Under the Stars

Under the stars, I’m waiting
My soul yearns, it longs for more
I can hear the crickets singing
But the night’s cacophony is
drowning any song

 

Where are you, my dear?
My eyes see the vast plains
My ears hear the wind as it blows
But you, my love is nowhere to be found
When will I know you’re here?
Will we ever meet again,
Or only in my dreams?

 

The mind wanders, the heart flutters
My soul yearns to hear your voice
How long will I wait to show you my affection
Is it ever enough to bide for your love?

 

I passed by the road less traveled
And I’ve stayed to meet you there someday
But it’s not that easy, my love
It’s not easy as it really should be

 

Everyday, I ask myself
Everyday, people ask me why
Why I’ve chosen to be special,
To be different and unique

 

When it is just so easy to blend in
I’ve chosen to stand out and be distinct,
Because in my heart, I know,
Together someday,
we can be distinctly unique.

 

So under the stars, I’m waiting
I’m waiting for you, my darling
I can hear the crickets singing
I can see the darkness fleeting
And even in the night’s cacophony,
I’ll trust the peace within.

Answers to Prayers

Happy New Year! 🙂

 

I hope you’ve had a good fill of the previous year, and that you are quite looking forward to new and exciting things this 2018. As for me, I have updated my so called “faith goals,” in time for Victory Makati and Every Nation’s annual prayer and fasting during the first week of January.  I have started participating in our prayer and fasting about 12 years ago, when I was a sophomore in college, and just a new convert from Roman Catholic to Born-Again Christian. Ever since then, I make sure to set-aside time not only to lessen the food I’ve accumulated the previous year (wink), but most especially to humble myself before God at the start of each year.

 

So now, about my faith goals. These are actually prayer requests I have, but I’m in faith that God will answer them within the year. Some are small and petty, some are life-changing. Over the years, I’ve come to realize how immature and self-centered I am when I was younger, and how God has shaped my character (and my prayers) to what He wanted me to become. When I look back, I’m thankful that I’ve received YES from certain prayers, and a consistent NO from other ones. I thought to myself, if I have instead received YES from those prayers, I might not be where I am supposed to be right now, plus I maybe miserable right now. 

 

Before anything else, I’d like to give you an idea about what I believe are God’s answers to our prayers. There are three I can think of:

 

YES – these are always according to what God wants to happen in our life, at the moment. He gives a resounding YES if our prayers are according to His will — that is, it is not opposite to what the bible says, and according to His perfect timing that will either help us, or use us to help other people. 

NO – these answers will be hurtful to us at times. There will also be times when we get confused to receive a resounding NO from God, but He knows everything. So He definitely knows the best for us and it’s only a matter of trusting Him for a better one. 

NOT YET – it means, WAIT my child. Our prayers may be according to God’s will, but not yet in His perfect timing. God wants you to grow in your character while waiting for an answered prayer. That could be more patience, more faith, and more contentment where God has put you where you are right now. 

 

With these answers to prayers, let me share to you some personal answers from prayers I’ve had over the years, in hopes that it may encourage you to remain hopeful for a better 2018:

 

FAMILY – if you’ve followed this blog over the years, you’ll know I came from a broken family and my father has left us in the dark years ago. When I was assigned in General Santos City for work, I had the opportunity to see my father again, and tell him I’ve forgiven him for what happened, as I’ve written in this post . This answered prayer is  my most memorable answered prayer, yet cross fingers.

 

RELATIONSHIPS – for some time, I’ve been asking God to meet people whom I can consider as real friends, who will be there for me through ups, down, and all the sideways of my journey in life. God has given me a support group (as you can read here) to whom I can share my life with, and while waiting for a romantic partner, they have made my life joyful, colorful and contented with what I have at the moment.

 

CAREER – for this one, after I graduated in college, I’ve always asked God to give me a career and put me in a workplace where I would grow professionally, emotionally, and spiritually. This one is tricky — because there are so many times I want to resign from work, or look for another place to go to for financial reasons, but all throughout, I’ve realized that God has been teaching me and allowing me to grow professionally, emotionally and spiritually through my workplace. In this post, this one, and another one, God has been faithful all throughout. Have I mentioned last year about an answered prayer? God gave me a promotion to the next level in my current role — where I am not that stressed, but instead enjoying the projects I’m doing right now to improve one aspect of PH education. What’s more, I have a supportive manager and colleagues that I’m truly thankful for.

