The Shoe Box

I just read this from one of the FB post. I was inspired to share it. May this story touched each others heart specially those who are married. May it brings inspiration to couples to cherished and  love each other.......

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife's bedside.

She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000.

He asked her about the contents.

'When we were to be married,' she said, 'my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.'

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

'Honey,' he said, 'that explains the doll, but what about all of this money?
Where did it come from?'

'Oh,' she said, 'that's the money I made from selling the dolls.'

A Prayer.......

Dear Lord, I pray for Wisdom to understand my man;

Love to forgive him;

And Patience for his moods;

Because Lord, if I pray for strength,

I'll beat him to death, because I don't know how to crochet.

My Piece in the Life of Sr. Pilar Verzosa, RGS Founder of Pro-Life Philippines Fdn. Inc.

I was the first one who received the first call from Cavite at the Pro-Life Philippines office. Daisy was asking me the contact number of Welcome House. She asked me who is the one in charge there. I just candidly answered her that the one in charge is Sr. Pilar without realizing that it was Sr. Pilar the reason why Daisy had to call Welcome House. Until the second call came and that’s the only time it sank into my mind that Sr. Pilar was admitted to the hospital in Cavite while giving a talk there, she felt dizzy, vomited and her blood pressure shoot up to 200/100.

Silence enveloped the Pro-Life Philippines office. Each one of us expressed worries and Mam Lorna; our Executive Director immediately gathered us towards the altar and pray for Sr. Pilar that she will be alright.  We had a great relief when Daisy called up again and told us that her blood pressure was getting normal. But that’s only a short relief for us when she called up again and told us that Sr. Pilar were brought to ICU. Fear came to all of us for Sr. Pilar asking what happening to her.

We started prayer brigade asking for Sr. Pilar’s speedy recovery. As I do the dissemination, my mind is running and whispered a wishful prayer “Not Sr. Pilar Lord, asking Him she still not yet in quota right? Not at this time Lord, we still need her in this battle. Please make her well soon.”

September 9, 2012. Early Sunday morning, I received a text message telling that Sr. Pilar passed away due to herniation and cerebral bleeding. I know its time for me to make a layout design to be used for the dissemination info of Sr. Pilar's passing away. With a heavy heart I started working on it. I asked Sr. PIlar to help me doing the layout. I know she just wanted it to be simple.

My first exposure on the prolife movement was in the year 1994 when I attended a big rally in Luneta along with my Dominican Family Mukha Ad.  In the last end months of 1994 I quit my job and not thinking to have a job again since I have disability. Until me and Regina Fulgencio, a fellow Mukha Ader and a former staff of Pro-Life Philippines met in one of the 9 days of “Simbang Gabi “ in December.

I remember my prayer during that time. “Lord, I know it would be hard for me to look for another job because of my disability. But if you give me another one, please choose the one that I can still serve in my own little way.” Reggie, as we wait for the mass candidly asked me “Malou are you looking for a job?” I said yes if God’s will. Reggie smiled and told me if I would like to apply at Pro-Life Philippines.

My first encounter with Sr. Pilar was when Reggie brought me in the Pro-Life office in Caritas. Nope, Sr. Pilar was not the kind of nun I usually see. Instantly, I felt the authority, the toughness and the flexibility of doing many things at the same time. She just asked me three questions while reading important papers on her desk. Why did you quit your job? I answered her, “Di napo ako masaya. Madalas napo kasing nagagalit ang boss namin. Mahirap magtrabaho kapag laging ganun po.” (Not happy working anymore. My boss keeps on nagging us. It’s hard to work if it is always like that.) Sr. nodded and asked me again. What did your boss said when you resigned?  I answered, “ Sabi nya po dina ako makakahanap ng work kasi may kapansanan ako.” (She said that I will not be able to find a job anymore because I have disability). Her last question was….What you don’t like at work? She was looking at me then. I answered, “ Masipag po ako at matyaga. Willing po ako matrain ayaw ko lang po na sinisigawan ako at dinuduro. Nakakababa po kasi ng dignidad bilang tao.”  (I am hardworking, persevering in any task and willing to be trained. I just don’t like being scolded and pointing fingers. It lessens the dignity as a person). Sr. Pilar looked at me as if she’s trying to see my determination. She nod and looked again at the papers she was reading and said… “You may start tomorrow.” I guessed my prayers were answered.

