ma’am, may i go out?media.kerygmafamily.com/media/kmag/pdf/20150701.pdf2015/07/01 · infanta,...

No. 302 Vol. 26 JULY 2015

Inspiring You To Live A Fantastic LifeK E R Y G M

A

Vivien Fernan shares how embracing her core gift simplified everything in her life

Eleanore Lee-Teo narrows down parenthood to what’s essential

Ma’am, May I Go Out?Practical Lessons I learned Outside the Classroom

This is a book for every student.

Maliban sa mga natutunan mo sa loob ng classroom, mayroon ding mga bagay na dapat mong matutunan sa labas ng eskwelahan na hindi mo dapat balewalain.

There are lessons to be learned in the bigger classroom — the classroom of life.

This book will inspire you to study more, learn more and have fun!

Sundan mo lang ang STAR — Scripture, Tale, Activity and Reflection sa loob ng librong ito at siguradong gagabayan ka nito papunta sa tamang landas. Hindi mo kailangang mawala.

Packed with down-to-earth and funny stories, this book will inspire you to reflect on your own journey in school and life. May activities that will help you apply valuable lessons and make you a better person.

Heto ang ilan sa mga kuwentong magbibigay inspirasyon sa iyo:

•Agawan Base•Aura Power, Red Mask!•#Boomouch•So Long, Dok!•“3,2,1… Curtain”

Can we learn outside the classroom? Teacher Nio says: Yes, we can! You can learn from real life.

This book contains valuable lessons that can help you in your own journey through life.

Mabuhay ka na may ngiti sa puso mo. Because knowing is the first step to loving. Basahin mo ito!

PUBLICATIONS, INC.

For orders, call 725-9999 local 101 to 108or log on to www.kerygmabooks.com

Ma'am May I… LONG AD.indd 1 6/18/15 2:54 PM

HOW TO LIVE SIMPLY

In a COMPLEX WORLD

* FIVE WAYS OF SIMPLIFYING YOUR LIFE AND ENJOYING YOUR HARVEST

* UNCLUTTER YOUR MIND AND HEART

* WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT?

* LESS IS MORE WHEN GOD IS IN ITKERYGMA BARCODE.pdf 11/16/06 5:43:58 PM

Philippines P100 US $8.14AUS $8.14Euro 5.07UK 4.49CDN $7.95SING $9.42HK $51.83RUPIAH 1.24

Ma’am, May I Go Out?Practical Lessons I learned Outside the Classroom

This is a book for every student.

Maliban sa mga natutunan mo sa loob ng classroom, mayroon ding mga bagay na dapat mong matutunan sa labas ng eskwelahan na hindi mo dapat balewalain.

There are lessons to be learned in the bigger classroom — the classroom of life.

This book will inspire you to study more, learn more and have fun!

Sundan mo lang ang STAR — Scripture, Tale, Activity and Reflection sa loob ng librong ito at siguradong gagabayan ka nito papunta sa tamang landas. Hindi mo kailangang mawala.

Packed with down-to-earth and funny stories, this book will inspire you to reflect on your own journey in school and life. May activities that will help you apply valuable lessons and make you a better person.

Heto ang ilan sa mga kuwentong magbibigay inspirasyon sa iyo:

•Agawan Base•Aura Power, Red Mask!•#Boomouch•So Long, Dok!•“3,2,1… Curtain”

Can we learn outside the classroom? Teacher Nio says: Yes, we can! You can learn from real life.

This book contains valuable lessons that can help you in your own journey through life.

Mabuhay ka na may ngiti sa puso mo. Because knowing is the first step to loving. Basahin mo ito!

PUBLICATIONS, INC.

For orders, call 725-9999 local 101 to 108or log on to www.kerygmabooks.com

Ma'am May I… LONG AD.indd 1 6/18/15 2:54 PM

BO SANCHEZ

BOOKS ON SALE

JULY 1- 30

BUY NOW! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BO SANCHEZ!

20%OFF

On Books Ordered at: On Books Available at:

Head Office:60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City. (02)725-9999

JULY IS BO SANCHEZ’S BIRTH MONTH!As his treat to all of you,

SHEPHERD’S VOICE PUBLICATIONS is giving discounts on ALL his books for the entire month of July!

10%OFF

PUBLICATIONS, INC.

Audience of ONEEverything You Wanted to Know About Worship

but Didn’t Know Who to Ask

We have a God who wants to be known!

He doesn’t hide Himself or make us jump through hoops to get close to Him. He sent His Son to become the Way to His heart. When we learn to pray and worship in the manner He intended, the result is nothing short of miraculous. Why? Because there’s blessing, healing, wholeness and every good thing in God’s presence.

In her newest book, bestselling author Rissa Singson Kawpeng shares how you can experience God up close and personal like never before as you worship Him.

Practical, easy-to-understand and filled with stories, this book contains lessons she’s learned as someone who has made worship a lifestyle.

•DiscoverhowtoenterintotheHolyofHolies.•Findoutthedifferencebetweenpraiseandworship.•NurturearelationshipwithGodinsteadofsettlingforanencounter.•Learnwhatsacrifice,obedienceandawehavetodowithworship.•UnderstandhowyoucanuseScripturetodeepenyourprayerlife.•Andmanymore!

This book will rekindle and set afire your passion for God. You will learn how to express your love for Him through worship.

Even if you’re not part of the music ministry, this book is for you. Why? Because every child of God is called to worship.

Doyourealizethattherewillbenopreachersinheaven—noushersand greeters, no lay ministers and priests?

But there will be music ministers and worshipers.

Wannapracticeforeternityinheaven?Let’sstartbybeingworshipersfor life and living for our Audience of One.

Buy your copy now at www.KerygmaBooks.com or call 4117874, 725999 local 101-109 to order your copy.

Audience of One LONG AD.indd 1 4/30/15 5:37 PM

smiled, laughed, embraced and enjoyed each other’s presence.

That, my friends, is one of my greatest achievements.

And when I’m beating deadlines, very busy writing articles and manuscripts on my computer, and I’d see my sons — I would leave my chair and sit beside them. When they were smaller, I would sit on the floor and play with them.

This, too, is one of my greatest achievements.And after a long day, I catch my wife slumped

by the couch, tired from a day of teaching the kids (because we homeschool them), and I quietly stand behind her, kiss her, say “thank you” to her, and give her a loving shoulder massage.

That would be high up in “My Greatest Achievements” list.

And when I visit friends, or even just call them by phone, or write them letters.

I consider those times my greatest moments.They define who I am.Not my books.Not my organizations.Not my preaching.But my love.Life can be full and yet simple if we know what

truly fulfills us.

May your dreams come true,

My favorite pastime is spending a day in a bookstore.Intellectually, it invigorates me.Emotionally, it refreshes me.Spiritually, it inspires me.And financially, it saves me money! Because sometimes,

I don’t have to buy the books. I just read them in the store.Somewhere in the bookstore is the “Bestsellers List.” I like looking at that, too, because it gives me an idea

of the popular trends in society — what thoughts fuel people’s minds and actions.

But these past years, I get embarrassed looking at this list.

Because my name regularly appears on it. (People might catch me looking at that list and say, “Gosh, Bo is really vain. He likes reading his name up there.”)

Now, don’t get me wrong. I consider it an achievement that I wrote bestselling books. I’m not ashamed of that. In the same way that I consider having my article published in Reader’s Digest a nice feather in my cap. Or being able to preach God’s Word all over this planet. Or writing for the number one Catholic inspirational magazine in Asia for the past 25 years. Or helping start dynamic organizations such as Anawim, Shepherd’s Voice, the Light of Jesus Family and its pastoral care center, and so many more.

They’re nice achievements, yes.But I’m sorry, they’re not my greatest achievements.Do you want to know what I’m really proud of?Here they are:When my dad was still alive, I would visit him and just

sit beside him and hold his hand. Because he had lost most of his language skills, we didn’t talk much. Instead, we

By Bo Sanchezthe Boss

Define YourGr e at e st

achievements

JULY 2015 | KERYGMA 1

mailroom

Kerygma exists because of you

send us your stories. Give us your feedback. Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 0923-378-4941 Landline: 725-9999; 470-4091 (Production Department)Mail: 60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City 1109

Facebook Pages: Kerygma Magazine and Shepherd’s Voice PublicationsTwitter: @SVPOfficial

for subscription-related concerns:Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 0922-814-7031 (Sarah Discutido) Landline: 725-9999 locals 101 to 108

JULY 2015 | KERYGMA2

I can’t remember when I first read Kerygma. But I feel blessed that I was able to read it way back, probably in high school, and until now that I am already married. It’s always inspiring and empowering every time I read the real life stories I could reflect on. I believe God is using you in a very wonderful way. I look forward to the many stories of hope and love that you carefully include in the magazine. For me, this is the coolest and must-have mag for us all.

Jessa LogronioSilliman University, Dumaguete City

I thank God for your magazine. It helps me a lot in every aspect of my life.

At first I was just getting it for free from my Caring Group co-member way back in 2011. When I got hooked to it, I still decided to subscribe even if I could get it for free at The Feast PICC. I just want to make sure that I will not miss an issue of your truly inspiring magazine.

I always look forward to your monthly issues. Most of the time, while reading your magazine from cover to cover, my own concerns are also addressed.

Thank you once again and I hope you continue to inspire us and bring us closer to God.

God bless you more!

Laarni Azores Infanta, Quezon

I’m one of the avid fans of Kerygma and of Bo Sanchez. I started reading Kerygma when I was 17 years old. It’s cool! It inspires me from the inside out and even expanded my knowledge about spiritual matters. I am blessed everytime I read your magazine. I can’t stop reading it again and again. I want to thank Kerygma magazine for inspiring people with your very touching articles.

My one-percent belief turned to 100-percent faith. Thank you, Bo Sanchez, for inspiring us. More power to you and your team. God bless.

Leoni FadriquelaOdiongan, Romblon

I am sending you a photocopy of an article that Bo Sanchez wrote, which appeared in your February 2011 issue (Vol. 21, No. 249).

The reason I am writing to you is to request that Kerygma reprint that article so that your readers will be reminded that “to love the poor is essential to our identity as Christians, as Catholics,” especially in this Year of the Poor as declared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

More power to Bo Sanchez and Kerygma!

Judith P. BarredoTalisay City

(Editor’s note: Your wish is our command. The article is reprinted on pages 10 to 13. Thank you for your suggestion. )


I once had the privilege of having lunch with Bishop Raul Martirez. When you get a chance to have a one-on-one with a wise and holy man like him, you want to get as much as you can from that encounter. So I asked him how he heard the Lord’s call to become a priest.

With his simple but profound wisdom I’ve come to love, Bishop Raul replied, “I grew up thinking it was just natural for me to become a priest.”

He told me how he hailed from a religious family in Aklan. The late Jaime Cardinal Sin was a cousin of his father. A number of other bishops — including the first Filipino archbishop of Manila, Gabriel M. Reyes — were his relatives, too. In their clan, they have many other priests and over a hundred nuns.

Wow. Holiness can be inherited just like the color of your eyes or your hair, or even the shape of your body.

If piety can be passed down, can ungodliness be bequeathed as well?

Science has already confirmed this. In one study, 63 percent of men

whose fathers were convicted criminals were convicts themselves. Compare this to only 33 percent of those whose fathers weren’t convicted. What does this mean? That you’re likely to end up as a criminal if your dad was one.

There are other negative things that can be passed down from generation to generation. A violent temper, an adulterous spirit, alcoholism, drug addiction, diabetes and other diseases.

want to leave your children?Make the right choices today.

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. (Proverbs 20:7)

Email me at [email protected], follow me on Facebook, or visit my website www.rissasingsonkawpeng.com.

just breathe Living by Grace

WHaT TO eXPeCT:

Wanna level up your prayer life? Whether you’re a music minister, a choir member or just a regular Joe who wants to grow in your relationship with the Lord, you’ll surely learn something life-changing in my new book, Audience of One: Everything You Wanted to Know About Worship but Didn’t Know Who to Ask.

Here’s what our staff writer, Marj Duterte, emailed me after proofreading the book: “I feel enlightened that I even took down notes…. Like a campfire where people stoke the dying embers to ignite

the fire again, it brought fresh fire in me to worship the Lord with renewed passion. There were times it brought

tears to my eyes.”But don’t take her word

for it. Read it for yourself and let me know what you think. Order

now at www.Kerygmabooks.

com or call (632)725999.

Even depression and suicide can “run in the family.” American novelist Ernest Hemingway took his life in 1961 — one among five in their family that covered four generations.

His father was the first one to take his life three decades earlier. After Ernest, two other siblings and his granddaughter would take their lives, too.

The Bible speaks about generational curses that go down to our descendants. Exodus 34:7 in The Living Bible says, “I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected — even children in the third and fourth generations.”

