08 November 2011

Top 100 Books (That I Like To Have and Read!)

1. The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
2. The Son of Neptune – Rick Riordan
3. The Lightning Thief
4. The Sea of Monsters
5. Battle of the Labyrinth
6. The Last Olympian
7. Pilgrim’s Progress – John Bunyan
8. The Divine Comedy – Dante Aleghieri
9. Perfume – Patrick Suskind
10. Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger
11. Norweigan Wood – Haruki Murakami
12. 1Q84
13. New Spring – Robert Jordan
14. The Eye of the World
15. The Great Hunt
16. The Dragon Reborn
17. The Shadow Rising
18. The Fires of Heaven
19. Lord of Chaos
20. A Crown of Swords
21. The Path of Daggers
22. Winter’s Heart
23. Crossroads of Twilight
24. Knife of Dreams
25. The Gathering Storm
26. Towers of Midnight
27. A Memory of Light
28. The Radical Cross – AW Tozer
29. The Attributes of God
30. The Pursuit of God
31. Whatever Happened to Worship
32. Worship and Entertainment
33. Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories – Kenneth W. Osbeck
34. A Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin
35. A Clash of Kings
36. A Storm of Swords
37. A Feast for Crows
38. A Dance with Dragons
39. The Winds of Winter
40. A Dream of Spring
41. The Twelfth Imam – Joel Rosenberg
42. The Tehran Initiative
43. Ezekiel Option
44. Stargirl – Jerry Spinelli
45. Love, Stargirl
46. Piercing the Darkness – Frank Peretti
47. Tilly
48. The Life of Pi – Yann Martel
49. Don’t Waste Your Life- John Piper
50. A Godward Life
51. History’s Most Spectacular Sin
52. Just The Way I Am: God’s Good Design in Disability
53. The Power of Words and the Wonder of God
54. Stand
55. A Sweet and Bitter Providence
56. When I Don’t Desire God
57. Contending for our All
58. Worship Matters – Bob Kauflin
59. Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption – Laura Hillenbrand
60. The Cross-Centerd Life – CJ Mahaney
61. Humility: True Greatness
62. 1,000 Places to Go to Before You Die – Patricia Schultz
63. The Mysterious Benedict Society: Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums – Trenton Lee Stewart  in addition, I was able to read The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict!!!
64. The Tales of Beedle the Bard – JK Rowling
65. I Am Number Four – Pittacus Lore
66. On Ugliness – Umberto Eco
67. The Name of the Rose
68. The Hostile Hospital – Lemony Snicket
69. The Carnivorous Carnival
70. The Slippery Slope
71. The Grim Grotto
72. The Penultimate Peril
73. The End
74. A Grief Observed – CS Lewis
75. Screwtape Proposes a Toast
76. Out of the Silent Planet
77. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
78. The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
79. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
80. Love In The Time Of Cholera
81. A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
82. The Godfather – Mario Puzo
83. The Godfather Returns – Mark Winegardner
84. The Godfather’s Revenge
85. The Adventures of Sherlock Homes – Arthur Conan Doyle
86. Obsessed – Ted Dekker
87. Skin
88. Adam
89. Boneman’s Daughters
90. Bride Collector
91. The Priest’s Graveyard
92. Forbidden
93. Appointment with Death – Agatha Christie
94. Out of Oz – Gregory Maguire
95. The Forever War – Joe Haldeman
96. The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern
97. Wired – Douglas E. Richards
98. Right as Rain – Derek Strange & Terry Quinn
99. Kill Alex Cross – James Patterson
100. Zero Day – David Baldacci

In making this very long list, I discovered that I am leaning towards the SciFi, Mystery/Thriller, Fantasy, and Christian Lit genre. Amazing. HAHAHA :D

27 October 2011

BLESSINGS :)

Before I go to sleep, I'd like to enumerate the blessings I had the past weeks...

1. After 4.5 years, I finally finished my Diploma course in Music Education!!! :) and I am eligible to enroll in the Bachelor's degree program! so happy. ;)

2. My grades for the last semester was awesome! The Lord is soooo good!

3. I will be playing for ate Faye Villanueva and kuya Aria Chelabian's wedding on Saturday. My first wedding harang ever! I will be playing good music with Aj, Patrick, and Aie. So excited!! ;)

4. After 3 years of waiting and praying, I said yes to AJ Villanueva last Oct.25. Of course, we had the blessing of our parents. :) I will love him as much as I love God and my family. We plan not to change our Facebook status YET. Please give us also the privilege to tell THOSE WHO WOULD (DARE) ASK about our relationship (no unnecessry indulging. WAHAHA). We pray that God will be glorified and that others will be blessed with our relationship. ;D

HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY ;D

17 October 2011

Will I Base My Life on Theories?

In our EDSP 121:Creativity class, we studied about The Developmental Stage Theory by John Curtis Gowan. The central issues of this theory is as follows (Gowan, 1980):



  1. Combination of the Cognitive Stages (Piaget) and the Affective Stages (Erikson) into unified form.
  2. Extension of the five Piagetian stages into eight -- the three new ones being: creativity, psychedelia, and illumination
  3. Periodicity of three in figure, which results in similarities between 1, 4, 7, etc.
  4. Reinforcement of concept of discontinuity, succession emergence, differentiation and integration as components of escalation.
  5. Significance of dysplasia (malformation in development) as splitting of cognitive and affective stage levels in malfunctioning individuals.
  6. Emphasis on self-actualization as escalation into higher developmental stages.
In our class, we were asked to work on translating The Ekrikson-Piaget-Gowan periodic developmental stage chart into something simpler and creative. I, along with my Team EDGE groupmates JP and Jam, used drawings and cut-outs to do our chart.

That's JP, me, and Jam working on the simpler developmental stage chart.
We used 3 different colored papers to represent each affectional mode: latency, identity, and creativity. In each paper, we included the Child, Youth, and Adult Stages for each affectional mode.

The Individual and the World
The Individual and Others (Sorry, the picture is not clear!)

The Individual and the Self
We originally planned to string it together, but we weren't able to due to time constraints.

Team EDGE with our simplified Developmental Stage Theory Table!
In doing this, I wonder what stage I am presently in. I believe I am in the Industry vs. Inferiority stage. I am 19 years old and I am still wondering what I can do for the benefit of those around me. I already know who I am and what I want. I now have to determine my goals depending on who I am and what I want. Intimacy vs. Isolation? I think I am content as of now with regards to my relationships with people. Still, I will not let this theory box me as a person. I am basing my life not on theories but on the will of God. He has greater plans for me than these stages. Also, God's plan was in detail. I'd rather trust in Him to be a better and God-glorifying person. My God is not a theory, because He has proven Himself to me time and time again. :D

16 October 2011

The Life of a Creative Person

Alexander John Villanueva is one of my college-mates in the UP College of Music. Let us together see his views about creativity. Click HERE to view the presentation on prezi.com :)





15 October 2011

Para Sa Ating Pagkabulag

humahampas sa mukha
hinihinuha ang bawat patak sa mala-sutlang balat
sa ulan mo lamang hinahambing
ang mga pagkakaibang
pare-pareho lang naman

sa isang patak na nagdudulot
ng matinding pagdadalamhati
sa mga namumutawing pag-iisip

ngunit gusto mo manatiling
kapiling ang kalangitan
mamarapatin mo na lamang mawala
bago mo maramdaman
ang gaspang ng semento
ang lambot ng tubig
o ang lamig ng isang naiwang lalagyang
tinanggalan ng kasarinlan

kasihan ka nawa ng mga dagat at ilog
na ibinuwis ang buong buhay
sa pagpapakalat ng biyayang
pilit mong sa kahon pinagkakasya
isang kaluluwang walang ginawa
kundi tumitig.
tumigil.

mas mabuti pang
alam ng ulan ang kanyang paroroonan
alam nyang ang dapat sa mga tulad mo
ay inaanod ng kanyang
malakas na kamay
at pinapasukob sa mga silong
na yari sa dugo't pawis
ng mga nagagalak sa patak ng ulan

____________________
30sept2011
~para sa komposisyon ni kuya Panggo Sarreal na mayrrong kaparehong pamagat
~ignorance of the self to the world
-ara.janelle

15 September 2011

Today was foodtrip day!

Aj and I went to Binondo to find some of the delicious foods there. We ate fried siopao at an unknown store (a fujifilm sign hung outside the store though). It was delicious! It was my first time to eat fried siopao. Goood thing the first time was not disappointing. We drank sugar cane juice afterwards. Both the sugar cane juice and fried siopao cost 15pesos. Yuuuuum!

Next stop, Masuki! We ordered Original Beef Wonton Mami and Chicken Mami. They're both delicious, definitey better than Chowking (duh?!). The chicken and beef broth was the most authentic broth I've tasted. Also the serving was big. We were full and satisfied with the food. One order costs almost 150php. Suliiit!

We then went to Eng Bee Tin. Aj bought a moon cake. I bought some ube and mongo hopia. We then walked the perimeter of the place so that our food will settle down our stomachs. I thank God that we were safe during our Binondo foodtrip. Truly, I enjoyed walking around Manila. ;)))

We went to Greenhills to try Happy Lemon. I ordered Green Tea Rock Salt and Cheese. It tastes awesome! I cannot believe that green tea and cheese and rocksalt perfectly go together. Then we visited the tiangge...but only a few were open. They're shuffling, we guessed so. We went to a stall owned by a money collector. I saw different kinds of Philippne money! Many of them looked like US dollars. It was so amazing. ;) We also looked for a dress that I can buy later on for ate Faye's wedding. We found a few potential dresses..ahaha.

We went to Banapplel-Greenhills afterwards. As usual, the food was satisfying. ;)

This is one day I will never forget!! Thanks Aj for the treat. Happy birthday to you!

14 September 2011

First Day High!


Last Saturday and Sunday was a day of firsts for me. Let me list them down for all the world to see. :)) *See the pictures below :D

SATURDAY


Commute to FEBIAS! After my teaching harang, I went straight to SM North to meet Ate Hazel, Jaz, Mia, and Tita Mascle. I was glad they waited for me. I thought I'd be going there by myself. We boarded a taxi and went into every eskinita available just to avoid the heavy traffic. I thought we're going to be lost! Good thing we got there safe and sound.

The first? The taxi driver was actually thrilled by our stories while we travel. Well, I think that's just how we do it. We talk about anything under the sun! ;)

Ian can DRAW! And I can say he's very good in it. I saw a paper on a pew and I exclaimed, "Sino nag-drawing nito? Galing a!" Ate Hazel told me that it was Ian himself who drew the design of his recital stage. AWESOMENESS.

Tuna Pesto Madness! Due to my very busy schedule, I never had the chance to cook for the family until recently. Since Mama volunteered to provide merienda for the CCBC Choir during our General Rehearsal, I willingly offered my help. I suggested to not cook tomato-based pasta since it might not be good for eating later that day. So we decided to settle for Pesto. We made so many considerations in cooking this dish. We remembered Nanay Gin's rheumatism, Tatay Ric's body pains, Kuya Boyet's and Tita Mascle's high blood, and so on...in other words, consideration for the "mature in wisdom". HAHA. We ended up buying ingredients for Tuna Pesto...which includes Olive Oil! :D

I've been with the choir for almost 4 years, I already knew that the choir loves good food and coffee. So it was a challenge to cook again after my dormant cooking years. Good thing Mama was there to help me! I was indeed happy that the choir loved the pasta along with the cheese bread Mama ordered at the bakery near our house. Jaziel and Mia sure had their share of those cheese bread hang-overs. It was such a blessing to bless others through the labor sprinkled flooded with LOVE.

So what's the "first" here? It's that the food I made with Mama was able to feed some hungry, haggard, but willing-to-give-their-all people of God. :)

SUNDAY


Christian Apilar's recital! It's my first time to sing in a recital of someone who is not a college-mate of mine. It was really exciting to know that the choir started to broaden its horizon of ministry. I really missed performances such as this because, this sem, I was somehow detached from my college because of my GE and Educ subjects. Still, I enjoy singing in a mixed-age choir with a united heart to serve God alone than to sing in a crowd full of excellent skill but do not understand who they're even singing to and what they're singing about. Also, Ian was confident during the performance. It was the grace and peace of God that filled his heart and even us, his choir. Though I was sweating like the sun was glaring down at me at 7PM, I still praised God for His goodness and mercy. I enjoy singing with His people!

High Heels Galore. OUCH! Imagine wearing 4-inch heels for almost 3 hours? Great thing I didn't faint or tripped somewhere. I was really REALLY tempted to take off my shoes and go barefoot on stage on the 3rd part. I decided not to do so. Hey, I was able to endure it! But after the closing prayer and taking some shots of the choir, I CAN"T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I took of my shoes on stage. And so did many others. I promise I'll wear flats for 1 month unless ordered. HAHA And yeah, it was my first time to wear heels that high for so long!

The Performance Hangover. Have you ever experienced being so tired during your way home from a performance...then the minute you got home, your eyes begin to open wide and your brain cells began working like it's daytime again? I always experience that. The first here was, this time, it's with totally different people I'm "high" with. Imagine texting with Ate Hazel, Ate Nikki, Ian, etc., at 2AM? Yeah, Ate Hazel's and Ate Nikki's job description is "vampires". Imagine me being one of them! Hahahaha. Never mind. I'd rather go to sleep. :)))

First!!!
BLITZ! Congratulations on your graduation recital! I knew that the Lord will graciously endow you the confidence you needed to perform well, all for His glory! Thank you sa masarap na pagkain! :P
CCBC peeps! Thank you for coming!

Run through. Dugyot pa si Ian. Nag-ayos pa ng stage!

Judge Lily playing the violin during the first intermission

Couple of the Year! HAHA Tatay Ric and Nanay Gin :)

Looking good :)

Kuya Rein playing the guitar for the 2nd intermission

Ian and the CCBC Choir in action!

3 IDIOTS. hehehe

SEE? WE'RE BAREFOOT!

Isa paaaa!

Amidst all of the pain our feet experienced, we still took this opportunity to have a jump shot! HAHAHA

Sad face :(

Thank you Mia for my eye make-up! Winner!

Meet the Choir! :))

Isa pa!

Tenors and Altos

Pa-singkit from right to left. HAHA Me, Jaz, Mia
Caught in the act! Pastor Iggy and Papa..and me! HAHA :P
The breaking of the Cheese bread :))
2nd round ng pesto and cheese bread :))))

08 September 2011

A Worm According to the Book

I am a self-confessed book lover, "book worm". Reading books is one of my favorite pastimes. I have a wide collection that ranges from classics to reference books to sci-fi. In the future, when I have my own crib, I will have my own library. I do set aside some of my allowance for me to be able to buy some books. Some are given to me as birthday or Christmas gifts. Now you know what to give me. ^_^

But yesterday, I began to realize that I'm missing the best book ever to be printed. Yesterday, we studied about I Samuel 9-10 in church. I was very much amazed about the turn of events in the life of the Israelites. The author of the book is very excellent in taking into consideration the details. To make such narration requires such great skill. I began to take interest in reading and learning about the Old Testament. I would like to know how God's hand of providence worked in the lives of His people. Ultimately, I would like to see how everything pointed to the redemptive work of Christ. How I've been a worm ready to be devoured by the eagle, but saved by my Creator in the nick of time!

Now, I won't worry of not having anything to read anymore! :) Hope you find the Bible, especially the Old Testament, not only an interesting read but a way that God will let you know His will for YOU! :)

____________________
08sept 2011
late post. sorry! :D
-ara.janelle

01 September 2011

I need a reminder..

Today has been a very “impossible” day for me. I had 2 midterm exams which was very tiring (believe me! lots of hours for memorizing terms and names are just DRAINING!). And all I was mumbling the whole day was “Di ko kaya! (I can't do it!)” I was uttering prayers to God as every minute passed by and as I encountered a question and the answer just slipped out of my mind.

After my last class at 5:30pm, I can't believe that my day in school was finished. And I was pretty confident that I will pass my exams. Thanks be to God in whom my confidence is placed upon.

I thanked my family for their continuous prayers and support by cooking pasta for them. I'm so glad they liked it because this was one of my few attempts to cook pasta. :)

As the day ended, this day became full of possibilities. So instead of complaining and ranting, I'll just trust the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind. In other words, with my EVERYTHING!

I SHALL GRADUATE THIS SEMESTER! :)

21 August 2011

"May linga, may linga!!!" The Coro Et Al choral festival :D


Yesterday, the CCBC Choir was able to sing in the "Coro Et Al" choral festival.

This was a very good opportunity for us to worship and thank the Lord for His gift of music to us. Some were nervous. Others were sick, like me. But by the grace of God, we were able to give it our best shot. I praise God because many are blessed by Him through the songs we sang.

We sang The Mind of Christ by Mark Hayes, Paradiso by our conductor and pastor Rev. Ric Ishmael Alfonso (we fondly call him Pastor Iggy), and Bahay Kubo arranged by Pastor Iggy.

I would like to thank Mia Aguilar for helping me with my eye make-up (HAHA!) and Jaziel Aguilar for the hairpins and hairnet. Thank you also to Ate Nikki Alfonso, Ate Kat Apostol, and Ate Marny Magallanes for the beatiful pictures! I wonder if anyone recorded a video of our performance...

Anyway, I would like to thank also Pastor Iggy for the patience. Of course, I thank our God Most High for everything! The performance was all for You. :)

NEXT UP! On September 11, 7PM, will be Christian Apilar's Graduation Recital at FEBIAS College of Bible. See you there! :D

Photo taken by Marny Magallanes :)

20 August 2011

I Can Now Blog Using My Phone! :)

Thanks to Opera Mini. I can now blog using my Samsung Corby Wifi! Yah, I know it's not a really techie phone but I can manage.

