Day 47

Have you ever felt that sometimes, you need to kick everything off and just lie in your bed, sleep all day long?

My usual Saturday is to wake up in the morning and call friends to hang out all day. Or probably, i'd be at the gym wearing myself out. But this Saturday is different. As I woke up, I slept again, and woke up and slept. I love the feeling. No responsibilities to think nor problems to solve. Its just between you and your dreams.

No baths, no toothbrush, no cellphones, no gadgets, no music, its just my self. All day long I was at my bed, Ate foods at my bed. Did everything at my bed.

I guess we humans need that. We need to recharge. We need physical revivals like this.

Day 46

God's timetable is different from ours.

That is the main message of Pastor VJ Bote during the 6th Yeshua Gathering tonight, held at the Central UMC, City of San Fernando Pampanga. Yeshua gathering is a spirit-filled event where churches from different nearby areas gathered for one main purpose: TO GLORIFY THE LORD.

Anyway, I learned a lot from the talk of Pastor VJ especially the reality that we could have KAIROS moments. Kairos is a greek word meaning right timing or opportunity time. Kairos is the time when something special in your life happens. It is the time when you are in a right place at a right time. It is the time when you applied for a job and got in. It is the time when you perfected a quiz but you only read a page or two. It is the time when you receive a money out of nowhere during a great time of need. It is the time when your dreams come to pass. It is a miracle time. It is the perfect time of God.

So when you ask something in prayer, always wait for God's Kairos for you. When you pray, he is always there to listen. Be willing to wait. He will never forget you nor your prayers. Your name is written in the palm of his hand. How could he forget you?

Let everyday be Kairos day and expect God's move in our lives. Glory to God!

***

Here are some of the pictures taken earlier.

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After the spiritual revival received at the Yeshua Gathering, my parents and I ate at Camalig. Camalig is a restaurant located at the heart of Sto. Rosario Angeles City. I used to walk along it for more than a thousand times (literally) but it was my first time to eat inside the place. We often call the place for a pizza delivery but not actually eating there.

As per my parents, they used to make it as a"tambayan" when they were teens. They both studied at Holy Family Academy--the school near Camalig restaurant.

One thing I love about the place is the eerie ambiance and the structure. It also showcase antiquated items such as furnitures, knickknacks, pictures etc. Inside, you'll feel like you are in the Spanish Period.

The food? Its just alright. Commendable but not outstanding. But the ALL THE WAY Pizza flavor is a must-try.

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Day 45

Prince Max's Tips in applying a job

I came up with these tips when a cousin of mine asked for an advise for her employment interview tomorrow. Actually, I am not an expert of this but experience taught me on how to simply get your way through the interview process. Ive been to four jobs (including 1 On the Job training) already but I encountered 7 one-on-one interview, 1 four-panel interview, 1 eleven-panel interview and even an interview with your competitors as your interviewer (odd right?).

THE RESUME

1. Make sure your resume and cover letter is all set.

2. Its not anymore advisable to put unnecessary info on your resume (e.g. nationality, parents, height, weight, preschool, eye color, etc).

3. The "in-resumes" today will include a brief description of your employment background and summary of your duties and responsibilities.

4. Always make your resume as if it is custom made for the job. If you are applying for a specific position, it is advisable to put it in your career objectives.

5. Do not put character references anymore. Instead, print out a separate form for it. If the interviewer ask you your character references, you could give the form to him/her.

6. Always emphasize that you have a knowledge of the computer. Companies these days look for such skill.

7. Picture is not needed if you are not applying as a theatre star.

8. Add page number to your resume, and copy your header on the second page. This is for the convenience of the interviewer...and a plus factor for you.

9. Do not put false information.

10. Enjoy the process of making your resume and make it as a way to get to know yourself more.

THE INTERVIEW

1. Always come 10-20 minutes before time.

2. Research on your proposed company beforehand.

3. Interviewers often start the interview by asking information about you: "TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF". Never say an answer written on your resume. It is best to tackle your working values.

4. When asked for a STRENGTH, always answer an ability that could benefit the workplace. When asked for a WEAKNESS, always answer a weakness that is not related to work. Furthermore, always challenge yourself to make that weakness as a strength.

5. Be prepared for the question "Why did you leave your previous company?". Always answer truthfully without sacrificing your personality.

6. Shake the hands of your interviewer before and after.

7. Smile and ALWAYS have an eye contact.

8. Its alright to be nervous but do not show it.

9. Do not overtalk. Less talk means less mistakes. Just be YOU

10. Again,enjoy the process.

There you have it. Hope you have learned something.

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Day 44

Today, I almost died...

It was about 2am in the morning when something bad happened to me. I was in a deep sleep when I suddenly caught up in a serious choke. I cannot breath. I saw everything slowed down. My parents were in shock and they opened the lights. I saw their slow paced movements--the flashing of the light and hearing worried voices. That lasted for about 15 seconds, but it seemed like forever. I survived. I'm alive.

