An Open Letter to My True Love

24 August 2011

I wrote this letter because I cannot contain the feelings that I have for You. Every day of my life, the feeling gets stronger. I’m sorry this is the only way to show You how I feel for You…for now.

I’ve been so blessed since I’ve met You in my life. Thank You for accepting me as I am. Thank You for loving me wholeheartedly. I feel so special in Your eyes. You always give me the best of everything.

You are always there when I’m happy, when I’m sad, when I needed someone to talk to. Yes, You are always there- especially in the darkest moments of my life. I haven’t heard You complain though at times, I often forget to thank You for always being there. There are even times that I pour out my anger towards You yet You are still there to restore me and say “Everything is going to be alright.” You love me so much that Your anger lasts only for a moment but Your favor lasts for a lifetime.

Thank You for healing my wounded heart and for helping me move on from my shattered past. If my heart wasn’t broken, I would never have met You. Life without You would be unbearable or should I say, unimaginable.

You complete me. You are the missing piece in this puzzling life that I’ve been searching for every single day. I never felt any insecurity when I’m with You because all I feel is being perfect in Your eyes. The perfect skin, the perfect hair, and the perfect smile. I never felt so beautiful since I met You especially when You said that I am wonderfully made. Every time we have some quite time (and I’m sorry, I know I should spend quite time with You every day), I feel home because You are home for me, and I know that one day, I will be with You in the perfect place that You have prepared for me.

I’ll take this chance to tell You that I really feel so protected in Your arms. I always remember the time when I was in the mountains during one of the journeys in my life, seeking answers to my questions, I was baffled, I want to go home, but I can’t cross the mountains and I don’t know what to do. I thought I can change my destiny but what happened was reversed, my destiny changed me. I thought I was all alone (because I really chose to be alone thinking that nobody understands me except for myself) but You were there! My focus is on the mountains, I never notice Your presence, and that You were behind me and said, “I know You’re tired, come, Trust me, My love will never fail You.” I hated my life and yelled “I don’t need You!” but then You gently replied “I will never leave You, even if you want to.” These words crushed my stone cold heart. I kept the faith because of You, until now, I’m keeping it. It never failed me. Your encouragement and Your presence enabled me to cross “the mountains”.

I gave up and let You lead the way. Things are getting better now. If I only allowed You to lead the way earlier, I never would have had the bruises from that journey. But no regrets, because I learned… I learned and felt how much You care for me and now I realized how much I needed You. Today, I can still remember it because of the scars but I can no longer remember the pain that it brought me… and it’s all because of You.

I always pray that every day of my life, every thought, emotion and action that I have would be all because of You.

Thank You for changing my heart. Thank You for loving me.

You are the father that I’ve always wanted. The brother that I never had and the lover that I always searched for.

Life without You can never be called life and I always want for You to allow me to serve You with every single breath that I have.

I love You Jesus, My only Lord and Savior.

Malou

At the office

THE BOSSES
Dir. Marta M. Hernandez (left) Dir. Maria Susan P. Dela Rama

This was held at the McKinley in Taguig, this is actually a despedida for Dir. Marty who was assigned on a different department. This is also in gratitude for her taking care of the media relations concerns. When i learned about his, i got worried because i dont know whos going to evaluate me with my internship. Later then i realized that shes still my internship supervisor since on the first place, she was the one who gave me the instructions at the office, she was also the one who gave me those tasks i have discussed earlier. Thank God He gave me Boss Marty who was so kind and is so understanding.

WAAH!

Grabe ang araw na ito, taranta kung taranta. Thank God. pinirmahan na ni Boss Marty ang evaluation ko, sya daw kasi ang internship supervisor ko sabi ni Boss Patti at hindi sya. pumirma din naman si Boss Patti, pero siniguro nya munang nakapirma si Boss Marty, buti nalang likas na mabuti ang kalooban ni Boss Marty at pumirma din naman agad. Maloloka na ko, lalo pag hindi ako naka-graduate, may aaplayan pakong trabaho after nito dahil wala na ko sa telus. nakow,. may bayarin pa sa bahay, may Sir Mart pang dapat intindihin. May Bayad pa sa skul for graduation. WAAAAAAAAHH Problema!!! Duwag ka! kung matapang ka, isa-isa nyo akong lapitan huwag sabay-sabay!!!! PERO GOD IS GREATER THAN ANYTHING ELSE. I put my faith in him. For I can do all things with God who gives me strenght. AMEN!