I'm so excited! :)
Happy blogging to me! :)

28 July 2011

Nang Hinalikan ng Araw ang Kalupaan

*Nakuha mula sa tala-sarili ni Julio Ramirez

Ako ay dumalo sa isang magarbong pagdiriwang sa bahay sa Calle Anloague. Napakalakas ng tawanan. Nakaririndi din ang mga pagmamayabang na paulit-ulit lang naman isinasambit. Ngiti nalang ang aking iginaganti upang maipakita ko namang marunong akong makisama.

“Mawalang galang lamang, ako’y mag-ayos lamang ng aking sarili,” aking sinabi sa grupong aking kinabilangan.

Nang ako’y nawala sa paningin ng lahat, bigla na lang nagpalakpakan ang mga tao. Marahil ay dumating na ang panauhing pandangal ng okasyon. Nang ako’y napatigil, napansin ko sa aking kaliwa ang isang malaking salamin. Hinarap ko ang aking sarili. Sinuri ko ang aking repleksyon. Ipinantay ko ang aking buhok. Inayos ko ang kwelyo ng aking kasuotan. Pinunasan ko ang aking kanang sapatos gamit ang aking panyo upang mawala ang alikabok.

“Ha! Baka mas magandang lalaki pa ang aking itsura kesa sa mestizo na iyon,” sabay lipat ng aking bigat sa isang paa. Pwede na akong pumunta ng Espanya sa aking itsura!

Matapos noon ay nangahas akong magtungo sa kusina kung saan nanggagaling lahat ng aming pinagsasaluhan. May nakasalubong akong isang alipin na may dala ng cerveza. Ako’y kumuha ng isang baso. Napatingin ako sa kapansin-pansing gulo ng kanyang buhok. Inilapat ko ang aking kamay sa kanyang buhok at pinaalalahan syang, “Kailangan mong siguraduhin na ang iyong itsura ay nababagay sa isang pagdiriwang na kagaya nito.”

“Opo, ginoo. Ako’y pagpasensyahan ninyo,” nakayuko nyang tinugon at nagtungo sya sa ibang mga panauhin.

Nakita ako ni Kapitan Santiago de los Santos, ang may-ari ng bahay. “Hindi ka dapat magtungo sa kusina. Halika’t ipapakilala kita sa aking ibang mga bisita”. Ako’y ipinakilala sa lahat ng naroroon bilang isa sa mga illustradong may kakaibang pagmamahal sa buhay at sa mga detalye. Sa kabila ng mga palakpakan, nakita ko ang sandaling ngiwi ng isa sa mga kagalang-galang na prayle na naroon. Siguro ay mayroon syang hindi nagustuhan sa okasyong ito. Baka mas gusto pa nya na nasa piling sya ng Panginoon kaysa makasama nya kami dito.

Kami ay nagtungo sa hapag-kainan upang kumain. Ang Kapitan ay nasa kabisera, sa kanyang kanan ay ang panauhing pandangal at nasa kaliwa ang kanyang asawa. Nilapitan ako ng alipin na nakasalubong ko kaganina. Habang binibigyan nya ako ng tinola, aking napansin ang kanyang maayos na buhok at bagong hilamos na mukha. Nang sya’y natapos sa paglagay ng sabaw sa aking mangkok, nabaling ang aking tingin sa nahulog na papel sa aking paanan. Pinulot ko ang nakalamukos na papel ng dahan-dahan upang hindi malukot ang aking damit. Inilagay ko ito kaagad sa aking bulsa.

Matapos ang kainan, kami ay tumayo at pumunta sa may sala. Iniligpit ng mga alipin ang lamesa, ngunit may isa sa kanila na nakayuko at tila ba may hinahanap. May pinulot syang papel at itinago ito sa kanyang nakasaradong kamay. Siguro ay ganun nalang pahalagahan ng Kapitan ang kalinisan.

Matapos ang pagdiriwang, ako ay nagtungo na sa aking pansamantalang tirahan. Bago ako magpalit ng damit, akin munang binasa ang aking Libro de Medicina. Dalawang linggo magmula ngayon, ako’y lilipad muli papuntang Espanya upang tapusin ang aking pag-aaral. Matapos basahin ang ilang pahina, ako’y nagbihis. Nakapa ko sa aking pantalon ang pinulot ko sa may lapag sa bahay ni Kapitan. Akin itong ibinulatlat at isang mukha ang tumambad sa akin. Isang dalaga na may malaking mata at magandang ngiti. Kung makakakita lamang ako ng babaeng katulad ng litratong ito, siguradong mayroon na akong ipapakilala sa aking mga magulang sa probinsya. Sa likod ng litrato ay mayroong nakasulat, “Sa makalawa, kapag hinalikan ng araw ang ating kalupaan, isa sa mga kagalang-galang nilang simbolo ay magiging isa na lamang alaala.” Sandali akong napatingin sa salamin. Nagpatuloy ako sa pagbibihis. Aking itinago sa gitna ng mga pahina ng aking libro ang litrato at ako’y natulog.


Nagtungo muli ako sa bahay ni Kapitan. Gusto daw kasi akong makausap ni Ibarra. Si Ibarra nga pala ang dahilan kung bakit may pagdiriwang kahapon. Sya din ay nag-aral sa Europa. Marahil ay gusto nya akong tanungin patungkol sa aking mga sariling karanasan sa Espanya. O di kaya’y gusto nya akong tanungin tungkol sa aking mga napag-aralan.

Nag-usap kami sa sala kasama si Kapitan, nang bumaba sa hagdan ang isang napakagandang dalaga. Nilapitan ni Ibarra ang dalaga at hinalikan ang kamay nito. Naalala ko ang litratong aking nakita kagabi. Dali-dali kong binuklat ng bahagya ang libro upang hanapin ang litrato. Hindi ko ito makita. Nagpaalam muna ako sandali upang pumunta sa palikuran.

