Night Swimming And Sports Fest

I went swimming with some of my church friends on Monday night. I went on leave to spend time with my friends. Besides, it was very hot on the previous days so I didn't hesitate on the invitation. We went home at around 3 o'clock in the morning. 

I slept for a couple of hours and have to be awake early, around 6 o'clock in the morning because I have to help out on our scheduled Sports Fest activity at church. I was too sleepy and survived half of the day watching and helping out on the games. I did not wait to finish all the games scheduled for the day because my body needed to rest. I can't help my drowsiness anymore. So I left my boyfriend and a lot of our church mates who participated on the activity.

Friends at Summer Sports Fest

Although I got so tired, I felt happy because I was able to fulfill my obligations. Glory to God who strengthens me! :)

LED Lighting For Our Church

The Church is where I spend most of my time before I go to work at night. As one of the appointed leaders in the youth and singles department, I pretty much got a lot of tasks to accomplish almost everyday.

We hold our meetings inside the Church. Sometimes I can't help my drowsiness especially if I don't get enough sleep. Sometimes I blame it to the poor lighting inside the Church. Since high power led is getting popular nowadays, I wonder if our Church would replace our incandescent and fluorescent bulbs to LED lighting instead. Not only will it give better light inside the Church, members like me won't find anything to blame for our drowsiness during our meetings. :)

Proud To Be A Member of INC

Our church (Iglesia Ni Cristo) held a Grand Evangelical Mission last Tuesday, February 28 at the Quirino Grand Stand. I'm proud I was able to join and take part as one of the receptionists in the event. I was awake for more than 36 hours that day yet I was able to survive the heat and exhaustion. To God be the glory! :)

The place was packed with brethren coming from different provinces here in the National Capital Region. I'm not sure about the number of people who attended but this is how the Quirino Grand Stand looked during the event:

I forgot about bringing my digital camera again. I was not able to take pictures of myself taking part in the event. As one of the receptionists, we were asked to wear slacks and a white polo shirt. Thank God, they did not ask us to wear a skirt although some girls did.

This kind of GEM did not only happen in the Quirino Grand Stand that day. All the INC districts all over the Philippines participated and held the GEM in cities in the provinces. It was at the same televised by our network, GEM TV live.

It was indeed a successful event. It made me all the more proud of being a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. :)

Alabang Pictures With Friends

I haven't been to Alabang, Muntinlupa. I actually just went there with Church friends last Saturday. It was about 30 minutes jeepney ride from where I live. I haven't been to Muntinlupa and since Iwas with friends, and they know about the place and the Mall where the jobfair was going to take place, we didn't need a garmin trucker gps to locate the mall at Alabang! I was comfortable seated in the jeepney and make a little chat with my friends.

The mall wasn't open yet when arrived in Alabang. So we waited outside. There were already a lot of members of Iglesia Ni Cristo, anxious for the mall to open so that they can take advantage of the Caravan.

I had a hard time uploading these photos last week. But here are some of them now:




"The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters."
- Thomas Jefferson

Weekend With Friends

Weekend is over! Sigh. If only I can extend it. I was too busy this weekend but I really had fun.

Last Saturday, there was a job fair and livelihood seminars and some free health check up at Alabang Festival Mall which was sponsored by our Church district here in Metro Manila South. A lot of members of Iglesia Ni Cristo went to take advantage of whatever is offered at the mall.

After my shift, I just went home and changed and then met up with Church friends. We arrived at Alabang Festival Mall a few minutes early before it opens at 10am. You can just imagine how fun it was just chatting with friends, not caring about the time. We basically just had a great time. Some of us got a job and were able to get free consultations. I actually just went there to have fun with friends. :)

--- Unfortunately, for some reason, Blogger won't upload the pictures. I have to run some errands now. I'll just make a separate post of the pictures last Saturday.

A great week to all of us!

Finally Solitary After A Long Day!

It's been a long day today! It's amazing because I've done a lot of things today and I can't believe I've done all that in just one day.


First, I woke up early this morning to participate in Jose Rizal's 150th birthday celebration. Jose Rizal is our national hero. Commemorating his birthday is not really a bad idea. It was intended to be a "fun run" but it was raining cats and dogs so my Church friends and I didn't stay longer at the Luneta Park. We still have to attend to our Church obligations so we went home early.



Second, I was able to do my Church obligations and attended Church service. It's always nice to be able to hear God's words even though the weather isn't that good today. I went back to Church in the afternoon to participate in pagpapahid ng langis (anointing). I have been sick lately and I believe that God is the Almighty Healer. He's taken away my sickness. And I really felt so lightheaded after being smeared with oil.

Third, after the ceremony, I had a meeting with Church friends at an apartment. We had an open forum which actually hasn't ended yet and we are going to have to resume on some other day. We had dinner at the same house. It was just a simple dinner but it was really fun!

Now I'm back in my room, I'm back in my solitary. I like it this way. After a long day, it's finally peace and quiet!

I really had a great day today. Thank You, Lord for this day! :)

Exhausted And Missing My Mother Dear

Today is a very busy! I'm glad it's about to end. I'm just so tired and I miss my Mom.

I escorted my Mom to the airport for her 7 o'clock flight this morning. I still feel guilty that I'm not able to really spend a lot of time with her during her 1 week stay here in Manila. There were just a lot of things to do this week. There were job interviews and Church activities. I'm glad, though, that she understood the situation. I still wish that I have spent time a lot of time with her.

The Church activity that we have prepared for 2 weeks was successful. I'm glad I was able to do my Church responsibilities. I give back all the glory and honor to God, Almighty who have never forsaken me. Thank you, Lord, for everything.

I'll sleep tonight without my Mom by my side. I miss her. I hope she's doing fine back home. I hope the next she'll go back here to take a vacation, I would be able to spend more time with her and bring her to a place where she can really relax and enjoy. I'm still glad she was here the past days. I love you, Mother dear!

Unable To Donate Blood... :(

Last Saturday, I woke up early because I was invited to participate in blood letting at New Era University. It's also one of our activities at Church. I was really excited about it because I have been wanting to donate some of my blood since last year. I thought to myself, I can finally help others by donating my blood.

Much to my dismay, when we got to the school where blood letting was going on, I didn't pass on the weighing. They don't allow those who are below 50 kilos. Unfortunately, I only weigh 49.5 kilos. I was really disappointed. I even insisted, ate at a nearby restaurant, hoping to increase my weight. But to no avail! I just watched my friends getting their blood transfused in a container. Sigh.

The least I can do is take some photos of ours! :D And have some fun with my friends!

Will Miss Jogging With Friends

The youth members in our Church locale made Saturday mornings our official exercise day. Even though I lack sleep, I still went to jog with the boys and girls who wanted to stay fit! :D

I end up jogging alone because most of them easily give up when I wasn't even sweating yet! :D Not that I'm being proud. I just wanted to do what I came there for.

So as I was jogging, I come across different people. Some came there with their families. Not to exercise but they brought along basket of food for their breakfast. Those kind of scenarios make me smile and make me feel a bit jealous. It made me think about my family and why we haven't done something like before.

There were also couples who jog together - man and woman, some are a pair of gorgeous men who have muscles that looked like they're gonna explode! LOL! They look good though. I bet they take best creatine supplements to make those muscles look better. I just doubt if both of them were straight guys! LOL!

There were also cuddly animals brought along by their masters. It made me think about wanting to own one of those cute dogs in the future. :D

I won't be able to jog with my fellow youth members this coming Saturday because of my new job. My work ends at 7 o'clock in the morning every Saturday. I'm sure I'll miss this kind of bonding moment with my friends! Sigh!

Another Busy Day At Church...

I'm tired. I woke up early this morning to join the other Kadiwa (our Church youth members) to jog along the seaside at Mall Of Asia. It was my first to jog with them at the grounds in MOA. I had fun.

After jogging, we went straight to the Church to help cleanup. It was all spic and span when we got there because some Church members have a done the cleaning. So we headed to a friend's home and had our breakfast. I'll post some pictures on my other blog tonight.

Later today I'll be attending a seminar at another Church locale here in Pasay. There are actually a lot of things to do until tomorrow. I'm beginning to grow tired but I'll hold on to what I have sworn during the oath taking last Saturday. That I'll do my obligations and duties for God's glory.

I'd take a quick nap for now. We'll leave for the seminar at 2pm. I better get myself re-charged a bit!

Have a great weekend everyone! :D

Busy With Church Activities... :D

What kept me busy lately? Well, since I'm jobless right now, I still keep myself pre-occupied. I've been busy with some Church activities. This Saturday, I went to our Temple together with some youth members in our Church locale. We took oath for accepting some Church responsibilities and duties. Although it's going to be a big obligation, I was willing to work for God's glory.

After the lecture and oath-taking, me and my fellow Kadiwa (youth members) took pictures of us outside the Temple. It was fun!





I hope these coming days, I would be able to just chill at home and read books. I miss doing that for a long time now! I just need some patience I guess and maybe manage my time wisely! :D

Year-End Thanksgiving..:D

I didn't go to work today. It's our Thanksgiving Day at Church. I have filed for a vacation leave but it wasn't approved. The slots were full so I don't have a choice but to be absent today.

I didn't go back in bed when I woke up at 9pm last night because I feel like I had enough sleep already. I just finished my online chores. Later on I'll prepare for Church service. It's our Church locale's year-end Thanksgiving today. I'm a member of Iglesia Ni Cristo and this is an annual event for us before the year ends.

As what I have posted on my other blog, there's so much to be thankful for this year: my Faith, a peaceful life, a lot of blessings, good health, great family and friends and a lot more!

Time to prepare for the Church service! Happy weekend everyone! :D

Musikang Atin 2010

It's now 7:15 pm and I still haven't slept! :D I just watched the choir competition which is part of our Church's (Iglesia Ni Cristo) 2nd "Musikang Atin" annual celebration here in the District of Metro Manila South. I was supposed to be part of the choir, Malibay Chorale, that represented our locale. But because of my schedule at work and the acne attack, I did not continue in joining the chorale.

Brother Bien and his wife Sister Zeny, they are friends of mine here in our Church, fetched me around 4pm this afternoon. We went to Cuneta Astrodome to watch the competition. I was surprised because it's a very nice event. Some were even wearing gowns. The hosts were T.V. personalities of Net25 which is a dedicated channel for Iglesia Ni Cristo. Janice de Belen and Gladys, who are our sisters in faith, were there as judges for the competition.

Bro. Bien and Sister Zeny and their cute granddaughter, Sam

Left: Janice de Belen, Right: Gladys Reyes

The Tabernacle Choir

Malibay Chorale

If I just didn't have work today, I really wanted to stay longer. I love the songs that were presented on the earlier part of the show. Unfortunately, I have to leave because I still have work later on. I was able to watch our locale's chorale perform though. They are one of the finalists in the competition. They sang the song pretty well. I hope they will win.

I'm glad I went to the event and was able to hear great songs that were very well sang for God's glory! I love my Church even more! :D

Commemorating Iglesia Ni Cristo Day...

Yesterday, was Iglesia Ni Cristo Day. All of us, members of the Church (INC) around the world, commemorated our 96th founding anniversary (July 27, 2010). We celebrated the event with Grand Evangelical Missions (GEM) and Bible expositions in different locales and centers worldwide.

Our locale held the GEM at Cuneta Astrodome. We brought along some visitors with us to listen to the words of God. As for me, I went with my sister-in-law, Joy, who decided to learn the Church's doctrines. She'll start the lessons on Monday! I'm really happy about her decision!

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) was formally established on July 27, 1914 through the leadership of Brother Felix Y. Manalo. He was succeeded by Brother Erano G. Manalo and now Bother Eduardo V. Manalo who is continuing the unselfish and dedicated leadership and administration of the Church.

Happy 96th Anniversary to all brethren around the world!

Tried to see Ka Erdy

Last night, my cousin Willie and I decided to go to Ka Erdy's wake at the temple in Quezon City with hopes to see him for the last time. We left the apartment at around 10pm last night. It was raining hard when we were on our way.

It was about 11pm when we arrived in Quezon Avenue. The wait to get a ride going to the temple was already frustrating since a lot of Iglesia Ni Cristo members are also on their way there. Buses and jeepneys routed to SM Fairview are already full so we have to walk few kilometers to get a ride.

We made it to the temple at around 12am. The queue to get inside the temple is longer than we thought! There were hundreds of people who came from different provinces waiting in line. Some came all the way from Visayas and Mindanao. This is expected since it was announced that Ka Erdy's funeral is set on 12 noon of Monday, September 7th.

We tried to stay on queue until past 3am. The crowd got thicker every minute and I tried to not get suffocated since I got pushed in the middle of the crowd. When we realized that the line isn't moving fast, Willie and I decided to go home and watch the wake on Net25. I don't want to embarrass myself by fainting since I lack sleep and I was already getting claustrophobic. When we were heading back, they announced that the viewing will temporary stop at 4am and resume at 8am.

We went home last night a bit disappointed. We just contented ourselves viewing Ka Erdy's wake on TV today. It would have been better if I was able to get inside the temple and see Ka Erdy. (Sigh!)

We Will Miss You Ka Erdy

I bet most of you, especially Filipinos, heard about the death of our church leader Bro. Erano "Ka Erdy" Manalo. It's a difficult time for us since he is such a great leader.

When I got the message from a friend about his death, I really couldn't believe it until my cousin Michelle told me that Bro. Bienvenido Santiago already made the announcement on TV.

Here's what he said:

"Ikinalulungkot naming ipabatid sa buong Iglesia at sa buong sambayanan na ang tagapamahalang pangkalahatan ng Iglesia ni Cristo, ang kapatid na Eraño G. Manalo ay pinagpahinga na ng Diyos. Pumanaw siya sa kanyang tahanan sa ganap na 3:53 kahapon Agosto 31, 2009, sa gulang na 84 na taon."

Translation in English:

"We regret to announce to the whole Church and to the whole nation that the Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo, our brother Eraño G. Manalo, has been laid to rest by God. He passed away at his home at 3:53 yesterday afternoon, August 31, 2009 at the age of 84."

We love you Ka Erdy! We will truly miss you...

Iglesia Ni Cristo Day

This coming Sunday is our Church's mid-year Thanksgiving Anniversary. I have been busy preparing for it this week. All of us, church members of Iglesia Ni Cristo all over the world are actually excited about this year's anniversary. We are going to celebrate the 95th foundation anniversary on July 27, Monday.

On July 12, 2009, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared July 27 as "Iglesia Ni Cristo Day", starting this year onwards.

Iglesia Ni Cristo Central Temple

Congratulations to us!

Iglesia Ni Cristo 95th Anniversary