If anyone knew the secret to finding true love, he or she would be the richest person on the planet. Obviously, there is no foolproof plan. It’s really still up in the air most of the time. But we can try and pin it down as much as we want. There’s no harm in trying…
March 14, 2008 → The Top Ten Tips On Finding True Love
Kulit Nia/Mads - “Love is not blind. It sees, but it doesn’t mind.”
No name - Try tearing your anterior cruciate ligament on your knee and go to the emergency room. That’s where I met my one true love.
Frenchboy - If you’re lookin for love, don’t do it in a bar. Trust me, the only type of guy you’ll find there, is my kind. And you wouldn’t want that!
No name - From “Capt. Corelli’s Mandolin”: “Love is what’s left when all the lust and passion is gone.”
Loipogi - “Walang lalaking bakla sa babaeng nakatihaya!”
Bongoloid - From A Danny De Vito movie: “Assumption is the mother of all f*ck-ups.”
MNEMONIC - “Love is not finding someone to go to bed with, but finding someone you want to wake up with in the morning.”
Pointlessmike - Sa kuwarto nalang magkaka-alaman kung true love yan!
Jedi Mstr - It’s true love if he lets you be in charge of the remote control.
Espeks - Naghintay ka na rin lang, maghintay ka pa.
Dongster - Go to Quezon Ave. corner Timog and pay for some true love.
Loipogi - Kung hindi ukol, hindi bubukol. At pag bumukol…may baby ka after nine months.
KRISEL JUNE - Sabi nga ng bestfriend ko, “Magpaganda ka at magpakasaya, lalapit din yang true love na yan.”
Powerful Alice - Mag-novena kay St. Jude.
KiD BuKid - You’ve found your true love if she tells you, “Ako pa nga ang dapat magbayad sa ‘yo eh.”
Darielle Girl - Stand in front of a full length mirror at midnight, during a Friday the 13th, with a candle in one hand, and chant, “Salamin, salamin, ipakita ang para sa akin!”
Louise - Stop over-analyzing things.
Coachdanny - Fate could bring you together, but it’s both your choice if you want to stay for the long haul.
JP - When you graduate from “wanting to be with her”, to “cannot live without her”.
Chammy - Drop the paranoia. Stop bugging yourself by asking questions like, “Is she the one?” or “Will she hurt me?”. It just kills the romance.
Kites - Allow yourself to be surprised by the Universe.
Kikhai - You know you found true love if you keep falling in love over and over with the same person.
Marianne - True love also means letting go of the person you love, no matter how painful, if it’s for the best.
No name - Loosen up a bit and don’t be afraid to get hurt, because remember, love is a gamble.
Espeks - Look for someone you can have conversations with until you both grow old.
Loipogi - True love knows no size. Maliit nga, pero umiikot namang parang elysee - winner pa rin!
Chicago - When you still long for your ex, even after spending the rest of your life with your wife.
Morenang Kaligatan - Accept the fact that no matter how hot and smart you may be, that really cute guy will never notice you, if he prefers other cute guys.
With a convincing tone in my previous blog I told many that promises are meant to be broken. In good faith people promise us of this and that, only to be really disappointed when they don't. But only forgiveness can set us free. And only unconditional love can keep any relationship intact once it is threatened.
I am guilty of broken promises. And many times I pray I have done otherwise. But wallowing is not answer, it's a wrong move when you've done a wrong thing. It can neither bring back the past nor will let you move on a bright tomorrow. To falter in faith is a weakness I wish not to have. And I need not to be an escapist. I'd like to come out of this phase stronger, bubblier and more passionate about life. I really do.
I am joining the bandwagon of Ploning supporters in promoting this movie. We have have been waiting for this. As I've commented in my friend's page, I saw the persistence of people na may pakana nito in their blog entries all over multiply for nearly a year na. Contagious ang passion ng mga churchmates naming sina Jourdan, Dante and Guia for this project and their vision for Philippine Cinema is really something you would want to look forward to. Who wouldn't want to see Filipino filmakers of non-violent and Pinoy culture enriched films into the pedestal? Plus, these people are God-fearing individuals whose one goal is to bring back the glory to the one who bestowed them such talents in film-making. Kudos to Panoramanila!
And please don't ask me for free tickets. Jourdan has a lengthy piece of anecdote on why buy your own tix. Click here.