Pagdating sa palikuran, inisa-isa ko ang mga pahina ng aking libro. Wala ang litrato. Tinignan ko ang lahat ng bulsa ng aking damit. Wala rin doon. Marahil ay nahulog ito sa daan dahil alam kong nakaipit iyon sa libro bago ako lumabas sa aking tirahan.

Lumabas ako ng palikuran at muling tumingin sa salamin. “Mukha naman akong kalmado, hindi ba?”, sabay tawa ng mahina.

Paglingon ko, nandun ang litrato ngunit isa na itong tao. Hindi ko akalain na ang alipin palang kahapo’y mukhang hindi kaaya-aya ay ganoon pala kaganda.

“Ano ang sinabi ko sa iyo tungkol sa iyong buhok?”, pabiro kong tinanong.

“Paumanhin Ginoo, ngunit hindi nyo po ba ako naaalala?”, mahina nyang sinabi, para bang may tinataguan.

“Ikaw ang isa sa mga alipin ni Kapitan, hindi ba?”

“Ako si Corazon. Tayo po ay magkababata sa ating probinsya.”

Kaya pala tila hindi ko matanggap na nawala sa akin ang litratong iyon. Isa pala syang pamilyar na mukha. Isa sa mga iniwan kong alaala sa probinsya nang ako’y nagtungo sa Europa.

“Bakit hindi mo binanggit kagabi? Corazon, ang laki ng pinagbago mo!”

“Alam nyo naman po na hindi pwedeng magsalita ang alipin sa mga kagaya ninyo, Ginoo.”

“Nakita ko ang litrato mo na nahulog sa aking paanan kagabi.”

Sa pagbanggit ko nito ay biglang nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata.

“Nasaan na ito Ginoo?”

“Iyon nga ang kanina ko pa hinahanap, ngunit hindi ko na ito makita.”

“Kailangan ko na po umalis.”

Kung gaano sya kabilis dumating, ganoon din sya kabilis umalis. Kailangan ko na ding bumalik kina Kapitan, bako nahuhuli na ako sa kwentuhan.


Siya nga iyon. Siya ang babaeng pinangakuan ko ng aking pagmamahal. Ngunit huli na ang lahat.

Hindi na ako nakabisita kina Ibarra ngayon dahil inanyayahan ako ng isa sa mga prayle sa simbahan upang mag-usap. Akin pa naming balak na kausapin muli si Corazon. Gusto kong ipaalam sa kanya na hindi ko nalimutan ang aking pangako. Marahil kinabukasan ko nalang ito gagawin.

Kinausap ako ni Padre Damaso. Nakakatuwang isipin na ang isang katulad nya ay kakausapin ang isang katulad kong madalang lamang pumasok ng simbahan.

“Hindi ba’t galing ka sa probinsya ng Tayabas?,” bigla nyang itinanong.

“Aba’y opo. Doon nga po ako nanggaling.”

“Siguro naman ay kilala mo itong babaeng ito,” at inilabas nya ang litrato ni Corazon. Kasabay nito ay may biglang sumigaw sa labas, “Tulungan ninyo ako! Papatayin nila ako. Papatayin nila ako!”

Napatakbo ako sa labas upang tignan ang nangyayari. Sa harap ng apat na gwardya sibil ay si Corazon. Duguan ang kanyang mukha. Gula-gulanit ang kanyang simpleng damit. Nakaluhod sya sa alikabok, at natatakpan sya ng anino ng malaking simbahan.

“Sa makalawa, kapag hinalikan ng araw ang ating kalupaan, isa sa mga kagalang-galang nilang simbolo ay magiging isa na lamang alaala. Ha! Ano kaya ang ibig sabihin nito? Corazon?” mapangutyang sambit ni Padre Damaso.

Tinitigan ako ni Corazon, nagmamakaawa ang kanyang mga mata. “Julio, iligtas mo ako,” mahina nyang sinabi.

“Kilala mo ba sya Julio?”, tinignan ako ng prayle. Sigurado akong sya'y nagdududa na sa akin.

Ipinantay ko ang aking buhok. Inayos ko ang kwelyo ng aking kasuotan. Pinunasan ko ang aking kanang sapatos gamit ang aking panyo upang mawala ang alikabok.

Tinitigan ko ang prayle, “Hindi ko sya kilala. Isa lamang syang alipin sa bahay ni Kapitan Tiago. Malamang ay narinig nya lamang ang aking pangalan nang ako’y ipinakilala doon.”

“Sige, dalhin na yang babaeng traydor sa plaza at sya’y bitayin. Mayroon na itong basbas ng Gobernadorcillo. Siguraduhin nyong bibitayin nyo sya kapag hinalikan na ng lupa ang araw,” sinabi ni Padre Damaso. Hinila ng mga gwardya sibil si Corazon patungo sa plaza. Tumalikod si Padre Damaso upang magmuling pumasok sa simbahan. Sigurado ay magdadasal sya sa Panginoon upang patawarin sila sa kanilang mga kasalanan.

Sa pagkakataong sinabi ko na hindi ko sya kilala, alam kong tinalikuran ko na ang aking nakaraan. Naawa din ako kay Corazon. Hindi ko sya pwedeng mahalin. Hindi kami itinadhana. Hindi ko akalaing magiging isa syang alipin, isang hudyat na hindi na maaring magpatuloy ang aming pagmamahalan.

Dahan-dahan akong umuwi sa aking tinitirahan. Hinalughog ko ang buong bahay, nagbabaka-sakaling makikita ko ang litrato ni Corazon. Hindi ko na ito nakita.

Ako din ay nagtungo ng Espanya makalipas ang dalawang linggo. Pinagpatuloy ko ang aking pag-aaral. Isang buwan na lamang ay matatapos na ako at magiging isa na akong ganap na doktor. Ito ang ginusto ko, dahil isa akong mestizo.

