Sisters' first ever Household

The first ever household held in Alpha Homes, Matina Aplaya happened on October 19-November 5 and was organized by the gappers from Manila and Batangas. When ate Krishna first told me about the household, I was hesitant to join. Why? Because aside from the P1000 registration fee and that I would be away from home for 2 weeks and the day after the end of the HH (household) would be the first day of class, I was also the only CYA that's probable for joining and the rest would be UGs. So I didn't confirm yet. But later on decided to join because ate Harly really pushed me to. haha.

Fast forward....

And so, I was the only CYA who joined.

to summarize what i felt and experienced on the duration of HH:

#Awkwaaaaaaaaard moments..#Pressure..#OP moments..
#Getting-to-know-them moments..#Conyo moments(HAHA!)..
#Fun..#Stressful moments..#HH chores..#Team no sleep..
#Hilot sessions..#Palengke moments..#Morning and Night praises..
#Fellowshipsssss..#AngelBaby..#Lord's day+..#Crafts night..
#Luto luto moments..#Late night sharings and chika..#AngelBaby revelation..
#sharing buddies..#surprise bday honoring<3..#Coffeehouse..
#Bali bali experience..#wonderful talks..#John Keating..#Dare.to.Serve..
#Womanly Characters..#Emotions..#Speech..#Identity..#Kairos Camp..
#Praise concert..#Durian..#McDo for the last time..#departure..
#SepAnx(char)..#better and closer..

I was assigned to be the kitchen steward. IT WAS REALLY HARD FOR ME  because I DON'T REALLY COOK. The requirement goes like this...."dapat masustansya, dapat walang pagkain na masasayang, dapat properly budgeted, dapat enough for everybody and food", etc etc.....

Being the only CYA in the HH was really really a challenge for me. It was hard to blend in but later on I've finally built relationship with them. 

I really had a lot of first times during the HH and I believe God was teaching me to move a little farther from my comfort zone. Look where it led me! During one of my prayer time in the house God told me that "My grace is sufficient in your weakness". In an instance where I felt tired and lost my patience with the responsibilities and sometimes with the people I am with, He told me that I should "do everything without grumbling or arguing so that I may become blameless and pure".

There was a change of routine when I was in the house and I am happy because it  made me become productive. I now have the initiative to do the chores in our home and I had longer prayer time (LSS with the morning and night prayers XD).

I realized that everything I was experiencing that time was inviting me to expand my knowledge, to grow in faith, to respond to the call, and most especially to grow in my relationship with God and with the people around me. 

It was indeed a very wonderful and worthy to be treasured experience. A gift for my 18th birthday! I should say that I spent my sembreak wisely and purposefully :) *looking forward to the 2nd HH :D

*****end*****

THE GAPPERS

                               *ate Ana*kuya Biboy*kuya Ninio and Arick*ate Gelai

      Sisters' Household 2014

Living with the Pablo survivors for a week (memo speech)

“Nobody is so poor that he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich that he has nothing to receive.” Those powerful words are the words coming from Pope John Paul II.  Today, I’d like to talk about how a one-week experience has changed a part of my life and what I’ve learned after having myself immersed in a family and a community who has survived the devastating typhoon Pablo.

 It was last March 31 to April 8 when some of the Arrupe volunteers, in which I am part of, and other student leaders of this school joined the ASEP or the Ateneo Student Exposure Program of the Arrupe Office of Social Formation held at Barangay Ngan, Compostella Valley. Before we arrived at the place, I was expecting that I would be the one giving, that I would be the one helping. I was thinking that I would be the only one imparting something to them. But I was very wrong. It was, after all, a give and take process. The experience and the people gave me a lot of wonderful learning. First, appreciate and be happy with the little things you have. Every time I see the children in the community enjoying themselves as they play tag in their muddy and grassy field made me realize that I should be happy with and appreciate what is given to me. Second, never take things for granted. Never should I complain and take the things I have for granted. I have seen that most of the people there just have enough and I feel that I am just too blessed having a little more than them. Finally, they taught me that life still goes on. Recovering from the loss of a loved one and starting over again is indeed very hard. But they proved to us that their life should not stop there. They believed that God is still in control of everything.

It was just for a span of one week. But many things have changed. We imparted reliefs, donations and helped in the building of their school. But the community also imparted something to us- something that will always be remembered and something that made our hearts humbled and grateful. As I conclude, I affirm and recall the words of Pope John Paul II that indeed “nobody is so poor that he has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich that he has nothing to receive.”

