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Eleison me, O Theos

Gk. "Have mercy on me, O God"

1 March 2017. Ash Wednesday. Habang andito ako sa office naghihintay sa boss namin, ay napag-isipan kong magsulat na lang muna tungkol sa Kwaresma.

Kwaresma (etymology: Quadragesima, "forty days") or Lent is one of the most significant liturgical seasons in the Church calendar. Isa itong panahon ng pagninilay sa mga panahong nagpasakit ang ating Panginoong Hesukristo upang tayo'y maligtas sa kasalanan. This time of preparation helps us to become worthy in celebrating the glory of His resurrection because according to St. Paul, our faith would be worthless without Him (Jesus) being resurrected.

It is in this season that we are called to be Christ-like: merciful. I remember one bishop saying that the dynamics of mercy is forgiveness. Simply said, how does "mercy" work? Forgive! It is during these times that we are called to forgive. Hindi lang yung taong nakasakit ng iyong damdamin kundi pati na rin yung mga taong kahit sa mga maliliit na bagay ay nabigyan ka ng sakit ng ulo.

Some thoughts about forgiveness:

Pagpapatawad. Madaling sabihin, mahirap gawin lalo na pag masyado kang nasaktan sa mga ginawa ng isang tao sa'yo. But how can we be truly Christians if we don't forgive? Kailangan pa ba ng maraming oras para makalimutan ang mga nangyari? Siguro oo, kasi natural lang naman yan. Pero dapat pa bang palawigin ang mga bagay na hindi na dapat pinapatagal? Mas lalo kang masasaktan niyan.

Let go. Hindi to tungkol sa pag-ibig. But learn to let go. It is in that way that our lungs are cleared and we can breathe easily. It is in that way that the thorns in our hearts are released so we can love easily. Letting go is one way of showing you are forgiving someone. Parang sinasabi mo ding "hayaan mo na yun, ang mahalaga ay natuto tayo dun".

Acknowledge your faults. Be humble. We don't own everything, we own nothing. All of these come from somebody up there, and we owe all of these to Him. Dahil naman sa tinatawag na pride ay hindi natin kayang ibaba ang ating sarili at iniisip natin palagi na tayo ay tama, na tayo ang hari, na walang kinikilalang diyos. Boastfulness often leads to arrogance.

In these ways, we can fervently celebrate the season of Lent. As I end this post, I would like you (my reader) to reflect on the title. As much as we want to be forgiven, we must learn to forgive.

Jesus, King of Mercy, have mercy on us.

[nerdisko]

Flashback 2016

Well, today is February 5, a month past 2017. You may think this is already too late to post about a flashback of 2016. Pero siguro ganun talaga pag di ka maka move on. Palagi mong binabalikan ang mga panahong lumipas. Haha. Anyway, here is a compilation of key stories of 2016 and my take on them.

First, friendship issues last January. (Ba't ko naman inumpisahan tong post sa ganitong issue, anyways...) Well, lots of misunderstandings and bitchy-faces when 2016 opened. Marami akong nakaaway dun, lalo na yung mga taong inakala kong hindi ako babaligtarin ever. Sabi nga ng Murphy's Law, if things will go wrong, it will. I guess, it's one way to filter those who will stay with you until the end of the year. What a great start!

Next, International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu. Yan yung pinakaunang religious convention na inattenfsn ko na international ang level. I did not expect nga na magiging bahagi ako nun. Pero andami kong natutunan. The feeling after the IEC experience: reinvigorated faith.

Next, school shit. Yeah. Shit. Last sem ko na sa UP. Harujusko. Ang hirap. Napakahirap. Sabi nila mahirap makapasok sa UP dahil sa UPCAT. Pero sabi rin nila mas mahirap makalabas dun. And I am a living testament to that. Imagine? Lecture here, report there; presentation here, defense there. Luckily, I survived.

Next, review shit. Yeah. CPA Review shit. Napakahirap mag-aral lalo na kapag malayo ang tinitirhan mo sa review center mo. I live in Muntinlupa but my review center is in España. Layo diba? More than that is my emotional longingness to the people I left in Iloilo. Naalala ko nun, humagulgol ako sa kakaiyak nung iniwan ko ang pamilya ko sa parokya namin. Well, that was part of my sad past. I have to move on because a greater career is way ahead of me.

