From A Still Unmarried Woman

Gaining a 17M on their first day of showing got me more interested on the movie, "Unmarried Wife". When I finally watched it, my heart was disturbed. The movie was good, and the actors and actresses gave justice to their roles. What made me disturbed were the situations, circumstances, marriage issues, family problems and the sins from the past. I know all of these are present in this real world that's why I became so worried. The story was painful - that you will not choose to be on their shoes. Or if it happens too, you will just choose to have a strong "you".

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For all married couples out there, please please love your family like how God loves you. Value your marriage. "For better and for worse" is true. You see each other at your best, but still be with each other at worst. Those are the times that you need to be strong for one another. Communicate. Talk with each other. Give time. Time is the best expression of love that you can give to your spouse and family. Forgive. Forgive even it is hard to forgive. Choose to see the goodness of your spouse every single day. And lastly choose to become the best spouse and parents that your family could have because God has entrusted you to be one. 

With all love and concern,
a-still-unmarried-woman-who-values-family-relationships

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Now it made me realize that I should pray more for families. Our families mold us of who we are today, and we don't want that families will be the reason for us to choose the wrong decisions and directions. Our families are the best gift gift that God has blessed us with. So let's continue to love and value them.



End.

TRUE NORTH

What a CHRIST BOUND experience!

Traveling North from San Carlos City, Pangasinan to Dagupan City to San Fernandano City, La Union to San Juan, La Union to Laoag City to Bacarra, Ilocos Norte to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte made my body so exhausting, but my heart wanted more. It was longing for the destination.

The journey of life is not easy even a life of a 25-year old missionary like me. It is not a bed of roses. There is no exceptions from the challenges of the world. So my Christ Bound experience reminded me of these.

PAGUDPUD. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte is the venue of the conference. If you simplify the word, Pagudpud, it will be "pagud" or "pagod". Pagod means tired. Are we tired with our lives? Are we tired of our works? of our family responsibilities? of our relationships? of ourselves? Pagod na ako.

If we're tired and weary, let us go back to God who is the Source of Comfort. He understands us, He knows what we are going through. Just like our fathers here on earth, He will comfort us, embrace us because He loves us. He cares for us.

PRAY. LISTEN. GO.  Ready. Get Set. Go. We cannot just go on our lives with the go signals that we thought are the right signs. Most of the times, we are too much self-focused, career oriented. We are too passionate and we want to just go and go without asking the Lord, "What do you want for my life?" We, most of the times, forget to ask Him, ask His guidance. Akala natin, alam na natin lahat. Akala natin, 'yun na ang tama. But where is the Lord on our journey? Isinama ba natin?

It's about time to ask the Lord's guidance where He wants to lead us. Listen to Him more. Listen to His loud voice. Know that His plans are always greater than ours. And once we allow Him to control our lives, we'll never lose our life's direction.

STOP. The road sign STOP  tell us to stop because we are already heading a wrong destination, or stop because we are too fast and we forget the value of the journey itself. 

Take U-TURN if we lose the sight of direction. Whenever we take a sinful path, let's go back. Ask the Lord's forgiveness and reconcile with Him. He is just waiting.

Traveling North was never easy, but it was the journey that was life-filled. It was full of life's lessons and God's graces.

Truly going to the NORTH direction means going up, going to the True Source of Life who is Jesus Christ.

CHRIST BOUND.

 

When Insecurities Bid Goodbye

If people will ask me what my 2016 goal is? I will surely answer that I want to revive this blog site. I WANT TO BECOME A BLOGGER (specifically a Fashion Blogger) like my favorites in the name of Patty Laurel-Filart, Paula Peralejo-Fernandez, Kim Jones-Rosales, Laureen Uy, Daniella Baretto, Ally Laude and Nicole Anderson.

Reading their blogs, following them in instagram make me feel that I want to be like them --- so expressive, carefree and naturally beautiful. But.... the media already sets the standard of being beautiful. One should be good looking with white skin, beautiful body and alike. And unfortunately, I am none of those. *sighs*

I remember during an interview, someone asked me: "Do you have insecurities?"

"I had", I answered. It was not easy for me before living in my own insecurities, battling with my own self and pilit na pinaniniwalaan na maganda naman ako ah! With friends, I experienced being teased all the time that my skintone is similar with a negra. My esponghado hair (straight outside and curly inside) was not really pleasing to their eyes. They would even make fun of me because of my body figure. And Yes, I was hurt. I even started to hate myself.

But as time goes by... Praise God! Growing maturely, I come to realize that any physical appearance is nothing compared to the goodness of what's within heart.

"....The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 

-1 Samuel 16:7

I am also reminded that I am wonderfully made by God. Everything may fade, but one thing will forever remain that I will always be a God's favored princess.

"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well."

-Psalm 139:14

So I think this would be the right time for me to share to the world how God refines me to be beautiful inside and out.

my #OOTD collection of 2015

Thanks to our Miss Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach... Truly, every woman should be confidently beautiful with a heart.

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To all ladies/women who are still suffering from their insecurities: Cheer up! Once your beauty comes from within, everything will follow. Remember you are perfectly beautiful in your own ways! Confidently beautiful with a heart...

Okay now, join me in singing:

"Don't hate me coz I'm beautiful!"

- Pretty Girl Rock, Keri Hilson

"I am beautiful no matter what they say."

- Beautiful, Christina Aguilera

"I'm no beauty queen. I'm just beautiful me." 

- Who Says, Selena Gomez

"Oh, oh, you don't know you're beautiful." 

- What Makes You Beautiful, One Direction

"Coz you're amazing just the way you are!" 

- Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars

"I want you and your beautiful soul." 

- Beautiful Soul, Jesse McCartney

"You're beautiful. You're beautiful. It's true."

- You're Beautiful, James Blunt

Enjoy the wonders of life! :)

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The Mystique Meteora

 To explore is to discover. To discover is to learn. To learn is to live.

Tagaytay is known for its cold breeze of air plus its tourist attractions. It is a nice place to go with family or even hangout with friends. If you feel like soul searching and looking for a sanctuary, Tagaytay will be one of the best places to go!

It was on October, 2015 when my second family in Pangasinan brought me again to Tagaytay. Though it has become a usual place for me, my heart still got excited because I know that this would be a different road trip.

We left Pangasinan by two o'clock in the morning. Praise God for TPLEX and NLEX! We arrived in Quezon City five hours after... and since National Capital Region is known for its rush-hour traffic, we reached Tagaytay around ten thirty.

Okay! This was it! I could feel the breeze of fresh air and its cold weather. Finally, I was brought back to one of my comfort places! Yehey! :))

And here it goes: We will be staying in METEORA for a day!

"Meteora is one of the more noteworthy houses in Tagaytay City, recently been rented as a private bed and breakfast. It is a two-bedroom house with multiple view decks."

I've never been there before. I just saw it from different travel blogs. And the reviews were really good. So now it's my time to see it with my naked eye. Chos!

Sorry for not taking good shots. Promise, I'll do better next time! :))) And I will definitely be back in this place! Sama ka? :D

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METEORA Tagaytay

Ligaya Drive (Talisay Road), Sungay East, Tagaytay City, Philippines

www.meteoratagaytay.com

To More Days Like This

I thought this day would just be a typical Sunday hit, but hey it was a no-no! Waking up early for the YFC ICON meeting, dressing up and grabbing a cab from Berkeley Residences, Katipunan to Max's Restaurant, Kapitolyo.. Okay! I'm Sunday ready! :))

I hate being late so arrived in our meeting place thirty minutes before the call time. (I think I just have a phobia of being late. :) Making punctuality as a habit, it is!)

Max's Restaurant, Kapitolyo, Pasig City
(photo grabbed from the internet)

 It was indeed a fruitful meeting with our CFC Bohol counterparts plus the sumptuous lunch served to us. (You should try Max's Sisig Tofu and Caramel Bar! For the win!)

After the meeting, Ate Lucky, Ate Nikki, Maolen, Ate Shayne and I headed to SM Megamall Chapel to attend the Holy Mass. It was my first time there, and it was truly a personal experience for me.

Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord, SM Megamall
(photo grabbed from the internet)

Right after the mass, Ate Shayne and I had a schedule of our one-on-one's, so we decided to look for a comfy instagram-worthy place where we can talk, relax and take good photos...but unfortunately, we found none. Hello to our aching-feet and medyo dugyot na kaiikot! But hey, it was fun strolling in the mall, looking at some boutiques and hipster stores.

inside SM Megamall
*my childhood mall -- ES EM E-E-MOL
(photo grabbed from the internet)

Since we didn't find any good cafe to stay to, we decided to take a cab and go to UP Town Center. This has been my comfort place for the past year since it is just a walking distance from my cousin's pad where I stay.

University of the Philippines Town Center by Ayala Malls
Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
(photo grabbed from the internet)

While we were still in the cab, we were already searching of something new to try there. Our first choice and happened to be our first stop: CHURRERIA LA LOLA!

Churreria La Lola
Ground Floor, UPTC Katipunan Avenue, Diliman Quezon City
(photo grabbed from the internet)

 Oh yes! There was a long line of people craving also for these churros from Spain. We just ordered a medium classic churros (6pcs) with a chocolate dip.

how these churros look like.. yummy!
(photo grabbed from the internet)

True! It was delicious! But we warn you: never ever order too much of it! One piece will be enough for you! Since we got six pieces of these churros, we felt so umay! So we need a salty food to take. Hello to our next stop: SILANTRO FIL-MEX!

Silantro Fil-Mex
2nd Floor, UPTC, Katipunan Ave., Diliman, Quezon City
11AM-10PM
(photo grabbed from the internet)

This was not new to me because one of its branches is located in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. Like the La Lola's, there were also a lot of people waiting for their seats in this restaurant. Good thing that we only need a table for two. Their menu has a good number of options, but we decided to only take an order of their famous Beef Nachos.

Silantro's Beef Nachos, Php180 (good for 3-4)
(photo grabbed from the internet)

Finally! We found a good place to sit and had our random conversations. The day didn't end there. Don't judge us, please! We went to a cafe to have some tea and coffee as we wait for some missionary friends. Starbucks is already overrated, so we looked for a new one, and we found ST. MARC CAFE for our final stop!

St. Marc Cafe
Ground Floor, UPTC, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
10AM-10PM
(photo grabbed from the internet)

I forgot the tea we took (just ask them their best seller hot tea), but I will never forget the one I ordered, the Bitter Mocha Frappuccino. Oops! Don't get me wrong! I was not feeling bitter that time. It was just a fun coffee name in the menu worth trying for!

IT WAS INDEED A FULLY-LOADED STOMACH DAY!

But what made it more memorable are the stories and conversations Ate Shayne and I had in between. It was a just a feel-good kamustahan and dream-filled convo.

I remembered her asking me how am I, what are my dreams and what makes me stay in the mission...

I simply answered her that I am doing good though the past holidays had made me think of my future plans in life. Starting to ask myself of what if's. What if I didn't choose the life of a missionary? Will I be like my fresh-graduate nephews and nieces managing their respective family businesses helping their parents and earning for their future? Will I be like my closest friends who lives independently and gets everything they want? Oh no! Not again...

"We shouldn't compare our lives from them, because it was totally different!"

-Ate Shayne

It really hit me. Yes, true enough. As I was reflecting, I can't imagine my life not in this mission. I will not experience the greatness of the Lord in me that in all my emptiness, He never failed to fill me, And He doesn't fill me with just a little, His graces always overflow. I know I am where I am destined to be! I may doubt sometimes, but I believe that God is constantly and consistently pursuing me, holding me and reassuring me that He is with me. I know my future is secure as long as I am His' and He is mine.

I am claiming that this year will be a greater year for me! Cheers to more riches in heaven... to restored and new relationships... to open doors and new opportunities... to better selves and holier ones!

To Ate Crystha Shayne: Thank you for being a sister I never had and a friend I never thought I could share my totoong maarte self without any judgment. :)) I will forever treasure this day!

CHEERS TO MORE DAYS LIKE THIS!

CHEERS TO MORE FOOD FOR OUR HEARTS AND SOULS!