Do not be a victim of your own weakness, but instead be an inspiration!

My questions were answered very quickly at may kasama pang video, laban ka? I meet my cyber friend Nick from http://www.4marks.com/

His name is Nick Vujicic and he's 25 years old. He was born without arms or legs and given no medical reason for this condition. Faced with countless challenges and obstacles, God has given him the strength to surmount what others might call impossible. Along with that, the Lord has placed within him an unquenchable passion to share this same hope and genuine love that he's personally experienced with more than two million people all over the globe. Traveling extensively to over 19 nations, he's been extremely humbled by the continuous opportunities that the Lord has given him to share his testimony along with the hope that he has in Jesus with people in so many nations and situations. His greatest joy in this life is to introduce Jesus to those he meets and tell them of His great desire to get to know them personally by allowing Him to become their Lord and Savior.

"The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. For Thou art with me thy faithfulness! Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Thou annoint my head with oil. My cup run over, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Bilang isang anak ng isang cancer patient at isang alagad ng science, minarapat kong ibahagi ang aking kaalaman ukol sa sakit na CANCER. Ang cancer ay isang complex na groupo ng 100 na magkaibang uri ng cancer. Ang cancer ay pwedeng maka apekto sa anumang bahagi ng ating katawan.

Sa murang edad, nakita ko ang gradual health deterioration ng aking mahal na papa. Naging mahirap para sa pamilya pero kailangang gawin para madugtugan ang buhay ng mahal sa buhay. Sa linggong ito, bigyan pansin ang sakit na cancer. Makibahagi sa pagpalaganap ng kamalayan sa ating mga kababayan

PAANO NAGKAKAROON NG CANCER?

Ang ating organ sa katawan ay binubuo ng mga cells. The multiplication of cells depends on how the body needs them. Kung nagkataon na sumobra ang multiplication ng cells sa ating katawan na kung saan di naman kailangan ng ating sistema, ang resulta ay isang MASS na kung tawagin o termed na TUMOR sa field of medicine.

Ang mga bukol o mass ay maaring maging benign or malignant. Benign ay tinuturing non-cancerous at Malignant ay cancerous.

Benign tumors rarely are life threatening at di mabilis ang pagkalat sa ibang bahagi ng katawan. They can often be removed.

PAANO KUMAKALAT ANG CANCER SA IBANG PARTE NG KATAWAN?

Ang cells na nabibilang sa malignant tumors ay may abilidad na sakupin ang katabing tissues o organ, thus spreading the disease. May posibilidad din na ang cancerous cells ay humiwalay sa tumor at sumama sa daloy ng dugo at kumalat sa iba pang bahagi ng katawan, Ito ay tinatawag sa medisina na METASTASIS.

Kung ang cancerous cells ay kumalat (metastasized) at naapektuhan ang iba pang bahagi ng katawan, ang sakit ay tumutukoy sa organ na pinagmulan. Halimbawa, cervical cancer ay kumalat sa baga (Lungs), maaring matawag pa rin itong cervical cancer at hindi lung cancer.

Subalit, ang karaniwang cancer ay nadedevelop sa paraan na ito, ang sakit na leukemia ay hindi. Naapektuhan nila ang dugo at kalapit na organ nito at maaring sakupin ang kalapit na tissues sa paligid nito.

Ang cancer ay mag-kakaiba at iba iba ang lunas na pwedeng ilapat sa mga ito. Kung ano ang pwedeng magbigay lunas sa prostate cancer ay hindi pwede sa bladder cancer. Ang pagbigay lunas sa cancer ay naiiba depende sa organ na apektado nito.

Sa iba pang mga katanugan ukol sa cancer, maaring nyong bisitahing ang mga links na nakalista sa ibabang bahagi nito:

Types of Cancer
Etymology of Cancer
DOH

Mga cancer advocate. Bisitahin din sila for more information .
IFM, revsiopao, Bro. Utoy, desertfishing, Coolwaterworks , Bro. Bluep, glen

This song is for you!

Click Here!

I was once a victim of cancer, not as a patient but a son of a cancer patient...I dedicate the song to all the families and friends who lost their loveone's by this destructible disease. We stand to be one on this issue. Hawak kamay nating harapin, MAGKASANGGA kasama ang dyos!

