You'll always be in my heart!

21 months and will sooner be stopped..

The best relationship is when your lover is also your best friend and you can be yourself with him and he still love you for who you are. No amount of distance, pain, fights or differences in opinion can break our bond. We're like the best of friends.  What I love about him is that he adore my peculiarities instead of complaining about them. And one more thing that I love about him is that you have no peculiarities to complain about! 

I don't know how we will manage to keep our relationship when we are so far away. But one thing I will always remember is that I love him. Here comes the time that he'll be leaving for his mission on the 25th day of October, 2013. He is assigned to labor in Philippines Laoag Mission. I am so excited in his new journey to face. I am looking forward to see his achievements and accomplishments in the future. He may not be the same as who and what he was before, but I know he would be become a better person after his full service. I will always be proud of him.

Return with Honor Elder Delara! :) enjoy your mission and make the most of it! Help Laoag Mission Build their Zion! See you after two! I will miss you. 

                                                               |LDS|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints|

Graduation Day is fast approaching!

Analogy: One day, I wanted to increase my physical strength. I asked my Father about the things that I should do for me to be able to gain more physical strength. He told me to push a huge rock. I pushed and pushed the rock each day for a month. After a month, I went to him and asked him if how will I move the rock. It was a huge rock, it was impossible for me to move it even an inch. I told him that he was just making fun of me. When I told him those words, he didn't reacted for a space of approximately ten minutes. After a short period of silence he told me that, "I never asked you to move the rock, I only asked you to push the rock. Now look at your body and tell me if your body didn't had a physical change." I was surprised that I felt so strong and fit.Sometimes in life we need to obey even if we do not completely understand a particular command. What I did in my college days was to take all of the required subjects even if I am not sure if those subjects are related to my course. Now I realized that those subjects that I took gave me more skills and abilities to find a good job and achieve my goals in life.

College is a lot of fun as long as you don't live it below your privilege. It is a great privilege for me to be a student of Silliman University College of Business Administration. Credits to our loving Heavenly Father for giving me this privilege with the help of my loving and supporting earthly parents. Being a college student isn't easy. Projects, reports, assignments, mid-term exams, final exams always leave me scratching my head at the end of the day. But Silliman University is not just about making a student study hard every time. There are lots of activities organized by student government to make the college life more fun. This is what I mean of living with your privilege as a student. Attending and participating this activities and events makes it more easy in college. You get to meet new faces and friends that can help you survive the challenging college life.

My remaining months in Silliman University I will surely treasure and try my best to accomplish everything before leaving. Graduation day- a great event in our lives, for it is the beginning of a voyage into an unknown sea, the future. I can say that our past four years in our Alma Mater is so memorable. A day where you breathe freedom yet shed tears for leaving behind the place where you transformed from a boy to a man or from girl to a lady.One of the very important knowledge’s that I gained was how to become a better leader. In my college, I learned alot from my teacher, they help students build their confidence and how to become professional. 

Before Mimi will leave from his mission, I let him see my graduation pictures and I want to thank him for being one of my inspiration through out my college years. He helped me by letting me borrow his laptop for reports and case study; for coming with me every time there is a practice or required event to be attended. He will never witness my graduation day but I am sure that he is proud of me. :) I am so overly excited on my graduation day.

Thank you Gino Cordova and Rimus Briton Delara for your contribution to make this blog post nice.:))

                                       |LDS|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints|

Temple Trip 2013

Every year I always plan to visit the Temple located at Lahug, Cebu city. I am always excited every time there is a temple trip. This time I am with my Institute family same as last year's temple trip. August 30-31, 2013 is one of my unforgettable moment in my life. We had our devotional with our Temple President: Pres. Pagaduan and his wife. They talked about Temple Marriage and what other ordinances we can do during our temple visits and how it help our lives. here's some of our pictures:

Institute Family <3

Cebu, Philippines Temple
taken by: Keneth Lou Culis

waleeeeeeey!
taken by: Clifford Supat

taken by: Gino Cordova

background:  Cebu, Philippines Temple
taken by: Gil Aurus Alcoran

We also witnessed the Wedding of one of our IRSC member, Manuel Crausus and Doloresa Amante. We planned a surprise party for their reception in the temple ground. After their wedding they were really surprised and thankful; you can see it with their eyes. here's some of our pictures:

with the institutes students!

taken by: Keneth Lou Culis

taken by: Rona Putalan

I am always dreaming of Marrying in the temple. In five years time, I hope and I pray that I will marry in the temple. I hope you also have the same goal as mine! :) We just need to be faithful and worthy of our doings. If we do our part, we will be an eternal family and friends! I Love you all. <3 

|LDS|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints|

The most awaited part!

