In His Time

Ecclesiastes 3:11, 14

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

Seems only yesterday we gave up our lives to God in Talon beach in Roxas. The sun was shining in the noon sky. Family was present to witness.  It was a wonderful day. 

I can still remember looking next to me, my brother was also giving his life to surrender that day, too. Our Lola and Dad were so proud. 

Ptr. Lorenzo officiated the day with Ptr. Jenkins (our youth pastor back then) looked on. It was fate that the church baptistry was being fixed that time. Or else we wouldn't have had such a peaceful, simple setting. Except for a few jellyfish floating by, it was my idea of focusing solely on the objective at hand. 

18 years have passed and I still have much to grow into. More lessons to learn. More sharpening needed. 

18 years and we have gone through so much, my brother and I. Our faith has been shaken, stirred, chopped, crushed. But here we are. Eyes forward and steady on our Lord. 

We both started on the same road but somewhere our roads have split. Though still side by side, its not the same path we both trod. He has had his own experiences with the Lord and so have I. But as I look over we are still side by side. God is good. 

I start a new incline in my road with our new baby boy this time. To clear a new road not yet travelled. But I hang on to the One who has been the steady hand I could hold on to all my life. 

Lord, you are God. My loving Creator and hope. Wipe away all my fears and set me on your ground. I refuse to let fear take over. As you have blessed us, you bless us fully not partially. You do not bless us with a half-hearted blessing. So I claim victory over the health of our baby boy in Your mighty name. Let it be done to bring you more glory. 

Thank you for a wonderful 18 years. May we have more years of following you faithfully. Stumbling and clumsy at times, but following your lead. 

Be praised, Lord God! 

Its a boy!

Another happy day for our family! Its a baby boy! 

Father, you are too good to us. Despite all the troubles and obstacles, Your face smiles brightly. How can I ever thank you for such a wonderful gift?

Dani will have a partner now. Just like me and Joey. I can't imagine any other amazing bond. Thank you that I get to share it with my children. 

Father, we choose to see the good in everything. Life is too short to focus on the bad. Make us live a life of direction and purpose. To always look up to you, Lord. 

Having a son will open our eyes even more to the life that you have laid out for us. Let this new life breathe in new strength for us. As always we lift him up to You. May he grow in your light, Lord. 

Grant us the wisdom and discernment, Lord. 

In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Deuteronomy 1:29-31

Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

Must have budget goodies

This is a first for me, posting items that I like at the moment. Never was a kikay girl, growing up with my dad and brother. But these days, 30ish and a mom with a career, I do need help. Still open to more help, too. 

So these are my go-to products that won't break the bank. Its wonderful to have these at the local grocery or drugstore! Heaven sent! 

From L-R: Finesse Clean + Simple Hypoallergenic Hairspray, Petroleum Jelly, Acqua Bella Splash Cologne by Penshoppe, Bench Bambino Baby Cologne, Lip Ice Sheer Color in Strawberry, Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF15, Maybeline Clear Smooth Shine Free Pressed Powder, Face Shop's BB Cream Power Perfection and Cover Girl & Olay Simply Ageless Blush.

Being pregnant, my hair is back to its curly abandon mode. So whenever I fail to iron it, my cow licks are aplenty. I need help holding all that action down. 2 pumps at the most gets the job done. Thats why I like this product. I don't enhale. 

Petroleum Jelly for my lips. Does wonders and have been a fan for years! 

The colognes from Bench and Penshoppe help me with my allergies. I sneeze easily with certain scents. My body also reacts well with these types so I get to feel refreshed and not get an itchy and stuffy nose in the process. 

Lip Ice's lip balm is probably the easiest ones I've used among all the others. It matches your skin color so the shades are never exactly the same. I have to give credit to my cousin, Yolly, for this find. And it doesn't clump up in the lips over time. I skip the lipstick on regular days because of this. 

Cetaphil because my face looks like sandpaper if I let it be. Ugh! Its not sticky and is scentless, so it helps with my allergies with certain scents, too. Plus scented products on the face is a no-no. 