First few months at Caritas, Pro-Life office

The beginning of my prolife works did not really enter into my mind as if it was just an ordinary job for me. From sealing the envelopes, pasting names on it and cutting prolife articles from newspapers….Sr. Pilar did not stop looking for my potentials. One day she just told me to start reporting on one of the pro-life counseling centers located in Taft Avenue. That’s the beginning of my awareness of what really pro-life works and advocacy means. Training and mentoring of Sr. Pilar Verzosa opened my potentials that I can talk and counsel pregnant women in crisis. I remember handling 10 cases in a day from phone calls to walk in clients.  The biggest challenge I had was when she trusted me to take over a counseling center in Cubao, the Care and Share Center whom the founder was her fellow Theresian classmate, Mrs. Portia Sy. For 10 years I had been one of the counselors of Care and Share Center. I just can’t remember how many people I encountered and talked too. I will never forget Sr. Pilar’s own words every time there’s an opportunity during special occasions, she will hug me and said “Glad you were born. Dami mo ng nasave na babies! ” (Glad you were born, you saved many babies already!) Sr. Pilar did not only push me to discover my potentials but she gaved me special people in Care & Share Family who loved and accepted me the way I am. She gave me genuine friends even if we came from different generations.

Care & Share Center Family with Sr. Pilar

Being in the state of my comfort place, Sr. Pilar suddenly requested Tita Portia to borrow me to take Ms. Ellen’s place in a counseling center in Quiapo. Another potential was opened when she told me that I must teach and give talk about Pro-Life and NFP as part of prenatal services. I had been reporting too in the Pro-Life office in Good Shepherd Convent by then twice in a week to help in some office works. I remember one time she saw me at the office and in a firm loud voice she told to the staff “Andito si Malou. Maximize her!”  I don’t know what she meant by that. I am wondering whether my performances are not enough or she knows I can do more. Knowing that Sr. Pilar dont waste time.She even encouraged me to write an article from time to time but she knows that I only write by inspiration and my limitations when it comes to tenses. Time comes when Sr. Pilar decided to put me officially in the main office. Slowly the counseling works detached on me without knowing that I am intended for a bigger task as part of the secretariat of Pro-life Philippines.

Do you think Sr. Pilar spared me from what I don’t want at work? No, perhaps at first, because she knew I was deeply wounded by then that’s why she put me in the care of Tita Portia and the counselors of Care and Share Center in order to bring back my confidence and to make me ready to face more challenges in life. I was not an exemption in the tough love and discipline of Sr. Pilar gaved to each one of the staff of Pro-Life Philippines.  I was treated as one of the ordinary most of the time as if I don’t have the disability. There were times I was being scolded and embarrassed by her but never point finger on me. Of course I got angry at her too and she knows because I don’t talk when I am angry. But I know its an ache for her every time she showed me tough love because in a way, still, she’s making effort to talk and listen to my side and hoping that I will say something that its not my fault and she knows of course that I will not point fingers and tell that it’s the fault of others. She has a way of making up that’s why I never took it personal. She doesn’t want faction in the office; she always wants us to work as a team. That’s why her rare precious approval and congratulatory comments of job well done after each activities or events to all the staff are very valuable. It’s a bonus when you receive a personal commendation from her.  

                                                                                                                             

Special days like birthday and Christmas… There is one particular word she always wrote on her notes for me….The word “little”.  Sometimes my mind object and asking if it is really little? But maybe its one way of reminding me to be humble always, that the little extra effort I’ve done are being appreciated aside from what I had accomplished.

In my last encounter with Sr. Pilar, usually when she’s in the office, she had an attitude to look and asked what we are doing. That time, when she went near at my back she just asked me if I had a new love life. She knew that my present relationship did not pursue. I was surprised and she laughed and told me to keep on trying. She even introduced us to Hanna Klaus differently that day. She told Hanna our individual works with pride and joy.

When Sr. Pilar went into coma, we had an opportunity to say something to her as Daisy put the cell phone near her ear. I was the last one who said something to her. Between sobs, I just said “Sr. si Malou po to. Sr. I love you!” I wasn’t able to visit Sr. Pilar in the hospital because I knew she wanted me to pursue the scheduled mass for my sister who passed away 8 days ago that time and to pray for her also. The Good Shepherd Sisters & her family gave us a chance to see her in Arlington before her cremation. For a long time I never looked on a dead person inside the coffin. But Sr. Pilar is different....As I looked at her, laying inside the glass casket, the more I long to see her serene face as she was only sleeping. It’s so painful for me to see that she was there. Tears flow at my cheek. My cries are inside of me that I can’t release it into outcry.   

On the day of her interment, Ms. Ellen and I went early at the Good Shepherd Chapel. There is one particular nun who had so much alike with Sr. Pilar’s features. Sr. Amy approached and offered us to eat lunch. I did not able to eat lunch that time so eventually we accepted the offer.  I even made a joke to Ms. Ellen that Sr. Pilar still serving us in the presence of her look alike. She still wants us to eat and to my surprise they served Adobo. I remember telling Ms. Ellen two days ago that I am craving for home made Adobo.I just made a whisper of thanks to Sr. Pilar.

I decided not to join the procession going where Sr. Pilar will be laid. Mam Gail, wife of Sir Eric Manalang and I waited at the chapel but suddenly Mam Gail asked me if I wanted to follow. I agreed with her and went on the trail where the procession went too. As we walk along, we realized that we are at lost as we trail a deep and difficult terrain, so we went back. I was walking ahead of Mam Gail when I heard her asking “Ok kalang ? Kaya mo pa?” (Are you alright? Can you still go on?)I remember Sr. Pilar was asking the same questions when we were walking in a difficult and long terrain in Baguio before.  Eventually we found the place where Sr. Pilar laid. So many people so I just waited for the right time to go there.Finally, facing the columbary where the name of Sr. Pilar encrypted, I told her “Andito na ako Sr.” (I am already here Sr.)

I told Ms. Ellen that we got lost on the way going the convent’s columbary. “Oh that’s the message of Sr. Pilar for you…..that you had to go an extra mile.”

Go an extra mile…..until to the last moment, Sr. Pilar wants me to explore and discover more potential inside of me. Never give up, explore, discover and multi tasking works. These are the golden values Sr. Pilar implanted on me. That I can do something despite my disability....in my own “little” way.

The Responsorial Psalm sang during Sr. Pilar’s Mass of the Resurrection will be my guiding light.

Shepherd of my soul

I give you full control

Wherever you may lead I will follow

I have made a choice

To listen to your voice

Wherever you may lead I will go.

Filling Sr. Pilar’s shoes is not enough for only one person. Sr. Pilar is one of a kind.I do believe that all of us in the prolife movement, there is a little Sr. Pilar in each of our heart. May the legacy left by Sr. Pilar Verzosa as a staunch Pro-Life Activist will keep the fire burning deep inside our hearts to inspire us and continue to work as a team. Teams that are united under God for Life and will courageously defend Life from womb to tomb.

Thank you so much Sr. Pilar for believing in me and for loving me in your own “little” way. I know that “little” way pushed me to go on in taking one step at a time to do this mission God entrusted to me for 17 years. Though there are still scars and new wounds inside of me, just the thought of how you and your advocacies touched many people’s lives plus your trust in me will be enough for me to stay strong and be a warrior for life for the rest of my life. 

Please pray for me Sr. Pilar, each time I decide to take another extra mile in the journey of my life. I Love you!

God is good all the time! All the time God is good!

My Batasan Experience

The continous saga of Reproductive Health Bill is still a hot topic in the Philippines. Pro-RH and Anti-RH continuous to defend each others stand. I myself put my contribution by writing something about it here in my blogsite. The big question is what would be the impact of this bill once it is passed. Pro-RH said it will bring progress to our country and sure health services to our women. Anti-RH said that they oppose the bill because of its three dangerous contents, the bill promotes Abortion, Contraceptions & Mandatory Sex Education. It is against the constitution and it will lead to the destruction of the Filipino culture and values. Debates are given by TV networks and based on all its results, against RH Bill prevails. But the real debate and the future of this bill is happening at Congress.

June 6 & 8, 2011 are very significant days for me because that was the  first time I participated and experienced lobbying advocacy of  that controversial bill that will affect the future of our country. I was there as a part of Anti-RH group to support the Anti-RH congressmen specifically the young Cong. Nograles who did a privilege speech expose.

Its my First Time to set my foot here.The real debate on RH Bill is happening in this place.They call the place "Batasan".

The guards are quite strict but when they saw me, they gave a consideration and gave me permission to enter even the session are not yet started. I just took some pics  while waiting at the lobby.

At my back are the history of Philippine Politics. Enjoyed reading it and reminisced the past.

The tireless and full of optimism lobbyists group of Anti-RH. Rain or shine they are here to support and defend Life from womb to tomb.

At my back was the session hall of the Congress.

My second time here at congress. Noticed the big pile of papers on the top of each representative's table? I wonder if they read it all. Just wondering. :)

Pro-RH & Anti-RH supporters have separate galleries. If you will be facing the  session hall.Pro-RH gallery is on the left side while the Anti-RH Gallery is on the right side.

The Anti-RH side gallery. Me along with the Prolifer's group.

Me and my companions noticed these vans of a former mayor of Quezon City now a congressman coming  back and forth at the congress on the last day of the session. Probably its part of the "hakot" of the Pro-RH side. We just figured it out when at the start of the session most of the recognized audience at the Pro-RH side came from government offices and group from the said city.

Congressman Nograles was not able to give his privilege speech last June 6 . Maybe that's a part of delaying tactics. Congresswoman Garin keep on moving around the session hall and called other representatives to give their privilege speech on other impending laws. So we decided to go home early.

June 8 was different. This time Cong. Garin asked for a privilege speech and she was recognized. Cong. Garin is one of the proponents of RH Bill. She talked about "Viagra and Condoms". At first I was wondering why she's talking about viagra and what does it has to do with RH Bill.

As time goes by I was able to understand where her  speech is leading up to. She wants to stress out that we should treat Condoms and Pills as "LIFE SAVING DEVICES" rather than CONTRACEPTIVES like Viagra whom glorified for enhancing male sexuality.  I just asked myself upon hearing her speech, what happening to the reasoning of this doctor? Probably on my point of view shes more on a politician now or rather a marketing representative of contraceptives than a real doctor. Sad. :( 

The Anti RH gallery reacted on what she said and did some noise and  warned several times to keep quite as a respect to the one speaking on the floor. She's making an emotional tactic to win the sympathy of the other representatives to vote in favor on RH Bill.

Actually on my observations, not all congressmen are listening. They have their own business to make as the session goes on. Some just walking around or talking to other representatives. Some reading or browsing their papers, calling w/their cellphones and working on their laptops.

After her speech, finally the much awaited privilege speech of Congressman Nograles was recognized. His expose was all about "Devices of Death". He talked about the side effects of Contraceptives. If you want to read his privilege speech check this out at http://talklifelove.blogspot.com/2011/06/devices-of-death-by-cong-karlo-alexei.html?spref=fb

At the end of his speech, Cong. Nograles requested the House to initiate an immediate investigation on the serious failure of the health agencies in exercising its strict mandate to defend and safeguard the health of Filipinos, particularly our women, in accordance with the letter, spirit and intent of our laws.

Cong. Lagman asked permission to interpolate Cong. Nograles which I wonder why because I thought there will be no interpolations like the privilege speech of Cong. Garin. Cong. Lagman seems asking   misleading questions to put the young congressman on the spot. He wants to put the fact what the Pro-RH believed that Life begins at implantation not at fertilization so there's no life yet and no terminating effect when contraceptive was used. But the young congressman bravely answered the old congressman's questions that Life begins at fertilization and most of the contraceptives devices available in the market are abortifacient. 

A congressman requested a few minutes of session suspension and it was granted. Pro-RH proponents immediately had a ready table on the floor for a meeting. I wonder why people who was not part of the congress was allowed at the floor? e.g Beth Angsioco etc.

Cong. Nograles with the his fellow Pro-Life Representatives showing force.

One question that caught my interest was the question of Cong. Lagman about the proposal in the 1987 Constitutional Commission giving the right to life on the fertilized ovum. He said that the proposal was rejected by the Constitutional Commission.It was not approved, it was not constitutionalized.

The gallery of Anti-RH uproar showing an objection on what he said. I heard one commented "He's telling a lie again". I personally made some research about this and I found the best resource who can testify that the proposal of giving right to life on the fertilized ovum was not rejected, was approved and constitutionalized. It is worth noting that the particular sponsor of that particular Constitutional provision in Section II is the economist Bernardo Villegas who has the say what happened. http://fightrhbill.blogspot.com/2010/12/behind-scenes-on-1986-constitutional.html . Indeed Conception is Fertilization.. Life begins at fertilization.

Cong. Crisologo made a call to point of order and stressed out that the speech of Cong. Nograles is just a call for investigation and facts should be deal during the committee hearing and there was a certain rule violated. 

The last congress session ended with a closing remarks of Cong. Edcel Lagman followed by the House Speaker Cong. Sonny Belmonte.


Along with the Pro-Lifers, we waited for Cong. Nograles at the lobby  to congratulate him, show our support and gratitude for a job well done. As Pro-RH supporters came out at the lobby with Cong. Lagman, We were surprised when we heard Cong. Lagman's loud voice and the Pro-RH supporters started chanting "Ipasa! Ipasa! Now Na!" "Ipasa! Ipasa! Now Na!" . As we heard that, someone from the Pro-Lifers group started a graceful chant ( I know who she was :) ) that eventually changed the mood to a loud chant "Ibasura! Ibasura! Now Na!" "Ibasura! Ibasura! Now Na!" One of the congress guard, a woman warned us to stopped the chanting and said an insulting comments on us. One of the Pro-Lifers asked her why during the time the Pro-RH supporters were doing their chant not one of the guards stopped them. The woman guard made an alibi. Naturally they will not stopped the Pro-RH chanting with the presence of Cong. Lagman. I noticed some of the guards and employees of  Congress are biased. They seem to be unfriendly and strict to the Anti-RH supporters.

My souvenir pic with Cong. Karlo Nograles. The young congressman from Davao. With me is Ms. Ellen and Mam Lorna.

My Batasan experience gave me so much learning. The experience gave me different kind of feelings of excitement, irritations, fear and perhaps added an  adventure in my life's  journey. Perhaps defending Life from womb to tomb will not just stop from lipservice.....a call to defend life must be lived. To Act Justly, To Love Tenderly and To Walk Humbly with the Lord. (Micah 6:8)

On the RH Bill issues...you should know the truth. Read and study the bill and research. Don't just rely on media and TV personalities. Let us make stand to respect the value and dignity of  Life from womb to tomb and the Filipino Family. NO TO RH BILL!

PIZZA HUT SM CENTERPOINT

It was a rainy Sunday but I had to go to SM Centerpoint to get my authenticated Birth Certificate. After I got  my papers, I decided to do some window shopping. I went to a bookstore and browse some interesting books to read.

Lunch time came and I decided to look for a place to eat. My first choice is KFC. I love pasta so everytime I go  to KFC, I order Alfredo's Pasta. But unfortunately KFC was jampacked by people and theres no space for me to eat. There I saw Pizza Hut. At first I am apprehensive to come in because its been a long time since the last time I treat myself to eat in this fine dining place, I dont know if my budget will fit a meal and I am in simple t-shirt, jeans & rubber shoes attire somehow a little wet from the rain. But eventually I decided to come in for a change. If my budget will not fit then I'm free to go out and look for another place.

Its not a regret because I received a warm care and welcome from the crews. The waiter's name is JC. He guided me to the nearest table and  waited for my order and patiently answered my inquiry. To my surprise they have a very affordable offer of set of meals for Php 100 only. So I grabbed that offer.

  I ordered Carbonara, Mushroom Soup & Iced Tea for P100.00.

  I added a dessert Ice cream with red cherry on top. :)

  I noticed a Feedback Form on the left side of the table. I read it and decided to fill it up.

Things I remembered what I wrote in the  feedback form was Carbonara tastes very good. Its important that food you offer tastes good and affordable. Hope you can maintain it. The services is well appreciated. I specifically commended JC and Liza for the good service they gave to me. Lastly, the floor was friendly for us with disability. Its not slippery unlike the other establishments. Indeed Pizza Hut is a place to be if you want to experience a fine dining with good service and foods with an affordable price. Thank you PIZZA HUT (SM Centerpoint) as well as the staff and crews! 

When I got my Bill. It made me smile when I read the last note...."Thanks, Mam Malou :)" 

Another happy experience in my so called Life's Journey.....God is Good all the time.

Camp Resort

Its Friday, May 27, its an exciting day for the staff of Pro-Life Philippines. We will have a day to relax for a while and escape from the busy work schedule we have. Were heading to CAMP RESORT, Guiguinto, Bulacan.

                We had a stopover to eat breakfast at Jollibee NLEX.

  CAMP RESORT, GUIGUIGINTO, BULACAN

Posing Beside the Pool

Love to sing with the karaoke.

Pro-Life Staff
Kent, Ate Au, Andrew, Ellen, Mam Lorna & Angel 

Having some fun at the pool.

Me and Ellen

The owner of the resort is the nephew of Mam Lorna's husband. He and his wife extend their generosity by inviting us to visit their big house. We have the privileged to watch a movie in his big theater room. 

Posing beside "The Terminator"

Many thanks to Mam Lorna for sharing her car, for driving for us and for giving us a  break to relaxed and enjoyed the day.Also to Sir Francis and his wife for opening their resort for us for free and for the accommodating staff of the resort.Thanks to my fellow staff who made my day and above it all.....Thank you dear God for this event in my life.