering packages for birthdays... The agony of being born in the 70's... hahaha.

 

With my birthdaymate, Jhia Kyle...

My birthday "trip"... letting the kid in me takeover... LOL!!!

Whether just being reminded by Facebook or just having a good memory for friends birthday (hehehe), the mere fact that someone took time to write warm greetings on your day, was enough to melt my heart and put a smile on my face.  To the warm hugs and kisses from my wife and kids... and to the personal greetings received from some relatives and friends... I thank the Lord for making this day worth celebrating... my deepest appreciation to all.  Yahweh bless.