 

MINISTRY – since I started my walk with God when I joined Victory, it has been my desire to share the unconditional love I’ve received to anyone who is willing to listen. So in the past three years, thankfully, God has used me as an instrument to become an encouragement to a group of women, and lead them to a more fruitful spiritual walk with God with my motivation as written here.

 

So there. Those are the answers to my prayers. How about you? Are you in faith for new things this year? Let me encourage you with this verse:

6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)

2017: A Year I’m Thankful For

Year 2017 is nearing its end, and soon enough, we will be welcoming a brand new 2018. What are you grateful for the past year and what are you expecting for the year ahead?

I have 3 things I’m grateful for, and another 3 things I’m looking forward for 2018.

Things I’m Grateful For 2017

  1. Healthy, and Contented LifeThe year has been one of those I thank God because when I look back, I realized
    • I haven’t used much of my sick leave from work, hehe
    • I can buy most of what I like to eat, compared 10 years ago when I was broke and sickly as a student
    • I have healthy family I can always go back and spend time with and friends whom I can share my ups and downs

    I know there are those people who might not be as blessed as I am. But one thing I’ve learned in life is this: being thankful for whatever life has given me will change my perspective in life big time, and eventually, will give me hope for a brand new day. So, I hope you will also be grateful that the year is ending, and a brand new year is coming up ahead.

  2. Things I Learned that Made me a Better Person

    Year 2017 has been a year where I had my share of disappointments. I have accepted my fate of staying here in the Philippines for good, and letting go of people who have not realized my worth. I’m thankful because there are other things I can do from just studying abroad, like enhancing my professional career and saving up to invest in the future. This has been a year of pivot for my dreams, and so I’m excited for new and unknown things in the year ahead.

  3. Time to Correct Mistakes and Enjoy Life
    Several times, I’ve encountered people who have regrets of the things they have not done, or things they have done in mistake. It’s as if time has eluded them. For this year, I am thankful because I’m still given the time to correct mistakes and enjoy life as a single person, do things I love to do without another soul trying to demand his way for my life, and without thinking much as how to survive in a war-torn environment. Just this year, our country has experienced terrorist attacks with the Marawi crisis, and I’m blessed enough to be on that part of the country where we are protected from being attacked. I’m also thankful because even as a Filipino, I’m given the chance to contribute to the development of our country, even in my own little way. 

 

Things I’m Looking Forward For 2018

 

  1. Professional AdvancementIn a few weeks time, I’d be on my 3rd decade in this life, and I’m looking forward to doing things that will certify my professional experience.
  2. Financial BreakthroughAll these years, I’ve had my share of financial obligations for my family, but I’m looking forward to saving up and adding my own investments for the future.
  3. Fulfilling Relationship 

I’ve been saving my heart for that one special person I’ll be spending the rest of my life with. I’m being honest, though I’m not anxious enough to jump into any relationship that would give me heartaches in the long run. I’m taking my time because I know my worth and I’m looking forward to meeting that guy who is brave enough, bold enough and courageous enough to meet my standards. Mind you, my ultimate standard is based on a God-centered relationship so I’m also thankful God has been taking care of my heart for so long. 🙂

 

Lastly, I’m mostly grateful for all of you who have taken the time to read my posts this 2017 and accompanied me in this journey called life. I’m looking forward to sharing bits and pieces about me but for now, I’m gonna take the time to re-design this blog for a more focused me come 2018.

 

Enjoy life as always!

Sharing my Music

When I’m busy, stressed, down, tired or disappointed, I always go to my music playlist to lift up my spirit. Whenever life throws rocks instead of lemons back at me, I make sure to listen to these songs so I can just build a house made of rock, and become stronger than ever before.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbOcVER0WqU&w=560&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALiqSY-8JQY&w=560&h=315]
 
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl07_lmOMQE?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t9u-LOa3OI&w=560&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqaXXxp2GgE?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn2DwMeuINQ&w=560&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSvFEaFDn00&w=560&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DavJ9UKS2ps&w=560&h=315]

Doctor Day Today

For the past week, I’ve been under the weather due to changes in season. Well, actually, this has become an annual thing due to my allergy (allergic rhinitis).

1) Allergic Rhinitis 

What is allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever, is an inflammation in the sinus that occurs when our immune system reacts to allergens. Symptoms include nasal stuffiness, sneezing, itchy nose, and watery eyes. If it gets worse, additional symptoms include dry cough, sore throat, headache and clogged ears.

 

What causes allergic rhinitis?

As someone with allergic rhinitis, when I  breathe in an allergen like pollen, mold, animal dander, smoke or dust, my body releases a chemical called histamine. Histamine is a chemical my body releases that helps get rid of foreign matter inside — in this case, the allergen. Since the body is on defense mode with the help of histamines, inflammation then happens on the sinuses, which produces more mucus; thus, giving the vibe of runny nose, sneezing and other allergic symptoms.

 

Triggers for Allergic Rhinitis

It started when I was still in college. I have weak immune system and during ber months, changes in season make the trees and flowers release more pollen into the air. I didn’t know it by then, but I remember, I was bed-ridden for almost a week because my allergy led to complications in my respiratory system. I was having difficulty breathing, and with runny nose, my normal buddy would be a tissue or a clean handkerchief. I thought it was just simple cold and cough, but when I checked with the doctor, I discovered I had allergic rhinitis.

 

So then, I bought medicines and had my bed rest. After a few days, I was back on track and became productive once again.

 

But then…

 

Through the years, every time the season changes every October to November, I realized my allergy will kick in. I’ve consulted with several doctors regarding my allergic, and had variations in my medicines. One thing is for sure though, my over-the-counter for a year would be different the next year. I guess my body becomes immune.  That’s when I realized it’s important to have a consultation with a doctor every time this allergy starts to manifest.

 

Another info my doctor told me: allergic rhinitis can also be triggered by either of these: extreme heat, extreme cold, extreme stress and smoke or jeepney exhaust. If I get to situations with these, more likely, I’ll be experiencing my allergic symptoms in no time. So, what do I do?

Strategy for Relief

There will be times it’s easy to ditch this allergy, but mostly, it’s like these symptoms wanted to stay and camp out on my body. So I normally try to avoid the triggers. For medicines, I always have to consult the doctor just to make sure I’m not immune to my medication, but in case of emergencies, I always have these available in my wallet:

Antihistamines, Decongestants, Antibacterial tablets 

I won’t be mentioning any brand, as it is important to check in with your doctor. But just in case, these info might help as well.

 

2) Tooth Extraction
I can’t remember the last time I had tooth extraction. So, when my dentist mentioned I’ll be scheduled for one because really, my tooth hurts, it made me nervous.

My dentist gave me antibiotics a week ago to consume before my schedule. I actually forgot to take in some days and when I mentioned it to my dentist, she specifically scolded me, saying I have to complete the cycle; otherwise, it won’t be effective. I was tired taking so many medicines I just agreed to what she said.

Anyway, I’m on the dental chair, and I’m scheduled for three tooth extraction. My dentist started the procedure by giving me anesthesia and there, for almost two hours, my dentist was able to extra two teeth. One in the upper part and one in the lower part. I still have another one scheduled, but I waved the white flag as I feel so tired with the procedure. I guess I’ll just come back tomorrow.

With these procedure, I realized two things:

  1. Take good care of your teeth while you’re still young.
  2. Take good care of your teeth even when you grow up.

 

As you grow older, your teeth will form part of how you look, and with a deformed teeth, you’ll have less confidence about yourself. Well, I have sweet tooth and when I was younger, every time there are candies available, I would always grab one and forget to brush my teeth afterwards. Now that I’m older and always checks with my dentist to ensure my teeth won’t hinder my productivity, I realized it’s quite expensive and might be too late to salvage parts that will not grow any longer. 🙁

 

So, as I’ve been to the doctor for most of today, here’s my realizations:


1) Rest is important. 

No matter how busy we are, our body can only do well until a certain exertion. So, it is really important to have those complete sleep and play once in a while to avoid expensive medicines. Our body gives us signals it’s time to slow down your pace and enjoy every moment of our life.

 

2) Follow your doctor. 

If your doctor advised you finish taking your medicines for seven (7) days, do it. It is to make sure your body will respond effectively and not take on more complications.

 

3) Exercise.

I’m not fond of exercising because my goal is to gain mass. Whenever I exercise, I feel a lot lighter, and away from my ideal  body weight. However, one of the benefits of exercising is that it increases the strength of your immune system to any diseases. I remember when I was in college, one of the reasons I have less attacks for my allergic rhinitis is because I started swimming. Twice a week back then, I would be under the water. After several months though, I felt much more stronger and much more alive. Now that I’m working, I realized exercise is much more needed to keep our body healthy.

