Tis the Season to Contemplate: A Christmas Message

In just a matter of hours, Christmas day is here. And this Christmas, I share with you all my message. This is truly a time for us to contemplate on what has happened and on what has become of us over the year.

May your hearts be filled with the Christmas spirit...

o O o

That time of year is upon us once again, the holidays. A time of family, friends, good cheer, and, my personal favorite, home-cooked food. It is a time to reflect on the past and consider the future, and determine, as individuals, what we can do to improve our lives. It is a noble pursuit, humankind working to better the world, a valiant attempt to secure a better future for our posterity.

Most agree this will be a different Christmas. We will still exchange gifts, light our candles, and eat ourselves into oblivion. But just behind us lies a past that we will never forget. It is not that we have more to be thankful for; rather, it is that we better understand how quickly we can lose what we have.

This holiday season, most of us will take a moment to consider the quality of our lives, and perhaps resolve to lose five pounds, stop procrastinating, cut down on the booze, what have you. And then we'll forget we ever made those promises to ourselves. Yes, a noble pursuit, valiant, and hopeless.

The holidays are supposed to be about being surrounded by friends and family -- and these days, it is mostly about material goods, but everyone has the power to change that. This holiday season, think about what gift would make you truly happy to give. This doesn't mean that you can't buy individual gifts. But think about the bigger picture during the holidays this year. It could be easier, less costly and more heart-warming to give a gift that someone will truly appreciate and be thankful for. Let yourself get caught up in the true spirit of the season and give a gift that makes a difference.

Merry Christmas to one and all!

Photobooth: JC2X: Black 2 Black Party

It was a night of great laughs, wonderful company and endless picture taking!

Thanks to Jan and Carlo for inviting me to their birthday bash.

Can't wait for next year's party!

Misa De Gallo 2009.

It's almost 6:00 in the morning and I have just gotten back from the second day of Misa de Gallo.

Every year, I make it a point to complete the Misa de Gallo. Not because I believe that if and when you complete it, you can make a wish and it will come true. I do it because I want to. Simple as that. It was easy in the beginning, when I was younger. I would always go with my parents whenever they'd go to church to hear mass for this 9-day novena before Christmas. I was a student then so my time's pretty much fixed.

But that was then. Now that I am working, my schedule could go haywire anytime. So I had to resort to attending the dawn masses. Don't get me wrong, nothing about this is a complain on my part. I love waking up in the morning and devoting the early hours of my day to the Lord. The point of this blog entry is to share with you my experience of attending this annual Christmas tradition.

I was raised by my parents to never miss a Sunday mass, any holy day of obligation, and of course, the simbang gabi. Despite being a very curious child, about this one, I never questioned why. I just knew that this is my devotion to the Lord. I never complained attending mass. As a matter of fact, I loved it that I had joined the church choir.

Nowadays, I'm not as active as I used to be. Given my work that can have me going places at any time, I make up for the times I don't join the choir. I used to be part of the choir in Sto. Niño de Paz Chapel, otherwise known to us as the Greenbelt Chapel. I was a member for 2 years, from my second year until I graduated high school.

Since I was a member of the choir, it is a "duty" to go to the dawn masses during the Advent season. And I loved every minute of it. Attending misa de gallo is an offering I like giving to the Lord. I don't care about making a wish and having it come true. That's not the reason why I go to mass. I believe that if I'm meant to have it, the Lord will provide. And for the past 23 years of my life, He has provided me well.

This year, I go to the 9-day novena before Christmas to thank the Lord for the numerous blessings He has showered upon myself and my family. I have done it then and for sure I will be doing the same in the years to come. Rest assured that when I also have a family of my own, I will raise my kids with the same traditions my parents have bestowed upon me.

This misa de gallo has helped me shape my character; it has made my faith stronger year in and year out. This is a Christmas tradition I wouldn't want my children to miss.

So I end my blog entry for the day. Just eight days left and it's Christmas.

I greet you all "Happy holidays!"

I got my headshot taken by Niccolo Cosme!

Last month, I participated in Project Headshot Clinic: The Youth Vote Series.

The objective

That young Filipinos from all walks of life to have the opportunity to promote their visions and advocacies for a better country online through discussions and posts under the One Youth banner.

The action

Headed by visionary photographer, Niccolo Cosme, the Youth Vote series aims to promote unity of the Pinoy Youth. Through each participant's headshot photo, they recognize that they belong to one barkada, sharing the same hopes, dreams and aspirations of oneness.

The result

I am proud to say that I am one of the youth participants to make my voice known to what I expect for the next leader of this country. Yes, I vote for Education for all!

To view more headshots, visit One Youth's photo gallery.