“At this moment, there are six billion four hundred seventy-one million eight hundred eighteen thousand six hundred seventy-one people in the world. Some are running scared. Some are coming home. Some tell lies to make it through the day. Others are just now facing the truth. Some are evil men at war with good, and some are good struggling with evil.

Six billion people in the world, six billion souls — and sometimes, all you need is one.“

And it has been 3 years and 6 months. Who would have thought that they’d end up in each others’ arms? they might have been strangers to each other but back then, there was one thing that they had in common: both were nursing their broken hearts. he was trying to move on and she was trying to forget. it took them a couple of sun unliitext and unli calls subscriptions and two tickets to a crappy movie to realize that things can only get better. it took them just a little leap of faith and since then, it has always been better when they’re together.

it’s been 3 years and 6 months. and they’ve been inseparable since day one. who would have thought that they’d end up in each others’ arms?

actually, they did…

I have heard a lot of hype regarding Sonja’s cupcakes for quite some time now and I am aware that there have been other people who created a blog about this mouth watering dessert who have already tried these desserts and written about them too.
Reading their testimonials, I got excited and for so long have wanted
to have a go at these seemingly picture perfect desserts.

I guess you would ask why I did not indulge. One reason really is
that I have never stepped foot in the Serendra area since the time it
opened to a lot of dining establishments. I have been too busy at work
to travel to the Fort area even for Friday lunch outs.

So I made the most of my first trip to Serendra Piazza by visiting
the highly popular Cupcakes by Sonja. Despite the rains, my officemates
and I went from Bonifacio High Street to where Sonja’s was. I knew I
could not leave without the cupcakes that I have been dreaming of for
so long.

My first glimpse of the store made me go “Awwww” just like someone
who has seen an old couple kissing or a baby gurgling. The store was
all pink and white so that made me an instant fan (I absolutely hate pink! but it look fine on the walls of cupcakes). There was a glass counter that displayed all the delicious
cupcakes that they sold. I spent about 15 minutes just ogling all the
goodies on display. There was a white counter that looked out a glass
window which was perfect for when you want to eat in. Another thing I
really loved about the place was the homey feeling it gave you. I am
reminded of those quaint candy stores that they have in the states or
even old fashioned diners (although I doubt they have that in pink).
And the stuff that they had decorating the store was something out of
the 1950’s (think Pleasantville).

I wanted to get all the cupcakes that I wanted to try but it would
be too expensive for a first time visit. So I had to settle with all
those that have chocolate in them. I figured that I couldn’t go wrong
with those as I simply love anything that has to do with chocolate.

The cupcakes were packaged in these adorable blue boxes that
screamed simply chic. I loved their individual boxes as they looked
like packaging one would get when buying jewelry.

So far, everything about Sonja’s that I have seen has thrilled me no
end. I am anticipating the same as soon as I get my teeth into those
chocolate yummies.

These were the cupcakes that I have been able to try and what my take is on each:

Mocha Motion is a chocolate cupcake topped with
mocha buttercream icing. I must say that aside from a total lover of
chocolate, I am also very much fond of mocha, which is basically
anything that resembles the taste of coffee.
So it wasn’t much of a challenge deciding to get this flavor. The
cupcake was packed! I used an exclamation point because I think that
will more accurately describe how packed with flavor the cupcake was.
It wasn’t fluffy or airy. It wasn’t sickening sweet too. I think its
because the sweetness will be provided by the icing. And sweet it was.
Too sweet even for me. Halfway through the cupcake, I felt a sore
throat coming along. (Php55.00)

Chocolate Surprise is described to be Valrhona
Chocolate cupcakes topped with either our signature vanilla buttercream
or creamy chocolate frosting. I chose creamy chocolate frosting (need
you ask?). It brought the same goodness as the Mocha motion including
the sweetness of the creamy icing. The tag said Valrhona which is known
to be high quality chocolate from France. My tongue though was too
excited to eat the cupcakes that I really could not tell the
difference. For me, this is just the chocolate version of Mocha Motion.
(Php62.00)

Valrhona Milk Choco-Hazelnut Tart is definitely not
a cupcake. It has though become my favorite. The crust was crumbly but
good. The hazelnut filling was absolutely marvelous. And the chocolate
glaze topping was perfect. The tart did not have the same sweetness of
the cupcakes so you can actually finish a whole one in a minute. I was
craving for more after the last bite. The sad thing was I only bought
one of those. Oh well I can always go back right. (Php65.00)

So there you have it. Sonja’s is all what it is hyped up to be. It
is more in some areas and less in others. Many have read Lori’s
interview of Sonja and understand why it is what it is - delicious,
pricey, sweet. I think many are taken aback by the steep price because
of very high expectations. But are you all aware that these
cupcakes are similarly priced as Starbuck’s pastries (not cakes but the
pastries)?

I applaud Sonja for sticking to her standards no matter how high it
appears to be for some people. And although personally, I may not
choose to frequent her store - it is a personal choice driven by
practical reasons. Let us just say if I had money to spare, I wouldn’t
complain about the price. She has found her home in the grounds of
Serendia Piazza where I believe she will always have customers and
lovers of her cupcakes.

In the mountains of Agusan del Sur, entire communities make a living
off illegal logging. The adults cut down trees while some of their
children carry the logs down the mountainside.Some as young as six years old do this back-breaking work, trekking
up to four hours a day to bring logs down to the valley, where eager
buyers await.Jay Taruc documents these children who work as beasts of burden,
carrying logs even in the rain. Jay takes a fall along with them down
the mountainside during one rainy day of work.

Richard, Carlo and Randy make up the group of young boys he follows
as they transport logs on their backs, attempting to balance their
heavy responsibilities with their need for play. There is one child
among them, however, who is all business, working faster than all the
rest.Cherilyn, at 14, acts as both father and mother to her five younger
siblings. She is the family’s sole breadwinner as her father was
imprisoned for murder and her mother suffers from a mental illness. She
carries her burden without complaint, no matter how heavy the logs get.Cherilyn’s determination to make a better life for her brothers and
sisters is at the heart of Jay Taruc’s “Batang Kalabaw (Child Beasts of
Burden)”

These children carry the logs down to the city from the
mountain just for P1.50 per piece. Imagine that! One peso and 50 cense. There are
times that they don’t pay them if the log is defective. They don’t study, don’t
eat healthy food, they don’t even eat the regular meal… all of a sudden I
stopped and think. I was very sad and problematic these past few days about a particular
problem. But these children have a bigger problem and they try to carry the
cross of straggles. We had a station of the cross this afternoon. We had a
bisita iglesa for 14 different churches. Jesus Christ carries the cross for every
one of us. I was wondering, why we have this problems and straggles in life. They’re
just kids, very innocent… Lord knows what’s best for us, however, as adults we
should guide these kids and give them the life that they disserve. If only I can
do something about it. If only I have the money to help them, but right now,
all I have are prayers. I hope, every one will pray for these kids.  I pray that their parents will be enlighten
and take care of them. May the government look at them and help them as well.
Not wasting their time arguing about the ZTE scandal, without arguing who should
sit as the president and who should be punished. May God help us and may God
guide these children.

I feel so empty oh Lord…

I there is so much pain…

So much stress…

I always pray and asking “thy will be done oh Lord”

And this moment has come…

I don’t know how to face this

I don’t want to loose hope … but honestly I’m getting
weaker…

You’re my strength and my shield Lord… please guide me to
face this

Alam nyo ba bakit tinawag na perfect cone ang Mayon
volcano? Yes, because of it’s perfect cone! But why it has the perfect cone?
Dahil sa air? Dahil pantay ang paglabas ng larva sa cone niya? The answer is
none of the above! But why? Because God wants it perfect, as simply as that! So
why God gave us straggles… why God did not give you what you wish for? Because
he has better plan for you… Parang parable of the seed… First,  he was
spread out to the field. The unti-unti syang lumulubog even he doesn’t want to…
the seed was so scared kasi he was stack on the soil and he can’t move. Then he
wake up one day on the dark. He was under the soil already and it was so dark
at all. Rain comes and he was drained of water. He was cold and feeling niya he
was so alone.  There. Tapos he felt so much pain kasi nagbabalat yung
katawan nya and a stem is coming out of him… then after that he was a light….
Sunshine! He was already on the fild. As in fild kasi nakatanim na siya. And
believe it or not, he grew as a very fine and fruitful tree.

Well, we though God only gives us straggles kasi like
lang niya. Kasi feel niya! Your wrong! He knows something better for us… the
best for us…. We just need to believe. Why I’m saying this… siguro kasi, sa
dami ng straggles ko in life… siya lang ang sandigan ko. Tao lang ako…. May
kahinaan din. That’s why I keep on praying that he’ll guide me and give more strength
to face gather challenges ahead.   

Ill never forget you I would do anything just to see you one last time Just one last time where I could hold you in my arms and look deep into your beautiful eyes And tell you how much im going to miss you One last time that I could see your beautiful smile One last time to feel your lips touch mine Its so hard for me to say goodbye I wished this moment would never come I prayed every night, hoping that my worst fear wouldn’t come true But as the day that you leave gets closer I know that my prayers have gone unanswered Its hard to believe that you’ll be leaving soon A person that brought so much joy to my life A person that made everything seem so perfect Is just gone in an instant Ill never forget you We started as friends Talking everyday, for hours at a time And in all that time id never thought I would fall so mad for you you’re the angel that stole my heart And I hope you know that my heart will always be with you, no matter where you are So ill say goodbye for now, or maybe forever And ill pray every night hoping that you’ll come back But before you go I just want you to know that Ill never forget the way you looked at me with your beautiful eyes Ill never forget the way you made me feel when I was down Ill never forget the way it felt when I had you in my arms Ill never forget the softness of your touch Ill never forget the way you smiled at me ill never forget your beautiful dimples Ill never forget the way you said good night Ill never forget your sweet voice But most of all Ill never ever forget you honey even if we never see each other again you’ll always have a place in my heart I’ll carry you with me everywhere and we’ll never be apart Goodbye.. I’ll never forget you

It was the last day of the week and I know that most of you guys are resting during Sundays. But me, this is a busy schedule and needs to do a lot of work (damn!). Beyond doubt, Sunday was theoretically the rest day for everyone; a day for your family and the time for church. As much I would love to follow rules, I can’t…. poor me because my kind of job is very out of the ordinary job that you may have LOL!

Working as a helpdesk is not that bad as you may think off. I actually love my job to the fullest, although for some point or another I also want to accomplish more (who doesn’t?). I have a goal to achieve much high ranking and I wish it will take place before ’07 end up hehe! Anyways, going back to my Sunday thing, I fall short to go to church today that makes me feel disappointed to my self. I also fail to attend the Single’s for Christ community service and it actually added my frustration. I feel so deficient for not accomplishing those things because of my job. Though I appreciate that God understands my situation, but still….. I feel so upset. If I can only get Sunday rest day, and I will! But that’s life; I guess I just need more time adjustments. More time management perhaps, so I can attent those important matters during this especial day or what bible says… the Sabbath day!

We live in a busy world. We are concerned with family, work and other aspects of our life.
When we became commited to God, we became even busier with activities and services.
And when our community becaomes a leader in the work of evangelazation and total human liberation,
then there may hardly be time for everything else.

But no matter how busy we are, we must never neglect the very basic aspect of our life in God, and that is a deep intimate personal relationship with him. We need to spend time with God in prayer and in reading the Bible. It is during these times that God speaks to us, guides us, consoles us, gives us his wisdom, energizes us, gives us hope, and just generally bellesses us.

But how about the many things we need to do, including the work of God? Well, we need to do our part, but we always remember a basic reality. God does not want us just running around all the time doing things for him.
God wants an intimate personal relationship with us, as a father to his child. If we do wait upon him, if we do seek him each day, then he will bless us. In fact, God favors us even when we are doing nothing but enjpying our sleep.

Knowing that God is there for us is also a great help in times of trial. There will be times when we no longer know what to do, when we are deeply troubled or even persecuted, when there seems to be no light or hope, but because we have a father who loves us, we can always turn to him. When we do, we should trust in him and have hope because our life would then be in the best of hands. “it is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord”

I’m always a shock absorber to my friends. There was this girl friend of mine who just cry at the cr this morning. She text me and asks me if I could call her. I’m on a night shift kaya sobrang hirap for me to stay awake that morning. She said, her boyfriend is one of her precious possession… Yung relationship nila sobrang daming trials that they’ve been through and I’m one of their witness sa mga dinaanan nila. She also have a brother na halos parang siya na ang tumatayong mom and dad. I could relate on her kasi parang pareho kami ng status pagdating sa family. It’s already June and she needs to enroll her brother for college plus down payment for the house other expenses. Before starting the month of May, she already talked to her boyfriend that she will need his help to lend money sa uncle niya. She can actually afford to get the money but she’ll need the money earlier. Basically, babayaran niya as soon as possible like 3 weeks after.