August 24, 2013 is the most awaited part of my friend's life Gerna Lois Bacayo. On that day she was baptized and bare her testimony in front of us. It's a wonderful feeling to witness her most unforgettable moment in life. As she testified, and I quote "At Last! This is it" as I heard this line my heart is so overwhelmed to have her not just a friend but an eternal friend. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can be challenging. It is not just a Sunday religion. It requires dedication and devotion. Gordon B. Hinckley, fifteenth president of the church, said that every convert needs three things: "a friend in the church, an assignment (calling), and to be nourished by the good word of God." I know you don't have the problem with these things, you are an elect of God that will truly understand and love the gospel. Congratulations Gerna, welcome to your new journey! I know you're a good daughter of God! :) padayon sa paglambo! Gihigugma tikaw ug mas gihigugma kas Ginoo! Be strong!

Congratulations!

|LDS|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints|

|Reminiscing the past|Sendong|ChristmasVacation|

December 17, 2011: I may still remember the said day when an undetermined number of families were left homeless (including my family)after Tropical Storm “Sendong” brought heavy rains and flooding in Dumaguete City and other parts of Negros Oriental. 

It was the most unforgettable moment in my life. :( It was a very challenging experience to me. Early in the morning, when I woke up, the rain is so heavy, the minute after I started to clean the house, the water from the river started to flood in our place. 

I and my family started to panic but still trying to save the things we may get. After an hour, one of our family friend send a text message to me telling that everybody are going to evacuate in our church and trying to convince us to stay there too. Without any doubt, we plan to stay in the church till the rain and flood stop.

Sendong really brought a big disaster in my place. I think it has an advantages and disadvantages for me. I want to start with the Disadvantages: First, major thoroughfares and interior roads were submerged in water. Second, 36 people including children were reported dead. Third, several houses along the Banica River were carried downstream by flash floods that also damaged the new Banica Bridge. Lastly, furniture, livestock, and homes made of light material were also washed away by flood waters in other parts of the city. The advantages are: First,people became more responsible and attentive every time there is a calamity. Second, it remind us that we're not in charge of nature. Third, We learn how to better respond to future problems. Lastly, we get blessings through the help of our loved ones (family friends, church friends and relatives).

I would like you to meet my co-refugees in the church: Montemayor Family, Fabillar Family and Tolentino Family. Here's some of our pics--->>

my sendong family.

Gamboa Family

The Boys! Jared, Romney, Kyle and Marc

me, jake,kath, rye and jared

Mama, Raya,Megan,Ate Marissa,Rachel

Chelsi! (guitarist)

Flood in the House

Montemayor couple, Fabillar couple and Tolentino couple

 We had our Christmas Celebration in the church, even though we suffered so much pain and loss we still have the time to thank God for all of this! I know that after every trial we encounter in our lives it brings blessings. Heavenly Father just want to test us if we are obedient to his commandments! He will never ever  leave us! Let's all be thankful and grateful <3 

|LDS|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints|

Missionary friends

Most of my friends are now in the mission field. They were inspired by the Prophet Thomas S. Monson’s announcement last general conference, which the young woman aging 19 years old and young men aging 18 years old can now apply to go on a mission. I am also inspired by then. I am still confused of my decisions. Some say to finish my studies first and some say that follow your desire. It’s hard for me to decide whether to study or to mission. I am hoping for more encouragement and advices from you guys! J

Well, I don’t really want to talk about myself. I want to share things about my institute friends who are missionaries now! Of course I am a proud friend. Here’s some update of my missionary friends!

Toni Rose Maagad is now serving in Philippines Quezon City Mission. She thought that I am her trainee in the field. But then again, I am not, Haha. She is amazing and never fails to inspire me; I always looked up to those women who served their mission. 

Sister Maagad with her companion in Manila Temple.

Priscila Lee Enriquez is now serving in Philippines Ilo-ilo Mission. Our photographer in institute and our nurse in the institute. She's so talented.

Sister Enriquez's photo during his Brother's birthday.

Marcelo Maagad is now serving in Philippines Cauayan Mission. He’s the brother of Sister Maagad. He’s our band bass guitarist and vocalist in institute. He and Toni pass their mission papers at the same time.

Elder Maagad with his companion on his first baptism.

JakeMontemayor will serve in New Jersey Morristown Mission but his papers is still in process he's temporarily serving at Manila Mission. He's my friend since they come here in Dumaguete last 2010. 

Elder Montemayor with Elder De Ocampo

Ariel Joseph Acabal, Von Rigor Calingacion, Tom Lado is now serving in Philippines Butuan Mission. Ariel and Von passed their paper at the same time and in surprise they were assigned in the same mission field. Tom is now an office missionary. John Acuesta will serve in the same mission. 

Elder Calingacion. Elder Lado and Elder Acabal

Kenneth Hoyo-a and Benjamin Remolano Jr. is now serving in Philippines Quezon city North Mission. Kenneth is my brother from another mother, haha.  My adopted brother who always help me in everything. Jr is my co-organizer in every institute activity.

Elder Remolano, Elder Hoyo-a and Elder Posadas

Romil Anasario is now serving in Philippines Angeles Mission. The RN. The Artist and the geek (sorry for the word) coz he's so intelligent. 

Elder Anasario @ Philippines MTC

I miss them a lot! I  also love them. I know how blessed they are if they do what is right. They will receive their promised blessing. I hope I can go to mission and pursue my goals. Some of my friends now are preparing for their mission. They are: Rosemae Maagad, Princess Remolano, Kenneth Lou Culis, Maricar Flores and Jea Reva Azores. And I'm next in line. :)

|LDS Missionaries|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaint|

 

Institute is my PRIORITY!

LDS Institute of Religion provide religious educational classes for young single adults and university students who belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Our beloved President Thomas S. Monson said that "MAKE INSTITUTE A PRIORITY". Its been three years that I joined the said class. I've met different kind of people in institute. I was then an inactive institute student. One of my friend Jake Montemayor, the son of our Institute director invited me to visit the ces bldg and try to join on their activities. In my curiosity, I joined. I am so amazed the first time I visited the bldg. You know why? everyone welcomes me and greet me with a smile. Isn't it amazing? 

well, so much for my story. I want to talk about our one and only Institute Director. Each institute has an Institute Director. Ours is President Rogelio Montemayor. If you want to know about him just click his name and the information is given. He's been my father since I joined Institute Class. And not to mention her wife! As how he describe her wife: "My Beautiful Wife". Haha yeah its true, I love them both. They set an example to me and to others. They inspire me most to become a good leader. Through their inspiration and the examples they've set, I can say that I am molded to become one of a good and effective Institute of Religion Student Council. I am given an opportunity to spread my wings and fly! char. I mean, to share my talents and knowledge. 

Last June 28-29, 2013 we went to Bacolod City to have our IRSC Training with the Bacolod IRSC members. I experienced a lot of things. We shared our knowledge in planning the whole year activities and shared it with the bacolod saints. We also went to "THE RUINS" one of the best place in Bacolod city. We went shopping to SM on our free time after the training and travel back to Dumaguete. Here's some of our pictures:

President Montemayor

With the Sis Leah and my co-IRSC members

The Ruins

with Jake Montemayor and Sushmita Rivera
Background: Bacolod city Hall.

Dumaguete Institute of Religion Student Council with our Director and His Wife.

My co-IRSC Member. (From left to right: Jossa, Jake, Manuel,Jino,Sushmita,Rosemae,Leo)

And now, I am proud and happy to tell everyone to MAKE INSTITUTE A PRIORITY! as what our beloved President Thomas S. Monson said. I want them to feel what I feel, I want them to find their true friends and find peace in their life, You can only feel it INSTITUTE!  I know the feeling of being a first timer but, all we need is to fellowship the new ones! I know the church is true! Heavenly Father love us! Let us all be thankful and grab this big opportunity to know them more! :) I am a proud member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! :)

|LDSinstitute|TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints|