Jill and the Books Talk

It's that time of the year when "taklesa questions and hirits" overflow. I therefore repost this note which I wrote way back December 2010 for the benefit of those people who utter and ask questions which no one can answer. For example: When are you getting married? My answer usually goes like this: "I honestly don't know. When God tells me when and whom i'm supposed to marry then I will personally announce it on Facebook and tag you." But in my mind I always say: "I have no idea and just in case, you're not invited to my wedding anyway so why bother asking?"  You see, I do have dreams of getting married and having a family of my own but I don't obsess about it. Even if I am called to be single for the rest of my life, at this point in time I could honestly say that I AM OK WITH THAT. For those having problems accepting that well you just have to suck it up ;-) Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love ...

Repost September 17, 2012 My dear friend Vannah and I are tea lovers….  It was a rainy saturday afternoon and off we went to the first tea lounge in the country,  da.u.de  (da-you-deh) at the Bonifacio  Global City to relax, catch up and do our bible study. THE TEA LOUNGE The place was so chic! The interiors were mostly done in shades of white, gray and neutral colors which  made the  place look  spotless and sophisticated. Whoever designed it was into details. There were different types of  artsy metal chairs, cake stands of all sizes on shelves, tea sets and children’s books!  Yes you heard me right! Those books  were used as folders for your bill and receipt. HIGH TEA Their menu was extensive and they even have special menus exclusively served for each day of the week. We were like two  overwhelmed little girls lost in a candy store who couldn’t decide which candy they want! And then we o...

2014 was not perfect but the countless blessings my family and I have received far outweighs the imperfections. God's love is more than enough reason to celebrate this season.  It's been a family tradition to spend Christmas eve at home. Simple, intimate with so much anticipation and joy as we opened presents, read greeting cards and savored goodies from family and friends.  John 3:16   For   God so loved   the world,   that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Red and gold. Classic and elegant table setting for Christmas Eve. Embroidered white linen. Our simple Christmas village Merry Christmas from our family to yours! Not so traditional menu: Cream of mushroom soup, Sizzling steak with mashed potato, Holiday ham, Tropical salad with sesame dressing,  Chicken pesto on penne, Salted Caramel and Red Velvet cupcakes The look of amazement on my nephew...

35 years have passed. Oh how time flies.  I was once a little girl who loved to read books, play the piano and play "house" with my Barbie dolls. Then I became an adolescent who was preoccupied with studying to finish college, romance and fashion. I was a shopaholic. And then I had to "grow up" and deal with responsibilities, businesses and everything it takes to build a career. I've had my ups and downs. Life was not perfect but I wouldn't have it any other way.  It took a lot of painful disciplining and pruning to make me realize that at the end of the day, my relationship with God is all that matters in this world. That my family is a gift from God and they should always come first next to God. That it is both a privilege and joy to be enabled by the Holy Spirit to have a career and work. That my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and for that very reason, I should take good care of it. That it is God who gives me the ability to produce weal...

Oh how I've missed writing from the depths of my soul... I tried several times but I just couldn't bring myself to express my thoughts until now. Days flew by so fast. Everything seemed to be a blur these past few months of being caught up with the happy and hectic pace of my everyday life.  I went back to the States last month. It was brief yet so full of blessings. It is during these times when I'm away all by myself that I could really take time to ponder on how much God loves me as well as appreciate the people and simple things I usually take for granted.  Whether everything is perfect or things don't seem to fall into the right places, seek solitude. Take a moment to reflect.  Close your eyes. Breathe. Empty your heart. Pray.  Allow yourself to bask in the glory of God. Enjoy the silence and listen to the gentle voice that whispers in your heart.  When you're all calm and ready to embrace everything God has to offer, slowly open your eyes. You...

I took this photo during one of my recent travels but I can't recall my destination.  Solely the beauty of God's painting remained in my memory forever.  I just finished making a presentation for a corporate client. I looked out my window and noticed streaks of sunlight illuminating my dark room. I prayed: "God kahapon pa ako gising (God I have been up since yesterday). I'm just overwhelmed with so much death this month and too many people close to my heart suffering from cancer and end stage kidney disease. I can't keep still knowing that I have a lot of things to accomplish, major decisions to make and i'm at my wits end waiting for your will to unfold in some pressing issues." Then God whispered in my heart: "For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." - Isaiah 41:13 Over star filled skies Over all created life What was always meant to be Your glory reigning...

Candid photo taken in Seville, Spain - September 2016 Have you ever felt trapped in an unfavorable situation which you know in your heart that you could have prevented if only you took heed and followed your intuition? Do you endlessly justify choices and decisions that go against your feelings or contradict with what you believe to be true? It could be uncomfortable to decline a request and so much more difficult if the one asking for your attention, time, effort or money is someone that you value. Let me share to you my story. I was once a people pleaser. I wanted to make everyone around me happy. I tried to accommodate everyone who needed me or anything from me. In short, I wore myself out believing that I am the answer to the problems of anyone who comes to me. I was so wrong!  Looking back, it was probably arrogance on my part because it made me feel good to be liked, needed and sought after. It gave me a sense of power. Was I happy? Not all the time. T...

A biography of the legendary Argentine first lady Eva "Evita" Peron. The book started with a mysterious and melancholic undertone. I quickly got absorbed with how Evita rose from a nobody to a very influential woman. The author wrote about both the remarkable and undesirable qualities of Evita. This book left me wondering about what was truly in her heart when she became a champion of the masses. Was she a sincere public servant or just a power hungry social climber? Towards the end of the book, I got bored with all the details about how Evita got even with those who crossed and belittled her in the past as well as those who opposed her husband Juan Peron. There was an entire chapter that sounded like a boring history book. Evita's death and the handling of her corpse was described in a morbid but intriguing way. The photos included made up for the minor flaws of this book.

As I start my mid-year prayer and fasting, I'd like to share something I have written more than 3 years ago.  January 14, 2011 at 3:12am This is an account of my walk with God. I was born to an Evangelical Christian family. I came to know Jesus Christ when I was at a very young age in Sunday school.  I grew up never lacking anything. There were times when we just had enough. There were times when we had more. There were times when the Lord had to discipline us but I never felt that I was lacking anything except perhaps a Barbie house and a grand piano which my parents never bought me and which were always on my wish list. Instead, they got me a Barbie bathtub for starters! I went to one of the best Chinese Catholic schools in Zamboanga City. I had to struggle to fit in whenever religion became an issue.  High school went by so fast. Nothing extraordinary but fun! Then my life changed when I got into the University of the Philippines Diliman f...