"The Filipino spirit is waterproof"

Devastation. Despair. Confusion. Chaos. Pain. Loss.

Amidst all these challenges, the Filipinos have shown unimaginable strength and resilience. In the darkest hours, Filipinos have found reasons....

to smile...

to laugh...

and to hope for a new life.

Beauty with a Heart

I have enjoyed watching beauty pageants since I was a little girl. My heart would leap each time Ms. Philippines would be on stage --- hoping our candidate would clinch the crown. It’s been a bittersweet experience. Like in any competition, there are losses and victories. Recently, our very own Megan Young won the Miss World title for the first time. Now we join the ranks of Brazil and Venezuela who made it to the big four international beauty pageants. Winning in beauty pageants gives pride and joy to any country. It was a shining moment for Filipinos worldwide.

The Beauty with a Purpose ethos gives meaning to these competitions. I believe it’s about influencing and transforming people’s lives in a positive way. Indeed, being a beauty queen is both a privilege and a responsibility. I have high hopes that Megan will succeed in showcasing the essence of a Filipina beauty queen.

If I only knew

When you have found love, don’t let it go…

I was too blinded by my selfishness and immaturity. I had to learn the hard way and realize that LOVE is not a game…it is a decision. Now, I only have memories to cherish…

If  I only knew...I would have called you more often
If  I only knew...I would have emailed you everyday
If  I only knew...I would have texted you more frequently
If  I only knew...I would have posted sweet nothings on your facebook wall
If  I only knew...I would have visited you and spent time with you
If  I only knew...I would have asked you out for a fancy dinner
If  I only knew...I would have hugged you tight
If  I only knew...I would have said "I'm Sorry"
If  I only knew...I would have asked "Could we start over?"
If  I only knew...I would have looked into your eyes and told you how much you mean to me

If I only knew...I wouldn't have made you wait

If I only knew...I wouldn't let you slip away

It has been an almost but not quite relationship. We both liked each other but things did not turn out as expected. Sometimes in life there are no second chances, so savor each moment. Lessons learned: Don't give up too easily and don't look too far because REAL LOVE might be in front of you!

Hello! It's Pope Francis here.

Pope Francis has made waves across the globe as a pontiff who’s sociable, humble, and techy. Barely six months in his new role, he has brought back life into the Christian world with his unconventional ways. 

When I heard mass at St Mary’s Church, the priest told the story about Pope Francis calling an unmarried pregnant woman and assuring her that she made the right decision to keep the baby. The Pope even volunteered to baptize the baby. I was really awed! Is this for real? A Pope who is on twitter. A Pope who gamely poses for selfie photos. A Pope who holds a press conference on the plane. A Pope who makes personal calls. He has touched people’s lives in amazing ways. 

I feel so blessed to have a Pope who is not on a pedestal. Pope Francis is definitely in tune with modern life and in touch with the people. Who knows you might get a call or retweet from him?

Table for Two

It’s Thursday night. Feeling giddy. Time to breathe some fresh air.

Headed to the metro. I can’t imagine life here without a metro. It’s like my magic carpet...takes me to different places. It was crowded but found a seat beside the window --- my favorite because I get a glimpse of the city views. It’s weekend and my mind had automatically hibernated.

Stepped out of Burjuman station. It was quite humid. My legs were racing to reach the mall before I get sweaty. The air condition was in full blast. Refreshing. Glanced at my mini mirror to check if my lippie was still on. My Revlon Color Stay never failed me. Then, I went straight to the resto I’d been goggling for days after. The waiter cheerfully welcomed me, “Good evening Madam, table for two?” I reluctantly nodded. He led me to a quiet spot for two at the corner. It would have been romantic I thought. Scanned the menu and pointed to what I wanted to try. After a few browses on instagram my order came. I fished for my camera inside my bag. Click click click! Another selfie photo that's for my eyes only.

Savored my delicious chicken adobo and lumpiang shanghai while shaking my head to the rhythm of the music. I didn’t notice the time passed by. I smiled as I stared at the empty chair in front of me.

Oh! It's good to have quality time with me, myself, and I.

Table for two was actually just for one.

Why Not?

Diana Nyad’s strokes of determination finally paid off. She has become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without shark cages. She has conquered her fears and fulfilled her long-time extreme dream. Diana’s powerful message of “you are never too old to chase your dreams” has echoed in my mind for days. It reminded me of my dream story.

The other day, I stumbled upon my dream list for this year. It slipped my mind that I have it on my phone. Going through it, I couldn’t hide the huge smile on my face. I’ve ticked off one of the biggest goals on that list --- finding a job overseas. Never in my wildest dreams did I realize that I’ll be working abroad. I had so many qualms and excuses. Stepping out of my comfort zone seemed impossible. Then, late last year I had that burning desire to embark on a new adventure. I wanted it deeply and madly. I felt in my heart that it’s time to take that leap of faith. It was early January of this year, when I started my online job hunt. What I thought would be an easy pursuit did not turn out that way. Like Diana, I encountered a lot of setbacks and rejections. I was on an emotional rollercoaster. I was excited yet anxious about what lies ahead. But I never gave up. I kept signing up for different job sites and surfing online for possible jobs. I was bold in pursuing my dream. I stayed in the game though it was tough. Until, one connection on LinkedIn turned this dream into a reality. I’ve recently celebrated my 5^th month here at work and each day I’m learning to embrace the challenges and blessings.

I’ve learned to fill my life with “why nots?” not “what ifs?” So, dare to chase that dream. If you have a dream, don’t just think about it…act on it and find a way! Kudos to you Diana for igniting the dreamers in us!

Fresh Feeling

That fresh feeling from discovering something new is amazing. Each day is a chance to learn...to grow...to develop. In life, all it takes is a sense of WONDER to unlock those endless possibilities. I want to seize every opportunity to unleash those WOW! and AHA! moments. Finally, I've created this blog and I had that fresh feeling.