Maps of travels

To see the world--- that's probably one of the most common dreams of people and I am no exception.

Of course, before seeing the world, I want to see the Philippines first. :) So I have a blank map of the Philippines and the world.

I color the places that I've been to. It's really exciting! Some friends are doing the same thing.

So, imagine my surprise when I found the site mentioned below. With patience, it can generate a map of your own Philippine travels also! Cool!

Get to know the Philippines!

My Lakbayan grade is B!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.


And here's my World map



create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands


And my US map (which includes States I've passed through, hehehe)



create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

Scholarships for Filipinos

Scholarships are for geniuses or the uber talented.

That's what I thought while growing up. Little did I know that the average I can avail of different kinds of scholarships in different parts of the world.

One just needs to find the right opportunity. The delightful experience of learning and relearning leaves me with such unexplainable happiness that I want people to share my joy by experiencing for themselves the beauty of acquiring knowledge not only in the four corners of the classroom but in the everyday meeting of peoples and the lessons learned in travel.

That is why I urge my friends, my family, and my fellow Filipinos to try getting out of your comfort zones. Find endeavors to tickle your brain.

As a start, you might try checking out www.filipinoscholar.com and there find an interesting program for yourself.

Scholarships are not exclusive to geniuses. Those that go the extra mile will do.

Natural Blush

“Did you put on some blush?”

My sister Mary Ann asked me when I met her at the mall today.

I answered by shaking my head.

“Oh! Your cheeks are so rosy. You look like you’ve put on some blush.”

My sister emphasized.

Okay, no, I do not claim to have miraculously gotten that natural blush. I wish.

The reality was that my face was flushed because for the first time, I traveled with my 3-year old niece and my 5-year old nephew in tow - - - quite some juggling act for me.

The last time I went to a mall alone with a child was when one of my younger siblings was around 5 years old. I promised then I would never, ever go to the mall with a child in tow. She was screaming and whining and crying then wanting to buy whatever toy she fancied as we were walking. Can you imagine how many they were? We were at a mall - - - the very same one where I met Ann today.

Just to be clear about this. I am not swearing off children. I’m not just taking them to the mall alone even if they give me that minutest semblance of a mestiza look.

P.S. I read somewhere that Mother Teresa once said that in all her advices, one people should always remember is this: Love the children.

Addict

I’m an addict.

Last week, I got hooked on Yahoo Answers. I used to just scan and search the answers of interesting topics never really participating and putting in some of my thoughts.

But last week when I decided to give it a try and contribute, I found myself answering more and more questions.

The compulsion usually happens after I get an encouraging “Your answer has been chosen as the best answer” message from Yahoo.

It’s true. No matter what the age and whatever the medium; a word of encouragement and appreciation goes a long, long way.

Answered Prayer

Time and again, friends have told me that I get what I want. And it’s no secret how I do. I pray - - - fervently. My friend Alou pointed out that even my littlest prayers gets answered. Like this one...

At the 6PM mass of San Vicente Ferrer Parish in Urgello, the gospel was acted out. It was about the multiplication of the loaves of bread. The “disciples” spread out around the sunray-shaped seats and handed out real bread to the faithful in attendance.

I know it’s quite petty but silently, I prayed that I won’t be given some piece of bread as I was quite full already. Watching the pieces of bread being distributed and eaten was like watching a movie in slow motion.

First, I saw our neighbors receiving their share and happily munching at the back. Then I saw the smiling faces at the other side of the pew with their share too. Then I saw the "disciples" giving some to the parishioners seated two pews before me, the choir.

Then by some miracle (on my part) there was no more to share. Phew!

As I pondered on what happened today, I’ve realized I have had countless answered prayers. Amazing! Hallelujah! When a friend asked how I do it, I told her to “Claim it!” Claim that God will grant you what you need and it is done.

This must be the gift of faith the Holy Spirit has blessed me with after undergoing a Life in the Spirit Seminar years ago. It must be. If not, it’s still a welcome gift.

To God, be the Glory!

Help educate the Filipino

This is the advocacy - to help educate the Filipino.

In my more than three years of working for an NGO, education activities have always come up as one of the steps to curing the ills of our country. Education will always play an important role to the development of the Philippines.

Since I do not have as yet the millions to send students to school nor have I the political power to strengthen our public education system, I realized that I can help educate the Filipino by providing them access to education through the internet, particularly by the setting up of a website compiling data on education opportunities for the Filipino.

I have personally experienced the difficulty in finding scholarships available to Filipinos in the vast resource such as the internet. So, I thought compiling scholarships, fellowships, grants, awards, trainings and seminars from various fields of study especially available to the Filipino would be very helpful.

Thus, the birth of www.filipinoscholar.com

Please help spread the word. Help educate the Filipino. Check out www.filipinoscholar.com, refer it to your friends and family and link it to your site.

Together, let us help educate the Filipino and lead our country to progress.

Dag’ang ‘Guwang (Old Maid)

Dag’ang ‘guwang is short for dalagang tigulang. Dalaga means lady and tigulang refers to somebody old. In English, dalagang tigulang means old maid or spinster.

Can you believe at 31 years old, I was called precisely that by my uncle?!! Okay, I should not have asked the question. Surely, you are dying with laughter there.

He was talking about somebody and then said, “….parihas nimo, dag’ang ‘guwang.” (Like you, an old maid)

When I related the story to another aunt, she jested, “Ka sad sa life!” (How sad life is!)

Of course, I could not help recalling how I’ve been teased as being in the lowest level of the hierarchy as far as romantic relationships go, never having had a boyfriend ever. Hehehe.

I take all these with a twinkle in my eye and much amusement.

We each have our own calling in life. We each have our choices to make. Believe it or not, I do not mind about my status. What concerns me is that I don’t grow old irritable, uptight, angry and lonely.

In my heart, I am very happy. I am so happy knowing that whatever status I have in life, the Lord loves me. I am happy with what I have become and what I will be. I am happy in the knowledge that with or without an heir in my old age, He will take care of me and will never forsake me.

He joins me in my journey, living in peace, joy and love, dalagang guwang or otherwise. Hahaha.