Sunday, March 4, 2012

PHOTOS OF THE GRAND EVANGELICAL MISSION ON FEBRUARY 28TH, 2011 IN THE PHILIPPINES

I remember this line in the song entitled ''If'' by David Gates 
" If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you? "
I think, when David Gates wrote this song, he still didn't know that pictures really paint thousands and thousands of words.

To help you remember this song, I have decided to include its complete lyrics in this blog.
"

If

~ David Gates
If a picture paints a thousand words,
then why can't I paint you?
The words would never show,
the you I've come to know . . .

If a face could launch a thousand ships,
then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you,
you're all that's left me to . . .

And when my love for life
is running dry,
You come and pour
yourself on me . . .

If a man could be two places at one time,
I'd be with you,
tomorrow and today,
beside you all the way . . .

If the world should stop revolving,
Spinning slowly down to die,
I'd spend the end with you
when the world was through . . .

Then one by one
the stars would all go out . . .
Then you and I
would simply fly away! "


As an ESL teacher and trainer, I have been using photos to develop the thinking skills, vocabulary, creativity, speaking, listening, and other communication skills, and conversational abilities of my students and trainees.


Photos also teach cultures. They increase the general knowledge and information of every learner.

To prove that pictures really paint thousands and thousands of words, and maybe, millions and millions of words, I wanna showcase here the photos taken on February 28th, 2012 during the first ever simultaneously held Grand Evangelical Mission in 14 different and separated regions in the Philippines.

It's up to you to decide whether these pictures really speak more than thousands and thousands of words.

One of the venues: the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Philippines before the event started.

As early as February 27th, 2012, brethren together with their guests started to flock the different locations from the different parts of the Philippines for they were so excited about the Grand Evangelical Mission.


brethren and guests flocked the place very early

From London, one of the special people on that very special day, Mr. Allen Molden.

at the height of air temperature and heat of the sun, brethren and guests stayed uncovered waiting for the clock to strike 5 in the afternoon

a very large  throng of people, I.N.C. members or not walked all the way from Pasay to Quirino Grandstand on the day, February, 28th, 2012. I saw them walking under the heat of the sun without any umbrellas.


Brethren and guests with their families enjoyed watching the fountain. That time served as the bonding moment of every family.

Devotion, enthusiasm, unity, love, spirituality, and strong faith were captured by this reflection.
It was also the time to talk to a lot of brethren and a lot of guests. I enjoyed talking to them. Tears ran through my face upon seeing them walking from Pasay passing through Makati down to Quirino Grandstand.

Brethren were happily waving flags of liberty and freedom to GLORIFY THE ONLY GOD ALMIGHTY.
The choir members from different locales in Metro Manila were rehearsing before the G.E.M. started. I was not included in this assemblage of choir members. Central choir members were not selected to perform. Instead, I invited a lot of people for the G.E.M. At least, I distibuted 20 invitations. But only 7 people were able to go with me

These men were from the MMDA sector. They offered help to the brethren though I found them as UNFRIENDLY AS THEY ARE. USUALLY, MEMBERS OF THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO ARE MOCKED AND RIDICULED. Though we were able to inviite many guests on that day, still, THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO MOCKED US ESPECIALLY IN THE PLACE WHERE WE PARKED OUR L300 VAN. BRETHREN WERE MOCKED BY SECURITY GUARDS, AND I SAW POLICEMEN AND MMDA PERSONNEL DID NOT REALLY HELP TO MANAGE THE TRAFFIC. THEY SAID THAT IGLESIA NI CRISTO HAS HER OWN TRAFFIC PERSONNEL TO MANAGE EVERYTHING.

Family members took the chance of having a picnic.

Brethren are so proud to show to the whole world that they are members of the IGLESIA NI CRISTO or the CHURCH OF CHRIST...THE ONLY CHURCH WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE THAT HAS A PROMISE OF SOUL'S SALVATION.

The whole area was already filled with people. It was difficult to walk. But every one was so happy doing so.

Brethren and guests started to fill in the venue, the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, as early as possible, never minding the great heat coming from the sun.

The Baywalk area was also filled with the brethren and guests. The Quirino Grandstand wasn't able to hold the very large crowd of people. So most of us were just around the vicinity listening to the words of GOD from the sound system or from the car stereos.


The Philippine government wasn't able to manage the traffic properly because they DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT A VERY LARGE CROWD OF IGLESIA NI CRISTO MEMBERS AND GUESTS WOULD BE COMING TO THAT VERY SPECIAL EVENT. Most brethren walked from Divisoria to the Quirino Grandstand. Others took the ''calesa'' just to reach the place on time.

This bus had an engine problem. Brotherhood inside the Church has been displayed enormously.

Though this brother is sick, he still wanted to be part of the missionary work. Luckily, the Church is ready for this kind of circumstance. The Iglesia Ni Cristo has her own PROFESSIONAL  medical personnel ready to give medical assistance.

A very catching bus with the colors of the Iglesia Ni Cristo: green, white, and red.


A sister in a wheelchair eager to attend the G.E.M.




The Quirino Grandstand before the Grand Evangelical Mission started



 

Thursday, February 23, 2012

GLORY BE TO THE FATHER: I.N.C's 97 GLORIOUS YEARS



Despite hardships, trials, sufferings, mockery, persecution, and ridicule, the IGLESIA NI CRISTO or the CHURCH OF CHRIST has successfully passed through 97 glorious years. GLORY BE TO THE ALMIGHTY FATHER.

I am looking forward to giving YOU, my FATHER, more pleasure and joy on our Mid-year Thanksgiving for the 97th anniversary celebration of the ONLY TRUE CHURCH, the CHURCH OF CHRIST on July 27th, 2012.

In the meantime, we have started preparing for our Holy Supper this year. Central's choir mass practice will be on Sunday, February 26th, 2012. We are going to start our devotional prayer that will last for a week tomorrow, February 24th, 2012 at 9PM, that's after all my work.


We started our devotional prayer for the Grand Evangelical Mission on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012.


As an individual, I started including this Holy Supper to my prayer as the month of February opened. I also conduct my own hymnal practices in between or during my business and doing my household chores in my place, or after my teaching.


May I be worthy in front of You, my Dear Father!


AMEN!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Introducing the IGLESIA NI CRISTO or CHURCH OF CHRIST

This is the Central Temple of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) nestled in the heart of Quezon City, Philippines. This is where I go to attend our worship services and sing praises to our Almighty Father on Thursdays and Sundays. I belong to the English Choir. I always perform my duties as a member of the English choir at very early dawn on Thursdays and at 7 o' clock in the mornings of Sundays. As a choir member, I need to go to the Temple at least an hour before our choir drills. So expect that I need to wake up very, very early for my preparations every time I perform my duties.


Why am I so enthusiastically performing my duties? Why do I have to make sacrifices and deny myself because of my calling?

Maybe, you won't understand me if I will just state here the reasons why. It's much better to introduce to you, my Church, the Church of Christ or the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

For sure, Iglesia Ni Cristo or Church of Christ isn't really familiar to you. Here is the link to introduce my Church more to you.
http://www.incmedia.org/

To know more, please click here 
http://www.incmedia.org/watch/sof  

I hope to hear from you. 
Thank you.

ON MY NATAL DAY....11th of JANUARY....

On my natal day,
11th of January

No celebration. No food preparations. It's just a simple and naive day. Only my self alone lying on bed. Why? Because every time this date passes, I AM ALWAYS SICK. 

And since today is January 11th, I am sick again, but not as serious as the past years. Today, it's just a mild headache, colds and coughs, maybe, brought by stress last Monday, January 9th, 2012.

I thought I would be healthy today. Last night, I was able to invite guests for the bible study. I walked alone in the midst of cold night and searched my vicinity alone looking for people who would want to be saved come Judgment Day. I was a little bit okay. Though I already felt my headache during my session with Collin, a BEM student who is enhancing his academic skills with me. So I got my ginger tea to solve my health problems. But I am wrong. I still suffer health problems today which have been here every time this date, January 11th, passes by. Though this year's suffering is much lesser than the previous years of my life.

