Some strong words

Whenever I read this, I remember my mom reprimanding us when we'd complain about how bored we were. Those were the days. Now, she scolds us for always having something to do. Hehe, parents.  

Dalawang Bayani

What would happen if Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio collaborated in one work of art? 

In this Palanca award-winning one-act play, Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio puts the two key figures in Philippine history together in a dialogue that gets them to talk of their joys, sorrows, hopes, loves, and special vision for the Nation that they both dream of passing down to the new generation of Filipinos.

The Catechists of Calayan (Catc:H) invite you to watch Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas in a rare restaging of Dalawang Bayani, the 1995 winner for One Act Play in Filipino in the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. Proceeds will help send a catechist to the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Watch Dalawang Bayani on September 8, 2012, at 10am or 2pm, at the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo, 64 Mapagkawanggawa St. Teacher's Village East, Diliman, QC.

Tickets are pledge cards that may be bought for Php 300, 500, 700, or 1000, depending on whether the person wishes to Share a Step, Go in Strides, Take a Leap, or Fly a Catechist to Brazil respectively. You may also support us by sponsoring a child from the urban poor communities of Bgy. Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, or public school students from Ramon Magsaysay and Rizal High School to watch the play for free. Whichever way you would like to help, you’re sure it is for a good cause!

Contact Nicole at 0916-341-3366 or email nikkobautista at gmail dot com.

See you there!

Some interesting reads

As a book lover and reader I advocate study. And I don't mean ABCs and Do Re Mis, I mean really looking at issues inside and out before forming an educated opinion on things. That's why lately I've been very dismayed when people take so much stock in their own logic and not bother to dig deeper into the real story. Then they criticize those who study the facts as if all this boils down to is feelings. It's so unscholarly, so shameful.

So, quick post here to give some interesting reads some spotlight.

Going extinct is no fun
This is about the effects of the strict population measures Singapore implemented in the 1970s.

Sotto bares foreign agenda behind RH bill.
It's unfair that Sotto is getting all this flak lately. Instead of picking on him, try listening to what he has to say first, please?

Freedom from Catholicism
Let's promote true freedom :-)


"There is no excuse for those who could be scholars and are not."-St. Josemaria Escriva

It works :-)

I recently came across this video--it's an anti-smoking campaign by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation. And while it's simple (no artsy camera angles or fancy picture quality), the message comes out pretty strong. Watch it and see for yourself... and remember that sometimes, we need to look at how it could be bad for kids to see better how some things could be bad for us, too.

  

Chic and Green!

Lately, I've been delving into all sorts of small enterprises (as well as all sorts of events and projects with my friends) to earn some extra money for next year's World Youth Day. I'm pretty excited for it, and while I'm still at 2 percent of my goal right now, I'm being optimistic that with hard work, teamwork, and not being afraid to do things I don't normally do, we will all make it to Rio.

One of those fundraising endeavors happens to be in tie-up with my mom's newspaper bag biz. She's really a darling to let us sell their bags for our fundraising! The bags are woven out of newspaper and are waterproof (they laminated them). Some bags are painted by my mom.

Right now, I have three of the CCLTJ bags with me for fundraising. I have only one piece of each design so, if you like something, better buy it before it goes! Please email me at nikkobautista at gmail dot com or text me at 0916-341-3366 for inquiries.

1. Z-pattern bag - PhP550.00

This bag is a bit like a bayong, except it has a shell-shape and a snap-on magnetic clasp. It has twine trimmings and black pleather handles. 

2. Red banig-weave bag - PhP 550.00

This bag closes with a red pleather string, and has red handles and trimmings to boot. Pretty roomy inside too--enough space for a lightweight bag organizer. ;-)

3. X-pattern banig-weave bag - PhP550.00

This bag has bronze pleather trimmings with buckles in the handles. It's more of a handbag than a shoulder bag, actually.

For those who are interested but can't meet up, you can still snap up these bags by taking care of the shipping fee. :D Thank you!

Think pasitib

"You're never fully dressed without a smile!"

The past weeks (and especially the last few days) have been teaching me a lot about optimism, particularly in keeping my spirits up even when so many things are uncertain. The key is to remember that everything that happens is all for the best, and really, God has good plans for us, even when it isn't quite obvious at this point in time.

Here, some tips on staying positive:
1. Have a motto. I keep repeating omnia in bonum to myself whenever something not very good comes along, and I think it helps! If you just remember that it's "all for the good," what could bring your spirits down?

2. Count your blessings. Yesterday, I got stuck in the rush hour crunch. I was in the MRT station without a ticket so I decided not to take the train. Walked to the other side of EDSA in hopes of catching a bus, but somehow there was a long line there too (first time I've seen a line for the bus actually). So instead, I walked all the way to Glorietta's Ayala exit to catch a bus there. When it arrived, it was standing-room only, so I held on for dear life clutching the metal bar behind the driver's seat. Bus rides are rougher than the MRT, so if I didn't have the strength to hold on, I would have splatted on the windshield at some point. In retrospect, I really I have to be thankful that I'm pretty macho for a person who can run only 200m.

Also, of course, I have to be thankful that there was a bus I could take, and that there were no snatchers in Guadalupe, and that in the end, I managed to reach my stop in one piece. Instead of dwelling on how annoying it is that a lot of men pretend to sleep on the bus so they don't need to offer their seat, I can be thankful for that one guy I saw offering his seat to a girl. Chivalry is not dead. :D

3. Have a supernatural outlook on everything, and remember that there's no way God didn't think this through. He knows you're strong enough to handle it, and besides, who says you can't offer it up in prayer? Sufferings make us closer to the Cross--that means, instead of complaining and being miserable, we can say, "I will do this hard thing for the love of so-and-so." It will really mean something in God's eyes (not to mention ring louder in His ears).

4. Decide to stay cheerful! It's really your decision to wallow in misery or not. Remember, you'll accomplish more things with a smile.

Beware!

Just a friendly reminder.