I wish

I wish I could go back to the time where boys fall in love with a shirt-jeans-sneakers type of girl
  Where girls show their natural beauty w/o a make up on
  Where boys would 'date' the parents first before their daughter
  Where girls give their first kiss to their true love not on a one night stand guy
  Where boys, with all effort, talk personally with the girl he loves not only texting her
  Where girls enjoy slow dances than club dances
  Where boys are not only after sex with girls but instead would give her love and respect
I wish I could go back to time...
  Where LOVE made sense.
  Where LOVE has deeper value.
  Where LOVE is not a game.
  Where LOVE was all worth the wait.

When Love Arrives

...when love arrives, say "welcome! make yourself comfortable."
if love leaves, ask her to leave the door open behind her.
turn off the music. listen to the quiet. whisper.
"thank you for stopping by."




very creative,  full of sense and meaningful :)

Sarah Kay & Phil Kaye "When Love Arrives"

God Whispers :)

Dear Regina, 


Be content with what you have, but never be content with who you are.
When you go about earning money, it isn't money that you really seek, but the
growth of character that you build in you.

Keep growing, 
God 

P.S. Many do the opposite: They're content with who they are
but very discontented with what they have. Be different,Regina.

Reflection

As I was staring at myself on the mirror, I just realized that people see you differently the way you see yourself. They can't see your reflection the way you can. Maybe what they see of you is just a mediocre person but how you see yourself is what's important. You don't have to be bothered of how people see you as long as you know your disposition and as long as you know your standards and what you stand for.

Just be yourself. Always reflect. And don't let others' criticsm change you ;)

His love endures forever!

Life can be so good
Life can be so hard
Never knowing what each day
Will bring to where you are

Sometimes I forget
And sometimes I can't see
That whatever comes my way
You'll be with me

 My life is in Your hands
My heart is in Your keeping
I'm never without hope
Not when my future is with You
 My life is in Your hands
 And though I may not see clearly
 I will lift my voice and sing
Cause Your love does amazing things
 Lord, I know, my life is in Your hands

Nothing is for sure
Nothing is for keeps
All I know is that Your love
Will live eternally
So I will find my rest
And I will find my peace
Knowing that You'll meet my every need

My life is in Your hands
My heart is in Your keeping
I'm never without hope
Not when my future is with You
My life is in Your hands
And though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing
Cause Your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in Your hands

When I'm at my weakest, Lord You carry me Then I become my strongest, Lord In Your hands

My life is in your hands
My heart is in your keeping
I'm never without hope
Not when my future is with you
My life is in Your hands
And though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing
Cause Your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in Your hands
I trust You, Lord My life is in Your hands :')

Keep your head up high ;)

i can really relate with this song :(

the italicized words best describe how i feel often.

yet i also came to realize that life is beautiful :) 

that i don't need the approval of everybody

that if i know who i am, i couldn't be easily shaken :)

that i should go where i am appreciated, not tolerated

that God has given me lots of gifts :)

i should give them to those who appreciate them.

that i should never allow anyone to disrespect me

that its not all about me....its all about Him who is 

working in me-God! :)

Headphones by Britt Nicole

She gave it her best
She tried to fit in
She tried to be cool
But she never could win
Her mom says she's great
The kids think she's weird
Honestly she wish she could disappear

Why you try, try to be like the rest of them
When you know there's so much more within
There's only one you
Here's what ya' gotta do

Whoa, whoa...
Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones
Love, love's coming through your headphones
Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones
Love, love's coming through your headphones
L-o-o-ove is coming through your headphones
L-o-o-ove is coming through your headphones


He gets in his car
He falls apart
It came to an end
And now it's breaking his heart
He wants to give up
Wants to try again
Honestly he doesn't know what he's feeling

Hey, you might not see it with your eyes
But keep your head up to the sky
The sun is coming through
Here's what you gotta do

Whoa, whoa...
Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones
Love, love's coming through your headphones
Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones
Love, love's coming through your headphones
L-o-o-ove is coming through your headphones
L-o-o-ove is coming through your headphones

So keep your head up high and dust off your shoulders
It's alright, no, it's not over
Love is here, it came to dry up all your tears
Oh, can you feel it
Gotta believe it, gotta see it
By your side in the middle of the night
So keep your head up high and the dust off your shoulders
It's alright, no it's not over