There were times that I had heart attacks, or kidney attacks. Last year, I was lying half-conscious. At least today, I can still write some here on my blogs. Hopefully, as year passes by, this syndrome will become weaker and lesser. This is the so-called blue baby syndrome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_baby_syndrome

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-blue-baby-syndrome.htm  

But I am no longer a baby, so I called my self, a blue woman. And I called this disease a blue woman syndrome. 
http://web.jbjs.org.uk/cgi/reprint/64-B/4/458.pdf

Hopefully, I will be able to enjoy this day, at least, by singing along with my nieces who have beautiful voices, or by playing my organs, or strumming my guitar, or singing in the choir loft. Hopefully, I will be with my whole family including my sisters and brother, nieces and nephews. But, time really doesn't permit me to do all these things? WHY? It's a big question that needs to be answered. 

What I understand about this is, MY NATAL DAY IS MY REST DAY. Will I also die on my birthdate? Nobody knows.

Monday, January 9, 2012

LIST OF MY 2012 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION....

An online dictionary defines New Year's Resolution as " a commitment that an individual makes to a personal goal, project, or the reforming of a habit".

Every person sets out a goal to accomplish every new year. Some people list down their New Year's Resolutions before the year ends. Some people do the list after the New Year's celebration. And others never attempt to make any. They just recite their plans or memorize them. Unluckily, people tend to forget. So as days pass by and as the year gets closer to its end, there isn't any change or accomplishment of the set objectives.


As a Christian, I always have my resolutions all through out the years. Usually, I have a big plan to accomplish every year. I make sure to achieve that new unusual thing or event in my life.


To make certain that my goals are going to be achieved I usually write them every year and also write the steps and the hows to carry them out.


This year I wanna share to you the list of my New Year's Resolution.
1. This is the first thing that I want to accomplish, SHINE LIKE A BRIGHT STAR in the universe. In accordance with the objective of our church, the IGLESIA NI CRISTO (Church of Christ), to reach the perfection of our faith, I need to be like a radiant star shining brightly at night. Through the darkness, it can be seen by the people on Earth. It guides us through the darkness. It gives us light through the darkest night.


2. BRIDGES&BLITZ Consultancy had been the dream of my brother Bernard. We weren't able to continue this because of his death on August 10th, 2010. But now, I wanna continue this dream. I wanna accomplish this dream even if my brother has left me alone. It's a big thing to accomplish, but I know, my GOD has been here to guide and teach me.


3. BRIDGES&BLITZ Training, Tutorials, and Reviews
I started this training centre in 2006. But I just focused on training adults. This year children training will also be included especially nursery, kinder, and preparatory. Still, adult training will be one of the programmes and services. Reviews have been done and offered, but not intensively. So this time, our services will be intensified.


Of course, I won't be able to succeed, if I won't seek my GOD's assistance, love, and care. So these projects of mine are entrusted in the hands of the TRUE LIVING GOD. But I know, the Almighty Father won't be helping me if I won't be fulfilling HIS commands. So I have to strive to GIVE GLORY TO MY GOD, MY FATHER.
 
4. That's my ULTIMATE GOAL, TO GIVE GLORY TO MY FATHER, all the years of my life. Surely, I won't end up like a beggar. Please help me, GOD!


How about you? How different your New Year's Resolutions are from mine? What do you wanna achieve this year?






Friday, January 6, 2012

NO HEART FOR CHARITY?

This time I wanna show the statistics which illustrates the number of hungry people around the world and the results of hunger being the number one health risk.