Graduation. June 24, 2016. Sablay feels. Syempre nakabarong ako nun. Parang pulitiko. Haha. Anyway, oo kasi yun yung official graduation regalia ng UP. All hard work paid off. But. BUT. The greatest challenge has yet to come. Thanks to the authors of RA 9298.

Review. Review. Review. Kakapagod bumiyahe araw-araw. Kakapagod mag-aral. Pero isa lang ang kahahantungan niyan. Magiging CPA ako pagdating ng October.

October 1, 2, 8, 9. Hell days. Yan yung mga araw na naghahalo-halo na ang kaba, lungkot, at pagkasabik na makamit ang titulong CPA. Yan din yung mga araw na halos di mo na makuhang mag-isip ng maayos dahil napakarami ng inaral mo para sa titulong yun. Dumating ang October 20 at dun na namin nalamang pumasa ako. Edi syempre di hamak na saya ang naramdaman namin noon. Pinaghirapan ko ng limang taon sa unibersidad, at ngayon nakamit ko na ang pagiging CPA. Maraming ganap nun. Pero parang one/two-day celebration lang. Days after ng release ng results, back to normal. Ganyan talaga.

November 13, flight ko pabalik ng Manila para sa oath taking at tuluyang pagsisimula ng trabaho sa susunod na linggo. Dahil kinakabahan sa papasukang trabaho ay syempre pabebe mode on naman ako. Hirap mag adjust lalo na at lahat ng tao dun ay nagta-Tagalog. Eh kung pakikinggan naman ako ay parang male version ni Miriam. May tonong Ilonggo. Pero sige bahala na. Wala naman silang magagawa dun eh. Haha

First Christmas away from home. Did not expect na ito'y mas malungkot pa sa mga panahong bitter ako. HAHAHA. Anyway, oo yun nga. Mahirap kasi hindi mo kasama ang mga taong palagi mong kasama noon twing Pasko at Bagong Taon. But I think, in life you just have to let go in order for you to be empty and start filling it again. But this doesn't mean I have to let go of my family. Sila naman kasi ang puno't dulo ng lahat ng pagsasakripisyo ko ngayon. Chos maka drama wagas. Hahaha. Pero yun nga. Kahit mahirap ay tiniis. Para nang sa gayon ay kung muli ko silang makakasama ay maaalala kong minsan sa buhay ko ay nagpakahirap ako para sa kanila. Diba ang saya ng pakiramdam nun.

Well, I think that would be it. 2016 was a year of hopes, dreams, trials, heartaches (yeah a lot of it), and joy. That was one hell of a roller coaster ride. Looking forward for more years to come!

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Forever lost

May mga bagay siguro na tinadhanang hindi magiging iyo. Ipilit mo mang isipin ay wala ka nang magagawa dun dahil ang mga tala na mismo ang nagdidiktang hindi yun magiging bahagi ng buhay mo.

Eto na naman tayo sa salitang forever. Siguro nga ay tama ang sinasabi nilang walang forever. Paano naman kasi, nawala ang phone ko nung ikatlong araw ng bagong taon. Eh kakabili ko lang nun mag iisa ang kalahating buwan pa lang. Dahil dun, bigla akong napaisip ng iba't ibang bagay.

Bukod sa traffic, isa pang problema ng Metro Manila ang mga taong mapagsamantala. Pag nakakita lang ng pagkakataon ay agad susunggaban. Ang mahirap dun, ang mga taong walang kalaban-laban ang palaging nabibiktima. Salamat na rin pala sa mga taong sinubok na tawagan ang number ko. Kahit alam namin noon na wala nang pag-asa na makuha muli iyon.

Maganda rin naman siguro na ika'y mawalan ng isang bagay. Lalo na kapag ang mga mahahalagang alaala mo ay andun. Ito naman siguro'y isang paraan ng sansinukob na iparamdam sa'yo na may mga bagay talagang dapat kalimutan. Kaso, yun lang. Nawala na lahat. At walang assurance na mararanasan mo ulit ang mga naramdaman mo nun.

