Himig Ko Handog Ko 2016: Season 5

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Generosity Encouraged
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

-There will always be poor among us, but God, who sustains our physical and spiritual needs, will enable us to flourish and in turn serve others.I don't view this as a duty but through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, I believe that we can be compelled to help others without expecting anything in return.

This year's Himig Ko Handog Ko is similar to the first season because volunteers sang Christmas carols to the beneficiaries and gave them food packages right after-this is actually where the project's name came from. Ang Pasko ay Sumapit,Noche Buena and We Wish You a Merry Chritmas were the line up of songs this year.

Jeric Melarpis and Gladys Masilungan spearheaded this year's outreach program.We had 25 beneficiaries 23 of which is chosen by DSWD whom we have tied up with to be able to reach the poorest of the poor in our city.The other two are our members from Mauban and Padre Burgos respectively. Our more than 50 sponsors gave donations of cash and food items.Volunteers of about 12 people with the help of Barangay Parent Leaders, went to some of the cities depressed areas in the neighborhood near the vicinity of waterways Dumacaa River and Iyam River in the following Barangays;Dalahican, Mayao Crossing, Market View and Ilayang Talim.

heart heart

Season Five

groupie

More Pictures by Jay and Carlo

First Caroling Night
Second Caroling Night
Last Caroling Night

The Visayas :Dumaguete and Siquijor Trip 2016

I love making itineraries and using it as an outline to remember my trips.Husband and I have this privilege of traveling together as our work schedule permits-which is pretty flexible so it is so fabulous.I can't say our trips are very budget friendly,it largely depends on the destination.If it doesn't require airfare and hotel stays,then I'd say it is gonna be easy on the budget.

airport scene

Hotel Camila

Sunday Service -Siquijor Ministry updates

Century Old Balete Tree

130 + steps to crystal clear Cambugahay Falls 

Cambugahay Falls,Lazi Siquijor

Cangclaran,Lazi

Good morning !

Salagdoong Beach hotel

Salagdoong Beach

Salagdoong Beach cliff diving

Salagdoong Beach

This year we attended the Church History APLA (Asia Pacific Leadership Academy)course.Our main reference book is Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley.This reads like a novel and I had a hard time putting it down because it is really engaging.I especially love the background stories of some of the most famous influencers,how certain scriptures brought them epiphanies and enlightenment that somehow led to their conversion.It sheds light to how denominations sprung and how people fought for everyone to go back to the basics of obeying God's word and how it became really bloody.And now many are still at it.

The class itself was of course very alive,it is not your typical boring History Class-well this is me,I love history,facts and everything about the past centuries,I'm an old soul (what doctrine is that! LOL) and I'm glad that I have read like half way through the book and skimmed the rest of it so I was able to follow the lecture.And thanks also to Monica's summary of learning points from Manong Rolan that she posted on FB : ) ,it made it easier to digest.

And many call this Aplacation because after all the learning, you go on vacation!This means extended stay or early check-ins or both.This time I had the chance to visit relatives in Siquijor.My Aunts weren't there but their cousin Uncle Dore was there to meet us and tour us around the island.This is something I learned from hospitable people.You really have to get out of your way to make them feel welcome.This is a Filipino trait called hospitality!This is so lengthy already so here's our IT:

Day 1 Nov 23 Wed

01AM ETD Lucena to Manila Airport
0730AM ETD Mnla to Dmgt
09:00AM ETA Dmgt! there was a slight delay
09:30AM breakfast @ Hotel Camila (booked thru AGODA)
11:00AM early check-in it's supposed to be 2pm : ) they are very nice
03:00PM Sans Rival Cakes and Pastries
05:00Pm SWOT Meeting -sit in : )
10:00PM back to Hotel

Day 2 Nov 24 Thu

07:00AM Boulevard walks/QT
08:00AM breakfast at Bethel Guest House
09:00AM APLA class Day 1
12:00NN lunch talks with the Aquinos and Pasoquens : )
05:00PM End of first session like whoaaa!

Day 3 Nov 25 Fri

07:00AM QT /Reading
08:00AM Breakfast at Hotel Camila
09:00AM APLA Class Day 2
12:00NN Lunch together with Benk,Jeffrey and Edmond at one of the many eateries in the university town
05:00AM End of session 2 be like ...inspiring!
07:30PM Double Date with Jessica and Benk at Mifune Japanese Restaurant
11:00PM back to hotel

Day 4 Nov 26 Sat

7:00AM QT/reading
08:00AM Breakfast at Hotel
09:00AM APLA Class Day 3
12:00NN Meeting with South Luzon G2
05:00PM End of APLA course
06:30PM Monica's birthday celebration at Hayahay Treehouse Bar and View Deck
11:00PM Back to the hotel

Day 5 Nov 27 Sun

7:00AM QT/reading -not done yet LOL
8:00AM Breakfast at Bethel Guest House
9:00AM Worship service and fellowship
12NN Pier boarding for Siquijor
01:00PM Siquijor,Siquijor pier
02:00PM Uncle Dore picked us up : )
03:00PM Lazi Church,Century Old Balete Tree and fish spa
03:30PM Cambugahay Falls descent and ascent LOL about 130+ steps
04:00PM Cangclaran House
04:30PM cooking the chicken from the backyard -thank you chicken
06:00PM Dinner with cousin Arnold,and travel companions and new friends Alice and Oscar : )
08:00PM spectacular star gazing and firefly sight seeing - saw about 4 shooting stars I was so wonderstruck I yelled!
10:00PM lights out

Day 6 Nov 28 Mon