2010: Change of Presidents: A- must read article

I know... right? It's been a long time and I miss you all! In my oh-so-super-busy schedule where I can no longer open my YM and other networking-stress relief tools, I found 1 email that really made me stop for a while to read and digest words of wisdom. Honestly, I was moved. I don't know. I have never voted all my legal-aged life. Swear! I never intend to. I'm so busy working but this made me realize one thing: "What if there are 100,000 Filipinos who think like I did? What if this 100,000 Filipinos can make a change? Is this article (below) true enough? We would never know. But one thing that I'm sure of: If we align our intentions to good will, success and integrity, Filipinos can make a change. Feel free to read the article. I highlighted some statements that really struck me. This might move you big time, too. Miss you all! 

2010: CHANGE OF PRESIDENTS

OR CHANGE OF HEARTS?

By Detch Nonan-Mercado

 

The funny thing is, some Filipinos are able to believe that changing presidents is all we need to be given a shot at a better life but truth be told, change in leadership does not guarantee change in the calamitous situation of our nation. A new president does not necessarily equal new national breakthroughs. What guarantees change is change of hearts.

 

As a nation that has long since wallowed in almost hopeless poverty and seemingly endless misery due to wanton corruption in high and low places, what we need is an overhaul and drastic reengineering of our national values, a change of our collective heart that can only be initiated by a leader whose own values are shaped by a relationship with the Manufacturer of Hearts Himself. Otherwise, we must not expect emancipation from this wretchedness.

 

No matter how many new presidents we elect into office, change will not come unless one with a renewed heart occupies Malacanang and lead the way towards national transformation. In fact, we don’t need a new president. We need a new heart. But we can only, as a people, begin to entertain thoughts of change, if, as, and when our leaders, especially the one serving as president, blaze the trail. The people will only follow the leaders, as usual.  

 

The long and short of it is – we need a president that has a big heart more than he has a good head. There is no sense having a president that is able to eat economic theories for breakfast but is unable to feel for constituents that daily live the reality of the last four letters of the word “breakfast”.

 

Unless the heart-motives of a leader are pure, he will have no genuine concern for our people’s deplorable plight. At night before he sleeps, he will not be counting sheep but counting his gains, calculating the time left in his power ride.

 

Talk about inclinations of the heart. Recently, Senator Manuel Villar took to the floor to denounce allegations his huge real estate business enjoyed some cash injections from the 2008 budget for the C5 road extension project, after Senator Panfilo Lacson reportedly insisted that Villar answer an ethics complaint over the corruption allegations. Both of them held their respective grounds, two senators trying to wisecrack about each other in the hope of elevating their worth in the public’s estimation.

 

Looking at their verbal duel, a subliminal message is put across: Senator Lacson is merely protective of taxpayers’ money. He just wants to investigate if there is any truth in the alleged “double funding” in the budget for the C5 project because he cares for the interests of the common Filipino. But does he, really? Or does he just want to score on his PR because he himself has to make sure that anti-Lacson issues (remember Bubby Dacer?) will not come back to haunt him and hurt his 2010 aspirations.   

 

Is Senator Lacson truthfully just after securing back the money allegedly lost in corruption in the C5 project for the sake of the Filipino people, or is he just out to discredit Senator Villar, one of the stronger presidentiables in the 2010 elections? 

 

Meanwhile, one real-time frame away, still in Manila: Despite a constitutional ban against re-election for the country’s highest public official, deposed president Joseph Estrada is reportedly planning to run for president again should opposition candidates fail to unite and come up with their 2010 standard-bearer by November. 

 

Looking at his pronouncements, a subliminal message is put across: deposed president Estrada is vigilant about sustaining the opposition, the watchdog that works to keep the administration from committing abuses. Is this Estrada’s true-to-life intention here?

 

Is deposed president Estrada sincerely keen on keeping the opposition alive so that the administration may think twice before committing an abuse? Or is he just looking for a way in, and later find a way to somehow fix the constitutional ban? 

 

These three politicians, a deposed president and two wannabe-presidents, have separate agenda, but they all want to convey one and the same message: they are supposedly serious in serving the country and they care for the people’s interests. But has anyone asked about the validity or sincerity of their intentions? What about their real motives? What about the status of their hearts? 

 

Motives are but reflections of the condition of the heart, actions the extension of it. If the heart is not right, the motives will not be right, and the actions, too.