Maybeline's pressed powder is easy to find and won't break your budget. For quick days, I know my environment is not the most glamorous at times so this does the job well. 

Face Shop's BB Cream is light and mousturizes. I tried other brands but this one gets me by far. So I'm sticking to this at the moment. Plus it fits my shade well. Nothing tacky like the geisha look. 

Cover Girl & Olay did good with their blush. It fits my shade and looks natural (w/c is always key!). Takes a while to finish one container. I'm happy, glowing and natural. Chos!

I do have other items on my dresser, but this is my way of saying thanks to the people behind these lovely, budget-friendly goodies. If you have only 20 mins to get ready for your day, you tend to skip on the basics. 

Happy Sunday! 

Shocking and scary news

ILOILO CITY, Philippines - A 27-year-old man died while 34 others were taken to different hospitals in this city allegedly due to food poisoning.

All of the victims have one thing in common: They consumed milk tea on September 24 and 25 at Dakasi Milk Tea House located at the Ayala Techno-Hub building at Smallville Complex in Mandurriao district of this city. Most of them consumed milk teas laced with milk pudding or leche flan.

The patients were treated at St. Paul's Hospital, Iloilo Doctors' Hospital and St. Therese-MTCC Hospital after they reportedly suffered stomach pain, dizziness and vomiting and began feeling weak. Of the 34 who were hospitalized, nine are still confined in the hospital to date.

In an earlier report, Glen Jesse Alonsabe, regional epidemiologist of DOH-6, said the man who died was Ben Jason Cua Chang. He allegedly died due to fatal arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, which occurs when the electrical impulses to the heart that coordinate heartbeats are not working properly, making the heart beat too fast or too slow or inconsistently.

The hospital where Chang was brought did not issue any medical bulletin on what caused his death but he reportedly suffered from loose bowel movement that led to dehydration, causing his kidneys to fail and eventually resulted in arrhythmia.

But Chang's female relative posted on Facebook that "he died of kidney shutdown due to severe dehydration" and "not primarily because of drinking milk tea at Dakasi." Further, she claimed that "negligence and carelessness of some health care professionals at a private hospital contributed to his death. We are not accusing anybody of our loss."

Immediately following the incident, the Iloilo City Health Office ordered the closure of Dakasi pending investigation of the incident. City Health officer Urminico Baronda said DOH-6 and the Food and Drug Administration took samples of the suspected ingredient that may have caused the suspected food poisoning.

Senior Insp. Lea Rose Peña, chief of the Mandurriao Police Station, said his men already started with their probe. Several victims, including a group of Chinese tourists from Cebu and their house helps, already booked their complaint against Dakasi.

The Dakasi management, in a statement to GMA-Iloilo, said it is waiting for the results of the investigation. "We are very sorry for what happened. No one wanted this, least of all us. But we cannot be totally sure that the cause of their food poisoning is their consumption of Dakasi products. We still have to wait for the results of the official investigation being conducted by the DOH and the CHO. Until then we cannot give any further statements," the statement said.

Since mid-May 2013, Taiwanese health authorities have confiscated more than 312 tons of food starch-a key ingredient in bubble tea-that was found to have been tainted with maleic acid, a cheap food additive that can cause kidney failure when consumed in large doses.

In an article written by Jenny W. Hsu, the toxic starch has also poisoned Taiwan's food exports. Known as bubble or pearl tea, the combination of chewy tapioca balls and milk tea has come a long way since it was first concocted at a small tea shop in central Taiwan 30 years ago.

Not only it is the most popular drink on the island, the beverage has taken the world by its palate. Bubble tea shops can be found in Berlin, Istanbul, Paris, London, Sydney, Japan, Singapore and across China.  (FREEMAN)

http://www.philstar.com/region/2013/09/28/1239115/after-taking-milk-tea-food-poisoning-kills-1-downs-34-city-health-closes?nomobile=1

This news has rocked Iloilo City in the past few days. Milk tea shops have sprouted with a vengeance and has really captured the local market. 

