My Ten Stories of Light (My 10 Day Journey towards YFC MetroCon 2013: LUMINO)

"Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

-Matthew 5:16

What is Light? 

Or perhaps the better question is...what is darkness?

If we were to believe the Internet Chain Letters, then there is no such thing as darkness...For darkness is a concept wherein there is an absence of Light...

So therefore we come back to the same question...what is Light?

Two of the very first friends I met in YFC.
Badette my ever beautiful partner and Kuya Gebard our huggable and lovable Area Head.

Light as defined by the Webster's Dictionary: the form of energy that makes it possible to see things.

a form that makes it possible to see

makes it possible to see

to see...

LIVE Simply

I Eat...A Lot

I Eat whenever I am bored, sad, happy, ecstatic, gay, angry, stupified, confused, or whatsoever.
A Test coming up...The Solution? EAT!
Fight with Loved ones...EAT
Bored?....EAT!

Eating has always been a solution in my life. It does not give me any kind of "cloud nine" feeling, but it gives me the feeling of escaping from the tough world I struggle in everyday.

I Spend...a LOT
When I am too lazy to take the jeep, or wait for one I ride the taxi. When I am bored to search for my pen I buy one. That's why my allowance is always forced to the negative limit. One of my weakest personalities is to budget my allowance. That's why my Father goes bald in frustration as I keep on asking for advances for the next four months!

I Waste...a LOT
Recycled Paper? Naaaahh! Just buy another ream of new bond papers. Old notebooks without anything written on them? Throw them away. Ballpens missing in a messy room? Buy another batch of pilot ballpens. It's always been like this for me, my parents didn't teach me to be like this, but this is how I acted when I was in the Philippines. As if money could be found under a rock, or grown in trees. I waste a lot of things that could be reused, but out of laziness and the desire for new things I just throw them away.


I ATE, SPENT and WASTED a lot of things in 2011. Living like how a King lives, a stubborn and bratty king that is. Reflecting around my past misdeeds, I have seen our Lord Jesus Christ through the clothes of the poor. Christ who came in a humble manger, actually a cave to be born with a carpenter as a Father, and a 15 year old as a mother. Who lived 18 years as a humble carpenter fixing stools, doors and wheel burrows. The one who created all things was able to live simply as a carpenter and be actually happy.

We often see people who are happy, and contented not among the wealthy class but those who have less, but have enough. Material things would never fill that black hole that revolves in our heart called satisfaction. Before it became a black hole that feeds on anything it sees, it was once a Star. When God created humanity, he created within their hearts a Glowing warm star that radiates love, comfort and satisfaction. When the serpent tempted Eve, this star died was corrupted and since then has been feeding on temporary things that do nothing but increase it size.

The only thing that could satisfy this Black Hole Heart is the original star of Betlehem. The only one we need to be truly happy. Not the material, nor intellectual possessions, but the star that radiates assurance, safety and satisfaction.

Let us allow Jesus to become the star of our hearts to satisfy all our needs. And as a part of God's message for me I have convicted myself to

LIVE SIMPLY

To eat foods that I don't want to eat like vegetables

To sacrifice things that i don't really need but are just "luhos"

To remove all the distractions in my life as I learn to arrange my life so that the Star of Jesus within my heart would be the one who People would see. So that it is JESUS who would give comfort to the people. So that they could see that me a former glutton has found ultimate Satisfaction in him who is ENOUGH...

Our Lord Jesus Christ

AMEN

~dabsq

365 Days

Funny how in just a short span of 365 days, seemingly random numbers that have no mathematical meaning whatsoever, a random combination of even and odd numbers that make up a three digit number is able to wake us up into reality from time to time. What is 365 days but the number of days it takes for the earth to complete a whole revolution around a star? What is it with those 365 days that makes us think differently, encourages us to make resolutions to keep, and relationships to fix? What is it with three, six and five that makes us shout out for a celebration for just another 365 days?

Because since the beginning that's how God has created humanity, he has created a creature that looks forward every single day. A creature that anticipates the surprise of his creator for him at the rising of the sun, and reflects about his contribution to those around him as it sets. God has created a creature excited for something. A creature that seeks to continually change and transform himself/herself as time goes by. 365 days is an indicator of a year, a full revolution around a star that gives us light and heat. A reminder that 365 days has passed since we have anticipated for something greatly new in our lives. For me this year comes as a different year.

This is a year for me where I choose and convict myself to 3 simple values. 3 Values that are highly regarded in our community, but on my hand have failed to follow throughout these years. This 365th day is another cause for me to celebrate how God has provided me another chance to allow HIM to transform MY life. The message of the Lord for me this year is simple and yet can create miracles and wonders for my personal and spiritual life. I look forward and see a tough road ahead, but the goal is worth it. He who waits at the cross, walking with me side by side.

LIVE SIMPLY, LOVE FULLY, PRAY DEEPLY

~dabsq

Photo Journey Series "THE BEGINNING"

At last…after a looonngg time, I am able to blog again. Uhmm, you are all probably hating me right now my dear imaginary readers because of my failure to keep my promise to Blog important events. Well, I must admit that I am really a blogger of EPIC *Excusable Palpable Ingenious Cursed* Proportions…so yeah…Just a quick history of my blogging style…2007, I blog like all my readers are Old People because I use FONTS THIS BIG and in an annoying way, I use the Comic Sans font in typing, so yea…it is indeed weird. But as I matured in the blogging sphere, I begin to write not just updates, but personal reflections and realizations of my life. My thoughts, my feelings and everything that happens around my life. I also cleaned up my fonts and its sizes. I was more consistent, more mature and more linear. I had a blogging identity, it was shaped and manifested in the year 2008. Through my www.solidyfc.multiply.com blog.

Many bloggers goes through this kind of phase. I began to search for a new identity, an identity in where I could touch more people’s lives, a unique identity that I could express my whole image, an identity that I myself would enjoy writing about. Thus in searching for this new identity, and writing style, I lost the desire to blog. I underwent the stage of inactive blogging, and it lasted for two years till 2010. There were sparks of inspiration, as you could see…the obsolete http://dabsq.livejournal.com and the struggling http://dabsq.blogspot.com. Now I have made my decision to return to my usual blogging as I have found my identity, my own writing style. A new one different in its way, but similar to who I represent. A person of images, a person of realizations, reflections, musings, thoughts and randomness…

Sorry for the serious introduction, but it is indeed a must…

I welcome you to my first and new kind of blogging

My New PhotoJourney Series. I haven’t thought of a nice name yet or a logo, so yea…everyone have to start somewhere

Please watch out for the next entry for this series :) 

CHRISTMAS DAY

December 25, 2010

~dabsq

Text Messages, Evil Black Trash Bags and Mustard Seeds

TEXT MESSAGES
So I woke up at around 4:30 AM this morning...I know right? Well its because I kinda slept early because I was EXHAUSTED from traveling around Baguio yesterday. I dozed off at 11 PM without me even noticing...that's how tired I was. Anyways, when I woke up this morning I received a very sweet and special text message from my dzidzi...Awww, I Love you too dzi ^^, honestly it made me smile and forget about being tired at the moment. After reading it a couple of times more, I saw it fit that I should throw out the trash now and not later because I might again procrastinate and end up putting it aside till next week. And I've already got 4 FULL BLACK TRASH BAGS *not counting that ones I wore during my Linis Bahay photoshoot chronicles* and one of the trashbags is like...between 10 to 15 kilograms in weight...And since I am alone in the house I have to go back and forth in throwing the trash. Walking at least a kilometer to the nearest trash depository *in layman's term...dump*

EVIL BLACK TRASH BAGS
I waited a couple more of minutes till the sun rose up, I don't want to be caught walking in the dark...I might see a ghost or something...NAHHH just kidding, I am not that afraid of something like that silly...I am just afraid that I might see flying dogs...worst nightmare...seriously the worst...Anyways I am being too random...so Yea I got up, cleaned what my dog thought was fun which was DESTROYING 2 trashbags outside so yeah I cleaned them up...and Started to carry the first two to the dump. After I disposed of the two evil trash bags I karate chopped them and then started to walk back dramatically with a background music of some 90s disco dance revolution machine. Upon reaching my house I carried in one hand the 13 kg trashbag...and the 200-300 grams trash bag on the other...I made a couple of stuffs because I was dead tired, thirsty and at the same time the trash bag was FREAKIN HEAVY! Trust me...it was HEAVY!

After with all the screaming, pulling and shouting *YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE* and all the drama with the 13 kg trash bag...I finally DUMPED it! AHA! At last...take that evil black trash bags! So I started walking back...no scratch that...I started dancing back...imagining that I won a battle or something...You might dismiss me as a crazy dude sometime later on, but if you really know me...then you'll just see this as one of my glorious moments...

When I got home, I washed my hands and decided that I should pray, its been a long time since I had my prayer time...And that is the purpose of this blog...to share the gospel and my reflection upon it.


Ohhh! Di Ba? Galing ko noh, kala ninyo randomness lang xD

MUSTARD SEEDS
The story that I've just shared to you is real, I didn't imagine it to make a point. I really received a sweet and special text message from my special someone that I really love, I really did throw 4 evil black trash bags that I really hate...and I really did reflect and pondered upon my prayer time...So knowing me there must be a lesson to all the things I wrote above...Right? Well yeah, all of them are related to this verse

Luke 13:18-21
He said therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches." And again he said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."


I copy-pasted this verse from my facebook status, see I AM LAZY!...Ok enough with the randomness, kinda trying to focus with the serious portion of this blog...the realizations, reflection and lessons part...

I focused more on the mustard seed because I kinda don't know how to relate any of these with bread and yeast. The mustard seed is small, it's very small indeed but its Tree is very large. Jesus was relating to us that God's kingdom starts out of mustard seed. Does this mean literally? Well Yes and No.

Yes and No because God's kingdom is both in our hearts and in heaven. God's Kingdom in our heart indeed starts out with a simple desire, with that small spark of genuine faith, no matter how small or insignificant that spark is...as long as it is genuine, and it came from God...it has the potential to become Big and change the world. No because God's kingdom in heaven is already majestic and glorious, it didn't start out as a mustard seed.

God's Kingdom in our Hearts is like a mustard seed, it will and must start with true desire, no matter small or insignificant that desire or faith is. If planted, nurtured and protected, it would grow to something big. My service in Youth For Christ, all of the Kuya Dabs that you know now, was not the Kuya Dabs 6 years before when he started serving in the community. My intentions and goals before were not that big or as you can say genuine. I just had the simple desire to lead. I developed that simple desire that I want to help and to talk in front. It all started with a simple desire, 6 years down the road that desire transformed into something greater. I transformed into a calling to a mission that I am doing and living right now. It was not a one time event. We need to be patient, especially nurturing visions and desires. We must be patient with people around us, do not complain if it seems that nothing is happening or that you're not seeing change right away. Remember that it is a start. As long as you've planted a mustard seed of God's Love in their hearts...it would grow...just protect and nurture that seed.

The text message, how was it related into growing mustard seeds? You see Simple words as I Love you, you are important to me...and I will still Love you tomorrow are indeed life changing. For me I treasure these words deeply and it brings me great joy if someone special to me like her texts to me these words. Why? It's because all relationship starts with a small liking for each other. Like a mustard seed, a relationship whether with a GG, or a friend doesn't start with a simple YES, or I Love you...It is not a one time event...it's a continuous process that enables that relationship to grow. You cannot expect it to be that magnificent and marvelous just because you said Yes...you must work hard on it...plant it, nurture it and protect it. The words that I received are the fruits of the small mustard seed that was planted a long time ago...the small mustard seed of friendship that grew into the Tree of True Love.

How about the trash bags...How is it related to my mustard seed story? Well looking both ways, if a mustard seed is planted and nurtured it would grow to something big...something wonderful. The same way, if a mustard seed is just left alone to dry, it will wither and die *hey that rhymes* Put a couple of mustard seeds and just leave them with water without planting nor nurturing them they'll become spoiled. Like trash. Throw them out in the garbage and let them accumulate they'll grow alright, but this time as spoils, full of germs and bacteria and fungi. If we let small seeds of hate, anger, confusion and hurt get out of hand, plant them deep in our hearts, nurture them with bad memories, unfound guilt, irrational reasoning and such, then protect them by denying that they exist or even ignore them...they'll grow into something that is the opposite of the tree of Life. They'll grow thorns and continually pierce your heart because you have nurtured them and protected them. You let them to be accumulated and fill your whole body...and this is not a wise idea. Throw them out...that' my advice to you, take them to the dump. How? Go to confession, pray at church, and at the same time let go of these things that are continually hurting you...Move on, there's a lot of blessings ahead of you and with you right now...Stop wasting time collecting and protecting garbage thinking you can get rid of them later on, because they'll probably pile into enormous amounts and it would take you years before you can dispose of them all.

CONCLUSION
So there you have it folks, I shared about Text Messages, Evil Black Trash Bags and Mustard Seeds, I hope you liked my blog entry for today. For the UP students reading my blog, please do not comment about grammatical and spelling corrections in my comment box. Just email me or pm me privately, dabsq@yahoo.com. Also I tend to over exaggerate on the punctuation marks so I am begging for your forgiveness hahahaha.

It's 7:30 AM on my Clock and I leave you a picture of this evil black trash bag

God Bless :)

~dabsq

Alam niyo ba

Did you know that I LOVE Rianne :)

Yeap I Love her as my dzidzi...and I promise to protect, pastor and provide for her...
Ung provide...when the right time comes...pero for now protect and pastor

I choose to be a real man of God...treating her the way she is to be treated...a real princess, and a precious daughter in God's eyes...and a magnificent person in mine...:)

I miss you :D

I Love you ^^
And I'll always be praying for you!

I promise to protect you...and to be the best person that God made me....for you :)

~dabsq

PS...
kukuwento ko realizations ko because of her, in my other entries...watch out for the Dzidzi chronicles xD

ps2...
Ang cutee nung yellow flowers sa likod hahahaha xD

facing the monster

It's all dark and sticky, the air is so moist...I can feel critters crawling between my legs...

I feel so wet, so alone...I turned back to see if someone was there to back me up. Hoping that someone could've been there and was there assuring me that I have someone with me in this battle...there was none...
Thoughts are racing within my head. Running round and round like cat and mouse, dog and cat, whip and dog,...cheese and butter...

What I am doing, I am wasting my time...I am standing in this sticky situation...facing a monster, towering like an immovable mountain. His big and red eye looking down at me...He looks like he is ready to devour me at any second now...I feel the stench of his breath...I don't wanna smell his breathe, but I am stuck...and I have no choice but to smell the horrible odor.

His razor sharp teeth has these weird critters with dozens of eyes and multiple hands attached to their bodies. I feel so oozy just by looking and thinking about them...and yet I am here all alone facing this giant...facing this thing...facing this...monster.

Why was I so stupid...to get myself into this situation? Why was I so eager to follow the sweet, and alluring scent that this monster seduced me with? Why was I so blind to follow its beautiful back, drooling like a dog, without seeing its disgusting face? Why was I so lazy and stubborn to listen to the people around me warning me about this monster...why? Why did I fell for its beautiful, promising and lying words of happiness...

Just then, a bright light shone from behind me. I tried to look but I was blinded by the light...by the radiant light that gives a positive energy. I was not able to see through the light and yet I can see a man...yes a man...A shining man, but a human being none the less...As I tried to look closer, this man was walking...he was walking towards me...he looks wounded, I see a lot of blood dripping from his sides and his hands. It looks like he is really suffering very harshly, but still he keeps on walking towards me.

I saw the monster, it was now beginning to act violent, like it was very afraid of this man and at the same time angry at him. The monster's eyes are now beginning to glow darker, a darker shade of red...then he ROARED!!! Yes he roared like a lion, an elephant and all the scary things you could think off...Its roar sounds like a thousand of souls. Suffering souls, screaming in despair...screams that makes you feel, sad, scared, hopeless and dead at the same time...

By this time I was trembling...I could not face this monster anymore and yet I am here stuck between this wounded man who seems to weak to fight the monster, and this huge monster...looking at me and at the man like he was going to eat me alive...that was then...

The man rushed towards me and hugged me...and I felt...Love...the monster started screaming and attacking in rage....he started biting the man, tearing his wounds and slashing his back...and yet the man stood firm on his ground...hugging me...protecting me from the monster...He was crying, but at the same time smiling...

I cried...tears dropped from my eyes like rainfall on a sunny day...I felt all the energy drained out of me...and yet strong and love, because this man was hugging me despite all the odds...The monster is now growing weaker every blow...it seems that the blood of the man is reacting violently against the monster...it seems like the blood of this man is like acid, burning the monster....

The monster stopped attacking now and started crying and wimping...It started talking! And told the man every single bad thing that i have done...he was ACCUSING ME!!! Who was this man!?!? what kind of monster is this??? I felt embarrassed and scared at the same time...I felt dirty because all of the monster's words are true...but still this man continues to hug me...he continues to hug me...

By this time the monster stopped...he was defeated, wounded and weak...he now turned his back and started walking towards the dark edges of the path...after 3 minutes his smell was gone...the battlefield was a mess, full of the monster's dirt and the man's blood...

But still this man continues to hug me....he doesn't want to let go of me...

The I asked him...why did you do all of those things for me???


Then he answered...


Because I forgive you...


I love you

~dabsq

PS1- Original story yan ahhahaha :D inspired lng magsulat! God Bless

So hardd :)

Yea the blog title says it all, it is hard...

It's hard...
to stand up for something you believe in when it's something that you don't want to believe in...
to be a Kuya to all, if you can't even a kuya to yourself
not to complain on the hardships of life
to pray every single day as if nothing's wrong
to stay strong in the face of a giant monster of challenges
to stand up and to face your fears
to show that you are a strong leader
to be a holy person
to be faithful to our God
to be me
to stay committed for 7 years
to walk your talk
be like Jesus
to die for yourself...

There are a lot of things that we could complain and use as an excuse to God on the hardships of our lives...but one thing's for sure...

it was surely really hard for him, a perfect God who did nothing wrong but love his creation, to die on a cross, be spitted upon, and yet still had the courage and love to hug the cross...as if it was not a curse but rather a blessing...he considers us as his blessings and those hardships didn't matter...no they didn't


but none the less it was hard...

Jesus didn't say that it would be easy...

but he promised us that it'll be worth it :)

he didn't give up...he didn't

~dabsq

ps1...in short mhirap ma in-love ng hindi oras :))
ps2...and no don't ask me who she is...:D

Phiona

Hahaha just a sharing...

Now I kinda feel a part of how parents feel when they need to spank their children out of discipline
I feel the pain of hitting your children, your responsibility, so that they could grow up as great adults someday.
I feel the pain of hearing your children cry and you can't do anything about it to teach them a lesson.
I feel the pain of clearing up the mess of your children who made mistakes.
I feel the pain of realizing that you've hitted them for the wrong reason
I feel the pain of them being too scared of you...

I realized all of this while training my new Puppy, Phiona...:) I love this puppy so much that I am hurt when I need to spank her.
I am hurt when I need to scold her
I am hurt when I need to punish her...

But what's amazing about it is this...

She learns quickly...and I am doing all of this things out of love..

Who says Love is just a bed of daises...

Its a bed of roses my dear...flowers, thorns and all :)
~dabsq

Being ready

We had worship at Oblation Grounds just hours before I decided to type in this blog again :)

The worship was amazing, and is really amazing. It started out with 0 plans, 0 directions and 0 hope. But God has other plans, he made us realize the simple things in life, the common things in life that we face day to day. The normies that we encounter in each day of our lives, the things we take for granted...He made us realize that all of this things were allowed by him to happen...because we are ready...

Read my lips...God will not allow something to happen to us, whether good or bad, a blessing or a challenge, if we're not ready to handle it. That's how much he knows us. There are times that he already knows and is saying that we are indeed ready, but we ourselves are denying it, and even questioning his will for us :)

The worship was amazing, it just made all of us realize, how Great our God is...How big he is, and how he made every thing that surrounds us just to make us happy. That's how great he is, that's how much he has loved us...

Personally, the worship made me realize


God never gave up on me, that's why I must not give up on him or his people :)


~dabsq

PS1...Grabeee crusshhh q tlaga siii janinneee ang ganda ng boses nia!!! WOHOOO TO THE MAX!!!
PS2...si riane, aun ang kulit at ang gulo...pero masaya kasama :)) ahahha msarap kaaway

The Vegetable Incident

Reporting live from Baguio City, Philippines! Sorry for my imaginary readers, its only this time after weeks that we got our inet, so here I am alive and kickin! Will blog daily for your entertainment, reflections and etc! 

THE VEGETABLE INCIDENT

the story

It was a sunny afternoon...no, a dark one...it was kinda blurry, ah forget it...It was a new day! Me and my mother bought vegetables from the Palengke yesterday and taught me how to bargain with people. And I do need to learn how to bargain Filipino style because back in Abu Dhabi I have to say Last Price, and Good Price, but here you have to talk and talk and talk and talk until you have lowered the price enough for your preferences. So yea, we went around the market, a lot of beautiful ladies there, and yea beautiful men too, and by beautiful I mean...yea...you get what I mean.

I saw live crabs, and I was kinda jumpy about that. I have to carry almost 20-25 kilos of market food around as my mother bought this VEGETABLES!!! Telling me all the way that she's gonna teach me to eat vegetables. And note, I DON'T EAT VEGETABLES, as the matter of FACT I hate those things...because of their taste. I do eat however Cucumbers, Potatoes (French Fries), and Tomatoes (Ketchup). So yea I was just telling myself...ahh goodluck mother...I am just gonna eat SOME while you're here. So yeah.

Fast forward, in the sunny, dark, blurry new DAY. I woke up with a BACK ACHE, that really messed me up for the whole day. I just lay down the whole day. And good thing that was, because that day my mother decided to cook Sitaw and Kangkong. So yeah I though I escaped...I was wrong, when I went out I was FORCED to eat because I haven't eaten anything for the whole day. So yea I needed to eat that accursed Sitaw and Kangkong, picking a few big chunks of pork cooked with it. I escaped with hotdog at last...

The next day...I ate again before we left for SM, and yes I ate again the Kangkong and Sitaw...and you know what the moment we stepped into SM, my stomach started revolting. As in revolting...BADD!!! It sounds like a roaring tiger mixed with crying hayeenas and a hot winter's day. It's like the 9 of a 7 cycled washing machine...In short...BAADD. I tried to keep it in as I could hold it for a while, but it grew bad by the minute. Until I reallly have to go to the bathroom. And there...the heaven's opened...

I went out of the bathroom happy and smiling, probably people though I was crazy, but no, I rushed back inside because, there it is again...And it hit me...something caused this...this...BAD REVOLT...ACCURSED STOMACH!!! THE SITAW AND KANGKONG! I KNEW IT!!! VEGETABLES ARE BAD!!! And so it took me a long time till I got out of the bathroom. After that  I finally complained to my mom and said...

THAT VEGETABLE YOU MADE ME EAT DID THIS...Did this...horrible stuff in my tummy. It hurts now. She told me that the vegetable was just CLEANING my stomach...and it had to adjust...And I was like huwah??? I don't wanna eat vegetables anymore because VEGETABLES HAVE bad side effects on me such as THIS!!!

the culprit...no way it is hot...

the lesson

Good things, when kept away from people for a long time does not make it bad from them. However it alienates them, because people start to learn living without good things. Without the values, morality and etc. Just like how I lived most of my life without vegetables only with meat, doesn't made the vegetables bad things...*even though i think they are* no, my body adjusted according to what I eat, thus rejected what was originally good for me. The same way that we live our lives...The longer we live in darkness and in sin, the more that the good things would hurt us more as we go near it.

That's why when people want to change for bad its easy, but when people change for the better its harder. Because their system, once used to the easy life, to the good life that seems good at first, but with over excess ruins their system and confuses their body, that when the better things, the good things in life goes closer to them, their souls would reject it. However the effects of the Good "Food" would remain good, it does not reject the body, however cleanses it from the sin and dirty stuff inside it. As the body adjusts to these good things, it would suffer for sure, it would be hurt, there would be pain...but all of it would be the cause of ending up in sin and bad things in the first place...The Good stuff would cleanse the body, the mind and the spirit. That's why at this early...start eating healthy

and start living fully :) by praying

~dabsq

~dabsq

Complain Much?

Feel like ranting? Feel like complaining how hard life is? Feel like rambling about how people don't understand you? Feel like tearing up because people who are close to you are going to seperate ways? Feel like life is hard, and why is it so hard? We teens often do this...we often do...

We always have lots of things to complain about. From the moment we open our eyes, that moment shall determine how we would determine the new day that is set before us. If we complain, then the day would be ending up as a disaster. It's funny...

It's funny that 90% of the 30-40 Blogs I read  a day is about complaining. Complaining about how mischievous others are, complaining about how hard to live life is, ranting about the difficulties of making tough decisions...Complain, Complain, Rant, Rant....As if there is nothing else left in the world but bad things? That's why we fail to see the best things in life...that's why we fail to appreciate them for what/ who they are?


Right now I am complaining, well because I am ranting about these people who complain too much. Don't get me wrong, I am a complainer, a ranter, a pessimist kind of person. I always look like that, but I don't show that to others...I don't share it that much...you know why?

Because I know I am wrong...There are 2 kinds of pessimists, people who know they are wrong, and people who are ignorant about that truth, I can gladly say I am the former. I know its wrong to be a pessmist. That's why I call myself a REALIST...:) But even though...in this tough world when you focus on being a realist...it ends up focusing on the bad things...you end up being a pessimist...


So what is my challenge? What is my goal...that is to be a BELIEVER. Being a Believer is to be daring, being a believer is to challenge the impossible, being a believer is to be beyond realism or reality. Being a Believer is trusting in God. Being a Believer is to see beyond pessimism and optimism. Being a believer is to be achieve true happiness...

Waking up each morning, seeing everything and everyone as a blessing is just the start of seeing the eyes of a Believer. Seeing things, beautifully and planned out by our God just for you is being a believer. Believing in achieving impossible things not for fame, or your glory...but for God's Glory is starting to think as a Believer...Starting to  be happy for others, and thinking about others is a sign of loving as a Believer...

When you think about others...it must not be thinking about others for your own...no...When you think about others...there must be nothing in return, when you love and serve, nothing must be expected to be given back...Even appreciation...that's what being a Believer is...being Radical enough to see beyond the callings of the human flesh, and start satisfying the true happiness of the Human Soul.

When you start to Believe that there is and always will be a GREATER PURPOSE for everything that happens in your life...and you learn to accept them as they are, rather than complaining, ranting, then get hurt in the end....then you'll truly be happy. Because that happiness is not for your own anymore...but for God's :)

BEING A BELIEVER IS CHOOSING TO BE HAPPY.

so stop ranting...stop complaining...

And start BELIEVING
~dabsq

Super Secret Boyband

Our complete picture including KC....

the JACKsons, the people I hang out with within school, my peers/group in school, the people who make me angry, sad, happy, joyous, excited and fulfilled...

my friends...:)

--------------------------- 

Charles- My friend waaaayyy before JACKsons, he was a participant when I first team-led a youth camp in August 10-11, 2006 in Philippine National School. But we were not that close until our summer vacation in 2007 where we got together every single day to serve in the Parish Summer Camp. That is when I got to know him, and saw how much he has changed, how much God has changed him, and how much mature he grew as a person and as a youth leader. He's interested in MARVEL, MUSIC, PS GAMES and any other PACKED ACTION stuff *like Flirting* :)) peace, he's not that drama person type, and although other people see him as a joker, or just a random person laughing. I see him as a person, a youth leader, a friend trying to follow Christ's footsteps. He's one of the people who contributed in changing my life.

Kevin- AHHHHHH the quiet dude, and yet deadly. Madalas si Kevin tahimik pero pag bumanat bigatin. I really admire this dude, when he's committed on something, he'll be committed on that something. I NEVER heard him complained *except MY gay (ASAR) times* That's what good about him, he doesn't complain, he knows how to listen, he is happy with living a simple life, and knows when to break ice when needed. He unlocked the secret to happiness. Kevin showed me how life is...simply beautiful.

Josh- hahahaha si JOSHHHHH, this dude, I met him 2nd year, but didn't really got to know him until our 2009 Summer Vacation, when he was transferred to my Cluster. He was the one who introduced me in Greek Mythology And I assigned him and he accepted (DID NOT TRICK HIM) into becoming a YFC Communications Head of our Cluster. I assigned him to that service not because he's talented and/or creative, no I began to see beyond that, I began to see a deep person, a person struggling to live a life which is rooted in Christ. I see him beyond the artist everybody sees, I see him beyond the loud and hyper person people see...I see him as a contemplative, sensitive and deep person. That he has yet to unleash into the real world (he already unleashed this on the virtual world). And I learned a lot of life lessons because of him.

AJ- YESSSSSSSSSSSSS the dude I got to mingle and know in 4th Year. He really is the 200% most hyper person in the group, he is the complete opposite of Kevin in every way, except in his heart. He's a great person unable to say NO to people in need. He is a person that has a pure heart, that sees life as it is, and tend to enjoy it for what it offers. He knows his limitations and is unafraid of being happy and hyper. He knows when to smile and when to be serious. And he gives life to a conversation. AJ taught me how to be truly happy.

KC- KC KC KC KC :)) haiizz KC! Nasama ka pa sa Picture eh :P As you notice ayan puro emoticon parin, she's a great girl, Girl of the Year nga :)) She's veryyyy special for me ;) alam nia na un, and I got to know her more when we were asssigned as Partners in the YCTP and supposed to be Youth Camp. The long calls, the random chats and etc, got to know KC as a trustworthy person and.......:)) Masarap siya asarin, and she knows how to smile...Truly smile in face of troubles for the sake of others. She knows how to pick her friends...and she is truly magnificent in being a YFC Leader. Magkikita pa kami niyan sa Baguio :P Jejebuster siya khit Jejemon siya dhil sa mga xD nia and yes she'll deny this sasabihin nia ndi jejemon ang xD tpos maraming kakampi sa kanya, she's like this loved by many and defended by all! :)) She taught me how to be patient and how to truly PERSERVERE :> :))

The History? on my Point of View...

We avoid calling names to our group, we don't even define ourselves as a group...But rather as Brothers. Most of us learned to accept life as it is and let go at an early stage. Altough we don't know ALL about each other's personal life, we know we can run to one another in times of trouble. You may not see us always laughing or always fooling around, because we know HOW to balance EVERYTHING. How to balance laughter, sadness, deepness, contemplation, friendship and academics. We know our limitations, I believe all of us are mature enough to live good lives. I know that all-star kami and one thing unites us....and that is our common belief and faith in God...That when we talk to one another and have problems, we know that God is our Solution. Our friendship is built on FAITH, HOPE and LOVE

i'll miss these freaks!!! these freaks I call my own, my brothers in Christ, my friends...

hope to see you again soon

God Bless

~dabsq

PS

Super Secret Boyband *Nick Fury Iron: Man 2*

Happiness

gearing up :)

11 days till Pinas :) ill be missing Abu Dhabi for sure...and you guys :) God Bless!

~dabsq

happiness is not found in a person's heart...because happiness IS the person's Heart :)

appreciated

Go to where you're appreciated, not to where you're tolerated.  Go to where you're appreciated, not to where you're not valued. I have given you gifts.  Give them to those who appreciate them.  Don't throw your pearls to the swine.

-GOD 

~dabsq

love

choosing to love is not always the hardest...what is hard is Loving not to Choose

~dabsq

the choice: introduction

i am here right now...writing a blog at 3:49 AM, with no one to chat with, the computer in front of me...telling me to write something. My siblings sleeping, me listening to music...

Mind I tell you that I've chosen rather not to sleep, even though I have a big day ahead of me. I plan to start this day right...by jogging in the streets of abu dhabi at 5:30 AM. Because its a choice that I've made. The choice that I have to sacrifice something to gain something better.

Since I've got lots of spare time and I am feeling a hell of awake, I have chosen to write this blog. This won't be the normal blog of randomness and fun. The blog about updates that happened in my life. This is not just about being optimistic and always looking on the lighter side of things, looking into reality. In this blog sharing, there would be many parts, many roads, many choices. You'll see who I am for what I really am, you'll see the choices that have affected my life, and made me who I am today. This series of stories is not the normal series full of laughter, you'll see a warrior bleed, get hurt, die....

This is about choice, as I start this journey, of choices, few readers as I have...may you be enlightened and see how God transformed me...how he changed me...and how my wrong choices that almost destroyed me...

This is my story....

Our Story :)

THE CHOICE: INTRODUCTION

We've always been given choices. Life is full of choices, choices ranging from clothes, to shoes, to fast foods, friends, families and the people you are going to love. Choices that sometimes we disregard as a minor influence in our lives. Choices that we've regretted only after being broken down into pieces by the same choices that we've done.

Wrong choices
I impress a girl...and EPIC FAIL
I was around 7 or 6 during that time... It was a happy day I remembered. Our neighborhood girl across the street comes to play with us during this noon, because it was school vacation. My brother comes to play with us and does some random stuff. Then when he saw a hollow block, right around the corner he picks it up and lifts it up with his hands. The girl was impressed *no we don't have crushes on her, we just like to impress our friend* Since I don't wanna be taken out of the show I lifted the hollow block and tried to lift another one, that was 2 hollow blocks...being 7 and stupid at that time, I lost my balance and a hollow block fell from my hand striking the head my observing brother below me. There was blood, and my parents rushed out and attended to him..I just stood there, then flexed my muscles at the girl.

The basic instinct of human nature is to do choose something that would benefit himself/herself. Rarely this days that people choose to sacrifice their choice for the sake of others. Right then and there, they have already decided to choose for themselves...choose who they are, choose who they want to become...Have you ever tried smelling candles flavored in strawberry. They smell good enough to eat, but that is just a deception because once you eat them, the taste disappears, rather you taste a dull, disgusting wax mixed in strawberry essence and red coloring. Wrong choices are like these candles they seem to be inviting and good at first, but once you've got to accomplish them, things becomes worst. And we mostly choose wrong things because this is what satisfies us. This is easier, this is what WE think is Right...Always about me, me, me. From that point, you've already made the decision. Your choice is yourself alone.

Wrong Choice
I melt, I scream...I die....
I was in front of an assembly of people. Doing my best talking to them. I was around 13 or 14 that time. And it feels good to be always accepted by everyone. Viewed by everyone as good and holy. It feels good being complimented and getting a shake on the hand for a nice talk delivered. I had to do my best so that people would like me. I had to speak my best so that they'll listen to me...I had to be good to them so that they would accept me. This is what runs in my mind during those days of talking in front of assemblies of people. Everyone had to be a fan, everyone had to like me, everyone must think I am holy and never failing in serving God...everyone have to accept me, or else inside, I feel myself melting...screaming....dying.... I was addicted for the approval of others, that one particular assembly changed all that. The tables turned on that assembly, that this time, everyone was not a fan, everyone is angry at me, everyone is questioning me, everyone is pointing fingers at me...I was called for this meeting to be ridiculed and be hurt, by the very people I've trained to be in this assembly. I felt dying inside. One bad word about me makes me wanna jump of a building, but a group of people rallying against me just ruins my life...That was what ran within my mind...so I made a terrible choice...

I didn't become angry, and did what they wanted me to do...

Having your choice for yourself is not that all bad, but wanting your whole choice for the benefit of your own is just sheer selfishness. I was an approval addict before, now I am still fighting this addiction. For me, my choice is not mine, but for the other around me. I let their words manipulate me, change me, and replace who I am inside.  Thus giving them a chance to choose for me. Wanting the approval and acceptance of others is not bad, but when you want this to be accomplished 100% then that is called an addiction. Wanting everyone's love and attention thus giving up your own choice for their benefits alone is pure stupidity. It's the lack of self love that pushes a person to their limits. The lack of self trust and esteem to carry on a challenge...the lack of choosing for oneself...Situations come in where people let other choose for them, this is not bad, but this is a sign of weakness. A sign of submission to the world, and to its influence around you. A sign of giving up your choice for the sake of approval and acceptance by the very people who won't love you.

A sign of stupidity....

Right Choice
I gave up Love
She was beautiful, stunning and  everyone likes her. I even got a small crush on her. I didn't know her that much, until we spent time serving in a Summer Camp together. Coming in together every day. Laughing during breaks, telling her jokes, and teasing her with love songs. It was a simple friend-crush relationship. I've never had a girlfriend before. Ever since I was born 14 years ago, I didn't even think of courting girls. But this one, well shes like those others who I would just be able to love from afar, then our feelings would just fade out...

I was dead wrong

3 days later I have committed myself to stay single for the next 7 years, we got a chance to talk...A chance to chat...The chat that probably made me choose one of the hardest decisions I have to make. She told me that she likes me...to hell...she LOVES me...It was a surprise for me, a huge surprise. I insignificant, below-average, religious, non athletic guy like me? She who is popular, stunningly beautiful, has dated athletic and good looking guys in the past falls in love with a guy like me. I asked her why...she told me because I have proven to her that I cared for her. After being happy for 5 minutes I remembered a commitment that i have just made...a commitment to my God that was easily unbreakable, since it was just 3 days. But I don't know what drove me to fight but I didn't break that commitment. Weeks passed, we became sweeter on text and calls on the fone and chats on the messenger. We are even paired up and have kilig moments together. But I keep reminding her...Don't wait for me, there are a lot of guys out there who are more deserving than me. But she insists that she'll wait 7 years...Sadly i was wise enough to know that she can't do this...

So I made a hard choice....It was hard but it was the right one. I've chosen to let her go. To let this MU relationship die. So I stopped talking to her, chatting and etc. It was hard for me, to fall in love with a girl that fell in love with me and I can't even call her as my girl friend...Because of one word..."commitment" 

Months passed, the relationship died, she was now seeing somebody else, I became angry for this, I know it was dumb since it was my own decision. But I blamed her for hurting me, while I was the one to blame for hurting myself...by choosing to delay choosing the right decision. I could've cut her off when we were chatting, but I've risked it. Now she's lost, I am lost...I am hurt and broken...

No choice but to move on...7 years is a long road ahead...

The right choices are often the hardest ones. People always claim that there are easier solutions in life, it is true. But that only applies in techniques, equations, skills and in things. That doesn't apply in personal decisions...Choices that you have to correct because you've chosen a wrong path before. Sometimes people torture themselves by making things complicated by putting in the equation their own preferences, rather than focusing on what is right. Focusing on what's going to benefit both parties and won't sacrifice morality. Choices when lifted up to God, are better choices because through this ways, you would be given a choice to follow his path for you...to follow a better road for you. Although he is not promising that the road would be easy...the goal would be worth it. Choices are not meant to be kept to yourself, or given 100% to others...

Choices are meant to be lifted up to God, then decided upon yourself for the greater good of the people around you and for you. Love yourself, love others, and Love your God above all.

This is the choice...and here is where you choose....

this is the reality...face it now

~dabsq

ps1...I've finished this blog 4:40 AM...one hour till I go down.
ps2...listening to second hand serenade right now....your call...they are emo people
ps3...assignments tommorow: go to IFSAM, go to JOSH, start COMMERCIAL, talk to KC, Charles and Kat.
ps4...thanks to all my imaginary readers :) your efforts are appreciated...

so what now

i stand here right before you...pissed and confused. cfc yfc is not just a affliation for me anymore, nor a community, nor even a way of life. YFC is my Life already, 2nd to being a Christian Catholic, is being a member of CFC YFC. People know me as a YFC fanatic and I am proud of it...I love not just YFC itself, but the members of the community itself, I have grown to love its teachings, activities, members, and coordinators.  For 6 long years God has blessed my life a lot through this community.

but now I stand in crossroads, where decisions are already set, and I could not decide on what to do. I stand in a crossroads where I could just watch what happens like a DVD, without having the chance anymore to change the ending, the story and the outcome of the characters.

i'll be leaving soon, and this decision was not made by mine alone, but by circumstances and current situations. i just dont know how to put it in words, but I am leaving YFC AUH soon, because I love it...i know it IS for the greater good and for God's infinite glory...but i just cant keep having the feeling of abandoning my fellow FRIENDS...soo i ask myself


what now?


kDabs
proud.yfc

man on the middle

I dedicate this fictional story on the last hours of our Lord Jesus Christ, to his death and passion. May God's Glory be Forever, and his holiness endure till the end.

MAN ON THE MIDDLE

The sky is dark, as if there is an impending doom that is to be brought upon the face of the earth. It's about 11:34 AM in Golgota, but it seems forever since the sentence of this 3 men to die. I've been an avid observer of what happened, and how it happened, and it has brought me not just tears, but hope for a world to come. 12:00 PM came to past, no celebrations, or shouting out, just pure agony from the women I saw by the sides, they've been following this particular man, Jesus of Nazareth as I recall, ever since Pilate's palace. The soldiers and rabbis seems to be giving him a hard time? What was his crime? Is he really that of a dangerous criminal. I tried to look upon the eyes of this so called trouble maker, and was able to get a glimpse of his eyes, and within those eyes, I didn't see vengence, or anger...but sadness and a forgiving man. It penetrated my heart, to see a man like this in agony, but to see a man that seems to be so peaceful and calm be forced to suffer and be mocked upon...

12:43 PM, the soldiers are now playing with his clothes, casting lots to see who gets the best part, the part without the man's blood ofcourse. I hear the man mumble as if he is thirsty, the soldiers, rather than giving him water to drink, instead gave him vinegar, sour vinegar, and this man accepted it faithfully, without disgust. After he drinks he looks at the soldiers and gives them a smile, a warm fatherly smile that could have made me cry in that very moment, if not for the screaming man on the cross on the left being pecked upon by a crow.

1:27 PM, it seems darker than ever, as if the whole of nature is lamenting together with the woman for the man in the middle. It looks like the sun has already been set even though it is blazing over the horizon, but it looks like as if the sun is crying, together with the birds of nature, everything in nature is silent as of the moment, and I saw the man, the man in the middle promising happiness and paradise to the man on his right. This man on the middle seems to be assured on what he's doing, he seems to be in total control even though he is not. His blood just dripping like a broken faucet in the sink.

1:53 PM, no blood is coming out anymore, the man is not screaming in pain or struggling to get down, he looks as if he is in deep thought, in deep prayer, and I hear words of forgiveness that he is imparting to the people in this area. And the moment the words "forgive them" left his mouth I felt my heart twisted and pulled out from  my chest, I felt the pain of being enslaved in guilt, but a gush of wind suddenly gave me peace, and I felt a warm embrace, a sign of love, and when I looked up and saw the man, he was looking straight at my eye, as if he is saying...I've forgiven you

2:47 PM, I just went to the bathroom to catch a piss, as I walk back to the hills of Golgota, I see the criminals and the man on the middle on their death agony. The man on the middle looks like he is trying to catch his breathe, he is using his arms even if without strength to drag himself upward to catch every whisp of air into his nose. He was breathing heavily for the next 13 minutes.

3:00PM, Father into your hands I commend my Spirit, that very moment I was stunned, I looked around if everyone is seeing what I am seeing but I saw the whole of the sky open up and thousands of angels sound the trumpets as if there is a fueneral in heaven. I saw the whole of nature bow down in respect to this man on the middle who just died. Now the soldiers making sure the criminals are dead broke their bones, while a certain soldier pierced the side of this dead man on the cross, and not blood but water came out pouring of his sides. The soldier after being hitted with the water as if healed knelt down and proclaimed God's glory

3:13 PM, The vision was over 10 minutes ago, and it has been 10 minutes ever since my life changed...I saw an innocent man, although i didn't get to hear his words, die in front of the people that I could see in his eyes he Loved...And yet betrayed him. I saw the whole of glory of God flash before my eyes as this man died, and I saw God himself, on that cross dying...yes I boldly proclaim this man to be God,

Jesus of Nazareth...the King of the Jews... the man on the middle

the Christ

kDabs

servant

a question

i asked my friends earlier this day, a question that for them may seem a weird and random question for them but a serious one for my knowing...

is it ok to fall in love with your cousin? Like marry him/her and stuff?

Charles said, it would be incest, and so did AJ, and all the other guys, Charles even claimed it to be worse than being homosexuals *no offense* and being married as gay. It's one of the worst kinds of stuff on his well point of view, I just asked my mother and she said probably its incest. So I ask myself, why is it consider bad? In the case of 1st cousins.

Like what if you really fell in love with your cousin, and you're not even close before, your family has been living apart for all these years? Why would it be incest? What is incest anyway? Marrying someone within your nuclear family? Isn't that who we all are, related as one family?

They'll say it was ok for the people in the past, my question is? Why isn't it okay now? Are we ruled by a dictating "traditional" society, some liberal minded's may take this far and say why we should be allowed to marry our grand children too, which is a big no no for me...but what about cousins?

why is it forbidden for two cousins to fall in love with each other?

why?



kDabs
servant


ps1...I asked Josh about this matter, he asked me to ask a dead guy, Dr. Jose Rizal...well i guess I won't be getting any answers for a very long time...
ps2...I leave the question to you? Why? If love is all those boundaries crap and etc, why is it that we are dictated by modernity and traditional rulings?