Happy Birthday Sarah

Today my cousin Sarah is celebrating her 12th birthday! She's not here with us but we remember her special day. She was two years old when we first met in the Philippines with her family. She lives in Germany and last July was our second meeting. We met in Manila to attend our cousin's wedding and we were together again in Davao and enjoyed swimming with our relatives.

I had a great time with her. She's funny, very active and "sipat". Sipat is a Filipino word that usually gives a negative meaning which is naughty.But Sarah is not a bad girl."Sipat" can also mean playful and always do things with unusual acts. We mean her that way! She loves to do funny faces and that makes her really funny! She gave everyone a tag since my younger sister initiated for calling her "sipat" in Manila. Sarah thought about this tagging thingy when we arrived home after playing bowling with our cousins.

• Inin softy
• Mimi dancer
• Bob player
• Ai ai crazy
• Lisa gaga
• Tne jollibee
• Poloy Motorcycle
• Jayvee Istoyahee
• Inda house

Here are some photos of us:

Doc Ferdz Voted Out in Survivor Philippines

The tribe has spoken and the first person to leave the island in Indonesia has just left.Magan's tribe leader Buwi was surprised when he was told to be the one to choose who's to vote out.I understand it was a hard decision to make.The castaways didn't expect it. All they knew at the beginning was that each one of them will vote.However the appointed one,Buwi,a guitarist from Parokya ni Edgar had chosen Doc Ferdz to leave the tribe.

It was obvious that Doc Ferdz is not ready to go yet. I could see in his face how upset he was. He strongly believed that he's staying. He was too much confident that the tribe leader needs him most among the rest. It's undeniable that Doc Ferdz has a bad feeling.Buwi apologized for voting him out.

In my own opinion, being one of the strongest link in a group is a good asset. Doc Ferdz is a good catch in the tribe. His strength is really needed. When Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown started I thought of him as a smart guy.However, attitude matters. No matter how good you are, if you don't have a good relationship towards the people you're working with, sometimes it won't help you stay in a group.I guess Doc Ferdz had forgotten Buwi's authority as their leader.Some of his group mates are complaining about his bossy attitude.

Dr. Ferdinand Recio a.k.a. Doc Ferdz is a 33-year old veterinarian and a TV host of Born to be Wild.

Indonesian Mythical Creatures

Each country has its own mythical creatures and in the third season of Survivor Philippines hosted by Richard Gutierrez, Indonesian mythical creatures were used to name the three groups of Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown.

  sea monster resembling a crocodile 

with a prehensile snout

a large long-haired wild 

 or domesticated ox

 mythical dragon or serpent without legs, 

which breath fire, and can turn 

things to ash just by a look

Three tribes were born and the members are:

• Green Magan - Buhawi, Solenn, Doc Ferdz, Elma, Mico and Myka,

• Red Nagar – Jon, Moi, Ahron, Michelle and Ian

• Yellow Sar Mayee – Aira, Akihiro, Aubrey, Ervic, Karen, Pretty Trizsa

Listen Listen to One Voice

Paying attention to somebody who's appointed to lead the group is essential in attaining success.This was the first immunity challenge of Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown.The castaways are divided into three groups; Magan (a sea creature), Sar Mayee (the long-haired ox) and Nagar (the dragon creature). These divisions are Indonesian mythical creatures.

  

All they have to do is row a boat, get the puzzle blocks, get the flag, solve the puzzle that will serve as the ladder and put the flag on a flat form. The leader was the only person allowed to get the puzzle blocks from the water, hold the flag and put the flag if  his/her members are done solving the puzzle.

The best strategy is to have one voice only. They have to listen to one person in sailing their boats to avoid getting different commands from their fellow castaways.In solving the puzzle the leader is allowed to give instructions only. If the members are done with it, the leader can now use to the ladder to raise their flag and declare themselves as winners!

There are three groups so two teams got the immunity idols; Nagar- Jon Hall's team and Sar Mayee- Aira's Team.These little structures represent their absence in the tribal council.A meeting in which the loser team gather and choose who's to vote out.

the immunity idol that can be
divided into 2 equal halves

Jon Hall plays well in this season. He shows the characteristics of being a sole survivor. He has the strength, agility, wit and leadership traits. Jon is a half Filipino-British hunk who grew up in Cebu but migrated to the USA when he was 12 to study. After his studies, he went back to the country and become a model.If you don't know his ex girlfriend Aubrey Miles and current gf Michelle Madrigal are in the island with him fighting for the challenges to get the pot money which is Php3M.Well, who knows? The game has just started! We'll find out then who's the best among the rest as the game continuous to spark!

A Captured Soldier

I was waiting for my younger brother to finish playing online games so I could use the computer.Suddenly, I got bored and saw a book on the floor. Somebody has taken it and didn’t put it back to its proper place. So I decided to read a single story out of it. The book is entitled Chicken Soup for the Soul. The story is all about optimism. It features a colonel who was captivated for several years and got tortured- emotionally and physically. Yet he didn’t give up. A letter from his loving wife saying about their one-year old son kept him hopeful. That he had a reason to stay strong and be back home soon. He was uncertain with his life inside the prison. He had no idea if he’s still going out from that messy, dark and no mercy place that he was in. Sometimes he imagines how to live free in his own country with his family.Of how beautiful his life could be when he’s outside the prison cell. Through it all, he remained loyal to his country. That’s another lesson that I get from it- have a great trust to your country and never betray your fellowmen. Seven years had passed before he was released and his wedding ring that they got from him was returned which was taken on the day that he was captured.