How frightening to think that our wrong choices today can affect our children’s grandchildren. But what a relief to know that our godly obedience will go down to the thousandth generation!

What legacy do you

Because your actions today will affect your family for generations to come

By Rissa Singson Kawpeng

MaKe the Right ChoiCeS

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KERYGMA MISSION PARTNER @ 25 Grace CardMechanics

How to Qualify:

1. Subscribe to Kerygma magazine for one year and automatically get the Kerygma Grace card with your

2. The Kerygma Grace card will automatically have one stamp upon issuance.

How to Get Stamps:

1. Subscriber to refer 24 more subscribers of one-year* subscription to Kerygma.

2. For every referral of Kerygma one-year* subscription by the subscriber, the subscriber gets one stamp.

3. A referral subscription will be counted as a valid referral if it meets the following mechanics:

form b. Personally submitted by the referrer c. Subscription fee to be paid in full to Shepherd’s Voice Publications.

4. Once the requirements for the referral are complete, an authorized Shepherd’s Voice Publications representative will put a stamp on the coupon.

5. If the referred subscriber subscribed to Kerygma, that referred subscriber will also get a Kerygma Grace card for his/her use.

6. *One-year subscription fee is P800.00 with additional P100.00 for the Grace Card.

Free Items:1. Once the Kerygma Grace card holder completes a

certain number of stamps, they will receive the following free items from Shepherd’s Voice Publications:

5 stamps: FREE Kerygma 25th Anniversary T-shirt

10 stamps: FREE Gift pack from GT Cosmetics & Worship Generation

15 stamps: FREE One (1) Kerygma Conference Regular Ticket

20 stamps: FREE One (1) Bo Sanchez Truly Rich Seminar ticket 25 stamps: Coffee session with Bo Sanchez

2. Promo period is from May 4, 2015 to November 6, 2015.

Guidelines:1. Free items are transferable but not convertible to

cash.2. Free items must be claimed within 60 days from end

of the promo period until January 5, 2016. 3. Free items will be claimed at the Shepherd’s Voice

Subscribers must present the Kerygma Grace card with the required amount of stamps and valid I.D. with photo (e.g, driver’s license, company I.D. or passport).

4. Subscribers may send a representative to claim free item on their behalf provided they present the following:

a. Letter of authorization from the winner

I.D) c. Kerygma Grace card with the required

amount of stamps5. Promo good for Metro Manila subscribers only. 6. For delivery of Kerygma magazines, please allow

three weeks delivery time together with the Grace card.

7. concurrence of DTI representative.

8. All Shepherd’s Voice Publications employees are not eligible to join the promo including their relatives

9. Per DTI FTEB SPD Permit No. 5987 Series of 2015.

Per D.T.I. Permit No. ______

The Bo Files

The BossDEFINE YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS

Point of Contact

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Departments

Mailroom

Daily Pause

New You

Real Stuff

Year of the PoorSERVING THE POOR IS OUR LIFE

Dear K

Feast SnapshotsTHE FEAST VIDEO LUISIANA

It HappenedFROM MESSENGER TO CEO

One Last StoryA MIRACLE IN GOD’S PERFECT TIME

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Columns

Just Breathe MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES

SeasonsLESS IS MORE WHEN GOD IS IN IT

Faith@WorkGENERATION Y

K PreacherALL THINGS NEW

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Special Section

IntroductionHOW TO LIVE SIMPLY IN A COMPLEX WORLD TeachingSIMPLIFY AND ENJOY LIFE

TeachingA SIMPLE LIFE STARTS WITHIN

Testimo niesEMbRACING MY CORE GIFT IS LIFE SIMPLIFIED

SIMPLIFIED PARENTING

MOS: AS SIMPLE AS THAT!

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chairman of the board and CEO BO SANCHEZ • president HERMIE R. MORELOS • vice-president for corporate services WENG CEQUEÑA • assistant vice-president for production RISSA KAWPENG • production manager TESS V. ATIENZA • sales and marketing manager JOSEPH MARTINEZ

Kerygma. A Greek word meaning “Proclamation of the Gospel.” It is a Catholic inspirational magazine. It aims to be an evangelistic tool for all nations, providing Scriptural, practical and orthodox teachings to Catholics, particularly those in the Catholic Renewal, as an alternative to present-day magazines. It is also committed to fostering the renewal and unity of the whole Christian people. Philippine copyright Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc. 2015. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission. Published monthly by Shepherd’s Voice Publications, Inc., whose editorial and business offices are located at 60 Chicago St., Cubao, 1109 Quezon City. Tel.: (632) 725-9999, 411-7874, 725-1190, 470-4091 (Production Department). Fax: 727-5615. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.kerygmabooks.com

founder and publisher BO SANCHEZ • editor-in-chief RISSA SINGSON KAWPENG • managing editor TESS V. ATIENZA • creative director MIKE CORTES • graphics director REY DE GUZMAN • assistant graphics artist JAP TARECTECAN • staff writers MAYMAY SALVOSA, MARJORIE ANN DUTERTE, KARREN RENZ SEÑA, DINA PECAÑA • contributing writers ELEANORE LEE-TEO, ELLY CABAL • photographers DANIEL SORIANO, DAVE APALLA • columnists BETH MELCHOR, MON BUENO, ARIEL DRIZ • production assistant ANGIE ESPUERTA

About the Cover Model:Vivien Nicole Fernan, or Viv as her friends call her, is a graduate of B.S. Occupational Therapy from the University of Sto. Tomas and acquired her license in the United States. She currently serves in the music ministry and worship team of The Feast Greenhills. Be inspired on how Viv simplifies her life by focusing on her passion for music, theater, and arts on pages 30-31.

daily pause with Pope Francis

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2 3“We ask Mary that, as the first disciple, she teach us to remain watching, that she accompany us in patience, strengthen us in hope; we ask that she lead us towards the meeting with her Risen Son; that she free us from fear, so that we can hear the announcement of the angel... to announce it to others who need it so much.”

“The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community.”

“Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard; the quiet joy of His love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.”

“The Holy Spirit is the mover. This is why prayer is important. It is the soul of our commitment as men and women of communion, of unity. Pray to the Holy Spirit that He may come and create unity in the Church.”

“You could say to me, ‘But the Church is made up of sinners; we see them every day.’ And this is true: we are a Church of sinners. And we sinners are called to let ourselves be transformed, renewed, sanctified by God.”

“Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”

“We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.”

“The gift of piety means to be truly capable of rejoicing with those who rejoice, of weeping with those who weep, of being close to those who are lonely or in anguish, of correcting those in error, of consoling the afflicted, of welcoming and helping those in need.”

“When exhaling this air, we announced Jesus Christ risen by the same Spirit. No one can live without breathing. It is the same for the Christian — without praise and mission there is no Christian life.”

“Human dignity is the same for all human beings: when I trample on the dignity of another, I am trampling on my own.”

“Everyone is called, everyone is sent out… The call of God can reach us on the assembly line and in the office, in the supermarket and in the stairwell, i.e., in the places of everyday life.”

“War is madness. Whereas God carries forward the work of creation, and we men and women are called to participate in His work, war destroys. It also ruins the most beautiful work of His hands: human beings.”

“God’s forgiveness is stronger than any sin.”

“Dear young people, do not be afraid of making decisive choices in life. Have faith; the Lord will not abandon you!”

“Are you angry with someone? Pray for that person. That is what Christian love is.”


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4 5 6“It is so very sad to find a worldly Christian who is sure — according to him or her — of that security that the faith gives and of the security that the world provides. You cannot be on both sides. The Church — all of us — must strip Herself of the worldliness that leads to vanity, to pride, that is idolatry.”

“Humility, meekness, magnanimity, and love to preserve unity! These, these are the roads, the true roads of the Church. Let us listen to this again. Humility against vanity, against arrogance — humility, meekness, magnanimity, and love preserve unity.”

“Let each one ask himself or herself today, ‘Do I increase harmony in my family, in my parish, in my community, or am I a gossip? Am I a cause of division or embarrassment?’”

“A final question: what can I, a weak fragile sinner, do? God says to you, ‘Do not be afraid of holiness; do not be afraid to aim high, to let yourself be loved and purified by God; do not be afraid to let yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit.’ Let us be infected by the holiness of God.”

“Our life is not given to us like an opera libretto, in which all is written down; but it means going, walking, doing, searching, seeing... We must enter into the adventure of the quest for meeting God; we must let God search for and encounter us.”

“The true disciple of the Lord commits himself personally to a charitable ministry whose scope is man’s multiform and endless poverty.”

“God is not a divine being or a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life.”

“When a person discovers God, the true treasure, he abandons a selfish lifestyle and seeks to share with others the charity which comes from God. He who becomes a friend of God, loves his brothers and sisters, commits himself to safeguarding their life and their health, and also to respecting the environment and nature.”

“The family remains the basic unit of society and the first school in which children learn the human, spiritual and moral values which enable them to be a beacon of goodness, integrity and justice in our communities.”

“The Good Samaritan not only draws nearer to the man he finds half-dead on the side of the road; he takes responsibility for him. Jesus shifts our understanding: It is not just about seeing the other as someone like myself, but of the ability to make myself like the other. Communication is really about realizing that we are all human beings, children of God. I like seeing this power of communication as ‘neighborliness.’”

“I am thinking of what St. Ignatius told us… He pointed out two criteria on love. The first: Love is expressed more clearly in actions than in words. The second: There is greater love in giving than in receiving.”

“Jesus is the gate opening up to salvation, a gate open to everyone.”

“How marvelous it would be if, at the end of the day, each of us could say: Today I have performed an act of charity towards others!”

“Jesus understands our weaknesses and sins; and He forgives us if we allow ourselves to be forgiven.”

“The family is where we are formed as people. Every family is a brick in the building of society.”

“There is no cross, big or small, in our life which the Lord does not share with us.”


new you Tips for Personal Development

in this internet-inclined generation, entrepreneurial success is just a click away. Maximizing the use of the web can lead to smooth advertising. Here are some tips:

1. make friends. Who does not know about Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter? Make use of these social networking sites to “add” friends, communicate with old customers, and develop new connections. Post away product and promo updates to excite the public to try what you have to offer.

2. stay connected. Gather a mailing list by coming up with giveaways or incentives during signups. Regularly send newsletters to your subscribers which should provide interesting information about your products and services, and not irritating marketing bluffs that might drive your customers away.

3. Be present. Create an online blog that can serve as your virtual office where subscribers and potential customers can visit. You can display your current products and services and provide an overview of what they can expect from you. By providing the link of your business blog on your social media site, there’s an easier way of accessing your homepage straight from the server.

Source: www.rd.com

Quick Health Tip

Kumquats, citrus fruits that are native to the Asia-Pacific region, boast of several health benefits within their tiny packages. Although they are often mistaken as oranges, their difference lies on the peel. Kumquats’ peel are edible, too. Some of the nutritional components of kumquats are folates, thiamin, pyridoxine, niacin and pantothenic acid E, which are essential for regulating metabolism. They are also rich in Vitamins A, E, and, like other citrus fruits, Vitamin C. Kumquats can be eaten as they are or can be used as a salad ingredient.

Health and Wellness5-Minute Mood-Lifting PRaCtiCeS

BusinessCLiCK to CLiCK:Let SoCiaL Media Be YouR BuSineSS

now that we are in the rainy season, our bodies seem to adapt naturally to the melancholic air. To help boost your mood when the atmosphere starts to drag your spirit down — whether in school, at home or at work — consider the following practical suggestions. These won’t take more than five minutes of your time but can save you from having a sluggish day.

1. clean up! From your beddings, to your kitchen and then to your office desk, tidying up gives a more relaxing sight. Decluttering relieves your eyes from the messy stuff. This lessens the small concerns that you have to think about all day. It saves your energy for other valuable matters.

2. Walk around. When you feel that the air is already sending a gloomy mood, stop whatever you are doing and walk around. Have a small chat with your peers or simply get a cup of water from the pantry. It relaxes the muscles while fighting off being in a sleepy mode.

3. feel the beat. Download songs that waken up your senses. Good music can trigger optimism and positive dynamics for the whole day. Fill your MP3 with songs that can ease your stress, drive away heavy emotions, and fill you with positive vibes. A lot of praise songs come in very trendy beat right now. Just a friendly advice, though, make sure that the volume is still within the recommended level for a more enjoyable result.

Above all these, keep in mind that how your day will go depends upon you. Smile or scowl, it’s all up to you. Choose wisely!

Source: www.webmd.com


Beginning January 1, 2017, the old banknotes (New Design Series or NDS) will be withdrawn from circulation and completely replaced by New Generation Currency banknotes (NGC). This means that all unspent NDS will no longer have monetary value. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is taking this step in accordance with Section 57 of Republic Act No. 7653 or the New Central Bank Act which stipulates the replacement of more than five-year-old banknotes to preserve the integrity of the Philippine peso.