But it's the same reason I have to work hard for my promises, I'm not okay with broken promises.
And so I hope you'll fulfill yours.
There was never a sure ending in our lives. We make the decisions for ourselves that we hope people we care about will agree on. But most likely they won't because apparently, they know us better than we know ourselves. Good friends are for keeps indeed and just be careful not to hurt them badly. So for now, just let me have my space. I'll catch up with you guys later.
And for the promises thingy. Oh yea, even if you mentioned in passing and even if it means the tiniest of importance to you, it meant earnest to me. Because apparently I wanted to spend time with you and with you alone. Good for you that you got reasons why you can't ring me and maybe I am just delusional.
I can't be upfront to you. I can't risk to feel shame because of rejection. Or maybe I just can't do things that the world is telling I am suppose to do, like the simple thing of telling you how I feel about you. Geez, I like you.
Because after that I'm suppose to have a plan. A plan that doesn't depend on your answer if I ever get the chance to ask you if you reciprocate the feeling. I just can't, like I always tell a friend who's been really trying to tell me otherwise "it's not gonna be Des anymore".
So I guess that friend of mine is right, it is going to be either, you go to me first or I let this feeling rot inside of me.
I choose not to confess or even give a hint, because I think I already did. I know it would hurt the heaven out of me, but that's my decision. That's my plan. I'll just zip and fade in the background. Breaking one promise I made for myself - living my life big. Because apparently telling you that "I like you" is an emancipation for me.
And that is the way it is gonna be, a promise meant to be broken.
Day 1 was beauitful, touring the Plaza Cuartel, butterfly farm and crocodile farm around the city was an experience already for a Manileña like me.
But day 2 was another thing..marinig ko lang na may mag-aya pumunta ng beach can put a smile on my face, ano pa kung Sabang beach ang destination? And right after visiting the Underground River? Ah it was really fun. I used to just read about these places and now I can actually tell my future kids about the rich and natural attractions of our land. After paddling the 1.5 km stretch of the said river and hearing the praises of foreign tourists about Palawan and our other islands brings pride to myself that I am a Pinay. The buffet Pinoy lunch was really satisfying...hmm talking about good real food - sibawang buko, grilled tanguige, stir-fry kangkong, grilled pork and fresh buko! And yea, I wasn't able to "really" enjoy the Sabang exp by swimming on the beach so by the end of day two I can't wait to get my tan the next day!
And so the much awaited day three of my trip - island hopping in Honda bay! Wohoo! Perfect weather and wonderful people to be with - my fellow tourist - si tita na mas hyper pa sa kin pagdating sa galaan, a Pinoy biologist with real sense of adventure, a Canadian marine biologist who prefer to be called Filipina at syempre the locals who send us from one island to another and even let us snorkel in the open sea! Wow, and I'm speaking about my first-time to engage on that. First stop was snake island, where Sara led me to see the "underwater world" just a few meters from the white shore. Harvey cooked our sumptuous lunch of grilled pusit and Suran (tama ba ako uli bro?) and grilled pork and chix for Sarah-the marine biologist who only studies seafood but don't eat them :-) I had the time for myself and walked on the long stretch of the island...alone. Mangrove on my right and beach shore on my left while basking in the warm sunshine and cool sea breeze...Next hop was at Pandan island, where the four of us took a nap, me on the hammock and swayed myself away with the raggae music playing from the our rented boat...you manongs are really cool! Before sundown and as we sail back to the "mini-port" we had a stop-over in the open sea and snorkel for like 30 minutes. I found three starfishes and lots of clownfish and clams aside from other sea creatures that I wouldn't try naming because there was a lot of them (and as if I can name one hahaha).
Words to express after the three-day experience? Awesome.
Slept late last night then woke up early, but still I can't afford to snooze during the flight.
Sunrise view at the airport is as fascinating as the sunset is.
So day 1 it is, nagsisimula pa lang ang bakasyon ko pero I was thinking na of coming back and next time in a group..
The view from Aniceto's Pension (local's home extended as inn for travellers and tourists) is the Pacific Ocean (tama ba ako Harvey?). The feeling is still surreal but yeah I'm actually here in the islands of Palawan..one of my dream vacation destination.
I can't post pictures but just you wait. Being here on day 1 makes me say more often that God's creations are magnificent.
