Sharing with you an opportunity to extend LOVE… I pray that you will find it in your heart to help. Thanks!

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Dear Partner,

Operation Blessing Philippines is grateful for your partnership and continuous support of our humanitarian projects all over the Philippines. Our united vision of alleviating poverty and seeing changed lives has allowed us to extend a helping hand to our kababayans in Tondo.

Last May 12, 2012, a lot of families suffered from a massive fire in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, leaving one thousand families homeless and some lost their loved ones.

Currently we are planning to do a Disaster Relief Operation in the said area from May 14 to 22, 2012, BUT we cannot do this alone. Much work need to be done and we will be needing your help once again as we do the Disaster Relief Operation.

Inspired with this vision, we would like to share with you great opportunities that might make a huge impact in the lives of our kababayans in Tondo. Let us help this families and communities with limited acces to disaster relief services, get the help they need. You can generously help them by donating:

Eating utensils
Water Containers;
Food Clothes Toiletries / Hygiene

Kits For monetary gifts, you can send your donations through our Metrobank Account: 007-233-544716

For gifts through ML Kwarta Padala, visit any M. Lhuillier branch and fill out a customer’s information sheet, indicating “Operation Blessing” as the recipient. Submit the fully accomplished form with your donation to the counter.

For other Gifts in Kind, feel free to contact 477-7806 in Manila.

For more information, please feel free to contact Ms. Reyna Mendoza as soon as possible.

Call (+632) 477-7802 to 04; (+632) 477-7806; 0922- 858-2398 (Sun); 0918-906-7753 (Smart); 0917-581-2603 (Globe), email us at info@obphil.com or like us on facebook at www.faceebook.com/obphil, or visit on our website at www.obphil.com.

Any help that you can extend will be greatly appreciated. May the Lord richly bless you and your family for your generous giving!

Back to basics: Black Shirt
Size: S
Prize: P400 (Original Prize P545)
Stocks: 3 on hand

Pair it with shorts and flipflops or simple jeans, simple yet powerful!

Please message me here or chaitalag@gmail.com. Thank you!

See you!!!

“My brother is not a book! So don’t judge him!” – an unintentional comic line by the amazing Ms. Melanie Marquez. Got me laughing when someone reminded me about it today.

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I had so much fun judging the Ms. Marikina Pageant last night, April 20, 2012, which was held at the Marikina Sports Complex, Marikina City Philippines

In the photos are co-judges
Taken using a galaxy tab

My only experience or qualification is watching Ms. Congeniality 1 and 2! Haahaa! But I’m thankful for the opportunity to try something new and something really really exciting!

Big thank you to the guys of JCI Marikina Sapatos for inviting me! Delighted!

The Chinese said that the three elements of life are time, health, and money. When you’re young, you have time and health but money is, well, elusive. Heehee! When you’re a little older, you have health, money, but no time. When you’re old you have money, time, but no health.

So how do we string the three together? Hard, eh?

I guess we just have to live life and the purpose God has for us while here on earth! Productive, uncompromised,  RADICAL!

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So I call this certain season I am in the season of “getting fit” — physically (health), financially (money), spiritually (well spent time all for the glory of God). Truly, the Lord uses challenges to turn one’s self around. It is another pruning stage for me because the Lord knows I need it. And because He wants to bless me more! But before that, He first wants to prepare me to deserve His blessings to deal with them accordingly.

Been praying like a child lately.
So many promises to claim!
So many blessing to look forward to!
Thank  you Lord for Dgroup that gets me going.
Thank you for the fellowship that ignites the fire within me.

Physically, I’ve been meaning to go back to running again. I even talked to my previous boss to always always remind me that I have to run 3 times a week, as he does. So next week will be a start of a regular Salcedo Night Run.

Got this idea from a friend from my Dgroup in CCF.

It’s a compilation of God’s wonderful amazing heart-melting promises!

Everyday He gives me courage to preserve and to persevere and to experience joy in full in this season of my life. And He has given me the wisdom and discernment to know that now is not the time… and that there are some things left to do. A lot actually!

Where do we start?

Love never gives up

Love cares more for others than for self

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have

Love doesn’t strut

Doesn’t have a swelled head

Doesn’t force itself on others

Isn’t always “me first”

Doesn’t fly off the handle

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others

Doesn’t revel when other grovel

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth

Puts up with anything

Trusts God always

Always looks for the best

Never looks back

But keeps going to the end

Love never dies

Challenged, inspired, and excited me for the so many things we can to do create positive change!

Lights are dim.

Music is escalating.

Crowd anticipation builds up.

Models walk up the runway.

Ultra Vires: Unmasked officially starts.

After 2 weeks of full espresso hardcore preparation for the much awaited fashion campaign for VAWC or Violence Against Women and their Children, the fruits of our labor finally came to fruition last March 3, 2012 at Prive Luxury Club at The Fort Strip.

JCI Makati Princess Urduja Member and Victoria in Lege Founder
Kaye Revil models a John Rufo Design

Lovin’ Jaja’s Make up by event co-presenter Make Up Forever

Orwella models a Victoria’s Secret selection from TOPS

Our Partner Designers from Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP)

JCI Makati Princess Urduja girls modeling Phosphor Watches

At the tech booth where we see everything.
With our DJ for the fashion show DJ Ojie Mamuric (L) and Lawrence See (R), both from JCI Manila

L-R: James Callado (stage director), Gizelle Rivamonte (walk coach),
Atty. Andre De Jesus (host), Monica Hipolito (host), John Aguilar

Enjoying the after after party with friends.
Time to celebrate success!
L-R: Noel Puyat, Aika Chua, DJ Ojie, Kuya Mamuric, Arayan, Barbie

All proceeds of the event goes to the I AM A SURVIVOR Program of JCI Makati Princess Urduja and partner Victoria in Lege, a rehabilitation effort to provide support, free therapy, free talks, and shelter for women-children-victims of violence.

To our sponsors and partners, who believed in the cause and helped make this event possible, THANK YOU!

Make Up Forever, Maquillage Professionnel, JCA, TOPS, Tyler, Tom’s World, Space Magazine, Phosphor Watches, House of Obagi, Century Properties. Azta Urban Salon – Robinsons Forum Pioneer, Aficionado, VItress, Nokia.

Our heartfelt THANK YOU to all our friends and guests who supported ULTRA VIRES: Unmasked fashion event last night! We hope you enjoyed the show as much as we did!

Special thank you to Pres Ojie Mamuric for our awesome music and Allen Uy for our preparation venue! We truly truly appreciate your help!

Big thank you to our sponsors and partners, Make Up Forever, Maquillage Professionnel, JCA, TOPS, Tyler, Tom’s World, Space Magazine, Phosphor Watches, House of Obagi, Century Properties. Azta Urban Salon – Robinsons Forum Pioneer, Aficionado, VItress, Nokia.

For believing in our cause and for helping make all this possible, Thank YOU!

Most importantly, we thank our Lord for the opportunity to create positive change.

Adelante, JCI!

JCI Makati Princess Urduja celebrated its 32nd Induction and Turnover ceremonies last 11th March at the Manila Ocean Park’s Liquid Bar.

The theme was summer so everyone was dressed down instead of being in suits and gowns.

2012 officers of JCI Makati Princess Urduja
L-R: Chai (Executive Vice President), Mitch (VP-Internal Relations), Liz (VP-External Relations), Yvette (Secretary General),
Roselle (Immediate Past President, Xiameer (President), Leah (Treasurer), Ivy (Dir. Business),
Marianne (Dir. Individual Development, Van (Dir, Community Development), Joy (Dir. International Development)

Welcome Remarks by yours truly…  Chopped off 1 paragraph from my speech.
Oh, so that’s why it felt that it was so short! Ha!

Yours truly received Presidential Awards. Delighted.
Most Outstanding Member 2011
Most Outstanding Project Chairman 2011
Twice in a row. See: JCI Makati Princess Urduja 31st Induction

Don’t wear makeup too often but I’m lovin’ the way I was beautified by my friends!
MUA: Aika Chua
Hair: Paolo Ilao
Dress: John Rufo
Really wonderful to have creative friends! Love!

Join us as we spark efforts to STOP Violence Against Women this coming International Women’s Month!

JCI Makati Princess Urduja together with partners Victoria in Lege, Make Up Forever and Maquillage Professionnel School invite you to a campaign to raise awareness on VAWC (violence against women and their children) through a meaningful and stylish event: ULTRA VIRES: UNMASKED.

Enjoy a fashion show styled by our partners from The Fashion Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP), The Off-Price Store (TOPS), and Tyler! With music by DJ Ojie Mamuric!

With special appearance by Senator Pia Cayetano

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Tickets are available at the venue or you may email JCI Member Chai Talag at chaitalag@gmail or simply leave a message here.

All proceeds benefit the I AM A SURVIVOR Program (rehabilitation and empowerment efforts) of JCI Makati Princess Urduja and Victoria in Lege that will provide free talks, therapy, and support to women (and children) who are survivors of violence.

See you on the runway!

Getting the music ready for a day under the sun

Summer is just around the bend, we’re too excited to wait for it!

Lovin Daryll’s summer shirt!

Where to next?

Let’s go!

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So to help you prepare for those “last minute” Friday or Monday off, I’m sharing with your the holidays in 2012.

Start X marking those calendars and plan for your sneak aways!

Happy feet!

Once-a-upon-a-time when I was little and wanted to earn money for everyday spending in school, I would put simple trinkets and accessories together to peddle to my classmates. I was a peddler of beads! More than the excitement the extra bills on my pocket brought, I was thrilled to create pieces that complimented my clothes out of sachets of beads, wires and locks.

Because I refused to spend for a formal event on Monday, I decided to pull out my bead-making kit to make me an accessory to match my simple, recycled, tan dress and a pair of skin-toned pointed pumps.

A little arts.

A little crafts.

2 nominees…

Semi-precious stones strung on a metal chain.

To achieve that (Princess) Urduja look, converted these semi-precious stones from an old pair of earrings

to a necklace pendant hanging on a thread of gold chain.

You see,  you can make simple dresses come to life with the right pieces…

But the best accessory, I still believe, is your SMILE.

So don’t leave without it – you will never go wrong with it.

Oh, and it’s free, too!

I just turned 30!

Of that you may be aware.

And with more emphasis lately, God has been showing me his coolness, love, and care.

I recently received a wonderful surprise.

A surprise that was given to me  wholeheartedly, which is kinda NICE!

Nothing forced.

Nothing rushed.

Nothing negotiated.

- it’s hardly ever what I expected.

And that just tells me that 2012, and the next 50 years (woot!), will be Oh-some!

Thank you, Jesus. You will forever be my life’s biggest love affair.

And I will speak of your endless love and bountiful grace with much flair!

** Thank you to everyone for all the birthday greetings and unexpected presents! I’m grateful and Oh-struck!

Updated

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Hey! A blog post after 2 months!

Believe me, I’m just as surprised as you are.

I was perfectly content just observing and not chronicling everything in this site. But I have to admit, the things you really want to do, no matter how long you ignore it, your heart will continue to beat for it and once again you’ll feel it!

Same is true with charity projects.

I love setting up charity project or volunteering for another’s charity project. It’s true that when God gives so many blessings in your life, there is no greater feeling than sharing the blessings with others.

To create an bigger impact  this year, a tie-up with the brainchild of U! Happy Events was made for a Dental/ Medical Mission and Nourishment Program: U! CAN RESTORE.

The main objective of this project is to provide free medical checkups, consultation, vaccinations, etc, to 200 children and 200 parents. But unlike any regular medical mission, we will take a step further by carving a trail of fun activities that the children and their parents will follow during the event. There will be an area for film showing courtesy of Magna Vision, photo booth, magic show, Wordless Book story telling, etc.

In partnership with Coffee Bean, Volunteers signed up at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf establishments and got their Volunteer Passport and free coffee/ tea.

I, along with Monica, KC, Van, my friend/driver Pat (heehee!), arrived first at the complex. We started the ball rolling by labelling the floors with number stickers where the children, parents, and volunteers would position.

200th label!

It wasn’t as easy as we thought. Back bones cracking and knees crunching.

Excise very much needed, me thinks!

Flu vaccines donated by GlaxoSmithKline. Thank you to my friend Yves Delos Reyes for arranging it for us!

We had an excess of 400 vials which were donated to the medical center of JCI Field of Dreams in Smokey Mountain.

Checking venue layout with Jo-e, U! Happy Events President, who flew in from Singapore just for the event.

Pat caught me doing the heavy lifting.

While setting up the storytelling booth outside the complex, leaders grouped the children, parents, and volunteers.

In lieu of place cards, Van and KC created boards out of box cut outs. Brilliant!

Mug shot.

L-R: John, Pat, KC, Van, Mitch.

Medicines courtesy of Unilab

155 kids, 155 parents, 135 volunteers patiently waiting.

35 doctors, 14 dentists, 12 nurses provided medical and dental consultation and treatment.

Wordless book storytelling station where I stayed the entire morning.

Photos of our events as backdrop.

Remembering my 29th birthday last year at Virlanie where we also told the story of the Wordless Book.

See: One Book At A Time.

Wordless Bracelets were given to the kids after the storytelling.

Showing the children how to tell the story using the bracelet.

Saying thanks you’s to all participants.

With U! Happy Events Founders

Left: Harvard Uy De Baron

Right: JB Dela Cruz

Beautiful ladies of JCI Makati Princess Urduja

L-R: Monica, KC, Mitch, Chai, Van, Roselle, Daryll, Xiameer, Kristelle, Joy

Photo credit: Pat Te Seng

I feel closest to God when I am praising and worshipping Him.

Christmas Day Praise and Worship at CCF Philippines

Almost thirty, only 7 days to go! YOU’ve proven to me that everyday is a miracle.

I’m falling in love with YOU deeper and deeper each day. YOU truly are the greatest love of my life, Lord!

YOU are the strength of my heart and my portion, forever! FOREVER!