Touched by An Angel

18Jan 2015

Transcript : Pope Francis’ message at the youth encounter in UST

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Here is the full transcript of Pope Francis’ impromptu speech sourced from Rappler , as delivered during the encounter with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila on Sunday, January 18. This is the prepared speech which he did not use.

Dear Young Friends,

When I speak spontaneously I do it in Spanish, because I don’t know the English language. May I do it? Thank you very much. This Fr Mark, a good translator.

As translated from Spanish by Msgr Mark Gerard Miles

First of all, a sad piece of news. Yesterday, as Mass was about to start, a piece of scaffolding fell and, upon falling, hit a young woman who was working in the area and she died. Her name is Kristel. She worked for the organization preparing for that Mass. She was 27 years old, young like yourselves. She worked for Catholic Relief Services as a volunteer. I would like all of you who are young like her to pray for a moment in silence with me and then we will pray to Our Mother in Heaven. Let us pray.

Leads prayer of Hail Mary…

Let us also pray for her parents. She was an only child. Her mother is coming from Hong Kong and her father is here in Manila.

Leads prayer of Our Father…

It is a joy for me to be with you this morning. I greet each of you from the heart, and I thank all those who made this meeting possible. During my visit to the Philippines, I wanted in a particular way to meet with young people, to listen to you and to talk with you. I want to express the love and the hopes of the Church for you. And I want to encourage you, as Christian citizens of this country, to offer yourselves passionately and honestly to the great work of renewing your society and helping to build a better world.

In a special way, I thank the young people who have offered words of welcome to me.

To Jun and Leandro Santos II and to Rikki, thank you very much. There’s only a very small representation of girls among you. Too little. Women have much to tell us in today’s society. Sometimes we are too “machistas” and we don’t allow enough space to women. But women can see things from a different angle to us, with a different eye. Women are able to pose questions we men are unable to understand. Look out for this fact: she is the only one who has put a question for which there is no answer. She couldn’t put it into words but expressed it with tears. So when the next pope comes to Manila, please let there be more girls.

I thank you Jun for talking about your experience so bravely. As I said, the heart of your question has no reply. Only when we too can cry about the things you said can we come close to answering that question. Why do children suffer so much? Why do children suffer? When the heart is able to ask itself and weep, then we can understand something. There is a worldly compassion which is useless. You expressed something like this. It’s a compassion that makes us put our hands in our pockets and give something to the poor. But if Christ had had that kind of compassion he would have greeted a couple of people, given them something, and walked on. But it was only when he was able to cry that he understood something of our lives. Dear young boys and girls, today’s world doesn’t know how to cry. The emarginated people, those left to one side, are crying. Those who are discarded are crying. But we don’t understand much about these people in need. Certain realities of life we only see through eyes cleansed by our tears. I invite each one here to ask yourself: have I learned how to weep? Have I learned how to weep for the emarginated or for a street child who has a drug problem or for an abused child? Unfortunately there are those who cry because they want something else.

This is the first thing I want to say: let us learn how to weep as she has shown us today and let us not forget this lesson. The great question of why so many children suffer, she did this in tears. The response that we can make today is: let us really learn how to weep.

Photo via Rappler.com

In the Gospel, Jesus cried for his dead friend, he cried in his heart for the family who lost its child, for the poor widow who had to bury her son. He was moved to tears and compassion when he saw the crowds without a pastor. If you don’t learn how to cry, you cannot be a good Christian. This is a challenge. When they posed this question to us, why children suffer, why this or that tragedy occurs in life – our response must be either silence or a word that is born of our tears. Be courageous, don’t be afraid to cry.

Then came Leandro Santos II and his question. He also posed a good question: the world of information. Today, with so many means of communication we are overloaded with information. Is that bad? No. It is good and can help. But there is a real danger of living in a way that we accumulate information. We have so much information but maybe we don’t know what to do with that information. So we run the risk of becoming museums of young people who have everything but not knowing what to do with it. We don’t need young museums but we do need holy young people. You may ask me: Father, how do we become saints? This is another challenge. It is the challenge of love. What is the most important subject you have to lean at university? What is most important subject you have to learn in life? To learn how to love. This is the challenge that life offers you: to learn bow to love. Not just to accumulate information without knowing what to do with it.. But through that love let that information bear fruit.

For this the Gospel offers us a serene way forward: using the three languages of the mind, heart and hands – and to use them in harmony. What you think, you must feel and put into effect. Your information comes down to your heart and you put it into practice. Harmoniously. What you think, you feel and you do. Feel what you think and feel what you do. Do what you think and what you feel. The three languages…

Can you repeat this? To think. To feel. To do. And all in harmony…

Real love is about loving and letting yourself be loved. It’s harder to let yourself be loved than to love. That is why it is so difficult to come to the perfect love of God. We can love Him but we must let ourselves be loved by Him. Real love is being open to the love that comes to you. The love that surprises us. If you only have information you are not surprised. Love surprises because it opens a dialogue of loving and being loved. God is a God of surprise because He loved us first. God awaits us to surprise us. Let us allow ourselves to be surprised by God. Let us not have a computer psychology that makes us think we know it all. All answers on computers – but no surprises. The challenge of love. God reveals himself through surprises.