In line with this, the BSP reminds the public that the NDS banknotes can still be used to pay for goods

fridge magnets are popular souvenirs for anyone coming home from local and international trips. According to EcoWaste Coalition, though, the public must be aware of the dangerous lead content beneath the appealing features of these accessories.

A recent experiment conducted by EcoWaste revealed that all the magnets used as samples were positive of containing lead up to 18,100 ppm, as opposed to the approved limit of 90 ppm for paints. This level raises an alarm because according to World Health Organization (WHO), “Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidney and bones. It is stored in the teeth and bones, where it accumulates over time. It has been estimated that lead exposure was responsible for 143,000 deaths in 2004 and 0.6 percent of the global burden of disease (expressed in disability-adjusted life years, or DALYs), taking into account mild mental retardation and cardiovascular outcomes resulting from exposure to lead.”

Aside from refrigerator magnets, cord holders for gadgets are also prone to carry lead chemicals that may be harmful especially for kids six years old and below.

Source: http://www.philstar.com

Saints-at-a-Glance

saint Mary Magdalen postelBorn: 1756 | Died: 1815Feast Day: July 16

Saint Mary Magdalen Postel, whose real name is Julie Frances Catharine Postel, dedicated her life to serving God after finishing her elementary education. She opened an exclusive school for girls in La Bretonne, France at the age of 18. During the French Revolution, she took care of fugitive priests and continued nurturing the Catholic faith of many people. Despite being always suspected, she remained safe and unharmed. She founded the Sisters of the Christian Schools of Mercy. Mother Mary Magdalen died when she was almost 90 years old and was canonized in 1925 because of her holy life and the miracles attributed to her.

Source: www.catholic.org

BSP: oLd BanKnoteS to

Be deMonetized BY 2017

CoMMon SouveniR iteM PoSeS heaLth RiSK to ChiLdRen

real stuffand services, and other business transactions until December 31, 2015. Afterwards, all NDS banknotes will not be deemed acceptable for carrying payment settlements. However, authorized institutions such as BSP

regional offices, and commercial, universal, rural, thrift and cooperative

banks are open to receive all NDS to be exchanged until December 31, 2016, free of

charge. The public is encouraged to trade all NDS still in their possession for NGC banknotes within that period.

The demonetization process presupposes the use of the NGC series alone in circulation.

Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

An airplane crashed. Among the casualties were a teacher, a manager and a corrupt politician. The teacher lived a lifestyle loving the poor. She served them herself. The manager gave to the poor once in a while, but the politician did not think of the poor at all when he was still alive.

St. Peter found them waiting at heaven’s gate. But heaven was getting a bit crowded and because of this, St. Peter was having a bad day.

He informed the three that there would be a test to get into heaven: They each had to answer a question.

St. Peter asked the teacher, “What’s the name of the ship that crashed into an iceberg and sank with all its passengers?”

The teacher thought for a second and then replied, “Titanic, right?”

St. Peter nodded and let her through the gate. Next, St. Peter turned to the manager. St. Peter knew his life — he seldom gave to the poor. He decided to make the question a little harder. He asked, “How many people died on the ship?”

The manager thought hard and

year of the poor Feature

SeRving the PooR iS ouR Life(Reprinted from Kerygma February 2011 issue)

By Bo Sanchez

said,”1,517!” St. Peter said, “That happens to be right. Go right in.”

Then he turned to the politician who looked nervous. He was guilty — instead of doing something good for the people, he robbed them. Instead of using government money for the poor, he used them for his family’s luxuries and to build his mansions.

While reflecting on his past life, he heard St. Peter ask him, “What were the names of the 1,517 people who died on the Titanic?”

Well, you guessed what happened!

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come… For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me… For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.”

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They will also answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?”

He will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.

- Matthew 25:34-46

Do you recognize something in this passage?

Jesus did not ask, “Did you pray? Did you know Me personally? Did you accept Me as your personal Lord and Savior?”

But Jesus asked the most important thing, “Did you love the poor? What did you do for them?”

Your answer will determine where you will go after you die.

Loving the poor isn’t an option for Christians.

If you’re a Catholic and you say you love the Lord and you want to follow Him, you have to love the poor. It is essential to our identity as Christians, as Catholics.

But you know, while preparing my talks one day, I realized how unbalanced our brand of Christianity is.

I have a library of over a thousand books. Last time I counted, I had 17 books on prayer, 16 books on leadership, 34 books on church growth and evangelization, 38 books on spirituality, and then I was shocked — I

only had three books on loving the poor. When you read the Bible, almost 30

percent of it speaks about loving the poor. This means that if my library were

to reflect the Bible, then I should have at least 300 books about loving the poor. Instead I have three.

How do you love the poor?I’d like to help you by giving you a

few ways of doing that. But first, let us understand why God sides with the poor.

The Lord Favors the Poor

In my pastures the poor shall eat, and the needy lie down in safety.

– Isaiah 14:30

1. They are too many.Look around you. There’s so much poverty almost everywhere. It is no longer surprising to see a squatters’ area lurking behind a gated subdivision. According to a World Vision study, 77 percent of Filipino families are living in destitution, 20 percent of them below the “food threshold” (that is, they do not have enough to be able to eat two to three meals a day). Majority of the children from these poor families drop out of school upon reaching Grade 2 due to poor brain development and 1.82 million youth aged 15 to 24 are out of school.

2. They are victims.Society has a golden rule: “He who has the gold makes the rules.”

Who dies in wars? It’s not the politicians or government leaders who declare war against other nations. Rather, it’s the poor soldiers who risked their lives in the battlefield.

Who gets jailed when violence happens? It’s not the masterminds — again it’s the poor.

The poor are the victims. That’s why God sides with them. And that’s why God calls us to side with them, too. He asks us to lead our lives so that the poor can have employment, so that we can lift them up from poverty.

When I say God sides with the poor, it doesn’t mean there’s something beautiful about poverty. And the reason God sides with the poor is so that we can lift them up from poverty. There is a way, and God is challenging us to lift them up.

So how can we do this?

Ways to Love the Poor

1. Practice justice in your dealings with the poor.He who mocks the poor blasphemes his Maker.

– Proverbs 17:15

How do you treat your helpers? Are you satisfied with giving them their salaries? Do you give them days off as mandated by law?

I remember a time when a friend invited me to his house. His helper opened the door for me. And then

year of the poor


my friend appeared and welcomed me, “Feel at home, Bo!” But I noticed his maid standing near the wall, looking like a flower vase. My friend didn’t introduce her to me, so I took the liberty of introducing myself to her. She was surprised! Obviously, it wasn’t a normal thing for her — to be acknowledged with the same dignity as her employer.

2. Be one with the poor.He who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed.

– Proverbs 19:17

There’s a dividing wall between the rich and the poor, created by society itself, and you have to make a decision to cross that dividing line. You have to make a decision to go down from your ivory tower and live with them, talk to them and spend time with them. Then you’ll be able to understand them.

Imagine a lifeboat. The poor are seated on the right side, the rich on the other side. Let’s say the boat has a hole and it’s starting to sink. The passengers converse with each other and the rich say among themselves, “It’s a good thing the hole isn’t on our side.”

But it’s the same lifeboat. When the economy of the

Philippines does not trickle down to classes D and E, the whole country will go down to the dogs.

3. Join a ministry for the poor; don’t just donate.

I recommend that you join at least one ministry for the poor, not just send

a check. Go there, do something. Dirty your hands.

You say, “Bo, I can’t stand their smell.”The more I would tell you, “Go there

every day so that you’ll get used to their smell.”

Loving the poor shouldn’t be an outreach. It should be a lifestyle.

We have a ministry for the elderly called Anawim. I always tell the people who donate to visit the lolos and lolas there. And you know what? Something happens. They begin to have a new heart — a heart that loves the poor.

4. Live a simple life and share to the poor.

Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.

– St. John Chrysostom

“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

– Matthew 19:21

A well-worn P20 bill and a P1,000 bill were together in the cash register. They struck up a conversation. The P1,000 bill reminisced about its travels all over the country. “I’ve had a pretty good life. I’ve been to the five-star hotels in Manila, the five-star resorts in Palawan, Boracay, and Cebu. I’ve been to the finest restaurants in Manila.”

“Wow!” exclaimed the P20 bill, “you really had an exciting life.”

“Now tell me, where have you been

throughout your lifetime?” asked the P1,000 bill to the P20 bill.

It replied, “Oh, I’ve been to the Christ the King Church, the Immaculate Conception Church, the Sacred Heart Church and The Feast PICC.”

The P1,000 bill interrupts, “What’s a church?” He hasn’t been to a single church.

The reason we can’t give to the Church and to the poor is because we use our money for luxury. That’s where our P1,000 bills go.

Live simply so you can give to the poor.

5. Speak for the poor.The poor, generally, have no voice.

You need to speak for them. You need to write letters to politicians for them. You need to defend them.

Gawad Kalinga is so successful because it does not only build houses for the poor. They have a comprehensive program for the poor that includes education, health and livelihood, among others. They also have a pool of lawyers who go to court and try to claim land for the poor in a legal way.

I’m all out in supporting GK in any way I can. Why? Because I believe this is all it takes to lift up our country, the Philippines. There is hope for the Philippines — and it’s not in the hands of the politicians. It lies in the Christians who have the heart for the poor and who will do their share in lifting them from the lower class to middle class.

6. Love the PhilippinesOK, it’s hard to get wealthy in the

Philippines if you are an ordinary wage earner. Migrate if you have to, but come back with your training and your dollars, then set up businesses here!

Make this a promise to God.

7. Learn to be financially literate and mentor others.

The reason why many people are not prospering is because they are not financially literate. Start reading books and get a mentor so you’d know how to do it.

The ultimate reason to become rich is to help others. God gives you

year of the poor

wealth so that you can bless other people.

My prayer for you is that you become wealthy, but not only for yourself! The Philippines needs a new breed of millionaires whose reason for being a millionaire is to make and create other millionaires.

God Sends YouA rich man visited a squatters’ area.

What greeted his eyes broke his heart. He saw malnourished kids playing on the streets. He felt pity for them. As he walked on, he saw an old man, sick, lying on a makeshift bed in front of his house. Flies were already making a formation on his still body. And when we reached the end of the street, he saw many out-of-school youth having a drinking session. He nearly shouted in frustration. But this one really angered him: 8- and 10-year-old kids huddling in one corner, holding plastic bags

inside their shirts. They were inhaling rugby.

The images pricked him like crazy. And he almost burst with anger. Just then, he saw a chapel. He entered it and poured

out to God all his frustration and anger. “Lord, I thought You side with the poor! Why aren’t You doing anything for them? What kind of a God are You? Why is there still so much poverty, so much starvation, so much oppression in this world?”

He kept on and on for almost an hour, questioning God, crying in frustration, waiting for God’s answer.

In a moment of calm, he heard God’s whisper: “I did something.”

“And what did You do?” he asked, relieved that God was answering him.

“I sent you,” God whispered again.God is doing something for the poor. He sends you to be the one to reach

out and lift up the poor.Are you following Him?

Editor’s note: We are reprinting this article to encourage more participation in the Year of the Poor as declared by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

year of the poor

lifedreambooks

DO YOU WANT TO BE A BESTSELLING AUTHOR?

Marianne Mencias. Dr. Josephine Holgado. Jojo Apolo. Kein Chito. Vea Panturas. Marc V. Lopez. What do these people have in common? They are all published and well-loved authors. Do you want to become like them?

We can help you publish your dream book!

LIFE DREAM BOOKS has been continuously helping aspiring authors to make their dream book a reality. We have a team of dedicated professionals with years of experience and expertise in the industry that can help you with all of your editorial needs, such as:

• Content and Copy Editing • Intensive Proofreading • Layout • Cover Design

WE GO THE EXTRA MILE! We can connect you with our trusted partners in the business for other services such as:

• Printing • Marketing strategies and campaigns • Distribution through leading bookstores nationwide

WE GO EVEN FURTHER! Do you have an awe-inspiring, life-changing and earth-shaking message, but you don’t know how to start writing your book? Life Dream Books finally offers the much-anticipated service that many aspiring authors have been asking us about: One- on-one intensive Book Coaching and Mentoring.We have a dedicated team of published authors, editors, teachers and professionals who will sit down with you and help you with your book from beginning to end, from conception to creation.

PLAN THAT BOOK. WRITE IT. WE TAKE CARE OF THE REST.