 

As a nation, we don’t need a new president as much as we need a president with a renewed heart trained in righteousness because righteousness lifts up a nation. We need a leader whose heart is a student taking lessons in compassion and justice at the University of Divine Wisdom, with the Holy Spirit as the Teacher, and the Holy Bible as the ultimate textbook.

 

Some would say this is simplistic, a simpleton’s theory. But is it not that we go back to the manufacturer when our gadgets are broken? In the same way we send back our faulty laptops to their makers for repair, we go back to God for our rehabilitation. The only way to fix a heart defect is to go back to the heart Creator, God.

 

Now, if our leader is humble enough to realize his nothingness apart from God and he decides to go through this “schooling”, change will start. As his inner man is being reengineered at the University of Divine Wisdom, his heart will become more like Christ’s, and his words and actions will soon reflect his renewed heart. Righteousness will be a common thread in all his dealings.

 

Consequentially, we, the Filipino people, will notice the difference and enjoy the fruit of our ruler’s righteous governance. Then eventually we will act, talk and be like our leader.

 

Read: Even lofty officials of the land must humble themselves before God, acknowledge their smallness in the sight of the Awesome Maker of Heavens, Earth and Man, and admit that their hearts need some finishing touches from Him so that they are able to plan with wisdom and implement with love, with both actions remaining in the auspices of righteousness which is the very element that ensures fairness and justice for all constituents. 

 

For this country to rise from tragedy, we don’t need to install a great new president. We have to install a new president with a great heart that has been changed or is willing to be changed by a power higher than him, a president whose heart is incorruptible, compassionate, and desirous to see the good in men, and to do good to men.

 

We have had different types of presidents in the past; some honorable, some forgettable, but all their good qualifications, if any, and better intentions, did not seem to work. Juan de la Cruz still cannot land and job. His wife still has to go to Singapore or Hong Kong to work as domestic helper. We are still in the same rut we found ourselves in a long time ago.

 

In other words, in this hour of desperation, we don’t need a new president that has superior skills in law, economics and military strategy but has no skills in showing compassion towards his fellow Filipino. We don’t need a new president that has a bloated resume and a head full of significant leadership know-how, but has an empty heart. We need a new president with a renewed heart ruled by God.

 

We have tried almost everybody and everything, but we still lost a lot in the process. Foreigners look at us and they shake their heads in disbelief as they ask, “Where did you go wrong, Filipino?”  

 

Obviously, we went wrong in our choices of leaders. Perhaps in 2010 we should try choosing a president whose heart has ALREADY been changed and is ACTIVELY ruled by the Author of Powers and Authorities, God Almighty, so that we can rest assured righteousness, the kind that brings in hope and prosperity, will finally reign supreme in the land!

 

“Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34

 

Iggy Villanueva- A Lasallian needs help

I was watching TFC, Rated K to be exact. My heart melted when I saw Mrs. Beng Villanueva's interview about his young son named Iggy. Iggy was diagnosed with Accute Myelogeneous Leukemia last January 6, 2009 and from that date he only have 4 months to live if untreated. Jay, my ex-bf-now-hubby, and I went to google to read Mrs. Villanueva's email right away. We were really moved.. as a Christian.. and as for me- as a Lasallian and as a woman who desires to be a mother... prayerful of having a son soon.. is writing and hoping that God may touch the reader's heart to share for a brother who's in need of God's blessings.. The Sacrament of giving doesn't pertain to the amount but to the joy of one's heart, who freely allow God to move and bless other people through their lives and resources. Please read it with me one more time..

20 January 2009

OUR DEAREST FRIENDS…

I am so embarrassed to do this yet, I am humbling myself to ask,please read on..

January 6, 2009 was the worst day of my family’s life,our eldest son, IAN GABRIEL PICART VILLANUEVA, was initially diagnosed to have ACUTE MYELOGENEOUS LEUKEMIA. It is already the 20th of January, and after a 2nd and even a 3rd opinion from different doctors, the diagnosis, sadly is still the same: ACUTE MYELOGENEOUS LEUKEMIA. To aggravate things even, he even has pneumonia. Thus, chemotherapy cannot start just yet. Untreated, he just has 4 months to live…

Treatment plan for Iggy includes at least 3 rounds of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant! To date, we have already moved from 3 hospitals.  Currently we are at National Kidney & Transplant Institute to save on cost.

Though we may belong to a middle income family, the medical expenses that have and are to be incurred is so staggering! The amount needed is about 5 Million.Thinking of how many zeroes the figure has makes me want to give up…But I know I wont and I cant!  I will do anything or everything to save my son to the best that I could. Sad but true, I have nothing. Whatever is left of our meager savings has all been used up. Time is essential.  The bone marrow transplant will be performed 2-3 weeks from now, and I need funds to deposit before any treatment can be done.

I am literally alone. It’s just Iggy & myself in the hospital.  Friends & relatives come to visit but I cannot compel them to do more.  I am a one woman army.  Thank God that I have the laptop and my mind as a weapon.

Iggy, is a well rounded individual who I can say is an achiever.  From grade school to college he is very athletic: red belter in taekwondo, track & field and basketball. An honor student from pre-school to college, a leader in his own ways.

As a mother, it breaks my heart that such potential should go into waste. He is so young. IT IS MY MOST FERVENT PRAYER THAT YOU BECOME PART OF THE CYCLE OF HEALING. IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE.  I HOPE I AM NOT ASKING TOO MUCH. HUMBLY I AM ASKING ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN EXTEND MY FAMILY. WHATEVER MEANS WOULD BE MOST WELCOME. I may not be able to repay your kindness and generosity in this lifetime, but I am confident that God knows.

I am realistic enough to understand how difficult life is today.  I am not asking for total dole-out.  If at all, any of you are willing to loan me. I would forever be grateful. I promise to pay, although little by little, with interest even. Please,This is already a desperate cry for help, I just cant imagine what is to be.

May I also request continued PRAYERS THAT IGGY NOT GIVE UP, HOLD ON AND BE STEADFAST IN HIS WILL TO LIVE.  Likewise, prayers THANKING FATHER GOD FOR THE HEALING.

Thank you very much for taking time out to read this letter.  I know in my heart that you will be able to help me and my family one way or the other. May the Good Lord always bless you and your loved ones.

Respectfully,

VIVIEN ‘BENG’ VILLANUEVA

Mother

09176201969

ACCOUNT NAME: Vivien Villanueva

BDO s/a: 3010063053

(Bacolod Capitol Shopping Branch)

SECURITYBANK c/a: 0242517530001

(Bacolod Rizal Branch)

you can email the amount and day/time deposited so we can issue a receipt of donation through vivien_villanueva@yahoo.com or zyon.aquino@gmail.com .

We also pick up donations: just text 09155364544 your name, address,venue and time. (http://thedaythatidie.wordpress.com/2009/02/01/a-mom-so-sweet-iggy-villanuevas/)

Just thinking of the amount, 5 million pesos to survive, will drown every believer's faith. For someone who draws strength from human beings more than God's, will surely give up and will just spend the rest of the days thinking that her son will die soon. Not for Mrs. Villanueva. She strongly believe that God will make a way to heal her son. She believes that Iggy is meant to live. I admire her strength as a woman.. as a mother..as a believer. 

To Mrs. Villanueva, I want you to know that Singapore will be praying for your son- I will do my very best to help you. I know that it is not the amount that counts but the sincerity in a giver's heart. I believe that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. He is our provider. He is the only one who can heal your son. It is a test of faith and loyalty. God will always be faithful to us- just continue believing and never shed any light of doubt. 

To my fellow bloggers- I do not know what went to my head to write this. I was absent for a long time, I know-- forgive me for I'm still adjusting to my roles as an employee and as a wife now.. This makes sense to me.. I mean, I want to be a part of the blessing to give. Giving is a privilege- you give because God gave you something to share. 

Deuteronomy 15:10- Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Deuteronomy 15:14- Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you.

'Till the next bloggin'! Miss all of you guys! 

Why TRG? Why not!

It all started with this message...

hi loran, i am very much amazed and touched by your blogs!! very well said..while im reading those blogs, i cant help figure out where the hell did those come from..you really have a big mind and a big heart..i miss your words, kindness,etc..no wonder u are successful at your age..u will be surprise to know that they are really interested in reading all your blogs..janet olasiman started it and all of a sudden, evrybody's ended up reading it as well..so inspiring..

ms. lorraine, miss n kita, sobra!! take care always and congratulations po pla!!!

all the best...

donna

My TRG family had always been dear to my heart. Would you believe if I say that I just stayed there for less than 6 months but my experiences with TRG had been one of the best moments in my life. A week has never passed without me sharing some funny things about my life back there. I'm sure Jay's ears have already bled by now. It was a good timing that I am thinking of what to share with you guys. When I checked on my friendster account, this was what I saw. It inspired me more to write.

