As my fingers pound on the keyboard to key in this opening sentence, the clock is ticking seconds away, drawing me near to 5:30PM of November 25, 2010.
November 25 has been for four years a very full day in my calendar. A day filled with celebration for wonderful people I've come to know and cherished spending time with since I came to COOK, my local church in Cebu City, in 2006.
November 25 was the day Kuya Ades, my youth pastor, was born. The person who has shown what it is to follow Christ and and serve Him through the youth ministry.
November 25 was the day Arciel, my "younger" sister ,was born. Although not blood related, she has become as if my own sibling. Through her I have come to apply the lessons on Gentleman Ways 101.
November 25 was the day Ate Cathy, our former worship leader at COOK, was born. She has shown me what it is to worship in Spirit and in Truth. Things I have recognized as I stepped out in faith and along side Abby, came to apply as worship leaders at church.
November 25 was also the day Mommy Flor and Pops came together. If it weren't for this day, I wouldn't be enjoying what it is to be a part of a family that serves the Lord--with delicious meals from time to time too to top that.
So you see, November 25 is truly an important and busy day. But 2010 has expanded it. For this year, this day, will mark something that I for sure will truly treasure in my memory chest in the years to come.
For today is the day when I step out and go on my first missions trip.
It has been one of my desires back then to participate in a short term missions trip abroad. I remember having this desire when I watched the movie "End of the Spear". Then it increased when I was able to join--and finish in flying colors--the Kairos Course.
Preparing for this trip has taught me new things, since most of the things I experienced while in the midst of preparations, were novelty.
And now, as the day has finally come, I can't help but just pause at how God has been faithful to me. It wasn't my faithfulness that brought me this far, it has been His all along.
November 25, 2010. Maybe just an ordinary day to some. But for me, it's something extraordinary.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
The First Step
The clock's arms say: "it's quarter to 7:30." As its face tell me the time, my face shifts from confidence to disappointment.
"When I wake up tomorrow, I'll be up so early, I can just casually walk from my house to school, and still don't end up getting late!"
Wishful thinking at its finest.
At times like these, when I'm running late for my early morning class, I run to the motorcycle driver and his trustworthy motorcycle.
Everyday they wait for passengers on the crossroads of Salvador and Katipunan Streets. Though riding it isn't cheap, it saves me a lot of time. Especially when I'm getting late.
The motorcycle's size allows the passengers to squeeze in through every space between vehicles. And since it's exclusive only to one passenger, the passenger has the luxury of asking the driver to break speed records, simply by adding more pesos to the agreed price.
One time, I got into a conversation with a motorcycle driver (who is also a neighbor) while we were in the middle of the road. It wasn't easy. The winds create a noise that disrupts the sound waves coming out of our mouths, and the driver has to talk while facing the road, while I try to hold on at the backseat and lean forward so my ears can catch on what he was trying to say. Sometimes, I'll just have to say "aw" (affirmative tone) even if I didn't get what he said so we can move on with the conversation.
Though we weren't at the best place and time to strike a conversation, I do remember some of them.
One of them was that time when he asked me if I have plans to have my own motorcycle.
"Ok ra man ta kuya, pero diba para makakat-on ka mag-motor, kailangan ka kahibalo mo-bisikleta? Di man ko kahibaw mo bisikleta gud..." (I would love to, but I heard that in order to know how to ride a motorcycle, you have to learn how to ride a bike first. Unfortunately, I don't know how to ride a bike yet.)
I know it's quite embarrassing for me to admit, but here's a short explanation: as a child I grew up living by the hillside. Our house was not situated in a flat place, and my parents thought that it wasn't ideal to have a bicycle for me. So instead of learning how to ride bicycles, I learned how to climb trees and hike up mountain trails. It was only later when I moved to the city.
My neighbor agreed. He told me that the reason why it is a given to learn how to ride a bicycle before learning how to ride a motorcycle is so that the driver knows how to balance.
Balance. A word so easy to say and talk about, but so hard to apply. Especially in leadership.
A conversation I had with one of my pastors a few days ago made me realize the importance and value of balance, in terms of your personal expectation as the leader towards your team and the team's attitude towards you.
"It should be that the members of your team themselves come to the point of realization that you are the leader, instead of you imposing every time that you are the leader," he said.
That struck me hard. The moment I heard those words, I felt my heart saying a loud "Amen" in agreement. But what about asserting authority?
When I asked my pastor, he reminded me that the primary position must be that of fear and trembling. I have to recognize that the FINAL AUTHORITY is God and His Word, thus I must assert my authority in a level that does not cross that threshold. Therefore, I must assert my authority with the knowledge that I shouldn't use fear, manipulation or anything that will boost my self as the leader--therefore placing me on the pedestal and "displacing" the authority of God.
So it's like saying lead with action, but with a mindset that you are not a leader, but rather as a steward, given authority to look after a team and make sure it is working, but at the same time not over-leading it that the real leader may not be forgotten
That's tricky. It's tough! And it doesn't only apply to church ministry, this principle extends to every area God has placed you as a leader.
I don't claim to have fully integrated this principle yet. In fact, as of this writing, I am only beginning to learn how it is to be a leader biblically. This just struck me as I pondered about the things I've been learning this week.
But I've come to recognize that indeed balance is a necessary first step, not only in leadership, but in everything we deal with. We can't just trust ourselves too much that we end up looking things through our perspective, we have to learn to think of other perspectives as well. And that requires a lot of balance!
"When I wake up tomorrow, I'll be up so early, I can just casually walk from my house to school, and still don't end up getting late!"
Wishful thinking at its finest.
At times like these, when I'm running late for my early morning class, I run to the motorcycle driver and his trustworthy motorcycle.
Everyday they wait for passengers on the crossroads of Salvador and Katipunan Streets. Though riding it isn't cheap, it saves me a lot of time. Especially when I'm getting late.
The motorcycle's size allows the passengers to squeeze in through every space between vehicles. And since it's exclusive only to one passenger, the passenger has the luxury of asking the driver to break speed records, simply by adding more pesos to the agreed price.
One time, I got into a conversation with a motorcycle driver (who is also a neighbor) while we were in the middle of the road. It wasn't easy. The winds create a noise that disrupts the sound waves coming out of our mouths, and the driver has to talk while facing the road, while I try to hold on at the backseat and lean forward so my ears can catch on what he was trying to say. Sometimes, I'll just have to say "aw" (affirmative tone) even if I didn't get what he said so we can move on with the conversation.
Though we weren't at the best place and time to strike a conversation, I do remember some of them.
One of them was that time when he asked me if I have plans to have my own motorcycle.
"Ok ra man ta kuya, pero diba para makakat-on ka mag-motor, kailangan ka kahibalo mo-bisikleta? Di man ko kahibaw mo bisikleta gud..." (I would love to, but I heard that in order to know how to ride a motorcycle, you have to learn how to ride a bike first. Unfortunately, I don't know how to ride a bike yet.)
I know it's quite embarrassing for me to admit, but here's a short explanation: as a child I grew up living by the hillside. Our house was not situated in a flat place, and my parents thought that it wasn't ideal to have a bicycle for me. So instead of learning how to ride bicycles, I learned how to climb trees and hike up mountain trails. It was only later when I moved to the city.
My neighbor agreed. He told me that the reason why it is a given to learn how to ride a bicycle before learning how to ride a motorcycle is so that the driver knows how to balance.
Balance. A word so easy to say and talk about, but so hard to apply. Especially in leadership.
A conversation I had with one of my pastors a few days ago made me realize the importance and value of balance, in terms of your personal expectation as the leader towards your team and the team's attitude towards you.
"It should be that the members of your team themselves come to the point of realization that you are the leader, instead of you imposing every time that you are the leader," he said.
That struck me hard. The moment I heard those words, I felt my heart saying a loud "Amen" in agreement. But what about asserting authority?
When I asked my pastor, he reminded me that the primary position must be that of fear and trembling. I have to recognize that the FINAL AUTHORITY is God and His Word, thus I must assert my authority in a level that does not cross that threshold. Therefore, I must assert my authority with the knowledge that I shouldn't use fear, manipulation or anything that will boost my self as the leader--therefore placing me on the pedestal and "displacing" the authority of God.