Think of St Matthew. He was a good banker. But he let people down because he imposed taxes against his own people to give to the Romans. He was full of money. Jesus passed by, looked at him and said: “Follow me”. He couldn’t believe it. It you have the opportunity, see Caravaggio’s picture of him. Jesus calls him and those around say: “Him? He betrayed us! He is no good! He hoards money!” But the surprise of being loved overcomes him. The day when Matthew left home for work, saying goodbye to his wife, he couldn’t imagine he would come home without money and have to prepare a feast for the one who loved him first. God surprised Matthew more than the money he had. Allow yourselves to be surprised by God. Don’t be afraid of surprises. They shake the ground beneath our feet and make us insecure, but they move us forward in the right direction.

Real love allows you to spend yourselves, to leave your pockets empty. Think of St Francis who died with empty hands and empty pockets but with a full heart. Remember: no young museums, and wise young people. To be wise use three languages: think well, feel well and do well. And to be wise allow yourselves to be surprised by the love of God. That will guarantee a good life.

Rikki came up with a good plan for what we can do in life with all young people’s activities.

Thank you, Rikki, for what you and your friends do. I’d like to ask you a question: you and your friends help others but do you allow yourselves to receive? Answer in your heart.

In the Gospel we just heard, there was a beautiful phrase, for me the most important of all: Jesus looked at the young man and he loved him. When you see Rikki and his friends you love them because they do good things. Jesus says something very important: you lack one thing. Let us listen to this word in silence: you lack only one thing.

What is it that I lack? To all of you who Jesus loves so much, I ask you: do you allow others to give you from their riches to you who have not? The Sadducees, Doctors of the Law, in the time of Jesus, gave much to the people, they taught the people the law, but they never allowed the people to give them something. Jesus had to come to allow himself to feel compassion and to be loved.

How many young people among you are like this? You know how to give and yet you have ever learned how to receive. You still lack one thing. Become a beggar. This is what you still lack. Learn how to beg. This isn’t easy to understand. To learn how to beg. To learn how to receive with humility. To learn to be evangelized by the poor, by those we help, the sick, orphans, they have so much to give us. Have I learned how to beg? Or am I self-sufficient? Do I think I need nothing? Do you know you too are poor? Do you know your own poverty and your need to receive? Do you let yourselves be evangelized by those you serve? This is what helps you mature in your commitment to give to others. Learn how to open your hand from your very own poverty.

There are some points I have prepared. The first, I already told you: to learn how to love and to learn how to be loved. There is a challenge which is a challenge of u. This is not only because your country more than many others is likely to be seriously affected by climate change. There is the challenge, the concern for the environment. And finally, there is the challenge for the poor, to love the poor, with your bishops. Do you think of the poor? Do you feel with the poor? Do you do something for the poor? Do you ask the poor to give you the wisdom they have?

This is what I wish to tell you all today. Sorry if I haven’t read what I prepared for you but there is a phrase that consoles me: that reality is superior to ideas. The reality that you have is superior to the paper I have in front of me.

Thank you very much. Pray for me!

17Jan 2015

Transcript of #PopeFrancisPH homily with survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

HOMILY OF POPE FRANCIS
Mass with survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda”
Daniel Z. Romualdez International Airport, Tacloban City
17 January 2015
(Delivered originally in Spanish)

We have a high priest who is capable of sympathizing with our weakness but one who is seemingly being tested in every way, yet without sin. Jesus is like us. Jesus lived like us. He is the same as us in every respect, except sin, because he was not a sinner. He assumed our condition and our sin. He made himself unto sin. This is what St. Paul tells us and Jesus always goes before us.

And when we pass an experience across, he passed there before us. And if today we find ourselves 14 months afterwards here,14 months precisely after Typhoon Yolanda hit, it is because we have the security of knowing we are not going to weaken in our faith, because Jesus has been there before us. In his passion he assumed all our pain.

I would like to tell you something close to my heart: When I saw from Rome that catastrophe I felt that I had to be here. And on those very days I decided to come here I’m here to be with you. A little bit late, I have to say, but I’m here. I come to tell you that Jesus is Lord and he never lets us down.

Father, you might say to me, “I was let down because I have lost some many things, house, livelihood; I have illness.” It’s true if you would say that and I respect those sentiments. But Jesus there, nailed to the cross, and from there he does not let us down. He was consecrated as Lord on that throne and there he experienced all calamities that we experienced.

Jesus is Lord and the Lord from the cross, he’s there for you. Therefore he is capable of understanding us – as we heard in the first reading – in everything, the same as us. That is why we have a Lord who is capable of crying with us, capable of walking with us in the most difficult moments of life.

So many of you have lost everything. I don’t know what to say to you, but the Lord does know what to say to you. Some of you lost part of your families. All I can do is keep silent, and I walk with you all with my silent heart. Many of you have asked the Lord, “Why, Lord?” And to each of you, to you heart, Christ responds from his heart upon the cross.

Pope Francis: I know you have lost much. In my silence, I am with you.

I have no more words to tell you. Let us look to Christ. He is the Lord. He understands us because he underwent all the trials that we, that you, have experienced. And beside the cross was his mother; we are like this little child just there. In the moments when we have so much pain, when we no longer understand anything, all we can do is grab hold of her hand firmly and say, “Mom,” as a child does to her mother, when he or she feels fear. It is perhaps the only word that we can say in such difficult times: Mother, mom.

Let us together hold a moment of silence. Let us look to the Christ on the cross. He understands us because he endured everything. Let us look to our mother and, like that little child, let us grab hold of her mantle and with a true heart, say, “Mother.” In the silence say to the mother what you say to your hearts.

(Moment of silence)

Let us know that we have a Mother Mary and a senior brother, a great brother, Jesus. We are not alone. We also have many brothers who, in this moment of catastrophe, came to help you. And we, too, because of this we feel more brothers and sisters, because we helped each other.

This is what comes from my heart and forgive me if I have no other words to express this. But please know Jesus never lets you down, please know that the love and tenderness of Mother Mary never lets you down, and holding on to [Mother Mary’s] mantle, and with the power that comes from Jesus’ love on the cross, lets us move forward, always forward and walk together as brothers and sisters in the lord, forward.

Thank you very much.

Source : from @inquirerdotnet

16Jan 2015

The infectious smile of Pope Francis is so sincere #PapalVisitPH

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Will there be a renewal of faith among the Catholics? Since there have been conflicts with the church like the Reproductive Health law (RH Law) , I see renewed hope in Pope Francis’ visit. This pope, my pope has liberal views. I am reminded of his words “As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved by rejecting the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation and by attacking the structural causes of inequality, no solution will be found for the world’s problems or, for that matter, to any problems”.

Pope Francis reiterates that ” the center of my message will be the poor”. He might just be able to opens the hearts and minds of our Church officials since the RH Law is meant to help the poor make better choices. It is also good that he is close to Cardinal Tagle. Maybe his influence will be felt in the church hierarchy in the Philippines . A lot of our church officials are conservative and Filipinos are hopeful for a more progressive Catholic Church.

I was not at the motorcade but I feel just as blessed to watch him on live stream. Using the live stream link from the government TV station, I followed his every move from the time his papal cap flew away till his arrival at the Apostolic Nunciature. Pope Francis must be getting his energy from the cheering crowd. He smiled , leaned forward and looked like he was enjoying himself. His smile is pleasant and authentic . Smiling with his eyes, he looks into the person he is smiling to. It felt like Jesus Christ spoke to me through his smile, even if I am just watching from my laptop. He says “The Holy Spirit will have to work to touch all the hearts of these people that we see.” I believe the Holy Spirit must be working through his smile. It is not only me that noticed his pleasant smile. I read numerous tweets that gushed over his beautiful smile.

Gary Valenciano tweets, “Blessed by seeing smiling happy Filipinos showing so much love and gratitude to Pope Francis. I hope we’ve put a smile in his heart too”.

Ginger Conejero notes “Pope Francis’s smile is contagious.”

Mia Noreen added “Pope Francis’ smile is probably the best thing I’ve seen so far this year #goosebumps”.

Sharla Lacbayan ?can’t “explain how grateful I am for being a Catholic. Welcome to the Philippines, Pope Francis! I can see your smile on the tv!”

Julie Mae says “That genuine smile of pope francis is love”.

Jewel notes says “May kakaiba sa smile ni Pope Francis, na-mapapasmile ka nalang din”

Ella Drew calls it “the Divine Smile of Pope Francis”.

Even a non-Catholic like Zarlean Centino had this to tweet “I’m not Catholic pero I like the attitude of Pope Francis and his smile”.

That is why I think Pope Francis always asks the people to pray for him. He gets energy from the people around him. It works both ways. His smile is just contagious.

RJ Villaflor thinks so, too. “Yung smile ni Pope Francis nakakahawa, mapapangiti ka na rin pag nakita mo yung mga ngiti nya “.

That smile from Pope Francis gives us strength and renewed hope. His smile is just so heartwarming. I feel so happy and blessed with the presence of Pope Francis. May he continue to spread his message of mercy and compassion especially to our leaders so they will work for the poor of our country. I pray “renew our country, Lord. Rid us of selfish and corrupt leaders. Raise up only those who lead with pure hearts and wise minds. Amen.” May the cabinet secretaries , politicians and the President become blessed by the Pope’s simplicity . May he enlighten our conservative Church leaders.

I may not live by the rituals, the novenas and the rote praying but I feel that Pope Francis is an inspiration to a lot of cafeteria Catholics like myself to have faith. My daughter hopes “that Pope Francis’s visit inspires Filipinos to become more progressive, tolerant Catholics.” I am hopeful.

