ang TAHO.

Mahilig ako sa taho simula pa nung bata ako. Naalala ko pa na isa ito sa mga favorite kong breakfast tuwing weekend; may suki kami nun at alam ko na anjan na siya kahit malayo pa lang dahil sa boses niyang sumisigaw ng TAHO! at kami namang magkakapatid ay dali-daling kumakaripas ng takbo para kumuha ng baso at ng limang piso para makabili ng taho.

Habang lumalaki na ko, hindi na ako masyadong nakakainom ng taho dahil namatay na rin yung suki namin. Wala na rin masyadong nagbebenta ng Taho sa may amin. Nung college ako, meron naman sa school nagbebenta pero nauso na kasi nun yung cold taho; di ko masyado nagustuhan, syempre iba pa rin yung nakasanayan, yung mainit at matamis na taho sa umaga.
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mga ilang buwan na rin ang nakakalipas ng naulit uli ang pag-inom  ko ng taho ng madalas. Sa may sakayan kasi ng bus sa Megamall ay may nagtitinda ng taho sa gabi. Weird dahil taho sa gabi, eh nasanay ako na breakfast yun, hindi dinner o merienda. Pero nung natikman ko, aba, nag-iba na ang tingin ko sa taho nun. Alas 9 ng gabi pero mainit pa; at ang masaya pa nun, tingin ko (o tikim ko?!) na kalasa niya yung taho na tinitinda ni suki nung bata pa ako! Kaya bago ako sumakay ng bus, lagi ako nabili ng isang baso ng taho.

Pero mga dalawang linggo ng nakakalipas, parang di ko na nakikita yung nagtitinda ng taho sa pwesto nila. Di ko alam kung nasa'n na sila. Hindi kaya ipinagbawal na sila ng MMDA? Ewan ko. Pero nakakainis kasi ngayong naghahanap ang panlasa ko ng taho, hindi ko sila makita; at ang masaklap nito, wala rin akong makita na malapit sa office na nagtitinda ng taho! Tuwing umaga, umaasa ako na sana may nagtitinda ng taho ako masalubong, para naman kahit papano, mawala na yung paghahanap ng panlasa ko dito. Nakatikim ako sa Baguio nung isang araw, strawberry flavor pa, pero iba pa rin ang original flavor na taho.

Kugn may makita man kayo na nagtitinda ng taho, please naman, ilibre niyo naman ako kahit yung limang piso lang. para sumaya-saya naman ako. *wink*
      

experiencing God through the Eucharist

 

I go to mass every Sunday ever since I could remember. Sometimes with family, sometimes with friends, and there are times alone, when I just want to spend intimate time with Him. When we were in Proj. 7, we always attend either the 10:30 am or 6:30 p.m. mass (where my sister and I were part of the choir). When we moved in Cainta, we brought the same routine (but we're not singing here anymore).

Even if I was serving in the Church ever since I was a kid, I never got a full understanding of the importance of the mass was. For me, it's just an occasion where I could showcase my love for singing and where I could spend more time with my childhood friends. As I grew older, I get to grasp at least a little of its importance as what my Religion teachers and the Church teach us. But most of the time it is still a tradition that I have to follow or else, i'll get a sermon from my mom for days (than getting a sermon from a priest for only just an hour).
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The Church where Marie and I usually go to in Costa Rica: San Antonio de Belen Parish Church

When I went to mission in Latin America, we  had a training wherein our trainors - Gino and Mary Grace stressed out to us the importance of going to mass everyday as part of our daily nourishment. Since we will be more attacked in our mission areas as we do the work of God, we must equipped ourselves with more armors to shield us from the evil ones.

At first, it was struggle to wake up early and walk at least 1km just to get to the church. Not being able to understand the mass either (because of language barrier) made everything worse. But every time I go to the mass, even if I don't understand even a bit of what the priest was saying, at the end of it, I experience God more, as if I did understand what the homily was all about.

As I go to mass everyday, as part of my daily routine, little by little, I was able to understand what the priest was saying. I first learned my fluent Spanish phrases and sentences at the mass; and maybe because of the effort i'm giving to fully participate and understand the sacrament, I became more and more in love with it.

Whenever I miss a mass - because I woke up late or got my monthly visits - I feel like something was taken away from me that day. I have observed on those days that I was easily pissed off, I get angry easily and I was more prone of thinking negative things towards others. It becomes a curse missing a mass. Life is miserable without it. So even if sometimes it's difficult to keep up with that kind of lifestyle, I still strive to go to mass 'coz that is where I meet my God and receive His grace even if I am unworthy to receive one.
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What do I get from attending a Mass everyday?