So it's like saying lead with action, but with a mindset that you are not a leader, but rather as a steward, given authority to look after a team and make sure it is working, but at the same time not over-leading it that the real leader may not be forgotten
That's tricky. It's tough! And it doesn't only apply to church ministry, this principle extends to every area God has placed you as a leader.
I don't claim to have fully integrated this principle yet. In fact, as of this writing, I am only beginning to learn how it is to be a leader biblically. This just struck me as I pondered about the things I've been learning this week.
But I've come to recognize that indeed balance is a necessary first step, not only in leadership, but in everything we deal with. We can't just trust ourselves too much that we end up looking things through our perspective, we have to learn to think of other perspectives as well. And that requires a lot of balance!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Laid-off Sawo workers get separation pay
This one was somewhat controversial.
But I remember this as my very first press conference in a very nice venue, a place where an ordinary person like me seldom gets to enjoy because of the high cost you'll have to pay. And getting to work with a pretty reporter ain't bad too. :D
Laid-off Sawo workers get separation pay
But I remember this as my very first press conference in a very nice venue, a place where an ordinary person like me seldom gets to enjoy because of the high cost you'll have to pay. And getting to work with a pretty reporter ain't bad too. :D
Laid-off Sawo workers get separation pay
ALL 52 retrenched employees of Sauna World Philippines Inc. (Sawo) in the Mactan Export Processing Zone received their separation pay yesterday at the Department of Labor and Employment.
Rovel Estrada, who received his separation package of P50,000, said he would use the money to set up asmall business and find a job abroad.
Estrada worked in the production department of Sawo for seven years. He was an agency employee before he became a regular employee of Sawo.
He said he expected to receive another separation package from the agency.
The Department of Labor and Employment, the management of Sawo and the 32 agency employees are negotiating for a separate termination package.
Sawo lawyer Deolito Alvarez said that they already have a package for the agency employees and were waiting for the Cebu General Services Incorporated, the employees’ agency, to give its counterpart. The agency did not send a representative during the negotiation yesterday.
“We are considering that and are hopeful that it will bring out a fruitful settlement with all affected parties,” said Alvarez in a text message. The negotiation for the agency employees’ termination pay will continue on Monday.
Jerson Gonzales, a welder hired by an agency, said he hoped to get the same package that was given to the regular employees.
Despite the job cuts, Alvarez said the company remains stable with 56 regular employees and 45 contractual employees left.
Alvarez earlier said that the firm which produces sauna and spa export products was affected by the global financial crisis.
The company adopted measures like compressed work days and forced leaves to stay afloat. A few weeks ago, the company notified the labor department of their plan to retrench workers. /Correspondent Carine M. Asutilla with Intern Roviel Villa
(Retrieved from: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20090423-200967/Laid-off_Sawo_workers_get_separation_pay)
Rovel Estrada, who received his separation package of P50,000, said he would use the money to set up asmall business and find a job abroad.
Estrada worked in the production department of Sawo for seven years. He was an agency employee before he became a regular employee of Sawo.
He said he expected to receive another separation package from the agency.
The Department of Labor and Employment, the management of Sawo and the 32 agency employees are negotiating for a separate termination package.
Sawo lawyer Deolito Alvarez said that they already have a package for the agency employees and were waiting for the Cebu General Services Incorporated, the employees’ agency, to give its counterpart. The agency did not send a representative during the negotiation yesterday.
“We are considering that and are hopeful that it will bring out a fruitful settlement with all affected parties,” said Alvarez in a text message. The negotiation for the agency employees’ termination pay will continue on Monday.
Jerson Gonzales, a welder hired by an agency, said he hoped to get the same package that was given to the regular employees.
Despite the job cuts, Alvarez said the company remains stable with 56 regular employees and 45 contractual employees left.
Alvarez earlier said that the firm which produces sauna and spa export products was affected by the global financial crisis.
The company adopted measures like compressed work days and forced leaves to stay afloat. A few weeks ago, the company notified the labor department of their plan to retrench workers. /Correspondent Carine M. Asutilla with Intern Roviel Villa
(Retrieved from: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20090423-200967/Laid-off_Sawo_workers_get_separation_pay)
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