Whoa, whoa...
Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones
Love, love's coming through your headphones
Anytime you feel alone, put on your headphones
Love, love's coming through your headphones
L-o-o-ove is coming through your headphones
L-o-o-ove is coming through your headphones

So keep your head up high and dust off your shoulders
Coming through your headphones
So keep your head up high and dust off your shoulders
Coming through your headphones

Twinkle, twinkle in your eye
Listen to this lullaby
The sun is shining in the sky
I see love it's in your eyes

This aint' the first time you felt like this
This ain't the first time, this aitn' the first time
This ain't the last time you'll feel like this
But it'll be fine
If you can just, smile ☺

*i like this acoustic version than the original :)

God Whispers :)

Dear Regina,

You don't have to prove yourself to anyone. If you know 
yourself, you don't need to and you don't bother.

Keep on believing on your genius,
God

P.S. Know your worth, Regina. If you don't know it, no one
will.

                   
                     

My wonderful ASEP experience ♥

I just had the best start of my summer vacation ever!



Last March 31, 2014 we had our pre-ASEP(Ateneo Student Exposure Program) immersion at MBTS(Manresa by the sea). There were general instructions told to us, talks-to prepare us for the immersion, games and of course there were LOTS of FOOD!!

this is the girl's bedroom and i'm sleeping next to my friend, Erika

On April 1, 2014 7:10AM, was our departure for Brgy. Ngan Compostela, Compostela Valley. It was very exciting though the travel made me quite dizzy and exhausted.

When we arrived at the school site, we were introduced to our foster parents. I felt very excited and anxious at the same time maybe because I really expected the very worse situation. But when I knew that our foster Nanay was a retired teacher and when she spoke in a very happy and welcoming tone I couldn't help but exclaim "yes!"

We had lunch first then went to our respective foster homes. And guess what, when we arrived at their house I was like 'seriously??'. Their house was fine and was really a comfortable place to live in. Nanay was very accomodating. In fact, she prepared boiled bananas, kamote and guava for us.

the bananas, kamote and guava that Nanay offered us! 

Another interesting thing was that she invited her two grandchildren, Ayesha and KB. Very cuuute!!

pretty Ayesha, 7 years old

most energetic KB, 3 years old

I enjoyed playing with these two kiddos who seemed to have unlimited supply of energy!

And of course we didn't forget to take selfies!!! yeah!

KB and ate Michelle,  my partner from batch 42 :)

     

Nanay has a mini poultry which turned out to be the only thing she's busy of.
That's why we call her "Nanay Poultry". Chickens!

And we mercilessly ate one of her chickens!!! MWAHAHA!

here's Nanay taking off the chicken's feathers

I was also truly amazed by the place's natural beauty!

this was the sun setting. so beautiful :)

i was so happy like a kid when i saw this horse!  

Nanay's mini garden with hanged clothes as background. haha!!

BROWNOUT!!! that seemed very usual to them :)))

Candlelight dinner :)

Every time the lights are out, Nanay always tell horror stories to us (bukid version ) and it really frightens me and ate Chim and it makes Nanay and Tita B laugh -___- anywaysss, because of this 'without-the-light' nights, i came to know that Nanay knows kuya Caaesar! She told me the story of how the people in their GKK wanted her back as the president after the Pablo incident. She told me that the HTC helped financially in reconstructing their chapel and she told me how good and rich the HTC people are!  What a small world it really is! I was amazed by how God can really work even in distance. I remembered that time we haven't had our dinner yet because Nanay really wanted the lights to come back before we eat. And it was pass 8pm then. We ended our chichat when the lights came back. Dinner was @ 9pm but never felt very hungry. 

On April 5 we conducted a youth camp. But before that, Tita B(Nanay's youngest daughter) and I AND Ayesha went on a morning jog! The sweat felt good because I felt my fats really burning. haha!We were like climbing a mountain! Serious talk!

dili jud palupig si Aying. early jud siya nibagon :)

selfie! 

and i'm ready to go!

 We arrived home at around 6 in the morning and we should be at the school by 7! Ate Chim was already finished taking her bath and there I was under pressure! haha! Everything happened so fast! 

We had our youth camp and it was indeed fun and memorable. Seeing the younger people there smiling and laughing was really priceless! We had games- a lot of it and I enjoyed them as well especially the dragon's tail game.

this was one of the games we played :) see Lawrence there on top of Loraine! haha he must be very heavy!