One of our members asked me that when she learned that my partner and I were going to mass everyday. Well, here are some of the answers i gave her:
- it's our daily dose of vitamins for our souls
- that's where I meet my God and talk to Him directly
- I feel at peace after. It's like I receive grace and power to do whatever I have to do for the day.
- Answers to my prayers and questions are easily answered through the homily
- I meet interesting people (young and mostly old) who shares wisdom and experiences

I think she was satisfied with my answers that she tried going to mass every morning until she got a conflict with her new schedule in school.
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Unfortunately, when I got home to the Philippines last year, not everyone around me was a fun of going to mass. I don't know why, but whenever we (w/ other friends who view mass as I understand it) invite the people around us, they always have some reasons to give you just to be excused in going to the mass. How sad. But maybe, it's because of different perspective.

I never force anyone to go to mass now (unlike before. yeah, i'm guilty of that). Whenever I do to mass, I just tell the people and whoever wants to go is free to join me. I realized that we shouldn't force the people to God for they will not be able to appreciate His greatness, but continuously encouraging them and praying for them, and little by little it will be them who will make the first step towards God. And it will be a more wonderful and profound relationship that they will build with Him than forcing them.
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On my way home this evening, I was just playing with the thought of going to mass at St. Joseph's in Anonas. And to my surprise, as I pass in front of the Church, the mass was about to start. I couldn't explain the happiness I felt that I was able to attend the mass; that all through out the mass, I was just giving praises and thanksgiving to my God for His awesome power and majesty in my life. And then when I realized what I love going to Mass: it is where I receive the grace of God to entrust Him fully of my life. and that made me smile. =)

Spending my 2 Christmases with Marie

First Christmas away from home. Marie and I went to the annual Festival de la Luz in San Jose, Costa Rica with Tia Margarita and nephews and Luis. It was a parade of lights in different floats.But during the Christmas day itself, we were stuck in the most boring Christmas party by spending it in a barn while my hosts and their friends were drinking and weren't aware that we were there. So Marie and I decided to get out of the place and visit our other Tico families. (Dec 2007)

On Dec 2008, we weren't able to attend the Festival de la Luz but instead, we had the Fiesta de Tamales (Tamales party) for the whole CFC FFL family at Heredia, Costa Rica! And yes, there's no other food than Tamales! No Tamales, No Entry! We laos had the opportunity to spend it with our 2 missionary friends - KD and Bonn in Nicaragua - where we ate non-stop and sang like we were in our own houses!

And this year, Dec 2009, we're back in Pinas! We may not be mission partners anymore, but the friendship still remains. And hopefully, we'll attend more Christmas gatherings together! (@ the CFC FFL FTW Young Min's Christmas PArty 2 at Tito Danny and Tita Espie's house)

I missed those times that we have to look for families who will adopt us for Christmas. I missed our trips together to the internet shop just to greet our families in time for the Christmas in Pinas. I missed going to our own version of simbang gabi and Christmas Vigil Mass. I missed celebrating Christmas with you.

I may miss you this Christmas but thinking that you're just as happy as I am, celebrating it with our own families, makes me happy as well. This was our Christmas wish. This is one of God's greatest gift we have ever received. Thank you for those 2 Christmases we spent together. In hot or cold. With family or none. In a house or in the streets. Those 2 Christmases away from home were a little bit easier to endure because I was with you; you became my family; and I thank God for you.

Feliz Navidad a mi hermanita querida Anna Maria. Y este blog no es suficiente a decirte mi gratitud por los dos Navidades que nos celebrabamos. Que Dios te bendice tus deseos y anhelos de tu corazon por siempre y que este ano que viene darte mas sorpresas y grandes cosas en tu vida. Te quiero mucho mi hermana. Cuidate y bendiciones a tu familia! Siempre estas en mis oraciones.

All I want for Christmas is...

Last year, Marie, my mission partner, and I decided to spend our last Christmas in mission with our missionary friends, KD and Bonn in Nicaragua. We didn't want to spend it alone in our apartment, and since it's time to renew our visas, we grabbed the oportunity to spend the holidays there.

We were blessed to be adopted by a Filipino family whom Marie and I just met on that day they fetched us in the mall. It was really a treat for us to celebrate the holidays eating Pinoy delicacies and singing our hearts out during videoke time. At that moment, we were free from beans to eat and coffee to drink; we can eat whatever time of the day, speak tagalog without thinkng if they understand us or not, and just hang-out and relax without the pressure of people around us. I remembered the first day we stayed at that house, Tita Lydia prepared siopao and all of us ate like beggars who had siopao for the first time in their lives! (ohh.. that was sooo fun!)

