Grace in Defeat

Categories Volunteering

“I know this transformation is painful, but you’re not falling apart; you’re just falling into something different, with a new capacity to be beautiful.” – William C. Hannan Tomorrow marks the end of a financial year here in Australia. Tomorrow marks the end of June, signalling the start of the second half of the year. For Interactors, Rotaractors and Rotarians, tomorrow also marks the end of a Rotary year. This year should’ve been extra special because I would’ve officially ended my Rotaract journey as I…Continue Reading “Grace in Defeat” →

Palm Sunday: The Betrayal

Categories Spiritual Reflections

Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me. – Mt 26:21 Today, we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and how the people enthusiastically welcomed him with palm leaves as he entered. Who would have thought that the same people who welcomed him could or might have been the very same people who persecuted him and chose Barabbas over him, eventually leading him to his suffering and death on the cross. Jesus didn’t even have to go that far in terms of betrayal….Continue Reading “Palm Sunday: The Betrayal” →

Sunday Reflection: Without the Trappings

Categories Spiritual Reflections

Today marks the holiest week in Christianity, showing us the greatest manifestation of love in the world. I grew up and have been exposed to professing my faith the most concrete way, the likes of which included hearing Mass every Sunday (there was a point in my life I even went to Mass daily) and getting myself involved with parish activities — as lector and commentator, as an audio-visual operator (props to Fr. Omer Prieto for introducing us to the wonders of great music and…Continue Reading “Sunday Reflection: Without the Trappings” →

Sunday Reflection: I’m On My Way

Categories Spiritual Reflections

Since Karlo and I arrived in Australia in 2014, we made it a point for us to go to church every Sunday and hear Mass. More than fulfilling our Catholic duty to do so, going to Mass served as our weekly source of spiritual nourishment in our relationship. It has become our Sunday routine to go to church and head to a cafe for brunch. Our conversation over coffee and bacon & egg rolls would revolve on the priest’s Homily. At times when the priest’s message…Continue Reading “Sunday Reflection: I’m On My Way” →

Twenty Seventeen

Categories Life Musings

I wake up to a brand new day, but this time most especially, to a brand new year. I won’t wish for the next 365 days to be good to me, since as experience have taught, a mix of the good and the bad is necessary for a more exciting journey. It’s the time of the year when lofty promises are made, but you’ll see that towards the end, you wrap up with unfinished business. I’ve been there and done that. Endless lists of goals…Continue Reading “Twenty Seventeen” →

Licence to Heal

Categories Friendship

She was unstoppable. Not because she did not have failures or doubts, but because she continued on despite them. – Beau Taplin Today, my best friend Aileen officially earned her licence to heal, after passing the Philippine Physician Licensure Examination which she took in September, and in March this year. Yes, I am proud of the fact that Ai took the test for the second time, after not making it in the first try, and emerging victorious in the end. I witnessed how Ai prepared for the…Continue Reading “Licence to Heal” →

The Seventh Chapter

Categories Life Musings

I bought a book two weeks ago entitled ‘Rising Strong’, written by Brené Brown. I know I shouldn’t buy a new book, given the stack of books I bought in the past months which remain unread ’til now. But I knew deep within that I needed to buy it. I just finished the 7th chapter, out of the 11 book chapters. This section was by far the most difficult reading I had to do in my whole life because I was just crying the whole time. It…Continue Reading “The Seventh Chapter” →

Living Eulogy for my Dearest Daddy

Categories Family

To be honest, I don’t see the point of eulogies done during a memorial service. What’s the point of saying good things to a person who’s not physically present to hear those words? We write beautiful speeches about a loved one who’s passed on but did we actually give them the opportunity to know about these things when they were still alive? Sweet to the ears of people who got left behind, but they’d be even sweeter to that special person being talked so highly about….Continue Reading “Living Eulogy for my Dearest Daddy” →

Rest in Peace, Lolo

Categories Family

I called overseas to greet a friend on her birthday. A few minutes later, I was made aware of Lolo’s passing away. Today, a friend turned 29. My grandfather, who should’ve turned 92 on his next birthday, joined our Creator on the same day. Funny how, in a relatively short period of time, I am reminded of life’s ironies. No matter how much we want to hold on to people, at some point we have to let them go. If that would mean them being free…Continue Reading “Rest in Peace, Lolo” →

Tabula Rasa

Categories Life Musings

“In every change, in every falling leaf there is some pain, some beauty. And that’s the way new leaves grow.” ― Amit Ray I always like new beginnings, fresh phases, starting over. Who doesn’t? Resolving to be better is on everyone’s list whether it’s on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Christmas, your birthday or your wedding anniversary. Heck, even Sunday nights (especially when you’re dreading another busy week ahead) or simply those moments when you wake up in the morning are opportunities to start over….Continue Reading “Tabula Rasa” →