SMASH FOR LOVE 2009-UCM BADMINTON TOURNAMENT 2009

The Bread of St. Anthony (BSA), the social action arm of Ushers & Collectors Ministry (UCM) will be having a Badminton Tournament entitled “Smash for Love” on February 15, 2009 Sunday in cooperation with San Antonio Badminton Club to be held at the Smashers Point Badminton Court in Brgy. Sto.Nino, Binan, Laguna, near the University of Perpetual Help System-Binan Campus. The said tournament is for the benefit of the group’s various community service outreach projects including the on-going Supplemental Feeding Program at Umboy Riverside, and the Free Dental & Circumcision Mission in cooperation with Binan Medical & Dental Society to be held on April 18, 2009.

TOUGH TEN QUESTIONS

In the past few days, there were questions from many friends that somehow struck me or affected me in a way which even moved me to reflect . . . and I will be sharing to you some of those including that of my replies. . .

QUESTION:

1. May Plano ka bang mag-asawa?

REPLY:

Honestly, I intend to take a more serious path of life as a Single Person. . .I met some great people who opted to remain single but they were able to do what they usually do (like the ordinary things of life, continue working, living an ordinary life, the usual thing without leaving the things they usually do) and the best part of it, they have the time on full time basis to still work in the vineyard of the Lord! Whew! Yes!

QUESTION:

2. PYM/PYC at UCM may competition nga ba?

REPLY:

Before UCM I came from PYM, PYC na ngayon ulit, sa akin at sa amin sa UCM hindi naman inisip kahit kalian ang competition. Sa paglilingkod sa Simbahan, walang paligsahan dahil lahat ng bagay at mga pangyayari ay biyaya at grasya ng Diyos! Wala tayong magagawa na kahit ano kung hindi dahil sa Kanya. Nanggaling kasi ako sa PYM/PYC before and nasanay ang mga tao na lagi ko silang kasama and they perceived that since I now have my own group, meron ngang rivalry. . .lalo na at may mga kabataan din akong kasama sa UCM which are almost the same age as that of the PYM/PYC these days. . .

QUESTION:

3. Bakit ka nga ba nawala sa PYM/PYC?

REPLY:

Hindi naman ako nawala, the change in leadership including that of my appointment as Head of the Ushers and Collectors Ministry (UCM) was a result of the selection process of Rev. Fr. Rex De Los Angeles. Hindi lang naman kami lahat ng mga samahan sa Parokya ay nagkaroon ng mga movements. In fact, with that movement, I’m still an officer of the PYC/PYM as CRO. During the first few weeks of Jevic’s leadership I attended the meetings but for some reason or another, no invitations for any meeting/activities are extended to me, perhaps, they already perceived that they can’t make any diskarte on their own if I will still be there on their side.

QUESTION:

4. Masama ang loob mo? Galit ka ba sa kanila?

REPLY:

Kanino sa kanila? Nung una, may mga katanungan lang sa isip ko, madaming mga tanong. Hindi ako galit sa kahit sino sa kanila. There are issues and realities in life na kapag na brought up pwedeng masaling ang sensitivities ng mga tao. Nung una, I will admit, I really harbored ill feelings then during the first few weeks because of two basic issues: Respect and “Utang na Loob”. But of course, I already had the realizations then and all those ill feelings were already part of the past. I moved on already.

QUESTION:

5. Sorry to ask this question, Is it true that there were issues about funds of PYM na nawawala during your time?

REPLY:

PYM Funds? Walang pondo ang PYM during my time, ang pondo namin yung sweldo ko! He he he he, Seriously, ang pondo namin ang sweldo ko that time, from Maybank pa ata ako and early part of Asiatrust Bank. I’m just a struggling Junior Bank Officer then. Kapag may project nun ang PYM, the normal source of funds are solicitations from our regular benefactors like that of the Vasquez Family, Lola Remy Arcega and other Pioneer members of PYM who are established professionals already at that time and I’m not even the one whose getting the money to them dahil mahiyain ako! Before I left, the only money I remember that remained in my possession prior to the change of leadership was that of the P1,000.00 donation given by Lola Remy Arcega for the uniform of the PYM members who used to serve as Mass Collectors of the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. Hindi na nakapagpatahi ng uniform at that time since we are still in the process of identifying the members who will be regular collectors since there were members who were given uniforms but did not use the same or has decided not to attend anymore and if it will happen again, masasayang lang ulit ang pera. To make the long story short, the same money became part of the funds that were used in the first uniforms of the newly created UCG dahil para naman talaga sa uniform ang pera na yun. Just for the record, the very first fund allotment of the new UCG then way back 2006 amounted to almost P 5,000.00 just for the uniform of the members and since then twice nang nagpalit ng uniform ang UCM.