On the 24th, we attended the Christmas vigil mass at a nearby parish. I was surprised to see that everyone were well-dressed! The women in skirts and the men in suit and ties! Imagine us going to that mass wearing something like in the picture.. we really felt out of place!haha At the end of the mass, we were asked to kiss the Baby Jesus. Even if the queue was long and our host were waiting outside, we still lined up to grab a moment with the birthday celebrant. And when it was my turn, I whispered a short prayer "Baby Jesus, my only Christmas wish is to celebrate my next Christmas with my family".
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Fast forward to present. Mom and I were having breakfast together and were talking about what to prepare for the Noche Buena. This was how our conversation went:

Mom: Anak, ano bang masarap na ihanda sa Noche Buena?
Me: EH di kung anong meron tayo from the groceries na na-receive niyo ni Dad. May ham na tayo. Pwede rin tayo mag tuna spaghetti, para maiba naman. Yun lagi kasi kinakain namin ni Marie sa Costa Rica.
Mom: Yun lang? nakakahiya naman ang onti ng handa natin.
Me: Kahit ano naman Mom ang ihanda natin, okay lang. Ang importante naman sama-sama tayo nagce-celebrate ng birthday ni Jesus. Teka Mom... may naalala ako!
Mom: Ano yun anak?
Me: Ang bait talaga ni Lord. Ang aga ng pamasko niya sa akin! Last Christmas, nag-wish ako kay Jesus na sana, ngayong pasko, makasama ko kayo. Awww.... I got the best gift! Spending Christmas with my family!

*Sabay hug kami ni Mom

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This Noche Buena was different from the usual salo-salo that we used to have since we shared it with the lower household of my parents and their families. It was my brother and I who cooked for the dinner - I prepared Tuna Spaghetti and Refrigerator Cake and Kirby cooked Spicy Buffalo Wings, Hamon and Shanghai. The kids loved the spaghetti and the Buffalo wings even if it was spicy. They also recited the lyrics in the videoke (they don't care if they're in tune or not); the moms were chatting and the dads were having their shot. Everyone enjoyed the moment together. At exactly 12 midnight, we said the family prayer before everyone went home. Mom and Dad were very happy to be with their household members. My brother and I were very satisfied that they like the food we cooked. We had videoke till 3 am and just had family bonding.

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This year was the first Christmas we spent without Lola Ipay. During our family prayer time with the whole Esteban Clan last Christmas, we offered a special prayer for her coz we really missed her. We even saved her space in the table and even calling her name around the house, as if she's just there. We tried making Lolo happy by singing songs for him and making him laugh with our jokes. He even joined the boys in their Christmas drinking session and poured his heart out. But even though Lola wasn't here to celebrate Christmas and other important events of our lives, what matters is that we, as one family, still continues to live our lives together, sticking with each other through thick and thin, and decide to be happy and enjoy the blessings that we receive from God.

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Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise and thank you for allowing me to spend your birthday with my family. You have proven once more that no prayer is left unheard and nothing is impossible with you. I pray that you also bless the families who continue to celebrate your birthday together, and bless those who are far from their families during this time, that they may also feel the warmth of your love even if they're far away home. May your birthday contnue to bring hope and unity to each and every family believing in you. In your most Holy Name, oh Jesus, through the intercessions of St. Joseph and Mother Mary, AMEN.

MELA-SON

Nang dahil sa episode kanina, kaya ako biglang napa-blog tungkol sa kanila.

Nakakautunaw sa kilig ang love story nila.
makulit kasi si melay. tahimik si Jason. pero parehas tinamaan ni kupido. ang maingay, natatameme kapag andiyan si sweet heart. ang tahimik, naging sweet at hinamak ang lahat makita at makausap lang ang si sweet heart.

"walang isang segundo na nagsawa ako sa iyo"

sino ba naman ang hindi kikiligin sa linyang ito?
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Jason looks more attractive because of the mixture of bad boy looks with a good heart.

habang pinapanood ko siya kanina, bigla ko na lang nasabi "kelan kaya darating ang Jason ko? yung kahit astigin ang dating eh malambot ang puso at sobrang sweet?"

tapos bigla ko na lang naalala ang mukha NIYA. malapit na kaya?
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MELASON. gives me reason to go home early. gives me reason to stay up late. gives me reason to be kilig once more.

and proved that i'm not a stone anymore.