Lord, Teach My Heart

I was in the house for quite sometime (almost 3 days) for I was diagnosed having acute bronchitis & adviced to stay on bed for awhile. The prognosis was followed by series of antibiotic treatments & cough syrup etc..etc. The whole day was not usual, it was really a boring day and uncomfortable in the process. Since I was used to be always infront of the computer monitor, being on bed was a sad & devastating moment ( I thank God for the technology kasi kahit sa mobile nakakasilip silip pa rin ng mails ko at friends on-line, hehehe!).

During the muni muni moment, I saw a book given by a friend when I had my vacation. Since then, di ko pa rin nababasa till I realized na something is there that would be useful sa search ko. The book was inspirational compilation of thoughts from different writers.

The first chapter talks about contentment. It defines CONTENTMENT as ............He enumerated lessons to be learned out of it.

Four steps to develop contentment in your life.

1.) Stop comparing yourself to others.

Sa tuwing may comparison ang iyong buhay sa iba, saan saan pa tutungo kondi sa discontentment pa rin. There will always be people who appear to be better off than you, but you don't know their circumstances.

I recall a moment of discouragement many years ago. I was disappointed with my weight and appearance since then. I wanted to look like somebody else. I wanted to achieve a toned medium muscular built to gain public attention. I enrolled to a gym (gymnasium ang kinalabasan kasi bulto bultong rice ang nakakain ko, ahihi!) with friends, but since the objective was not properly set, walang nangyari. My aim was to be a public figure (kalibugan baga) not for the health side purposes. Then, I came to a point na di ko naman kailangan maging katulad ni ..... para ma-gain ko respect ko sa sarili ko. Now, I learned a moral out of it "Kung kaya ng iba di ipagawa mo sa kanila", toinks!

2.) Be grateful for who you are & what you have.

Learning to be content requires that you stop any "when & then" thinking- " When I am ______, then I'll be happy." Ang rason kung bakit tayo napapatihulog sa bitag ay....

makinig ka! Ikaw daw ay isang kakaibang nilikha ng dyos (unique). Nilikha ka ng dyos to be like nobebody else, so why would you want to be somebody else?. God is perfect, and you were his perfect choice to be you. Understanding that is a huge step towards being content with your life.

And then look at things God has given you. So often we allow what we don't have to dominate our focus that we forget the many wonderful things we already have, not only material blessing, but far more important things, such as family and friends.

3.) Focus on things with eternal value.

Let me share a story. One time in Rome, there were tourists came to visit the monastery. A lady came in to the room of one monk and saw a single bed. She commented "I can't live here without television, fridge etc..etc." Without her knowledge the monk was standing at her back. He answered back " We live here with simplicity & temporary, and besides I can not bring those things when I am with my father."

I spent almost seven years in the kingdom. All I wanted before was to live in a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle. Since I am working & earning, I can afford to buy anything that will suffice my longing for something (electronic gadgets, etc..etc). Then, there was a time that my company decided to transfer me to another city in saudi arabia. The transfer was immediate because they need manpower in an instant. I dont have time to pack all those things and some of it was left behind. I endorsed it to my friends, but unluckily the items were left unsaved. From then on, I learned that our life abroad is temporary like our life on earth.

4.) Give yourself to others.

To tell you honestly, I wanted to die serving the Lord in any way possible.

When I left Philippines, my priest brother (that time he was just a seminarian) told me repeatedly that everytime you meet people/friends, treat them as Jesus Christ para daw di ako mawala. I carry the mission in my heart up until today. I was once a mediator of one problematic husband & a father. And happened to be my dear friend now. I saved the marriage but the rest were his initiative.

Are you particular with St. Francis prayer? I pronounce it everyday and even sing it even at work. "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace"......

Up to now, I recieve mails from people who really wanted to keep their family intact. Di ko sila kilala personally pero they just saw my profile sa mga public friendly sites. Baka nagbabakasakali lang kasi may madre akong kasama sa pic? hehehe!

Lately, I recieved a letter from a desperate wife hoping that I will extend help to trace her husband's whereabouts. Wala na daw padala since last year pa. She was dependent na lang daw sa mga magulang nya kya nahihiya na sya. She discovered pa na may kinakasama ang asawa nya dito, anuvey yan?!!! Tinawagan ko company ng asawa nya at sa awa ng dyos ,nakuha ko din ang contact info ng tao. Umaasa ako na magiging maganda ang resulta ng usapan nilang mag-asawa.

To you misis......I am praying for the best!