____________________

29jul2010

~i wrote this fictional story for my FLCD assignment, and I'm kinda happy about the outcome :)

-ara.janelle

22 July 2011

Paghihikahos

Iwaglit ang bawat pagdaluhong
Hanapin ang mga kahulugan
Sa mga bituing nananahimik
Sa kanilang kinalalagyan
Kung maaari lang turuan
Ang salamin na magsinungaling
Upang ang buwan ay gawing
Kasing-laki ng mga patak ng ulan
Inaasam na pagkasyahin
Mga awiting naisasambit
Sa isang inaalikabok na parisukat
At sa kabila ng planadong
Kaguluhan
Nais nalang manatiling
Alaala ang mga katanungang
Inaalala
Upang mayroon pang alalahanin
Ang naghihikahos kong katauhan

____________________
22july2011
~kailangan mo ng alaala
upang masabi mong, "Oo nga, tao nga ako".
~ito ay para sa mga taong nagtiwala sa aking mga kakayahan
magsulat, maging isang taga-sunod, tumugtog, kumanta, atbp.
~Ate Feliz, Ate Mayie, Reis, AJ, Ate Pat, Kuya Bogs, Gab, Nikka, Sara, Sir Baes
hanapin nyo ang inyong katauhan sa aking maikling akda. :)
-ara.janelle

Hunyango

Sa kasukdulan na pananaimtim
Kinumpol na mga letra
Itinago sa loob ng mga palad

Inilapat sa mga matang
Pinamumugaran ng kabalintunaan

Pinapalabas na kasawian
Kapus-kapalaran
Ang mga duming nakasiksik
Sa mga kuko
Ng pusang iyong inihahalintulad
Sa isang mapangutyang
Ganid sa isda

Isinaboy sa nanunuyong labi
Ang mga letrang pinakatatago

Biglang bumuhos ang
Halakhak
Dahil sa rehas
Na pumapagitna
Sa inyong dalawa
Mga kinikimkim na pag-akala
Para sa mga kaluluwang
Walang ginawa
Kundi maging tao

Iniukit ang palad
Nilukot ang bawat linya
Sa mga kinamumuhiang
Hindi naman tinataglay

Sa kasukdulan mo nakita
Ang kaguluhan at
Paninimdim
Isa ka lamang sa marami
Na nagkukunwaring
Kaluluwa

____________________
22july2011
~isa ka lang pala sa mga mapagkunwari
-ara.janelle

Paglimot ng Alaala

Alaala
Alaalang inaalala
Inaalalang alaala

Bakit inaalala ang mga mangyayari palang?
Hindi ba't ang pagaalala ay para lamang sa mga alaala?

Pinagtatakpan ang mga kadungisan
Ng alikabok na nakakapuwing
Di maglalaon, pinangliligo na
Ang dungis ng ibang tao
Isa ka nang higanteng kahihiyang
Naglalakad sa gitna ng daan
Tila kapita-pitagan ang sangsang
Na ikaw lang ang hindi nakakapuna

Nagpapasalamat ang mga kinuhanan
Ng pagkukunwaring kahihiyan

Kakayahan!

Nagbubunyi ang sinamsam
Tila nabuhusan ng tubig na maligamgam
Mga alaalang dapat sinusunog sa mga pahina
Ay nakakarating pa sa tainga ng iba
Mga dayaming inakalang may silbi
Itinanim sa harapan ng iyong hardin
Sa pagmamasid
Pumapalakpak ang tainga sa kumpas
Ng pulso ng karangyaan

Nagpupuri sa mga bagay na ikinakahiya
Ipinagbubunyi ang mga itinatatwa

Dahil, ano ba talaga ang madaling paniwalaan
Ang di gumagalaw o ang di nakikita?

Mas maigi nang pagbuntungan
Ng angas
Ng galit
Ng pag-yurak
Ang mga bagay na sumisimbolo
Sa mga hindi natatanaw

Nais ko lamang ipaalala
Na isa na lamang alaala
Ang nakalipas na segundo
Ng iyong pilit na pag-alala

Isa na lamang alaala
Ang kaganina'y inaalala
_____________________
22july2011
~bakit mo ba inaalala ang lahat ng iyong maalala?
bakit pa inaalala ang mga bagay na mangyayari pa lamang?
BAKIT?!
-ara.janelle

14 May 2011

Creation Sings the Father's Song

Creation sings the Father's song;
He calls the sun to wake the dawn
And run the course of day
Till evening falls in crimson rays.
His fingerprints in flakes of snow,
His breath upon this spinning globe,
He charts the eagle's flight;
Commands the newborn baby's cry.

CHORUS
Hallelujah! Let all creation stand and sing,
"Hallelujah!" Fill the earth with songs of worship;
Tell the wonders of creation's King.

Creation gazed upon His face;
The ageless One in time's embrace
Unveiled the Father's plan
Of reconciling God and man.
A second Adam walked the earth,
Whose blameless life would break the curse,
Whose death would set us free
To live with Him eternally.

Creation longs for His return,
When Christ shall reign upon the earth;
The bitter wars that rage
Are birth pains of a coming age.
When He renews the land and sky,
All heav'n will sing and earth reply
With one resplendent theme: The glories of our God and King!


____________________
14may2011
HALLELUJAH!
Words and Music by Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2008 Thankyou Music
-ara.janelle

30 March 2011

If I've been this, If I've been that

We have to accept that we cannot do everything that we want to do in this lifetime.

I have many things I wish I have done when I was younger. Opportunities are rare then compared to today. I dreamed of being the main character of a school stage play, of being a soloist in a band, of being a great varsity player, and even of being a songwriter.

But, guess what, every thing that I wished for never happened. I've been part of musical plays, but I'm always in the background or the pit choir. I've been singing until now, but I've never been a soloist...I'm a chorist. I've been a varsity player in my high school days, but I wasn't able to play nowadays. I have some ligament problem with my knees. No, I've never written a song all my life.

I'm beginning to ask God why He doesn't give me my heart's desires. Until now, I'm so frustrated because I never had what I desire.

These things striked me the most just recently. After all that I've invested for in my skill, talent, and ministry, this is what I get. Lots of frustrations. I've never been frustrated in my whole life. Why? Why does it have to happen when I was much older?

