It was a regular Friday. After a meeting, I went to SM Foodcourt for a vegetarian dinner at Bodhi. While eating, I turned my laptop on to keep me posted on the things I should do for the rest of the day and plan the things for tomorrow.

Suddenly, I saw a bill I needed to pay. So I hurried finishing my meal, packed my things and rushed to the nearest bank to deposit the money.

I was on a hurry filling-up the deposit slip. I was not worried since I have the account ready with me through my notes on my Blackberry. I slid my hand into my left pocket first, then to the right. Not contended, I checked even my back pockets – still, no sign of my phone.

So, I looked into my bag, still no sign of it. That was the time I got a little worried. I looked at the other pockets and compartments of my bag. Slowly, the thought of losing my phone was starting to sink in. My heart started to pound faster, since all of my contacts, important messages and notes are there.

I was thinking, the worth of the phone, is more than what I paid for when it was bought. It’s half-a-year’s worth of networking with people.

So, started thinking back, I was at least 15 minutes away from the last place I knew I took out my phone – the foodcourt. So, without wasting time anymore, I rushed out of the bank and hurriedly took out my secondary phone.

While dialing of my number, I was thinking that if somebody got my phone, my first instinct was, that the person will turn it off, walk-away with a Blackberry unit and probably insert his or her own SIM.

But, calling my phone is worth the try, even if I wouldn’t think I can get it back.

At first, it rang. Bad due to bad signal, the connection was lost. I ran as fast as I can while trying to call, since I was about five minutes away from the place.

I tried calling again, it rang, once…. twice… thrice… then a strange voice of woman answered, “Hello, hello, naiwan mo ang phone mo dito, balikan mo sa pinananggalingan mo.” (Hello, hello, you left your phone here, Come back from where you came from)

To be honest, I was surprised that somebody from the other end answered, and without hesitation, told me to come back, even without me saying any word at all. All that I was able to say was, “Thank you po, thank you po. Sige, I will be there.”

That moment, I was so excited to see, not my phone, but the person who answered my phone. So I ran faster that I had few minutes back just to make sure I get there on time before she might change her mind. So, after through the guards, and a few side-to-side movements to evade slow moving shoppers, I finally reached my former place.

I was surprised to see the lady behind the voice. Eating goto. Talking to her children. Then, I said, while gasping for air, “Hi, ako po yung tumawag. Thank you very much po. Salamat ng marami.”

At that point, I don’t know how to repay them for the honesty she has extended. I had nothing to offer that she can actually cannot afford. I have no idea whatsoever. Plus, she didn’t want to be repaid. I glanced at her, together with her children, and her husband. They are a family spending their time together in a simple dinner at the foodcourt.

Looking at it now, she got more than what I can offer, and far more than the worth of the phone.

She could have gotten a new-secondhand phone, right at her hands, but refused to give in to that “easy” road of temptation. Rather, she took a higher ground and demonstrated that many people would have “mistaken” for a blessing. Therefore, I believe, with all my heart, that she has imparted to her children the value worth more than billion of dollars’ worth of mobile phones, that’s the value of HONESTY. A value imprinted on the very souls and minds of her children.

No phone can ever compare, even gazillion of iPhones, to the honesty she showed her children. And I’m hoping that when their children grow up, they will look back at that time yesterday and make a bold stand to be honest, during times of great trial of quick gain vs honesty, and decide to stick with the former.

TGIF – Thank God It was a Friday, yesterday and the Antonio Family of Quezon City was there to have a dinner. May God prosper the works of their hands.

“Like No Other”

I

As I count my years, ’til today,

I’ve never been so amazed to say,

That God has been faithful every single day,

For all the things, I am about to say.

II

Let me count the ways that God has fill

All my days, with His love that I can feel.

He told me many times to be still

So He can throw at me, lots of joy and thrill.

III

Like you my friends, old and new,

Who helped me through the days, especially, when I am blue.

And to my family where i was born to

Truly, God gave me the best, that, I won’t argue.

III

On my special day today, as most of you know,

I am thinking lots of things where we can go.

With Rendell and Cristelle, we still have to know,

For a day like no other, that’s where we want to go.

IV
This side of me, is not out in the open,

For I’m a poet, not that often.

