Saint Francis of Assisi

We know about countless of individuals who made an immense history in changing the world. Whether they may be still young ones up to the adults, a guy or a girl, disabled or not. Inspiring, intriguing, name it, these composes the life of the individuals whom sacrificed their lives in order to endow change. Some of them were heroes, saints and the like. There is just one saint that really caught my attention and he is no other St. Francis of Assisi. Aside from Mother Teresa, I am really hooked up with this saint. It was my Tita who first introduced the said saint to me since I was high a school student through his movie Brother Sun and Sister Moon.

Saint Francis was born Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone. He was a Catholic deacon and preacher. He also was the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. He is known as the patron saint of animals, the environment and one of the two patrons of Italy.

I was in my utmost curiosity while watching the movie and after watching, I vastly honored him as if he still exists. Let me tell you about what I’ve watched about his life.

Francesco, the spoiled son of Pietro Bernardone, a wealthy textile merchant, returned home from fighting in the war between Assisi and Perugia. Struck by a feverish illness that forced him to desert the war, Francesco lies on his bed tormented by visions of his past when he was a boisterous, arrogant youth. During a long recovery process, he slowly finds God in the midst of all, in poverty, chastity and obedience, experiencing a recovery not only of his body but of his soul.

Healthy again, Francesco returns to his normal life as a rich young man. However, to the consternation of his parents, he begins to spend lots of time surrounded by nature, flowers, trees, animals and poetry as he becomes more and more reluctant to his prior life style. His father's obsession with gold now fills him with revulsion and this creates an open confrontation with Pietro. Francesco rebuffs offers to take over the family business and throws the textiles out the window. His father, frustrated, beats him and ends up humiliating him in front of the city's Bishop and population. Francesco renounces all his worldly possessions and his "noble" family name Bernardone and leaves Assisi naked and free from his past in order to live an ascetic and simple life as a man of God and nature.

He goes toward the ruins of the chapel of San Damiano, where he hears God's voice asking him to restore it. Much to the dismay of his family, friends and the local bishop, Francesco gradually gains a following amongst the poor and the suffering. His friend Bernardo, happily joins him after returning from a Crusade that left him in sorrow and emptiness. Two other friends, Silvestro and Giocondo, admiring Francesco's new life style as a beggar help to rebuilds the chapel of San Damiano.

Claire, a beautiful young woman also from a wealthy family, serves and cares for lepers of the community. She joins the brothers in their life of poverty. Meanwhile in Assisi, the high classes of nobility, including the Bishop, protest against Francesco and his group, worried about them "corrupting" the whole of Assisi's youth and they command Francesco's friend Paolo to hinder and stop the so called "minor brothers".

Because of conflicts between the high corrupted levels of the Church and Francesco's group, he decides to walk to the Vatican in Rome and ask Pope Innocent III to advice. Once in Rome, Francesco becomes stunned by the enormous wealth, power, lust and emptiness that surrounds the throne of St. Peter and when he is brought to face the Pope he vehemently protests against it and recites the scriptures (which was not allowed) on order to prove that Christ's words are totally opposite of Rome's wealth. Due to this emotional explosion, Francesco and his friends are jailed, and finally accepting his admiration toward Francesco, Paolo decides to join them. He also reveals to Francesco how ashamed he is to be dressed in fine and luxurious clothes in front of a humble and kind man dressed as a beggar, to everyone's astonishment, the Pope kisses Francesco's feet, and then blesses him and his companions, wishing for them a long world wide society of men and women willing to serve God in the way he does.

Facebook: Addictive yet Entertaining

Facebook, a social networking website launched in February 2004 that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. It was incredibly founded by Mark Zuckerberg with his colleagues while studying at Harvard University as a sophomore student. A January 2009 Compete.com study ranked Facebook as the most used social network by worldwide monthly active users, followed by MySpace Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade 'best-of' list, saying, "How on earth did we stalk our exes, remember our co-workers' birthdays, bug our friends, and play a rousing game of Scrabulous before Facebook?"