You cannot really predict what life has in store for us. Death can strike us anytime. Are you ready?

***

Lord I want to thank you for this new life again. I pray that you'll help me make the most out of it. You hold me in your arms. You own me. But Lord, If i would bargain with you, kindly make my life longer. I want to do more things here on Earth. Lord, If this happen to me again, please, breath on me. Breath on me when I cannot breath anymore. Let me source everything in you.

Lord, I admit its scary. But perfect love casts out fear. Remove this fear and let me slumber peacefully in your presence. Guide me in my sleep. Embrace me even during my rest.

I love you Lord. Amen.

***

Day 43

Today, I am sad and partly disappointed at myself.

Hatred without reasons dominated my day. I know people are to be unfair and be real "pet peeves" one way or another, but my responses to such, contradicts to the person who I really am..it contradicts my preserved values.

Have you ever experienced in your life that you have to make choices that are against your will? That are against your true good nature?

Being good is innate in us, regardless of our demographical differences. I just want the good to dominate me. I guess all of us want that.

Its a battle.

***

Anyway, here's an update of my room.

Here's the "Before" look. Focus on the wall. You will see a black wall once again and probably you know the reason why.

I added blue to it, for a relaxing aura. Also, a coat of arms was added to make it more suite-like.

Total Expenses so far: P450

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Day 42

We always desire for change. We always want to be good, but circumstances deprives us to be one. The Filipino cliche "Gusto kong bumait pero di ko magawa" became the life quote of people in the cycle of life...the treadmill of ups and downs.

I myself embraced that famous saying. I want to be good, but I cannot. I want to change, but its hard. I want to change but after a couple of days, I'll be back again with the undying past...the old self. The character you once hated is back again.

I just want to share a verse I've read today and you'll find it in Psalms 37:3-7:

Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

First, if you want to change, what are your motives? Second, ask yourself if these motives source from the desire to make you feel good, or be proud of yourself or is it because you want to glorify the Great King?

Any reasons/motives for changing other than the desire to glorify God is a dead end.

Always remember that God works for His glory...meaning that in everything we do, we must glorify Him.

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Day 41

Egypt is in my blood.

When you ask a child about what would they want to be when they grow up, they will answer to be a doctor, or to be a nurse, or to be a teacher, or be a fireman, a policeman or a vet. In my case, I always answer this... I want to be an Egyptologist.

I was in Grade 5 when I fell in love with Ancient Egypt. It all started when I watched Dreamwork's animated movie, PRINCE OF EGYPT. A week after, I watched Universal Studio's The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. How could I forget their names?

When Internet was introduced to me when I was in 7th Grade, I was in front of the computer screen day in day out, reading and researching about Ancient Egypt...from the mythologies, to artifacts, from the mummification process to related media and literature. I print out articles about it and kept a protfolio about it. My printer was black and white back then.

Junior high was the peak of my Ancient Egyptian passion. I got the chance to meet Ron Fellows, a famous Egyptologist and author of the book Hieroglyphics for Travellers. Though we just met through email, he gave me the inspiration to pursue my study about Egypt. He also sent me his book.

Unfortunately, a friend of mine borrowed the book and he lost it. I was devastated and cried about it for days. Sad to say, that ended my pursuit to study Ancient Egypt.

But as I've said, Egypt is in my blood. I am an honorary citizen of Ancient Egypt. It will keep on coming. It will dominate me. My love for Egypt will never die, and if its the will of God, I will go there and finally see my other ancient country.

Day 40

It was 4:30 when I woke up. I prepared and started travelling at 5:30am. I arrived at our meeting place at 6am. While waiting, I bought batteries for my camera and a sandwich for my breadbasket.

At 6:30 my friends arrived. There I saw my cousins Kuya Sherwin, Ate Jinky and Miah, together with my two nephews, Sarjie and DJ and of course my talented friends from the east, Roms and Dex the violinist. Ate Jinky led the prayer while Roms and Dex became our navigator on our way to Luacan, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Luacan, Bataan is the hometown of our dear friend, Donnabele. When we arrived at their house, the usual Filipino hospitality dominated. We were served with delicious breakfast such as rice cake, lumpiang shanghai, fried meat, bread and butter and of course coffee. Belle and her brother, Dex the guitarist together with their little friend Allaine joined the trip. The car was crowded but we did not mind the disadvantage, instead, we enjoyed the whole trip and the scenic views.

We had a stopover at the house of another Bataan counterpart and another friend of Belle, AJ. Our new friend joined the trip as well and we headed to Pamulaklakin Forest Trail.

We started everything with a prayer, followed by series of worship songs about the wonders of God. While doing this, we appreciated the beauty of nature surrounding us. Butterflies joined us in worshiping the Great King. Let everything that has breath, Praise the Lord!

The worship was followed with a short sharing. Dexter the violinist started it by sharing a word about King Hosea who depended on himself and not of God's strength. The younger ones shared their school experiences and the provisions of God in their everyday life. Ate Jinky shared that she'd be meeting her friends at Olongapo City. I ended the sharing time by declaring a word from Matthew 18, about being Child-like and forgetting the adult life for the mean time. We then sang the song "JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN" in three languages--Tagalog, English and Kapampangan (for the pleasure of our Bataan counterparts).

After the sharing time, we started to walk and tour the place with an Aeta brother as our tour guide. It was really relaxing especially everything you see is green. It's not everyday you see such sceneries in the urban district.

We ended the tour by eating the rice prepared using a bamboo by our Aeta tour guide.

After Pamulaklakin, we crowded the car again and went to Olongapo City for Ate Jinky's meeting with her elementary friends. While waiting for Ate Jinky, the gang proceeded to KFC and had their lunch. As usual, I was the last one to finish the food (Why does it have to happen all the time? huh?)

Unfortunately, the day has to end and we need to bid farewell to our Bataan friends. Though we all separated, I know a bond was planted and will definitely grow in us, for we know that the Great King has united two provinces (or should I say 2 kingdoms) together for a greater purpose.

Here are the pictures I took during the day.

(to be posted soon)

Day 39

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"

Everyone needs a break.

An ideal day's work is 9 hours--1 hour of which is allocated for Lunch Break, and 30 minutes is for snacks. It was created like that for the reason of WORK-LIFE BALANCE. Work is not a 24 hour activity, it is just one item to neutralize a day in our lives.

For this day, we implemented a special benefit in our workplace... BALANCE LIFE. Every Friday, we could have a break during 3pm onwards. The 2 hours is ours to use. We could go out and watch a movie or eat at a restaurant and other recreational activities.

We all need it. We need to balance everything.

But here's what I really learned about what happened this day: You'll appreciate the other aspects of life if you really take your work seriously and give your best to it. You will never enjoy the benefits of your employment if you played around and applied mediocrity in your work.

I'm just happy that I availed this benefit today after a really long and tiring week.

Day 38

The following pictures you are about to see were taken during the Fernandino Waterlily Handicrafts Association Productivity Seminar and Team Building. This was officially my first organized activity at DTI.

This activity became a struggle for me. First, it is a huge responsibility because you have to create a proposal first, target some sponsors and should accept disapproval from bosses or other agencies. Second, I need to have a strong networking skill. I need to talk to bunch of people for the event. Third, I should be facilitating the event and to oversee everything...meaning I must be alert during emergencies and "unwanted" circumstances. My motivation is to help this micro business.

I want this project to be successful as much as possible, as I've mentioned, this is my first project to handle.

So, what is this project all about?

I handle the portfolio of the Fernandino Waterlily Handicrafts Association and one of my major task is for me to help the association grow and to prosper in their business. Together with my colleagues, we planned to give them a Team Building, Values Formation Seminar, Pricing and Costing Seminar and a Productivity Seminar. The objective of the activity is to foster a good working environment and good working relationship among the members, to be able to have knowledge in the basics of financial management and to be able to maintain orderliness in the workplace.

The preparation was really tough, especially yesterday. Everything was already prepared, all the funds are already available (including the fund I've mentioned before during Day 32) and the guests will surely come. I only need the attendance of the participants (association members). One of their leaders texted me that they cannot attend because they have no means to travel. Another leader texted me that instead of 10, only 3 of them will come due to the same reason. I have nothing against them for I understand their situation, but I cannot really accept the fact that I will conduct an activity without attendees. I targeted 40 participants and on my list, there were only less than 20.

I was really bothered about what happened until I saw a mail package from CBN Asia in my room. I opened it and there I saw a brochure which stated "LAHAT POSIBLE, MAGTIWALA KA" (Everything is Possible, Believe). The statement calmed me and gave me peace...that whatever happens during the event, because God knows I gave my best shot at this project and I just need to believe that this event will be more than successful.

And God did his part :

I expected 15 out of 40 targets... 36 came :)

Mr. Perry Paz of Success Group of Companies handled the Team Building. He was really effective and good.

Mr. Perry asked the participants to write their dreams on a sheet of paper, to post it on their shirt, choose a partner and share their dreams. The purpose of this activity is to break the ice between the participants.

Some of them became really emotional.

After that, a group activity was conducted. The Team was divided into two. Each group was given a pile of newspapers, one roll of masking tape and one yarn. They have to create movable, strong, unique... BRIDGES.


The members already drafted their perspective bridges and planned on how to construct it.

The very artistic Waterlily Women used their talent to construct their Bridge.

