What I learned from teaching drums to an 11-year old.

Every Tuesday, I get the opportunity to teach drums to an 11-year old boy and his name is Jethro. I was a bit worried during our first meeting because he was a bit shorter than I expected for the reason that he might not be able to reach the drum heads properly. Ever since day one, I would always tell him that whenever he learns new things in drums, it is important to learn it slowly and properly. Whenever he gets impatient with the basics, I would always tell him those things in a low and calm voice: Jethro, do it slowly and properly.

My sessions with him progressed and he really learned very quick. Everytime I would check on his progress at the beginning of our session, I would get surprised because he really improves quickly. If we were on the same age, I think he would be better than me. At the end of our 1-hour session, I would always remind him to practice, practice and practice.

Last Saturday, we had our session again (because I had an interview last Tuesday so I moved it on a Saturday, just for that specific week). I was teaching him the 16th note beat. I know most of you don't know what it sounds like, don't worry it's not an important information but what's important is what Jethro told me while trying to do the 16th note beat. I noticed that he's having a hard time doing a rim shot (it's technique used whenever you hit the snare drum) so I told him not to do the rim shot first and just get used to the 16th note beat. Our conversation went like this:

Me: (Looking at Jethro while playing the drums and noticing he's not doing the rim shot)
Jethro: (trying and struggling)
Me: Jethro, don't do the rim shot anymore. Just do the 16th note beat. You don't have to do the rim shot.
Jethro: (Paused after what I said) No, you told me to do it "slowly and properly" right? So I'll have to do it. (Staring me down like a boss).

When he turned towards the drums, I smiled. I told myself: "I can't believe he really remembered it." 

It felt so good. For someone to remind me of the things that I firmly believe in. For someone to grasp the idea of what you are trying to teach them. For someone to remind me of the value of listening and many other things. Jethro's two-sentenced reply really made me thinking after our session. I can learn so much from that conversation and Jethro's reply but here's my ultimate take home:

Make every effort to live a consistent life. I don't mean a comforted life. Live with consistency but not for consistency. People are looking at us and listening to us if we are living a consistent life. People are looking if we remain true to ourselves, to our friends, to our family and to God. They are looking if we remain true to our claims. Living a consistent life is not a carefree life nor a comfortable life - it's a hard life to live. Being consistent is not being conventional. A consistent person acknowledges changes and embraces it but he makes sure that his principles are still in place and that he guards the things that matter the most. A consistent life is not a boring life contrary to popular belief. How hard it is to walk in a narrow path! A consistent life is for the weak and for the strong but not for the proud because it takes so much humility to surrender and admit mistakes in order to be consistent.

2 Corinthians 10:15

Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we preach the Gospel in the regions beyond you. 

Resumption of Classes and Job application.

3 months and 4 years ago, I was a freshman of UST taking up AB Communication Arts. New place. New school. New people. New challenges. Almost everything is new. I remember during our first semester as freshmen, we had a professor named Leah Estacio. She was our professor in Economics 101. One of the best professors I had. Normally, professors won't attend classes during the first week - but she's not like that. During our first day, she already entered our class and gave a short introduction about what she would be expecting on our next meeting. 1x1 Picture. Index Card. Notebook and an assignment. She is one of those professors that has the right to be strict (and sometimes discipline us) because she really teaches well and she makes sure that all of us are on our toes from 10am to 11am MWF. I thought I was going to fail her subject. Seriously. I felt like everything that I was able to achieve during HS no longer mattered every time I would come to her class. It was back to zero. I would study her subject on my way to school while riding LRT2 and I will do the same thing on my way home. I failed on my first quiz and vowed to do better. I memorized the definition of different terms in basic Economics without really knowing what it really means.

During all these pressures from just one subject, I recalled telling myself: Isn't this just a minor subject? 

Then other reasons began to follow: I don't need this. I don't plan to be a businessman someday. I just need to learn to basics of managing money: Earn. Save. Earn. Save. Earn. Save. Avoid debts. I'm good to go, right? WRONG. Thank God I didn't give in to this kind of reasoning but it sure made some sense and during that time - it was a perfect reason for a perfect escape from studying her subject.

During my 4 years of stay in UST, with all humility and respect, I realized that there are subjects that I really don't understand why I needed to take. I didn't understand why I needed to study something that I won't use. Honestly, I didn't see the purpose of taking care of a hamster.

Back in 2012, during my second year in college, I wrote a blog entry entitled: "Classes Resume". It was about students no longer just coming to class to study but to build their dreams. It was about challenging students to wake up early and go to class so that they can start building their dreams early. It was a challenge to see "minor subjects" as avenues of personal growth and maturity.

Fast forward to the present. Still a fresh graduate and still unemployed but never losing hope. I decided (with the blessings and provisions from my parents) to rest for 2 months and go to different places to have a vacation. I went to Pampanga, La Union, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Baler, Quezon, Tagaytay and Tanay.

I asked myself: Does my blog entry 2 years ago, after graduating, still applies to me? YES and NO.

No because I am no longer a student. Yes because I am still building my dreams and pursuing my purpose.

When I wake up in the morning and walk in a company for an exam and interview - I'm not just applying to their company - I'm not just building my dreams (you see when you get older, things start to get more detailed), I'm building my character, I'm testing my calling and pursuing my purpose.

A student and a working person have many differences but both of them have this in common:

They are both building their dreams on a daily basis. 

I realized just now that building our dreams is messy. Building our dreams requires a lifestyle of not giving up - not on ourselves, not on our families, not on our loved ones. Building our dreams requires us to be deliberate and intentional. It requires time, money (but not all the money in world), effort and of course, God's Divine guidance.

It may be a different season for me but it is the same purpose and the same God to honor.

The question now is this: When does building our dreams end? 
It doesn't end with a dream house. It doesn't end with a dream family. It doesn't end with dream wife or husband. It doesn't end with a dream job.

Let me answer that with another question:
Do you want a kind of dream that merely happens in your life time? Or do you want to see it in Heaven's point of view with the Master Builder telling you "Well done good and faithful servant"? 

To complete the statement:

Build your dreams on a daily basis with Eternity's Perspective. 


Hebrews 11:10
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, 
whose architect and builder is God.

An overwhelming day with Mr. "Chink Positve" Chinkee Tan

I remember back in May 2013 during my term as the VP for External Affairs of ABSC, I was assigned to invite guest speakers for our Leadership Training Seminar entitled “ILLUMINATE”. I was believing God for an excellent speaker and true enough God answered my prayer. I was able to invite Mr. Chinkee Tan. He is one of the best and one of the most sought-after speakers in the Philippines and Asia today. It was a great privilege to really hear him speak, inspire and invest in the lives of the young leaders of UST.

A year after our encounter in UST, I was again given the chance to listen to him but this time, in a more mature crowd – In front of a government organization. I was excited to listen to him again because we really got inspired and had fun at the same time during his session in our leadership training seminar in UST. Honestly I thought I would hear the same things he mentioned during his talk with us - only to find out that it was just the tip of the iceberg.

Allow me to share some of the insights I got during his overwhelming talk. I am not exaggerating, I’m just being honest.

He first talked about CHANGE. He talked about how it was so abused and how our politics in the Philippines would dare use it as a slogan during election campaign period. Change must happen if we want to see improvements happen in our lives. A lot of us do the same thing and expect to see a different result then we ask ourselves: What’s happening? And the answer is: Nothing. We love how technology has made our lives more convenient by allowing itself to be changed overtime but we hate change when it happens to our own lives. Why won’t we? Because we have fears or False Expectations Appearing Real. According to research, 90% of the things we fear will not happen.  It’s an amazing fact – it’s also amazing to find out that we are crippled with the 10%.

He shares this basic formula:
Mindset + Action = Result

Negative Mindset + Negative Action = Negative Result

Positive Mindset + Positive Action = Positive Result

Poor Mindset + Poor Action = Poor Result

Rich Mindset + Rich Action = Rich Result

For real and long-lasting change to happen in our lives, we have to decide to change our mindset. How will we know if we have a negative mindset? When we complain and compare. People who often complain miss the knowledge and maturity that they could gain. People who compare themselves to others either breeds pride in them for being better or breeds in security for feeling less of a person. For most of us, it’s easier to complain and compare because it’s difficult for us to be ourselves.

For us Filipinos, it’s very difficult to confront someone who has an issue with us which ends up in gossip. Gossip separates close friends. Gossip is a form of an emotional immaturity because it shows that we cannot properly handle our issues with each other. When we entertain gossip, it means we don’t value the people around us – we don’t value the relationships we have.

When we correct a person we must always remember the principle: “Correct in private, praise in Public.” We should always choose to speak life to the people around us but when correction is done, it must be done in private.

“Kahit tama ako pero pag ako na ang nakasakit ng tao – mali na ako”. One of Chinkee Tan’s life principles. It reminded me of another famous quote: People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. The similarity between the two is this: it puts value to the person.

One of the most exciting parts of the session was when Chinkee Tan discussed about the different personalities of people. It is important to note that behaviour changes but personality does not. The strengths and weaknesses of each person’s personality allow them work together in unity and move as a single unit in achieving their goals as an organization and their behaviour allows them to adjust to the needs around them.

Part of developing the unity of their organization is to face the issues they have with each other. Whether it is big or small – it must be dealt with. After being convinced that they need to change, knowing themselves more with the help of others, working together, improving their unity – they need to face their unsettled issues. They were given a chance to speak to all their colleagues personally. They can either ask for forgiveness or tell how much they appreciate the person in front of them. It was a very important part of the seminar because it turns a simple organization into a family.

As a family and an organization, it is very crucial to know their destination by stating in their vision and mission and coming up with their own core values. “Everything we do must be guided by the vision and mission”. When the vision and mission is properly communicated to the members of the organization (of any organization), they will not waste time doing things that will not contribute to their vision and mission. Every member will work, regardless of their position, having the vision and mission in mind.

I can go on blogging about the things I learned but there’s just too many. From the need to change, to knowing one’s self and understanding others, to strengthening teamwork and unity, to settling issues and anchoring themselves to their core values, vision and mission – an organization changes and it turns into a family.

Every time I come home from seminar like this, I will always remember what sir Chinkee Tan said during the middle part of the training:

“It’s not how much knowledge you know, it’s how much knowledge you apply.”

What I learned from one of Mama's reminders ...

Whenever I would go out and bring our family's car, my mother and I would most of the times have this kind of conversation:

Me: Ma, alis na po ako. Dalhin ko po yung kotse.
Mama: Okay. Ingat ka. Ayos pa ba gas niyan?
Me: (Recalls the last time I used it) Opo ma, abot pa ng Baguio to. hehe

Mama: Anong Baguio ka diyan? Lagpas pa ba ng kalahati yan? 

Me: Medyo mababa po sa linya ng kalahati.
Mama: Ah ganun ba? Sige. Magpakarga ka na. Mas mahal magpa-tow kaysa sa magpa-gas. Ito pero oh. 

Our car's full tank is around 70 to 75L (if I'm not mistaken), so half of it is 35L and this can reach quite a distance if you're on a long drive. Maybe you can still go to Baguio or Dau (like what my father would always tell my mother when they have the same conversation). Point is, it's far from being empty and being towed by a truck. 

However, Mama mentioned something about towing. She said that it's more costly for our car to be towed than to refill the car's gas tank. My mother was not after the distance the car can travel but the car's condition and of course, our safety. 

It's quite similar with how we view our relationship with God. 

You see, in our lives, God placed boundary lines. These lines limit us, restrict us, hinder us but most especially - the lines protect us. From what? From being empty or worse - getting towed. 

In our walk with God, there are lines that we shouldn't cross. Not because it's sin but because it's just not wise. Or like what my mother would tell me: it's for your own safety. There's nothing wrong about being safe if you're up against sin. 

What shall we do then? Learn from my mother. 

In my point of view, it's okay if you go below the middle line because it is still far from being empty.  My  mother's point of view was "Why do you have to wait till you are nearly empty if you can be safe and stay above the line?". My goal was for the car not being empty of gas, my mother's goal was a full tank or at least closer to it. What the difference? The way we treat the car.

If we see these boundary lines as something that would limit, restrict or hinder us then we'll treat our relationship with God as something that's full of limitations, restrictions and hindrances instead of experiencing true Freedom and we will find ourselves burned out.

If we keep on saying okay lang 'yan, di naman sin 'yan eh; or wala namang sinasabi sa Bible na ganyan, etc. we'll just keep on compromising, and compromising and compromising until we realize that we're just only one foot away from falling into sin. The price to pay in falling into sin is much costly than the price we have to pay in avoiding it. 

When we are more concerned with not falling into sin (not reaching the empty level of the gas tank) there's a big tendency to miss the point of not sinning but when we are more concerned with dwelling at the center of God's plan for us and giving Him the Glory (getting closer to the full level of the gas tank), we see everything we do as a product of the Joy of Salvation.

After all, when it comes to asking God for Presence in our lives, He would always urge His people to ask for more - more than being full or filled with the Spirit, we overflow. 

A reminder from Limestones.

Last May 6 to 8, my friends and I went to Ilocos Sur for a 3-day vacation. It was an awesome trip. A very refreshing experience and an opportunity to think things through. While we were bathing in Pinsal Falls and enjoying the awesome view, my good friend, Ervin, asked  this question:

Ervin: Limestone ba yan?
Me: Nope. Hindi yan limestone. Iba ang Limestone.

After answering his question, I remembered the first time I saw a limestone during our trip in Mindoro when I was young. It was huge and beautiful. It has different shapes and you would feel small if you're standing next to it. I can never forget the feeling of amazement after seeing one.

During our trip in Ilocos Sur, there were times that our travel from one place to another would take almost 1 hour and 30 minutes. These were the times that I thought about the Limestone. I apologize for my weirdness, I guess we try to find meaning and purpose in the things that catch our attention, thoughts and ultimately our hearts. So there I was thinking about the Limestones. I remembered this conversation I had with Tito Caloy during our trip in Mindoro.

Me: Paano nabubuo yung Limestones?
Tito Caloy: Dahil sa alon. Dahil sa hampas ng alon kaya yan nagkaganyan.

The wonder and the beauty of the Limestones that I saw was caused by waves. Strong and powerful waves. It took maybe (just maybe) a century to shape that huge thing into a Limestone and after all those years, there I was, a kid, being amazed and standing in awe of how colossal and how breath-taking Limestones are.

I realized that limestones are quite similar with how our lives would look like in the future. Our present situations can be far from being "beautiful, breath-taking and amazing". You don't need to go to the news (where people are randomly killed by guns, countries having disputes over territorial issues, media icons being worshipped) to relate to what I'm saying. The thought of deadlines is irritating. House bills. Penalties. Utilities. Food. For others, a slow internet connection (?) or for fresh graduates like me who are into job-hunting. Studied four years (or more) in college and then become a hunter. Hehe. Just kidding. The hard truth is, after meeting the deadlines, paying the bills, finding food, showing up in an interview - the next thing you know, there are new challenges. Newer and stronger waves. Just waiting to hit you.

None of these facts are comforting because we're not supposed to find comfort in these - not on anything that the world would offer to us. That's probably one of the reasons why people get tired and stressed - we hope to find comfort in the wrong things. We experience pain and suffering brought about by these waves and we feel like this will go on forever (it's funny how we use the word "forever" without really experiencing it).

Now where's the reminder from the Limestones? We're getting there.

I remember the feeling after seeing and standing beside a Limestone - I felt small because Limestones are huge in width, length and height. If Limestones are this high, does that mean the water level in the past was also this high? Tito Caloy said "Yes". The water level subsided throughout the years.

Someday when the waves are done in our lives, they will subside and they can no longer reach us because we'll be a lot higher than the height of the waves. We'll be used to them, to the point of playing with them with our feet. When newer and stronger waves hit us, we dare say: There's no way you're breaking me. 

While looking at the Limestones, I noticed that it was firmly established on its place. It's immovable because it has a strong foundation - it was being supported by the very rock that we're standing on. If we are a limestone, where would you establish your foundation?

Now here's the reminder of the Limestones:

Romans 8:18

 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 

Whatever it is that we are facing or we will be facing in the future - there are all not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 

Someday, all these waves will stop and when people will look at our lives - they will not see us nor what was lost or broken in our lives by the waves. But they will see the glory that is being revealed in us. Amen. 

Why my Mama is the best in the world.

First of all, thank you for being curious. Maybe you clicked this post for two reasons:

1. Because you want to know the reason why my mother is the best in the world.
2. Or you disagree with my title - because you believe your mother is the best in the world.

When I was still a kid (way before I entered school), I have this clear memory of my mother teaching me something while I was taking a bath (now you know why I need to emphasize that it was way before I started going to school). We were in our bathroom, I forgot my age. It was very clear. The lesson was clear and she taught it before I took a bath. I guess it was her day-off. She dipped her fingers on water and she said:

Me: (looking and waiting for Mama to pour the water over my head)
Mama: "In the Name of the Father, of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Ameeen! (with a celebratory note on the "Amen".

*Then she proceeds pouring water over my head and cleaning me up.

She did a sign of the cross on me. The lesson was not how to do the sign of the cross but about the FEAR OF THE LORD. Of course, I was too young to realize that lesson before but I understood something important. A lesson that remains true today (and for all Eternity). A lesson that a lot of people tried to disprove. One of the basics of living a Christ-centred life: BELIEVING THAT GOD EXISTS and I MUST FEAR HIM.

I can go all day honouring my mother and bragging about her to a lot of people and post a lot pictures about her but this lesson sums up why I am so blessed to have a mother like her and that is because she taught me how to fear the Lord as young as I was. I didn't know who God was. I didn't question his existence and asked my parents who God is. All I know is that my mother believes in Him so I might as well believe and now I'm reaping what she had sown in my heart.

This mother's day, I'm thankful about 3 things.

1. I have Mama as my mother.
2. She taught me to fear God as young as I was.
3. She still encourages me to live a God-centred life up until now.

Aside from them, I realized 4 things:

1. This is the primary character trait that I must look for in a woman: A woman who fears the Lord. 
2. This is the first lesson that I will teach my future children: Fear of the Lord. 
3. This is what I want my children to inherit from me: Faith in Jesus Christ. 
4. Teaching the Fear of the Lord to young people is preparing them not just for life but most especially for Eternity. 

Happy mother's day to all the mothers out there!



Dear Mama,
I love you so much. Thank you for not giving up on anyone of us. Thank you for teaching me this very important lesson. Thank you for answering my questions during our coffee time. Thank you for teaching me to make my own decisions and face the consequences of my decisions without totally leaving me. 

On behalf of the Wizkids,
Matthews Jubilado a.k.a. Isaiah Thomas.

What to do after graduation (or while waiting for graduation)?

Prior to this post, I wrote a blog entry for HS students about my suggestions on how they should spend their summer vacation. My main point was summer vacation should not be boring – it must be fun and productive at the same time - an opportunity to improve and ultimately to strengthen our relationship with God. Now allow me to share (and suggest) how college students (and fresh graduates) should spend their summer vacation. Just a disclaimer, I am no expert in giving pieces of advice to people and I have no plans of being that kind of person – all I know is that we are in a constant change of seasons and that every season is a preparation and it should be enjoyed. Most of the young people today are afraid (or hesitant) to make serious decisions because they believe that they won’t enjoy life if we take it seriously. We watch (or believe) too much movies that we forget the excitement to see our own stories unfold before us. I often get the impression from people that I take life too seriously and they ask whether I’m still able to enjoy the life I have. I take life seriously and enjoyment is a serious issue for me. This blog is not about telling you to try living the kind of life that I have – this is (again) a humble attempt to convince you to take life seriously and start to make wise decisions regardless if you are in college or a fresh graduate like me. Learning to make wise decisions is an acquired trait – you have to make a deliberate effort to learn it. Allow me to share with you some of these “deliberate efforts”.

This is a lengthy one.

Seriously, take a rest. – We will be more productive if we learn the value of rest. Resting is not equivalent to inactivity and unproductivity – it’s an opportunity to focus/refocus on things that matter the most. Your form of rest may be just staying at home, going to the province, spending time with your family, setting a date with your closest friends, etc. Try to isolate yourself from the crowd – but don’t do it for too long. Living in isolation is not healthy. You may want to minimize your time in using your social media accounts. I’m not saying that it’s bad, we all have our own views on this, but if it takes most of your time in one day – I guess there’s something wrong. This is a personal confession: I realized that I spend so much time finding out what people are doing or what is happening with their lives rather than finding out what should be happening in my life. That’s why I’m planning to rest for two months. I don’t want to make decisions that will eventually give me a life without peace.

Let go of the unnecessary pressures. – I heard that someone said, “Pressure turns stones into diamonds.” However, there are certain pressures that are unnecessary. After graduation day, the hype of finishing college comes with this certain “pressure” translated into questions such as:

Ano na plano mo after graduation?

San ka na magtatrabaho?

Nag-apply ka na ba?

 Or statements such as:

yung pinsan mo may trabaho bago pa siya grumaduate.
Ang ideal is may work ka na a day after your graduation day.

I want to point out that the people who asked/mentioned these questions and or statements may have valid reasons. What I’m trying to say is that these questions and statements, regardless of the reasons, tend to pressure students ESPECIALLY if we are still undecided about our plans. Unnecessary pressures might cause a person to focus on the wrong things; thus, causing him to make the wrong decisions in life. If you still don’t know what you’re planning to do after college, that’s okay. Just admit that you still don’t know what to do. It pays to be honest – especially in times like this. Mature people will appreciate you for admitting it or even give you a good advice, immature people will question you or even mock you. Don’t be pressured by the idea that some of your friends/classmates are already employed (especially if you “think” that, that person didn’t perform well in class and yet lands in a good company – well this one is a character issue, you should feel happy for those people who finally get the opportunity despite their “low performance” in college). What if these unnecessary pressures are coming from my own family? Or from my parents? What should I do? That’s a tough question to answer and here’s my answer: Just face it.  One of the reasons why parents ask such questions is because they want to understand you (I’m speaking for my parents) so that they can support you. One of my pastors told me that parents only want to know that their children are safe and secured regardless if it’s a mess or a success. If the culture in your family is different, maybe they just miscommunicated important messages to you; still the principles are the same: they want you safe and secured. If you will allow unnecessary pressures to make the decisions for you, you will find yourself doing unnecessary things in life. You don’t have to graduate from college to learn this truth, just observe how your wrong mindsets turned into your worst mistakes.

Break bad habits. -  “An idle mind is the devil’s playground.” I would like to add that it’s also a breeding ground for bad habits. Summer vacation is a perfect time to break bad habits simply because we have so much time. There’s an adage that talks about bad habits leading to a bad character trait and starts from entertaining a bad thought. Some of the bad habits that I’m referring to are: sleeping late, waking up late, having only 2 meals a day, too much drinking, smoking, too much partying, etc. these are some of the “minor” bad habits – there are other bad habits which have the power to really devalue and destroy one’s life and I’m quite sure that you know what I’m talking about. How do you identify a bad habit? When it causes you to make a series of bad decisions and when you begin to sacrifice the most important things in your life. Every broken bad habit is a step towards a more meaningful life – a life of substance. A bad habit is something that threatens your security as a person or even your worth as a person. How? Our bad habits have certain promises that are appealing to us. They give us counterfeit pleasure and security. If your bad habit becomes a person, he would either tell you this lie: You can only find pleasure and fulfillment in me. Or he would threaten you with this: Leave me and I’ll make sure you experience the worst. Some of us may think, “My bad habits are not as bad as you think, Matt.” Maybe for you but I’m sure it would ultimately lead you to make the bad decisions in life (or even the worst decisions in life) – either today or the days ahead. It’s not easy to break bad habits because it was not easy to form them because we gave them (bad habits) our consent. We chose to have them and give in to them. As I would always say, difficulties do not eliminate possibilities. When something is difficult to accomplish, it’s worth it to finish. Maybe you can start writing your bad habits.

Surround yourself with mature people. – Modesty aside, I gained my insights from talking to old and mature people. However, some mature people are not necessary old. When I say “old and mature people” I’m referring to a lot of people but primarily to parents, relatives, churchmates, etc. I find time to talk and ask questions to my parents such as: how did they manage to make a living, to provide for the family or the “what would you do” questions or sometimes I don’t have to ask, I just need to observe properly. I also spend time with a handful of my professors in college and teachers in HS and ask questions about career, experiences, beliefs, principles and even their love stories. Of course I would also spend time with my churchmates and our campus missionaries. Nothing beats a good company of people leading you to a life well lived. What’s the point? If you don’t have these kinds of people in your lives, it’s either you start looking or you start reconnecting. Reconnecting because sometimes we already have these kinds of people in our lives – it’s just that we fail to value them because we were distracted with “other things”. Another reason why you should surround yourself with mature people is that they will show you the things that really matter in life and you will be surprised that your job is just a tool to know what really matters in life.

Build your Character. – My workmates in the student council know that I am a person who has a bias for people who has a good character. Having a strong sense of integrity, responsibility, honor, honesty, and my personal favorite – humility are just some of the many good character traits that will not just allow you to land a decent job but also win loyal friends. My mentors would always tell me and remind me to build my character but not build on my character. I will explain the latter later. Building one’s character is important not because you will be remembered for it but because it will benefit the people around you. Yes, having a good character is not just for you but also for the people around you; to inspire and to bless the people around you. One of the lessons I learned from college is this: People are naturally attracted to people who have good character traits. My closest experience to having a real job is during my OJT. I guess it’s not much but I think this also (somehow) applies in the work place. If people see that you’re a man of your word; a man who takes full responsibility of his actions and decisions regardless they are his or the people under him; a man of honor and respect, who knows what to say and when to say it – they will respect you and eventually trust you. I had a chat with one of my ate’s in our political party about skills and character. I tried to verify whether what I believed in was true or I was just being idealistic. She told me that, in her opinion, they value skills and talents but they value character more. I’m not saying that experience and a well brushed resume no longer matters – they still do but they can only secure you an interview and not a job. What good is it for a man to have a good set of skills but not able to work with a team?  Now the second point: don’t build on your character or in other words, don’t put your security on your character. Truth is, no matter how good your character is – you’re still an imperfect person and is prone to committing a mistake thus causing some disappointment. Just a thought: a bad set of skills is risky in earning profit but a bad character is riskier in earning trust because you can’t buy it. The question now is: Where should you put your security? Down to my last point.

Have a relationship with Christ. ­ - Yes, this is a trap but this is not a joke. I know it’s easier to believe in the first points but this is harder to swallow. You know why? Because it involves God. Face it. We don’t want God to be involved in our lives. We would always want to live our own lives. We want it our way. We don’t want God to have a say on our habits. We don’t want Him to have a say on how we conduct our lives. We don’t want Him to know our plans. But will you believe me that the earlier points are all derived from the Bible? Rest is God’s idea. God allows us to experience certain pressures but somehow protects us from it. Bad habits are not from God because He would want you to enjoy life and experience it to the fullest. Surrounding yourself with a good company is God’s idea. God is more concerned with the condition of your heart rather than the condition of your resume or performance. God is concerned about you. All these principles are found in the Bible. Living a new life (and I’m saying a really new life) starts when we live our lives for Christ. It doesn’t start when we merely appreciate what is good and learn to value the things that matter most; it starts when we realize that we matter to God – that despite the truth that we are flawed and sinful beyond explanation. Fulfillment, enjoyment and eternal pleasure are all found in Christ – everything else is just based on shifting sands. Don’t focus on mere counterfeits but rather on what is real, essential and eternal. Remember, everything starts here – in having a relationship with Christ. 

HOW (NOT) TO WASTE YOUR SUMMER VACATION: HS Edition

Summer just started. People already started posting their photos using their social media accounts about how "awesome" or how boring their summer vacation is. Regardless if your summer is exciting or boring, and since you have so much time scrolling up and down to see what's latest on FB or Twitter, please allow me to relieve you from your boredom or add some more excitement to your vacation for a few minutes.

Next to Christmas Vacation, Summer vacation is my favorite for so many reasons. I get to rest, travel, read, etc. I remember my summer vacation when I was in HS. We would always play Basketball every night and would have sleepovers afterwards. Nobody asked if we wanted to watch movies or go to the mall because we had no allowance. We were not into movie marathons yet. If we have some extra money, we would play DOTA for a minimum of 4 hours. Yes, I was addicted to playing DOTA but I stopped after I computed the money I spent for playing it. So I installed one on my laptop and told myself: Maglalaro lang ako pag libre. True enough my friends would always treat me for a game or two. I shared this because I want you to know that I had a very normal HS Summer Vacation. It was fun until I realized that I needed to be productive. I don't know how it happened. After all those sleepovers and DOTA games during summer, I felt like I had to make use of this vacation to improve or at least to be healthy. This was when I was in 1st year HS. Now allow me to share with you some of the things that you might want to consider doing this summer. 

Wake up early in the morning. - I don't know the physical benefits of waking up early in the morning but all I know is that being productive starts in waking up early. Plus, it's a way to learn some self-discipline. You may say that you have been waking up early in the morning for the last 10 months and that you may want to experience just lying in bed for an additional of 2 hours. First, when I said early in the morning, I was not referring to 5:30am. Second, aside from plain laziness, the reason why you don't want to wake up early is because you don't want to go to school BUT if you know that you would do something exciting or different that day - would you wake up a bit earlier? Remember that day when your teachers announced that you will have a retreat or a field trip? Somehow it was not burdensome for you to wake up early because there was something different for you to do. The same thing with summer vacation, look for something exciting to do. Jog. Play Basketball. Swim. Eat a decent breakfast. Not excited? Wait until you get older. You'll realize that not all simple things are boring. 

Read bookS. - Of course I'm not referring to text books (note the capital "s"). I'm referring to good books. A novel. An inspirational book. Go to your parents and ask for money to buy a book and hit the nearest book sale. Ask a friend who is a wide reader to help you find a good book to read. If you don't have the money to buy - you can always borrow. COMMIT TO FINISH THE BOOK. The first book that I was able to finish was Wild at Heart. Finishing a book feels good. It doesn't have to be a thick book or a famous book. I suggest you try to read Max Lucado's books. His writing is easy to understand and very conversational. Maybe you're not the type of person who reads books but someday you'll have to read a book and I suggest that you start now. It's a good investment. 

Exercise. Jog. Run. Push up. Play a sport. - I started to jog from our house to our school when I was in 1st year HS. My motive was to improve in my sport which was basketball. I wanted to run faster and play longer. Another motive was I wanted to have some sense of self-discipline. I wanted to be productive. You will find out that the attention you give in exercising and playing a sport would be rewarded - either with a healthy mind or a healthy body. Having a healthy body is also an investment. 

Spend some time at home.  - Yes, I'm guilty of this. My mother knows how much time I have spent outside our house and how many times I got scolded for spending too much time outside. For some of you who find it easy to stay at home, maybe this is not for you. Why should you spend some time at home? Because someday you would want to stay at home but you will find yourself unable to do so because of the commitments you have outside. Take it from me (and from all my college friends). There will come a time that there are just so many things to do - and you would just want to go home. You don't have to experience all the busyness to realize the importance of staying at home. 

Build your Character. - Summer vacation is a good opportunity to think about what you value the most as a young person. A bit serious for a HS student? I don't think so. Students who lack seriousness during their HS years sometimes lack the maturity when they enter college. It's not a generalization. I suggested that you wake up early, read a book, exercise and stay at home because these are efforts to build your character. Waking up early will teach you self-discipline. Reading a book will help you develop your thinking skills. Exercising will help you take care of your body. Staying at home will help you value rest and not miss out on the lessons given by your parents. All these have a long term effect on us. 

Develop a habit of Prayer and Bible reading.  - "There you go again with your spiritual stuff, Matt." I cannot find any good reason why I shouldn’t include this on the list. More than self-improvement, character-building, spending time at home - having a strong relationship with Jesus must be your topmost priority. Summer vacation is not just an opportunity to improve on our physical, social, mental, intellectual aspects - it's an opportunity to know God more. When you get to realize the importance of having a strong and personal relationship with Jesus, you'll be surprised with how much change He can bring into your life - inside and out.

You are just a summer a way to the purpose that God has prepared you for. Choose to make this summer different from others.

1 Timothy 4:12

12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

The Lesson that I need to remind myself: (Our) Birthday Edition

For the past 21 years, God has been teaching me so many things about how to live this life. Most often than not, I would always willingly choose the hard way to learn. I really do not know why. Maybe because it's the only way I prefer or another reason might be it's the only way to learn some lessons OR it's because I am such a hard-headed person. I am not quite sure of my reason. This post is only about two things: Thanksgiving and Pinpointing. I entitled this "Our birthday Celebration" because I have a twin sister. I am not lying. I really do have a twin sister. How is that possible? I really do not know but you are more than welcome to look for her on Facebook.

This is a futile attempt to express my thanks to God and to everyone who invested in my life. This is futile because this will never be enough to acknowledge every effort that God placed in pursuing me all the days of my life. Another reason would be because this post could only reach most of the people who helped me but not all.

Nevertheless, let's start with the thanksgiving part.

God - You are awesome. Majestic and forever in control and sovereign over my life. You never get tired of pursuing me every single day and every single moment I fail to represent You - you never fail to give me a chance. Thank you for passionately loving me despite my struggles and my stupid reasons to justify them. We both know how undeserving I am to receive the things that you have given me but you still chose to give it anyway. Thank you for saving me by dying on the Cross and giving me a new life by conquering death. Thank you for reminding me to always put my hope on your Son, Jesus. Thank you because you didn't just save my soul - but you also redeemed my life here on earth. I could have been somewhere else but you rescued me from a self-centred life and told me how I would enjoy this life if You're the one who's running it. Thank you because it is finished. Living in a world full of performances and desperation for validation makes it almost impossible for man to live freely - but this is nothing to You. Thank you for reminding me that if You saved me from eternal death - you can save me from anything that this world has to offer. You are my God, my Lord, Father, and Saviour.

Family - I would never ask for more. I have an understanding and wise father; a caring and thoughtful mother; generous, supportive, funny, unique, intelligent, out-of-this-world siblings. I will never be where I am today apart from God using you to raise me up. People would always wonder where I got my way of speaking and my way if thinking on matters of life. Ultimately it all came from God, but you are God's expression of His love for me here on earth.

Papa - Thank you because you always tell me that you got my back. No matter what. I will always be in awe of the wisdom that God has given you. Thank you for really making me remember that who I am is much more important than what I can do.

Mama - Thank you for never getting tired of looking after me. Thank you for fighting for me when I was still in your womb and still fighting for me as I grow up. Thank you for making sure that I have taken care of myself while I am in my dorm.

Kuya Edward - Thank you for being so supportive and generous. I will treasure our small but serious talks over FB and in person. I am so blessed  to have brother like you.

Kuya Cris - Thank you for making sure that I weigh my decisions properly. Thank you for making breakfast whenever you visit us at home. I am honoured to have a brother like you.

Ate Loi - Thank you for making sure that I have an ate to talk to whenever I need an advise. Thank you for the supply of shirts and polo shirts. I really appreciate it. God knows how thankful I am to have sister like you.

Patt - Thank you for bearing with my stubbornness and hard-headedness. Thank you for reminding me that I will never go wrong in giving. Thank you for protecting me from girls. Sounds funny but its true.

Every lesson, every moment of discipline, encouragement, provision, sharing of wisdom, etc. I have treasured it in my heart. I may have forgotten most of it but the lessons are embedded in my life. If I would be given a chance to enter this world for the second time, I would want to be part of this same family and live my life with you. Go through the same trials, learn the same lessons, and thank God for the same family. Thank you for never giving up on me and keeping up with my silly and irrational decisions in life. Thank you for believing in the calling that God has for me - whatever it is. I love all of you.

Friends - Victory Metro East People, Victory Galleria, CA4, ABSC, ABCD, FCS, Dekada, etc. I cannot thank you all one by one but given the chance - I would. VME People, God knows how much I miss the thriving atmosphere with you guys. I long to see you guys again. To my Kuya's and Ate's, you know who you are, thank you for making an effort in maintaining our relationship and making sure that I am walking pure and holy before God. To my brad and sis, thanks for your prayers and reminders, it's a privilege to share my life with you. CA4 People, it's not an accident that I belong in this section - in this school family. We have so many things to do - but I am still looking forward to that day that we can all just stare at the skies and the stars. Answer our what if's and maybe's. ABSC, You are one of the most unexpected thing that happened to me this academic year. You guys are God's Christmas, birthday and graduation gift to me. Thank you for keeping up with my seriousness and workaholic lifestyle. ABCD, I thank God for this small and intimate family that we have. FCS, yes, I have never forgotten my Alma Mater. May you be an avenue where people would surrender their lives to Jesus. Dekada, both students and alumni, again, you are one of the most unexpected things that I received this year. I never thought I would find a group aside from church wherein I can share Jesus.


Pinpointing.

Let's proceed with that one lesson: It's not about me. 

It's not about thanking people through this blogpost and getting likes, views, shares, etc. It's not about getting the attention of people. It's not about appreciative messages addressed to me (or to us). It's not even about publicity. But why in the world am I writing this? Because it's not about me. 

I invite you to ponder these thoughts with me. This is an old school thought but it doesn't mean it's no longer important.

I have struggled with this "itch" in my heart every single day - especially every time we celebrate our birthday. The desire to celebrate my birthday on my own terms. I always fall on that lie that my birthday could have been better if I have done something better; I could have felt better if I have received much attention or a number of greetings; it could have been better if I received this and that. I always experience it, not just during our birthday, but every single day. It's just that some weird "amplification" happens during our birthday. I have thought about it. Why do I feel this? Why do I suddenly feel extra-special than others? Maybe it's the effect of culture. "Happy birthday! Enjoy YOUR day!" Nothing wrong with this greeting. It is a fact. This is my day - the day I was born. However, it's not a valid reason see ourselves as extra-special people than others. Celebrating our birthday is not an excuse to become selfish. 

If my (our) birthday is not about me (us), then what (who) is it all about? Simple, Jesus. No more and no less. 

You are more than welcome to close the window after I gave my answer. For those who kept on browsing, thank you.

If Jesus is at the centre of our lives, everything on its periphery only has one function: to reflect. I call it "Pinpointing".

Let your life pinpoint the Person who really is the reason behind every celebration of your life. Our birthdays are worth celebrating because its worth is founded on Jesus. You may find the idea very religious and spiritual but the truth is, we are trying to find a replacement of Jesus in our hearts. We look for opportunities to get away with the idea of Jesus. We reason out. We justify our actions. We even use the day of our birth as an opportunity to celebrate "me" and not Him. If Jesus is not the main reason why we celebrate our birthday, what makes it special? Let me say this upfront. My birthday is not about me, it's about God's faithfulness and goodness to my life. The purpose of celebrating this 21st birthday is to remind my heart of God's faithfulness - which in times of hardships and trials, I tend to forget. We are so caught up with having the things we want that we forget that simple idea: Oo nga pala, buhay ako. His faithfulness is shown in my family, friends, school and many other things that I have no space to write about.

Whenever we celebrate birthdays, I hope we know the reason why we even celebrate it. As you greet people, remember what God has done in your life through this person and don't forget to thank God.

Modesty aside, if you find my posts inspiring, amazing or even eye-opening - there is only one purpose to that and that is for you to know and experience Jesus in your life more. This post, my words, my writings are all useless if I was not able to pinpoint you the Person who gave meaning to my life. If I was born for the sole purpose of giving glory and honour to God, I think it should also be the same reason why I should celebrate my birthday. Every year. As long as I live.

Before writing this blog entry, I got reminded of this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E


Happy Birthday! Enjoy His' Day!