Upgrading the Qualifications of an Elective National Official

          Even before the implementation of the 1987 Constitution, politics in the Philippines has long been influenced as to who already held positions in the government. But as time progressed, we notice that there are many  new names wanting to involve themselves in running and making laws in our beloved country, or so we assume..

          It is evident, especially in this on going national elections, that these aspiring politicians are backed by different organizations and party lists. With this in mind, we can say that these figures have been chosen as the best representatives from the organizations where they respectively come from. If not coming from various organizations and sectors, most national candidates have already held a position in the local government. Having an experience as a leader, whether  serving a private or a public domain, is an important factor in being qualified to run as a national official. This experience can be further used as an asset once such will be elected in the seat. Having none on the contrary, even in the private sector, hinders an official from genuinely understanding the concrete needs of his fellow citizens and thereby unable to formulate laws in addressing their urgent concerns.

          Along with this experience, the track record and scholastic distinction of an aspiring candidate should also be scrutinized as this is an important factor of his ability to serve the people. Age won't matter as much once his track record will be reviewed as this will prove how much he's done as a good citizen of the republic. Scholastic distinction, not necessarily pertaining to honors and awards, this may also be being active in organizations with various causes, is also considered an important factor in being considered as a qualified national official. This would reflect his interests which in turn can affect his decision making in the position he would be elected to.

          Most importantly, it would be helpful if a national candidate presents his plans, platforms and proposals even before being officially seated so that even at the earliest time, citizens would be able to assess, and judge,  whether that aspiring national official has the heart to serve the country and the people because in the very first place, they are elected in order to make the country a better place to live in and to help the citizens progress individually and not leaving anyone behind.

Love and Every Word in my Thoughts, or Most Likely

Found this in one of the folders of the station which I am using right now #Row17PC11
It talks about love love love and it's conflicts in following the Divine Will, or something. *wink  ;)
In one way or another, I find it speaking in behalf of myself - in every word stated.

Traditional religious practices are important: they allow us to share with others the communal experience of adoration and prayer. But we must never forget that spiritual experience is above all a practical experience of love. And with love, there are NO RULES.

Some may try to control their emotions and develop strategies for their behavior; others may turn to reading books of advice from "experts" on relationships but this is all folly. The heart decides, and what it decides is all that really matters.

 All of us have had this experience. At some point, we have each said through our tears, "I'm suffering for a love that's not worth it." 

• We suffer because we feel we are giving more than we receive. 
• We suffer because our love is going unrecognized. 
• We suffer because we are unable to impose our own rules. 

But ultimately there is no good reason for our suffering, for in every love lies the seed of our growth. The more we love, the closer we come to spiritual experience.

Those who are truly enlightened, those whose souls are illuminated by love, have been able to overcome all the inhibitions and preconceptions of their era. They have been able to sing, to laugh, and to pray out loud; they have danced and shared what Saint Paul called "the madness of saintliness." They have been joyful because those who love conquer the world and have no fear of loss. True love is an act of total surrender.

 Sooner or later, we have to overcome our fears, because the spiritual path can only be travelled through the daily experience of love. Thomas Merton once said that the spiritual life is essentially to love. One doesn't love in order to do what is good or to help or to protect someone. If we act that way, we are perceiving the other as a simple object, and we are seeing ourselves as wise and generous persons. This has nothing to do with love.

To love is to be in communion with the other and to discover in that other the spark of God.

You know what I mean? In every word stated, it portrays all that I want to say about the much overrated word LOVE.

I believe this is an excerpt from the novel By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho -my favourite author already!! The said book also have curl-up-in-bed-while-sobbing-and-reminiscing and life-realization kind of quotes which everyone should give a minute to read. HAHA ♥

I'm off to my five-day long vacation now in a place where I haven't been ever to and with people I didn't know I'd even meet - all thanks to the generousness of the Lord! Let's see how this goes! ;)

SKILLS

On Writing

This only seems to work when I have a lot in mind and I have no one to talk to. Or make that, one of those days when I don't want to speak. And so I rant and write nonsense random stuffs, whichever comes into my mind first. Like this one.

On Cooking

There were very rare instances when I cooked for someone out of passion: that was only twice as I can remember. One was for ex boyfie where the attempt of baking failed. I ended up buying something instead and the other one was when someone came over at the house and wanted us to cook together. Talk about LOVE.

I never cooked for myself or for my parents out of necessity. There's always food somewhere else which I can buy. But cooking FOR someone is different. There's that happy feeling during the process of mixing the ingredients. I don't know when I can cook again on the criteria of passion. I buy food for survival and eat junk food if worse comes to worst. 

I believe that the skill of cooking comes with the ability to identify flavors. Yeah. I always loved coffee. I like the way how it makes my heart palpitate, FAST. Along with my love for coffee, I want to mix a good one for myself. But my attempts have failed. I have asked a few friends how they mix their own and did try it at one point in time. I've got used to the coffee taste but my palate is looking for a certain flavour. I'd actually go for the 3-in-1 Brown Coffee mix of Kopiko than the ones I had mixed so far. So sad.

The best coffee I tasted was when we visited the Archbishop's Palace. The Archbishop himself mixed the coffee for us. It was like magic. And uh, after that, I can't find any better cup of coffee.

Therefore I conclude, I can't mix a perfect coffee for my own sake, how can I even make a decent home cooked meal. Horrah!

Oh yeah, Dad's a very good cook. He's my favorite! He always cooks when he's at home. Blame him my eating skills! Weeeee~ :D

Other Skills?

When you talk about singing, dancing and art skills, nah. You can leave me out of it! I'd probably just make a huge disaster initiating those :))

On Tech

Let's say this job I have right now. It's better than anything else. I can imagine myself dealing with PC's than counting numbers. Hmmmm.. Speaking of which, I still have a lot of modules to study for my Tier 2 Certification. I don't think I'm going to pass though. But for the sake of learning, studying would be a good option. It's funny how my batchmates participate in the discussion and lab works. While I, stare at the monitor / trainer and the obvious comes out that my brain is not processing anything. On an exaggerated note, that gives one an idea. :))

Thank You Note

The only consolation I had when things weren't really going my way was the spark of faith which I had in my heart and the grace of the Lord which He made known through His angels, also known as FRIENDS. :')

Thank you for being one of my strengths my Fuel DistrictEight family. For not just sympathizing with me, but you were really there to empathize. Ate Jess, Sis Jien, Edz, Angel, Ricky, Flor. Si Kuya Sai pd, Shayne and Loven. Salamat sa inyong gugma ug kanunay nga presensya! I know your namesneed not be mentioned cz the Lord has already your names in His book, pro salamat gihapon. You made me feel sooooooo loved! Truly, all of you are heaven sent ♥

To my Calltek colleagues, esp to Riley, Precious and Cyrus. Super thank you jud for taking your time to visit me, and my dad. And for sending your best regards, they're much appreciated :D

To my HS friends who remembered, and dropped by, tnx. Ahhh daghang salamat pud kaau Jong for checking on the results of the lab exams made for my dad! :)

And to my brothers and sisters, mga Nanay and Tatay sa MME Evangelization 2033 Cebu community, and relatives as well, thank you very much for all the prayers you have offered for my Daddy's fastest recovery, encouraging messages and esp for visiting us. It means soooooo much! Praise the Lord! Hopefully he'll be discharged from the ICU tmrw depending on the latest exam results. Yaay ♥ :D

Love lots,
Ann Ann :D

Happy Me! :D

Determination

Inevitably, time comes when our weaknesses hinder us in our journey, Like really really discourage us and lure us to take the easier way around! But then, with the grace of the Lord, just never lose sight of your ultimate goal and you shall be GREATLY rewarded. More than what our human minds can ever imagine!! 

"What is essential is invisible to the eye."  - Antoine de Saint-Exupery 

EV2033 14th Batch Commissioning Rites

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:23