  My other co-Asepians and I gathered and tackled about how we were in our respective families and I heard lots of stories about them going to skyline and the river and anywhere else and I was very jealous! because we haven't explored the other places of brgy. Ngan yet :( so Tita B decided to tour us! Yey! \o/

We went to the river which seemed to be very wide now because of the typhoon Pablo, to the skyline(more like a sky cable above the river. they use it to cross from one side to the other), to an abandoned logging factory of Valderama and went food hopping!  *i did'nt have all the pictures and videos though :/

this is Loraine, incoming 3rd year BS Bio.
ate Erika, from batch 42, was her partner

at the back is their 'now-wide' river

It was our final day but I couldn't feel the emotions yet unlike one of my friend, Darlene, who was really in to tears when we were at the school site. It was time to bid farewell. I wouldn't really cry that time but when Nanay spoke in behalf of all the foster parents, I was really crying then. I remembered her say, "lami jud kaayo akong tulog kay naa sila. kadali man lang sa adlaw uy unta gi usa na lang kini ka bulan." When Nanay saw us crying she scolded us and told us in a motherly tone, "ayaw na kamo paghilak" then wipes our tears :'( *she's Ilongga, by the way :D*


There, we said our final goodbye's and put our bags in the bus then we were all set to depart. I saw some dramatic scenes with my other Asepian friends. One unforgettable scene was when Rexor cried like a baby. Awwwwwe :') we can't help but laugh though haha!

our farewell picture :) look up! haha

----------------------------------------------------------------------

POST-IMMERSION @ MBTS APRIL 6, 2014 4:00PM

*rest 4:00-6:30PM

*dinner 6:30-7:30PM

*welcome ritual

*bed time

APRIL 7, 2014 

*rising 5:30AM

*breakfast

*ice breaker, talks, snacks

*lunch

*ice breaker, talks, snacks

*dinner

*movie time

*bed time

APRIL 8, 2014

*rising 5:30AM

*breakfast

*ice breaker

*closing ritual

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after the immersion, i was able to carry those memories i had in brgy. Ngan and I was also able to reflect.

this closing ritual part was the very awkward thing that i experienced. what happened was that we were told to form a big circle. next, we were told to sit and blindfold ourselves with the scarfs given to us. then a story was told, then follows a question: imagine yourself in a dark place and you see your parents for the last time, what would you want to say in 1 minute? then 1 by 1 we spoke. i was sensing something fishy that time. there, it was my turn then the person next to me started crying then i was like 'wth, i don't like this stuff' then the rest, i mean most of the next who spoke cried.when everyone was finished there came the surprise. our parents were there with us all the time listening to what we were saying. i knew it! then they too gave their short yet from the heart messages. even those parents who came from their province really went to see their kids but the others who didn't make it was reached through calling on their mobile phones. my mother cried during her moment to speak so did I! it was really awkward. haha! but it was good to hear those words from her :) because i often hear it from her. then there i witnessed again some teledramas. haha! but that was not the end of the surprise!

our foster families were present at that time also! it was grand! my parents met my partner's parents whose father was my mother's high school classmate(what a small world really!) and my foster family.we had attended the Holy Eucharist together presided by Fr. Gab. then we had our lunch together also and our parents asked how we were when we were at their place and Nanay gave a good feedback. hohoho! then there was Ayesha who gave me a love letter. awwwe :") sweet little girl.

the letter says
 "Ate Rigina, I love you ♥♥♥ thank you sa pagsabay sa ako ug kaon. i love you♥ From: Ayesha" 

Everything really comes to an end. And so it ended. They departed. We departed And the smiles on our faces really show how happy we were that we became part of each other's life.

-----



......because I'm happy ♫♫♪♪♫♫♪♫♫♪♪♫♫♫♪♪♪

Though i wasn't able to attend our Mindanao Conference because of time conflict, :< ASEP 2014 was still a great opportunity for me to experience and reflect a lot of things and I believe God spoke to me during those days . It was a very humbling experience and for me I saw a God that is very simple and generous through the people in Ngan. Another thing, because of ASEP i also came to know more about my fellow ASEPians and gained new friends. All in all i am very HAPPY and Blessed! :))) I really thank the school for a formation like this, my parents as well for letting me experience what reality really is, and most especially i thank God for allowing all those things to happen in a very short time yet in a very wonderful and life-changing way AMDG!

*Happy by Pharrell Williams*

we prepared a dance number with this song ;) 

our opening and closing salvo! haha!

-RCG ♫♪♥♥