Magnificent

Who compares to You?

Who set the stars in their place?

You who calmed the raging seas

That came crashing over me

Who compares to You?

You who bring the morning light

The hope of all the earth

Is rest assured in Your great love

You are magnificent, eternally

Wonderful, glorious

Jesus

No one ever will compare to You

Jesus

Where the evening fades

You call forth songs of joy

As the morning wakes

We Your children give You praise

Pieces of Past Memories

I saw myself centuries ago, wearing a long black silk gown with my long, straight black hair down my shoulders... The gown was simple yet elegant and on my neck was a silver necklace with a cross pendant, the one he gave me before I left...

I can still remember the day he gave me that necklace... How the wind blew our hair... How he smiled at me while showing it to me... How he put the necklace on me and how tight he hugged me... How I long for those hugs... How I long for that touch... How I long for that moment to happen again... Will he even remember me or am I just a piece of his forgotten past memories?

Angels brought me here

It's been a long and winding journey, but I'm finally here tonight
Picking up the pieces, and walking back into the light
Into the sunset of your glory, where my heart and future lies
There's nothing like that feeling, when i look into your eyes...

[Bridge]
My dreams came true, when i found you
I found you, my miracle...

[Chorus]
If you could see, what i see, that you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

[Verse 2]
Standing here before you, feels like i've been born again
Every breath is your love, every heartbeat speaks your name...

[Bridge 2]
My dreams came true, right here in front of you
My miracle...

[Chorus]
If you could see, what i see, you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

[Bridge 3]
Brought me here to be with you,
I'll be forever grateful (oh forever Faithful)
My dreams came true
When I found you
My miracle...

[Chorus]
If you could see, what i see, you're the answer to my prayers
And if you could feel, the tenderness i feel
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...
Yes they brought me here...
If you could feel, the tenderness i feel...
You would know, it would be clear, that angels brought me here...

Bye, President Cory Aquino

I am one of the "EDSA babies" - the term they call those who were born in time of the EDSA Revolution in 1986. I am just 3 months old that time. I can still remember seeing her... Cory Aquino wearing yellow together with all the people holding each other - men, women, priests praying, nuns with rosaries - when a military tank came. It was like imprinted in my young mind. I'm 23 years old now and yet it was all clear to me... what all happened that day. It was called the People Power Revolution, the one who threw Marcos out of his throne.

Cory Aquino is the wife of the late Ninoy Aquino, a senator who actively oppose the Marcos government and said "Filipinos are worth dying for..." He was shot at Tarmac Airport (now called, Ninoy Aquino International Airport) the moment the plane he boarded landed. Even though she was just a plain housewife, she accepted it wholeheartedly when people wanted her to run as a Presidential candidate. She did it for us, Filipinos... She fought for our freedom... democracy that Marcos took away from us.

And now, the democracy icon who is known to the whole world passed away... I can't help my tears fall upon hearing the sad news but at the same time, I'm glad that Cory and Ninoy would be reunited in heaven now.

Tita Cory, we love you... all Filipinos mourn for your passing. We're thankful that we have both of you - kababayans who are brave to fight for us. May you be reunited with Ninoy in heaven. Thank you for giving us this freedom we enjoy now. We'll take care of your legacy...

The Tale of Three Trees

Believe me, this is just a kindergarten story but when I've heard this story, it has strucked me, right to my heart...

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!" The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."

Years passed and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree said. The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!" The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me." He muttered. With a swoop of his shining ax the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure. She was coated with sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty ship was made that day. Instead, the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river. Instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."

Many, many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him," her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful," she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God.

That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

So the next time you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.

A Scorpion Moment

An excerpt from Moments by Fr. Jerry M. Orbos, SVD:

Do you sometimes feel like giving up loving? Do you feel like giving up your goodness? Please don't.

Take time to read this story. There was this Hindu who saw a scorpion floundering around in the water. He decided to save it by stretching out his finger, but the scorpion stung him. The man still tried to get the scorpion out of the water, but the scorpion stung him again.

A man nearby told him to stop saving the scorpion that kept stinging him, but the Hindu said: "It is the nature of the scorpion to sting. It is my nature to love. Why should I give up my nature to love just because it is the nature of the scorpion to sting?"

Don't give up loving.

Don't give up your goodness.

Even if...  people around you sting...

A Moment with the Lord

Lord, help me to love and keep loving in spite of hurts, and to hold on to the goodness within me. Amen.

Accidents Happen

This is what Drue told me... Yes, accidents do happen and it happened to us... and this is the accident that started it all... the funniest love story in my life but I can say the most serious love relationship I've ever had and here it goes.

Total Darkness

This year has been definitely the darkest part of my life... I was in financial crisis... there was a misunderstanding in the family... someone attempted suicide... my love life got so complicated... I ended up with a broken heart... depression came... things got so messed up... expectations not met... work greatly affected... then, I ended up with nothing at all... Yes, total nothingness... I almost lost it all... I even came up to a point that I wanted to talk to no one because I believed no one can understand me anymore... even my family and my closest friends cannot... and I only talk to Him, God...

The accident

I wanted to fix up my wrath life and I was looking for a new job. With a new environment, I could start a new life. This is what I've been telling myself after all that had happened. My boss from my previous work asked for my updated resume which later, I learned that her husband, my close friend and org mate which is like more of an older brother to me, sent this to his friend and another friend of mine, my co-officer sent my resume to her previous company where she worked part-time before, which is coincidentally the same company where also my other org co-officer works. Amazing, right? It's like magic... or perhaps I can say it's more like of a destiny... After a phone interview, I was hired immediately and was requested to start as soon as possible.

From darkness came the light

There, I slowly recovered. New environment, new set of friends... Whew! I can relax now... *Sighs...* That's what I wanted to do after a few months of turmoil in my life... There, I met him, my Drue... Actually, my friend who recommended me to the new work, was already matching us even if I haven't met the guy. She was building him up so much that I'd got curious why she was so persistent in matching us... then, I just ride in to their matchmaking fun...

Getting too close

I never ever thought I'd find him there... It was so unexpected, too sudden but I'm glad that I did... I found Drue... His name is Francis Andrew but I loved etymology (Drue is a variant name form of Andrew)... I wanted to call him differently... or should I say I wanted to call him a special name. Here's a good guy I never imagined to have ever existed... This guy never failed to make me smile... He always make me feel better and I felt I've been so much loved and appreciated... that whenever I'm with him, I could just be myself.

That was the start of it all. We were just seated few inches from each other but we loved chatting thru YM... Then, phone calls and exchange of text messages also became frequent. At first, we learned to value each other as very close friends although I can feel that there is more than just friendship... Still, I just remained silent and waited for something to happen...

It's time for goodbye

Then, came a time when I needed to leave the new work too soon... I know that he doesn't want me to go yet he told me he'll support my decision. I was in great agony and it was getting difficult for me to leave Drue there but I needed to be firm with my decision and I did it... I needed to follow my dreams and do what I really wanted to do... I resigned.

Suddenly fallen in love

My last day is nearing by... I can feel his sadness and it's tearing my heart apart to see him like that... He plays some sad songs and I know he wanted to say something to me... and I was right. He started telling I'm special and I made him remember the feeling of being loved and cared by someone... The feeling is mutual... I've already fallen in love with this guy and I was just waiting those words from him... "What If I tell you that I've fallen for you, will you catch me?" He had a hard time telling me these words but I was so happy that he already had the courage to tell me so... At last, I heard it from him and I could love him much better. "Yes, I'll catch you..."

The best gift from God

I've never been this happy in my life... Drue always makes me feel special everyday in every way he can. Our day wouldn't start without a phone call or text message from each other. He would wake me up in the morning, tell me how much he loves me, remind me of things that I need to do... make me smile when he sees me sad... would bring me breakfast when I spent overnight at the office... encourage me when I needed the confidence boost... drive me home so that he knows I'm safe... hug me when I needed it the most... Could I ask for more? Here's the guy I always dreamed to be with... the guy I wanna spend my life forever... and I wish it would happen... Until now, I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with him... and everyday, we are getting more and more addicted to each other... and this is the best gift I've received from Him... when God sent Drue to me... ^_^

Will of the wind

I spent half my life
Looking at the reasons things must change.
And half my life trying to make them stay the same.
But love would fade like summer into fall;
All that I could see was a mystery,
It made no sense at all.

Chorus:
The will of the wind, you feel it and then,
It will pass you blowing steady.
It comes and it goes, and God only knows,
You must keep your sails on ready.
So when it begins, get all that you can;
You must befriend the will of the wind.

I spent so many hours
Just thinkin' 'bout the way things might have been.
And so many hours trying to bring the good times back again.
And so it goes for lonely hearted fools;
They let their days slip away,
Until they give into...
(Repeat Chorus)

For the first time

Are those your eyes
Is that your smile
Ive been looking at you forever
Yet I never saw you before
Are these your hands holding mine
Now I wonder how I could have been so blind
And for the first time I am looking in your eyes
For the first time Im seeing who you are
I cant believe how much I see
When youre looking back at me
Now I understand what love is, love is
For the first time

Can this be real
Can this be true
Am I the person I was this morning
And are you the same you
Its all so strange
How can it be
All along this love was right in front of me
And for the first time I am looking in your eyes
For the first time Im seeing who you are
I cant believe how much I see
When youre looking back at me
Now I understand what love is, love is
For the first time

Such a long time ago I had given up
On finding this emotion ever again
But youre here with me now
Yes I found you somehow
And Ive never been so sure
And for the first time I am looking in your eyes
For the first time Im seeing who you are
Cant believe how much I see
When youre looking back at me
Now I understand what love is, love is
For the first time
For the first time

Built to last

I dunno why this song keeps playing on my mind

I've looked for love in stranger places,
but never found someone like you.
Someone whose smile makes me feel I've been holding back,
and now there's nothing I can't do.

'Cause this is real, and this is good.
It warms the inside just like it should,
but most of all it's built to last.

All of our friends saw from the start.
So why didn't we believe it too?
Whoa yeah, now look where we are.
You're in my heart now.
And there's no escaping it for you.

'Cause this is real, and this is good.
It warms the inside just like it should,
but most of all it's built to last.

Walking on the hills that night with those fireworks and candlelight
You and I were made to get love right

'Cause this is real, and this is good.
It warms the inside just like it should,
but most of all it's built to last.

'Cause you are the sun in my universe,
considered the best when we've felt the worst
and most of all it's built to last.

Forevermore

Please hear me out my friend
I've something to say that's from within
It's a last memory, try to think back
I'll help you see…

All of those nights we shared
All of those days you were there

I just wanna love you forevermore
And I wanna hold you just like before
And maybe someday, we might just find a way
And we can love forevermore…

If I could turn back time
I would have never let you go
And you would still be mine
But here I am crying all alone

All of the LOVE we shared
All of the TIME you were there

I just wanna love you forevermore
And I wanna hold you just like before
And maybe someday, we might just find a way
And we can love forevermore…

Oh I'm lost without you
Oh tell me what should I do,
Now that you're gone...
I can't go on alone
I'm a lonely man,
I need you again……

I just wanna love you forevermore
And I wanna hold you just like before
And maybe someday, we might just find a way
And we can love forevermore…

Yeah…

Kismet

Oh, how I wish he would sing this to me...

Didn't mean to take you for granted
Didn't mean to show I don't care
Didn't mean to throw away this once in a lifetime of chance
Being with you

And I'll drive for 2 hours
To bring Butterfingers
I don't mind the distance
This kismet's a dance

This time I surrender
My everything forever
Life doesn't matter
Just our souls together

Pride no longer has room in me
On bended knees in public I cry
Your name for everyone to know that I love you, I love you
Please hear me now

And I'll drive for 2 hours
To bring Butterfingers
I don't mind the distance
This kismet's a dance

This time I surrender
My everything forever
Life doesn't matter
Just our souls together

This time I surrender
My everything forever
Life doesn't matter
Just our souls together

And I'll drive for 2 hours
To bring Butterfingers
I don't mind the distance
This kismet's a dance(dance, dance)

This time I surrender
My everything forever
Life doesn't matter
Just our souls together

This time I surrender
My everything forever
Life doesn't matter
Just our souls together

This time I surrender
My everything....(my everything)..ooohh...

And I'll drive for 2 hours
To bring Butterfingers
I don't mind the distance
This kismet's a dance

Pain in my heart

Here I am alone in this empty room
And let my mind just fly you to the end
Thoughts of you still linger in my memory
Wondering why my life is not that fair
I could still recall
Those memories of you
The joy and all your laughter
The love thast we've been through
Oh, I can't believe you're gone
Oh, no

Talkin' to myself for no reasons I could find
Findin' out why everything went wrong
Tears falling down my cheeks that
I've been trying to hold
It doesn't know if I could still go on
I wanted you to stay
The tears begin to show
You said you cared for me
But then you had to go
And now I know you're gone

But I don't want to remember
The things (we used to do/that we've been
Through)
And all the things that remind me of you
I don't want to hear the songs
The songs we used to sing
'coz I don't wanna feel the pain in my heart

I just can't believe you're gone

No, no...
I don't wanna feel
Yeah, I don't wanna feel the pain in my heart
I don't wanna feel, don't know what went wrong
Oohh...

Them

It's been quite a long run for me. I've been running and running as if I'm being chased by someone. I've been running, not knowing where direction I head to... All I know is that I needed to be somewhere... somewhere I would feel secured and loved. I needed to run away from all of them... the ones who hurt me... the ones who broke my heart... the ones who did these to me... Why did you ever have to come in my life? I thought you'll gonna make me feel better and make me feel loved... but what did you do? All of you just crushed my heart and now, it's all bruised... I don't understand why every time I turn my back from all of you and I started to make my way through my life alone, I'll just see you at the crossroad... then you'll bother about me again and here goes the history repeating itself... I'm already tired of running... Sometimes I just want to disappear and be born again with a different name, with a different identity, with a different me... I dunno if I'm gonna last like this forever... I'm growing tired of trying and trying.... of loving and hurting.... I just want to be numb from all the pain you've all caused me.... I just want to be happy but that happiness seems to be of out my reach yet... It's even far beyond my imagination... If you are one of them, do you know what I am talking about? Do you feel the pain you've inflicted on me? Do you know how much it affects me? Do you realize what you've done? Are you really that insensitive? I dunno if ever you're gonna read all of these but I hope someday you'll realize my true worth in your lives and how much you've really lost when all of you left me behind...

The last time

It's been a week already when I made that difficult decision... I am letting go of him. It's better this way, I thought. It gave me immense pain as I've expected. I tried forgetting him and find it hard to survive each day as I lessen my communications with him. I cried each night and I wanted to be in his arms even if he's somewhere far... I love him but I've got no place in his life now. I wanted both of us to be happy but I just can't go on with our setup

When was the last time we were together? I think it's two months ago... and I miss him that badly. If I had just known that it would be last time I would be with him... I would have hugged him much tighter... I would have kissed him longer... I would have savored every minute that I've been with him the last time...

Am I regretting? Yes, I am. I'm hurting so much. My heart's been bruised but doesn't he even know? I don't think so... I am just a someone in his life and I am nothing for him... As much as I want to think that he loves me too, I can't accept the fact that I just waited for nothing. All these months, I waited for the day that I would be happy with him but now, that happiness is lost already. It already ended and I was the one who ended it for good...I just wish that he's fine out there and he's happy.

Hey, please don't worry about me, I am fine... Go on with your life without me... Take care of yourself and be happy. That's all you can do for me now. I love you, goodbye...

The leaf, the tree and the wind

One busy day, I've got this text message which really caught my attention. It says:

Who should be blamed when a leaf fell from a tree? Is it the wind that blew it away? or the tree that let it go? or is it the leaf who grew tired of holding on?

You cannot blame the wind for blowing... and the leaf tried its best to hold on despite the wind is blowing it hard... I think the tree is the one responsible for the falling leaf. Why? If that tree has given enough nutrients to the leaf, the leaf will be much stronger and it will be able to survive the wind even the wild storm... If that tree has been strong enough to support the leaf, the leaf has not fallen... and the leaf might have been holding on to the tree until now...

It's funny how this simple text message can relate to what's happening in my life now. Sometimes, love just aint enough... No matter how much you try stay in the relationship, with your partner... if your partner won't help you to work it out, it's useless. You would just find yourself starting to let go of him... The pain is too much that no matter how much you want to still hold on, the wind is blowing too hard and you're falling apart... and that tree won't do anything to support and help you... then you would prefer to let go of him even if you love him too much because the pain hurts like hell...

All this time

All this time
I know some day you'll need to find
Something that you left behind
Something I can't give you
All these tears
And like a light love disappears
But hearts are good for souvenirs
And memories are forever
All this time
All in all I've no regrets
The sun still shines the sun still sets
The heart forgives the heart forgets
But what will I do now with all this time

One more kiss
Even though it's come to this
I'll close my eyes and make a wish
Hoping you'll remember

All this time
All in all I've no regrets
The sun still shines the sun still sets
And the heart forgives, the heart forgets
But what will I do now with all this time

Say goodbye
Apart we'll make another try
But don't be sorry if you cry
I'll be crying too
On this day

All this time

All this time
All in all I've no regrets
The sun still shines the sun still sets
And the heart forgives, the heart forgets
But what will I do now with all this time
What will I do now with all this time

Starting over again

And, when I hold you in my arms I promise you
You're gonna feel a love that's beautiful and new
This time I'll love you even better
Than I ever did before
And you'll be in my heart forever more

We, we're just too young to know
We fell in love and let it go
So easy to say the words goodbye
So hard to let the feeling die

I know how much I need you now
The time is turning back somehow
As soon as our hearts and souls unite
I know for sure we'll get the feeling right

CHORUS
And now we're starting over again
It's not the easiest thing to do
I'm feeling inside again
"Cause everytime I look at you
I know we're starting over again
This time we'll love all the pain away
Welcome home my lover and friend
We are starting over, over again

If we never lived alone
Then we might have never known
All of the time we spent apart
All we did was break each other's hearts

MUSIC TURNAROUND

And when I hold you in my arms I promise you
You're gonna feel a love that's beautiful and new
This time I'll love you even better
Than I ever did before
And you'll be in my heart forevermore

REPEAT CHORUS

And now we're starting over again
This time we'll chase all the rain away
Welcome home my lover and friend
We are starting over, over again
We are starting over, over again

Even if

Even if the sun refused to shine
Even if we lived in different times
Even if the ocean left the sea
There would still be you and me

Ever since the start of time
You've had my love (oh yeah)
Even before i knew your name
I knew your heart (oh girl)
In the dark of the darkest night
I can see your face (oh yeah)
I always knew from the very start
I would find a way

Chorus:
Even if the sun refused to shine
Even if we lived in different times
Even if the ocean left the sea
There would still be you and me
Even if the world will disappear
Even if the clouds will shed no tears
Even if tonight was just a dream
There would still be you and me

You've always been and you're always will be
The only one (oh yeah)
Until forever the only girl (until forever)
I'll never lie (ohh..)
In the cold of a winter's chill
I'll be here to live a part
Oh girl, giving all you need for all time
No matter what

Chorus:

Two hearts that belong together
From the very start
One love, now and forever
Nothing can tear us apart

Chorus 2x

Parting Time

I remember the days
When you're here with me
Those laughter and tears
We shared for years
Mem'ries that we had
For so long it's me and you
Now you're gone away
You left me all alone

Go on, do what you want
But please don't leave me
You'll break my heart
Hey, what should I do
Babe, I'm missin' you
Please don't disappear
These are the words that you should hear
Time and time again
I wish that you were here

I don't wanna lose you girl
I need you back to me
I don't wanna lose you
Baby can't you see
Oh, I need you
You've been a part of me

I wish someday you'll be back home
'Cause I really miss you
Darling, please come home

I wish someday you'll be back home
'Cause I really miss you
Darling, please come home