The Call to serve...

...and the joy of serving.

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by PAM

I guess we can call this a special edition of "Saturday photo"... except that, it's a collage of photos, a collage of memories, a wealth of experiences over the last three years. 

'Exhilarating' does not cut it... not even 'incredible', but yeah,
it is absolutely unforgettable!

Three years... three years of all-out bone-breaking, heart-wrenching, gut-smashing, dizzying, passionate service... just utterly incredible!  

Three years ago, I was headed to a 'new adventure' somewhere 'exotic and wonderful' when I was called all of a sudden to serve.  It was so unexpected, so bewildering precisely because serving as Dean of our Faculty of Engineering in the University of Santo Tomas cannot be any more remote in my mind than the north pole is the opposite of the south!  But, with the rich and long history of the Faculty, and the many wonderful people who served it as Dean, to be called to serve it was indeed very humbling.  And I did not have enough pride to say no.  

So I closed my eyes, sought the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and searched my heart for God's answer.  While my mind struggled with my heart, a powerful voice that came 'booming' from the very core of my heart 'whispered silence', a silence so profound and awe-inspiring... and, in my mind, light shone through a path that was strewn with glimmering letters.  The letters were arranged in such a way that they say 'service'.  

In the horizon, I saw a glorious beauty where the Faculty shone in a way that I've never seen it shine before.  But along the dream-like walls lining up the path are frightening challenges, towering tasks that were threatening to swallow me alive.  They all seemed insurmountable, unconquerable.  There were alluring temptations to enjoy the glory of the Dean's seat... which, I imagined, were irresistible to many of those who came and went to serve, and especially to those who covet the seat.  And there were beautiful jewels that shone like pure white light - gifts - that can be won to bring at the foot of God's throne in a humbling sacrifice.  There were gifts of friendship among colleagues, gifts of camaraderie with friends in and out of the University that leads to working as a powerful Team, gifts of service that enable our students and colleagues to realize their full potentials, gifts of creating new and innovative strategies that propel the Faculty to conquer many uncharted territories, beautiful assorted gifts of joyful service.  To me, those gifts and the opportunity to bring them at the foot of God's throne as offering were irresistible, no matter how burgeoning the sacrifices that I needed to make in exchange.  I believe only a few are called to have the opportunity to serve in that way... and nothing is more humbling. And so, I said 'yes'.  I then prayed with all my heart as I started walking along the path. 

The rest is history.  

And I believe that history has been kind... and so, my heart sings joyfully... especially, that the glorious beauty that I saw in the horizon when I started walking the difficult and challenging path turned out to be real... and the joy that I feel in every beat of my heart is very real, too.  It's a beauty that is impossible to even imagine, a beauty that I wouldn't have the inkling of a means to even imagine if I didn't heed the call to serve... because such beauty can only come from heartfelt service - leadership through service.  And, I thank God with all my heart for it all.

Amen.

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Getting inspired...

...to get going.
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by PAM

I spent a few hours today just staring at the ceiling, reading some, and writing a bit... just looking for inspiration... a little reason to keep doing what I currently do.  And then, I thought of YouTube... why not?  They have plenty of "inspirational stuff" on YouTube, have't they?  

And, I found this...

"It makes me more determined than ever that this wonderful,

awe-inspiring children should have happier and healthier lives.

And I hope that my mother would be proud, too.

"I'd like to think I'm just one of the lads, whether am or not."

...and, oddly enough, my inspiration wires went a bit tingling in a beautifully sweet buzz. Yeah, I'm all shallow like that... but what else is new, right? :)

I know, I'm more than a year late to be greeting Prince Harry on his 30th birthday, but I'm really amazed to see that "the spare" has grown to become this really lovely man, grown to be his own man.  The "wild child" has grown to this disarmingly charming man who invokes raw emotion from people, and inspires them to do what they do with real passion and joy... no regrets, no reservation for as long as what they feel in doing what they do is real, welling from love and deep caring. And then, quite automatically, this attitude leads to living a truly meaningful life.

Happy belated 30th birthday, H!

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Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

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Forced vacation...

...because the body is a-complainin'.

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by PAM

Hello, flu!

It's that season.  Work is incredibly heavy, weather is bad, sleepless nights... and then you have situations that make your blood boil.  And, what do you have?  A good recipe for headache, a perfect concoction for an indefinite confinement in bed with your 'old friend' called flu, that's what! 

What can I say, the spirit is very willing to keep going, but the flu says things are tearing the body apart, and it's so not good.  Therefore, flu is taking charge because the body needs to recover, and it's owner is such a slave driver!  

Therefore, sorry work, but to bed, will this body be, it must be... for a few days.  

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Tears...

...for the sake of shedding tears.
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by PAM


Uhm... do you watch HGTV's 'Cousins Undercover'?  Yes?  So, then you know that when you start shedding tears when the emotional house owners finally see their transformed house in spite of John Colaneri's hysterically giddy mood, you might just be too stressed out, and are just looking for an opportunity to let your frustration out without appearing like your're complaining, or that you're being a wuss! :)  And then you cry your eyes out until you admit to yourself that you're being silly.  So then you focus on the Italian good looks of Anthony Carrino (oy!), and you know, it'll be alright?  Right?  Right! :)  See, this is the most wonderful thing about being single... you can crush on all the Anthonys and the Harveys (Specter, of 'Suits', who else?) in the world, and nobody's gonna be rolling their eyes on you.  Hmm... did I speak too soon? ;)

Going back to the correlation between stress and TV tearjerkers, I think that, with the depth and breadth of my stress right now, this is what I need...

@23:34 min - 25:04 min
Fr. Walker : Why are you here (in the church)?

Mike Ross:  Because I'm afraid!

...to let some steam off.  Why?  Well, this 'Suits' episode is all about mistakes on top of mistakes, buried under the rush of realities that the characters needed to deal with every single day.  The consequence of their mistakes came biting the behind of every single one of them when something finally gave.  And it happened in this episode.  I can relate to the characters because I'm afraid I may have made a BIG mistake - I mean, huge - in choosing a person to help lead a very important initiative, one that's critical to our Organization's sustained growth... and I'm paying the price right now.  Per previous experiences with other people, I thought that I could help that person to want to "reform" by showing my confidence in that person to lead something important despite the person's awful leadership track record.  Idealism? Misguided optimism? Or, foolishness, perhaps, on my part?  Whatever it was, it was a misstep, because as it turned out, one wise person who warned me about "old dogs not being able to learn new tricks" was right.  What can I say, I chose to see the "goodness" in the "dog"?  Dear me!  Now, I realized, the "dog" isn't actually "old"... it's just deranged - by choice!  It's too selfish to lead.  And, I've put it off the leash!  What a disaster waiting to happen!  

I admit, it was a gamble... which I feel I'm losing right now.  That is, if I wouldn't be able to muster the courage to set aside 'mushiness' and cage the 'deranged animal' as soon as possible.  Needless to say, I am utterly disappointed with myself... not so much because I committed a misstep, but because I stubbornly believed that the goodness in every person, no matter how little, always prevails when common good  is at stake.  In this instance, I am convinced that this idealistic belief is not always true... apparently, for some people, selfishness prevails.  And, since I made the decision, no matter what, I am responsible for that misstep.  The good news is, it's not too late.  There is time to correct the mistake before this ugly head of consequences grew to a dispicable monstrosity.  So, yeah, pass me that box of tissue will ya, this 'Suits' episode is such a massive tearjerker, it's makin' me weep!  And, yeah, the screenplay, editing, acting and direction are brilliant, too.  Too good, they make me weep!  Some people have all the talents. *weep* 

See, idealism can't only lead to obesity... it can also bite your behind like a 'mad dog'! Oy, I need a puppy.

But, more than a 'puppy', I need to act - fast!

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Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

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Saturday photo

Paradise... what I wouldn't do to be in this place right now!
"Beam me up, Scotty!"

All parts of my body ache right now... abused to their capacity to endure pain.  It would be nice to take a plunge in that blue water, and allow the thick foam to massage hurting muscles.  It would be nice to float on the water, just staring at the blue skies above and the lush green foliage around, surrounded by the healing blue water and the quiet serenity of the place. Calm, clean, natural beauty... just amazing!

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About the photo:  This was taken from one of the beaches at the Le Grand Coastal Trail in Esperance, Western Australia.

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Old hobby...

...is dying.  Surely though, it doesn't have to be that way.
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by PAM


I have been reading again... I mean, reading fiction again.  Going into adulthood, it has been one of my fave hobbies that I take refuge in whenever reality becomes a bit 'unbearable'.  Growing up, it was some sort of 'addiction', the one 'vice' that I used to indulged myself.  It was where most of my money went... and I say it was an investment that was worth every centavo.  It stretched imagination to a vividness that links fiction to a creative reality.  As a result, I feel that the creative side of my brain has always been 'well-exercised', and it helps now as I try very hard to be creative in leadership.  

'Creative in leadership'... oh, God, how I wish that was true!  The only thing is I can only wish for it!

Fiction or non-fiction, I love reading... and writing, obviously.  The past how many months, however, had been grim as far as reading per se is concerned.  Too much work... too many worrying stuff in my head, too many concerns that demand most of my waking hours... and sleeping time, too.  Too much!  Even my metabolism seems to protest... I have been gaining weight, even when I'm usually forced to skip meals!  The extra fat around my tummy is so uncomfortable, so is the extra weight in my arms... they make movements limited - it's utterly frustrating!  I'm very sure the metabolism problem is not just due to age... it's more due to the 'unhealthy lifestyle' that I lead these days in my desire to satisfactorily render a service that's way beyond what is expected of me.  Uh-huh, idealism can lead to obesity, I tell ya! ;)

"It's my feeling we'll win in the end.

I won't harm you or touch your defenses, vanity and security.

Don't you forget about me."

My fave hobby has taken the back seat - way behind many 'priority activities', activities that are supposed to make life worth living for... mostly for others, or so my 'idealism gauge' suggests.

But over the past two weeks, I found myself browsing my cyber library with materials to read where I can get lost in the fragrant garden of creativity in fiction.  In fact I was surprised when I realized that I've read five books in seven days in spite of my heavy schedule!  And I was even more surprised that three of those five books were ones I've read several times already in my teenage days.  I read through, closing my eyes here and there, and realizing that I've almost memorized the words... and that most of my involuntary expressions now were borrowed from the

Letting go, thankful for a full life lived without regrets.

heroines in the books I read while I was growing up.  It should spook me a bit, shouldn't it?  But, nah.  In fact, I think I'm appreciating my childhood... my 'growing-up years' were kinda cool.  My childhood wasn't perfect, that's for sure, but those years were remarkable as they shaped the kind of person that I've become.  And, based on the level of fulfillment that I'm feeling now, I deeply appreciate my childhood.  The wonderful experience that those years held was partly because of the influence of a family member, my uncle, who passed away recently.  Like my old books, he completed my childhood... planted some dreams worth pursuing in my head and in my heart.  And now that I am chasing my dreams with much gusto and incredible feeling of fulfillment, I give thanks to God for gifting me and my siblings with his presence in the early years of our lives, which shaped our dreams and aspirations towards our adulthood.

Sure, I can be happier now despite the many gifts from God that I immensely enjoy.  But hey, isn't that what faith is about?  You let God direct your life... accept His will, His gifts without question and use them productively to praise Him, glorify Him, hoping in his love that He will lead you towards the fulfillment of the most precious dreams you hold closest to your heart.

Sometimes, you just have to hang in there... keep hoping, keep wishing, keeping the faith... keeping an eye on the horizon with hopeful anticipation - the quiet and peaceful horizon where a new day is about to burst in its wonderful glory!  And you calm your restless heart with God's assuring peace and love.

Life goes on.


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Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

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Mining for 'gold'...

...in the land down under.

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by PAM

And the 24-day adventure in the land down under begins!  Thanks to Australia Awards (AA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the government of Australia, and to the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) Curtin University in Bentley and in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

A colleague and I received a Fellowship from AA to visit WASM Curtin University in the land down under.  The goal of the visit is to learn through experiencing how WASM operates in order to revitalize the mining education in the Philippines, specifically addressing gender imbalance under the girls and women empowerment program of Australia.  My University and the Curtin University signed a Memorandum of Understanding last year, and forging a partnership between our Faculty of Engineering and that of Curtin's Faculty of Science and Engineering is one of the priorities.  Specifically, we are working on jointly offering a Graduate Program in Chemical Engineering with specialization in Metallurgical Engineering as a concrete step in revitalizing mining education in the country. 

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!
Arriving on the 20th of August to visit Western Australia - for the first time.

Exploring the Curtin University Bentley campus.
Oy, oy, oy!

It's my first time to travel to Western Australia.  So far, so good.  Perth is not as I expected... it's so much better!  In fact, I'm loving it!  I'm excited to go through the whole duration of the visit.  I cannot wait to visit Kalgoorlie - the "Gold Capital of Australia".  I wish to visit gold mines, and experience the historical places of Kalgoorlie. 

I'm not sure exactly what to expect, therefore I am keeping an open mind and keeping my travel options open.  Nevertheless, I secretly hope to run into a "gold mine"... and soak it up a bit.  And by "gold mine", I don't just mean a place where you find a block of that glittering yellow-brown metal... I hope to find "gold mine of people", ya know, new colleagues, new friends... and a "gold mine of new experiences".  Can't wait!

Your move, Oz.  Surprise me!  Oy, oy, oy! 

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Photo credit:  Both photos were taken by Numz De Guzman - thanks.

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Saturday Photo

A humbling experience... I wish to be worthy
of this at some point in my life.

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Photo credit:  I took the photo at the APEC Meeting, held at the Philippine International Convention Center.

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Saturday photo

Moody skies, highly reactive seas, confused atmosphere... 
...and we get ready whenever they feel pissed off - by us! 

I spent the transition from July to August 'on air'... and serving my professional community, too, in another part of the country.  On my way to my destination, my plane 'bumped' into a think air pocket, which made it almost roll over!  It made all of us in the plane felt like we landed extremely badly or something... and were terrified when we realized that we were still actually on air!  Man, scary!  

Apart from the on-air scare, the trip was fantastic, in terms of how much our group has accomplished, and how much we, as a group, grew closer with one another.  It was a fulfilling few days... and I expect more great things to happen today as we finally take a few hours free before heading home.  

So, let's do this! :)

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Saturday photo

Singapore, the Bay Area... five years later.

Yeah, the last time I was in Singapore was in 2010... I was being a 'big tourist' that time with a few friends, and working a little bit.  This time, I was working more... and traveling with more people, too... and 'playing' a bit.  But none of the busyness distracted me from seeing how much S'pore changed from an impressive new 'first world' country to a true benchmark of what progress is about!  It's absolutely incredible.

If how fast internet flies was any indication of progress, then Singapore is flyin' on supersonic speed, man!  And yet, they are not investing on nuclear weapons to be called a 'super country'... and they are being good stewards of the environment as well.  To me, that's the new norm of true progress... when people understand that power is not about lording over nature to lord over humanity, but it's about being in-sync with nature as it breathes... in fact, as it breathes life.  It's all about sustainable living.

S'pore is a concrete jungle...
...and yet, it is the epitome of a 'green city'.

At the rate Singapore is going, it's probably a good idea to go there every quarter of a year to keep track of how it is evolving into a 'super country'... in a way that's never been seen before!  

Dis I experience anything that's unfavorable?  Hmmm... yeah, I didn't get to visit a church while there.  It's either my schedule was horrendous, or the urban planning did not consider spiritual health as a priority?  Come to think of it, back in 2010, I didn't get to visit a church either.  But, I choose to keep an open mind... and plan to visit more frequently.

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