Sendong came and killed hundreds of people, some were our friends, classmates, neighbors,

acquaintances, relatives, friends of friends, church mates, cagay anon and iligans, fellow Filipino. But we are embraced by God's love through using the lives of other people, their help and generosity that indeed though sendong came to help us, friends from afar extended their asistance and generosity. It was a sunday afternoon filled clothes, clothes and bed sheets towels, we enjoyed the company of each  one. To those who gave much much love and gratitude. May God bless you more and more.

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Pandesal and arroz caldo

Pandesal is a common part of the breakfast meal paired with scrambled egg or the common panawsaw sa cape sa umaga, its and extra treat when its served hot. I love the smell of freshly baked pandesal, reminds me of papa bringing pandesal or monay for us when we were still kids. Pandesal reminds me of papa, the smell and thought of pandesal brings back the time when papa was around, making me miss my papa.The arroz caldo on the other is  not the common treat, childhood memories of arroz caldo is associated with being sick, mother would prepare yummy arroz caldo, it was something special, it reminds me of a mother's pampering, a mother's care. Its the complete meal.

After sendong, I now have a whole new  meaning of pandesal and arroz caldo. Pandesal is the partner of the arroz caldo for feeding the evacuees in sendong evacuation centers. Its the complete meal for the kids, for the mothers and fathers who have new hopes and new vision for the future. As the start anew they face the new life with the hope in Jesus their savior. Their hearts have been touched by the Lord and have made them receptive and making them realize to cling unto that someone who can give them rest in these times and can strengthen them each passing day. I felt shame of my selfishness, shame with my self centeredness and shame with how I spent my time. I felt guilty with the concerns I have for myself, myself and myself. God opened my eyes to many truths, and Im not closing them now, Im trying to open it to I can see that I play a role to play in the great harvest. Time where we can invest in other people's lives, with eternal bearing.

Apart from the hunger for food, I saw in the faces of the children and even the young and the old, the once young and the young at heart, I saw their hunger for listening ears and hearts, am I ready for that? Am i willing? DO I have time?

This saturday is over and many saturdays will come to more pandesals and arroz caldos to share' I hope we can all take part in pandesal and arroz caldo filled days.

arroz caldo inside the caldero

pandesal

loving his arroz caldo

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My first night run: Run for a home

It was a rainy saturday afternoon, I had a good rest since I had no work. I woke up late in the morning, washed my clothes and then watch a few chapters of the Dong Yi korean drama, enough to give me the strength to run for a home for sendong victims. It was not one of the regular runs that I had, this time it was not that grand, not so many runners were there. Just a few and I also saw a group of volunteers who also joined the night run, it was a run for a home, proceeds of the said run would be allocated for sendong victims. It was a run for a cause. It was also the first time that I met and had picture taking with coach Rio, I never had any idea about famous runners and all, but I heard he had humble beginnings and was also kind enough to smile with us and also graced the said event.

It was a run worth remembering, the area near SM city cdo was conducive to the night run since it was cozy and more of residential setting which also matched the people who participated in the run since there were just a few hundred runners it was enough for all of us. I loved the breeze and the night, it was also different coz we had picture taking from any spot. Wahehehehe, it was not a serious one for me. Just real fun. After the run we feasted on hawaian pizza which Xandi promised after the run. After that he said see on the next run.

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Philcom Announcement

I'd like to share this information to all Sendong affected clients. Just visit the 

office and the company will do the necessary adjustments and techincal

assistance.

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Tent city for sendong victims

A picture of hope... a city o hope... (Courtesy of ABS_CBN.com)

Sendong came with a bang, we cried for dead and lost  relatives, friends, neighbors but God is with us through all these pains. Though we may end the 2011 with painful memories and face the 2012 with renewed strength and hope in our hearts that all will be well. Hand in hand we can make it through one step at a time. A whole new beginning, new year, new hope and new perspective for 2012. Sendong taught us to be strong, taught us to share, to help others, taught us to use water wisely when the supply was very limited and got satisfied with whats available, taught us to share to those who needs towel, clothes, food, water and our shoulders to cry on and taught us to listen to their stories of survival. Life goes on and we learn each day, it doesnt stop its a lifelong process. This picture above shows a picture of hope, the tent city, where they start a new with families and relatives and neighbors, it may not be as comfortable as their previous houses but its more comfortable than the evacuation areas where, its crowded and not suitable for children.

Another city has risen in Cagayan de oro, and id like to call it hope city.

God bless us all.

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I will praise you in the storm: after sendong

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy fallsseek help and healing. 
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Its hard to praise the Lord when our hearts are filled with pain and sorrow and so much grief but then the Lord deserves our praise and worship so we still choose to worship Him. Its a way to reach out to Him in praise and worship, we can cry out to the Lord and seek for healing, comfort and assurance that things will be ok in the end. It has been said in His word that we may suffer but these things will come to an end for weeping stays for a night and in the morning comes rejoicing coz  our hope is in the Lord and no one can take that away from us. Still we choose to praise God in the storm. We choose to cling to Him.

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