I do on occassion go to milk tea places, including Dakasi. But I very rarely get ones with milk tea or with add ons. I guess I have my lactose intolerance to thank. Plus, I usually go for fruity selections with basic add ons such as nata de coco or aloe vera. Guess I'm wierd like that. 

Dani likes the Peach Yakult tea of Dakasi. So hearing this news scares me because it is a familiar place for all of us. 

Dakasi is one of the more popular milk tea places in the city. Barely a year old, too. It just opened this year. 

This latest news only strengthens my new passion for healthier, organic (if possible, although sources are limited as of this time) food. Juicing is my new thing but I still have to be very careful. Taking care of a house with a toddler and two senior citizens is a situation to be seriously taken. 

With a lot of things easily available, it really makes you evaluate the impact it has on you in the long run. Not to mentiin my family's own medical history, it pays to be healthy. A bit more expensive and quite the trouble, but it can't measure to hospital time and tests. 

Love in action and in truth

1 John 3

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

An old batchmate of mine has been sent to prison for the 3rd time on pushing drugs. Twice he was caught in Roxas but the third in Kalibo, hence, he is now being held in Kalibo. 

Everyone was glad and amused when he finally got out last November, just in time for our first ever reunion. He was actually one of those that really put his whole heart into it. 

I got to talk to him a bit during the time we were preparing and he was deadset on never going back to prison again. How he wanted to live his life right for his wife and twin daughters. He was even chosen to lead the prayer during our reunion. Actually, he insisted on doing the prayer. 

A few months after our reunion in December, we heard he got caught in Kalibo. I was sad and worried for him. We heard his family gave up and abandoned him. 

Now he pleads with our classmates to send him food, basic necessities. The worst is he has landed in the hospital two times now in the last two months. 

Logistically, it is a bit difficult with him in Kalibo. We don't know anybody and the penal system in this country is both questionable and shady. 

With him in the hospital again and turning yellow, apparently, on a personal level it seems only a few of us our capable of doing anything. 

I feel for those of our classmates who have chosen to help. I know some of them have limited means but still choose to do so out of the kindness of their heart. 

Reading this verse has come at the right time. Doubts have entered my mind. But I am reminded that the help I give is not from my own personal effort but from God's grace, love and mercy. I am not any different from Michael in God's eyes for we are all sinners. God chooses to love us regardless. 

So, I take steps I know I only have the means to do. It means a bit if a sacrifice on my people's part, too. But then again, not so many people can do this. 

May God guide our steps and block all those that mean to do us harm. He knows our hearts and this is for His glory and perhaps be key to Mike's salvation. 

Philippians 1:4-6

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Be faithful because He is faithful. 

I will never leave you nor forsake you. —Hebrews 13:5

Look for God in your difficult place and discover what He’s doing in and through you there.

- ODB

Restorer and nourisher

Ruth 4:15 

15And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age… 

That is why when Moses died at the age of 120, his eyes were not dim and his natural vigor was not diminished. (Deuteronomy 34:7) Caleb, at 85 years old, could still drive out the giants from the land. God had literally nourished his body and made it strong for war. (Joshua 14:11) Sarah was certainly rejuvenated in her old age by God for she was still desirable to a king at the age of 90. (Genesis 20:1–2) God even renewed her womb. She received strength to conceive seed (Hebrews 11:11), giving birth to Isaac in her old age. 

Beloved, God is outside of time and your faith in Him brings you into this timeless zone. There, what the years have stolen will be restored. And even as your years increase, you will not grow weak and weary because the restorer of life and nourisher of your old age is in you! - Joseph Prince

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Mitsuyado sei-men : oishi!

I trip amd I forget the name of this place. I am definitely not familiar with Japanese restaurant names. But the food is so good, I hope I get to go back!

Gaby, April and Ana brought us to Mitsuyado sei-men on Jupiter St., Makati for ramen. The place was packed and we had to wait a while. You know its going to be good when you see real Japanese people around. Even the ambiance was like a quick trip back to Kyoto. 

I had a surprise from Ina that she had sent through Ana.

Bronuts!!! Felt like it was my birthday! Wildflour cronuts will have to wait until next time. She gave me dark chocolate and sea salt, and cream cheese with bacon ones. But this will have to wait 'til Iloilo because Ramens were the goal for the night. 

The char siu pork was melt in your mouth fatty goodness! The veggies broke the fatness but it was an eyes closed kind of an experience. 

I wanted to be brave and I wanted to try something I never had before, so I went for the cheese tsukamen. Cheese over noodles then dip the noodles in the broth. Conclusion, strange things more or less find a way to turn out right. I'm glad I tried it. The noodles and the soup was out of this world! 

Bryan had the Char Siu Ramen while Joey tried the spicy kind. Two thumbs up from both and the empty bowls were the evidence. 

I'm glad we got to spend time together as a family this weekend. What I thought would be a somber and heavy moment in our lives actually turned out to be one for the books. Only wish Dad could have joined us. But by God's goodness, it is possible. 

Lugang Cafe lunch

Lunch after our visit at St. Luke's to check on dad who, thank God Almighty, is doing good. 

Lugang Cafe on Connecticut St., San Juan was nearby so couldn't pass up a chance to introduce Joey, Gaby and April to what we consider the best fish heads dish we've ever had. 

We started with some xiao ling bao. This was the crab roe kind.

Of course, the classic pork xiao long bao, oozing with happiness. 

Dan dan noodles. Yes, it sounds nutty because it kinda is. Peanut saté kind of broth. Pretty light despite its appearance. 

The fish heads were as good as we remembered them to be. Smothered in garlic oyster sauce, it literally melts in the mouth!

Dishes worth noting was the excellent roasted duck, spinach seafood soup with century and salted egg and  spinach in garlic. Forgot to take pictures of it since we were famished at this point. 

Lugang will always be a must for us. It was fun sharing it with family. 

Happy 39th!

After a very challenging roller coaster of a day, ending it with family made me feel how much my family is there for me no matter what.

Bound by blood and faith. Nothing could be stronger.

I'd say Bryan's birthday worked out pretty well. 

Wildflour

For Bryan's 39th birthday blowout, we had the Alcantaras join us for dinner at Wildflour at Bonifacio Global City. I've been dying to try it amidst the cronut madness.

Researched using Foursquare and was not disappointed. I had a lot heaven-like moment tonight. I rarely have these moments in one sitting. 

The arugula and mushroom salad got me the most. I am coming back for this and I'm putting it in writing if I have to! So good!

The flambes were fantastic. One order of this and a salad, thats a pretty good meal! Light and savory. Servings were just right.

By far the best french onion soup I've tasted in my life! Its been a pretty shallow life. I'm so easy to please haha the broth was yummy on different dimensions. 

The birthday boy had the California Burger. Kinda reminded you a bit of shawarma. Good just the same. The fries were a bit too heavy by then though. A side salad would have been better, I think. 

The highlight was the salted chocolate cake with a candle for birthday purposes. Ana did not go wrong with this one. One of the best cakes ever. Not sickeningly sweet and the rock salt gave it a suave finish. Belissimo! 

My birthday boy. The love of my life. Heres to more years of good memories.

Thank you, Lord! 

Psalms 27:13-14

I remain confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living.

 Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 91:14

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

 He will call on me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

 With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation."

Our God is Jehovah and there is nothing that is out of His reach. We look up to you, Lord during this trying time

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him... - 2 Chronicles 16:9

Whenever we ask God for anything in Jesus’ name, Jesus says to us, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.” This means that in your prayer for healing, when you say “in Jesus’ name”, healing comes over your sick body because it is by His stripes that you are healed. (1 Peter 2:24) In your prayer for protection, when you say “in Jesus’ name”, you are kept safe because the blood of Jesus protects and delivers you from evil. (Exodus 12:13) 

- Joseph Prince

First and Last in a day

There’s never a day nor a season

That prayer may not bless every hour,

And never a prayer need be helpless

When linked with God’s infinite power. 

—Morton

Let Christ be first in your thoughts in the morning, and last in your thoughts at night.

Baybay, Roxas City

Double rainbow in the distant horizon. Cool afternoon sun and breeze. 

Simple treats that never go out of style! 

Dani loves barbecue with a passion! 

Playing in the sand with Liam and the Yayay Jennies. 

Liam finishing off 2 pork bbq sticks and a liver bbq. Good eating, Liam!

Good evening, Roxas City! 

Cups overflow

Deuteronomy 28:12

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.

For this week alone, God has once more met our need without batting an eye lash. I was pondering and searching for an answer to a dilemma I've been having. But God made something that was right under my nose just the thing I needed. 

By God's goodness the hardware business has been doing pretty well. This despite me doing so little at such a distance. Being pregnant now also means I only get to go home once a month. 

But with growth comes more demand and my assets have become limited to the demand I'm supplying. So I needed to find a way to meet the demand. 

After months of seeing different alternatives, God gave us the answer this week. One of our areas was still classified as farm land! Which meant we could have to re-classified and be given a better review for it! Right under my nose. Assets are necessary for some suppliers. Although we never get ourselves into bad debt as the Bible tells us to be faithful! 

God made a way! I don't have to shell out anything in the process!

Surely we still have more problems to solve but just like this instance, God always outdoes anything we can ever imagine or plan on doing!

Better to bigger

How do we become bigger? That is not the question. The question is how do we become better. If we become better our customers would want us to become bigger. What am I doing personally that is of help to the organisation? What am i doing to help the organisation become better?

- Francis Kong

Proud Legacy

Lolo Kukit, as we would fondly call him, will always be like a legend in our hearts. He died at an early age of 50, my father was about 5 or 6 that time.  So we never really got to meet the man who started the fire in the woman we all know as Lola Cora. 

Gov. Gabriel Kuroki Acuña Hernandez was known as a great public servant, loved by many. He made his mark by being one of those who helped the most during WW2 by sending supplies from Capiz. Our family holds Gen. McArthur's letter proudly that thanks him for his valuable service. 

But we all have come to fall in love with a man with the deepest relationship with God. Who would start his days in office on his knees praying. Even as governor he was a Sunday school teacher, too. A wicked, or as my lola would call it "pilyo" sense if humor. Never cared for money and gave all he earned to my Lola to take care of. 

He loved children. Was simple and always playful. 

My Lola would tell us how she would be jealous of my Lolo and His Bible. My Lola was not a Christian back then. Too bad Lolo was no longer around to see the kind of Christian woman my Lola would become because of him. Lola is a legend in her own right because of her service to  God and His people. For that Lolo lives on. 

Lolo Kukit's last letter a few days before he passed has been framed and kept in Lola's house. It was still all about family and God. What a way to be remembered! A heart attack took him from us. 

Talking about him with Lola to this day, she still has that twinkle in her eye each time. To have a love like that... Wow! Lola was about 30 then. Very young with 4 children. But she never married despite the many suitors that came her way. Can't believe she was about my age. 

This is the legacy we hold near and dear. What a way to be remembered. Sometimes we forget he was a governor. It really doesnt matter as much as to being known as a man who loved God and family. 

Lolo Kukit is the one on right, by the way. 

Chikaan Sunday

The family finally tried the restaurant Chikaan in Robinsons Place. An import from Cebu, the restaurant reminded me of Cafe Laguna which is also from Cebu. 

Filipino flair with a touch of Iloilo in the decor. The place was packed to overflowing. This is always a good sign.

The chorizo came highly recommended. We also tried the sizzling tuna belly, kangkong in gata, caldareta, sizzling bulalo and baked scallops. Love their citrus quencher. Refreshing and light combination of orange, calamansi and cucumber.

Its a place for the family or a big group. Their P35 unli rice deal fit the orders nicely. Be there early though.