If you will begin giving yourself to others, sharing what things you do have, sharing your time and your talent, you will find yourself learning to be content. Helping others will give you an appreciation for what you have and who you are, but more importantly, you will find yourself growing content. Why? Because God designed us to serve and share with others, and until we do that, we feel great discontent.

The coming week will be our xmas party kaya super balutan na ng gifts sa bahay. Wala na akong halos magawa kasi naubos ko na last weekend. Dahil sa sobra lamig, di ko na gusto lumabas kasi naninigas ang buto ko sa lamig (di yun ha!). Di na nga maayos ang tulog ko sa gabi dahil parang sumusuot sa mga kasu kasuan ko ang lamig, asus! saudi pa lang ito di lalo na siguro kung nasa europa ako, baka ikamatay ko talaga, lol!...

As I promised, ito na ang kwentong misyonero inilaan ko kay Tintin. Dapat mabasa mo ito para matawa ka at di ka na magtanong about papaya. Baka pagnalaman ang dulot ng papaya sa seminarista, pari at madre di ka na kumain nito, lol! (peace!)

Mga kaibigan kong pari, madre at seminarista, kasama nyo po ako sa pagsugpo ng masamang elemento (sugpuin nyo na po ako), ahahahaha! Sa mga readers, isa lang po itong maikling kwento na makakadulot ng panandaliang kasiyahan kaya wag nyo pong bigyan ng kulay ang anumang nakasaad sa kwento.

Dala ng sobrang lamig at pangugulila sa buhay pamilya pinas, naisip ko na lang na i-post ang story na ito:

We Serve the Lord by tha Way We Live.

"One day, a priest and a bus driver died and they arrived at the gate of heaven at the same day. The bus driver went first to St Peter for him to check whether he is going to heaven or to hell. So, St Peter checked his name in the book of life. And St Peter told the bus driver happily that he is going to heaven. The driver was very happy, then the angels welcomed him in heaven. Then, the priest’s turn came to check with St Peter. St Peter looked for the priest’s name immediately in the book of life and upon reading what is written there, he was very sad to tell the priest that he is going to hell. The priest was shocked and demanded an explanation. He told St Peter that he knew that bus driver who came before him. He said to St Peter, “that bus driver was a reckless driver. He did not respect his passengers and had put their lives in danger. How come he is heaven and I am going to hell?” Then, St Peter told the priest, “ you know my son, that driver was in heaven because he has helped many people to be close to God while you, did not”. The priest was confused how did it happen, so St Peter continued, “this is what happened. When that bus driver drives, all the passengers pray to God, but when you preach in the church, all your parishioners sleep!”

Kaya sa mga cyber friend na missionaries (wag kaming patulugin during sermon), salamat sa inyong time at pag share ng joys & vocation experiences sa mga readers at kaibigan. You put smile & inspiration on our faces each day. Keep reaching the youth in every way possible. Keep them closer to Christ! Wag gayahin ang ang old fashioned (?) na priest sa storya, use every medium possible to reach the youth of today (either wordpress or blogspot etc. etc)(compaign ata ito ha?!).

our beloved ate from johannesburg

ang tatlong singgol, bow!
(From left to right) nephew, jun; my sister, sr. marlene; ako ; my brother; fr. glen

Aming dasal sa inyong kaligtasan sa oras ng misyon!.. Maraming Salamat Po at Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!!

Be reachable mga kapatid!

Bakit ba sa tuwing may get together ang mga tao, mapa-family reunion man o simpleng barkada gimik, ang unang tanong sayo ay "may girlfriend ka ba?" at bago ka pa makasagot ay maririnig mo naman ang "BAKET WALA?????!!!!!!". Hay, kailan ba talagang may bitbit kang girlet sa mga okasyon na ito? Pano kung wala talaga? Alangan namang makiusap ako sa mga close girl friends ko para mag-panggap na "kami"?! Di naman ata tama yun, di ba? How I wish na sana maintindihan ng mga tao na sa mga panahon ngayon ay "accepted" na sa society na medyo madi delay ang pag iisang dibdib ng mga kalalakihan sa kanilang irog especially like me who wants to get into so many things all at the same time. I also wish that people would understand that okey lang ako and the rest of the member ng "Samahang Malamig Ang Pasko". I mean we do get lonely once in awhile. Naiingit din minsan dun sa may mga lovelife paminsan-minsan. Kung minsan naman ay nagmumuni-muni sa mga past kilig moments, but these lonely moments do not and will not make our world stop..