Though today, I’m publishing this out in the open,

But please don’t expect this ‘poet in me’ always to happen

V

For the love of my life, who I want to marry.

Hopefully this year, we can be merry.

As we wait for the day that we can be called already,

as husband and wife, that will be a beauty.

VI

To my son, who is so dear

So close to my heart, that is very clear.

As you grow up, may God help me to rear

Don’t forget, no matter what happens, I am here.

VII

So before my special day ends,

Let me thank God again without an end.

For He has given more than what I intend,

His kindness and love like no other, has no end.

VIII

Though a new gadget would be a great gift from friends like you,

But a simple help, that will do.

Start by liking my blog, that’s a treat from you.

Though I won’t deny, a new iPhone – that’s a blast, Wooohoo! LOL!

Hope you follow this LINK and like it or Follow me HERE or HERE.

Rey Belen - Jan. 6, 2012

A video entitled AQUINO-COJUANGCO: FACTS THEY DONT WANT YOU TO KNOW was uploaded on Youtube last October 21. Yesterday morning it was at 7,000+ views. Today it’s now reached over 100,000+.

But before I talk about the video, I’d like to highlight here is the power of social media nowadays, and how it can help in “pushing” ideas to the greater audience. There may be some ideas that the mainstream media industry can report, but the social media is virtually limitless as to what kind of info you would like to propagate.

The power of information doesn’t rely only on the Press. The internet has created more “reporters” in their own sphere of influences. Later on to be picked up by big media entities. This I believe is one of the pros of the power of social media.

Anyway, going back to the topic, this video is increasing its hits on YouTube – fast. It discusses controversial issues about the Cojuangco-Aquino “power” in the Philippines. The video tells how the Cojuangco-Aquino rose to power and influence up to this very day.

More than the information though, I admire how the producer, writer, editor/artist did this video. Simple yet creative. Easy to understand.

Check it out for yourself and see why it is getting the hits – FAST.

May the Lord Jesus Christ reign in our hearts, that we may truly know the essence of the season.

God bless us all!

Let these bits of wisdom guide us all in choosing our next sets of leaders.  These following words may be brief, but speaks highly of the essence of leadership that the Philippines need.

Let our decisions not be persuaded by just mere hearsay and publicity stunts. All the more we need to look at the character and vision of our leaders.

Thus, here are some words about leadership. Let their lessons be the bedrock for our WISE decision making.

Our nation’s leaders and managers for the next three and six years depend on the decision we make during the few minutes we will be in our respective precincts.

I hope and pray that most Filipino voters will be wise enough not to short sell the nation’s future for money, cheap talks, empty promises and publicity stunts.

A leader is a dealer in hope. -Napoleon Bonaparte-

“A wise leader doesn’t completely abandon the past but builds on it as he or she moves toward the future.” -From a Bible commentary, Be strong Joshua-

“He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander” -Aristotle-

The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet. -Theodore M. Hesburgh-

“A tyrant is always stirring up some war or other, in order that the people may require a leader.” -Plato-

“You do not lead by hitting people over the head – that’s assault, not leadership.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower-

“Leadership can be thought of as a capacity to define oneself to others in a way that clarifies and expands a vision of the future.” -Edwin H. Friedman-

“Whoever is providing leadership needs to be as fresh and thoughtful and reflective as possible to make the very best fight.” -Faye Wattleton-

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” -John Quincy Adams-

“Leaders aren’t born they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.” -Vince Lombardi-

“The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born — that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply either have certain charismatic qualities or not. That’s nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born.” -Warren G. Bennis-

Seems like my prayers have been answered for direction and rest.

It makes me realize how God made an example to rest on the seventh day after His creation of the universe. In essence, He tells us how important it is to make time and move away from all the works and troubles of our lives. This way we will feel His presence and glorify Him for everything He has done.

Lots of things have happened, lots of new things that I have learned. One by one, I will try to make a journal online of the things that I learned all throughout these past few months.

Two things I regretted lately. One is that I missed some weekends for small group gathering. Two, I had less time for my family. In the end, the things that matter most are God and family.

On a side note, little did I notice, that half of the year is almost near.

Whew! how time really flies so fast.

That’s why I’m hoping that I can capture the precious moments of my life.

Thank you, Lord.

Have a Merry Christ-must day!