MY TESDA FAMILY
Sir Rod, Boss Marty, Boss Patti, Te Aubrey, yours truly, Sir Rinzi and Sir Roger.

I'm dead tired after work. I have to go to internship to complete this 200-hour requirement. Its not easy to handle everything. I was expecting that my previous Bosses will allow me to consider the working hours I had with them when I was still an employee here at TESDA but it its okay, my Boss still gave me a different arrangement which is to allow me to have my Certificate of Completion if its needed to be submitted already and then I’ll just complete the remaining hours after that. Blessed indeed.

Here are the assignments that my Boss instructed me the term:

TASKS FOR MALOU: 1. Prepare a summary list of news clippings on TESDA/TVET/Education by month; 2. Prepare a summary list of success stories and best practices submitted by regions; 3. Gather information from various TESDA offices for the preparation of press releases; 4. Coordinate and make arrangements with concerned TESDA offices are the DG’s TV/radio guestings/tapings and coverages of TESDA facilities and activities; 5. Perform other tasks that maybe assigned from time to time And i was so thankful that by God's grace, I was able to complete these things.

Never apply for a job na walang TULOG!!!

Isa lang to sa MGA nangyari.

(siguro dahil sa puyat, lumilipad na sa abroad utak ko)

…after na maipasa ang computer exam…

Interviewer: “Are you planning to go abroad?” “Yes Sir, “

- “Where?”

- “In Israel Sir,”

- “Huh? Why?” (nagulantang din sya sa sagot ko, ako din eh nagulat)

- “For a mission Sir.”

(wow! Ano to luisa?!!! Kulang nalang naka-fatigue ako muka nakong sundalo)

Interviewer: “Uh-okay.”

RESULT: “Will try to call you tom if ever you passed this interview”

= walang tumawag kinabukasan =

The Reason

I was trying to look for the reason;

dying to search for the truth.

I was mourning looking for the reason;

Bleeding to hear the truth.

I was weeping after I found the reason;

cause it led me to where the truth is.

I was renewed when I found the reason;

cause I realized...

every tries...

every mourn...

every weep...

led me to the truth that I was looking for...

the truth was just there

it was in my eyes

I never thought because of the lies

that my life has lived

in the sins of below the skies

the truth was within me

cause the truth WAS in my heart

and my heart was not able to hear

cause my ears WERE shut

my eyes WERE close

my mind was dead

He told me the reason

He showed me the reason

He is looking at me since it has began

Because the reason,

was the cause

and the cause

was ME

Experiential report during the campaign

Ma. Luisa B. De Veyra

BCR IV-1D

Experiential Report

“With money you can buy a house, but not a home;

A clock but not a time;

A bed but not sleep;

A book but not knowledge;

See a doctor but not a good health;

But a position but not respect;

Blood but not life;

Sex but not love;

Travel, BUT NOT EXPERIENCE.”

It was a wonderful experience to be part of a campaign that aimed to educate young individuals of what media literacy is. I even consider myself very blessed enough to have the program held at our school. My alumni, Makati High School. I felt like I was able to hit two birds at one stone: project completion and at the same time, to return to my sanctuary of knowledge.

It is where I started to mold my character as a person. It is where I learned to stand on my own. My groupmate didn’t know that as I became their tour guide and when we reached the old canteen, I remembered that it is where I worked as a part-time canteen personnel who is earning Php50.00 /day of work from 1 PM until 6 PM (which was after class). It is where I first tasted a “wage” after a hard day’s work. It is a place where I learned to become tough as a leader and soft as a writer (which is a tough secret). It is where I was able to know my strenghts and weaknesses, where I grew as an individual, competed as a student, developed as a person. It is where, my most valuable and precious experience…where kept as a treasure.

