On Waiting.....

"How long shall I still wait?  Another month?  Another year?  Another five years?  Or another decade?"

- Excerpt from Live While Waiting (Oct. 1, 2013)

WAIT - to stay in a place until an expected event happens, until someone arrives, until it is your turn to do something, etc.

That's the first definition of the word "wait" in Merriam-Webster dictionary.  It is the act of just staying put and just being still.  But for me, it had been the most torturous act!  It had been boring and tiring and tiring and boring.  Until I was told to "wait on God".  So I had to wait further?!!!  That was my initial reaction.  I complained, I grumbled, I protested!  I did not want to!  Why should my agony of waiting be prolonged?  Why should it take any longer?  Then I went doing against the will of God.  I was such a rebel, forcing things to work my way, yet I ended up hurt, insecure, and dispirited!  It was not healthy to me and thank God for always reminding me to again, "wait on Him".  Now, let me just share to you the IG quotations, Twitter tweets, and FB shoutouts from random people that I had print screened for me to read and re-read whenever I feel anxious during this "waiting" period:

Toni Gonzaga via Instagram

Anonymous via Instagram

Retweeted by Anne Curtis-Smith via Twitter

Grace Maquiling via Facebook

Jonalyn via Facebook

Kirk Ong via Facebook

Additionally, my very good friend Toti also gave me a book that speaks right through me!  It is as if, the book was written for me!  It is entitled Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot and it got me targeted bull's eye!  Upon reading the foreword of the book, it already had me teary-eyed with goosebumps.  The author was directly talking to me, rebuking me, reminding me, and reprimanding me!  She also tells me that I am not the only person who is still single and who is still struggling to find that mate.  It was as if, God is giving me the confirmation to FURTHER WAIT.....

The Inability to Accept

Of course you would question that!  Like you would ask, "Are you really sure?"  And it really is hard to accept!

The Ability to Rebel

I am always like this.  Since I don't want to be single, I do against the will of God and just always left being hurt! 

The Ability to Demand

Then I said, "But I have been good all my life!  Why shouldn't you just reward me with a boyfriend?!"  And that should not be the case.  So what if I've been good?  Should I ask a reward for every good deed I've done?  Should Christ's flesh and blood not enough for me?  And I was ashamed for those words that I had thrown to God.

The Ability to Be Angry to the World

And this is what old maids do!  Throwing to the world the bitterness, the unhappiness, the emptiness, and the longings!  Through that, the good things cannot be seen anymore because of the anger felt within one's self.  Isn't that quiet true?

The Inability to Act Maturely

With this I always fail.  How can I be mature enough when what I want is not given?  When things are not doing what I want 'em to be!

However, God shone His light on me!  After the rebukes, the reprimands, and the scoldings, He enabled me to realize some things.

The Ability to Know Oneself

And I came to know who I am - that I am not easy.  Though I am never the ligawin type (I am still never been courted since birth to date), I could say that I am not easy.  Because if I am, boys will not hesitate to come to me.  I am hand-picked not to be like the others.  I am special and only the special person can have me!

The Ability to Hope

Although God had told me to be single, there is still this hope within me for Him to change His mind.  Could God change His mind?  Has there any written instance that He did?  If you ever know one, can you please pm me?

The Ability to Trust

And with all the complaints, the questions, the demands, and the rants, God just answered two simple words - TRUST ME!  Indeed, God is a mysterious God!  He lets us struggle for our own good.  He allows us to be sad and feel empty for Him to fill us.  Oftentimes we cannot understand because all He wants us to do is to trust Him.  For the nth time in my life I am being reminded that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways!  So I calmed down, changed by mentality, and renewed my spirit.  I am now heeding His call!

The Ability to Let God

Yes, there will still be moonlit nights without someone to watch it with.  Yes, there will still be candlelit dinners with couple friends making me as their scorer.  Yes, there will still be phone ringings that I have to answer though it is not him who's calling.  And yes, there will still be more mails to receive that are not coming from him.  But I will be OK!  I am now taking God's call!  Because again, as what another author PY Nakar said in her book The Single Journey, "LIVE while waiting", I will live while waiting.  And my prayer now is for God to help me live HAPPILY while waiting.  So may it be a month, a year, five years or a decade, I will wait on God!  For whoever God has in store for me, he would surely be worth the WAIT!

Thank You So Much, Toti! :)

  

Tweet

Monday Matters: How Radio Stations Work

Monday Matters is dedicated to all things that matter.

Have you ever wondered how radio stations work?  Has it ever crossed your mind the difference between AM radio and FM radio?  How about the four letters that serve as the name for each radio station?  You probably listen to your radio every day but just don't have the attention to mind.  Well for this blog entry, I would like to share to you what me and my students learned during our mini field trip / educational tour to DXDD AM and FM Ozamis!

Last semester, me and my students had learned about electromagnetic waves in our Electromagnetism II class in school.  Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves without a medium that is, they can travel through empty space.  They travel as vibrations in electrical and magnetic fields thus having some magnetic and electrical properties.  The following image is the electromagnetic spectrum which is the range of electromagnetic waves when placed in order of increasing frequency:

Photo from Web

As you might notice, radio waves have the longest wavelengths but have the lowest frequencies.  This means that radio waves are not harmful to the human body compared with the X-rays and gamma rays that have the highest frequencies.  

Since we are now talking about frequencies, each radio station in an area broadcasts at a certain frequency.  The number on the radio dial tells us the radio station's specific frequency.  Say for example, 100.7 DXDD FM.  That means that the radio station is broadcasting an FM (Frequency Modulated) radio signal at a frequency of 100.7 megahertz (MHz) with NTC-assigned call letters DXDD (NTC stands for the National Telecommunications Commission, a Philippine government agency).   The Philippine pre-assigned call letters are DZ for Manila, DW for Luzon, DY for Visayas, and DX for Mindanao.  According to DJ Carlo of DXDD FM Cool Radio, the last two letters would be at the prerogative of the radio station upon application  for operation and with the approval of NTC of course.

On the other hand, AM (Amplitude Modulated) radio is confined to a band from 535 kHz to 1, 700 kHz.  In the case of DXDD AM, they are broadcasting at 657 kHz.  Now you might be asking what's the difference between MHz and kHz.  The metric prefix mega- is greater than the metric prefix kilo- meaning, FM stations require higher frequencies than AM stations as shown in the diagram below:

Photo from Web

Aside from that difference, DJ Carlo also jokingly said that AM stands for Alay Music while FM stands for Furo Music!  Now that is ingenious and definitely true!

Now enough with the theory part and let's go to the technical part!  Radio stations nowadays are already hi-tech!  Things got smaller and smaller compared with what were used in the olden times that could took up a whole room.  Today, only computers, studio control consoles, and microphones are seen inside the radio booth while in the technical room, telephones and VHF/UHF radios are on hand for direct communication with field reporters and listeners.  

Hi-Tech Gadgets Used in DXDD AM and FM

From the DJ and broadcaster's booth, the signal is sent out of the studio to the equipment room and into an audio processor to tailor the sound.  Then it is transferred to the transmitter to generate and transmit the electromagnetic waves carrying the messages and signal.  After that, the signal goes up to the tower on a big cable and for DXDD's case, the tower is located at Brgy. Tinago of this city.  Finally, on top of the tower is the antenna that sends the radio waves to our radios at home which now convert the radio waves into sound waves.  So from the very complicated processes, we then enjoy listening to AM's news and current event discussions and FM's music!

DJ Carlo Explaining to Us How the Studio Console Works

Sir Jovir on Audio Processing and Transmission

Fr. Edgar on Air (Haven't Took a Photo of Me on the Other Mic During the Interview) 

With Broadcast Journalist, Ms. Thata Roxas

Through this mini field trip, me and my students had fully understood Electromagnetism in its real, seen, and tangible field of application.  Thanks to the good and awesome people of DXDD AM and FM for accommodating us and teaching us how radio stations work!  And for our Basic Electronics class this semester, we hope that we could assemble a simple yet useful electronic device.  So this would be Physics made easy! :)

For news and current events, tune in to 657 DXDD AM Dan-ag sa Dakbayan and for the latest hits, tune in to 100.7 DXDD FM Cool Radio!

Related Post:

How to Extinguish Fire the Right Way
Water Sampling at Malindang Lodge Creek

Seriously OBE-ing

Tweet

Outdoorsy

long gray cardigan, striped gray toms, light blouse with pink and gray spots, and orb necklace from june ann.  dainty earrings from cattleya mae, bead bracelets from FFF.  brown leather carry-all bag.  photos by marvel.  location at Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.  FFF

Tweet

Feature Friday: Purple Yam Homemade Cakes and Pastries

Feature Friday highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!

Do you know that ube is a vegetable?  My favorite cake and ice cream flavor is actually under the same family with sweet potatoes having the scientific name Dioscorea alata.  (Kuya Kim lang ang peg? hehe.....)  It is called purple yam in English which served as a staple food for the Americans during the Civil War.  It is loaded with vitamins A and C for good eyesight and better protection against immune system deficiencies.  

In Philippine setting, ube becomes an integral part to Pinoy native desserts.  Aside from cakes and ice cream, there's also the halayang ube which is a purple yam jam for sandwiches.  Puto or rice cakes can also have ube flavor and even Dumaguete's specialty, the silvanas.      

And for Ozamis setting, purple yam sweet treats can be availed at Purple Yam Homemade Cakes and Pastries!  Their cake shop is located at RD Building, Animas St., Brgy. Aguada, Ozamis City.  So for this Christmas season, place your orders now and give them a ring at (088) 564-0282!

LIKE Purple Yam Homemade Cakes and Pastries on Facebook here and experience heaven in every bite! 

Related Post:

Mom's Sweet Delight

Tweet

Whimsical Wednesday: Our 7 Gifts for Christmas

Whimsical Wednesday shows my fancy in a myriad of beautiful things.  

And Christmas is really in the air!  It is now 7 days to go before Christmas and I'm starting to get giddy over it!  It is just like reliving my childhood again since I missed the spirit of Christmas last year due to an unfavorable happening and my immature reaction toward it.  But anyway, I had promised last January that I will not let anything or anyone ruin my Christmas this year anymore.  So, I started the month with good vibes and thanks to my BSEd Major in Physics students for helping me out with a positive jump start!  As early as December 4, we brought little somethings for our manito/manita which reminds me of My 12 Days of Christmas last 2011.

Our something sweet.....

.....to make us care for each other.

Our something salty.....

.....to make us affect each other in a good way.

Our something long.....

.....for us to have longer lives.

Our something soft.....

.....for us to soften our hearts to unlikely people or situation.

Our something spicy.....

.....to make us desirable and in demand to the society.

Our something round.....

.....to enable us to acquire fortune not just on earth but also in heaven.

As a culmination to our Kris Kringle activity, we agreed to have a mini Christmas party after our educational tour at DXDD AM and FM which I will be featuring soon.  So we headed to Jollibee for a fun early lunch to celebrate Christmas in advance.

What we did was a round table (but we didn't had a literal round one) game prepared by Melvie wherein we had to answer Miss Universe questions kind of thing!  It was great having this game for we divulged some private secrets and somehow shared some insights in life.  It's a getting-to-know-you-more thingy that let us see who a person really is.

And these are my new loves - Melvie, Denes, Salome, Reina, Godessa, and Aldeon!  As you may recall, I had promised to myself not to be overly emotionally attached to my students anymore since I had suffered some separation anxiety when my original loves went off to college.  But who can resist loving such lovables?  I guess this is such normal because people do really come and go.  But what matters most is the love that you have for each other that there'll be no distance nor time to ever separate you apart!  

Our seventh gift.....

.....for us to be reminded of the beautiful bonding that we shared! :)


       

Tweet

Halad: A Concert for a Cause for Typhoon Yolanda Survivors

(c) La Salle University - Ozamiz Facebook Community Page

Since super typhoon Haiyan left its massive devastation last month in Visayas, fund-raising events took place left and right not just in the Philippines but all over the whole world!  There were collection of donations, auctions, a-thon events, tournaments, gala dinners, and concerts.  And just last Friday, La Salle University - Ozamiz held its concert for a cause entitled Halad.

Halad is a Visayan word for offering.  An offering is something freely and willingly given so all the participants in this show gave their time, effort, and talent heartily.  We were not dictated, we were not forced, we were not requested, but we favorably volunteered.  We generously and enthusiastically showcased our little sing and dance talents for the benefit of those who are in need.

Now I'll just bombard you with some photos of the presentations I took part with: 

Opening Salvo
(c) Hanna Roz Gulde

Hip Hop Dance Number
(c) Hanna Roz Gulde

Mass Singing
(c) Hanna Roz Gulde

And what's great about this fund-raising event is the bonding between Lasallians!  I found beautiful new friendship with my colleagues and this is my reward for extending a helping hand once again for the typhoon Yolanda survivors. 

During Rehearsals

Prepping Up for the Matinee Show

Treating Ourselves After the Shows

Indeed, helping others in our own little ways can go a very long way.  And to all Yolanda survivors, this is for you.  We are still here who care because WE ARE ONE!

Related Posts:

My Contribution for Halad 2014

University Days the Lasallian Way

85 Years of Excellence and Service

5th Inter-High School Academic Battle

Run for a Priest 2014

  

Tweet

Spiritual Sunday: Iloilo's Must-See Churches

Spiritual Sunday teaches all about life and our Big Boss.

My restless feet had brought me to two historic provinces in our country for two consecutive years in a row.  Aside from their historical features, these provinces also happen to be the home of Philippines' grandiose colonial churches.  One was Albay last year and the other one was Iloilo just this year.  

When I travel, I do away with too much shopping.  What I do is just go around for a leisurely walk, take snapshots, connect with the locals, and eat whatever food the place offers.  It has always been eat, pray, love journeys for me because what I'm after for is the experience!  So for this post, I'll be sharing about Iloilo's finest churches.

Church # 1 Jaro Cathedral

Jaro Cathedral is the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Candles.  I found this church very unique for it has two stairways right in front of its exterior leading to the relic of the patroness.  

  

Situated across the street is the belfry of the original church which stands as a remains after a massive earthquake that shook the place in 1948.  This belfry had been declared as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines. 

  

The pillars of the cathedral were also unique for its collection of male saints.  I just found this ironic to the name of the church which is devoted to a female saint.

Church # 2 Molo Church

Contrary to Jaro Cathedral, Molo Church is dubbed as a feminist church of Iloilo for it houses a total of sixteen images of female saints.  It is also known as the Parish of St. Anne in honor of its patron saint Sta. Ana.     

The spires of Molo Church put me in a trance, letting me experience a feel of England while watching 'em.  This Gothic-Renaissance architecture is one of its kind especially to a remote province in our country.

The interior of Molo Church is also rich in Gothic elements which is flanked by five wooden altars.  And in contrast to the pillars of Jaro Cathedral, female saints hemmed the place.

Church # 3 Guimbal Church

Guimbal Church is also known as St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church.  It is a humble church reflecting the patron saint's workings with the poor.  The facade is made of goldenrod adobe stones called igang.    

  

As a modest church, there are no extravagant paintings nor statues inside it.  But what made it distinct among the others were the saints outside it, giving a homey atmosphere and warm welcome to anyone who wants to get inside.

Church # 4 Miag-ao Church

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Iloilo, Miag-ao Church is a world iconic spot that has two big belfries. 

Also known as the Church of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva, Miag-ao Church is also renowned for its artistic design right on its whole facade.  It is intricately sculpted depicting the way of life of the Filipinos.

At the upper center of the church's facade is the relief sculpture of St. Christopher carrying the child Jesus.  Though the church is in Baroque-Romanesque style, it stays indigenous native to Philippine architecture for the additional coconut tree, guava, and papaya shrubs carved on it.

Going against with the church's grand exterior is its simple interior.  Nonetheless, the altar is being highlighted by a gold-plated retablo with the crucifix at its center.

  

Having gone to a handful of places of worship not just in the Philippines, every church visit is a noteworthy experience for me.  I've come to know that every church has its own story to tell and own pride to boast.  I've come to also realize that every church has its own culture that one must respect and observe while being there.  So for your church visit, take time to solemnly say a little prayer for God's presence to endow the place.

Related Posts:

A Flair for Old Churches

EOS Destination #1!
Himala sa Simala?

Maundy Thursday:  Visita Iglesia

Original Biscocho Haus

Tweet