We must not forget the center of all the celebration – Christ. So, it is a must that He should be in our hearts, not just tohay, but for all of the days.

Let this season be an opportunity for us to reflect on the goodness of God – as He sent His son to earth to bore our sins. May this time give birth our better relationship with God.

I pray for goodness, peace and joy to be with us all this season and always.

-Rey Belen-

Happy birthday son!

Just got this somewhere. Hope it helps.

How To Be A Better Couple
10 steps to enjoying each other better…

1. Be realistic about each other.
Don’t try to turn your partner into something he or she is not. Let’s face it, guys-there’s only 1 Pamela Anderson in the world, and even she has had her implants removed! Give your gal a break and understand that her physical appearance is NOT going to change overnight with the help of a few facials ! or treatments. And ladies, Brad Pitt has already been taken, so you’re gonna have to do with what your guy is like! Chill out, love each other for what u are. There is more to your partner than what meets the eye.
2. Always talk things out.
Now guys, I know this is not your fave pastime or mode of resolving issues, but u know what? This works with the gals. Don’t make assumptions about each other’s feelings. Learn to express yourself better so that your partner understands what you’re angry about, or hurt about, or even happy about! When u stop talking to each other from the heart, it’s the beginning of the end.

3. Do stuff together.
Make an effort to do things together. Do some sports or involve yourselves in some shared activities; something both of u enjoy or are interested in. It could be as simple as watching movies together, or jus strolling hand-in-hand down Orchard Road. Watch soccer with him once in a while though the green patch on TV puts u to sleep in 3 seconds. And guys, do give in if your gal asks for another day at window-shopping, rather than suggest that she go out with her girlfriends for “that sort of activities” instead. If you’re spending more time with your friends rather than with your partner, it’s a warning sign that you’re drifting apart!!!

4. Meet each other halfway.
If he agrees to throw out that rotten T-shirt with the “The_Rock” print, u shouldn’t kick up much of a fuss if he asks u to keep your room tidy. There’s gotta be a little giving and taking in a relationship, so learn to meet each other halfway.

5.Show your love
Buy her flowers or candy or perfume every now and then, even if u have been together for years. It’s wonderful to continue showing someone that u care for him or her. Cook him a special meal, paint him a Valentine’s Day card. Knit him mini-socks he can’t wear ( like for decoration purposes => ), buy him a packet of milk for breakfast, or pack his wardrobe for him…so he knows u can still be romantic and loving despite having been together for quite a while.

6. Respect each other.
Stop making jokes about her hair or skin, or whatever it is u love to laugh at. Ask yourself if she thinks if its funny. And if he has an inferiority complex about his height, stop ogling at tall guys and make him feel worse! Love is about respecting each other’s feelings and being sensitive to each other at all times.

7. Bury the past.
Stop bringing up the past. Gals..don’t bring up the happy things about u and your ex to your guy, it would jus make him jealous or unhappy. And guys, don’t talk about the happy times that u had with your ex or mention about her in your every other sentence as it would make your gal feel un-happy and she might think that u saying all this b’coz u are going to get back with your ex or not interested in her anymore.

8. Sit on your jealousy.
All of us go thru’ spells of insecurity at the beginning of the relationship, but don’t translate that insecurity into jealousy. If you’re going to go through your partner’s mail and cupboard, and eavesdropping on conversations, u know something is wrong – with u!!! Jealousy is like a poison that slowly spreads thru’ the relationship before finally killing it. Trust your partner; love has to have trust in it.

9. Keep your commitments to each other.
If your partner is standing you up all the time and canceling dates and breaking promises, u need to talk! If you’re in a relationship, make your partner your priority and don’t disappoint them if u can help it. It’s really terrible when someone promises to take u to dinner, and then calls to cancel it. Don’t make promises u can’t keep. If your partner starts to feel that he/she is not important enough to u, u may just lose him/her.

10. Be honest.
Honesty is not scowling at how awful she looks first thing in the morning, or telling him that he has the biceps of a fly~! When we say “be honest”, we mean expressing your feelings clearly, not being bitingly cruel. When you’re hurt, say so, and when you’re angry, tell him/her, w/o getting hysterical. If u can’t be honest with your partner, who can u be honest with? If Love is also about honesty, and a relationship where honesty doesn’t exists probably it isn’t worth it!