This attention-catching network has been part of the populace’s lives since it was officially launched. It was accepted and gradually liked by the general public. Most of the people today linked their lives to this network. Well, I can’t blame them. Facebook is undoubtedly irresistible. Kids, teens, adults and even the oldies have their accounts. Why is this so? Why does Facebook widely caught our attention? I have a classmate who once woke up early just to check her account; my colleagues in a particular subject did not sleep early not because they were so busy in their school assignments but because they were just busy commenting photos, some are playing with Farmtown and Farmville. See? Currently, the society is deeply engrossed with the system, embracing its every new feature. Many of us becomes a facebook addict, some can’t live and even going crazy without entertaining, checking what’s happening on his account.

Well, there are only two major explanations why this is vastly occurring. Let us first embark its advantages. Facebook is certainly an entertaining network. It helps us share and connect with the people in our lives in a way that we can upload photos and videos, comment to the photos uploaded, search for a friend or something, Users can create profiles with photos, lists of personal interests, contact information and other personal information. Communicating with friends and other users can be done through private or public messages or a chat feature. Users can also create and join interest groups and "like pages", it allows users to send virtual gifts to their friends that appear on the recipient's profiles, the Marketplace lets users post free classified ads and of course, you are updated with latest news, events, whose birthday is ongoing each day. Aside from its cunning features, it is also very gratifying. Just glimpse into the photos with the one you love makes you comment or like it.

Now, enough with the benefits, let’s fire the disadvantages of using the network. One of the discouraging matters about it is that it always clutches the attention of the users. Students converted their attention from making homework to facebooking, making the most of his time in front of the computer busy focusing on some stuffs of the network; some are unusually waking up early just to open his account. Facebook eats up our time, it also makes people sluggish.

But it depends on the user how will he manage his time not compromising the most important thing to do. It relies on his hands how he will respond. It is just a matter of time organizing. Just take the following prescriptions correctly: take discipline, hard work, and patience 3x a day and of course, the most effective medicine, prayer (every minute of every day) and everything will fall into the right place.

My Life’s Delightful Moments

I am undoubtedly cheerful these days because of the surprises God blessed me. I am certainly happy because He sanctified me with wonderful classmates that are now my close friends. What made me really amazed is that they are not my co-majors and yet we possess a relationship that looked like we are block mates! The persons I am talking to are my classmates in Humanities 1. They are not AB English students, in fact in our section there are only 1 CBAA, 5 CASS and the rest are COE students. Try to imagine it. We exhibit different courses, different year levels and of course different characters and personalities but oh, you can very well perceive that we are in just one block. It is all thanks to GOD because of everything. Thanks to Him, our teacher gave us a theater musical for our midterm exam. This requirement is a blessing in disguise. At first, we all neglect, discouraged by the task she assigned to us. Everybody complained, we all have diverse reactions against it. We really don’t like having a musical for our midterm. Why do our midterm exam will going to be a musical? Why don’t we have a written exam? What’s wrong with that? These are some of the twisting questions raised by others.

As we are constantly meeting, practicing for our play, things turned out to be like a magic. Everybody was actively cooperating; it is like ONE FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE! I was undeniably stunned for our friendship really blossomed. We now are exceedingly attached to each other. Honestly, I am more comfortable with my humanities classmates than my co-majors. As our practices continue, we were not paying attention to the miracles happened. After our play, everybody was longing for another musical for we now learned what really Humanities is. And also, thanks to our teacher and most of all thanks to our Almighty Creator. We now realized the value of the subject of which we don’t like at first.

There are many memories we shared together that were worth to be reminisced. First, was the theater musical, then our regular class foolishness, making funny scenes inside the room if ma’am is not yet around, taking photos, having jokes, in fact, we don’t have any joke shortage! Another is commenting pictures on Facebook. I enjoyed it a lot. I am the one who is mastermind in editing photos, making hilarious captions on them. The pancue bonding at Children’s Park was also a great one. I was so fortunate for my classmate treated me. The Mugna moments were awesome also. I genuinely had fun! The rides were so fulfilling and breathtaking. We are certainly making the most of our time being classmates for this semester because we knew that sooner or later, we will going to be apart from each other, no more Humanities classes, no more hanging outs, no more funny and exciting instances. I’m extremely hoping that someday if time comes we will be away from each other, our closeness will never end. I know I’m going to miss them, I already felt it now, call me corny or idiot but that’s what I feel. We are like one big vastly cheerful family now.

I will always treasure my moments with them.

