Hopeful

The timing seems inappropriate and the elements of the universe do not seem to conspire. Natalie, however, remains optimistic that God will hear her prayer and deliver her from the situation. "Surely our Creator will not give us challenges we cannot hurdle," she said. After being separated from the company, it was inconceivable to have bigger expenses. The budget was tight as it is, and she had to get a new job fast before her resources dwindle. But will she get a new one fast in her condition? It is with a great leap of faith that God will turn the situation around to her favor.
"Nothing is impossible with God!" She is sure of this.

Fourth Wave

Here we go again. The deafening silence after a crowd of employees leave the office. This is the fourth batch…but it is not less painful for those of us who will be left behind. Again, I shed a tear for colleagues who will be missed, and another tear for this great company that will soon be part of history. I cannot get past the grief of knowing that something so good has to end. With each handshake and brotherly embrace, we bid farewell.
All the best to our co-Intellites. You will sorely be missed.

Reunited

There's a feeling of great anticipation as the evening approaches...no, it's not about the buffet, it's about friends meeting once again to bond and enjoy each others company. It's been a challenge to come up with a schedule that everyone will commit on attending, especially after the recent changes in the office. One would wonder if making time to share an hour or two with ex-officemates would be a priority now, but it proved to be important. Meaningful and important.

the "men" having fun

There will sure be a celebration for many reasons: 2 of us already have work waiting for them, 1 who left ahead is already employed in another semiconductor company, 2 have no last-day memo from the office yet and the rest are learning to shift to business.

I have no idea why we're meeting in a place at least 25 kilometers from General Trias but I'll be there for sure. We'll rock the New World Hotel tonight.

Outnumbered

I am now part of the minority. At least in the shuttle bus, I am. Now more of the orange Nickelodeon-colored IDs board the bus coming to Intel in the morning. Less and less of the blue badge ID holders. Less and less familiar faces who I can easily start a conversation with. The orange ID holders are younger, they look more innocent. I hope they ride the shuttle for a much longer time than I did.

I always considered the shuttle as an extension of my workplace. It is clean, safe and comfortable. Inside the shuttle, I am worry-free!

Some colleagues have courted & developed their relationships in the shuttle; I even know of a driver who fell in love with one of his passengers. I then started calling his vehicle "the love bus." :-) (I bet she was convinced na basta driver, sweet lover!)

I wonder if I will be able to ride another company shuttle after Intel. The first thing I'll do during my last day of office is to thank the bus drivers who drove me to work. I actually do this daily, but this time perhaps add pan de sal & coffee with it.

Ninong's Birthday

I'm hosting Pastor Alfred Calderon's 50th birthday celebration in the Village East Cluhouse tonight. I'm so excited!

See You Around the Corner

800 employees are separating today. I pray for everyone’s success in their future endeavors. I have never seen a more talented and productive group of people. The successes and the milestones of CV Site remain unparalleled.
Our propensity to cope is tremendous, as we still managed to hold a CV Fun Hour in the cafeteria this noontime. From where I stood, I saw everybody laughing, or at least smiling. Most of the crowd are about to be cleared at 4PM today. Nonetheless the laughter and the fun were at its peak. I saw before me long-time friends and colleagues who worked long and hard to put the Philippines in the Intel map. And now, after 35 years, it is all about to end.

After the program, deep sadness began to creep in. This is it-the end of all the wonderful years of meaningful labor. It just won't be the same anymore. No more line walks, high volume production, no more eat outs and company parties. It will be hard to gather the same group of people together. Kanya-kanya na...malungkot. Masakit. Talagang masakit.
Sa lahat ng mga kamanggagawa ko sa Intel, mabuhay kayo! Nawa ay maibahagi natin ang ating mga kakayahan at talento sa buong mundo. Aking maipagmamalaki na ako ay manggagawang Pilipino sa Intel.
ednaguevar@yahoo.com

-09164204052

Today

Today, I choose to see the good in every person. I choose to be grateful for the things I have, as well as for the things I don’t have. I choose to pursue the opportunities that lie ahead with passion. I choose to glorify God in all I do.

Brag About Jesus

I am still grateful to the person who witnessed to me the power of the indwelling Lord 18 years ago. I can't imagine what my live would have been had I not met Jesus Christ. It would have been a total mess. But praise God, like the blind man Bartimaeus, he opened my eyes to see.
I myself have not witnessed for quite some time; it is high time to do it. I will share Jesus Christ to the people I will be working with.

Minding My Own Business

I choose to have a business that has high profit margins. In that way, I can earn more at a shorter time and would have a shorter period to recover my investment. June is the acid test period; I will prove to myself that I can put my Intel values and training to work in my business. It will succeed. 100%.

Taga-saan Ka?

Where do you reside? It’s not merely the lot or block you live in; not merely your barangay or municipality. It’s not even your country or your continent. Your address is the planet Earth. So you should care for her like you do your own body. You need to be sensitive that relocating to another planet is not yet a viable option. So not only are you bound to make do of being its inhabitant, you must be a vigilant steward as well. Here are some things you can do to show regard for our home planet:
Use less plastic.
Plant more trees.
Segregate your garbage.
Do not smoke.
Do not smoke-belch.
Reduce, reuse recycle.
Gopaperless. Less gas, more bike. Teach your circle of influence to do the same.
When everyone becomes conscious that their address actually extends beyond their own backyard, and that there is no boundary to the contribution each individual can make to protect our planet, this will be a much safer place to live. And this will be our inheritance to the next generations, a part of our legacy.

Big D

Discipline is a habit that brings forth wealth and freedom. It means delaying gratification for a much fruitful reward.

Your Cherised Possesion

Value your self-worth. You are unique, special and God made you for a reason. Discover the purpose for which you were made and be faithful to that purpose.
Part of valuing your self-worth is keeping your promises…delivering your commitments. Protect your integrity at all costs. Be it known that your honor has no price tag, and you won't compromise your principles for a bag of gold.

Sunflower

I make things happen. I do not wait for things to get better before I act. Each day I soar towards the sun and accomplish feats I have never done before. I seize opportunities; I know what I want and I work smart to get at it. I learn from mistakes and I do not repeat them.

Chipsets Last Lot Loading Ceremony in Assembly

It was ICH9M. The last product to be loaded.

'Non-negotiables"

These are the things in life I do not take for granted:
My spiritual health – I make sure my personal relationship with God is healthy. I do not let rubbish get in to my heart.
My family – Daily, I work at loving them unconditionally.
My physical health – I pay attention now to what gets in to my system; I do regular preventive maintenance.
My mental health – I consciously work at using the left side of my brain also because I grew up using my right side most of the time. I read a lot but I don’t believe everything I read.
How I invest my time – I only do high value tasks and they are all related to my long-term and short term goals.
My friends – I have been working at establishing deeper friendships; keeping in touch with friends from my high school & MBA years, and having lots of friends in Intel. One of the things I learned in life is that to be successful, one must be relational, not merely transactional. You must connect to influence.
Finances and stewardship – I am prudent and I live beneath my means so I can live a worry-free life. My principle for stewardship: because I love, I give.
My community – I do something to ensure that care for the environment is fostered and that the coming generation is empowered through education and safety awareness.
My Career – I only have 2 guiding points here: what I do for a living has to have a valuable contribution to society, and I must have fun in what I’m doing.

Munting Buhangin Adventure

It was supposed to be a summer outing. However, there was no hint that it was because it was raining cats and dogs on our way to Batangas. Nature provided complete light and sound effects when lightning and thunder accompanied us to Silang, Tagaytay, and Alfonso. We only hoped that the sun had Wawa for it's address today because it cannot be found in Cavite.

We reached the outing place and it was still raining; hard enough that we were stuck in the car for a few minutes. Much later, even though it was still drizzling, we got off the car because we were losing our "swimming time!"

The best thing to do after a two-hour drive is to take a refreshing dip. We did just that a soon as we got to Munting Buhangin Beach Resort in Wawa, Batangas. The sea water is clean and shallow. Anyone can swim with the school of fish underneath. It was already 4pm when the sun peeped through the skyline so its scorching heat was not an issue. There were lots of people on this Friday afternoon. It's officially summer!

Conservative as most Filipinos are, the official swimming attire was a pair of shorts (Filipinos call it "tokong" not short- shorts) and round neck shirts. Only the children wore swimsuits and trunks. A senior citizen placed her mono block chair on the beach, knee-deep and just sat there as she babysits her four year old granddaughter. A group of men were belting out classics in the big karaoke player; either they were drunk or the karaoke was drunk - now I realized why it rained tremendously.

The duplex cabins in this resort were clean and spacious. The bathrooms have brand new fixtures and heaters to boot. Most of all, it's a perfect place to doze off after 3 hours of swimming. We were cabin mates with officemates Jasmin Virtudazo, Mark Roque, George Ferrer, Ludy Ala, and Mark Siangco. We spent Friday night there and headed back to General Trias, Cavite at 9am the next day. However, we got delayed by an hour because we missed to turn left in the Shell Central gas station in Nasugbu where Azucarera Don Pedro was. We went straight ahead to Lian, then to Calatagan which was another 30 kilometers! Talk about getting lost big time! The funny thing I found about this is that many people who visit Batangas for the first time missed this turn too! Hence, we were able to see the breath-taking Enrique Zobel Farm and Polo Country Club in Bigaa, Calatagan. It had these trees along the highway that had beige colored trunks that I haven't seen before. I started noticing we were lost when we got here because we did not pass this way before. I became more suspicious when I saw Matabungkay Beach Resort...and finally CONFIRMED that WE WERE "sooo lost" when we reached Golden Sunset Village Resort and Spa. When we reached the town proper, we asked some townsfolk who were by the church where the road to Tagaytay leads; true enough, missed a turn and got way too lost. It was a good thing that the people were friendly and generous in giving directions. Another good thing was the scenic view of the province, it was a pleasant joyride to the countryside, we thought.

Overall, I enjoyed the whole adventure. It was a family bonding time, office mates team building activity and a creative calorie burning feat at the same time!

Special thanks to Rhodora "Dhoy" Amaya for taking charge of coordinating the place and the food. You're an angel! :-)

Jabbar

Many women hide behind sleeved shirts and blouses because of saggy arms that can be initially mistaken as legs in the first look. Anyone who has worked to come up with Jennifer Aniston arms can easily pick a dress or evening gown without having the pain of seeing wiggly limbs. Also, one cannot overstate the importance of having "executive arms" during summer. Comfort dictates that we wear light and sleeveless clothes but we sacrifice comfort for decency. We hate being teased of having Jabbar arms so we just bear with the heat. Those who like to make fun of those who dare even comment that women who have no "right" to wear sleeveless blouses are looking for trouble ("naghahanap ng away") and they'll be out to get it.

Proportion is one key to beauty. So let me specify that a lady's arms should be proportioned and well-toned to complement the face and the rest of the body.

There is Power in Meekness

Meekness is not weakness. In fact, it is the exact opposite of weakness. It is inner strength manifested. It is grace under pressure. It means not allowing subjectivity restrict objective thinking. People who are meek don’t allow range and anger to overtake them.
If we can just suspend our judgment and listen with our hearts, the world will be a much better place to live. We demonstrate meekness when we hold our tongue from lashing at our fellowmen when we feel hurt or maligned; it knows when to keep quiet when we have nothing good or encouraging to say.
The meek always have the upper hand. Being meek can save us from strained relationships and a lot of trouble.

No Limitations

God gives us the measure of faith (Romans 12:3).

God will do what you believe. So it really depends on you. How high can you go? What’s holding you back from experiencing one answered prayer after another? You can only limit God with unbelief, and this unbelief is likened to a lid that keeps the blessings from pouring in our lives. Take of that lid and delight in the breakthrough that God wants you to experience in your life!

Open Windows Abound!

“If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”
- Thomas A. Edison

With this above-mentioned quote, it is no wonder that Thomas Edison invented more than a thousand things including the electric light and various electrical gadgets! He really believed that man was endowed with the talent to create and to invent.
I sort of see myself in the same plane now; I’m the process of creating something that has a potentially high value-add. It is a solution to three critical questions my family is currently faced with: 1) how to have continuous income generation, 2) how to synergize family relationships while being economically productive (i.e. earning while teaching your kids the craft), and 3) how to apply life leadership and management skills in our own enterprise. Bottom line, it is having a stable, challenging and rewarding family business that we own and can pass on to our children. There is a promising opportunity that awaits us: working in the future set-up will not mean leaving the children at home. In this seamless set-up, we can impart our work ethic to our children and teach them critical skills as well.

One Level Up

It's high time to trust God big time. If he parted the Red Sea for Moses and the Israelites, I am fully confident he can do the same in my life now. I just need to continue to believe...and obey. I stand by the Word of God, not in the temptations of the flesh to withhold.

I can bless others in a big way because He blessed me first. I must trust in His promises more than I trust riches. I know I can never outgive God. All that I am and all that I have is His.

Among other things, I've been called to be a giver. I gladly follow my calling. In fact, I enjoy it! I give not only what I have, but I also give of myself. And God is my rewarder.

Happy Birthday, Cocoy

Enrico Carreon, or Cocoy to his friends, celebrated his 3xth birthday today. As his colleague, I can say that he is one of Intel Philippines' most open-minded and diplomatic employees. No wonder he became an integrator. He is also a hands-on family man to his loving wife and 2 kids. Also a certified tech-savvy guy you can call (like GAR TAC) if you happen to have any questions on SmartBro, WeRoam, Torrent, PSP or any PC troubleshooting stuff.

Unknown to many, Cocoy has a unique talent of closing his eyes when getting into tight traffic situations (in Aguinaldo Highway counter flow, for example) . We witnessed that while we carpooled with him to Macapagal Avenue for our Christmas party dinner. When one car swerved in front of us, he instinctively closed his eyes! Whoa! I call that driving by faith, not by sight :-)

He is allergic to one thing: traffic enforcers in the Metro who may apprehend him for a no violation at all (mapagtripan lang ba...) No one wants to be wrongfully accused right? :-)

He's the tallest guy in this foto-loco shot taken last year; goofing around with me and another certified buddy Chris Nacionales (CN).

Good health and success in all your endeavors in the years to come! If you need someone to emcee your special occasions, supply you with construction materials, or supply you with your transport needs, or supply you with meat and chicken products - I'm just a phone call away. May your tribe increase, brother :-)

Productive or Just Busy?

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.-- Psalms 90:12 (TNIV)

Nowadays it is very tempting to just be busy. There are many distractions that can virtually fill all your waking days. However, these "activities" do not have any value-add to your life. They do not enhance either the physical, spiritual, or emotional areas of your being; it also does not make you richer (the financial aspect). Some tasks are just a form of momentary escape from the daily grind.

We show value to this life that God gave us by making the most productive use of our time. We all have the power to choose who we will be. Once the choice is made, all action must align with that choice. It takes discipline to exercise consistent persistence to tread the path you choose. Revamp the "daily to do list" with a simpler "choose to do" list...the quality of your life depends on it.

A LOT OF FIRSTS: SUBIC ADVENTURE

It's been 9 years since I've been to Subic. So I was surprised to see the Subic, Clark, Tarlac Express Way (SCTEX) in full swing. It made Subic much more accessible.
It was my first time to dine in Gerry’s Grill. At lunch, we had grilled squid, vegetable fried rice, fried chicken, bangus belly in tamarind soup, sisig, with steamed rice. I had sago (tapioca) and gulaman for my drink. The restaurant was by the shoreline and Al fresco, giving a refreshing view as we ate. I watched some people jet ski; though I haven't mustered the guts to rent one, I bet it was a lot of fun.

Then I went to the Subic Convention Center for the first time. Supporting the Philippine Science Fair was fulfilling and fun! The theme of the event lingers to this day: "do not trap the genius. Unleash the genius. Nurture the genius."
The Majestic Hotel was a stone’s throw away from Gerry’s. The rooms were clean and the comfort room was spacious. We checked in there and had a good night's sleep after 4 hours of travel from Cavite. My first time to check in a hotel and spend overnight in Subic was cool.
Jogging around Subic early next morning was invigorating. There were a number of people walking fast; bound for work. There were three joggers besides myself and a handful of street cleaners. The place felt so safe and secure. It was pleasantly quiet and notably progressive. I saw James Gordon’s monument, the monument of the children of the sun returning, and the old airplane. As I jogged around the complex for the first time and saw many other hotels and lodging places, I thought of bringing my family here this summer.
After breakfast, we began to search for an extraordinary gig: the one you would uniquely find in Subic. Alas! We found the Tree Top Adventure; it primarily impressed me as death defying. The highest elevation was over a hundred feet from the ground and we were only suspended with canopy cables. There was also the vertical drop-definitely not Yet my thing now. Maybe next year...hhhhm. Special thanks to our certified tour guide and escort Mr. Richard Bagsic who did a terrific job at ensuring our saftey during the 40-minute close encounter with Mother Nature. We literally entrusted our lives to him as he strapped our harnesses in the cables. His stories of the wild remind me of National Geographic documentaries about the oldest trees that are energy sources, rare plants and insects, bats and the bamboo trees. This photo on the left was taken after the nature tour. I'm just so glad to be alive!
Lunch for day 2 was in the shorelines of Camayan Restaurant and Resort. I loved the binagoongan. Immediately hereafter, we plunged in the beach and took a 1-hour dip. This was a great bonding moment...we talked a lot in between swimming in chest-deep water! It was cold at first, but it gets comfortable as our bodies eventually adjusted in the temperature.
One's trip to Subic isn't complete without shopping for PX goods.However, being the prudent one, I only bought 6 items in Puregold Subic Duty Free Supermarket. First was the Coffee Mate Coffee Creamer for my husband who is a "coffeeholic," a Dora the Explorer hairbrush for my daughter Roo, Spam meatloaf for my son Joshua and 3 Subic souvenir t-shirts; (just in case I don't return here for another 9 years!)
I'm grateful to our friend, Jay Tulao for capturing and sharing these pictures.

SOULFUL SOUVENIR

The photo book launch last February 24, 2009 was a huge success. Both CV1 & CV4 building cafeterias were jam packed as the program started. “Through Our Eyes, In Our Own Words: Intel Philippines Photo book, 1974-2008” was a very timely project. It is a lasting memento of the people that made Intel Philippines the institution that it now is. Moreover, it reflects how Intellites valued one another as colleagues, and as one big happy family.
The autograph signing activity that followed reminded me of previous elementary and high school days when I signed lots of slum books and yearbooks; giving heartfelt dedications to people who had meaningful part in my life.

I jazzed up my own photo book to make it super personal. I had my top 10 favorite Intellites sign and I pasted our pictures on the photo book. In this way, I can just flip open my “album” when I want to reminisce the good old days.

The Will of God for Your Life

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect.
Romans 12:2

When faced with critical decisions in life, we ask: how will I know the will of God for me? The response is clearly written in Romans 12:2.
First, we must not conform to this world’s standards. Seek to meet God's standard instead.
Second, you must allow God to transform you inwardly. He must be the Influencer of your thoughts. All battles begin in the mind. If our minds are set on the Word of God daily, we will be victorious in all our endeavors, big or small. He must be the Lord of your thought-life.
It also says, a complete change of mind…not partial, not only when it is convenient for us to obey.
Your confidence in God has great reward! Because He will reveal to you His will and His wonderful plans.

REMOVE THE TELEVISION IN THE BEDROOM

Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables.
-Spanish Proverb

Bez usually have front-end loaded weekdays. She’ll be busy working from 7am-4pm; with the mind functioning more than the body, engaging in analysis and a lot-of decision making as a manager in a multinational firm. After getting off from work at 5pm, she becomes a certified couch potato. After all, the television offers such an easy escape; it has been proven time and again to remove stress. However, coupled with TV viewing is eating and drinking junk (food). Time flies and she is still smitten by the TV hypnosis during dinner time. She’d bring the food in front of the TV and eat mindlessly until she eats tons of carbohydrates and empty calories. 2 hours have passed after dinner and she’s still watching TV and she’s still sedentary. This vicious cycle goes on and on, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. The weekends are a bit active but food abounds when she goes out with friends for their girl bonding activities. Her gastronomic consumption is tempered only by twilight zone episodes of fitting room traumas in department stores. If there’s a special occasion coming up that requires new clothes, then Bez has a major problem. The best cuts just don’t fit. Cellulites get in the way! It’s predictably frustrating all of the time. Hours of torment while fitting and ending up with nothing at all. It always crashes every inch of her self-esteem.
During these situations, when reality sinks in and she asks, "what happened to my body? It’s as if I swallowed a lifesaver that got stuck on that familiar place I used to call my hips. What happened?" The answer: your lifestyle sucks big time! One eventful regret after another and yet the scale won't move lower a bit! One can't expect a different output if the input is the same. Having onsistent worng choices and expecting different results is foolishness.
So in one of those dark moments she had a conviction to put an end to all these 50 pounds of excess baggage. She’s got the time, the money, the resources to make this work. SHE WANTS TO STOP ALL THE NONSENSE ALREADY AND GET HER LIFE BACK!
So what happened after that?

Connect Knowing with Doing

Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT)

I’m a voracious reader. I consumed 1/4 of my life reading about fitness and weight loss. Much of the passion comes from the motive of seeking direction, answers and revelation. However, I often struggle applying all the positive things I’ve learned in one particular area of my life. I had an “Aha moment” when I read that “no one ever got fit by just reading a fitness book.” So I inquired of the Lord how I can connect knowing and doing. He replied that I should cry out to Him for renewal. I have to repent first. A changed heart, leads to a changed mind. Then a change in the body follows.
So I prayed, "Lord, I cry out to you for spiritual renewal; renew also my thoughts and attitude. I repent of my laziness and lack of respect for my body when I overeat. Often in the past have I neglected regular exercise and fed it with rubbish (fatty, oily, and junk food) during my emotional highs and lows. Forgive me Lord, for eating rice like there is no tomorrow; and for eating less vegetables and fruits as I should. Please re-script me Lord. Only you can change the program in my heart...and in my stomach. I failed depending on sheer willpower; it was not sustainable. I just slipped right back. Lord, I know I cannot buy self-control in a book, equipment or pill form. I realize that I cannot entrust caring for my own body to the hands of other people now or when I get old. I love my family too much and I cannot bear to be a cause of their grief over diseases that I can very well avoid. I am accountable for this temple you gave me; you can use my life to the fullest if it’s healthy and whole. So after taking charge of this area of my life for 20 years, I now lay it down before you. Thank you Lord. From now on, I will not fret about this anymore because you are in control."

I thank Him because He heard my prayer. How did He answer?

1. I received fruits from my mother which made watermelon, apples and pineapple more satiating to the palate. . I already know they're nutritious but suddenly, they also taste better! They bring forth calm to my raging sweet tooth which had a mind of its own.

2. My work schedule changed. This meant I no longer got to eat with my food trip buddies in the cafeteria 3 times within our shift. I realized how "efficient" we were in observing break times. Now that I eat alone, I no longer go for second servings or for dessert. I was a social eater after all.

3. I got convicted to keep a food log so I'll mind what I eat. I felt utter embarrassment the first time I did this because I almost filled up half the page! I also realized how much of a carbohydrate addict I was, and that I was not wise enough to eat a balanced diet. For that day I ate rice, bread, rice cake which were all carbs. I was obese yet undernourished. I lasted a day without fiber in my diet. Now I ensure I eat a balanced diet at the right amounts. (Nakakapagod magsulat kasi maraming sinusulat kapag maraming kinakain.)

4. I got convicted to take advantage of my daughter's running race pace for burning calories everyday. I'd chase her as she runs playfully in our neighborhood or in the clubhouse. (I used to delegate this task to the babysitter as I watched TV.) This daily playtime results to about 500 calories burned daily. Aside from the adrenalin rush and the release of happy feelings brought about by the exercise, we also have more bonding time when we do this. This is win-win.

5. I learned to simplify. Previously, I've got to be in a gym or a marathon match to exercise. How limiting that was! Now, if I want to exercise, I just go right about and do it. I get my hoola hoop, jump rope, dumb bells or just go to our terrace for a good stretch. I jog on Saturday mornings while my kids are asleep. Things just kept getting better and better since I yielded.

God is good. God taught me the Law of the Harvest. One reaps what one sows. I'm now healthy.

What Matters Most

“Your interaction with them (your children) will provide the foundation for their relationships with God.”
-Lisa Whelchel, in Creative Correction: Extraordinary Ideas for Everyday Discipline, 2000

There is so much responsibility in becoming a parent. And I am now recognizing that there is more to it than just providing food, shelter, education, recreation, and tons of stuff which our children call needs (Playstation Portable, iPod, laptop, cell phone with unlimited load, among others). I realize that before me now is a great opportunity to bring them closer to God by dealing with them as God directs me. I am not the boss of my children…God is.

I ensure that as I invest more time with them, I role-model what it means to love God and to have a genuine, sweet relationship with Him. This is the greatest legacy I can handover my children: the love of God.

Talk is cheap. If they don’t see me actually prioritizing God in my life, no amount of talk or intimidation can persuade them to know Him. They must be convinced inside-out that their lives must be lived for God. For only then will life have full meaning.

My children’s view of God is influenced by how I view Him. So all the more I have to seek Him, and ask for His direction on how to bring them up in the way that pleases Him.

Proverbs 24:3-4

By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

This Generation’s Cupid!

Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year. I greeted my husband and my son as I woke up ahead of them. The morning started with me making a few sandwiches for breakfast. Then a voice from outside called, “LBC delivery po para kay Edna Guevara…” I didn’t want to go out to meet the delivery man because of my Saturday morning shabby look so I called Alex from the room, and requested him to transact with the delivery guy. However, he hesitated and did not move an inch. So I rushed to the gate and received the package. This long package had no sender’s address. My mind wondered what it contained; I had a wild hint it was a blueprint of the next house we’re planning to build. After a few seconds, I’ve opened the box and saw 3 red roses, a teddy bear and a card. It was from Alex! They’re pricey alright, but it’s OK. There’s an intangible ROI (return on investment). It’s an expression of love that cannot be quantified.

My son received a valentine’s gift from us; it was Francisco J. Colayco and Nina Lim Yuson’s book, Money for Kids: Pera Mo, Palaguin Mo (Anvil Publishing Inc., 2006). He read it right away and liked it. I hope he applies the principles therein.

Action Required: Stand On The Word of God

Romans 4: 20-22
Abraham’s faith did not leave him, and he did not doubt God’s promise; his faith filled him with power, and he gave praise to God. He was absolutely sure that God would be able to do what he promised.
That is why Abraham, through faith, was accepted as righteous by God.

Thank you Lord for teaching us that we need to have unyielding faith and confidence in you. Thank you also for assuring us that your Word is always fresh and relevant, and that the breakthrough Abraham experienced, we can enjoy too. This is my reference to your promise:

Romans 4: 23-24
The words “he was accepted as righteous” were not written for him alone. They were written also for us who are to be accepted as righteous, who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from death.

So I pray,

Psalm 123:1-2
Lord I look up to you, up to heaven, where you rule. As a servant depends on his master, as a maid depends on her mistress, so we will keep looking to you, O Lord our God, until you have mercy on us.

Clowning Around

My daughter Roo is afraid of clowns and mascots. We did not get her into being scared of it - she simply has been that way since she was a baby. Of course, this has an economic upside...clowns and mascots are banned when planning her birthdays, until we end with the decision of having no party at all. That's P20K cost avoidance in 2 years! Well, no kiddie party at least until she gets over the phobia.

When we attend friends' kiddie parties, we'd start bidding the celebrant goodbye shortly before Jollibee, Hetty or Grimace arrives. Otherwise, it will be a traumatic experience for her. And for us as well. So for the meantime, she just gets contented holding the still, life-sized version of Ronald Mc Donald outside the store.

We saw this clown in Toyota Dasmarinas, Cavite during the launch of Toyota Corolla Altis 2.0 last February 7. Still sleepy from the travel from Silang, she shuddered at the mere sight of this goofy clown! Then she panicked because this one had a buddy...a sidekick clown! "As if one was not enough," she must have thought!

So that whole afternoon in Toyota was like a Twilight Zone experience for her. Look at her in this picture, still scared from the sight of seeing one of the clowns take a break and draw water from the drinking station! When the clown saw her, he started doing goofy stuff and Roo really freaked out! As if she wanted to go back to my womb again in terror. The big nose scared her, the colorful costume did not appeal to her at all. It was horrendous! After a while, the clown left a bit confused. This was a different kid he figured out for sure.
I'm sure in time she'll realize that her own mother is a big time clown herself and she won't be afraid anymore!

Super Mom Celebrates A Super Day!

We celebrated my mother’s birthday in Balinsasayaw Chicken Grill and Restaurant. It is clandestinely located in 7180 A Highway, Tubuan II, Silang Cavite. (Thanks to our friends from Engineering Department who discovered this food place!) Owner Ms Rose E. Pe had a different concept of a festive dining experience. Fresh air, flowering plants, ferns and shrubs surround the nipa huts in various elevations. It reminded me of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces. A mosquito net surrounds every hut that protects both people and food from the elements. Customer usually come in groups, and there is guaranteed privacy in this kubo-kubo set-up. One summons the waiter by ringing a bell found in a corner of the hut. it's like ringing a butler. :-)

You have to taste how good the food is here. We ordered the set menu which consisted of grilled sea foods,chicken & eggplant served creatively in a big bilao. We also ordered Alex's favorite, the Palawan Express (a close relative of the Bicol Express). Together with steamed rice, assorted fruits and iced tea, it was a very satisfying experience.

After lunch, we made her rest and prepare for a soothing massage in the spa. What a special treat for our ageless celebrant!

Happy birthday also to dear friend Elsie Hipolito of Canada who shares the same natal day with my mom!!

An Invitation to Trust

In Isaiah 51:12-13, God invites us to trust in Him:

The Lord says,
I am the one who strengthens you.
Why should you fear mortals,
who are no more enduring than grass?
Have you forgotten the Lord who
made you?
Who stretched out the heavens
and laid the earth’s foundations?

So whether you feel weak physically, spiritually or emotionally, ask and expect to receive strength from God today.

The Envelope, Please….

Anticipation arises out of what each envelope contains. However, there is far less resistance in the mind now because it’s just a matter of time until it all comes to an end.
Every end marks a new beginning….
My fear of uncertain days ahead has been replaced with courage and excitement. I already accepted that nothing lasts forever…even Intel (in the Philippines).
Another chapter will unfold in Q3. Only this time, the paths will be as varied as there are the many number of employees who will separate. Success will be defined no longer in terms of factory deliverables and Critical Success Indicators (CSIs) but on how each one will make use of the work ethic, skills set and network that one gained in Intel. There is, undoubtedly, a competitive advantage if you’re an Intellite. (May everyone realize and appreciate that there is.) Through our veins run our Intel values; we know how to strategize & focus- how to make a game plan. We know how to do cost-benefit analysis and derive decisions that are data-driven. Most importantly, we know how to execute – we flawlessly deliver. We also know how to evaluate, to make things better in the next cycle. And in all things we apply safety and quality. These are life skills tattooed in every Intellite.
CV will end soon but there will be no goodbyes. The happy memories, milestones and victories will linger for a lifetime. The challenges and learnings that made us strong and mature will equip us for the exciting adventure ahead.
The journey has been magical. My 11 years in Intel has been the best 11 years of my life.

Making Time for Friends

Friends are life’s rare gems… so not even a brain-wrecking migraine nor hypertension can stop me from meeting my buddies from CPU assembly. It was a 40-kilometer drive from home but the SM Mall of Asia is the perfect place for a Saturday morning rendezvous. It’s been 44 days since we last saw each other and that was a very long wait!
My anticipation heightened as my family approached the skating rink. I searched for familiar faces amidst a throng of strangers in the mall. Then there they were, in Bo’s Coffee shop, sipping latte and eating pies. After a quick chat, we decided to transfer to Wendy’s Hamburger Restaurant to continue the bonding over lunch. We reminisced the good old times and had a light chat about future prospects. Bottom line: we connected and had fun!
I appreciate Analiza Palacio, Reishel Dollosa, Alma Oblepias, Ponciano “Jhun” Dotollo, Jr., Lilian Sablad, Robelyn Castillo, Girlie Balbuena, Crisyl Trinidad, Rowena “Wendy” Calipay, Adelin Leachon & Judeleo Ferrer for taking time to come, for sharing their experiences. Thanks for bringing your kids and demonstrating to them how we value friendship. For the others who were not able to make it…we missed you (and talked about you) a lot! Hope we can get together again soon.
<-This photo was taken in May 2007 when we wnet to ATC to eat in Saisaki & watch Pirates of the Carribean 3.


Thanks to Lani Arreglo, Jude Ferrer & Lilian Sablad for capturing the precious moments. Until June...kitakitz.

Love in Action

O Lord, you have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress,

a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.
Isaiah 25:4a

One thing I love about being an Intelite is being able to volunteer in outreach activities. On January 30, 2009, we had a heart warming experience in Mama’s Hope Haven of Norway, Inc. It is located at 25 F. Manalo Rd., Pag-asa St., Brgy. Navarro, General Trias, Cavite. It was a pleasant surprise for some of our volunteers to discover this non-profit Christian organization which has a holistic approach in ministering to the communities. What really strikes me was that it caters to both the young and the elderly: for the young, its key objective is teaching self-sufficiency and poverty alleviation which can be achieved through education; for the elderly, a dignified retirement.

The day started off with storytelling to kids (Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, Twinkle Star & Where Do Balloons Go), parlor games (stop dance, bring me), singing program for elderly, feeding of snacks to kids, feeding lunch to elderly, fun and fellowship with all the beneficiaries & among fellow volunteers.

We had the privilege of meeting Ms. Rachel Trovi, founder and president of Mama’s Hope. I thanked her for having a burden and responding to the call to care for Filipino orphans and elderly. I was inspired with her act of sacrifice of being in the outskirts of Cavite instead of enjoying life in Norway. She is much loved and respected by everyone. I immediately connected with the vision of her ministry which is “to demonstrate a wholesome atmosphere where the love and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ can be experienced and shared in the best way possible.” Her courage and dedication is moving…she does not receive any salary for helping her fellowmen of another nationality. This is love in action. Indeed a tough act to follow.

We also salute the social workers, house parents and caregivers who minister in Mama’s Hope. You are living heroes and examples sa bayan ng mga volunteers.

For more details, visit Mama's Hope website at...

http://www.mama-children.org/index_en.htm

ABUNDANCE INSIDE!!

There's a lot of positive and meaningful things I took away when I attended "Abundance, A Mini-Lifeshop" last January 28, Wednesday. Pido Aguilar, Jr. was energetic and really knows what he was talking about, the principles of Abundance.

What struck me most was his point that whether good or bad, nothing lasts forever. It's stressful & frustrating to hold on to something that you know won't last. Letting go is emotionally and spiritually liberating.

Special thanks to colleague Dennis Paderes for capturing my special moment with Pido.

15 Years and Counting

January 27, '09 is our fifteenth year wedding anniversary. We celebrated it by attending the 8:00 AM worship service in Alabang New Life Christian Center. I thanked God for blessing our family with love, joy & peace through the years. He is the Lord of our house, and the Great Provider.

After church, we strolled a bit in the Alabang Town Center. The shops just opened, and almost all of them offer hefty discounts because there is not much to splurge on the part of buyers after the holiday season. This period until before Valentines day is sluggish.

At 11:30am we headed to our "anniversary restaurant", Giligan's Alabang. We also celebrated here last year and we enjoyed the experience enough to eat there again this year. We like the cozy ambiance and the pirate ship theme...it's unique. We ordered the sumptuous Set B: sinigang na bangus sa miso (milkfish in miso & tamarind soup), fried chicken with special gravy, grilled liempo, steamed rice and iced tea. The blueberry pie was to die for but we begged off desserts this year with this mantra: "a moment on the lips, forever on my hips!"

(It seems that it took a longer time for me to write this blog than for my family to finish Set B :-))
Happy birthday to my cousin-in-law Evelyn "Chingky" Agsulid who celebrates her birthday today.

God is in Charge

But the Lord is faithful; He will make you strong and guard you from the evil one.

2 Thesalonians 3:3

Praise God for this verse! His Word is always fresh and he gives it at the right time. This passage removed my anxiety over the troubles I hear going around. The Lord gives perfect peace.

Faith Brings Change

I believe God will reveal His plan to us, we only need to seek Him first.
I believe God remains the source of all the good in my life, no matter what the world says.
I believe God teaches me to be sensitive to His will now, and I acknowledge His Lordship.

I believe that God is teaching me to mature spiritually...Lord help me endure.

With Christ In My Vessel

I was so blessed to hear Pastor Paul Chase’s preaching in the 8am worship service. He shared that one of the vital things necessary in every believer’s life is to allow the Word of God to be the source of truth in my life.
God knew I was hurting so bad from the January 20 announcement that our company will be closing this year. There was so much bad news going around. So God comforted me and revealed these truths that I believe:

Isaiah 41:13
I am the Lord your God;
I strengthen you and tell you,
Do not be afraid; I will help you.

Isaiah 43:5
Do not be afraid, I am with you!

Isaiah 46:4
I am your God and will take care of you
Until you are old and your hair is gray.
I made you and will care for you;
I will give you help and rescue you.

Thank you Lord, for the reassurance. With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm.

A Fresh Start

GOD can do amazing things with the rest of your life. God specializes in giving people a fresh start.

-Rick Warren, in "Purpose Driven Life"

An atomic bomb was dropped before us yesterday. It was a five-minute announcement that forever changed my life... and the life of at least 1,600 employees. On second thought, multiply that by 4 and that's your total number (covering average number of dependents). There was a deafening silence in the Recreation Hall as everyone was stunned with THE announcement. I'd like to scream but only tears are allowed to come out from my eyes. I remembered everyone I cared for in Intel - my colleagues in manufacturing, my peers from other departments, the security guards, even the canteen and maintenance folks. This can't be happening, I said to myself with disbelief. I planned to retire in Intel, and at 35, I am definitely NOT YET in my retirement age. Our manager said thank you for the years we spent in the company. Then he said sorry that this decision had to happen. I felt he was sincere.

People came out of the forum with heads bowed down. Intel will be a great loss to the Philippines, being one of the top exporters, and one of the best employers this country has. I'm grateful that I've been a part of it. it has become a conduit of blessings for the community and to the employees whose lives it enriched to a full measure.

After much thought, I come to the following conclusions: I've been with this company for more than 11 years and my commitment remains unwavering. I will honor my commitment until my last day in office. I will comfort my co-employees who are still hurting. I will muster enough courage to reach out to those who find this situation unbearable. i will make myself available to remind everyone that there is hope, and that accepting the truth will set us free. Free to come to God again and inquire of His new gameplan for us & our families.

All the best to us, as we welcome a fresh start in life.