Anyway, I have been pressing on to be single for life for the past several years. Even at times I had chances to commit myself to very fine ladies, after knowing they’re ready for a relationship already, I would chicken out since, I would find the relationship as “cheap thrills” for me. As if the relationship would be just be a waste of time and effort for both me and the girl.

I thought, it would be for my best interest, and for the people around me, to consider being single for life. I have a son to rear at the same time, being the eldest child, I feel I am responsible in taking care of my mom in the near future, since my dad passed away.

So, I thought I can be single for the rest of my life.

I have had my times with great women. They would even tell me that I should think of my future… like who’s going to take care of me when my son is already a grown up. And when things start to get serious, I would jokingly tell them that’s the reason I want to be rich, by the time I am old, I would hire caregivers to take care of me. I know the intentions that they have for me are good but I have never given so much thought about settling down with somebody.

It never sinked-in to me until just recently. When I least expected it.

It’s all about this girl (ofcourse, not a boy, LOL) I barely know the girl, and she barely knows me (and that’s the tough part).

I can see the elegance behind her simplicity. Her discipline behind her actions… Her character behind her gestures… the consistency in her manner shows much of her beauty inside out.

Recently, as I prayed. I find myself praying for her, more and more. A gesture I, honestly, don’t do much. Yeah I do pray for other people, but not as much as I prayed for her, considering that I don’t know her that much.

The funny part is that I haven’t even started courting nor even telling to her my intentions. And that most probably, she might have boyfriend (ofcourse, I’m not bad enough to pray that they be separated, that’s not a lie – believe me. hehehehehe)

Amidst all those circumstances, I find myself praying even more and letting God do as He wanted. Asking Him more for wisdom and understanding than asking Him to change the circumstances in favor of me.

I find it very interesting…  realizing, I have changed so much. Funny, but more importantly, it revealed the true color of my heart. I’m not the old selfish me in praying.

If I may say, though I asked God for her heart and hand for me, but at the end of my prayer, I would ask God to do His will not mine.

Now I find myself wondering what kind of love story God has in store for me? (Cheezy point again. LOL).

Going back to the girl, I had a chance to chit-chat with THE GIRL.  Somehow, we were able to talk about “THE GIRL” I desire now. I told her about my prayer for the girl. She said she find it very sweet of me to pray for the girl and to dedicate her to God. And she added that I would be a blessing to the girl if ever we end up together.

Would she still find it a blessing, if she only knew it is her? Hahahahaha!

Anyway, whatever happens, the more important thing about this new phase in my life is the lessons I’m learning.

I learned that truly God restores us in the form that He wants us to be. We may have come from the pit of very awful past, but God can restore us in ways we may not be able to fathom. Like for instance in my case, it was an “excuse” for me to be single – but now as I dig deeper into me, it was my way of saying “God, I quit already of you providing for me a partner”. As if I’ve already given up that God has that perfect girl for me.

You can’t share something you don’t have. And I believe that God has restored me in a way that I may be able to share my life to a partner.

Sometimes when we thought that God is over in changing our lives, the more we will be surprised that He has more things in store for us – the best things in store for us.

Second, that I learned to see what are the things in me that I don’t let Him to lord over me.

Third, I learned that the more I rely on Him, the more that I pray, the more that I’m changed.

Forth, the essence of remaining faithful and pure for that person you would like to settle with – even before you meet him / her. And that’s the most important value I’ve learned now. I’ve had my fair share of  “misdeeds” in the past and I realize, it may have given me “temporary” pleasures, but never did it gave me joy and fulfillment. No wonder now, I experience this kind of joy inside, because I have a pure intention for a girl at the same time I want to be faithful and pure as well.

Fifth, the more uncertainties we have, the more we should rely onto God.

Truly, God nursed my heart to a form I was not so much aware of myself. He restored that soft spot in me that I was trying to shield for a long time from anyone – even Him. The only way that I feel we can truly love others, if we experience how God has loved us. The way He changed my view of Him, changed the way I love – for God is love.

And I find myself now, seeking a nurse. Maybe God will use a nurse to nurse my heart for a lifetime. Hahahahaha!

On a side note, do you suggest that the I change the title should be the “cheezy side of me” than nursing a heart. LOL