QUESTION:

6. Saan naman galing ang pondo ng UCM?

REPLY:

Just for the purpose of discussion, for three (3) years already of existence, UCM has never asked any financial assistance from anybody. From the very first time I assumed the position as Head of the UCM, it has been my policy not to make any solicitations outside the group. God is always good to us that all our needs is being provided anytime. Kaya malakas ang loob naming na gumawa ng mga projects kahit walang pondo dahil naniniwala kami na kapag malinis ang intention ng project namin sa simula pa lamang bubuhos at bubuhos ang biyaya. And indeed it is true as always! From the very start it has been God’s providence that makes us survive!

QUESTION:

7. Bakit hindi kayo mag joint project ng PYM/PYC?

REPLY:

I already offered the same idea sa kanila, it has been a standing offer few years back pa. Maybe they have yet to come up with the idea kung anong project ang pwede naming gawin together.

QUESTION:

8. Given the chance or what if the leadership of PYM/PYC will be offered to you again, will you accept it?

REPLY:

No, when I went out of PYM almost three (3) years ago, there are lots of doors and opportunities that opened for me which I was not able to see during my stint as PYM Head. Madami pa palang dapat at mas importanteng bagay na dapat pagtuunan ng pansin, not because the youth ministry is not a good one but there will come a point in time wherein you will realize that you need to grow and mature also and take a more bolder step in terms of your service. PYM is part of the initial step on the way up and being with UCM is another step to maturity and there will be more steps to take in the years to come whether it would still be with UCM or with another Ministry hindi ko pa alam.

QUESTION:

9. Nasa harap mo ang mga PYM/PYC members ngayon, ano ang gusto mong sabihin sa kanila?

REPLY:

Hindi ako nabigyan ng opportunity na sabihin ito sa inyo, saan man tayo makarating isa sa pinakamahalagang aspeto ng pakikipagkapwa tao ang pagbibigay ng respeto sa bawat isa. Walang pinipili ang pagbibigay ng respeto kahit ano man ang nararamdaman mo, kahit galit ka or natutuwa ka pwede mo pa ring ipakita ‘to. Hindi ako perpektong lider at hindi magiging perpekto kailanman, ang isang lider ay na nagiging mahusay at magaling dahil na rin sa kanyang mga experience sa pakikisalamuha sa kanyang mga kasamahan at kung anoman ang narating ko ngayon o magandang nagagawa namin sa UCM dahil yun sa maganda at challenging experience na nakuha ko during our time together.

Madaming mga medyo sablay na desisyon ang aking nagawa nung magkakasama tayo at hinihingi ko ang inyong kapatawaran at pang-unawa sa mga pangyayaring iyun. Naging mahigpit ako, sobrang higpit at inaamin ko yun pati ng mga love life nyo pinakikialaman ko to the extent na sinuspende ko pa ang ilan sa inyo. Walang mali sa ating mga pinagsamahan noon, lahat yun ay nakatulong sa ating paglago at pagharap sa ngayon. Salamat and keep it up!

QUESTION:

10. May nakakaintrigang article sa blog site mo at Friendster Bulletin and title nun ay “Kung Matuturuan Lang Ang Puso Ko” sino ba siya?

REPLY:

Sino sya? Hanapin nyo na lang sa mga nag comments sa Friendster ko! He he he he. . .

Thank You 2008! Welcome 2009!

Less than two (2) days na lang ang natitirang araw sa taong 2008. It has been a great year as always! Let me share to you my friends the milestones of the year that was in my personal & professional life.

1. From Export & Industry Bank I moved to Philippine National Bank (PNB), a major turn in my professional career.

2. I was able to launched the blog sites of the Parish that served as the new and modern version of the defunct Ang Pasimhay Journal of San Antonio de Padua Parish last 1997.

(www.sananthoniansbinan.blogspot.com / www.sananthoniansbinan.i.ph)

3. On top of the two blog sites, I was also able to established two (2) personal blog sites that serve as repository of my personal reflections and thoughts on certain issues and concerns in life. (www.lawrencealoud.blogspot.com / www.lawrencebaban.i.ph)

4. God has finally answered our prayers for my sister Maricel when she gave birth to a baby girl last May 29, 2008. Before that, she has three boys already!

5. My group in the Parish, the Ushers & Collectors Ministry (UCM) aside from a remarkable increased in membership, it also emerged as one of the most active organization/ministry in the Parish. We went out of the box or what we dubbed as “Service Beyond Hospitality” to reached our less fortunate brothers and sisters with the various community outreach projects that we made like the following:

5.1 Tribute to our dear Mothers & Fathers during the Mothers Day and Fathers Day celebration last May and June 2008 respectively;

5.2 Hapagmamahal at Hapag-asa Feeding Program at Umboy Riverside;

5.3 Lumang Laruan Bagong Saya for the less fortunate children of the Parish

On top of the aforementioned undertakings, the group was also able to branch out in terms of apostolate with the creation of new unit like the Paduans@Work, UCMs apostolate for creative services and The Bread of S. Anthony, the social action arm of UCM.

All these achievements will not be possible without the divine providence of the Great Almighty! To God Be the Glory Always!

Kung Matuturuan Lang Ang Puso Ko. . .

Salamat sa atensyon. . .

Hindi lang ilang beses ko na napansin na espesyal ang mga atensyon na ibinibigay mo sa akin. Pero syempre di ko lahat yun pinansin at sadyang pinalampas. Akala ko naman ako lang ang nakakakita pati pala ang ilan sa mga kaibigan natin at aking pamilya. Madaming mga pagkakataon din na ako ay nakakatanggap ng mga tukso at biro tungkol sa iyo. Hindi naman ako manhid alam ko lahat at nararamdaman ang mga tingin, pag-alala at minsan ay palihim na pangangamusta. . . .Lahat ng mga iyon naka register sa memories ko at minsan I’m trying to analyze some of them.

Bakit ako?. . .

Madami ka ng nakilala diba? Ang alam ko naman you had some relationships in the past. I heard ok naman sila lahat di ko nga alam kung ano ba ang hinahanap mo sa isang tao na mamahalin mo. Until now may isang tanong sa aking diwa na alam kong hindi magkakaroon ng kasagutan kung hindi ko mismo itatanong sa iyo. But ofcourse, I dont have the guts and the couraage to discuss it to you. Kung minsan nga tinataguan kita at iniiwasan sa mga text what more pa kung kausapin ka mismo ng personal. Pasensya na pero hanggang dito lang ang lakas ng loob ko. . .Baki nga ba ako?

Realities in life. . .

Nung minsan nakasakay kita sa jeep, akala ko nagsosolo ka lang yun pala may kasama ka, umiwas ako nun pero aaminin ko when I saw na may kasama ka inihatid ka pa sa bahay nyo, there’s a stranged feeling within me na ewan ko ba bakit ganun? Ang labo, iniiwasan kita na samahan o makita, pero ng makita kitang may kasamang iba. . .ewan ko pasensya na talaga. . .Ang labo ko no? I heard you went out of the country, di ka man lang nagpaalam sa akin o nag txt man lang na aalis ka? nagbago ka ba ng number? Tnxt kita ng mga ilang beses pero di ka man lang sumagot. . .

Kung kaya lang turuan ang puso. . .

Alam mo sa dami ng mga kantyaw at biro sa akin at mga pambubuyo ng mga kaibigan at pamilya ko, matagal na siguro na nagawa kong bigyan pansin ang presensya mo. . .Until now tinatanong ko ang sarili ko, bakit nga ba hindi ko magawang bigyan pansin ang isang tulad mo? Kung kaya lang turuan ang puso. . .Pero sana pagdating ng panahon na kaya na kitang pahalagahan at . . .mahalin. . .andyan ka pa din. . .

BAKIT DI KA NAG TXT NUNG BDAY KO?

I thought were ok already? Nagbati na tayo ah? Ako pa nga ang lumapit sa yo para mag sorry diba?

Mahirap bang mag txt at mag spend ng piso para lang ipakita na naalala mo ang bday ko? Baka naman nalimutan mong hindi ka nakapagtxt nung bday ko?

Yes its true! Hindi kita tnxt para i invite sa celebration ko last Saturday! Why? Masama ang loob ko sa yo! Dahil hindi ka man lang nakaalala na mag txt nung bday ko!

Hindi ako nanunumbat pero sana man lang balikan mo yung mga bdays mo na nagdaan lahat yun hindi ko nalimutan! kahit masama ang loob ko sayo nung mga panahon na yun, i make it appoint na ma greet ka!

Post birthday thoughts. . . .

