BE-YOU-TIFUL

I’ve been meaning to write a blog about this for a long time. I’m just waiting for the right moment to do this, when I say right moment I meant, it means that as I write this blog, it would strike both of us. Yes. You and me.

When I was a kid, I’m very fond of pretty things; pretty clothes, pretty shoes, pretty hairclips, pretty toys, pretty everything. I remember having one of those Barbie dolls that I begged for as a Christmas present. Yung Barbie doll na mahaba ang hair, and it comes with this hairspray that creates pink stars on the hair. It was the coolest thing. I loved that Barbie. Because Barbie is just a pretty thing, more than that, She’s screams PERFECT! Oh boy, heartbeat na lang ang kulang. Hahaha! So as you can see, being born as a girl who has this innate aptitude that we are drawn pretty things, we strive to be like one. We strive to own one. We strive to be just like a perfect someone, someone as perfect as Barbie so people will love us or appreciate us.

I’m not generalizing here. I’m just saying for experience, that growing up, one of the reasons why women don’t feel beautiful is because they kept striving to be looking and acting like someone else. It’s too technical I know but in reality that’s it. It’s being beautiful, in every aspect that really matters.

It’s just sad that sometimes the world has given the word a different meaning. It’s like there were built-in preferences. That men would always choose the one who’s taller than those who lack in height; those who are fair-skinned than the in-born morena; those who have supermodel body than those who are full-figured and voluptuous; It’s what magazines, media, and sad to say, even in our families and friends dictate.

This is why women who has been influenced, poisoned with these kinds of standards are repressed to blossom. If they could only have what others’ have, then they feel beautiful. There will always be comparison from other people and sometimes from within.

I for one had gone through this.

I am part of the women who is far busy comparing myself to others, and even up to now, it's a daily struggle. It started during my younger days at school and even at church. It was basically a difficult situation wherein I reacted two different ways, one is being all-too-defensive about it when I do know that I really have self-esteem issues, the other is simply wallowing myself in self-pity. So I would read self-help books, listen to articles in magazines about feeling good about yourself, yes I would be empowered but only for a short-while.

Here’s why.

I remember back on Friendster days, I posted a profile picture enclosing a caption that says: “I feel beautiful.” An acquaintance (I really wouldn’t say the word “friend” hahaha!) replied to that caption by saying “Ngyeee!” Okaaaay!!! Ikaw na pogi! Hahaha! Maybe it was a joke but for me, I know when a banter implies something, and that banter qualifies as one. But seriously, I wrote that caption for I read once that you have to start telling yourself kind words than bashing yourself in front of the mirror. I’ve read that confidence is the best accessory for you to be beautiful. That’s what planted in my head. So I was really surprised that having that kind of mindset, you can still get misinterpreted.

I’m not saying that what I’ve read is not totally right, I just feel that something is really off. You can’t fake confidence. I realized that I needed something more than just filling my mind that I am beautiful to be able to feel beautiful.

I remembered one quote Pastor Chinkee shared on one of his podcast. It’s a good mantra to live by. It’s true and it’s logical.

WRONG MINDSET LEADS TO WRONG ACTIONS.

Like I said, telling yourself that you’re beautiful is a great habit to practice. But how can we make it long-term? How can we make this feeling last forever? There is a deeper explanation than repeatedly saying those words each day. The sense of security which no one, and nothing could ever give, It’s with Christ.

We have to realize, that because God took the great effort to plan our existence, to wire us according to His purpose and will, to show the perfect kind of love by dying on the cross, then I AM BEAUTIFUL.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalms 139:14 (NIV)

It’s not the clothes that we buy, but how God clothed us with His grace and passion. It’s not the color that we put on our face, but what God’s wisdom and provision that He adds color to our lives. That if you could see yourself in the mirror right now, God looks at you on a special way, loves you dearly that you are worth shedding of His blood. I am certain that is more than enough. It is not just long-term, but eternal.

I love The Message’s version of this verse:

"Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion." – Philippians 2:5-8

So whenever you feel like you’re not pretty, or lacking something because of the standards that were set into this world, think about such things that happened 2,000 years ago, paint that picture in your head, because how God sees you is far greater than how you see yourself. He has proven that. And we must believe in that, because nothing can snatch us away from that kind of love.

God bless you guys. Feel God's warm embrace each day. <3

(c) tumblr.com

Because I'm a proud sister...

Just sharing this pic from my Donna's blog. I was really happy and excited as she and Buddy Joy are doing the 30 for 30 fashion challenge. Since I'm just cheering from the sidelines, I can't be anymore appreciative and enthusiastic on how they come up with their outfits.

I can still remember the days I was coaching her back then. But all I can say now, she really has the gift. It was now different actually that I ask her fashion advice now. Hahaha. Continue inspiring others with how you dress my dear sister. More importantly, continue to be a reminder, that a good outfit is a great accessory of a woman who is complete in Christ.

(c) donnafresco.blogspot.com

And Divine's Best Dressed for Oscars goes to...

This is really just me trying to persuade you guys that I am still sane and not yet buried with my pile of work, which awaits me tomorrow and the next 14 days if I might be exact. Since Oscars is a big hoopla nowadays, I decided to make a short photoblog for this. As much as I hate to say it. Hindi ko siya napanood!! kasalukuyan akong nakababad sa laptop that time and I didn't get any chance to watch it even on re-runs. Buti na lang andyan si kumpareng google at mareng yahoo. hahaha! They made feel like I'm on the backstage and after-party.

Of course, congratulations to the winners. I didn't get to see Natalie Portman's speech when she came up on stage, but since I've heard so many great reviews for Black Swan, I'm glad she bagged the Best Actress Award. Achievement for such a young actress.

But since we are talking about Oscars, we can't let the best-dressed women pass by. These are just some pics that I saw from yahoo and google, randomly chosen and posted. Some of these pics are graded by fashion critiques really really low low low low.... hehehe! But for me, they're simply winners. :)


Mandy Moore. I think a celebrity site graded her D+ but she's just stunning in this simple gown.

Helen Mirren. Queen na queen talaga dating niya, specially when she spoke French! I was like "ikaw na.. ikaw na talaga ang magaling mag french." hahahaha! But seriously, if I would age just like her, I would really want to look as beautiful as her.

Halle Berry. Yeap, it's Halle Berry. She gave birth and all but she regained her ideal body. I love how the color of her dress complimented her color. And the most compelling thing was, she was proud of it.

Cate Blanchett. I think her gown is simply effortless. You can see the details and that made the dress unique. I love its simplicity. It made her look a few years younger. Making her fresh and radiant. She carried it well don't you think?



Last but not the least, Anne Hathaway. Maybe a lot would say that including her on the list is for formality, but she really dresses high-end couture well. Among all the outfit changes that she had, this is my favorite. She's versatile enough to even carry a tuxedo. Way to go Anne. :)

It's nice to see actors and actresses all glammed up. I just name a few that stole my eye. So who are your best dressed picks?

I am just thankful..

Yes. I am thankful.

Because yesterday, I was able to preach to the Teens and was able to deliver the message that God wants me to deliver. I was really praying that He will guide me since I was preparing on a very limited time. It was the first time that I accepted the task to speak on a very short notice. May I emphasize again the word "very". But evidently, without hesitation, I said Yes! Sobrang grabe talaga grace ni God. It's really proven. It's really not by my might but by His Spirit. I'm just an avenue for His greater blessing which is ready for all. Even if it took longer than I expected, I never really knew that I was speaking for 1 hour!!! hehehe! Pero dama ko kasi ang sakit na sa panga at nakakatuyo na ng lalamunan. hahaha! But then again, very grateful for what God has done.

And for today! I was really craving good food and I got the chance to eat at CPK. I really love the Barbeque Chicken chopped salad something something. hehehe! We stayed there from 11am to 5pm. So imagine na naliligo na ako sa Iced tea and the food just kept on overflowing. hehehe! Thank God for the blessing talaga.

I'm always thankful for each day God gives. Just blogging a lot of bonuses that He gave to my life for the past 48 hours. Yay! Apir!

Lamentations 3:22-23 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness."

How about you? what are the things that made you thankful today? :)

A Happy Puso. :)

Let me just compensate a month without post, with this most heartfelt blog. I will try my best you know, so please do bear with me. Hahaha! I miss blogspot. Grabe, parang naninibago tuloy ako. Hahaha. I’ve been meaning to write but aside from the fact that my workload deprived me of writing here, I also went blank and I can't think of something that is post-worthy; the kind that you just stare to the blinking cursor for an hour only to come up with nothing.

A lot of things happened over the month but I'd rather skip those and go to the main purpose of this entry. hehehe! Okay, ang suplada ko lang, hehehe. But seriously time flies so fast that magugulat ka na lang ay February na! So it’s February 14, 2011. I see a lot of red. I see a lot of people wearing red, carrying red roses, I hear horrible traffic complaints, I bet restos around town are jam-packed, I even got to see movies on HBO and Starworld showing romantic flicks. I can smell love in the air. It’s the most awaited day for most people.

To be honest, I kind of planned this day way back last year, a bit differently. Now, as Megamind would say it, I can’t help but feel a little melancholy (sorry kelangan maisingit ko talaga yun. Hehehe!). Seriously, it was that time of the day. The fact that for the past 26 years, I've been celebrating Heart's day all by myself. Maybe with friends but never with a partner.

It’s normal for us single ladies to feel a little jealous whenever we see other girls holding bouquet of roses on one hand and the other is clasped with her partner. It’s normal that we feel a little envious that some girls are busy preparing for their dinner dates after an 8-hour shift from work. It’s normal that we feel a little pinch because we have no one special to actually spend it with. Some single ladies would party with other single ladies and drink hardcore, turning them from single ladies to lasengga ladies. Hehehe! Some would prefer watching horror movies. Scare the whole system in them that they forget “Ay It’s Valentine’s day pala..” Some are just plain happy, which is good; some are just apathetic; some are just plain lonely.

So you can just guess which category I belong. Of course I’m not the lasengga one because I really don’t like to drink. I’m not the type either who would watch horror movie alone because I really have a katapangan-shortage hehehe. I’m not indifferent because I still enjoy seeing other people celebrating this month of love and i still get giddied up inside… the remaining two adjectives don’t really fit for some reason. Oh now I know the word. Empty.

As I’ve said earlier I wanted to try at least just this once, to be fully sincere. No holds barred (tama ba?) hehehe! There were really those moments, especially on a day like this. Parang may kulang. It's as if you wanted to eat something so bad but you just can't find it. It's like there's a missing piece on an outfit. It's like watching a movie and made you feel "bitin" when you left the movie house.

That's like it. It’s as if a man would be the one who will fill the emptiness inside; that if I am with a partner, I might enjoy life, I can be happy.

But let me share you one thing that I’ve learned on one book entitled “Saving my First Kiss”. I think my sister blogged something about this during her multiply days.

“..We cannot expect a man to come in and make us whole; only something perfect and permanent can do that. Only our Maker can seal our hearts completely. Only He can close up all the crevices in our hearts.”

Perfect and permanent. Those are the things that best describes the love the Maker has for us. A love that can make us whole. This is how God’s love is shining through. His embrace is ready for those who are in need in times like this. God never fails to educate us and surround us with people who never fail to love us. I was being molded again and again of understanding what love really meant. I was being reminded that with His love, I am secure. I am complete and I can be happy. I am whole. That I have to understand that I can’t go on searching for something that God can only give. It’s the feeling of security. It’s the feeling of confidence that I can trust in Him. And by that kind of love, I can love another person, who, through Christ, is whole.

As the book would say summarize it, “If we expect a mere man’s affection to do God’s job, we are setting the poor guy up for a serious failure, and we are setting ourselves up for a serious disappointment.”

Very well said don’t you think? :)

(c) tumblr.com

So this month of love, for women who are spending it with so much glee in the absence of being in a romantic relationship, I applaud you.. and for us women who are/were struggling.. May you find God's love in its perfect form. No fear girls, God is in the relationship business. I believe in waiting for something greater requires a lot of patience, and trust with our Lord.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out all fear..." 1 John 4:18

Happy Puso Everyone! :)

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OFFTOPIC:

So I never expected that I would receive anything today. As in wala. I'm planning to have dinner with my sister but it turned out that we won't be able this night. But I really thank God for having the sweetest siblings on earth. Hehehe! Thanks Do, for this mug, that you ordered all the way from tumblr. hehehe! Now everytime I drink coffee, milk, milo, I’m being reminded everyday what true love really is. And to my Bro, thank you for the long-stemmed rose that you left on my bedroom door. It was really a surprise. Nakapatong pa talaga siya sa chair diba? Parang may nagsasabing bawal ka lumabas hangga't di mo nakikita yung rose. hahaha! You never fail to make us feel special Kuya. I love you both.

Pics are taken from my phone which is about to retire by the way, kaya pag pasensyahan niyo na. hehehe!

Sweetness ayt? :)

Happy with my new B-I-B-L-E!!

Yeheeey!! I finally got the chance to buy a new Bible. I was really having a difficult time in choosing which translation to buy but I discovered that you can search so many verses with different translations nowadays. Thanks to biblegateway.com; I opted to buy the NIV because the ESV Bible is really way out of budget and huge to carry every Sunday. And since I'm quite drawn to gray/silver stuff, I'm so glad that they have it on this color. Thank you Lord for the blessings. Iba Ka talaga Lord. Overflow. :)

"For Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalms 119:105

People of the Year

God didn’t fail me that when I said 2010 will be a year that I will look forward to. He didn’t let me down and for that I will always be thankful. There are so many things that happened that I just really thank God for. I’m overwhelmed by His loving kindness and faithfulness. That’s why for my very first post for 2011, I’ve decided to make my own version of Time magazine’s People of the Year. People that I know He used for me to get through 2010 just like the way He planned it.

We got this whole idea from Bianca G. but I never got the chance to make one. Let’s just say that now is the perfect time to do it. I am blessed to have encountered and know these people and how they influenced and inspired me. Note that these people are far from perfect, human, capable of making mistakes; yet in spite of those, still managed to give great effect not only me, but to others as well.

April Gem Evangelista

I call her Apps, Auntie Apps, Appachengcheng, Madam, Mother, Mother earth… whatever suits my mood actually and she doesn’t mind. I guess she does but she keeps it to herself. Hehehe. I’ve only known her for a year but she proved to me that she is the kind of friend that won’t let you down. When I was at my lowest point, she was the one who kept checking, who gave me simple yet meaningful advices, always tagging me along even if it’s just a quick dinner at RP Galleria or a sweaty badminton game. You can really depend on her. Thank you for being there for me madam, and now I think it’s the best time for us to do the same for you.

Janice and Sonia

They are the singing sensations of Youtube. I’m not really acquainted with them, and I saw them on Youtube ages ago. We haven’t personally met but they inspire me to introduce Jesus to other people through music. You can see how much talent God has blessed them, and they are putting it to good use. Plus, lagi silang maganda diba?! Hahaha! Nakakainspire lang! hehehe! I guess it’s really true. Once you’ve received the peace that comes from God, it will really reflect on the outside. Keep it up girls.

Ma’am Weng

I’ve been with this person for more than a year now. And all I can say is that I really thank God that I got the chance to work with her. She’s more than just a co-worker, an officemate, she’s my "nanay-nanayan" at the office. I can still remember it vividly, how tears fell on her eyes when she saw me crying one time. It’s quite mala-soap opera. Hindi na ako umabot sa CR nun para umiyak ng bongga. She just hugged me, and I felt like I was hugging my mom. She knows what I went through that she was quite protective of me. Nanay na nanay lang talaga ang drama. Maybe that’s the reason why I really look up to her like that. I feel like I can tell her so much of anything. I don’t know how I would do without you at the office Ma’am Weng. You’re the best.

Vilma Santos

I’m blessed with so many surrogate moms that I have another mother figure on our church. Tita Vilma or Tita V. as we call her; is our advisor of our WLT (Worship Leading Team). She is like your own personal barkada. She’s cool but knows when to get serious. She’s generous. She’s caring. She’s sweet. She's super-energetic worship leader. She treats each members of the team as if he or she is her own child. She’s very passionate in sharing the Word of God. She’s very good with business too. I guess that’s where my friend Christie got her entrepreneurial skills. Whenever I talk with Tita V, it makes sense, and I can see how much she has changed for every trial that comes her way. I amazed how she trusts God completely. Never backing down because she knows how big her God is.

Patty Laurel

I’m her blog-follower for how many years and when I first saw this People-of-the-Year concept. I know she would be included in this list. If you would read her blog, maybe you could relate to me when I say that I want to be like her. Patty inspires me to be myself. Because when I read her blog, her personality really shines. She’s effortlessly funny and effortlessly beautiful. The best part is she gets to spend lots of time with kids. Imagine a great opportunity to teach kids about Jesus and instill them something that they would carry and remember when they grow up. Another thing that inspires me the most is her travel experiences. Her practicality amazes me. I would never forget a line from one of her posts. “Instead of spending your time and money on things, spend it on experiences.” She unconsciously taught me to be practical right then and there. One of the things I’m thankful for. That's her challenging Mount Everest by the way. hehe!

April Joy Reperuga

I call her Buddy Joy. Hehe. And surprisingly, she calls me buddy too. It’s such a revelation to see how this lady matured and bloomed. She doesn’t even have a clue how she’s inspiring me in her own little way. I’m inspired on how she accomplishes things. She’s never mediocre. She gives her best and even if no one helps her, she doesn’t complain. She does her own thing and she does it gracefully. She’s very generous too. She’s a proof that God blesses those who give. She knows what she wants and stands by it. Gusto niya mag-drive before and now she’s doing it. She wanted to go out of town and she did. She’s never complacent and indecisive. Those are the qualities that I wished would have rubbed off on me. Thank you buddy, not just for giving me and the group treats and doing those work for the church, but for inspiring me more than so many ways you can imagine. Wishing you lalalalalove this year. Hehehe! Mwah!

Pastor Dennis and Miss Thammie Sy

I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of this couple. They never fail to give something that must be shared. They don’t try to conceal the knowledge that they have but instead they blog it. They share it for other people’s benefit. They encourage people in living by faith. Their relationship is something that you would want to have in the near future. Pastor Dennis, the rose among the thorns. hahaha! Being the only man who made on this list, I am very overwhelmed of his passion and his boldness to share the gospel. I am very thankful to God that even through his blogs and podcasts, I’m growing more, spiritually. I could feel his joy in what he’s doing. I am amazed how much he loves and honors his wife and values family. Miss Thammie, as Pastor Dennis described, have the qualities of a Proverbs 31 woman. When I read her blog and how her husband respects her made me a little envious and wishful that if ever I’m going to be mom and a wife someday, I would want to my husband and kids to say the same things to me. I would like to be still as pretty like her. I can still remember one time I told my mom “Ma, ayoko maging losyang.” Hahahaha! Natatawa ako sa mga statements ko. But for real, she inspires me because she knows her priorities and without a doubt she’s a good home maker. I’m just so blessed with both of them and very thankful on how God is really using them in church, in the web, in their families.

So there goes my list. Feel free to comment and create one of your own. God bless and cheers for a year full of love, blessing and happiness. Truly God is good all the time.

(c) photos: pattylaurel.blogspot.com; dennissy.com; google.com; facebook.com