Source: http://www.wfp.org/hunger/stats

 
 

MORE HUNGER STATS

  • 925 million people do not have enough to eat  and 98 percent of them live in developing countries. (Source: FAO news release, 14 September 2010)
  • Asia and the Pacific region is home to over half the world’s population and nearly two thirds of the world’s hungry people;
  • Women make up a little over half of the world's population, but they account for over 60 percent of the world’s hungry.
    (Source:  Strengthening efforts to eradicate hunger..., ECOSOC, 2007)
  • 65 percent  of the world's hungry live in only seven countries: India, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Ethiopia.
    (Source: FAO news release, 2010)
  • Undernutrition contributes to five million deaths of children under five each year in developing countries.
    (Source: Under five deaths by cause, UNICEF, 2006)
  • One out of four children - roughly 146 million - in developing countries is underweight
    (Source: The State of the World's Children, UNICEF, 2007)
  • More than 70 percent of the world's underweight children (aged five or less) live in just 10 countries, with more than 50 per cent located in South Asia alone;
    (Source: Progress for Children: A Report Card on Nutrition, UNICEF, 2006)
  • 10.9 million children under five die in developing countries each year. Malnutrition and hunger-related diseases cause 60 percent of the deaths;
    (Source: The State of the World's Children, UNICEF, 2007)
  • Iron deficiency is the most prevalent form of malnutrition worldwide, affecting an estimated 2 billion people. Eradicating iron deficiency can improve national productivity levels by as much as 20 percent.
    (Source:  World Health Organization, WHO Global Database on Anaemia)
  • Iodine deficiency is the greatest single cause of mental retardation and brain damage, affecting 1.9 billion people worldwide. It can easily be prevented by adding iodine to salt.
    (Source:  World Nutrition Situation 5th report ,UN Standing Committee on Nutrition2005)
And according to this site, http://www.kidsagainsthunger.org/why_we_do_it.shtml,"""    1 .02 billion people around the world don't have enough food and every 6 seconds a child dies because of hunger".

Truly underweight, malnutrition, starvation, and deprivation are the major world health problems.

Indeed, many rich people ignore the present global scenario. As we all know rich become richer, and poor become poorer.


I dreamt of becoming rich. I wished to have millions and oodles of money to help people who are really starving to death. I have a dream of going to Africa to help African people educate themselves about the proper nutrition and help them develop their surviving skills.
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/07/famine-in-east-africa/100115/ 

But I have no means to fulfill this dream. 

Yesterday while I was surfing the internet, I saw and read this news article:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/golf-devil-ball-golf/tiger-woods-ex-wife-bulldozes-12-million-home-232405259.html 
It states that the wife of Tiger Woods bulldozed  her 12 million dollar home in North Palm Beach, Florida because she didn't like it. 
the 12-million-dollar mansion

the ruins
What a waste? Didn't she know that there are lots of people dying of hunger? Hasn't she heard this song?
http://youtu.be/v2y1pE3yn6M
" There are people dying............
if you care enough for the living"

Please don't waste anything that is valuable which can be used to make this world better. Have a heart. You can sell your house if you don't like it. Then donate the money to charity. Or if you want, you can look for all the street children or people living on the streets. Tell them to come to that house that you don't like. Invite them to live in that house instead of destroying it and throwing your million dollars.


There are many things to make use of something which you don't want anymore. Just look around and you will see the answer. Or give it to me because I don't own any house. I just rent. And I can easily ask street children to take over. I have friends here in the Philippines who are sleeping on the streets. I cannot offer any shelter to them. I have nothing to offer.


So anyone of you out there who wants to bulldoze your million dollars worth of house or wants to discard your money in the bank, think of us, think of the street children, think of the people sleeping on the streets, and think of those who are dying because of hunger. HAVE A HEART! GIVE FOR CHARITY!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

CELEBRATING MY FRIEND ELLEN CASTILLO'S BIRTHDAY!


To celebrate your birthday, I have to listen to different ways how happy birthday songs are sung.
Here they are:
1. http://youtu.be/-hyJsoPosCE
2. http://youtu.be/Gx2GNaD-xXc
3. http://youtu.be/PZ6olS7RgBc 
4. http://youtu.be/RzwLtW9iG0w
5. http://youtu.be/9D3wPY3TbHg


Hope I have made you happy today.
Hope your happiness will be forever!



BUT...
before I forget, I also want to include all the gifts that I want to give to you this special day of yours...


Here they are: