Reigniting Passions at TEDx Diliman - "Things that Matter"

TED videos  were a source of writing inspiration in my former job. To those who don't know, TED Talks are short (around 18-20 minutes) recorded speeches from TEDx events that revolve around the general theme of "ideas worth spreading".  TEDxDiliman is just one of many independently organized TEDx events around the world. Today, TED has become a global movement of changemakers and thinkers who are passionate about the things they do and think about.

I never thought that one day, I'd actually attend a TEDx event and listen firsthand to these brilliant minds. The topic for last night's TEDxDiliman was "Things that Matter".  I signed up for it after a friend encouraged me to apply, and after I saw that the subtopics (music, art, books, reason, etc.) were things I'm deeply passionate about. Knowing that only 1 out of 3 people are selected to be part of the audience, I was really happy to have received a positive response!

Another huge surprise came when I saw on the email that my sister was also part of the event. If there's anyone who I'd love to be with during this type of gathering, it would be my sister.

Happy to attend TEDxDiliman with my sister! 

Organized by Gigo Alampay of CANVAS (Center for Art, New Ventures, and Sustainable Development), TEDxDiliman brought together speakers who are pursuing their passions and loving every moment of it. Some speakers brought tears and laughter to the audience. Some challenged long-held beliefs and gave us fresh ways of looking at things. What was evident though was that each is a source of inspiration.

Here are some of my favorite takeaways from each speaker:

Joey Ayala and his rendition of Lupang Hinirang in a different time signature

The reward for us is the experience we give you - Gigo Alampay, TEDxDiliman organizer

To be authentic, embrace change - Joey Ayala (musician, cultural artist) on Indigenous Music

Our job is to read and demand good books - Rica Bolipata-Santos (Literature professor and Philippine Star columnist) on Books

Shadows matter because they develop our creativity rather than our fears - Don Sulabayba (from Anino Shadowplay Collective) on Shadowplays

Commenting on Borges' short story On Exactitude in Science: The best map of the world is the world itself. The perfectly accurate map is useless - Popo Lotilla (UP professor and antique map collector) on Maps

Adopting a child won't change the world, but for that child, the world would change - Marina Cruz-Garcia  (visual artist and adoptive mother) on Adoptions

We need lawyers who understand that law is not a career but a profession.  Law is a passion. - Marvic Leonen (Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines) on Lawyers

The real competition is found in the rehearsal room where one is striving to be better, knowing that each one is relying on one another to make beautiful music. - Mark Anthony Carpio (Choral conductor and choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers) on Music

I learned that behind something unpredictable, there's actually a process, an order. - Reinabelle Reyes (Filipino Astrophysicist who proved Einstein's Theory of General Relativity) on Science

History is two things: data and interpretation - Paul Alexander Morales, Ballet Philippines artistic director

Why rely on "diskarte" [winging it] when you can prepare for it? - Jonathan Yabut (Apprentice Asia Season 1 winner) on Passion

TEDx freebies: where I took notes.

I was on TED high after the event, and I could say that a lot of the speakers either changed my perspective or affirmed my passions. For me, the biggest transformation was that my world suddenly expanded again.  I was in a cubicle for two years while trying to live out my passions on the side when work was done. I don't regret it, since I felt that God called me there for that time and I met great people. But now, God is telling me to get a move on.  The things that matter to me are books, education, volunteer work, creativity, music, faith, family, relationships, and God.  These are the things I love and value, and I want to focus on them.

Forgive me if I seem to romanticize TEDx and make it about me, but I truly realize how blessed I am to have been given the desires and strengths I have.  Now, the possibilities are before me, and I have an awesome opportunity to do what I love to do. I'm just happy I trusted in God's timing on this.  TEDxDiliman is just one confirmation of my God-given purpose to focus on my strengths, so I can be a blessing to others. Undoubtedly, this event is one of the highlights of my year and a fitting end to my cubicle life.

Thank you TEDxDiliman for the inspiration! You guys are awesome!

To receive updates from TEDxDiliman and view quality photos of the event, visit TEDxDiliman on Facebook.

One night in a coffee shop

I was helping a friend set up her Facebook page and business blog one night at a coffee shop in Mandaluyong.  Since our meeting was also a bonding session, we stayed up quite late. As we were finishing up, two men probably in their mid-twenties sat down on the table next to us. They didn't order anything except for one regular cup of coffee. I wasn't minding them until I noticed that they both kept staring at me. Once in a while, they would chat, but most of the time, they would look at me. I started getting uncomfortable, and since I didn't want to think weird thoughts, I thought that maybe they wanted to use the outlet where my netbook was plugged.  The strange thing was, there were two sockets and the one I wasn't using was still available.

At this point, I started getting increasingly queasy.  I was the only one in the coffee shop with a netbook. The rest of the customers were just chatting with their companions or eating. While packing up, I decided to give the two men the benefit of the doubt, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that they would follow us.  We went down to the coffee shop's first floor where I stopped by the counter to get a drink of water. I was also waiting for them to go down. If they didn't, then my fears could be laid to rest. My fears proved me right, however; the two of them went down and looked like they were ready to leave too. Perhaps they thought that they had given us enough time to go out, so they could follow us. I was still hopeful though that I was just thinking negatively. However, when they saw that I was still in the counter drinking water, one of them also stopped and told his companion that he was going to get a drink of water. It was pretty obvious to me by this time that they wanted us to leave the coffee shop first! But why? I didn't want to think about it anymore and decided to follow my hunch.  Never mind that my netbook wasn't even the expensive kind. The point is, I was the only one with a gadget they had seen.

My friend and I left the coffee shop slowly. I took her aside while we were walking and whispered to her that I had a bad feeling about the two men behind us. She told me that she noticed them staring at me too and also found this strange.  I was wondering what to do.  I didn't want to walk along the highway at that late hour with the possibility of two men mugging me.  I had experienced a similar incident before (read: How my cellphone got stolen again) and needless to say, I was scared out of my wits that it would happen again.

So what we did was to try to get inside the mall, but the guard wouldn't let us in since it was already late. I didn't know what to do. Going ahead seemed so unwise with the two men still slowly following us trying not to look obvious.  Then I remembered that there was still another coffee shop nearby. I told my friend that we should stop over for a while until the two men were safely out of sight.  So that's what we did.  I also made it obvious to the two men that I had noticed them following us.   I looked at them before going inside the other coffee shop.  Thankfully, our strategy worked. The two men didn't follow us anymore and went ahead. After a few minutes, my friend and I felt safe enough to go outside.

I didn't take the bus that night like I used to. I was too shaken up to walk along a dark street. Instead, I went up the more well-lit MRT station and took the train where I could be sure that the two men wouldn't be able to follow me in the girl's section. I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally got home.

This incident was a lesson to me to be wiser in spending late nights in coffee shops when I had my netbook with me. I hope that you'll also be warned by my experience. I also couldn't shake the feeling that it was a miracle I wasn't mugged that night.  I am usually unaware of my surroundings especially when I'm busy (you can ask my closest friends about this). In fact, I once got almost hit by a bus because of this tendency of my mind to wander. But that's another story :P   I am just grateful that the Holy Spirit warned me that night and guided me on what to do. Alone, I would either have been insensitive or very indecisive.  Thank you God, because you kept us safe.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever ~ John 14:16

Goodbye 2012 (plus a pic spam!)

I wrote this blog entry in January 2013 but never got around to posting it until now. I think this is the best period to be reminded :)

"A bride who is more interested in the gifts than the groom misses the point completely. I have missed the point repeatedly." 

This tweet from David Bonifacio sure woke me up today. Which bride is more excited about the wedding gifts than the groom himself? It only took me split-second to realize that I was that bride.

For the past days, I have been feeling a bit ungrateful because I had been feeling that I never really get what I desire the most.  I was pursuing the blessings from God,  forgetting that the biggest reward is God himself and that He is in control.    

So I thought about sharing the goodness of God first with this note of gratefulness. I want to honor God in my life, just to be reminded that He has been faithful since I came back here in Manila.

March-April 2011 -  So many changes I didn't expect. I was also going back to my family after 11 years of staying away. I didn't know where the road was taking me. I didn't even know if I really wanted to go.

May 2011 - Went on a retreat. Went running again, had "long dates" with God, had overnights at my Christian friends' house, listened to podcasts and worship music all day long.

 Unexpectedly, He gave me a disciple at the lowest point in my life.  He was pointing me in the right direction -- to the mountain top. It was an awesome spiritual revival, thanks to my supportive friends.

Ignite Youth Conference 2011

My Surprise Send-off Party -- also a time of prayer and believing God for disciples in my old job

June 2011 - Back home. Surprisingly, I got a freelance job as a contributor for a food mag. I was going to have pocket money -- yay. Best of all, I was finally going to fulfill my dream of writing about food and getting paid for it.

Being back at home was also an unexpected comfort (read: Going Home).

July 2011 - Decided to take on a new job (Read: My New Job).  Grateful for less stress at work. More time to do the things I want to do!

My new workmates who just love eating!

Started bible study sessions again, started meeting my high school and MA friends again.  My world expanded. Wrote a long blog entry about healing: When People We Love Hurt Us.

August 2011 - Renamed my blog Divine Amnesia.

October 2011 - I don't remember September much. But I do remember October.  I loved my birthday (read my birthday entry).

November 2011 - my first Christian concert! I blogged about it on Saved Festival 2011.

December 2011 - December was an exciting period for our Victory group! We launched our first VG outreach. It was also a time of bonding with new friends.

VG Pangarap, so named for our outreach in Pangarap Village

New year date with mom and a New Year card for my sister...who will also later on get to know Jesus :) 

2012 was a time for building and strengthening relationships, making disciples, and just enjoying the day-to-day blessings.

January 2012

Prayer and Fasting 2012 with Ching and Ting!

Prayer and Fasting 2012 day 3 with Ting and family

February 2012

We had to split the big VG for bible study...here's our small VG called Hardcore with Ate Vivian. 

March 2012

Zambales trip with Tere and Shen...also met some nice new people!

VG Los Banos Valentine's Outreach activity

Meeting Early, a dormmate from college!

Growing VG Pangarap! 

Ang dami namin!!!

eating out with some VGmates, including my new 121 partner CHEEK! I love her!

more good times with high school friends

April 2012

Marianne's Wedding - meeting God's best is worth the wait!

More VG bonding nights!

Our VG watching Phoebe. First time I watched her perform. She's a jazz/wedding singer :)

Planetshakers and Israel Houghton concert with VG LB :)

with VG Pangarap

May 2012

basic photography lessons with Gail from Foreverday Photography

Month of the Oceans 2012...

...where we helped paint the longest dolphin mural :)

June 2012

VG Pangarap Outing

date with Ting and my inaanak Juju

High school barkada

July 2012

More outreach activities! This time, with my workmates!

painting a school in Payatas

The whole team :)

VG Maginhawa: The group that is really special to me this year. Before I left LB, someone prophesized that I would disciple 2-3 students. I wondered how that could be, when I was already leaving! Well, guess what. When God wills it, it will happen! My VG of UP students with some of my friends:

How it all started...a date with Ching and the three girls below :)

VG Maginhawa with my bestfriend Ting

At Burger Project with their Kuya Ian

I love these girls!

And of course, I had more fun times with my HS friends...if our VG is growing, so is our barkada!

our growing group

Mid-year fast with VG mates

 A time to recharge

August 2012

Started my capoeira lessons this month (read: Kicked in Capoeira class). I'm struggling, but I love them.  They help me develop patience and discipline.

With capoeira buddy Stella :)

Also...

VG relief operations for Typhoon Sendong victims

September 2012

Outing at Hidden Valley with office mates

assignment from VG maginhawa

first time to watch a play at CCP

Mom's 56th birthday

October 2012

Beyond Borders projects (now called The Isaiah 41 Project) brainstorming starts with Ian, Jho, and Kate. This outreach project in Sibuyan Island, Romblon was proposed to us by Kate. We're off to help an IP community with their classroom materials! Pray for us!

 Logo 

My first 3k run...

with Sorority sisters and...

officemates :)

Cheek's Victory Weekend! woohoo!

Cheek's water baptism

with VG during my birthday and other VGmates' birthdays! 

birthday date with my very good friend Leo

November 2012

My first 5k run...

haggard but happy!

with buddy  Raiza :)

December 2012

A VG wedding - Joc and Oliver's

VG Christmas Outreach 2012 -- the second year!

SPIN Collaborative Cascade with my sister - a gathering of individuals and social entrepreneurs who are changing the world!

Christmas Day with my family

This was also the month that I got promoted in my job. So yay for that :)

To end my uber long pic spam, I just realized that I have a lot to be grateful for.  God replaced my sadness with all of these meaningful activities and more importantly, these wonderful, beautiful people. My life wouldn't have been this awesome without them.

Thank you to all of you who were part of my 2012 :)

More than all of these people and things though, I learned or was reminded of four very important things:

1) God is my Provider - I was never in lack!
2) God is my Comforter - I am always at peace when I give up everything to God
3) God is my Strength -  I can always depend on him!
4) God is Faithful - even when I am not!

Thank you God for loving me this much.

I now empty myself of everything that happened in 2012 to make way for newer, greater, and better things.  There is only one Person I want to be expectant about, and that is God.

Here's to 2013 :)

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy... -  Psalms 30:11