Vote for the OUR Pride... Kuya Efren

I just did one great thing for one of my fellowmen, Efren "Kuya Ef" Peñaflorida. I voted for him several times not mainly because He is also a Filipino but certainly because I personally admire his visions, desires and noble works. (Not all of us have the passion and the courage to do that, right?)

Kuya Ef is a teacher and social worker in the Philippines. He has been recognized as one of the "2009 CNN Heroes" for his outstanding advocacy to educate Filipino out-of-school youth through "pushcart classes."

His growing concern for the unschooled children in his hometown led Peñaflorida to establish Dynamic Teen Company (DTC). At that time, he was only sixteen. He envisioned this organization as a tool to reach the underserved Filipino youth by providing free tutorials. He asked three fellow high school students to devote some of their time to teach children in the slum areas every Saturday. After ten years, DTC has gained around 10,000 memberships and conducted tutorials for approximately 1,500 children.

Today, DTC's "pushcart classroom" also teaches basic reading and writing to street children. Responsible, systematic and principled, Kuya Ef has actively made a difference in the lives of children in depressed areas, has dreamed of addressing the growing issue of juvenile delinquents - inculcating the values of education of today's youth.

Kindly cast your vote now. Make Kuya Ef a CNN Hero today; he is truly a modern hero who deserves to be known globally so as to inspire others. Please help me spread the word and make yourselves in.

Voting continues until Thursday, November 19, 2009 (6 a.m. ET). There is no limit on the number of times you may vote for the Hero of the Year. Have some clicks today and make Filipinos proud.

Reflection... Who I Am Inside. ..

Look at me,
I will never pass for a perfect bride,
or a perfect daughter.
Can it be, I'm not meant to play this part.
Now I see,
That if I were truly to be myself, I would break my family's heart

Who is that girl I see
Staring straight, back at me
Why is my reflection someone I don't know
Somehow I cannot hide, who I am
though I've tried.
When will my reflection show who I am inside.
When will my reflection show who I am inside.

Enjoy the video. Take a peek and sing along.



Ms. Lea Salonga indeed gives justice to the song. What a wonderful version! Loving my own. So proud of HER and her Music. Proud to be a Filipino.

Handog para sa Aming Mahal na Patron na si San Francisco ng Assisi

Here's my first ever post in Filipino... so excited to launch and discuss this Talumpati to Grade school students. Good Luck, kids!

Isang Panawagan para sa Inang Kalikasan

Sa diwang Pransiskano, hayaan ninyong ako’y bumati: Kapayapaan at mabuting gawa!

Marahil batid nating lahat na iginuhit ng Panginoong Dakila na si San Francisco’y maging pintakasi ng mga taga-Meycauayan. Kung kaya’t taon-taon siya’y ipinagbubunyi’t inaala-alang lubos. Ipinagdiriwang ang buhay n’yang sadyang banal at huwaran.

Galing sa isang mayamang angkan doon sa Assisi, isang maliit na bayan sa Pransya, sumibol si Giovanni Francesco Bernardone. Tinalikuran ang ningning ng yaman at kasikatan, si Francisco’y yumakap sa karalitaan at abang pamumuhay upang sundin ang kalooban ng Maykapal.

Sa kanyang pamumuhay at mga aral, napatunayan n’yang ang mga nilikha ng Diyos ay nararapat lamang na ituring bilang kapamilya at sadyang isapuso ang pagkalinga sa mga ito. Subalit ang masaklap at nakagigimbal na katotohanan ang s’yang nararapat na pagtuunan ng pansin at bigyan ng natatanging pagtugon.

Halimbawa na lamang sa ating bayan, ang ilog ng Meycauayan ay ibinilang sa prestihiyosong listahan ng limampung pinakamaruruming ilog sa buong mundo. Ito ay isang tunay na kalapastanganan sa ating ibinibidang pintakasi. Basura’y nagkalat, mga puno’t halama’y naglagas na tila ba’y tuluyan na tayong nawalan ng disiplina sa ating mga sarili at higit sa lahat, respeto at pagmamahal sa mga nilikha ng Maykapal.

Nakakalungkot mang isipin subalit wala na tayong iba pang dapat gawin kung hindi ang tugunan at hikayating kumilos ang sambayanan. Pagtulungang muling buhayin at ibalik ang dating anyo at sigla ng ating kalikasan.

Taon-taong pagdiriwang… Ano na ang kinalabasan ng mga panawagang ipinagsisigawan: Simulan ang kalinisan! Ingatan ang kalikasan! Ibalik ang ganda ng Meycauayan!

Sa aking munting pamamaraan; Ako mismo ang kikilos. Magsisikap na isabuhay ang pamantayan ni San Francisco. Kalinisan… Pagmamalasakit sa inang kalikasan… Isang sumpang idiriin sa aking puso’t isipan…Di lamang ngayon kundi sa darating pang mga taon hangga’t di nagkakatotoo ang adhikain na ito sa ating bayan.

Proud to be a Filipino

If in each of my fights, the FILIPINO people are united, then I will fight everyday." - Manny Pacquiao

His statement has just made me smile and has touched my heart, too.

Actually, when it would be Manny Pacquiao's fight over another equally good boxer, Filipino from different walks of life who live in different ways and means, and of all ages would surely take a break, pause for a while, and watch - stopping us from anything that we do. Fellowmen, quite true, right?

Either we would watch with family, loved ones, friends, workmates, and even with people we barely know, we would surely shout out loud, cheer, smile, jump and be somehow crazy over his performance - sharing thoughts about how good Manny is.

Personally, whenever I see people around with that kind of scenario, I suddenly felt happy, proud and grateful.

Indeed, this kind of event has made US one... united, overwhelmed and inspired! Thanks for such remarkably amazing instances... Cheers!

Blogger's note: Acknowledgment to Hari ng Sablay. You have just inspired me to write this post. Yours are great, too. Keep it up, friend.

Myraine