My Genuine Thank you

Today’s current phenomenons are such too far different from the past generations. It’s really obvious. We can’t deny the fact that we are presently living in the place we once proudly called our home, our mother Earth, that today turned into hell. Chaos is embracing the whole universe, lucky for those who have their improvised shields against the malicious happenings. The administrations are declining, pollution is everywhere, injustice, corruption and other social cancers are continually propagating.

I respect those individuals who had their very gravest concern about today’s society. But despite of these nightmares, I could still humbly say THANK YOU to our GOD for everything! You want to know why? Simply because we are still here, continuously living on the surface He had made. Though lots of people died with or without reason, it’s His will, and thus part of His master plan. I’ve lost my Papa and my Kuya since I was three but look, I’m still here, enduring all the pains and embracing God’s graces with my Mama, Ate, and the rest of my family. God constantly guiding me, loving me, caring me despite of the mischievous things I’ve done. That’s how great God works! His unconditional blessings made me a better person. Yes, He also sanctified me trials, but instead of degrading myself, I accepted them as grace as part of His bright future for me. I always cheer up myself because it is only a proof of how God really love me. Those heartbreakingly trials, distress, problems that sometimes we thought we can’t handle anymore, are just significant indications that He undoubtedly loves us as wide as an endless ocean ; also He’s just preparing the best opportunity for us. And I noticed that my problems never had a vacation, they are always sticking on me. I’m not ashamed; instead I’m proud to say that I am ME! Simple, funny, trusted, easy to get along with and God-fearing. Everyone is made different, unique in other words. Everyone has different specialized fields of intelligence.

I will never stop saying THANK YOU to our Almighty Creator. Whatever anxiety I have to go through, I will never, ever stop because I love Him, too. I trust, honor, respect HIM just like everybody else. He’s my forever immortal BEST FRIEND. God is always with us. We may not feel His presence sometimes but actually He is constantly with us. It is we who are deaf, blind about the fact that He exists and we just take it for granted. Let us therefore acknowledge Him always, pray to Him and of course thank Him for the whole things He showered upon us.

The Legend of Guintolan

There is a legend I would like to share, a legend of my place where I came from. It’s one of the remote areas of Zamboanga Sibugay, the barangay of Guintolan. The legend of my hometown is not officially accepted in our place; therefore it is only a rumor.

Long, long time ago, in a faraway place, there live a farmer with his wife happily married and contented with their lives. For the first three years of their married life, things turned out fine. They were blessed with one beautiful child. The farmer had a very bountiful harvest in his farm while his wife took care of their child. But one day, El Niño unfortunately struck their land. There was too much heat and water was scarce. The crops were dying and they have no enough food to eat. Their child died for a certain disease. Because of the great misfortune, the wife left her husband hungry and all alone. The farmer was so worried about his wife. When he heard about the gold mining in the neighboring town, he immediately went there hoping to find a job but fate was rude to him and he did not qualify. The farmer then, began to wander in the woods, everywhere for he did not eat in two weeks. One day, a stranger came and asked him what the name of their place is. The farmer just replied, “Ginto! Ginto!” and ran away. The stranger left curious and began calling the place Ginto land. As the years went by, it turned to Guintolan.

The Exploding Theater Musical!!!

Humanities 1 students section A7 of Ms. Biong gave their preeminent blast in their midterm exam which was a theater musical last September 6, 2010 at exactly 1:00 pm at CASS rooftop. There were 4 sections and thus 4 competitors. The A7 section is composed of students who have different year levels and courses. Some are second years and there are third years. There are only 5 CASS students, 1 CBAA and the rest are COE students. Before they performed, they first prioritized the last rehearsal in the morning, polishing all the scenes, the songs, and dances, the sound effects and of course the songs and props needed for the play. After lunch, the performers began preparing their selves- wearing costumes, having make ups, and the like. They were all absolutely committed especially the director of the musical, she was like a little bit crazy about all the kinds of stuffs. Others were still memorizing their lines; some were just taking pictures, making foolishness and funny moments.

Before they performed, the three judges were introduced first and they were not just an ordinary judges, they possessed some of the distinguished achievements and positions in IIT. Next was their awaited performance. Everybody was tensed especially the director and the lead actress. Tensed, excited, afraid, name it, those emotions were obviously seen and felt by the performers. While they were executing, the casts were enthusiastically cooperating, the director was really dedicated because every time the curtains will closed, she eventually calls the characters and get them ready on stage and the very thing was, when there’s an actor or actress who forgot their lines, she immediately whispers to them what they are going to say and thus making the show continue. The determination, hard works and collaboration were beyond compare. Their songs, dances, and of course the acting went well. The judges have wide smile and so with the audience when the “kilig” moments and funny scenes were performed.

After the performance, everyone was tired, exhausted, haggard faces, all were sweating. The casts were undoubtedly surprised about the wonderful comment of Ma’am Biong, that their play was an amazing one, very good performance, she did not expect what they had just delivered, she thought that they were going to perform a fine musical but it all turned out to be like a movie and the fact that most of them are engineering students, she certainly can’t believe it. She mentioned that all scenes were pleasingly performed and from the fact that the jurors were used in giving small grades, only two sections got the scores line of 9 including the A7 learners. According to the judges, A7’s theater musical was very good, good choice of songs, nice choreography, and the concept of the story was intriguing, they were all triggered to watch from the very start and of course the lead actress was very good, she’s too confident in the stage and the rest were performing very well also. The only thing that was discouraging was that their musical was too long, it lasted for almost 2 hours but overall their play was skillfully acted and in fact, they earned the highest score among 4 sections. The successful casts were very thankful for everything- their struggles, hard work, money and time were not at all wasted. At present, they are now starting conceptualizes their Independent Film for their finals. Here’s the breathtaking trivia, the lead actress was me (well, not so breathtaking, hehe)…

Rest..rest..rest…

I’m so thankful that today is a holiday..whew! I felt relieved. I did not sleep properly for 3 weeks. I’m beginning to look like a zombie with heavy eye bugs. I really thank God for this week is undoubtedly memorable and less pressure one. Our humanities was great, our exam in History 5 was just take a take home, we don’t have midterm exam in Bio 1, our report in Socio was postponed. Well, what can I say? I’m so blessed. But even though students have a two day rest, it doesn’t mean we will be relaxing to death, we still have lots of requirements to be submitted. I have my Socio report; take home exam, English assignments and a lot more.

I’m so thankful because I have two days to work for such things. And oh! I almost forgot I still have to memorize my script in our Rizal play; we still have to make a music video in our Bio 1 and make an Independent Film in Humanities! Well, I just have to organize my time, pray to God and effort, effort, effort. I know I can do it! We all can meet the challenges that come our way if believe, trust and love God.

An Experience worth Reminiscing

“You there, have you already memorized your script?”

“Where are the lead actress and actor? Tell them that I want to see them.”

“Get the props ready, so with the costumes and songs”, these where the lines uttered by our Director, Jebien Calapiz, an engineering third year student in our Theater Musical. The musical was our midterm exam in Humanities last Monday. We were the third presenter and we performed at around 5:00 pm. That day, was, I guess, the day that I won’t forget and I will always treasure the things happened that day. Before we present, we practice a little bit, and then we immediately fixed ourselves, wearing our costumes, having make ups on our faces, pictorials and of course, memorizing our scripts. I was very surprised because I just felt a little feeling of tense even though I haven’t yet memorize the last three important pages of the script. And I did not entertain it!

It was very awesome when the play began because everyone was really serious about their roles, everybody was responsible and have exerted their very best effort just make our musical good and pleasing and the teamwork was beyond compare. After the performance, we were all certainly exhausted. Our teacher said that we have a very good performance. Wow! We can’t believe that’s her verdict. We were just enjoying the show and then, wow, she stated that our performance was like a movie, she did not expect. The thing that’s discouraging was our musical was just too long but overall our play was very good, according to the judges. What a nice feeling. Our efforts, money and time were not at all wasted. We absolutely thank God for everything. We now realized the importance of Humanities, how it molds, develops an individual and most importantly, our friendship widened. We have a strong bond right now. How I wish that we could be classmates again in the next semester, but the fact that they are engineering students, it will never happen again. I will forever treasure my memories with them, exciting, funny, tear-jerking memories worth remembering.