Photo via @rapplerdotcom . Other Photos by Robert Viñas/ Lauro Montellano Jr./Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau Some rights reserved.

Originally posted on “Charmed by the beautiful papal smile that brings the message of mercy & compassion“, Blogwatch, Philippine Online Chronicles.

14Jan 2015

A flexible work environment and my vOffice

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Remember what I wrote about the benefits of having a virtual office? Not just any virtual office, but this vOffice that I am registered as platinum member. One of the benefits is having a prestigious Bonifacio Global City (BGC) address at One Global Place which is my main vOffice. Not only do I have a virtual office in the Philippines, I can also use the virtual office spaces in Malaysia, Indonesia, Melbourne, Ho Chi Minh, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong and Bangkok. I can use meeting rooms in over 30 locations worldwide. A Virtual Office like vOffice.com.ph offers mobile workers like myself the benefits of a serviced office environment but without actually renting physical space. With virtual office space, I pay a fraction of what I would to rent a physical location, pay for insurance and staff the office.

I like that vOffice has a portal for my use. I can reserve a meeting room in real time. There are 8 hours of meeting room every month in my Platinum plan but I can unlimited use in the lobby of One Global Place.

vOffice in Makati

The vOffice Boutique Center on the Penthouse of Mavenue Building does not offer unlimited use of their lobby unlike One Global Place in BGC. Even if Mavenue branch is smaller compared to One Global Place , I find their conference room adequate for my needs. One can fit 10-12 people in here. The best thing in having various vOffice location is the convenience. Sometimes, people prefer to go to Makati instead of BGC.

There is a whiteboard, a TV monitor and an outdoor view of the roofdeck.

The conference room faces an open balcony which can be used for event space that include the use of this room. I’ll get back to this later.

vOffice Premier/desk (vWorkdesk)

The conference room was too spacious for me so I decided to use the vOffice Premier/desk (vWorkdesk) which still had some vacancies. The vWorkdesk is place to get some work done and at the same time having a premium business address, phone number, receptionist to answer your calls in your business name and meeting facilities when you need it. The vWorkdesk is not for me since I am very mobile. This is quite useful for startups and the small entrepreneur that need an office space without placing huge investment cost on the lease.

vWorkdesk can be leased for a minimum of 1 month but you can avail of discount for longer term lease.

So what is included in the vWorkdesk?

1. Quality working desk and ergonomic chair

2. Fast wired or wireless internet for you to plug in

3. Backup internet service provider

4. Professional office setup. Not a call center environment

5. Unlimited light snacks, coffee, tea, filtered water and occasional beer

There are even drawers beside each vOfficeWorkdesk for storage of files.

There is an ongoing promotion of 9,500 pesos a month for long term lease. Check the vOffice website for more details. It is nice to know that there is real time chat with a service representative.

Event space at vOffice Boutique center in Makati

Like I said earlier, there is an event space outside the meeting room. One has an amazing skyline with plentiful parking space and centrally located right on Makati Avenue. It costs 20,000 pesos for 4 hours use, inclusive of roof deck area and meeting room. Additional hours is at 5,000 pesos an hour.

The event space is 66 square meters. The lease includes a sound system, PA system, Smart TV for presentation, couch seatings, electricity, and great view of buzzing Makati Avenue.

For other needs, vOffice can offer assistance and recommendations in food and drinks catering service, cocktail bar setup, mobile lighting, DH, sound system solution setup, additional tables, chairs rentals, and PR agencies

New branches in Cebu and Makati for 2015

I am excited with the opening of their second Makati branch in Rufino Pacific tower on February 2015. You might want to check the rates offered. I love that there is a Cebu branch in the Cebu Business Park, opening this first quarter of 2015. That now makes a total of six branches (two in the Fort, two in Makati and one in Cebu). The best part is you can have a meeting room in all of these branches, depending on your plan and number of hours per plan.

There is so much benefit for start-ups and entrepreneurs that need to keep operating costs low while developing a professional corporate image. Read again the benefits of a virtual office. If you do need a virtual office or vOffice Premier/desk within minutes, check out the website of voffice.com.ph for their limited time offer for discounted rates. Now as low as 500 pesos a month for their lowest plans.

It’s a new year and there are new goals for whatever work you do. Depending on your needs, now is the time to consider a virtual office or Voffice work desk.

14Jan 2015

“For the first time in my Catholic life, I am waiting for the Pope, my Pope.” #PopeFrancisPH

by webs ⋅ Leave a Comment

By Toni Tui as originally posted on Waiting for Pope Francis, Philippine Online Chronicles

Growing up Catholic liberated and stifled me at the same time. From prep to college, Sunday masses were regularly attended. The Holy Rosary was prayed often, especially during October. After graduation though, I began to question my faith. I didn’t see the point of going to Mass, especially when the homilies became too preachy about politics. I built a relationship with God outside the confines of a church, finding Him more in the quiet moments of a morning run or a midnight reflection. I felt guilty, feeling like I was being berated by the whispers of nuns and teachers from the all-girls Catholic school I attended for 12 years. My mother, a devout Catholic, also kept asking me why I didn’t go to Mass anymore. How could I explain to her that I felt more distant when I was in the midst of ceremony? That I found more joy in a quiet conversation with God than a community get-together? I felt like a bad Catholic, even though my relationship with God was becoming more solid.

Then Pope Francis came along.

Who is this rock star Pope?, I wondered. Social media was instrumental in building awareness and emotional affinity with this different kind of pope. Every week, there was a quotable quote in my news feed from this radical pope. Every week, I became more curious about him.

He’s the pope who refuses to live in luxury. No fancy cars or papal apartments for this man of God. We’ve read of him picking up the phone to call people, saying prayers for them. we see pictures of him riding the metro or walking down the streets and being welcomed by worshipers. He’s a Pope who doesn’t seem to be caged in an ivory tower. He’s reachable, simple, and friendly.

His words are big but relatable. When he met with his Vatican employees before Christmas, he had some reminders for them which may very well be reminders for our daily lives too. What touches me about these reminders is the simplicity in how it is said. There’s his reminder on how I feel talks about work-life balance: “Take care of your family life, giving your children and loved ones not just money, but most of all your time, attention and love.”

There’s the reminder that can hit any chismosa. “Be careful how you speak, purify your tongue of offensive words, vulgarity and worldly decadence.”

Are you unhappy with work? Reflect on this statement from Pope Francis and you may just have a change in outlook. ““Look after your work, doing it with enthusiasm, humility, competence, passion and with a spirit that knows how to thank the Lord.”

One statement I’ve reflected on is this: “Take care of your spiritual life, your relationship with God, because this is the backbone of everything we do and everything we are.” Feed your spirit. Nurture your soul. With this, all will be well.

Then there was this reminder from him for the youth during World Youth Day. ” I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, to swim against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes that you are incapable of responsibility, that you are incapable of true love. I have confidence in you and I pray for you. Have the courage ‘to swim against the tide.’ Have the courage to be happy.” Take a risk on love!

This is the first Pope I’ve come to truly follow. Yes, he is the Pope. But I also see him, as some Filipinos have started calling him, as Lolo Kiko.

With him, I have been rediscovering my Catholic faith little by little. I have been trying to understand Mass and teachings with more openness this time. I am getting drawn back to the Church without the feeling of being stifled. Lolo Kiko has been gently provoking me to build my relationship with God again, this time with the community, but I don’t feel pressured. That’s what I like about this pace, this Pope. He’s a Pope with a gentle power, the Pope with the open arms you don’t feel shy running into because you know you’ll be blessed, no matter what kind of relationship you have with God. I can’t wait to welcome Lolo Kiko with the rest of the community this week! For the first time in my Catholic life, I am waiting for the Pope, my Pope. For the first time in growing up Catholic, I’m giddy about the Pope and learning more from him. Thank you, Lolo Kiko, for the gift of rediscovering my faith!

Photo Credit: Catholic Church (England and Wales) via Compfight cc

13Jan 2015

Video & Lyrics: We are all God’s children , official theme song #PapalVisitPH

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Check out this beautiful song for the Papal visit. The lyrics resonate the message of mercy and compassion, the theme of Pope Francis visit.

“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” – Pope Francis

Official Theme Song for the 2015 Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines

Do you see these children on the streets?
Have you walked the pavements where they sleep?
Do you feel their hands when you give them alms?
Did you ever give them bread to eat?
Have you seen their homes washed by the floods?
While a mother tightly holds her child
Do you hear the wind of the raging storm?
Can you tell them where it’s coming from?
Let us show our love and mercy
With true kindness and humility
For the God loves the weak and the needy
Just like you and me
We are all God’s children we are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
And learn what life is really for
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord

Stand together and let’s do our part
Hear their voices mend their broken hearts
Choose to be brave fight for their rights
Give them back their honor and their pride
Please do not be blind and just leave them behind
To struggle in darkness or give them empty promises
We are all God’s children we are all the same
He is calling us by name to help the poor and lame
And learn what life is really for
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord
It’s to know and love and serve the Lord

—
Jesus’ attitude is striking: we do not hear the words of scorn, we do not hear words of condemnation, but only words of love, of mercy, which are an invitation to conversation. “Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.” Ah! Brothers and Sisters, God’s face is the face of a merciful father who is always patient. Have you thought about God’s patience, the patience He has with each one of us? That is His mercy. He always has patience, patience with us, He understands us, He waits for us, He does not tire of forgiving us if we are able to return to Him with a contrite heart. “Great is God’s mercy,” says the Psalm.

—Pope Francis, Angelus on March 17, 2013

Lyrics written and sung by Jamie Rivera with The Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir.
Music composed and arranged by Noel Espenida
Directed by Eric Teotico
Produced by Starmusic and Ligaya ng Panginoon
Published by Star Songs, Inc.

09Jan 2015

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Couples

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

As originally posted by Toni Tiu at the Philippine Online Chronicles

Want to strengthen your relationship this 2015? Make New Year’s resolutions as a couple. Making resolutions with your partner can help you watch out for each other and build a more solid foundation for your relationship. Try some of the resolutions below to have a more loving new year!

1. Ditch multi-tasking when you’re together. When you’re spending time with your significant other, park your mobile phone and laptop. Put it in your bag such that when your phone vibrates or chirps, you’re not tempted to pull it out easily and check the alerts. Give your partner your full attention. When you’re doing other things at the same time, it gives your partner a sense that she is not worthy of your time. Banish those bothersome bleeps and buzzes. Give yourself 100% when you’re together.

2. Work out together. Once you get into a comfortable rhythm as a couple, it can become very tempting to just settle in front of the TV or the laptop and snack on junk food. After all, shouldn’t true love include loving each other fully — love handles and all? This isn’t very healthy for both of you. If you do enjoy eating together, choose healthy dishes. Even more so, move together! Find a sport you can enjoy together. Whether it’s running together in the morning, hitting the gym and being each other’s gym buddies, or playing badminton against each other, find a way to sweat together. You say goodbye to extra pounds and improve your health together.

3. Be more patient with each other. As the months and years go by, the little things that we adored about each other begin to tick us off. What we used to romance about each other begin to irritate us. Stick it out. There’s a Filipino saying that goes “Ang pag-aasawa ay hindi biro, ‘di tulad ng kanin, iluluwa kung mapaso.” (Marriage is not a joke. It is not like food that you can spit out when it is too hot to chew.) This quote applies to any relationship. You just don’t cut it short when the going gets tough. Find ways to become more patient with each other this new year.

4. Play together. Find a hobby that you can both enjoy. Do something creative together! Sip & Gogh in Quezon City is a first-of-its-kind paint and sip studio here in the Philippines. Instructors are available to guide you in painting your own masterpiece that you can take home after your painting session. You don’t have to bring materials as all will be provided for you — canvas, paints, palette, and all. Why not paint a masterpiece together? They have sessions for couples too! Indulge your creative sides together.

5. Commit wholeheartedly. Similar to the first resolution, this is all about giving your full 100% to your partner. If you are not married, are you ready to take the next step? Think about it. If you are married, how committed are you to your spouse? Be inspired by Pope Francis’ thanksgiving message to World Youth Day volunteers. He said:

“Today, there are those who say that marriage is out of fashion; in a culture of relativism and the ephemeral, many preach the importance of ‘enjoying’ the moment. They say that it is not worth making a life-long commitment, making a definitive decision, ‘forever,’ because we do not know what tomorrow will bring.”

“I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, to swim against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes that you are incapable of responsibility, that you are incapable of true love. I have confidence in you and I pray for you. Have the courage ‘to swim against the tide.’ Have the courage to be happy.”

Here’s to a happy new year to couples. May these resolutions help your relationship grow even more loving in 2015!

Photo Credit: Pixabay

05Jan 2015

The 2014 year in review and looking forward to 2015 & beyond

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

I like looking back at the past , especially on my work as a blogger and citizen advocate and see what needs improvement in 2015. It drives me to formulate goals for 2015 and beyond. The year 2014 started out with expanding income opportunities through a partnership with my dear friend, Jane T. Uymatiao. We didn’t have a name at first and it was only in the middle part of the year that we decided on Prep2Prime Digital to encompass our experience in parenting and social media. We have a long way to go but it is a good start and 2015 will see us expand to more brands , schools , organizations and private workshops.

My life as a mom blogger will continue on, of course. It will be my 8th year. Sorry for tooting my horns. In 2014, I was honored to receive two awards in recognition for my advocacy as “momblogger” . Such recognition affirms my motivation as a mom blogger, one who advocates constructive engagement in issues on family and society. I hope the brands I want to work with , look at me as a socially conscious mom blogger more than a political blogger . I am a mother who is concerned for the future of our country, the future of our children and their community. Whatever social change we fight for redounds to benefit of corporations as well.

Moms react differently on specific issues but we all have a common concern : our children’s futures unite us. Hope you all stay with me this 2015 and beyond.

But first, this is how my year 2014 went:

December 12, 2014
Recognition at the #SINAG Financial Literacy Digital Journalism Awards

Received first runner up of the #SINAG Financial Literacy Digital Journalism Awards held December 11 at the Manila Polo Club. The #SINAG Financial Literacy Digital Journalism Awards is Sunlife’s way to enjoin online influencers to encourage Filipinos to become more financially prepared and break free from ignorance, worry, debt and financial dependency. When I was invited to submit this blog, I didn’t think I had enough posts in 2014 to be considered. I only wrote three posts for the year: Money management tips for the family, Affirmations of financial success and Making a choice for a brighter life.

December 12, 2014
Yearender with PTV 4 Veronica Chronicles

Mga isyung Pulitikal, Ekonomiya, mga Kalamidad at ang ating Pagbangon, at ang mga nag-Trending sa taong 2014. This was the question tackled in the Veronica Chronicles. Shown on December 15 at the People’s Television.

November 2014
Social media: Boon or bane?

A feature story on social media at 9 News TV or CNN Philippines

November 27, 2014
The future of Enterprise

#FutureEnterprisePH on mobility and cloud computing using the hashtag. Jane and I were moderators.

November 24, 2014
Blog Watch turns 5 years old

Blog Watch, co-founded by many bloggers, turned five years old. I didn’t realize it has been that long. Despite limited funding, we are able to collaborate with fellow citizen advocates . We partnered with Project Agos, and Juan Vote community and help out with the Scrap Pork Network .

Our fellow advocate, Tonyo Cruz, shared some 5 important things about BlogWatch and its importance to the bloggers and the blogging community.

October 27, 2014
#connectYourRights: two day of the “Advocacy Training Workshop on Internet Rights” sponsored by the Foundation of Media Alternatives

September 23, 2014
4M Jakarta Forum

The 4M Jakarta Forum brought together more than 100 professionals from 10 ASEAN countries and Europe in order to discuss the region trends, limitations and possibilities. Happy to be part of it along with Rosario Juan, Tonyo Cruz and Jonji Gonzales

September 18, 2014
Four days PCIJ training – seminar on “Governance by the numbers : Investigative Reporting & Numeracy”

September 14, 2014
How safe are our children ?

I was in Europe when I first saw a friend (@unlawyer) tweet on “People with guns in EDSA”. This happened at 2:45 PM on September 1. In Germany, that’s around 8:45 AM but I saw the tweet around 10:45 AM after I cooked lunch. I am not the only one who caused the original photo to get viral. With the help of netizens and traditional media, the tweet became national news.

August 12, 2014
#StandUpSignUpvsPork on August 25

The pork is alive and kicking. The only way to scrap the pork totally is to undertake a People’s Initiative against the pork barrel. I was not around on August 25 but I fully supported the ” Sign the People ‘s Initiative vs All Pork” which was held at the kalabaw area, Luneta during the first anniversary of the Million People March.

July 21, 2014
I am one of the signatories of an impeachment complaint vs. Pres Aquino

Photo via Kodao ProductionsAnd so, I dedicate the filing of the impeachment complaint to my nephew and the young ones who will one day become the taxpayers of the Philippines. “For putting himself above the Supreme Court and the Filipino People, I am attaching my signature to the Impeachment complaint of Benigno Simeon Cojuanco Aquino III as President of the Republic of the Philippines.

July 1, 2014
Having a virtual office

A business needs a small office outside the home so I go a virtual office at voffice.com.ph . Having a virtual office (check here for more information) is so convenient. vOffice in short for Virtual Office, gives you everything you need to efficiently run your business less the cost of maintaining a physical office. It gives you a prestigious business address, telephone & fax number, professional receptionist to answer your call, working space, full equipped meeting facilities, on-demand secretary and more. I got their Platinum plan.

June 28, 2014
Panel on evolution of media on Social Media day

May 8, 2014
Hey Mom! portal : an online sisterhood for moms

I am quite honored to be selected as one of the mom contributors for Unilab’s Hey Mom! portal. Most mom-oriented brands prefer the younger moms to engage with their products or services. I believe I have a lot to share about parenting and am grateful for being given this opportunity to share these stories outside my blog. Aside from myself, former international model and VJ Amanda Griffin Jacob is one of the celebrity contributors. Her projects revolve around motherhood which has proven to be Amanda’s passion. Actress Mylene Dizon is another contributor as a single and playful mom.

Unilab prepared this very special gift for moms just in time for Mothers’ Day—an online community made by Filipino mothers for Filipino mothers. Hey Mom! is an online portal specifically designed to be a resource for moms to access and exchange relevant information that will help in their everyday parenting tasks.

April 29, 2014

1st Future of Media Conference #futuremediaph

My friend , Jane Uymatiao and I helped organize the 1st Future of Media together with The Philippine Online Chronicles, the Vibal Foundation of the Vibal Group . It was such a huge success. The possibilities to achieve change through media and communication is limitless. The power of citizen media will increase through digital applications (apps), more collaboration with netizens and traditional media as well as the support of full-service agencies, digital marketing organizations, and foundations. The “Internet has opened up spaces for grassroots movements to emerge and seek political and social empowerment through the Web.”

April 2014
Bloggers as New Media Personalities (Carlo Ople and Noemi Lardizabal Dado)

I remember attending iBlog 2 in 2006, two months after I started this blog. iBlog has a soft spot for me. This was where I met the popular bloggers like Abe Olandres and Manolo Quezon . This time around, I talked about how I evolved as momblogger, advocating for social change. I also talked on “What is the future of blogging?” Here is the video introduction of talk:

February 13, 2014
1st PUP Mabini Media Awards: Best Blog

I am grateful to the PUP students for recognizing my work on social media. My role as mom blogger is to nuture not only my family but the community so that the future citizens will have a better future. This fourth award is such a big honor because I did not have to solicit and ask friends to vote for me (unlike other nominations where popularity voting counts). The last honor given to me was seven years ago as “Winner, Best Website, Blogs Category- 10th Philippine Web Awards- November 23, 2007”.

