Hope. Faith. Love.

“A great film with great characters portrayed by immense actors.” That’s how I can describe the film, My Sister’s Keeper -- a story about family, relationships and life. Though the story is somehow predictable at first due to some scenes showing how Kate (the daughter who’s suffering from leukemia) suffer from her disease, the movie inspired a lot of people.

In the movie, the love of each family member is visible. It shows how Kate’s parents love her so much that when they knew that Kate is suffering from a disease, they decided to have another child (Anna) through genetic engineering that would become a perfect genetic match with Kate’s need in order to have a healthy life like others. On the other hand, Anna knew all along that it is the purpose of her living-to supply Kate anything to live a better life. Kate’s mom stopped working to take good care of her two daughters and her husband supported her decision. Their relationships with each other never change until Anna decided not to donate her kidney to Kate anymore. She asked help with a known lawyer for her medical emancipation and her case was up to court. Her mom who happens to be a non-practicing lawyer was her opponent in that case. Her mom fight for Kate’s right and with much focus of her sick daughter, she almost leave her other children alone. Until one day, at the hearing, Kate’s and Anna’s brother revealed that all the things happening were all about Kate. She asked Anna to file a case because it’s the only way to stop her mom in letting Anna supply everything for Kate. Kate also told Anna that she knew all along that even the surgery will not help her live a longer life anymore, she knew that she will going to die sooner or later. Her mom was shocked but sooner faced that fact.

The love is evident in almost all of the scenes. The actors feel their characters well enough and their acting really shows their grief. Personally, I was touched on how they face and handle all the challenges in their lives. I was inspired and I learned to acknowledge my blessings more than my losses. Their strong personalities in the film moved me and gave me strength to face my own dilemmas. However, I was confused when watching the film because of many flashbacks without any signs. I was asking my friends, “Present na ba ulit yan o flashback pa din?” but in the end, it helped me understand the story more because the flashbacks are the scenes that show why a certain decision was made.

It was a great movie because of its content and the story itself. Hope, faith and love are seen and I believe that many people were able to relate in the content of the story because it has a deeper meaning- not just about a sick person, or a caring mother, or a sister’s keeper itself but the virtues shown in it are the most important above all.

B.B.B. (Broken But Blessed)

I’m WEAK trying to be strong. I’m SAD trying to look happy. I’m BROKEN and feeling LONELY yet my façade didn’t show any of these signs. Yes, I am wearing a mask for the past weeks and I know that it’s effective. No one noticed my brokenness until I broke down.

Last Thursday night, I broke down. I cried so many tears with my pillow to comfort me. My roommates were sleeping; I didn’t text any of my friends or even my mom. I faced everything alone because I know that I’m in the process of healing. I thought crying will help me ease the pain and let it go but it did not. I prayed and I was hit by His message. I felt guilty, I felt bad and again, I felt unworthy. I almost step down in my position because of this emotional battle. Still, I continued praying and discerning but all of His responses still didn’t change. I know this is all about ME and MY BROKEN HEART. I am having a hard time accepting everything and scared of what will happen next. But God embraced me with His love and comfort. Still, my battle continues. The feeling of unworthiness grew and my discerning prolonged. But God still didn’t change His response. That cycle repeated for almost 3-4 times.  I felt lonely, I felt worst! I don’t know to whom I should share with what my heart’s going through, I don’t know who will comfort me the best.
Right now, I am still facing this battle; still with a broken heart but with so much blessings. I felt lonely this time but God gave me my friends to comfort me. He used them to feel that I am loved and worth loving. I was too emotionally-driven this past weeks that I overlooked my blessings and focused on the brokenness that I am feeling. My heart is still thirsty but the love of my friends and my family is filling me. I am still fighting with this battle but I know that I’m in the process of winning. And my heart may be broken, but God is blessing me with His endless grace.



PS: Thank you Phoebe-my partner in Christ, Gelli- partner in sickness, Ria- partner in the dancefloor and Kikx-my TF Angel for being my strength and for always being there. I’m so blessed to have you guys in my life

Week-long Blessings:)

A week full of blessings, a week full of exciting, that’s how I can describe my whole week. At this very moment, I can still feel the happiness that marked my heart. Here’s the start of my week long blessing.



June 29, 2009, Monday, was my 18th birthday. Luckily, Miriam College doesn’t have classes every Monday and I don’t have meetings either. So I spent time with my family on that special day of my life. I failed to attend mass but I was still blessed. My family woke me up by splashing water all over my body. When I opened my eyes, there was a cake with candles and they were singing “happy birthday.” We ate breakfast together until my two sisters went off to school. For our lunch, we ate at Palaisadaan with my mom, dad and my youngest sister. It was just the four of us but it truly made my day. After eating, we went straight at home to rest and to do things for my birthday celebration. Around 3-4 in the afternoon, a good friend of mine visited me at home, greeted me and gave me a special gift that he made – bouquet of lollipops. In my 18 years, I never received a real bouquet so I was so happy when I saw his gift. In addition to that, lollipop is my simple joy so combining lollipop and bouquet made my heart melt. My lolas, tita and lolo were all happy and ‘kinikilig’ for me. Then my dad came with our foods to eat. We ate dinner all together to celebrate my womanhood.



June 30, Tuesday, was my going-back-to-Manila day. I wasn’t feeling well that after two weeks of staying with them due to my quarantine, I need to go back to Manila to catch some lessons that I’ve missed. I was sad a bit but excited too. I will see my classmates again. I thought it’ll be an ordinary school day BUT after our Journalism class (our last class), my 6sational, Alex and Avon surprised me.i saw a tarp of my face in one of the kubo in our school and when I get in, there were two boxes of pizza, a bottle of softdrinks, and a mini scrapbook. I was thankful to the highest level yet I was speechless in front of them.

July 1-3, was an ordinary day I thought. But in these days, my 6sational were busy doing a surprise for me. I thought their surprise will end last June 30 but their journey continued all through out the week. They were busy shooting, editing and making stories for me to leave them. Haha. Claps claps for them for a very successful plan.



July 4, 2009, Thursday, the BIGGEST and MOST SPECIAL NIGHT in my life happened. It was my 18th birthday celebration. It was a blast! I was full of blessings! It was not the same thing that I ever imagined. My mom and dad were so happy especially Papa. He was very emotional that day and everyone said that he was so happy. I really felt the love of everyone. I felt how special I am for those people that exert an effort in making my wish come true. Although my 6sational didn’t make it to my celebration, I felt their presence through their video presentation. Not just that! My parents had a surprise gift for me. When I opened it, it was my dream camera! Digital Single Lens Reflex or DSLR! I didn’t expect any of the two especially the DSLR because my parents made me decide whether I will be celebrating my debut or they’ll just give me the camera I want. Thankfully, I got the both! In addition to that, the party was so GREAT! My most unforgettable night will be this night! Thank you for the people who became part of my life and who guided me in the journey of my life.

GUESS WHAT!

CFC-Youth for Christ Campus Based promotes its fresh party for the year 2009. On July 18th, 5 o’clock in the afternoon at College of Saint Benilde Theatre, Manila, YFC will launch its new face for the fresh party, the YFC PINOY FRESH 2009, opening it to different kinds of youths in Metro Manila campuses such as Ateneo de Manila Uniersity, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, University of Sto. Tomas, Miriam College, Assumption Academy and others.
Last year, YFC held their fresh party at Crossroads77, Quezon City with a theme of “It’s Everything You Want To Be,” was a very successful event with almost 5,000 students from different campuses gathered in one place to give praise to our God. Three representatives from Miriam College showcased their talent in this event. It started off with Dana Bulaon who played the guitar with YFC-UP band which after, Carmela Vizcocho and Diane Belgado participated in the Praise and Fashion portion of the program. Other students also from Miriam College were part of the production staff such as Kaiz Ambrocio and Nina Fernandez.
Now, the YFC community decide to open the event to everyone and for everyone. They thought of the theme “Pinoy Fresh” to make it more “pang-masa.” 7 different kinds of youths today will represent each of the 7 Pillars of YFC to inspire and to make other youth feel that they belong to the community. These are, “The Fashionista” being the Model of Excellence, “Blogger” is being the Single-Minded for God, “Athletic” for Champion for the Poor, “Emo” being the Source of Unity in the Family, “Traveller” as Missionary, “Dancer” being 100% Pure and“The Rocker” being patriotic who uses music for country. Every school is expected to have delegates for their campus. Now, the YFC-Miriam core is preparing for the upcoming event and is inviting more people to join the fresh party 2009. They are also encouraging some YFCs to be part of the production staff of the event to make it more exciting for their campus.
So what are you waiting for? No one’s expected to be out-of-place because everyone is in. So come and join the coolest party this July, the Pinoy Fresh 2009.