Isipin nyo na lang na kung wala kaming mga single friends nyo eh di walang kayong paghihingahan ng sama ng loob tuwing nag aaway kayo ng partners nyo. Wala din kayong "instant dayte" kung sakaling nangailangan kayo. Wala rin kayong mahihila sa mall para maghanap ng magandang regalo for your better-half pa x-mas o kaya pag birthday nya. At ang mahalaga sa lahat, wala kayong kakampi if things between you and your labidabs don't work-out. Marami naman sa aming mga singles ay nakakaranas nang "ma-in-love"yun nga lang, obvious ba???? it all didn't work-out. Pero di naman kami "bitter" o galit sa mundo. ang totoo nga nyan eh mas lumalalim ang kahulugan ng "love" para sa amin.

When you're all by yourself, there is more time to reflect and think what you really want in life. Mas naiisip mo kung ano ba talaga ang makakapagbigay ng tunay na ligaya sayo...at mas naiisip mo kung paano matututpad ang lahat ng mga pangarap mo. And while reflecting, we also get to imagine that we will, one day end up with someone who will share those dreams with us.

Di naman sa nang-iinggit ako pero masaya ang buhay naming mga single . Biruin mo we can go out with anybody, anytime, that is. We can get into kind of things like go to gym regularly or get into all kinds of sports or any "self-enhancement" programs, etc. Medyo tipid ang buhay single kasi wala naman kaming po-problema tuwing Valentines day, Christmas o Aniversary, O di ba ang saya?

Sa palagay ko naman ay lahat tayo ay may karapatang sumaya ke single man o attached ka. I guess may kanya kanya lang tayong panahon lumigaya at diyos lang ang makapagsasabi kung kailan nga dadating ang oras na yun.

So, para sa mga kasalukuyang "attached" I wish you all the luck and happiness. If there is any problem dont forget that your single friends are always here for you! Sa mga bagong singles naman, wag na magmukmuk! enjoy life! (enjoy the single life!) There are a lot of things that you will still discover. At tandaan mo, di ka lang nag-iisa madami tayo, hehehehe!

Sa kapwa kong mga singles , I hope that we are one in believing that we long for someone not because to be happy but we long for someone because we want to share our happiness with that special person for the rest of our lives.

When I was still working in the Philippines, Elmer and I shared funny mission stories. He come along with us if he was not able to caught up the daily boat schedule going to Mindoro. We had a great time with this young and enthusiastic SVD missionary (that time kasi freshman pa lang sya). He came with some colleagues; Kiko , Jason... etc. ( I don't remember some names). Elmer used to be very malambing to us with my brod (Fr. Glen Deuna,SVD) that's why I treated him as my own young brod already.

When I left Philippines last 2002, I lost connection with my brod seminarians temporarily, but when I had my vacation last 2006 I saw Elmer & kiko when I visited and had my slept-over in the seminary dormitory. That's the last time I saw them together.

Elmer was assigned to Hungary for his theological studies and...Kiko? di ko na po alam!....Surprisingly, I saw the write-up of Elmer about "Old Lady & Eucharist". I was moved to tears when I read it because that is the story I am into right now. In almost 7 years working here, I experienced deep sorrow and spiritual poverty. There were times that I woke up in the middle of the night crying looking for a crucifix and mass (Eucharistic celeb.). What I did was to cut-out papers and formed it as crucifix for the meantime. By the way, crucifix is prohibited here!.

I feel alone without Christ in the Holy Eucharist. It sounds weird to some, but it is true!. Read his story:

An Old Lady and the Eucharist
By Frt. Elmer Hernandez, SVD.

Elmer(Right) with seminarians from Budapest and China.

I noticed an old lady who was left behind after a Sunday Bible service in one of the barrios of our parish. She was teary-eyed. I approached her and asked if there was something wrong. I was surprised to hear her answer: “Hindi ako nakapag-komunyon kasi hindi pa ako nakapag-kumpisal.” What added to her sadness was the fact that that day was very significant for her because she was celebrating her birthday.

I sat beside her and intently embraced her. That was my immediate reaction hoping to make her comfortable. I assumed that she was aware that I do not have the faculty of hearing confession. And so I asked her to see the priest at once. Her tears flowed all the more. That was the only word I left her. She knew I could not stay longer because of my other scheduled services. I felt helpless and so I turned my back silently to proceed to my next schedule of Bible service in another barrio. I kept that in my heart and continued pondering. I had enough time to reflect because it was a long trip to reach my second area. It was four rides away.

The experience made me appreciate all the more the value of the Holy Eucharist and the reverence of the holy sacrifice deserves. Holy Eucharist is being celebrated everyday as part of our spiritual nourishment. Unfortunately, there were times when it becomes very ordinary in the daily structure. For some, it is of great importance like the old lady who has the rare chance of celebrating the liturgy. Unfortunately, it is not even a mass, it is just a Bible service. It made me grateful for the opportunity of receiving the Lord in the most Holy Sacrifice.

No one could underestimate the power of the Holy Eucharist. It could even transform people. God sanctifies the sacrifice being offered. We are just made instruments to facilitate the sacrifice. I thank God for the experience. I may not be teary-eyed like the old lady but there must be an inner longing for Christ and be disposed to receive Him in a worthy spirit. God deserves a well-prepared dwelling place in us. I should exert more effort to make my soul, mind and heart worthy of the transforming grace that flows in the Holy Eucharist.

Posted by Hatid-Diwa: at 4:38 AM 1 comments (Story was taken from Hatid Diwa)

Goodluck to you Mer & God always be with you! I will pray for your perseverance. .

I read some of Fr. Ariel's homilies delivered in his assigned diocese in Botswana, Africa. The homily focuses on "All souls day celebration". He inumerated story related to our salvation since it is the day of the dead. Here is the story:

I remember a story of a doctor in one community in the Philippines. This doctor was known to be very kind to all especially to the poor. If he had poor patients, he gave his services for free, and most of the times gave them free medicines also. People were always flocking to his clinic which was located on the second floor of a building. When they read the sign- “the doctor is IN. Clinic upstairs”, the poor patients were given that hope to get help from this generous doctor. It so happened that after many years of serving as a doctor and giving help to the poor patients, the doctor died. Many people came during the funeral to show their love and prayers for the doctor especially those poor patients whom he was helping. But there was one thing that the community did that amazed many people in the place. During the funeral, instead of putting a beautiful tombstone, they put the sign from his clinic on his grave, “the doctor is IN. Clinic upstairs”. The people believed that with his generosity to the poor, he deserved life everlasting promised by our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, I believe also that the good doctor is IN, in God’s kingdom and his clinic UPSTAIRS in heaven.

My dear brothers and sisters, that beautiful story of the generous doctor reminds us that our life does not end here on earth. Our life does not end here in Botswana. Our life ends “UPSTAIRS”, in heaven to be with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

To all the missionaries around the world, makakaasa kayo sa aking panalangin at suporta sa abot ng aking makakaya. Prayer is the only way we can reach each others heart.

God be with you!

During my spare time in the office I make sure that I read all the blogs of my seminarian friends. I read the missionary story of Frt. Jaekel Solde, SVD and was amazed by the the story he associated with his mission in Ilocandia. Since I am in saudi arabia I was really interested to read the story. The story goes like this:

An Arab Sheik was admitted to the Philippine Heart Center in Manila for heart surgery, but prior to the surgery, the doctors needed to store his blood in case the need arises. As the gentleman had a rare type of blood, it couldn’t be found locally, so, the call went out to a number of provinces.

Finally an Ilocano was located who had a similar blood type.The Ilocano willingly donated his blood for the Arab. After the surgery, the Arab sent the Ilocano as appreciation for giving his blood, a new Toyota, diamonds & a million US dollars.

A couple of days later, once again, the Arab had to go through acorrective surgery. His doctor telephoned the Ilocano who was more than happy to donate his blood again.

After the second surgery, the Arab sent the Ilocano a thank-you card & a jar of candies.

The Ilocano was shocked that the Arab this time did not reciprocate his kind gesture as he had anticipated. He phoned the Arab & asked him: ‘I thought you would be generous again, that you would give me a Toyota, diamonds & money… but you only gave me a thank-you card & a jar of candies’.

To this the Arab replied: ‘Manong, I now have Ilocano blood in my veins’.

In my seven years working in Saudi Arabia, the people and the place itself are my home. Dealing with them is quiet difficult(I admit), but if you were adjusted to the culture and behavior of some, you'll get used to it. Just like the Arab sheik in the story. He felt that he belongs to the ilocano heritage since the blood flowing in his vein came from ilocano donor. It really tickled my bones when I first read it in Frt. Jaekel's blog.

Hope you enjoyed reading the story!!