This was shot for Imagine Nation Photography:)

My quiet time today was a confirmation that I confirm my admission to UP for my Masters in Development Economics course. For those who know me, they would ALL agree that being an economist contradicts my (ADHD) personality. Hahaha!

Some pictures of what I’ve been up to

Surfing at Baler!

Shoot for Jeepney magazine. Check them out at www.thejeepney.com

Jeepney Shoot. Great cause.

and some wedding shoots (Find it in my Facebook account).

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field..”

“And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

When David saw that his servants where whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore, David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” And they said, “He is dead.” So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshipped.

This was the closing passage for my quiet time this morning. A week after Ondoy’s onslaught, the remnants of the damage are still very much felt and seen. It is normal to grieve and to mourn, but it is also just to worship. 

Right after one of the most painful moments of his life, the death of his newborn baby, David worshipped. He did not become bitter, nor did he hold it against the Lord. He worshipped.

Worship is a response to who God is, what He has done, and what He is going to do. David worshipped because God deserved to be worshipped no matter what circumstance he was in. May it be times of pain or times of joy.

This whole week has been very tough on a lot of people. I’ve seen faces downcast, with little traces of hope. But I’ve also witnessed God at work -watching how the Filipino people do things bigger than themselves. We will bless the Lord at all times, AT ALL TIMES.

Blessed Sunday everyone

1. Burnham Suites Ad Shoot

It was to be my first ever photo gig that i will be paid (officially). Yey! And of course, being with my friends in Baguio. It gave birth to the term “Kinanye”. Hahaha!

Example:

Mikki: Uy! Alam mo ba last week, sobrang sakit ng tiyan ko..dahil ya-

Anna:  TALAGA?! Ako rin!! I think it’s the water that I drank during at work. Parang may lasa eh. Actually pinacheck ko nga yung fountain namin eh. My stomach pains lasted for a week. Buti nga gumaling na siya in time for this weekend. Magbebeach kasi kami eh. Sobrang fun yun noh?

Mikki: ….

Ayan ang example ng “Kinakanye”. Haha! In homage of Kanye’s MTV stunt.

2. Jerry Ghionis Photo Seminar

One word. Lupet sobra. Okay two words. Haha! Just had to put it.

3. Final Four: ADMU vs UST

The Blue Eagles are in the finals for the 2nd straight year. I have yet to decide which was more entertaining: Chuck and family or the blowout.

Saludo ako sayo Dylan Ababou! Even if you weren’t given the chance to receive your well-deserved standing ovation exit

Lupit nung sayaw nung Blue Babble ah! Those men got some moves!

Money shots:

Supermom Jenny saves the day.

Bowling Highlight

Tita Deonna says. I’m just gonna get a 10 because I’m a weakling. Eh 10 lbs yung hawak ko. Haha!

It is most often true with those who jump from one relationship to another – trying to surpass the emotional ecstacy and romantic craziness of a previous relationship might propel them from moving to one partner to another, once their current high fizzles out.

It could be about finding the next grand experience

But the same could also be said among Christians, right? If we’re not careful, we might always be trying to look for the next powerful, deep, convicting and profound message or the next hair-raising, tear-jerking worship concert to a “higher, and holier” state.

I, myself, had this wrong mindset upon stepping the shores of Cebu. Why isn’t the preaching that powerful? Why is the music..like that (haha)? And so I would get all these podcasts to sustain the high that I previously had, which was wrong, obviously.

As I read Scripture today, I realized the same thing. When Peter, James, and John went up with Jesus to witness the transfiguration – a grand experience, that the other disciples weren’t able to take part in, all they heard from God is “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

If I was there, I would have said, “Uhh..okay..then? Yun lang! Wow. Wala bang fireworks diyan or end-times sermon, or some deep profound love – relationship preaching?” And as the disciples would meet me as I go down the mountain, they would probably ask me, “So bro, kamusta? Ano nangyari? Ano sabi?”

“Uhh..wala naman. Okay lang. Si Jesus daw, Hear Him.” Hahaha (Okay, MIV na ito. Mikki International Version)

But I then realized, that’s exactly what we need to do to experience the grand experience. (Redundant ba? Redundant ba?)

If we just hear Him and obey what He tells us everyday, then we would have no problem experience His power and grace. Everyday would be a grand moment with Him.

But great preaching or worship concert from time to time isn’t bad either

“These kinds of things seem hard because they’re unfamiliar and even scary, but – have you noticed? – they usually end up generating our favorite stories and being some of our greatest memories. “

Alex and Brett Harris, from their book, Do Hard Things

These are my five “firsts” the past year:

1. LIVING IN A “FOREIGN” LAND

Technically, Cebu is 600km away from Manila. Yet, I still consider it foreign because  there are as many differences as there are similarities. I am currently learning to adjust to the culture, language, behavior, and mindsets of the people here. By the way, basketball pick up games are played here with a referee and a shooting foul merits a free throw. Haha! Intense eh.

Living away from the comforts of my Manila home is such an instant character boot camp.Phone line almost disconnected because I failed to to check my mailbox. Untouched Groceries spoiling in my fridge. Cats waking me up in an ungodly hour as they procreate in my roof. Eating out alone (Yes, this is a big deal for me). 

2. BEING A RETREAT COORDINATOR AND A YOUTH LEADER (PASTOR)

I’ve never been part of a retreat planning in my life. I’ve never worked closely with the youth because my main industry in Manila involved young adults and professionals. I learned that it takes a different kind of extended patience, grace, and courtesy when you are dealing with the youth.

The retreat itself was a milestone. It was a first for all the leaders involved with the planning and implementation. The retreat theme was Diagnose, and sure enough, we had to drive 5 of the campers from the campsite to the city hospital to be diagnosed (due to allergy attacks). That itself merits another blog.

I once told Pastor Ryan, “Iba rin pala sa JZONE noh? We do not only deal with the kids. We also deal with the parents.” His reply, “Welcome to the world of youth ministry!” Haha! I salute you Pastor Ryan for your endurance and patience with your years in the youth ministry.

3. SHARING JESUS TO A MUSLIM.

I think this is a must for every Christian who is serious with their walk. Sharing Jesus to someone who’s not in the big Christian umbrella is such a learning experience. Most of us are used to sharing the Gospel to people who already have an idea of who Jesus Christ is because they belong to a Christian/Catholic background. 

Mine happened in plane trip from Iloilo to Cebu. He was 50-plus year old successful businessman who traded seaweeds and blue crabs. He was a gentle and accommodating guy. We discussed about business and shared our views on religion and faith. After I shared who Jesus is and what He did for us, the guy said he believes in Jesus. 

Our conversation ended like this. “I think I’m a Christian-Muslim. Pwede ba yun?” “Well, sooner or later you would have to choose.” “Then I choose Islam.” 

It was a great experience.

4. ARRIVING LATE FOR MY FLIGHT

Corinne, our HISound band manager, told me in Boracay that I was so relaxed and steady (compared to how stress I was when they visited me here in Cebu). Sa sobrang chill, me and Doki arrived late for the check-in. Pero steady pa rin kami. Haha! 

We made it to the next flight (430pm flight). But it wasn’t a big difference because both flights were delayed for 3 hours. Our original flight left around 30 minutes before our rescheduled flight, which was around 7pm . Okay lang, I think it was a productive afternoon as I got new jokes from Doks. 

5. FULLY DEPENDING ON THE LORD

Being from the comforts of my family, discipleship group, friends, and ministry only pushed me to lean on God. I realized that I never really fully depended on God until that moment where all those things were taken away from me.

It’s like Paul and Joseph being alone in prison. Or Job losing everything. But in those times, the Lord was with them. And they found their strength and joy in the Lord

Recently though, I saw Kirk get one for himself when we were at the grocery. He was just going to stay for less than a week but he still bought a liter of it. So I thought, it must be that good. Maybe I’ll be blonde or jump as high as him. Haha!

That’s some unintentional peer pressure right there. I got one for myself as well. Then, I became a fan (of the juice). Here are some benefits (http://www.nutrasanus.com/cranberry.html).

Suggested Health Benefits Cranberries

• Urinary Tract Infections - Many people take cranberry supplements to prevent urinary tract infections caused by bacteria. Specifically, the proanthocyanidins found in cranberry appear to block the adhesive strands on the E. coli bacteria from sticking to a surface whereby inhibiting their ability to stick to the cell walls of the uterus and bladder.

• Reduction of Dental Plaque - It is believed that cranberry juice can inhibit the aggregation of bacteria that cause dental plaque.

• Anti-Cancer Activity - Based on evaluation of several vitro screening tests, it has been suggested that the proanthocyanidin compounds found in cranberry may exhibit some anti-carcinogenic activity.

• Heart Disease - Cranberry extract has been shown to inhibit low density lipoprotein oxidation. Since this process is believed to be part of what can cause heart disease, prevention of oxidation through cranberry supplementation can potentially reduce the risk of heart disease.

• Kidney stones - Some medical professionals and specialists believe that quinic acid abundant in cranberry may help to prevent the development of kidney stones

Go get one now! It’s just a bit expensive though.

1. With or Without You by U2

2. Is This Love by Bob Marley (to be sung by Chuck Araneta. Haha)

3. Could Not Ask For More by Edwin McCain 

4. That’s All by Adam Sandler (Yes, he sang this in The Wedding Singer)

5. Finally Found Someone by Bryan Adams and Barbra Streisand (YUNOH!)

Haha! Some are cheesy, but who cares? Haha!

1. My family would never come to know the Lord.

2. I would publicly and scandalously dishonor the name of the Lord.

3. I miss out on His perfect will for me. (i.e. Ending up with the wrong vocation, mate).

4. I would not be able to financially meet the needs and wants of my future family.

5. I would be responsible for someone’s death.

The last one actually crossed my mind last weekend, during an “incident” at the Youth Camp.

2 Samuel 7:28 O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 

Since I’m excited to our Boracay vacation missions’ trip next month, I browsed through the archives of my last Boracay trip. I miss you guys!  Good times

Bogie and I were not in this picture. Hmm..This was such a nostalgic trip with such an unlikely company. Haha! 

Bora, here we come.