For rates, manuscript submissions, or other inquiries, email us at [email protected] or call us at (632) 470-4091

and look for any of the editors.

for print 1 5/22/15 11:37 AM


I used to work for a big BPO company and my salary was more than sufficient for our family’s needs, including the medication of my husband. He’s undergoing therapy that’s why I am the sole provider at the moment. We have one daughter and she’s been studying in an exclusive school since nursery.

When we had an inevitable company crisis, I was one of those laid off. Perhaps because of my age, I still could not find a good job replacement and my savings are already running out. We had to transfer our daughter to another school and, heartbreaking as it is, we say no to most of her requested vacations and gifts that she was used to.

She’s 11 years old now and I notice that she’s slowly starting to feel bad whenever we cannot give in to her demands. She did not agree to transfer schools to begin with, that’s why she’s having tantrums whenever her requests are not granted. She said that maybe we don’t love her as much anymore.

How do I make her understand our situation?

Hurting mom

how do i exPLain to MY ChiLd ouR finanCiaL diffiCuLtY?

dear Hurting Mom,As a parent myself, I can relate with what you are going through.Many children nowadays can become demanding. Some are

afflicted with the “I want it now syndrome!” Their focus is on themselves and to get their wants satisfied.

In situations like these, you and your husband need to have a dialogue with your daughter. Find the time to lovingly listen first to her without judging or criticizing her. You may also have to explore feelings that are not expressed by your daughter. Listen to what is being said, but try to also see behind the words. Read her feelings.

It is possible that she is “acting out” these feelings in her behavior. What you may be seeing is a symptom of repressed emotions. She may be angry at your current condition. Or she may be feeling inferior and embarrassed at her being transferred to another school. Keep asking yourself — what is our child’s behavior trying to tell us? Something may be wrong and you and your husband need to figure this out.

After listening to her, help her process these feelings. You have to explain to her your current condition in a loving way. Be honest with her that you can no longer afford your previous lifestyle. Tell her also that you are exerting your best effort to find another job. Ask for her help to pray that you find one soon.

Spend time with her. Help her cope as she adjusts to her current condition. Make her feel that she is loved beyond material means.

Lastly, pray and surrender everything to the good Lord that He will take care of you and your family.

Vic

dear K

lifedreambooks

DO YOU WANT TO BE A BESTSELLING AUTHOR?

Marianne Mencias. Dr. Josephine Holgado. Jojo Apolo. Kein Chito. Vea Panturas. Marc V. Lopez. What do these people have in common? They are all published and well-loved authors. Do you want to become like them?

We can help you publish your dream book!

LIFE DREAM BOOKS has been continuously helping aspiring authors to make their dream book a reality. We have a team of dedicated professionals with years of experience and expertise in the industry that can help you with all of your editorial needs, such as:

• Content and Copy Editing • Intensive Proofreading • Layout • Cover Design

WE GO THE EXTRA MILE! We can connect you with our trusted partners in the business for other services such as:

• Printing • Marketing strategies and campaigns • Distribution through leading bookstores nationwide

WE GO EVEN FURTHER! Do you have an awe-inspiring, life-changing and earth-shaking message, but you don’t know how to start writing your book? Life Dream Books finally offers the much-anticipated service that many aspiring authors have been asking us about: One- on-one intensive Book Coaching and Mentoring.We have a dedicated team of published authors, editors, teachers and professionals who will sit down with you and help you with your book from beginning to end, from conception to creation.

PLAN THAT BOOK. WRITE IT. WE TAKE CARE OF THE REST.

For rates, manuscript submissions, or other inquiries, email us at [email protected] or call us at (632) 470-4091

and look for any of the editors.

for print 1 5/22/15 11:37 AM

Vic Español is one of the elders of the Light of Jesus Family. At present, he is the Feast Builder and preacher in the Ortigas Feast every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Cinema 4, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Center, as well as the Sunday Ortigas Feast at 10:00 a.m. in the same venue. Vic and his wife, Ditas, train the counselors of the Light of Jesus Pastoral Care Center. Vic is a retired executive of a multinational life insurance company.


Feast snapshots

It all started with Kerygma magazine. I was not a regular Feast attendee. I

got to know about Bo Sanchez through a friend named Dra. Terry Liwanag, who introduced his books to me. Eventually, I followed his teachings and writings until I saw an ad from Kerygma magazine that it’s possible to start a Feast video and caring group in our place in Luisiana, Laguna.

I got excited. Through social media, I invited friends who were also interested to build a feast in Luisiana. The response was overwhelming. We gathered the servants who responded to our invitation.

On August 8, 2014, The Feast Video (TFV) Luisiana was born.

A Growing FamilyOur first session had 12 attendees. It’s a good thing that we can utilize social media to create excitement to other people. We posted pictures of our initial meetings. We had costume parties that piqued the interest of those who saw our photos. People started to ask what The Feast was all about and then they gradually flocked to our Feast Video meetings. To date, we have 70 to 80 attendees.

It is amazing to see how a combination of Internet connection, laptop, projector and social media accounts can be a perfect mix to serve a soul-nourishing Feast video every week. We may be geographically far from the metro, but we are still blessed to hear Bo’s preaching regularly. All we have to do is invite our loved ones to sit down and watch the videos with us.

To make every session livelier, we

the feaSt video

LuiSianaBy Robert navalta

interviewed by the feast video adminwritten by Maymay Salvosa

also download and use lively songs and videos. This is also our way of encouraging more youth to join our family.

Extending Joy and LoveAside from our regular TFV meetings, we envision bringing The Feast experience to offices and schools nearby. Those who are working will surely be recharged because of the values, lessons and inspirations that they can get from the teaching series. Students will also get the same. We are hoping that we can work hand in hand with a Catholic school in Luisiana in molding the youth.

Our TFV Luisiana family enjoys the thought that since we live in a mountainous area, we are closer to heaven. It is our joy to spread this heavenly feeling to surrounding towns. We are eyeing on Lucban, Mahayhay, Tayabas, Lucena, Pangil and Paquil in establishing more TFVs.

If you believe that you are blessed in every aspect of your life, you have good health, you wake up every morning, you eat three square meals every day, you don’t have to beg for a living, there’s only one thing left for you to do — you share your blessings. And we do it through The Feast Video. Simply put, it is sharing Jesus Christ to others through the power of media.

For inquiries about The Feast Video: Website: www.thefeastvideo.comEmail: [email protected]: +62 (2) 726.8951Admin. Staff: Aya Corpuz


By Paulo tibig as told to Marjorie duterte

fRoM MeSSengeR to Ceo

it Happened

“Habang may gumugulong na gulong sa kalsada, tayo ay may kabuhayan,” my father Felipe used to tell me, reminding me that we were not to be ashamed of our small business selling engine oil in pop cola bottles. Because of this business, he was able to provide for our family.

typical PromdiI have been exposed to hard work since I was young. My mother was a public school teacher while my father had been an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in the Middle East for four years. He was more concerned that his children grow up with the right values rather than him earning more money, and so he came back to our hometown in Bataan to be with us.

Paolo, now an in-demand speaker, shares his humble beginnings

to inspire others that they can also achieve success, no matter what their

past is.


it Happened

Transport and Training Services) College of Aeronautics because it was near Parañaque. I enrolled in the course I could afford — Bachelor of Science in Airline Administration.

On weekends I would join the delivery of the balikbayan boxes. Because OFW families were so happy to receive their boxes, they would often give us tips, food or money for snacks. I used whatever money I received for my school allowance the following week. After school in the evenings, I would eat fish balls for dinner and would just walk home. Those years taught me the value of hard work.

the road to entrepreneurshipI stayed for two more years in the company after finishing college, helping out as a messenger and delivery boy.

After that, I became a professional job hopper. I worked as a medical representative and a marketing assistant for a national financial institution. I also had a stint with an insurance company as a marketing development staff. I didn’t last long in these companies.

Somehow, I knew that I wasn’t for the corporate world.

Influenced by the entrepreneurial environment I grew up in, I tried my hand at various businesses — T-shirt trading, nata de coco production, and handmade paper production — but they all failed. Learning from my mistakes was priceless.

I went back to Bataan to help in our family business but because I was young and idealistic, I wanted to try many things. After a year, I left again until I saw a problem that needed a solution.

crisis turned into opportunityIn 1997, during the Asian financial crisis and El Niño, my girlfriend Abby, who is now my wife, also wanted to get out of the corporate life. I returned to the insurance company, but my father got seriously ill and I was forced to resign because I was always absent from work.

Out of a job, I decided to start a business. Abby and I were then renting in a dorm at the university belt area where many schools were located and I saw the problem the student-dormers faced there.

Those who lived in the province would go home on weekends and return to Manila on Sunday night. They would not bring their soiled

When my dad returned, he didn’t know what to do at first. He sold siopao and bananacue, distributed household cleaning materials, and became a tricycle driver. Then he put up a small engine oil store, selling gasoline to tricycles and jeepneys.

Being the eldest, I was tasked to man our store. When I didn’t have class, I would help my father open it at 4:00 in the morning. My brothers and I took shifts in manning the store. Our lives revolved around school and the family business to help our parents. There were times I could see my classmates going out for some fun but I had to work.

More Hard WorkAs soon as I graduated high school, my mother brought me to Manila to work for my godfather who had a customs brokerage firm in Parañaque. They delivered balikbayan boxes sent by OFWs to their families. To cover my college expenses, I worked there as a stay-in messenger and utility boy. I slept in the office, sometimes on top of a table or on a folding bed. With free lodging and a job, I was able to finish college without asking much from my parents.

I went to PATTS (Philippine Air

Entrep Champ Paolo shares valuable lessons on his entrepreneur journey to many who desire to build their own businesses. He can be booked for speaking engagements through his website, www.paulotibig.com.ph.


it Happened

clothes to the province anymore. I saw the potential for a laundry business and, true enough, when I ventured into it, the dirty laundry kept coming in. We were open from Monday to Saturday, and every Sunday we would close shop to finish all the laundry since our commitment was for a “one-day service.” I learned to iron uniforms and dry-clean clothes. Because we were so busy, we would go to Mass at midnight in Baclaran as it was the only church open.

During that time, Abby was still working full-time in the brand management department of a multinational company. Their merchandising collaterals — posters, tarpaulin, point-of-sale materials — were always delayed getting to where they needed to go. They also had a need for repacking products and bundling services. Abby was then about to resign and I thought, why don’t we build a business to solve her company’s problem?

As a messenger in the past, I had an idea about shipment and a little background in logistics. In 1999, we started Vintel Marketing Services and our first client was Abby’s company.

connect the dotsWe sold our laundry business after two years of operation, but it wasn’t enough seed capital to pursue our new business. My father had died and I started to think creatively. I approached my girlfriend’s mother, who was very thrifty, for a “mother-in-law loan.” The only problem was if her daughter and I didn’t end up getting married, I would probably be paying the loan with a high interest. Thankfully, we did end up together, and my mother-in-law allowed us to pay the loan when we were able.

We used the additional capital of P150,000 for our operations and bought a second-hand truck for delivery. We also rented a small office in Quiapo that had two tables and an industrial fan.

We would have a project for a month, then the following month we would be vacant. It wasn’t consistent. We repacked products and outsourced it to a freight forwarder. Big business was being lost to us. I thought, why don’t we also cover the freight? I had a little background in freight forwarding because of my previous job.

As fate would have it, I learned that one of my professors in the aviation school was vice president of the cargo department of Cebu Pacific at that time. I asked for his support and he gave me good credit terms. Today, we are one of the top 10 shippers of Cebu Pacific.

On our second year, I hired an organizational consultant, feeling that our operation would get big. Even if a P250,000 fee was big for a small and medium enterprise like ours, we invested in it because we believed that it would help us. The growth phase wasn’t so hard for us because we were prepared for it.

In 2008, we renamed our company to VCargo, which stands for valuable cargo in our industry, and we now employ over 200 people. It has become a total solutions company.

Logistics marketing services remains to be our service pillar, our unique differentiator. From bundling activity, we can now handle the whole marketing services of a company — from repacking, to warehousing, to distribution. We now have a regional and global division, too.

My wife and I get salaries from our business according to industry standards at the general manager level. The money of the business stays with the company — that’s the reason it grows.

Giving back as an entrep champAs I achieved success as an entrepreneur, I thought to myself, “If this is what God wants me to do with my life — to be an entrepreneur — why would I withhold it from Him?”

Literally, I can retire and live fairly well, but I know that so many families rely on our company. We are given an opportunity to channel God’s blessings to others who might be in need of help. I acknowledge that God is giving me all these blessings. I always pray at night for Him to make me an instrument to help His people.

Personally, I am most comfortable going home to Bataan where I can just wear shorts and T-shirt with holes in it. I still ride the jeepney and the tricycle. I like being simple — that is who I am. I can live ordinarily and want to raise my children with the values of humility, generosity and perseverance.

I want to spread the beauty of entrepreneurship to as many people through my talks and through my book, Strategies of a Champion Entrepreneur. I want to see a lot of Filipinos become entrepreneurs and share our blessings with those who are in need.

From delivery boy, Paulo now leads VCargo at the driver’s seat towards better, bolder things.


special section | Introduction

By Bo Sanchez

HOW TO LIVE SIMPLY IN A COMPLEX WORLD

Here’s an oldie but goodie article that I wrote many years ago but rings true to this day.

My parents breathed simplicity.

Oxygen, too, but that’s pretty obvious.Dad was an assistant vice president in a

humongous company, yet I didn’t “feel” like I was a rich man’s kid. Because my parents made it a rule to live below their means.


A millionaire’s son rode a sleek Benz. I rode our 16-year-old Toyota that sounded more like a drum and bugle band, with its cacophony of bangs, rattles and whams. Oh yes, our neighbors had cars with a little bit of rust. But we had rust with a little bit of car. An heir of the moneyed class was chauffeured to school, but as early as Grade 3, I was taking the public jeepney — sitting, standing, or swinging from its handrails like a flapping flag.

The wealthy dined on gourmet meals every day. But the culinary highlight of my whole week was when Mom bought Coke for our Sunday lunch — the only time we tasted the stuff. I’m not kidding.

Rich kids wore outfits from America, England and Paris. I wore clothes from Avenida, Escolta and Pasay.

The mansions of the rich and famous are veritable furniture showcases, complete with 16 Egyptian jars from the Nephriti era. I learned that one of those monstrous flower vases was equal to the price of our entire house. But naturally, we, too, had our own flower vases. If my archeological knowledge serves me right, they came from the Nescafe era.

Their estates have playrooms with life-size Barbie’s and Power Rangers. But the way I played with expensive toys was admiring them from the store shelf and using my imagination to the hilt. That way, I owned all the toys in the world.

You’ll be shocked by what I’m going to tell you, but in all these, I recall never feeling deprived in anyway.

Let me tell you why.I remember my father coming home every night

and we’d go jogging together — around our old car parked in the garage. Then I’d sit on his lap and we’d talk about how to solve the problems of the universe. After dinner, we’d read the comic pages together. Tarzan was my favorite, until I reached puberty. From then on, it became Jane.

Almost every Saturday afternoon, it was father-

and-son time. We’d walk to the nearby shopping center and Dad would buy me a hotdog. Then we’d walk back home, bringing some small thing for Mom, usually a chocolate bar. To add sentimental value to our token gift, I forced myself to take a few bites from it.

I guess being with Dad and Mom were all that my little boy’s heart ever wanted.

And I got it, every single day.

start living deliberatelyI believe that God chose to write the “map of happiness” in the ordinary parchment of simplicity — like a treasure map written on recycled brown paper. Consequently, many people ignore the map, and are attracted instead

simplicity means singularity of purpose. That means you’re not scattering your energies all over the place doing unconnected and uncoordinated things.

Many years back, I wrote a personal vision for my life. I went away for a while to write a picture of what kind of life I wanted to live 20 years

down the road. I wrote about the kind of work schedule I’d keep, the relationships I’d nurture, the

projects I’d want to create, the poor I’d want to help, the house I’d live in, the car I’d be driving, even the kind of person I’d like to become. I basically wrote down my life-dreams. And the little document that is kept in my computer is entitled as such: Bo’s Life-Dreams.

I also believe I co-authored it with my Creator. I have a firm conviction that He is involved in my daily affairs, and He has dreams for my life.

I also summarized my mission in one statement: My mission in life is “To Communicate God’s Love. “

Every time I say it, I feel electricity come up my spine! I now stick to this mission. I focus on my life-purpose.

WHAT DO

YOU REALLY WANT?

By Bo Sanchez


How do you discover your Life-Dreams?First of all, discern the sacred desires in your soul. Because

deep down, you will desire the very things that you are supposed to be working on as your life-project. It may not be evident at first, and it may take years for you to stumble upon it, but once the vision takes hold of you, you cannot but move towards that direction. Your mission will fit you perfectly.

Second, discern the raw materials that you are gifted with. When you are appointed to a sacred task, you will find an anointing in that area that blesses many people. Suddenly, you realize that all your training, all your trials, all your experiences are but preparation for this life-project that was waiting for you all along.

Third, discern the open doors of circumstances. There will be opportunities that will open up before you to take your first steps towards the fulfillment of your Life-Dreams.

Be open. Persevere. And have faith.

to the more glossy, loud, shiny maps around. But when they follow these others maps, they end up tired as a dog chasing it’s own tail.

I have a radical suggestion.Simplify.Simplify because you want to discover the depths

of your soul.Simplify because you want to start living

deliberately.Simplify because you want to love from an

uncluttered heart.Remember that simplicity is only the first step of

the journey. Holding the treasure map, memorizing it, photocopying it a thousand copies, and keeping it safe

in a vault won’t make you claim the gold. You actually need to sail through oceans, climb the peaks, cross the valleys, and dig in caves.

Simplicity will point you to where and what and who the gold is in your life.

Once you know your gold, the game has just begun.Will you treasure your gold?My parents knew their gold: each other, their six

children, and their faith. They tried to live uncluttered lives so that they could have time for what was most important.

They didn’t busy themselves buying a bigger house, because that would mean working harder to pay the monthly amortization, do overtime work, or take a second job.

Who would then go jogging with little Bo every night? Who would read Tarzan for him? They didn’t burden themselves by buying a BMW because that would mean laboring and worrying about installment bills. Besides, walking to the shopping center every Saturday afternoon with his son gave him exercise, and made little Bo feel special.

One of the delights of my heart was seeing Dad and Mom in their bedroom at night, after our nightly family prayer. The lights were turned off, and I’d see the silhouette of my father seated on his old chair and mom standing behind him, gently massaging his shoulders. I’d hear them talk about what transpired in their day. Even as a child, I sensed their quiet pleasure at being together.

My question today: Could they have done this rich ritual each night and nourished their marriage if they were busy paying designer outfits for themselves or their kids? Or worrying about monthly bills for new hi-tech appliances?

I don’t think so.And I’ve made the choice: I don’t want that kind of life

either.In the next few pages, let me take you through the peaks

and valleys of this journey towards happy simplicity.

Email Bo at [email protected].


special section

By Bo Sanchez

SIMPLIFY AND

ENJOY LIFE


Once upon a time, I didn’t believe in enjoying life.Suffering, yes. Enjoying, no.I almost felt it was a sin to enjoy.Why? I believed that the mark of a holy person was suffering,

and that the mark of a sinner was pleasure. Thanks be to God, my thinking has changed.Today, I believe that one very important way of thanking God for His

blessings is by enjoying those blessings. (The other important way of thanking God is by sharing them with others.)

The Bible says, “Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:18).

Here’s my question to you: Do you enjoy His blessings?Don’t apologize for your blessings. Don’t be ashamed of your blessings. Instead of being ashamed and apologizing for your blessings, proclaim the

Blesser! Isaiah 63:7 says, “I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised…”

Has God been kind to you?If you have a family, if you have a home, if you have food on your table, then

tell others of the kindnesses of God…

God isn’t fairI used to feel guilty for being so blessed.

Here’s what I realized. God isn’t fair.For example, growing up, I enjoyed the love of my parents and my five

sisters. My family is far from perfect, but they were always there for me. No doubt about it, God pampers me.When my father was 77 years old, he had a major accident. He spent five

months in the ICU. We thought that was it for him. Yet my father was healed and he lived for another 11 years.

God pampered me.Before my mother died in 2013, I used to have weekly dates with her. I thank

God for each day that I spent with her.God pampered me.My marriage is blessed. My wife is God’s gift to me. I love my wife more today

than I have ever loved her before.God is pampering me.My spiritual life is growing. My ministry is growing. My small businesses are

growing. Physically, I feel healthier than ever before. God is pampering me.In both my ministries and businesses, I work with the very best, most

talented, the most incredible team on planet earth. God is pampering me.Friend, here’s what I believe. God isn’t fair. God doesn’t play fair. God plays favorites.You’re His favorite. He pampers you. He favors you. God is biased towards

you. God skews life towards your advantage. God bends life so that He can bless you more.


five Ways of simplifying your life and enjoying your HarvestMany people don’t know how to enjoy their blessings. It’s one way to simplify your life.

I’d like to share with you five practical ways of doing just that:

1. savor lifeToday, I’m trying to perfect the art of savoring life. Of tasting. Of relishing. Of appreciating. Of delighting. Of slowing down. Of smelling the flowers.

More and more, I’m realizing that slow is better than fast. I’m realizing that single-tasking is better than multi-tasking. By focusing on one thing, I do a better job and I enjoy it more!

Friend, you’re a human being, not a human doing. So “be.”Be here, now. Live in the present moment. Feel the

beauty and grandeur of this slice in history and enjoy it. Linger. Luxuriate.

live in Kairos, not Just in ChronosGreeks have two words for “time.” One word isn’t enough.

First is Chronos. And that’s what we’re familiar with. Chronos is measurable time. It’s the time told by a clock on the wall or a watch on your wrist. Chronos is 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and 3:25 a.m.

Second is Kairos. We’re not familiar with Kairos. Kairos cannot be measured because Kairos is now. It’s indivisible. Kairos isn’t the past or the future. Kairos is the “Now”— that special “Now”— that is right in front of you.

I believe that though you can’t control Chronos, you can expand Kairos by practicing to be more present in your “Now.”

The Bible says, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

The Bible didn’t say, “Yesterday was the day” or “Tomorrow will be the day” but “This is the day.” Now!

I’ve noticed that some people in rural areas still live in Kairos.

One day, I took a trip to a smallish town down south. I noticed that people there have all the time in the world. I was walking on the street, and total strangers would chitchat with me. They were not in a hurry.

One woman, who gave me the most beautiful toothless smile, asked me where I came from and what I was doing there. And when I said, “And how’s your life?” she told me stories about her husband, her five kids, her in-law, even her grandfather’s ingrown toenail problem.

And I noticed that the toothless woman was happy.

2. simplify pleasuresThere’s a big difference between being rich and feeling rich.

One day, I visited one very wealthy guy — let’s call him Bill for billionaire. He owned large tracks of lands. So large that if you put them together, I bet it will be a small province.

But when I talked to Bill, I really felt he was very poor. He described to me how his family was a mess. How his marriage was a big joke. They hardly talk to each other, much less love each other. His kids, now all grown up, don’t talk to him or even to each other.

Bill was very miserable.After talking to him, I felt so much pity for him.Friend, there’s a difference between being rich and

feeling rich. You don’t have to be a billionaire to enjoy the billionaire’s life.

Billionaires drive very expensive cars worth P8 Million. But I bought a second-hand car worth P600,000, and I

felt like I’m a billionaire. I enjoy my car so much, I feel very rich.

Billionaires live in mansions, but I live in a house that is so small. It can all fit in one of Bill’s bedrooms — but I feel like I’m a billionaire. I told my wife I have no plans of making it bigger. Because one day my kids will grow up and have their own families. And who will be left at home? My wife and me. By that time, my small house will be perfect for us.

God invented pleasure. Bliss. Fun. Joy. Happiness.In my life, I’ve discovered that simple pleasures are the

best pleasures in the world. Because they’re simple, you can experience these pleasures again and again.

I take pleasure taking a quiet walk around the village. How much is that? Except for a pair of rubber shoes, not much.

I take pleasure reading a good book in a quaint coffee shop. How much is that? A book and a cup of coffee. Many times, I don’t drink the coffee. I just smell it. The feeling is wonderful.

And most of all, I take pleasure in my relationships.

3. strengthen relationshipsI love to read my son Francis’ books for him, especially about dinosaurs. He can tell you the difference between a Brontosaurus and a Brachiosaurus, or between a Tyrannosaurus and an Allosaurus.

One night, as I read to him out of habit, I read the lines quickly. Sometimes, I skipped a few lines so I could get it over with and do more important things — like my work.

But in the middle of my reading, I suddenly had a flash of insight. It was as though God spoke to me in a very clear way. He said, “Bo, is there anything greater than what you’re doing now? This is one of the most magical things you’ll ever do in your entire life. Because this moment will never be repeated. You’re not just reading a book to your son. You’re


loving him. You’re giving yourself to him. You’re telling him that he’s the most important person in your life. Right this moment, you’re shaping the way he sees himself. You’re shaping the way he sees Me. You’re shaping the way he sees life.”

So I read slowly. I forgot chronos time. I started living in kairos time. We had so much fun. After I read the book, Francis placed his arm around me and said, “Thanks, Daddy!”

Believe me, those two words were worth a billion pesos.

If I look at my life, my greatest joys are the people God has given to me.

I take pleasure hanging out with my kids.