In Romans 5:5 St. Paul said that we should rejoice not only in the hope of the glory of God but also in our sufferings; because it produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us.
I was wondering why the apostle Paul said it that way, bakit nahuli ung hope? Isn't it much appropriate to emphasize hope during the suffering?
In Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the mind, I realized that not many people has easy access to hope. Because some have had so many disappointments in their lives that it has become too risky to even think about hope that favor will be upon them. Masakit nga naman makaranas ng disappointments. I had my own share of distress, the last heartache I had took me seven months to finally get over and move on. I thought I have become numb. I thought it would be impossible to finally let go of the hurts and just soar higher. But it took me the character of a fighter to live one day at a time. I told myself that if I had to endure the pain for another month just to get to the finish line of this lap in the race I called life then so be it. no short-cuts sabi ko. I constantly remind myself that I am on my path of acceptance and healing. And it came to pass.
What a relief. Finally, I finished struggling. Finally, I have the peace after letting go of someone not meant for me. Finally, I see a future far more better than what I have imagined with him.
Numero unong lesson ko in that season was to embrace what God has done for me. Romans 12:1-2 (The Message) clearly explains that : Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.
He willed my life to live it big. He wants me to place my dreams before Him and hope only in Him. Through Him I learned to accept that life will never be fair, but as I choose to walk with Him I can always make it through.
It's been a year of living my blessed single life and I am head over heals about it! My 24th year has been very significant. It was the year when I learned how to live life out of my comfort zone and be strong to brave the uncertainties. I am fascinated how God can turn my perspective around and how subtle are His way to sneak us back to the center of His will.
When I learned why character is needed to have HIGH hopes it is now my prayer that the joy I have in my heart will successively radiate from inside out and live the year in bigger and better attitude.
And where else to better celebrate marking my 25th year than to spend it amidst God's abundant creation in the island of Palawan! I'm really excited and it is my very prayer that God will surprise me with what's ahead of Des. Aloha everyone! Aside from my wishlists posted earlier I wish you guys to say a prayer for me. Sa lahat na ang aspeto sa family, sa career, sa immigration plans ko, sa small group that I'm leading, sa ministry at syempre alam nyo na pati lovelife ko. Ang saya-saya di ba?!
God moves in mysterious and super unexpected ways. And in my recent encounter with God's presence He used the world of entertainment. All the while for the last three years of my life as a Christian I know that there will come a time when I will fully understand my salvation through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. But my God caught me off-guard when He moved me the way He did last night in a movie date with two of my girlfriends. The movie was unplanned, we should have not done it in the first place, considering it's a weeknight and Maeriz and I work on 9-6 and 8-5 schedule while Kate has a class presentation to prepare for the following day. But off we went with no questions asked.
So what does Will Smith's movie got to do with my Salvation?
A lot. Because it made me realize two very important things. First is the fact that death is for real. There is no escaping hell unless I choose to accept the next very important fact that Jesus Christ is my only sure HOPE for escaping the fires of hell.
But how and why? Try this...
Have you ever felt a moment in your life when you are most scared? Scared at the thought of crazy, lunatic, violent and demonish creature chasing after you in the darkness and panting for your flesh and blood? And not just one of their kind but hundreds of them. Yung tipong wala ka na talagang ligtas. Sobrang hopeless to the point that you almost want to give up fighting for your dear life and accept the fact that you are good as death. And death in a very ugly and morbid kind of way. Think hard.
If the movie "I am Legend" gave you the same creep and scary thoughts, then I am on the right track making you realize my point here...or at least try to put into words God's revelation to me about Jesus greatest sacrifice.
The last scene in the movie showed Anna and Ethan making their way in the community of uninfected people and declared the following: "Dr. Neville sacrificed his life to save the rest of us. He is the legend, and we are his legacy. He lights up the darkness."
That hit me right to my very core.
Jesus made the same decision for me. And did more. He was the greatest sacrifice to heal all my wounds. He alone is the Hope I can hang on to. The Passion of the Christ movie made me cry as well but it didn't gave me the 10 minutes sob, not because I didn't believe in that illustration of Jesus' suffering. Honestly I don't know why. But what I can testify to you is that I now fully understand Christ's suffering and how great was HIS sacrifice to save me from hell. Now I have grasp HIS long, wide and deep love for me. He knows me too well to give such revelation at such an off-guarded moment. A very profound answer to my breath prayer "give me a breakthrough, my Lord". He gave me more than I ever needed. He put me first in the right position to receive HIS goodness, mercy and grace. He settled my heart to trust in HIM before anything else. He fixed not just my gaze but HE made me feel whole again.