So now, I’m on my way to bed and taking my time to rest. One good thing about being sick though is that I have more time to rest and read. If you are reading this, I hope you take time to take good care of yourself no matter how busy you become. Why? Because we only have one body and God wants us to rest too, just as He rested on the seventh day. 🙂

My Love Letter to FL p2

Dear Future Lover,
How are you tonight?

You know, I’ve been missing you even if I don’t know you yet. But nevertheless, I have been enjoying my life so far. 🤗👊

In the previous years, I have been asking God for contentment and a change of heart for my career. Do not get me wrong. I love what I do but projects and the dream of going abroad to study had consumed me for the past three years that I just look forward for the future, not realizing I have not been living in my present reality. But through God’s grace, He allowed me to stay at my current company even after being rejected for scholarships and not regret after all. 💟

Just these past weeks, I have been in Visayas and Mindanao for work, doing what I love — sharing about new technologies and elearning, training teachers and learning more about my industry. I have traveled from one place to another, and my colleagues are all a joy to work with. Only lately that I realized I have been blessed in my career.

So, when I meet you,  I’ll make sure to tell you all about my work, and what we do to make a difference in the area of education. I’ll be sharing about the places we’ve been to, and the smiles of the students and teachers we’ve trained. I’ll be bringing you pasalubong every time we’ll go out of town, because I know you’ll be ecstatic to receive a gift from me. I know that once we meet, it would be a joy to share to you my travel experiences, and hopefully, someday, I get to travel with you as well.

For now, I’ll document all the ups and downs of my career because I know, you’ll have a glimpse of how I work and enjoy life at the same time. I’m keeping tabs at how I live my life — making sure I enjoy the blessings God has given me so I’ll be contented just as what God says and I’ll be sharing how God has provided enough for me. I know, when that time comes that we’ll be together, we’ll be sharing all about our faith and how God has been so good to us during the waiting season of our lives.

For now, I’ll just wait for you and enjoy life to fullest. God has given me enough to be thankful, and yet, I know, when I meet you, God has answered my prayer for an overflowing blessing to love and be loved in return.
And so, Future Lover, I’m looking forward to meeting you soon! For the mean time, I hope you enjoy life as well as I am enjoying mine. 😁😆😍🤗

Sincerely,

Yza 😘

Thank God for Friends

I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster ride for the past weeks and if not for my friends, I may have gone crazy.

 

You are better off to a friend than to be all alone, because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn. 10 If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (CEV)

I’ve had a broken relationship with my sister and lately, I’m feeling at a loss. I’ve also been so busy with my tasks that I think, if I have gone through all this alone, I know I can’t take it. God just knows and provides what you need, exactly when you need it.

 

So here, I wanna introduce you to my friend Venice. She has helped me through my most emotional times this year.

Our Story 

I’m attending Victory Makati since 2013 and every week, we have what we call a Victory Group (VG) . It is a support group where we talk about God, our careers, relationships and dreams, and all relate it to how God wanted us to live a life pleasing to Him.  When our group leader Yasmin died in an accident in 2015, I took over and led these women here in our journey through life.

Our Victory group, with Yasmin in orange as our leader

The women I started leading in 2015

 

Eventually, life brings us to our destined purpose and we separated ways. Some of them took another job, and some went abroad to pursue a graduate degree and career. I thankful enough I get to influence their lives at one point in time.

 

As it is, Venice and I were the only ones who remained in the group. Since we also wanted to share the love of God to other people, we started our own Victory group in her dormitory. After a year, I have gained new friends and together, we are walking in this journey with God’s guidance.

 

Why am I sharing about them? Well, I just wanted to honor these people and make them feel special in this online space that I have.

 

For today, I just finished talking to Venice and I’m thankful enough God gave me friends who can rebuke me if needed, help me and encourage me when I’m down, and also, celebrate with me if I’m happy. I’m thankful enough to God because the relationships I have with these people are not disposable. I’m just thankful because I realize, if your friendship puts God at the center, you know that friendship will last. Lastly, I’m thankful enough because I know, I’m not alone in this journey called life.

 
PS: I’m still hoping my relationship with my sister be fixed in due time, and that my friends will also get to know my future partner so they can hang out together. For now, I’m thankful because even if not everything is sailing smoothly, I have friends I can count on most especially when I needed them.