Panghuli siguro ay ang ideyang pag di mo iningatan, mawawala yun. Ang mas mahirap dyan, wala ka nang magagawa para ibalik muli ang dating pagsasama nyo.

[nerdisko]

Book of the week: Warrior of the Light by Paulo Coelho

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[nerdisko]

Perks of Dating Me

Okay. This was just a suggested topic. I don't really know what she means with perks. Do I look like a rewards card? Haha. What she meant naman siguro eh kung bakit daw ako karapat-dapat na ka date mo. Wooh. Grabe. Habang nag-iisip ako ay sya namang bugso ng hangin na daig pa ang pinagsamang Yolanda at Lawin.

Dating ako or having dinner with me? Bahala ka na dun. Pero disclaimer lang: ang post na ito ay super makasarili, confidence level: godlike, at puno ng kahambugan.

Why me? Sagot ko lang dyan eh why not. Chos. Meron naman akong pera. Hahahaha. Halos lahat na ng bagay at feelings ngayon ay napapalitan na ng sandamakmak na pera. De, pero seryoso. Kasi nga meron akong trabaho at meron nang karugtong ang pangalan ko. I'm getting better in financial matters. Chos ulit. Siguro eh wala na akong utang? Bakit nagkaroon ba ng time na nangutang ako? Nagnakaw lang siguro. Ng halik. Chos for the third time. Haha

Pogi ko pa nga daw eh (shet maglaway na ang dapat maglaway), ang twist nga lang eh nanay ko ang nagsabi sa akin nun. Wala namang matinong tao ang tatawagin akong pogi. Kasi matalino daw ako. Sabi nga ng isang taong kilala ko: smarty is sexy daw. At kelan pa ba naging sexy ang isang taong ga-bola kalaki ang tyan? Hahahaha. Teka ganun nga ba. Pag hindi ka pogi, automatic na matalino ka? Eh pano pag hindi ka matalino, automatic ba na pogi ka? Ba't kaya merong mga taong exceptions to the general rule? Pangit na, bopols pa. Hahaha. Bato bato sa langit, ang tamaan single.

Kasi mabait daw ako. Siguro ganun nga talaga. Pag di ka pogi, mabait ka lang. Teka nga. Ako? Mabait? Di naman ako daga.

Kidding aside, I got these responses from the people na mahilig akong utuin. 1. Kasi daw ako yung palaging nanlilibre. But don't ever dare ask me to make libre you, coz I won't ever do that kahit pa mamatay ka sa gutom. 2. Kasi daw I value trustworthy people and the relationships I have with them. Kaya pag hindi ka ganun, don't try. You'll feel rejected. 3. Kasi daw interesting conversationalist daw ako. Yung tipong ako lang ang magsasalita mula umaga hanggang gabi, at nagpapahinga lang tuwing kakain, iinom, at lulunok ng laway. 4. Kasi daw wala akong bisyo. De meron kaya! Bisyo kong magmahal ng lubos kahit hindi man lang nasusuklian. Yan tayo eh. Nagtatapos na lang palagi sa hugot.

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Pag nagdemandahan na dahil sa pag-ibig. Leche

Disclaimer: Hindi po ako lawyer o law student. Ang lahat ng mababasa nyo ay may katotohanan sapagkat yan ay mga legit na legal actions ngunit ang mga sitwasyong ginamitan nito pawang kahugotan lamang at hindi maaaring gawin sa korte sa tunay na buhay. Anumang pagkakapareho sa nararamdaman mo ay hindi ko na problema yun. Haha

Kung may manliligaw sa'yo at you're different worlds apart, i quo warranto mo. Kasi wala syang right.

Kung may nakipagfriend sa'yo at manliligaw lang pala in the end at di mo sya type, i certiorari mo. Abuse of power yan.

Pag marami kang manliligaw and you want to know kung sino ang karapat-dapat, subject them to an interpleader proceeding in order for them to prove who is best among them.