Last Saturday, my birthday, madaming mga kaibigan ang mga nag txt at nag post ng message and comments sa Friendster and Facebook accounts ko para bumati sa akin. Madami sila mga regular greeters ika nga every year. Yung ilan personal na bumati sa akin dahil wala daw sila load that time! What an excuse! He he he he. . .

Sa bahagi ko guilty din naman ako sa mga late na pabati dahil nalimutan ko talaga. May ilan na October 19 na nung mga mag txt pero at least It's better to be late than never. . .Nasabi ko na to minsan sa isang kaibigan nung birthday din nya. . ."Birthday mo naman kaya tolerable maging senti!". . .Birthday ko naman kaya tolerable ang magpaka senti!. . .

Last Saturday may ilang mga espesyal na tao na di ako nagawang i greet until now. Yes until this very time that I'm composing this blog article they have yet to send any message of greetings. Hindi ko alam kung galit sila sa akin or may nagawa akong kinagalit nila. Kung mga casual friends lang sila para sa akin di ko na iisipin kung bakit hindi nila naalala ang birthday ko.

Hindi pa tapos ang October and I'm still waiting until now!

Life at 30

I can't imagine until now that I'm already 30 years old! He he he he. . .The past few days I'm trying to recall some instances (dates in particular) in my life for the past 30 years that I could consider as milestones. What are those? Let me try:

October 18, 1978- My birthdate ofcourse! Thank God I was born!

April 3, 1991- My Elementary Graduation Night. Why? Well, 5th Honorable mention ata ako! When it was announced during the last few days of school then, Woould you believe nilagnat ako? Yes at nag half day ata ako the day after the announcement! He he he he. . . .

September 17-18, 1994-The date of our Formation Seminar at Parish Youth Council (PYC) wherein I was elected as President of the organization. That was the most memorable event in my church service, it was actually the turn of events, the start of my involvement in the Parish. Wala akong kaibigan at kilala sa aking mga kasama ko nun sa Seminar na yun. I don't know why I was chosen then, wala akong experience to handle an organization except that I became a class president already during my freshman year sa High School! Ika nga, iyon ang naging simula ng lahat! I served as President of PYC from 1994-2006

May 11, 1995-Ang unang sabak ko sa PPCRV at Namfrel, the first experienced then prompted me to really pursue the conviction to be more vigilant and watchful in the national and political scene. Until now I'm very much connected with PPCRV & Namfrel every election time.

April 1999-I forgot the exact date then, It was my College Graduation! Not really excited about the graduation but the reality that I have to stand on my own already! It's my turn as what other people say. In short, kailangan ng kumayod para magtrabaho at suportahan ang pamilya!

May 2000-The date I was hired by Los Banos Rural Bank as teller! Almost a year ang lumipas nun bago ako nag ka work ng maayos although the salary then is not that high, just enough for me to buy some bottles of Red Horse at Atoy's! He he he he. . . .

September 17, 2001-The date I officially started at Maybank Philippines, Inc., as Credit Assistant. Syempre mas lumaki na ang sweldo! He he he he. . .

December 8, 2001-The date that My Lola Naty died.

July 2004-I had my biggest fear then when I thought I will loose my job then due to some concerns in the office that almost broke my confidence & trust above. However, it became also the turning point in my banking career. In the same instance, I really experienced the saying that after the rain definitely the sun will rise! and it really did! Thank God!

January 2005-My resignation at Maybank. I thought it was the end of my career, at ang mga sumunod na araw ang masasabi kong isa sa pinaka tampok na bahagi ng aking buhay, ang maranasan na talagang feeling kawawa at aba!

July 2005-I was hired by Asiatrust Bank. The same brought back my self-confidence and self esteem.

February 28, 2007-The date I left Asiatrust Bank. Why did I left the Bank? It was really a painful decision, the hardest one that I did!

May 31, 2008-The date I left Export & Industry Bank.

June 4, 2008-My first day at Philippine National Bank (PNB)

June 13, 2008-The very first time na wala kaming handa nung fiesta at maraming dumating na mga bisita! He he he he . . .

Lawrence Just Thinking Aloud

This is my third personal blog site! What's new with this one? Aside from the fact that I'm launching this new blog site just in time for my 30th Birthday, with this blog site I will be sharing my thoughts on various issues and concerns of our society these days. All the articles that you will read and see are all my personal views and opinions.

On top of the said articles, ill be sharing my archive of pictures from my various trips/travels and important occassions to make it more personal and intimate. In case you don't know I'm a trying hard photographer!

See you around Guys!