I am not saying these things to let everyone know what my struggles, joy and happiness where during high school, Im including these in my report because I never thought that the campaign will cogitate all these memories that I though will be kept in vain after our graduation.

With the campaign itself, I know that I wasn’t able to fulfill my duties as a member when it comes to group meeting (which I admit would be my weakest point since I’ve started paying taxes) but deep within me, I know that I gave my best ‘during’ the campaign and I am happy that I was able to accomplish my part at that time. I am also blessed (which I always am) when it comes to the people within the group whom I never heard said something against me (as far I as I know :D) especially with the things that I am not capable of doing (I know I am capable its just that….nah…I don’t want to reason out any further). :D

The best part? I am happy that I was given a chance to be one of the program host. It was fun!

Makati High School…It is where I found my friends, met my competitor who eventually became friends and first felt love (yeah, I just don’t look like I fell in love during that time but I always do –and I mean, Always). Polytechnic University of the Philippines, where I found my colleague, friends and pepole who shaped my maturity and who gave me a chance to go back to my alumni. I didn’t discuss much about the subject here – media literacy, because given na yan eh, content ba? Alam na natin na malaman yan! Gawang PUPian eh, Gawang BCR, Gawang IV-1D! May dapat pa bang talakayin diyan?

It was a wonderful experience. I was able to give my best, and I saw two worlds where I came from and where I am now leaving – from the world of being young, now at being a young adult and looking forward to be a matured individual (who’ll soon pay more taxes). Because of the campaign, I saw my self like a turtle, returning to the place where it first hatched.

It was another unforgettable experience that I will be treasure…for all the days of my life. Thank you Sir Mart, thank you for the schools who declined our first requests and thank you to the only One who allowed these things to merged and became a wonderful experience – to Him who deserve all the praises and Glory – The Most High, God.

Wala lang...

When I was in HS, one of our teachers asked us what our fave shape was, I chose triangle then she gave her interpretation to each of our chosen shapes. Now I realized, I didn’t chose an ordinary shape. Here's why:

For the historians, that shape is important in finding out why egyptians prefer that to honor their pharaohs, y not spheres?

For political analysts, to know why our society has that structure.

For artists, to know its importance in their paintings and structures.

For engineers, why its better or worse than columns in holding up bridges.

For mathematicians, to know the use of this in deriving formulas.

For a person like me kaya? how will this shape that i have chosen 4 years ago will eventually change my life? .... exciting ito. (thanks to Mr.Isagani Cruz columnist, The Philippine Star and his article "Educating for life", Feb 3rd issue)

Rationale

With the outburst of media’s capability to reach out even to the remotest areas and the most isolated individuals, we also need to take into consideration the details that most of us tend not to observe-its asymptomatic effect.

In medicine, a disease is considered asymptomatic if the patient is carrier of the disease or an infection yet experiences no symptoms. This is also known as ‘clinically silent’ (Wikipedia). AIDS is an asymptomatic disease as it doesn’t show any signs and symptoms until the person will take the test and will found out that the root cause started 10 years ago.

Media has an accumulated effect (aside from being asymptomatic). A person will later on realize that her day is incomplete until he can to watch his favorite basketball game. A wife can’t complete her day without watching her favorite TV talk show or a child cannot eat if not in front of a television. Now these are accumulated effects. Did this happen overnight? No. But how come there are certain individuals that cannot ‘live’ without being sustained by there every habit related to media.

Filipino women have fair complexion yet media reflects that for a woman become prettier, you need to have a skin as white as snow that will make stand out in the darkest area of our society. Now what makes many of us embrace this belief? Because most of the time, media tend to tell us to overcome the notion that we must be regular. It tells us that it takes us the chance to become extraordinary and leads us to become the mediocre.

But let’s put off the limelight on media’s negative effects, let us also take into consideration how media greatly help us in our everyday lives. Because of media, a common man gets a flash report in just a “flash” on his screen. Distance is no longer a barrier, as discussed earlier, media can now be considered as the new, “faster than a speeding bullet”, let’s see if superman wont get insecure of how media has evolved, hope he has realize that he also has to change as everything around him does – by putting on the underpants the way it should, be but who cares? Media says it’s totally fine.

This contradictions are also the same on how media works in every each of us. It has the capability of influencing us in everyday of our lives, with every possible means and also taking into consideration that we are in the 20th century where everything is connected to – digital such as digital communication, transportation and the like. Everything works thru wires, satellite and other ‘high-tech’ devices. Things that at times we tend not to put attention to its ‘asymptomatic effect’. But like what the famous saying goes, Ignorance is no excuse. Every each of us needs to learn how to be equipped with the knowledge that could give us the capability to distinguished “real” information versus information from the “reel”. And how can one be equipped of this knowledge? Through Media Literacy.

Media (or Cine) literacy is a repertoire of competences that enable people to analyze, evaluate, and create messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres, and forms. Education for media literacy often uses an inquiry-based pedagogic model that encourages people to ask questions about what they watch, hear, and read. Media literacy education provides tools to help people critically analyze messages, offers opportunities for learners to broaden their experience of media, and helps them develop creative skills in making their own media messages (Wikipedia).

Being media literate, we will be able to distinguished what’s “hot”, what’s “not”. What are substance and what are just sub-stance. We always need to bear in mind that, WE ALL HAVE THE ABILITY, THE DIFFERENCE IS HOW WE USE IT.

Gloc Mine

korus: napakaraming mga agents dito sa atin, ngunit bakit parang walang natiraaa…nasa waive na silaaa…nasa waive na silaaa… (aku din huhuhu)

korus: napakaraming mga agents dito sa atin, ngunit bakit parang walang natiraaa…nag-floating na silaaa… (ako soon huhuhu)

napakaraming mga agents dito sa atin, ngunit bakit parang walang natiraaa…tanggal akawnt nilaaa..tanggal akawnt nilaa… (akawnt namin un huhuhu)

korus: napakaraming mga problem dito sa atin…ngunit bakit parang ako ay masayaaa… (2x)

- Kasama ko SIYA, Kasama ko Siya…

“Pag-ibig sa Maykapal”

“Pag-ibig sa Maykapal”

ni Ma. Luisa B. de Veyra

[i]

Dakila ka sa tanan, Panginoong Jesu-Cristo;

walang makasusukat sa kapangyarihang taglay mo;

‘kaw lang may tangan sa kalawaka’t sa mundong ito;

kami nama’y likha, mga abang tagapaglingkod mo.

O Diyos! tunay ang iyong kabutihan at katapatan;

Sa dugo mong inialay, nakamit ko ang kaligtasan;

May mga pangyayaring hindi ko nauunawaan;

Pighati ng nakaraan, takot sa kasalukuyan, pangamba sa kinabukasan;

Ngunit sinabi mo Panginoon, ano nga ba ang aming dapat pag-alalahanan?

Gayong mga mumunting ibon nga’y hindi mo pinababayaan.

Panginoon kong nabubuhay, puso ko’y pakinggan;

Sapagkat pag-ibig ko sayo’y walang mapagsidlan;

Ang aking pastol, tuwing buhay ko’y nasa kalituhan;

O Diyos sa piling mo ang nais kong maging hantungan.

[transitional verse]

Kailanman kami ay hindi mo pinabayaan;

Mula sa ‘ming mga ninuno, ika’y laging nariyan;

Iba-iba man ang kaugaliang aming nagisnan;

Di mo alintana pagkat puso ang iyong tinitingnan.

[ii]

Ang buhay ng tao’y parang bulaklak sa kaparangan;

Nawawala’t nalalagas kapagka nahanginan;

Subalit tayo’y mapalad, si Bathala’y naririyan;

Ang ating moog, natatanging may hawak sa tanan.

Ang agwat ng lupa at langit, akin mang sukatin;

Di sapat upang batayan ng pag-ibig nya sa atin;

Kung gaano kalayo ang silangan sa kanluran;

Sya ring magtatanghal ng pag-ibig nyang walang hanggan.

Makapangyarihang Bathala, nawa iyong tanggapin;

Pag-ibig sa puso ko, sayo ay nais kong awitin;

Buhay ko’y iaalay upang ikaw’y mapaglingkuran;

Upang ika’y makapiling sa malawak mong kaharian.

[transitional verse]

Ika’y nalulugod sa mga nasa iyo ay may takot;

Nasasaktan naman sa ‘twing kami’y nasa daang baluktot;

‘kay dapat sambahin sa bawat sandaling kami’y nabubuhay;

Hanggang sa sandaling ikaw na ang sa ami’y nakatunghay.

[iii]

O Kristong Dakila ikaw’y aking iniibig;

Mula umaga ‘gang takipsilim, kaw ang nasa isip;

Sa kapangyarihang taglay mo, walang makahihigit;

Ang buong Iglesia’y walang sawa na ika’y pupurihin.

Ako’y hindi karapat-dapat sa anumang biyaya mo;

Subalit binigyan ng pagkakataong mabuhay para sa iyo;

Balutan mo ako ng iyong kabanal-banalang dugo;

Upang maialay buong buhay sa paglilingkod sa iyo.

Sa gitna ng pagsubok, ang salita mo ay lakas ko;

Sa panahon ng karimlan, iniligas ang tulad ko;

Panaghoy ng aba mong lingkod, palagi mong nadidinig;

Bag’mat ang maiaalay ko lang ay aking pag-ibig.

[transitional verse]

Bulag man ang mundo at bingi ang mga tao;

Para hindi masaksihan ang kadakilaan mo;

Ang tulad ko sana ay gawin mong instrumento;

Maging buhay na saksi ng kabutiha’t awa mo.

[iv]

Allaahu Akbar, ang Diyos ay tunay na dakila;

Sya ay nag-iisa lamang at tanan ay likha nya;

Sa kabutihang taglay nya, sino ang mag-aakala;

Tulad ko’y pinagkalooban, buhay na pinagpala.

Pag-ibig ko sa kanya’y parang kawayan sa kagubatan;

Hinding-hindi matitinag anumang unos ang magdaan;

Parang bituing nagniningning sa gitna ng kalangitan;

Na mas lalong tumingkad sa gitna ng kadiliman.

Parang tubig sa batis na patuloy na dumadaloy;

Dandeliong namumulaklak sa tabi ng dalampasigan;

Noong espiritu ko ay nagmistula nang palaboy;

Ang pag-ibig niya ang syang nagsilbi kong kanlungan.

[transitional verse]

Sinumang nilalang na mayroong suliranin;

Panghihina, pag-iisa o nasa alanganin;

Ay may katiyakan na iyo ngang hahanguin;

Basta’t pananampalataya ay nasa sa amin.

[v]

Ang aking pag-ibig sa ating Poong Maykapal;

Idadaan sa awit ng pusong nagmamahal;

Batid kong dinig nya mula sa kaitaasan;

Hiling ay pagpapala mula sa Naliwanagan.

Namo Amida Buddha;

Ang pag-ibig ko sa iyo ay nag-uumapaw;

Tulad ng buhangin na nasa dalampasigan;

Pag-ibig ko sa iyo sadyang walang sukatan;

Nang dahil sa iyong pagiging mahabagin;

Patuloy na pinagpala ang katulad namin;

Na bagamat nagkakamali, nariyan ka pa rin;

Pag-ibig kong alay nawa ay iyong tanggapin.

[closing verse]

Iba-iba man ang denominasyon ng ating pananampalataya;

Iisa pa rin ang ninanais naming ipadama;

Pag-ibig sa nag-iisa, sa siyang pinakadakila;

Sa Maykapal na sa lahat, Siya lamang ay may likha.