Pag may gustong manligaw sa'yo at ayaw mo dahil sa anumang kadahilanang ayaw mong sabihin sa kanya, file ka ng Temporary Protection Order para hindi sya makalapit sa'yo.

Pag may gusto kang ligawan, file ka ng action for mandamus against him. Para ma compel syang mahalin ka.

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Imprescriptible Feelings

Prescription. It’s the reason why an obligation is not anymore enforceable, and when the obligation is still performed, it becomes a voluntary act under the sense of justice and equity. Idk, I’m not a lawyer but based sa pagkakaintindi ko ay medyo interlocking ang topic ng prescription sa natural obligations. Anyway, yun yon.

I just thought na bakit kaya walang prescription sa love. Ftr, hindi to reseta ng doctor kapag broken hearted ka; refer to description above of what prescription is. Back to the topic, so ayun. Bakit kaya walang prescription sa love. Para kumbaga malaman mo kung hanggang kelan ka lang magmamahal at once na dumating na yung prescription date, you don’t have to force yourself to continue loving her. Lahat na lang ata sa mundo ay may expiration o may hangganan. Goodwill nga na super intangible sa lahat ng intangible assets, inaamortize rin. Pero bakit hindi covered ng law on prescriptions ang love?

Meron din naman kasing although hindi directly sinabing break na kayo, but in mind and in fact you already broke up. How could this be? Well, siguro kasi kung hindi ka na bahagi ng way of life* nya and she doesn’t even care at all about you. Pero dahil sa wala namang “matinding closure” na nangyari, you still hold on to that string of hope na magiging kayo ulit. In this case, a prescription date could have helped. So that you will know na tama na. Binigay mo na lahat ng lakas mo sa kakaeffort para sa kanya at it’s now time for you to give time for yourself and move on. But the sad truth is that there’s no such thing in love.

However, sinabi ko na rin kanina na after the prescription date, the obligation can still be performed. Yes. You can still love her in any way you want. You may continue showing her how important she is. You may continue to love her. A major holdback regarding this case is you’re gonna do it voluntarily. No assurance of reciprocity. No commitments. One-sided. Ouch.

Balik tayo sa ultimate question: bakit hindi nagpe-prescribe ang love? Because true love is endless :)

[nerdisko]

Way of Life

Someone asked me:

"Paano mo masasabing mahal mo ang isang tao?"

Simple lang naman ang sagot ko:

"Kung naging way of life ko sya."

Idk but I think that's the best way to answer the question. It's one way of saying "sa kanya umiikot ang mundo ko". But another interpretation would say na kahit way of life mo na nga, hindi ka pa rin masaya. Example nyan ay ang trabaho mo. Oo, araw-araw andyan ka sa office, pero nakikita mo parati ang boss mong palaging galit. Can we safely say na mahal mo ang trabaho mo? I think not.

Another point would be depending on that person's perspective. Way of life mo nga, oo ganun ka pangit ang ugali nya but then you chose to be with that person. Yan naman kasi ang pag-ibig. It's a choice - loving someone is a choice.

Furthermore, I think masasabi mo ring mahal mo ang isang tao pag nakikita mo ang future mo kasama nya. Well, what's the point of planning the future with someone whom you don't like at all? Makes sense.

[nerdisko]

Joint Ventures and Relationships

Joint venture. Isang type ng organization between two venturers. Nothing peculiar except that it dissolves upon the happening of the undertaking for which it is created.

Sa kasalukuyang panahon ay tila marami na ring mga relasyon na parang mga joint venture. You enjoy the company of each other. You maintain your relationship with the other party because you still have an interest with the agreement you have formed. But just like any joint venture, syempre pag nakuha nyo na ang nais nyong kunin sa isa't isa ay madidissolve na ang joint arrangement. Ang masakit lang dyan ay yung balewalaan na agad na parang ni minsan sa inyong buhay ay hindi kayo nagkakilala. Ansaket bhe.

[nerdisko]

Law-ve Series: The Connections between Law and Love (2)

Kanina, nakita kong iniiwan lang ng aking ina ang kanyang cell phone. Sinita ko at sinabihang wag iiwan kung saan-saan at baka mawala. Aba, siya pa yung may ganang sumagot ng "lowbat man ran" (lowbat man yan).

Ganyan tayo, imbes na alagaan ang ating mga mahahalagang pag-aari ay parang binabalewala lang natin. Kasi kampante tayong andyan lang yan palagi, hindi mawawala sa atin. When exposed to risk of loss, we usually cover up our anxiety with reasons like "indi man na madula" (it will never get lost).

Ganun din naman kase sa isang relasyon. At one time, nasa ating piling ang taong iniingat-ingatan natin. Pero darating din ang panahon na tuluyan itong mawawala pag hindi natin iingatan. 'Cause in love, extraordinary diligence is required as a standard of care. Or else, you will bear the risk of loss.

Res perit domino: Owner bears the loss.

Knock knock.

Who's there?

"Res perit domino"

"Res perit domino", who?

"Dirty dancing in the moonlight, take me down res perit domino.

Boo. Waley

[nerdisko]

Lakompake

Isa sa mga signs na naka move on ka na ay yung masasambit mo ang salitang "lakompake" (or words of similar import. Naks. Lakas maka law ng diction haha) pag pinag-uusapan ang ex mo. Yung maaalala mong minsan sa buhay mo ay nahibang ka, hindi makatulog, palaging tulala at di makakain, umiiyak lang nang walang dahilan at iba pang kagaguhan. Ngayon ay taas noo mo nang kayang sabihing lakompake with matching dance moves pa.

I think what makes you stay still and don't move on is the fact that you miss being with him/her. It's the ecstatic kilig feeling na pag sweet yung tao at abot hanggang likod ng ulo mo yung ngiti mo, laglag panty, at pawis na walang hanggan ng aabutin mo. It's the feeling na kapag magkasama kayo ay parang kayo lang dalawa ang tao sa mundo at dinededma na yung friend mong nangingisay na sa gutom sa kakasunod sa inyo at friend mong daig pa ang ampalaya sa pagiging bitter dahil matamlay ang buhay pag-ibig. It's the feeling na todo sakripisyo ka: kahit puyat ka na dahil till 4 am kayo kung mag usap sa phone ay gigising ka ulit ng 6 am para gisingin sya dahil may pasok pa.

And now that you (finally) have the guts to say "lakompake" is a step to being totally detached from him/her. And these were all part of your memories, na pag pumapasok na sa isip mo ay napapangiti ka na lang dahil minsan sa buhay mo ay may dumating na Siya at nagpaligaya sa'yo kahit sa maikling panahon.

[nerdisko]

Goodbyes aren't forever

"Let me tell you goodbye doesn't mean we'll never be together again" (Goodbye Girl, David Gates)

We don't always say goodbye. But when we do, madalas ay para yun sa mga taong naging malaking bahagi na ng buhay natin. At ang kadalasang dahilan ay kapag nasaktan nya yung damdamin mo hanggang sa mawasak at madurog ng pinung-pino ang puso mo.

Sudden realizations on a cold night: Unang punto, hindi ka naman masasaktan kung unang-una pa lang ay hindi mo sya mahal, at hindi mo sya minahal ng todo. Pangalawa, naghahanap ka lang ng pagkakataong maliwanagan sa mga nangyayari kaya naggu-goodbye ka. You try to be on your own and reflect about things, about what happened and how can you minimize the risk of doing it again. Pangatlo, you're trying to help yourself remove the bad memories out of your system kaya pinipilit mong iwanan sya nang panandalian. Coz we know that in time, all wounds will heal. After it has fully recovered, then you go back sa kung anong nakasanayan mo.

But then again, how can you totally delete someone out if your life if he/she had been a great part of it? Ika nga sa isang kanta "no matter how I try and try, I just can't say goodbye". Goodbyes aren't meant to be forever. Coz eventually when you meet him/her again, you will again feel the awesome feeling of being too much in love. Malay nyo, maging together again na, yan pa yung forever mo.

[nerdisko]

There is forever in katangahan

Ang pinakamatinding katangahan sa mundo ay yung katangahan ng taong nangangakong andyan lang sya palagi pag may problema ka at yung katangahan ng taong nagpapaniwala dun.

Sa unang scenario, naexpose ka na sa unlimited obligations sa kung anuman ang gustong ipagawa sa'yo ng taong pinangakuan mo. Bukod pa dun, tinuturuan mo ang taong yun na maging dependent lang sa'yo; thus, hindi mo sya tinutulungang maging mature.

Sa pangalawang scenario, para kang si Juan Tamad na naghihintay na malaglag ang bayabas mula sa puno nito. You're not helping yourself. You just hoped for nothing, hanggang sa mabagot ka na sa kakahintay. Alam mo namang hindi naman sya palaging andyan sa'yo eh naniwala ka naman. Ayan tuloy, muntanga lang na naghihintay sa wala.

Palagi nating naririnig ang ganyang mga pangako pag ang tao ay masaya kasama ang taong mahalaga sa buhay niya. Pero sa paglipas ng panahon, dun na lang natin malalaman na ang taong pinangakuan natin ay wala na palang pakialam. At tayong mga nangako ay patuloy na inaabuso ng mga taong hindi karapat-dapat na tawaging kaibigan. Ayan tuloy, merong poreber. Poreber tayong tanga.

[nerdisko]

Okay. I’d better STFU. Hahaha

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Breaking up and moving on

Not all break ups are hard and rough, causing either of the parties to be bitter. There are also some break ups that are mutually decided upon, and leaves both of the parties to be happily separated.

Next step is moving on. What does it take to move on? Dapat bang kalimutan ang isang taong naging bahagi ng buhay mo? I don't think so. Dahil kahit baligtarin mo man ang mundo, hinding-hindi mawawala ang presensya at alaala ng taong sa iilang buwang pagsasama ay naging mahalaga sa'yo. Moving on means that you keep on going forward with your life equipped with the lessons you've learned from the past.

Take note: ang expression na "the hell I care" na madalas nating sabihin kung galit tayo sa taong nanakit sa ating kalooban ay meron ding isa pang meaning. At yun ay... "Dahil I care". Coz the people we love are the people that hurt us the most. It's not that we stop caring for that person, but we find other ways how to show that person how much we care.

Thank you! And I love you so much :)

[nerdisko]

“We came here for Jesus of the Eucharist”

This is an account of what happened during the 51st International Eucharistic Congress Theological Symposium held at Cebu Doctors’ University in Mandaue City, Cebu last January 20-22, 2016.

Those were my first words upon disembarkation from Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 165 bound for Cebu last Jan. 19, 2016. Together with Tita Dejpe and Jay, we started the journey to fully encounter Christ in the Eucharist by attending the symposium focused on theology.

Day 1

So nag check-in na kami sa hotel, and we ate our lunch. Napahinga ng ilang oras, at gumala sa gabi. Syempre first time sa Cebu kaya kami pumunta sa iba’t ibang tourist destinations para naman maging sulit ang biyahe namin.  We went to Basilica del Santo Nino and lined up in order to see, touch, and pray in front of the first image of Sto. Nino in the Philippines.  Pagkatapos nun, kumain kami sa MG (abbreviated, so as to protect the business’ reputation). Habang kumakain kami ay nababadtrip ako sa jingle ng fastfood outlet kung saan kami kumakain. Totally disgusting. Nawalan na tuloy ako ng ganang kumain.

Day 2 (Day 1 of Symposium)

We woke up at 5:30 am and rushed to the restaurant to eat. Okay. This is not my usual morning routine, kaya struggle nag-adjust na lang ako.  After that, we walked to the SM City Cebu Parking area near Bayfront Hotel para sa shuttle papuntang CDU. Upon reaching there, we proceeded to the Registration Booth to get our kits and ID. Pagkatapos nun, we went to the hall where the symposium is to be held.

Naghanap kami ng mauupuan and we seated halfway from the stage and from the center pathway (yung nagdidivide sa whole group crosswise).  Habang naghihintay kami ng ilang minuto para sa Morning Prayers then I suddenly saw Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu. I was like 0_0 “omaygash-i-need-to-take-a-picture-with-him”.  So I stood up from my seat and approached him, introducing myself as someone from Pototan, Iloilo (a town in Central Iloilo, adjacent to Abp. Palma’s hometown Dingle).  He replied “Ay Kasimanwa! Dali picture danay!” And so we took this photo.

(L-R: Me, Abp. Palma, Jay, Ta Dejpe)

We talked and told him that we were friends with some of his relatives here in Iloilo. As our parting words, he told us he is very glad that he has seen some of the delegates from the Archdiocese whom he had served in the early years of his presbyterate.

Pagkatapos ni Abp. Palma, dun na nagsimulang pumasok ang mga obispo ng Pilipinas. We saw Abp. Socrates Villegas of Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, Abp. John Du of Archdiocese of Palo, Bp. Gerry Alminaza of Diocese of San Carlos, Abp. Angel Lagdameo of Archdiocese of Jaro, and finally Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle of the Archdiocese of Manila.  Sila lang naman yung kilala naming tatlo.  I still have more to mention but I realized hindi naman kailangang maging roster ng Filipino bishops ang post na ito. Hehe.

The plenary sessions began. Speakers par excellence gave the lectures, and listening to them gives you that inference that they are the best in their field.

The morning break followed after the first plenary session and instead of eating our snacks, we went to the bishops and talked to them.

Bishop Soc is one of the humblest bishops I ever met.  He even gave Jay a message in his liturgy guide.  He is currently the CBCP President. We talked to him and told him we are inspired by his articles in the CBCP News website. He smiled and thanked us.

Bishop Angel is now gradually recuperating from his illness. What saddens me is seeing him getting slimmer. I spoke to him, and whispered “Bishop, ginpangadi-an ta ka.” (Bishop, I’m praying for you). He smiled and said thank you.

Fr. Dodong Billones (center) is the Rector of the St. Joseph Regional Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo City.  We relived the conversation we had a year ago when he officiated the Sadsad sa Pototan 2015 concelebrated mass.”Ti san-o ka na masulod sa seminaryo?” (So, when are you going to enter the seminary?), he quipped. I answered, “in God’s time Fr. If he wills it, it will happen.”

After the break, the second plenary session followed. At past 12 noon, we ate our lunch and discussed some of our learnings during the sessions. Workshops during the afternoon session followed and the day was ended with a Holy Mass, presided by Bp. Ambo David of Diocese of Kalookan.

We ended the day saying that “daw mga paparazzi kita!” (we’re like paparazzis). So we decided that for the next day, we’ll stop running towards bishops and asking them to take photos with us.

Day 3 (Day 2 of Symposium)

Usual routine. However, we woke up late. So we finished everything at 7:30, somehow late for the schedule.

We lined up to get a translator receiver from the registration area at the back of the hall. Well, dahil first time na naman, edi napa wow ako sa mga ganung advancement sa technology. Haha.  But instead of listening to the english version of what the speaker is talking about, I enjoyed listening to the different languages available.

It was lunch time when a momentous event occurred. Talagang momentous kasi nakita namin si Cardinal Chito na papalabas sa hall at we grabbed the opportunity to get close to him and take a photo with him.

Tinawag ng isa sa amin si Cardinal Chito. Pagkatapos nun ay naghabulan pa kami sa labas ng hall para makapagpapicture lang. Nung nahawakan na namin yung kamay niya ay tumawa siya, hinalikan namin ang Ring of the Fisherman at sabay sinabihang “Cardinal, pwede ho bang magpapicture?” He replied “pwede bang sabay-sabay na kayo?” And there it is. We had a photo with THE Cardinal Chito Tagle with San Carlos Seminarians.

We ate our lunch and we went to the Basilica again on that afternoon.  We took a photo inside the area where the Magellan’s Cross is situated and went home to rest.  We went back to CDU for the Holy Mass, which was presided by Bp. Julito Cortez of Diocese of Dumaguete.

Instead of going home, we went to uptown Cebu and ate our dinner there kasi last night na naming magkakasamang lima.  We went to Larsian, where there are lots of stalls serving barbeque sticks of different meats.

Additions to the group: Nong Russell, and Nang Ann. We are the Furious Five. Furious pagdating sa kainan. Haha K.  It was also my first time to eat rice cooked in a heart-shaped container made of coconut leaves.  The natives call it “puso”. Surprisingly, hindi kami kumain ng marami. Siguro dahil sa “psychological effect” of eating puso: akala mo marami ka nang kinaing kanin pero actually 2 cups pa lang.

Pagkatapos kumain ay naglibot kami sa Fuente Osmena Circle where we saw two landmarks: one is for the Sinulog, the other is for the IEC. Well, since mga cam-whore rin kami, we took photos. Kawawa naman si kuyang guard na kumuha ng pictures namin. Kawawa naman yung mga taong nakapila na gusto ring magpapicture pero hindi pa nila magawa dahil marami kaming angles na hinahanap. Anggulo!

After those photo sessions, umuwi na kami ni Jay and we took our rest.

Day 4 (Day 3 of Symposium)

Last day na ng symposium. At mas late kami ngayon. Hahaha. Siguro dahil sa pagod. Anyways, huling hirit na lang to.

Usual routine. However, during lunchtime, we bade good bye to Ta Dejpe coz she will be leaving Cebu and go back to Iloilo.  After namin hinatid sa labas ng CDU, umuwi rin kami ni Jay para matulog. -__-

Bumalik na lang kami sa hapon para sa Misa kasama sina Nong Russell at Nang Ann.  Pinangunahan ni Bp. Antonio Ledesma, SJ ng Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro ang huling misa para sa IEC Theological Symposium.

We went home, at dalawa na lang kami ni Jay ang naiwan sa Cebu. Pagkatapos ng misa ay umuwi rin kasi sina Nong Russell at Nang Ann.

Day 5

Wala kaming ginawa kundi matulog at kumain. Yun yung definition namin ng “sinusulit ang bayad sa hotel”. Hahaha. Pumunta kami ng SM at kumain doon. Tapos nag gelato, kasi natatakam daw yung kasama ko sa ice cream. :/

Lumabas ulit kami sa gabi para kumain ng hapunan, at bumili ng Krispy Kreme na doughnut kasi first time rin daw ng kasama ko. Haha. #FirstTimeProblems

Day 6

Maaga pa kaming nagising at nag-impake na ulit. Pumunta na kami ng airport mag a-alas diyes ng umaga at nag check-in. Dumating kami sa Iloilo eksaktong 2:30 ng hapon. Pagkauwi sa Pototan ay agad kaming nagsimba para magpasalamat sa pagkakataong naging bahagi kami ng IEC.

Although marami kaming mga segue sa IEC, it was made sure na we came for Jesus of the Eucharist. At least, focused pa rin kami sa mga talks/sessions, and every night we made sure that we make a recap of what we have learned during the day.  The Theological Symposium was one of the most important events I have attended in my life. And I look forward sa mga next adventures naming lima :D

“Ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus!” (1 Pt. 4:11)

[nerdisko]

Why do I have to be good on my birthday?

Yan ang tanong ko kaninang paggising ko. Bakit nga ba dapat makipagplastikan sa lahat ng tao lalo na pag birthday mo?

For world peace. Para kahit isang araw man lang ay malimutan nating meron tayong pinag-awayan noon. At para kahit isang araw lang din ay mapanatag ang isipan ko dahil wala akong kaaway ngayong araw.

For less awkward moments. Yung mga taong hindi mo kakilala at kaclose ay nagsisipagbati sa'yo. Ermergherd. Erwkwerd. Hirap humanap ng topic na mapag-uusapan. Buti na lang andyan yung topic ng edad at educational status. Less awkward situation.

Ultimate reason: makapaglandi. Bumabaha ng texts sa phone ko mula sa mga crushes ko. And i was like:

Thank you crush. Love you! :)

Thank you! You remembered it. I'm so... OMG *blushes*

At mula dyan humaba na ang usapan.

Wala namang masama kung makipagplastikan sa birthday mo. Isang araw lang naman yan. You still have 364 days para magterrorize ng mga kaaway mo.

Kaway-kaway sa mga ka-birthday ko! :D May the odds be in our favor forever!