Reality of life, victory through Christ

Once you become a Christian, does this mean everything will become bright and sunny instantly? Does this mean all bad things in your life will suddenly disappear? Is it like seeing the world through rose-colored glasses? Skipping and hopping your way into heaven?

Last Wednesday in GLC I was able to realize that though all of these may seem somehow true, it also entails a lot of things. I agree with what the speaker said that being a Christian involves struggles. Because now you are turning your back on the life that you used to have. And yet there would be the itch of wanting to go back to what is normal to you.

Now you want to realign yourself with His original design for you. As you realize the gravity of His love for us - His passion and His sacrifice, you become acquainted with wanting to bringing glory to God every time.

Your conviction now is stronger than before. You become watchful of yourself and you think twice before doing. You are struggling to overcome your natural sinful self. It means standing up for what is right, swallowing the bitter pill of your pride, humbling yourself, being the servant of many, and all at the same time realizing your true desire.

As His disciple you are pushing yourself to be MORE for Him. It is the urgency to stretch your character and triumph over the temptation and the tendency to sin.

Although there may be an inner battle, you lift these up and trust in the grace of Christ because the reality is we can never be victorious on our own will. We are weak, sinful people. But in our weakness, all the more you will see how He is moving in your life.

It may be difficult to remain true  to your commitment. It is normal. Every trial is part of any commitment. But as Pastor Peter said yesterday, nobody committed to follow Christ and regretted it. It may even be the best thing that you have ever done for yourself and in your lifetime.

The reality of sin and the reality of life may hit you hard but suddenly everything becomes sunny and bright. It is because you know that enduring these struggles, you are molded and perfected, lacking in nothing (James 1:4). Ultimately, you know that through Christ we are saved, and we are able to receive eternal life.

The Toastmasters Club Project

Feed me to the lions than let me stand on stage.

Well that's what I would often say.

Ever since I realized how critical people may become and how jittery, clammy and faint I felt since I took that challenge in high school, (more details I'll reveal in private) I've treated that moment as my BIGGEST.

most frightening.

life-threatening.

ENEMY.

But thanks to Theo, Philo, Thesis oral defense and my endless blabbering on the likes of it during college, I managed to overcome it little by little. Now suddenly I'm a chatterbox (especially when I'm into the subject). I could endlessly chatter, prattle, ramble, mumble, mutter, (and also lose my bladder) in front and lose you (and my train of thought) every now and then.. But being coherent, informative and holding your audience's interest are skills that would definitely go a long way.

So when Achi Susana and John invited us to sit in Toastmasters Club in Greenhills, I was thrilled =D It was high time to bring in the confidence and ramble with sense.

So there I found myself in the presence of remarkable speakers.

The club welcomed us warmly and also there to welcome us in our seats is the agenda for that night's meeting.

[caption id="attachment_453" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Greenhills Prime Toastmasters"][/caption]

Every other week there was already a theme and this time we got The Magic of Believing. Even the theme itself sparked my interest. Inspires you to think of a lot of things.

[caption id="attachment_462" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Renelyn Tan (VP Education, Greenhills Prime Toastmasters) hosting tonight's meeting"][/caption]

Then my first test began. For their Table Topics, one question / topic is given and you were supposed to talk for 2 minutes about it. This night it was:  If you were to be at any age (for one week) what age would it be? [Now I wasn't sure if I got it right because I was too busy taking deep breaths and calming my nerves.] Please feel free to correct me.

[caption id="attachment_455" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Eduardo Catayoc III (ACB, ALB President of Camanava Branch Toastmasters, Guest Evaluator), Zaldy Co (ACS, ALB Area 3 Governor, Guest Timekeeper)"][/caption]

3 of us dared to give it a shot and each of us were evaluated during the latter part of the night. We were given guides on how to answer the question like SMG which stands for Story - Message - Gain. This is just one of the many others. It really depends on us on how we would like to deliver our speech.

I really learned a lot of things like (I should learn how to listen, so I can answer the question correctly) when I give my answer I should expound on it to reach the time limit of 2 minutes (I got 44 seconds), and also I have to learn how to make that smooth landing. Thanks to Third for the very helpful evaluation.

Then followed 3 prepared speeches from the members. Each speech had an objective whether it should be able to move your audience or it should project sincerity / conviction.

[caption id="attachment_463" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Vince Tintoc on Believing in the Right Things"][/caption]

I was really impressed with how the three speakers conquered the objectives. For me all three were solid speeches but then the evaluators were still able to point out what needs to be improved on.

[caption id="attachment_465" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Rey G. Pineda delivering his speech on The Self Belief"][/caption]

Each evaluator was also evaluated by the General Evaluator for that night who really left me literally speechless with the range of his vocabulary. But despite all these evaluation going on, the atmosphere was kept warm, friendly, and ultimately constructive to each speaker to help them become better communicators.

[caption id="attachment_467" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Frialyn Chuacokiong (VP Public Relations, Greenhills Prime Toastmasters) evaluating Rey Pineda"][/caption]

What surprised me was that hidden in the group are 3 "secret agents". One who took count of the "umm's and the ah's" of every speaker, the Grammarian who would spill the "gems" (notable words used for tonight) and the "germs" (wrong usage of vocabulary), and the timekeeper who reported everyone's observance of the time limit.

You can go as creative as making a poem to report the time (as what Rey G. Pineda did the last Toastmasters), or even do a stand up comedy, monologue, stage play if you dare to. After all you have to communicate these usual technical reports as interesting and as effectively as you could.

[caption id="attachment_468" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Greenhills Prime Toastmasters"][/caption]

It was really an experience that was very helpful to articulate your thoughts and express them intelligently. So come sit in the nearest Toastmasters in your area! And for that extensive training, go for that membership and soon become that better communicator and better leader.

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Toastmasters Greenhills Prime

Contact Edison Kwong (VP Membership) - 0917-5391809

Meeting held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at Club Filipino Greenhills

Camanava Brunch Toastmasters Club

Third Catayoc (President) - 0922-8606756 / 0905-3912486

Meeting held every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month in Kalye Timog

 

 

After ages of planning, (thanks to my friend Nathan who lives right smack in Chinatown) I was finally able to go on an Ongpin food trip! Yipee!!

To prepare for this trip I brought with me an empty stomach and much of my bottled up anticipation. I was ready to excite my taste buds and take my tummy to an adventure.

So there I was (with Jason) happy and giggly, hopping into the LRT. Got off at Recto station and met Nathan a few blocks away. It was kinda rainy that day but it didn't stop us from accomplishing our mission.

First we went to Serry Restaurant which is known for their soup.

[caption id="attachment_438" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Soup Number 5 (Php 180)"][/caption]

And yes. I did it. I tried soup number 5. The soup had a kick to it, kinda new to my taste buds actually, and I felt it was really authentic. With all the ginger swimming in it, I probably had the voice of a rock star even just for a minute.

[caption id="attachment_439" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Soup Number 5 (Php 180)"][/caption]

It was kind of interesting to eat something like it if not for the strange effect on me. Good thing, the boys didn't experience the same thing. My nape went cold and my heart palpitated like crazy. Nathan suggested for me to take a cold Wong Lo Kat, which is a sweet tea, and soon the feeling subsided. I was back to slurping up what remained of my soup. The meat was chewy and challenging to eat. Live a little, try chowing down on a bull's.. :P

Next on our agenda was to feed on the best dumplings in town. Just around the corner is Dong Bei Dumplings in Nueva Street. Everything was rolled and made fresh right before our eyes.. Well of course, the staff was just right next to us. I just had to go 180 and there they were, rolling away, within a finger's reach.

The place housed just around 5 tables good for 4 so it was really intimate. The best part was each order costs only Php80 for 10pcs!  We had the veggie and the pork dumplings and you could say we couldn't have enough of it.

[caption id="attachment_440" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Veggie and Pork Dumplings (Php80 for 1 order of 10 pcs)"][/caption]

It was one of those moments when you have one piece on the plate and you still offer it to the rest. But what you really want to do is just grab that last bit... don't deny now.. admit it!

I just love dumplings. As of this day, I've had them for 4 straight days and still without satiation.

Then for our main, we had Binondo's famous mami, MaSuki! Established in 1930, it is one of the oldest and populated places in Binondo (especially during lunch time)

[caption id="attachment_441" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Masuki Mami"][/caption]

 They house the best chicken mami there is. Once you get there, you only have to order either regular or large around Php100 pesos per bowl. Served with green onions, a somewhat siopao-sauce tasting ingredient, and house tea.

You may also order siopao on the side and if you've never seen a huge siomai before, this is where you can find it. For only Php15, brace yourself for the biggest siomai ever.

[caption id="attachment_444" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Masuki Mami (around Php100 for the regular order)"][/caption]

The regular order was really filling! I can imagine what a noodle overdose the large one is. Try eating the noodles by twirling it in your chopsticks and adding sauce on to it. (Thanks to Nathan for this tip!) Now I understand why this is his comfort food and how he managed to down 3 huge bowls of it in one of those heavy heart moments.

Before we stopped in Masuki, we passed by Eng Bee Tin. And might I say that this place was extremely crowded  whether its restaurant or their to-go stores. So when we dropped by, I grabbed all the hopias I could...to satisfy my sweet tooth.

[caption id="attachment_443" align="aligncenter" width="510" caption="Mochi and Mochaccino from Eng Bee Tin (Php45 each)"][/caption]

Mochi I really liked! It was a chocolate powdered glutinous rice. Then there was also a new product, Hopia and Tikoy in one - hopia for me will never be the same again. Their Mochaccino was also delightful, it was bittersweet and it suited my taste perfectly. I wish I'd bought more of those...

That's one note to self when I come back to Ongpin for round 2! Can't wait for the next Ongpin food trip, I hope Nathan schedules one soon! *hint hint* Who wants to come with?? :)

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Serry Restaurant

#801-803 Gandara St. Sta. Mesa Manila, Philippines

Dong Bei Dumplings

642 Yuchengco St (formerly Nueva St.) Binondo, Manila

Masuki Mami Restaurant

931 Benavidez Street, Binondo, Manila, Philippines

Tel. No. 244-07-45, 243-2674

Eng Bee Tin

628 Ongpin St. Binondo, Manila Philippines