Everyday Challenges

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyzed you; they are supposed to help you discover who you are."- Bernice Johnson Reagon

Whew! What a day! What a week! I'm so exhausted. Things got even challenging than before. Last preliminary week was not that tedious compare today, especially that midterm exam is approaching. I haven't expected the things that come my way this current week. I have lots of requirements to comply. So many tribulations today. Various problems that I think I can’t handle anymore. They are so many and I’m only one. I have no other choice but to face them because God gave them to me. He bestowed such conflicts that I don’t even imagine happening. I am much worried of my History 5 because we are going to role play the life of Rizal and I’m going to be his wife-Josephine Bracken. And I’m not really comfortable with the idea specially that the one who will play Rizal is somewhat homosexual. But I think he can deliver it well. I’m just not sure if I can deliver my part well because I’m really awkward and I think I’m going to laugh. I’m not certainly used to it. There are scenes that are so eeeeww and yucky for me. Well our history is not so complicated yet because we will perform it on finals. What made me feel real nervous, bothered is our humanities 1. We will have a theater musical and the thing is I’m the female protagonist! I certainly did not expect it! My God! What am I going to do now? I really don’t know what I am going to do first. What made it worse is that our dry-run will be this coming Tuesday and we only finished 4 scenes and they are unproductive. I really don’t know how to fight in our fighting scenes. We have a long way to go. And lastly, I have a conflict in our boarding house. Things are sucking in my mind, actually. Thinking them made me feel weak and tired as if I am on an endless battle. Well, I am really now. Life is indeed, an endless battle we've got to fight and survive. We should fight by heart and by mind. As what the above quote implies that challenges are not supposed to paralyze us, they are supposed to help us discover who we are. We should not feel abandoned if we do not accomplish something we longed for instead stand with your both feet and aim high for God is always with us. Challenges also shape us in a person we wanted to be, it imparts discipline, courage and trust. In my case, I should exert effort to the activities I am with now. No matter what it takes I should not be discouraged, we should not be discouraged because God has a will and it's always for the BEST!!!!

PEACE: A Bridge towards our Success

I would like to share a story, actually, my most unforgettable experience when I was in high school that somehow relates to the inspiring story “The Carpenter’s Gift”. It’s very tear-jerking that whenever I remember it, I can’t help myself being lonely and even cry sometimes. Well, here it goes…

I was 4^th year then and being blessed by God with potentials, I’m freely offering my talents to those people who need my help. One day in our computer class, one of my classmates asked my help to change the desktop screen saver in her assigned computer. I was free at that moment so I decided to help her with no other thoughts. I’ve successfully changed the screen saver with a password to access it. I really don’t know that once you will change the settings, you can’t open the computer without the password. I honestly don’t know about that. The next day, all was well until my teacher called me in the computer lab. I didn’t expect the things that happened next. Right in front of the door, she scolded me as if I am a murderer, a criminal having an unforgivable sin. She yells at me without a single pause. I was totally shocked! She was angry with me; she looked like a hungry lion ready to slay her prey. I shivered at that very moment. She has a very loud voice enough to be heard to the other room adjacent to the lab. I strongly hold my tears and tried to explain but she won’t let me speak. She just keeps on rebuking; not minding the students around in the lab. She keeps on insulting me, throwing such hurtful words and evil expressions. I was undoubtedly embarrassed. I suddenly felt my tears flowing into my cheeks continually and the thing was I can’t hold them back anymore. I entered the password and the computer was opened. I kept on trying to explain as well as saying sorry with tears flooding in my eyes but as hard as a rock, she didn’t mind me and kept on hurling upsetting, spiteful terminology. I don’t know what to then. Suddenly my angel comes, the bridge builder-my Tita, one of the faculties of the school. She advised me and brought peace in my mind and heart. She also talked to that certain mentor. With the hope that was in me and the Holy Spirit of God, I was able to talk with my teacher. And peace was regained.

Though I was not the bridge builder, I can certainly relate my experience with the reading text. I’ve learned my lesson and I was very thankful and blessed because it was a proof that God really love me. The story was very nurturing and inspiring. I’m really amazed of the moral of the story, well not just the moral but the whole story. To be at peace simply starts with us, indeed. It is one of the countless factors for us to live a harmonious life and in order for us to access our world full of surprises. And most of all, peace is one of God’s significant gift that He has bestowed upon us. I can’t even imagine a life lived unpeacefully. In connection we must do our part-use peace as the key for us to achieve a successful life. It’s very surprising that some of the people today utilized peace as an advantage for their evil doings. But as far as our future is concerned, we should take care of the peace we are freely enjoying right now because it is the clear solution, answer for us to have a fruitful and meaningful life.

MANNERS: A Mirror that Shows our Portrait

"When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that his four fingers are pointing at himself."

A powerful quote about manners inspired by Louis Nizer. Indeed, we should not immediately judge a person without a firm reason. Manners is definitely, undoubtedly a mirror on one's personality. It is transmitted from generation to another through inheritance and also acquired through environmental influences. It is a network that links an individual to another person. It serves as a recipe for us to have a tasty and yummy lives. Everyone has a manners, of course. Two kinds of manners, actually. The first one is the proper and advantegeous while the second one is the displeasing behaviors. Humans as we are, we both encompass the two stated manners. Some of our Filipino values are being hospitable, God-fearing and greatful. And also we do have degrading manners like "manyana habit", "ningas kugon", not punctual and the like. But one thing that made us Filipinos different from other countries like America is that we are conservative compared to them, they are liberated.

The very first thing that pops in my mind upon reading the text is my post admired character from the Twilight Saga- Edward Cullen. Simply because he's a well-mannered person. He is almost perfect. A decent, patient, understanding and humble guy. He's definitely one of the best examples of a person possessing such impressive manners.

As for the inspiring reading text, "No One Stops To Say Thank You Anymore", I was hit and pretty embarrassed upon reading it. There are some points that absolutely made me feel ashamed of myself and one of them is located in paragraph 1, that when a homeless, very scruffy man entered a restaurant, all talk stops and everybody feels discomforted by his presence. I've experienced a similar incident when I was in Cebu last summer. While we are eating in a glass-walled restaurant, some street children,homeless individuals were passing by and sometimes stare us for a very long time. Their presence made me feel annoyed, irritated and anxious. Because it's impolite to stare, right? But the fact that these people are uneducated, I just ignored them and continue what I'm doing. What a person I was! Honestly, reminiscing what I've done makes me feel guilty. I was totally awakened by the text. I definitely salute the author, L. A. Wilson for writing such theme. Actually, we have the same perspective when it comes to the homeless man saying "thank you very much". That was the most unforgettable and astonishing part of the story. The author stated that the homeless man stopped to thank despite being desperate to escape a room full of disapproving people. He was incredible, possessing a character, a manner beyond compare. But there are some also disappointing situations cited in the text- impolite kids, rude language and the like. As the population increases, the well-mannered person suddenly decreases.

Very limited individuals of today's generation who are well-mannered. Most of the people acquired degrading attitudes. Because of some human and environmental causes which serves as factors such as poverty, injustice, unemployment and the like, people are tend or force to develop a very displeasing behavior. But then again, no one is perfect. And no person in this universe will be. Only God is the unchanging, perfect and omnipotent One. There are simple rules for us to lessen our discouraging behaviors and zoomed up our good manners. We should practice discipline and of course surrender everything to the Lord. As long as we are still living, we should develop a good relationship with God even though we can't live for a very long time. It is our responsibility, the reason why we are created and blessed with life. And most of all, cultivate the attitude of being grateful. let us not limit ourselves to say "Thank You" anymore.

Mt. Apo: Pride of the Philippines

Majestic, mysterious and breathtaking, these constitutes Mt. Apo also known as the the Philippines' highest mountain located in Davao. Upon reading the text, I was amazed by what most of the persons involved discovered and learned about the said mountain specially about the controversial snow that covered the summit. But these people noted that it is noted that it is not an ice or snow but a sulfur.

Actually, I've never been to Davao to visit Mt. Apo or to have a vacation there. If only I could and I could have the chance, but we don't have sufficient money. Someday, I'm going to set foot on that spectacular mountain and unravel its beauty. I want to experience also the feeling of being mystified by the speculated mountain and gaze its exhilarating scene.

As far as I could remember, I have not seen such mysterious and spectacular mountain in my whole life but I've seen a mountain and even lived in a mountain area. Wanna know why? Simply because my hometown is located in the deep, in the heart of jungle of Zamboanga Sibugay (joke!). Well, it seems like a jungle to me. Honestly, it is one of the remote areas of the said province. So I'm used with mountains, thick forest and the like. But when it comes to mysterious and the like, I have not yet encountered it yet.