Her boyfriend’s family was so close to her na sobra sa support na binibigay for her. Her boyfriend’s ex girlfriend had 5 years relationship pero mas nagging close pa siya sa family for like less than a year. Yun daw yung pinaka hirap siyang iwan every time she wanna give up their relationship. It seems that every time she seeks for help, boyfriend took it as a burden. Ever since na nagmeet sila as in the very first time eh may prob din siya. Actually, she added when her father died, after the 9^th day of his father’s death nakikipag split si boyfriend dahil sa mga problems na dinadala niya. She just love this guy so much na kahit masakit tinatangap niya. Until such time na sobra na “daw” siyang love ni boyfriend and they’re celebrating their 2^nd anniversary ngayon. As a friend, I could see that this guy really changed a lot. Yeah, he really shows how he values my friend now and hindi na siya madalas makipag break up. Hated sundo and madalas manuyo…I knew him by heart already. Madali makipag break for him if he can leave without that person. Pero hindi na ngayon. The thing is, alam kong wala ako sa right position to give any comments about it. However, we all know that it’s not just LOVE that we need in every relationships. Dapat may give and take, hindi laging give ng give yung isang party. Dapat even, If the other party tries to understand the other… dapat ganun din yung isa. I know that when I love a person, I love unconditionally. Pero mga friends…. It doesn’t mean na MAG PAKA MARTYR TAYO??? It’s not our role… hindi na uso yun! There should be limitations sa lahat ng bagay.

Ang kinakaasar ng boyfriend niya is bakit lagi nalang friend ko umuunawa sa brother nito… hello, kung kausap lang kita dude, sabihin ko sayo na “sa bother lang ba niya ginagawa yun”. Came to think of it… Mas magastos kayong dalawa kesa sa brother niya. I don’t want to compare you and his brother kasi obviously, you’re too much older than this kid. At kapatid yun! Both of you are not working; his just a student. I think last time tayong nagusap you keep on promising that you’ll look for a job. Bute sana if my friend is not referring you… pero ilang opportunities na binigay niya sayo that until now hindi mo ginawa? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not mad at you… I just hate the things that you do. Or the things that you don’t do as well. Gets mo or magulo ako hehe…Sana kung wala kang magawa for her, at least comfort her and huwag na dagdagan mga sakit niya.

And then this evening my friend text me again, she said she don’t know where she could find her boyfriend. Nagpalamig daw kasi, her boyfriend found out that his father was cheating his mom. Reasonable…. but the age, Kaya na natin to. It’s not bad to feel bad or upset about it. But for you to be so affected and sobrang magpaapekto is too much again. PROBLEMA, nandyan na yan… our parents are already old enough to think about their problems. We have to be strong for our mothers. Kung wala na sila, at least Makita manlang nila tayong marunong mag handle ang problem is a big help para hindi sila mag alala sa kabilang buhay. Madami nang problem friend ko. Sama mo na family niya and financially. Sabi niya sakin kanina, you don’t say a word pero nung ginigising ka niya parang ang sama ng loob mo to stand up and do what she was requesting you to do. Actually, as a boyfriend sayo lang naman siya makakatakbo right now. Kilala ko friend ko… She’s very independent. She already gets out of her comfort zone wherein she really stands on her own. Kung puwede lang na she won’t ask anything from you eh gagawin niya. Kumapit na siya sa patalim na mag loan, Dami na niyang gastos financially pero lumapit pa siya doon. Just to make sure na hindi ka na mamrublema. Night shift din siya, wala pang sleep… dapat sana nag rerest na siya pero naghahanap siya where to get the money. Sa init ng araw she went to her brother’s school para makiusap humabol brother niya sa Monday. She was crying the whole afternoon sayo and sa problem niya. She cannot sleep weel at almost 4pm na naka tulog. You called her around 5pm para sabihin yung problem mo about your dad, and she needs to wake up around 7pm dahil may work siya ng 10pm till 7am the next day. Bute sana if 7am makakatulog na siya? Alam nating till afternoon gising pa siya. Thankful nalang tayo kung may at least 5 hours sleep siya. WOW… Dapat mag damayan kayo. Hindi yung naghiwalay ako this morning that you knew she was really hurt tapos this evening may problema ka and you don’t even text her kung nasan ka… nag text ka pa na may problem ka pero pinag-aalala mo naman siya. Iniisp mo ba ano effect nito sa kanya? She cannot even work sa office because aside from her problem, she’s too damn worried where you are! Is this the relationship that she fights for 2 years now? I know na babanat ka nag ‘ano pinag sisisihan niya na pumatol siya sakin’… why don’t you take it as a challenge to change. Kung ako nararamdaman ko to, ano pa kaya nararamdaman niya? Problem niya brother niya pati ikaw….

3am she texted me again, our other friends told me that she looks miserable… she tried na mag work ng magwork for her not to think about her problems. She was so gloomy and doesn’t know where to find money. She doesn’t know where to find her boyfriend problematic … she doesn’t know what to think first. At this very moment I know she wants to cry… to cry alone again…

ayaw ko na ng night shift… nagpalipat ako ng morning shift since 0ct last year up to January of this year…Then this time back to night shift and sobrang sakitin ako… sanayan lang ng katawan pero for almost 3 years now hindi pa din ako masanay ng night shift sobra! Although rewarding talaga ang pay slip hehe pero hello? Kung magiging sakitin naman ako eh good luck! Ako pa naman yung type ng tao na mababaw tulog.. especially sa umaga, sino ba naman di magigising kung lahat ng tao sa bahay gising at ikaw lang tulog? Besides, iba talaga tulog ng gabi… huhu! Hindi ko pa mapuntahan yung mga gig na gusto kong puntahan not unless rest day ko yung gig na pupuntahan. Vitamins, milk na isang balde ata iniinom ko… lotion ko mahina 1 week, then yung pc open siya just to make sure na yung music eh nakakaantok… kain dito kain doon para MALAKS hehe! Sayang ang pag gigym ko wahhh!

Sobrang
taas ng anxiety ko ng sabihin sakin na I have an interview at around 3 in the
afternoon.. Unanticipated kasi alam ko pina-cancel ko na yun sa manager ko then
all of a sudden may lalapit sakin and ask ano available time ko? Bothered ako
kasi may iba talaga akong goal… medyo anxious talaga pakiramdam ano ba to?
Career move talaga pero I waited for a long period of time para sa ibang
plan…tamang oras para dun pero ano ba ito? Para ba ko sa ibang path or what?
All I know, bago mawala si mommy yung original plan ko gusto niyang magyari
sakin… she even talked to my bestfriend para iconvinced ako na ipag patuloy
yun. Haaayyy. Sabi ko nalang before the interview… thy will be done Lord!

Mas
mabilis naging progress ng carrer ko nung andito pa si mommy…siguro kasi mas
iba yung inspiration. Yeah, I till have commendable inspirations pero iba
talaga si mommy… as side from being my mother, siya din yung ultimate adviser
ko in everything I do… she’s not the type of mom na irarush ka sa isang bagay
or bibigyan ka ng malaking problema para mapressure. She’s the type of person na gusto niya happy ako sa ginagawa ko
and moral support naman yung offer niya. Sobra kaya sa support? Kaya
nakakalakas ng self confidence. Kaya in everything I do alam kong kaya ko
because of her. I passed the interview pero may 2 pang kasunod…May isang tao na
sobrang laki ng involvement kung bakit hindi ko kagad pursue yung first plan
ko. Biglang may nag balita sakin na lilipat na daw ng ibang company. So bigla
nanamang nag open yung door sakin na ipag patuloy. But then, bothered nanaman
ako kasi ano nalang sasabihin sakin nung first interview ko? Oh my…. Bakit ba
kasi? San ba talaga ko tutungo? Hindi ko masabi kung ano yun sa blog na to…kasi
nga litong lito pa din ako until now… sana umayos na isip ko before it’s too
late. Kasi kung hindi, imblis na meron akong magandang carrer path eh pareho
pang mawala.. hayyy naku Thursday! Ano ka ba? Think! Another thing… naiisip ko
din yung trust na binigay sakin nung mother ko dito sa office.. siya si Miss A.
sobrang laki ng din ng involvement niya sa life ko dito. Isa siya sa unang
nagtiwala sa potentials ko dito sa office.Siya nga nag offer sakin ng helpdesk
position eh. Honestly, nahihiya din ako sa kanya if ever makuha ako sa first
interview ko. Kasi nga siya unang nagpalakas ng loob ko sa office na kunin yung
target ko.sa sobrang daming appriciation na narinig from her, sino ba naman di
lalakas loob? As of now, prayers nalang
gabay ko… sana Lord gabayan mo ko na makapag settle on.however, whatever take
place sana yun po makaya ko. And I hope makatulong din ako when the right time
cames. Pero at this moment, sana po… sana Lord sana….maging maayos lahat. Not
just for my self… alam ninyo po na para sa mga kapatid ko to. To my loved ones…
to my future and my family..alam ko pong mas alam ninyo higit na makakabute for
all of us. Thy will be done Lord.