 

How about you? Are you feeling down, discouraged or you just needed someone to talk to? I hope God can also give you a friend you can cherish for a long time. But if you haven’t met these kind of friends yet, you can talk to me and I can introduce you to the greatest friend of all.

 
Really, I’m here to help and talk to you if you need one. Just tag me in Twitter or Instagram @itswyza and I’ll do my best to help you out. 🙂

 

New Favorite Songs

I’ve come across the videos of Moriah Peters and boy, I have found a new favorite. Moriah Peters is an American Contemporary Christian singer and her songs are an inspiration. The lyrics to her songs are basically my conviction in life and love so I’m sharing to you some of her songs that I found inspiration:

 

Bloom

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPeudF7tcD8&w=560&h=315]

This song is an inspiration to me and an encouragement to all women out there who thinks less highly of themselves. Just like the song says, you are born to bloom.

 

Well Done

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu1VwK0fY9g&w=560&h=315]

This video speaks what I want in life and how I want to live this life. This song just reminds me I am not doing things for myself, but for the people to see the love I have received. 🙂

 

I’ll Wait for You

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCiIAPrpW8k&w=560&h=315]

I’ve been waiting all these years for someone whom I will love and who will make me feel loved. I think I’ve met him, but I’m not really sure. Whatever the case, I’m waiting on God for His will to be done because I know, when that time comes, it will all be worth it. That time, I know, God will write my own love story, just like how God has written Moriah’s love story in this next song.

PS: The above video is her own wedding.  🙂

 

Haven’t Even Kissed

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvqmpfGQ2cM&w=560&h=315]

These are exactly my thoughts when I was listening to this song! This one song is something I would want to feel and experience someday. I am looking forward to that time when I will meet a man and our relationship will just inspire other people, just like what the lyrics of this song says. 🙂

 

These are my new favorites. How about you? You have new inspirations, too? 🙂

Cultivate Your Beauty

Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. The holy women of old were beautiful that way and were good loyal wives to their husbands. Sarah, for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as “my dear husband.” You’ll be true daughters of Sarah if you do the same, unanxious and unintimidated.

1 Peter 3: 4-6 (MSG)

 

Yesterday, it took me about 20 minutes to choose what to wear for office. As I was looking at myself through the mirror, thoughts came to mind if people would really appreciate what I will wear for the day.

For men, it will only take a few minutes to dress up but for women, some may take hours.

So now, let’s talk about beauty. 

In today’s world, we are bombarded with products, wardrobe and fashion icons that will make us beautiful. In commercials, women with slim body, fair complexion and beautiful smile will show you that beauty focuses on the outward appearance. It’s as if the outer beauty is all that really matters. On the other hand, there are groups of women who feel so disconnected with the idea of being beautiful that they totally neglect themselves and instead, they believe inner beauty is the most important for it all. Though the bible says to cultivate inner beauty and the outward appearance is not all that really matters, my stand is that we should not neglect ourselves being beautiful, both inside and out. Why? Because we are not being beautiful for ourselves alone; we are being beautiful to reflect the image of God in us, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

 
Beauty: What is it? 

Your outer beauty may describe being physically appealing to both men and women alike —  in the way you dress, how you carry yourself, the style of your hair and the jewelry you wear. In the webster dictionary, beauty is described as:

a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight

and

a combination of qualities that pleases the intellect or moral sense

 

In appreciating outer beauty, your eyes decide that what you see is pleasant. However, when the inner beauty of a person appeals to you, your senses, emotions and intellect mostly gives you that happy satisfaction of one’s qualities. He/She may not be attractive to you, but deep inside, you know you wanted to spend another chunk of your time to get to know this person.

 

Worthy in God’s Sight

While reading the verses above, it struck me that Peter was telling the church inner beauty is what matters most.  If you read up the verses before this, in Chapter 1 and 2, Peter was telling the church that as we are given a new life in Christ, we are called to be holy. If you go down next to Chapter 3, Peter started off with giving an advice to husbands and wives. For wives, particularly, outer beauty is not emphasized but the inner one. He goes on to the length of giving Sarah as an example of how a beautiful woman, wife and daughter we could be in the eyes of God.

 

Instead of choosing to cultivate the inner beauty only, I have decided to cultivate both my outer and inner beauty. As a child, I didn’t have the confidence that people will appreciate me. I was so insecure that even my social skills were not developed. When I would see strangers on the street just because I needed to buy something from the store, I would wait until that stranger passes through before I make a move.