The reading text is undoubtedly interesting. Every factual information triggers me to further read the text. I gained a lot of insights knowledge about the said mountain. I already knew about the said mountain because it is obviously popular. Reading, indeed is a tool that shares us a treasure that can never be stolen and it is the glittering knowledge that we acquire from reading.

So keep reading! Soar high Mt. Apo!

The difference between impossible and possible lies in the person's determination

"For with God, all things are possible."

A significant and extremely inspiring proverb, indeed. It clearly explains that we can do all things with the help of Christ and nothing is impossible if we only trust Him. The dictionary defines possible as that may be or may happen and accessible while impossible is unattainable. There's a total difference between the two defined words especially when it comes to person's determination.

Determination is a great factor for us to be able to make our dreams be realized. It will certainly depend on the constancy of a person whether he will turn the impossible thing to possible. Some cases are actually visible in our society. Some people are striving hard to attain, achieve their longed dreams that's why most of them are now successful and contentedly living. However, some are overpowered with their manyana habit. And with that, their determination eventually dilapidated leading to an unsubtle life.

Things are achievable, actually. If we only have the desire and extra effort. Let us not make the possible into impossible but rather convert impossible to possible within our limits of course. Let us not force ourselves on doing what is beyond our limits. Let God work every detail in our lives and turn all our trials into blessings.

What Life Is

“Life is like a rolling ball. Sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down.”

It seems familiar, right? A plain yet significant quote that all of us is absolutely experiencing and can really be applied in our current situation. Take my life for example. Now that the prelim exam is on going, I’m certainly a little bit crazy these past days about the load of requirements, quizzes, projects and most of all the tedious exams. It’s too exhausting .My schedule is positively hectic that I’m not sure what to do first. I can perceive that I’m into the lowest point of the wheel that is being held down to the extent that I can’t anymore reach the top. I can sense that these necessities are slowly killing me, torturing me as if I’m a murderer or a criminal with a very immense case. I don’t know. This is what I feel.

Are these feelings also present to other students of IIT? Is this one of the reasons why lots of students in the said institution committed suicide? Well, I’m just wondering. I can very well say that my life here in IIT is undoubtedly different from the school where I come from. When exams come, I just study and shoot, it’s already done. The exams there are just in average level compared here that is positively, definitely, mind-crashing.

Well, aside from viewing these all odds as a booming problem, I’m also looking at the positive side- that these are just challenges from God in order for me to explore and share my God-given potentials. I strongly concur that how big the problems God gave to you; it also reflects how big the unconditional love of God for you. So we must be flattered by that. I think those students who committed suicide seems to have a bigger problem that they think they can’t handle anymore. But no matter how colossal the problem that I’m handling now, I will never think of suicide as the solution for such. We must be thankful to God for He is really showing, continually blessing us the graces that we sometimes take for granted. So relating back to the quote, I am struggling to face the entire predicament in order for me to be in the top of the rolling ball and achieved my dreams in life.

Twilight Official Movie Trailer HD 2008 Kristin Stewart

Ground breaking TWILIGHT

Activity 2

"You're the most important thing to me now. The most important thing to me ever."

This was the thrilling, captivating and heartwarming statement of Edward Cullen to his lady love Bella Swan. So romantic, right?

People are talking about the anticipated movie/novel "The Twilight Saga" that's composed of Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn by the best-selling author Stephenie Meyer. Wondering why? Simply because it is different from any other vampire stories. I was stunned the way Stephenie Meyer wrote about the unquestionable and interesting novel. It is distinct from any other movie I've seen before. The suspense and romance were just balanced. The story is all about the ultimate forbidden love affair between vampire and a mortal. With regards to the movie, the characters were excellently fit for their roles especially Robert Pattinson (Edward) and Kristen Stewart (Bella). Every scene triggers not to blink your eye particularly when it comes to its fascinating effects. For those who aren't acquainted with the Twilight yet, let me share a little synopsis about it.

Isabella Marie "Bella" Swan has always been a little bit different and an accident-prone teenager. She was not expecting anything out of the ordinary to happen when she moved to live with her dad in Forks, Washington. But this where her life truly begins. There she meets Edward Cullen, a mysterious and dazzlingly handsome at her new high school. Bella soon discovers that Edward is hiding a secret, after he impossibly saves her life from a van with his super-human strength and speed. She is determined to unravel his secret, but the truth is more terrifying than she realized. Edward is a vampire. Any normal person would just keep away from him, but Edward and Bella have fallen passionately and unconditionally in love with each other. And so begins their forbidden relationship between human and vampire.

Their relationship is disturbed when another vampire coven arrives in Forks. James, a tracker vampire who is intrigued by the Cullen's relationship with a human, wants to hunt Bella for sport. Once they realize that James has bitten Bella's hand, Edward successfully sucks the poison from her bloodstream and prevents her from becoming a vampire, after which she is brought to a hospital. Upon returning to Forks, Bella and Edward attend their school prom and Bella expresses her desire to become a vampire but Edward refuses.

Truly inflaming, right? And you will undeniably perceive the story if you will watch the movie or read the novel. Some stated that they esteemed the movie most because of the effects and the gorgeous actors while others liked the novel. But for me, I love both the novel and the movie. They are just equal- astonishing, sensational and romantically filled story. I don't know why I'm addicted to it. As far as I remember, I just felt a strange feeling after watching the movie and even more when I read the novel. I keep on thinking, researching and gathering information about the said movie/novel. Even the pictures of the characters did not escape me. I am definitely crazy about it that people tend to call me as Twilight insane. Well, I accepted it because it's precisely true- I'm certified Twilight addict! But there's one thing that discouraged me, and it's about the Twilight's sequel, New Moon. I didn't really appreciate it because the story focused on the growing love between Bella and Jacob Black, a werewolf. But since it is one of Meyer's best creations, I'm slowly liking it.

I'm definitely looking forward to watch Eclipse and the last movie Breaking Dawn. For others, Twilight is just simply a movie or novel but for me, it's not. I certainly agree with what the School Library Journal stated, "Meyer knows what her fans want: thrills, chills, and a lot of romance, and she delivers on all counts."

About one thing I am absolutely positive-I'm unconditionally and irrevocably in love with the Twilight Saga, an outstanding movie/novel beyond compare.

My Personal Mission in Life

Activity 1

My Personal Mission in Life

"Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission."

A ponderous and challenging quote from Zig Ziglar that is, indeed significant to all of us. Mission entails the goals and objectives of an individual. Clearly, it is our personal course in life. From the fact that we are existing and maturing, we need to embody a unique direction in life. We need to possess a mission for us to unravel the purpose of our existence.

Everyone has a mission in life, of course. Even in such small things of our daily living like cooking, we have an objective for that-to make it pleasant to eat. I, too exhibits a personal mission in life. From time to time, they are changing but I finally come up with three. First, to treasure and make the most of my college life. We all know that we are just passers by in this universe. What happened in the past will not occur again in the future. So this is what I'm trying to stress in my first mission- to value my life in college, treasure all the positive and negative experiences because they will never going to happen again. I should be thankful for my achievements and accept my failures because it will help me grow into the person who I wanted to be. Engage in social activities where I could share my God-given talents.

My second quest is to strive hard in my academic works in order for me to achieve my dreams and goals in life. This is true to every students. As a student we are absolutely trying our best and make extra effort in our studies for us to have a brilliant and advantageous future. For me, I'm earnestly studying because I desired to assist my family in our present status. I've pondered that they are positively supportive to me so that's why I should offer my achievements to them. They are my second motivators, next to God and factors why I'm doing the best that I can.

The third and my most important mission is to serve God in most possible way. As what Leo Buscaglia quoted, "our talents are the gift that God gave to us. What we make of our talents is our gift back to God." I want to serve God by not necessarily making myself as a nun but by sharing my talents to others without expecting any return. Helping those in need within my capacity. I remember so well the movie of M0ther Teresa that she perceives the poor and outcast as the face of God calling her to serve Him. I'm enlightened with that movie and called to follow God by such simple act of helping.

Imagine how powerful our personal missions into the lives of others. It could greatly affect to ones life's perspective. We should empower our attitude because "our attitude towards life determines life towards us" by Earl Nightingale. It is strongly important to ask guidance from the Divine above and offer or surrender to Him our missions for these to be acquired or come true. We should not let our failures drive away our trust to Him because He is merely testing our faith and every obstacle is a proof of His unconditional love for us. Also, by accepting our uniqueness, be contented for what God blessed us and soar high like an eagle, I firmly assure that everyone's mission will undoubtedly be achieved.