-Edna (0916-420-4052 personal CP :-)

January 21 Letter to God

Heavenly Father, I rejoice and praise You because in a world of constant change, You remain immovable.
You taught us to trust in You. And that trust is not in vain.

You are a Steady Rock we can lean on.

Please help me accept things that are beyond my control.

Lord, grant me the wisdom to know your will.

Increase my faith. May I get the lesson you want to impart to me through this trial.

Let this situation lead me to spiritual maturity. Let this event draw me closer to you.

Let this event help me lead others closer to you.

Allow me to comfort others as you comfort me.

I humbly lay my life before you. Thank you for your unconditional love and compassion. In excitement I await my life's next chapter. With unyielding confidence I submit to you.

This I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

San Fernando, Pampanga Revisited

There’s been a big development within the last 2 years in San Fernando, Pampanga’s infrastructure. The North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) has been widened and the road signs are much more helpful to motorists. I found the machine-dispensed automated ticketing system in San Fernando exit on our way back to Manila efficient.
There are much more gasoline station stopovers now as compared to my last trip. One even had life-sized dinosaurs and a playground as attractions for weary motorists.
San Fernando, Pampanga is also a home to the country’s top 2 malls: SM Pampanga and Robinson’s Star Mall. It has been a trend that they are erected adjacent to each other, as in this case, they are. They are situated right where the express way exit is, so no one will miss it. This is a great help for Pampanguenos because these malls generate jobs for the people and the taxes they pay benefit the municipal government.
One can still see the lahar in the outskirts of town, reminding townsfolk of the Mount Pinatubo explosion of the ‘90s.

Reuniting with Relatives in Pampanga has always been exciting. The Garcia clan is big and getting together means a whole day of eating. Among the delicacies include dinuguan (pork blood stew), calderetang itik (duck in thick tomato sauce), grilled sea foods (tilapia, squid, milkfish) and buro (preserved fish). For the sweet tooth, there's suman (rice cake), ube halaya (sweet potato rootcrop) and ice cream (ube macapuno & choco marble flavors). Pancit guisado and siomai were served for merienda or afternoon snack. Freshly picked star apples (caimito), pineapples and bananas were the official fruit snack. RC cola and Arsy sodas were the thirst quenchers. All these one will force to stack in your stomach in the midst of getting criticized that he/she got fat as compared to the recent reunion. This however, does not apply to me. I got leaner and everyone noticed. So I coached this year's relative who inherited the crown to not take the critics seriously.

Sunday Afternoon Family Bonding

Our first stop was in Market! Market! Located in Carlos P. Garcia Avenue (C-5) corner 32nd Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Metro Manila. The mission: to satisfy my son’s craving for
World-famous Krisy Kreme! It was an adventure to search for the doughnut place in Market! Market! To my surprise, the store was actually in Bonifacio High Street. So we crossed the street & headed to Boni-Hi.
Then there it was…one of Krispy Kreme Doughnut’s home in the Philippines! The look and feel of the store is immaculate clean and cozy. Sunday morning’s service crew team provided excellent customer service. My daughter Roo was given a balloon & a hat for souvenirs.Everyone looked at the display counter and immediately knew that we were in for a special treat!
We started off by ordering 6 pieces of honey-glazed donuts. The first bite is surreal…the softest dough…a paradise for the sweet tooth indeed! As I was savoring the first bite, the other 5 doughnuts were gone! They were consumed in a flash! So, to make the trip worthwhile, we ordered a 2nd box (another half dozen) together with a talk glass of frappe for Josh and steaming hot coffee to match.
As we were enjoying the food and the ambiance, my son suddenly exclaimed, “I want to live here!” perhaps experiencing the sugar rush.

Next stop was the Fully Booked Bookstore, also in Bonifacio high Street. People flocked to the store to buy the bestsellers. They carry a wide array of reading materials that delight bibliophiles of all ages. They also carry CDs and exquisite gift items.

This turned out to be a priceless bonding moment :-)

EXERCISING HONESTY IS EMPOWERING

It takes fortitude of character and maturity to return something valuable that is not yours. After the honest deed is done, it feels so liberating…to a certain extent one feels empowered. This is because one overcame greed.
Honesty nourishes the soul. And having a soul is what differentiates humans from the other animals. If man ignores the conviction of his conscience, succumbs to self-preserving instincts, then he is just like the lower animals.
Between stimulus and response is a choice. When man chooses to keep his integrity intact by remaining honest, he benefits from inner peace. This is much valuable that satisfying baser instincts.
So the saying, “to thine own self be true,” is a nugget of wisdom really worth applying in life!

Stop and Smell the Flowers

The New Year brings a promise of new hope, fresh beginnings and recovery from things we messed up with in the last year. It feels good to start with a clean slate and break away from old habits that pull you down.
Three days into the year…so far so good. I got to read the Bible; then jog or lift weights in the morning. I’m reading a management book to feed my mind. I’m having my sofa re-upholstered to give my living room a new look. I’ve been cleaning the house for 2 weeks & have come to the conclusion that I might as well transfer to a new house than to have the current one renovated. No big deal, right?

Overall, I am very much content with my life now. I have no backlog nor any missed opportunity. I can take time to stop and smell the flowers.

More than New Year resolutions...Lifetime Resolutions

Here is my response to Grace Ilagan’s invitation in her blog to document my New Year resolutions. However, I call mine lifetime resolutions because these will be it for this lifetime:

1. I will glorify GOD in all I do;
2. I will consult GOD before I make any decision;
3. I will trust GOD in all my circumstances.

Only by the grace of God will I be able to do these. My life is meaningful if I live it only for Him. My success depends on how aligned I am to God's plan in my life.
I am accountable to reach out to 5 souls for Jesus this year. This is my faith goal. I will immerse myself in His Word daily.