I take pleasure being with my wife on a window shopping trip, praying earnestly to God that it’s really just window shopping.

I take pleasure laughing with my friends. (I’m blessed to have friends who have the 10th gift of the Holy Spirit — to make people laugh!)

This is the reason why I’m rich. Because I enjoy rich relationships. My loved ones are my greatest wealth.

4. show GratitudeEnjoying your blessings has nothing to do with how much your blessings are but how much you appreciate your blessings.

If you want to increase your enjoyment, increase your gratitude.

A few months ago, I met a woman who had everything — a good husband, three wonderful kids, a lovely house — yet she’s rarely happy.

After listening to her, I learned why. She rarely thanks God for her blessings. Instead of looking for what’s there, she’s always looking for what’s not there.

One day, a woman woke up and discovered she only has three strands of hairs on her head. “Lord, thank You that I can braid my hair today!”

The next morning, she woke up and discovered she only had two hairs on her head. “Lord, thank You that I can part my hair down the middle — one on the right and one on the left!”

The next morning, she woke up and discovered she only had one hair on her head. She said, “Lord, thank You I can wear my hair in a ponytail today!”

The next morning, she woke up and discovered she had no hair. She said, “Lord, thank You I don’t have to fix my hair today!”

Always remember: Wealth isn’t measured by how much money you have. Wealth isn’t measured by how much land, stocks, jewels, homes or cars you have. Wealth is measured by how grateful you are.

5. be GenerousThere are two reasons why God blesses you.

First, because He wants you to enjoy them. Second, because He wants you to make others enjoy them, too.

In the Old Testament, there was a Law called the Law of Gleaning (Leviticus 19). This Law states that when you harvest your blessings, you shouldn’t harvest everything that’s rightfully yours. This is why when I’m buying from a poor vendor, I don’t bargain. I even give a large tip.

Let me give you an example. The parents of my wife gave us their old piano. It was 40 years old and wasn’t working well. So we called for a piano tuner to come. After looking at it, he wrote how much he’d charge me on a piece of paper.

I said, “OK.”He looked shocked. “OK?”“Yes, OK.”He said, “Sir, you don’t have to pay

the whole amount. I’ll give you 10 percent discount.”

I laughed. “Thanks! You don’t have to do it. I want to bless you.”

“No, sir, I insist. Please remove 10 percent off my price.”I was haggling that he charge more and he was haggling

that I pay less. Isn’t that fun?

four Ways of livingLet me end with one last message.

In a DVD player, there are four buttons. “Eject,” “Rewind,” Fast Forward,” and “Play.” These four buttons represent the four ways people live their lives.

First are those who live by the “Eject” mode. They just want to escape. And they escape through their vices and addictions. They’re running away from life.

Second are those who watch their life using the “Rewind” mode. They can’t move forward. They can’t forget the pain of the past. They’re stuck in their traumas. They’re always miserable.

Third are those who live in the “Fast Forward” mode. They are so busy. They are always in a rush. They go here and there, doing this and doing that, and they have no time to understand or appreciate the “movie” of their lives.

Fourth are those who live in the “Play” mode. These are the people who savor life. These are the people who enjoy life to the full. These are the people who are the happiest of them all.

Friend, play!Savor life. Simplify pleasures. Strengthen

relationships. Show gratitude. And be generous.Enjoy God’s blessings today!

Email me at [email protected].


eMBRaCing MY CoRe gift iS Life

SiMPLified

special section Testimonial

I beamed at the flash of the camera.

It was surprising that I could still cope with the photographer’s instructions in spite of the overwhelming sensation that filled me inside. Every thing felt surreal to me. How did I end up being a

magazine cover model? Just a year ago, I was struggling on what path to take:

Should I head on the greener pasture practicing my professional career or should I follow the voice in my heart inviting me to develop my passion and serve God with the gifts that He had given me?

Letting go and letting God take the wheel, I chose the latter. For some, it might sound crazy.

But now I realize that my decision has led me to a happier life — with amazing opportunities along the way — including being the face of the magazine that is in your hands right now.

By vivien fernan as told to Maymay R. Salvosa

How did a seemingly lesser option turn out to be extraordinarily great?

epitome of science and artsWe are a family of medical practitioners. My father is a radiologist. It didn’t come as a surprise when my elder sister also decided to take up Medicine. While my father stays here in the Philippines, my sister decided to work in Ohio, USA.

Everyone in my family is musically and artistically inclined, too. We have painters, singers, sculptors and musicians. Even my sister is a classical singer and she toured with the University of Santo Tomas (UST) singers. So I had a lot of exposure growing up. I found joy in singing, dancing and theater acting. I started taking dance classes when I was around three years old until high school. I also took classical voice lessons

By being true to herself, Vivien makes life more beautiful — and happier — just as God intended it to be.


special section | Testimonial

and joined acting classes. I was part of the glee club throughout grade school and was always asked to sing during shows and Masses. I joined the dance troupe in high school and became its president on my senior year. I would choreograph dances for variety shows and intramurals. I was so in love with the craft that I considered taking theater arts in college.

For practical reasons though, and with the thought of pursuing Medicine later on, I took up Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in UST. I still joined our performing arts guild for a few years during college, but eventually I had to focus more on academics.

After my graduation, I went to New York to check out the Occupational Therapy scene but instead, I got the opportunity to work as a volunteer for the International Film Festival in Manhattan. And while I was there, I took some dance classes in Alvin Ailey and watched broadway shows. That ignited my passion.

I applied for a US license, still entertaining medical school as a future option for a more stable life. The toxicity, weariness and stress during the review were no joke. It was like waking up every day with a big rock pressed on my chest. It was overwhelmingly tiring.

Eventually, I worked as an occupational therapist for children with special needs. This experience cultivated the seed of compassion in my heart. It was watered by the different struggles, behavioral problems, and disorders of my patients. Even the pain of their parents nourished my newfound dream of serving others, of understanding and loving others more.

finding the Missing linkIt was around that time when a college friend invited me to The Feast Manila. When I found out that there’s a Feast in Ortigas, I started joining there regularly. (The Feast is the weekly prayer meeting of the Light of Jesus Family held in various places.)

Through the teachings, my desire to live out my artistic passion was awakened. It intensified when I joined the music ministry and was invited to lead worship in Feast Greenhills.

Whenever I am on stage, I felt so connected to my inner being and to my God. I felt alive. It made me want to develop my craft even more and to serve God with confidence and excellence. I learned that hiding your ability is not humility. I could not glorify God by shying away from my true passion. He blessed me with this gift, so who am I to hold back from offering my talents to Him?

I got confused. Could I let go of an opportunity as big as working abroad in exchange for my art? I thought of the salary and the professional experience that I would get overseas.

Everything was tempting. Then I went back to the

Viv that I knew — worshiping God with my giftedness is what completes me.

path to freedom I prayed on how I could be more authentic to myself. I was so weary of complicating things, of carrying a burden which I knew could be unloaded if only I had the courage. The decision-making haunted me for some time. It was not easy, and I knew I had to decide soon.

Finally, in 2014, I surrendered everything — my giftedness, confusion in the present, anxiety of the future, my mission, my heart — to God. I answered the call to serve and resigned from my job as a full-time therapist and worked as a freelance consultant.

I am thankful for having understanding and supportive parents. I guess they already felt even before where I was really inclined but encouraged me to pursue another career as an assurance that whatever happens, I have a fallback. I appreciated that because my experience as a therapist helped me mature — in opening my eyes to the needs of others, in making me realize what compassion really means. With all those realizations, I became excited and equipped to love even more.

Currently, I am enrolled at various groups which help me enhance my craft. I am taking workshops at The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab (for vocals) and Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). To my amazement, I also passed my audition in Daloy Dance Company.

People may say that it is pure bliss, but I have to burst their bubble. It is physically draining and it requires a lot of discipline. But what joy it is to sing out loud, dance with grace, and act with passion!

In every rehearsal and new learning, just the thought of using it all to give glory to God, especially as a music and worship ministry servant, already thrills me.

Even without getting in the US, I can look at myself in the mirror and declare that I’ve been brave enough to pursue the path for me. That I have been strong enough to be vulnerable and open to what I really want and be grateful for who I am.

My decision to let go of a career that is not for me led me to really be free. Discovering my core and appreciating how God has made me is really powerful. I have come to see the beauty and greatness that He has imprinted on me. I have no regrets. Just pure joy. I acknowledge myself more. I love myself more. I don’t have to over-complicate things by being someone that I am not just to be richer and better in the worldly standard.

This is my place. This is where I am supposed to be.Knowing this truth gives me inner peace. And that

makes life a lot simpler.


special section

By eleanore L. teo

A SIMPLE LIFE STARTS FROM

WITHIN

unclutter Your Mind and heart — and Be happy


Afew years ago, my fiancé (now my husband) and I were watching a reality TV special on a celebrity preparing for her big fairy-tale wedding. As the episode centered on the lavishness of her lifestyle and the touchy issue of managing her amassed wealth, I found myself wondering out loud, “What if I asked you to sign a prenuptial

agreement? What would you do?”He shrugged. “Probably sign it.”“Really? It’s not a big deal to you?”He laughed. “If I survived all my life without your property and money,

that means I can live without them. Whether you ask me to sign anything or not, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, the only thing that I want is you. Too much stuff complicates things sometimes.”

“So you would prefer to have less stuff?”“It’s easier that way. You’re faced with less insignificant questions and less

decisions to make when you don’t have much.”“Like what kind of questions and decisions?”“Questions like, would you sign a prenuptial agreement?”

There’s a common misconception that simplifying your life involves cleaning out your closet, denouncing all your assets and living your life in poverty. In fact, I’ve known many who tend to scoff at the wealthy, truly believing that being in excess must be a crime.

Even my Theology professor in college thought the same way when he saw me get out of my car in the university parking lot and said, with quite a lot of sarcasm, “Wow, at 18, you already have your own car? Other people have to work hard for years just to own one. Lucky for you, you just need to ask for one from your parents, right?”

He didn’t know that the car was handed down to me by my brother. Or that I woke up 5:00 a.m. sharp every day and used that same car to drive to my 6:00 work shift because I wanted to be one of those people who worked hard to earn my own income.

It was in that instance when I realized that it doesn’t automatically make you a saint when you choose to live within smaller means.

The topic became personal and I was resolved to answer the question that had been plaguing me for years: “To simplify our lives, does that mean we need to sell everything we have and just live on the basic necessities? And in doing so, will that make us better people?”

So, after getting married to a loving man from humble means, moving into an apartment that was the same size as my old bedroom in my parents’ house, and letting go of roughly 70 percent of my stuff, I came to the following conclusion: No, it does not.

Why not, you ask? Because all that changed was that I had less than what I started with. If you are faced with an overly extravagant and high maintenance individual and you strip him of his fancy cars, designer clothes and the money in his pocket, does he become a simple man? Not necessarily.

I found that in order to truly simplify my life, I had to start from the root of the problem, which was not what I owned but who I was. If we truly want to strive for simplicity, we need to start from within.

as simple as How you feelIt’s complicated — the most controversial and yet the most accurate Facebook status there is.

Many people define their current standing with their parents, family members and their significant others this way. In other words, it’s difficult to explain.

The reason relationships can become complicated is because our emotions


can sometimes be difficult to handle. Can we really just wake up in the morning and say, “I want to be happy today,” and expect happiness to turn on like a light switch? I wish it were that simple. If I could only count the number of times that I told myself, “I don’t want to be angry” but emotions can get the better of me, making an entire situation much more complicated to deal with. Or you can look at someone and say, “I don’t love him,” when deep inside your emotions are telling you otherwise. That’s certainly a scenario where everything gets muddled and confusing.

Simplifying your emotions always begins with identifying and admitting to yourself what you really feel. A classic example was when my husband used to ask me, “Are you OK?” and I would respond with a cold, “I’m fine.” Actually I wasn’t but I didn’t want to admit it. Of course, he should be able to read my mind and know exactly what was wrong. But most of the time he didn’t. And when he didn’t, my emotions would snowball from being “not OK” to frustration at his lack of awareness. And eventually, once his frustration would also set in, my emotions would escalate to full-blown anger as a response to his irritation. By then, I had completely forgotten why I wasn’t OK to begin with. This is usually the time people switch from “being in a relationship” to “it’s complicated.”

Does it sound familiar? It would have been so much easier just to admit how I had felt to begin with rather than forcing him to play a guessing game.

The second step after acknowledging your emotion is the manner in which you address it. And there really is a simple solution to this one — always address it calmly.

My best friend, Joyce, is one of the most peaceful people in the world. While I used to believe that confrontation and being direct was the best way to resolve a tense conflict, she was the one who would always count to 10 and gather her emotions before responding to a tough situation. When someone disrespected her, I asked her why she didn’t respond in anger. Surely, given his rude behavior, her wrath would have been justified. I’ll never forget what she told me. “Yes, I could get mad. But

afterwards, I would regret for lowering myself down to his level. From there, I’d feel ashamed because I know that my parents raised me better than that. And eventually, I’d wind up apologizing to him anyway. It’s just less troublesome to approach it calmly from the beginning rather than ride that long-winding emotional rollercoaster.”

Believe that there is no other option but a peaceful one.So start simplifying your life by being conscious of your

emotions and dealing with them in a proper manner. Once you learn to control them, everything really does get easier from there.

the power of a simple thoughtMy father, Edward, once asked if he could read one of my essays for the school newspaper. When he was finished, I asked him if it was any good. He answered, “It’s probably really good. I just need to read it again a few more times so I can understand it. There are too many high-polluting words.”

“You mean highfalutin, Dad.”“That’s what I said.”

Thoughts can be as equally complicated as feelings. It’s like how I used to rely

heavily on my thesaurus because I was worried that I wouldn’t sound intelligent when, in reality, I was just confusing my readers.

Our mind processes different thoughts that are always in the

danger of being overanalyzed. When you overanalyze, you ask too many

unnecessary questions. These can lead to irrational ideas that can disturb any situation.Let’s take, for example, a man who has just

built a beautiful new house.A friend drops by and gives him a thought. “You have a

beautiful house. I wish I had one.”Now, he could just think: “How nice. He wishes he had a

beautiful house just like mine.”Instead, he thinks: “Hmm, what does his current house

look like? Isn’t it also a beautiful house in an expensive village across mine? Wasn’t it bigger? So why would he want a house like mine? Unless he didn’t mean what he said? Maybe he’s not really sincere after all? Could he be sitting in his mansion laughing about my ugly house right now?”

When this happens, the man decides that his home isn’t big or beautiful enough, and spends to create a bigger, bolder one. And his beautiful house becomes a meaningless, extravagant trophy that symbolizes his insecurity and pride.

Do not forget that simple living begins by thinking simple.

simply put, nothing else Will Matter as MuchI read an article a few years ago that listed the most frugal billionaires, citing in the process some of the richest


entrepreneurs and investors in the world. What interested me most about the feature were the responses of these wealthy individuals who have been known to live well below their means.

Warren Buffett, whose net worth is currently close to $72.7 billion, was quoted as saying, “Most toys are just a pain in the neck.”

Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook and stands at $34.7 billion, was recently asked the question, “Why do you always wear the same grey shirt every day?” His response was quite admirable. He said, “I really want to clear my life so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community.”

You might ask, how can you consider two of the richest men in the world as simple people? It seems like such a contradiction given the multiple businesses and generous supply of cash and property that they own.

It’s best defined in this manner — simple people are not slaves of their wealth. One of the greatest challenges of being blessed with the skill to make money and the opportunity to create a fortune is not to let it control you.

When you fear losing it, when you feel the need to flaunt it, and when you are irresponsible with it, that is when a life steps away from being simple to a life filled with insecurity and complexity.

When you master simplifying your emotions and your thoughts, you do not allow yourself to be ruled by material things because you know that your possessions do not define your character. You will find that with a simple heart and mind, the fascination with physical wealth will slowly diminish as a result.

Another lesson on simplicity that we can learn from Warren Buffett and Mark Zuckerberg, and even from the famous Bill Gates, is what to do with more money than we can count.

All three are extremely generous to multiple charities and humanity foundations, selflessly sharing billions of dollars to feed the hungry and to find cures for diseases that require funds for research and development.

Regardless of how much or how little we have, charity is not about the quantity but the quality of what we contribute to society.

When we live simply, we see our wealth as a blessing and something that we want to use, not for ourselves but for the greater good of our fellowmen who may not be as fortunate.

Simple people have this incredible will to offer what they have, not because they don’t necessarily need it but because they understand that there are individuals in the world who need it more.

the Humble Man, the simple ManA few years ago at The Feast, Bo Sanchez quoted a passage from Matthew 19:24, which says, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”

He said that during the time of Jesus, the eye of the needle was an idiom for the door of the house of the camel — which was very small.

So small in fact, the camel had to unload his baggage and stoop down so he can enter his house.

In the same way, a follower of Jesus must be willing to detach himself from his wealth and stoop down before God and acknowledge that all his wealth belongs to Him.

He also explained that earning well-deserved riches could never be a sin, but in the end, we must know that they would be useless in heaven. We would be judged not by what we have but by our humility and service to the Lord and to our brothers and sisters. So while we are here on earth, we must use our wealth responsibly. We must be generous with it. We must not allow it to command our actions. And above all, we must not allow it to defeat us.

So simplify your emotions and simplify your thoughts. In doing so, you will inevitably find yourself living a humble, simple life built upon God’s love — one that is more fulfilling and meaningful than you would imagine.

Eleanore Teo is a 30-year-old marketing professional for the Caylum Trading Institute with an expertise in branding, personal finance and equities trading. She’s a workaholic by nature and a lover of the written word, but above all, a wife and mom first. You may email her at [email protected]


special section Testimonial

SiMPLified PaRenting:the diffeRenCe Between what we want foR ouR ChiLdRen, what theY need, and what to give

In disbelief, I counted all the items on the checklist in my hand again. 126. I looked at the saleslady who handed me the paper and asked, “So how many of these does a baby actually need?”“All of them. See, at the top? It says Baby’s Essentials.”

“Um, what’s a Wipe Warmer?”“It warms baby wipes because babies don’t like it when

you use room-temperature or cold baby wipes on them. It’s very important. You need one. Trust me.”

I remember that conversation like it was yesterday rather than three years ago when I was pregnant with my first child and panicking as I prepared for my newborn’s arrival. Like any other parent, I wanted to give only the best to my child and, like many new moms, I was also under the misconception that the “best” included every single baby product available in the market.

But looking at that checklist, which I still have until today as a reminder, I realized something — if babies really needed everything on that list, then that would mean there were billions of parents out there who couldn’t give the so-called “best” life for their child.

And I refused to believe that. Deep inside I knew God created us so that if He chose to bless us with children, everything that we would need to properly nurture them would already be present within us. He would never give us such a tremendous responsibility unarmed. If billions

by Eleanore L. Teo

of impoverished parents could raise great children without a wipe warmer, then so could I.

Throughout my journey as a mother, I have met so many parents who have showered their children with endless gifts and parents who have been restrained in what they provide. I have seen both methods thrive and rear fantastic kids, equally happy and loved regardless of their different upbringing.

In our case, and given the fact that we had a limited amount of living space, I was in search for a simple manner of parenting that could minimize clutter and reduce the usually high cost of having a baby. Some of the insights that I’ve gathered through the trials and errors in my experience of raising two children have helped us make better decisions towards reaching that goal.

learn to improviseA new mom walking into a baby store is synonymous to a child walking into a toy store. The moment you step through those doors, you will want everything. Or as my three-year-old would say, “Mommy, I need everything.” And while, yes, some of the necessities are non-negotiable, God decided to enlighten me through the wisdom of my newly hired, veteran nanny.

As soon as I started reciting everything that I was preparing to purchase, she quickly shook her head. She told me that I didn’t need a changing table because she could easily change diapers on her foldout bed. Sterilizer for bottles? A deep pot and boiling water was enough. An engineered baby food pod that could automatically dispense puree into an attached feeding spoon? The look on my yaya’s face suggested that I had lost my mind. She was equally adamant that I only buy the important basics and, if I ever really needed something, I would always have time to make a quick stop at the store.

In the end, I rarely had to make any last-minute trips for anything and it turned out that I didn’t need 126 pieces of baby equipment after all. Just a little bit of logic and creativity.

Even if they can afford it, Royce and Elyo do not give everything to their

kids —Sophie Eloise and Parker Ramsey — but only what’s essential.


special section | Testimonial

accept donations; recycle and reuseWhen I found out that my second child was a boy, I immediately started packing away my daughter’s old baby clothes, shoes and accessories to make room for the new wardrobe of blue, greens and browns that I was planning to buy. In the process of boxing up her things, I felt a deep sense of longing as I held her tiny, beautiful dresses and infant blouses and found them to be in excellent condition. Most of them had been worn maybe once or twice while the rest were still pristine.

I realized that my son had five older male cousins who probably went through their clothes in a similar fashion. So, after asking our siblings about possible donations, we were overwhelmed by the amount of wonderful, barely-used stuff that they were more than happy to pass on to us.

Toys are just as inheritable as any other baby item. Babies really have no discrimination between old and new, and my son loves his secondhand bucket of rubber balls, stuffed toys, and the like. He has no idea that the baby Mickey Mouse he cuddles used to belong to his older sister or that she was the first to flip through his favorite Spot the Dog book.

Birthdays and Christmases were tricky, especially when we were trying to simplify our parenting lifestyle while surrounded by the great number of generous gifts from family and friends. I then remembered my mom used to apply a method with my brothers and me when it came to dealing with an oversupply of presents.

We were allowed to unwrap everything but she explained that not all of the toys were ours. We could pick just one toy from the pile to keep as our own and that was it. Everything else was either kept for another birthday or given away to the less fortunate.

As a result, we put a lot of thought into our choices and learned to never take that opportunity for granted. It’s a practice that my husband and I continue to carry out with our own children.

everything is temporary except What is necessaryBabies won’t use baby stuff forever and they outgrow

everything within a blink of an eye. However, there are a few essentials I hope to provide to my kids that I believe they will permanently hold on to for the rest of their lives — a map of values, a set of good manners, and a moral compass.

If I can equip them with these tools, then regardless of how little or how much I give to them, they will learn to handle life with grace and respect. I know that we cannot offer them the world, but what we can give to them daily in abundance are our conversations with God.

Prayers have been key in our attempt to parent simply yet fruitfully, and when you know that you have Him on your side, then you can say that you truly have everything.

Eloise and Ramsey are growing up happy minus the trappings of luxury.

Above photos show Ramsey and Eloise, one year apart, played with the same toy as toddlers.


special section MOS

simplify. More often than not, many people mistake it as living in poverty. Others say that it is to remain on the average. In her book The Simple Living Guide, Janet Luhrs defined simplicity as “living from the core of your being.” Essentially, that is what simplicity is all about.

Let’s hear from our friends what simplified living means to them.

I usually want to spend time with people. By spending time, I mean I can just be with them. There is no need for me to go to somewhere far, new or special. As long as I spend time with other people, I offer a part of my life that cannot be recovered. Inspiring them and being with them during the time when they need someone the most is the best gift that I can give them.

To live simply also means living abundantly — if you have invested in pure and genuine relationships. Appreciation is one key to living a simple yet a very fantastic life.

Rellie H. Sernero, CPAIT Audit and Advisory Associate

Living simply means balancing the different parts of my life — having enough prayer, exercise, and fulfilling relationships. It’s enjoying the company of friends even without spending much — catching up and listening to each other’s stories. To put it simply, it is enjoying the moment.

David Joseph OngMedical Student

aS SiMPLe aS that


For me, simplicity means eating and having fun together with my family even without a special occasion. It’s when I can enjoy aerobics with my loved ones, buy clothes from ukay-ukay (thrift stores), give a gift as simple as a rosary to people who matter to me, and to see that all of them are well and happy. A simple life means being warmly embraced once I get home from a long day of work and be greeted with a smile the following morning by strangers in spite of the torture I call commuting. It is laughing with my siblings as we brush off all our mischievous adventures.

Jen LeopoldoData Analyst

Simple living is when you can read a book whenever and wherever, go to places you’ve never been to, hike a mountain, spend time with your loved ones, and just do everything you want not because you have all the means to do it, but you have all the will to achieve it. At the end of the day, it is when you can get a good night’s sleep every night and look forward to a brighter tomorrow ahead of you.

Sherica JuanMBA Student

My definition of simple living is discipline, keeping the basics and what’s essential in mind, and holding on to our own values and integrity. Whether a person has more than enough money or little money, a simple life makes one a humble person and closer to God.

Marilou BorjeGuidance Counselor

Summing it all up, we can say that to simplify life is to narrow down our journey to what really matters to us. There is less complexity when we focus our energy to what brings us genuine joy and a deeper drive to live a life of significance. Only then can we truly prioritize the essentials. Question is, what do you value the most?


as the catholic church in the Philippines journeys toward the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in our country, the year 2015 has been declared the “Year of the Poor” by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Our bishops have renewed the call for us to become genuinely “a Church for and with the poor.”

There are so many ways to respond to this call, most important of which is to go to the peripheries and be with the poor. But I’d like to propose one possible, doable initial step: For us to live simply so that others may simply live.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The world has enough for everyone’s needs but not for everyone’s greed.”

Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, called our attention to “the great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism... the desolation and an guish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience.”

He added: “Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of His love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades.” Simplicity is so necessary for our times.

Listen to what St. Ambrose says: “You have two shirts in your closet. One belongs to you, the other to the person who has no shirt.”

Pope St. Leo the Great adds, “Once the demands of necessity and propriety are met, the rest belongs to the poor.”

So look into your closet and see if there is something that has not been used for several months. Someone may need it more than you. Decide to check your closet monthly and give something away to someone who needs it, preferably something you like. Caritas Manila makes helping easy with their “segunda mana” donations-in-kind program.

Now, how about the things that you add to your closet? Are you more of an impulse buyer or a planned spender? Give this a

try: Next time you decide if it is right for you to purchase a non-essential item, hold off buying it for at least a week and see if God will not bring it to you without having to buy it. Or if you have to buy it, choose a cheaper brand of the same quality. Either way, give the money you save to the poor.

You don’t need a branded jogging suit for your morning run. Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. Matthew 6:19-34 exhorts us not to store up for ourselves material goods on earth, where pests destroy and thieves steal.

Accumulating material possessions can lead to a cluttered life and become a burden. Look at how God cares for the birds in the air and the lilies in the field. Enjoy the simple joys! Pause to smell the flowers. Stop to gaze at the night sky. Take in the beauty of a sunset. They cost nothing and can do more to refresh our weary souls than anything our money could buy.

Choose to be simple. Choose to live a simple lifestyle which begins, first of all, in our hearts. It is the “one thing” that Jesus was referring to when He told Martha, “You are anxious and upset about many things; one thing only is required. Mary has chosen the better portion and she shall not be deprived of it” (Luke 10: 41-42).

So examine your heart. Do you clamor for more? Less is more when God is in it.

Beth is a woman leader of the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon community who serves in the youth ministry, pastoral care for women, mission work in Asia, and international leadership training. She is an educator and leads Jerusalem House, a mission household of single women. Email Beth at [email protected]. You may also follow her on Facebook/Elizabeth Melchor.

seasons

By Beth Melchor

LeSS iS MoRe when god iS in it


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i’m a borderline baby boomer and Gen X person, being born in November 1964. What’s interesting is there are at least three generations working together in a workforce. But among the three, what changes the landscape of business and the corporate world is the emergence of the tech-savvy kids.

But how do they differ?

baby boomers: Born 1946-1964, “The Woodstock Generation.” Influenced by the Vietnam War, the ‘60s, and post-war social change. traits: Well-educated, question authority, excellent teamwork skills, and thrive on adrenaline-charged assignments.

Generation x: Born 1965-1980, “The Latchkey Generation.” Products of divorced parents. traits: Independent, family-focused, intolerant of bureaucracy, critical, hardworking, and socially responsible.

Generation y: Born 1981-1995. “The Entitled Generation.” Influenced by technology and doting parents. traits: Highly socialized, loyal, technologically savvy, socially responsible, and require work-life balance.

(Source: How Five Generations Can Work Together by Bob Weinstein)

In the book, The New Rules of Engagement by Michael McQueen, Baby Boomers are pictured as Organization Men, people who work for a good company until retirement. The Gen X kids were the most neglected children because both parents went out to make a living, which prompted the Gen X parents to spend a lot more time with their Gen Y kids. Its caring environment, coupled by their technology expertise at a young age, created one of the most exciting workplace player.

So how do you engage these young professionals? Here are just some key points from the experts:

By ariel B. driz

1. put relationships before rolesBecause most of them were exposed to available and loving parents, relationships play a big role in their DNA. Ergo, power and authority demarcations don’t connect with them.Vulnerability, authenticity and honesty will go a long way if you want to connect with Gen Y.

2. adopt a facilitator’s roleI remember being under constant pain when there’s a research assignment and our family couldn’t afford to buy an encyclopedia set. Today, a seven-year-old kid could easily outdo my research assignment by just invoking Google.With this, a master-student role would probably not work. What clicks with them is letting them figure it out. We are encouraged to be “master-askers,” not “master-taskers.”

3. Give regular positive feedbackRecognition — men die for it, babies cry for it. Gen Y kids will work for it. It is amazing what a five-peso parchment paper inked with a caption “Good job!” will do to their productivity. The tech-savvy Gen Y appreciates personal affirmation. They live in a high-tech environment but they long for hi-touch leadership.

4. Go for commitment, not complianceCompliance is about rules, expectations and laws. Remember, Gen Y people go for relationships, not position. They follow inspiration. They are inspired by opportunity, buy in to a higher cause, positive motivation, and fantastic outcomes.We need to appeal to both their noble and selfish sides, and they will wholeheartedly commit.

5. set short-term and challenging goalsUnless these Gen Y workers are stimulated, they normally end up working in a company for two years. Gen Y’s attention span is short so they need a big and exciting vision. However, it should be coupled with short-term goals that align to this and their personal career or personal dreams. The right short-term goals keep them focused and excited.

With all these points in mind, harmonious working relationships among different generations will definitely be at hand.

Email Ariel at [email protected].

faith @ work

how do we woRK with theSe “gen Y” KidS?


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K preacher

godMaKeS

aLL thingS new

By Ramon Bueno

During my first few months as head of The Feast Marikina, I had a lot of challenges. The number of servants and attendees decreased in an unbelievable rate. And then I also went through financial difficulties.

These and many other challenges that came caused frequent arguments at home, especially with my wife. There was a time when we had a very heated argument to the extent that I had to sleep outside the kulambo (mosquito net), which meant I had to step out of our room and sleep on the sofa.

I was also feeling a certain spiritual dryness. I was lonely and didn’t know what was happening to me. I had expected that I would be stronger in resisting sin and temptation, considering that I was leading The Feast. But it seemed like I was being pulled back to the old, bad me. I was so disappointed with myself that I wasn’t able to sleep that night.

a bible in the GarbageDuring that time, I had a morning ritual. I would go outside our house and head to the dump site across the street. I did this every single day that I already memorized all the cracks on the wall and the position of all the garbage in the area.

One day, I was shocked with what I saw. In the midst of the dump, I noticed a black book. Out of curiosity and the fact that it wasn’t there before, I looked closer and found out that it was a Bible! I brought it home.

As I was cleaning it, and still wallowing in my feelings, I saw myself in that book. I was dirty with sin, addictions and all crazy stuff that I did in the past. But God’s grace cleansed me, brought me home, and took care of me as His own. I was unworthy but He believed in me. He loved me.

I remember a time when I was so drunk that I vomited in a garbage dump at the other side of our village. I was so intoxicated that I passed out, face down in my own vomit, rolling in pain, making me part of that filthy trash all around me. When my dad came looking for me the following morning, he found me looking like a salvage victim thrown at that dump site. He pulled me up, carried me home on his

shoulders, washed me, and tucked me to bed. Half a day later, I walked out of the room with a nasty

hangover. I was about to get a cold glass of water when I saw my parents waiting for me at the kitchen. At that moment, I was ready to get the worst scolding of my life. But it didn’t happen. Instead, they hugged me, kissed me, and told me: “Huwag mo nang uulitin ‘yun ha, nag-aalala kami para sa ‘yo. Ingatan mo ang sarili mo. Mahal ka namin.” (Don’t do it again. We were worried about you. Take care of yourself. We love you.)

Our God is like that. He is present not just in moments of triumph but also in the filthiest, dirtiest and nastiest events of our lives. We just have to keep an open eye and an open heart to try and look for Him.

Before, I hated Sundays because I would drink from Fridays to Saturdays and have a bad hangover come Sunday morning. I would usually take a couple of bottles of beer thinking it would suppress the pain. But now, Sunday is my favorite day of the week. Instead of raising a bottle of beer, I lift up the same Bible that I saw in the dump site, honoring God’s Word at The Feast. I can imagine God smiling when He gave me this Bible as a gift and a reminder that regardless of my past, He is there to lift me up.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

P.S. The dump site where I used to pee every morning and where I found the Bible is now the place where my house is built. It used to be full of dirt and trash just like my life, but is now a place where love is harnessed every single day with my family. It took the love and grace of God to make things new again. Email me at [email protected].


“Just one leap of faith, Elly!” Rousha, my spiritual sister comforted me.

“I can’t! I’m so afraid!” I sobbed.“You are designed for greatness, Elly. God has a beautiful purpose

for you. Use your gift to bless the world.”

the fearful ‘nobody’My dilemma started when I attended a talk, “Fabulous Midlife Madness,” at a women’s Catholic conference called JEWELS. My heart lurched when the speaker, Ditas Español, said, “Be sensitive to where God is calling you.” I had goosebumps! I knew God was telling me something powerful but I brushed it off.

My fear of the unknown and the blade of uncertainty stabbing my heart hindered me from obeying God. I was deeply troubled with doubts and fears.

However, God was so patient with me. He brought me to the Prayer and Life Workshop (PLW) at St. Francis Church in Mandaluyong City. The theme was about Mother Mary’s obedience to God’s will.

If I was Mother Mary, I might have replied, “Why me? I’m just a poor, ordinary woman. Why don’t you choose a Queen?”

For many years, I thought I was a nobody, that I could not make a difference in the world.

Mitch, a close friend from The Feast Ortigas, suddenly handed me a Bible and said God gave her a Scripture passage for me. With trembling hands and tears streaming down my face, I read: “Each of you should go on living according to the Lord’s gift to you, and as you

one last Storywere when God called you” (1 Corinthians 7:17).

God’s message was crystal clear.

Hitting rock bottomLast year, Hassie, another spiritual sister at The Feast Ortigas, had a vision of me launching my first book. I set it aside because I just had rock bottom experiences: a broken heart, two tragic deaths of close family members, and major family and financial problems. I also wasn’t taken in as a full-time writer in a Catholic publishing company.

I wanted to give up on life but God didn’t give up on me. I cried for days, but God comforted me through Jeremiah 33. At first, I didn’t understand His plans for my life, but I just obeyed.

freedom through God’s faithfulnessDecember 17, 2014 was amazing. In my hopes to repair my calloused heart, I was led to St. Francis adoration chapel. I decided to pick myself up and prayed for a mentor for my writing career.

Miraculously, a foreign man approached the Blessed Sacrament, did the sign of the cross, and then gave me his calling card before he left the chapel.

I flipped the other side of the card where it was written: “Hi! I’m a Catholic missionary and an author from New Zealand.”

I instantly knew that he was God’s answer to my prayer for a mentor. We communicated and, as God willed it, he became my co-author in my first published book, Worth the Chase (Finding Love God’s Way); Worth Chasing (Pursuing Love God’s Way).

Isn’t God incredible?Had I surrendered to my fears, Worth

the Chase would not have been written. This book is definitely authored by God so people can feel His perfect, eternal love.

My mission is to minister to women. God has called me to write and speak on topics including following Christ and purity.

God is faithful and full of surprises! I thank God that He has equipped me with an armor of faith which fuels me to indeed bless the world.

By elly Cabal

a MiRaCLe in god’S PeRfeCt

tiMe

Elly is now a contributing writer of Kerygma.


point of contacti PRaY that You ReCeive YouR MiRaCLeS in JeSuS’ naMe!i pray tHat God lift your trials, heal your diseases, bless your problems and direct you to the path He wants you to take. I pray that God remove your fears and give you the courage to surrender your burdens to Him.

So place your hand over my hand, and let us pray with trust, together with our prayer team of intercessors praying for you right now…

This page is our Point of Contact, our spiritual connection.Say after me…

In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I surrender to You my worries and anxieties. I surrender to You my needs, my problems, my trials. I place them all in Your big hands. And I open myself to all that You want to give to me. On this day, I say yes to Your love, to Your blessings, to Your healing, to Your miracles. And Lord, specifically, I ask for the following miracles for my life...

I believe that You answer my prayer in the best way possible! And I thank You in advance for the perfect answers to my prayers. I also ask for the special intercession of Mama Mary. I pray all this in the Name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen!

special intention for tHis MontH:Almighty Father, we praise and thank You for the gift of life, relationships and resources. We thank You, dearest God, for giving us endless opportunities to enjoy Your bountiful blessings. Your providence and love, though we often forget to thank You for them, continue to sustain us and keep us going.

We ask You, Father, to shower us with the grace to be more appreciative of who we are, what we have, where You lead us, and how we experience life. Create in us joyful and grateful hearts, letting go of unnecessary worries and complicated thoughts, and letting You have Your way in blessing us. May we learn the art of simple living by loving in abundance. Amen.

Praying for you,

Email your prayer requests to me at [email protected] or write to me at Shepherd’s Voice Publications, #60 Chicago St., Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109.


ma’am, may i go out?media.kerygmafamily.com/media/kmag/pdf/20150701.pdf2015/07/01 · infanta,...

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