Now I can say with more confidence that I am saved by my faith.
Romans 3:25-26 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
(Well, I don't usually do this but I am willing to watch the movie all over again. I am even willing to treat anyone to this movie but on two conditions: One, you're willing to tag along with me after the movie and hear what I got to say for at least 30 minutes. And second, you have to come with me in one Sunday worship service at VCF-Ortigas. Coffee perks and merienda included!)
Hugging is a good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. A hug makes you feel good. The skin is the largest organ we have and it needs a great deal of a care. A hug can cover a lot of skin and gives the message that you care. It is also a form of communication. It can say things you don't have words for. The nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can't give one without getting one.
It's my second year in a row to attend this awards night. Oo mga kaibigan awards night po ito.
E412 stands for Ephesians 4:12..."to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
It has been a tradition for VCF-Ortigas to honor the members of the church who have shown their dedication in discipleship. Students and grandparents alike shared the limelight of the night, an indication that regardless of age and generation, status and job title, we can all make a difference for God's glory.
So what exactly did those awardees do to receive their recognitions? Here are the examples:
A student from Rizal Technological University (RTU) introduced bible study among her peers. There was no bible study held in that campus ever until she started one. She got the "Pioneering Award".
A young boy at an early age showed much interest in further studying what he reads from the bible. After he has accepted Christ into his life and with his parents continuous spiritual guidance he now leads 60 young men in different small groups and perhaps leadership group. He received the "Protege Award"
There is this young couple who vowed to obey the Spiritual Mandate (Matthew 28:19) of making disciples from all nations...for the last 2 years after they have come to know Jesus this couple have been to China, Bangladesh and Nepal joining short-term missions to scout and prayer walk in the land where Christ's name have yet to become a household name. They were likely awarded for their dedication.
The spirit of encouragement dwelt inside VCF-Pioneer (our host) throughout the night. All these nameless people are making history, not for themselves but for the glory of the one who have made them able to do what have they accomplished. The rest of the congregation are all winners in the sight of our heavenly father. I hope that all the leaders who gathered there last night were encouraged like me (and better yet, fired up!) to believe that there is a bigger harvest of unbelievers waiting for God's people to act on their calling.
That's E412 Awards Night. (Officemates read:) Yes, I had a date last night, a date with a whole bunch of people ready to give honor to whom honor is due for this year.
Romans 13:7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
A night like this makes me appreciate as well of who I am. A nameless gal in the crowd. A simple young Filipina who found her purpose. And like them, it was no accident that I am where I am right now. That my small deeds can make a big difference for Him. I could not say more than "I am deeply inspired."
Well, yea thanks ate Rachelle for making me realize that I really can't escape the fact that there are people who look like me. Sigh, and guess what? I think it was intuition that told me I was right to portray "Pocahontas" in one of my high school plays back then. tsk tsk You are lucky Kate Beckinsale for having 1% short from Kilcher in looking just like me, or else I might have stolen your stardom!
Hahaha! try this one guys! its hilarious. And yea, sorry for being conceited.
Of all the things I'll dwell on today ba't sa emosyon pang "missing someone". Kainis pa kasi I thought I wouldn't feel this anymore after months of totally getting over that guy. Maybe it was the interesting talks over any topic then or the fact that there was once a certain man who used to make time to call and spend time with me. In short, I miss a certain companionship.
Pero sabi nga "good things happen to those who wait". When the mountains won't move remember the faith as small as the mustard seed. Furthermore, if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Simply put its what you call faith.
It's the same thoughts that make me want to hold out hope and wait pa rin and not rush into "finding" what I think will fulfill a certain "longing". It seems like I'm left with options between what seems g o o d or wait for the b e s t one. I quote Rica from one of her blogs where she said that..
GLORY is all about timing. The one to release it must wait for the perfect moment, while the one watching mustnever rush for it to come. At the point wherein they meet, that is when you see authentic glory. Why d i s c i p l i n e is so hard is because it means controlling yourself even from doing things that are good in order to focus on the better ones that will turn out to be for the best, instead.
