He loved me.

He chose me before the world was known. He chose me to be His very own. He made me, then let me choose my way. I chose to move away.

He loved me when hope had taken wing. He loved me when I lost everything. He bought me; redemption's work was done though Jesus Christ, His Son.

Who shall separate me from the love of God? Shall dreams of tomorrow, pain, or sorrow? Can the need of food or earthly possessions, the threat of war or man's oppression? In all these things, victory is our reward though Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Of this I am sure, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, not height nor depth nor any creature shall separate me from the love of God. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Passing along a little spark.

Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student. Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn.

Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always say, "My mom's going to hear me play someday." But it seemed hopeless. He just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in.

Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons. I thought about calling him but assumed, because of his lack of ability, that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that he stopped coming. He was a bad advertisement for my teaching!

Several weeks later I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the upcoming recital. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify. He said that his mom had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practicing. "Miss Hondorf... I've just got to play!" he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be all right.

The night for the recital came. The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the program before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my "curtain closer."

Well, the recital went off without a hitch. The students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked like he'd run an eggbeater through it. "Why didn't he dress up like the other students?" I thought. "Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?"

Robby pulled out the piano bench and he began. I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen Mozart's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on pianissimo to fortissimo...from allegro to virtuoso.

His suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by a person his age. After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause. Overcome and in tears I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in joy. "I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it?" Through the microphone Robby explained: "Well Miss Hondorf...remember I told you my mom was sick? Well, actually she had cancer and passed away this morning. And well....she was born deaf so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it special." There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care, I noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil. No, I've never had a protigi but that night I became a protigi... of Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil. For it is he that taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know why.

(A footnote to this story) After serving in Desert Storm, Robby was killed in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995, where he was reportedly....playing the piano. And now, a footnote to the story.

This story has been passed around by e-mail. It has not yet been proven to be a true story as no mention has been made of the exact name of the music teacher nor of the boy. The story proves that we all can make a difference. We all have thousands of opportunities a day to help realize God's plan. So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: "Do we pass along a spark of the Divine?"

Ang Hukbong Mapagpalaya ng Bayan

Ako'y manggagawa. Nagsisikap upang mabigyan ng disenteng pamumuhay ang aking pamilya. Nagsisikap upang maiahon ang sarili sa hikahos na buhay at makatikim ng ginhawa. Ngunit patuloy akong pinapasakit ng kabi-kabilang pagtataas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin katulad ng bigas, asukal, tinapay, at iba pa, na sinasabayan naman ng hindi pagtugon sa panawagan ng mas mataas na sahod.

Ako'y manggagawa. Nagsisikap upang mapag-aral ang aking mga anak. Nagsisikap upang matupad ang mga pangarap. Ngunit patuloy rin akong pinapasakit ng tuloy-tuloy na pagtalikod ng pamahalaan sa responsibilidad nito sa edukasyon, na makikita sa kabi-kabilang budget cuts at tuition and other fees increases.

Ako'y manggagawa. Nagsisikap upang makarating sa ibang mga lugar na hindi ko pa nararating. Nagsisikap upang lalong makilala ang mundong aking ginagalawan. Ngunit patuloy rin akong pinapasakit ng kabi-kabilang pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina at iba pang produktong petrolyo, mapagsamantalang oil companies, at hindi pagbasura sa Oil Deregulation Law.

Ako'y manggagawa. Naniniwala ako na panahon na upang magkaisa at kumilos laban sa puwersa ng mapagsamantalang kapitalista. Naniniwala ako na panahon na upang tayong lahat ay magpumiglas sa pagkakagapos ng mga pasakit na ito.

Ako'y manggagawa. Ang hukbong mapagpalaya ng bayan.

Time

Time, where did you go? Why did you leave me here alone? Wait! Don't go so fast; I'm missing the moments as they pass. I look in the mirror and the world's getting clearer so wait for me this time.

I'm down on my knees, begging for all your sympathy. But you're just an illusion; you humble people everywhere. I take what you give me; please know that I'm learning so wait for me this time.

I should've known better. I should've not wasted those days and afternoons. Many moments I've thrown all away. Now this is my time and I'm going to make it right.

I take what you give me so please know that I'm learning. I look in the mirror and the world's getting clearer so wait for me this time.

from the movie, "Uptown Girls"

They seem not to need God anymore...

Jesus said that "whoever has not sinned be the first to throw the stone." (John 8:7) Honestly, I (figuratively) raise an eyebrow when people claim that they have not sinned. Remember that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23).

As a Catholic I believe in forgiveness, but I think claiming that "I have not sinned", for me, is tantamount to saying "I don't need God anymore". I firmly believe that for us to be able to accept God in our lives, we should first recognize that we are sinners and we need His Grace for us to be saved.

Willie Revillame, get off the air. NOW

To WILLIE REVILLAME,

For making fun of a hapless 6 year old boy, you should not be on TV.

For forcing that boy to dance sensually on national TV, you should not be interacting with kids.

For allowing the audience to egg on the kid, you should not be hosting a game show.

For banking on poverty of your contestants as an excuse to humiliate them, you should not be receiving millions of pesos as talent fee.

For violating Republic Act 7610, you and your show should be taken off the air.

PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AND ABUSE!

UPHOLD MORALITY IN TELEVISION!

Arriba Almora!

Last Saturday, as I settled myself in the Buklod HQ before I start training the Buklod candidates, a tall, lanky guy approached me and introduced himself.

"Hi Kuya, I'm Jay Almora," he said. "I'm the Buklod USC Vice Chairperson." Of course I reciprocated.

Initiating a contact. From then on, I already realized the huge potential this kid has. And as I trained these young leaders, I really felt that the UPLB student community will be in good hands under Jay Almora.

I've never campaigned this much for a particular Buklod candidate. But I'm ready to give it all for Jay. For I believe in this kid, I believe that he has what it takes to lead and defend the UPLB student community with the three core principles of integrity, initiative, and involvement.

To Jay, if ever you get to read this note:

I am personally grateful to have known you and to have trained you to become the leader that you are. No matter what the outcome of this election may be, UPLB will be rest assured that they have someone like you to lead and defend them. Just continue to be of service to the students and to the people. We're so proud of you, bro.

The Top 30 songs of 2010

The top 30 songs of 2010 as compiled by our online music appreciation group

30. Ke$ha - Tiktok

29. Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

28. Usher feat. Will.I.Am - OMG

27. B.O.B. feat. Bruno Mars - Nothin' on You

26. Tim McGraw - Southern Voice

25. Train - Hey Soul Sister

24. Orianthi feat. Steve Vai - Highly Strung

23. Jason DeRulo - In My Head

22. Iyaz - Solo

21. Lady Gaga - Bad Romance

20. Taylor Swift - Mine

19. John Legend & The Roots feat. Common & Melanie Fiona - Wake Up Everybody

18. Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind

17. Kylie Minogue - Get Outta My Way

16. Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg - California Gurls

15. Demi Lovato - The Gift of a Friend

14. Neyo feat. Cassandra Steen - Never Knew I Needed

13. Katherine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi - Terrified

12. David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - Commander

11. We are the Fallen - Bury Me Alive

10. Shakira feat. Freshly Ground - Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)

9. Orianthi - According to You

8. Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce - Telephone

7. Katy Perry - Teenage Dream

6. Mariah Carey feat. Ne-Yo - Angels Cry

5. Amelia Vega - Pasa un Segundito

4. 25 for Haiti - We Are The World 2010

3. Kutless - What Faith Can Do

2. Bruno Mars - Just The Way You Are

1. Charice feat. Iyaz - Pyramid

"Where You Are"

This story was inspired by the song "Where You Are", written by Julius Guevara and Mark Lopez and sung by Hangad Music Ministry (lifted from their album "Pasko Naming Hangad"), and in part by the events that took place in the life of a good friend of mine.

========

Shivering in cold, Brian tearfully entered the hollow halls of that white stucco house. It has been years since he last saw that house, a house full of childhood memories that was suddenly turned into sorrow, grief, and anger. As he entered the dining room, those dark images of three years ago continue to haunt him. The cold December air felt even colder inside the house. No Christmas lights, no Christmas tree, no one to share the warmth and joy of the Christmas season.

Failing to brave the sorrows, Bryan turned back and went outside for a walk. Tears started to run down his cheeks. Outside, he can see children playing, smiles painted across their faces. Families walking together. Beautiful voices singing carols straining through the night.

Bryan reached the town plaza and sat on one of the benches. He looked up and saw the multitude of stars. However, a certain star shining very brightly caught his attention. It is giving a strong beam of light that seems to be illuminating something. Bryan’s gaze became fixed that he was already oblivious to the surroundings. Until…

“Why don’t you follow that star?” said a voice.

Bryan looked around but so no one. Again he gazed at the star, then heard the same voice.

“Follow it. It will guide you.”

Without further ado, Bryan got up the bench, raced back home, locked the old stucco house, got into his car and drove to the direction of the star. The drive was seemingly endless, but he was determined to see what that star was all about. He drove and drove until…

He reached the home of his best friend Gino. Gino earlier invited Bryan to their home for Noche Buena but he turned it down.

The light of the star was pointing to the Belen at Gino’s yard. As Gino let him in, Bryan went straight to the Belen. The image of the Christ Child at the center seemed to be smiling at him.

With more tears welling up his eyes, he said to himself, “I was lost deep in the night, but Your bright star led me to where You are, to where I am supposed to be. I lost my family, but You led me to a new one.”

========

Sometimes we are fixated in looking for the superficial things that would most complete us. But as we commemorate the Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, let us remember that back then in that first Christmas, the Bright Star led the three Wise Men to where Jesus is. Let us find our own stars of Bethlehem and let the light of Christ's love lead us to where He is.

Geo's Fruit Pie

Geo's Fruit Pie

Ingredients:

1 500g can of fruit cocktail

2 300g cans of all purpose cream, chilled.

1 300g can of condensed milk, chilled.

6 cups crushed graham crackers

1 225g bar of butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar

3 pcs cherries

Topping: 1 cup crushed almonds or 1/2 cup crushed graham crackers

1. Melt butter in low heat.

2. Place crushed grahams in a large pan; pour in melted butter. (A circular pan is most recommended

3. Place in freezer for 3 hours.

4. Mix all purpose cream and milk. Return to chiller and bring out only when it will be used already.

5. Once graham crust is hardened, top with fruit cocktail.

6. Add in chilled milk-cream mixture until it covers the fruits.

7. Top with crushed almonds or crushed graham crackers.

8. Place in freezer.

SERVE CHILLED.

Potato Casserole with Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

1/2 kg marble potatoes

4 cups water

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp paprika, powdered

1 300g can of all purpose cream

2 onions, finely chopped

1 250g can of mushrooms

1/4 cup butter

2 tsp dried basil

2 tsp dried parsley

half pack of Aji Ginisa

half block of mozzarella cheese, grated.

salt & pepper to taste

1. Place 4 cups water over medium heat until simmering.

2. Add potatoes, dried oregano and paprika. Bring to a boil then drain.

3. Saute onions and mushroom in butter.

4. Reducing heat, pour in all-purpose cream gradually, constantly stirring.

5. Add the remaining oregano and Aji-Ginisa pack. Heat until mixture simmers while constantly stirring.

6. Remove from heat then add salt and pepper, constantly stirring.

7. Arrange potatoes in a large platter. Add in cream mixture.

8. Top with mozzarella cheese, sprinkle with basil and parsley.

9. Microwave for 5 minutes in medium-low setting.

Pineapple Pork with Pineapple & Veggie Tomato Sauce

As I was cooking for lunch earlier, I just tried a dish that I haven't really cooked before. I thought at first it will taste bad but I was surprised that my folks liked it. I'm gonna share the "recipe" with you guys. I even named it already.

Pineapple Pork with Pineapple & Veggie Tomato Sauce

You need:

1.5 kilo of pork liempo,thinly sliced and cut into three

1 can pineapple tidbits

1/8 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 sayote, julienne cut

1 can mushrooms

2 small/1 big potato, julienne cut

1 carrot, julienne cut

1 bell pepper, red, julienne cut

1 onion, cut into quarters and each layer separated

1 garlic, finely chopped

1 500g pack tomato sauce

1 small pack Aji-Ginisa

1/2 cup honey

1 cup water

1/4 cup red wine (optional)

1.5 cups flour

cooking oil

salt & pepper to taste

1. Separate the pineapple tidbits from its juice/syrup

2. Marinate pork in the pineapple syrup, Worcestershire sauce, and half of the AjiGinisa pack; add a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside for a while.

while the pork is set aside, make the sauce.

3. In a sauce pan, saute garlic, onions, sayote, carrot, and potato.

4. Add bell pepper, mushrooms, and pineapple tidbits.

5. Add tomato sauce.

6. Add some salt and pepper and the remainder of the AjiGinisa pack.

7. Add the water. Cover the mixture until it simmers.

8. Add wine and honey. Cover again until it simmers. Set aside.

After making the sauce,

9. Coat the pieces of pork in flour and fry until golden brown.

10. Serve with sauce on the side.

Sample:

There is no available liempo that's why I used adobo cut. You can actually use any meat for this one.

30-Something and All that Jazz

1. As of this writing, I haven't entered a cinema/movie house for more than a year now.

2. I always wanted to go to Tibet.

3. Blue as my favorite color has got nothing to do with my political affiliation.

4. I don't like to be the mean. I always wanted to be the extreme event.

5. I enjoy watching Broadway.

6. If I was an algorithm, I have the tendency to put myself in an infinite loop.

7. I talk much.

8. One thing the President and I have in common - a sister. [You'll get my drift]

9. Speaking of drifts, I always wanted to learn how to drift [automotive sport].

10. I was asthmatic.

11. I am fascinated about Latin American culture.

12. I learned how to use a computer at age 4.

13. Everyday for me is filled with music.

14. I play mahjong.

15. Whether the seating is arranged alphabetically or by height, I'm always seated at or near the back.

16. I always wished Diana and Charles had a daughter.

17. You may call me weird.

18. I so love the 80s and the 90s.

19. I know how to make cheesecake.

20. But I still wanna learn how to bake.

21. I can understand a few French and Spanish words.

22. I'm a social networking addict. [Ain't it obvious?]

23. I'm eclectic, borderline eccentric.

24. My dream job has something to do with the building on the 20-peso bill.

25. Sometimes I feel I'm schizo.

26. If I'm asked to play a villainous role in a movie, I'd play Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar. His "villainy" was essential to the salvation of mankind.

27. My folks had problems feeding me when I was a child: the problem of how to make me stop eating.

28. I'm adventurous.

29. I wanted to be a street racer so freakin' bad!

30. ♫ I'll let the pain bring all the rain ♫. In other words, I often get LSS.

Butterfly Insights

A marvelous lesson appeared for me just now as I was exiting thru the garage, to come to this little playplace they call an office.

As I opened the garage door, I startled a large moth, which, upon spreading it's wings, displayed a bright red "tail" hidden by the motley brown wings, more a "butterfly" than a moth.

It flew immediately to its perceived escape, the circle-topped window where it frantically tried to exit thru the invisible wall of closed glass.

I raised the third-car garage door in hopes of aiding it's escape. That caused it to fly higher and higher and become entangled in a spider web. Fearful that it would remain entangled in the web, I selected a long-handled broom to assist him escaping the tangled threads.

At this, he returned to furiously pumping his wings and banging into the glass, which was, in his perspective, the pathway of escape, but remained his cage.

By simply turning his focus to one side, he would have easily exited his prison. Rather, due to his intent on one direction, he remained confined, captive.

Some thoughts on the barangay and SK elections

Today we, as one nation, trooped for the second time this year to our respective polling places and voted for our village (barangay) officials. We chose the people who will lead our communities.

The barangay is the basic unit of governance. The most basic of services should be delivered first and foremost by this unit. The barangay is also the governmental unit closest to home since it encompasses the community. Hence, the barangay elections were perceived by the authors of the Local Government Code to be as non-partisan as possible.

However, the barangay of today is not what it should be. Barangay councils start to lack credibility, transparency, and accountability. the barangay chairperson uses facilities such as the barangay patrol car for his/her personal use. Even the Sangguniang Kabataan, which is supposed to be the voice of the youth in the community, has now become a breeding ground for trapos or traditional politicians. And the positions are very much "to die for", explaining the culture of violence that marred past barangay elections, including this one.

The electoral process we have witnessed today is no different from the elections of the past. Perennial problems - missing names in voters list, blatant violation of the Omnibus Election Code, delayed delivery of election paraphernalia, and long lines - still exist. And as I have mentioned, several incidences of violence nationwide have rocked this electoral process.

Everyone is dismayed with the lack of preparation for today's electoral process. We still have a long way to go in terms of reforming our process.

But then again, why keep on whining? We are responsible for building this nation; let us start with our respective barangays.

Use Empowering Words When You Talk to Yourself

got this again on email I need to share this.

Use Empowering Words When You Talk to Yourself

by Bill Greer

How do you talk to yourself?

Do you use the words "can't", "won't", "don't need to", "why try"? Many people do. Do you find that what you say to yourself turns out to be true? Why is this?

You see your brain is like a computer that you feed each day. It doesn't know always know what's real or not unless you tell it.

Example: If someone you love has hurt you, you may tell yourself that all people who love you will probably hurt you too.

Your brain just files this information for reference, it's data, little zeroes and ones and no column that asks "true or not true?" Now your brain thinks, based on what you told it, that everyone you'll ever love will hurt you.

How do you think you will respond the next time you get hurt?

Right!!

Now, what if we instead told our brain:

"Okay this person ripped my heart out - but that's only one person. I'm lovable and have many loving people in my life who are not out to hurt me. I know that the right people are coming into my life all the time. If someone hurts me, I will forgive them and bless them on their way."

Words can be empowering.

I can I love to I want to I will I must I am

We can reach a new level of living, if we feed ourselves empowering words and practice saying them until they become a habit.

I know first hand that it takes time. And I also know that it's worth it. Try it for a week.

Catch yourself saying, "I can't", when you don't really mean it and instead try, "I can", and see how you think and feel about yourself.

Remember, the words you use to empower yourself will have a lasting effect, only if you practice them and they become a habit (an acquired behavior pattern regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary).

They say it takes at least 28 days to develop a habit. After a week, you will see that it becomes easier. It's a mindset and you can control your thoughts. Be proactive and not reactive - give yourself some good words.

Dream big and empower yourself! Believe you can and you will.

Just a Little Smile

another email just came in and it's so good. such stories should be shared with everyone.



Just a Little Smile

John W. Schlatter



Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed the boy ahead of him had tripped and dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with two sweaters, a baseball bat, a glove and a small tape recorder. Mark knelt down and helped the boy pick up the scattered articles. Since they were going the same way, he helped to carry part of the burden. As they walked Mark discovered the boy's name was Bill, that he loved video games, baseball and history, and that he was having lots of trouble with his other subjects and that he had just broken up with his girlfriend.



They arrived at Bill's home first and Mark was invited in for a Coke and to watch some television. The afternoon passed pleasantly with a few laughs and some shared small talk, then Mark went home. They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, then both graduated from junior high school. They ended up in the same high school where they had brief contacts over the years. Finally the long awaited senior year came and three weeks before graduation, Bill asked Mark if they could talk.



Bill reminded him of the day years ago when they had first met. "Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?" asked Bill. "You see, I cleaned out my locker because I didn't want to leave a mess for anyone else. I had stored away some of my mother's sleeping pills and I was going home to commit suicide. But after we spent some time together talking and laughing, I realized that if I had killed myself, I would have missed that time and so many others that might follow. So you see, Mark, when you picked up those books that day, you did a lot more. You saved my life."

Just Five More Minutes

I received this story via email from a friend. I was really touched by the story and I thought this was worth reposting.

Just Five More Minutes

Author Unknown, Source Unknown

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. “That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.

"He’s a fine looking boy” the man said. “That’s my daughter on the bike in the white dress.” Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. “What do you say we go, Melissa?”

Melissa pleaded, “Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes.”

The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart’s content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. “Time to go now?” Again Melissa pleaded, “Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes.”

The man smiled and said, “OK.”

“My, you certainly are a patient father,” the woman responded.

The man smiled and then said, “Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him. I’ve vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa. She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get five more minutes to watch her play.”

Life is all about making priorities, what are your priorities? Give someone you love 5 more minutes of your time today!

One year after Ondoy, have we really learned our lessons?

Almost a year has passed since the tragic and traumatic events of September 26, 2009 - the day Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy) ravaged Luzon and brought devastating effects to the lives of millions of Filipinos. With the images of a year before, have we really learned our lesson in disaster preparedness?

I was listening to RockEd Radio last night, and the discussion revolved around Ondoy. A lot of listeners joined in on the conversation, and, surprisingly, many have declared that Filipinos seemed not to learn from Ondoy. Here are some points raised during the 2-hour radio program:

• Filipinos are still undisciplined with regards to their trash. Also last night, GMA-7 news program 24 Oras aired a report stating that almost 200 Pinoys were apprehended by MMDA "Environmental Police" for littering the streets with candy wrappers, cigarette butts, and even their own spits! Flashback to the images of last year's deluge - the raging floodwaters were full of trash! When trash accumulates, it has the "power" to clog drainage channels, thus can result in floods when strong rains pour down.
• Filipinos still take storm warnings for granted. Despite the fact that weather bureau, PAGASA, is ill-equipped, its meteorologists have not failed to give us warnings on what to do when a storm comes. The following lines are always broadcast on TV and radio: "We advise our fellow citizens to start stocking up on goods." "People living in coastal areas should be vigilant on sudden storm surges; we advise them to seek higher ground." "The waters are already dangerous, especially for small watercraft." However such warnings are taken for granted by many. "Malayo pa naman ang bagyo." and other excuses are commonplace. Then when the storm hits, they blame everything on PAGASA. The failure to make a proactive action and instead rely on reactive measures oftentimes yields undesirable results.
• There is minimal action (at best) with regards to the woes of the nation's chief weather bureau. Since time immemorial, PAGASA has been asking for a modernization on their equipment, but until now everything is either just vocal or in paper. At best, minimal action has been undertaken - such as the installation of several Doppler radars, of which only one is fully operational.
• The important science of meteorology is largely ignored. The Philippines is part of the Pacific typhoon belt, and annual typhoons are a fact of life. The science that understands such weather disturbances is meteorology, and it is sad to note that this science is not promoted in the country.
• We Filipinos still has a lot to learn in taking care of the environment. As pointed out in the first bullet, littering is very much commonplace. Also, logging (mostly illegal) 'flourishes' in the mountains, leading to the destruction of our forests and watersheds. Pollution is all over the place. In this time and age, we should all do our part to minimize the effects of climate change.

While it is true that Ondoy brought out the best in each Filipino, it also brought out the worst in us. But it is not yet late. Though damage to property and infrastructure may be inevitable during a strong typhoon, loss of lives are preventable, or at least can be minimized. If we act now, who knows? Maybe the next storm that will ravage the Filipinos may result to 'zero-casualty'.

Start to be proactive.

Only me. Geo.

Ducks Quack. Eagles Soar.

No one can make you serve customers well. That's because great service is a choice.

Harvey Mackay tells a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point.

He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport, when a cab pulled up. The first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey.

He handed Harvey a laminated card and said -'I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.' Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said, "Wally's Mission Statement - To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment."

This blew Harvey away. Especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean! As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said,' Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.'

'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.' Said Harvey jokingly

Wally smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice.' Almost stuttering, Harvey said, 'I'll take a Diet Coke.'

Handing him his drink, Wally said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today.'

As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card. 'These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.' And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air-conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him.

Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.

'Tell me, Wally,' my amazed friend asked the driver, 'have you always served customers like this?'

Wally smiled into the rear view mirror. 'No not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do.

Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. He had just written a book called 'You'll See It When You Believe It'. Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself.

He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'

'That hit me right between the eyes,' said Wally. 'Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'

'I take it that has paid off for you,' Harvey said.

'It sure has,' Wally replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action.'

Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting. Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.

How about us? Smile, and the whole world smiles with you.

As they say 'The ball is in our hands'!!!!!! So do not sit and complain.....start to fly like an eagle.

This post originally came from a colleague who sent this through email. I just thought it was worth sharing.