This is the final Bridge of group 1. They called it TULAY NG PAGBABAGO.

The final bridge of group 2 and they called it TULAY NG LAGING HANDA. Both bridges were really strong, unique and movable. Mr. Perry used the BRIDGE to illustrate the bridging of gaps between you and your co-worker.

Talete Ning Pamanyulung Kapampangan, led by Mr. Angeles conducted a Financing Forum for the Participants. This was a gift from God. Mr. Perry contacted Mr. Angeles during that same day so that they could help the Association for their investment facilitation. This will be a best practice for me and the team.

PLDT was another gift from God. 2 days ago, some agents from PLDT went into the office and approached me that they could give assistance during the event. PLDT has provided us with the tarp of the event and they gave the participants free notebooks. They also presented their products and services with the use of booths which made the venue cooler.

Aside from the booth, Mr. Rico of PLDT presented their products to the participants.



Hey. I presented too. Will you look at that. So, I presented the 5S of Good Housekeeping. It was a really cool but OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE topic.

Our Division Chief, Ms. Lydia Rivera presented a Pricing and Costing Seminar to the participants. Ms. Lydia's seminar ended the activity proper.

This is Ms. Noreen Bautista, Social Entrepreneurship Director of Jacinto and Lirio giving the participants the updates with regard to their company. J and L is one of the clients of Fernandino Waterlily Handicrafts Association. They order leatherized waterlily sheets and convert them into World Class bags.

This is Ms. Lydia Rivera, together with Ms. Daisy Morales, Team Leader of Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project Phase 3. PHUMPP3 is one of our tapped partners during this event. The violet bag is one of the products of Jacinto and Lirio.

(from L to R), Emil Galang of DTI, Darby Bognot of DTI, Perry Paz of Success Group of Companies, Mr. Angeles of TPKI, Ms. Maricris of PLDT, Ms. Erika Manansala of PLDT, Mr. Rico of PLDT, Ms. Gloria Emillare of FWHA, Ms. Noreen Bautista of J and L and Ms. Anne Mariposa of J and L.

The organizers and Participants of the event.


I thank the Lord for making this a "more than a successful" event. Without him, this event will be impossible. Let us pray for the future success of the Waterlily Business.

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If you want to visit the website of Jacinto and Lirio and order Waterlily bags, just click this link below or copy paste the site in your address box.

www.jacintoandlirio.com

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Please watch the 700 club asia at QTV 11, 11pm, July 26-30 for a one week Telethon. It will be a live broadcast about changed lives through the grace of Jesus Christ.

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Room Updates:

These are the "before" pictures. You'll see a black wall because I really cant decide (last year) on what to put here. It remained stagnant for a year.



Black is one of my favorite colors. It matches with everything. It can be either formal or informal.

Anyway, I added again golden yellow checkered boxes to complement the black wall.



One of my friends asked: Did you used paint?

Well the answer?

I cant give it away.

Here's a clue: My expenses for this corner (both the red/yellow and black/yellow wall) is P220.00 only.

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Day 37

(post soon, pictures first :)

Day 36

Well, I just realized now that I am an artist. Being an artist is not limited to "I dont know how to draw". Being an artist has no standards. Art has no standards. You direct every lines, every shape, or color. You always have the power to "change"--to "erase" what was made. Art is like LIFE, what you think is what you get.

My room is my canvas. Every time I design my room, I feel a higher power in me. Im in control. I get to know more of myself and I get to know and reflect what I can do. I feel stronger. I feel that I am becoming deeper. I feel my worth. It makes me wonder, when the Great King created us, does he felt the same thing?

Here's the development of the corner I've mentioned yesterday.

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Day 35

Prince Max needs a New Suite.

I often change the design of my room based on my mood. I do this every year. The process itself is very tiring. I do everything--from the concept, the design, the budget. I have this tendency to get frustrated if I don't get the design that I visualized. My room is the smallest room in the house, but I wanted it to be the coolest.

For today, I chose one corner of my room to re-embellish. Here's the previous design. I created this corner last May 2009:


Here you'll see that I used the color black for the wall. I posted some Animal Conservation posters because I am a frustrated Vet. Because the wall is black, I tried to write using different colors of chalk for added features.

Here's the corner now. Its not finished yet because I need to add another color that will compliment the color Red. I'd probably be using golden yellow to make it more regent.


As I've said, I'll be adding a pattern in the wall. I wasn't satisfied with one color only. Honestly I thought it will look good, but it did not. I'm planning to add yellow diamond patterns on the wall.



I added a frame to make it more sentimental.


The toys I've bought yesterday complimented the medieval theme.


The Green frame is off. I don't like it actually. I'd probably change the frame. I also added my old speakers to make music accessible during sleep hours.

I'll be updating this corner tomorrow.

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