 

Then growing up, I came to a point where my identity is lost. Questions resurfaced. Am I beautiful? Will people accept me for who I am? What can I offer the world?

 

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

Isaiah 43:1

 

 

All those fears — fear of judgment, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment — all these were replaced by divine beauty and unconditional love. That love is the love given by Jesus Christ.

 

How Do You Recognize that Inner Beauty?

If you have received that unconditional love, your beauty will reflect to show the world without you even making an effort. That is because the beauty you are carrying is not your own anymore, but the beauty of Christ — the beauty of forgiveness, of unconditional love, of irreplaceable joy. If we go back to the verse above, we will immediately know inner beauty by the following attributes:

 

  • Gentle – Women may have different personalities and doesn’t mean that if one is gentle, she only speaks mildly to other people.  You are being gentle when you are able to lead other women in inspiration and not discouragement. People will know because it will show in your actions and words.

 

  • Gracious – I remember the quote that “Grace is something God gives us even when we don’t deserve it.” So here, being gracious means being able to extend that understanding, love and forgiveness even if the other person doesn’t deserve it. On the same way, it is able being able to ask for understanding, love and forgiveness even if we don’t deserve it.

 

  • Loyal – This literally means showing strong support or allegiance. As a woman of inner beauty, you are able to show strong support to your friends, family and loved one, in whatever way to encourage them. This word is synonymous to being faithful, so being loyal would cover a long span of time.

 

  • Caring – You have this characteristic if you are able to show genuine concern for other people. This is not just a one-time concern but a consistent display of love, and genuine interest to help the other person.

 

  • Endearing – Dictionary defines this word as inspiring feelings of love and affection. In the above verse, I would focus on the fact that Sarah is not afraid to show and tell his husband words of endearment. As women who cultivate our inner beauty, are we also the ones who are not afraid to tell our friends, our family members and our significant other those words of love and affection? We may not know it, but sometimes, just a word of inspiration is what they need from us. So if we constantly practice being generous with our affection for other people, it may just change their lives and then our beauty will be reflected to the world.

 

  • Unanxious –  This word can be translated to faith. Are you full of faith? If we check Hebrews 11:1, faith means being sure of what you hope for and being certain of what you do not see. So cultivating that inner beauty means not worrying about the littlest things in life, but instead, putting our faith that everything will work out through well at the end. After all, it is said that “All things work together for those who love Him [God].”

 

  • Unintimidated – Lastly, cultivating that inner beauty means not easily deterred by the problems of this world and by temptations. One word to relate to this could be being courageous. Are you courageous enough to fight for what you believe in? Are you undeterred to stand your ground even if you feel mocked by other people, especially if you know you are doing what is right?

 

I know, you may be thinking, I do not have that kind of beauty… yet. We are all a work in progress, and we will one day be perfect in God’s eyes. But just as Peter says, “Cultivate your inner beauty.” This doesn’t mean we’ll wait to become beautiful, but instead, let us become self-aware on how these attributes can become ours one day, allowing God’s love to work through us, each and every single day of our lives so people will see that incomparable beauty in us. 🙂

 

Tribute to Teachers

Every year, we have been recognizing select teachers from all over the Philippines for their exemplary contribution on the field of education.

Our sister company, Bato Balani Foundation, Inc (BBFI), founded an advocacy campaign to extol the virtues of teaching by providing role models who inspire excellence not only for educators but for most Filipinos as well. This advocacy campaign is called, “The Many Faces of a Teacher”.

Private or public entities can nominate a teacher to be honored and recognized by BBFI in an annual gala gathering called “Tribute to Teachers”, in front of hundreds, sometimes thousands of educators. These nominees are then filtered, interviewed and selected by panel of judges from different sectors involved in the development of the education in the country. Four honorees are selected each year and recognized as leaders and unsung heroes in the teaching profession — those who can become sources of inspiration and knowledge for both teachers and students.

I have the opportunity to participate in this event every year as manpower. It inspires me most of really why I am staying at my current company, doing what I love — that is, I get to help the education sector in the Philippines in my own little way. Hearing the speeches of the honorees makes me want to salute all the teachers I know for their passion, hardwork and compassion to teach the next generation of this nation.

So to all the teachers, thank you for your hardwork and your compassion. Thank you for believing your students and thank you for thinking how the next generation of leaders are molded into the persons they could become.

Here are some photos from Bato Balani’s Tribute to Teachers 2017 last September 1: