Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is a very special day for a person whom I considered the greatest person in my entire life. Without her, I will not be here pursuing the purpose of my existence. Every mother on earth is considered the “light” of each every home. Mothers are the greatest gift God had created. Like Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, she is a symbol of piety, compassion, and love. I would like to consider this day so special for her although we are miles away from each other. I missed my mom so much that I could not give her a hug and kisses, that’s why this essay is dedicated to her for all the good things she had shared and given us. Her sacrifices, untiring love, compassion, and kindness will forever be remembered by me together with my brothers and sisters. Words are not enough to describe her dedication as a mother. We are very grateful to God that he gave us a mother like her. Today she is celebrating her 68th birthday, still very strong and healthy. We are praying to God to make her life longer so we can take care and serve her more. Personnally, I don’t know the repercussions if she ever leaves us. I may not be able to bear the emptiness of her presence. We also pray to God for her good health and lasting life. She deserves our care and in return to give our support and love for her.

Mom, we LOVE you so much. Happy Birthday and thank you for being there always. Take care of yourself. God bless you and may happiness and love reign unto you for the rest of your life.

Friday, December 26, 2008

You Came Into My Life

You came into my life when I'm alone
In the darkness you became my light.

You came into my life when there is fear
In my anxiety you became my reassurance.

You came into my life when I'm in doubt
In my questions you became my answers.

You came into my life when I feel insecure
In my worries you became my comfort.

You came into my life when I'm in despair
In my misery you became my happiness.

You came into my life when I'm just one
In my loneliness you became my companion.

Jesus Christ, you came when I needed you most
In my life, you are the center and everything to me.

I'm grateful to you for giving this life of mine.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas

It's the happiest season
In the Christian world

A child named Jesus
Was born in a manger

To save the world
To spread love, peace, and hope

Season of reaching and giving
Season of joy and happiness

To remember his birth
Embrace the Word and Spirit

Everyone rejoices
In the name of Jesus

Hallelujah! Christ is born
A time for love called Christmas!

Let's make Jesus Christ the center of this Yuletide Season celebration. Let us refresh our hearts and minds and remember the great things He endures for the sake of God's great creation (Mankind). Remember the Love and Goodness of God through HIS only begotten Son Christ Jesus who came to this sinful world as a humble child. Merry Christmas to all!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

11:00 AM

“Though you cannot see the outcome. Trust the Lord – He knows what’s best; Be assured He sees your trial, And He’s with you in your test” -Hess-


Exactly 11:00 am in the morning of a cold December, forty five years ago, a healthy child was born by a loving and caring mother from the city of Mandaluyong. 11:00 am the cry of a new born baby gave a new life and hope for a simple yet hardworking family. The child was nurtured by his parents to be a good, bright and brave individual. He attended his primary school with his brother and sister at San Felipe Neri Parochial School in Mandaluyong and continued to finished elementary school in Manila after their family transferred to Calolocan City. There the child became a consistent honor student, eventually graduating as a Model Student and With Honors. He continued to study at Torres High School, became a consistent honor student, Literary Editor of the school newspaper, an orator and declaimer, and an active member of the Student Catholic Action (SCA). He was very active as a writer, writing poems and essays, and two of his poems were published by MOD magazine. Dreaming to become a journalist, he was persuaded by his parents to abandon his plans because there’s no money for this profession. After his high school graduation, he passed the entrance examination at Pamantansan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila), an elite school for scholars where students are practically called “Scholar ng Bayan” (Scholar of the State). He finished college with flying colors earning his Bachelors degree in Business Administration major in Management. He became an employee of a medium scale sales company in Makati and Mandaluyong City for eight years. After the Gulf war ended in 1992, he along with a co-employee decided to apply in an agency in Makati looking for male secretary/clerk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Luckily, after one week he received a telegram requesting him to report for medical examination, eventually hiring him as a secretary in Saudi Arabia. This was the start of the good things that happened to him working hard for many years away from his family. Along with his job in the Middle East, he never forget to write poems and essays every now and then. He helped his parents financially in sending younger brother and sisters to school. He continued to worked hard and transferred to Vinnell Arabia Corporation (an American contractor training the Saudi Arabian National Guard) as Admin Specialist. He worked then for five years. Looking for a more challenging job, he finished his contract with Vinnell and was hired as a Technical/Admin Staff for Middle East Battery Company in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. For eleven years he dedicated himself to his work and was then promoted as Coordinator/Secretary. It was indeed a story of success, patience and perseverance to attain such goals. During this period of his employment, he was able to purchased a house and lot, a parcel of land, and able to helped his parents. He is sending one of his nephew to school and continued his unconditional support to his family. Along with his success, he never forgets his passion for writing poems with a wide and interesting themes such as love, loneliness, war, peace, religion, family, patience, man, woman, and so on.

After forty five years of existence, this child who was born exactly 11:00 am on that peaceful morning is now a fulfilled and successful man. On this day of December 14, he is thanking God for all the blessings he received not only for him as well for his family. He will never forget the very day of his existence on this earth for God has given this precious life to him. Wishing that for years to come, he will still be able to serve and help his family, to have a healthy and peaceful life.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

My Activities During the Eid Holiday

Good day to everyone! It's been a relaxing and stress free week for me. We have five days of holiday in Saudi Arabia celebrating Eid. This is the time I organized and cleaned my room, having a grand time sleeping, resting, shopping, and going to Corniche every morning and evening. I had a chance to spend the time listening to Classical music. Surprisingly, it's really relaxing and enjoyable to listen to the works of Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Verdi, Erik Satie, and Debossy. It makes my mind free from tension and strain, as if I'm flying like a free bird enjoying and thinking the beauty and good things of life, away from the pressures of work. To add to this stress free environment during this period is the excellent weather condition of December. I really like the cold season. This morning I was able to bring my digital camera during my early brisk walked at the Corniche. It was really a very lovely morning, indeed. Thank God! I'm sharing some snapshots I had taken and see the beauty of Corniche and Al-Khobar area.



(Few cars are passing along the highway going
to Khobar area in the early hours of the morning)
(A view of the Corniche and seaside area)


(This flower caught my attention along
the road, fresh and blooming)

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

A Prayer

It's the start of the month of December, my favorite month of the year. Why? Because it's the start of the Christmas season throughout the Christian world. Second, this is the month I was born. A Prayer, I believe is a fitting message I would like to share with you, a food for our soul.

"Lord, my desire is to live for You whether circumstances are good or bad.
Help me to focus on Your purposes.
Show me today in Your Word what You want me to do."
- Our Daily Bread-