Do we still have reason to SMILE after Typhoon Sendong’s Wrath?

On December 17, my hometown, Iligan City suffered from the wrath of Typhoon Sendong. Bagyong Sendong leaves 1079 casualties and around 1,000 plus still missing. The estimated billion worth of agriculture and infrastructure damages also showed the footprint of Typhoon Sendong. In fact, I have 3 relatives who have been affected and knowing what they have gone through made me sad.

After a week of the tragic situation, I looked back and reminisce on what Typhoon Sendong did to the community. Through the social media site, Facebook, the situation has spread out to us who are on the other part of the country and even on the different parts of the world. Facebook, served as the information channel of what’s currently happening in Iligan. We had the opportunity to monitor our immediate families and relatives.

You could see Iliganons, shared about pictures of the situation, stories of survivors and their emotions of what had just happened. The community took initiatives on how they can help out the fellow Iliganons. Though there are still some individuals who make fun out of the situation and even created a buzz by making a bad comment to the victims.

There are different stories that I heard but the following stood from the rest:

1. There are 8 survivors rescued alive and one of which is a 2 years old kid at Iligan Bay after one and half day in water. Among the survivors, there is only 1 person who knows how to swim.

2. A family who survived by jumping from one roof to another roof that is 4 meters apart.Where the wife had to jump first, husband throws their baby and the wife would have to catch him.

Personally, typhoon Sendong has created a different feeling in my heart. When something tragic incident happened in our country, yes, I sympathize with the victims but that’s it. But with this incident, I took some time to share a little money. I appealed to the Church- Victory Imus and to my former bosses from my former Company - Sun Cellular for some donations. I spend some time to travel, pick up and process donations coming from these groups. It so heart-warming that they responded immediately and extended their assistance to the victims.

Another thing, I was touched by my father’s attitude of reaching to our affected relatives. He does not have enough money to give but he makes use of of his last money of Php500.00. He used the money to buy foods, cooked some food and delivered to our relatives.

Nothing in life happens by accident. It always happen for a reason. Because of Typhoon Sendong, there is UNITY. People from different walks of life; Muslims and Christians were united to be “One for Iligan”. Most importantly, God revealed more of himself to me. Indeed,

1. The Lord is our refuge and strength.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble .Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3

2. Nothing is impossible with God.

For nothing is impossible with GOD. Luke 1: 37

3. When you give it will come back to you and will even multiply.

The Php500.00 that my father used to buy the food is intended for their noche
Buena celebration. Just in time, he received a blessing of Php1, 000.00 on
December 24th of the morning.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken
together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure
you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows
generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6

4. Serve Others

It is a reminder for me to have compassion with action; be of service to
people not only in times of calamity but in my everyday walk of life.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

On this Christmas day, amidst this tragic event, yes certainly, there is a reason to SMILE. Because this is all about GOD, it is about is his great LOVE for us when he sent his son Jesus Christ to die for our Sins. All it takes is for us to receive this eternal gift.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6: 23

For my kababayan in Iligan, let’s leave behind typhoon Sendong and let us look forward for Y2012 for a deeper and intimate relationship of our Lord and Savior and be an obedient sons and daughters of GOD.

Merry Christmas to everyone and Let us all Have a Fresh Start for Y2012!

How To Start Working at Home

Wake up at 4 AM, down in the road at 5:30 AM with a heavy Traffic along Aguinaldo Hi-way in Imus, Cavite until EDSA. Fall in line in MRT station Taft and "enjoy" the different smell of various people, and arrived at Robinson Galleria Ortigas at 8:01 am. What a bad day, well working hour starts at 8 AM!

Going home at 6:30 pm, fall in line in the provincial Bus Lane and waiting for the JASPER or San Agustin bus for almost an hour but in the end still in standing and back to back position with the other passenger. Again, stuck in a traffic along Aguinaldo Hi-way for almost 2 hours. At exactly 10 pm, finally, I am at home unfortunately my son is already asleep. What a sad night! I can only shower him with kisses but unable to speak with his whereabouts at school.

This is just one of the typical day I had when I was still working in the corporate world.But good thing, now, I have the opportunity of taking care of my kids and spending time with my husband without compromising our finances. I enjoyed changing diapers, preparing milk for my 18 months old little girl and doing assignments, reviews with my 8 years old son.What a great opportunity for me and I enjoyed it every day.


The benefits I enjoyed for almost 3 years, started when I learned some ways how to earn money through the internet. The very great thing that created a big impact in my life was to start working at home through Odesk.

So how does Odesk works? Here are some basic information to follow on how you could start working at home through Odesk.


1. Sign Up for an account as Odesk contractor at Odesk.com.

2. Complete the Profile. Fill up all the details. Click on the link to see a
sample profile.

3. Take the Odesk Readiness Test.The test is a pre-requisite for the Odesk
contractors to be able to apply for a job.

4. Take other tests to increase the job application quota. More tests
taken can also be an asset for the contractor’s profile.

5. Apply for jobs. In applying for a job it is better to choose hourly
jobs over Fixed-price since it has a guaranteed payment. In filtering
for a job, apply for job posting that has:

• current postings
• less applicants
• Payment Method Verified
• Positive Feedback

These are the 5 basic steps you can simply follow in starting Odesk.More information to follow but for the meantime, will give you some time to create your Odesk Profile. Enjoy the benefits of working at home, register for an Odesk account here.

Phases of Life

November 2000, this is the happiest time of my life. I passed the Electronics and Communication Engineering Licensure Examination with a very great rating of 70.6% (Really amazing, the passing rate is 70%).

January 2001, a typical probinsyana, who was looking for a good opportunity went to Manila. Finally, after 4 months of walking around mostly in Makati to submit resumes, being lost from the streets of Ayala, asking directions from the police, security or MMDA officers, I was hired as administrative assistant through an agency, Business Staffing Management, Inc. and assigned in Globe Telecom, Inc.
October 2001, the highest point of my life since it was my dream to be in the corporate world and be part of a big company. I was surrounded by good people who guided, supported and cared for me. For my previous colleagues in Globe, thank you very much!

June 2005, the lowest, saddest, breaking point of my life. I decided to leave Globe Telecom, I don’t want to leave because that’s the most treasured and accomplishment I had in my life. During those times, there were fear, pride, hatred, negative things are all coming. I was not confident, and situations worsen my self-esteem. I hated someone and the situation. I gave up what I have, in exchange for peace of mind, even if it cost me a lot.

July 2005, I called it now the beginning of my “Purpose Driven Life”. It was the start of going back to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I asked for FORGIVENESS and he forgave me. God’s forgiveness, reminded me of HIS great LOVE. God sent his only son, Jesus Christ and died in the cross for my sins even If I don’t deserve it. What a GREAT LOVE I have from my Heavenly Father! Slowly, through GOD’s grace I learn to FORGIVE and released HATRED, FEAR and PRIDE. These things have no room anymore in my LIFE.

Recalling those experiences, I believed that everything happens for a reason and with me it turned out the best. Well, the LORD says” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

From that moment on, LIFE was never the same. For six years, there is a transformation, though I would say that it’s just a little portion but I am very thankful with it. I know GOD is creating something in my heart. There is still a bigger PORTION that I know God wanted me to give. He is waiting for me to receive it but I am not yet ready. (I don’t know yet, when will it be!) Along these years, I have an ON and OFF relationship or it’s liked a Hide and Seek Relationship with my Heavenly Father. Good thing, He is always there waiting for her daughter to come back. Though, I don’t want GOD to keep waiting for me!

Y2011 is about to end and before I welcome Y2012, here are some important points that I learned for this year.

I desired for a deeper and intimate relationship with GOD. Yet, I do not do things need to be closer to GOD.

I want to experience more of Financial Freedom and yet I still go back to the old lifestyle. GOD has given me Financial Breakthrough but because of these things: Greed, Impatience, Self-Indulgence and Ignorance. It almost places me back to financial difficulty. In managing my Finances, it is good to be reminded that I have covenant with GOD, to be a good steward, to give back what is due to GOD and be a channel of blessing.