But the next argument would be, how would you know that what you have at the present isn't the best thing yet if you don't take the risk to know it for yourself? The best metaphorical explanation I heard so far from ate Rachelle was the bus analogy and it goes like this.. (obviously the bus pertains to a person specificaly a potential significant other)
The lines from The Lake House doesn't mean you take the first bus that comes along just because you're either bored at the bus stop or scared that this is the last trip. It's that you take the bus that's going where you're going, without compromising, and decide that this is your bus. You don't say, "Hmm, maybe I'll take any bus that's good enough. And If it's not headed for my destination, I'll just get a connecting trip." You wait for the bus that's meant for you, and when it gets there, know that THIS is YOUR bus.
And what does it have to do with me "missing someone"?
The "I miss him" feeling for me is legitimate, it's normal and acceptable. But the control should be on the person, never ever let emotions take over or else you're on for a knotty and ugly situation. And I don't want any of that! I'll only take risk if it's worth it. I'm confident to say this because I believe God won't leave me clueless on things I can discern...
Deuteronomy 29:29 says The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the thingsrevealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
Isaiah 49:23 Those who hope in me will not be disappointed.
There are 2 challenges regarding the prayer of faith:
Firstis to believe that no situation, however evil or entrenched is beyond the scope of prayer. That is, we fail to lean on the promises of the scriptures.
Second is the hurdle of waiting. Remember in your that sound doctrine that yields faithless living and no prayer is no doctrine at all. What we really believe is always revealed in the way we talk to God in prayer.
I hope the following will bring encouragement to you just the way it did to me for the start of the week...
Psalm 145:13-21 13 The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
If I will wish for a monicker or another name tag after my name, then it will be that I am a Christ follower. Despite all my imperfections and bad days I am risking everything to earn this "brand" and "trademark". Rather than be a fan or a follower of any other person, fad or season's sensation, I choose to lose myself and earn Him in my life.
VCF-Ortigas is going through the series BRANDED:Certified Christ Follower. And everytime I heard the Word preached, a spring of hope assures me that God can use me. I am in constant check against His list of how-to-be-Christ-like. I accept His pruning in every area of my life at one issue at a time.
Hebrews 12:1-3
God Disciplines His Sons
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
I am deeply amazed and encouraged by the lives of some people in my life. Whether they are popular or not, they have shown that Christianity is everything but boring. People may interpret my manifesto as something "freaky" or too "religious", but I say that my life has never been as "exciting" as it is now. Everyday is sweeter. I'm not saying I'm not getting any pressure or concerns or problems or that I'm having a perfect life lately. Rather, with Christ in my life I am getting better dealing with what comes my way as i fight the good fight of faith.
And in good hope here's how I want people to remember me:
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
For the 4th time, I cancelled an out of town trip last long weekend.
Ewan ko ba kung bakit palagi na lang nauudlot. Mapa spur-of-the-moment decision to something planned ahead of time, wala pa ring nangyari.
From Baguio (para mag shopping ) to Camarines Sur (para sa wakeboarding ), nothing has come true yet. Haay, it's either bumagyo, may department emergency meeting o kaya fully-booked na ang accomodations for a reasonable price.
Am I missing something here?!
Then this verse spoke to my fidgety mind...
Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.
Psalm 19:21
Alright, either I was too ecstatic to consider practical considerations involving a trip OR I chickened out to try an adventure.
I'm still planning another trip sometime on my 25thbirthday next year. Hindi na muna ako mag-aaya, hintayin nyo na lang na ma-confirm ko ang trip na 'to for 7 days straight hopefully! After that saka ako mag-aaya ng makakasama, this time I'll make sure na may ticket na ako and accomodations. Kumbaga, just counting the days pass me by until my "Bakasyon Grande" comes!!!
than to spend it amidst God's abundant creation in the island of Palawan! I'm really excited and it is my very prayer that God will surprise me with what's ahead of Des. Aloha everyone! Aside from my wishlists posted earlier I wish you guys to say a prayer for me. Sa lahat na ang aspeto sa family, sa career, sa immigration plans ko, sa small group that I'm leading, sa ministry at syempre alam nyo na pati lovelife ko. Ang saya-saya di ba?!
Kisses 
Hugs 
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ni Joyce kasi wala na "siya" 
;
and fries galing McDo or Jabi delivery;
) to 