After reading it, I went to the introduction part of the book. It says that a reader should read it with slow pace and with a heart so she/ he can figure out what a certain story is trying to imply. And it really touched me. In fact I got teary eyes. It’s like I’m watching a great movie that I was really moved! The story suggests something important to me now. I was awakened then with its lessons that I got. The story tells about a strong man who is dignified and never gave up to the test of time. He remained faithful to everyone. He’s been hopeful until the day comes that he was freed from a prison in a foreign land. I realized that I should have that kind of spirit that he had when he was in his darkest side of his life. When things aren’t in his control. When it seems that it’s going to an end. Yet he was filled with much hope and beautiful thoughts that something great is waiting for him if only if he’ll make it…if he’ll survive.

I firmly believe “there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.” Thoughts like this keeps my head up and continue to stand out despite all the negative events in my life. That Jasmin shouldn’t stop the quest, that I’ll be more stretched with the challenges ahead.To continue my journey.To run the race of seeking the things I want to learn and do.Consequently improving myself and  live a better life. 

It’s another inspiring book that I ever read. A million thanks to the author of the book, to the contributors and most specially to the owners of the stories compiled together for sharing us inspiring stories. Probably there’s a lot of people like me around the world who feel the same way too. I'm grateful for having this kind of printed material that is distributed worldwide. It’s indeed a CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL! A supplement that can satisfy its readers, those who are hungry and worried souls of today.

I would want to recommend this book to you guys.

A Tree Planted by the River

"I shall not be

I shall not be moved

Just like a tree planted by the river

I shall not be moved"

These are the words from a  Christian song that I’ve known for more than 20 years. Every time I hear this, I always think about my mom when she was in Germany. She went there in the 90’s.We didn't have cell phones yet and our means of communication were letters,  a land line and voice recorder. She loved listening to this song and I first understood its message when I was in high school. This song was her stronghold when her love ones were far from her.Jesus Christ has been her refuge.

This was the message delivered to us last Sunday. I was blessed with our visitor. He was a young pastor yet filled with God's anointing.The song gives meaning to a man’s life which is full of faith and meditation of God’s word that can be compared to a tee that grows up near the body of water that will last long for it has enough water to sustain life. Its roots can develop and function well. Thus, it can’t be easily pulled out.It can have green, leafy and shiny leaves that represent success and spiritual stability.

Unlike man’s life which does not conform to the will of God, a tree-like life by the river is strong enough to fight evil and overcome circumstances. In addition, it can be fruitful since it has sufficient water to sustain its life.A person can stand against all odds and remain unbreakable in the test of time.On the contrary, a man who lives the opposite way  can be equate to a tree which leaves will eventually fall as its body dies. In other words, a man’s life in this example will disappear in this world without becoming successful and getting heavenly rewards. He can’t claim the peace, joy and righteousness that are promised by God. As a result, living on earth yet getting a life like hell.

To achieve this kind of life, man should serve the Lord, follow thy ways and live with the guidance of His words and Holy Spirit.

Personal uprightness is temporal yet spiritual holiness isn’t.Forcing ourselves to do good  things is hard but a change by the grace of God is a sign of real modification.Many things make us happy.The happiness we get from Him though is the best we can get.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.-Psalms 37:4

An Idiot Box!?

Some of us are too much addicted to watching television.We are really attached  to the different programs that we see.It is indeed true that TV is an effective means of communication and broadcasting the current events around us.In addition, it allows people to acquire knowledge like being able to know the things about a certain place that you've never been to.However, there are recorded disadvantages brought by doing it excessively.Critics have seen these things and coined TV as an idiot box!It's described so because it ruins our good life if  improperly used.

First, it resulted in gaps between family members since we spend more time in watching TV than giving quality time to our children.Second, we become physically and mentally unhealthy.We can no longer do physical exercise and sharpen our mind because we're gradually turning into passive viewers.Third, our values and characters are not inclined anymore due to imitation.What happen to us is we become a copycat of what we always  see on TV!As a result, our point of views and decision in life are greatly influenced by media.

Although we are currently undergoing such struggles we can still do something to make things better.Parents ought to control the viewing time of their children.Parental guidance should be highly practiced.It's their duty to protect the empty vessels of their young ones.Moreover, teachers should teach their learners how to be conscious of what they see and hear.Furthermore, young people should learn how to be aware of the good and bad things on TV.They should know how to distinguish on which ways to follow or not.As a result, they now become responsible home viewers.Thus, avoiding possible mess done by the idiot box that could poison their wondering and hungry mind.

Little Pacquiao?

I was able to identify who "Little Pacquiao" is by watching the boxing event-Philippines vs The World that happened at Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City last August 28.A Filipino boxer named Florante Condes from Binangonan, Rizal is tagged as "Little Pacquiao". He is an IBF champ that won over an Indonesian boxer Sofyan Effendi.When I heard his alias, I got interested with the fight. Condes gained his nickname for being one of the hardest punchers in the lower weight. Like the pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Condes uses his left hand to give a blast in the boxing ring to defeat his opponent.

photo courtesy of philboxing.com by Dong Secuya 

The southpaw was leery of his "Little Pacquiao" tag.According to him Pacquiao and himself are different. Of course he can never be Pacman.He wasn't comfortable with it.However, he commented it's a great honor to be compared to his idol.But he'd prefer to be called as "The Lion from Manila".

Condes Dominate Effindi Shutout Win 

Good luck to his boxing career.