Amidst all these questions, God answered me. The root of all my frustrations is my OWN PRIDE. My desires have been so selfish. I've never even spent a minute praying about my churchmates, my church leaders, my colleagues, and my unsaved friends. All those years, I've been striving to prove to myself and to others that I can do it by myself. God plans otherwise.

If I've never been a part of the church choir, I'll never learn the value of fellowshipping, uplifting one another, and working with one another for the glory of the Lord. If I've been a soloist, I wouldn't have dared to play the piano for Sunday services. I'd rather be sleeping in the house than practicing with the band. If I've been a very excellent badminton player, will I even think of pursuing Music Education as my college course? I can't imagine going through my college days without the company of my music friends and colleagues and the activities that we do together. If I've been a songwriter, would I experience the after-joys of being stressed in practicums and writing lesson plans?

All those years, He is teaching me to be HUMBLE. Instead of being jealous to those who have been doing what I think I should be doing, why not rejoice in their accomplishments? As Philippians 2:3-11 (ESV) says "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ..." Also, I cannot be proud because I also have fallen short of God's glory. It's only by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ that I was able to do what I'm doing today.

Come to think of it, I would never experience the wonderful grace of God if I never failed, therefore being humble enough to submit to His will (James 4:6). If I boast, I will boast of my weaknesses in which the Lord shows His wonderful glory (2Corinthinans 11:30).

From now on, I will always hold on to the promise of His Word, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you." (1Peter 5:6) Today, I never regret anything that happened.

____________________
31mar2011
I've been so proud after all.
-ara.janelle

14 March 2011

isa akong post-it

yellow. blue. pink. green.
ako ay isang post-it.

makulay.
dumidikit.
nasusulatan.

ako ay isang paalala.
kung ano man ang ako sa iyo.

hindi ako mawawaglit
hangga't hindi ako inaalis.

maaring piliting kalimutan
hangga't hindi tinitignan.

basta ako'y isang post-it.
isa akong ala-ala.

___________________
15mar2011
isa akong ala-alang hindi makakalimutan
at maaring kalimutan...
-ara.janelle

04 March 2011

ShockWave!




It's been refreshing to hear stories of Christians who persevere amidst oppression and persecution. Stories like that of Shi Wei Han, a Christian bookstore owner imprisoned by the military and was now freed, is a testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness.

You see, being a Christian is costly. It does not only cost your most-loved secret sins, your friends, your popularity, but it also costs your life. Being a Christian means having the burden to seek the lost and to confront the sinning brethren. Being a Christian means carrying the cross of Christ wherever you go. It means running the race whatever it takes to reach the goal.

Here in the Philippines, we Christians do not experience persecution like those in North Korea or Iran. Let's admit it, many of us are too relaxed in our faith walk. We text during service. We sleep during sermon. We disregard fellowship with other believers. We don't read the Bible. Some of us don't even pray at all. Remember, there is no such thing as NON-PRACTICING CHRISTIANS! Being a child of God is a gift and a responsibility. This responsibility not only concerns ourselves. It's also the responsibility to build up and edify one another.


Today, I attended Open Doors' Shock Wave: The Beginning at Cornerstone Community Baptist Church. It was a blessing to see so many young people giving up their free time to praise and glorify God by praying for the persecuted. We prayed for Christians in North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Maldives, Yemen, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Laos. As you can see, majority are Islamic countries. These are the Top 10 countries that persecute followers of Christ. They sure are worthy to be called saints. The thing is all Christians are saints. We should live up to the standards of what we are called.

I am so awed by the saints that are faithfully running the race and those who already crossed the finish line. There was a news last March 3 about the assassination of Pakistan's Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti. He was the only Christian official in Pakistan (To read more on this, click this link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/03/3154734.htm?section=justin). What's amazing is that he knew that he will be assassinated. True enough, it happened. It came as no surprise to him. It should also come as no surprise to us if we face persecution in any form. If you don't experience even a pinch of oppression, you should check your lifestyle. Maybe it's still too conformed to the ways of this world.

Check your life, your faith walk. Are you growing or are you stagnant? Is your attitude improving or was it neglected? Have you surrendered all your sins to the feet of our Great High Priest? Do you even bother about your spiritual growth?

It's always good to reflect every now and then.

____________________
05mar2011
thank you Lord, for another opportunity to remember the persecuted!
thank you for godly people who edify and encourage us to continue amidst all the discouragements through your enablement.
thank you for saving me!!!

i hope that we will counter the waves of turbulence and unease with waves of prayer...
i believe that prayer can reach even the most dark places of this fallen world.
-ara.janelle

20 February 2011

Handwriting Analysis...nagbago? :)

This personality profile is based on the writing of Ara Janelle Foronda created at the website: Handwriting Wizard.com - Handwriting University's Official automated personality report creator based on standardized basic personality traits as taught through Handwriting University's Certification Level Program.

Ara Janelle is moderately outgoing. Her emotions are stirred by sympathy and heart rendering stories. In fact, she can be kind, friendly, affectionate and considerate of others. She has the ability to put herself into the other person's shoes.

Ara Janelle will be somewhat moody, with highs and lows. Sometimes she will be happy, the next day she might be sad. She has the unique ability to get along equally well with what psychology calls introverts and extroverts. This is because she is in between. Psychology calls Ara Janelle an ambivert. She understands the needs of both types. Although they get along, she will not tolerate anyone that is too "far out." She doesn't sway too far one way or the other.

When convincing her to buy a product or an idea, a heart rendering story could mean a great deal to her. She puts herself in the same situation as the person in the story, yet she will not buy anything that seems overly impractical or illogical. Ara Janelle is an expressive person. She outwardly shows her emotions. She may even show traces of tears when hearing a sad story.

Ara Janelle is a "middle-of-the-roader," politically as well as logically. She weighs both sides of an issue, sits on the fence, and then will decide when she finally has to. She basically doesn't relate to any far out ideas and usually won't go to the extreme on any issue.

Ara Janelle tends to write a bit smaller than the average person. When a person's letters are small and tiny, this indicates an ability to focus and concentrate. This character trait is a huge asset in careers like math, science, race car driving, and flying planes. However, if Ara Janelle writes tiny all of the time, she will also display characteristics of someone who is socially introverted. Ara Janelle will often sit on the sideline and watch others get the attention at parties. she might be willing to open up and be warm, but only in small groups or a select group of people. When she is busy working on a project, it is common for all other noises and distractions to just fade away and her ability to focus is incredible. When she says "she didn't hear you", she really means, she didn't hear you.

Ara Janelle is sensitive to criticism about her ideas and philosophies. She will sometimes worry what people will think if she tells them what she believes in. This doesn't mean she won't talk, or that she feels ashamed. It merely means she is sensitive to what others think, regarding her beliefs.

Ara Janelle will be candid and direct when expressing her opinion. She will tell them what she thinks if they ask for it, whether they like it or not. So, if they don't really want her opinion, don't ask for it!

In reference to Ara Janelle's mental abilities, she has a very investigating and creating mind. She investigates projects rapidly because she is curious about many things. She gets involved in many projects that seem good at the beginning, but she soon must slow down and look at all the angles. She probably gets too many things going at once. When Ara Janelle slows down, then she becomes more creative than before. Since it takes time to be creative, she must slow down to do it. She then decides what projects she has time to finish. Thus she finishes at a slower pace than when she started the project.

She has the best of two kinds of minds. One is the quick investigating mind. The other is the creative mind. Her mind thinks quick and rapidly in the investigative mode. She can learn quicker, investigate more, and think faster. Ara Janelle can then switch into her low gear. When she is in the slower mode, she can be creative, remember longer and stack facts in a logical manner. She is more logical this way and can climb mental mountains with a much better grip.

Ara Janelle is a practical person whose goals are planned, practical, and down to earth. This is typical of people with normal healthy self-esteem. She needs to visualize the end of a project before she starts. she finds joy in anticipation and planning. Notice that I said she plans everything she is going to do, that doesn't necessarily mean things go as planned. Ara Janelle basically feels good about herself. She has a positive self-esteem which contributes to her success. She feels she has the ability to achieve anything she sets her mind to. However, she sets her goals using practicality-- not too "out of reach". She has enough self-confidence to leave a bad situation, yet, she will not take great risks, as they relate to her goals. A good esteem is one key to a happy life. Although there is room for improvement in the confidence catagery, her self-perception is better than average.

Ara Janelle has difficulty trusting anyone. In fact, she trusts no one completely. This is a result of her trust being betrayed in the past. She has closed up, thus ceasing to allow close friendships. Ara Janelle truly wants close friends and desires physical relationships, but she fears she will get hurt, again. She is lonely, yet has a crying need for close friends. This trait can cause much unhappiness. However, it can be changed.

Ara Janelle is selective when picking friends. She does not trust everyone. She has a select group of people that are truly close to her, usually two or three. She is careful when choosing her inner circle of friends.

Ara Janelle has a healthy imagination and displays a fair amount of trust. She lets new people into her circle of friends. She uses her imagination to understand new ideas, things, and people.

For a graphologist, the spacing on the page reflects the writer's attitude toward their own world and relationship to things in his or her own space. If the inputted data was correct Ara Janelle has left lots of white space on the right side of the paper. Ara Janelle fills up the rest of the page in a normal fashion. If this is true, then Ara Janelle has an unhealthy relationship to the past and has a fear of moving forward. The right side of the page represents the future and Ara Janelle seems unwilling to face the fear of getting started living now and planning for the future. Ara Janelle seems to be clinging to past events and spending lots of time thinking about what happened. It would be best to leave the past behind and move on. Stop crowding that left margin.

Freedom...

Today is Sunday...
At church, we sang Ikaw Ang Tunay na Diyos, In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found), and In Christ Alone (I Place My Trust). It was really encouraging to know that, because of Christ, I am free! I am free from the bondage of sin, from fear of death, and even from the ways of the world. I think I should fully realize that. I believe I will, by God's amazing grace. Yes, I am free in Him indeed.

We are now studying the book of Galatians. Paul is one of the people I look up to when it comes to writing and defending his beliefs and stuff. Well, because he is an apostle of Christ, every word that comes out from his mouth is inspired by God and the Spirit. He was so blessed, isn't he?

BUT...I felt so inferior today. I.N.F.E.R.I.O.R.
I don't know why, but it has always been my struggle.
Then, the Lord reminded me again that I am FREE. That includes how other [unloving and unkind] people treat you. Come on, Ara. Don't forget that! :)

I have a necklace that has a pendant with the first four lines of In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found) written on it. This is a daily reminder that I am because of Christ alone. And for the benefit of those who don't know the song, here is the text:

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.


I missed blogging.
If I just have my own laptop... Nyahaha. Fine, it's a WANT and not a NEED. Pasalamat nalang ako dahil may PC pa kami sa bahay diba? Yung iba nga wala pang kuryente e. Let's be content with what we have! :) Anyway, I got back to blogging because I've been comissioned to write again by a composition major at the UP College of Music...fine, si AJ Villanueva. Hahaha.


Parangal Para sa Natatanging Mag-aaral
First time ko pumunta dito kasi last sem lang naman ako nag-University Scholar. Laging College Scholar lang ako e. Ahahaha. Pero blessing din yun no! At least natikman ko maging U.S. sa UP. Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, malayo pa ang aking tatahakin...at matagal-tagal pa. Marami akong plano sa aking buhay. Marami akong gustong gawin at marating. Pero lahat ng ito' pinagdadasal ko pa. Aking pang binubusisi ang aking mga magiging desisyon. :D

INGAT!
This goes to Pastor Nathan Hutchison, Ate Mabel Hutchison, and their 3 kids: Luke, Noah, and Chloe. :D May the good Lord bless you and your work! We'll see you again soon. :)

____________________
20feb11
free in Christ, free indeed!
~Galatians
thank God for giving me a Church that submits to Your and Your Word's authority
-ara.janelle