I didn’t realize the Awarding ceremonies and the 3rd Young Communicators’ Congress would be this huge and grand. I nearly teared as I walked down the aisle because of the awesome music. I recorded my reaction in my Bubbly Audio post.

January 6, 2014
Speaking & Consulting : Social media, Pro-active parenting & Wellness

To sustain an advocacy requires time and money that could have otherwise gone to saving up for our senior years. This is where Jane and I talked about developing our income channels yet doing what we are passionate about: advocating for social change. Why not offer our services? Though, Jane and I are invited as social media resource speakers, we don’t actively promote ourselves. For 2014, we have moved to a new direction: expanding our services to include social business consultancy, and more topics for social media and pro-active parenting with a new category on “Reinventing One’s Life”. Jane writes about this new chapter in her life.

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The year 2014 has been fulfilling both as a mom blogger and citizen advocate for Blog Watch. As you can see, my friend Jane is so much a part of it. I started the year 2015 with ” Health is wealth ” and working on the website of Prep2PrimeDigital.com . Check it out and see why it is called Prep to Prime or P2P, for short since we emphasize the breadth of our parenting and social media experience.

The year 2015 will take me more into Prep2PrimeDigital.com to complement the activities I do as mom blogger. . When I wonder what is coming, I tell myself the best is coming, the very best in life has to to offer, the best God will send and claim it as mine.

Hope to see you all in our P2P events.

02Jan 2015

10,000 steps to wealth

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver” says Mahatma Gandhi .

I try to lead a healthy life ever since I had some coronary issue in 2004. My father suffered from diabetes complications for many years and eventually died from it. Sadly, I was not taking care of myself in my early forties especially those years in my utter grief. It turns out that I also have the same diabetes as my father. I worry about my daughters getting the same disease so I tell them to watch their weight , eat complex carbohydrates and lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Being overweight might lead to a higher blood sugar. Enrolling in Fitness First was the best decision I have ever made. Being a member for the past 10 years, my gym routine has slackened. Having a trainer is quite expensive too. For many years, my aerobics goal is to reach at least 30 minutes daily. It has served me well but I don’t think I am pushing myself to a more fit me.

I wanted something different to motivate me, to be more fit like tracking my walking steps, distance, calories burned and other data, found in pedometer watches. The thing is I don’t have the budget to buy a pedometer watch. I intend to buy a Fitbit one day. This will not stop me from I decided to join the millions of people who have already downloaded Pacer, the world’s leading smartphone based activity tracker, and take the first step into a more active and healthy life.

A review says the “Pacer app is easy to set-up. It only counts steps and does not extrapolate to distance, so no step length measurement is necessary. Basically, one downloads the app and starts walking. The app records in the background, so the user can forget it is there for days at a time, and check in occasionally. ”

I tested it out today. As of this writing, I have only reached 5900 steps. Well , that is what happens when I oversleep. While I was at the gym, I discovered my 30 minutes at the treadmill is only 3599 steps. That means I need at least an hour and half activity to reach my goal of 10,000 steps. I could increase my treadmill time or walk more outside the gym. I might even find a dance routine if I am at home.

I should stop writing now and work my way to my 10,000 steps to wealth. Health is wealth after all. Do you agree?

The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil

31Dec 2014

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

by Noemi Lardizabal-Dado ⋅ Leave a Comment

Happy New year. Tonight, it will only be the noise of my “torotot” and the 2007 video of this firecracker explosion from our neighbors. I remember how the explosion deafened me for a few minutes . It was the worst explosion I witnessed. I could only take a minute video. Listen to it.

Tonight, I will pray for the victims of Seniang. So many deaths and loss to property. While everyone was in a holiday mode, parts of Visayas and Mindanao experienced flashfloods, landslides that were unexpected. I know 2015 seems bleak while we experience this heartbreaking yearender. I continue to hope that the Philippines will recover from this. I hope that more Filipinos are discerning towards choosing their leaders.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” says Albert Einstein. Let’s also remember Mother Teresa when she said “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

I expect good things for myself and my loved ones despite the Seniang storm late this year.

1. When I wonder what is coming, I tell myself the best is coming, the very best in life and love have to offer, the best God will send and claim it as mine.

2. I see the best in my mind and envision what it will look like and feel like.

3. After I have envisioned the good things, I let it go and come back to the present moment. I will not obsess. I become excited.

Today, as the year ends, I am full of gratitude for all that I received this year. Good and bad.

I will wait and expect good things for 2015.

To all my readers, I hope that when you think about the year ahead, you will focus on the good that is coming.

New is the year, new are the hopes, new is the resolution, new are the spirits, and new are my warm wishes just for you. Have a promising and fulfilling New Year. Happy New Year!

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