Memories with Mykee, Ronald, Donna, Kit, Jasper, Mike Lati, Rusty, Khalid, Ken, Tyler, Diko, Richard, Jeff (pertaining to all Jeffs), the girls in my A-bay.. Roy, everyone.. really, colored my days every 12am, 11 months ago. My Team Managers before were just bunch of kids. I can't forget the first day I stepped in. I can feel everyone looking at me.. some are excited to work with me. Most of them are intimidated with me. Some would rather keep quiet while I'm around, while there were also some who would dare to talk to me.

Mike, Bong, Ronald and SG talked to me because of their promotion.. Oh yes, it was just my second day then. I was putting on my make up when they surprised me in my office. They expressed their desires of being a Team Manager and they based some of their explanations on seniority, which I truly disapprove.

I was happy that they desire to share what they know. Because most agents would like to be promoted just to get off the phones. Yet, technically- the more you get promoted, the better you should be when a call comes in. A leader should always sharpen the saw. I remembered mentioning this to them- “Your leaders would know a perfect time for its employees, if the leader trained and spent time to know the etiquettes of your work.” Leaders are so synanimous with parents. When I was 14 and I asked my mom for a car, she told me to wait until I reached 18 so I can be trained in road and traffic academy and for me to have a valid license. Promotion is a blessing, isn't it. But He won't give us a blessing that will break us. If I insist in having a car by 14 and drove out of Manila, wouldn't it be illegal and wouldn't I be penalized for that? Similarly, if you insist of becoming a supervisor thinking that you were already ready, wouldn't you lose focus and prioritization on how to hone your agents without compromising your administrative functions (reports, emails, QA, meetings, etc.)? Sometimes, we need to wait a little while and enjoy the fun of waiting to be able to treasure the blessing truly meant for you in the right time. Don't dream of promotion with an expecting heart of comfortability and ease. Strive for promotion with a strong determination to contribute and excel. Going back.. so they got the promotion.

Donna, I personally chose her to be part of my division. I heard that she was afraid of me and she doesn't want me. Her frist day with me was meaningful. I brought her to Starbucks and talked to her. “You don't like me,do you?”, that was my first question. She said that it was not what she meant, she was intimidated but she knows that she'll learn a lot from me. I love working with people who are not yet able but willing. Those people was best exemplified by Donna, Rein, and Jasper.

Sometimes, the best people has an attitude of un-learning the old-fashioned strategies. I'd rather work with people who are creative than intelligent. Intelligence sometimes is being quantified by the capacity to absorb facts. But facts are already owned by someone else. You can no longer brand it "my idea". That is why it has always been my habit to share what I know. Hoarding your knowledge is making you live off to your reserves (as per Paul Arden of It's not how good you are but how good you want to be). The good thing about sharing what you know is that you're able to find new things to contribute after doing so. Meaning, you find ways and means to know more.. to learn.. to share.

I love hearing news from my babies back in TRG. I know that in one way or another, may they've hated me or loved me, may they've talked to me in English or in Tagalog, may I've crticized them or praised them- They learned from me- may it not be so much, but I'm sure there were.. 

Q & A of my SG wedding

My friends had sent me messages in FB, FS, in my 2 blogs, asking me various questions as they were so surprised when I finally said “yes” to getting married. Here are some:

What's with the rush?

It was not really a rush. We planned this, November 2008. There are a lot of times that I almost backed out since I felt that marriage can block all my dreams for myself and that I might ended up being someone else's wife instead of taking care of my own life. Jay has been very supportive and so am I with him. I guess, we've already passed that insecurity stage. We're now better off to see each other as partners- may it be in business or in cuddling future kids.

Are you pregnant?

I am not pregnant, yet. We are planning to have kids, hopefully when I reach 28; better yet, in HIS perfect time. Having a baby is what every woman should desire. I have always denied that fact for a lot of years. I have never seen myself writing all these when I was 23, but I guess, when you know you're with someone God-given and God blessed then every thing is so worthwhile. Getting into a married life isn't obligatory.. it shouldn't be. Being married is a legal and spiritual responsibility. Yet, directing yourself to the path of obligations can make one a good provider..not a good partner. A good partner requires sensitivity to one another's feelings and moods. It also requires love and respect.

Are you really happy?

Of course I am.. I am very happy. After all, we're heading towards getting married and spending forever with one another, why take sacrifices in waiting instead of taking the pains that marriage trials can offer..together? I'm not saying that couples should splurge in the marriage pool right away.. what I'm saying is-- if you know what you want and you've already validated the feelings- mad or sad, happy or cranky, then I guess, diving into that decision will really give you the best picture of happiness and contentment.

What made you said “Yes”?

He has always been so persistent to open up his wedding desires with me ever since we've been going out on a date last 2007. Yeah, it was so funny. We've just been going out for 4 months and he wanted to marry me na. OA di ba?! He's 3 years older than me, so I guess, with all his worldly experiences he already knew what he really wants forever. As for me, my relationship with him is not my best.. I can say, our fights were the worst. But you know what, love can be tested pala when you've seen one another at the worst outfits, faces, and attitudes and even if you'd like to kill one another, you ended up kissing and making up. That even if everything gets worst.. in the middle of a fight.. you can still laugh when someone farts (ewww..). Then in every slam of the doors, in every tear we shed, in every time I cried my heart out, I find my definition of LOVE with him- selfless, passionate, sacrifice, adjustment, understanding, respect.

What's with him?

Jay's the type of guy who'll give you what he ever wanted, who'll sacrifice outside the tent for me to sleep comfortably, who'll wake up in the middle of the night to check if my blanket's fine, who'll cook for me every morning while I'm doing my make up. He's also the type of guy, who'll make me learn sports and cooking- 2 things I hate doing several years back. He's the type of guy, who'll shut up when I'm mad, who'll hug me when I'm cranky, who'll listen to me when everyone wants to sleep na, who's interested even in the little details of my life. He's my comfort, my strength, my hubby.

What has changed?

I become unbelievably happier. I began to be more loving..more show-y with my emotions, more understanding and sweet, I believe. I became more caring with myself and with him. I dress up sexier and more gorgeous. I take care of my health and my food intake. This is no longer for me anymore.. this chapter's about us. I have to be healthy for our future family. I have to be pretty since I represent myself as his wife now. Everything, I happily do for him.. for myself.. for our future family.

I dream a dream

In my hollow sleep, I dreamt of wearing white.. a backless dress as white as snow, with my hair fixed and my face completely- Estee Lauder colored. 

There was also a pair of silver shoes complementing the white dress's diamond-brooch. I saw rings.. 2 rings 18k and 5g yellow and white gold combination.. those were really fantastic and shockingly expensive.

I also saw a suit worn by my a man. His face was blurd, but I noticed that he was wearing a purple tie.

On the other side of the bed, I saw a cute bouquet of flowers, beautifully arranged..all in accordance with my favorite colors (pink and purple). I also saw my Louis Vuitton on top of our TV table, with all my make up inside it. 

I also dreamt of Tita Detch and Tito Ferdy. Oh! Tito Ferdy was on leave, I guess. ROM was the venue, a Christian lady led the ceremony. After her declaration, I heard her say “God bless you”. I was surprised. I thought she was a buddhist, as most Chinese are. I dreamt of myself putting a ring on his and him putting another 10cm ring on mine. 

I saw how happy we were. I saw how satisfied and blessed my face was. 

I saw a Thai resto, with a long table filled with food we love to eat. Pastor Henry was there. I saw Jonathan taking our pix, too. Ate Donna was laughing with me. Came night time. I saw Kat, Katrina, Marlina, and Simon. I saw the man's friends and my church mates. They splured a party for us. They cooked Filipino dishes. The hall was amazing. It was classy. I saw myself crying, thereafter. My heart filled with joy and overwhelming blessings. I saw the man thanking everyone for their time and efforts. Then, I saw myself crying and declaring how thankful I am and how I felt God's love through the lives of the people in front me that time. 

Gifts were amazing! I was so speechless. I dreamt of going home really tired.. I also dreamt of wanting to write everything in this blog, but I was so restless that I fell asleep even in my dream.

When I woke up..morning of January 21, 2009, I saw myself.. wearing the ring and I saw the other side of the bed with a purple tie on it. Jay greeted me that morning... he said.. “Good morning, Mrs. Gonzales”. 

Belated Happy 69th Birthday ex-Gov. Leviste

It really broke my heart when I saw the news that he celebrated his 69^th birthday in Makati City Jail. Just thinking about Papa.. imagining his face inside a cell's really killing me. I believe that justice needs to be served and I would also want to believe that after 2 years of scrutiny the result was already authenticated. Some reasons why I find this case so desolating and down-hearted:

• That they were good friends and that their families were, too.

• Leviste was a good guy until the homicide happened.

• He's too old to be imprisoned.

• I believed that it was a burst of emotion and the incident was not planned.

• That, I also believe that it was an accident.

• That, may it be whatever, someone needs to be accountable to his actions and responses.

Delas Alas' daughter was interviewed right after Leviste was convicted. She said that they can't totally celebrate because they were also thinking about Leviste's family and that she looked up to the ex-governor as her second dad. I admired her mentality..really. For someone who lost her father in a monstrous incident and she was able to look at the outcome that way is truly admirable.

I was asking myself while watching, “If she really felt that way, then why did she still persue the case?" Then my logic dictated, “Of course, she's the daughter of her father who was shot five times; whereas one shot was more than enough to immobilize a 67-year old man.” She needs to continue the fight for his father's death situation. She needed justice to prevail for her father's name which was also defamed when the story of self-defense for 1-million mistress maintenance was brought up during the cross examination.

A spectator thiking outloud: “If it was Leviste who got killed `by delas Alas, would his kids react the same way as Dinna Sanchez (daughter of Rafael delas Alas) did? Would they allow the murder case to be homicide, too? Would the court allow the same to happen?”

I was really affected. I have a soft spot for old people. Though, I would all the more hate the justice system in the Philippines if it wasn't given to the delas Alas family. I also feel for the Leviste family. His kids were really so much affected, I know. Just imagine, even how straight you've wanted to become: Seeing your 69-year old father, to whom you really looked up so much..spending the rest of his remaining years in the prison instead of enjoying the goodness of gracious retirement and righteous life.. Can you still say that justice be given to worthy? Can you still say that if your father really killed someone, he be placed in jail? Can you still say that he deserved to be there?

I'll just pray that ex-governor Leviste be pardoned by the highest court where he'll soon be at. I pray that he gets comfort and that he may still feel that God loves him regardless of what happened and what he has done. I pray that delas Alas family may find forgiveness in their hearts. I pray that we all be open-minded about situations like this. 

So ayun na nga...

Yeah.. I'm back! Wheew.. I was like entrapped inside a bottle with the strictest genie ever.. Better yet, comparable to a little girl who was asked by mom to sit in one corner and to never leave yet. OMG! It was a toxic week but I love it. Know what, the most tiring thing to do pala is to put pressure on yourself than your boss putting pressure on you. Really.. it stressed the hell out of me. When you're new kasi you tend to show them that it was the most right decision- that they've hired you.. I have to admit I feel so tired at the end of each day this week, but I feel so relieved. Ironic, right? I mean, I was able to figure out how to untie the loops in my new job.

Enough of the job.. Just miss bloggin'! Well, sorry.. can't stop talaga! I brought home some assignments. I assigned myself to do reveiews and strategic business portfolio this weekend so as to get geared up for next week. Really..enough na swear!

Mommy (she's my dad's sister- I usually call her ninang mommy) called me the other day nga pala. She was crying.. she misses us.. she misses my newphew, PJ. She's currently in Paris and she perceived snow to be boredom and lonesome. That was actually the first time I heard her whine.. the first time I heard her cry. She's a very strong woman. She's my idol talaga since she had a fast-tracked career. Living abroad naman talaga is not easy. We just need to find our purpose, because searching for God's reason would give us a better direction to get closer to Him. If you feel comfortable in where you are right now, just stay and find a better niche at home. Just be a curious kid finding a better position to sleep in a small nipa hut with 12 siblings. Find your competitive advantage, instead of finding a country to dump your luggage. It doesn't mean that you didn't take risks or you didn't get out of your comfort zone. In the first place, you don't need to gamble or to find uneasy zone in this kind of game if you feel stability and satisfaction. After all, what greatly matters is where you find peace and happiness. The place where your heart is, is the place where you'll survive. I find my heart beating loudly everyday.. and in tracing its sound.. its echo transmits my entirety back to where his heart shouts my name. :) I hope you've followed the echo of your heart, too.. 

Ti'' the next bloggin'!